Our Booksellers

To see the latest books our booksellers are reading and loving these days, make sure to check out the Staff Picks section of our online magazine, Musing! Meanwhile, meet our wonderful booksellers:

Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books Owner

Ann Patchett is the author of nine novelsThe Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto, RunState of Wonder, CommonwealthI, The Dutch House, and most recently, Tom Lake. She was the editor of Best American Short Stories, 2006, and has written four books of nonfiction: Truth & Beauty, about her friendship with the writer, Lucy Grealy; What Now? an expansion of her graduation address at Sarah Lawrence College; This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, a collection of essays that examines the theme of commitment; and These Precious Days, a collection of essays in which she reflects on home, family, friendships, and writing.

10 books Ann loves to recommend: Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood by Mark Harris; The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford; Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford; Endless Love by Scott Spencer; Lab Girl by Hope Jahren; True Grit by Charles Portis; Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed; Act One by Moss Hart; Independent People by Halldor Laxness; Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

See what Ann's been reading lately -- click here to read her blog!

Andy Brennan, General Manager

Quick description of what you do here: I make sure the dogs have treats.

Favorite book as a kid: The Encyclopedia Britannica

Favorite author event we've had: So many to choose but if I can only pick one – Doris Kearns Goodwin. I would never otherwise have known of her special relationship with Ron Burgundy.

Books I recommend most: Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Falada; Troublesome Young Men by Lynne Olson; Barbarian Days by William Finnegan, Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham (specifically the hardcover, also referred to as the Brennan edition), The Children by David Halberstam

Cat Bock, Store Manager

Quick description of what you do here: I manage the store.

Favorite book as a kid: The Harry Potter series and The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine 

Favorite author event we've had: Ocean Vuong for On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. It felt like a dream-like, transcendent bookstore evening.

Books I recommend most: Circe by Madeline Miller, Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl, The Resisters by Gish Jen, and Carla Hall's Soul Food by Carla Hall

Lindsay Lynch, Inventory Manager and Adult Buyer

Quick description of what you do here: I order the adult titles for the store, which involves a mixture of re-ordering books our customers have loved in the past and finding new ones for them to love in the future. Also, spreadsheets, lots of spreadsheets.

Favorite book as a kid: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.

Favorite author event we've had: Zadie Smith in conversation with Ann for Swing Time — it was a masterclass on writing and also just existing as a person in the world. 

Books I recommend most: French Exit by Patrick DeWitt; The Friend by Sigrid Nunez; The Secret History by Donna Tartt; The Tradition by Jericho Brown; Ali Smith's Seasonal QuartetThe Summer Book by Tove Jansson; Cassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy Baker.

   

Rae Ann Parker, Director of Books and Events for Young Readers

Quick description of what you do here: I select the books for our children’s and Young Adult sections, host author events, and oversee our Sprout and Spark Book Clubs, along with ParnassusNext.

Favorite book as a kid: Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff

Favorite author event we've had: Kate DiCamillo in conversation with Ann Patchett

Books I recommend most: Lizzy and the Cloud by The Fan Brothers, Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo, The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Elyse Adler, Events Director

Quick description of what you do here: I partner with publishers, publicists, authors and other community organizations to provide great programming for the public — promoting the written word and the greatest bookstore!

Favorite book as a kid: I was a reluctant reader – until my dad gave me copy of O Henry Short Stories Collection – was a game changer!

Favorite author event we've had: Gloria Steinem.

Books I recommend most: The Prince of Tides, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.

RJ Witherow, Events Manager

Quick description of what you do here: I'm (officially) the events manager and (less officially) the Wings of Fire expert. I help organize the author events (and also recommend books about dragons.)  

Favorite book as a kid: Redwall by Brian Jacques 

Favorite author event we've had: Long before I started working here, I came as a customer to a John Scalzi event. It was my first time seeing an event at Parnassus, and it's still one of my favorite memories!

Books I recommend most: The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin, This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender and Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas.

Heather Patchett, Special Sales and Office Manager

Quick description of what you do here: I do hoop jumping supervision, online orders, B2B bulk orders, packing, labelling, and shipping of books, dog walking, special orders, and all of our subscription program memberships. I also answer questions about where things are, and I order snacks, dog treats, and other essentials for the store. (Editor's note: Heather does EVERYTHING)

Favorite book as a kid: Nancy Drew. Loved them all. Little House on the Prairie (and I lived near Walnut Grove for a time!)

Favorite author event we've had: Antoni Porowski. Want to see my pictures? He was so kind - everything you see on Queer Eye and more! And he Facetimed my daughter (his idea!) which made her day!

Books I recommend most: Anything by authors Ann Patchett, Gregory Boyle, Sandra Boynton, and Kate DiCamillo. I read mostly mystery/thriller and memoir, and every week there are more wonderful books!

Sarah Arnold, Marketing and Communications Manager, Musing Editor

Quick description of what you do here: I work on the store’s website, social media feeds, and email newsletters, while also coordinating with our wonderful orders and events folks. I'm also editor of our online magazine, Musing

Favorite book as a kid: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Favorite author event we've had: It's hard to beat Joe Biden in conversation with Jon Meacham at the Nashville Symphony.

Book I recommend most: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore, The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, A World Between by Emily Hashimoto

 

Sissy Gardner, Online Orders Manager

Quick description of what you do here: I fill orders for customers near and far.

Favorite book as a kid: The Long Winter and Thirteen Georgia Ghosts

Favorite author event we've had: Mary Laura Philpott & JD DuPuy

Books I recommend most: Congratulations, The Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas, Let's Not Do That Again by Grant Ginder, Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott, We Are the Light by Matthew Quick

Kathy Schultenover, Bookseller and Book Club Coordinator

Quick description of what you do here: As the book clubs manager, I serve as a liaison to community book clubs, as well as a bookseller here in the store. I also lead the Parnassus Book Club and Classics Club (along with Andy).

Favorite book as a kid:The Little House on the Prairie series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which my fourth grade teacher started me on

Favorite author event we've had: Amor Towles for Rules of Civility (super smart and suave)

Books I recommend most: Foster by Claire Keegan, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan, The Foundling by Ann Leary

Peter King, Does Everything/Receives Books

Quick description of what you do here: I receive the books from shipping and enter them into our inventory system.

Favorite book as a kid: The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Favorite author event we've had: My favorite so far has been Carol Bradley with Last Chain on Billie

Book I recommend most: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Seonmi Hwang

Chelsea Stringfield, Special Sales Coordinator and Bookkeeper

Quick description of what you do here: Hooks Book Events accounts receivable, school ordering liaison

Favorite book as a kid: The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Favorite author event we've had: I wasn't an employee at the time but seeing Jessamyn Stanley on her book tour for Every Body Yoga changed my life.

Books I insist we keep in stock: Sabriel by Garth Nix, Crinkle Crinkle Little Car by Jay Fleck, Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith, and Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

 

 

Aly P., Children's Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: I sell, recommend, shelve, and read all kinds of children's books. Occasionally, I hang out with the shop dogs.

Favorite book as a kid: Heartbeat by Sharon Creech and Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Favorite author event we've had: Sophie Blackall's event for Farmhouse

Books I insist we keep in stock: Bunny by Mona Awad, Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

 

 

Katie Garaby, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: I'm a bookseller, host of the Between the Covers Romance Book Club, and Storytime Host Extraordinaire

Favorite book as a kid: Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

Favorite author event we've had: Selfishly, Samantha Shannon. I was chosen to interview her at the store for her first North American tour in 6 years, and it was absolutely one of the best days ever. I still get chill bumps thinking about it.

Books I insist we keep in stock: I will push anything written by KJ Charles (The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen), Talia Hibbert (Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute), Jonny Garza Villa (Ander and Santi Were Here), Katee Robert (The Dragon's Bride), and S.A. Chakraborty (The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi). And so many more. I was born to tell people what to read. It's hard to pick just a few authors/titles!

 

Maddie Grimes, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: I sell books! When I'm not shelving, placing orders, or talking books with customers, I'm walking up to coworkers and breaking out into a spontaneous song or British accent

Favorite book as a kid: The books my parents had to ground me from in elementary school because I was staying up too late reading them (seriously) were the Maximum Ride books by James Patterson.

Favorite author event we've had: Hearing Sophie Blackall talk about the creative process behind her stunning book, Farmhouse, was such an unexpected joy for me. Seriously, if you still need convincing (like I did) that picture books are for grown-ups too, pick up one of Sophie's and thank me later.

Books I insist we keep in stock: Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. My answer to the ever-beloved question, "What gets you out of bed in the morning?" is my ceaseless and burning desire to get Nightbitch into the hands of as many readers as possible.

Rachel Randolph, Bookseller and Online Orders Assistant

Quick description of what you do here: I work in special orders! You want it, we got it. And we ship! Order online and I'll pack your books with love and care and maybe a bookmark and a bit of shop dog fur too. Need to place a pre-order for that special edition and merch? We got you. Want that book personalized? We got that too. When I'm not typing emails or printing labels, I specialize in hedgehog adoptions and the art of handselling fantasy books to anyone and everyone!

Favorite book as a kid: I wish I could lie to you, but it was always Warrior Cats: Into the Wild. Those books had a chokehold on me from second grade onwards. If I had the time, I'd reread all 30 of them.

Favorite author event we've had: Lindsay Lynch in conversation with Ann Patchett! Getting to hear about Lindsay's publication story and celebrating her debut novel with the whole store was such a special moment. I knew even then that it would go down in history!

Books I insist we keep in stock: Beartown by Fredrik Backman, If We Were Villains by ML Rio, This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El Mohtar

Hannah P., Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: Seller of books, petter of dogs, co-host of Saturday Storytime

Favorite book as a kid: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Favorite author event we've had: Tom Hanks

Books I insist we keep in stock: Devotions by Mary OliverThe Secret History by Donna TarttUtopia Avenue by David MitchellBig Swiss by Jen Beagin, the works of Shel Silverstein

Patsy Pyle, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: Bookseller

Favorite book as a kid: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Favorite author events we've had: David Sedaris and Kwame Alexander

Books I recommend most: Bonsoir Lune by Margaret Wise Brown, When You Breathe by Diana Farid and illustrated by Billy Renkl, Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, The Book of Delights by Ross Gay, Atlas Obscura by Joshua Foer, Ella Martin and Dylan Thuras, Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen

Sydney Bozeman, Online Sales Manager

Quick description of what you do here: I help keep our online orders afloat!

Favorite book as a kid: The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckle

Favorite author event we've had: Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn's concert

Book I recommend most: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Ashby Rushing, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: TALK (BOOKS)! Climb (ladders). Chase (dogs).

Favorite book as a kid: ONE BOOK! Impossible! Miss Nelson is Missing... a sweet teacher "disappears" and is replaced by a horrid one until her students learn to appreciate her.. and behave! Bread and Jam for Frances... a lesson in trying new things. Danny Champion of the World... or any book by Roald Dahl.

Favorite author event we've had: Before I worked here, I came to see Jane Mount, writer and artist who paints book spines. Her story twists and turns; I realized a straight road holds no adventures.

Books I recommend most: For adults: Nothing to See Here, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, GRAPHIC NOVELS! For kids: From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Fish in a Tree, The One and Only Ivan, Moxie, GRAPHIC NOVELS

Jenny Murray, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: I am a part-time bookseller, mainly in the YA and Children's sections. 

Favorite book as a kid: I moved 13 times before the age of 13. The first Big Move was when I was eight years old-- the same year I picked up Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. Despite our very obvious differences, in my mind Laura and I were the same, riding with our families towards the next Big Adventure. Needless to say, it was then that I fell in love with reading. 

Favorite author event we've had: Hannah Whitten interviewing Alix Harrow -- they reminded me of all the reasons I teach, write, and read. They felt like old friends, mainly because we were all emo kids in high school. :D

Books I recommend most: Sabriel by Garth Nix, Devotions by Mary Oliver, The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, and anything by VE Schwab

 

Jordan Tackett, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: I encourage customers to buy books! When I'm not working on the floor, I am often at the shipping office packing orders for our four subscription boxes. I also spend a lot of time petting the dogs because Marlee has deemed me her personal masseuse and she makes the rules.

Favorite book as a kid: The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

Favorite author event we've had: Gloria Steinem, Antoni Porowski, and Glennon Doyle.

Books I recommend most: My theory is that if it is popular, it is usually popular for a reason. I always look to the bestseller list, BookTok, and the Parnassus staff rec shelf for easy recommendations.

 

 

Tara Leimkuehler, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: Part-time bookseller/tiny human enthusiast

Favorite book as a kid: Anything in "The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley" series

Favorite author event we've had: TThe Christina Lauren event moderated by Lauren Kung Jessen was so cool.

Books I recommend most: The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings, The Switch by Beth O'Leary, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, and anything written by Sarah Dessen!

Erin Cox, Events

Quick description of what you do here: I help with in-store and offsite events!

Favorite book as a kid: Pretty much any book with a total lack of adult supervision getting in the way of the characters doing things. And then when I got middle-grade angsty, The Perilous Gard (Elizabeth Marie Pope) felt like a secret handshake.

Favorite author event we've had: Leigh Bardugo and her fans were absolutely lovely.

Books I insist we keep in stock: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, Under the Black Flag by David Cordingly, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara, the Electra McDonnell series by Ashley Weaver

Ella Kuhnhenn, Bookseller

Quick description of what you do here: I sell books, mostly in the children’s and YA section.

Favorite book as a kid: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Favorite author event we've had: It’s a tie between John Green for Turtles All the Way Down and Maggie Stiefvater for All the Crooked Saints. John’s was cleverly structured and hilariously educational, while Maggie’s had this weirdly magical and hilarious atmosphere (plus bagpipes!)

Books I recommend most: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers, and The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater