An employee at a Frederick bookstore has received a holiday bonus from author James Patterson.
Curious Iguana, located at 12 N. Market St., announced in a Dec. 18 Facebook post that the bonus went to bookseller Sam Collins, who was one of 600 recipients selected from a pool of 6,000 nominees. According to the American Booksellers Association, Patterson pledged $300,000 to be distributed as $500 grants to bonus winners.
“I’m thrilled to have Sam recognized with this award,” said owner Marlene England in a statement to The Baltimore Sun. “She is an outstanding bookseller and a very valuable member of our team here at Curious Iguana.”
“I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough—booksellers save lives,” Patterson said in a statement on social media. “What they do is crucial, especially right now. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and their hard work this holiday season.”
Curious Iguana’s post lists several of Collins’ recommended reads, including “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite, “Household Lore” by Liza Frank, and “The Butcher’s Daughter” by David Demchuk and Corinne Leigh Clark.
“I’m so grateful for all that Sam does for us, day in and day out,” England added. “To have her recognized nationally by James Patterson in this way is really special.”
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