People often ask me where I find the books for Ash Tree Books.
The honest answer is… it’s something different every time.
Sometimes I hear about a community book sale on an island I’ve never visited before. Sometimes someone contacts me because they’re downsizing a lifelong collection. Sometimes an unexpected opportunity appears out of nowhere. And yes—once in a while, a book quite literally falls into my hands!
I’ve come to believe that books have a funny way of finding the people who are meant to discover them.
This trip to Gabriola Island was one of those adventures.
I’d never been there before, but when I heard about the Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Gabriola Community Hall, it felt like one of those opportunities that was worth following.
🎥 Here’s how the adventure unfolded… 🌳📚✧˖°
I packed up my two younger daughters, Kotori (11) and Mayleah (7), and we caught the ferry to Gabriola Island. (My teenager, Solana, decided to sit this adventure out!)
Expecting a lineup, I arrived a couple of hours early—only to discover I was the first person there! It turned out I was a little too early. With time to spare before the doors opened, our morning quickly turned into a family adventure.
The girls made the most of the wait by climbing trees, exploring the grounds, and even convincing me to dust off a few wrestling skills from my varsity wrestling days. (I’m not sure they expected an impromptu wrestling lesson!)
While wandering around the neighbourhood, I also came across a resident selling young trees at the end of their driveway. Looking back, I wish I had brought one home with me.
When the doors finally opened, it was time to browse the book sale and see what treasures were waiting inside. One of the things I enjoy most about visiting community book sales is that you never know what you’ll discover. Every table holds the possibility of uncovering a forgotten classic, an unusual subject, or a book looking for its next home.
After catching the ferry back to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, I kept a promise I’d made to the girls. In exchange for joining me on my book adventure, they got to choose our next stop: the mall and, of course, their favorite store, Miniso. While we were there, I spotted a little Michael Jackson figurine. As a longtime Michael Jackson fan, it was a fun find that caught my eye.
Before heading home to Port Alberni, we made one final stop at Cameron Lake to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery—a peaceful ending to a day filled with books, ferries, family, and a few unexpected moments.
I’ve embedded the video below so you can join us on the adventure and see a few of the books that found their way back to Ash Tree Books.
Sometimes the stories behind finding books are just as memorable as the books themselves.
Have you ever wondered where books seem to find you? Or have you stumbled across a memorable book in an unexpected place? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.
Until next time… ✨
Let’s see where the books lead next. 🌳📚✧˖°
