Karen Hayes, Co-owner Parnassus Books

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Karen Hayes, together with novelist Ann Patchett, co-owns Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee. Karen found her way to the owner’s desk after a career that included 12 years at Ingram Content Group, the nation’s largest book distributor, plus 18 years as a traveling sales rep for Random House. 

During her time at Random House, she came to love and respect the vibrant community of independent bookstores she worked with, eventually opening a store of her own. In addition to being the managing owner of Parnassus Books, she also sits on the board of The Porch Writers’ Collective.   

Karen has lived in Nashville since she was 12 years old and is proud to own a bookstore that serves both the neighbors she grew up with and the rapidly growing population of families, artists, and business people who have discovered all Nashville has to offer.

Parnassus Books

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