A Conversation with NYIABF Ambassador Sarah Hoover

Sarah Hoover holds a master’s degree in cultural theory from Columbia University and a BA in art history from NYU. Her writing has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, Psychology Today, Mother Tongue, The Strategist, and Vogue. Her debut memoir, The Motherload, is a national best seller and Belletrist Book Club’s January 2025 pick.

Sarah is serving as an Ambassador for the 65th Annual ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, joining a dynamic group of passionate collectors, influencers, and industry leaders who are shaping the conversation around collecting, preservation, and the cultural importance of historical materials. Ahead of the fair, we had the opportunity to ask Sarah a few questions.

Collection & Inspiration

Admired Figure:

Which historical author, printer, or publisher do you most admire or enjoy collecting?

Sylvia Plath, who I’ve been enamored with since I read The Bell Jar in college—luckily, she was a prolific journaler and letter writer, so she left us quite a paper trail

Museum Muse:

Which NYC museum showcasing rare manuscripts or literary artifacts do you find most inspiring?

The Morgan Library, of course. Easy to get to, easy to navigate, always doing something interesting, down to mix edgy and traditional.

Iconic Architecture:

Is there a New York building—perhaps a historic library or archive—that particularly sparks your passion for antiquarian treasures?

There is nothing I love more than period rooms, and my favorite of all is the Weil-Worgelt Study at the Brooklyn Museum. From the furnishings to the marquetry to the sconces, it is the most elegant and sensuous room and I love to imagine the leather bound books and objets that might have at one point lived in it. 

Lifestyle

Literary Beginnings:

How did you first become captivated by antiquarian books and literary history?

My interests are art history, ballet history, and Women’s stories. When those things intersect my brain explodes. 

Creative Reads:

Which three books or literary works currently fuel your creative energy when you’re deep in research?

When I have writer’s block I revisit The Bell Jar and Valley of the Dolls if I’m writing about New York, Chocolates for Breakfast if I’m writing about LA. 

Advice

For New Collectors:

What advice would you offer to someone just beginning their journey in collecting?

The only way to collect anything is to figure out what you love and learn everything you can about it. You have to see things in person, and you have to see a high volume of things to have a complete understanding.

Plugs

Proud Project:

Can you share a recent project or exhibition that you’re particularly proud of?

I would not say there’s anything I’m “proud of” as those aren’t really terms I think in and I feel mostly like a failure all day every day, but my first book, The Motherload, was published by Simon and Schuster in January and is a national best seller.