Our Bookworms

While many of our reviews are written by myself, Sneak Peek also employs college students. These students write reviews and copyedit. Sneak Peek believes that reading and education are important and we strive to support students by giving them an opportunity to gain work experience doing something they love – reading books!

Interested in applying? Reach out here. 

Morgan Lynn

Co-Founder and Hiring Manager

School: University of Tulsa Alumni
Major: Biopsychology, Pre-Med
Favorite Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Whether I’m reading, writing or acting, stories are everything to me! I would not be who I am today if I had not picked up The Boxcar Children in second grade, and discovered an exciting way to learn and explore.

Cailey Folts

Editor

School: University of Virginia
Major: English and Government
Favorite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Reading has always been an escape for me. The new world might be seemingly better or worse, but regardless it serves as a reminder of perspective. I find no better lesson on perspective and empathy than reading a book because it forces you to imagine for yourself what characters are going through. With a really good book, the emotional mental space of a character becomes your own.

Holden Gilkey

Editor

School: Hope College
Major: English and Communications
Favorite Book: We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

Reading has positively impacted my life in more ways than I can explain. Ever since my mom read the Harry Potter series to me when I was younger, books and stories have been a form of escape. There’s a sense of adventure in reading, and I truly love and appreciate that. It has led me to get a degree in English and to become a better writer as well. I’ll read until I can’t read anymore, and when my eyesight goes, I hope I’ll have someone to read to me.

Alli Kestler

Sports Writer

School: Augustana College
Major: Creative Writing, French, Political Science
Favorite Book: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

My parents read to my sister and me all the time growing up, but when I was eight, I latched onto books (specifically, Erin Hunter’s Warrior Cats series) and wouldn’t let go. As I aged, I occasionally thought about how I wanted to be an architect like Annabeth in Percy Jackson, or how cool it would be to be a detective like Sammy Keyes or Amy and Dan Cahill from the 39 Clues books. Instead, in my middle school years, I decided that I wanted to write stories. Personally, reading has helped shape the ways in which I’m curious, empathetic, and thoughtful. I hope that reading continues to give me those traits, and I especially hope it continues to bring me joy.

Elena Brown

Writer

School: University of Missouri
Major: English
Favorite Book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Reading has always helped me in finding my place in the world and connect with people. When I was in 5th grade, my family moved to Singapore. I was just finishing the last Harry Potter book when we moved, and my love for the series, which I shared with the rest of my peers, sparked instant friendships in a new place. When I started college, I heard a lot of people say, “those who loved reading as a child hate it now,” but this has not been true for me. I still get a rush of joy walking through the aisles of a bookstore and feel exhilarated when I crack open a brand new book and run my hand down the first page before beginning my adventure.

Madison Shooter

Writer

School: DePaul University
Major: Philosophy & English
Favorite Book: Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid

Ever since I was young, I loved stories of magic. Before I entered middle school, I read the Harry Potter series for the first time which prompted me to start creative writing. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to become an author of my own fantasy stories. As an English and Philosophy major, I still spend most of my time reading, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Hannah Olsson

Writer

School: University of Iowa
Major: English and Creative Writing
Favorite Book: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

Reading has impacted my life in a number of ways. I read most of the Hunger Games through my anxious years in middle school, and every Fredrik Backman book whenever I felt stressed in high school. Books really aren’t an escape for me, but a way to be able to rest when the world seems to whirl around just a bit too fast. They are a guiding hand and an arm to hold onto when things get rough.

Jemima Cooke

Writer

School: University of Minnesota
Major: English
Favorite Book: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Reading has had a positive effect on my life. I have learned kindness and empathy in addition to becoming a well-rounded person. Regardless of the genre,  there was a lesson or reminder that I could carry to the real world. Moreover, my versatility in any subject allowed me to pursue any desired career. Ultimately,  I chose an English-orientated career because, in my opinion, words have a longer-lasting impact than actions.

Sylvia Jones

Sports Writer

School: American University
Majors: English and Creative Writing
Favorite Book: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and No Telephone to Heaven by Michelle Cliffs

The writer Gayl Jones, when asked how she started writing said, ” I learned to write by listening to other people talk.” While this is only half true for my own experiences, what I do know is that as both humans and writers, the most real resources we have are other people.

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