The easy answer to how a book ends up in our shop is that we have to love it . . . or have it recommended strongly to us . . . or talk to readers who share our taste and are big fans of the book in question. But there's more to it than that, because sometimes a book travels a long and winding way to get to us. That's the way of a good book.

And when it arrives in our store and we read it, we long for a community in which to share our response to the book. As Walter Wangerin wrote, art only becomes fully art when it is experienced in community.

We also talk about our writerly lives and how incomplete it feels to have stories we've written that people haven't read.

Also some thoughts on winter living, wood stoves, and reading in the early dark.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Land of Stories by Chris Colfer This is Happiness by Niall Williams John by Niall Williams Time of the Child by Niall Williams The Witch Elm by Tana French In the Woods by Tana French The Little Friend by Donna Tartt Beate Not the Poore Desk by Walter Wangerin Blessed are the Rest of Us by Micha Boyett The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

Connect with us! Nooks' Substack Maile's Substack Shawn's Substack Nooks Instagram Page Nooks Events Page

Music by Copcar Karaoke

Where do dreams take root? What's the process in deciding to say yes to something new, out-of-the-box, exciting? Today, Maile and I talk about the story behind our purchase of Nooks, a local book shop in Lancaster, PA. We also discuss how the fear of failure can keep us trying meaningful things or setting out on new adventures, and how an important part of making big decisions is often . . . waiting, patience, trust.

Also, Shawn talks about being on the edge of a literal breakdown, and Maile shares how her introverted self has grown into her love of community.

"If you're lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it."

Books mentioned in this episode: A Prayer for Owen Meany The Creative Act Time of the Child Small Things Like These

Connect with us! Nooks' Substack Maile's Substack Shawn's Substack Nooks Instagram Page Nooks Events Page