Local Bookstores Anchor and Build Community

David Worsley and Mandy Brouse

David Worsley is co-owner of Words Worth Books, an independent bookstore in its 39th year in Uptown Waterloo. In 2006 he won the prestigious Hand-Selling Award from Harper Collins Canada. Dave is fomerly an editor at The New Quarterly and has sat on their Wild Writers festival program
committee and volunteered his time on CKWR FM Monday with the Arts for nine years. He has also volunteered with the Ontario Arts Council in connection with block grant funding for independent publishers. At Words Worth Books he facilitates speaker and lecturer events with our corporate and non-profit community partners, which is among the many hats he wears at the store. He has also facilitated a men’s only book club for ten years and is an exceptional recommender of mystery and crime titles. David has over 37 years experience in the book industry.

Mandy Brouse is co-owner of Words Worth Books, an independent bookstore in its 39th year in Uptown Waterloo. In 2010, she received the Young Bookseller of the Year award from the Canadian Booksellers Association namely for her social media marketing achievements and her dedication tor children and teen literacy. Mandy is also dedicated to local arts and culture in the Region and has volunteered for The Wild Writers festival program committee, The New Quarterly, and is a past Board member for Neruda Arts. She has also volunteered with the Canada Council and the Ontario Arts Council in connection with block grants for independent publishers. Mandy is also a Board member with the BIA in Waterloo. Her past work has also included volunteering with One Book One Community, Arts Awards Waterloo Region, and the Let’s Read Literary Committee. Mandy is a University of Waterloo alum and is currently completing Graduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.