Oblong manager receives award from author Patterson

MILLERTON— Oblong Books and Music’s general manager, Carissa Unite, was recently honored with the James Patterson Holiday Bonus. 

Unite has worked for Oblong for seven years as its children’s store manager and last summer was promoted to general store manager. Unite lives in Millerton and is enthusiastic about her position, as she loves interacting with people and adores books. 

James Patterson is a well known and successful author. Patterson grew up in Newburgh, N.Y., and began casually writing at the age of 19. He’s now sold more than 350 million books worldwide and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. His son attended The Hotchkiss School, which is how Patterson became connected to Oblong and this community. 

Community is very important to Patterson, as are independent bookstores and booksellers. Unite shared an example of a few years ago when Oblong needed to fix its roof. Patterson generously donated funds to help with repairs. His philanthropic efforts include initiatives to help children become passionate readers, donations to school libraries and bonuses to individual bookstore employees. 

Patterson started the Holiday Bonus program for bookstore employees last year in association with the American Booksellers Association (ABA). He donated $250,000 to the program to support independent booksellers. Last year, there were 87 recipients of the award and this year, 149. The bonuses range from $1,000-$5,000.  

Store owners, managers, shoppers, coworkers, etc., may nominate bookstore employees. Patterson personally reviews the nominations and selects the bonus recipients.

Unite said the bonus is based on people who love books and are interested in spreading the love of books to other people. She didn’t know she had been nominated, but received an e-mail a few weeks ago alerting her that she had won. 

Unite added that last year her coworker, Lisa Wright, received this holiday bonus. Wright has been a bookseller for more than 30 years and according to Unite, “she’s incredible and recommends the perfect book every time.” 

She’s in good company.

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