CHANGING THE WORLD
One Child, One Book at a Time
Inspired by one child, I dream of changing the world
— one child, one book at a time.
While working at a large corporate bookstore one summer, a young student came in looking for the shortest book to read on his summer reading list. He was absolutely and completely uninspired. He desperately wanted to get the whole thing over with, especially as school was starting soon, and he didn’t like to read. Understanding his frustrations but seeing an opportunity, I asked him questions about his interests and hobbies to lead him to a different book. He was with his mother and aunt, who convinced him to try this new recommendation. They wanted more for him than to suffer through it! The boy left simply accepting his fate - he was now forced to read a longer book.
A few weeks later, his aunt returned, and when she saw me, she absolutely couldn’t contain herself. Her nephew enjoyed his book so much he’d finished his book in record time and even started reading another book - voluntarily! That had never happened. She couldn’t get over the change! A whole new world had opened up to him. He was a reader.
Who is behind Bon Temps Books?
I’m Erin Beyler. I grew up in New Orleans, the child of a public school teacher. My mom had a passion for reading and always shared books with us. My New Orleans heritage and culture infuse everything I do. I love color and celebrations of life, music, art, and food.
I studied English, Women’s Studies, and Photography in college, along with any other exciting classes that caught my eye. Then, I married a French man and moved to Paris for a few years, where I learned a new way of life and a new language. I also fell in love with one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.
After that, we moved to California and had two intelligent, creative, active children. Now, we are in Atlanta, Georgia, experiencing a new way of life and finding new opportunities.
I’ve wanted to help change the world my whole life. I saw how the existing inequities and -isms created problems for everyone, and I wanted to help. So I took my unique talents in the world of books, and Bon Temps Books was born. I have a unique perspective and ability to spot a quality book, not just a fad. I understand books provide a world outside your own and allow you to see things differently. I want to help you raise the next generation of thought-leaders and changemakers. It all starts with one good book.
