Wild Precious Life

Uzma Jalaluddin is a critically acclaimed and bestselling novelist, playwright, public speaker and teacher. She writes authentic, nuanced and entertaining stories about Muslims, South Asians, and Canadians and is the author of DETECTIVE AUNTY, MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA, THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING, HANA KHAN CARRIES ON, and AYESHA AT LAST, as well as her first play, THE RISHTA. Her novels have been optioned for film and television by Amazon Studios and Mindy Kaling. In today's episode, Annmarie welcomes Uzma back to talk about how to write a mystery, how to revise a book, and how to walk in the direction of your wildest dreams. Episode Sponsors: Another Story Bookshop – Located in the West end of Toronto, Another Story Bookshop sells a broad range of literature for children, young adults, and adults with a focus on themes of social justice, equity, and diversity. We are a proudly independent bookstore with 30 years of history and a commitment to providing quality customer service. Stop by or shop online at anotherstory.ca. Blue Heron Books – The unpretentious atmosphere of Blue Heron with its comfy chairs, wood shelving, and creaky floors lends itself to long, slow, browsing sessions. However, under that sleepy atmosphere vibrates a strong pulse. In its storied, thirty-plus-year history, Blue Heron Books has played host to and continues to showcase a veritable who's who of the world's literary community. Two-time winner of The Libris Award (Best Bookstore in Canada), Blue Heron is a hub for the community and a bastion of friendly chaos where everyone is welcome. Stop by or shop online at blueheronbooks.com. Books by Uzma Jalaluddin: DETECTIVE AUNTY MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING, co-authored with Marissa Stapley HANA KHAN CARRIES ON AYESHA AT LAST Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Blood Betrayal, by Ausma Zehanat Khan  The Unquiet Dead, by Ausma Zehanat Khan Here's a trailer for The Good Place. Follow Uzma Jalauddin: Instagram: @uzmajalaluddin Twitter: @UzmaWrites Facebook: @UzmaJalaluddinAuthor Substack: @uzmajalaluddin uzmajalaluddin.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Febos is the author of five books, including the national bestselling essay collection, GIRLHOOD, which has been translated into eight languages and was a LAMBDA Literary Award finalist, and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. Her craft book, BODY WORK, was also a national bestseller, an LA Times Bestseller, and an Indie Next Pick. Her latest, The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex, is out now. She's the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Jeanne Córdova Nonfiction Award from LAMBDA Literary. On today's show, Melissa and Annmarie discuss celibacy, erasure, and how abstaining from romantic entanglements might allow us to see ourselves in radical new ways. Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City's premier indie bookstore since 1978.   Perhaps the strength of Prairie Lights reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio and Television stations and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Books Are Magic – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, NY committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at booksaremagic.net. Books by Melissa Febos The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex Body Work Abandon Me Whip Smart: The True Story of a Secret Life Girlhood Here's our favorite Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility. Follow Melissa Febos: Instagram: @melissafebos Facebook: @melissafebos Substack: @melissafebos melissafebos.com Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, most recently the novels Liars and Very Cold People, and a recent work of crowd-sourced philosophy, Questions Without Answers. Her writing has been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Rome Prize. On today's show, Annmarie and Sarah discuss the wisdom of children, parenting as an act of translation, and the innate satisfaction and delight found within even the most unanswerable questions. Bookshop will be offering a 15% discount on the book which they've allowed us to share with our listeners. The code is QA15 : https://tinyurl.com/QA15OFF Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Annabelle's Book Club LA – A highly curated collection of books and gifts with a modern point of view. Founded by 17-year-old Annabelle Chang, this YA-focused bookstore aims to spark imagination, inspire connection, and bring joy to people of all ages. Stop or find us online at annabellesbookclubla.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Questions Without Answers, by Sarah Manguso and illustrated by Liana Finck Liars, by Sarah Manguso Mixed Feelings, by Liana Finck Gwendoline Riley Here's a trailer for Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Follow Sarah Manguso and Liana Finck: Instagram: @lianafinck Twitter: @lianafinck Substack: @lianafinck AND @sarahmanguso sarahmanguso.com lianafinck.com Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Peacock is a veteran, an organic farmer, and a former candidate for the United States Senate. He's also an author who has been featured in 7 days, VT Digger, The Washington Blade, and The New York Times. He lives with his husband on land that he is rehabilitating with native plants and flowers. James Crews is the author of numerous prize-winning collections of poetry. He runs an online writing community called The Monthly Pause and also speaks and leads workshops on kindness, mindfulness, and writing for self-compassion. Brad and James live together on forty rocky acres in the woods of Southern Vermont and they recently co-edited LOVE IS FOR ALL OF US. On today's show, Brad, Annmarie, and James discuss love stories, farming, and how poetry might just be the thing that saves us all. Episode Sponsors Battenkill Books – A local, independent bookstore selling general interest, new books in the Battenkill Valley. The store offers a broad range of books from current bestsellers to the classics, and from history and romance to gardening and cooking, and more. We also have an outstanding collection of books for children. And Battenkill carries maps, gifts, toys, cards, and an eclectic selection of magazines. Stop by or shop online at battenkillbooks.com. Big Hill Books – The happiest bookstore in Minneapolis. Big Hill Books welcomes you to Bryn Mawr, one of the most charming and eclectic neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. As a general interest bookstore, we offer an engaging, inclusive inventory of titles and a bright, airy space for customers to sit, read and relax. Our feline friends, Goose and Addie, are also available for some complimentary lap time. Visit Big Hill Books and help us build a community in which "we all do better when we all do better." Find us online at bighillbooks.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Love Is for All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging, edited by James Crews and Brad Peacock How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, edited by James Crews Healing the Divide: Poems for Kindness and Connection, by James Crews Here's a clip from G.I. Jane that includes “Self-Pity,” a poem by D.H. Lawrence.  Follow Brad Peacock and James Crews: Instagram: @theheartofafarmer AND @james.crews.poet Facebook: @brad.peacock.5836 AND @crewspoet Substack: @JamesCrews jamescrews.net **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Cramer-Miller is a writer, speaker, and joy seeker. She's the Minnesota Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation, and a Donate Life Ambassador for LifeSource. She's also the author of the award-winning memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, which is available now. On today's show, Annmarie and Jennifer discuss kidney failure, unconditional love, and how the stories of our lives seldom unfold quite how we plan. Episode Sponsors Excelsior Bay Books – A locally owned & independent bookstore. Our atmosphere is casual and inviting with a comfy seating area in the center of the store. We have an interesting mix of titles and can special order anything not on the shelves. Our children's section is outstanding! All books and toys are hand-picked for quality and fun. We also offer a great selection of reading accessories (lights, bookmarks, book plates), puppets, puzzles, notecards, and educational gifts and toys. And we are dog-friendly. Come in and browse, or shop online at excelsiorbaybooks.net. Big Hill Books – The happiest bookstore in Minneapolis. Big Hill Books welcomes you to Bryn Mawr, one of the most charming and eclectic neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. As a general interest bookstore, we offer an engaging, inclusive inventory of titles and a bright, airy space for customers to sit, read and relax. Our feline friends, Goose and Addie, are also available for some complimentary lap time. Visit Big Hill Books and help us build a community in which "we all do better when we all do better." Find us online at bighillbooks.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, by Jennifer Cramer-Miller Kelly Corrigan recently featured Jennifer Cramer-Miller's story on Thanks for Being Here. Here's a trailer for Steel Magnolias, a film which you should not watch if you do not want to cry. Here's the opening credits for ThirtySomething which ought to be streaming somewhere – I'd love to see if it still holds up. Bruce Springsteen singing Thunder Road in Barcelona – fantastic! Follow Jennifer Cramer-Miller: Instagram: @jennifercramermiller Facebook: @JenniferCramerMiller Twitter: @JenniferCramerMiller LinkedIn: @jenniferCramerMiller Learn more at jennifercramermiller.com and join her monthly-ish newsletter here. Buy Jennifer's book here. Jennifer Cramer-Miller's Awards and Recognition: International Impact Book Award, Family + Medical Book Excellence Award Winner, Family  BookFest Award Winner, Transformational Memoir + Relationships & Family 2024 IPPY E-Book Award: Gold Winner 2024 Next Generation Book  Finalist, Memoir + Cover Design National Indie Excellence Book Award - Inspiration + Medical + Non-Fiction Living Now Award Bronze Medal: Health and Wellness Readers' Favorite Award: Gold Medal - Non Fiction Publishers Weekly, starred review "...a knockout memoir..." *Also, here's a link to donatelife.net if you want to learn more about organ donation and kidney.org if you'd like more about kidney health. Photo Credit: Belu Photography **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A native of Chicago's South Side, Nancy Johnson worked for more than a decade as an Emmy-nominated, award-winning television journalist at CBS and ABC. More recently, she's the author of The Kindest Lie and her latest novel, People of Means. On today's show, Annmarie and Nancy discuss the call to activism, and what makes some people enter the fight for racial justice while others step away. This show also covers family history and how important it is to record ancestral stories before they are lost forever. Episode Sponsors Da Book Joint – A Black woman-owned business born on the Southside of Chicago, and committed to literary growth and positive engagement of young people. Da Book Joint is a bookstore created with the purpose of uniting lovers of literature with diverse bestselling and rising authors. We've been in operation since 2007 and we've developed a thriving community where readers can easily purchase books they love and come together with like-minded individuals through virtual and in-person literary events. Stop by or shop online at dabookjoint.com. The Lynx – A new general-interest bookstore in Gainesville, Florida, with an emphasis on books that are currently challenged or banned in Florida. We especially seek to celebrate the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors whose stories are among the most challenged titles, and to bring attention to the deep and radiant literary legacy of the Sunshine State. We believe in the power of books to build and foster communities, conversations, and change. A group of lynxes is a Watch. Please join our Watch today. And stop by or shop online at thelynxbooks.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Kindest Lie, by Nancy Johnson People of Means, by Nancy Johnson Follow Nancy Johnson: Instagram: @NancyJAuthor Twitter: @NancyJAuthor Facebook: NancyJohnsonAuthor nancyjohnson.net Photo Credit: Nina Subin **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 1 spot left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, check out Annmarie's webpage to learn more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen Arnett, aka “America's Favorite Dad,” is the queer Floridian author of With Teeth, and the New York Times bestselling novel Mostly Dead Things, both of which were finalists for the Lambda Literary Award in fiction. She runs the substack “Dad Lessons,” and her latest novel, STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE, is out now. On today's show, Annmarie and Kristen discuss clowning, lesbians, Orlando, Dad culture, and the joy of showing up for our art exactly as we are.  Episode Sponsors The Lynx – A new general-interest bookstore in Gainesville, Florida, with an emphasis on books that are currently challenged or banned in Florida. We especially seek to celebrate the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors whose stories are among the most challenged titles, and to bring attention to the deep and radiant literary legacy of the Sunshine State. We believe in the power of books to build and foster communities, conversations, and change. A group of lynxes is a Watch. Please join our Watch today. And stop by or shop online at thelynxbooks.com. Tombolo Books – An independent bookstore dedicated to promoting the value and pleasure of reading throughout St. Petersburg, Florida, by offering thoughtful inventory curation, extensive literary knowledge, and excellent customer service. Tombolo is committed to carrying books by emerging and marginalized voices, books in translation, and books from small independent presses, as well as classics and outstanding popular titles. We support free expression and the right of every reader to determine their reading material. Stop by or shop online at tombolobooks.com. **Today's guest, Kristen Arnett, will be doing an event at Tombolo on April 1. If you're in Florida or St. Pete, or looking for a reason to be in Florida or St. Pete, you can RSVP for that event HERE. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: With Teeth, by Kristen Arnett Mostly Dead Things, by Kristen Arnett Stop Me If You've Heard This One, by Kristen Arnett In case you haven't seen one of the Blade movies, here's a trailer for the first one. Follow Kristen Arnett: Substack: @KristenArnett Instagram: @Kristen_Arnett Twitter: @Kristen_Arnett kristenarnettwriter.com Photo Credit: Maria Rada **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 1 spot left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helena Echlin has written for numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Guardian and The Times. She taught for years at Stanford University and has recently returned to the United Kingdom, where she now teaches fiction writing for Oxford University's Department of Continuing Education. Clever Little Thing is her first psychological thriller. On today's show, Helena and Annmarie discuss the judgmentalness of parenting, the chaos of plotting a novel, and how a daily jump into the Thames – rain or shine – can work wonders for your health.  Episode Sponsors Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we're about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Ashland University Low-Res MFA – Expand your writing practice and refine your craft within the supportive community of Ashland University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Our accomplished faculty will help you find your voice and complete your degree at your own pace. Learn more and enroll today at ashland.edu.   Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Clever Little Thing, by Helena Echlin Annie Bot, by Sierra Greer The School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan Follow Helena Echlin: Instagram: @helenaechlin Twitter: @Helenaechlin helenaechlin.com Photo Credit: Charlotte Knee Photography **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher and poet whose debut memoir, My Mother in Havana, is out now. On today's show, Annmarie and Rebe discuss the magic of dance, communicating with deceased loved ones, and how a search for our mothers can bring us closer to understanding ourselves.  Episode Sponsors Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we're about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Ashland University Low-Res MFA – Expand your writing practice and refine your craft within the supportive community of Ashland University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Our accomplished faculty will help you find your voice and complete your degree at your own pace. Learn more and enroll today at ashland.edu.   Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle, by Rebe Huntman Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison Here's a video of Ella Fitzgerald singing Mack the Knife.  Follow Rebe Huntman: Instagram: @rebehuntman Facebook: RebeHuntmanAuthor rebehuntman.com Photo Credit: Kate Sweeney **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Earl Thomas is the author of Sink, a memoir, and his debut novel God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Literary Excellence, and winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. On today's show, Annmarie and Joseph talk about working-class upbringings, how to write complicated families with sensitivity and grace, and whether or not to raise an alligator in the backyard. Episode Sponsors The Head & The Hand Books – A community-focused Philadelphia bookstore that provides curated fiction, local lit, and children's/middle grade books to the Fishtown neighborhood and beyond. We do readings, workshops, curated events, children's programming, and more. Stop by for a visit! Or shop online at theheadandthehand.com. Novelette Booksellers – Nashville's only queer-owned bookstore. We are a fun, vibey, safe space for book lovers of all ages. We boast a highly curated selection of both fiction and non-fiction books by diverse authors, and a great selection of graphic novels. With an eye toward inclusivity and the celebration of our differences, Novelette strives to welcome people of all backgrounds. Stop by or shop online at novelettebooksellers.com   Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Sink, by Joseph Earl Thomas Leviathan Beach, by Joseph Earl Thomas (available for pre-order) God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer  Zone One, by Colson Whitehead The Gilda Stories, by Jewelle Gomez Here's a trailer for the Japanese anime Attack on Titan. Follow Joseph Earl Thomas: Instagram: @jetvgc Substack: @birthworldproblems Twitter: @JETVGC josephearlthomas.com Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malaka Gharib is the author of I Was Their American Dream, a graphic memoir about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American, and It Won't Always Be Like This, a graphic memoir about her summers in the Middle East. On today's show, Annmarie and Malaka talk about the American immigrant experience, how to be a working writer, and what it means to be the realization of our parents' greatest dreams. Episode Sponsors Novelette Booksellers – Nashville's only queer-owned bookstore. We are a fun, vibey, safe space for book lovers of all ages. We boast a highly curated selection of both fiction and non-fiction books by diverse authors, and a great selection of graphic novels. With an eye toward inclusivity and the celebration of our differences, Novelette strives to welcome people of all backgrounds. Stop by or shop online at novelettebooksellers.com Skylark Bookshop – A fiercely independent bookstore where we strive to find new ways to celebrate literature and our community. Some books give us knowledge and perspective; others simply give necessary space to breathe. Putting the right book into the right hands is a deeply meaningful act. We believe that we can find that book for everyone who walks through our doors. We embrace enjoyment, entertainment, and the beauty of Skylark Bookshop. Stop by or shop online at skylarkbookshop.com.   Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: I Was Their American Dream, by Malaka Gharib It Won't Always Be Like This, by Malaka Gharib Uzma Jalaluddin Liana Finck Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car: Comics for Beautiful, Awful and Ordinary Days, by Jordan Bolton Follow Malaka Gharib: Instagram: @MalakaGharib Substack: @Malaka malakagharib.com Photo Credit: Leah Margulies **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing with other women on retreat, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her 60s, after decades as a psychotherapist, marital counselor, and work and family consultant, Leah Fisher embarked upon solo trips to multiple countries to see whether she could connect across cultures, participate in community projects, and try to be “of use.” On today's show, Leah joins us to speak about her new memoir, My Marriage Sabbatical, and to discuss what is lost and gained when couples pursue separate dreams.   Episode Sponsors: Orinda Books – An independently-owned bookstore just 30 minutes east of San Francisco. We're open six days a week with free parking, and the Orinda BART station is a pleasant half-mile walk away. We provide a diverse range of books and our children's department is extensive and inviting. Besides books, we also carry puzzles, toys, cards, and calendars, as well as locally-made chocolate, olive oil, ceramics, and artwork. We love to read and recommend our favorites — so don't hesitate to ask! Stop by or shop online at orindabooks.com. International Writers' Collective – The Collective offers fiction and poetry workshops online and in the Netherlands and a vibrant international community to support you in your writing goals. Many students view their program as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to an MFA. Learn more and find a class at internationalwriterscollective.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: My Marriage Sabbatical: A Memoir of Solo Travel and Lasting Love, by Leah Fisher Necessary Losses: The Loves Illusions Dependencies and Impossible Expectations That All of us Have, by Judith Viorst Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst The Work of Christmas, based on a poem by Howard Thurman. Follow Leah Fisher: mymarriagesabbatical.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If this conversation sparked in you a desire to travel, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more.  Photo Credit: Aileen Schier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regina Brett is a two-time Pulitzer finalist and the New York Times bestselling author of God Never Blinks. Her latest book is Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures. On today's show, Annmarie and Regina talk about their Catholic upbringings, cancer survival, best and worst Christmases, and what it means to be a slice of God for other people. Episode Sponsors: Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Mac's Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your next great read and shop online at macsbacks.com. Books by Regina Brett Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures God Never Blinks God Is Always Hiring Be the Miracle Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, by Lori Gottlieb Here are the trailers for It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Follow Regina Brett: Instagram: @ReginaBrett Facebook: ReginaBrettFans Twitter: @ReginaBrett Substack: @ReginaBrett reginabrett.com Photo Credit: Katie Montague Malone **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing with other women on retreat, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off. Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Roedel is a poet, writer, comic, storyteller, and terrible dancer who gained unexpected notability as a writer and poet through Facebook conversations. His latest book is WonderAche. On today's show, Annmarie and John talk about their Catholic upbringings, the places where faith meets doubt, and how to show up for others with more vulnerability and truth.   Episode Sponsors: Bonsai Books in Cheyenne, Wyoming. At Bonsai, we're more than just a bookstore. We believe in the power of books to inspire, educate, and connect people. Our team of passionate book lovers is dedicated to curating a diverse selection of new books for readers of all ages and interests. At Bonsai, we bring literature to the community. Stop by our Cheyenne store at 126 Quincy Road or find us on social media @bonsaibookswy. Bonsai, more than just a bookstore. Address: 126 Quincy Rd Phone: 307-421-5307 Hours: Mon: Closed ,Tue-Sat: 11-6, Sun: 12-5 We can be found on Facebook at Bonsai Books and Instagram @bonsaibookswy. Ashland University Low-Res MFA – Expand your writing practice and refine your craft within the supportive community of Ashland University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Our accomplished faculty will help you find your voice and complete your degree at your own pace. Learn more and enroll today at ashland.edu. Books by John Roedel Wonderache Upon Departure Hey God. Hey John.: What Happens When God Writes Back Remedy Fitting In Is For Sardines Any Given Someday Untied Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Gift: Poems by Hafiz, the Great Sufi Master, by Daniel Ladinsky  Michelle Francois-Walsh, Founder of My Village Well Here are the trailers for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Patterson, and About Time. Follow John Roedel: Instagram: @john_roedel Facebook: johnbigjohn Twitter: @JohnnyRoedel Substack: johnroedel.substack.com www.johnroedel.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing with John Roedel, consider joining him for a weeklong storytelling retreat in Italy next fall. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For her folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Allen Edmonds taught German and English for 43 years at three Cleveland-area high schools, Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State university. His high school experiences form the setting for his Joe Lehrer Mystery novels and the short stories in his Faculty Lounge series. Today on the show, Dave and Annmarie talk about book banning, small town romance, and the opportunities and costs of teaching in public high schools.   Episode Sponsors: Black Cat Books & Oddities – Where we specialize in new books for all ages. Visit us for an immersive experience that transports you back in time. Say hello to Edgar Allan Poe and cozy up with a thriller. If you're a mystery lover, head upstairs and settle into Sherlock's Study. Young adults will love Phantom's Passage, their own little nook of interesting titles to discover. There might even be a secret passageway leading to The Secret Garden, a world of wonder for the littlest of book lovers. Stop by our Medina, Ohio, store or shop online at blackcatmedina.com. Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Writing by David Allen Edmonds Unveiled Love Unexpected Love Personal Pronouns Indirect Objects The Faculty Lounge Series Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak In case you seriously haven't seen it yet, here's a trailer for Casablanca. Follow David Allen Edmonds: Goodreads: David_Allen_Edmonds Twitter: @authordedmonds Facebook: davidallenedmonds davidallenedmonds.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you know you've been looking for the kind of female friendship we've spoken about on this show OR if you're just desperate to get out of America right now, consider joining Annmarie and her co-leader, Phyllis Biffle Elmore, for a writing retreat in France! Learn more here.  You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make that wish come true.  As of this moment, we only have 3 spots left, but you can click this link for $900 off.  The password is RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For her folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Queer poet and writer Cass Donish is the author of three books including The Year of the Femme, Beautyberry, and the new poetry collection Your Dazzling Death. Today on the show, Cass and Annmarie talk about grief, queer love, and how to heal in the face of suicide loss. Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City's premier indie bookstore since 1978. Perhaps the strength of our reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on stations WSUI and WOI and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Skylark Bookshop – A fiercely independent bookstore where we strive to find new ways to celebrate literature and our community. Some books give us knowledge and perspective; others simply give necessary space to breathe. Putting the right book into the right hands is a deeply meaningful act. We believe that we can find that book for everyone who walks through our doors. We embrace enjoyment, entertainment, and the beauty of Skylark Bookshop. Stop by or shop online at skylarkbookshop.com. Left Bank Books – The oldest and largest independently-owned bookstore in St. Louis, Missouri, where we offer a full-line of new and used books, gifts, cards, toys and services. We see ourselves as a cultural institution as well as a retail business. In that spirit, we produce over 300 events per year, most of which are free and open to the public. We've grown and changed throughout our 50 years, but our mission still remains the same – to spark public conversation by curating an intelligent, relevant, culturally diverse selection of books. Stop by or shop online at left-bank.com. Books by Cass Donish Your Dazzling Death The Year of the Femme Beautyberry On the Mezzanine Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Letters to Forget, by Kelly Caldwell Here's a link to the Hot Widows Club podcast. Here is the trailer for Emily in Paris. And here's another for Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Follow Cass Donish: Instagram: @cassdonish Twitter: @CassDonish cassdonish.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you know you've been looking for the kind of female friendship we've spoken about on this show OR if you're just desperate to get out of America right now, consider joining Annmarie and her co-leader, Phyllis Biffle Elmore, for a writing retreat in France! Learn more here. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make that wish come true. As of this moment, we only have 3 spots left, but you can click this link for $900 off. The password is RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For her folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Photo credit: Josh Theus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glynnis MacNicol is the author of three books including I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure and No One Tells You This. She wrote, produced, and hosted WILDER: A Reckoning with the Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and she writes the weekly newsletter Good Decisions. On today's show, Annmarie and Glynnis talk about seeking friendship and pleasure in Paris, the joys of middle age, and how to ask for what you want– and get it.    Episode Sponsors: Mostly Books – An independent bookstore in Tucson, Arizona, for readers of all ages. We offer a carefully curated selection of New & Used Books, Greeting Cards, T-shirts, and Gifts. Stop by our store in Tucson or buy books and Libro.fm audiobooks on our website: mostlybooksaz.com. Books Are Magic – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at booksaremagic.net Books by Glynnis MacNicol I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself No One Tells You This Becoming a Baker The 10 Habits of Highly Successful Women, co-authored with Rachel Sklar Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close, by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center, by Rhaina Cohen Here are the trailers for two Katharine Hepburn movies, Adam's Rib and Desk Set. Follow Glynnis MacNicol: Instagram: @noonetellsyouthis glynnismacnicol.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you know you've been looking for the kind of female friendship Glynnis talks about in this interview and in her book, consider joining Annmarie and her co-leader, Phyllis Biffle Elmore, for a writing retreat in France! Learn more here.  You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make that wish come true.  As of this moment, we only have 3 spots left, but you can click this link for $900 off.  The password is RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For her folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more.  Photo credit: Jamie Magnifico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathleen Glasgow is a poet turned novelist, and she's the author of the bestselling titles Girl in Pieces, You'd Be Home Now, and How to Make Friends With the Dark, and the coauthor, with Liz Lawson, of the bestselling mystery series, The Agathas. On today's show, Annmarie and Kathleen talk about her newest book, The Glass Girl, and the complex relationship many families have with alcohol addiction and rehabilitation.    Episode Sponsors: Mostly Books – An independent bookstore in Tucson, Arizona, for readers of all ages. We offer a carefully curated selection of New & Used Books, Greeting Cards, T-shirts, and Gifts. Stop by our store in Tucson or buy books and Libro.fm audiobooks on our website: mostlybooksaz.com. Brain Lair Books – A black-owned, woman-owned children's bookstore located in South Bend, Indiana. At Brain Lair, we partner with local schools and universities to help build an inclusive, welcoming community. We specialize in juvenile and young adult literature written by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled communities, as well as adult nonfiction about ending white supremacy, promoting anti-racism, and becoming a social activist. We can help you find the books you need. Drop by or browse online at brainlairbooks.com. Books by Kathleen Glasgow The Glass Girl, by Kathleen Glasgow Girl in Pieces, by Kathleen Glasgow  You'd Be Home Now, by Kathleen Glasgow How to Make Friends with the Dark, by Kathleen Glasgow The Agathas, by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson The Night in Question, by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Frighten the Horses, by Oliver Radclyffe The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky  The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, by Carolyn Keene Here's the trailer for Raising Arizona. Finally, Kathleen is running a fundraiser for Youth on Their Own. If you buy a copy of ANY one of Kathleen's books and upload your proof of purchase, they'll make a donation to combat teen homelessness. Go to yoto.org to learn more. Follow Kathleen Glasgow: Instagram: @misskathleenglasgow TikTok: @kathleenglasgow Facebook: Kathleen Glasgow, Author Threads: @misskathleenglasgow kathleenglasgowbooks.com **Writing Workshop Note: Annmarie's teaching in-person Tuesday nights for Literary Cleveland. Learn more and register HERE. Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For the online October Saturday morning class, message Annmarie to learn more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oliver Radclyffe is part of a new wave of transgender writers unafraid to examine the places where gender identity, sexual orientation, feminist allegiance, social class, and family history overlap. On today's show, Annmarie and Oliver talk about his new memoir, FRIGHTEN THE HORSES, and discuss the complex nuances of gender transition. Episode Sponsors: Bluestockings – A collectively-run NYC activist center, community space and feminist bookstore that offers mutual aid, harm reduction support, non-judgemental resource research and a warming/cooling place that is radically inclusive of all genders, cultures, expansive sexualities and identities. Bluestockings seeks to empower all people to challenge oppression and participate in creating a society which is equitable, cooperative, and free, and we strive to empower our worker-owners through non-hierarchy, cooperation, and consensus-based decision making, providing an example of the society we are working toward. Stop by or shop online at bluestockings.com. The Word Is Change – A neighborhood bookstore in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, selling used and new books, hosting readings and meetings, buying books for resale, and supporting visual artists. Come into the store and find the perfect book you were looking for, OR the perfect book you didn't even know you were looking for. And shop online at thewordischange.com Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Adult Human Male, by Oliver Radclyffe Frighten the Horses, by Oliver Radclyffe Who's Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice, by Shon Faye  Here's a trailer for Once.  Follow Oliver Radclyffe: Instagram: @oliverradclyffe Twitter: @RadclyffeOliver Facebook: OliverRadclyffeWriter oliverradclyffe.com **Writing Workshop Note: Annmarie's teaching in-person Tuesday nights for Literary Cleveland. Learn more and register HERE. For the online October Saturday morning class, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rufi Thorpe is the author of four novels, The Girls from Corona del Mar, Dear Fang, With Love, The Knockout Queen, which was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner award, and her newest Book, Margo's Got Money Troubles, which was recently shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize. On today's show, Rufi and Annmarie talk about professional wrestling, OnlyFans, and the countless sacrifices parents make for their kids.  Episode Sponsors: {pages} a bookstore – The place for book lovers of all ages, where reading, meeting and discussing books is a way of life. We offer a carefully curated selection of new fiction, non-fiction, children's, cooking, surf, coffee table books and bestsellers. We are proud of our knowledgeable and caring staff who can match any reader with the perfect book. Learn more or shop online at pagesabookstore.com. Annabelle's Book Club LA – A highly curated collection of books and gifts with a modern point of view. Founded by 17-year-old Annabelle Chang, this YA-focused bookstore aims to spark imagination, inspire connection, and bring joy to people of all ages. Stop or find us online at annabellesbookclubla.com. Titles by Rufi Thorpe: Dear Fang, With Love The Knockout Queen The Girls from Corona del Mar Margo's Got Money Troubles Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Dennis Lehane Walter Mosley Here are a few trailers for some of Rufi's favorite shows: 30 Rock  It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia I Think You Should Leave The Eric Andre Show Follow Rufi Thorpe: Instagram: @rufithorpe Twitter: @RufiThorpe Facebook: RufiThorpeAuthor rufithorpe.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ann Garvin is a USA Today Bestselling author of six novels. She writes about people who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. A former Registered Nurse, Ann currently teaches creative writing at Drexel University. Her latest book is BUMMER CAMP, in which “two sisters scramble to save their family's legacy in a funny, huge-hearted novel about grandiose plans and summers to remember.” On today's show, Ann and Annmarie talk about head lice, tick bites, weirdness, and the worries and wonders of camp.  Episode Sponsors: Mystery to Me – A general bookstore with a very specific name. Of course we curate a wide selection of mystery as well as general and literary fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy, rom-com, horror, graphic novels, young adult titles, and a delightful children's section. Visit our Madison, Wisconsin location or shop online at mysterytomebooks.com. Bluestockings – A collectively-run NYC activist center, community space and feminist bookstore that offers mutual aid, harm reduction support, non-judgemental resources, and a warming/cooling place that is radically inclusive of all genders, cultures, expansive sexualities and identities. Bluestockings seeks to empower all people to challenge oppression and participate in creating a society which is equitable, cooperative, and free, and we strive to empower our worker-owners through non-hierarchy, cooperation, and consensus-based decision making, providing an example of the society we are working toward. Stop by or shop online at bluestockings.com. Titles Mentioned in this Episode: Bummer Camp, by Ann Garvin Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel Here's the trailer for Station Eleven. Check out Tall Poppy Writers. Follow Ann Garvin: Instagram: @anngarvin_ Twitter: @anngarvin_ Facebook: @ann.w.garvin anngarvin.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wade Rouse is the USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling author of more than a dozen books which have been translated into 21 languages. On today's show, Annmarie and Wade discuss difficult parents, screened-in porches, and how to pursue a writing life against the odds. Episode Sponsors: Literary Cleveland – Where writers can explore other voices and discover their own. The Inkubator is Literary Cleveland's free annual festival for writers and readers. Generate new writing, improve your craft, and advance your career. Register for classes, sign up for our free writing conference, and find your writing community at LitCleveland.org. Mac's Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your next great read and shop online at macsbacks.com. Titles Mentioned in this Episode: Magic Season, by Wade Rouse The Recipe Box: A Novel, by Viola Shipman Here's the trailer for Terms of Endearment. Follow Wade Rouse: Instagram: @authorwaderouse and @viola_shipman Twitter: @waderouse and @viola_shipman Facebook: @authorwaderouse and @authorviolashipman YouTube: @WadeRouse waderouse.com and violashipman.com Photo Credit: Ivan Hundric Photography Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, most recently the novel LIARS. Her work's been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Rome Prize, and her writing has been translated into thirteen languages. On today's show, Sarah and Annmarie discuss marriage and how our best intentions often crumble in the face of gender roles, misogyny, the patriarchy, and myriad forces so much larger than we are. Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Annabelle's Book Club LA – A highly curated collection of books and gifts with a modern point of view. Founded by 17-year-old Annabelle Chang, this YA-focused bookstore aims to spark imagination, inspire connection, and bring joy to people of all ages. Stop or find us online at annabellesbookclubla.com. Stories Mentioned in this Episode: Liars, by Sarah Manguso Learn more about Amber Heard and Gabby Petito. Creep, by Myriam Gurba Follow Sarah Manguso: sarahmanguso.com Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, author and editor. Her latest book is The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood For All of Us. On today's show, Annmarie and Rachelle discuss taboo topics from childhood – periods! bras! masturbation! – and how Judy Blume books demystified all of them.  Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Women & Children First – A bookstore that understands the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we've celebrated and amplified   under-represented voices. We offer a welcoming space for learning, dialogue, and reflection, and strive toward a feminist, equitable workplace. Come visit our Chicago location or shop online at womenandchildrenfirst.com. Judy Blume Titles Mentioned in this Episode: Deenie Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Forever… Then Again, Maybe I Won't Blubber Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great It's Not the End of the World Other Titles Mentioned: The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood For All of Us, by Rachelle Bergstein Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma, by Claire Dederer Biography of X, by Catherine Lacey The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath, by Leslie Jamison Here's some 90s music to leave you with: Under the Bridge, by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Follow Rachelle Bergstein: Twitter: @RaBergstein Instagram: @rachellewb rachellebergstein.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Copley Eisenberg is a queer writer in Philadelphia, where she co-founded Blue Stoop, a community hub for the literary arts. Her latest book is HOUSEMATES which we talk about today. On today's show, Emma and Annmarie discuss queer aunties, the magic of road trips, and whether art can actually save our lives. Episode Sponsors: The Head & The Hand – A nonprofit independent publisher and community bookstore based in the Kensington/Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, where we're committed to serving as a launchpad for the next generation of local writers. We strive to create innovative relationships between authors and their audiences, and we publish and stock writing with the power to both entertain and spark change. Come visit or find us online at theheadandthehand.com. Women & Children First – A bookstore that understands the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we've celebrated and amplified under-represented voices. We offer a welcoming space for learning, dialogue, and reflection, and strive toward a feminist, equitable workplace. Come visit our Chicago location or shop online at womenandchildrenfirst.com. Titles Mentioned in this Episode: Housemates, by Emma Copley Eisenberg The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia, by Emma Copley Eisenberg Nicotine, by Nell Zinks The Girls of Slender Means, Murial Spark All This Could Be Different, by Sarah Thankham Mathews Sophie's Choice, by William Styron Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott A Grace Paley Reader: Stories, Essays, and Poetry Blue Stoop, a home for Philly writers Learn more about Emma Goldman's ice cream parlor here Jordan Kisner podcast Thresholds Follow Emma Copley Eisenberg: Twitter: @frumpenberg Instagram: @frumpenberg emmacopleyeisenberg.com Photo credit: Kenzi Crash Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

R.O. Kwon is the author of the nationally bestselling novel The Incendiaries, which was named a best book of the year by more than forty publications. On today's show, Annmarie and R.O. discuss her new book, Exhibit, an exhilarating novel that's been called “the sexiest book of the year.” They also talk about photography, the torture and timelessness of ballet, and what it means for women to put voice to their desires both in and out of the bedroom. Episode Sponsors: Duende District – We make tiny bookstores for & by people of color— where all are welcome. What you'll find at each Duende District is a lovingly curated selection of new & used adult & children's books by authors of color in English & Spanish. Each boutique partnership offers a uniquely crafted & inviting literary space focused on engaging communities of color, while also inviting all people to participate in the experience. Visit our locations in Albuquerque & Brooklyn, or find us online at duendedistrict.com. Loyalty Bookstores – A Black, Asian, and Queer owned bookstore, which aims to be the Mid-Atlantic's neighborhood spot for books, gifts, and programming. At Loyalty, we highlight the diverse voices and creatives who make our communities great. We work to create an inclusive, welcoming environment because, well, books are home. Visit our DC and Silver Spring locations or find us online at loyaltybookstores.com. Yu and Me Books – A bookstore / café / and bar that showcases strong, diverse voices, with a focus on immigrant stories, in a space where we can dream together, strive for change, and push systems closer to justice. Come to our NYC location to sip, read, and share amazing conversations, or find us online at yuandmebooks.com. Titles Mentioned in this Episode: Exhibit, by R.O. Kwon The Incendiaries, by R.O. Kwon Kink: Stories, edited by Garth Greenwell and R.O. Kwon Small Rain, by Garth Greenwell Follow R.O. Kwon: Twitter: @rokwon Instagram: @ro.kwon ro-kwon.com Photo credit: Jesse Dittmar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing, Everything, Everything, and The Sun Is Also a Star, and she was the first Black woman to hit #1 on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list. On today's show, Nicola and Annmarie discuss Nicola's new adult book, One of Our Kind, “a terrifying and thought-provoking look at what it means to be truly free in America.” They also talk about Black joy, pursuing dreams, and also why it's totally fine when your kids want to dye their hair blue. Episode Sponsors: Annabelle's Book Club LA – A highly curated collection of books and gifts with a modern point of view. Founded by 17-year-old Annabelle Chang, this YA-focused bookstore aims to spark imagination, inspire connection, and bring joy to people of all ages. Stop or find us online at annabellesbookclubla.com. Rep Club – A bookshop and creative space curated by Blackness in Los Angeles, California. Named one of Issa Rae's "favorite places in Los Angeles," this Black, queer, and woman-owned space hosts bookish events  and can help you find your next 5-star read. Wherever you are, shop online at rep.club. For a limited time, listeners can get 10% off your next read with code WILD at checkout!  Books by Nicola Yoon: Everything, Everything The Sun Is Also a Star Instructions for Dancing One of Our Kind Blackout, by Nicola Yoon, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Nic Stone Whiteout, by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon  If you're looking for a throwback karaoke song, here's Making Love Out of Nothing at All, by Air Supply.  Follow Nicola Yoon: Facebook: NicolaYoonWriter Twitter: @NicolaYoon Instagram: @nicolayoon nicolayoon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacquelyn Mitchard is the best-selling author of 23 books, including A Very Inconvenient Scandal, The Good Son, and The Deep End of the Ocean, which was the inaugural selection for Oprah Winfrey's book club. In today's episode, Jacquelyn and Annmarie talk about the opportunities and challenges of balancing motherhood and the writing life, finding character names in cemeteries, and how no story is ever truly complete until the reader is holding the author's hand. Episode Sponsors: Aesop's Fable – An independent bookshop in Holliston, Massachusetts with a focus on inspiring creativity and growth in readers of all ages. Stop by or shop online at aesopsfable.com. Brewster Book Store – A full-service independent shop filled to the brim with books, toys, games, greeting cards, and gifts. We've been matching readers with books for over 40 years, and we're proud of our collection of Cape Cod books, our extensive children's section, and our wide selection of books for readers of all tastes and ages. We believe books have the power to change lives. Come in or shop online at brewsterbookstore.com. A Small Selection of Books by Jacquelyn Mitchard: A Very Inconvenient Scandal The Deep End of the Ocean The Good Son A Theory of Relativity Films Mentioned in this Episode: Wuthering Heights – Here's a clip from the 1992 version starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Here's a trailer for North by Northwest. Here's a clip from the film Glory. Here's the trailer for American Fiction. Finally, if you're a writer and want to journey with Jacquelyn Mitchard along the Mediterranean Sea this fall, learn more HERE.  Follow Jacquelyn Mitchard: Facebook: jacquelyn.mitchard Twitter: @JackieMitchard Instagram: @jacquelynmitchard Goodreads: jacquelyn_mitchard jacquelynmitchard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alua Arthur is the most visible and active death doula working in America today. She's a recovering attorney and the founder of Going with Grace, a death doula training and end-of-life planning organization. Her TED Talk titled, “Why Thinking About Death Helps You Live a Better Life,” has over 1.5 million views. In today's episode, Annmarie and Alua discuss Briefly Perfectly Human, Alua's life-changing, soul-gathering memoir. They also discuss how talking about death can help all of us live better lives.  Episode Sponsors: Octavia's Bookshelf – An independent bookstore in Pasadena, California where readers of all walks of life can enjoy our store full of books written by BIPOC writers. Octavia's Bookshelf is a place to find your new BFF inside a book, a space to find community, enjoy a cup of coffee, read, relax, find unique and specially curated products from artisans from around the world and in our neighborhood. Stop by or shop online at octaviasbookshelf.com. Rep Club – A bookshop and creative space curated by Blackness in Los Angeles, California. Named one of Issa Rae's "favorite places in Los Angeles," this Black, queer, and woman-owned space hosts bookish events    and can help you find your next 5-star read. Wherever you are, shop online at rep.club. For a limited time, listeners can get 10% off your next read with code WILD at checkout!  Titles Discussed in this Episode: Briefly Perfectly Human, by Alua Arthur Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides Conscious Grieving, by Claire Bidwell Smith Love on the Scottish Spring Isle, by Beatrice Bradshaw Fathers and Sons, by Howard Cunnell Follow Alua Arthur: Instagram: @going_with_grace Twitter: @goinggracefully Facebook: @goingwgrace goingwithgrace.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we have something new. This past spring, Annmarie gathered with eight local writers to try a podcasting project. Over the course of six weeks together, they wrote side-by-side, saying YES to whatever stories arose. About friendship and loss, dreams and possibility, parents and belief. These sessions were sometimes tearful and painful, but they were always beautiful. And powerful. Because something important happens when we create in community. In this episode, we share eight short essays. Some folks have been writing for decades. Others are just getting started. All of them have stories to tell. Episode Sponsors: Literary Cleveland – Developing writers, amplifying voices, and transforming our community through storytelling. You can explore other voices and discover your own. Search for classes and find your creative community at litcleveland.org. Mac's Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your next great read and shop online at macsbacks.com. Writers Showcased in this Episode: Alvis Pettker Tamar Cloyd Jackie Sliva T. Lee Peters Deborah Taddeo Emily Jaster L.P. Amy Alspach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crystal Wilkinson is the award-winning author of several books including Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. She was Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021 to 2023, and currently teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky where she is a Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor. In today's episode, Crystal and Annmarie discuss kitchen ghosts, family recipes – including how biscuits need to “kiss,” and the blessings and self-awareness we find in the stories of our ancestors. Episode Sponsor: Charis Books and More – An independent feminist bookstore. Charis fosters sustainable feminist communities, works for social justice, and encourages the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. When you spend your money or your time at Charis Books and More, you are investing in the radical belief that multi-racial organizing and movement- building centered in a Southern, queer, feminist, anti-racist practice can shift culture and change lives and we appreciate your support. Stop by our Decatur, Georgia store or find us online at charisbooksandmore.com. BEM | books and more – BEM is a bookstore specializing in food literature of the African Diaspora, inspired by a line of dynamic and brilliant Black women who season with love and spin tales with the best of them. Honoring that legacy and those of Black folks and families across time and place is at the heart of what they do. Food opens a door to life, to sustenance, to love, to politics, and BEM | books and more is thrilled to welcome you into their community to explore it all together. Discover more online at bembrooklyn.com or on their Instagram @bembrooklyn. Wild Precious Life listeners receive 10% off their orders at BEM | books and more. Just type in the code WILDPRECIOUSLIFE (all one word) when you check out. Titles Discussed in this Episode: Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks, by Crystal Wilkinson Perfect Black, by Crystal Wilkinson The Birds of Opulence, by Crystal Wilkinson Other conversations with Crystal Wilkinson: PRAISESONG FOR THE KITCHEN GHOSTS: STORIES AND RECIPES FROM FIVE GENERATIONS OF BLACK COUNTRY COOKS PERFECT BLACK: CRYSTAL WILKINSON IN CONVERSATION WITH KIESE LAYMON BREATH BETTER SPENT: LIVING BLACK GIRLHOOD--DAMARIS B. HILL IN CONVERSATION WITH CRYSTAL WILKINSON Follow Crystal Wilkinson: Instagram: @crystalwilki Twitter: @crystalwilki Facebook: @wilkinsoncrystal crystalewilkinson.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina Cooke was born in Jamaica and is now a Canadian citizen who lives and writes in New York City. BROUGHTUPSY is her debut novel. In today's episode, Annmarie and Christina discuss cultural upbringings, the cruelty of children, the joys of weightlifting, and how all humans are complex and contradictory and deserving of love.  Episode Sponsor: Zora's Den – Dedicated to empowering the lives of Black women writers. At Zora's Den, we host a monthly reading series, conduct workshops, and invite writers to share their work-in-progress for feedback and constructive criticism. Our hope is to build a sisterhood of writers at every level of accomplishment and to strengthen the voices of the unheard and unacknowledged. If you're a Black woman writer, you're welcome to join us. Learn more at zorasden.com. Brain Lair Books – A black-owned, woman-owned children's bookstore located in South Bend, Indiana. At Brain Lair, we partner with local schools and universities to help build an inclusive, welcoming community. We specialize in juvenile and young adult literature written by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled communities, as well as adult nonfiction about ending white supremacy, promoting anti-racism, and becoming a social activist. We can help you find the books you need. Drop by or browse online at brainlairbooks.com. Titles Discussed in this Episode: BROUGHTUPSY, by Christina Cooke IMAGINARY HOMELANDS, by Salman Rushdie WHITE TEETH, by Zadie Smith It's All Coming Back to Me Now, by Celine Dion. Learn more about Louise Bennett, a Jamaican folklorist and poet.  Follow Christina Cooke: Instagram: @christina.j.cooke Twitter: @christinajcooke www.christinajcooke.com Photo credit: Eli Jules Photography  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Kain Gutowski is the author of Fabulous Beast and along with interdisciplinary artist Meredith Starr, she's co-creator of Every Second Feels Like Theft, a conversation in cyanotypes and poems, and It's All Too Much, a limited edition podcast and art project. She's out now with a new book of narrative poetry, The Familiar. In today's episode, Sarah and Annmarie discuss the ache of literary ambition, how parenthood divides us from ourselves, and how Moonstruck is one of the best movies of all time. Episode Sponsor: Zora's Den – Dedicated to empowering the lives of Black women writers. At Zora's Den, we host a monthly reading series, conduct workshops, and invite writers to share their work-in-progress for feedback and constructive criticism. Our hope is to build a sisterhood of writers at every level of accomplishment and to strengthen the voices of the unheard and unacknowledged. If you're a Black woman writer, you're welcome to join us. Learn more at zorasden.com. Split Rock Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of the Hudson Valley. Split Rock carries a curated selection of new books with a focus on literary fiction and non-fiction, small presses, local interest, and children's books. We host a variety of family programming, book clubs, readings, signings and discussions. And we're located steps from the Cold Spring train station, which is just over an hour from New York City. Learn more or shop online at splitrockbks.com. Titles Discussed in this Episode: The Familiar, by Sarah Kain Gutowski Fabulous Beast, by Sarah Kain Gutowski  Kate Bush's album 50 Words for Snow One of Annmarie and Sarah's favorite scenes from the movie Moonstruck. Hills Like White Elephants, a short story by Ernest Hemingway. ​ Follow Sarah Kain Gutowski: Instagram: @sarahkaingutowski Twitter: @skgutowski Facebook: /sarahkaingutowskiauthor TikTok: @sarahkaingutowski Email: sarah.kain.gutowski [at] gmail.com Website: https://www.sarahkaingutowski.com Photo credit: Priyanca Rao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally from Argentina, Cecilia Gentili came to the U.S. pursuing a safer life as a transgender woman. She lived undocumented for 10 years. After surviving arrests and an immigration detention, she accessed recovery services and won asylum. Cecilia founded Transgender Equity Consulting, which works to ensure all people living on the margins receive dignity and respect. In today's episode, Annmarie and Cecilia talk about growing up on the margins, emigrating to the United States, and how to love and forgive people who struggle to offer dignity or understanding in return.   Cecilia Gentili passed away on Feb. 6, 2024. She was 52 years old. Episode Sponsor: The Word Is Change – A neighborhood bookstore in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, selling used and new books, hosting readings and meetings, buying books for resale, and supporting visual artists. Come into the store and find the perfect book you were looking for, or the perfect book you didn't even know you were looking for. And shop online at thewordischange.com. Titles Discussed in this Episode: FALTAS, by Cecilia Gentili Here are links to some of Cecilia's favorite songs: Isabel Pantoja singing “Abrásame Muy Fuerte,” (or Hug Me Really Hard. Gilda singing “No me Arrepiento de este Amor,” (or I Don't Regret This Love).  Laura Branigan singing “Gloria.”  Here's a clip from Cecilia Gentili appearing as Ms. Orlando in POSE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leslie Jamison has written two essay collections, The Empathy Exams and Make It Scream, Make It Burn. She also gained prominence for her critical memoir, The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath. She's out now with a new book, Splinters, about raising a child during the end of a relationship and the beginning of the pandemic. In today's episode, Annmarie and Leslie talk about motherhood and how it's both a mad transformative mystery and a boring daily slog. It's both the Cheerios ground into the carpet and the love etched into your heart.  Episode Sponsors: Greenlight Bookstore – Through knowledgeable staff, curated book selection, community partnerships, and a robust e-commerce website, Greenlight combines the best traditions of the neighborhood bookstore with a forward-looking sensibility, and welcomes readers of every kind to the heart of Brooklyn. Learn more and shop online at greenlightbookstore.com. Flourish After Forty – A women's retreat cultivating growth and contentment in midlife. Join facilitators Dr. Shannon Sherfey and Holly Stencil for a weekend of nourishing your body, mind, and spirit. We'll examine struggles, let go of narratives that do not serve us, and shift our mindset toward blooming in midlife. If you're looking to step away from stagnation and move into joy and gratitude, check out the Flourish After 40 Women's Retreat today. Go to tinyurl.com/FlourishAfterForty to learn more. Titles by Leslie Jamison: SPLINTERS: ANOTHER KIND OF LOVE STORY THE EMPATHY EXAMS MAKE IT SCREAM, MAKE IT BURN THE RECOVERING: INTOXICATION AND ITS AFTERMATH THE GIN CLOSET: A NOVEL Other Titles and Authors Discussed in this Episode: Easy Beauty, by Chloé Cooper Jones Flight, by Lynn Steger Strong Here's a trailer for the latest season of Love Island. Follow Leslie Jamison: Twitter: @lsjamison www.lesliejamison.com Photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She is a former Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education and is the author of two bestselling novels, Firekeeper's Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed. In today's episode, Angeline and Annmarie talk about the need to protect and celebrate indigenous artifacts, cultures, and stories. Episode Sponsors: Brain Lair Books – A black-owned, woman-owned children's bookstore located in South Bend, Indiana. At Brain Lair, we partner with local schools and universities to help build an inclusive, welcoming community. We specialize in juvenile and young adult literature written by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled communities, as well as adult nonfiction about ending white supremacy, promoting anti-racism, and becoming a social activist. We can help you find the books you need. Drop by or browse online at brainlairbooks.com. International Writers' Collective – The Collective offers fiction and poetry workshops online and in the Netherlands and a vibrant international community to support you in your writing goals. Many students view their program as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to an MFA. Learn more and find a class at internationalwriterscollective.com. Titles and Authors Discussed in This Episode: The Firekeeper's Daughter, by Angeline Boulley Warrior Girl Unearthed, by Angeline Boulley House Party, edited by justin a. reynolds Yellowface, by R.F. Kwon The Shadow Sister, by Lily Mead  Promise Boys, by Nick Brooks The Only Good Indians, Stephen Graham Jones. Elatsoe, by Darcie Little Badger English-Cayuga/Cayuga-English Dictionary, by Frances Froman, Alfred J. Keye, Lottie Keye, and Carrie J. Dyck Here's a sneak peak of the movie Interstellar. Follow Angeline Boulley: Instagram: @angelineboulley Twitter: @FineAngeline Facebook: @angelineboulleyauthor Angelineboulley.com Photo credit: Marcella Hadden Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Athena Dixon is a poet, essayist, and editor. She is the author of The Loneliness Files, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, and No God In This Room, winner of the Intersectional Midwest Chapbook Contest. In this episode, Annmarie and Athena talk about mental health, women who die alone, and how having loneliness in common might just be the connection we need to take better care of one another. Episode Sponsors: A Novel Idea – A community-minded bookstore and event space in East Passyunk, Philadelphia. At A Novel Idea, we hope to create and foster a space of diversity and inclusivity, and we want to help our customers fall in love with books, either for the first time or the millionth. More than anything, our goal is to cultivate community. Stop in or shop online at anovelideaphilly.com. Zora's Den – Dedicated to empowering the lives of Black women writers. At Zora's Den, we host a monthly reading   series, conduct workshops, and invite writers to share their work-in-progress for feedback and constructive criticism. Our hope is to build a sisterhood of writers at every level of accomplishment and to strengthen the voices of the unheard and unacknowledged. If you're a Black woman writer, you're welcome to join us. Learn more at zorasden.com. Titles Discussed in This Episode: The Loneliness Files, by Athena Dixon The Incredible Shrinking Woman, by Athena Dixon No God in This Room, by Athena Dixon The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, by John Koenig Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston Here's a sneak peak of the movie Goodfellas. Here's the video for Hollywood by Victoria Monét. Follow Athena Dixon: Instagram: @the_muse_paper Twitter: @AthenaDDixon Facebook: @athenadevondixon athenadixon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olga Mecking is a writer, journalist, and translator based in the Netherlands, and she's the reporter who made Niksen (“doing nothing”) go viral. Her New York Times article on the subject was shared over 100,000 times. In this episode, Annmarie and Olga talk about the health and creativity benefits of doing nothing and why it is that pauses, rests, and breaks too often feel out of reach for our overworked selves. Episode Sponsors: The American Book Center – Booksellers with a personal touch. This family-owned bookstore, opened in 1972, has been quirky, friendly and knowledgeable from the start, and just counting our present staff, we represent more than 700 years of combined bookselling experience. Our Amsterdam location is often listed as one of the Ten Most beautiful Bookshops in the World, and our stores are highly rated for assortment and personal service. Drop by to touch and smell the books, or shop online at abc.nl. International Writers' Collective – The Collective offers fiction and poetry workshops online and in the Netherlands and a vibrant international community to support you in your writing goals. Many students view their program as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to an MFA. Learn more and find a class at internationalwriterscollective.com. Titles Discussed in This Episode: Niksen: The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing, by Olga Mecking One Chance in a Thousand: A Holocaust Memoir, by Jan Balicki and Olga Mecking Here's the trailer for FLASHDANCE. Here's the video for YELLOW SUBMARINE by the Beatles. Follow Olga Mecking: Instagram: @olgamecking Twitter: @OlgaMecking Facebook: @OlgaMeckingWriter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince Shakur's debut memoir, When They Tell You to Be Good, is a political and personal exploration of his coming of age as a writer and activist. In this episode, Laura Maylene Walter talks to Prince Shakur about how race and identity shaped his formative years, how journaling providing him with a creative outlet, his experience with activism and protest, the challenges he faced in the publishing industry, and working with Hanif Abdurraqib as his editor at Tin House Books, and more. Follow Page Count Follow Laura Maylene Walter   Follow Prince Shakur Instagram: @sweetblackprince Twitter: @prshakur YouTube: @PrinceShakurYouTube www.princeshakur.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alejandro Varela is the author of THE TOWN OF BABYLON, a finalist for the National Book Award, and THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT MORE STRESS, which The New York Times called “a master class in analyzing the unspoken” and praised Varela for shedding light on complex societal problems with “seemingly effortless wit and empathy." Varela has a Master's Degree in Public Health, and believes strongly in reparations, land back, a national health service, and a $36 minimum wage pegged to inflation. In this episode, Annmarie and Alejandro talk about social justice, online dating, and whether writing fiction can help foster the collective liberation of our society. Episode Sponsors: The Word Is Change – A neighborhood bookstore in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, selling used and new books, hosting readings and meetings, buying books for resale, and supporting visual artists. Come into the store and find the perfect book you were looking for, or the perfect book you didn't even know you were looking for. And shop online at thewordischange.com. Greenlight Bookstore – Through knowledgeable staff, curated book selection, community partnerships, and a robust e-commerce website, Greenlight combines the best traditions of the neighborhood bookstore with a forward-looking sensibility, and welcomes readers of every kind to the heart of Brooklyn. Learn more and shop online at greenlightbookstore.com. Titles Discussed in This Episode: THE TOWN OF BABYLON, by Alejandro Varela  THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT MORE STRESS, by Alejandro Varela FALTAS: LETTERS TO EVERYONE IN MY HOMETOWN WHO ISN'T MY RAPIST, by Cecilia Gentili Here's the trailer for PAST LIVES. Follow Alejandro Varela: Instagram: @drovarela Twitter: @drovarela alejandrovarela.work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lou-Andrea Callewaert was a chronically ill child who learned to write through her pain. She's the author of I FELL IN LOVE WITH HOPE, the story of young hospital patients who support one another throughout their terminal diagnoses and promise to live fully for as long as they are able. Lou writes under the pen name Lancali, and in this episode, she and Annmarie talk about grief, horseback riding, and the necessity of clinging to hope even when it seems like there is no reason to do so. Episode Sponsors: San Marco Books and More – An indie shop in Jacksonville, Florida, offering a large stock of classic fiction, a full range of children's books, an extensive choice of leather-bound titles, and literary gifts for folks of all ages. Drop by or shop online at sanmarcobooksandmore.com. Parnassus Books – An independent bookstore located in Nashville, Tennessee, Parnassus is co-owned by bestselling author Ann Patchett and Managing Partner Karen Hayes. Parnassus provides a refuge for Nashvillians of all ages who share in our love of the written word. Learn more and shop online at parnassusbooks.net. Titles Discussed in This Episode: I FELL IN LOVE WITH HOPE, by Lancali Here's the trailer for TWO BROTHERS.  Follow Lou-Andrea Callewaert: TikTok: @lancali Instagram: @lancalii Twitter: @lancaliii Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vauhini Vara's debut novel, THE IMMORTAL KING RAO, has been published around the world, is being adapted for television, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. She's out now with a new story collection, THIS IS SALVAGED, which Lit Hub and Electric Literature named one of the most anticipated books of the year. In this episode, Annmarie and Vauhini talk about the opportunities and costs of technology, writing through grief, and how to use Battlestar Galactica to solve craft problems. Episode Sponsors: Pegasus Books – Offering a huge selection of new, used and sale titles, Pegasus bookstores are welcoming and inclusive neighborhood spaces, where we believe in the printed word and in the alchemy of sharing books with one another. Find your next great read and shop online at pegasusbookstore.com. StoryStudio Chicago – A writing center located in Chicago and online, which helps writers hone their craft, express their creativity, and tell their stories. With classes covering a wide variety of topics, genres, and levels, there is truly something for everyone at StoryStudio. Learn more at storystudiochicago.org. Writing by Vauhini Vara: The Immortal King Rao This Is Salvaged Ghosts Confessions of a Viral AI Writer Unknown Unknowns: UFOs, Autonomous Cars, and Someone Who Can Beat Trump Other Titles Discussed in This Episode: The Sorrow of Others, by Ada Zhang Blue (Da Ba Dee), by Eiffel 65 Here's the video for Disney's Lava (It's okay to cry.) Even if you're not into sci-fi, check out Battlestar Galactica. Follow Vauhini Vara: Twitter: @vauhinivara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices