Where Books Find a Second Life and Words Find a Home  - The Story of Mara Jurković

This story is based on her own written reflections, memories, and experiences, which have been adapted and presented in the third person.

Some people discover their calling in a single moment. For her, it began quietly – among the shelves of a school library, surrounded by the scent of books and a sense of childlike curiosity that never truly faded.

As a little girl, she did not have many books at home, but every book she read left a lasting impression. She borrowed them from the library, carried them proudly through the city, and spent evenings reading beneath the greenish glow of a lamp. It was there that a love was born – one that would shape the course of her life.

In 2023, an opportunity to work in an antiquarian bookshop in Osijek opened the door to an entirely new world. It was more than a job; it was a place of encounters, stories, and emotions. Thousands of books passed through her hands, but so did countless people, each carrying their own unique story. It was there that she realized books are not merely objects. They preserve memories, bear traces of past lives, and connect people in ways that are difficult to put into words.

When she stopped working at the antiquarian bookshop, she knew she did not want to leave the world of books behind. She decided to take a step further and opened her own antiquarian bookshop and second-hand bookstore webshop – Knjigos. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, she later had to close the physical bookshop, but the webshop continues to thrive. Through it, she carries on what she first discovered there: giving every book a chance at a new life and a new reader. She believes that second-hand books hold a special value because they carry history, nostalgia, and countless untold stories.

Yet her world does not end within the pages of books. She began writing at the age of fifteen. She finds inspiration in love, people, life itself, and in emotions seeking a way to be expressed. Most of her poems are born spontaneously – like moments that cannot be planned, only captured in words.

She gathered her poetry into a book divided into three sections, each reflecting different stages of emotions and reflections. Within its pages lies much of her personal world, her experiences, and an inner dialogue transformed into words.

Through books and writing, she has learned to preserve her childlike curiosity, to look at the world with open eyes, and to turn emotions into something that can touch others. For her, writing is neither an obligation nor a profession – it is as natural as breathing.

At the end of our conversation, I asked her what message she would like to leave to people.

"Be yourself, be authentic, and express who you truly are."

She believes that everyone can find a book that speaks to them and a story in which they can recognize themselves. And perhaps a single page read or a first poem written can change someone's life.

Finally, I asked her to describe her relationship with books in just one sentence.

"A magical connection."

And perhaps within those simple words lies the answer to what it truly means for her to be in her element.

If her story resonated with you and you would like to support her work, discover new literary treasures, or purchase books from her webshop, follow her journey on social media through the links below.