Shelf Talking

April’s SHELF TALKING celebrates National Poetry Month with three fantastic poets! Recorded live at Literati: –John McCarthy reads poems from his sophomore collection Scared Violent Like Horses. –Tracy Zeman reads a pair of long poems from her full-length debut Empire. –Ellen Stone shares poems from her full-length debut What Is in the Blood. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Spring forward with an all-new SHELF TALKING! Recorded live at Literati: –Grace Talusan shares an excerpt from her memoir The Body Papers. –Alexander Weinstein reads the story “Infinite Realities” from his collection Universal Love. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Been seeking great fiction for February? SHELF TALKING’s got you covered! Recorded live at Literati: –Kiley Reid chats with fellow novelist Julie Buntin about her New York Times-bestselling debut Such a Fun Age. –Kate Wisel reads two stories from her prize-winning collection Driving in Cars with Homeless Men. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones recommended!* SHELF TALKING rings in the new year with three terrific writers! Recorded live at Literati: –Aaron Hamburger reads from his novel Nirvana Is Here. –Dr. Tia Powell shares excerpts from her book Dementia Reimagined. –Ayelet Tsabari discusses her memoir The Art of Leaving with author Shachar Pinsker. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones recommended!* Bid 2019 adieu with the final SHELF TALKING of the year! Recorded live at Literati: –Ben Lerner discusses his acclaimed novel The Topeka School with poet Raymond McDaniel. –Leah Plunkett unpacks the core arguments of her new book Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk about Our Kids Online. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Start your November off right with an all-new SHELF TALKING! Recorded live at Literati: –Eileen Pollack discusses her novel The Professor of Immortality with writer Natalie Bakopoulos. –Jac Jemc shares a story from her collection False Bingo. –Michael Dickman reads poems from his book Days & Days. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones Recommended* This month’s SHELF TALKING gathers three writers who write unflinchingly about our politics, our environment, and the difficulties of our everyday lives Recorded live at Literati: –Alexandra Minna Stern discusses Proud Boys and the White Ethnostate, her chronicle of the alt-right and its ideologies. –Roy Scranton reads “The Precipice” from his collection We’re Doomed. Now What? –Heather Havrilesky chats about book promotion, #MeToo, and her essay collection What If This Were Enough?, which arrives in paperback on October 8. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones Recommended* Sharpen some pencils and load up your knapsack––SHELF TALKING’s heading back to school! Recorded live at Literati: –Catherine Chung shares scenes––plus a math problem!––from her latest novel The Tenth Muse. –Rachel DeWoskin reads excerpts from her historical YA novel Someday We Will Fly. –Julie Dobrow, author of After Emily, spotlights the mother-daughter duo responsible for Emily Dickinson’s posthumous publication. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones Recommended* Look ahead to some fantastic paperback releases with this month’s SHELF TALKING! Recorded live at Literati: –Nick Dybek shares excerpts from his WWI-era novel The Verdun Affair. –Leif Enger recounts the long road that led to his third novel, Virgil Wanderer. –Astrophysicist Adam Becker reads the introduction to his debut What Is Real?: The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Climb aboard SHELF TALKING’s literary Eurail, with stops in Tuscany, Paris, Berlin (by way of Athens), and London! Recorded live at Literati: –Christina Lynch reads from her debut novel The Italian Party. –Brooks Rexroat performs an excerpt from his story collection Thrift Store Coats. –Gail Horst-Warhaft shares wild stories of Rembetika musicians from her hybrid work The Fall of Athens. –Margot Singer reads passages from her debut novel Underground Fugue. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

This month’s SHELF TALKING blends the fantastic, the speculative, and the literary with a trio of genre-defying writers! Recorded live at Literati: –Julia Fine shares an excerpt from her debut novel What Should Be Wild. –Franny Choi performs poems from her latest collection Soft Science. – Wayétu Moore discusses magical realism and her novel She Would Be King. Plus Literati’s Inventory Manager Kelsey O’Rourke discusses some of her favorite genre-bending reads! Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones Recommended!* This month’s SHELF TALKING celebrates National Short Story Month with a tremendous pair of readings! Recorded live at Literati: –Maryse Meijer reads“The Shut-In” from her collection Rag. –Polly Rosenwaike reads “Grow Your Eyelashes” from her collection Look How Happy I’m Making You. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Still smarting from all those April Fool’s Day tricks? Let this Shelf Talking re-release ease your pain with some prank-free laughs! Recorded live at Literati: -Richard Russo discusses his essay collection The Destiny Thief with Sam Krowchenko. -Eileen Pollack reads from her novel The Bible of Dirty Jokes. -Lindy West shares from her celebrated book Shrill. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko. Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones Recommended!* Psst. Do you know the password for today’s gangster-, spy-, and code-filled SHELF TALKING? Blink once for no, twice for yes…. Recorded live at Literati: –Jason Fagone chronicles the life of cryptology pioneer Elizebeth Friedman in his book The Woman Who Smashed Codes. –A. Brad Schwartz reveals the true story of Al Capone and Eliot Ness in Scarface and the Untouchable, co-authored with Max Allan Collins. –Chicago poet Susanna Lang shares some jazzy, Capone-inspired verse from her latest collection Travel Notes from the River Styx. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Been a long time since you rock and rolled? Today's SHELF TALKING is here to help! Recorded live at Literati: –Michael Zadoorian shares passages from his latest novel Beautiful Music. –Jas Obrecht chronicles Jimi Hendrix's rise to fame in Stone Free.   –Kat Gardiner reads selections from her collection Little Wonder. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records) *Headphones Recommended!*

With the Oscars just around the corner, we present an episode about adapting books into movies, movies into books, and everything in between! Recorded live at Literati: –Kevin Smokler, author of Brat Pack America, discusses growing up at the movies in Ann Arbor. –Whit Stillman discusses the adaption of his own movie, Love & Friendship, with host Sam Krowchenko. –Annie Spence reads some of her love letters to books, collected in Dear Fahrenheit 451. –Michael Byers talks to Maile Meloy, author of Do Not Become Alarmed, about her experiences with adaptation. Also, Sam and inventory manager Jeanne Joesten discuss her favorite book-into-movie adaptions! Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones Recommended!* For our first episode of 2019, SHELF TALKING presents a pair of conversations with two rising stars of American fiction. Recorded live at Literati: –Kristen Roupenian discusses her debut collection You Know You Want This: “Cat Person” And Other Stories with writer/editor Callie Collins. –Chloe Benjamin chats about her novel The Immortalists with Number One Chinese Restaurant author (and Literati bookseller!) Lillian Li. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Need a break from the hectic holiday season? Look no further than this poetry-packed episode of SHELF TALKING! Recorded live at Literati: –Phillip Crymble reads from his debut volume Not Even Laughter. –Susanna Lang shares work from her latest book Travel Notes from the River Styx. –Will Walton reads selections from his YA novel I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain. –Tarfia Faizullah reads poems from her sophomore collection Registers of Illuminated Villages. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

In the spirit of post-Thanksgiving eats, SHELF TALKING digs into its own leftovers with some of the show’s best left-on-the-cutting-room-floor moments! Recorded live at Literati: –John Scalzi (Episode 13––Actors, Accessories, and Aliens) implores aliens to avoid the White House lawn. –Shrill author Lindy West (Episode 7––Make ‘Em Laugh) reveals two of her most embarrassing memories. –Librarian Annie Spence (Episode 5––Literati Goes to the Movies) shares more letters from her book Dear Fahrenheit 451. –sam sax (Episode 9––Medicine, Madness, and the Mind) reads additional poems from his collection Madness alongside poet Franny Choi. Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Looking for the fastest route from Stratford to Shaker Heights? Look no further than today’s brand-new SHELF TALKING! Recorded live at Literati: –Julie Schumacher reads from her novel The Shakespeare Requirement –Callie Feyen discusses her memoir The Teacher Diaries: Romeo and Juliet –Celeste Ng speaks with writer/professor Douglas Trevor about her New York Times bestseller Little Fires Everywhere Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Matthew Flores, and Sam Krowchenko Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Get into the Halloween spirit with this fright-filled SHELF TALKING from 2017. Recorded live at Literati: –Host Sam Krowchenko speaks with Dan Chaon about his novel Ill Will –Anne Elizabeth Moore shares an essay from her collection Body Horror –David Daley discusses gerrymandering and his book Ratf**ked –Danya Kukafka reads from her debut novel Girl in Snow Plus: Sam chats with former Literati bookseller Claire Tobin about her favorite spooky reads. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Today’s brand-new SHELF TALKING is brought to you by the letter A! Record live at Literati: –Leah Stewart discusses her novel What You Don't Know About Charlie Outlaw with Eileen Pollack. –Lauren Friedman, author of 50 Ways to Wear Accessories, delves into the history of the handbag. –Sci-fi writer John Scalzi shares a report card from our intergalactic neighbors (plus a special musical treat!). Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Grab some Gatorade and lace up your cleats––it’s time for a sports–centric Shelf Talking! Recorded live at Literati: –Robert W. Turner II describes life after the NFL in his book Not For Long. –Erica Westly recounts the fascinating story of softball in her history Fastpitch. –John U. Bacon discusses the struggles and legacy of ESPN broadcaster John Saunders, with whom he co-authored the memoir Playing Hurt. Plus: events manager John Ganiard recommends some of his favorite books about sports! Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard. Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Dive into the complicated, urgent conundrums of masculinity and femininity with this week’s SHELF TALKING. Recorded live at Literati: events manager John Ganiard talks to Daniel Magariel about his debut novel One of the Boys; Chris McCormick reads a story from his book Desert Boys; and creative projects manager Gina Balibrera speaks with essayist Alice Bolin about her collection Dead Girls. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: "Orange and Red" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

As students and game days return to Ann Arbor, we’re celebrating something else that makes this city great: local authors! Recorded live at Literati: Raymond McDaniel launches his latest collection The Cataracts; Eric Smith shares a scene from his YA-novel The Girl and the Grove; Jasmine An discusses Chinese-American movie star Anna May Wong and her chapbook Naming the No-Name Woman; and Peter Ho Davies reads from his novel The Fortunes. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Just what the doctor ordered––a brand new episode of Shelf Talking! Recorded live at Literati: Kevin Davis, author of The Brain Defense, explains how MRIs are now essential evidence in criminal court; sam sax reads hilarious, heartbreaking poems from his book Madness; and contributors to iatrogenesis: Essays on Becoming a Physician share stories of their medical apprenticeships. Also, bookseller Carla Bayha discusses her favorite medical titles! Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

A trio of books written by Literati booksellers both past and present. Recorded Live at Literati: Lillian Li reads from her debut novel Number One Chinese Restaurant; poet Russell Brakefield reads from his collection Field Recordings; and Literati co-owner Michael Gustafson shares from Notes from a Public Typewriter alongside designer Oliver Uberti. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

So, let's have a laugh. Recorded live at Literati: Sam Krowchenko talks to Richard Russo; Eileen Pollack reads from her novel The Bible of Dirty Jokes; and Lindy West shares from her celebrated book Shrill. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Got a possibly long holiday weekend ahead of you? Take some time to reflect with a collection of Memoir-y talks and readings. Recorded live at Literati: Leslie Jamison discusses her process in writing her memoir The Recovering with Literati bookseller (and debut author!) Lillian Li; Mimi Schwartz discusses her memoir When History is Personal with Michael Steinberg; and Patricia Lockwood reads from her acclaimed memoir Priestdaddy. Also, Sam and Literati Manager Charlotte Bruell discuss favorite memoirs. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

With the Oscars just around the corner, we present an episode about adapting books into movies, movies into books, and everything in between! Recorded live at Literati: Kevin Smokler, author of Brat Pack America, discusses growing up at the movies in Ann Arbor; Whit Stillman discusses the adaption of his own movie, Love & Friendship, with bookseller Sam Krowchenko; Annie Spence reads some of her love letters to books, collected in Dear Fahrenheit 451; and Michael Byers talks to Maile Meloy, author of Do Not Become Alarmed, about her experiences with adaptation. Also, Sam and inventory manager Jeanne Joesten discuss her favorite book-into-movie adaptions! Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Parental advisory: this episode contains the uncensored title of one of the books featured in this episode; the title may not be suitable for children. Just in time for Halloween! Recorded Live at Literati: Dan Chaon speaks with Sam Krowchenko about his novel Ill Will; Anne Elizabeth Moore discusses and reads from her book Body Horror; Author David Daley discusses Gerrymandering and his book Ratf**ked; and Danya Kukafka reads from her debut, Girl in Snow. Also, Sam talks with Literati bookseller Claire about her favorite spooky reads. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Recorded Live at Literati: Cody Walker reads from his timely chapbook The Trumpiad, Helen Zell Writers' Program graduate Katie Willingham reads from her forthcoming debut collection Unlikely Designs; author Jospeh Scapellato reads from his short story collection Big Lonesome, and discusses it with Claire Vaye Watkins; Raymond McDaniel reads some of his favorite poems; Yale Younger winner Dee Matthews reads from her collection Simulacra. Also, Sam talks with bookseller and Literati Poetry Book Club host and curator Bennet S. Johnson. Shelf Talking Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, and John Ganiard Theme Music: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

This month, Recorded live at Literati: Will Schwalbe discusses the genesis of his latest book (about, well, books of course), Books for Living; poet Eleni Sikelianos speaks with fellow poet Raymond McDaniel; novelist Katie Kitamura discusses her debut novel with fellow novelist Natalie Bakopoulos; and Emily Fridlund reads from her debut novel A History of Wolves. Also, bookseller Tara talks to Sam about maudlin go-to recommendations. Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, with help from Mairead Small Staid and John Ganiard Featured Track: “Orange and Red” by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Shelf Talking is the official podcast of Literati Bookstore in downtown Ann Arbor, featuring recordings from recent in-store events alongside exclusive interviews and content. Shelf Talking is hosted by bookseller Sam Krowchenko. For our debut episode, we're proud to feature some debut (and soon to be debut) authors, across a variety of genres. Recorded live at Literati are interviews with novelist Brit Bennett and violinist Edward Dussinberre, and readings from novelist Derek Palacio and poet Jordan Zandi. Additionally, host Sam Krowchenko chats with fellow bookseller Lillian Li about her favorite fiction debuts, and we hear some recent customer dispatches from the store typewriter. Produced by: Mike & Hilary Gustafson, with help from Mairead Small Staid and John Ganiard Featured Track: "Orange and Red" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)