The Booksellers

 Allison B. ~ Bookseller

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I finally decided to get away from the heat and moved to Flagstaff at the very beginning of January 2023. Aside from working at Bright Side, I love watching and reviewing movies. I enjoy every genre from every decade, but especially love 80s’ slashers. I love collecting movies, action figures, all things spooky/Halloween, and hanging out with my chunky cat, Linguine. I mostly seek out horror books, but have ventured out into other genres like biography, fiction, and some true crimeAllison's Recommendations

 Allison O. ~ Online Sales Manager

I moved to Flagstaff 11 years ago for the small town feel and to enjoy the forests and mountains. In my free time I like to travel with my family, especially camping and relaxing at the beach. Whenever I travel, I bring a stack of books with me and often I only read a few pages. Someday, I'll actually get to finish them all! My all time favorite genre of books is historical fiction. I love traveling back in time through books and trying to decide if I could survive in the past. Most likely I could not. Recently I have enjoyed YA fantasy, it’s fun to escape to worlds of fairies, witches or dragons. Allison's Recommendations

 Annette ~ Partner, Head Buyer & Bookseller

My favorite genre is fiction; however, I too have loved memoirs/biographies recently.  Having been an avid reader from such a young age, I believe you can never own too many books.  A person should always have a tall stack of unread books laying around the house, on the night stand or on the coffee table so there is always something to look forward to, dream about, escape to... Annette's Recommendations

 Bianca ~ General Manager & Bookseller

I have been lucky enough to be a Flagstaff resident since 2002.  I enjoy spending time with my family, a drink with friends, photography, reading, watching old movies and live music.  I enjoy reading non fiction books with an emphasis in all things history. Anything I can learn from others experiences to improve my own way of life such as; memoirs, biographies, America history and social science/justice.  I also enjoy historical fiction when I need a break from current social events. Having previous experience as an elementary school librarian for FUSD, I do enjoy reading young reader chapter books and children's picture books as well. Bianca's Recommendations

 Chelsea ~ Bookseller

I am a graduate of NAU who found a love for books that I wanted as more then just a hobby. I love any book that transports me to another place and emerses me into a new environment. I like to read romance as well as fantasy, however I am working to expand my reading horizons. When I am not working I am usually doing house projects, hiking, skiing, or traveling. Chelsea's Recommendations

 Claire ~ Bookseller

I study geology and philosophy at NAU and am interested in science communication and science writing. I love to read fantasy (and romantasy!), and also enjoy science and history. I grew up in Flagstaff, and have worked as a program educator at the Lowell Observatory for several years. I love Flagstaff's dark skies and being able to see the Milky Way Galaxy from my backyard. Claire's Recommendations

 Cori ~ Assistant Buyer & Bookseller

I strive to read a little bit of everything, but of course I have some favorites.  I love most things cooking related, both cookbooks and cooking related fiction and non-fiction.  My go-to reading choices are often in one of the following categories:  historical fiction, mysteries, immersive/creative non-fiction and memoirs.  It is impossible to pick my all-time favorite books, but here are a few that have stuck with me and that I often recommend to others. Cori's Recommendations

 Dani ~ Bookseller

I have been a part of the Flagstaff Community since 2007 and I have loved every minute. I am so excited to be a part of Bright Side and share my love of books with the community. When I am not reading you can find me with my husband and kids or directing theater shows. I love to read fiction, lately with an emphasis in YA fantasy and historical fiction. I have also been reading a lot of children's books with my kids and that is my favorite part of the day! Dani's Recommendations

 Jen ~ Receiving and Inventory Manager

Whenever I’m asked what my favorite things to read are, my mind tends to go blank, but according to my StoryGraph, I “mainly read fiction books that are emotional, reflective and adventurous.” I love reading anything to do with nature and animals. I also really love learning about people’s experiences and lives through memoirs. When I’m not reading, I enjoy being out in nature, traveling, getting crafty, or hanging with friends and family. I have a big love for animals and would love to meet your dog or cat or ferret or whatever little creature has stolen your heart. Jen's Recommendations

 Leah ~ Bookseller

While awaiting the arrival of my Hogwarts letter I like to travel to other countries (50 so far), play with my cat, Darrow, and read books to escape the real world. From a young age, sci-fi and fantasy have been my go-to genres because they allow me to travel across worlds and seek refuge into the minds of other like-minded adventurers. And of course, space battles.

Since working at a bookstore my tastes have become much more varied and I'm always trying to read out of my comfort zone. Besides fantasy, I have a die-hard passion for Jane Austen and I can tell you which editions of the movies/miniseries to watch and which retellings to devour (or pass on). At any one time I am reading at least three books and listening to a Libro.fm audiobook to boot. Leah's Recommendations

 Lisa ~ Partner, Operations & Bookseller

My favorite genre is fiction for the classic reasons of journeys to far off lands that I have not visited and to times gone by.  But Memoirs and Biographies have taken a close second these past years through the realization that others lives can feel so far from my reality that they bridge to fiction in my eyes. Lisa's Recommendations

  Maddox ~ Bookseller

I was born and raised here in Flagstaff, and started working at Bright Side in 2018. When I'm not at the store, I spend most of my time with my dog Zoroaster (or Zoro for short). I enjoy finding new projects to work on, hiking, skiing, traveling, and of course reading. Thrillers and horror are my go-to genres, but also love to read non-fiction, fantasy, short stories, and poetryMaddox's Recommendations

 Micah ~ Bookseller

I moved to Flagstaff 2 years ago with my husband and our two pups. I'm usually not without a cup of coffee, especially after staying up too late to finish a book. When i'm not walking or snuggling my two dogs (Chewy & Han) I'm usually sewing, reading or crocheting! When i'm not working I love to volunteer in Flagstaff at the Flagstaff Food Center and High Country Humane Society. My favorite genre is fiction and I love romance, fantasy and historical fiction novelsMicah's Recomendations

 Natalie ~ Bookseller

I've been lucky to have lived in Flagstaff since high school, and now graduating from NAU, being with Bright Side has been an absolute joy! You'll likely catch me reading fantasy and mystery, anything that whisks you away on an adventure. When I'm not reading, I enjoy baking, playing board games, spending time with my family and animals, writing, and rolling dice in more quests with friends. Natalie's Recomendations

 Rachel ~ Bookseller

My favorite books are nonfiction books for kids and teens. I can’t get enough of graphic novel memoirs, lift-the-flap science facts, and true history stories written as thrillers. I’m happiest when I’m a part of connecting a kid to the book that’s right for them. In addition to doing this at Bright Side Bookshop, I also help match kids to books at the Flagstaff Family Food Center’s Children’s Reading Room. On holidays my friends and I hang candy in the trees near Moutainaire and call it the Candy Forest. We also set out dog biscuits so be sure to visit with your pup! The highlight of my year is combining the Candy Forest with children’s literacy. Our closest Free Little Library has an ice cream social in July. We call it Summer Reading with Sticky Fingers and you are invited! Rachel's Recommendations

  Sam ~ Bookseller

During the day (when I'm not working) I'm most likely to be found hanging out with my dogs, getting crafty and making things, or spending time with family and friends. At night I am a shadowhunter, a detective, a witch, a powerful fae, a valkyrie, a super hero, or whatever I feel like reading that night. I will read a book any way I can get it, audiobook, ebook, or physical book, as long as it's exciting and/or romantic. It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that Romance and Fantasy are my favorite genres! Sam's Recommendations

  Sarah B. ~ Bookseller

I moved to Flagstaff in 2008 with my husband and 3 kids. I love the outdoor activities Flagstaff offers, especially hiking, biking, and skiing. When I'm not outdoors being active, I spend my time playing ukulele or reading. Literary fiction is my favorite genre, but I'll read anything, and really enjoy biographies, historical fiction, nonfiction, science fiction and fantasy. I'm particularly attracted to stories about families, and the relationships between siblings and between children and their parents. Sarah B's Recommendations

  Sarah J. ~ Events and Marketing Coordinator

My favorite genres to read (and write) are historical fiction, autofiction, and memoir. I especially love stories with elements of magical realism and surrealism. I moved to Flagstaff from Maryland to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing at NAU ('2023). While here, I fell in love with the literary community at NAU and in Flagstaff. I believe in the values of literary citizenship: to nurture writers and readership; to make reading accessible; to create spaces where words can be shared. Sarah J's Recommendations