A week before heading to Germany, I texted a detailed agenda to my friend Sandra outlining the various stops for our planned meet-up in Berlin. Top of the list were lunch at Monsieur Vuong’s, coffee at Cafe Fleuri and a visit to ocelot, not just another bookstore. Because I only had one day in Berlin, I had done my homework. Not surprisingly, Berlin is full of Indie bookshops and I was curious to see what ocelot had to offer. Ocelot takes up the ground floor of an imposing 6 story building across from Weinbergspark. Their book selection shone in bright contrast to the minimalist interior design of sleek wood-panel walls and washed concrete floors. My friend Sandra and I handed books back and forth that we’d heard about, read or intended to read. We try to highlight the well-known and the untold story. It is important to us to showcase marginalized voices and independent publishing in Berlin and beyond. Cecilia Drain, manager of ocelot, got her start at ocelot, “Our store opened in 2012, when we took over the premises from a bookstore that had just closed in this location. Ocelot is very dear to me as I completed my apprenticeship here under the leadership of our previous manager Maria-Christina Piwowarski. I took over leadership from her in late 2023.”  I asked about the curation of titles and Cecilia explained, “Our focus is on contemporary literature in German, both originally and in translation. We try to highlight the well-known and the untold story. It is important to us to showcase marginalized voices and independent publishing in Berlin and beyond.” Cecilia explained to me. “Since our team has varying tastes, you can come to us for recommendations across most genres and with diverging topic interests. Our small English-language and children's book section also holds a specific draw.” While browsing the “Perspective, The Person in the World” (Sichtpunkt, Der Mensch in der Welt) I overheard a bookseller in conversation with a customer looking for a recommendation. Trying not to eavesdrop but intrigued nonetheless, I watched the bookseller listen intently and reach for books across the store. I felt like I was watching him create a generous buffet of options, from serious to humorous, classic and contemporary titles. I waited my turn to get his attention while watching this bookish conversation unfold. Gutenberg Book Guild/Büchergilde GutenbergOnce I had his attention, I asked about a particular bookshelf by the register titled Book Guild Gutenberg (Büchergilde). The titles stood out for their extraordinary design, stunning covers and delicate bindings. They struck me as works of art or perhaps collector’s items, rather than your run-of-the-mill paperback. As it turns out, the Gutenberg Book Guild is an association with a goal of making beautifully designed books accessible to anyone. Founded in1924, this publishing house bridges tradition and innovation, combining traditional bookbinding methods with new concepts of style, design and materials - all environmentally friendly. Each quarter, the Gutenberg Book Guild curates an entire program of titles to engage its community of readers across genres. Chosen books may include new releases, classics and newly designed and printed books. A little more research revealed what that program entails:
 Around 60.000 members keep the Guild going and enjoy the benefits of supporting this traditional publishing house. It also means that if you’re not a member, you can’t buy these books. In other words, one of ocelot’s most prominent bookshelves is devoted to books that only 60.000 Germans (out of 83 million) are eligible to purchase. I was not one of them. But I fell in love with The Gutenberg Book Guild right away. The Büchergilde Gutenberg has a longstanding tradition in Germany (over a hundred years!). Its historical dedication to making literature accessible to everyone resonates with our own motivations in the business today. Since its foundation, the Büchergilde has evolved with the times. Today they commission artists and illustrators to publish specialty editions of known titles, drawing renewed attention to the craftsmanship that goes into making a book. Engaging the CommunityWith every bookshop, I’m curious to learn how they engage the local community. While I’m used to book clubs in the US, I am not so sure how a people so private and closed-off like the Germans, respond to this kind of offer. Cecilia enlightens me, “We want the store to be a living space for literature and host regular readings and book premieres as well as a regular reading group to facilitate this. We work closely with publishers in Berlin and elsewhere to keep up to date with the developing literature landscape. Everyday conversations in the store are also important, and we are always happy to see our regulars who live or work nearby, or visit the local library that has a branch in the same building.” I love early mornings when we've processed our orders and just opened the store. Our first customers are milling about the store browsing or chatting over their coffee and fresh croissants and we can look out the window at the park across the street before the business of the day sets in. Cecilia’s book recommendation
What I bought at ocelot, not just another bookstore
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