Meet Laura M, Shipping/Returns Manager

My love affair with books began with the discovery of Shannon Hale’s THE GOOSE GIRL in the 5th grade. It was the first fantasy I’d ever read, but also the first book where I was captivated by the writing itself. Since then, lyrical prose has always been a huge draw to the books I love. This book was also largely responsible for the bond I have with my best friend, so I know the power that books can have to bring people together.

One of the things I love about books is that there is always something new to discover. WILD ONES by Jon Mooallem opened my eyes to the pleasures of reading non-fiction. GOLD FAME CITRUS by Claire Vaye Watkins stunned me with its relentlessly gorgeous writing, and beautiful, desolate setting. These days my favorite books tend to be historical fiction – getting lost in the past isn’t about nostalgia for some gilded age, but rather the assurance that the people who came before us struggled with the same things we do, and that human nature is largely the same across centuries. Living in the past for a few hundred pages always seems to bring me to a better understanding of the present. So far, a few of my favorites have been: A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles, THE MANY DEATHS OF THE FIREFLY BROTHERS by Thomas Mullen, and LOVERS AT THE CHAMELEON CLUB, PARIS 1932 by Francine Prose.

Finally, I have a few perennial favorites that I will never get tired of talking about. Classic British children’s lit, for one, particularly PETER PAN and THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Fellow fans of Ratty, where are you?

I could not be more excited to be part of the Brazos team, and I love talking books, writing, and everything in-between!

Laura M's book recommendations