JAM Podcasts & Audiobooks

A few people asked for “just a good summer read” – even if their names were lost in the ether before the booksellers could capture them on IG. This led Episode 44 to begin with a discussion about what makes a book a summer book. Ideas included: it’s about a road trip? it’s a paperback, it’s intense and engrossing and long because you finally have time for those books, or it’s light and breezy and entertaining. In short, we reached no conclusion about a definition of a summer read, and the booksellers came up with a great list for you for your summer – no matter your definition of a summer book. Their recommendations include VenCoby Cherie Dimqline, The Swifts for kids, Fake Accounts,and Lapvona by an author we mention a lot – Otessa Moshvegh.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

This comment, “I LOOOOVED Cloud Cuckoo Land and Great Circle – need epic multi-POV novels” from Amanda via IG, led us into Episode 43.  Once again, Allie was unable to join us and sent Jen in her place. Kari started with God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland. Jen mentioned two classics, Dracula and Paradise Lost and a more recent title – The Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman. Emma mentioned the graphic novel Here, North Woodsand Cloud Atlas.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

is all about books that are “Informational but easy to digest” based on a question from Britt via Instagram.  Due to her busy schedule  – starting with owning a store and getting married in early July, Allie was unable to join us and sent Jen in her place. We were thrilled to welcome Jen again and wish Allie the best. Now the books. Jen opened with a recommendation for The Right to Sex. Emma followed with Naked Economics by Dartmouth professor Charles Wheelan. Sex and naked? — we must be headed into summer. Kari recommended Cultish andGeorge: A magpie memoir.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

A request from Matt S. for “gay/queer romance novels” was met in Episode 41 with an extensive list from the booksellers, including when When Kate Met Cassidy, One Last Stop, Red White and Royal Blue (soon to be a movie), In At The Deep End, Ladies Guide to Celestial Mechanics, a Lady for a Duke, and all gay hockey books — which seems to be an extensive sub category of this genre.  Have fun with these.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

In this episode we discussed Dianne’s need for “some good humor books that are not romantic comedies of Janet Evanovich.” This led to a brief discussion about whether Janet Evanovich writes humor books. We came to no conclusion. Suggestions included anything by Eleanor Lipman including her latest Ms. Demeanor, anything by Jenny Lawson and Samantha Irby, and French Exit. We hope these leave everyone laughing.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

This episode’s question came from Lisa F. and asked us to recommend “good YA book that spotlights an animal, but isn’t about animal abuse of heart wrenchingly sad.”  This was hard because many animal books are well … sad. and this amazing group still found some titles to recommend. These include Shady Hallow, Pax, Council of Animals, and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

“Horror Recs!” is all Maria Teresa wrote in her request, but our booksellers were incredibly excited to explore this relatively new category they are now using to shelve books in their stores.  And wow, did they come up with some fun books for Episode 37, after having a broad discussion about what makes a book a horror novel, and what sort of sub-genres are included (sporers, body horror). Some titles included in this are: Such Sharp Teeth, Mexican Gothic, Devolution, and Carmilla. We hope you get a thrill from this episode.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

Jenn’s question, “I would love to go on a European holiday soon, but I just can’t find the time or the money. What are some recommended memoirs or ‘travel fiction?'” was the starting point for Episode 37.  Kari mentioned the Bruno Chief of Police series based in France and American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. Allie suggested Lost Daughter, by Elena Ferrante and Tender is the Night, by F Scott Fitzgerald. Emma talked about the beauty of the Hedonist’s Guides to various cities as great visual inspiration to travel and A Line in the World, by Dorthe Nors. Lisa chimed in with anything by Nobel Prize-winner Halldor Laxness for those wishing to visit Iceland.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

Food becomes the main discussion in Episode 36 when Signe asks “Who’s the next Barefoot Contessa?” The booksellers agreed on the following – Ina Gratner still reigns and there is nothing wrong with sticking with her cookbooks. And, if you are looking for someone else they all landed on Alison Roman. Specific discussions of I Dream of Dinner (so you don’t have to) and Gesine Bullock-Prado’s latest My Vermont Table: Recipes for All Six Seasons were important parts of this episode.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.

Kirsten asks, “My dilemma: Making time to read fiction as my thirst for knowledge/evidence increases with age.” The booksellers first challenged her assumption she should or has to read fiction, then came up with a pretty good list including books by Adrienne Brodeur, Jenny Odell, Ottessa Moshfegh, Lydia millet and Rumaan Alam.

Welcome to Shelf Help, a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life’s trickier – and we’d argue extremely important – questions: What should you read next?  Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; JAM – Junction Arts & Media; three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.