Montreal Music Bookstore Owner Gives Honest Book Reviews…posts

Like many people during the pandemic, Jean Lavin lost his business.

Unlike many, the then 55-year-old thought, “It would be a great time to open a bookstore.”

He did — with his wife's support, of course.

“I worked at a bed and breakfast for 12 years,” Lavigne told CTV News. “During the pandemic, everything came to a standstill, and at the age of 55 I was faced with a choice: OK, what am I going to do with the rest of my life?” I don't know how things will turn out.”

Lavin said if he didn't take a leap of faith now, he knew he never would.

“My wife said, 'Listen, if you don't buy this land, if you don't rent it, you don't have the courage to do this,'” he recalls. “And I said, 'Okay, okay, let's go.'”

In November 2021, Librairie Resonance, a bookstore dedicated to music books, opened its doors for the first time.

“I've always said my best job was my first job at a record store when I was 17, 18, 19,” Lavin said. “When it came time to open a bookstore, I said, 'I love that music environment…' and I said, 'OK, I think this could work.'

Jean Lavin, owner of Librairie Resonance bookstore, leaves her honest reviews for each book. (Jean Lavigne)

Hailing from Aylmer, Que., Lavigne says that when she first opened her store, she got to know the different customers she encountered.

“I don't want to be the one trying to sell or push or anything,” he said. “When I go into a bookstore, I like to be alone just to browse.”

That's when he came up with the idea of ​​leaving small posts for each book.

“I want to talk to them, tell them, 'Oh, that was really good,' 'I liked that,' 'I didn't like that so much,'” he said. “I say, you know, 'I didn't like it, and asked why.' It's also a good way to engage, and then I'm like, “I didn't necessarily like that, but if you like that kind of book, then I'm sure you'll like this book even better.” “

Jean Lavin, owner of Librairie Resonance bookstore, leaves her honest reviews for each book. (Jean Lavigne)

The former teacher says she's as honest as possible in her post, and her customers often leave her behind.

“I think it's just a nice thing for a person to come out with a book that's useful for them,” he said. “It's my customers who tell me what books to buy because they're so knowledgeable.”

Lavigne admits she hasn't read every book in her store yet, but she's working on it.

“Before opening a store, I would read everything… I think that's the first quality of a bookstore owner. You have to be interesting and be able to talk to customers about anything,” he said. “I felt like a fraud when I first opened because some people come here and learn more about music books and music in general… I thought I was into music, but it's crazy how some people are really into music. it's really cool.”