Carole Beu MNZM is the owner of The Women’s Book Shop at 105 Ponsonby Road, which she opened in1989. Today they house over 3,000 book titles. It is one of the nicest and well set out book shops in New Zealand. It was awarded the Winning Independent Bookseller,
Do you come from a book selling background?
No, I was a secondary school English & Drama teacher, and an actor before that.
Is there any one title of books that sell best?
Literary fiction - that's mainly what I read & can recommend to customers. I attach little hand-written reviews to the front covers of the novels I love, to help people choose the good ones. Customers love them & trust my judgement.
We are recognised as a specialist in the area of counselling & therapy titles; professionals often send their clients here for specific books. We also have a great range of LGBTQI+ titles.
Are books on the decline?
Nonsense - an absolute myth! Some people use devices when travelling but real books are still as popular as ever.
What do you like most about Ponsonby?
Its vibrancy and quirkiness - a perfect location for a shop like mine.
How did you survive the pandemic?
Covid was kind to The Women's Bookshop because people needed books! We did huge online sales, with our Courier Post man knocking on the door daily and collecting large cartons full of individual books going all over the country. In central Auckland, my lycra-clad neighbour gallantly rode his bike delivering to people's letterboxes - our own 'male delivery service'.
What was your childhood like?
Very middle-class, suburban and safe. My mother would be horrified if she knew what a stroppy woman I have become!
I will die happy if?
If the narcissistic, entitled, power-hungry, mentally-unstable men who are currently ruling the world all die before me.
Favorite actress?
Olivia Coleman - she is brilliant in every different role she plays.
Dream holiday internationally be?
In London, attending a stunning live theatre performance every evening.
What’s on your bucket list?
To attend more international literary festivals - though the Auckland one each May, which I have been involved in since its beginnings, keeps going from strength to strength, with a stunning selection of international authors.
The most kiwi thing about you?
My growing understanding of the impact of colonisation and my delight as Te Reo Maori becomes more and more commonly use.
See yourself in ten years?
I just hope I'm still alive in ten years - still reading, going to the theatre, dining out with friends, and maybe still running The Women's Bookshop?
What is a project you are looking forward to?
This year's Ladies' Litera-Tea on Sunday t November - an annual event in which I line up NZ's best women writers who have a new book out. 260 women in the audience, with a dozen writers on stage and a delectable afternoon tea. Yum!
How would you like to be remembered?
As a stroppy feminist who spent decades promoting women's words, wit and wisdom.
Biggest disappointments?
I'm an optimist, despite the current state of the world, but I guess my biggest disappointment was Trump getting elected again. Unbelievable!
What motivates you?
A really good book, that is superbly written and totally absorbing - restores my faith in humanity to keep producing beautiful things.
Which item of clothing can't you live without?
In Auckland, my bright multi-coloured raincoat - perfect for wearing when I ride my electric bike to work.
Most treasured possession?
My grandchildren and my bookshop.
Tell us something very few people know about you?
I take my differently-abled adult son to all the Warriors home games each season.
What superpower do you wish you had?
The power to use my finger tips to inflict pain, and if necessary death, like the women in Naomi Alderman's novel The Power I would use it very selectively on just a few carefully chosen men, one or two of whom are current NZ MPs. I also acknowledge that there are a lot of good, caring men in the world and we stock the best of male authors in The Women's Bookshop.
Greatest weakness/indulgence?
Books, travel, more books, more travel.
If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be?
I would name 'domestic or family violence' for what it is - male violence against women, make it safe for women to speak out, and establish education programme’s for men to learn how to be kind, compassionate and respectful to women.
