The Mr B’s Team – where are they now?
To celebrate twenty years of Mr B’s, we’re taking a trip down memory lane – and popping in to say hi to some familiar faces along the way! Some of our former booksellers reflect on life at B’s, from funny memories and favourite experiences, to bizarre questions and brilliant encounters.
This time, we’re hearing from Tessimo, who worked here from 2020 to 2022!
A funny memory from your time at Mr B’s?
Probably competing against Sam – resident fellow tall bookseller – as to how many stairs we could jump at one time in the shop. I won – at the expense of my ripped jeans. Luckily it was the end of the day…
What have you been doing since leaving Mr B’s?
Since leaving I retrained into psychology and health care and am now spending my days supporting individuals with dementia in the community. It’s hugely rewarding and many of my visits end in extensive book chats. Talking to so many people at the bookshop for years made it much easier to take on roles with a lot of community engagement.
What book did you love recommending the most to Mr B’s customers?
I always loved recommending books that I didn’t see promoted anywhere else, or even sold in the UK – Nothing Ever Dies by Viet Thanh Nguyen, for example, a master work of social and public history. It explores how our understanding of how the War Machine has been shaped by the Vietnam War.
The Making Of by Brecht Evens was another American import and a favourite of mine, for fans of Killing and Dying or Chris Ware.
It was great to have the freedom and backing to order imported books if we thought they were good, and nice to have books that no one else was stocking.
Where There’s a Will by Emily Chappell was another favourite – a Bristol cyclist’s adventures in some gruelling cycling challenges.
What 3 books are currently on your TBR pile?
Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo, long recommended by the inimitable Tom Mooney.
Words Are My Matter by Ursula K Le Guin, book club pick for my local Bristol bookshop BookCellar.
Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur.
Fun Fact: Tess is an INCREDIBLE artist, and had a hand in designing a few of our fantastic shop signs, Crime Syndicate packaging, and the book cover for Fox Finch & Tepper’s Iberia by Julian Sayarer, amongst others!
What was your favourite part about working at Mr B’s?
Without a doubt the unbelievably talented team, mornings of Reading Spa madness and afternoons of dry humour and niche reading jokes. I seriously miss seeing them every day, catching up with our lives, spending hours on reading tangents, sharing our deep dives and love of books with everyone who came through the door.
I miss the confidence and inclusiveness of everyone who worked there; no book snobbery, just a consistent support of everyone and anyone who wanted to read.