Shelf Help

Laura via IG says she "needs historical somewhat fictional adventure" and in Episode 46 the booksellers delivered some great ideas. Emma discussed Hildand Menewood by Nicola Griffith. Jen, subbing for Allie, recommends Washington Black by Esi Edugyan and 100 Years of Solitude to either read again or for the first time if you have not yet done so. And, Kari wants you to read Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn.Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to insp...

Erin on IG asked for "some more queer books that aren't romance or historical fiction". Episode 45 tackles this question Open Throat by Henry Hoake, Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White, Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby, and Cleanness by Garth Greenwell.Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; CATV Upper Valley media community (NOW LOCATED AT JAM, Junction Arts & Media); three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock...

A few people asked for "just a good summer read" - even if their names were lost in the ether before the booksellers could capture them on IG. This led Episode 44 to begin with a discussion about what makes a book a summer book. Ideas included: it's about a road trip? it's a paperback, it's intense and engrossing and long because you finally have time for those books, or it's light and breezy and entertaining. In short, we reached no conclusion about a definition of a summer read, and the boo...

A question - I LOOOOVED Cloud Cuckoo Land and Great Circle - -need epic multi-POV novels - from Amanda via IG led us into Episode 43. Once again, Allie was unable to join us and sent Jen in her place. Kari started with God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland. Jen mentioned two classics, Dracula and Paradise Lost and a more recent title -- The Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman. Emma mentioned the graphic novel Here, North Woodsand Cloud Atlas.Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book J...

Episode 42 is all about books that are "Informational but easy to digest" based on a question from Britt via Instagram. Due to her busy schedule - starting with owning a store and getting married in early July, Allie was unable to join us and sent Jen in her place. We were thrilled to welcome Jen again and wish Allie the best. Now the books. Jen opened with a recommendation for The Right to Sex. Emma followed with Naked Economics by Dartmouth professor Charles Wheelan. Sex and nak...

A request from Matt S. for "gay/qeeer romance novels" was met in Episode 41 with an extensive list from the booksellers, including when When Kate Met Cassidy, One Last Stop, Red White and Royal Blue (soon to be a movie), In At The Deep End, Ladies Guide to Celestial Mechanics, a Lady for a Duke, and all gay hockey books -- which seems to be an extensive sub category of this genre. Have fun with these.Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire rea...

Episode 40 answered Dianne's need for "some good humor books that are not romantic comedies of Janet Evanovich ''. This led to a brief discussion about whether Janet Evanovich writes humor books. We came to no conclusion. Suggestions included anything by Eleanor Lipman including her latest Ms. Demeanor, anything by Jenny Lawson and Samantha Irby, and French Exit. We hope these leave everyone laughing.Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; ...

Episode 39's question came from Lisa F. and asked us to recommend "good YA book that spotlights an animal, but isn't about animal abuse of heart wrenchingly sad." This was hard because many animal books are well ... sad. and this amazing group still found some titles to recommend. These include Shady Hallow, Pax, Council of Animals, and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; CATV Upper Valley media commun...

Horror Recs! is all Maria Teresa wrote in her request, but our booksellers were incredibly excited to explore this relatively new category they are now using to shelve books in their stores. And wow, did they come up with some fun books for Episode 37, after having a broad discussion about what makes a book a horror novel, and what sort of sub-genres are included (sporers, body horror). Some titles included in this are: Such Sharp Teeth, Mexican Gothic, Devolution, and Carmilla. We hope...

Jenn's question "I would love to go on a European holiday soon, but I just can’t find the time or the money. What are some recommended memoirs or 'travel fiction?'" was the starting point for Episode 37. Kari mentioned the Bruno chief of police series based in France and American Gods by Neil Gaiman. allie suggested Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante, Tender is the Night by F Scott Fitzgerald. Emma talked about the beauty of the Hedonist's Guides to various cities as Greta visual inspiration to ...

Food becomes the main discussion in Episode 36 when Signe asks "Who's the next Barefoot Contessa?" The booksellers agreed on the following - Ina Gratner still reigns and there is nothing wrong with sticking with her cookbooks. And, if you are looking for someone else they all landed on Alison Roman. Specific discussions of I Dream of Dinner (so you don't have to) and Gesine Bullock-Prado's latest My Vermont Table: Recipes for All Six Seasons were important parts of this episode.Shelf Help is ...

Kirsten asks about her latest reading dilemma, "My dilemma: Making time to read fiction as my thirst for knowledge / evidence increases with age." The booksellers first challenged her assumption she should or has to read fiction, then came up with a pretty good list including books by Adrienne Brodeur, Jenny Odell, Ottessa Moshfegh, Lydia millet and Rumaan Alam.Shelf Help is a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life's trickier - and we’d argue extremely important - q...

In Episode 34 Shelf Help booksellers answer a question from Caleb -- "some of my favorite books are ones with allusions to other literary works, like the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. What other books like that series would the co-hosts recommend?" Recommendations included the unexpected - a picture book - A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers, as well as other novels the Wayward children series by Seanan McGuire, Check out 19 by Claire Louise Bennett, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Mr. Pen...

Books that contain protagonists in their 80s who aren't super-depressed about their age.This episode was guided by a question from Shelf Help's friend KJ, an author herself, who was looking for great books for her mom that feature protagonists who are older and not depressed about it. Her question led of course to the Thursday Murder Club mysteries by Richard Osman, and quickly veered away from those as KJ's question specifically said don't recommend those because her mom is not yet in assist...

Some books that provide feminist rethinkings and revisionings of the hero cycle/"hero's journey", or said another way books that explore the heroine's journeyWe were joined by Allie for this episode, and bid a fond goodbye to Still North's Jen, hoping to hear from her again soon. This question from Devon was interpreted widely by the group - Allie, Emma, and Kari (still no Sam). Their picks include: Circe by Madeline Miller, The Shame by Mckenna Goodwin, The Heroine with 1001 Faces by Maria T...

Fun, yet clever books for college kids Jen joined us again from Still North; and, Sam and Allie were still unable to be with us. But Jen, Kari, and Emma discussed great ideas to answer a question from Laura looking for great books for her kid in college. Their picks included, but were not limited to, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Bunny by Mona Awad, Long Way To Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, Hamster Princess by Ursula Vernon, and What Moves The Dead by T. Kingfisher. We all remarked...

Tolstoy and great books about unhappy familiesFor this episode and its question from our friend and superb librarian Lucinda wanting more books about unhappy families, we were joined by Jen from Still North Books & Bar as Allie had a conflict. Jen was succinct, delightful, and forthcoming about her senior thesis with one recommendation - Abolish the Family by Sophie Lewis. Emma had a long list that included Normal Family by Chrysta Bilton, Fun Home by Allison Bechtdel, Priest Daddy by Par...

What is your favorite “snack” book --- a book that is great “because no matter what is going on, you can pick it up and enjoy it even if it’s only a chapter or two.”The bookstore owners fully embraced the concept of a snack book. Well, with the exception of Emma who confessed she does not pick books up and down, unlike her partner Sam who has multiple books going at all times. So Emma used this question as a reason to reference Shirley Jackson again. Specific book recommendations from all the...

Books for High Schoolers Who Seem to Have Become NonreadersThe owners wanted more information for this one, such as what are this young man's interests. That led into a broader conversation about broad categories, rather than specific books that can help get teens reading again. For Sam, these include narrative nonfiction in the sociology, history, and travel sections. Allie recommended dystopian fiction. Kari chose books that have protagonists who are the same age as the reluctant read...

Shelf Help's Inaugural Holiday Gift GuideFor this episode, each bookstore owner chose one fiction, one nonfiction, and one kids book to help listeners find the perfect gift for everyone on their lists. They picked far too many to list them all here. And when you listen, you will hear them discuss why books such as Marple: 12 new mysteries, Olga Dies Dreaming, Inciting Joy: Essays, The Phantomwise Tarot: A 78-Card Deck and Guidebook, The Legend of the Christmas Witch, A Very Mercy Christ...