During my recent visit to the Klassik Altstadt Hotel, Hilke Flebbe told me that she had ordered a print-on-demand version of Lübeck author Ida Boy-Ed’s out-of-print novel “Ein königlicher Kaufmann”( a royal merchant) for her guests at the Belling bookstore. I had this fine bookstore on my notepad anyway and took this remark as a hint for an appointment with Finn-Uwe Belling in his 25m² small store, which definitely stirs great emotions. And that is actually due to the owner himself.
Childhood Saturdays in Lübeck
Finn-Uwe Belling has fond memories of going into town with the whole family on Saturdays. Just for strolling. On the way, the family always went into the then Weiland bookstore, browsed, leafed through books, discovered. Traveled to distant lands with the lines found in the texts. What could be more beautiful!
So Finn-Uwe was familiar with the world of books from an early age, and I’m absolutely not surprised that he completed his business internship in a bookstore. And indeed, this world of books is absolutely his thang. In fact, he loved book to such a degree that he left school shortly before graduating from high school, began training as a bookseller, and devoted his life to literature. Through various professional stations, his path led him here one day to the door of the building at Mühlenbrücke 2. A chance find during a walk with his wife. The landlord spontaneously invited him in and was immediately thrilled to hear that in the rooms Finn-Uwe planned to establish the Belling bookstore. He started in March 2019.
Reading Love
I really like independent bookstores. Places that each have their own unique character and present books that canot be ound everywhere else. Often with furnishings that testify to love and care and also reveal something about the person who created this retreat. A fluffy lion lies on the floor of the Belling bookstore. Already a little worn out, because – fortunately – many children have already made themselves comfortable on the lion skin. And there is also a large wing chair. A delightful invitation to pick up a chosen book, feel its fresh edges and smoothly polished cover, and read a few lines from it.
Read aloud
Ah yes. Read aloud! What a joy to take a little person by the hand and fly with him through the world of letters, behind which thousands of worlds are hidden. Noticing the the lion and the wing chair I am not surprised that Finn-Uwe Belling carries a large assortment of children’s and young adult books and can give lots of tips which picture book or children’s book title is currently enjoying great popularity. He is really convincing. Without further ado, I buy the book about the 20 most important things in life “Alles. was du brauchst “by Christoph Hein.
Children in power
The source of his recommendations at the Belling bookstore? You guessed it: he has the great fortune to be surrounded by professionals. As there are: the 5-year-old daughter Mathilda, the 2-year-old Lasse and Finn’s wife. The three regularly give their expert judgment. Mathilda explains to her dad what she liked about a book or whether there are even too few pictures in a book. Their favourite books are lovingly displayed in the shop window and also reviewed online. And then there are the godchildren Ella and Carl, aged 10 and 14, and second-grader Lene, Finn-Uwe’s niece. They all recommend to him the books they like. Carl sends links to good titles on Instagram.
Finn-Uwe Belling also exchanges ideas with many parents of schoolchildren from the neighbouring schools Oberschule zum Dom, Domschule and Kalandschule and already has many regular customers who have remained loyal to him even during the lockdown.
Family Ties
His mother-in-law, who years ago dreamed of opening a bookstore, helps out in the store from time to time. She recommends titles to Finn that are particularly close to her heart. In general, Finn Belling is a family man. That resonates in almost every sentence he utters. So he points me to the novel “Lost and Found“by Siegfried Lenz. His mother gave him this book when he finished his education. It tells the story of a person who listened to his gut feeling and realized his career aspiration. Finn-Uwe has three siblings and his bookstore is THE place to go for all family members.
Customers also “park” their children with him from time to time in order to quickly get something done without the kids. They know that their little ones are in the very best hands and are sometimes surprised that their supposedly non-reading child suddenly becomes someone who loves books.
The owner himself has a soft spot for crime fiction, but also carries a fine assortment of special cookbooks and nonfiction. And he is a VfB Lübeck fan. It is therefore only logical that in the Belling bookstore also has a selection of fan articles. After the relegation to the Regionalliga Nord, this part takes up somewhat less space. But that’s another story.
By the way: Since January 2022 you find Finn-Uwe Belling and his books in Lübeck at Mühlenstraße 28.
You should definitely stop by and talk to Finn-Uwe Belling. He’s guaranteed to have a book for you that promises a future escape, your next reading adventure, and ever-changing variations on the 26-letter game.
