The Struggle is Real...

In this episode, I’m still waiting — and waiting — to hear back about my offer to buy the used bookstore. What begins as cautious optimism turns into frustration as the commercial agent goes completely MIA.

I talk about the endless email maze, a little numerology (because sometimes you need signs when logic fails), and my growing decision to reach out directly to the owners after weeks of silence. Along the way, I reflect on Rebel Bookseller: How to Improvise Your Own Indie Store and Beat Back the Chains by Andrew Laties, a book that helped me feel less alone in the struggle.

With Inauguration Day approaching, I find myself thinking about what it means to stand for free speech and sustainability — and how creating a green, community-focused bookstore can be its own quiet form of resistance.

🕊️ Follow along as The Phoenix Used Bookshop continues to unfold — subscribe to A Bookshop of My Own and get updates at phoenixusedbookshop.com.