Some things can’t be beaten - a freshly brewed cup of coffee, the first splash of sunshine on a spring day, grass under your toes, a good book in your lap, and a stroll through a bookstore. When you step into Finist and The Owl, you feel like an old friend has invited you to their house to browse their collection of favorite reads.
Each room is curated with a cozy spot to curl up with a book - the children’s room has a cozy chair next to its shelves, the tent in the kids’ room tempts you to curl up with your toddler and a board book, while the couches in the adult fiction and nonfiction rooms are sirens. We chatted with Yulia Watters, Finist and the Owl’s owner, to learn more about this Bellefonte bookery.
What made you want to own a bookstore?
I’ve always liked books, which also led me to choose French literature as my first major in college. I moved to Delaware during the pandemic. Like many other people, I felt very disconnected from the community. I was pondering what to do to build the connection. My husband, the owner of the Bellefonte Center for Children and Families, had some space available on the first floor of his building. That seemed like a perfect location for the bookstore.
What made you pick Bellefonte?
We already owned the building in Bellefonte. Bellefonte, an artist community with an antique store and a coffee shop nearby, is a perfect fit for a community, family-oriented bookstore.
Why Finist and the Owl?
The Finist is a mythical bird from a Russian folktale symbolizing rebirth, strength, determination, and resilience. The Owl is a bird often associated with wisdom and knowledge in Western Culture. The bookstore aims to bridge cultures and create a space for understanding - two things that are needed right now in this divided world.
What separates Finist and The Owl from other bookstores?
We want people from different walks of life to feel welcomed at the store. Finist and the Owl endeavors to be a place where understanding, inclusion, diversity, and equity are not mere words. Rather, they are the embodiment of consequences brought forth through the reading and sharing of the knowledge conveyed to us by books
The question of representation, being able to recognize your community and yourself, in the stories and images around us, is a big topic for me. I am a first-generation immigrant and struggled to connect while preserving my own cultural and social identity my whole life. It's still a point of mindful reflection that I engage in every day of my life. Therefore, I want to contribute to developing this sense of belonging for everyone as much as I can.
What kind of books can we find?
The store is trilingual, English, French, and Russian. These are the three languages that I speak. We started to expand our collection of Spanish children’s books and outreach to our Spanish-speaking community. At the bookstore, I aim to give voice to communities that have been traditionally marginalized and underrepresented, such as African American authors and LGBTQ+ authors. This is why we sell banned books, since historically mostly the representatives from these communities were placed on the banned books list.
That's such a fantastic mission. How can we support you and independent bookstores from afar?
While exploring different advocacy opportunities, I realized how big booksellers hurt independent bookstores and authors. The books are practically sold below the cost established by the authors. On the other hand, Bookshop connects readers to independent booksellers around the world. If you can’t find a book on our website, you can purchase it on our Bookshop store. If you prefer audiobooks, we also have a Libro storefront.
How do you select your books?
When I opened my bookstore, I joined the American Bookselling Association and PEN America (a non-profit that protects the freedom of expression in America and Worldwide). I became interested in the rights of authors and freedom of speech as it relates to the opportunities to consume literature that we choose and have an opportunity to explore topics that interest us. I grew up in post-communist Russia and the question of censorship was always important to me.
I consider many different things: I privilege diversity: diversity in voices (authors), topics, illustration styles, etc. Inclusion and Opportunity are important factors that guide my choices. I invite local authors and artists to use the space to exhibit their art, host book signings, and meet the community. We also base our collections on feedback from customers. For example, a popular request has been Delaware's history and culture, so we plan to introduce that section soon.
What are your top 5 favorite books?
I am an avid reader and usually read up to 10 books at a time. My favorites are:
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (she is also the author of Eat, Pray, Love)
- Illusions by Richard Bach
- Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
- Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
- Lecons Particulieres by Helene Grimaud (my favorite French Pianist who also has a Wolf Sanctuary in upstate New York).
How many books are currently on your nightstand? What are they?
As I mentioned, I currently have 10 books that I am reading at one moment or another. My mood always inspires my book choice. Do I want an inspirational, relaxing, or educational read? I do not watch TV, so I usually relax with a book in the second part of the day. Here are some that I am currently reading:
- Conversations with Trees by Stephanie Kaza
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima (in French)
- The Burden and Blessing of Memory by Anne Jaffe
- The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova
- Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions by Ed Zwick
- Super Courses by Ken Bain
- The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul
- How Learning Happens by Paul Kirschner and Carl Hendrick
- How People Learn by National Research Council
The store hosts author meet and greets, artist events, book clubs, coffee pop-ups, and community events. What do you hope to offer in the future?
I would love to start a storytelling club for children and a book club for adults. I noticed that local libraries often offer storytelling times during the week, I would like to offer a storytelling space on a weekend, so working parents also have an option to bring their children to a bookstore. For the adult book club, I envision doing it at the Bellefonte Cafe which just started offering its amazing teas. Tea and a good book, it's a dream combination!
For the Littlest Bookworm
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Finist and the Owl is a place for artistic encounters, community gatherings, and celebrations where you can find something to nourish your soul and regenerate your spirit. Stop by Finist and The Owl at 811 Brandywine Boulevard, Willmington, DE 19809 to discover your next favorite read!
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