Reader Profile – Taylor Ellis, the Secondhand Librarian

My name is Taylor Ellis and I am a 27 year small business owner, living in Rochester, NY. I currently own a bookstore called The Secondhand Librarian that focuses on the intersection of accessibility and sustainability. All of the books I offer are either secondhand or donated, and are all priced at a reasonable cost so that reading is something anyone can have access to. I live in the Park Ave area with my husband Ryan, and our all Black cat, Miso. I moved here from the DMV area to be with my husband and although I’m not a Rochester native, I’ve quickly grown to call this place home.

Would you rather meet your favorite author or your favorite character?

I would rather meet my favorite character! Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

What book changed your life, or changed how you view the world? In what
way?

Matilda by Ronald Dahl! It was hands down my favorite book as a child and made me feel so comforted. I felt very much like her and would often run to books for an escape from the world around me. To be clear, my life was very different from hers as I had two loving parents and a stable childhood however, I always felt like the odd one out and Matilda was my fictional best friend.

Who would be your fictional soulmate?

Casteel! He is from From Blood and Ash or Rhysand!

Are you a solitary reader or social reader?

I am the worst buddy reader! My book interests are also very diverse and sometimes I end up reading a NYT Bestseller and other times I end up reading fanfiction and I just couldn’t put anyone through that.

Fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction! Reading is an escape for me so I enjoy getting lost in another world!

Are you a “finisher” or do you stop reading a book if you’re not connecting with it?

I will stop if I’m not connecting with the book. I feel like there are so many good books out there with so little time so if I don’t like it, I simply move on!

What book should everyone read?

Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. This was one of my favorite thrillers, hands down, and it was so well done because I had no idea that the plot twist was going to occur.

Is there a book you wish you never read?

I read a book called Baby Teeth and it was hands down the worst thing I read. I’m often generous with my book ratings but this book was very difficult for me to get through content wise. I don’t want to give much away but overall, it just felt like there was no reconciliation at the end and it just made me feel very letdown. Just a lot of trauma and no healing.

What book would you love to see made into a movie? Who would play the lead role?

A Curse So Dark And Lonely. It’s just a wonderful trilogy that I would love to see come to life. I imagine Harper would be played by Chloe Bailey who is also starring in the live action of The Little Mermaid. I think she would make a wonderful Harper.

Why do you read?

I read because I enjoy diving into worlds that don’t look like the one I am currently in. It’s a nice use of the imagination. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

Thanks to Taylor for sharing her thoughts on reading. If you are a Reader or an Author and are interested in having a profile or spotlight here, please contact me at patricia.uttaro (at) gmail.com.