Nearly anybody loves relaxing on the beach with a good book. The ultimate dream? Getting paid for it.
Ultimate Library is collaborating with Soneva Fushi, the 5-star luxury resort in Baa Atoll, to make the “barefoot bookseller” job a reality. Apart from manning the pop-up bookshop, the successful candidate will also be responsible for hosting workshops and interacting with customers of all ages. The role also comes with a Barefoot Bookseller Blog and social media pages which the candidate will manage, creating content that captures the ‘exhilarating life’ of a desert island bookseller.
The ideal candidate is creative and will bring something new to the role. Past barefoot booksellers have provided anything from creative writing workshops, storytelling for children, personal book consultations, and Q&A’s with famous literary figures. They should be up-to-date on new releases and old classics and provide guests with a book experience that will enhance their vacation.
This project was started by Philip Blackwell, who, upon leaving the British bookshop that bears his family name, discovered it was difficult to find good books on holiday. Blackwell started Ultimate Library with the goal of creating library collections for luxury hotels around the world. In addition to this, the company currently donates a reading and reference library to a local institution that can benefit those living near the hotel.
Sonu Shivdasani, the founder and CEO of Soneva, said the job has become much, much more than simply a provision of reading recommendations to wealthy tourists. It has become “an integral part of the Soneva guest experience”, giving visitors an unforgettable vacation.
Prior to the six-month employment, the successful candidate will undergo one month of training with the Ultimate Library team to learn more about the role. Barefoot bookseller of 2019, Aimée Johnson, described the role as an ‘absolute dream’.
If this sounds like your dream, you can fill out the application form here. Applications close on Sept. 30th, so apply quickly! If you’d like to learn more about the Maldives, read about how they’re combating climate change here.
