In this Meet the Bookseller blog, we chat with Belle Katavatis, the manager of the new Readings Chadstone shop! She tells us about what makes a good bookshop, why she's excited to bring Readings to Chadstone and how to get out of a reading slump.

What do you think makes a good bookshop?

A welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and a well curated selection of titles, so a customer can come in and find a bestseller, but also find a hidden gem.

What are you most enjoying about managing the Chadstone shop? (So far!)

It's been exciting to open in a new area of Melbourne and to feel so welcomed and receive such positive feedback from the community. The team and I have loved getting to know our customers and finding out what they're reading, and tailoring our store accordingly. And I can't wait to start hosting Readings events in the shop!

What is your favourite feature of the new shop?

It's very hard to pick one favourite feature! The lantern is so unique in the way it draws you right through the shop, and the beautiful reclaimed bluestone flooring makes you feel like you're wandering a Parisian laneway.

What do you think makes Readings special, and how are you bringing that to Chadstone?

The personal curation of books in all Readings stores sets us apart from other chain bookstores, and along with my colleagues we've filled the shelves of our Chadstone store with a wide variety of titles, from unknown classics to contemporary books that have gone under the radar. Nothing can replicate the joy of wandering around a book-filled space, chatting with like-minded readers and discovering new titles and authors.

What is your favourite book or author, and why?

Tim Winton. No one portrays the rugged landscape of Australia like him. My favourite will forever be Cloudstreet, however his most recent work, Juice, had me gripped right from the start. It's an intense story of human resilience set in a ravaged landscape and will have you thinking about it long after you've read the final page.

Do you have any questions that you particular love from customers?

There is nothing more satisfying than finding the correct book for a customer from as little information as 'the one with the cat on the front' or 'the new book with the orange cover'!