010 Ned Bustard and the Artist's Path of Courage, Creativity, and Rest
Release Date: 03/12/2025
020 Married With Children...and a Book Shop
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Depression. Traditional Gender Roles. Marriage and a business. Today we take a personal turn and talk about a few of the hard aspects of running a business with your spouse. What do you do when one of you needs to check out because of grief or depression or weariness or life chaos? When it comes to running a business, how can traditional gender roles lead to burnout? And what does it take for a family to press reset on the day-to-day responsibilities that everyone bears? Books mentioned during the conversation: by Eve Rodsky by Gary Schmidt and Ron Koertge by Gary Schmidt by Pedro...
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019 "Good Gracious, We Have it Stacked Against Us"
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Why did Maile think, after finishing The Bookshop, "Good gracious, we have it stacked against us"? Last week we went to a Fredrik Backman author event and he spoke about writing, how mental health issues have inspired his book, and his process (chaos, chaos, chaos, book!). Backman wondered if he still has the ability to keep going, and we wonder what it's like for an author to retire. We also talk about violence in literature--what's its purpose? Does it have a place in books for young people? Books mentioned during the conversation: by Fredrik Backman by Carola Dunn by...
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018 When Water Comes Through the Ceiling
So, We Bought a Book Shop
One week ago, Maile heard water coming into the book shop through the ceiling. By the time she came back with a bucket, water was pouring down and pieces of the ceiling were coming with it. Today we're talking about hitting low points during the pursuit of your dream, and what to do next. Books mentioned during the conversation: by Han Kang by Han Kang by John Green by William Gay by Viola Davis by Elizabeth Strout by Pedro Martin by Fredrick Backman by Evan Friss by Gary Schmidt by Ron Koertge by Taylor Jenkins Reid Connect with us! Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned...
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017 What We Learned In Our First Year
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Today, Maile and I are talking about our first year as book shop owners. How has this year changed us? Do we view books differently than we did before owning a book store? We also chat about a book we've both read that is a beautiful example of what a book written in the 1st person can accomplish--it's quirky and haunting and unexpected. Happy one year to Nooks! Books mentioned during the conversation: by Olga Tokarczuk by David James Duncan by Han Kang by Han Kang by William Gay by Viola Davis Connect with us! Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links...
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016 "If You Don't Do This," He Said, "Your Book Shop Will Fail"
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Recently we had a customer come into the shop and tell us that if we didn't begin using this new tool, we would go out of business while other bookstores raced ahead into the future. But what's the true cost of using AI when it comes to creative endeavors? And can we still run businesses and make a living without it, or will those of us who decide against using it fall by the wayside? We also talk about the upcoming Indie Bookstore Day, the cost of not shopping local, and, as usual, the books we've recently finished or are currently reading. Books mentioned during the conversation: by...
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015 Designing a Life of Courage at East Otis
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Today we're continuing with the theme of courage. As Maile and I approach the one year anniversary of taking over Nooks, we talk with another couple who have truly stepped out over the cliff's edge and followed their dream: Will and Emma Haughery. A few years ago they started their own furniture making company, East Otis, and today we're talking with them about leaving traditional employment, the tradeoffs that occur, and what gives them the courage to keep going. Connect with East Otis at or . Connect with us! Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links...
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014 Amy King Picks the Lock
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Today we're talking one of the most awarded YA authors alive: A.S. King (she won the Printz Award twice!). She takes us back to her formative years of reading and writing, the fifteen years and eight novels she wrote before being published, and how Pick the Lock is in some ways a culmination of her talent and her lived experience. A wonderful conversation with a wonderful author. Books mentioned during the conversation: by Maurice Sendak by Crockett Johnson by M. T. Anderson by A.S. King by A.S. King by A.S. King Connect with us! Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned...
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013 Lore Wilbert Thinks She's a Scaredy-Cat
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Today is our first-ever recording in the book shop! we're talking with author Lore Wilbert about her courageous creative journey--writing nonfiction online for decades and now pivoting to fiction. How does a reader's (or potential editor's) tastes impact the work we do? And how do we handle those not-so-positive responses? We also take a stab at identifying authors who might still be here in 50 years' time. Finally, how can we take courage with us into our everyday lives? We're just three writers trying to keep going. Enjoy! Connect with us! Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned...
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012 On Staring Down Our Book Shop Mortality
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Today we're talking about the John Green event we went to, how it inspired us to keep creating community, what Rick Rubin has to say about running a book shop, and, perhaps the toughest part, how to view the possibility that these good things we create will not last forever. For a complete list of all the books ever mentioned on the podcast,! Mentioned in this episode: by John Green by John Green by Evan Friss by Rick Rubin by Chris Whittaker by Jayne Anne Phillips by Leif Enger Connect with us! Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard
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011 Bears Versus Men, Being Alone in the Store, and Vulnerability in Fiction
So, We Bought a Book Shop
Maile reflects on the vulnerable state of women and children and how occasionally being in the store by herself with odd men has made her uncomfortable, with one specific, recent story as an example. Shawn fills Maile in on the internet question from some time ago, "Would you feel more at danger in the woods if you encountered a man or a bear?" and she gives her answer. They also dive deep into three books that have opened their eyes to vulnerability, abuse and manipulation. Let's all be more curious. For a complete list of all the books ever mentioned on the podcast,! Mentioned in...
info_outlineToday we're chatting with artist Ned Bustard (in front of a live studio audience) about his early days as an artist and the gifts of courage, creativity, and rest. Why has it been a struggle for him to own the title of artist? What does it look like to live with courage and to rest well while not letting comfort distract us?
And when does it all become too much?
For a complete list of books mentioned on the podcast, head over to our bookshelf dedicated to this podcast at Bookshop.org!
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Music by Copcar Karaoke
Art by Ned Bustard