The Bookshop Podcast

Send us a textIn this episode, I’m chatting with Vinny Browne from Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in the heart of Galway City, Ireland. At Charlie Byrne’s, you can explore their labyrinthine maze of over 100,000 books: new, second-hand, bargain, and antiquarian.  Vinny takes us behind the scenes of this beloved institution, revealing how its organic growth mirrors the evolution of Irish literary culture itself. "Books have a continuous life," he explains, describing the shop's mission to connect forgotten volumes with new readers who might not yet know they're searching for these exact stories.  What makes Charlie Byrne’s special transcends mere commerce; it's about creating community in an increasingly isolated world. Our conversation expands beyond Charlie Byrne’s to explore Ireland's extraordinary literary ecosystem, particularly how literary journals provide emerging writers their first publishing opportunities. This infrastructure has helped sustain Ireland's remarkable literary tradition throughout decades of cultural and economic change.  Discover why independent bookshops matter now more than ever as spaces of serendipitous discovery that algorithms can never replicate. If you're passionate about books, literary culture, or simply the power of community spaces to enrich our lives, this episode offers a heartwarming glimpse into a world where stories and people find each other in ways both unexpected and profound.  Ready to experience the magic of Charlie Byrne's? Follow The Bookshop Podcast for more conversations celebrating independent bookshops around the world.Charlie Byrne’s BookshopJoin or Die DocumentaryThe Blue Road – Edna O’Brien StoryJan CarsonLucy CaldwellClaire KilroyColin BarrettKarl GearyRoddy DoyleMuriel SparkIan RankinWalter MackenKen BruenClaire-Louise BennettClaire-Lise KiefferElaine FeeneyRosin O’DonnellColum McCannMary CostelloThe Stinging Fly  Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Tom Muckian about Roe River Books, a thriving independent bookshop in Dundalk, Ireland. The name itself carries a powerful story of resistance. Tom deliberately named his shop after the world's shortest river as a symbolic counterpoint to Amazon, the world's longest. "I want to be the polar opposite of what Amazon represents," he explains. "I want to be about people and community and recommending books, not algorithms."Most compelling is Tom's perspective on what makes a great bookseller—understanding that it's not about individual expertise but creating a collective team that connects with readers. "Maybe you don't become a great bookseller individually, but as a collective in a bookshop, as a team, you can become a great bookselling team."Whether you're passionate about books, interested in Irish culture, or curious about the future of independent retail, Tom's story reminds us why physical bookshops remain vital cultural touchstones in our increasingly digital world. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with remarkable booksellers from around the globe.Roe River BooksAdam LG NevillLouise PhillipsNot Your China Doll, Katie Gee SalisburyApeirogon: A Novel, Column McCannChristine Dwyer HickeyRonan HessionFiona ScarlettAdrienne LeavySupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Lucy Caldwell about contemporary Irish literature's vibrant yet complex landscape, her latest novel, These Days, and profound philosophical insights. Growing up in Belfast during the Troubles in a "mixed marriage" family—Protestant father, Catholic mother—Caldwell developed a unique perspective that informs her award-winning writing. Lucy describes writing during the pandemic and experiencing "a portal between worlds" as she researched the Blitz while living through COVID lockdowns. Lucy Caldwell was born in Belfast in 1981. She is the author of three previous novels, several stage plays and radio dramas, and three collections of short stories. She won the BBC National Short Story Award in 2021 for “All the People Were Mean and Bad.” Other awards include the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the George Devine Award, the Dylan Thomas Prize, and a Major Individual Artist Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2018, and in 2019, she was the editor of Being Various: New Irish Short Stories. In 2022, she was the recipient of the EM Forster Award from the American Academy of Arts & Letters for her body of work to date.Lucy CaldwellThese Days, Lucy CaldwellJan Carson, AuthorGlenn PatersonWendy Erskine, AuthorKerry Dougherty, AuthorSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Aina Marti, founder of Heloise Press, who shares her journey from academia to independent publishing and how she's created a home for contemporary female voices from around the world.• From academic roots studying Spanish and English literature to completing a PhD in comparative literature• How reading Rachel Cusk's Arlington Park became an epiphany moment that inspired her to start a publishing company• The clear vision behind Heloise Press: publishing contemporary female voices telling women's stories that other women can relate to• Working across languages and the importance of building strong relationships between authors and translators• Why many internationally successful authors prefer working with smaller presses when being translated into English• The value of continuing to publish multiple books by the same author to help build their presence in new markets• Creating a cohesive visual identity with distinctive book covers designed by Laura Kloss• How small and medium presses are taking risks on unique voices that larger publishing houses often overlookIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends and family, subscribe wherever you listen, and leave a review to help others discover the show.Click Here to receive a 40% discount on Abandonment by Erminia Dell’Oro. The voucher code is bookshop to be applied at checkout. Héloïse PressKairos, Jenny ErpenbeckBarbara Pym BooksArlington Park, Rachel CuskSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, Mandy welcomes Paul Rudnick back to the show to discuss his hilarious new novel What Is Wrong With You?SynopsisA tech billionaire and the flight attendant he’s marrying. A TV superhero who used to be married to the flight attendant. A Manhattan book editor and the sensitivity associate who got him fired. A twenty-three-year-old wild child prodigy who’s perhaps the savior of American literature. A vengeful Arkansas sheriff who sells a vitamin-enriched, ten-pounds-off-today demulsifier. A Wall Street bro who raps on TikTok. Two dentists—possibly stalking each other.What do these people have in common? Invited or not, they’re all headed to the most anticipated destination wedding ever, on the billionaire’s private island, to seek romance, to cause mayhem, and to figure out everyone else’s futures and maybe even their own.Find out what happens in Paul Rudnick’s heartfelt new novel, which dares to pose the question essential to anyone who’s ever been in love: What Is Wrong with You?To get your copy of What Is Wrong With You? visit your local independent bookstore. The novel is available on March 25, 2025, from Simon & Schuster.Paul RudnickWhat Is Wrong With You?, Paul RudnickThe Dutch House, Ann PatchettLong Island Compromise, Taffy Brodesser-AknerStag Dance, Torrey PetersOur Evenings, Alan Hollinghurst Miranda July Books                                                                                                                                                                                    Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I speak with sci-fi writer, editor, and publisher Jean-Paul L. Garnier, who shares his journey from avid reader to the owner of Space Cowboy Books, a thriving indie bookstore and publishing house in Joshua Tree, California. He reveals how science fiction offers writers complete creative freedom to explore human psychology through fantastical settings.More than just a desert bookstore, Space Cowboy Books represents a multifaceted literary ecosystem. Starting in 2016 as a modest shed, it quickly expanded into a proper storefront near Joshua Tree National Park – where the stunning landscape and dark skies provide constant inspiration. The store's "free books for kids" program showcases Garnier's commitment to childhood literacy, eventually growing into partnerships with local nonprofits to build school libraries. Whether you're a science fiction enthusiast, aspiring writer, independent bookshop lover, or simply curious about literary entrepreneurship, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into how one passionate reader created a thriving literary hub in the California desert. To help the show reach more people, please share episodes with friends and family and on social media, and remember to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to this podcast.Space Cowboy BooksMichael Moorcock Interview With Mandy Jackson-Beverly Jean-Paul L. Garnier BooksKurt Vonnegut BooksFrank Herbert BooksMichael Moorcock BooksGloriana, Or The Unfulfill’d Queen, Michael Moorcock Brent A. Harris Mari Collier, Books New Maps of Hell: A Survey of Science Fiction, Kingsley AmisThomas M. Disch BooksSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textDiscover the intricate layers of family dynamics and cultural identity in The Magnificent Ruins, the debut novel by Nayantara Roy. Set against the vibrant backdrops of Brooklyn and Kolkata, the story centers around Lila, a millennial who inherits her grandfather's crumbling mansion, unleashing a wave of family secrets and legacies that challenge her understanding of self and history. Nayantara enriches our conversation with her multicultural experiences, navigating the dual identities of a television executive and novelist. Her reflections on the cultural nuances of silence in familial relationships and the complexities of unspoken expectations within traditional Indian contexts resonate deeply, inviting listeners to explore their backgrounds. As we delve into essential themes, including the process of writing across different mediums, Nayantara shares her unique insights into storytelling, emphasizing the interplay between words and visual narratives. This dialogue addresses sensitive subjects such as inherited trauma and the delicate balance between tradition and personal choice, making it relevant to anyone who has wrestled with their family's legacy.Join us on this thought-provoking journey as we uncover the inspirations behind The Magnificent Ruins and gain a deeper understanding of how stories shape our identities. Check out the episode for a fascinating look into Nayantara's creative world, and be inspired to explore your own stories. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!Nyantara RoyThe Magnificent RuinsThe Way You Make Me Feel, Nina SharmaEvents, Mandy Jackson-BeverlySupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textThe story of Kett's Books reveals how a community rallied to keep a beloved local bookshop in their town. Through the values of collaboration and empathy, the bookshop has become a thriving center for readers and volunteers alike, bridging the gap between literature and community.• Discussion of the closure of the original local bookshop • Formation of a community-led initiative to open Ketz Books • Tracy's background as a story strategist and its relevance to bookselling • The significance of the name Ketz Books and its historical roots • Community involvement in curating the bookshop's offerings • Overview of a typical day at the bookshop with volunteer engagement • Insights into Wyndham's historical context and attractions • Recommendations for local visitors on exploring Wyndham's literary sceneKett’s BooksThe Bookseller, Tim SullivanCreation Lake, Rachel KushnerThe Kings of London, William ShawThe Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Shehan KarunatilakaAbandonment, Erminia Dell’Oro Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Marissa Stapley about her novel The Lightning Bottles. The story navigates the intertwined paths of love, fame, and addiction through the lens of the 90s music scene. The episode explores themes of identity, media scrutiny, and the struggle for redemption, highlighting the complex dynamics between its characters.• Discussion on the transition from journalism to fiction writing • The role of deadlines in fostering creativity • Key themes of addiction and codependency in relationships • Exploration of media representations of women in music • The significance of fan relationships and personal growth • Insights into the writing and publishing journey • Sharing of personal anecdotes related to addiction and redemptionSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textJoin me in conversation with Cathy Slater, owner of Dulwich Books, as she sheds light on the profound connection between independent bookstores and their communities. Through her journey, Cathy illustrates how booksellers can make a significant impact by understanding readers' needs while emphasizing diversity in literature and the importance of small presses.In this episode:• Sharing insights from a career in publishing to bookselling• The lasting history and impact of Dulwich Books in its community• Exploring the challenges and joys of promoting diverse literature• The reciprocal relationship between the bookstore and local schools• Advocating for the roles of small and medium presses in the industry• Addressing how to engage children in reading amidst digital distractions• Highlighting the passion-driven bookselling model and reader connectionDulwich BooksJames, Percival EverettRichard Osman BooksWilliam Boyd BooksCormac McCarthy BooksHeld, Anne MichaelsSort of Books episode on The Bookshop PodcastOonagh Stransky (Héloïse Press) episode on The Bookshop PodcastLa Peste, Albert CamusShakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, Judi Dench, Brendan O’HeaTom Lake, Ann PatchettSally Rooney BooksDav Pilkey BooksHamnet, Maggie O’FarrellTime of the Child, Niall WilliamsLinks to help with L.A. Fire Relief:California Community FoundationCalifornia Fire FoundationWorld Central KitchenUnited Way of Greater Los AngelesAmerican Red CrossPasadena Humane SocietyLost Angeles fire Department FoundationMutual Aid LASupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links