A Short History of the Book Jam

This blog and podcast series began as a joke, truly it did.
While working together in the Norwich Bookstore, an independent bookstore in our adopted Vermont hometown, the owners challenged us to host a radio show about books. Sadly, the cost proved prohibitive, BUT  the idea of finding a way to distribute independent booksellers’ knowledge of books and to provide a better way of helping people out of their “book jams” lived on.

And thus, in 2010 a blog was born.

So who are we? We’re two book lovers living in Vermont -both named Lisa- here to help readers out of troublesome “book jams.” You know you’re in a “jam” when you ask: “What should I read next?” 

We do themed shows, interviews with authors about the books that have influenced them, read literature from different countries to better understand the world and ALWAYS recommend favorite books. We also curate live events for adults and children that build community, inspire people to read, and are fun. Welcome, happy reading, and now, go grab a book!

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OUR MISSION

We hope to alleviate book jams (also known as readers block)
​We aim to put the right book in the right hands at the right time. 
We submit these blogs, podcasts, and live events with the deepest respect for readers, authors, books, independent booksellers, and public libraries. 

- Lisa Cadow and Lisa Christie

The Book Jam is...

A view from a small town in Vermont onto the wide world of books where we put the right book in the right hands at the right time. We create community through literature and our unique live events:

• Pages in the Pub, a program bringing disparate communities together around books
• BOOK BUZZ, our literacy program for K-12 schools

We provide virtual and physical spaces where people can safely discuss difficult issues.
Using books, our programs help educate people about important events in their lives and in the lives of others.
We build empathy, an essential aspect of healthy communities through discussions about great literature.
We increase literacy. And, we draw attention to the wonderful roles of libraries and independent bookstores throughout the world.

Who We Are...

The Book Jam Lisas are two women passionate about reading and sharing our literary discoveries. While we live in the woods, we can spot a great book, especially with the steady stream of excellent suggestions from the indie booksellers up here in Vermont.​ Both Lisas are avid readers (you can ask our kids who have trouble getting our attention) and promise they personally read any book they recommend.

LISA CADOW

Lisa Cadow is the founder of Vermont Crepe & Waffle,  a food cart and catering company serving authentic French crepes. When not reading, traveling or testing recipes for her food blog Fork on the Road, or working her full-time position as a health coach for Dartmouth Health Connect, she lives in Vermont with her husband, three cats and an energetic border collie, and her three kids when they are home from their respective colleges/jobs.
Whenever possible, she scurries away with a book. Preferred genres include contemporary fiction, historical fiction, memoirs and, of course, cookbooks. Favorite living authors include Geraldine Brooks, Adrianna Trigianna, Ann Patchet, Tana French, Jacqueline Winspear, and Alexandra Fuller.

LISA CHRISTIE

Lisa Christie is the founder/first Executive Director of Everybody Wins! Vermont and a former Executive Director of Everybody Wins! USA, literacy programs that help children love books (www.everybodywins.org). She currently works part-time as a non-profit consultant and tries to be an excellent graduate student. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and a very large Bernese Mountain Dog.  She dreams of  travel and owning a home in Spain or Maine.