Photo: Pixabay
With so many of us looking for an extra source of income, I thought I’d share one of the best job offers I’ve come across in a while.
As The Bookseller reports, Philip Blackwell, founder of the Ultimate Library company, is recruiting a bookseller to work in a remote bookshop in the Maldives.
The post is based in the luxury eco-resort of Soneva Fushi and the successful applicant will have to have to write a blog about the life of a desert island bookseller, entertain children with storytelling, host creative writing courses, and sell books.
Blackwell, a descendant of the Blackwell book-selling family, told the Guardian: “The pay is derisory but the fringe benefits unparalleled. The role will evolve and it is in part up to you to make the most of this unique opportunity. It’s a dream job for many people. If I was 25 again I would do it.”
Anyone interested in applying should have “a passion for books, the ability to engage guests of all ages”, be able to entertain children with storytelling and host creative writing courses for guests.
“We want someone on the ground who is creative and inspiring and can maybe get more people to share the pleasure of reading, which is what people enjoy doing on holiday.”
Blackwell founded Ultimate Library in 2007 to improve hotels’ book collections by creating bespoke collections of titles, and works with hotel groups such as Rocco Forte Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, J W Marriott and Jumeirah.
The shop in the Maldives will stock a mix of books that reflect the local environment, as well as some that reflect the interests of wealthy tourists. “They are highly educated, enquiring people who want to relax and get away from things but also think a bit and better themselves,” Blackwell said.
Interested? For more details see www.soneva.com and www.ultimatelibrary.co.uk and then write to pb@ultimatelibrary.co.uk.
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The ultimate get away.
It sure looks like it 🙂
Fun reading, thank you, Nicholas.
Note from the article in The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/19/dream-job-desert-island-maldives-bookseller): “But applicants need to be aware that not all is well in paradise. Journalists and opposition figures live in a climate of oppression under the authoritarian president Abdulla Yameen. Last year a blogger who satirised the political and religious establishment was stabbed to death in the capital, Malé.”
True. So, stay away from politics-and Male!!
Oh, so tempting.
Tell me about it… Sigh!
Where do I sign? LOL!
Lol-I know what you mean 😀
I could imagine visiting for a week or two as a tourist, but living there all the time? Maybe not. Ideal for someone though. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
It just shows our age that we think that 🙂
That’s tempting!
Tell me about it! I’m considering sending in my CV myself 😀