Meet Jack

Jack Hannert is the bookseller who's been with us since the very beginning.  His knowledge of literature, especially translated works and works from abroad, knows no bounds, or at least none we've yet discovered.  He's also the primary selector for our Brilliant Books Monthly subscriptions, since his areas of expertise are so wide ranging.  Even though he still does a lot for the store, you won't often find him here.  Jack usually does his selections remotely, and is more likely to be found among trees than our shelves.


Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in southern Michigan, and have been devouring books for as long as I can remember. I've been selling books for close to 20 years. In addition to reading, I love being outside, working with my hands, good food, and music.


You're not allowed to read for 24 hours!  What would you do?

Go outside.


What's your favorite thing about being a bookseller?

Connecting people with books that they may never have considered or even heard of before.


What's your proudest bookseller moment?

Having part of my review of a book used as a blurb on the dust jacket.


In your  opinion, what makes for a good bookstore?

A good bookstore should have a curated selection and must have good staff. They should be approachable, deeply listen, and be able to recommend widely.


When you're browsing in a bookstore, what's the first section you gravitate toward?

In a new bookstore, I usually will browse literature and then staff picks.