The Bookshop Podcast

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

Send us a textHave you ever wandered into a bookstore and felt like you've come home? That's the magic Ariana Paliobagis, owner of Country Bookshop and her team, weaves in Bozeman, Montana.  In this episode, I speak with store manager Jamie Winter about the rich literary landscape of Montana, where names like Ivan Doig and Betsy Gaines Quammen are as much a part of the territory as the Rocky Mountains. Country Bookshelf is a local, independent bookstore located in historic downtown Bozeman, Montana. It’s the place where people go to feel part of their community, of something bigger than themselves, a place to experience the power of literature and conversation, a place to feel safe, not judged, and encouraged to explore ideas and identities. This is the bookstore everyone dreams of — two floors of hand-selected volumes, knowledgeable, caring staff, and events to expand horizons. Country BookshelfBetsy Gaines QuammenIvan Doig Norman MacLean Seanan McGuire House of Flame and Shadow, Sarah J. Maas The Last Murder at the End of the World, Stuart TurtonSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textWhen the roots of storytelling are as deep and winding as the Appalachian Mountains themselves, it's no wonder that Melissa Marr has such a profound connection to weaving tales that captivate and enchant. In this episode, we journey through Melissa's life, from her formative years under the influence of her grandmother's stories to her academic pursuits, all of which paved the way to her latest novel, Remedial Magic. We explore how Melissa's narrative prowess transcends genre, her devotion to multiple points of view, and the unmistakable charm of Victorian literature's impact on her storytelling techniques.The whispers of wild horses in Arizona and the serendipity of a rattlesnake bite converge in Melissa's narrative, illustrating the unexpected paths of dipping her toes into self-publishing and the resilience of an author's spirit. Our conversation then meanders through the verdant valleys of creativity, shedding light on the symbiosis between nature and the written word, and how this bond manifests in Melissa's multifaceted career spanning writing and photography. We also navigate the digital world's choppy waters, where pseudonyms and review scandals can capsize even the most seasoned writers, revealing the importance of author communities as lifeboats amidst the storm of online discourse.As we wrap up, the spotlight shines on the unlikely transformation from a self-published experiment to a celebrated book deal, a testament to faith in one's work and the magic of happenstance. Melissa's tale takes a full circle, encouraging us to anticipate her upcoming release and beckoning our listeners to join the lively discussion within our podcast community. The episode is a reminder that sometimes, the most enchanting stories are those that emerge from life's most unexpected moments.Melissa MarrRemedial Magic, Melissa MarrTo Cage a God, Elizabeth MayRiver Kings, Cat JarmanNPR LAistSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Send us a textEmbark on a literary adventure with Mandy Jackson-Beverly as she sits down with Eric and Jessica Green, whose love story with books has led them to become the proud owners of Mrs. Dalloway's, a cozy independent bookstore with a big heart in the Elmwood District of Berkeley, California. Their tale is not just one of passion for the written word but also a savvy move to keep the legacy of a beloved community hub alive, blending Eric's deep roots in book sales (wholesale and distribution) and book buying and Jessica's flair for branding,  marketing, and sales. Together, they're writing a new chapter for the store, infusing it with their commitment to quality, eco-conscious selections, and a mirroring of the vibrant Elmwood community spirit.The art of curating a bookstore is much like composing a symphony, where every book is a note that resonates with the soul of the neighborhood. In this episode, the Greens discuss the delicate balance between honoring the legacy of Mrs. Dalloway's previous owners and introducing their unique touch to the store's offerings. They reveal how they navigate the complexities of stocking self-published works and the intricacies of book pricing, providing a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a successful indie bookstore amid the ever-shifting tides of the publishing world.Our episode wraps up with an inspiring call to action for literary enthusiasts to connect with and support their local independent bookshops. The Greens open up about the joys and challenges of hosting author events, nurturing a love of reading in their community, and the fulfillment that comes from seeing the wonder in a child's eyes as they discover their new favorite book. So tune in and let the charm of Mrs. Dalloway's, along with the passion of its owners, remind you why independent bookstores are the heartbeats of our literary landscapes.Mrs. Dalloway’s BookstoreWandering Stars, Tommy Orange Bel Canto, Ann PatchettThe Morningside, Téa ObrehtLast Acts, Alexander SammartinoThe Puzzled Master, Danielle TrussoniSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links