The Jiffy Newsletter Podcast
Explore the unique stories of upstate New York with The Jiffy, the official podcast and newsletter of the James Instagram Feed! In every episode, James Cave explores New York by asking things like: What makes a Hudson Valley home a “Hudson Valley home"? Is the Kinderhook Blob real? What is Mud Season? and more.
The Jiffy Newsletter Podcast
The Jiffy Rediscovers Reading With Tom Grattan & Maureen Rodgers
This week brought the first official day of spring – but as a confusing and misplaced winter storm batters my windows, I’m bringing you one last cozy episode before we fold up the Cozy Map for good.
In this episode, I visit one of my favorite places on earth: Rodgers Book Barn in Hillsdale, NY. I chat with legendary owner Maureen Rodgers, who’s been stocking her shelves with used books since the 1960s, about how she finds books, what makes a book cozy, and how the book barn industry has changed over the decades.
Then, I drive to Kinderhook to visit my friend Tom Grattan, esteemed novelist and experienced reader. I snoop around his book shelves a bit, and Tom gives us three of his top reading recommendations for 2025 so far – with one bonus pick saved just for The Jiffy newsletter subscribers at the J'Fay Supreme level.
Guests:
- Maureen Rodgers – Owner of Rodgers Book Barn
- Tom Grattan – Author of "The Recent East" and "In Tongues"
Books Recommended by Tom:
- "Mothers and Sons," by Adam Haslett
- "Ghost Roots," by Pemi Aguda
- "Lives of the Saints," by Nancy Lemann
- Mysterious Book by Important Author
Extras:
- Get Maureen’s Cozy Reading Tips + Tom’s Bonus Book Pick – only at the J'Fay Supreme level.
- Upgrade for $5/month or $50/year: https://thejiffy.beehiiv.com/upgrade
Follow Tom on Instagram: @tomgrattan
Follow the Book Barn on Instagram: @rodgersbookbarn
Follow me: @jamescave
More Jiffy: thejiffy.xyz
