Book Talk, Etc. – Episode Summary

Podcast: Book Talk, Etc.
Hosts: Tina (@tbretc), Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Episode: How Bookstores Build Community with Terresa from Black Garnet Books
Date: March 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the vital role local bookstores play in building community, with a particular focus on Black Garnet Books in St. Paul, Minnesota. Hosts Tina and Hannah chat with Dr. Terresa Hardaway, owner of Black Garnet Books, about her journey, what it means to run an abolitionist retail space, and practical ways readers can support independent bookstores. The show is enriched by thoughtful book recommendations and lively discussion of the literary world, with lots of warmth and authenticity from all voices.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Current Obsessions

• Tina and Hannah dive into March Madness, using it as a lighthearted segue into book talk.

• Tina shares her passion for new releases and her process for compiling "New Release Tuesday" lists.

  • Tools for tracking new releases include Indie Next, NetGalley, Edelweiss, Book Riot’s New Release Index (behind paywall), and the Libby library app.
  • Tip: In Libby, use the “Coming Soon” filter to see and save upcoming releases by genre.
  • Notable quote:

    “If you have other ways or resources you use, let us know!” – Tina (07:06)

• Hannah celebrates the announcement of the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist, highlighting its history and her renewed interest in tracking the prize.

  • Past and current winners, retrospective look at the prize’s impact.
  • Recommends watching Savage Reads’ YouTube unboxing video of the Women’s Prize list.
  • Notable quote:

    “It’s like a holiday for me watching that video every single year.” – Hannah (12:34)

2. Latest Book Reads

• Tina:

  • Cleopatra by Sarah El Arifi
    • Historical fiction, narrated from Cleopatra’s perspective.
    • Blends history and mythology, focusing on Cleopatra’s legacy from her own viewpoint.
    • Highly entertaining, illuminating, and accessible even for those not typically into mythology.
    • Quote:

      “It’s really an idol reflecting back on their legacy…and how the victors are the ones that get to tell the story.” – Tina (16:54)

• Hannah:

  • The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen
    • Deep-dive nonfiction about the history and cultural significance of journaling and analog note-taking.
    • Spans centuries, showing how notebooks shaped science, art, and literature.
    • Not necessarily a breezy guide—recommended for lovers of deep, academic nonfiction.
    • Fun connection: Many great stories—including that of Cleopatra—come to us via ancient texts.
    • Quote:

      “If you are looking for a light how-to guide on journaling, you could maybe stick to YouTube…that’s not what you are going to get here.” – Hannah (23:58)

Interview: Dr. Terresa Hardaway, Black Garnet Books (St. Paul, MN)

[26:49] – [51:12]

Introduction and Background

• Terresa acquired Black Garnet Books in 2024; the shop was originally founded by Dion Sims in 2020 (opened physically in 2022).
• Also runs Blackbird Revolt (an abolitionist design studio) and its nonprofit arm, Hatch and Flock.
• Associate professor of graphic design at the University of Minnesota.

Bookstore Mission & Philosophy

• Black Garnet is intentionally an abolitionist bookstore:

  • Focuses on books by Black and Brown authors in-store; broader selection online.
  • Seeks to disrupt traditional publishing inequities and amplify underrepresented voices.
  • “Abolition” here means not just dismantling old systems, but reimagining and creating new ones and centering community needs.

  “Abolition…is not just about destroying the system, but really about reimagining and creating a new.” – Terresa (29:02)

• Bookstore operates as a community hub—hosting events, fostering conversation, and providing a safe and creative space.

Programming and Community Connection

• Runs Garnet Club with three rotating book clubs (Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Abolition).

• Events create ongoing opportunities for community connection without the constraints of formal education.

  “These are just ways for you to continue to exercise that brain and connect with community…I think in really fun ways.” – Terresa (30:24)

• Activism and community support are central—e.g., providing protest materials and mutual aid through the store.

  “Being a place where people can look to…although the world is burning, we can look to these small spaces to find some relief.” – Terresa (37:08)

On Reading and Book Life

• Terresa is an avid (if time-stretched) reader, balancing academic and pleasure reading. Recent reads include Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan.
• Transitioning into reading for pleasure, especially romance, and enjoying the experience of discussing books with her bookstore team.

Practicalities of Running a Bookstore

• Day-to-day: Clerical work, email overload, planning, managing a small team.

• There’s much more behind the scenes than just chatting about books.

  “There is way more going out with, in terms of how we support community, than we necessarily get as far as tangible, fiscal support.” – Terresa (47:13)

• Most popular genres: Nonfiction (especially on social justice, abolition) and, surprisingly, cookbooks.

  “Cookbooks…surprised me when I acquired the store; people really want a cookbook.” – Terresa (41:25)

Book Recommendations and Popular Titles

• Kennedy Ryan’s books (romance)
• Works by Toni Morrison and Octavia Butler
• Serviceberry (specific title not mentioned, but noted as a recurring seller)
• Autobiographies of James Baldwin, Angela Davis

Supporting Independent Bookstores

• Multiple ways to help: attend events, buy books (individually and in bulk, for schools or organizations), choose stores via Libro.fm or Bookshop.org, or order directly from the bookstore’s website.

• Shipping and fulfillment are major behind-the-scenes efforts—patience appreciated, especially during busy times like Black History Month.

  “We are for-profit businesses, but we essentially act as nonprofits.” – Terresa (47:13) “…all of our capacities is on the three booksellers that we have in our store. Like, you know, chill.” – Terresa (49:28)

• Bookstore’s contact: blackgarnetbooks.com and @blackgarnetbooks on social media.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s not just a bookstore, but it’s a community space…to uplift stories and narratives that aren’t necessarily being talked about or told in the mainstream.” – Terresa (30:12)
• “We have a store dog. You can’t do that on Amazon!” – Terresa (37:46)
• “It was like the Black Friday of bookstores.” – Terresa, on Independent Bookstore Day (45:23)
• “Packed personally, with love and vibes and literally that.” – Terresa (50:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:00] – Tina’s methods for tracking new book releases
• [09:30] – Women’s Prize for Fiction overview and prize history
• [14:00] – Cleopatra by Sarah El Arifi: Review & thoughts
• [18:42] – The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen: Review & thoughts
• [26:49] – Interview with Dr. Terresa Hardaway begins
• [29:02] – What it means to be an abolitionist bookstore
• [30:49] – Book clubs and community programming
• [37:08] – Bookstore as a safe space in activism and community
• [41:16] – Most popular genres and surprising cookbook sales
• [47:00] – Practical ways to support indie bookstores

Shelf Additions (New, Notable, or Under-the-Radar Book Picks)

• Tina: I Know the Ants by Lang Liev
  (A literary mystery involving childhood trauma, a memoir, and a love triangle set in New Zealand. Out July 21)
• Hannah: The Quarter Queen by Kayla Hardy
  (A mother-daughter story woven into 1843 New Orleans, voodoo queen history, and magical intrigue. Out March 31)

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a spirited celebration of independent bookstores and their unique, irreplaceable role in both the literary and local community. Through the voice and wisdom of Dr. Terresa Hardaway, listeners are reminded that indie bookstores are community pillars fostering both activism and creative engagement. The practical outlook on supporting indie book culture and the camaraderie between hosts and guest make for an inspiring listening experience.