 Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books Owner
Ann Patchett is the author of nine novels: The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto, Run, State 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!
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 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
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 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
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 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 Quartet; The Summer Book by Tove Jansson; Cassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy Baker.
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 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
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 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.
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 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!
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 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!
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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!
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