Meet the Team #2

Get to know your Nooks booksellers

Once a month (or so), we’re featuring a different member of the Nooks staff with their answers to some fun, bookish questions. If you missed our first post, we introduced you to Lauren.

Next up is Torie!

How long have you been working at Nooks, and how are you connected to the shop?

I started helping Shawn and Maile at the shop at the very beginning! I officially became part of the Nooks family in June of 2024. I met Shawn and Maile when I moved to Lancaster back in 2018 and our children became instant friends.

What are your favorite or go-to genres?

My go-to genre is historical fiction. I try to branch out and always end up back there. My favorite book is East of Eden, though not technically a historical fiction book, it has the historical elements that bring me in.

When not at Nooks, how do you spend your time?

Currently I am going back to school to prepare for my second half of life! When I’m not at Nooks and not studying, I love hanging out with my husband, daughter, and our two sweet pups! I love listening to loud music, going on long walks and reading until I fall asleep.

What is one book you can’t stop recommending?

I love any book written by Kate DiCamillo. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is my very favorite book and I recommend it to anybody looking for a sweet children’s read. Currently, The Correspondent is a wonderful read. Another one I find I recommend a lot is Jeannette Walls’ memoir The Glass Castle. It has great character development and is just really interesting.

What’s the last book you DNF’ed (or wanted to)?

I can’t believe I’m going to admit this to the world, but I couldn’t get through The House in the Cerulean Sea. I wanted to love it, it had a lot of hype. I am certain I am the only one on the planet who just couldn’t get into it. Hiding under the covers now!

What book made you fall in love with reading?

When I was kid, I would read and re-read the Help Me Be Good books by Joy Berry. I loved them. I loved rules. I loved sitting in my tiny closet with a flashlight and pillow, cuddled up reading these over and over again. A new kind of love for reading happened when I became a mom. The Miraculous Journey of Eduard Tulane was a book I read to my daughter over and over again from the time she was born.

What’s the best part of working at a bookstore?

The best part about working in a book store is getting to connect with so many people who love stories and characters as much as I do (or more!). I love the kids and families who come in so excited about getting a new book to take home. Talking with a tween or teen about a good book they’ve just read is magical!

What’s the worst part of working at a bookstore?

It’s a very dry place! :) My skin appreciates the lotion! It’s a small price to pay for all the joy being here brings!

This or that

Re-read or read once?

I am usually a read once type of person with a few exceptions.

Hardcover or paperback?

Paperback! I have hit my head a few times trying to read a hard back while laying down!

Bookmark or anything but a bookmark?

I appreciate a good bookmark and try to use them in all books, however a piece of paper or receipt will often do the trick!

One book at a time or several books at a time?

I read several at a time usually! I like to keep one light and easy, another is usually a textbook while going back to school and one is more in depth. However sometimes I just keep to the textbooks and light reading! Need to have balance!

Audiobooks are reading or audiobooks are cheating?

Audiobooks are definitely NOT cheating! Really well-read ones can be so immersive and fun to listen to!