A Little Bookish

Episode 24: Indie Bookstore Weekend! Apr 23, 2024

In anticipation of Indie Bookstore Weekend (April 26-28, 2024), Mere and McCall are sharing 10 reasons to shop with us for Indie Bookstore Weekend! We'd love to see you at either shop if you're nearby in Birmingham, or shop online or through the app!

Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier

The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell

Cultish by Amanda Montell

Podcast listeners get free shipping on $25+ orders with code: tracksuit

SHOPPING SPREE RAFFLE TICKETS

Funny Story by Emily Henry

First Lie Wins by Ashley Alston

Episode 23: Minisode + Free Therapy Apr 17, 2024

It's a break in format this week as A Little Bookish shares its first mini-episode. This week Mere and McCall share their Little Things. This minisode might also serve as a checklist of things you can do today to bring you joy, but we'll let you be the judge of that!

Some links!

Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory by John Seabrook

Hit Makers by Derek Thompson

Cinderella by Remi Wolf

Keep it Up by Good Neighbors

Higher Love by Kygo and Whitney Houston

Every Single Album Podcast

Trolls Soundtrack

Turning Red Soundtrack

Cowboy Carter by Beyonce

Too Faced Lip Injection (Size Queen)

Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier

The Localist Podcast by Carrie Rollwagen

Internet Goodness from Mere

Emily Henry Release Party!

Episode 22: Underdog Stories Apr 09, 2024

Who doesn't love an underdog story?! Mere and McCall are back this week to talk about the books with great comebacks, relisient characters, and, sometimes, that one shining moment!

Find the full-list of books discussed on our shownotes page!

Thanks for listening. Remember to shop with us through the Little Professor app or website!

Episode 21: A Blast from the Past Apr 03, 2024

Abercrombie & Fitch was the forerunner of "free smells" (sorry, Jimmy Johns), and AIM was the original flirty platform of youths before snapchat – join us for more blasts from the past as we talk about nostalgic tent-poles of our growing-up years and chat about nostalgic books.

Buy Kate Kennedy's, "One in a Millennial" and join us for book club!

Full show notes can be found on our website!

p.s. sorry for the delay – technical difficulties this week 😅

Episode 20: March in Review Mar 26, 2024

It's the end of the month and McCall and Mere are talking about their March highlights!

The gals review:

- The most sold book(s) this month

- Favorite shop moment

- The best thing they read

- The best thing they watched

- The best thing they ate

- The best thing they bought

Full show notes here: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/blogs/news/march-in-review

A Tale as Old as Time Mar 19, 2024

This week Mere and McCall are talking about what they're reading over Spring Break, a quick fly-over of what the Bachelor contestants are reading and what books they would list on a reality-tv profile, plus they talk about a few fiction and non-fiction titles to read that have no shortage of royal drama.

Don't miss the events we have in the shop(s) this week!

Please share this episode with a friend or leave a star rating on Spotify or iTunes! Thanks for listening :)

Complete show notes can be found here.

Spring Break Reads: RomComs (kind of...) Mar 12, 2024

Here's some irony, McCall and Mere recorded a RomCom podcast and didn't actually talk about any rom com novels. But, they talked about a plethora of things from what makes a great romcom, to a relationship quiz, the common tropes that best describe their current relationships, and books that are not rom coms but are full of love!

Plus, a heartfelt little things segment topped off with a little Oscars talk. Whew!

Please fill-out our communication survey here!

Take the romance quiz & share your results with us!

For a full list of books discussed on this episode, please see the show notes!

Spring Break Reads: Mystery/Thriller Mar 05, 2024

You're in for a treat this week as Mere and McCall discuss 5 new mystery/thriller novels ranging from cozy mysteries to spooky thrillers! Not only are the ladies talking books but they are also uncovering who would make the best spy, detective, and murderer(!).

Complete with a retraction and 4 little things – we hope this episode is one of your favorite hours of listening this week!

If you love the episode, please share with a friend or right a review on iTunes. Enjoy :)

Here are the shownotes with all books discussed!

February Month In Review! Feb 27, 2024

Mere and McCall are debriefing the month of February across many different categories on this week's episode! From most sold books in the shop, favorite reads, favorite meals, favorite purchases and more it's a good grab-bag from all things Feb 2024!

Mentioned in this week's podcast:

The Women by Kristin Hannah
First Lie Wins by Ashley Alston
How To Know a Person by David Brooks
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Luca Lagotto
French Dip Sliders

Unpopular Book Opinions Feb 22, 2024

This week (after a little delay!) Mere and McCall are discussing unpopular book opinions. Prepare to be offended! We had some great feedback on this question from our Match-making event and figured it was a great opportunity to chime in with our thoughts and share some of yours!

Stay tuned to hear hot-takes when it comes to books, book club etiquette and more!

Finding Your Perfect (Book) Match Feb 13, 2024

The month of love continues with a match-making episode! Mere and McCall match each other to books and then match some LP customers!

We cover a lot of books in this episode and all the books we matched can be found here:

https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/blogs/news/finding-the-perfect-match

Two ways you can support the podcast:

1) Share with a friend

2) Become a Little Professor Member! More info here.

The Newly Wed Game & 5 Romance Reads Feb 06, 2024

This week Mere and McCall put themselves to the test to see how well they know each other with, "The Newly Wed Game." Plus, resident romance queen, McCall, shares five books for February that range from rom coms to heart break stories.

Don't miss another fun episode that is truly just a little bookish. As always, Mere and McCall share their Little Things of the week to end the episode.

If you enjoyed this episode would you send it to a friend and/or write a review?!

Books mentioned in this episode (if a book says "sold-out on the website order on the the app or come order in the shop!):

The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi
Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
You with a View by Jessica Joyce
Talking at Night by Claire Daverly
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Literary Fiction Happy Hour
Escapist Reads Happy Hour

Ins & Outs of 2024 - We are So Back! Jan 30, 2024

We're so back, baby! Mere and McCall are back after winter break and are jumping into one of the social media trends from the new year, "the ins and outs of 2024."

On this episode Mere and McCall share ins and outs related to work, reading, life, and more. It's a great way to kick-off the new year and begin a new year on the pod!

If you enjoy this episode we'd love for you to leave a review and share with a friend!

Mere & McCall's Favorite Books of the Year Dec 19, 2023

It's the last episode of the year, and we're so excited to talk about our favorite books of the year!

Mere's Picks:

How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key

It Was an Ugly Couch Anyways by Elizabeth Passererla

No Two Persons by Erica Baumeister

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

McCall's Picks:

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

All My Knotted up Life by Beth Moore

Talking at Night by Claire Daverley

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Wellness by Nathan Hill

The Cookbook Challenge! Dec 12, 2023

It's time for the first-ever, A Little Bookish Cookbook Challenge! Mere and McCall both chose new cookbooks to cook from and they're ready to talk about the cookbooks they chose along with what they enjoy about cooking and cookbooks.

This episode will inspire you to dust off your cookbooks, or – even better – inspire you to get a new one!

A few things discussed in the episode:

Trader Joe's Vegetable Fried Rice
Caro Chambers Substack
More is More by Molly Baz
Cook This Book by Molly Baz
The Global Pantry Cookbook by Ann Taylor Pittman & Scott Mowbray

Danielle Walker (Against All Grain)

Alex Snodgrass (The Defined Dish), (The Comfortable Kitchen)

Julia Reed’s South

Calling All Cooks

Chrissy Tiegen

In the Kitchen with Antoni

Salt Fat Acid Heat

Magnolia Table

Mega Gift Guide for Hard-to-Shop-for Loved Ones Dec 05, 2023

McCall and Mere are here to help you find the perfect book to gift this holdiay season! Thanks to great listener feedback, they have come up with book recs for the hardest people to shop for in your life!

Holiday Rom Com Book Collection

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

Christmas Wish by Lyndsey Kelk

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown

Winterton Deception by Janet Sumner Johnson

Inhertiance Games by Jennifer Barnes

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Panzer Leader

Judgement at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia by Gary Bass

The Matchmaker: A Spy in Berlin

Fearless by MW Craven

Slow Horses by Mick Herron

Poor Charlie's Almanack by Charles T Mungor

The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler

Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler

Every Moment Holy Vol. II

Therefore, I Have Hope - 12 Truths that comfort, sustain and redeem in tragedy

A Heart that Works by Rob Delaney

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan

Good Night, Irene by Louis Alberto Urrea

The Postcard by Anne Berest

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia

An Impossible Thing to Say by Arya Shahi

Nightbirds by Kate Armstrong

Holiday Check-In & Gift Ideas for Kids Nov 28, 2023

Mere is back! This week McCall catches up with Mere via a list of things on her mind. From track suits to savoring the season ahead, it's a winding and fun conversation. A few references include a very specific and memorable episode from The Bear, Mere's campaign for everyone to get a track suit, and much more.

Mere and McCall did talk generally about some great books and items to gift kids!

Links!

Tori Kelly's Joy to The World
McCall's top cinematic moment of all time
Also, apologies the little guy hitting the high note is this scene
Mere's favorite track suit brand
McCall's Red Track Suit she's eyeing
The Bear Season 2 Episode 6, "Fishes"
Jon Klassen Books. Specifically, The Three Billy Goats Gruff & How Does Santa Get Down the Chimney
Teen Girl Squad
Chris Van Dussen books

Books that Shape Us & Joys that Make Us Nov 21, 2023

This week we're excited to share a heartfelt, and joy-filled episode! Jonathan joins McCall to share some books that shape the way he and Meredith think about creating community hubs. Plus, several team members share their little things that are guaranteed to make you smile and reflect on some small things in your life that are really the big things.

A few books discussed:

Share your favorite episode so far to your instagram stories and tag Little Professor to enter to win a $50 gift card.

From Crypto to Boy Brow: New non-fiction books with Jonathan Nov 14, 2023

Buckle up listeners! McCall and Jonathan have a fun and winding conversation from crypto to Taylor Swift and everything in between. Jonathan, co-owner of Little Professor, and husband to co-host Meredith, hops in to share some thoughts on a few non-fiction bestsellers.

Going Infinite by Michael Lewis
Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Ride and Staggering Fall by Zeke Faux
Glossy by Marisa Meltzer
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
Second Mountain by David Brooks
How to Know a Person by David Brooks

Thank you for listening! We'll be back next Tuesday.

The Shining Buddy Read + A Listener Question Nov 07, 2023

This week Mere and McCall talk about a few exciting store announcements, and spend some time answering a listener question, "how do you decide which books to stock?"

Then, the two of them discuss their experience reading Stephen King's, The Shining. So, spoiler alert? We think you'll love hearing their thoughts on this cult-classic regardless if you've read the book.

Of course, the gals finish by sharing the little/big things of the week!

Helpful links from the episode:

Iron Flame!! (Also, the first in the series, Fourth Wing) LOL and an article
LP Membership Info & Sign Up
Ladybird Taco // Available @ Pepper Place & HWD on Friday & Saturday mornings
McCall's articles ...
The Shining by Stephen King
Fairytale by Stephen King
Mere's Chili Recipe

Not-So-Scary Books & Grand Opening Weekend! Oct 31, 2023

This week Mere and McCall chat about some favorite books in the mystery/thriller genre. Plus, they recap the grand opening weekend and unpack some thoughts on what it feels like to get to launch day.

Books discussed in the episode:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
The Silent Patient by Michaelides
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Rebecca by Daphne du Marier
Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV+
Nate Bargatze SNL Monologue

Thanks for listening :)

The One Where They Open the Bookshop Oct 24, 2023

This week Mere and McCall announce the Grand Opening for the Little Professor Homewood shop and talk about unforseen challenges they've faced over the last week.

Plus, Anna Miller, Jamie Durham, and Kathleen Wylie share their favorite Fall 2023 book releases.

The episode wraps with an update on the Book-Buddy read + "the little things."

Books discussed on this episode:

Inheritance Games (Book 1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Hawthorne Legacy (Book 2), The Final Gambit (Book 3), The Brothers Hawthorne (Book 4)
The Wild Robot (Book 1), Wild Robot Escapes (Book 2), Wild Robot Protects (Book 3)
The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer
Let us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
The Glutton by AK Blakemore
The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl
Margaret Renkl Book Event!
Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl
The Shining by Stephen King

"We Didn't Know About the Woman in the Fridge" Oct 17, 2023

This week McCall & Mere have the Little Professor Pepper Place Store Manager, Tessa, on the pod to talk scary books! The hosts are not big horror readers (shocker), but they are eager to hear why Tessa loves the genre. In the episode Tessa shares three books to choose from for their "buddy read." Plus, all three share the "little things" of the week.

We talked about a lot of books, and they're all linked here:

Stephen King's Tweet about Catriona Ward

The Girl from Rawblood by Catriona Ward

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Salem's Lot by Stephen King

Hell House by Richard Matheson

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Muppets Christmas Carol

The Shinning by Stephen King

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard

Listen to the episode to get 10% off the book Mere and McCall pick for their scary book buddy read!

Opening an Indie Bookstore & Launching a Podcast (SOS or #girlboss...TBD) Oct 09, 2023