why I'm still at my job. i think. *sigh*
Each time I go into work, I am continually amazed by the power of books and their ability to connect people. I love to read, and while I think that I would say that science fiction is my favorite type of genre, I have always been interested in different types of literature and pop fiction. This have enabled me to be able to meet and converse with just about every type of person that walks into the store, and has consistently been one of the things that I have most enjoyed about my job. I have not only spoken with fellow sports fans about hockey books, but also with middle aged house wives about Nora Roberts romance novels or elderly history (and often well-dressed, to use another generalization) buffs about our favorite Revolutionary War book. It is also enjoyable to watch the store actually become a "destination experience" for so many people as they meet with each other in the stacks and at the cafe. The experience of discussing one's favorite book is something that I think that nearly everybody can identify with--although perhaps not as universal one's favorite movie or restaurant--and thus acts as one of the bits of invisible glue that hold American culture together.
a friend recently asked me what i'm passionate about. There are some other things that I feel passionate about...e.g. outdoor sports, andrew, history, but this was the first coherent series of thoughts that came out, and now I'm thinking about submitting an essay to NPR about it for thier "This I Believe" series. I'm also seriously considering an essay entitled, "Doing the Dishes in Your Bathrobe is Good for Your Soul."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138&ps=sa