Linda Johns is a writer, reader, and librarian. The order changes depending on the day. She works at the Seattle Public Library's downtown Central Library, a gorgeous eleven-story building with a million books inside. She grew up in Cheney, Washington, and graduated from Washington State University with a degree in journalism. She has a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Washington. Her first job, at age fifteen, involved a lot of stapling. Subsequent jobs (after college) included reporter, editor, and bookseller. Linda lives in Seattle with her husband, son, and a basset hound named Owen Henderson.

Nancy Pearl is a librarian and lifelong reader. She regularly comments on books on National Public Radio's Morning Edition. Her books include 2003's Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason; 2005's More Book Lust: 1,000 New Reading Recommendations for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason; 2007's Book Crush: For Kids and Teens; Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Interest; and 2010's Book Lust To Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers. Among her many awards and honors are the 2011 Librarian of the Year Award from Library Journal, the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, the 2010 Margaret E. Monroe Award from the Reference and User Services Association of the American Library Association, and the 2004 Women's National Book Association Award.