The Bookshop Podcast

Send us a textEmbark on a historical odyssey as Caroline Alexander, New York Times Bestselling Author and acclaimed contributor to The New Yorker and National Geographic, unveils the lesser-known sagas of World War II's China-Burma-India theatre in her new book, Skies of Thunder: The Deadly World War II Mission Over The Roof Of The World. With a background steeped in philosophy, theology, and classics, Caroline offers a rich tapestry of stories that captures the heroism and daunting challenges faced by those who shaped pivotal moments in history. Her transition from a voracious reader to a celebrated author is a testament to the power of classical languages in enhancing narrative precision, a theme that resonates deeply throughout our conversation.The episode traverses the rugged landscapes of the 1940s, retracing the steps of untrained civilians who sculpted the vital Burma Road with nothing but rudimentary tools. Caroline's meticulous research paints a vivid picture of their struggle and the strategic importance of the road, inviting us to view their accomplishments as more than a military feat but an enduring emblem of the human spirit. The gripping accounts of the pilots who risked their lives over the treacherous "Hump" region come to life, showcasing their bravery in the face of primitive navigation equipment, daunting weather, enemy fire, and the Himalayas.Amid the roar of engines and the call of duty, we hear the personal story of fighter pilot Robert T. Boody and gain an intimate look at the air transport command's overlooked dangers. Caroline's narrative explores the intricate web of allied relations, highlighting the strategic and geopolitical intricacies that shaped World War II's theatre in Asia. This episode celebrates the launch of Skies of Thunder and honors the legacy of those who navigated the deadliest skies with unwavering resolve. Join us to uncover the trials and triumphs that defined an era where courage soared above the clouds.Caroline Alexander Skies of Thunder: The Deadly World War II Mission Over the Roof of the World, Caroline Alexander American Airpower Comes of Age—General Henry H. Hap Arnold’s World War II Diaries, Air University Press, M.G. John W. HustonBlack Ships and Sea Raiders: The Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Context of Odysseus’ Second Cretan Lie, Jeffrey P. EmanuelBooks by Henry Williamson Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with  Shelf Life Books owners Chris and Berkley McDaniel about the switch from corporate life to purchasing an indie bookshop, things to do and see in Richmond, Virginia, cats, and books!Formerly known as Chop Suey Books, Shelf Life Books is the largest independent bookstore in Richmond, VA, and has served the Richmond community for over two decades. Located in the heart of Richmond’s Carytown district and owned by Chris and Berkley McDaniel, the store is staffed by long-time patrons and is a hub for local authors and book lovers alike. They offer new books on their lower level and five rooms of used books upstairs, along with their two cats, Page and Mylar. Shelf Life BooksThe Bitter Southerner Read Banned Books T-shirtsThe House is on Fire, Rachel BeanlandBooks by Seishi YokomizoFathomfolk, Eliza ChenNavola, Paolo BacigalupiAll The Colors of the Dark, Chris WhitakerMemory for Forgetfulness: August, Beirut, 1982, Mahmoud DarwishMartyr! Kaveh AkbarSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Edward Humes about his latest book, Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World.  Humes reveals the surprising depths of waste permeation in everyday life and the power we hold to rectify these issues. By reimagining waste as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, Humes provides a blueprint for collective action toward a cleaner, more responsible future.EDWARD HUMES is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author whose sixteen previous books include Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair With Trash, The Forever Witness, Mississippi Mud, and the PEN Award– winning No Matter How Loud I Shout. Ed and his family, including their rescued racing greyhounds and collie, live in Southern California.Edward HumesTotal Garbage, Edward HumesThe Covenant of Water, Abraham VergheseThe Teachers, Alexandra Robbins A Mountain of Used Clothes Appeared in Chile’s Desert. Then it Went Up in Flames. Julia Shipley, Muriel AlarconBite Toothpaste BitsLiterless.comJimmy Rees, The Man Who Decides PackagingEco  Roots (Shampoo Bars)Who Gives A Crap TPSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Celia Sack, founder and owner of Omnivore Books about cookbooks, cooking disasters and achievements, her favorite cookbooks, and the growing geographical scope of cookbooks. Located in an old butcher shop in Noe Valley, Omnivore Books is a cherished epicurean hub blending a passion for food and the pleasures of reading. As the Bay Area's only culinary bookshop, Omnivore Books specializes in new and vintage books on food and drink. They are open daily and staffed by passionate cookbook lovers who will happily guide you to the perfect book. When Celia Sack's fascination for the culinary universe first bloomed, it was hardly imaginable that her path would weave through the nuanced worlds of rare golf books straight into the heart of Omnivore Books. Cookbooks, she reveals, are conduits of solidarity and understanding, opening palates and minds alike to the diverse tapestry of global heritage. The physicality of leafing through a cookbook receives its due reverence too; it's likened to the full-bodied experience of listening to an entire music album, where each recipe is a track in the soundtrack of our culinary landscape.Enjoy!MandyOmnivore BooksThe Zuni Café Cookbook, Judy RogersCookbooks by Alison RomanAbsolution, Alice McDermottCannery Row, John SteinbeckNorth Woods, Daniel MasonTwain's Feast: Searching for America's Lost Foods in the Footsteps of Samuel Clemens: Andrew BeahrsPraisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks, Crystal Wilkinson A Fortunate Life, A.B. FaceySmall Victories: Recipes, Advice + Hundreds of Ideas for Home Cooking Triumphs, Julia Turshen 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement,  Jane ZieglemanSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Danielle Trussoni, about her new novel, The Puzzle Master. Danielle Trussoni is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels The Ancestor, Angelology, and Angelopolis, all New York Times Notable Books, and the memoirs The Fortress and Falling Through the Earth, named one of the ten best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review. She writes the monthly horror column for the New York Times Book Review. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and winner of the Michener-Copernicus Society of America Fellowship, Trussoni’s work has been translated into more than thirty languages.My conversation with Danielle unveils the roots of her literary passion and her long path to getting her first  manuscript agent and publisher ready, to becoming a celebrated writer. We reflect on the way pivotal life events, such as the loss of her father and a terrifying brush with violence in her youth, have not only shaped her narrative voice but also provided a means for healing and understanding.Enjoy!MandyDanielle Trussoni The Puzzle Maker, Danielle TrussoniTwo Nights in Lisbon, Chris PavoneSan Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary FestivalSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Chrissy Ryan, the owner of BookBar, an independent bookshop, cafe and wine bar, events and social space centered around celebrating the social side of reading.Chrissy's tale is not just about the mingling of books and wine; it's a celebration of community, a confluence of conversation starters, and a testament to the connective power of stories. From the unique 'Books and Bangers' DJ nights to the innovative 'Shelf Medicate' program, discover how Bookbar turns the solitary act of reading into a shared cultural experience.Join us as we reflect on our personal narratives, including the idyllic Barefoot Bookseller experience, and the return to the urban landscape where Bookbar stands as a beacon for those yearning for both escapism and connection. Your next favorite read—or perhaps your next convivial book club discussion—awaits within this episode. Book BarPachinko, Min Jin Lee                                                                                        Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin Come and Get It, Kiley Reid Clear, a novel, Carys Davies Claire Keegan A Heart That Works, Rob Delaney Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Ann Seaton, Co-Executive Director of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance. Anne brings the narrative of indie bookshops to life, highlighting how they serve as cultural hubs in their communities.Discover the steadfast mission of CALIBA to bolster the diverse fabric of independent bookstores, and learn why your choice of where to buy books can be a powerful statement in sustaining local gems. We also delve into the Mosaic Committee's efforts to foster inclusivity and representation in literature, celebrating BIPOC bookstores and their enriching contributions.Prepare to be inspired as we uncover the pivotal shifts within the indie bookstore scene and scrutinize the crucial role of forward-thinking millennials in this transformation. It's more than just a conversation; it's an homage to the community pillars that are independent bookshops, and a call to action for listeners to become a part of the story that keeps these cultural cornerstones thriving.California Independent Booksellers AllianceThe Paris Bookseller, Kerri MaherBlack Lives MatterAmerican Dirt, Jeanine CumminsUnderground Books, SacramentoBel Canto Books, Long Beach, CALessons, Ian McEwanEpitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm, David M. Masumoto Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textFrom the rain-soaked dreams of a young girl in Manchester, New Hampshire, to swimming in some of the world's most formidable waters, open water swimmer, writer, motivational speaker, and beacon of inspiration, Lynn Cox has lived a tale of endurance.Over the course of more than 35 years, Lynne accomplished swims setting world records, opening borders, contributed to medical research, supported environmental causes, and inspired people to pursue their dreams.  At age 14 she swam 26 miles from Catalina Island to the California mainland. At ages 15 and 16, she broke the men’s and women’s world records for swimming the English Channel—a 33-mile crossing in 9 hours, 33 minutes, achieving her first record as the youngest and fastest in 1972. At age 18, she swam the 20-mile Cook Strait between North and South Islands of New Zealand. She was also the first to swim the Cape of Good Hope and the Strait of Magellan, the latter being the most treacherous 3-mile stretch of water in the world.Lynne is best known for her swim across the Bering Strait on 7 August 1987. The swim opened the border between the US and Soviet Union. Both US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev hailed her accomplishment at the signing of the INF Missile Treaty at the White House. As a world-class athlete, Lynne has championed the sport of open-water swimming, advocated for Title IX, and managed the U.S. women’s water polo and led efforts to establish women’s water polo as an Olympic sport.Lynne's books include Swimming to Antarctica, Grayson, Open Swimming Manual, Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas, Swimming in the Sink, and Tales of Al The Water Rescue Dog. Lynne CoxLynne Cox BooksThis Is Love Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer, Lynne CoxGrayson, Lynne CoxYoshi, Sea Turtle Genius, Lynne CoxTales of Al:The Water Rescue Dog, Lynne CoxSwimming in the Sink: A Memoir, Lynne CoxSouth of the Sun: Roald Amundsen, His Polar Explorations, and the Quest for Discovery, Lynne CoxSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this epsidoe, I chat with Deborah Alma, the visionary co-founder of the Poetry Pharmacy, in Shropshire, UK, about how poetic verses can be the balm for our emotional ailments. Our conversation flourishes through Deborah’s inspiring tale of the ‘emergency poet’ and her evolution towards establishing a tranquil sanctuary where poetry is the prescription. The nooks and crannies of this episode are filled with insights into how the vintage ambulance that once delivered urgent poetic care transformed into a physical haven, complete with a coffee shop for contemplative sips and a physic garden where thoughts can bloom into written words.My own odyssey intertwines with the narrative tapestry of this episode, weaving through a life rich with varied careers, from the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of Wyoming. Literature has been the compass guiding me across continents to my heartfelt involvement in community engagement, culminating in the creation of this podcast amidst the uncertainties of a global pandemic. Together with Deborah Alma's enchanting story, we celebrate the diverse and colorful lives that shape the literary world, reminding us that amidst the shelves and pages of independent bookshops lies the connective power of storytelling that unites us all.Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textIn this episode, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung shares a glimpse into the psyche's profound influence on creativity and personal growth. I found my own experiences with psychoanalysis echoed in our dialogue, highlighting the transformative power it has on both the canvas, the page, and the mind. Maxine's articulate distinction between psychoanalysis and other therapeutic forms paints a vivid picture of the therapeutic landscape. At the same time, her personal narrative and the profound impact of her beloved childhood librarian provide a rich backdrop to her professional evolution.Maxine discusses her literary contributions, notably her latest book, What Women Want: A Therapist, Her Patients, and Their True Stories of Desire, Power, and Love, which delves beyond Freud's well-trodden question—what do women want?—to celebrate the authentic needs and desires of women. Maxine's first novel, The Eighth Girl, was optioned by Netflix and was a most anticipated book from Bustle, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, and LitHub.In  What Women Want, Maxine emphasizes the empathic and advocacy-oriented nature of her writing, inviting readers on a journey of self-discovery. This episode is a tribute to the potency of psychotherapy's intersection with storytelling, an intimate exploration for anyone fascinated by the depths of the human experience.Maxine Mei-Fung ChungWhat Women Want: A Therapist, Her Patients, and Thier True Stories of Desire, Power, and Love, Maxine Mei-Fung ChungThe Eighth Girl, Maxine Mei-Fung ChungLong Live Our Librarians: An Ode To Mrs. Veal, Maxine Mei-Fung ChungThe Marriage Portrait, Maggie O'FarrellAmerican Originality: Essays on Poetry, Louis GlückSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links