What do you think your job is at Left Bank Books? Practical - buyer, merchandiser, and bookseller. Hopefully - provider of information that helps people better their lives and that strengthens the community.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Lois Long and Ulysses S. Grant. (Sorry, can't choose just one.)
What’s in the trunk of your car? Currently, jumper cables, lug wrench, tool box, Ryobi cordless drill-driver, bottle of motor oil, and old license plates.
If you had a super power, what would it be? Immortality. Is that a super power?
Favorite pair of shoes (past or present): Past - Doc Martin boots. Present - Chuck Taylor's.
What’s your sign? Really?
What sound do you love? Birds chirping at 4 a.m. (I get up really early.)
Here are my favorite books neatly grouped together: Coming Soon The Standards Indigenous Literature Murakami and More Murder and Mayhem What the What?!
And if you like talking about what you just read, join our Humble Beginnings book club to discuss the first novels from some of our favorite writers.
2020 Staff Picks
Wagamese had such a gift for writing with a strong and ever present force about the challenges and failings in his life. At the same time, his introspections are never without hope. Another wonderful memoir! - randy's June Staff Pick, 2020
As a new birder, I have tried about a half dozen guides. The Kaufman's is the best! The primary reason I love this guide is the pictures. The angles shown are from your point of view, and there are great little hints illustrating the unique markers each bird has. I also cannot say enough about the range maps. They are with each species so there is no flipping back to the front or forward the end, and the color coding makes sense. Basically, the Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America is the guide I would make using the best pieces of other guides. You will not need another guide. - randy's May Staff Pick, 2020
Mesmerizing, enthralling, hypnotic, hauntingly beautiful--I can throw all the clichéd adjectives at it I’d like, and I wouldn’t be wrong. But, simply put, “The Glass Hotel” is wonderful. I dare you to read it only once! - randy's April Staff Pick, 2020
Sadly, Treasure Island!!! is currently not in print...Yay!!! It is available again. It's a terribly funny story about becoming an adult (or failing to do so!). And there's a murder at which you can't help but laugh a little and it's okay. Pick this up. You won't regret it. - randy's March Staff Pick, 2020
I am non-plussed. A voice clearer than one could imagine. There is so much strength in this story. It is as rewarding as it is hard to absorb. I will return to it. - randy's February Staff Pick, 2020
Awesome! A quick little read with a lot of weight behind it. There are things in our past we should hold on to. I love this book! - randy's January Staff Pick, 2020