By Katie Magee

When I was seventeen, a junior in high school, I had an English teacher named Mr. Dickson. He always talked about this cool bookstore called Lemuria that he worked at part time. I was a hostess at a restaurant at the time, and didn’t dig it too much. But I liked books, so I figured I’d go up to that bookstore and try to get a job. I filled out an application and about a month later I got a phone call to come in for an interview. I was nervous and I messed up the title of a Hemingway novel, so after the interview I called my mom and told her I probably didn’t get the job because Hemingway’s face was everywhere in that store.

I mean everywhere.

Now, here I am, two and a half years later and my time at Lemuria is coming to an end, for now. I’m heading up to Oxford soon to attend Ole Miss and work at Square Books. I could write a whole list of things that I’ll miss about this place but I know that I’ll never have to miss them for too long. I know that Lemuria is a place I will keep coming back to. So, I’m gonna write a little list about some gems my fellow Lemurians have shared with me.

I’ve read a lot of books that Lemuria led me to. I read a book called The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran that Lisa gave me for feeding her cats while she was out of town. I read a book called The Vegetarian by Han Kang that Maggie Smith left on the counter for me with a little note that said “I think you might like this.” I read a book called The English Major by Jim Harrison after John told me about one of his very favorite authors, and I have come to absolutely adore Harrison.

Lemuria, John, and my coworkers have all taught me a lot. I was at Lemuria during a real “coming-of-age” time in my life and I have no doubt that it is the best place, the only place that I could have been during that time. This is a kick-ass bookstore and these are some kick-ass people, and I’ll miss coming here all the time. I want to thank them for putting up with me, for loving me, and for helping me grow.

Lemuria is a magical place and I can’t explain the feeling of hearing a little girl walk in and say, “Mom, this place is made of books!” Or the out-of-towners who swear this is the best bookstore they’ve ever been to. I am so happy to have been able to be a part of that magic.

Here’s to Lemuria and here’s to John, our fierce leader, our DJ, my friend. You’re the man who runs this show and you’re the conductor of the magic that happens here. Thanks for letting me tag along for a while!

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