In this new instalment of our 5 questions with series, we interview Brad Green and Petra Thoms, the owners of World of Maps. Located in Ottawa, World of Maps is a travel map and book store featuring products and services for information, inspiration & decoration. Brad and Petra started the business in 1994 as an oasis for travelers, a place to share stories, to prepare, to plan, to educate and to be inspired.

The exterior of World of Maps bookstore.

1. Which author would you most like to have for an event in your store (living or dead)?

The author we would most like to have for an event in our store is the living & breathing Adam Shoalts because his stories and writing are so inspiring.

2. What attracted you to bookselling?

We were attracted to bookselling because in our own extended travels we had heard and shared stories and found that there are many others also interested in reading the same things that interest us.

3. What's the toughest time you’ve had as a bookseller and how did you tackle it or what did you take away from it?

The toughest time we had as booksellers was during Covid when all public libraries were shut down. Our store had to pivot to increase book and puzzle sales and not just be a store but also a safe haven for everyone and we tried to make visitors feel positive about the future.

4. What is the most pressing issue facing bookselling today?

The most pressing issue facing booksellers today is how best to compete with that giant American online website.

The interior of World of Maps bookstore.

5. What forthcoming book are you most excited about?

We are looking forward to the newest book by Mark Bourrie 🍁, Crosses in the Sky.

BONUS: An aunt comes in looking for a gift for her niece, who likes embroidery and Proust, just got a new job on a cruise line, and whose beloved schnauzer just passed away. What do you recommend?

We would recommend a quality folded World map by Michelin for her niece and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus to make her niece smile and suggest that they should discuss together afterwards why this book is so very popular.

Thank you Brad and Petra for answering our questionnaire! Read more instalments of our 5 questions with series here.

Are you an independent bookseller, small publisher, or library staffer interested in being featured in our 5 questions with blog series? Send us an email!