By Wildert Marte
As part of my research on Hobart Book Village, I had the chance to speak with Bill and Diana Adams, the owners of William H. Adams' Antiquarian Books, one of the long-standing stores in the village. I had already talked to Don Dales, who started the whole project, but I wanted to hear what it was like for one of the shop owners, someone actually living the bookstore life day to day. My conversation with them gave me a real look into what it means to build something you care about, especially when you're doing it your own way. When I asked what inspired them to open a bookstore, they said they were simply looking for something to do in retirement. They had always loved books, and while visiting the area on vacation, they ended up renting the very space that now holds their store. Eventually, they bought the building. What started as an idea during a trip turned into a full part of their lives, and even now, years later, it’s clear how much they still enjoy what they do. Their specialty is antiquarian books, and the shop itself reflects that. Bill, a physician, explained that his interest in Hippocrates eventually led him into Greek and Latin texts, and that’s how their collection began to take shape. That path opened up a deeper appreciation for the classical world, and their top five books De Rerum Natura, Lady Palmerston and Her Times, The Peloponnesian Wars, and Gaudy Night say a lot about their interests. Those choices have a mix of history, literature, and deep thought, and it fits perfectly with the kind of store they’ve built.
One thing they talked about that I found really relatable was the challenge of managing inventory. I used to work in a store where I had to audit and manage that kind of stuff and it was very difficult to do. They admitted they’ve never quite gotten the hang of tracking everything, and that their collection keeps growing in what they called a “haphazard” way. But the funny thing is, it works. WHA Books isn’t about having a perfect system, it's about having a space filled with stories, ideas, and discoveries. And when you walk in, that’s exactly what it feels like. I asked if they’d noticed changes in customer habits or reading trends, and they said not really. According to them, people don’t fall into neat categories. Every person who walks through the door has their own specific interests, and that variety keeps things interesting. There’s no way to guess what someone might be looking for until they start browsing. That felt like an honest take. It reminded me that reading is personal, and a good bookstore makes space for that. They also shared a bit about events in the village. WHA Books participated in Independent Bookstore Day, and they’ll be part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Hobart Book Village this year. In the past, they used to host lectures on local topics, but the events started drawing crowds too large for the space. Still, the village is far from quiet. They mentioned the Hobart Festival of Women Writers, which brings more than 100 authors and attendees each year. WHA Books also holds semi-annual sales 30% off during Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends that regulars have come to expect.
Talking to Bill and Diana made me realize that running a bookstore isn’t always about having a perfect business plan. Sometimes it’s about creating a space that reflects who you are and what
you care about. Their love for old books, for the craft of bookmaking, and for the stories inside them comes through in every part of WHA Books. And even if their inventory list isn’t perfectly updated, the experience you get walking into their shop feels curated by passion, not by spreadsheets. What I took away from the conversation is that WHA Books is exactly the kind of store Hobart book village was meant to have. Not just a bookstore but a space with personality, built from curiosity and care. It reminded me that meaningful businesses don’t always start with money or a plan.
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