Name: Nikki Nikki@puddnheadbooks.com
Title: Owner and Adult Book Buyer
When you can find me at Pudd’nHead: More often than not, but I am out of the shop on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Unsatisfying job I held before becoming a bookseller:
I always win this game, because I have two awful ones. First, I was a
waitress at Eat-Rite for two weeks. Overnight. And if that isn’t enough
for you, I was a lawyer. So yes, I win.
Desert Island Books:
Joe Hill gave the best answer to this question somewhere. Basically, he
said screw the books, I want two pilots and a sea plane. But if I have
to, I’d pick Beach Music, 2666, Infinite Jest, and some sort of survival guide. And a map back to civilization.
Book I can’t believe you haven’t read: A Confederacy of Dunces, Infinite Jest, Beach Music, Bel Canto, The Stand, Gone With the Wind.
Surprising books I haven’t read: The Russians, very little Vonnegut, Water for Elephants (I’ve bought it 3 times and left it on three different planes), and Jane Austen can suck it.

Name: Cecilia
Title: Countess
Unsatisfying job I had before Puddnhead: Drifter/Bird Lady
Books for Anticipating Death on a Desert Island: Humboldt’s Gift by Saul Bellow; Letters From the Earth by Mark Twain; The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson (I haven’t read it yet and need to see how it all ends.)
Books for Anticipating Survival on a Desert Island: Roughing It by Mark Twain; Dark Places by Gyllian Flynn; Beloved by Toni Morrison
Books that Make Me Happy: Full Woman, Fleshly Apple, Hot Moon by Pablo Neruda; Jailbird and Welcome to the Monkeyhouse by Kurt Vonnegut
Guess what, I’ve Never Read: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Name: Holland … as in the country
Title: Supreme Organizer, De-Clutterer & Streamliner
Unsatisfying job I had before Puddnhead: Okay, coordinating college student housing was really satisfying for a while but after 15 years, someone else can handle those middle of the night phone calls.
Desert Island Books: The Miracle by Irving Wallace, The Middle of the Night: Stories by Daniel Stolar (set largely in St. Louis), The Stand by Stephen King, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon, Peter and the Starcatchers (kid’s book) by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson.
Book I Can’t Believe You Haven’t Read: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell & When You Reach Me (kid’s book) by Rebecca Stead.
Surprising Book I Haven’t Read: The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger.

Name: Melissa
Title: Children’s and Young Adult Buyer and Guru
When you can find me at Pudd’nHead: Mondays; Weds. and Fri. mornings/early afternoons; alternate Saturdays
Unsatisfying job I held before becoming a bookseller: symphony marketing and PR director
Desert Island Books: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley; Watership Down by Richard Adams; Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery; The High King by Lloyd Alexander; Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer; Movie Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (I am taking a big bag to the island)
Book I can’t believe you haven’t read: Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson
Surprising book I haven’t read: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Unsurprising books I haven’t read: most of the adult side of the store

Name: Henry 2: Electric Boogaloo
Title: Head of Security, Treat Taster
When you can find me at Pudd’nHead: whenever Nikki works
Unsatisfying job I held before becoming a security officer: stay at home pet
Desert Island Books: Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz; What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell; Henry In Love by Peter McCarty; Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon
Book I can’t believe you haven’t read: Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats by Bradley Grieve