Featherstone 
An Innovation in Book Selling – New retailer offers a business book concierge service and eco-friendly buying model
In addition to all sorts of non-fiction including memoir, and some standout fiction, I read a fair proportion of business books. Why?
- Some because I (or my author clients) have a burning business problem that needs solving and I find all the best answers in books.
- Others for pure inspiration, part and parcel of being one of those lifelong learners.
- A fair few I read as part of my role as a judge of The Australian Business Book Awards.
- And as a publishing mentor and advocate for authors, I read a wide array of their manuscripts at various stages of development or when helping with book marketing.
So, that’s why I was delighted to see an innovation on the Australian bookselling scene. What happened? Rereadable was launched.
Its founder, Leanne Faulkner, describes it as ‘an online bookstore that helps businesspeople save time by matching the right book to their needs’. A niche book concierge service! Better still, book buyers have a choice of buying new or preloved copies (love the preloved option for environmental reasons!) , and can buy in bundles, bulk, or single copies, depending on their or their company’s needs.
Intrigued, I asked Leanne Faulkner to share a bit more about Rereadable.
What drove you to imagine and create Rereadable?
Leanne: I have worked as a small business mental health advocate for the past 12 years and just completed my PhD researching the mental health of micro-business owners and sole traders. It’s not easy growing a business! I understand the important link between feeling competent and confident at work and stress reduction. The more we know how to work, the more control we have. Feeling like we are in control (and not just working to customer demands!) helps to reduce stress and worry at work. I wanted to help support business owners feel more in control in a very easy and economical way and that’s why I started Rereadable. I want to reduce the stress levels of business owners, one book at a time.
Where did you get your inspiration for the ‘book concierge’ service?
Leanne: This is really thanks to my PhD research. I know that business owners are usually time poor and tend to work long hours. I wanted to take away the stress of trying to find the perfect book. On the more general bookstore sites you can waste time trying to find a title that best fits your needs. I am a total business book nerd, ex business coach and university lecturer so the book matching service on the site was where I could use my business skills to provide a premium service.
What are 5 books that personally helped/inspired/guided you get to this stage with Rereadable?
Leanne: Oh this is too hard to answer! I do love them all 😉
I would say:
- Building a Brand Story by Donald Miller
- Become a Business Money Magnet by Justine McLean (brilliant Australian bookkeeper)
- Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
- Find Your Why by Simon Sinek
- The 7% Club by Jenny Stilwell (another great local author).
How do you source the secondhand books for the site?
Leanne: That’s like asking Colonel Sanders for the secret herbs and spices recipe! Let’s just say I do the hours of hunting and sorting so you don’t have to.
Is Rereadable an Australia-only offering?
Leanne: Right now, it is, but that is likely to change next year.
You have a mix of Australian and international-authored books, with quite a focus on the Australian ones, why is that?
Leanne: My PhD research showed that business owners love to hear from other business owners. It’s this sort of incidental learning that carries a lot of merit in the business community. That’s why I am passionate about supporting Australian business authors. They understand our business context and economic environment. They appreciate the challenges that come with developing a business and I think that’s what makes their books so rereadable for my customers. I am proud to help support our local business authors and give them a platform for sales and customer connection.
So, there you go, a new specialist bookstore for Australia, with its own book concierge service! And if you would like to add a copy of Look-It’s Your Book! to your book haul (yes, writing a non-fiction book can be a great business strategy – let alone a venture in its own right!), Rereadable has it in stock now.
NB: If you’re planning on writing a non-fiction book or are already into it but a bit stuck, I can help. I can also assist with manuscript assessment, publishing pathways and strategy and refer you on to suppliers who can help make your book shine. Book a one-on-one call and let’s get your book project started or moving again.