In this month’s Meet the Bookseller column we chat with Lou Ryan, our fabulous Carlton shop manager! We talk about how a conversation with a friendly bookseller began her life-long career in publishing, how a 1980s bookstore compares to those of 2021, and what she’s been reading lately. Why did you decide to work in books?

I was a directionless and underemployed 24-year-old who loved reading.…

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Oliver Driscoll works as a bookseller at Readings Doncaster and we’re delighted he has also just released his first book! I Don’t Know How That Happened is a funny and unsettling collection of poems. Here, Oliver talks about writing, his doubts about publishing trends, and shares what’s on his TBR pile. Tell us about your book!

So, I don’t mean to sound as though I’m playing I Don’t Know How …

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In this month’s Meet the Bookseller column we chat with Kim Gruschow, a buyer and experienced children’s and YA specialist at our St Kilda shop. She chats about the pleasure of translated fiction, the rise of books about climate crisis, and shares who she’d invite to a dinner party – and why. Describe your taste in books.

I like very specific visual catalogues. I like sharp novels that come i…

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In our latest Meet the Bookseller column, we chat with Alexa Dretzke, the Assistant Manager & Children’s Book Buyer for our Hawthon shop. Alexa fell into the book industry by accident and first came on board at Readings more than 17 years ago! Here, she talks about the reward of selecting the right book for a customer, and shares what’s on her TBR pile. Why did you decide to work in books?

It…

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Megan Wood started at Readings in late 2019, stepping into the role of Human Resources Manager for the company. Here, we ask her about her about some of her favourite authors, and which fictional world she’d choose to live inside of. Describe your taste in books.

I find my taste varies quite a lot. I wouldn’t say I have one particular genre or style of book that I favour, it really depends on…

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Pia Spreadborough has worked at Readings since 2010, moonlighting at various stores, managing book launches and more. She now works in the Readings warehouse as a member of our busy online dispatch and receiving teams. Here, she chats about books and what happens when you turn feminism into a commodity, and shares the disaster artists she’d invite to a dinner party. What is your favourite part…

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Athina Clarke is one of our brilliant children’s and young adult book specialists, and has worked at Readings since 2002 – first at the Port Melbourne shop, before moving onto Readings Malvern where she’s been the buyer for more than seven years. She has been involved in a number of initiatives around children’s books over the years and was named the recipient of the ABA Elizabeth Riley Fellowshi…

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James Butler works as a bookseller at our Hawthorn shop. Here we chat with them about how they ended up working in bookshops, and what’s an Australian book everyone should read. Why did you decide to work in books?

I began working in an independent bookshop when I first started studying creative writing and English literature at university. It felt like work that was the perfect extension of …

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In our latest Meet the Bookseller post, we chat to Readings Carlton bookseller and customer service extraordinaire Dave Little about how he came to work in books, what books have made an impact on him, and what he’s looking to read next. Why did you decide to work in books?

I started working at an independent bookstore in Brisbane soon after I studied literature at uni. I didn’t intend to sti…

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Margaret Snowdon is a bookseller and the immensely knowledgeable art & design book buyer with the very good eye at Readings Carlton. Here, she chats about her favourite parts of her job working on the floor, the books that made an impact on her growing up, and how she came to work in the book industry. Why did you decide to work in books?

It just happened. I was at a loose end after I finish…

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