Sierra Gilbert’s love of reading started when she was just a toddler, and has continued ever since.
In fact, it’s her full-time career, and she’s got three jobs – all of them book related.
One of those jobs is her part-time business, aptly named The Constant Reader. It’s an online store where she sells new and used adult and young reader books.
“It’s my hobby and my passion and I want to encourage reading,” said Gilbert, 23, who also works part-time at Indigo on Brant Street, and at the Burlington Public Library’s Central Branch.
Add to that her hobby – a free lending library at her family home in The Orchard – and it's fair to say reading is her life.
It’s a stark contrast to the picture doctors painted for her future when she was only five years old. At that time, they told her parents to lower their expectations and told them she is autistic.
While the diagnosis may have been accurate, Gilbert surpassed expectations and went on to graduate from Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School.
Not only that, her love of reading continued and grew.
“Now if they see me, they’d be wrong,” the Burlington resident said.
Indeed, that’s true, and her love of all things books is something she wants to share. She, along with her mom and a sister, often go to local festivals to help promote her business. Most recently, she attended the Orchard Picnic, where she sold some of her books and book-themed merchandise.
Friends and family donate books to Gilbert, and all stock on her website is in good to new condition. She also visits thrift stores to seek out some of the latest books. Constant Reader current inventory is posted online. More than 400 books are available at any given time and vary in price, with an average of $5 each, including fiction and non-fiction.
Some of the books are wrapped in brown paper, and those books are dubbed "blind date" books. People can choose to purchase a blind-date book for themselves, or as a gift for someone else. She promotes that by stating, “Don’t judge a book by its cover, put your trust in fate and go on a blind date, with a book. Maybe you will fall in love.”
Each blind date book is wrapped by hand and marked with clues about the book inside, designed to be a gift for birthdays or other special occasions.
As a toddler, Gilbert never left home without a bag full of books, and she quickly learned to memorize some of her favourites, such as the Frog and Toad series (by Arnold Lobel) as well as Jesse Bear books (by Nancy White Carlstrom) – the latter the source of her nickname, Bear.
She also has many cherished books, several include true stories and books that have been made into movies.
“I’m a book nerd,” she laughed.
In addition to reading, she also loves puzzles, and is going to start selling puzzles as well. She promises that every puzzle will be one she has completed, so you’ll be sure it comes with all the pieces.
Gilbert also enjoys running, and she runs five kilometres each day - regardless of weather. The only thing that forces her inside (to the treadmill) is a heavy snowfall.
She's also played basketball in the past, and she’s hoping to be on the Special Olympics 10-pin bowling team one day. Gilbert also enjoys watching movies, and even moreso if they’re based on a book. She is a big fan of the TV show Survivor and has never missed a season. She likes the Lego Villain sets as well.
In 2019, she was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Star Awards Gala.
Visit the Constant Reader online inventory catalogue to find a book or learn more.
