Tsh chats with Shawn Smucker, novelist and co-owner (with his wife) of the indie bookstore Nooks. They talk about his first foray into running a bookshop, what it’s like to connect with local regulars, how to decide which books to stock, how to juggle bookshop-keeping with writing (or not), and other sundry regarding the delights and challenges of keeping the lights on in the neighborhood book nook.

* Shawn & Maile Smucker’s bookshop: Nooks

* Shawn’s newsletter: The Courage to Live It

* Shawn’s books

* Tsh’s newsletter: The Commonplace

* Tsh’s books, trips, & Rule of Life

* Ned Bustard

* I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger

* The Secret History, by Donna Tartt

* The Witch Elm, by Tana French

* Slow Productivity, by Cal Newport

* The Bee Sting, by Paul Murray

* This is Happiness, by Niall Williams

* The Overstory, by Richard Powers

* I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down, by William Gay

* Recommended reads

* Become a supporting subscriber

* Buy a round of drinks

* Join the next pilgrimage on the Rhine River

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe