In today’s episode, we pivot away from books and shake things up by talking about Ken’s own personal collection of over 250 snowdomes. He and his wife, Joyce, have been picking up the snowdomes as souvenirs for years—on family vacations and while they're traveling for Antiques Roadshow. We’ll discuss their criteria for what makes a good dome (glass vs. plastic, snow vs. glitter) and about new challenges that bedevil the snowdome connoisseur (TSA liquid restrictions). Settle in for a chilly and charming #brattlecast that perfectly encapsulates everything we love so much about the shop and its proprietors.
Brattlecast #237 - Weddings and More
Our shop has seen many love stories over the years—some fiction, others nonfiction. In today’s episode, we reminisce about the handful of presumably still-happy couples who’ve gotten married or engaged at the Brattle. It may be an unconventional venue, but people love books, and we love love. It’s an honor to serve as the setting for such special memories—plus, a small wedding ceremony makes shoppers look up from the sale lot shelves for a moment and breaks up the day for our staff.
If you got married, met someone significant, exchanged a meaningful glance with a stranger that still troubles you, or proposed at the Brattle, please reach out; we’d love to hear your story!
Brattlecast #229 - Special Interests
At the shop we encounter a wide range of book collectors—people with specialized and sometimes eccentric fields of interest, from esoteric wellness trends to pre-revolutionary Cuba. But how do these passions develop in the first place? In this episode, Ken draws on his own developing interest in Kenyan history to describe a self-reinforcing cycle: curiosity is sparked, reading follows, knowledge deepens, material accumulates, a collection takes shape—and, before you know it, you’re an East Africa guy. Join us for a look at how collectors are made, on this inquisitive and acquisitive new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #224 - The Kenyan Library
Today we’re talking about Ken’s recent visit to the McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi, Kenya. The McMillan’s ongoing restoration is the subject of a recent documentary, How to Build a Library, which explores the space’s troubled colonial past and its rebirth as a vibrant, inclusive cultural hub following years of neglect. This inspiring transformation is led by writer Wanjiru Koinange and publisher Angela Wachuka—two Nairobi women with a passion for literature and a mission to empower underserved communities through art, storytelling, and equitable access to information. You can learn more about their organization, Book Bunk, and its projects here.