Fernando Sanchez, founder of Bicloubook in Lille.

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Bicloubook

  • A local cook from Lille has turned into a traveling bookseller.

  • With his electric bike, he travels to neighborhoods to meet locals with a very wide selection of books.

  • His books are sold at free prices in businesses such as grocery stores or bakeries.

Provider of culture.

The third confinement decreed to fight the coronavirus epidemic will at least have that again that it does not force bookstores to close their doors.

However, the city of Lille is not also crowded with book sellers, and this is where Fernando Sanchez's initiative takes on its full meaning.

With his Bicloubook, he sets up his books where you don't expect them.

If you don't go to reading, reading comes to you.

At 45, Fernando Sanchez decided to change his life.

Radically.

A few months ago, this Lille resident was a cook in the community and prepared meals in the chain in high schools in the department of the North.

“I have always been passionate about literature and novels.

I also did public readings during which I could introduce writers to those who attended, ”he explains.

And when Fernando wondered how he envisioned the rest of his life, he immediately imagined her among the books.

"Places where you don't expect to find books"

“At first, I had the idea of ​​opening a bookstore.

Then while talking with people, I said to myself that the most relevant would be to reach out to potential readers, in neighborhoods where there is no bookstore or bookseller, ”he recalls.

This is how Bicloubook was created last September.

Behind his electric bike, Fernando Sanchez hangs a large trailer filled with literary treasures: novels, thrillers, children's books and even essays.

The Bicloubook travels to six districts of Lille and Fernando sets up his stall in the shops that want to welcome him.

"These are grocery stores, bakeries, in short places where you do not expect to find books to meet a large audience that does not necessarily frequent bookstores", explains the bookseller.

Books sold at free prices

The other imperative that Fernando Sanchez has set for himself is to make his approach accessible to everyone.

He therefore offers his books at free prices and the bet has paid off.

“I don't want people to pay by weight or by prestige.

For the most part, my clients are fairly fair in what they give and this allows me to recoup my expenses, ”he assures us.

A feat made possible by the generosity of the readers and because Fernando offers second-hand books donated by individuals.

Unsurprisingly, it is the thrillers that are a hit, especially the novels of the local star, Franck Thilliez.

"My pleasure is also to advise readers, to guide them towards authors according to their tastes", slips the bookstore.

And more than a nice baguette, you might just leave with the bookseller's crush the next time you go to your baker.

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  • Bike

  • Trade

  • Bookstore

  • Lille