Staff Picks
The Strand wouldn't be the Strand if it weren't for its staff. The Strand employs some of New York's most talented and creative people, all of whom are voracious readers. Click on a Staffer's image to see their recommendations and read their latest book review.
Chris L.
Library Services Assistant
As a two year old, Chris L. wanted to be a chef. He even wore a paper chef's hat for Halloween that year. After abandoning that and several other careers, he stuck with what he knows: books. (He had to fill his dreams with something.) His book jobs have run the gamut, from the front desk to the office, where he now works in library services. He still cooks, though now he picks up after himself and buys his own groceries.
Darren S.
Rare Book Room Manager
Darren enjoys food, fishing, skiing, and sailing. After braving the wilds of Idaho for 10 years, he now manages the Strand’s rare book department. He reads just about anything that passes through his hands, along with whatever his wife puts there.
Johanna S.
Children's Department Staff
Innately friendly and typically over-cheerful, even after living in NYC for over a year and a half, Johanna has not quite shaken her polite, Midwestern, small-town upbringing. She adapted to life the bustling big city by seeking out peaceful places, frolicking outdoors as much as possible, and escaping into books.
With a degree in Philological Studies, Johanna is a lover of words and is drawn to linguistics and old literature in archaic languages. She particularly adores fairy tales and folklore. Open-hearted and easily amused, she is frequently seen with a wide grin, especially when there is anything cute around and so feels quite at home here in the children's corner.
Colin M.
Art Department Staff
Your average Colin M. is a little over six feet tall, covered in thorns and lives on a diet consisting of tree bark and cheap beer. They can often be found amongst the funny-books selection of your local book store. Once thought only to live in Texas, they are now known to dwell in Brooklyn, where they can often be seen drawing their own funny-books and painting. If you find one of these Colin M. in the wild, stay calm and alert the proper authorities. If you do not know who the proper authorities are, just stay calm. They're mostly harmless anyways.
Jordan Y.
Art Department Staff
Jordan Y. will openly admit to anyone that he thoroughly enjoys Mark Wahlberg movies. You name it, he's seen it, and he's probably cried during said film as well. When he's not rockin' out to Marky Mark, you can find him in Queens pursuing video editing and criticism of comics and graphic novels. He recently presented at his first academic conference in Toronto, which can be read at his blog, and is currently scheming his way into whatever conference is next. He has been said to be always most tolerable post-coffee and is convinced that he'll never be able to stop reading or watching movies.
David S.
Strand Phone Operator
After 25 years cooking in various kitchens David came to the Strand in 1997. In his spare time he creates computer graphics and 3d models.
Miguel S.
Books By The Foot Associate
The written word really inspires Miguel’s paintings and, as a result, he has the longest reading list ever! Among his favorite writers are visionaries like Octavia E. Butler (Wild Seed, Mind of My Mind), Christopher Pike (The Blind Mirror, Thirst) and Clive Barker (Hellbound Heart). Mainly, he looks for books where vampires, werewolves, plagues and catastrophes of the human soul horrify lovable characters for pages on end. Good times!
Jenny M.
Books by the Foot & Accounts Manager
Jenny M. came to New York from New Orleans Louisiana, where she earned her BA in English Literature and Philosophy at Loyola University. She has been a part of the Strand’s team since 2005 creating custom libraries and managing large accounts. Some of Jenny’s favorite books include the classics To Kill A Mockingbird, The Color Purple, In Cold Blood, The Awakening, and Lolita. Titles lining the shelves of her personal home collection include an assortment of New Orleans architecture books, literary classics and her prized selection of golden era crime fiction.
