How would you describe your job to someone you just met?
I'm a used book buyer, but I also preside over various genre sections, including mysteries, thrillers, romance, and roleplaying games.
Last book you loved:
Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss. It chronicles an English family's move to Iceland just after the economic collapse of 2008, and is a beautiful portrayal of the country and its people.
Where are you originally from?
Born and raised in Portland!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to either live with wolves in Alaska (à la
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George) or be a dog sled musher. I also have a bucket list I wrote when I was in middle school and on it is “work for Powell's.”
What did you do before you came to Powell’s?
I've worked as a textbook buyback contractor, an outdoor educator, an outdoor gear salesperson, and a dog walker.
What is the best part of your job?
Holding a book in my hands and not having any idea what it is, but knowing in my gut it's something good. And then doing the research to figure out exactly what it is and why it's special. That feeling never gets old.
I spend the majority of my time in the Gold Room with the sci-fi and fantasy books. It's my happy place and has been most of my life.
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Share a memorable experience you've had on the job.
When I started at Powell’s, I worked at the airport during the holidays, and one day I hand-sold
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman to someone. He came back three hours later to say he was halfway through the book and to thank me because he was loving it so much. That's when I realized how much magic there is in connecting the right book with the right person.
When you’re not reading, what do you like to do in your free time?
I love to hike, backpack, play roller derby, and draw a lot.
Recommend a book you think everyone should read.
If anyone mentions even the slightest interest in nature, I recommend
Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart by Carrot Quinn. It's got everything... excellent writing, the Pacific Crest Trail, walking, trees, friendship, mountains, romance. I've reread it eight times and it still makes me feel all the feelings.
Walk us through your favorite route when browsing books at Powell’s.
I spend the majority of my time in the Gold Room with the sci-fi and fantasy books. It's my happy place and has been most of my life.
Do you collect any particular types of books?
I collect Pacific Northwest field guides, everything from skull identification to medicinal plants.
Tell us about your first memorable reading experience.
I had a beloved version of “The Seven Wild Swans” fairy tale with gorgeous illustrations that I read over and over when I was a kid. One day I realized that I had mentally added an illustration to the book that didn't exist. I must have spent over an hour looking through the book for this illustration before realizing it was all in my head.
Do you have any odd reading habits?
I don't know how odd this is, but I always smell books before I buy them. I also definitely judge books by their covers and will go out of my way to get my favorite cover of a title.