Interview with a Bookseller: Amy
Who are you? What do you do at the store?
I'm Amy, a Bookseller/Manager I'm a mom of four, married to an great human, who is not utilizing her Speech Pathology degree anymore. :)
What genres do you read?
Realistic Adult Fiction, Memoirs, Essays, Psychological Thrillers, Cookbooks, and Narrative Nonfiction. I actually like to read stuff that stresses me out a little. What the heck?! What does that say about me?
What is your favorite book?
One book?? Now that's just mean. I love the smooth descriptive writing of John Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath), Ann Patchett (These Precious Days), and Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale). Hand me anything they write and I will be pleased. I'm also a fan of Malcolm Gladwell and his ability to get readers to explore counter-intuitive perspectives.
What is the book that changed or affected you the most?
In 1997, I saw a PBS documentary entitled Affluenza. It was eye-opening. In 2001, when there was publication of a subsequent book titled Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic. I soaked up the anti-consumerist information and found myself thinking about its content constantly. For decades, this book influenced me to explore books on simplifying one's life.
What’s a book that helped you get out of a book slump?
My life was busy with young kids and teens back in 2009. I read Abraham Verghese's book Cutting For Stone. It was so beautifully written, and I must have been ready to read some quality adult fiction and not just bedtime stories to our young children. This book remains one of my all time favorites!
What’s a book that you read at the exact right time?
Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. When my second child was a toddler, he had a much different disposition that my first born. My usual parenting style was not working and it left him tantruming, and me, frazzled and desperate for help. This book changed everything. I have been forever grateful that it was written.
Are there any books you own several copies of? Why?
No. If you recall my anti-consumerism answer, you'll understand why.
What is your earliest book memory?
I remember our town's public library had a story time. I was probably about 4 years old when the librarian read Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel. She masterfully acted more and more out of breath as the small boy in the story runs from the well to his mother, then to the old man with the ladder. I'm just putting together that even at that very young age, I was captivated by stressful stories!! :)
What is your favorite place to read?
With my husband at a coffeeshop. In public I stand I better chance of staying awake too!
Show us your bookshelf! How do you organize it? What are the vibes?
Mostly random. I guess I separate the- have read from the have not read yet
What advice would you give readers? Non-readers?
Come talk to me. Introduce yourself and let's be friends! Help me get to know you. What are your interests? What makes you feel things deeply? What annoys you? What are your all time favorite books, movies, or TV shows? Let's be book friends. You can never have too many friends.
Tell us a controversial book opinion
I can no longer bring myself to read a book whose cover shows the backside of a woman. I wish these books (primarily historical fiction) would get new marketing teams.
Why do you read?
To relax, understand, or escape
Lastly…
What do you love about bookselling? About our store?
Even this QUESTION gets me pumped up!
I love Ames
I love the community feel in our bookstore
I love that Amanda and Ellyn took a chance on hiring me (and took the financial risk of opening an independent bookstore).
I love books
I love book people
I love helping non-book people become book people
As a bookseller, I enjoy bringing people joy- in book form
Get to Know More of Our Booksellers
Interview with a Bookseller: Amanda
