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ENLARGE
Author Elle Mansfield purchases a book from Words on Paper owner Julie Hiramatsu.
The small, brass bell lightly chimes as the glass door swings open. Rows upon rows of colorful cards crowd the walls, spilling over into several standing wooden shelves. Decadent paper drapes the far wall in vibrant colors and textures. Bundles of books clutter chairs, tables, windowsills and pine bookcases. From behind the waist-high counter, a cheerful woman welcomes a new customer to Words on Paper.
"It's a store that celebrates the arts of reading and writing," said Kim Carrow, a clerk at the curious bookstore.
Julie Hiramatsu, the original owner for Odyssey Books, had a craving for a store in Nevada County that would encourage reading and writing. In September 2005, she opened Words on Paper, a store filled with exclusively chosen pieces of literature, cards and, of course, paper.
"We have a really incredible hand-picked selection of books," Carrow said, watching her two young daughters drifting through the stacks of bright book covers. "Julie and I, over the years, both read all the time. We've been able to really bring in all the books you want to read. You don't have to sift through the trash."
Another aspect of the specialty store Carrow enjoys is the creative card collection Hiramatsu has created.
"It's a store that celebrates the arts of reading and writing," said Kim Carrow, a clerk at the curious bookstore.
Julie Hiramatsu, the original owner for Odyssey Books, had a craving for a store in Nevada County that would encourage reading and writing. In September 2005, she opened Words on Paper, a store filled with exclusively chosen pieces of literature, cards and, of course, paper.
"We have a really incredible hand-picked selection of books," Carrow said, watching her two young daughters drifting through the stacks of bright book covers. "Julie and I, over the years, both read all the time. We've been able to really bring in all the books you want to read. You don't have to sift through the trash."
Another aspect of the specialty store Carrow enjoys is the creative card collection Hiramatsu has created.
"People come in here and they'll spend an hour looking around at the cards and laughing," Carrow said. "When you see a card like that, you say, 'Oh, I'll send that to so and so.' It's really fun to get a card for no reason. It's really special."
The shop hums pleasantly as an acoustic Spanish guitar sweetly sings Georges Bizet's French opera, "Carmen." Suddenly, the melody is disrupted by a dining bell. As the door glides open, it yields a petite woman with long midnight tresses and smooth bronze skin- Hiramatsu.
The lean Japanese woman silently saunters into the store. With a warm smile, she greets Carrow and relieves the honey-haired woman for the day. Sliding behind the counter, Hiramatsu examines the sun-soaked room. She is pleased.
"I love cards and books and paper," she said. "I wanted to share that with the community. I actually missed interacting with the community and the book people in the community."
Hiramatsu's shop is a heaven for any avid reader, writer and paper artist.
The shop hums pleasantly as an acoustic Spanish guitar sweetly sings Georges Bizet's French opera, "Carmen." Suddenly, the melody is disrupted by a dining bell. As the door glides open, it yields a petite woman with long midnight tresses and smooth bronze skin- Hiramatsu.
The lean Japanese woman silently saunters into the store. With a warm smile, she greets Carrow and relieves the honey-haired woman for the day. Sliding behind the counter, Hiramatsu examines the sun-soaked room. She is pleased.
"I love cards and books and paper," she said. "I wanted to share that with the community. I actually missed interacting with the community and the book people in the community."
Hiramatsu's shop is a heaven for any avid reader, writer and paper artist.
"A lot of paper artists come in for collage making, cards, decoration. I'm waiting for new paper," she said, looking at a few white spaces along the far wall.
She turns, directing her guest's gaze toward an extensive card selection.
"Most of these cards are coming from small companies. They're fun, creative - they're focused on design," she said. "You don't see some of the long verses that you do in other cards. They're really a springboard for your own thoughts."
The world of words and literature captured the heart of the softly spoken Hiramatsu early in her life.
"When I was little, I can remember reading - sneaking away from my chores," the trim woman laughs. "I've saved any card or letter I've ever received. People say, 'You saved that?' But it's especially nice when you can read letters from those who aren't here anymore. It's like they're there. You can hear their voice, crystal clear."
She turns, directing her guest's gaze toward an extensive card selection.
"Most of these cards are coming from small companies. They're fun, creative - they're focused on design," she said. "You don't see some of the long verses that you do in other cards. They're really a springboard for your own thoughts."
The world of words and literature captured the heart of the softly spoken Hiramatsu early in her life.
"When I was little, I can remember reading - sneaking away from my chores," the trim woman laughs. "I've saved any card or letter I've ever received. People say, 'You saved that?' But it's especially nice when you can read letters from those who aren't here anymore. It's like they're there. You can hear their voice, crystal clear."
Hiramatsu has built a book collection based on her favorite authors, books, reviews and recommendations from other readers - who are many times her customers.
"You know how sometimes you read a book and you go, 'Oh, this is good!'" waving her hands, she cries. "My customers are really important to me. They're always sharing their favorite last read. You can't leave my shop without telling me your favorite book," she smiles.
Taking out a small piece of white paper, Hiramatsu scribbles down the titles of three new, intriguing books her customers have given her.
"This is ... " biting her lip, she ruminates, eyes passing over the treasure trove " ... this is my life. This is really who I am. I just can't get over how lucky I am. I've tried other things. I had a career in finance, but this is my passion. Sometimes I get so excited when a new book comes out, you know, 'You've got to read this! Take a look at it!"'
Words on Paper is located at 101 Argall Way in Nevada City. For more information, call 265-3665.
"You know how sometimes you read a book and you go, 'Oh, this is good!'" waving her hands, she cries. "My customers are really important to me. They're always sharing their favorite last read. You can't leave my shop without telling me your favorite book," she smiles.
Taking out a small piece of white paper, Hiramatsu scribbles down the titles of three new, intriguing books her customers have given her.
"This is ... " biting her lip, she ruminates, eyes passing over the treasure trove " ... this is my life. This is really who I am. I just can't get over how lucky I am. I've tried other things. I had a career in finance, but this is my passion. Sometimes I get so excited when a new book comes out, you know, 'You've got to read this! Take a look at it!"'
Words on Paper is located at 101 Argall Way in Nevada City. For more information, call 265-3665.
