The Watchung Booksellers Podcast

Watchung Booksellers
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Watchung Booksellers' community of writers and readers dive deep into what they do for the love of books.  Watchung Booksellers is located in the heart of Montclair, NJ, a literary beacon filled with writers, journalists, publishers, and avid readers. Each year we host hundreds of author events and every day the most interesting and dedicated readers walk through our doors. Their insights and enthusiasm have inspired us to share our conversations with book-lovers everywhere. We invite you to listen and be a part of our community!

  1. Episode 69: Featured Event with Colm Tóibín and Garth Risk Hallberg

    Jun 2

    Episode 69: Featured Event with Colm Tóibín and Garth Risk Hallberg

    In this episode, we feature an event with Colm Tóibín in conversation with Garth Risk Hallberg, held at the Montclair Literary Festival for the launch of Toibin's latest book, The News from Dublin. Colm Tóibín is the author of eleven novels, including Long Island, an Oprah’s Book Club Pick; The Magician, winner of the Rathbones Folio Prize; The Master, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; Brooklyn, winner of the Costa Book Award; and Nora Webster, winner of the Hawthornden Prize, as well as three story collections and several books of criticism. He is the Irene and Sidney B. Silverman Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and was named the 2022–2024 Laureate for Irish Fiction by the Arts Council of Ireland. In 2021, he was awarded the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Garth Risk Hallberg's first novel, City on Fire, was a New York Times and international bestseller and was selected as one of the best books of 2015 by The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Vogue. It was the basis for the Apple TV+ series of the same name. His second novel, The Second Coming, about a troubled teen whose father is a recovering addict, was released in 2024 and is in paperback now. He is also the author of the novella A Field Guide to the North American Family. In 2017, Granta named him one of the Best of Young American Novelists. His work has been translated into seventeen languages. Resources: Seamus Heaney 1995 Nobel Prize Speech ( Poetry in Conflict quote) Thomas Mann’s Brother Hitler Essay Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    59 min
  2. Episode 68: WB Podcast Book Club Live: The Lost Daughter

    May 19

    Episode 68: WB Podcast Book Club Live: The Lost Daughter

    In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Alice Elliot Dark and Dagmara Domińczyk reunite to lead a discussion of The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante. Recorded live from The Kids' Room, the two dive into the book as well as the Academy Award-nominated film adaptation, which featured an amazing performance by Dagmara. Alice Elliott Dark is the author of the novels Fellowship Point and Think of England, and two collections of short stories, In The Gloaming and Naked to the Waist. A new novel, Wherever You Are, will be published in May 2027. She is the director of the Rutgers-Newark MFA program. Dagmara Dominczyk is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, and has starred in films, television, and on/off Broadway plays for the past twenty years. Dag was a series regular on the HBO hits Succession and We Own This City. She is the author of The Lullaby of Polish Girls and her essays have appeared in Huffington Post and in the book, Pretty Bitches. She is currently working on her memoir, which centers around the life of her father and his sudden death. Dag can be seen in the upcoming series The Savant opposite Jessica Chastain. She is an avid reader and fierce library supporter, and lives in Montclair with her husband and two teenage sons. Resources: The Lost Daughter Film Normal People Priscilla  Higher Ground The Deuce Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    1h 14m
  3. Episode 67: Independent Bookstore Day 2026

    Apr 28

    Episode 67: Independent Bookstore Day 2026

    In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we opened the mic to our wonderful customers to read haikus on Independent Bookstore Day! Some read published works and some came up with their own on the spot! Enjoy this short episode from these loyal independent bookstore fans!  Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    11 min
  4. On Repeat: Episode 57: From Page to Screen

    Apr 22

    On Repeat: Episode 57: From Page to Screen

    In this repeat episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Tom Perrotta and Warren Zanes discuss the process of adapting their books into film and television.  Tom Perrotta is the author of eleven works of fiction, including Election and Little Children, both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films, and The Leftovers and Mrs. Fletcher, which were adapted into acclaimed HBO series. His new novel is Ghost Town. Warren Zanes is the NY Times bestselling author of Petty: The Biography. He holds a PhD in visual and cultural studies from the University of Rochester and presently teaches at NYU. He is a Grammy-nominated producer and he has served as a vice president at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His latest work is Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, which was made into a feature film. Resources: The Montclair Literary Festival PW Bookstore of the Year Election Little Children Mrs. Fletcher  The Leftovers Deliver Me From Nowhere Soundbreaking  20 Feet from Stardom Shine a Light Crazy Heart A Complete Unknown The Remains of The Day Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    56 min
  5. On Repeat: Episode 44: The Watchung Booksellers Podcast Book Club LIVE!

    Apr 14

    On Repeat: Episode 44: The Watchung Booksellers Podcast Book Club LIVE!

    In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we are sharing last year's live book club recording with authors Alice Elliott Dark and Dagmara Domińczyk, who led a discussion of Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt with a group of avid readers. It was a fantastic evening and we hope you'll join us for another live event with Alice and Dag to discuss The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante on Thursday, May 7! Tickets are available now!  Alice Elliott Dark is the author of the novels Fellowship Point and Think of England, and two collections of short stories, In The Gloaming and Naked to the Waist. She is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and is a professor at Rutgers-Newark in the English department and the MFA program. Dagmara Domińczyk is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, and has starred in films, television, and on/off Broadway plays for the past twenty years. Dag was a series regular on the HBO hits Succession and We Own This City. She is the author of The Lullaby of Polish Girls and her essays have appeared in Huffington Post and in the book Pretty Bitches. She is currently finishing her second novel and working on a memoir. She is an avid reader and fierce library supporter, and lives in Montclair with her husband and sons. WBP Book Club Live Tickets Episode 44 Video Recording Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    1 hr
  6. Episode 66: From Pitch to Page

    Mar 31

    Episode 66: From Pitch to Page

    In this week's episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, author and book doctor Arielle Eckstut talks with debut author and life-long educator Dan Gill about developing his story No More Chairs from a one-minute pitch to a beautiful children's book. Arielle Eckstut is co-founder of The Book Doctors. She is the author of nine books including The Secret Language of Color: The Science, Nature, History, Culture and Beauty of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue & Violet. She is also an agent-at-large at the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency, where for over 20 years, she has been helping hundreds of talented writers become published authors. Lastly, Arielle co-founded the iconic company, LittleMissMatched, and grew it from a tiny operation into a leading national brand, which now has stores from coast to coast, everywhere from Disneyland to Disney World to Fifth Avenue in New York City. Daniel Gill was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Iona College with a B.A. in psychology. He served in Vista, the national peace corps. During this time, he counselled young inmates at Rikers Island Prison. He attended Columbia University and graduated with a masters degree in urban education and curriculum. Mr. Gill came to the Montclair School System in September of 1970 and retired in 2023 after completing 53 years of teaching. He was part of the committee to redesign the middle schools of Montclair in order to desegregate the schools to comply with a court order. In 2004, Mr. Gill and his students wrote a book on the history of Glenfield. It celebrated the Brown vs Board of Education ruling and its effect on desegregating the Montclair Public Schools. The focus of the book was to look at Glenfield as a microcosm of that decision. His illustrated children’s book No More Chairs was selected by the National Education Association for its 2026 Read Across America Program.  Register here for The Book Doctors workshop at the bookstore! Pitchapalooza Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    49 min
  7. Episode 65: Shop Talk: Book Clubs

    Mar 17

    Episode 65: Shop Talk: Book Clubs

    This week on the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, four of our booksellers/book club hosts, Asia, Aubrey, Caroline, and Marni, discuss their clubs and what makes a great club an essential part of a book-lover’s community. Asia Jannah has been a bookseller/gift buyer for 11 years and is the host of the Thought Daughter book club, which features undiscovered books under 300 pages. Aubrey Cece is the Kids' Room manager and host of two book clubs: Books in Translation, reading books in translation, and Just the T, which features fiction and non-fiction books by trans authors.  Caroline Shurtleff manages school events and hosts the middle reader book club for kids ages 8-11. They discuss the books, have snacks, and do a themed craft!  Marni Jessup is a the co-producer of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast and hosts the NYT 100 Best Books of the 21st Century book club, which is working its way through that entire list. Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    42 min
  8. Episode 64: Featured Event with Ian Frazier and Jamaica Kincaid

    Mar 3

    Episode 64: Featured Event with Ian Frazier and Jamaica Kincaid

    In this week's episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we replay an event we hosted in January with authors Ian Frazier (The Snakes That Ate Florida) and Jamaica Kincaid (Putting Myself Together), who discuss their latest collections of writing and 50+ years of friendship. Ian Frazier's books, all published by FSG, include Paradise Bronx, Great Plains, Travels in Siberia, Dating Your Mom, and many other classic works of nonfiction and humor. His newest book, a gathering of his writing from his first New Yorker piece to present, is The Snakes That Ate Florida: Reporting, Essays, and Criticism. A frequent contributor to The New Yorker, he lives in Montclair, New Jersey. Jamaica Kincaid was born in St. John’s, Antigua. Her books include At the Bottom of the River, Annie John, Lucy, The Autobiography of My Mother, My Brother, Mr. Potter, and See Now Then. Her most recent book is Putting Myself Together: Writing 1974–  with an Introduction by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. She lives in Vermont. Resources: Mark Singer  David Remnick William Shawn Hilton Als Veronica Geng New Yorker Space Writing Andrew Wylie Jonathan Galassi  Lewis and Clark Journals Thomas Jefferson Writings Outside Magazine The Gallic Wars The Declaration of Independence  Frederick Douglass Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events. The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.  The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch! Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com Social: @watchungbooksellers Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

    1 hr
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5
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About

Watchung Booksellers' community of writers and readers dive deep into what they do for the love of books.  Watchung Booksellers is located in the heart of Montclair, NJ, a literary beacon filled with writers, journalists, publishers, and avid readers. Each year we host hundreds of author events and every day the most interesting and dedicated readers walk through our doors. Their insights and enthusiasm have inspired us to share our conversations with book-lovers everywhere. We invite you to listen and be a part of our community!

Information

  • Creator
    Watchung Booksellers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Watchung Booksellers Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Watchung Booksellers Podcast

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