Podcast Summary: Fated Mates - S07:12 Romance Novels Featuring Bookstores and Booksellers
Host/Authors: Sarah MacLean & Jennifer Prokop
Release Date: November 24, 2024
Title: Romance Novels Featuring Bookstores and Booksellers
1. Embracing the Holiday Shopping Season
Sarah and Jen kick off the episode by acknowledging the bustling holiday season in the United States, highlighting the convergence of various shopping events such as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday.
- Sarah MacLean [00:56]: "Just to make yourself feel something."
They humorously critique the consumer frenzy, reflecting on the societal pressures to spend during this period.
2. Black Friday: The Shopping Frenzy
The hosts delve into the phenomenon of Black Friday, discussing the chaotic rush to snag the best deals. They share personal anecdotes about visiting malls and the surreal atmosphere that often accompanies this shopping event.
- Jennifer Prokop [01:56]: "I remember once being in a Macy's and a woman, like, a clerk looking at me and saying, like, what time is it? It almost felt like the same way you feel when you're in a Vegas casino." [01:56]
Sarah reminisces about taking her daughter to the mall, highlighting the generational differences in experiencing shopping malls.
- Sarah MacLean [04:52]: "She had never been in a mall. And like, there is really, like, nothing to do but, like, shop." [04:52]
3. The Vital Role of Independent Bookstores
Transitioning from the frenzy of Black Friday, Sarah and Jen emphasize the significance of independent bookstores, especially during Small Business Saturday. They discuss how these bookstores serve as community hubs, fostering local connections and supporting cultural resilience.
- Jennifer Prokop [09:02]: "Small Business Saturday is when you find the local independent store, independently owned, you know, small stores in your community and you support them and bookstores locally." [09:02]
Sarah shares her experience of playing bookseller for a local bookstore, underscoring the personal fulfillment that comes from supporting indie stores.
- Sarah MacLean [12:03]: "Each author's dream. I often think to myself, like, if only I could convince some authors to come and work for an afternoon just to recommend romance novels to people." [12:03]
4. Supporting Local Communities Through Bookstores
The conversation shifts to how supporting independent bookstores translates to sustaining community centers. They highlight the broader impact of these stores, from sponsoring local events to acting as safe spaces against societal issues like book bans.
- Jennifer Prokop [14:42]: "These are community centers. Right. So supporting these stores means you're supporting these places that sponsor your little league teams and like people can hang out in." [14:42]
Sarah introduces their initiative to prioritize linking to indie bookstores on their website, encouraging listeners to make conscious purchasing decisions.
- Sarah MacLean [16:41]: "Our hope is that you will choose to do that if you have the privilege, if you are privileged enough to be able to do that." [16:41]
5. Shifting to Independent Platforms
In response to the importance of indie bookstores, Sarah discusses their strategic shift to prioritize bookshop.org links over major retailers like Amazon, whenever possible. This move aims to bolster independent bookstores while acknowledging the necessity of larger platforms for accessibility and wider distribution.
- Sarah MacLean [16:41]: "If a book is available in print from a traditional publisher now, the links will go to bookshop.org so that if you have the capacity and you know, you are able to purchase from a local independent bookstore, you can." [16:41]
Jen adds that supporting local libraries is equally crucial, recommending tools like library plugins to streamline the borrowing process.
- Jennifer Prokop [10:20]: "The best way to support your local library is to borrow books, ebooks, any kind of materials." [10:20]
6. Book Recommendations Featuring Bookstores
The core segment of the episode revolves around recommending romance novels that feature bookstores and booksellers. Both hosts provide detailed overviews of selected books, blending brief plot summaries with personal insights and thematic connections to the broader discussion on community and love.
a. "The Vampire in the Bookstore" by L.M. Drew
Jen reviews this novella, highlighting its charming premise where a vampire enamors a woman in a bookstore setting.
- Jennifer Prokop [30:09]: "And the owner of the bookshop, who, you know, he has an account and all that stuff. He asks her out for dinner, and they go out to dinner." [30:09]
Sarah praises the book's ability to blend romance with the cozy ambiance of a bookstore.
- Sarah MacLean [31:14]: "This week's episode of Fated Mates is sponsored by 1001 Dark Knights, publishers of Dorinda Jones's Graveyard Dog, a Charlie Davidson novella." [Note: This appears to be an advertisement and should be skipped as per instructions.]
b. "Once Upon a Charming Bookshop" by Heatherly Bell
Jen discusses this Harlequin special edition that blends small-town romance with the struggles of running a family bookshop.
- Jennifer Prokop [40:25]: "Once Upon a Charming Bookshop by Heatherly Bell is just really, really like really, like really do the work..." [40:25]
Sarah connects the narrative to the real-world challenges faced by indie bookstores, emphasizing the emotional investment inherent in such settings.
- Sarah MacLean [43:42]: "These are all like small town books in a lot of ways. And that's really interesting to me because we all know like independent bookstores take a lot of capital." [43:42]
c. "Rock Chick" by Kristen Ashley
Sarah introduces an older school romance featuring a bookseller protagonist, delving into themes of adventure and personal growth.
- Sarah MacLean [63:07]: "This is a delight. Charlotte. Old. Old Charlotte Stein really is in many ways unmatched." [63:07]
d. "Better Than Fiction" by Alexa Martin
Jen recommends this YA romance that offers a unique twist by featuring a protagonist who inherits a bookstore despite not being a reader herself.
- Jennifer Prokop [73:00]: "Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello is a richly layered book that delves into the struggles of maintaining a family bookstore." [73:00]
7. Engaging with the Fated Mates Community
Towards the end of the episode, Sarah and Jen encourage listeners to join their online communities via Discord and Bookbub for ongoing discussions and exclusive content. They also promote their Best of the Year box, available through Pocketbooks, as a curated collection of their favorite romance novels.
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Sarah MacLean [85:04]: "You can head over and do that while you're there. You could also follow Sarah McLean, like just for fun, for good." [85:04]
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Jennifer Prokop [88:10]: "And you can find other people's recommendations." [88:10]
8. Conclusion
Sarah and Jen wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of supporting independent bookstores and embracing the community-centric spirit of Small Business Saturday. They emphasize the role of romance novels in fostering connections and celebrating love in various forms, both personal and communal.
Notable Quotes:
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Sarah MacLean [01:21]: "Black Friday is when you, like, go to Target and buy a TV." [01:21]
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Jennifer Prokop [14:42]: "These are community centers. Right. So supporting these stores means you're supporting these places that sponsor your little league teams and like people can hang out in." [14:42]
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Sarah MacLean [16:41]: "Our hope is that you will choose to do that if you have the privilege, if you are privileged enough to be able to do that." [16:41]
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Jennifer Prokop [22:57]: "Once you support indie bookstores, you're supporting places that sponsor your little league teams and people can hang out in." [22:57]
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Sarah MacLean [12:03]: "Each author's dream. If only I could convince some authors to come and work for an afternoon just to recommend romance novels to people." [12:03]
Resources Mentioned:
- Bookshop.org: Promoted as a platform to support independent bookstores.
- Library Plugins: Recommended tools for maximizing library usage.
- Best of the Year Box: Available at fatedmates.net/bestof.
Join the Community:
- Discord: Accessible via Patreon at fatedmates.net/patreon.
- Bookbub: Follow Fated Mates on Bookbub for exclusive deals.
- Social Media: Available on Instagram Threads and Blue Sky as Fated Mate or Fated Mates Pod.
Final Note:
Sarah and Jen emphasize the collective responsibility to support independent businesses, especially bookstores, as they play a crucial role in nurturing community bonds and preserving cultural spaces. Through their thoughtful discussions and book recommendations, they inspire listeners to engage more deeply with the literary communities around them.