Finding My ‘Why’: Why Books, and Why ‘The Book Whisperer’?

Last time, I talked about my 60-day challenge to build an online business. But I deliberately didn't say what that business would be. Today, I reveal the poorly kept secret: I'm diving headfirst into the world of books! And the business is called "The Book Whisperer."

Why books? It's simple, really. Every bit of advice out there about starting a business says the same thing: do something you're passionate about. And for me, that's books. Always has been, always will be. I'm one of those people who can happily spend hours browsing a book shop or charity shop looking for treasure.

But it's more than just reading books. It's the whole world around them – the stories they tell, the connections they forge, the way they can transport you out of the everyday. I'm also deeply passionate about the arts in general. In fact, my "day job" is running a charity that helps children, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to engage with music. I believe that the arts are essential for a well-rounded life, and books are a fundamental part of that.

So, passion? Check. But a business needs more than just passion; it needs to offer something valuable. It needs to solve a problem or fulfill a need. And that's where "The Book Whisperer" comes in.

I've realised that many people struggle with finding good books to read. We're bombarded with choices, overwhelmed by online reviews, and sometimes just plain stuck in a reading rut. I want to help with that. I want to be a source of inspiration, a guide to discovering hidden literary gems, and a curator of book collections that you might not have found on your own. A literary matchmaker if you like.

It's not just about finding your next read, though. It's also about sharing that love of reading with others. I want to help you find the perfect book to recommend to a friend, a family member, or a colleague. That feeling of knowing you've introduced someone to a book that talks to them? It's priceless.

And finally, I'm also focusing on gifts. Finding the perfect, thoughtful gift for a book lover can be tricky. I want to provide unique, book-related gift ideas that go beyond the usual book tokens. I want to offer something more personal, more creative, and more memorable. (More on that in future posts!).

So, that's the "why" behind "The Book Whisperer." It's a blend of my lifelong passion for books, my desire to help others discover great reads, and my belief in the value of a truly thoughtful gift. It's about building a community around a shared love of literature. It's about more than just books; it's about the connections and experiences they create.

And because this whole 60-day challenge is about being open and honest, I want to share a few core principles that are guiding me. I've even written a Manifesto – a declaration of intent for The Book Whisperer. It covers everything from my commitment to quality and customer service to my focus on ethical and sustainable practices. Wherever possible, I'll be reusing and repurposing materials, giving old books a new lease on life.

I also want to give some credit to an AI assistant called Gemini. Readers of Mo Gawdat will understand why. Gemini played a crucial role in helping me narrow down my initial business ideas and helped me brainstorm the name "The Book Whisperer". I'll share some example prompts I used later on, so you can see how this process worked.

Finally, on the choice of name... it has a special meaning for me. On one level, it's about that magical ability to "unlock" the true essence of a book – to find the perfect story for the right person, or to transform a forgotten volume into a beautiful work of art. But on a more personal level, it's a little nod to my wife, whose hearing isn’t what it was - bless her. She often says I whisper. So the name is, in part, in tribute to her! It’s a combination that I hope captures the spirit of this whole venture

This is the foundation. Now, the real work begins! In the next post I'll dive into the nitty-gritty of getting this business off the ground and the work so far.