POPULARITY
This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, we go behind the scenes with writer Tessa Fontaine as we explore the realities of building a fiction writing career. We talk about money, publishing, creative community, balancing art with financial stability, and why most authors rely on multiple income streams to keep writing.We also discuss the deeper purpose of writing—how stories help us make sense of the world, why art matters beyond profit, and what it means to create work that truly connects. Whether you're a writer, artist, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is an honest look at the intersection of creativity, career, and purpose.Also mentioned in today's episode:00:10 Introduction to Tessa Fontaine's Writing Journey03:18 The Role of Income and Writing as a Creative Outlet04:18 The Joy of Reading and Audiobooks for Writers06:36 Balancing Practical Career and Artistic Spirit11:36 Building Community and Accountability in Writing22:34 The Fickleness of Writing Income and Artistic Freedom27:54 The Incompatibility of Capitalism and Art36:36 The Gift Economy and the Purpose of Art46:06 Why Do You Write? Personal Motivations50:40 Diverse Careers and Income Streams for Writers54:29 Misunderstandings About the Financial Side of Writing01:00:02 The Enduring Power of Art and LiteratureIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.About Tessa Fontaine:Tessa Fontaine is the author of THE ELECTRIC WOMAN: A MEMOIR IN DEATH-DEFYING ACTS (FSG 2018), a New York Times Editors' Choice; Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick, and best book of the year by Southern Living, Refinery29, Amazon Editors', and The New York Post.THE RED GROVE (FSG 2024), her debut novel, was named a best book by Amazon Editors' and People Magazine, and was currently longlisted for the Center for Fiction's First Novel Prize.Other writing can be found in Outside, The New York Times, Glamour, AGNI, The Believer, People, LitHub, Creative Nonfiction, and more. Raised outside San Francisco, Tessa is a former professor and has taught in jails and prisons. She co-founded and teaches the Accountability Workshops with writer and pal Annie Hartnett, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her daughter, goofy dog and sassy cat.Check Out Tessa's Work:Tessa's WebsiteAccountability Workshops websiteInstagram: @accountabilityworkshopsEpisode Links:Check out my program, Money BootcampGet my Tax Help on SubstackGet your FREE visual guide to tax deductionsOrder my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe
Join bestselling authors Kerri Maher and Annie Hartnett as they discuss their books, failed projects that didn't sell, dogs who need SSRIs, the magic of doing “The Artist's Way,” and bowling nights with fellow writers. You'll also hear the story about one of them being booed at her own wedding!
In today's ep we're assigning reading syllabi to some of our favorite celebrities and telling them what we think they should be reading! And if you didn't already guess, we took the assignment VERY seriously. Becca's Celebs Glen Powell - Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, The Guncle by Steven Rowley, The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown Tree Paine - The Boys' Club by Erica Katz, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan Anne Hathaway - All Fours by Miranda July, Famesick by Lena Dunham, The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland, Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino Olivia's Celebs Alicia Carmody - Strangers by Belle Burden, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Noah Kahan - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, The Wedding People by Alison Espach, Good Material by Dolly Alderton Pedro Pascal - Shark Heart by Emily Habeck, John of John by Douglas Stuart, Bonus Travis Kelce Pick - Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano July's Book Club Pick - The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff Summer of Sol Bonus Book Club Picks 8/20 - One and Only by Maurene Goo 9/17 - The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza What we read this week Olivia - The Children by Melissa Albert, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe Becca - Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan, Once, Again, Always by Amanda Gayle (out Oct 6) Obsessions Becca - MapTap.gg Sponsors Skims - Shop our favorites at SKIMS.com. Let them know we sent selecting "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Caraway Home - Visit Carawayhome.com/BOP or use code BOP at checkout to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! Buy our Merch! Join our BFF Group! Order Olivia's Books, Little One, and Such a Bad Influence! Subscribe to Olivia's Newsletter! Order Becca's Book, The Christmas Orphans Club, and preorder Back Where We Started! Subscribe to Becca's Newsletter! Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.
Road trips are often marked by spontaneity. They offer side quests, junk food, hotel pools and a chance to see the country with fresh eyes.But no road trip is quite as spontaneous as the one in “The Road to Tender Hearts.” This darkly funny novel follows 63-year-old lottery winner PJ Halliday, his estranged daughter, two orphaned kids who have just come into his care and a therapy cat named Pancakes — who happens to be a harbinger of death — on a six-day cross-country road trip to win back PJ's high school girlfriend. Along the way, the group faces past trauma, the meaning of family and the tender hopes of new beginnings.This week, to kick off Big Books and Bold Ideas virtual summer road trip series, Kerri Miller talks with author Annie Hartnett about “The Road to Tender Hearts,” which was just published on paperback. Along the way, they discuss what makes a road trip magical (or not), and how being open to adventure can be a balm for grief, restlessness and a cynical outlook. Guest: Annie Hartnett is the award-winning author of three novels: “Rabbit Cake,” “Unlikely Animals,” and the national bestseller, “The Road to Tender Hearts.” Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.
In this interview, I chat with Portia Elan about Homebound, her publishing journey, having Homebound selected as Scribner's Lead Read for spring, marketing in the publishing world, her research, what the editing process was like and how it changed the story, and much more. Portia's recommended read is Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Annie Hartnett is the award-winning author of three novels: Rabbit Cake, Unlikely Animals, and the national bestseller The Road to Tender Hearts, which won the 2025 New England Book Award for fiction and was named a best book of 2025 from NPR, LitHub, and Southern Living. It's now out and available in paperback, published by Ballentine. Along with the writer Tessa Fontaine, Annie co-runs Accountability Workshops for writers, helping writers commit to routines and embrace the long, slow, joyful, terrible process of doing the work. The Road to Tender Hearts gives us writers a lot to talk about. Structuring a novel around a road trip and how to weave in backstory while maintaining forward momentum. Writing heavy topics like death, addiction, grief, and abandonment with humor. Annie's approach to third-person multiple points of view, tackling a range of viewpoints, and so much more. We also talked about her ambivalent relationship with Scrivener, how she uses spreadsheets, working with mind maps, and the importance of accountability for writers. For more information on Writers on Writing and to become a supporter, visit our Patreon page. For a one-time donation, visit Ko-fi. You can help out the show and indie bookstores by buying books at our bookstore on bookshop.org. It's stocked with titles by our guest authors, as well as our personal favorites. And on Spotify, you'll find an album's worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. It's perfect for writing. Look for the artist, Just My Type. You can find hundreds of past interviews on our website. (Recorded June 2, 2026) Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett Host: Marrie Stone Music: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)
This week on the KPL Podcast, we have author Lori Gold. Her new book, Kiss Marry Kill, takes a new spin on the conversation game. Three women play the game and end up in a slightly altered reality but are given the chance to make necessary changes to their lives. Listen to learn more. Author ReadsTake Me With You by Steven RowleyThe Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
This episode we come to you live from the Newburyport Literary Festival, which is a truly kick-ass event. But, don't worry: It's still just us talking about four books! They just happen to come from authors speaking at the Fest — including two poets! Hey, it only took us 14 episodes to get a couple books of poetry on this thing. But we've got a couple of great novels, too — People are dying in John Irving ways! And winning awards in John Irving ways! — so we're not too far outside our norms. And you may notice that we're slightly more prepared than normal. This fortnight, we read: "Good Monster," by Diannelly Antigua "The Road to Tender Hearts," by Annie Hartnett "The Diaspora Sonnets," by Oliver de la Paz "The Award," by Matthew Pearl What sound effects did we give each of these books? You'll just have to listen and find out!
Annie Hartnett is the award-winning author of three novels: Rabbit Cake, Unlikely Animals, and the national bestseller The Road to Tender Hearts, which won the 2025 New England Book Award for fiction and was named a best book of 2025 from NPR, LitHub, and Southern Living. In today's episode, Annmarie and Annie discuss parenting worries, janky rental houses, and how to write a road trip book with or without a cat that can predict death. Episode Sponsors: Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. And learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Blue Willow Bookshop – A locally-owned, independently-minded West Houston bookstore. Blue Willow is run by a team of opinionated, well-read women. Our staff meetings are full of laughter, our back room is full of snacks, and we absolutely love putting the right book into a reader's hands. We've got recommendations. We've got pizzazz. And we look forward to welcoming you to our happy place. Stop in or shop online at bluewillowbookshop.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Rabbit Cake, by Annie Hartnett Unlikely Animals, by Annie Hartnett The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett Margot's Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe Follow Annie Hartnett: Instagram: @annie_hartnett Threads: @annie_hartnett Substack: @anniehartnett anniehartnett.com accountabilityworkshops.com Photo credit: Traer Scott **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in a May weekday accountability circle, you can sign up here. For anyone in search of an evening class to jumpstart their creative practice, you can sign up here.And if you'd like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Roxanna are discussing: Bookish Moments: Whiny men in books and reading to our kids Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: books we rated fairly low, but have stuck with us over time. Before We Go: our new segment featuring bookish friend posts and a sleeper hit from Roxanna Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). . . . :10 - Bite Size Intro 1:50 - We encourage you to spend your dollars at indie bookstores this Saturday, April 25th for Independent Bookstore Day! 4:26 - Bookish Moments of the Week 4:49 - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 5:47 - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 7:35 - Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney 10:00 - Current Reads 10:08 - Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Roxanna) 12:21 - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 18:58 - Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (Kaytee) 24:01 - One Woman Show by Christine Coulson (Roxanna) 28:12 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 28:34 - Meet the Neighbors by Brandon Keim (Kaytee) 31:56 - An Immense World by Ed Yong 32:11 - Fuzz by Mary Roach 33:34 - Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke (Roxanna) 37:01 - Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman 38:15 - Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill (Kaytee) 40:23 - The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace 40:31 - Love in Color by Bolu Babalola 41:48 - Deep Dive: Lower Rated Books That Stuck With Us 42:57 - Wine Witch On Fire by Natalie MacLean 48:27 - Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain 50:08 - Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl 50:10 - Blood Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton 50:46 - Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain 51:51 - To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers 55:29 - Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey 56:44 - How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson 57:10 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 57:13 - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 57:42 - Dawn by Octavia Butler 57:48 - Kindred by Octavia Butler 1:01:24 - You by Caroline Kepnes 1:04:56 - Before We Go Kaytee highlights a bookish friend post 1:05:12 - Currently Reading Patreon (gets you access to our Discord!) 1:05:31 - Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Roxanna brings a sleeper hit 1:06:25 - Food that Really Schmecks by Edna Stabler Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. April's IPL is brought to us from a new to us bookstore, Two Friends Books in Bentonville, Arkansas Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads | Substack | Youtube The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!
On this episode of Marginalia, we revisit Beth Golay's conversation with Annie Hartnett on "The Road to Tenders Hearts," which was released in paperback this week.
Send a textToday is our latest BFF Book Club. This month, we're joined by by Annie Harnett, author of The Road to Tender Hearts. Annie is the award-winning author of two additional novels, Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals. Episode Highlights:The inspiration behind The Road to Tender Hearts and how Annie transformed personal anxiety into sharp, heartfelt fiction.Her writing process of “going for the joke first” and then layering in what she calls the “emo copy” to bring emotional depth.Why humor is her entry point into heavier themes.How her experience as a former bookseller shaped her storytelling and reading life.Annie's book flight featuring four of her all-time favorite books.Connect with Annie:InstagramWebsite
We are Virginia Sole-Smith and Corinne Fay and it's time for your January Indulgence Gospel! Today we are talking about former restaurant critic turned diet crusader Pete Wells—and why the New York Times always spends January turning into a women's magazine from hell. CW for discussions of intentional weight loss and lazy fat jokes (from Pete), including some that are offensive to both humans and bassett hounds. You do need to be a paid Just Toast subscriber to listen to this full conversation. Membership starts at just $5 per month!Join Just Toast!Don't want an ongoing commitment? Click "buy for $4!" to listen to just this one.
We are starting the new year a little different. But, don't worry. We will be back to normal soon. This episode is just what is on my shelf. Me being, Jayme. Sarah fans, don't worry, she will be back. Until then, I have some book recommendations for your new year! Jayme's Shelf: The Removed by Brandon Hobson I'm thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
In Episode 213, Sarah and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) wrap up the year with the Best Books of 2025 Genre Awards. They reveal their Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction) and a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, they share the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah's Bookshelves Live Member Community. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements The 2026 Reading Tracker is out! This year brings upgraded features across the board — including NEW average star rating and 5-star book tracking for every stat on the Dashboard — plus an updated Lite Tracker for those who prefer a streamlined version. Both Trackers are ONLY available to paid Patreon or Substack subscribers ($7/month) and is no longer sold separately. To avoid Apple's 30% fee, be sure to join directly from the Patreon website (mobile or desktop). Join our Patreon Community (here) OR become a Substack Paid Member (here)! Highlights Podcast reflections from 2025 — including top episodes based on download stats. A brief overview of Sarah's and Chrissie's 2025 year in reading. Their favorite books of the year: overall and by genre, including the SBL Member Community's picks. 2025 Genre Awards [12:39] Sarah The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:45] The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:32] The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:13] One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:48] The Compound by Aisling Rawle (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:47] August Lane by Regina Black (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:03] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:54] Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:36] This American Woman by Zarna Garg (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:00] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:59] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:44] Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:29] Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:10] The Elements by John Boyne (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:10] Chrissie Fox by Joyce Carol Oates (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:42] Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:36] Marble Hall Murders (Susan Ryeland, 3) by Anthony Horowitz (2025) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [21:39] The Pretender by Jo Harkin (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:51] What We Can Know by Ian McEwan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:28] To Clutch a Razor (Curse Bearer, 2) by Veronica Roth (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:39] The Love Haters by Katherine Center (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:03] These Heathens by Mia McKenzie (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:31] The Zorg by Siddarth Kara (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:11] Misbehaving at the Crossroads by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:09] A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:38] Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[55:11] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:16] Future Boy by Michael J. Fox (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:23] Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated by James Goodhand (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:06:07] SBL Member Community The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:43] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:02] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:21] The Compound by Aisling Rawle (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:28] The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:23] One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:39] Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:57] Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:15] Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:17] Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:19] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:22] Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:24] So Far Gone by Jess Walter (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:27] This American Woman by Zarna Garg (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:28] Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:20] Ordinary Time by Annie Jones (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:32] Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:31] Among Friends by Hal Ebbott (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:25] Awake by Jen Hatmaker (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:33] Other Books Mentioned Leaving by Roxana Robinson (2024) [13:51] Heart the Lover by Lily King (2025) [15:35] Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [15:58] Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) [16:09] The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) [16:11] Dream State by Eric Puchner (2025) [16:13] Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne (2023) [17:45] Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (2025) [18:46] Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (2025) [18:56] The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (2025) [19:18] Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (2025) [19:23] Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) [21:28] The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (2025) [23:03] The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (2025) [23:07] Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (2025) [23:13] The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) [23:15] We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter (2017) [24:09] Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin (2022) [26:03] What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (2025) [26:55] Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025) [27:06] The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (2025) [27:12] Isola by Allegra Goodman (2025) [28:13] Merge by Grace Walker (2025) [31:35] The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve (2025) [31:43] Sunrise on the Reaping by Susanna Collins (2025) [31:48] Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (2025) [31:01] The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker (2025) [32:05] When Among Crows by Veronica Roth (2024) [33:05] Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (2025) [34:23] Babel by R. F. Kuang (2022) [34:36] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023) [34:37] A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett (2025) [34:49] The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett (2024) [34:54] Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (2025) [34:58] The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (2025) [35:05] Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (2025) [35:31] The Art of Scandal by Regina Black (2023) [36:49] The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) [38:54] The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (2025) [40:30] Hungerstone by Kat Dunn (2025) [40:37] We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad (2025) [40:42] The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig (2025) [41:19] Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker (2025) [41:30] When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi (2025) [44:56] The Wager by David Grann (2023) [47:34] Replaceable You by Mary Roach (2025) [49:04] The Gales of November by John U. Bacon (2025) [49:11] Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams (2025) [51:58] All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert (2025) [52:08] Awake by Jen Hatmaker (2025) [52:24] Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre (2025) [52:28] One Day, Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (2025) [52:49] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [53:22] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) [54:21] Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo (2025) [54:27] Woodworking by Emily St. James (2025) [56:16] Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (2025) [58:57] The Elements by John Boyne (2025) [59:15] Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (2025) [59:49] My Friends by Fredrik Backman (2025) [59:51] The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) [1:05:51] James by Percival Everett (2024) [1:08:07] Top Podcast Episodes Ep. 199: Best Books of 2025 (So Far) with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Susie (@NovelVisits) Ep. 184: Best Books of 2024 Genre Awards with Susie (@NovelVisits) Ep. 185: Winter 2025 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) Ep. 205: Fall 2025 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) Ep. 192: Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) Ep. 198: Best of Thrillers with Anderson McKean of Page & Palette (@PagePalette) Ep. 188: Best of Fantasy with Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) Ep. 193: Clare Leslie Hall (author of Broken Country) Ep. 187: State of the Industry in 2024 with Kathleen Schmidt (@KathMSchmidt), author of the Publishing Confidential Substack Ep. 208: Best of Narrative Nonfiction with Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop (@FabledBookshop)
For Episode 206, fellow podcaster Jason Blitman, host of the Gays Reading podcast, joins Sarah to go behind the scenes of producing book festivals. They talk about how he came to reading later in his life and how his journey as a reader led him to his current role. Also, they discuss how he approaches author interviews. Plus, Jason shares his book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Jason's experience with becoming a “later in life reader” How Jason got his start in podcasting and started the Gays Reading podcast The method and madness behind choosing which authors to feature Jason turns the tables on Sarah and asks her an interview question With 2 different book festivals under his belt, Jason shares what producing these events entails How authors and special guests are chosen for book festivals Managing authors' expectations, difficulties, and comfort levels at these large events Plus, ALL of Jason's book recommendations are from LGBTQIA+ authors! Jason's Book Recommendations [39:38] Two OLD Books He Loves A Star is Bored by Byron Lane (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:00] Still Life by Sarah Winman (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:01] Other Books Mentioned Tin Man by Sarah Winman (2017) [43:32] Two NEW Books He Loves Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:02] The Sunflower Boys by Sam Wachman (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:26] One Book He DIDN'T Love Blackouts by Justin Torres (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:48] Other Books Mentioned Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig (1976) [50:14] One NEW RELEASE He's Excited About Lean Cat, Savage Cat by Lauren John Joseph (February 17, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:40] Books From the Discussion and Other Links The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) [1:01] Gays Reading | Season 4, Episode 36: Lucas Schaefer (The Slip) feat. Mike Curato, Guest Gay Reader [1:04] We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (2021) [1:39] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [1:48] The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (1937) [3:29] To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) [4:03] How I Paid for College by Marc Acito (2004) [5:10] A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2010) [6:11] Find Me by André Aciman (2019) [7:31] Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman (2007) [7:34] The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (2009) [8:09] The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [8:37] The Nix by Nathan Hill (2016) [8:54] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) [8:57] The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel (2021) [11:24] Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau (2021) [11:50] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [12:55] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) [14:48] Real Americans by Rachel Khong (2024) [37:20] Charlotte's Web by E. B. White (1952) [38:41] Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean (2008) [38:43]
On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: being told what to read by our past selves + insomnia reading on my kindle Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: how to read deeply The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). . . . . 1:30 - Our Bookish Moments Of The Week 2:01 - The September House by Carissa Orlando 5:26 - Our Current Reads 5:33 - The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi (Meredith) [releases September 30] 8:16 - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 10:49 - Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (Kaytee) 14:23 - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 14:28 - Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson 14:50 - We Spread by Iain Reid (Meredith) 16:39 - I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid 16:42 - Foe by Iain Reid 20:41 - The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei (Kaytee) 23:07 - Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty 23:18 - The Adventures of Amina al-Sarafi by Shannon Chakraborty 24:21 - Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Meredith) 28:47 - Stuart Little by E. B. White 29:58 - Gilead by Marilynne Robinson 31:32 - This Is Happiness by Niall Williams (Kaytee) 36:24 - Time of the Child by Niall Williams 36:54 - Take What You Can Carry by Gian Sardar 37:11 - How and When to Read Deeply 37:45 - Currently Reading: A Journey to Three Pines series 40:33 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer 43:31 - Babel by R. F. Kuang 50:33 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 55:31 - Still Life by Louise Penny 58:06 - Meet Us At The Fountain 58:12 - I wish my iPhone would make automated actions easier for handling my screenshots. (Meredith) 1:02:28 - I wish that we would all come up with our list of Slam Dunks. (Kaytee) 1:05:42 - Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin 1:06:47 - Chrissie on Instagram and at Sarah's Bookshelves Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. September's IPL comes to us from: Words Matter in Pitman, NJ. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business. All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!
This week, on episode #149 with Laura Dickerman, we discuss her debut novel, HOT DESK - a funny and touching book about two people who share a desk in the publishing industry, some of our favorite books that subvert expectations and, I've decided I only want to read whatever Laura Dickerman has read because she picks the best books!We also get a guest author recommendation from Thomas Schlesser, author of MONA'S EYES. I just so happen to be running a book giveaway for MONA'S EYES over on Instagram. Click here to see how to enter. This giveaway will close on September 15th, 2025 and is open to U.S. mailing addresses only. Books Recommended:Hot Desk by Laura DickermanBeautyland – Marie Helene BertinoA Marriage at Sea - Sophie Elmhurst Trust Exercise - Susan ChoiWild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghyThe Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett Find Laura Dickerman:Instagram: @Lauradickermanwriter website: Lauradickermanwriter.comBook review site: Bookclique.orgSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Welcome to the Fall 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 14 of their most anticipated books releasing from mid-August through December. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack! Highlights A lightning round of some big releases coming this fall that we're not featuring in today's preview. Odd fall pickings meant they both chose to feature 7 books each. Catherine's choices are a grab bag mix: academia, mysteries, a love story, and a snarky lighter read. Of Sarah's seven books, there are 3 debut authors and 1 repeat author — and 2 sports books! Some of Sarah's picks slide her right from sad girl summer into sad girl fall. Sarah has already read and rated one of her picks — and it was a success! Plus, their #1 picks for fall. Big Fall Releases Wreck by Catherine Newman (October 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:15] King Sorrow by Joe Hill (October 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:22] Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi (November 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:25] What We Can Know by Ian McEwan (September 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:29] Palaver by Bryan Washington (November 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:32] Replaceable You by Mary Roach (September 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:35] Circle of Days by Ken Follett (September 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:51] People Like Us by Jason Mott (August 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:14] The Black Wolf by Louise Penny (October 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:33] All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert (September 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:38] Queen Esther by John Irving (November 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:46] Hot Wax by M. L. Rio (September 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:02] Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite (November 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:51] Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon (September 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:55] Other Books Mentioned Sandwich by Catherine Newman (2024) [1:18] The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (1989) [2:06] Hell of a Book by Jason Mott (2021) [2:20] If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017) [3:06] The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (2019) [4:04] Fall 2025 Book Preview [7:26] August Sarah's Picks Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (August 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:09] We Loved to Run by Stephanie Reents (August 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:09] Catherine's Pick Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (August 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:19] Other Books Mentioned God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney (2021) [9:49] Search by Michelle Huneven (2022) [9:58] The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (2020) [10:08] Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González (2022) [10:12] Inferno by Dante (c. 1321) [11:36] Babel by R. F. Kuang (2022) [13:30] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023) [13:32] Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel (2024) [14:57] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) [14:59] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [15:53] The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) [15:54] Good For a Girl by Lauren Fleshman (2023) [16:20] The Longest Race by Kara Goucher (2023) [16:22] September Sarah's Picks Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (September 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:17] Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman (September 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:31] The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (September 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:23] Underspin by E. Y. Zhao (September 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:14] Catherine's Picks The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (September 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:08] Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent (US release: September 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:07] Other Books Mentioned Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [18:15] Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (2023) [20:05] Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje (2025) [20:38] The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary (2019) [24:46] Younger by Pamela Redmond Satran (2005) [26:10] (The book upon which the television series is based.) Writers & Lovers by Lily King (2020) [26:12] The Turner House by Angela Flournoy (2015) [29:49] Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel (2024) [38:49] October Catherine's Picks Workhorse by Caroline Palmer (October 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:25] The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson (October 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:14] November Sarah's Pick Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel (November 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:31] Catherine's Pick Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (November 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[40:02] Other Books Mentioned The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (2018) [43:57] December Catherine's Pick The Day I Lost You by Ruth Mancini (US release: December 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:19] Other Books Mentioned The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini (2024) [47:22]
Annie Hartnett is the author of “Unlikely Animals: The Novel” which won the Julia Ward Howe Prize for fiction and was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize. She is also the author of “Rabbit Cake,” a finalist for the New England Book Award. Her latest novel is “The Road to Tender Hearts” which is a darkly comic and also warm hearted story about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush.
In Episode 202, Susie (@NovelVisits) and Sarah explore some of their new favorite Micro Genres. Since starting the Micro Genres series, they've loved taking the opportunity each year to examine and define their tastes in these sub-sub-genres. This year, they have curated a list of 10 all-new Micro Genres, along with notable books for each category. With over 80 books mentioned, this is another year of niching down for some great book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Books Told From the Perspective of the Person Left Behind (Sarah) [2:26] Sarah The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:39] Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:52] Happiness Falls by Angie Kim (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:29] Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:31] Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:42] Penitence by Kristin Koval (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:52] Z by Therese Ann Fowler (2013) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:11] The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:19] An American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (2008) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:26] The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:35] The Wives by Simone Gorrindo (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:59] A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:41] Susie Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:07] Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:35] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:37] Circe by Madeline Miller (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:52] We Begin at the End (Susie) [8:22] Sarah Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:46] Penitence by Kristin Koval (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:16] I'm That Girl by Jordan Chiles (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:20] Susie The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[10:20] What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[10:49] Victim by Andrew Boryga (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:48] How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:21] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:28] Other Books Mentioned We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (2021) [8:33] A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst (2025) [13:54] Big Business Women (Sarah) [14:34] Sarah Anna Bright is Hiding Something by Susie Orman Schnall (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:29] The Boys' Club by Erica Katz (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:46] Women Are the Fiercest Creatures by Andrea Dunlop (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:51] Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:55] Susie The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[16:30] The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:55] Other Books Mentioned Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (2018) [15:34] Books By Irish Authors Telling Distinctly Irish Stories (Susie) [17:35] Sarah Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:30] Northern Spy by Flynn Berry (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:43] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52] 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:39] Susie Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:39] The Coast Road by Alan Murrin (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:07] The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[20:54] Juno Loves Legs by Karl Geary (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:59] Home Stretch by Graham Norton (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:02] Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:50] Trespasses by Louise Kennedy (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:07] Other Books Mentioned Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (1996) [19:20] Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018) [23:16] Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (2023) [24:07] Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent (2013) [24:09] The Collective “We” Narration (Sarah) [24:33] Sarah The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides (1993) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[25:59] We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:16] The Mothers by Britt Bennett (2016)| Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:31] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:56] Susie The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:38] The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:58] Other Books Mentioned The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (2012) [25:09] The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker (2025) [25:11] The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (2020) [27:39] Torn Between Two Lovers: The Women's Edition (Susie) [29:40] Sarah Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:05] Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (1996) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:14] Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (2005) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:35] Susie Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:18] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:38] One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:18] An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:44] Fiction Modeled on Real-Life Serial Killers or Crimes (Sarah) [33:50] Sarah The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:33] Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:39] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (2025)| Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:42] We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:52] The Girls by Emma Cline (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:00] Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:05] When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:29] Monday, Monday by Elizabeth Crook (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:39] Susie Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:05] Books with Characters Struggling with Mental Health (Susie) [36:57] Sarah Sociopath by Patric Gagne, PhD (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:24] Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:58] Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:13] Fire Exit by Morgan Talty (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:23] When I Ran Away by Ilona Bannister (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:28] The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:36] Susie Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:56] More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:06] Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:43] My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:13] I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:58] Other Books Mentioned Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy (2023) [42:33] Dude Thrillers (Sarah) [42:45] Sarah Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:34] The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:40] Departure 37 by Scott Carson (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:55] The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:10] Red Widow by Alma Katsu (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:27] Red London by Alma Katsu (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:28] Susie The Holdout by Graham Moore (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:57] The River by Peter Heller (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:24] Burn by Peter Heller (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:25] The Martian by Andy Weir (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:36] Other Books Mentioned Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) [45:41] All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby (2023) [45:33] Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby (2020) [46:06] Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (2021) [46:13] Standalone Fantasy Set on Earth (Susie) [46:36] Susie The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:36] Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:39] The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:07] Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:08] Weyward by Emilia Hart (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:28] The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:32] Circe by Madeline Miller (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:50] The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:51] Other Books Mentioned A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (2015) [47:03] Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates (2013) [50:30]
This week on From the Front Porch, it's another episode From the Archives! In this series, we're sharing some of our favorite past episodes of the show while Annie is on maternity leave. Enjoy today's episode from 2022 all about audiobooks with beloved guest and Annie's husband, Jordan Jones, just in time for road trip season. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 538) or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Annie's picks: Anna K by Jenny Lee, narrated by Jenna Ushkowitz (Libro.fm link) Falling by TJ Newman, narrated by Steven Weber (Libro.fm link) Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman, narrated by Kristen Sieh (Libro.fm link) Going There by Katie Couric, narrated by Katie Couric (Libro.fm link) How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz, narrated by Kimberly Wetherell and Rossmery Almonte (Libro.fm link) Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett, narrated by Katie Schorr (Libro.fm link) River of the Gods by Candice Millard, narrated by Paul Michael (Libro.fm link) Taste by Stanley Tucci, narrated by Stanley Tucci (Libro.fm link) Upgrade by Blake Crouch, narrated by Henry Leyva (Libro.fm link) The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson, narrated by Casey Wilson (Libro.fm link) You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar, narrated by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar (Libro.fm link) Jordan's picks: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Rob Inglis (Libro.fm link) The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, narrated by Jeff Woodman (Libro.fm link) Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) Defending Jacob by William Landay, narrated by Grover Gardner (Libro.fm link) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, with multiple narrators (Libro.fm link) Furious Hours by Casey Cep, narrated by Hillary Huber (Libro.fm link) Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, narrated by Daniel Nayeri (Libro.fm link) Death Is But a Dream by Christopher Kerr, narrated by Fred Sanders (Libro.fm link) The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe, narrated by Tom Parks (Libro.fm link) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. This week, Annie is listening to The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner, narrated by Dakota Fanning (Libro.fm link). If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.
On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are joined by show regulars Roxanna and Mary and they are discussing: Unique or Shared!: We give you a statement that may make us either unique or shared, and discuss! Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) . . . . 2:52 - Unique Or Shared 3:22 - I am the worst library user ever. (Roxanna) 5:21 - Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend 12:37 - I love a buzzy book moment. (Mary) 14:23 - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid 14:46 - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 14:47 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 15:27 - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 17:49 - I LOVE finding backlist hidden gems over buzzy moments. (Meredith) 18:22 - The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher 18:45 - Lexicon by Max Barry 20:15 - Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver 20:30 - The Odyssey by Homer 23:27 - I am the only one that purposefully seeks out five chili pepper books. (Kaytee) 25:22 - A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Mass 28:44 - I will never read a book without checking Goodreads first. (Roxanna) 37:24 - My book slump reset is a complete genre change. (Mary) 47:09 - I will “experience” a book I know won't be for me. (Meredith) 47:43 - Dream State by Eric Puchner 48:02 - The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller 52:15 - While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams 53:15 - Schuler Books 53:36 - I keep my TBR in rainbow order. (Kaytee) Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. July's IPL is brought to us by Booktenders in West Virginia! Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business. All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!
Brea and Mallory pick their favorite books of the year…so far. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Teasperiencewww.teasperience.comCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Books Mentioned - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidBull Moon Rising by Ruby DixonThe Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HarnettDaughter of Daring by Mallory O'MearaOld Soul by Susan BarkerWake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod ChapmanA Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie CathrallSky Daddy by Kate FolkBlob by Maggie SuWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyRaising Hare by Chloe DaltonVera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q. SutantoSick Houses by Leila TaylorThe Strange Case of Jane O by Karen Thompson WalkerVantage Point by Sara Sligar
In Ep. 199, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits), Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide), and Sarah are all back on the mic, ready to catch up on how their reading is shaping up for 2025 — so far! They talk about the current publishing landscape, what books are topping bestseller lists to date, and their personal reading as it stands halfway through the year. They share reading stats and talk about expectations and hopes for the remainder of the year. Plus, their TOP 5 books and their biggest disappointments so far. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. The Bookish Landscape [1:13] Books Mentioned Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (2025) [3:28] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (2023) [4:08] Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (2023) [4:11] The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024) [4:22] Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (2025) [4:53] The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008) [4:59] The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (2024) [5:02] Dog Man: Big Jim Begins (Dog Man, #13) by Dav Pilkey (2024) [5:07] The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (2022) [5:13] The Crash by Freida McFadden (2025) [5:17] Atomic Habits by James Clear (2018) [5:24] A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (2015) [5:41] Next to Heaven by James Frey (2025) [9:44] James by Percival Everett (2024) [11:20] Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (2024) [11:22] Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) [12:31] The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) [13:51] A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (2015) [15:52] The Wedding People by Alison Espach (2024) [17:03] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) [17:22] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) [17:35] Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (2025) [18:35] The Heart of Winter by Jonathan Evison (2025) [19:10] The Garden by Nick Newman (2025) [19:16] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) [19:34] Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (2025) [19:58] Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [20:34] Tilt by Emma Pattee (2025) [20:38] The Compound by Aisling Rawle (2025) [20:44] Dream State by Eric Puchner (2025) [20:49] Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (2025) [21:06] Hot Wax by M. L. Rio (September 9, 2025) [21:18] Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch (2025) [21:39] Personal Reading for 2025 (So Far) [22:49] Books Mentioned Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano (2020) [27:14] The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023) [27:16] Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams (2025) [31:07] Top Five (So Far) [31:27] Susie Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:49] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:03] The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:07] Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:11] The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:12] Catherine The Heart of Winter by Jonathan Evison (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[33:45] This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:06] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:28] Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[53:59] Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:03] Sarah Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:00] The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:31] The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:03] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:26] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[54:55] Other Books Mentioned The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb (2025) [40:25] Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2025) [40:40] Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel (2024) [47:47] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe (2020) [48:22] I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin (2023) [52:54] Biggest Disappointments (So Far) [57:46] Susie The Strange Case by Jane O by Karen Thompson Walker (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:09] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[58:13] Fulfillment by Lee Cole (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:18] Catherine The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:51] Dream State by Eric Puchner (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:56] The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:08] Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:45] Sarah Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:16] What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:28] Audition by Katy Kitamura (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:51] Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (July 8, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[1:01:43]
Annie Hartnett discusses the inspiration behind her quirky road trip novel The Road to Tender Hearts and why she breaks all the rules in writing her stories. Annie Hartnett joins me to discuss her latest bestselling novel, The Road to Tender Hearts, and the inspiration behind this road trip story. We explore the heartfelt and humorous moments that showcase a wonderfully quirky found family, which even includes a psychic cat.She also shares the surprising real-life inspirations for her unforgettable characters and explains how literary mischief is woven into their worlds.In this quirky conversation, Annie and I discuss: Why Annie made a death-predicting cat named Pancakes the emotional engine of the novel—and how a real-life nursing home cat named Oscar inspired this unforgettable character.How playing with point of view and narrator's voice keeps her writing fresh, and why she's unconcerned with grammar "rules."How Annie's own cross-country trip in her twenties helped shape the emotional core of this incredible road trip story.BONUS BOOK LIST: This week, I'm sharing an accompanying book list of 29 books about road trips, including new releases and backlist titles, that speak to the ripple effects of substance use across families and generations.Meet Annie HartnettAnnie Hartnett is the author of Unlikely Animals, which won the Julia Ward Howe Prize for fiction and was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize.She is also theauthor of Rabbit Cake, a finalist for the New England Book Award and a Kirkus Reviews best book of the year. Hartnett has been awarded fellowships and residencies from the MacDowell Colony, the Sewanee Writers' Conference, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library. Along with writer Tessa Fontaine, she co-runs the Accountability Workshops for writers, helping them commit to routines and embrace the long, slow, joyful, terrible process of doing the work. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and dog.Mentioned in this episode:Browse the 2025 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide (with ads) or download the 48-page reading guide ($7) to support our show. If you are a show patron, check your inbox for your copy as part of your member benefits—thank you for supporting my small business! Join the May Book Club Chat (Beautyland)BONUS BOOK LIST: 29 Books About Road Trips to Read NowDownload Today's TranscriptThe Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HartnettUnlikely Animals by Annie HartnettRabbit Cake by Annie HartnettRed Dog Farm by Nathaniel Ian MillerMarried with ChildrenJane the VirginFargoRaising ArizonaKaren RussellThe Frightening and Wonderful Things That Will Happen to You When You Publish Your First Novel by Rufi ThorpeBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Annie on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals NewsletterBuy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)
In Ep. 195, Susie (@NovelVisits) and Sarah are back to share their favorite books that missed last year's Summer Reading Guide and our #1 picks for each category featured in my 2025 Summer Reading Guide. Plus, they begin by sharing how their summer reading habits have evolved over the years. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Once again, we are happy to offer a Printable Cheatsheet for this year's Guide: Get the Cheatsheet from Patreon Get the Cheatsheet from Substack Summer Reading [7:42] The Evolution of Our Summer Reading Journeys [8:41] Books Mentioned by Susie London by Edward Rutherfurd (1997) [15:09] The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2005) [16:09] The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008) [16:12] Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (2005) [16:15] Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (2009) [16:31] The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (2013) [16:32] 11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011) [16:34] Books Mentioned by Sarah Jaws by Peter Benchley (1974) [17:57] The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand (1943) [21:02] Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (1957) [21:03] Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (2010) [21:06] Books That Missed Last Year's Summer Reading Guide [24:23] Sarah JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography by RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:27] Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:08] Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:51] Susie The Most by Jessica Anthony (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:10] The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:52] Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Lobato (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:01] Other Books Mentioned The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2022) [30:13] Our #1 Summer Picks by Category [40:37] Something Light / Fun Sarah: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:23] Susie: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:36] Other Books Mentioned Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [41:35] Something Fast-Paced / Intense Sarah: Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:27] Slow-Burn Suspense Susie: The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:40] Something With a Bit More Substance Sarah: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:54] Susie: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:46] Other Books Mentioned Dream State by Eric Puchner (2025) [1:00:00] Something Different Sarah: Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:33] Susie: Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:47] Other Books Mentioned Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (2005) [1:02:59] Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019) [1:06:24]
Annie Hartnett is the author of “Unlikely Animals: The Novel” which won the Julia Ward Howe Prize for fiction and was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize. She is also the author of “Rabbit Cake,” a finalist for the New England Book Award. Her latest novel is “The Road to Tender Hearts” which is a darkly comic and also warm hearted story about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush.
Today, I'm in conversation with Annie Hartnett, author of the recently published Road to Tender Hearts. We talk about the inspiration for her protagonist, PJ as well as how many pages she wrote before she sold this novel. Books Recommended:The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HartnettThe Red Grove by Tessa FontaineTilt by Emma PatteeWomen! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren MarshallThree Bags Full by Leoni SwannHot Air by Marcy DermanskyGuest Recommendation from Dean Van Nguyen, author of Words For My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac ShakurFind Annie Hartnett on Instagram @Annie_hartnettSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Host Jason Blitman talks to Annie Hartnett (The Road to Tender Hearts) about the roots of her humor, why no one can sit in the backseat of her car, and her short-lived foray into greeting card writing. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Debbie Millman, who shares what she's been reading, why she had to stop listening to the audiobook of Barbra Streisand's memoir, and the story behind her new book, Love Letter to a Garden--which includes recipes from her wife, Roxane Gay. Debbie's TED "Love Letters" can be found here:https://www.ted.com/talks/debbie_millman_love_letters_to_what_we_hold_dearAnnie Hartnett is the author of Unlikely Animals, which won the Julia Ward Howe Prize for fiction and was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize. She is also the author of Rabbit Cake, a finalist for the New England Book Award and a Kirkus Reviews best book of the year. Hartnett has been awarded fellowships and residencies from the MacDowell Colony, the Sewanee Writers' Conference, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library. Along with writer Tessa Fontaine, she co-runs the Accountability Workshops for writers, helping them commit to routines and embrace the long, slow, joyful, terrible process of doing the work. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and dog.Debbie Millman has been named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, and “one of the most influential designers working today” by GDUSA. Millman is an illustrator, author, educator, and host of the podcast Design Matters. Broadcasting for 19 years, Design Matters is one of the first and longest running podcasts in the world. The show won a Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in 2011, and Apple has named it one of their “All Time Favorites” three times. In 2023 the show won two Webby's, three Communicator Awards, a Signal Award, three awards from The Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, and earned an Ambie nomination.SUBSTACK!https://gaysreading.substack.com/ BOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com
Beth Golay recently spoke with Annie Hartnett about the inspiration behind "The Road to Tender Hearts" and her unique voice that blends the true to life issues of loss and pain with a hint of magical realism.
Author Annie Harnett (Rabbit Cake, Unlikely Animals) returns to the show to chat with Daniel Ford about her latest novel The Road to Tender Hearts, out now from Ballantine Books. To learn more about Annie Hartnett, visit her official website. Also listen to our past conversations with the author in Episode 527 and Episode 262. Writer's Bone is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.
Writer Annie Hartnett joins Doree and Elise to chat about why stickers work as a motivational tool whether your five or thirty-five ,why her latest book, The Road To Tender Hearts, is a road-trip novel, and the almost supernatural ability of our pets to understand our world better than us. To leave a voicemail or text for a future episode, reach Doree & Elise at 781-591-0390. You can also email the podcast at forever35podcast@gmail.com.Take our listener survey and help us make our show better!Visit forever35podcast.com for links to everything they mention on the show or visit shopmyshelf.us/forever35.Follow the podcast on Instagram (@Forever35Podcast) and sign up for the newsletter at forever35podcast.com/newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement Sarah's Bookshelves has joined Substack! Please note, we're not MOVING to Substack, we're simply adding Substack to the places we already put out content. On our FREE Substack feed, Sarah's Bookshelves is offering all the content you already find on the blog, my Instagram account, public podcast, On our PAID feed, we're offering all the content we also offer on Patreon. If you're interested in becoming a paying subscriber on Substack, visit sarahsbookshelveslive.substack.com for all the details and a full list of benefits. If you're already on Substack, please consider following the FREE feed and sharing with your reader friends to help support the show. One of the many benefits to joining as a paying member of either our Patreon or Substack Communities is gaining access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that were not shared in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all Superstar patrons here and all Substack paid subscribers here! Highlights Catherine and Sarah share some big releases coming this spring (lightning round style). With a theme this season of “change,” Catherine focuses on lighter fiction and thrillers. Sarah's choices are evenly split between debut authors, new to her authors, and repeat authors. Food novels, rom-coms, thrillers (two with a mistaken identity element), and lighter reading are the picks for spring! Sarah has already read one of her picks — and one of Catherine's! And, Catherine has already started reading one of hers. Plus, their #1 picks for the spring. Big Spring Releases [5:15] The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:43] The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:47] Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:56] Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:03] Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:18] The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:26] Audition by Katy Kitamura (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:29] My Documents by Kevin Ngyuen (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:44] Backlist Titles Mentioned The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb (2022) [5:51] Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (2023) [5:53] Spring 2025 Book Preview [6:51] April Sarah's Picks The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:40] I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:49] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (Apr 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:15] Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone (Apr 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:28] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (Apr 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:42] Catherine's Picks Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:46] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:23] Other Books Mentioned The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh (2022) [9:44] Talk to Me by John Kenney (2019) [14:53] About a Boy by Nick Hornby (1998) [16:48] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [18:30] The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (2024) [18:32] Sea Wife by Amity Gaige (2020) [22:47] The Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (2024) [24:45] The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (2019) [26:18] Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [26:20] We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange (2021) [26:22] The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (2019) [26:25] Yours, Eventually by Nura Maznavi (2025) [30:58] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [33:47] The Guncle by Steven Rowley (2021) [38:04] May Sarah's Picks Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle (May 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:16] Catherine's Pick Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin (May 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:48] The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:29] Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (May 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:56] Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald (May 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[45:36] Other Books Mentioned The People We Keep by Allison Larkin (2021) [28:23] The Angel Maker by Alex North (2023) [31:39] Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan (2022) [41:25] Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (2000) [43:42] The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (2024) [43:54] Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) [44:36] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [44:40] Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2020) [44:42] Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (2021) [44:45] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) [44:53] Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander (2024) [47:32]
This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in February. You get 10% off your books when you order your February Reading Recap. Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie's favorite books she read that month. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search “Episode 518”), or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris Tilt by Emma Pattee (releases 3/25/25) The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (releases 4/29/25) Blessings and Disasters by Alexis Okeowo (releases 8/5/25) Among Friends by Hal Ebbott (releases 6/24/25) Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (releases 3/4/25) Annie's February Reading Recap Pairing - $52 How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. This week, Annie is reading Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.
Today, we've got another special “Listeners' Roundup” episode. This is when we get to hear from some of our listeners about they've learned from the past few episodes, what ideas they consider the most important, what questions or confusions they have, and their own advice and/or experience in dealing with the same issues in their writing. So today, we've got listeners Karen Gruzen, Stephen Dawley, and Nancy Crochiere talking with us about what they heard, what they loved, and how it speaks to their own work. Watch a recording here. This audio/video version is available for one week. Missed it? Check out the podcast version above or on your favorite podcast platform.To find books by our authors, visit our Bookshop page. Looking for a writing community? Join our Facebook page. Karen Gruzen an avid 7am listener and graduate of GrubStreet's Novel Generator with Annie Hartnett, is writing a novel inspired by her time living in Japan, and joins us from Crested Butte, CO where she's busily revising her Save the Cat 5-part finale.Stephen Dawley is a lawyer living in CT who several months ago finished (and have started querying) the novel it took him ten years to write, and he's started another one.Nancy Crochiere is a former humor columnist whose comic debut novel, GRACELAND, published in May of 2023, was named a best book of summer by Parade, Woman's World, and Deep South Magazines. Photo by Mark Duffel on Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 7amnovelist.substack.com
We are Traci and Ellie, two bookish friends who read in any spare minute that we have. This week Ellie is sharing her top ten audiobooks! To shop the books listed in this episode, visit our shop at bookshop.org. Care to join us on Patreon with even more content? We would love to have you join us at From the Bookstacks of Literally Reading! Crack the Book Open: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy Ready or Not by Cara Bastone Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett
Today, we hear from Tessa Fontaine whose latest novel, THE RED GROVE, was released in May. We're talking to Tessa about how to bring a shy, attention-avoiding character to life on the page by discovering the many aspects of her situation and her past that gets her moving forward.By the way, on July 19 Tessa will be at Newtonville Books with authors Clare Beams, Rufi Thorpe, and Annie Hartnett. Watch a recording here. This audio/video version is available for one week. Missed it? Check out the podcast version above or on your favorite podcast platform.To find Fontaine's debut novel and many other books by our authors, visit our Bookshop page. Looking for a writing community? Join our Facebook page. Tessa Fontaine is the author of THE ELECTRIC WOMAN: A MEMOIR IN DEATH-DEFYING ACTS, a New York Times Editors' Choice, Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick, and best book of 2018 by Southern Living, Refinery29, Amazon Editors', and The New York Post. Other writing can be found in Outside, The New York Times, Glamour, AGNI, The Believer, LitHub, Creative Nonfiction, and more. Raised outside San Francisco, Tessa is a former professor and has taught in jails and prisons for five years. She co-founded and teaches the Accountability Workshops with writer and pal Annie Hartnett, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, daughter, goofy dog and sassy cat. THE RED GROVE is her first novel. It is a best book of May from Amazon and People Magazine, and on most anticipated lists from The Rumpus and Alta Magazine.Photo by Artur Rutkowski on Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 7amnovelist.substack.com
In Ep. 172, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits), Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide), and I are together for the first time on the big show to catch up on our 2024 reading — so far! We talk about the current publishing landscape, what books are topping bestseller lists to date, and our personal reading as it stands halfway through the year. We share our stats and talk about expectations and hopes for the remainder of the year. Plus, we each share our TOP 5 books and our biggest disappointments so far. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. The Bookish Landscape [1:51] Books Mentioned James by Percival Everett [4:00] The Women by Kristin Hannah [4:14] Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey [4:22] A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas [5:00] House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas [5:01] A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas [5:02] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros [5:15] Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros [5:16] Atomic Habits by James Clear [5:17] Icebreaker by Hannah Grace [5:26] Our Personal Reading for 2024 (So Far) [6:59] Books Mentioned Medea by Eilish Quin [8:12] Sociopath by Patric Gagne, PhD [8:12] The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley [8:13] River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure [8:15] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [11:53] In Memoriam by Alice Winn [13:33] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [16:03] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [16:04] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver [16:05] Our Top Five (So Far) [16:49] Sarah Leaving by Roxana Robinson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:18] Victim by Andrew Boryga | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:50] Real Americans by Rachel Khong | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:05] Margo's Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:16] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (July 2, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[48:32] Susie How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica | Amazon | Bookshop.org[20:44] Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:50] Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:46] Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:28] Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski | Amazon | Bookshop.org[50:52] Catherine James by Percival Everett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:43] Mercury by Amy Jo Burns | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:39] The Women by Kristin Hannah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:12] The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:31] I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:46] Other Books Mentioned Shiner by Amy Jo Burns [30:13] Cinderland by Amy Jo Burns [31:23] Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong [33:14] The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [44:16] Long Bright River by Liz Moore [48:59] The Hunter's Daughter by Nicola Solvinic [49:28] No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister [51:37] The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring [51:40] Virgil Wander by Leif Enger [54:59] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton [55:15] The Iliad by Homer [55:36] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [55:37] The Road by Cormac McCarthy [55:39] Our Biggest Disappointments (So Far) [56:27] Sarah Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:35] Sandwich by Catherine Newman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:45] Susie After Annie by Anna Quindlen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:01] The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:17] Catherine Family Family by Laurie Frankel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:01] Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:00] Other Books Mentioned Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson [56:46] Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson (October 22, 2024) [57:17] We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman [59:51]
Announcement One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here! CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Now that the 2024 Summer Reading Guide is set, Sarah welcomes heavier and more literary books. Catherine is leaning into several themes with books covering 4 decades. With a clean split of 3 new or debut authors and 3 repeat authors, Catherine is trying for more wins this season. Kick back with several summer picks that are 450+ pages. Sarah's choices feature a wide variety of topics with 2 debuts and 4 returning authors. Sarah has already read and rated two of her picks 5 stars! Plus, listen in to hear their #1 picks for the summer season. Summer 2024 Book Preview [2:49] June Sarah's Picks Fire Exit by Morgan Talty (June 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:28] Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (June 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[9:05] What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris (June 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:59] Catherine's Picks Swift River by Essie Chambers (June 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:44] Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo (June 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:34] All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (June 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:17] How the Light Gets In by Joyce Maynard (June 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:31] Other Books Mentioned The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters [3:33] Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty [3:52] Real Americans by Rachel Khong [9:31] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [9:41] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [12:10] Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett [12:11] The Hop by Diana Clarke [13:26] The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [14:42] All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris [18:16] Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris [18:21] We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker [22:38] Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra [23:10] At Home in the World by Joyce Maynard (memoir published in 1998) [32:29] July Sarah's Picks The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:12] The World After Alice by Lauren Aliza Green (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:17] Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (July 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:00] Catherine's Picks The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[35:28] The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:11] Other Books Mentioned Long Bright River by Liz Moore [25:22] I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai [28:56] Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead [34:09] Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane [34:23] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [34:46] A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella [35:37] Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close [36:26] Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal [36:29] The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane [36:45] Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner [38:53] The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali [42:31]
Sara Weiss joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about the path to her career in publishing and her role as Nonfiction Director and Ballantine, what memoir writers always need to ask themselves, her interest in memoir with purpose, the blockbuster model and the editorial decision making process, building a writing community, how many books we can realistically sell, making our work ready, and the pace of publishing these days. Also in this episode: -the importance of voice, platform, and hook -selling on proposals and fulls -how all writers need to hustle Book mentioned in this episode: Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett Wild by Cheryl Strayed Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo The In-Between by Hadley Vlahos R.N. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth GIlbert Educated by Tara Westover Sara Weiss (she/her) is the Editorial Director for Nonfiction at Ballantine, where she focuses mostly on nonfiction, while also publishing select fiction titles. She's been privileged to publish bestselling and critically acclaimed authors such as Linda Holmes, R. Eric Thomas, Emily Nagoski, Stephanie Foo, Hadley Vlahos, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Cody Rigsby, Hannah Gadsby, Annie Hartnett, Lilly Singh, and Lauren Graham. Her upcoming list includes NBC News reporter Yamiche Alcindor's memoir, Don't Forget and the novel, Blue Sisters, by Coco Mellors. Connect with Sara: X: https://x.com/SaraWeissWriter Links: https://linktr.ee/SaraWeissWriter More about Ballantine:https://www.randomhousebooks.com/imprint/ballantine-books/ — Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories. She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and lives in Seattle with her family where she teaches memoir workshops and is working on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Sign up for monthly podcast and writing updates: https://bit.ly/33nyTKd Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://twitter.com/RonitPlank https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers
In podcast episode 154, we're diving into the world of book cover design with Karen Horton, graphic designer and former Art Director at Henry Holt. Karen takes us behind the scenes of the process of book cover design, who makes key book cover related decisions, and the role of marketing budgets and author's reputation in this process. Plus, Karen shares her book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights The high-level book cover design process. When and why publishers reach out to designers before a book's launch proposal. The dynamics of deciding which books a designer works on. Freelance vs In-house: Factors that determine who gets to design the top titles. The lesser-known “silent auction” approach some publishers adopt. Whether book cover designers really read the whole book. Who holds the final decision about a book cover. The author's role in the decision-making process and the factors that impact how that can play out. How marketing budgets and an author's reputation influence design choices. The influence of ongoing design trends and when publishers decide to break away from them. Karen's Book Recommendations [35:58] Two OLD Books She Loves A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:11] The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:04] Two NEW Books She Loves Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:36] We Were Once a Family by Roxanna Asgarian | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:45] One Book She DIDN'T Love A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole | Amazon | Bookshop.org[42:46] NEW RELEASE She's Excited About The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez (April 2, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:12] Other Books Mentioned: Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [46:56] Last 5-Star Book Karen Read A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25] Additional Books Mentioned Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent [15:34] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [26:45] Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld [31:04] Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert [31:17] When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain [32:11] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [32:20] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller [32:25] The Push by Ashley Audrain [32:32] The Whispers by Ashley Audrain [33:00] The Mothers by Brit Bennett [34:49] The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett [34:50] About Karen Horton Website | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Karen Horton is an Art Director and graphic designer with more than 15 years of experience working in the book publishing industry. She previously was the Art Director at Henry Holt and Company + Metropolitan Books. Prior to moving over to the Henry Holt imprint in 2016, she was the Senior Designer at Flatiron Books. Over the years she has worked as a freelancer and consulting Art Director for a variety of publishing clients. Additionally, Karen was a co-founder and the Editorial and Social Media Director for the startup design:related. Karen was also an Art Director on staff for a range of New York Times bestsellers at Little, Brown, and Company. Before working at Little, Brown, she managed a small team of designers as an Art Director at Oxford University Press. She first got her start in book publishing at St. Martin's Press (Macmillan Publishers). When she's not designing book covers, she spends much of her time wandering neighborhoods in Queens and researching all things design.
We are Traci and Ellie, two bookish friends who read in any spare minute that we have. This week we are looking back on our literary lineup episodes! To shop the books listed in this episode, visit our shop at bookshop.org. Literally Reading: The Bartender's Cure by Wesley Straton Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune Crack the Book Open: The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett
Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year's Summer Reading Guides, some nonfiction books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for four categories, including what I have featured in my 2023 Summer Reading Guide. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Get Even More Summer Reading Recommendations with Summer Shelves: In addition to my annual 2023 Summer Reading Guide, I'm once again offering Superstars Patrons ($7/mo) exclusive access to Summer Shelves, featuring even more recommendations for the season. Summer Shelves features BACKLIST summer reading recommendations from 17 former podcast guests, our team members, and — for the first time — 20 Superstars patrons! The Summer Shelves design is clean, crisp, and unique and you'll receive it in a PDF file format via Patreon. If you'd like to get the Summer Shelves companion guide, you can sign up to be a Superstars patron here. You'll also get access to a monthly bonus podcast series called Double Booked (where Catherine or Susie and I share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show) and my Rock Your Reading Tracker. Summer Reading [4:33] Books That Missed Last Year's Summer Reading Guides [5:29] Sarah Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:53] Red Widow by Alma Katsu | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:30] Like a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:24] Susie The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:25] Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:30] Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:09] Nonfiction Books That Are Great for Summer Reading [22:35] Sarah True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa by Michael Finkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52] Memorial Drive by Natasha Tretheway | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:31] Still Points North by Leigh Newman | Amazon | [34:44] Susie Provence, 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard, and the Reinvention of American Taste by Luke Barr | Amazon | [25:02] Stash: My Life in Hiding by Laura Cathcart Robbins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:27] Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman's Awakening by Manal al-Sharif | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:00] Our #1 Summer Picks by Category [40:16] Something Light / Fun Sarah: A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:12] Susie: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:28] Something Fast-Paced / Intense Sarah: Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 by T. J. Newman (May 30, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:45] Susie: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:05] Something With Substance Sarah: Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:24] Susie: Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:53] Something Different Sarah: Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World by Lauren Fleshman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:33] Susie: Big Swiss by Jen Beagin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:13] Other Books Mentioned The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff [3:47] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [4:01] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [9:11] The Hunger by Alma Katsu [10:43] Red London by Alma Katsu [12:47] The Children's Bible by Lydia Millet [14:45] Untamed by Glennon Doyle [18:15] Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson [20:52] The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel [23:13] In Cold Blood by Truman Capote [23:57] The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls [35:57] Wild by Cheryl Strayed [36:13] Falling by T. J. Newman [47:05] Miracle on the Hudson by William Prochnau and Laura Parker [48:04] Raven Rock by Garrett M. Graff [48:38] The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai [51:14] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay [52:59] Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano [53:54] Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner [56:32] Other Links Vogue | In Finishing Her Book, Lauren McBrayer…
In today's episode, Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I circle back to the 16 books we featured in the Winter 2023 Book Preview. We'll be sharing our reading stats and thoughts on the books we've read (or attempted), to help you decide which ones to add to your reading list and which ones to skip. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Sarah's favorite books from 2022 are impacting her expectations. Catherine and Sarah share their Winter 2023 reading stats and success rates. Sarah had stellar results with four 5-star books! Plus, their #1 picks from winter! They name their best and worst books from the Preview. Books We Read Before the Preview [5:03] Sarah's Picks: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (January 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:25] Maame by Jessica George (January 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:31] Winter 2023 Circle Back [10:31] January Sarah's Pick: The Sense of Wonder by Matthew Salesses (January 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:46] Catherine's Picks: Ghost Season by Fatin Abbas (January 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:38] Margot by Wendell Steavenson (January 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:40] February Sarah's Picks: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (February 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:50] Time's Undoing by Cheryl A. Head (February 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:09] Catherine's Picks: Victory City by Salman Rushdie (February 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:00] Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes (February 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:39] On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel (February 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:53] All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley (February 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:05] March Sarah's Picks: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (March 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:27] All That Is Mine I Carry with Me by William Landay (March 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:00] Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (March 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:04] Catherine's Picks: Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (March 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:02] The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi (March 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:08] Other Books Mentioned Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [2:58] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [2:59] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [3:01] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [3:06] The One by John Marrs [3:11] The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai [26:34] The Secret History by Donna Tartt [29:36] Circe by Madeline Miller [33:16] Betty by Tiffany McDaniel [37:54] Watergate by Garrett M. Graff [44:26] The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne [51:05] Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane [51:08] Little Women by Louisa May Alcott [51:28] Dear Edward by Ann Nepolitano [53:01] The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi [53:58]
Literary agent Sarah Landis joins me for a deep dive into the Speculative Fiction / Fantasy genre. Sarah breaks down these terms, shares popular books in these genres, and discusses the trends she's seeing in the publishing industry. Also, Sarah shares both her book recommendations and her go-to books for those looking to dive into these genres! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Differentiating between genres: Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Climate Fiction. The genres that scare publishers and the toughest genre to define! The sub-genres of fantasy: High / Epic, Grounded, and Historical. How the term ‘Speculative' is actually a broader umbrella term. The trends and performance in publishing for Speculative Fiction and Fantasy. Why many fantasy books are written as a series. How the “Harry Potter” generation seems to be shaping both readers and authors. Sarah's go-to recommendations for those new to these genres! Sarah's Book Recommendations [30:31] Two OLD Books She Loves The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:56] The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:18] Two NEW Books She Loves Babel by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:16] Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:12] One Book She Didn't Love The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:58] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About House of Cotton by Monica Brashears (April 4, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:33] Last 5-Star Book Sarah Read The Cloisters by Katy Hays | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:08] Other Books Mentioned The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood [5:59] Red Clocks by Leni Zumas [6:11] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [6:56] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [7:15] The One by John Marrs [7:33] The Passengers by John Marrs [7:38] The Road by Cormac McCarthy [9:25] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [9:51] Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam [10:01] After the Flood by Kassandra Montag [10:52] Wanderers by Chuck Wendig [11:45] Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn [12:19] A Game of Thrones by James R. R. Martin [12:52] The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien [12:54] The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern [13:13] The Magicians by Lev Grossman [13:15] The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman [13:22] Circe by Madeline Miller [16:00] Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead [16:31] One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez [17:00] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab [18:58] Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo [19:04] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig [19:06] Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens [21:12] The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins [21:15] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [22:05] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [22:10] Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo [26:40] The Change by Kirsten Miller [27:24] The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman [28:52] The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley [29:18] Beauty by Robin McKinley [29:21] Spindle's End by Robin McKinley [29:22] The Peripheral by William Gibson [30:16] In Five Years by Rebecca Serle [30:23] The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang [37:41] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang [37:49] The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake [40:15] Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton [47:09] Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak [47:19] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [47:28] About Sarah Landis Website | Twitter | Instagram Sarah Landis represents a wide range of fiction from middle grade to adult. Sarah is particularly drawn to high-concept plots, big hooks, speculative fiction, twisty thrillers, novels with a strong emotional core, and sweeping fantasy. She is always on the lookout for new talent and narrative risk-takers. Her clients' novels have received a variety of accolades, including Barnes and Noble book club selections and Reese's Book Club, and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists as well as international bestseller lists around the globe. Before joining Sterling Lord Literistic in 2017, Sarah worked as an editor for fifteen years, holding roles at G.P. Putnam's Sons, Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Sarah graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
In the Fall 2022 Book Preview, Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I shared our 16 most-anticipated books that released mid-August – December 2022. In today's episode, we're going to circle back to update you on the books we've had a chance to read — or at least attempt. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights We discuss how the types of books released in the fall seem to have changed. Sarah comes back with two 5-star books! Catherine and Sarah share their Fall 2022 reading stats and success rates. The reading experience was a roller coaster ride from stellar picks, to middling reads, and 3 DNFs between the two of us. The best and worst picks from the Fall 2022 Book Preview. Books We Read Before the Preview [5:14] Sarah's Picks: Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (August 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:56] Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson (November 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:14] Fall 2022 Circle Back [9:43] August Catherine's Picks: American Fever by Dur e Aziz Amna (August 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:49] The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton (August 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:42] September Sarah's Pick: The Two Lives of Sara by Catherine Adel West (September 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:27] Catherine's Picks: The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh (September 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:04] The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (September 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:06] How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz (September 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:24] October Sarah's Picks: Keep It in the Family by John Marrs (October 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:05] Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris (October 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:47] Catherine's Pick: The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake (October 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:26] November Sarah's Picks: Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli (November 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:04] Winterland by Rae Meadows (November 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:08] Catherine's Pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays (November 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:57] December Sarah's Pick: The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (December 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:55] Catherine's Pick: The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra (December 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:52] Other Books Mentioned Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [6:14] Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro [8:45] Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West [12:43] The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton [16:01] When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain [20:34] Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan [23:35] All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris [25:10] Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell [27:17] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [33:01] The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake [41:36] The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [45:02] My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell [46:05] The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger [49:30] Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton [49:52] Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak [49:55] About Catherine Gilmore Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 10 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle, WA.
In Episode 125, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I are back for our 2nd annual Debuts Special. Today we're sharing our favorite debut novels from 2022 (so far)! Plus, we discuss our reading stats for debuts this year and we talk about some upcoming sophomore novels (and their debuts) that are on our radar. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights We discuss why debut books often feel more polished. A full breakdown of our 2022 debut-related stats. Debuts we love, divided into three categories: Favorite Debuts of 2022 (so far) Favorite Backlist Debuts Upcoming Sophomore Novels Favorite Debuts of 2022 (so far) [8:47] Sarah Never Simple by Liz Scheier | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:57] More Than You'll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:43] Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:14] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:52] Susie Groundskeeping by Lee Cole | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:05] Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:37] Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:57] We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (November 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:31] Favorite Backlist Debuts [33:18] Sarah Finding Freedom by Erin French | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:21] The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:41] Susie A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:14] Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:57] Upcoming Sophomore Novels [44:30] Sarah Debut: Don't Know Tough by Eli Cranor | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:44] Upcoming: Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor (April 4, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:59] Debut: His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:46] Upcoming: Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie (June 13, 2023) | Amazon [49:05] Susie Debut: Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:32] Upcoming: Old Flame by Molly Prentiss (April 11, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:54] Debut: The Push by Ashley Audrain | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:40] Upcoming: The Whispers by Ashley Audrain (July 2023) [50:54] Other Books Mentioned Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [9:24] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [9:35] Corrections in Ink by Keri Blakinger [9:39] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [9:50] Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond [10:39] The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells [10:43] Inheritance by Dani Shapiro [10:45] Writers & Lovers by Lily King [13:12] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [15:11] Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff [37:32] The One by John Marrs [39:56] The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker [40:32] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [43:29] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (December 6) [43:58] Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich [45:56] When I Ran Away by Ilona Bannister [48:22] About Susie Boutry Blog | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish.
Double Booked is a monthly series, available to my Superstars patrons, where a co-host and I each share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show (2 old books we love, 2 new books we love, 1 book we didn't love, and 1 upcoming release we're excited about). In these more candid episodes, I talk more about my own reading, and share tons of books that I don't share on any other public forum. Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and Susie from Novel Visits alternate months co-hosting with me. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). As a Superstars patron, you'll get access to the Double Booked monthly bonus podcast series Double Booked, Summer Shelves (the annual companion to my Summer Reading Guide) my annual Rock Your Reading Tracker. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here! Highlights Catherine brings some books that are “so far under the radar, they're off the grid.” Sarah has some wide-ranging picks with 4 own-voices stories and genres outside her comfort zone. Plus, both new releases are publishing next week! So, you won't have to wait long for them. Sarah's & Catherine's Book Recommendations [4:49] Two OLD Books They Love Sarah: Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:50] The Idea of You by Robinne Lee | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:43] Catherine: Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:15] Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:21] Two NEW Books They Love Sarah: Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:23] Bad City by Paul Pringle | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:46] Catherine: Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:00] The Pink Hotel by Liska Jacobs | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:41] One Book They DIDN'T LOVE Sarah: The Arc by Tory Henwood Hoen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:28] Catherine: Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:30] One NEW RELEASE They Are Excited About Sarah: People Person by Candice Carty-Williams (September 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:08] Catherine: Dinners with Ruth by Nina Totenberg (September 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25] Other Books Mentioned Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley [11:27] The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta [20:20] How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder [20:22] Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston [20:24] American Royals by Katharine McGee [20:25] Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West [27:04] Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi [27:11] This Is My America by Kim Johnson [27:13] Deacon King Kong by James McBride [28:20] Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan [31:57] We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper [37:48] Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow [38:01] Joan by Katherine J. Chen [40:35] The One by John Marrs [45:55] Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams [50:31] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [53:09] About Catherine Gilmore Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 10 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle, WA.
This week we're helping you build your summer reading list with recommendations from some of our favorite bookstagrammers! They each share two books they recommend we read this summer and answer a pressing question: If you could have a meal with any book character at any chain restaurant, which character and restaurant would you choose? Sarah's Picks: Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (esp for fans of Nothing To See Here) The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger (Out July 5) Find Sarah at @sarahsbookshelves Amber's Picks Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola (Out July 5) Hope and Glory by Jendella Benson Find Amber at @byamberburns and www.byamberburns.com Pheobe's Picks Every Summer After by Carley Fortune A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia (Out July 26) Find Phoebe at @readandwright Morgan's Picks You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li Find Morgan at @nycbookgirl (and check out our last ep with morgan here!) Ashley's Picks Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Out July 5) Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore (Out June 14) Find Ashley at @ashleyspivey, @spiveysbookclub Becca's Picks Book Lovers by Emily Henry Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close Olivia's Picks Flying Solo by Linda Holmes (out June 14) The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead (Out August 16) (check content warnings for this one!) Obsessions Olivia: New Boden dresses Becca: Ten Percent via Amazon Prime What we read this week! Becca: I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close Olivia: The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins The It Girl by Ruth Ware (Out July 12) Cover Story by Susan Rigetti This Month's Book Club Pick: Cover Story by Susan Rigetti Sponsors: Olive and June: Visit OliveandJune.com/Paper for 20% off your first Mani System. Bad On Paper: get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/badonpaper. ZocDoc: go to Zocdoc.com/BOP to download the Zocdoc app for free and start your search for a top-rated doctor today. Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.