Interview with a Bookseller: Amanda Lepper
We want you all to get to know us a little better, so periodically we will be sharing interviews with all of the different people who work here at Dog-Eared Books. For our inaugural interviews, we are starting with Amanda Lepper and Ellyn Grimm—the two amazing women who made this all happen.
Who are you? What do you do at the store?
I'm Amanda Lepper, co-owner of Dog-Eared Books, mom to store mascot, Lovie.
At the store, I work with Ellyn, plus the input of our staff, to curate the books and non-book retail items we have to offer the reading community in Ames. I am especially responsible for our picture books and cocktail books!
What is your favorite book?
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. I loved the word of Avonlea and related strongly to Anne, who was so bookish and different with a fiery temper but a fierce loyalty to her friends.
What is the book that changed or affected you the most?
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver was a mirror for a particular kind of grief I had experienced. Seeing another mother process grief in a way I recognized made carrying that grief less lonely.
What’s a book that helped you get out of a book slump?
Well written, intelligent mysteries can always bring me back to the ritual of reading.
What’s a book that you read at the exact right time?
Kate Baer's What Kind of Woman. I can't even remember how I first discovered Kate, and I never read poetry, but her first collection (What Kind of Woman) BLEW MY MIND. She helped me process the anger I felt as a woman in the United States in the wake of the Trump presidency.
Are there any books you own several copies of? Why?
I own multiple versions of my favorite book, Anne of Green Gables. I like the different covers -- I have my paperback edition from the early 90s plus several hardcovers, including the Rifle Paper Company edition called Puffin in Bloom. I also ordered a hardcover edition of Celine by Peter Brown because I love the book so much, I had to have the beautiful green cover with black binoculars on it.
What is your earliest book memory?
One of my earliest memories of myself as a reader was walking through the entrance of Fellows Elementary School, most likely in second grade, and acting like I was reading the last pages of a Boxcar Children book so people would think I was almost finished with it. I hadn't made the leap yet to chapter books, and I desperately wanted to be capable of reading those books. Eventually, that series would make me an obsessed reader, and I remember debating with fellow classmates which of the mysteries was the best in the series.
What is your favorite place to read?
In bed or on my front porch.
Show us your bookshelf! How do you organize it? What are the vibes?
This is my work bookshelf.
Books I’ve read are on top. TBRs are on the shelves.
Peep Honey's portrait carved into the mantel
I have a wall of books I've read, a wall of books I haven't read yet, lower shelves filled with picture books for my kids, a wall of middle grade and young adult books that my four daughters have all chosen from over the years, I have holiday pictures books on special shelves for their holiday months. I have a small shelf of travel books because I'm always chasing my next vacation. All books are organized by author last name. The vibes are calm and dark -- What I love most is my tiny gas fireplace with my dog Honey's portrait carved into the mantel.
What advice would you give readers? Non-readers?
Always carry a physical book with you everywhere you go -- we're so addicted to filling small minutes of our day by swiping through social media on our phones -- pick up your book instead and get a few pages in while you wait for school pick up or for your prescription to be filled at the pharmacy. You'll feel a lot better about yourself and your day.
Tell us a controversial book opinion
I wouldn't mind doing away with dust jackets all together.
Why do you read?
I love being told a story of any kind. I studied print journalism in college, which I think illustrates my captivation with stories. These days, I think I love reading because books allow me to escape reality, to live in another world for hours at a time. When you think about it, it's pretty amazing that the brain can turn an author's words into a time and place populated with people and events that a reader can explore!
Lastly…
What do you love about bookselling? About our store?
I am living my greatest dream every single day. I get to be surrounded by books, and I get to talk about books all day long. I get to spend time hanging out with the coolest people who love books as much as I do. And I have the great pride of knowing that Ellyn and I have created a place that brings readers from all over the community and far beyond together over our shared love of books. A question like that can make a person weepy!
Get to Know More of Our Booksellers
Interview with a Bookseller: Ellyn
