So, We Bought a Book Shop

By Shawn Smucker

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,... more

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FAQs about So, We Bought a Book Shop:

How many episodes does So, We Bought a Book Shop have?

The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.

So, We Bought a Book Shop episodes:

July 06, 2026 051 What to do When the Dream Becomes Routine?
We give an update on Maile's Kickstarter campaign for her new novel and talk about the apocalyptic summer. Also, Sally Mann's book Art Work is rocking Shawn's world, and he is confronted with the question (as he approaches 50): "What kind of a life do you want to live? Will you keep writing?"

We also talk about how entering year three of owning a bookshop is much like entering the messy middle of writing a novel...what does it really mean to keep putting your butt in the chair?

To preorder Maile's upcoming book and support her Kickstarter campaign which will help cover the first print run, head HERE!

Books Mentioned:

Art Work by Sally Mann Journal of a Novel by John Steinbeck East of Eden by John Steinbeck Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds Whistler by Ann Patchett

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.
...more
40min
June 24, 2026 050 Maile's Releasing a Novel!
We have a huge announcement on today's episode!

To preorder Maile's upcoming book and support her Kickstarter campaign which will help cover the first print run, head HERE!

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.
...more
39min
June 15, 2026 049 Regarding Viral Posts, an Antidote for AI, and the Resistance
Maile and I talk about my recent viral poem, Please Use AI, and the overwhelming response it got. Also, why is AI flourishing?

Maile also explores a topic brought up in her recent Creatives Group: is Steven Pressfield's "Resistance" necessary to the flourishing of creativity?

Books We Read Recently

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic by Philip Stead The Names by Florence Knapp

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.
...more
46min
May 26, 2026 048 How to Fit Creativity Into Your Busy Life
We are invited to appear on a podcast with someone famous...and we had a blast. We also talk about how both of us have found our way back to writing, finally, two years after opening the bookshop. How can we make room for joyful creativity in our busy lives?

Join us over at Kate and Charlie Gibson's podcast, The Book Case!

Books We Read Recently

Where'd You Go, Bernedette? by Maria Semple John of John by Douglas Stuart The Names by Florence Knapp Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 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.
...more
34min
May 12, 2026 047 What We See in So Many of Our Favorite Books
Our kids are hitting all the big life highlights these days. In the meantime, we talk about some of our favorite recent reads and what common thing about them is about them that has us so entertained...as readers AND as writers.

Books We Read Recently

The Names by Florence Knapp John of John by Douglas Stuart Difficult Loves by Italo Calvina Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Heart Be At Peace by Donal Ryan History of the Rain by Niall Williams Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 84, Charing Cross by Helene Hanff

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.
...more
42min
May 06, 2026 046 What is it About Human-Made Beauty? (And Why AI Misses the Mark)
Today we're talking about the inspiring nature of human-created art and beauty. What is the value in it, apart from the end product? And what do we rob ourselves of when we lean on AI in our creative ventures?

Books We Read Recently

Old Soul by Susan Barker

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.
...more
26min
April 28, 2026 045 A Trip Overseas and the Fear that Comes With Success
We went to Italy! Nooks is busier than ever! And thoughts on an economy that isn's solely financial...how can we run a bookshop where finances are obviously important but where relationships don't become transactional?

Books Mentioned:

Beloved by Toni Morrison The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim Difficult Loves by Italo Calvino Art Work by Sally Mann Dear Writer by Maggie Smith The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski (still) House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski Whalefall by Daniel Kraus Angel Down by Daniel Kraus

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.
...more
51min
April 14, 2026 044 What's Missing?
Maile's starting to feel a gap between the good things going on at the shop and how those good things are impacting her. In short, she's not feeling permeated by the good that's happening there. So what's missing? What do we do in our lives when there are good things going on but those good things are taking us away from our family or other things we love?

Books Mentioned:

Beloved by Toni Morrison Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Counterweights by Shannan Miller Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

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.
...more
32min
April 06, 2026 043 On Being Misunderstood as a Bookshop
Well, it happened. For the first time, we were called out online this week for not being sincere in our desire to welcome everyone. It was bound to happen, but it still hurts. We address that and talk about why we carry the books we carry and why we have the events we do. And if you ever question anything about Nooks or feel like we're being insincere or misguided, we would love to have a conversation with you about it.

Shawn also finally finished reading a bestselling book that has wildly varying reviews and gives his take on it. And Maile talks about why she needs light books these days.

Books Mentioned:

Habits of the Sea by Shea Earnshaw Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski Beloved by Toni Morrison

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.
...more
36min
March 30, 2026 042 New Challenges
Today we're talking about how it feels to actually stop and take a breath. For the last two years we've been working through challenges, both imposed and voluntarily taken on. And now we're thinking about our first two years at Nooks and what the next steps might be.

We also talk about the novel idea that maybe, someday, this shop could be financially successful and support us as a family. What does that look like for Nooks?

Books Mentioned:

The Bookshop by Evan Friss Theo of Golden by Tom's Crossing by Mark Danielewski The Keeper by Tana French (NEW!) The Searcher by Tana French The Hunter by Tana French A House to Call Home by Christie Purifoy Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. 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.
...more
36min

FAQs about So, We Bought a Book Shop:

How many episodes does So, We Bought a Book Shop have?

The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.

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