What got you interested in BTP to begin with, or what made you start volunteering? Does it tie in to the rest of your life in any meaningful way?
I’ve loved books my whole life. I heard about BtP through my friend Anna Trackman, and knew immediately it was something I wanted to contribute to. All readers know the impact books can have on a life. I think it’s amazing that BtP has been commited for so long to such important work.
Everybody starts off by responding to letters, even if they eventually move on to wrapping or other tasks. Some of the letters can be memorable. Are there any requests that surprised you, or that you remember standing out in any way?
I got a letter one time where the request was just “owls”. We happened to have an owl themed calendar, and I don’t believe it was wasted on him.
Do you have any book recommendations for us? Is there anything you especially like to read in your spare time?
Underland by Robert Macfarlane is one of the coolest books I’ve read in a while. It’s this meditative, introspective journey into the deep places of the world.
Are there any other parting words that you’d like to share with whoever’s reading this?
Just that I’m very grateful to BtP for doing what it does for so long. The community is so welcoming, and the focus on the human element shines through in every step of the process.