In this special episode of Elena Meets the Author, I step away from my usual author interviews to chat with Diane Garrett, the warm and wonderful owner of Diane’s Books in Greenwich, Connecticut. Diane tells me how she went from growing up in Northern Ontario, Canada, to opening her beloved bookshop in the heart of Greenwich. We talk about how the book industry has changed with Amazon and e-readers, and she shares her philosophy on curating a family-friendly selection that keeps readers of all ages coming back.

We dive into why reading aloud to children is so important, the magic of having knowledgeable “book matchmaker” staff, and her top book recommendations for the summer. Diane also reminisces about unforgettable author events, from J.K. Rowling to Walter Isaacson and shares a charming Harry Potter story. Our conversation is a love letter to the resilience of independent bookstores, the joy of reading, and the community that springs up around them.

Diane’s top summer picks! Buy through these links to directly support the podcast at no extra cost to you.

The Mademoiselle Alliance

It's a Love Story

Jackie

My Sister’s Grave

Presumed Innocent

King Maker

Timestamps:00:00 — Introduction to the podcast01:54 — Interview with Diane Garrett begins02:03 — Diane’s journey to owning a bookshop03:30 — The evolution of bookshops04:12 — Staff specialties and book selection06:36 — The importance of reading aloud08:57 — Challenges and rewards of running a bookshop16:19 — Collaborations with the local community18:12 — Booksellers and libraries: a complex relationship18:52 — Memorable author events: from J.K. Rowling to Walter Isaacson19:10 — The magic of Harry Potter: a personal anecdote22:13 — Top book recommendations: a curated list30:08 — The joy of reading: final thoughts

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