We decided to play the Q&A game with the ABC staff, and asked all sorts of bookish questions. In the coming weeks we will be posting their (sometimes cheeky!) answers here on the blog, so you can learn a little more about us.
Enjoy!
This time around we talk to Juno, our Languages and Science Fiction book buyer in The Hague.
What are your top 3 favorite books or authors?
I really like when authors use the magical and fantastical to challenge my view of the real world. There are three authors that use this technique in their own special way.
The first one is R.F. Kuang. She explores worlds that are very similar to ours, but with some added magic. Her books challenge you to think about topics such as imperialism, revolution and language.
The second author is Evan Winter. He has only written two books so far, but they are incredible. Set in a world other than ours, his books are partly inspired by the Xhosa people.
The third author is close to my heart because he has a similar background to me. Steven Erikson is an archaeologist turned fantasy writer. In his books, he explores many similar themes that interest me as an archaeologist.
What is your favorite bookish animal?
I grew up with cats, so they will always have a special place in my heart, and they are the perfect animals to cuddle with when you are reading a good book. I’m especially in love with cats named after bad guys, such as Sauron and Smaug from Lord of the Rings.
Do you have any reading tips for our customers?
I absolutely love to listen to music without lyrics when reading a book. Sometimes, the author has even made a playlist especially for the book. I really recommend finding the right playlist for the right book, as it can enhance the experience considerably.
What non-book item at ABC can you not pass by without looking at it?
I am a sucker for board games. When I walk past the games section, I always sneak a peek to see if there is anything new. This is especially true when I’m on the second floor of ABC Amsterdam, where there is a stash of bargain board games. I always check if there are any board games that I have not seen before.
What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?
I adore helping customers find the books they are looking for. This is doubly true for customers with similar tastes in books to me. Sometimes the customer asks for advice on good books. This is my favorite part of being a bookseller, as I get to brainstorm with them to find the perfect book.
About the Author: Lilia
