Our Staff

A Bookseller for Every Reader

These are our kind of people: great people who love books.

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista/Inventory Coordinator/Social Media

What book changed your life?

I’m gonna cheat and say that a book series changed my life and that series is, The Shadowhunter Chronicles. Without that book series, I wouldn’t have a love and passion for reading. 

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Cassandra Clare, V.E. Schwab, Leigh Bardugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, T.J. Klune

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

I LOVE our Butterbeer Latte. It’s so yummy and I’m glad we have it as a special drink of the month every year. 

What are a few of your favorite things?

Movies, TV, music, anything media related. Peppermints, rainy days, cozy blankets,  Taylor Swift, and Brett Goldstein

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

I have a great interest in media and film making. 

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Peeta Mellark is my favorite fictional anything. He is perfect. He is the blueprint for the perfect male love interest. Duh!

A photo of staff member Alissa.

Alissa

An image of staff member Amy

Amy

Job Position
Bookseller
What book changed your life?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Jane Austen, Axie Oh, Rachel Harrison, Simone St. James and Katee Robert

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Ace Detective 

What are a few of your favorite things?

K-Pop, Dancing, pure barre, and my puppies!

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

The Beatles, K-Pop, England Books and Travel

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Mr. Darcy – he makes my heart flutter. 

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista/Events

What book changed your life?

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. If I could even come close to writing such an outstanding conclusion to a trilogy such as this, I would know that I had succeeded as a writer. 

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Rebecca Ross, Aiden Thomas, Cassandra Clare, Casey McQuiston, & Rick Riordan

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Sparks Fly Latte with oat milk.

What are a few of your favorite things?

The color black, Taylor Swift, Mitski, My Chemical Romance, pasta, writing excessively long book reviews, & annotating books.

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Child Development, Psychology, & Biology

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Lately, my favorite character is Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices/The Shadowhunter Chronicles! He’s humorous, brave, charismatic, and is one of those “more than meets the eye” characters. 

Image of Bookseller Ash

Ash

An image of staff member Aubrey

Aubrey

Job Position
Bookseller/Barista
What book changed your life?

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I always come back to this book. TJR is phenomenal and this story is one that is very near and dear to my heart. 

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Rebecca Ross, Sarah J. Maas, Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid, V.E. Schwab, and Rachel Hawkins

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

If You Give a Mouse a Latte (a chocolate chip latte that is perfection) with oat milk.

What are a few of your favorite things?

I have a lot of little people in my life (those I am related to, those I babysit, those I volunteer with, and those I counsel over the summer). I absolutely adore them. I also love to hammock (extra points if it’s on Samford Lawn). I’m a big concert fan. Anytime I can listen to live music is a good time. This may come as a surprise, but I do love to curl up and read.

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

I can get wrapped up into any and every docu-series, but extra points if it’s on a cult. I am also an Auburn student studying Psychology. I am hoping to go to grad school and eventually work in mental health counseling and I really enjoy learning about what makes us tick.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

As a long time Muppet fan, I have to say Kermit the Frog. The Muppets (2011, with the hit song “Man or Muppet”) is one of my favorites and it stands the test of time. Kermit is just so loveable and such a classy little guy.  I feel like I grew up with him. Also, who doesn’t love the Muppets?!

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista

What book changed your life?

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Kate Quinn, Blake Crouch, Jodi Picoult

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Heartstopper (a salted caramel latte with maple spice)

What are a few of your favorite things?

Cuddling with my kittens, being outside near a body of water (find me at Lake Martin all summer!), and eating really good food (if you haven’t had the lobster egg rolls at Amsterdam Café, you haven’t lived)

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Historical fiction, Romance, Fantasy

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Ove, from A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman. Ove was grumpy, old, and determined to give up on life. Backman wrote his character beautifully. I laughed out loud and I cried at the end of the book. I wanted Ove to be my friend and I wanted to live on the same street with all the neighbors. When you can picture that, the author did something right!

Image of Bookseller Bethany

Bethany

Image of staff member Colin

Colin

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista

What book changed your life?

House on the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Sarah J. Mass, T.J. Klune, and Rebecca Yarros

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Iced Momma Lorde with Oat Milk 🙂

What are a few of your favorite things?

Reading, traveling, music, theatre and languages!

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Broadway musicals, French and Taylor Swift

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Definitely Andarna from The Empyrean series because I feel like her attitude matches my own. Iconic.

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista

What book changed your life?

The Harry Potter Series. I’ve never been the same.

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Rebecca Yarros, V.E. Schwab, CS Lewis, Sarah J. Maas, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Madeline Miller 

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Out of the Woods!! (An October special with white chocolate, pumpkin spice, maple spice, and cinnamon)

What are a few of your favorite things?

My dog and cat!! Coffee, hiking, Spotify lol

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Taylor Swift. Also mental health counseling!

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?
This answer changes often but right now it’s Violet Sorrengail! Her ability to rely on mental strength when physical strength fails her is incredibly inspiring and encouraging to me personally.
Image of Bookseller Emma

Emma

Image of bookseller Gabe

Gabriel

Job Position
Bookseller/Barista
What book changed your life?

Devotions by Mary Oliver. I have a worn out copy I carry with me everywhere & it has taught me so much about beauty, suffering, and connection to people and the natural world. In her own words, her instructions on living a life: 

“Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Joan Didion, Mary Oliver, Toni Morrison, Rumi, & Gillian Flynn

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

I am pretty sure I have eaten my weight in our peanut butter oatmeal energy bites

What are a few of your favorite things?

Spring & summer & a drive with the windows down

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Agriculture, music, journalism, writing, learning about and experiencing the world! 

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Anne of Green Gables- I grew up with her, & watching her mature as a character from young, spirited & hot headed, to older, wiser & grounded in a deeper, reality tempered beauty is something I understand more & more as I grow.

Job Position
Bookseller
What book changed your life?

The Harry Potter series

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Matt Haig, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Anthony Horowitz, Louise Penny, Shannon Chakraborty, and Stuart Turton

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Anything Blackberry! Specifically,  blackberry lemonade or blackberry hot chocolate!

What are a few of your favorite things?

My family, art & design, Lego, my cats, and good stories

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?
Graphic Design, Photography, Instructional Design, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all things Harry Potter, and books!
Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Ron Weasley. Warner Bros did him dirty. He was much more clever than anyone gave him credit for.

Image of Bookseller Kim

Kim

Image of Bookseller Kristen

Kristen

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista

What book changed your life?

As much as I love so many books individually, I don’t think any single book has changed my life, but reading overall most definitely has.

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Ali Hazelwood, Sarah J Maas, Juliette Cross, and Sophie Lark

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

The Zora with oat milk 

What are a few of your favorite things?

Waffle House, the cinematic masterpiece that is Pride & Prejudice (2005), and long drives with a good audiobook

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

All things veterinary medicine, feminist theory, and lots of ‘accidentally vegan’ junk foods

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Cameron Morgan from the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter – I read these books as a kid and I identified so much with her way of viewing the world that she became like a best friend who lives in my head.

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista

What book changed your life?

Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Sarah J Mass, Rebecca Ross, Carissa Broadbent 

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Momma Lorde

What are a few of your favorite things?

My cats, crochet, and coffee!!

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Romantasy and education

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Nesta from ACOTAR because at first she’s very prickly but then when you finally get to see her POV she’s actually a softy, and I resonate with that on a whole other level. 

Image of Bookseller Rachel

Rachel

Image of Bookseller Robin

Robin

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista/Events

What book changed your life?

Reading changed my life, it’s impossible to pick one! 

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Michael McDowell, Stephen King, Joshilyn Jackson, Barbara Kingsolver, Abraham Verghese, Jesmyn Ward

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Momma Lorde

What are a few of your favorite things?

Hanging out with my husband and kids, reading (horror has my heart), true crime podcasts, any and all trashy reality dating shows.

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

Writing, World War II, cooking, and (you guessed it) horror. 

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Demon Copperhead— he was a magical narrator, endearing, honest and raw.

Job Position

Bookseller/Barista

What book changed your life?

The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Margaret Peterson Haddix, Sarah J. Maas, J.R.R. Tolkien

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

The Pollyanna

What are a few of your favorite things?

Crafting, reading, gardening

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

WWII, Reproductive Toxicology, Endocrine disruptors, anatomy

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

Tairn and McGonagall… they are both equally wise and sassy.

Image of Bookseller Sam

Sam

Image of Bookseller Tris

Tris

Job Position

Bookseller

What book changed your life?

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

Becky Albertalli, Sarah J Maas, Ashley Herring Blake, Meryl Wilsner

What is your favorite drink or treat from Auburn Oil Co.?

Momma Lorde

What are a few of your favorite things?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens…but in all seriousness, my family, DISNEY, and Criminal Minds 

What are some subjects you are especially interested in or knowledgeable about?

DISNEY, engineering, Taylor Swift, middle aged actresses 

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

I would have to say Regina from Once Upon a Time (aka the evil queen). She reminds me that there is good in everyone. You just have to find it. 

Staff Picks

One of the many perks of being a bookseller is getting to contribute to the “Staff Picks” section. Each bookseller gets to pick a handful of titles that they love and want to carry in-store. So if you’re looking for books that come highly recommended, books that someone on staff really loves, the Staff Pick section is entirely that. As a bonus, that selection changes frequently to reflect our current staff and reading. Come check us out in store or search Staff Reviews by Bookseller!

Staff Reviews

If you’ve seen our shelves, you know that we put handwritten reviews from staff by many, many books. (It’s almost like we like to read or something.) These help our favorites to stand out from the crowd as you browse. We’re excited to also be able to offer those reviews online! Browse by genre, alphabetically, by author, even by bookseller, and find your next read now.

Work with us

Calling All Baristas and Booksellers: We’re seeking a fabulous and experienced barista/bookseller to sling coffee and books! Must embrace uniqueness and enjoy interacting with the coolest people in Auburn. This is a part-time position and you should be available both evenings and weekends. Because we hold an alcohol license, you must be at least 21.