Meet the Staff

Get a better idea of what inspires our Staff Picks by getting to know us!

A picture of Dana in front of a sunset
DANA

Dana is the shop owner, and has been a bookseller for almost twenty-five years. Check out a list of her current favorite books here.

Plotline pet peeves?
1. _________ had the perfect life, then _______ happens & everything goes to hell.
2. Dad/mom/grandparent dies & the main character returns home, where long buried secrets... blah blah blah...

Both are just plain lazy and formulaic.

Dogear or bookmark?
Bookmark--I have a stash and match them to the mood/subject of the book.

Any classics you refuse to read?
This isn't going to make me popular, but Austen & Dickens. Tried 'em. We didn't get along.

First book that made a big impression on you?
The Talisman by Stephen King when I was 11--it was the fattest book I had ever read; what a sense of accomplishment.
Then, at 15, Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut taught me how truly original and unconventional literature could be. It changed everything.

What's your most terrifying book experience?
I discovered I hated my book 30 minutes into a 4hr flight and didn't have a back-up.

Your mission as a bookseller?
To connect people to books that surprise them & open new words/avenues of reading.

Anything else of note??
1. There needs to be an 8th day of the week where nothing is expected of anyone except reading. The world would be a better place. Libroday?
2. I will always have a soft spot for the people who 1st introduce me to books I fall in love with.

 

A picture of Jennifer and her two handsome dogs
JENNIFER

Jennifer is six years deep on the crew. She's an avowed news junkie and lover of the sixteenth century and all things France. Peep her staff picks here!

Plotline pet peeves?
When an author takes advantage of the reader by going into too much detail about something or someone that ends up not being relevant.

Monogamist or polygamist reader?
Monogamist. It's the only way.

Are you a morning reader or a night owl?
Night only. Ever. Helps me empty the day out of my head.

First book that made a big impression on you?
On The Road--Kerouac. I read it in 11th grade and wanted to quit school. My dad told me no and wouldn't let me use the car for two weeks. 

Most terrifying book experience?
Easy--8th grade--Salem's Lot (King). I literally did not go down into a basement for years.

Your mission as a bookseller?
To help people find their perfect book.

Anything else of note??
Yes. I love you and your recommendations, but please refrain from lending me books as I already have piles waiting to be read.

 

A photo of Mike in front of a bunch of books
MIKE
 

Mike has worked at Snowbound only a couple years, as he had been previously distracted by tacos. See his current faves here. 

Do you judge a book by its cover?
Absolutely. The next time I see the back of some trenchcoated orphan staring at the Eiffel Tower I'm going to set something on fire.

Dogear or bookmark?
Bookmark almost 100% of the time. But a bookmark might be a gas receipt.

Monogamist or polygamist reader?
My intentions are good, but I've been led astray from time to time.

Morning reader or night owl?
Why would I choose one if I can have both?

First book that made a big impression on you?
Age 5: Mystery of the Missing Red Mitten
Age 8-10: Lord of the Rings
Age 17: Going to Meet the Man

Do you eat while reading? If so, what's your favorite reading drink or snack?
Coffee, tea, whiskey... whitefish pate or cheeze whiz.

Your mission as a bookseller?
Like I imagine my coworkers would say, connecting the right reader with the perfect book. Also to celebrate the work of living authors, trying to get them paid!

 

A photo of Gretchen, and her dog Rosie in a cowboy hat
GRETCHEN

Gretchen is the most recent addition to the Snowbound crew. She joined in the summer of 2020, and has a very handsome dog named Rosie Cotton. See her staff picks here.

Do you judge a book by its cover?
ALWAYS! I only read books with good covers. I might be missing out on some good reads... but I doubt it.

Dogear or bookmark?
Now I am become death, the destroyer of books--dogear all the way. I've never managed to own a bookmark for more than a few hours.

Monogamist or polygamist reader?
I consider myself a read-onist (reading hedonist), thus the more the merrier!

Any classics you refuse to read?
Camus.

What's your most terrifying book experience?
When I'm reading in bed and drop my book on my face.

Do you eat while reading? If so, what's your favorite reading drink or snack?
I love a good reading beverage. Currently, red wine is my drink of choice.

Your mission as a bookseller?
To find and share great new reads with our community.