The Bookshop Podcast Mandy Jackson-Beverly

Ark Books in Copenhagen is a non-profit, volunteer-run, International Bookstore. It’s the place to find books published in English, and although they specialize in fiction, those interested in poetry and theory, especially critical theory, will not leave disappointed.

Ever wondered how a volunteer-run, non-profit bookstore operates and thrives in the bustling city of Copenhagen? Join us in conversation with Frida Hammershøy from Ark Books, a unique bookstore specializing in books published in English. Frida unravels the history of Ark Books, crafted by four women a decade ago, and its evolution into a vibrant community hub uniting a diverse team of 15-20 passionate volunteers.

We also get a peek into Frida's personal reading preferences and discuss the nuances of translating literary discussions from Danish to English. Prepare yourself for a heartening tale of literature, community, and dedication - a testament to the power of shared passion.
Ark Books
The Summer Book, Tove Jansson
The Moomins, Tove Jansson
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Ready for a deep dive into the world of writing and publishing? Join me as I chat with author Paul Vidich who traded his corporate media suit for a writer's pen. We'll traverse through his personal anecdotes revealing the inspiration behind his latest novel, Beirut Station.  Vidich shares the artistic process behind the book's cover design and we discuss Erroll Morris's newest documentary, The Pigeon Tunnel.

In the same breath, we gear up to navigate the labyrinth of ethical dilemmas in cultures and organizations. Are you a fan of espionage novels? Well, buckle up as we decipher the moral grey areas and high-stress environments faced by the characters in Beirut Station. The conversation extends to the complexities of the publishing industry, reminding us of the crucial role that indie bookshops play for authors and readers alike. 
Paul Vidich

The Pigeon Tunnel,  Errol Morris

Wormwood, Errol Morris
Beirut Station: Two Lives of a Spy, Paul Vidich 
Los Alamos, Joseph Kanon
The Peacock And The Sparrow, I. S. Berry
The Talented Mr. Ripley, Patricia Highsmith
Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
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Ever wondered how someone can transition from lawyering to managing an independent bookstore? Meet Jen Bird, the co-founder of Athena Books located in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. As a former lawyer, her unique journey to entrepreneurship promises not only to inspire but also to challenge your perception about career change. She shares how her passion for reading, primarily to her children, became the foundation for this incredible venture, with the bookstore's name and its meaning being an interesting twist to their story.

Athena Books isn't just a bookshop, it is a collaborative, women-focused space with a mission to advance reading culture and community engagement. Jen takes us through her strategic approach to book curation targeted at her community's needs and the pivotal role of organizations like the American Booksellers Association in her success story. Hear from her perspective the evolution of bookselling, the importance of creating an accessible and inclusive environment, and how Athena Books is navigating this dynamic industry.

Step into the world of Athena Books, a haven for diverse age groups and book genres. Find out what book genres are making the rounds in Old Greenwich and get a scoop on the attractions around for the perfect bookish getaway. If you're passionate about independent bookstores, community building, or you're just in for a good story, this episode is your ticket!

Athena Books
She Proclaims: Our Declaration of Independence from a Man’s World, Jennifer Palmieri
Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
Tom Lake, Ann Patchett
Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, Michael Lewis 
What You Are Looking For Is In The Library, Michiko Aoyama
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, David Grann
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Imagine having an indie bookstore all to yourself for an entire night. Join me in this episode as I chat with fellow book lover and  Bookstagrammer, Dr. Stefanie Caeners, a Literary Studies lecturer who had just that experience. We talk about indie bookshops,  books we love, Edinburgh, and reading.

Stefanie's journey is a fascinating one. From discovering her love for Southern California at the tender age of 16, choosing an office job over college, to her apprenticeship in the media business, and finally, her transition into studying literature, it's a story worth hearing.

Stefanie's passion for British literature will captivate you, as will her insights on the topic of her PhD thesis and the freedom she found in studying something she adored.

Dr. Sefanie Caeners
Stefanie on Instagram
The Wishing Game, Meg Shaffer
Books by Stephen King
A Quiet Life, Ethan Joella
Yellowface, Rebecca F. Kuang
Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style, Paul Rudnick
James Fahy
The Displacements, Bruce Holsinger
The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Satoshi Yagisawa
James Fahy The Bookshop Podcast
Paul Rudnick the Bookshop Podcast
TJ Klune The Bookshop Podcast
 



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In this episode I chat with illustrator and author, Rachel Ignotofsky about blending illustration and education, crayons, women in STEM, and her latest book, What's Inside A Caterpillar Cocoon?

Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times Best Selling author and illustrator, based in California. She grew up in New Jersey on a healthy diet of Star Trek and pudding and graduated from Tyler School of Art in 2011 with a BFA in Graphic Design.  Rachel’s career as a scientific communicator started by nurturing her own curiosity. Out of college, she created art and infographics about topics she found interesting and important- with a focus in science literacy. She had many friends starting their careers in teaching, and Rachel wanted to create resources to help them with their lessons. Soon Rachel’s online store was selling her posters to schools, labs and science enthusiasts across the country and her work was scooped up to be featured on the likes of Scientific American, Fast Company, PRI and PBS. Rachel’s art has been embraced by the science community and she has spoken at and partnered with institutions like NASA, The Salk Institute, The San Diego Natural History Museum, The Chicago Field Museum, The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and many more! 
Rachel believes when you take the time to organize complex information—and then take the next step to make it beautiful with art — you can reach even the most reluctant learner. Illustration is a powerful tool when it comes to education.  With her first book Women in Science (2016), Rachel used her art to address the growing gender gap in STEM and shed a light on women’s stories. It became an instant success and was on the NY Times Best seller list for over 90 weeks. 
Since then, Rachel has continued to use her background in graphic design and her skills as a storyteller to make dense information and fun and accessible. Her work is published in over 24 different languages and enjoyed by readers all over the world! She has written more books about women’s history like Women in Sports (2017) and Women in Art (2019). As well as tackling topics like conservation and climate change in her book The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth (2018). She has introduced backyard biology to the youngest readers with What’s Inside a Flower? (2021) which is the first installment of her new picture book series with Random House Kids. Now she is excited to share her newest book The History of the Computer (2022). This book is the first of its kind — a fully illustrated book that spans over 25,000 years of human history and tells the story of our evolving relationship with technology. Rachel sees all of her books as a love note to educators, and is thrilled to see them used in classrooms.
Rachel Ignotofsky
Rachel’s Etsy Shop
Rachel’s Books
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, Steve Brusatte
The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, Steve Brusatte
 
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Ever wonder how a small indie bookstore doesn't just survive, but thrive in today's digital age? Meet Sheryl Shurville, the dynamic co-owner of the Chiltern Bookshops; Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross in the UK. Sheryl's fascinating journey from nursing to bookselling is one that will inspire you, as she shares the secrets behind the success of her bookshops. From celebrating Chorleywood Bookshop's 50-year anniversary to discussing the distinct curation of books in her two bookshops, Sheryl's anecdotes are a treat for every book lover.

Sheryl gives insight into the extensive school programs and unique services her bookshops offer, including their response to COVID with a pre-ordering system and the creation of the “Gift A Book” donation program. Sheryl's observations of the changing publishing landscape and how her bookshops have managed to evolve, are particularly enlightening. From organizing literary festivals to cheese tastings, her innovation is impressive. Her current reads, her dedication to community engagement, and the passion she pours into her bookshops make this episode an enlightening journey into the world of indie bookselling.
Chiltern Bookshops – Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross
Maggie O’Farrell Books
Barbara Kingsolver Books
Unlawful Killing, Wendy Joseph KC
David Mitchell Books
Yotam Ottolenghi Books
Toni Morrison Books
Ian McEwan Books
Katherine Heiny Books
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