(Asheville, NC) SIBA is very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Nancy Olson Bookseller Award, honoring the memory of the legendary bookseller and founder of Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC. 2022 marks a special year for the award which for the first time is being given to three booksellers instead of the usual two: Cat Bock of Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee, Kristin Kehl of Midtown Reader in Tallahassee, Florida, and Mary Salazar of The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina will each receive a $2000 cash award in recognition of their work bringing books to readers.
“SIBA is so grateful we can offer this award thanks to our generous donor, said SIBA executive director Linda-Marie Barrett, "It reminds us each year of the great Nancy Olson’s legacy, and of the incredible dedication and passion among SIBA booksellers to connect readers with books, and authors with new audiences." Barrett noted that 2022 saw the largest group of nominations that had ever been received. "Their stories of going the extra mile with compassion and grace, often in the face of adversity, moved me to tears. Congratulations to the three winners, and my admiration to all nominated!”
Jim Olson, husband of the late Nancy Olson and one of the members of the jury that selects the recipients, said, "With so many high quality nominations, it was extremely difficult to select the top ones. Nancy would approve of those chosen. She loved selecting and selling books and our choices show this same attitude." And Sarah Goddin, another jury member and former long-time Quail Ridge bookseller, said "Every year I'm humbled and gratified to read the nominations submitted by the colleagues, customers, and friends of my fellow booksellers and realize how many bookselling stars are out there connecting people to books every day. On my first thorough reading of the nominations I came up with no less than 14 that I thought were surefire winners. Having to narrow that down to 3 was agonizing but my hat goes off to those 3 amazing booksellers and the other nominees."
The 2022 Nancy Olson Bookseller Award Recipients
Cat Bock, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN
Being a bookseller, as we all know, is a lifelong labor of love. When I started working at Parnassus I knew I had found where I wanted to be and the community I wanted to work in. That resolve only further cemented itself as I got to know the amazing people who work at bookstores around the country and in the "book world" at large. For an introvert in a more public-facing role, knowing that I had co-workers who shared my interests and customers who were just as passionate about books as I was a joy and a privilege. Not to mention all the amazing authors we get to champion and recommend to a wider audience. Working in a bookstore, while not without its challenges and hard days, has been the most amazing career I could have hoped for. I know that every day my co-workers and I are making a difference in our community, and I'm honored to be part of that.
Kristin Kehl, Midtown Reader, Tallahassee, FL
I came to bookselling after a bit of a whirlwind of an academic and early working career. It was not only an immediate sigh of relief but a dream job. I've learned so much from the amazing booksellers on my team at Midtown Reader, and this award tells me that I've found the right home. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn about this amazing industry and continuing to put the right book into someone's hand.
Mary Salazar, The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC
I have found my home, and such a great family at The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines. I do what I do because I love the people that I work with and I love being a part of putting books in people's hands. To be acknowledged like this for the work that I put in means so much to me, but it's the people around me that make it easy to do with a smile on my face!
About the Nancy Olson Bookseller Award
The Nancy Olson Bookseller Award was created by SIBA in cooperation with an admirer of the late legendary bookseller in recognition of her tireless support of writers, especially new writers. An award in her memory of $2000 is given each December to two SIBA booksellers who are not store owners.
For more information about the Nancy Olson Bookseller Award, visit sibaweb.com
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