BolognaBookPlus catches up with some of its broad community, ranging from exhibitors to speakers and partners, for a quick interview in the time it takes to have an Espresso. Read their views on books, publishing, food, and more! Today we catch up with Amanda D’Acierno, President and Publisher of Penguin Random House Audio Group.

 

 

 

What are you reading at the minute?

I've always got several books going at once: in preparation for my upcoming fireside chat in Bologna, I’m reading SUPERCOMMUNICATORS the latest by Charles Duhigg, I'm currently listening to PRH Odyssey winner, EL DEAFO by Cece Bell and for my book club back in Brooklyn, an always feisty group, I'm reading FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston.

 

What is the best thing about going to international book fairs?

The people, the books, and in Bologna, the espresso and gelato at the Fiere!

 

What was your first job in the book world?

Bookseller at The BookStop in my hometown of Houston, Texas.

 

Is your reading preference for physical books, audio, ebooks, and why?

Audio, of course! I'll add that one of my favorite ways to experience a book is ambidextrously, going back and forth between print and audio depending on what’s happening in my day. Mornings during a commute, or while on a run I always listen, in the evenings when it’s time to wind down I’ll pick up where I left off in audio with the print edition, hardcovers preferred. 

 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

It's a tough choice between "super reading powers" to get through the extraordinary pile of books on my nightstand which grows daily or "indestructible knees" in order to continue to run marathons.

 

What do you consider to be publishing’s greatest threat at the minute, and why?

Fear of Technology.