Perusing pages

by Sean McCarthy

A book is an experience, and the Book Nerd is about the experience of books. pages

When Cate Cote-Martel, aka Miss Cate, opened her used book store in Barrington in 2019, she aimed to create a richly unique experience for book lovers to indulge in. And while the digital age has affected the way people experience books, it has made the Book Nerd a more charming and special venue that the Internet and chain stores can’t provide.

Miss Cate is a lover of books and people; the perfect concoction for an independent small business. So whether you’re in the hunt for an author or a topic, or you’re just browsing for a surprise, the Book Nerd offers a sense of comfort and community that is unlike any other book outlet, chain, or online retailer.

“There is a unique joy that comes from buying a book. It’s a process of discovery,” Miss Cate says. “With a used book store you come in and search the shelves – you can take your time and enjoy looking at the covers and reading the synopsis on the back. You never know what you’re going to find.”

Since its beginnings, the Book Nerd has been about more than just buying a book. With her affinity for baking, Miss Cate often provides customers with complimentary cookies and other baked goods, in addition to free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. The store is outfitted with tables and chairs for relaxed reading, including a rocking chair with a window view of the store’s exterior. Her 13-year-old dog, Abby, greets guests as they enter the store.

A professed Anglophile, Miss Cate sells British foods and teas, while the store also offers Harry Potter-related merchandise. Handmade bookmarks are also available for purchase.

“The whole idea of this store is about finding joy in the little bits of life,” Miss Cate says. “I wanted the Book Nerd to be a place I would want to go – someplace cozy. I want people to come here and feel like they can stay for hours and enjoy being around books. Maybe sit and enjoy a cup of tea as you read something. Used books have an energy about them different from new books that have never been touched or loved. They fit the vibe I wanted.”

“I like the feel of the Book Nerd,” says Sarah Santaniello of Barrington. “It’s a tangible experience – you can feel the book, you can smell the book, you’re there in the moment. You can browse through the books, you can take the time to flip through it and see if it’s a style that you’d like to read. You can sit down and relax with it for a little bit.”

“Amazon can be convenient, but it doesn’t give you that homegrown, local small business feel,” says Tabitha Watjen of East Providence. “I appreciate that we don’t have to rely on Amazon to still enjoy reading a good book because we have the Book Nerd right around the corner. The experience of actually finding and buying a book is special, way more exciting than ordering it online.”

“Cate provides a very welcoming environment that builds community,” says Gloria Hwang-Forzano of Barrington, “It’s a great place for our young children, because Miss Cate engages with them, she plays games with them and has a great selection of books for kids to peruse through. My kids always have a hard time leaving.” And Miss Cate remembers what it was like to be young and in love with books.

“When I was growing up in Central Falls, I spent a lot of time in our town library,” she recalls. “It was a calm, beautiful environment where I could always find something that took me out of Central Falls. I would go there and sit for hours, just being quiet and looking at these books.

“There’s so many reasons to love books. Some people love the story, or the setting, or the characters. I have a customer whose interest is reading every book he can find that is set in Paris.”

Under the covers

Miss Cate says that her store sees a wide swath of customers of all ages, genders, professions, and levels of education.

“There’s a connection that builds a community of readers. People and books go together,” Miss Cate says. “I know my customers, so if they tell me they are looking for a book I’ll be able to find something for them, different from going on a computer. Books are things you do with people. They’re a personal one-on-one kind of thing, something you don’t get on Amazon. People love to talk about books they love and they want to share them with others. People will have conversations in the store, and recommendations mean a lot.”

A retired public school teacher, Miss Cate takes pride in contributing to the community. In addition to working with the local Lions Club, she allows young people with disabilities to accrue work experience by volunteering at the Book Nerd. And each month the store invites children from the Barrington area to help make and decorate cookie baskets that are given to local public employees such as teachers and police.

Miss Cate is optimistic about the future of books.

“The digital age of Kindle and audiobooks is not deterring people from enjoying physical books, including young people,” Miss Cate says. “The novelty of the e-reader has worn off. I had a Kindle because I wanted to try it, but there’s something about holding a book and the sense of accomplishment when you’ve finished reading a 500-page book. Books are not disappearing, they will be around forever.”

And there are economic benefits to buying from an independent used book store.

“It can be expensive to buy books straight from the publisher,” HwangForzano says. “You can spend five dollars on a children’s book from Miss Cate, that may cost you three or four times more at a chain store.”

“I like the idea of supporting local businesses as much as I can,” Watjen adds. “I enjoy a good sale and a good discount, so used books meet that need.”

The Book Nerd is also popular for its’ policy of allowing customers to return books for credit towards their next purchase.

“People need to realize how important these little bookstores are,” says Hwang-Forzano. “They’re gems. You just want to sit at the table to have tea and talk about books.”

“I never walk out of Miss Cate’s without a book or two and some good conversation,” says Liz Messier of Riverside. “Her selection is very versatile, I’ve bought many books for my grandchildren there.”

“Every time I’ve gone to Book Nerd I’ve found something new and different that interests me. It’s a gold mine,” says Colleen Dupre of Barrington. “It’s a unique and pleasant experience, and the books are all in good shape. In today’s world, Cate offers a personal touch. It’s nice to go into a place that’s personable and welcoming.”

“Very rarely do I know what I want to read, so I’ll stop in just to browse and talk with Miss Cate,” Santaniello says. “I’ll end up with some interesting conversation and come home with at least three or four books, maybe six or eight. She’s friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, and she loves imparting her knowledge to the people who come into the store – something that you won’t get in big stores.”

Located at 30 Maple Avenue, the Book Nerd is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and is accessible on Facebook and Instagram at thebooknerdonline.