If you don’t see Sammi Snow at the bookstore, she’s most likely at home curled up with a good book and her cat, Octopus. Or she’s traveling the globe with her partner, Rye, seeing as much of the world as possible!

In preparation for becoming a member of the staff at BookStore 1, I have worked as an Adult Services, Youth, and Children's librarian in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Reading to my granddaughters is my favorite past-time.

Artist in Residence for Bookstore1. A lifetime interest in architecture and a passion for historic preservation culminated in finding an interest in painting. I have lived in Sarasota for 20 years and am proud of having spearheaded the establishment of the downtown historic district and revitalized the Farmers Market. Besides my painting I am recognized as an expert in Historic Tax Credits.

Ren Pearson is a Ringling Graduate with a BFA in Film. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director for the radio theater group Gothic Library Productions which celebrated its premier at BookstoreOne. He is also actively involved in the local theater scene on stage and off, co-parents a cat, rides an E-bike, and enjoys hot dogs.

Favorite Books:

Sphere by Michael Crichton

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

Death and the Conjuror by Tom Mead

Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by M.R. James

Every Man For Himself, God Against All by Werner Herzog

Bryn Durgin is a writer and humorist based in Sarasota, FL. A frequent contributor to The New Yorker, her work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times. She is the Director of Programming at Bookstore1, where she leads the popular Banned Book Club. A certified Master Gardener and volunteer with the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Program, she is also a Featured Storyteller with The Moth's Mainstage. Find her on Instagram at @brynreadsbooks.

Ben Kerns is a writer and the store manager of Bookstore1. He lives here in Sarasota with his wife and his cat.

I am the oldest bookseller at Bookstore1- and the oldest bookseller, period! Looking back at my teaching days you will often find me straightening out and Swifting!

A 20 year City of Sarasota resident I currently serve as President of the Glen Oaks Manor HOA and sit on the Sarasota County PARC Board, one of my proudest achievements was bringing the Baltimore Orioles to Sarasota.
My heart and soul are still tied to New England and I am a devoted follower of all things politic and sports related there. I so loved working for Congressman Barney Frank!
I love historical fiction, passionate about mysteries, children’s books and the art of a beautiful book cover. I cherish meeting authors and the people who wander in with wide eyes and open hearts. Here, every day feels like magic, wrapped in pages and possibilities. Did I mention a candy store for book lovers!

Starting her 10th year as bookseller at BookStore1, Roxanne's origin story included a 30-year career as English Teacher and High School Guidance Counselor in the bucolic Finger Lakes area of New York.  Her inner palm tree brought her to Sarasota where her side gigs include moderating film talks at the Sarasota Film Society.  Her favorite literary genres are biography/memoir and self-help. She's also rooting for her son Liam to win a Grammy someday.

Scott Mahler, former Senior Acquisitions Editor for National Geographic Books, the Smithsonian Institution Press, and University of California Press; Assistant Professor of English at the Berklee College of Music; writer; translator; musician.

The AI chatter suggests "a career is an individual's metaphorical journey through life and training and jobs. . . ." I would only add that sometimes one may return to their beginnings, in my case, books. It's where I am happiest, so Bookstore1 has been a good place to be these last ten years. And, of course, there's poetry.

Georgia Court, who opened Bookstore1Sarasota in March 2011, is a former IBM systems engineer/newspaper columnist/university writing instructor who finds delight in the world of books and the people who love them.

James Mammone has been at Bookstore1 since it's origins in 2011. Please enjoy Bookstore1!