MEET Cathy Lagresse: volunteer, Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library bookstore, downtown Boca Raton Public Library
Q: Have long have you been volunteering with the Friends?
A: I have been volunteering at the Friends Bookstore for about 18 months now. I have known Teri Fischer [local resident and co-volunteer] for many years --- our sons were in Boy Scouts together. She had often spoken about how much she enjoyed working at the bookstore, and suggested I join the bookstore staff.
Q: What's your favorite thing about working at the bookstore?
A: I would have to say my favorite part of a the job is meeting all kinds of people. So many of them like to chat about their favorite authors. It's fun to introduce them to someone new who writes in a similar vein. I have also learned how little I know about novelists and their work!
Q: What are your favorite books that the bookstore sells?
A: Fiction is my favorite genre. I enjoy books by David Baldacci and John Grisham. I often read historical novels. Of course Nora Roberts and Janet Daily provide interesting stories with a twist. Stories that span generations like those written by Barbara Taylor Bradford are fascinating. Probably one of the best books I have read is "Unbroken" by Laura Hildebrandt. It is biographical---and truly gripping.
Q: What is something people might not know about you?
A: I am a retired teacher. I taught Kindergarten for 19 years and then switched to second grade. The last 4 years of my career were spent teaching in Grades K---2. My love of reading was fostered in Ireland where I was born. Each Saturday my sister and I would walk to the local library and take out books. A whole new world was opened to us through reading. We enjoyed the Bobbsey Twins and their adventures and helped Nancy Drew solve so many mysteries!
My sister is now an assistant librarian in Massachusetts, and here I am selling the joy of reading to so many others!
