In this episode, I chat with Two Friends Books owners Monica Diodati and Rachel Stuckey-Slaton about Bentonville, Arkansas, local authors, books they love, and what they learned about bookselling during the pandemic.
After spending too much time lamenting the lack of an independent bookstore in Bentonville, friends Monica Diodati and Rachel Stuckey-Slaton resolved to launch their own. In 2018, their popup bookshop appeared at local coffee shops in the area until they moved into their very own brick and mortar shop at 8th Street Market in Downtown Bentonville.
Monica and Rachel curate a selection of books from authors and publishers they love passing on to their customers. At Two Friends Books, customers can also enjoy a book with a glass of wine, beer, or coffee. The bookshop carries natural and organic wines, Airship coffee, a rotating selection of beers, and locally made baked goods.
Two Friends Books
Nora Goes Off Script, Annabel Monaghan
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting, Sophie Irwin
The Dead Romantics, Ashley Poston
Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer