All the contributors to this book are successful booksellers or librarians, and their testimony includes a significant amount of information about the personal qualities and key skills that are vital to success in their roles. Certain qualities are shared between practically all of the contributors, regardless of their backgrounds. Foremost is a love of books and literature. Many come from literary households, have fond memories of reading and being read to as young children, and have spent their whole lives deeply enamored with books. Others, such as Sarah Galvin, developed a passion for books later in life. This love of reading is reflected in some of the part headings throughout this book, including Part 2, titled “I could talk about books forever”;  Part 5, titled “Just one more chapter, please, just one more chapter”; and Part 3, titled “I can’t imagine what people do without books in their lives.” A love of books is what pushed many of the contributors into literary industries in the first place, and it is a major source of motivation and job satisfaction for them.

Another shared quality is the desire and drive to share books and a love of reading with other people.