The world through a window

IN WINDOWS on Hesse Street, you’ll find an insightful, heart-wrenching and powerful curation of novels, written by equally inspiring authors.
The Bookshop at Queenscliff’s displays feature an assortment of books from the black American community and Indigenous Australians – offering varying accounts of life, and systemic racism.
For co-owner Jayne Tuttle, as the world marches for equality and justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death, silence wasn’t an option but speaking on behalf of those oppressed didn’t
feel right either – so they let the books do the talking.
“Our book shop is an extension of who we (my husband Matt and I) are. A home of ideas and thoughts, we’re not commercially minded, it’s our passion,” Ms Tuttle said.
“We’ve had the shop for six months. We lived in Paris for 12 years and were moving back and forward between Point Lonsdale with our daughter. Last year we were thinking about staying in Paris longer when the bookshop came up.”
As a first-time author and self-described “book junkie” Ms Tuttle recently published Paris or Die, a memoir chronicling her life abroad, and said books have the ability to transport us.
“Books can open our world and allow us to go anywhere. In uncertain times like the present, they’re a powerful resource; an important way for us to understand other cultures – particularly in sensitive times like now.
“Reading is something we can do, we have so much available to help us learn and learning is what changes the world, it creates understanding and understanding creates empathy.”
Ms Tuttle said the windows were an opportunity to engage with the community during the coronavirus restrictions, to showcase their books and to help keep the shop feeling “alive”.
“We have seven windows; five looking out on Stokes Street and two on Hesse Street. They became a point of communication, a bit like a lighthouse or an exhibition that people would incorporate into their daily walks.”
Titles now on display include The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, an insight into life as a black man in America during the ‘60s; How We Fight For Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones, the coming-of-age story of a young, gay black man in America’s south and Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe, the new history of Australia.
Ms Tuttle said the windows are a “sensitive response” to the world and what’s going on around us and have garnered a fantastic response.
“I don’t see the windows as a huge political stance or a big statement, more a ‘here are the books we recommend right now’ display.
“People are buying the books but even if they don’t buy them, it’s important people read or lodge a title or image in their mind, go home and discuss it. We can all play a part in education, discussion and change – even just in our own mindset.
“At the book shop, we are but a tiny part of it but we see ourselves as a reflection of the feelings and curiosities of our community. It’s our job to respond to that as best we can, and in as creative ways as we can.”