Getting to Know Your Riverbenders - Maz

How long have you been working at Riverbend Books? 
I started several days before the shop opened - shelving! That was 1998 - 22 years ago. 

And what's your job? 
I work on the shop floor, serving customers and shelving. Sometimes I even pull returns and vacuum.

What do you like best about working at Riverbend? 
I love helping our customers to find books they will enjoy reading. 

What's been your favourite event or story? 
My favourite events/authors have been those with Tim Winton and David Walliams, though the image of the tiny, bubbly Marian Keyes in her stilettos being interviewed by our tall manager is quite unforgettable. 

If we were to come to you for recommendations, what kind of books do you like best?
I try to read over as broad a spectrum as possible so am happy to read just about anything though I’d probably struggle with politics.

Lastly, what are you currently reading?

Hamnet. It’s brilliant!

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If you want to be more like Maz, check out what she’s reading via the links below!

Hamnet

By Maggie O’Farrell

Getting to Know Your Riverbenders - Pauline McLeod

How long have you been working at Riverbend Books? 
8 years

And what's your job? 
Children's Literature Consultant

What do you like best about working at Riverbend? 
Working with a very warm and genuine group of people, the lovely customers that I have worked with over the years and reading all the wonderful children's books.

What's been your favourite event or story? 
My favourite event that I have worked at was the launch of Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend. We had around 450 very excited children and their parents attend. There was a life size snow globe to jump in, food trucks, a wonderful chat with the author and book signings.

If we were to come to you for recommendations, what kind of books do you like best? 
I enjoy reading YA and Middle Years Fiction. Although I do love a good Australian contemporary story I am always drawn to stories set in historical or fantasy worlds.

Lastly, what are you currently reading? 
I have just read and really loved Diary of a Naturalist by Dara McAnulty (which was a really different, slow and contemplative read) and The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix. 

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Want to be more like Pauline? Find what she’s reading in our online store:

Diary of a Young Naturalist

by Dara McAnulty

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
(pre-order, available October)

by Garth Nix