'Working in a Bookshop Taught Me About People'
"Reading had always been an insular pleasure of mine, but working in a bookshop taught me about people--about connection and community that can be so hard to foster in large cities.... And I was changed by my colleagues, too, eccentric and wildly intelligent people--often writers or other creatives--who read voraciously and taught me about classical music, history and queer science fiction.
After a few wonderful years, my first journalism gig brought my time with Readings to a close. Bookstores, though, remain that sanctuary to me, and since leaving, I have dreamed, somewhat starry-eyed, of opening my own one day. I still visit them at least once a week, and take pleasure in plucking books from my home bookshelf to recommend to friends. Whenever that time in my life comes up, I say resolutely: 'That was the best job I ever had.' "
