Best Queering The Shelves Podcasts (2024)

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Health at the Library 26:00

19d ago26:00

26:00

Ever wondered about what resources the library offers that could improve your health? We talk to Lee Whiting, the Manager of the Kearns Branch, to learn all about health resources at the County Library. 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - What is Health Reference? 01:36 - What tools and services do we offer? 06:05 - Virtual Visit Room 09:28 - Consumer Health Inf…

1
Queer Media Discussion 1:03:25

2M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

Join us as we talk about the book In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, and the movies Everything, Everywhere, All at Once; Rocketman; Bohemian Rhapsody; and Love Lies Bleeding. Time stamps: 0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:51 - In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado 0:06:43 - What is the Dream House? 0:13:56 - Archival Silence 0:16:06 - Queering the…

1
Library School 51:41

2M ago51:41

51:41

Have you ever wanted to know about what library school is like? Join us as we talk to our education manager, Emily Bullough, to find out. 00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Read This: Dark Academia 05:04 - Emily Bullough 05:24 - What schooling does a librarian need? 06:47 - Undergrad Degrees 09:49 - Applying to Library School 12:51 - What do you learn in librar…

1
Episode 64: Queer Haven Books, Columbia, South Carolina 31:15

3M ago31:15

31:15

Queer Haven Books is a new shop whose mission is to provide a place of safety and refuge for the queer community in the South. Owner Baker Rogers joins me to discuss what inspired the shop and what's ahead for its future. Books We Talk About: The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar, Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg, Delilah Green Doesn…

1
What is the Utah Library Association? 38:38

4M ago38:38

38:38

Join us as we talk with Patrick Hoecherl, the current president of the Utah Library Association (ULA), about what ULA does and the upcoming ULA conference. 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - What is the Utah Library Association? 04:33 - Who are the members of ULA? 05:55 - ULA Presidency 09:01 - ULA Organization Structure 13:29 - Book Bans 21:33 - MPLA Conferenc…

1
Episode 63: Canute Books, Portland, Tennessee 31:57

4M ago31:57

31:57

This week, we visit with Jessie Canute, owner of Canute Books in Portland, Tennessee, and her daughter, Sessily. Their brand-new shop is located inside of Bloomin’ Deals, a 4,000 square foot thrift boutique home to more than 40 vendors. They tell us how they want from being "book dragons" to bookshop owners!…

1
Episode 62: Author Jonathan Corcoran 37:15

4M ago37:15

37:15

This week, we're joined by author Jonathan Corcoran to discuss his new memoir, No Son of Mine, and his lifelong love of bookstores! In addition to No Son of Mine, Corcoran is the author of the short story collecction The Rope Swing, which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards and long-listed for The Story Prize. His essays and stories have …

1
Episode 61: Cicada Books & Coffee, Huntington, West Virginia 36:03

4M ago36:03

36:03

This week, we're in Huntington, WV, to visit Cicada Books & Coffee. This family-owned spot was opened in 2018 by mother-daughter duo Dawn Hylbert and Katie Norman, who join me to discuss the store’s history, its place in community, and its unique blend of books, coffee, and art. Books We Talk About: Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin, Devil House by…

1
Seeds at the Library! 20:41

4M ago20:41

20:41

Join us as we talk to librarian Christopher Bray about the County Library's Seed Library program. 00:00 - Intro 00:36 - What is the Seed Library? 02:26 - What Inspired the Seed Library? 04:05 - Do They Come with Instructions? 05:21 - Returning Seeds to the Library 06:25 - Participating Branches 07:05 - Seed-related Programming 08:01 - Favorite Seed…

1
Episode 60: Pages Books & Coffee, Mount Airy, North Carolina 33:23

4M ago33:23

33:23

This week, we're in Mount Airy, NC, known as "the real Mayberry!" The original home of Andy Griffith is now home to Pages Books & Coffee, and owner Cynthia Taylor joins us to discuss the shop. We're also joined by Barb Collins, organizer and promoter of the Writers Roadshow Tour, a new series of events that's bringing authors to rural North Carolin…

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Episode 59: Bookworks, Albuquerque, New Mexico 36:15

5M ago36:15

36:15

This week, we head to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to visit a store that’s been serving its community for 40 years. Co-owner Shannon Guinn-Collins and Store Manager Robert Flippo take us behind the shelves of Bookworks. We discuss the store’s long history, the amazing authors who have passed through its doors, and a recent change to an LLC structure fo…

1
Episode 58: Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, Missouri 35:25

5M ago35:25

35:25

This week, we visit Skylark Bookshop in Columbia, MO, named one of 150 bookstores you need to visit before you die. Owner and novelist Alex George discusses the inspiration and mission of Skylark, as well as the city's prominent Unbound Book Festival, which he founded, happening this spring. Books We Talk About: Splinters by Leslie Jamison, Still L…

1
Episode 57: Hearthside Books & Toys, Juneau, Alaska 39:16

5M ago39:16

39:16

This week, we visit Hearthside Books & Toys in Juneau, Alaska. Owner Olga Lijó Seráns has owned Hearthside since 2022, but the store has been serving the people of Juneau for nearly 50 years. She takes us through its rich history and how things have been going since she took over. Books We Talk About: If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News fro…

1
Meet Some Library Staff 1:06:08

6M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

It's not just librarians who work at a library. Join us as we talk to some customer service specialists and shelvers from the County Library. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:34 - Sierra Cowley 0:02:22 - How Did You Get Started with the Library? 0:03:41 - Surprise! We're Not all Librarians 0:06:09 - Always Changing/Wouldn't Change a Thing 0:07:42 - Positive Co…

1
Episode 56: Writer Stan Zimmerman 49:23

6M ago49:23

49:23

This week, Stan Zimmerman joins the show to discuss his new book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore, all about his career writing for such shows as The Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls, Roseanne, and many more. We chat about those and other projects, plus some of his favorite books and bookshops. The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore is available now!…

1
Episode 55: Elements Books Coffee Beer, Biddeford, Maine 38:35

6M ago38:35

38:35

This week, we head to Biddeford, Maine, where owner Michael Macomber shares the story behind Elements: Books | Coffee | Beer. The combination bookshop, bar and cafe has been serving the people of Biddeford for more than a decade and helped usher in a new wave of downtown revitalization. Books We Talk About: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millar…

1
Episode 54: Sunshine Book Co., Clermont, Florida 40:01

6M ago40:01

40:01

Beth Merrick of Sunshine Book Co. in Clermont, Florida, discusses her journey from Disney employee to bookshop owner, and offers up some excellent ideas for bookshop events that drive customers into the shop. Books We Talk About: A Land Remembered by Patrick D. SmithBy Matt Browning

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Episode 53: The Toadstool Bookshop, Peterborough, New Hampshire 43:21

6M ago43:21

43:21

First opened in 1972 by Willard Williams and family, The Toadstool Bookshop - currently with locations in Peterborough and Keene - has been serving the people of New Hampshire for decades. One of its longtime customers was Emerson Sistare, who began visiting The Toadstool at age 7. Today, he owns it. Emerson discusses the history of The Toadstool a…

1
Episode 52: Peoria Book Rack, Peoria, Illinois 27:11

7M ago27:11

27:11

My guest this week is Stacy Hardin of the Peoria Book Rack in Peoria, Illinois. Stacy tells us how she went from drawing her dream bookshop layouts in a childhood journal to now owning a decades-old shop that she has visited since she was 12 years old. Books We Talk About: The works of Stephen King, John Saul, Rebecca Yarros, and Sarah J. Maas.…

1
Reader’s Choice 31:49

7M ago31:49

31:49

Join us as we talk to Heather Chynoweth about our Reader's Choice program. Get a behind the scenes peek at how books are chosen, and the work that makes the program run. 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - What is Reader's Choice? 02:37 - How are Reader's Choice books chosen? 05:12 - Is it Ever Hard to Find Enough Books? 07:09 - Two Rounds Each Year 08:00 - Do B…

1
Episode 51: The Bookhouse Hotel, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 20:07

7M ago20:07

20:07

The Bookhouse Hotel is a 4-room boutique hotel nestled in the heart of downtown Kennett Square, PA. Housing over 5,000 books, it is a haven for bookworms or anyone else looking for a uniquely cozy place to relax and unwind. Co-owner Stephanie Olenik joins the podcast to tell us how this historic building, which had most recently been a bookstore, i…

1
Published Staff 1:24:32

8M ago1:24:32

1:24:32

Join us as we talk to some of our talented staff about their creative endeavors. AJ Irving books: Dance Like a Leaf The Wishing Flower The Bi Book - coming soon! Alesha Adamson books: The Dark King and the Eternal Dance The Wolf’s Golden Deception Blake Casselman books: Devil’s Triangle Weird Wasatch Heroic: Tales of the Extraordinary Blake Casselm…

1
Episode 50: The Potter's House, Washington, D.C. 37:29

8M ago37:29

37:29

The Potter’s House is a nonprofit café, bookstore, and event space in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Since opening in 1960, it has been a key place for deeper conversation, creative expression, and community transformation. Joining me to share the shop's story are Executive Director Andrea Lewis and bookseller Eliza Cohen. Just a…

1
Episode 49: Brooks Books, Wyandotte, Michigan 32:50

8M ago32:50

32:50

This week, we head back to Michigan once more to chat with Joanna Brookshire, owner of Brooks Books in Wyandotte. Books We Talk About: The works of Johnathan Rands, Ronald Malfi and Kate Morton.By Matt Browning

1
Episode 48: Pete & Freddy's Pages Aplenty, Mentone, Indiana 45:07

8M ago45:07

45:07

This week, we're in Mentone, Indiana, to visit with Maddie Anweiler, the "Pete" in Pete & Freddy's Pages Aplenty. In this open and candid conversation, we discuss Maddie's shift from a partnership to a one-person shop, the importance of bookstores to small towns, and of course who the heck are Pete and Freddy! Books We Talk About: The Guernsey Lite…

1
Episode 47: Gottwals Books, Warner Robins, Georgia 52:43

8M ago52:43

52:43

This week, we welcome Shane Gottwals, owner of Gottwals Books, a shop that began as a used and new bookstore in 2007 and has developed into a chain of stores carrying a wide range of genres for all age groups and interests. Go deeper into the story of Gottwals Books with Chapter By Chapter: The Gottwals Books Story, available on YouTube at https://…

1
Native American Heritage Month 17:30

9M ago17:30

17:30

Learn more about the native tribes and Native Americans in Utah, and what you can do to help support them with our guest Jacob Crane. 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Tribes in the Salt Lake Area 01:34 - Community Advocacy 02:23 - How to Support Native American Community 03:34 - Recommended Organizations 05:12 - Respectful Ways to Engage 06:58 - Sovereign Nat…

1
Episode 46: Black Ribbon Books, Hot Springs, Arkansas 34:38

9M ago34:38

34:38

This week, we visit with Nannette Crane-Post, owner of Black Ribbon Books in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This unique bookshop is located inside the historic Arlington Hotel. Nannette shares the town's and the hotel's rich history and discusses the balancing act of running a bookshop while juggling another full-time job. Books We Talk About: A Thousand S…

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Episode 45: Literary Disco's Julia Pistell 53:22

9M ago53:22

53:22

It's a Very Special Bookstore Explorer as we welcome essayist, radio personality and podcaster Julia Pistell to go bookstore exploring. Julia is cohost of Literary Disco, alongside actor and filmmaker Rider Strong and novelist and critic Tod Golderg. We discuss that show, her other impressive literary credentials, and her favorite bookstore explora…

1
Episode 44: Books Around the Corner, Forks, Washington 47:28

9M ago47:28

47:28

Happy Halloween! Books Around the Corner is the perfect business to spotlight this time of year. It's an online store specializing in spooky reads. Guest Stephanie Rose discusses taking her woman- and disability-owned bookshop from a successful brick and mortar to a successful online store. Books We Talk About: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree,…

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Episode 43: R&B Used Books, Grand Blanc, Michigan 32:22

9M ago32:22

32:22

This week, we head back to Michigan and talk with Beth Dumity, owner, and Marissa McVety, manager, at R&B Used Books in Grand Blanc. We discuss giving back to the community and how they're still learning after 20 years in the business. Books We Talk About: The books of Mariana Zapata, Chloe Liese, John Sandford, John Grisham, Jonathan Kellerman and…

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Episode 42: Plot Twist Books, South Charleston, West Virginia 44:23

10M ago44:23

44:23

If you're a regular listener to the show, you know that host Matt Browning recently opened his own bookshop, Plot Twist Books in South Charleston West Virginia. Podcaster and author Sarah Royal steps into the host seat this week to turn tables on Matt and interview him about what it's like to go from bookstore explorer to bookstore owner. Books We …

1
Banned Books Week 42:21

10M ago42:21

42:21

Join us as we talk to Wanda Huffaker and Katie Wegner about Banned Books Week, book challenges, and what you should know about reconsideration requests. 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Read This! 06:17 - Katie Wegner and Wanda Huffaker 07:16 - Banned Books Week 08:09 - Banned vs. Challenged 09:23 - Why are books challenged? 11:00 - Reconsideration Committee …

1
Episode 41: Author and Podcaster Sarah Royal 41:01

10M ago41:01

41:01

This week, Matt welcomes author and podcaster Sarah Royal to the show to discuss her love of indie bookshops! Sarah is the author of the new book A.K.A. Lucy: The Dynamic and Determined Life of Lucile Ball, which features a foreward from Amy Poehler! She also co-hosts the popular Enough Wicker podcast, which takes a scholarly look at The Golden Gir…

1
Episode 40: New Story Community Books, Marshall, Michigan 31:46

10M ago31:46

31:46

Tom Batterson’s love of books and bookselling started young – decades before opening New Story Community Books in Marshall, Michigan. He tells us his journey – including his 20 years working at a chain bookstore and how that differs from running an indie shop – in this fun episode! Books We Talk About: The Murderbot Diaries: System Collapse by Mart…

1
Episode 39: Author and Bookseller Danny Caine 35:38

11M ago35:38

35:38

It's part two of our deep dive with author and bookseller Danny Caine, part owner of The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas. In this episode, we discuss Danny's viral sensation, "How to Resist Amazon and Why," and his bran new book, "How to Protect Bookstores and Why," available now!By Matt Browning

1
Summer Interns 23:15

11M ago23:15

23:15

Come hear about the experience of some of our Summer Interns: the highs, the lows and everything in between. 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Meet Our Teen Interns 02:00 - How Did You Find Out About the Intern Program? 04:22 - Why Did You Want to Work at the Library? 05:44 - Are You Interested in the Library as a Career Now? 07:17 - Was Your Internship What Y…

1
Episode 38: The Raven Book Store, Lawrence, Kansas 31:22

11M ago31:22

31:22

On this episode, Matt is joined by bookseller and author Danny Caine. Danny is part owner of The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas, and author of the viral sensation "How to Resist Amazon and Why," as well as the new book, "How to Protect Bookstores and Why." In the first of a two-part episode, Danny discusses the history of The Raven. Next week…

1
Episode 37: Beach Books, Seaside, Oregon 28:43

11M ago28:43

28:43

We're back in Oregon to visit Beach Books! Owner Karen Emmerling and manager Alexa Butler share the story of this wonderful shop from Seaside, Oregon, from their active social media presence to their inventory of what they call "potato chip reads" -- and that one odd customer who collects...cat whiskers? Note: A few audio glitches in this one! Book…

1
The Dog Days of Summer 18:09

12M ago18:09

18:09

Join us as we talk to Susan Hamada from Utah Pet Partners about reading to dogs, and our Read to a Dog Program. 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Read This 5:48 - Susan Hamada - Utah Pet Partners 6:59 - Read With Me 7:43 - Pet Therapy Training 8:41 - How Does Reading to a Dog Help? 9:38 - What About Different Animals? 11:37 - Memories of Program Highlights 14:26…

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Episode 36: The Bookworm, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 25:37

12M ago25:37

25:37

This week, we visit Cortney Hornyak, owner of The Bookworm, a used bookshop in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In addition to a vast inventory of over 20,000 books, Cortney's shop offers beautiful handmade literary lamps and other awesome items. (Check out our Insta to see the one Matt brought home.) We talk about what it was like to open a shop with…

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Episode 35: Basecamp Books and Adventure, Colorado Springs, Colorado 29:01

1y ago29:01

29:01

Matt talks with Joseph Shearer, owner of Basecamp Books and Adventure, in Colorado Springs, CO, a shop offering one of the largest inventories of used books in the Pikes Peak Region: a blend of new titles, rare, and collectible books with the goal of bringing bibliophiles and outdoor enthusiasts together to explore more through Books and Adventure.…

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Episode 34: Filmmaker Mason Engel 45:24

1y ago45:24

45:24

This week, I’ve got another special guest – filmmaker Mason Engle. Mason is someone I’ve wanted to talk to for a while, because his work is similar to my own, in that he too explores the world of indie bookstores – but in film. He is the author of the novel “2084” and “How to Improve Your Writing," and director of the fantastic documentary “The Boo…

1
Zines 53:16

1y ago53:16

53:16

Join us to learn all about Zines. What are they? Where can you find them? Do you want to make your own? Find out all about it here! 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - Read This 4:54 - What is a zine? 8:09 - What is some of the history of zines? 12:20 - Examples of zines 13:36 - What is the zine community like in Utah? 17:05 - What type of person makes zines? 19:2…

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Episode 33: Richard Mirabella 29:43

1y ago29:43

29:43

This week is the first of a new feature on the podcast: conversations with authors about what indie bookstores mean to them and their careers. I'm joined by Richard Mirabella, whose debut novel "Brother and Sister Enter the Forest" was released earlier this year to critical acclaim. His short stories have appeared in Story Magazine, American Short …

1
Episode 32: Bookshop.org 37:35

1y ago37:35

37:35

This week's guest is Andy Hunter, founder and CEO of Bookshop.org, an online bookstore with an explicit mission to help promote and financially support the brick-and-mortar independent bookselling community. It is a platform that provides independent bookstores with an easy way to promote their stock and book lovers an alternative to purchase the b…

1
Pride Month 44:41

1y ago44:41

44:41

Join us as we talk with our special guest, Kat Zimmerman, about Pride Month and all things pride related. 00:00 – Intro 00:25 – Read This with Cynthia Hinckley and Tami Austin Cynthia’s Reccomendations: For Young Kids: My Own Way: Celebrating Gender Freedom for Kids by Joana Estrela True You: A Gender Journey by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner Ho’onan…

1
Episode 31: Bridgeside Books, Waterbury, VT 30:35

1y ago30:35

30:35

Welcome to season 2 of Bookstore Explorer! In this episode, Matt heads to New England to visit with Katya D'Angelo, owner of Bridgeside Books in Waterbury, Vermont. Books We Talk About: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and The Treehouse on Dig River Road by Catherine Drake.…

1
Marketing at the Library 43:01

1y ago43:01

43:01

This month we’re talking to Jeff Buydos of our library marketing department about what they do and why they do it. We also had some bonus questions for Jeff, an avid mountain biker, about National Bike Month! 0:00-0:22: Intro 0:22-0:45: Intro to Jeff Buydos 0:45-4:52: The job of a library marketing team 4:52-7:00: How is the marketing team made up?…

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