Whether one acquires a book by providence or choice remains arguable, but for one independent bookshop in Southport, England, the former seems to be the apparent answer.

Broadhursts Bookshop recently took to Twitter to share a fateful occurrence that saw one of its books being sold after being on the shelf since 1991.

“I have just sold a book that we have had in stock since May 1991,” Broadhursts Bookshop tweeted last Nov. 17. “We always knew its day would come.”

I have just sold a book that we have had in stock since May 1991. We always knew its day would come.

— Broadhursts Bookshop (@BroadhurstBooks) November 17, 2018

Such a succinct tweet attracted the attention of many, with over 140,000 netizens liking the tweet since its time of posting. Many were intrigued over the purchase, with one netizen asking what book it was that had been sold.

“What was the book?” asked the netizen (@saltlakesaint).

https://twitter.com/saltlakesaint/status/1063837825043451905

Broadhursts Bookshop replied, saying it was a children’s biography of William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England.

A children's biography of William the Conqueror ⚔️

— Broadhursts Bookshop (@BroadhurstBooks) November 17, 2018

Some, on their end, shared their own fateful experiences of buying books that have been waiting for far too long on the shelf for their rightful owner.

“I bought one from upstairs a while ago that had apparently been there for AGES,” tweeted a certain Rachael Lucas (@karamina) on Nov. 18. “It was exactly what I needed. Hooray for indies!”

Broadhursts Bookshop replied, expressing their joy for when their books find homes.

So happy when they finally find a home!

— Broadhursts Bookshop (@BroadhurstBooks) November 17, 2018

“We had a book called ‘The Larger Moths of Warwickshire’ in stock for ten years,” narrated one Tamsin Rosewell (@autumnrosewell). “I was quite sad when someone bought it.”

We had a book called ‘The Larger Moths of Warwickshire’ in stock for ten years. I was quite sad when someone bought it.

— Tamsin Rosewell (@autumnrosewell) November 17, 2018

For Broadhursts Bookshop, however, sadness seems to be out of the question. They wrote back, saying that books that get sold have merely moved on to better places.

“I try to think that they have gone on to a better place (although this is tricky, as a bookshop is a pretty perfect place already…).”

I try to think that they have gone on to a better place (although this is tricky, as a bookshop is a pretty perfect place already…)

— Broadhursts Bookshop (@BroadhurstBooks) November 17, 2018

Thus far, the identity of the buyer remains a mystery, although some netizens have called on for the bookshop to find him. JB

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