Emma Straub on Family, Books, and Bookstore Life

My father, like really until like the day that he died, like in the hospital, was never without a book. Like there were books everywhere, everywhere on every surface. Talk about piles and stacks, you know?

So it was dad, mom?

Oh, her too, her too. I mean everyone. Oh, wow. Everyone. I mean—

You usually can't have two in a house.

You know, she reads constantly. I mean, she reads, She reads probably more than I do. She reads all the time. She's also more popular at my bookstore than I am, where— just because she— I mean, she's adorable, you know, and she brings treats for everyone.

So will she engage with customers?

Oh, you couldn't stop her if you tried. Oh, that's— yeah.

Do you pay her? Is it free labor?

We pay her in love.

That's perfect. Put mom to work. That's fun.