Book Talk, Etc. - Bookstore Browse: Inside This Is a Bookstore & BookBug with Joanna
Episode Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Guest: Joanna (Caretaker of This Is a Bookstore & Bookbug, Kalamazoo MI)
Episode Overview
In this special "Bookstore Browse" episode, Tina and Hannah welcome Joanna, caretaker (not owner!) of This Is a Bookstore and BookBug in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Together, they explore the world of independent bookselling, the history and ethos behind the bookstore, book curation philosophies, and current trends, also weaving in book recommendations and lively stories from behind the counter. The episode brims with bookish conversation, practical bookseller insights, local flavor, and genuine love for community reading spaces.
Meet the Guest & Bookstore Philosophy
[01:18–06:03]
Joanna: Caretaker of Community
- Joanna describes herself as "caretaker," not owner, explaining:
"It really, truly belongs to the people who frequent it and to the city itself." – Joanna [02:07]
- She views her role as shepherding the store, responding to community’s needs, and treating the store as a shared space.
- The bookstore’s origin is closely tied to the groundbreaking Kalamazoo Promise, which offers free higher education to local public school children—a commitment that inspired Joanna to create a space for young readers and, eventually, readers of all ages.
Notable Quote:
"Part of our store’s mission... is to honor that experience of being seen and getting to have your story told... If we are truly curious readers and thinkers and lovers of story, why do we keep wanting to hear the same one?" – Joanna [44:14]
Loving Lately: Offbeat Picks
[09:00–17:43]
- Tina: Raves about the Dollar Tree skincare aisle, specifically the Hemp Dreams oil mist and Be Pure’s eye serum, praising affordable self-care.
- Joanna: Recommends Netflix’s “The Man on the Inside” (with Ted Danson), describing it as quirky, warm, and "not stressful TV," perfect for cold winter nights.
"It's playful, it's funny, it's weird, it's cinematically interesting, it's warm... it's not stressful for me, which I think for tv that's what I'm willing to take in." – Joanna [13:06]
- Hannah: Brings a different TV flavor with Prime Video’s documentary "Spy High," about a real-life webcam surveillance scandal in schools—sparking deep conversation around privacy, digital ethics, and true crime storytelling.
"It definitely raises a lot of real questions about why certain parents pushed forward and why certain parents were almost forced to not push forward with the investigation..." – Hannah [15:52]
Latest Reads: Book Recommendations
[18:42–33:50]
Tina: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
[18:42]
- A moving, character-driven story set largely in a bookstore, following three intersecting lives post-incarceration, highlighting found family and book clubs.
- Notes its hopeful tone, compassionate portrayal of re-entry, and the organic power of divisive books to spark great conversation.
"I loved Violet. I thought she was a great character... The ending was perfect. Excellent. And I highly recommend this book." – Tina [21:53]
Joanna: Theo of Golden
[23:28]
- Chose it due to customer enthusiasm; describes it as a “gentle” meditation on life’s purpose, told by an octogenarian seeking to connect and give back.
- Cautions plot-seekers it’s more character-focused but finds the hope and kindness moving.
"A life is measured by seeing beauty and by giving yourself to others or offering yourself to others in really gentle and caring ways, which Theo really does." – Joanna [26:30]
Hannah: Coffin Moon by Keith Rawson
[28:57]
- Describes a gritty, atmospheric vampire novel with strong character development, violence balanced by deep relationships, and cinematic appeal.
- Praises its exploration of found family, addiction, and emotional growth.
"There are moments in this book that are weird and tender... a very surprising amount of heart... cinematic, atmospheric, and incredibly visual." – Hannah [32:40]
Bookselling Life: Behind the Counter at BookBug/This Is a Bookstore
[34:12–41:17]
Day-to-Day Realities
- Joanna shares the unpredictable and physical nature of running a 5,000 sq. ft. store: daily restocking, marketing, events, managing staff, and maintaining a pleasant and organized environment.
- Doesn’t romanticize: “Never not a floor to mop, never not a bathroom to check... always books to be unpacked and vigilantly recorded.”
- Finds joy in connecting directly with customers and supporting staff.
Curation & Community: Platforming Unseen Books
[41:17–46:36]
On Curation
- Independence means curating tables and displays around chosen themes (e.g., "self, purpose and peace"), not dictated by publisher dollars.
- Encourages displays that uplift marginalized voices or highlight underrecognized books—mission-driven curation.
Notable Quote:
"Literally, we own the space. Right? It's our space to get to say what we want. And I do take that responsibility seriously, to both reflect the identities within our bookstore..." – Joanna [42:03]
- Emphasizes listening to community feedback, especially from those outside her own experiences.
- Honors both books as “windows” (to new worlds) and “mirrors” (reflecting readers' lives).
Bookseller Insights: Bestsellers, Surprises, & Trends
[46:36–58:55]
Most Popular Handsell
- The Gals of November by John U Bacon—a nonfiction narrative about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, praised for its narrative style and broad appeal, even for those previously uninterested in the subject.
"It’s one of the best narrative nonfiction books I’ve read in the last five years... his pacing, his clarity, his care, his empathy all shine in this book." – Joanna [49:18]
Surprising Seller
- The Correspondent—an epistolary novel that quietly built buzz through word of mouth, particularly among frequent customers and friend circles.
Trends & Local Flavor
- Kids are suddenly obsessed with capybaras and want more books (especially nonfiction) about them!
- Trending: The impact of romance novels adapted for streaming, driving readers to original books for richer inner character perspective.
"Maybe people are needing to read the book so much because they want to get inside their heads a little bit more..." – Joanna [55:07]
- Romance readers at the store often like a blend of fantasy and satisfying romantic resolution, and some contemporary/literary crossover (Sally Rooney, Gabrielle Zevin).
Forthcoming Excitements – 2026 Releases
[58:48–60:56]
- Vigil by George Saunders (coming next week): Anticipated for its brevity and depth, following in the footsteps of Lincoln in the Bardo.
- American Fantasy by Emma Straub.
- Adult Braces by Lindy West: Joanna is especially eager for West’s vulnerable, humorous feminism.
Shelf Additions: New Books on Their Stacks
[60:56–67:12]
Tina: Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Bloom
- Picked up on a trip to Florida; a thriller and romantic suspense about love, loss, and revenge in the literary world.
Joanna: Meet the Newmans
- New or imminent release, recommended by her Macmillan rep: about a mid-century “ideal” family maintaining a perfect appearance for TV and the outside world, with themes of authenticity and family pressure.
Hannah: Cruelty Free by Caroline Glenn
- Set in Hollywood; centers around revenge and female rage after a child’s disappearance.
“I love a revenge story, a story on female rage and those conversations around Hollywood and stardom as well.” – Hannah [66:00]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- On community ownership:
"The bookstore has been warm... it truly belongs to the people who frequent it and to the city itself." – Joanna [03:01]
- On book clubs and ‘bad books’:
“They said that was their best discussion that they had... It's always fun when there's a book that has a lot of divisive opinions.” – Tina [21:30]
- On being recognized in the store:
"My favorite question... is do you work here?" – Joanna [36:51]
- On indie bookseller power:
“That’s why independent bookstores are so important... finding one that provides that front table... that serves your community.” – Tina [46:05]
Further Engagement
- Listeners are encouraged to buy books directly from This Is a Bookstore & BookBug using website links and curated book lists provided by Joanna.
- Patreon extended cut includes personalized bookseller recommendations.
Recap: Why Listen
This episode is a love letter to independent bookstores—full of practical insights, story curation secrets, discussion of local book flavor, and thoughtful reader-to-bookseller connection. Joanna’s perspective grounds the episode in the realities (and the deeper pleasures) of running a community bookstore, while Tina and Hannah keep the book recommendations flowing and the tone friendly, casual, and bookish through and through.