715. Books, Wine & Nachos at Joie de Livres, with Claire Trottier

715. Books, Wine & Nachos at Joie de Livres, with Claire Trottier

Author: Sarah Wendell April 24, 2026 Duration: 55:40

Thanks for Geoffroy in the podcast Patreon (merci, Geoffrey!) my guest this week is Claire Trottier, owner of Joie de Livres, a romance and speculative fiction bookshop in Montreal, Canada. Hi Neighbors!


We’re going to talk about:

  • Opening a romance and speculative fiction book store
  • Wealth disparity!
  • Seeing the world premiere of episode 1 of Heated Rivalry at the Image+National queer film festival in Montreal
  • The effect of Heated Rivalry on Joie de Livres


Then we trade book recs and you get the scoop on the big event happening at Joie de Livres this September.


You can find Joie de Livres at their website, and on Instagram @joie.de.libres.mtl!


Claire Trottier is on IG as @docreads and @clairetrottier_.


We also mentioned:



Music: puple-planet.com


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If you’ve ever felt a little defensive about loving romance novels, or just want to dive deeper into the books you can’t put down, Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast is your perfect companion. Host Sarah Wendell approaches the genre with a critic’s sharp mind and a fan’s enthusiastic heart, creating conversations that are as thoughtful as they are joyful. This isn’t just author interviews, though you’ll hear brilliant voices like Ilona Andrews, Sarah J. Maas, and the wonderfully unique Chuck Tingle. The scope of the podcast is deliberately wide, bringing in reviewers, librarians, editors, and publishing professionals to examine every facet of the romance world. You’ll get honest talk about tropes and trends, the business behind the books, and why these stories resonate so powerfully with millions of readers. Regular appearances from Amanda Diehl add another layer of camaraderie and insight. Listening feels like being part of a smart, welcoming book club where no opinion is dismissed and passion is a given. It’s a celebration of a genre that dominates fiction, explored with humor, intelligence, and genuine curiosity. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a curious newcomer, this podcast offers a rich, engaging, and deeply human look at the stories we love.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast
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