Staff Picks

Val Kittel

Once upon a time in the early 2000’s, or late 1990’s (who keeps track of time?) Val asked Betsy if she could help out at TKE at Christmas. She learned how to wrap books and tie bows, then moved behind the counter and spent some time on the floor.

Paula Longhurst

Originally from England, Paula has been living in Salt Lake for over fifteen years.

Mark Paoletti

I grew up in Salt Lake and graduated from the U. I did a stint in social services that included Americorps and The Road Home.

Michaela Riding

Michaela adores creative nonfiction, from letters written to men real and imagined, through memoirs about grief and falconry, to a history of salt, and if there's a long-form essay about gardening and post-colonialism along the way, all the better.

Jan Sloan Tempest

I have been a book seller at TKE for almost 20 years (with a little time off for North Idaho).  Prior to TKE I was either a bookseller or partner in a bookstore for an additional 10 years. It's what I love to do!

Kurstin Spangler

Kurstin has been a reader ever since she stole The Hunger Games off her sister’s shelves.

You can still find her escaping reality in the YA and Fantasy sections. Her love of art stems from her love of Graphic novels.

Mackenzie Van Engelenhoven

Mackenzie is a recent transplant from Boston, where she spent the last seven years working in various independent bookstores on the east coast. She is also an author, and writes historical fiction and nonfiction for all ages. She loves sweater weather, Diet Coke, and Star Wars.