Happy Monday! We’re proud to introduce Jessica Peterson White, owner and bookseller at Content Bookstore in Northfield, Minnesota.
How did you get into bookselling?
In late 2014, the bookstore a block from my house was for sale, and in danger of closing. I thought my town needed a bookstore, so after much deliberation, I bought it. We immediately moved, changed the name, and expanded, and it’s been a wild and wonderful ride ever since.
What do you love most about being a bookseller?
I love that Content is a community space where everyone knows they are welcome, where kids and grownups can explore themselves and their world (and other worlds!). It’s a joy and a privilege to participate in the creation of that space every day.
What do you love most about your bookstore?
I love our unique collection of books more than anything else—and knowing that customers have a sense of discovery when they explore our shelves.
What are you listening to right now?
I just finished Furious Hours by Casey Cep, and I’m not sure what’s next.
What audiobooks would you recommend or are among your favorites?
The new Angels in America audio is wonderful, and so relevant today. Lincoln in the Bardo might be the highest and best use of the audiobook form. But I probably love the Phillip Pullman series His Dark Materials (which starts with The Golden Compass) most of all—Pullman does voices for all the characters, and it’s a big, powerful adventure story that kids and grownups can all enjoy.
Where / when do you listen to audiobooks?
While walking my dog, working late in the stockroom, driving. Oh, and doing laundry. Laundry used to be torture, and now I look forward to it. It’s like a little audiobook vacation in the basement!
What is your favorite thing about audiobooks through Libro.fm?
The app is so easy to use, the selection is great, and of course, I love that Libro.fm is deeply connected to and supportive of indie bookstores!
What do you do when you’re not selling books?
Read them. I also hang out with my family, walk in the woods with my dog Koshka, cook, knit, and smash the patriarchy.