Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Evan Friss on "THE BOOKSHOP: A History of the American Bookstore"

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Evan Friss, a historian and author of the acclaimed book "THE BOOKSHOP: A History of the American Bookstore". The episode delves into the rich history of American bookstores, exploring their cultural significance, challenges, and enduring legacy.

Meeting Evan Friss

Zibby introduces Evan Friss, highlighting his role as a professor of history at James Madison University and his recent accolade of being one of Time magazine's "100 Must-Read Books of 2024." She mentions their first encounter on a panel at the Tucson Festival of Books and conveys her excitement about discussing his work.

Origins of "THE BOOKSHOP"

Evan shares the motivation behind writing the book, emphasizing his passion for both history and bookstores, inspired by his wife's experience working at Three Lives and Company in New York’s West Village (03:59). He explains how his deep love for books combined with personal experiences in bookshops fueled his desire to chronicle the history of American bookstores.

Inclusion and Representation of Bookstores

Zibby brings up a topic Evan addressed during a panel—the challenge of including numerous beloved bookstores in his book. Evan candidly acknowledges the difficulty, stating, "It's impossible to write a comprehensive history of almost anything, let alone something that has such a rich history as bookselling" (06:50). He notes the numerous messages he received from bookstore owners expressing their disappointment at not being featured but remains unfazed, understanding the constraints of a single volume.

Personal Stories and Backstories

One of the standout features of Evan's book is his focus on the individuals behind the bookstores. Zibby praises this approach, sharing a poignant excerpt she found particularly moving:

"A recently widowed Hungarian Jew named Julia insisted that her son finish school. The boy graduated from high school in 1942 and survived the Holocaust. Julia went to a concentration camp. She never returned. The son came to the US and started his own family. His daughter, Roxanne J. Cody, grew up in a house full of books and with a mother who read to her constantly. In 1990, Cody, leaving behind a partnership in an accounting firm, opened an enchanting bookstore in Madison, Connecticut. She named it after the grandmother she never met, R.J. Julia." (07:53)

Evan explains that such personal narratives are central to understanding the essence of bookstores, transforming them from mere retail spaces into vibrant community hubs.

Sensory and Emotional Experience of Bookstores

Zibby appreciates Evan's depiction of bookstores as sensory-rich environments. She reads an excerpt highlighting the multi-sensory engagement that bookstores offer:

"Booksellers also stimulate our senses. Being surrounded by books matters. Sociologists have found that just growing up in a home full of books, mere proximity confers a lifetime of intellectual benefits. Books offer warmth, comfort, and refuge... entering a bookstore can feel like walking into an old church... places in which to get lost and, by way of the books, to escape reality." (10:11)

Evan concurs, adding that the tactile and olfactory experiences—the smell of books, the feel of their pages—create a unique and irreplaceable ambiance that digital mediums cannot replicate (10:32).

Bookstores vs. Libraries: A Symbiotic Relationship

The discussion shifts to the relationship between bookstores and libraries. Evan reflects on the historical tension, noting that earlier, booksellers feared the rise of libraries as a direct competition. However, he observes a contemporary harmony:

"Libraries and booksellers are no longer enemies and, in fact, often collaborate... they both benefit one another... as the kind of threat to reading and assaults on books make them common defenders and champions of literature." (14:11)

Zibby adds a personal touch, sharing how her memoir intricately links books to pivotal moments and emotions in her life, akin to photo albums capturing memories.

The State of the Bookstore Industry

Evan provides a nuanced overview of the current bookstore landscape. While acknowledging the significant decline in the number of bookstores compared to past decades, he offers an optimistic perspective:

"It’s kind of a miracle that there are as many as there are when everyone walking into your bookstore knows that they can get the same product delivered to their house in a day at the same price and oftentimes cheaper than you’re selling it for... people are choosing deliberately to support these institutions." (21:28)

He emphasizes that bookstores survive and thrive not just on sales but on the value they bring as community centers and cultural beacons.

Evan's Upcoming Project: The History of the List

Transitioning from his current work, Evan reveals his next ambitious project—a history of the list. Inspired by a conversation with a Kenyan novelist about their mutual love for lists, he explains:

"The essential premise of the book is that we as humans created fire, the wheel, and the list. If you want to understand humanity and our psychology, our competitiveness, our various cultures over time, that lists are the lens." (23:04)

Evan describes the project as vast and challenging, aiming to explore how lists have shaped human cognition and society throughout history.

Teaching and Academic Pursuits

Zibby inquires about Evan's current teaching endeavors. He shares that he teaches a variety of courses, including surveys of American history, oral history, and a unique course called History of Today. This latter course aims to contextualize current events within their historical frameworks, helping students understand the deeper roots of modern political and social issues (26:45).

Recent Reads and Personal Reflections

Evan discusses his latest book purchases, mentioning "Twist" by Column McCann and "Stoner"—a melancholic novel about a middle-aged English professor. He connects his appreciation for these books to his own experiences and interests in lists, noting the synergy between his reading and writing.

Emerging Trends in Bookstores

When asked about new and exciting trends in bookstores, Evan highlights the rise of niche and specialty bookstores catering to specific audiences, such as romance or LGBTQ communities. He points out that while niche stores face challenges, especially those targeting smaller demographics, their emergence signifies a creative and passionate drive within the bookselling community.

"I think it's exciting to see different kinds of people entering the book selling space... it's up to people like you to think about and continually reinvent these spaces." (29:38)

The Importance of Supporting Bookstores

Zibby underscores the emotional and psychological benefits of bookstores, sharing how being surrounded by books can serve as an "ultimate anti-anxiety medication." Evan echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the restorative experience that bookstores offer in today’s fast-paced digital age.

Closing Remarks

As the conversation wraps up, Zibby thanks Evan for shedding light on the indispensable role of bookstores. Evan expresses his gratitude for the platform to discuss his work and advocate for the preservation and appreciation of bookstores as vital cultural institutions.

Notable Quotes

• Evan Friss (03:59): "Bookshops became a passion of mine while I was in graduate school... my interest in studying history and her experience in book selling kind of created this [marriage]."

• Zibby Owens (05:53): "I wanted to email Roxanne Cody after I read this... This is called the Grandmother."

• Evan Friss (14:11): "Booksellers assume the same [libraries]... there's an ecosystem in which they both benefit one another."

• Evan Friss (21:28): "People are choosing deliberately to support these institutions... I think of lists as text and literature."

• Evan Friss (23:04): "If you want to understand humanity and our psychology, our competitiveness, our various cultures over time, that lists are the lens."

Conclusion

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a profound exploration of the American bookstore's history and its intrinsic value to communities and individuals alike. Through Evan Friss’s insightful analysis and heartfelt anecdotes, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring charm and significance of bookstores in an increasingly digital world.

Relevant Links

• Evan Friss’s Book: THE BOOKSHOP: A History of the American Bookstore
• Zibby Owens’s Website: zibbymedia.com
• Instagram: @zibbyowens