Books are my business: Dubray bookshop Cork manager Emma Shannon

Emma Shannon when she was awarded the O’Brien Press Bookseller of the Year award in February last year.

Emma Shannon is manager of Dubray bookshop on St Patrick’s St, Cork. She was the 2024 O’Brien Press Bookseller of the Year.

How did you get into bookselling?

After school I had chosen to do a business degree in Dublin City University but it just wasn’t for me. 

I’ve always loved reading, it was a huge part of my identity growing up so I was delighted to join Dubray as a trainee bookseller in the early 2000s, originally working in the Bray store in Wicklow. 

I gradually progressed to deputy manager of various branches and then became manager of stores in Stillorgan, Blackrock, and Rathmines before my move to the Cork store, which opened three years ago.

What does your role involve?

Overall, I am responsible for ensuring the business strategies and goals are met which involves managing the store’s budget and achieving sales targets. 

I analyse category sales performance monthly and work with the team to make improvements where necessary. 

The day to day running of the store involves ensuring that the shop is always inviting for customers with strong merchandising.

All our customers receive a warm welcome and exceptional customer service from the team. 

I also do the buying of new titles, liaising with publishers and deciding which titles suit our customers’ interests. 

Then there’s the administrative tasks such as rotas, stock management, and ensuring full compliance with health and safety legislation along with staff training and development.

What do you like most about it?

I love how varied the role is, it’s a very fast-paced environment and no two days are the same. 

But the thing I love the most is chatting to people about books — talking to customers on the shop floor and hearing what they are enjoying, listening to publishers about forthcoming titles, and chatting to colleagues at lunchtime about what they are reading. 

There’s no better feeling than when a customer comes back and lets you know they really enjoyed the book you recommended to them. 

I’m originally from Dublin and moved to Cork when the store opened here; I live in the city centre and really love how all the great cafés and restaurants are within walking distance.

What do you like least about it?

With more customers seeking value, some may decide to shop online rather than visiting their local bookstore. 

However, in Dubray we pride ourselves on the personalised experience and offer a wide range of services. 

These include the personal book shopper experience, our popular staff recommended reads and Dubray children’s favourites which have been selected by booksellers throughout the company.

Any career highlights?

When I was awarded the O’Brien Press Bookseller of the Year award in February last year.

It was a huge surprise and honour for me to be recognised and supported by my peers and colleagues.

Three desert island books

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell — I had previously read Bill Bryson’s biography Shakespeare so had an interest in the subject.

A fictionalised account of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet explores the intimate relationship between parents dealing with grief. 

What I love about Hamnet is that he and his mother take centre stage.

Boys Don’t Cry by Fíona Scarlett — this book is set in inner city Dublin and told in the voices of brothers Joe and Finn whose lives are anything but easy.

Gritty, authentic, and moving, this debut novel made such an impact on me when I read it and I am eagerly awaiting Fíona’s next book.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie — after finishing all the Nancy Drew books when I was 11, I moved on to Agatha Christie. 

I could choose any Agatha Christie as a desert island book but this is one I return to often.

• Nominations for the 2025 O’Brien Bookseller Award are open until Jan 28; obrien.ie/bookseller-of-the-year

BOOKS & MORE

Check out our Books Hub where you will find the latest news, reviews, features, opinions and analysis on all things books from the Irish Examiner's team of specialist writers, columnists and contributors.