Happy Monday! We’re excited to introduce you to bookseller, book buying assistant, and school coordinator Jen Pino of Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California.
How did you get into bookselling?
It kind of just happened! I needed a job, and a family friend recommended that I try Vroman’s. I had always loved books and was eager to apply. 8 1/2 years later, I have had four different job titles and a gigantic home library.
What do you love most about being a bookseller?
I absolutely love connecting with customers. That is truly the best part of this job. Recommending a favorite title and then seeing the same customer come back to you and ask for more is amazing. I also love hearing authors speak at events and then being able to share their stories with my customers.
What do you love most about your bookstore?
I love my co-workers! I love that I can count on having multiple people to talk about books with. It doesn’t matter what the book is, there will always be someone who has read it or will want to read it, or can recommend a similar title to me. I love the fact that we have over a hundred book nerds in one company. We can pool our resources to be better booksellers.
What are you listening to right now?
I recently discovered that there were Veronica Mars books, so I am currently listening to The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham. It is narrated by Kristen Bell!
What audiobooks would you recommend or are among your favorites?
Oh, this is so hard! Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston was the first audiobook that I re-listened to right after I finished, so that has to be at the top! I also loved The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, The Illuminae Files trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, The Folk of the Air trilogy by Holly Black, Nocturna by May Motayne, On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, and They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera.
Where / when do you listen to audiobooks?
I mostly listen while I am driving. I have a long commute, so I am able to get through big chunks of the audio during those drives. However, sometimes I am able to listen while painting, or doing some other craft project. Often you can find me sitting in my car, because I don’t want to stop my audio book.
What is your favorite thing about audiobooks through Libro.fm?
I love that I can support my bookstore through my purchases and I love that the audio books are mine and I can re-listen to them any time that I want on any device. I also love Libro.fm’s customer service and support.
What do you do when you’re not selling books?
When I am not selling books, I am either reading, listening or watching the latest rom-com movie or TV show. Have you seen Mindy Kaling’s new Four Weddings and a Funeral??!