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Chapter One: He Doesn’t Even Read — The Thrifted Shelf™ Podcast Launch
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Time to read 4 min
Hey, Book Babe! If you’d rather listen than scroll, here’s me reading today’s post from Thrifted Shelf. Grab a drink and enjoy.
Heads up, bestie: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you snag a book or e-reader through them, I earn a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you!). Thanks for helping me keep the coffee hot and the books flowing.
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You know what's better than starting a podcast about books?
Starting a podcast about books… with a guest co-host who doesn’t even read.
Yep. Welcome to the very first episode of the Thrifted Shelf™ Podcast, where I (Soleil — resident book witch, candle maker, and professional fictional boyfriend collector) rope my husband, Anthony, into guest co-hosting duties. The plot twist? He’s proudly not a reader.
This is our “getting to know you” episode — part meet-the-bookseller, part marriage banter, and part deep dive into how a bookstore with tons of personality came to life. Spoiler: it involves a magically tech-less used bookstore, some questionable microphone skills, and a debate about whether new book smell or old book smell reigns supreme.
"Controversial opinion... I don't enjoy reading."
Meet the Voice(s) of the Thrifted Shelf Audio Files Podcast
I'm Soleil: I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember. My happy place is historical fiction, contemporary romance, and anything Greek or Roman mythology-inspired. Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles? My all-time favorite. I also love Circe, anything by Kristin Hannah, V.E. Schwab, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and John Marrs. I’m a multi-book reader — Kindle in one hand, audiobook in my ears, and a physical book on my nightstand.
He's Anthony: Dungeon Master, narrative-driven video game connoisseur, fantasy movie fan, and occasional audiobook dabbler. He’s beaten Baldur’s Gate 3 back-to-back and loves The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore (Homeland, Exile, and Sojourn). His take? Why read the book when you can get the movie version? My take? Sir, please.
"This podcast is not about ADHD, but apparently, we're steering in that direction."
Image by Sarandon Smith Photography
We kicked things off in true rookie-podcaster fashion by recording an amazing first ten minutes… with the mic on mute. Honestly, it was gold. You’ll never hear it. But hey, mistakes like that are part of the growing pains. We came back swinging for take two, this time with the mic actually on.
For the record, I’ve been using a tiny lapel mic for the previously recorded two episodes — the kind that picks up everything. You move half an inch, and it’s all static and shhh noises. My brother-in-law kindly “loaned” me his fancy mic. (Z, if you’re reading this… you’re not getting it back.)
“About how many times per day are you thinking about the Roman Empire?”
The Thrifted Shelf™ Origin Story
The idea for Thrifted Shelf™ sparked during a trip to a tech-less used bookstore. Run over generations, it was everything you dreamed a bookstore to be: cozy, chaotic, and a vacation from reality. The only problem? Only locals could experience this magic. I ached from secondhand FOMO for my friends states away.
I saw an opportunity to bring that secondhand magic into a space that was easier for modern readers to access. Our mission? Thrift your next adventure and give books a second chance on the shelf. We launched as an online used bookstore, added a monthly themed candle drop, and started offering a book-hunting service so readers could request hard-to-find titles.
“There is something very wrong with her!”
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
How I got my “radioactive book” origin story
Anthony’s secondhand reading habit (via my play-by-play recaps)
My favorite genres and the ones I avoid (sorry, horror fans)
The bookstore trip that inspired Thrifted Shelf™
The debate: new book smell vs. old book smell
Why we’re adding gaming, manga, and graphic novels to our shop
The vision for our dream permanent bookstore space
“It's very clear that my mother has a weird reading quirk with her love of torturous horror. What's your reading quirks?”
Why Start With a Non-Reader?
Anthony brings the non-reader perspective in a way that keeps things hilarious and relatable. If I can make him curious about a book, there’s hope for anyone. His role? Ask the questions other non-readers might have, make me explain why I’m obsessed with a story, and keep the banter flowing.
Plus, our dynamic shows that book talk doesn’t have to be intimidating or overly academic. It can be cozy, chaotic, and full of laughs. Whether you read three books a week or haven’t cracked a spine since high school, there’s room for you here.
“George R.R. Martin, we have words for you!”
Why Listen to the Thrifted Shelf Audio Files™ Podcast?
Because it’s not just about books — it’s about stories. Stories we read, stories we live, and stories we share over coffee, candles, or late-night kitchen chats. Some episodes will be solo book rec lists, others will be bantery with Anthony, and eventually, we’ll bring in authors, booksellers, and book club members from our community.
If you’re a reader, you’ll find your next favorite story. If you’re not, maybe you’ll discover the book (or format) that finally clicks for you. Either way, you’ll laugh, you’ll get some great recs, and you might just fall in love with the magic of secondhand books.
Listen Now
Books Mentioned in this Podcast Episode
Authors Mentioned in this Podcast
Kristin Hannah (historical fiction)
V.E. Schwab (fantasy within historical fiction)
Taylor Jenkins Reid (contemporary fiction, musical drama, and historical fiction)
John Marrs (thrillers/contemporary fiction)
This post contains affiliate links. Read our full disclosure here.
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