Boundless Books
July 16th, 2025
Boundless Books is a new independent bookstore in the heart of historic Ladysmith. The co-owners, Catherine Quaglia (left in photo at right) and Dana Corbett recently bought the space from Frieda Douglas, longtime bookseller of Salamander Books who wanted to retire. Catherine and Dana conducted the following interview with BCBookLook.-Editor
BCBookLook: Why did you decide to buy Salamander Books?
Dana Corbett: Catherine and I had worked together for a few years and I knew we had complimentary gifts. Owning our own bookstore was a dream we shared and the timing of the opportunity seemed like it just made sense for all involved. I like to think that Frieda at Salamander saw the energy and passion we had for independent bookstores and felt we could take what she had created and continue to provide Ladysmith with a vibrant, locally-owned, independent bookstore.
Catherine Qualia: I had carried a dream of owning a bookstore since 2000 soon after I finished my degree. At that time, I said to myself that one day I will have a bookstore of my own. I turned 50 this year and decided that if ever there was a time to make my dream a reality, now was it. I have always thought Ladysmith was a wonderful community and could see myself running a bookshop here. In January of this year, Dana and I jumped at the opportunity to buy Salamander books when Frieda decided she was ready to retire. We are thankful that she trusted us with her legacy and now here we are!
BCBL: Why did you choose the name “Boundless Books?”
DC: Boundless speaks of being invited into ideas and stories through reading that is life-affirming and limitless, challenging, expanding and transcending the experience of the reader. Naming our store Boundless Books was born out of some of the values we have for our business.
CQ: Opening this bookstore represented our big dreams—creating a new path for ourselves and letting go of our old self-imposed limits. Boundless to us meant limitless possibility, openness, expanse in experience and most importantly, joy. We believe that reading provides endless possibilities of discovery and learning and gives us all an opportunity to explore new ideas and adventures.
BCBL: Tell me about your earliest memories of books?
CQ: My earliest memory is reading with my dad on his lap. He loved reading and storytelling. His library was one of my favourite things in our home and he made space for me in it.
DC: One memory I have is driving through the Rockies, tucked into the back seat of our minivan, my mom begging me to notice the scenery while I was engrossed in my Sweet Valley High books. The beautiful mountains and valleys around me were no competition for the compelling drama unfolding in my imagination as I poured over those pages!
BCBL: Why are books special to you?
CQ: I love how books connect us to each other and to ourselves. We can share an experience with someone who has read a book we have loved, or introduce a reader to a story that has made an impact on us. We learn so much about other people when we read, no matter the subject and in turn, discover something new about ourselves. There is also something about a book that helps the world around us to slow down. In these crazy times we are living in where there is so much information coming at us at a rapid speed, being able to just be with a book in its solitude is a real comfort to me. It helps me to slow down and tune out the noise of the world. And if what I am reading is discussing a difficult subject, the stillness of reading gives me the time to slowly process what I am taking in. You are given all the time you need without being rushed. I love that about books.
DC: Books do a few things for me. They invite me into ideas, perspectives and experiences outside of my own, connecting me to stories of others that expand my sense of self, my community and the world around me. Stories allow me to experience emotion that I might resist in my own story and can help me access them.
BCBL: What is your background in bookstores?
DC: I had the privilege of being hired at Volume One Bookstore [Duncan] as a bookseller in 2013. I eventually became the manager and enjoyed that role for 6 years. The independent bookstore community is rich with personality, knowledge and a big part of creating vibrant communities and I love being part of this.
CQ: I started collecting children’s books while attending university in the mid 90s well before I had a family. Once I graduated from SFU, I went on to begin my career in book selling and buying. I have managed two bookstores and also ran my own small business as a children’s book buyer for independent toy stores in Vancouver. Being able to own my own bookstore with Dana is a dream come true.
BCBL: You each chose a recently-published BC book for the photo for us. Why did you choose the titles you did?
DC: We All Play by Julie Flett is a go-to book for me when I am buying gifts for new babies. The colourful illustrations of joyful play in nature and the introduction to Cree words make it an enjoyable read for any age.
CQ: I chose Crust by Tom Moore with Rebecca Wellman. Crust is one of my most favourite bakeries and every time I am in Victoria, I go in and fill a box of their delicious baking. As someone who loves to bake, this cookbook is beautiful and inspiring with recipes written for success in the kitchen. The Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies are a fan favourite in our home.
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