So, We Bought a Book Shop

We give an update on Maile's Kickstarter campaign for her new novel and talk about the apocalyptic summer. Also, Sally Mann's book Art Work is rocking Shawn's world, and he is confronted with the question (as he approaches 50): "What kind of a life do you want to live? Will you keep writing?" We also talk about how entering year three of owning a bookshop is much like entering the messy middle of...

We have a huge announcement on today's episode!  To preorder Maile's upcoming book and  support her Kickstarter campaign which will help cover the first print run, head HERE ! Connect with us! Order From Our Bookshop.org Page! Switch from Audible to Libro.fm and support Nooks! Upcoming Book Clubs at Nooks! Nooks' Substack Maile's Substack Shawn's Substack Nooks' Instagram Page Nooks' Events Page M...

Maile and I talk about my recent viral poem, Please Use AI, and the overwhelming response it got. Also, why is AI flourishing?  Maile also explores a topic brought up in her recent Creatives Group: is Steven Pressfield's "Resistance" necessary to the flourishing of creativity? Books We Read Recently The War of Art by Steven Pressfield The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser A Potion...

We are invited to appear on a podcast with someone famous...and we had a blast. We also talk about how both of us have found our way back to writing, finally, two years after opening the bookshop. How can we make room for joyful creativity in our busy lives? Join us over at Kate and Charlie Gibson's podcast, The Book Case ! Books We Read Recently Where'd You Go, Bernedette? by Maria Semple John of...

Our kids are hitting all the big life highlights these days. In the meantime, we talk about some of our favorite recent reads and what common thing about them is about them that has us so entertained...as readers AND as writers. Books We Read Recently The Names by Florence Knapp John of John by Douglas Stuart Difficult Loves   by Italo Calvina Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Heart Be At Peace by Donal Rya...

Today we're talking about the inspiring nature of human-created art and beauty. What is the value in it, apart from the end product? And what do we rob ourselves of when we lean on AI in our creative ventures? Books We Read Recently Old Soul by Susan Barker Connect with us! Order From Our Bookshop.org Page! Switch from Audible to Libro.fm and support Nooks! Upcoming Book Clubs at Nooks! Nooks' Sub...

We went to Italy! Nooks is busier than ever! And thoughts on an economy that isn's solely financial...how can we run a bookshop where finances are obviously important but where relationships don't become transactional? Books Mentioned: Beloved by Toni Morrison The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim Difficult Loves by Italo Calvino Art Work by Sally Mann Dear Writer by Maggie Smith The Creative...

Maile's starting to feel a gap between the good things going on at the shop and how those good things are impacting her. In short, she's not feeling permeated by the good that's happening there. So what's missing? What do we do in our lives when there are good things going on but those good things are taking us away from our family or other things we love? Books Mentioned: Beloved by Toni Morrison...

Well, it happened. For the first time, we were called out online this week for not being sincere in our desire to welcome everyone. It was bound to happen, but it still hurts. We address that and talk about why we carry the books we carry and why we have the events we do. And if you ever question anything about Nooks or feel like we're being insincere or misguided, we would love to have a conversa...

Today we're talking about how it feels to actually stop and take a breath. For the last two years we've been working through challenges, both imposed and voluntarily taken on. And now we're thinking about our first two years at Nooks and what the next steps might be.  We also talk about the novel idea that maybe, someday, this shop could be financially successful and support us as a family. What d...

"I had no idea this shop would break me open the way that it has." Today, we're exploring this statement that Maile made this week, why she feels this way, and how Nooks is meeting people's need to belong. We also discuss the seemingly random nature of "taste," how so many of us end up liking (or hating) books that other people feel completely differently about.  Find out more about Elsewhere Brea...

Today we're recording the podcast in our new space! After nearly doubling the size of our bookshop, we're feeling rather exhausted...which you can tell by the sound of our voices. But we're also incredibly excited to share the new space with you and catch you up on all the other goings on at Nooks. We also hearken back to our conversation in Episode 022 with Evan Friss, the author of The Book Shop...

Today we're recording live from the bookshop and some surprise guests stop by! We also share an announcement about the next really exciting thing happening at Nooks (hint: expansion). Plus, Maile finished a long, long book, and we share what we've been reading... Books Mentioned: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann The Country of the Blind by Andrew L...

How does a writer decide to take a risk when it comes to using an out-of-the-box form or idea? And when they do, how does their agent, editor, and publisher respond? Today Shawn and Cade catch up with Daniel Kraus, author of many books including  Whalefall and Angel Down. He's also worked with one of our favorite directors, Guillermo del Toro, on the book and movie, The Shape of Water . Whalefall...

What is the role of the bookshop during times of political upheaval? We talk about how we try to contribute to the community around us during difficult times.  And Maile reflects on how books can help us better understand loved ones who have passed away. As she reads a book about a man who went blind, she reevaluates her relationship with her deceased dad and how a book she's reading is helping he...

Today we're joined by author Christie Purifoy! We start by discussing a movie that has recently had Shawn sobbing in the theatre and how art helps us process life. Which leads us to discuss how Christie's favorite books and films have domestic spaces or settings that communicate to us. We also talk about  Christie's new book , how she realized it wasn't working, and why not. And we share some big...

As humans, winter (and wintering seasons) can provide a season of much-needed rest and recuperation. But as shop owners, it can also be a bit scary when January arrived and business slows. Today we're talking about the importance of taking breaks, resting, and refortifying our souls for the busy seasons ahead.  "It was a condensed explanation, but I came to understand him to mean you could stop at...

Today Maile and I share some game-changing, exciting news for Nooks, make a few embarrassing confessions about how judgy we can often be, and then talk about the books that are impressing us so far this year.  Books Mentioned: Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love by Brian Recker I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacquel...

2026, here we come! After a refreshing holiday, we're ready to head into the new year at Nooks. We talk about why this January feels different than last, what makes local bookshops different (from each other and from big box stores), and what we're looking forward to reading in the new year. How do we, as booksellers, choose the books we're going to read? Books Mentioned: A Christmas Carol by Char...

Winnie Li has given us a road trip book that delves deep into the heart of what it means to be on the road, what it means to live in a post-Covid world, and, perhaps more deeply, what it means to be American.  And we're honored that we get to have a conversation with her, ranging from how she ended up taking a Route 66 road trip to how victims of sexual assault often lose their ability to tell the...

Maile hates Top 10's so this is not our Top 10 Books of 2025, this is each of us picking five memorable books from the year that we loved probably more than the others. But definitely not a top 10 list. Even if it looks and sounds like one. Books Mentioned: Here One Moment by Lianne Moriarty Time of the Child by Niall Williams The Bookshop by Evan Friss Erasure by Percival Everett Finding Me by Vi...

Claire Dederer wrote a book called, Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma , and in it she wrestles with the question, "What do we do with the art of monstrous men?" What happens when we love a particular book or painter or piece of music only to discover that the creator was actually a terrible human being? Today we bring in Andi Cumbo to wrestle through this topic with us, and we bring our own favorite monst...

Today we're joined by Kaitlin Curtice, excited to talk about her new book, Everything is a Story: Reclaiming the Power of Stories to Heal and Shape Our Stories . We explore how stories impact us within Kaitlin's framework of examining stories: liminal, lethal, and loving. We invited her on to talk about her new book, but we also delve into the book Fast Like a Girl , Kaitlin's diagnosis of PCOS, a...

Today we're talking about some of the challenges our little bookshop is facing these days, and the importance of holding things loosely without embracing a mindset of scarcity. There is freedom in surrender and knowing what your purpose is. Books mentioned during the conversation: Angel Down by Daniel Kraus The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton Bigger by Ren Cedar Fuller Connect w...

Sara Billups is one of the few people Shawn has ever smoked a cigarette with. She's also the author of a new book,  Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in your Body, the Church, and Politics.  We chat about anxiety, seeking peace, and the fascinating idea of holy indifference.   BTW...Pre-order Nervous Systems from Nooks for 20% off--simply email us at hello@nooks.gallery and we'l...