So, We Bought a Book Shop

Shawn Smucker
  • 5.0 (16)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Two writers buy a small-town, local book shop in Lancaster, PA, called Nooks and discover a beautiful community of readers all around them. These are conversations with and about the writers, readers, and books that make the world a better place.

  1. 7H AGO

    040 We Expanded! We Doubled Our Size! We're Exhausted!

    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. Books Mentioned: The Bookshop by Evan Friss Marce Catlett by Wendell Berry Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith The Silk Worm by Robert Galbraith Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann The Experiment by Rebecca Stead Flashlight by Susan Choi Wendell Berry: Port William Novels and Stories: The Civil War to World War II Wendell Berry: Port William Novels and Stories: The Postwar Years Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book #1) by JK Rowling 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    39 min

  2. FEB 18

    039 An Exciting Announcement - Expansion!

    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 LeLand A House to Call Home by Christie Purifoy Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski Memory Wall by Anthony Doerr Flashlight by Susan Choi 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    28 min

  3. FEB 11

    038 A Book Written in One Sentence

    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 takes place inside a whale's stomach. Angel Down is a book made up of one sentence. We talk about fathers and sons and how that relationship plays out in his novels. "If your dad's life is a road, then you have to branch off from that road." Also, how writing this book taught him something about himself.  With a shoutout to the bookshop Exile! Books Mentioned: Whalefall by Daniel Kraus Angel Down by Daniel Kraus The Shape of Water by Daniel Kraus The Brothers K by David James Duncan Blood Sugar by Daniel Kraus The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Mother Eating by Jess Hagerman Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    39 min

  4. FEB 3

    037 How Books Connect Us to the Ones We've Lost

    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 her to connect deeper with him.  Books Mentioned: The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Flashlight by Susan Choi This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    41 min

  5. JAN 27

    036 A Movie That Had Shawn Sobbing (And How Physical Spaces Nourish Us)

    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 news regarding Nooks.  We also introduce a new service at Nooks: our monthly book subscriptions! You can check those out HERE. Books Mentioned: A House to Call Home by Christie Purifoy Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    59 min

  6. JAN 20

    035 Rest, Wintering, and the Saying "This is Happiness"

    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, not all, but most of the moments of your life, stop for one heartbeat and, no matter what the state of your head or heart, say 'This is happiness,' because of the simple truth that you were alive to say it." Niall Williams We also introduce a new service at Nooks: our monthly book subscriptions! You can check those out HERE. Books Mentioned: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer Wintering by Katherine May Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton Something in the Woods Loves You by Jarod Anderson This is Happiness by Niall Williams Four Letters of Love by Niall Williams Time of the Child by Niall Williams History of the Rain by Niall Williams 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    39 min

  7. JAN 13

    034 It Finally Happened!

    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 Jacqueline Harpman The Life of Lucy Gault by William Trevor A Month in the Country by JL Carr Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke The Scout and Barnaby Mysteries by Becca Wierwille The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett MiddlemanBooks.Store 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 Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    41 min

  8. JAN 6

    033 How These Booksellers Choose the Books We'll Read in 2026

    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 Charles Dickens The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Flashlight by Susan Choi Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke Connect with us! Order From Our Bookshop.org Page! Upcoming Book Clubs at Nooks! Nooks' Substack Maile's Substack Shawn's Substack Nooks' Instagram Page Nooks' Events Page Music by Copcar Karaoke Art by Ned Bustard *All book links connect you to our Bookshop.org site where our book shop will receive a generous portion of your purchase.

    36 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Two writers buy a small-town, local book shop in Lancaster, PA, called Nooks and discover a beautiful community of readers all around them. These are conversations with and about the writers, readers, and books that make the world a better place.

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn Smucker
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 All rights reserved. Content may not be shared without the expressed written consent of the copyright holders
  • Show Website
    So, We Bought a Book Shop

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