How does one become a literary scout? What did you study in college?

I studied "English" in college, which is a really stupid name for a major in literature, especially when you are trying to explain it to foreigners. I graduated on a Friday, moved to New York on a Saturday, and started here as an intern the next Monday. Then I beasted and got hired a month later. I specialize in young adult books, so my job is to find the next Twilight/Harry Potter (before anyone else does).

What were the last two books that you found to be absolutely worth reading?

The last book I read for pleasure was Just Kids by Patti Smith, it was full of perfect, fleeting New York moments. The last great young adult book I read (for work) was Variant by Robison Wells -- it was like an awesome, sci-fi Lord of the Flies.

So you take your dog to work, that's awesome. What kind of dog do you have?

Young Huck (aka Nate Robinson) is a tiny grey chihuahua. I talk to at least 10 strangers a day on his account.

Which do you prefer, fiction or non-fiction? Why?

Non-fiction -- I'm really into memoirs. I'm fascinated by people's real life experiences. Right now I'm reading a memoir called To Hate Like This is to be Happy Forever, about the joy of hating Duke basketball. Miles Davis's autobiography is my all-time favorite, you feel like he's jiving with you for the entire book.