Ep 489: The satisfaction of sinking into a good book

Aug 12, 2025

Julie Berry, a celebrated author of young adult fiction and owner of the independent bookstore Author's Note, shares her inspiring journey of opening a bookstore during the pandemic. She discusses her upcoming release and the art of discovering books that truly resonate beyond the mainstream hype. The conversation touches on the importance of strong characters and vibrant community ties in literature, along with personal recommendations that emphasize the joy of reading and storytelling.

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ANECDOTE

From Dream To Bookstore Reality

Julie bought and renovated an independent bookstore during the COVID pandemic and reopened it as Author's Note.
She moved cross-country with her family and turned a longtime curiosity into a community hub.

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INSIGHT

Bookstore As Community Home

Julie designed Author's Note to be welcoming, light-filled, and community focused rather than a museum of books.
She emphasizes events and book clubs to make the store a social home for readers.

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ADVICE

Delegate Buying, Lead Community Work

Delegate specialized bookstore tasks like buying to experienced staff instead of doing everything yourself.
Focus the owner role on outreach, events, publicity, and strengths like writing.

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Books, Community, and Creative Journeys

05:04 • 17min

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Embracing Autumn: Cozy Reads and Seasonal Refreshes

22:01 • 5min

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Reimagining Medusa: A Creative Journey

27:12 • 21min

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Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Book Recommendations

48:10 • 5min

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Cultivating Literary Voice

53:29 • 6min

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The Joy of Storytelling and Recommendations

59:12 • 8min

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Embracing the Joy of Reading and Engaging with Community

01:06:43 • 2min

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All the Truth That's in Me

Julie Berry

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In "13 Ways of Looking at the Novel," Jane Smiley explores the evolution and essence of the novel as a literary form. Drawing from her extensive reading of novels spanning from pre-Don Quixote manuscripts to contemporary works, Smiley presents thirteen insightful essays that delve into various aspects of the novel. She examines the historical survey of novels, offering readers a critical lens through which to view the genre's inception and development. One of her central arguments is that narrative fiction serves as an exercise in point of view, providing readers with a cathartic release and increased empathy. Smiley's analysis enriches readers' understanding of how novels function and why they hold such significance in our cultural and emotional lives.

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In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures. He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon. Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.

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Room

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Room is a novel by Emma Donoghue that tells the story of Jack, a five-year-old boy who has never known a world outside the 11-foot square room where he was born and raised. The room is his entire universe, shared with his mother, whom he calls 'Ma'. Unaware of the true nature of their confinement, Jack believes the world outside is fictional, as depicted on TV. His mother, abducted at 19 and held captive for seven years, has created a structured and loving environment for Jack despite the dire circumstances. When Ma devises an escape plan, Jack's world is turned upside down as they face the challenges of the outside world and the complexities of their new freedom. The novel explores themes of resilience, motherly love, and the process of adjusting to a new reality.

Today's guest isn't only a reader with a specific readerly conundrum, she is also a beloved author. Anne has recommended Julie Berry's work to several past guests, and Julie also joined us over in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club back in 2020.

Today, she's here to talk with Anne about writing and discovering smart books with big heart. They also dive into conversation about Julie's independent bookstore and her unexpected path to becoming a bookstore owner. Plus, they discuss Julie's upcoming new release and how she finds books that shine through the clamor of blurbs and endorsements.

Anne shares a handful of recommendations with Julie while also inviting her to tell us more about some of her favorites.

You'll find the full list of titles mentioned over on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/489.

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