• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

THE STRANGER

Written by SUSANNA JACKSON Posted October 9, 2014 Filed Under: A+E, Books

BOOK_Papercuts

It’s a rare person who can effortlessly and accurately quote Joan Didion in conversation without sounding pretentious. Rarer yet is someone who can follow it up minutes later with some wise words from Albert Camus. Yet on a gloomy rainy Friday night in Jamaica Plain, over a couple of beers at Jeanie Johnston, Kate Layte does just that as she excitedly discusses her plans to open a bookstore in Jamaica Plain, the only general bookstore in the area.

 

Layte, who as of Friday can refer to her job as associate production editor at Little, Brown/Hachette Book Group as “former,” has been planning the opening of Papercuts for two years. As she explains it, “I woke up one day and wanted to open a bookstore.” She added business books to her already extensive reading list and reached out to a variety of groups for free counseling to find out what steps she needed to take to open shop. But what Layte has really been waiting for was the perfect nook to open up, and with Hatched’s recent move to Centre Street, Papercuts found a home on Green Street. Last Thursday, Layte signed the lease.

 

Even before the lease was signed and keys were in hand, there was buzz about Papercuts. Layte started a Facebook account on September 29 and in less than a week the page topped 600 followers. “Sweet Jesus. Over 600? You guys are blowing my mind. Thank you thank you thank you! So much love!” Now, Papercuts boasts nearly 1,000 likes.

 

While the rapid, ever-growing social media following is certainly getting the word out, Layte also hopes that the community will use Facebook to share what they want to see on the shelves. Layte plans to have a diverse, well-curated selection of new and used books, both adults’ and children’s. She also wants to pay special attention to books that aren’t fit for e-readers. She refers to Christopher Ware’s graphic novel, Building Stories, as an example: “It’s like a monopoly box filled with all different graphic novels, and they are all different sizes and all different shapes. One folds out to a life-size child. It’s amazing and gorgeous. Something like that can’t translate.”

 

But Layte stresses that it’s more about what “the community needs” than what she wants to provide. “I don’t want it to be just my vision,” she says, “that’s my living room.”

 

If there is one thing you’ll learn about Layte upon first meeting her—aside from the fact that she has an uncanny ability to site an appropriate literary reference for any conversation—it’s her passionate interest in supporting the community. In addition to pedaling books, she wants Papercuts to be a meeting place; on top of standard commercial licenses, she seeks to obtain an entertainment license so she can host periodic readings, live music, and other events. Showcasing local artists’ works and participating in Third Thursdays are also ideas she’s been thinking about.

 

“There are so many possibilities. It’s an exciting time to be in the book business,” she says. As to whether or not she’s nervous about the endeavor in this digital age, Layte, in her own words, says, “Hell yeah, I’m terrified.” But she says it with a smile.

 

PAPERCUTS, 5 GREEN ST., JAMAICA PLAIN. OPENING MID-NOVEMBER. FOR UPDATES, VISIT FACEBOOK.COM/PAPERCUTSJP


 

SUSANNA JACKSON
More from author
  • SUSANNA JACKSON
    https://digboston.com/author/susanna-jackson/
    REVIEW: FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS (PARTS 1, 2, AND 3) AT LOEB DRAMA CENTER
  • SUSANNA JACKSON
    https://digboston.com/author/susanna-jackson/
    AGENT OF CHAOS
  • SUSANNA JACKSON
    https://digboston.com/author/susanna-jackson/
    TILT SHIFT: 'A FUTURE PERFECT' PREMIERES WITH SPEAKEASY
  • SUSANNA JACKSON
    https://digboston.com/author/susanna-jackson/
    ICYMI: REWIND TO THE BEST OF 2014 CINEMA AT THE BRATTLE

Filed Under: A+E, Books Tagged With: Albert Camus, Christopher Ware, Graphic Novel, Hachette Book Group, Jamaica Plain, Jeanie Johnston, Joan Didion, Kate Layte, Papercuts

WHAT’S NEW

PICS & RECAP: JUSTICE 4 DUANTE WRIGHT JUSTICE 4 ALL EMERGENCY RALLY 

PICS & RECAP: JUSTICE 4 DUANTE WRIGHT JUSTICE 4 ALL EMERGENCY RALLY 

A SHORT DOC ABOUT HOW DIGBOSTON WEATHERED A PANDEMIC YEAR

A SHORT DOC ABOUT HOW DIGBOSTON WEATHERED A PANDEMIC YEAR

FULL PARKING ENFORCEMENT RETURNS TO BOSTON, BLUEBIKES STILL AVAIL FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

FULL PARKING ENFORCEMENT RETURNS TO BOSTON, BLUEBIKES STILL AVAIL FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY FOR DAUNTE WRIGHT

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY FOR DAUNTE WRIGHT

POLITICIANS GET IN LINE TO CALL FOR BOSTON POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

POLITICIANS GET IN LINE TO CALL FOR BOSTON POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

PARENTS RELEASE AN ANALYSIS OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDRAISING INEQUITIES

PARENTS RELEASE AN ANALYSIS OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDRAISING INEQUITIES

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • VACCINE EQUITY NOW! COALITION ASKS BAKER TO ALLOCATE 20% OF NEW DOSES TO HARD HIT COMMUNITIES by SHIRA LAUCHAROEN
  • rally to protest discrimination and crimes against Asian and Pacific islanders during Stop Asian Hate rally on Boston Common in Boston PICS & RECAP: “STOP ASIAN HATE BOSTON” RALLY ON THE COMMON by KEIKO HIROMI
  • IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION by CHRIS FARAONE
  • A FAREWELL TRIBUTE (OF SORTS) TO MARTY WALSH by DIG STAFF
  • THE MYSTERY OF CHEZ TORTONI by CHRISTOPHER EHLERS

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 2.1 – March 2021

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

Footer

digbos

digbos
“My administration is doubling down on our work “My administration is doubling down on our work to stand up the #Boston Office of #Police Accountability and Transparency.” https://digboston.com/politicians-get-in-line-to-call-for-boston-police-accountability/ #politics #Massachusetts
This week is your last chance to hit up Mooby’s This week is your last chance to hit up Mooby’s in #Boston … https://digboston.com/moobys-boston-how-kevin-smith-has-brought-his-pick-up-experience-to-10-cities-during-the-pandemic/ #fan #popup #fun #restaurant #movie #Massachusetts #snoochieboochies
The group is asking that polices address the dispa The group is asking that polices address the disparities the #data has revealed. https://digboston.com/parents-release-an-analysis-of-boston-public-school-fundraising-inequities/ #education #school #public #study #fundraising #racism #Boston #Massachusetts
“We’re not going to survive for 20 more years “We’re not going to survive for 20 more years if we don’t do this [move to a bigger space].” https://digboston.com/how-juliet-hit-a-100k-kickstarter-goal-in-4-days/ #restaurant #business #food #crowdfund #SomervilleMA #coronavirus #COVID19
EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY. Environmental organizations and individual activists invited to submit opinion articles for publication. https://digboston.com/editorial-digboston-seeks-climate-ideas-for-mayor-kim-janey/ #politics @boston_mayor #environment #globalwarming #climate #activist #callforsubmissions #policy #Boston #Massachusetts
“Most are some of my favorite bars or local clas “Most are some of my favorite bars or local classics that I’ve learned to love in my time living in the city. Others just have a great facade that I know would make a great drawing.” https://digboston.com/drawn-but-not-forgotten-local-artist-sketches-beloved-boston-restaurants/ #art #artist #sketch #drawing #Boston #Massachusetts #bar #restaurant
Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors hit new high notes. “My #teaching has gone to another level.” https://digboston.com/the-medium-is-the-maestro/ #education #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chron From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chronicles the business of joke-telling. https://digboston.com/the-history-of-stand-up-from-mark-twain-to-dave-chappelle/ #comedy #history #book #interview #Boston #Massachusetts
“I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local “I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local field office and hear what people have to say.” https://digboston.com/dear-reader-the-political-season-is-upon-us-embrace-it/ #politics #commentary #election #Massachusetts
“I think most people agree that we want our publ “I think most people agree that we want our public dollars to go to those companies that are not cutting corners.” https://digboston.com/bill-seeks-to-penalize-contractors-for-unsafe-conditions/ #politics #legislation #construction #safety #labor #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]