How did this place come about and what made it different from the start?
It was an idea that arose a few months after we became a couple, one that combines our love of books and literary pursuits, since we both work in the arts. La Mano de Cervantes is distinguished by its careful selection of books for sale and our commitment to promoting reading beyond the virtual world. For us, running a bookstore is not just about selling books, but about the ongoing promotion and dissemination of reading.
What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
I, René, enjoy selecting materials and preparing the packages for mailing; it is a task to which I dedicate special attention.
I, Michelle, enjoy arranging sections because I rediscover books; there are books that I overlook until they light up again before my eyes.
If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
Undoubtedly, the "Books on Hand" section, which houses discounted and good-condition books that, for one reason or another, have been in our space for a long time, is a highlight. They just won't go anywhere. Being an independent bookstore, we can reduce costs by up to 50% to offer books that are accessible to everyone.
What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
The transition in 2023 from a virtual bookstore to a physical one led us to invest in renting a space, but due to crime and extortion in Mexico City, it did not prosper, so we returned to the virtual world and embarked on a return to our place of origin: Guerrero.
What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
We respect and value the bookselling profession, a value we partly learned from Max Ramos, one of Mexico's most important booksellers. We consider it a profession with a beautiful tradition, one that has also faced the challenges of modern life.
What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Readers who purchase our books demonstrate genuine excitement at having found something that reminds them of their childhood or evokes fond memories. It's interesting to note that book purchases stem from many sources, including nostalgia.
If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
We would invite the renowned Mexican designer Alejandro Magallanes to help us enhance our graphic identity. It would be incredible to have his input on our project.
Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
Michelle: the typewriter that my mom gave me when I started the bookstore and that is used to decorate the place.
René: the wooden masks that have accompanied my book projects.
If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
It would be the novel "The Last Reader", by David Toscana, which presents the existence of a place of books in the middle of an arid environment, and which perseveres despite its context, like us when starting a bookstore in the city of Chilpancingo, Guerrero.
Answers by Michelle Ruiz Valdez, right-hand at La Mano de Cervantes; and René Rueda, left-hand at La Mano de Cervantes.
