Book It!

BOOK CLUB IS BACK...ish! In this first installment of Backlist Book Club, Michael and Jill chat all about the 2021 novel The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams!

Michael and Jill revisit a favorite genre of writing: the middle-grade novel! What makes a good middle-grade novel? When are you too old for middle-grade novels? Hear them chat all about it, plus hear their middle-grade recs at the end!

What makes a memorable plot twist? In this episode, Michael and Jill chat about the best fictional surprises they've read in books, plus one real-life plot twist Michael would like to forget (spoiler alert: old stucco and rain after nine decades don't mix!)

So you're reading a book, and you're not loving it. Do you keep on reading it or do you DNF it? In this episode, Jill and Michael chat about DNFing (or "did not finish") books. Do they DNF? When do they choose to DNF? And what books have they DNF'd or wished they'd DNF'd? Listen to find out!

The Kindest Lie. The Daughters of Erietown. Revival Season. Red at the Bone. We've read countless books together over the last three seasons, and many of them have this similar thread: complicated family dynamics. In this episode, we chat all about family in fiction, the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Book burnout. It happens. What do you when you call yourself a reader and the joy of reading is on hiatus? Michael and Jill tackle this topic with some tips on what you can do to help!

What do pneumonia, football, and Lurlene McDaniel have in common? Nothing, other than taking up space in our brains. Welcome to our first of many "sidebar" episodes, where we just catch up, talk about life, with a little helping of books, too!

Trust me, you're not ready. In this episode, Michael and Jill (finally!) read romance novels that range from the purely sweet to the totally spicy, and their lives are changed forever. For good or bad, who knows

They've talked adaptations, now they're casting their own! In this episode, Michael and Jill look back on some of the books they've talked about over the years and dream cast them out! Featuring: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson Less by Andrew Sean Greer The Midnight Library by Matt Haig The Guncle by Steven Rowley

"Hi yeah sorry, I can't come in to work today. I have a book hangover." You know that feeling where you finished a book and, for better or worse, it just won't leave your system? On today's episode, Michael and Jill are chatting about the books that just wouldn't leave them alone!

Jill and Michael are back with season three! In the season premiere, Jill and Michael chat all about the characters they just can't quite, for better or worse. Featuring: The Chronicles of Prydain Little Women An American Marriage Little Fires Everywhere Normal People Less

SEASON TWO FINALE! It's that time of the year again! Jill and Michael are looking back on their year of reading—what they liked, what they didn't, and the books they should have stopped reading along the way! 

Though he considers himself a funny, lighthearted person, Steven Rowley finds himself writing tear-jerking novels that are imbued with heart, heavy emotion, and yes, laugh-out-loud funny moments. He is the master of the dramedy, and we were lucky enough to chat with him about our last book club pick for season two, The Guncle!

In our final book club selection of season two, we are talking all about The Guncle by Steven Rowley! Synopsis:  Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed. So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of "Guncle Rules" ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting--even if temporary--isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you're unfailingly human. Purchase your copy of The Guncle here!

If you don't know, backlist means a books that's been on sale for at least a year, but some people measure backlist as books that have been out for as little as six months! Which means new titles are getting all the marketing money and sexy exposure, pushing those other books further back on those bookshelves. In this episode, Michael and Jill explore their own backlist reading habits, and they chat about some titles that they missed when they were first published! This episode is sponsored by Third Place Books.

Have you ever read a book that was so good you had to immediately read what else that author wrote? We call that having an author spiral, in this episode, we're chatting about our favorite author spirals—from childhood to adulthood, these are the authors that hooked us from the word go!

We have a Book It! Public Service Announcement: Don't stop reading middle grade books! In "Middle Grade Matters," Jill and Michael revisit a popular season one episode talking all things middle grade reading, what's good, what's not, and what's coming next!

In this follow-up interview about our Book Club Selection, Revival Season, author Monica West shares her process writing this debut novel—including writing over 70 pages from another character's perspective, only to cut it all from the finished manuscript. Make sure to order the book from our Bookshop link today! This episode is sponsored by Two Rivers Bookstore.

In our third book club selection of season two, we unpack Monica West's debut novel Revival Season! Every summer, fifteen-year-old Miriam Horton and her family pack themselves tight in their old minivan and travel through small southern towns for revival season: the time when Miriam's father--one of the South's most famous preachers--holds massive healing services for people desperate to be cured of ailments and disease.This summer, the revival season doesn't go as planned, and after one service in which Reverend Horton's healing powers are tested like never before, Miriam witnesses a shocking act of violence that shakes her belief in her father--and in her faith. Listen to our chat here, and order the book from our Bookshop link today! This episode is sponsored by Two Rivers Bookstore.

What's a chill book? That's what we're here to tell you! From all the LOL moments to old school Hollywood glamour, these books are perfect reads that are less heavy, but no less literary. Who said literary fiction had to be dense and depressing??

Books about libraries, books about bookstores, books about writers...we're talking all things books about books! From what we like about them to what they get wrong about publishing and everything in between, Jill and Michael share some of their favorites in their first post-quarantine recording session! Featuring: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer Less by Andrew Sean Greer Erasure by Percival Everett Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Vacation, all we ever wanted! Michael and Jill chat about their favorite books to bring with them on vacation. Whether it's a rest and relaxation vaca or an adventurous getaway, these books and stories will be perfect for your next PTO!

No theme, just books! Michael and Jill catch each other up on what's been in their TBR piles lately, what they've been reading, and what they've been liking! Featuring: The Husbands by Chandler Baker Madam by Phoebe Wynne The Betrayals by Bridget Collins Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo Temporary by Hilary Leichter Revival Season by Monica West

At its core, Robert Jones, Jr.'s debut novel The Prophets is an enduring love story between Samuel and Isaiah--a love that casts its light on every character who crosses their path. And it was his own love for the characters that kept Robert Jones, Jr. working on it for more than a decade. We talk with the author about The Prophets, from inception to completion, how little has changed over the course of history, and how he hopes to honor those who came before him.   This episode is sponsored by Gay Shorts Podcast.

Our second Book Club selection was more than we could've ever hoped for. Profound and deeply moving, Robert Jones, Jr.'s debut novel THE PROPHETS is perfect book club conversation. Listen now!This episode is sponsored by Gay Shorts Podcast.

Spoiler alert: 2020 was the absolute worst. Like many industries, publishing took a tool throughout the pandemic, leaving many authors unsure of what was going to happen with their work. In this episode, Jill and Michael go back and take a closer look at some of the 2020 titles they hope find a second life in 2021!Featuring:The Blackbird Girls by Anne BlankmanWe Dream of Space by Erin Entrada KellySummer by Ali SmithThe List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca SteadConjure Women by Afia AtakoraBaby Monster by Andrea PfeifferStand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica KimThis episode is sponsored by Bel Canto Books.

What is a fandom? Are they good or are they bad? When is it time to say goodbye to a fandom you once loved? We take a deep dive into all thing fandoms in this special crossover episode with Why Are You Like This' Jaimi Ryan and Austin Williams!This episode is sponsored by Bel Canto Books.

In her new book The Shape of Thunder, available May 11, Jasmine Warga brings together that which never changes about adolescence with the stark reality of adolescence today. From first crushes to new interests, gun violence and mental health, Warga's book is shaped by what she calls "radical empathy."Featuring:The Shape of ThunderOther Words For Home

An update from a popular season one episode, Michael and Jill tackle brand new adaptations! From the good to the bad to the just okay!Featuring:Emma by Jane AustenLittle Fires Everywhere by Celeste NgNormal People by Sally Rooney

Whether it's fiction, cookbooks, or cooking blogs, food acts as a natural storyteller in our lives. We have memories in the making, tales in the taste, and community in the cooking. Featuring guest cohost, home-baker @joshisbaking!Featuring:Dessert Person by Claire SaffitzWith the Fire on High by Elizabeth AcevedoEat Up! by Ruby TandohSizzle and Drizzle by Nancy Birtwhistle

In Jessica Strawser's fourth book A Million Reasons Why, out March 23, secrets have a DNA all their own. In this interview, Michael and Jill chat with Jessica about the ways we define family, and how we put back the pieces of our lives after truths are told. A Million Reasons Why is already one of B**K It's favorite books of 2021. You won't want to miss it!Also featuring by Jessica Strawser:Almost MissedNot That I Could TellForget You Know MeThis episode is sponsored by Downbound Books.

In this episode, Michael and Jill chat all about to-be-read piles, more commonly known as TBR piles! How many books are in your TBR pile? How do you decide what's in your TBR pile? And does your TBR pile ever change? All of this and more is discussed, featuring Jill having an anxiety attack over Michael's reading habits and Michael being in shock about Jill's lack of unread books in her entire house!Featuring:Queenie by Candice Carty-WilliamsA Promised Land by Barack ObamaFriends and Strangers by J. Courtney SullivanA Million Reasons Why by Jessica StrawserThe Shape of Thunder by Jasmine WargaRead This For Inspiration by Ashly PerezThis episode is sponsored by the Blue Manatee Literacy Project.

In this extra episode, Jill and Michael sit down for an interview with Nancy Johnson, author of the B**K It! Book Club selection The Kindest Lie!This episode is sponsored by the Blue Manatee Literacy Project.

In our first official book club selection, we discuss Nancy Johnson's debut book The Kindest Lie! This episode is sponsored by the Blue Manatee Literacy Project.

When is something a gimmick and when is it the only way the story could've been told? In episode two, Jill and Michael explore some of their favorite gimmicky books, some of their least favorite, and some that are somewhere in between!Featuring:Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy EllmannTexts From Jane Eyre Daniel M. LaveryPride by Ibi ZoboiSuch a Pretty Fat by Jen LancasterThis episode is sponsored by Blue Manatee Literacy Project.

We're back! In the season premiere of season two, Jill and Michael talk about their end-of-2020 reading habits, what they hope to read in 2021, and what they are definitely going to leave behind!Featuring:Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins, 4/6/21Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, 3/2/21Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas, out nowA Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser, 3/23/21Revival Season by Monica West, 6/15/21The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, 6/2021The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson, 2/2/21Shop our Bookshop page for any and all of these titles! Follow us on instagram and Twitter for more B**K It! content!This episode is sponsored by the Blue Manatee Literacy Project.

SURPRISE! We're back...sort of! Jill and Michael do a quick hello and introduction before the season two premiere next week! Follow B**K It! on Instagram and twitter, and check out their website today!

The season one finale of B**K It! is here with a long ass list of books! We discuss all the reading we did this year, our favorite books of 2020, and reflect on what a dumpster fire of a year this has been and how reading has been difficult, but ultimately as helpful as ever. Featuring:Friends and StrangersSummerCasteBefore the Ever AfterThe Daughters of ErietownConjure WomenDancing with the OctopusA Long Petal of the SeaKent State Also: Old Lovegood Girls, The Nickel Boys, Stand Up, Yumi Chung!, The Blackbird Girls, The Jetsetters, The Queen Bee and Me, Ways to Make Sunshine, Dress Coded, We Are Water Protectors, Everybody Says Meow, Baby Monster, Seven Clues to Home, We Dream of Space

"Oh, it's just a guilty pleasure." How often have you said that to justify reading something you REALLY wanted to read? In this episode of B**K It!, Michael and Jill break down the myth of the guilty pleasure, why they shouldn't exist, and why you should read whatever you want to read free of judgement!Featuring:Jo & LaurieSomeday, Someday, MaybeHow to Find Love in a BookshopMy Ex-Life

Nonfiction can be intimidating, no matter how much of a bookworm you are! Not only can it feel dense, but oftentimes, historical and nonfiction text misrepresents marginalized communities. In this interview with historian, author, activist and public speaker Blair Imani, we talk about how historical text has evolved, the work she hopes to do, and her personal history that got her to where she is today.Featuring:Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History

Being a new parent is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, often in the span of a single day! Debut author Andrea Pfeiffer, along with illustrator Erin Barker, explores the trials and tribulations, the heartwarming moments and the horrible ones, and how sometimes a good laugh is the ultimate medicine. Featuring:Baby MonsterMr. Pumpkin's Tea Party

In this episode of B**K It!, we sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Connie Schultz and discuss her debut novel THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIETOWN. We talk all about the midwest as depicted in the arts, the upcoming election, our clingy but lovable pets, and more!Featuring:The Daughters of Erietown

Sometimes a book is so many things that it's hard to describe. That's Debora Harding's debut book "Dancing with the Octopus." In her memoir, Debora tells of an experience in adolescence that altered her life, the abuse she was experiencing at home, and her journey toward hope. Michael and Jill chat with Debora, and talk all things family, politics, writing, and more!Featuring: Dancing with the OctopusCW: abduction; emotional, physical, and sexual assault

Spill all the tea. Tell all the truths. What makes a good memoir, and what do we expect from people who choose to share their life stories with us? Jill and Michael chat all about their favorite tell-alls, which ones could've been better, and which ones they read over and over again!Featuring:Becoming by Michelle ObamaOpen Book by Jessica SimpsonYear of Yes by Shonda RhimesTalking as Fast as I Can by Lauren GrahamBeautiful on the Outside by Adam Rippon

Being a debut novelist is tough! Writers today can't just write a good book anymore. They have to have certain marketing skills, an amazing social media presence, the ability to travel as far they can to bookstores and schools...and on and on! Jill and Michael chat about debut books they love, debuts they hated, and why it's important to celebrate new voices!FEATURING:The Dearly BelovedThe Golden StateConjure WomenAn Absolutely Remarkable ThingThe Water DancerThe Joy Luck ClubThe Time Traveler's WifeLooking for Alaska

School sucks, we know. (Blink-182 anyone?) ESPECIALLY this year, back-to-school has been an incredibly difficult thing for teachers, parents, and students alike. Michael and Jill reflect on their experiences with required reading growing up, books they read in school that stayed with them, and books we can say goodbye to. PLUS: Skip the saccharine! Jill has back-to-school picture book recommendations that won't make you and your family cringe! 

Spoiler alert: This quarantine has been a bummer. As booksellers and book people, one of the major bummers for us isn't getting to talk with customers and the community about upcoming books we can't wait for everyone to read. In this episode, Michael and Jill chat about books that were published this summer or are coming out this fall to help everyone build their TBR piles with brand-new titles!Featuring:The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesSeven Clues to HomeClap When You LandSummer at Meadow WoodThe Nerviest Girl in the WorldBefore the Ever AfterDress Coded

What we love, what we hate, what we love to hate and hate to love...Michael and Jill chat all things pet peeves in books and publishing! PLUS: Michael updates us on his Twilight reread, including Edward being creepy and Bella thinking it's romantic.Order any of the books you hear about at our website: https://shop.bluemanatee.org/

When a book is coming out that's been hyped by the publisher, is it our fault or theirs when it doesn't meet our expectations? Michael and Jill talk about their reading habits, book hype, and the boring saga that is Twilight!

Multi-award-winning novelist Jacqueline Woodson has made a career out of writing books for all ages. Whether it's a picture book or a book for adults, her writing offers readers truth and hope. Michael and Jill chat with Woodson about how she navigates writing for every age group, what it's felt like to have her books banned, and gave us the inside scoop about Trevor Noah, Seth Meyers, and Gayle King!Featuring:Each KindnessThe Day You BeginHarbor MeBefore the Ever AfterIf You Come SoftlyBrown Girl DreamingAnother BrooklynRed at the Bone

Jill and Michael chat with author Deborah Wiles about her newest novel-in-verse "Kent State" and the importance of remembering, honoring, but never repeating.Featuring:Kent StateLove, Ruby LavenderEach Little Bird That Sings