Interview with a Bookseller: Jessica Sporaa
Who are you? What do you do at the store?
Jessica Sporaa, Manager
What genres do you read?
I read widely but mostly gravitate toward fiction. Since working at the store I've branched out into more fantasy/sci fi and have been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy it.
What is your favorite book?
Tough question. I have favorites in each genre/section. I'll go with my favorite classic, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. A close runner-up is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
What is the book that changed or affected you the most?
Another tough question! So many have changed the way I view the world and my own life which is the best thing about reading. You may have heard the saying, "Reading seriously damages your ignorance" and how true that is! Here are a few (because you'll be kind and let me have multiple): Unsung Heroines by Ruth Sidel; A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park; The Toni Morrison Book Club by Bennett, Brown-Glaude, and Jackson; The Midnight Library by Matt Haig; Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi; Rewilding Motherhood by Shannon Evans; Listen, Love, Repeat by Karen Ehman; The Autobiography of Malcom X; and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.
What’s a book that helped you get out of a book slump?
I can't say that I was necessarily in a slump, but I'm going list three titles that were so much fun this past year. These stories fulfilled several things within me for different reasons and I will remember them as "feel-good", "fun", and "a hug from a book". They are (in no particular order) Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, The Guncle by Steven Rowley, and The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
What’s a book that you read at the exact right time?
I am what some might call an emotional reader. I choose my next read by how I feel not necessarily what's at the top of my pile. Most of my reads are what I needed or was looking for at that particular time. It seems to work well for me but my stacks are continuously growing.
Are there any books you own several copies of? Why?
I typically do not own several copies of the same book. The two I would consider owning multiples of are The Count of Monte Cristo (I'm semi-actively searching for a leather bound/collector edition that I can afford) and Legends and Lattes (the UK cover is fantastic).
What is your earliest book memory?
My earliest book memory is with my mom. She would read to me when I was young and take me to the library. The three books that are prominent in my memory are Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats, and Mickey and the Magic Cloak by Disney. They were high suspense. Will I find the little mouse on each page? Will Peter finally learn to whistle? Will Mickey save Minnie and beat the wicked magician? Whew!
What is your favorite place to read?
My favorite place to read is in our family room, in the recliner in front of the wood burning fireplace. It's extra cozy if it's raining or snowing outside. It's extra extra special if one of our three cats is purring gently on my lap. Yes this is unbearably cringey and I'm owning it.
Show us your bookshelf! How do you organize it? What are the vibes?
I change my organization periodically. I love a free afternoon to sit and look through my shelves and the many that are not shelved but stacked. I shoot for a cozy vibe which books in general evoke for me. I have books in nearly all main rooms of our home and decorate frequently with them. I do prefer a shelf neat and orderly. I feel too overwhelmed and anxious with clutter!
What advice would you give readers? Non-readers?
My advice for readers is to read what you enjoy. If you prefer romance or history and want to stay in that lane.. read the shit out of that genre. For non-readers, keep trying. Don't give up. Maybe audio is best for you. Maybe it's graphic novels (one of my biggest annoyances is hearing that graphic novels aren't real reading. Insert eyeroll). Search out books that make you feel, learn, and grow as a human in this intense world.
Tell us a controversial book opinion
My controversial opinion is that I don't like e-readers. I understand the convenience of them but it's so cold and impersonal. I'm all about cozy. Smelling books and feeling pages is a huge part of that. Yes, I smell books. I even have a shirt that says so.
Why do you read?
I read for calm. I read for entertainment. I read to relax. I read to learn. I read to empathize. I read to grow. So many reasons. So little time.
Lastly…
What do you love about bookselling? About our store?
Tanvi. I love Tanvi. Ok in all seriousness the group of people at the store make it a wonderfully fun, safe, welcoming and inclusive place to be. What is better to surround yourself with than fellow readers and booklovers? I love talking books all day and sharing my passion and excitement with recommendations. Bookselling is my dream job and I feel so fortunate to be at the best Indie around! (I'm a bit biased but Lovie is the cherry on top that makes my case).
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