Podcasts about best books

Are you ready to graduate from the grind in 2026? Then here’s your most important project: Future You. Learn more “Eye opening and provocative.” “Challenged me to get out of the starting blocks and far down the path of really thinking about this next phase of my life in very different ways. I now feel like I have a solid road map.” “I wish I’d taken this program earlier.” __________________________ Start the new year right with new habits. FREE 3 session program – 3 Fridays in January at Noon Eastern January 2, 9 and 16 Sign up here __________________________ What if the most creative chapter of your life hasn't happened yet? Today's conversation is about second acts that arrive not quietly—but boldly. Kim Gottlieb-Walker published her debut novel at age 78 after a 50-year career as a photographer. She also leads the Vintage Writers, a lively weekly Zoom group of women authors over 70. Joining her is Roselyn Teukolsky, a former math and computer science educator who retired and now writes fiction. This conversation explores creative courage, identity shifts, the power of starting something new – and the value of community. Kim Gottlieb-Walker and Roselyn Teukolsky join us from California. _________________________ Planning for retirement? Check out our recommended Best Books for Retirement _________________________ Bios Kim Gottlieb-Walker's  career as a photographer covered a wide range of subjects, from classic rock and roll, reggae, and politics in the ‘60s and ‘70s to major motion pictures and television shows. Now in her late 70s, she has reinvented herself as a novelist. While still at UCLA (where she  received a BA in Motion Picture production) and shortly thereafter, she shot for underground LA newspapers and magazines including Crawdaddy, the Staff, and Music World. She  also shot the stills for John Carpenter's Halloween, The Fog, Christine and Escape from New York and worked at Paramount Pictures for nine years as the production photographer for Cheers, and five years for Family Ties. For three decades she  was an elected representative for still photographers on the National Executive Board of IATSE Local 600, the International Cinematographers Guild. Her coffee-table photo books Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae and On Set with John Carpenter were published by Titan Press (UK) distributed by Random House (USA) and both are now in multiple printing. They have editions in Japanese, Russian and French. She's  had gallery shows in London, Los Angeles and New York. Her novels are  Lenswoman in Love – a novel of the 1960s & ‘70s (her debut) and the not-yet published historical novel Caterina by Moonlight, about a girl growing up in renaissance Florence in the late 15th century. Her short story “Summer of Love – 1967” appears in the multi-award-winning anthology Feisty Deeds. Former math and computer science teacher, Roselyn Teukolsky, is the author of A Reluctant Spy, an unconventional spy thriller, and The Fourth Woman, a cautionary tale about online dating. Teukolsky has long been intrigued by the dilemmas faced by smart women in male-dominated settings. Working as a computer science teacher has given her the familiarity to create an authentic female protagonist, a brilliant computer scientist, who, in the latest novel, must ward off a ransomware attack and an online-dating predator. Teukolsky has a B.Sc. in Math and Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and an M.S. in Math Education from Cornell. She is the author of the Barron's review book for AP Computer Science, which is currently in its 12th edition. Roselyn's favorite pastime is tournament bridge. She wrote How to Play Bridge with Your Spouse … and Survive (Master Point Press) in 2002. She lives in Pasadena, CA, with her husband, Saul Teukolsky. ________________________ Have a Question You’d Like Answered on the Podcast? Click here to leave a voice message or email me at joec@retirementwisdom.com _________________________ For More on Kim Gottlieb-Walker  Lenswoman in Love www.Lenswoman.com for an overview of her photographic history www.TheRenaissanceWoman.net www.KimGottliebWalker.com – her author website. — For More on Roselyn Teukolsky A Reluctant Spy The Fourth Woman _________________________ Podcast Conversations You May Like Why Retirement Was Just the Beginning – Neal Lipschutz A Creative Pursuit with an Intergenerational Assist – Neil & Michelle McLaughlin Edit Your Life – Elisabeth Sharp McKetta __________________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast There are many podcasts on retirement, often hosted by financial advisors with their own financial motives, that cover the money side of the street. This podcast is different. You'll get smarter about the investment decisions you'll make about the most important asset you'll have in retirement: your time. About Retirement Wisdom I help people who are retiring, but aren't quite done yet, discover what's next and build their custom version of their next life. A meaningful retirement doesn't just happen by accident. Schedule a call today to discuss how the Designing Your Life process created by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans can help you make your life in retirement a great one — on your own terms. About Your Podcast Host Joe Casey is an executive coach who helps people design their next life after their primary career and create their version of The Multipurpose Retirement.™ He created his own next chapter after a 26-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of HR for Global Markets & Investment Banking. Joe has earned Master's degrees from the University of Southern California in Gerontology (at age 60), the University of Pennsylvania, and Middlesex University (UK), a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his coaching certification from Columbia University. In addition to his work with clients, Joe hosts The Retirement Wisdom Podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally in popularity by Listen Notes, with over 1.6 million downloads. Business Insider recognized Joe as one of 23 innovative coaches who are making a difference. He's the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy. ___________________________ Wise Quotes On a Writing Community “One of the things I’ve loved best about this recreation of my life is the number of people it’s brought into my life because the writers are a very supportive community. And it keeps your brain alive. There’s so much you have to learn with the learning curve of writing a book that it keeps your brain cells going. It stimulates them. I think there are many people out there who, after having had very active careers that are now retired and are feeling at lost ends. Every person has met interesting people during their lives, has had things happen to them, have had tragedies, have had happiness. Everybody has experiences in them that they might want to communicate. And writing, even though it seems like a very solitary occupation, it gives you a chance to put all of your life experience out into the world and to then connect with other people, other writers, to get the support that you need and to learn all of the different aspects of it. So it’s a very satisfying way to spend your retirement. Oh, well, it’s an amazing group of women. They’re all over 70. They’ve all reinvented themselves as writers. Some were writers beforehand, but most have reinvented themselves. And they cover all different kinds of writing of every genre. There’s self-help, there’s romance, there’s mystery, there’s historical fiction, and they’re all very talented, alert, wonderful women. And we meet every Tuesday on Zoom and commiserate and celebrate and give advice. And it has been the most wonderful support group. So we’re not isolated in retirement. We have interactions with people who have similar goals and similar challenges. It’s a tremendous support group.” – Kim Gottlieb-Walker On Age as an Asset ” It is never too late to reinvent yourself. It’s totally within your reach. You don’t have to depend on anyone else. All you have to do is sit down and let your ideas flow. And I wouldn’t worry about ageism because now that we’re in an age where you can self-publish, it doesn’t matter how old you are. And the fact that we have had such rich lives and so many experiences informs the writing and gives the writing depth and gives it reality because it’s based on our real experiences. No matter what you’re writing, you’re bringing your life experiences into it, which is incredibly valuable. So don’t worry about ageism. Don’t worry about the publisher. Just get it out on paper. Do it yourself.” – Kim Gottlieb-Walker On Starting to Write “A lot of my friends have said to me, Oh, they would love to write a book. They would love to write a book. They’re going to write a book. But the point is, if you don’t sit down every day at the same time, backside in the desk, it doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t. Even if you sit and do nothing. I would ask, what are you going to do in the next 10 years? And I say, I don’t know what I’m going to do. And I say, Well, why not write in the next 10 years?” – Roselyn Teukolsky

Gugs Mhlungu speaks to Shylock Matsunyane, Deputy manager of exclusive books in Rosebank about a curated list of must-read books for the holiday season. Highlights include works by Bonang Mohale, Mandy Wiener, as well as motivational and wellness titles to inspire and uplift readers. 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station, on Saturdays and Sundays Gugs Mhlungu gets you ready for the weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on 702. She is your weekend wake-up companion, with all you need to know for your weekend. The topics Gugs covers range from lifestyle, family, health, and fitness to books, motoring, cooking, culture, and what is happening on the weekend in 702land. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fortune doesn't care about our plans and preferences. No, Seneca reminds us, she behaves as she pleases.

This was supposed to be a catch-all episode of the podcast, but it turns out that we're not very short-winded. We talk about books, movies, and TV in this part of our Best Of 2025 shows.

Loose connections … GUEST Dr Tim Muehlhoff ... Prof of Communication at Biola Univ ... author of “Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church,” winner of the Award of Merit in Christianity Today’s Best Books of 2022 list … Tim’s ”Winsome Persuasion: Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World," was CT Book of the Year in the category of evangelism/apologetics in 2019. Christmas and New Babies… GUEST Mischa Willett … author of "The Elegy Beta," and "Phases" ... His poems, essays, translations, and academic articles appear widely ... He teaches at Arizona Christian University.... Follow his work at mischawillett.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loose connections … GUEST Dr Tim Muehlhoff ... Prof of Communication at Biola Univ ... author of “Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church,” winner of the Award of Merit in Christianity Today’s Best Books of 2022 list … Tim’s ”Winsome Persuasion: Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World," was CT Book of the Year in the category of evangelism/apologetics in 2019. Christmas and New Babies… GUEST Mischa Willett … author of "The Elegy Beta," and "Phases" ... His poems, essays, translations, and academic articles appear widely ... He teaches at Arizona Christian University.... Follow his work at mischawillett.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter discuss their top 10 favorite books of 2025! Annie 1. A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar 2. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 3. Flashlight by Susan Choi 4. Tilt by Emma Pattee 5. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 6. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li 7. Memorial Days by Geradine Brooks 8. Buckeye by Patrick Ryan 9. Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo 10. Awake by Jen Hatmaker Hunter 1. Audition by Katie Kitamura 2. Flashlight by Susan Choi 3. Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones 4. Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel 5. Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor 6. A Guardian and a Thief by  Megha Majumdar 7. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett 8. Middle Spoon by Alejandro Varela 9. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 10. Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez Annie - July picks 1. Tilt by Emma Pattee 2. Flashlight by Susan Choi 3. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 4. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li 5. Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld 6. Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks 7. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green 8. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 9. Lucky Night by Eliza Kennedy 10. Playworld by Adam Ross Hunter - July picks 1. Audition by Katie Kitamura 2. Ordinary Time by Annie B Jones 3. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett 4. Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez 5. Among Friends by Hal Ebbott 6. The Wilderness by Angela Flourney 7. Open, Heaven by Sean Hewitt 8. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 9. Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico 10. Exit Zero by Marie-Helene Bertino 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 Grace and Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon. Hunter is reading Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club. 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.

As 2025 comes to an end, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite books, and literary trends from the year. Jenna Bush Hager sits down with author and book lover Isaac Fitzgerald to share their tips for building a reading habit in the new year, their favorite books of the year, and the titles they're most excited about in 2026!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special, year-end episode of the podcast, Zibby chats with Sarah Gelman, Editorial Director for Books at Amazon, about Amazon's Best Books of the Year! Together, they dive into the thinking behind the list, highlight standout fiction and nonfiction picks, and discuss buzzy discoveries, sleeper hits, and genre-spanning favorites. With behind-the-scenes insights into how the list is curated (before sales even begin) and a peek at Sarah's most anticipated upcoming reads… this one's a must-listen!Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best fiction seems real, the best non-fiction books read like fiction. That, at least, is Bethanne Patrick's take on the best books of 2025. Selecting her favorite four fiction and four non-fiction books, the LA Times book critic suggests that all eight of these books brilliantly blur the line between fact and fiction. Take, for example, Murderland, Caroline Fraser's new non-fiction linking 1970s serial killers to environmental toxins from mining. “People love true crime as if there's something called untrue crime”, Patrick notes. “Fraser shows that what really happened and the way it blows up in our minds—that's where fact and fiction blur.”Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Chris and Anna Lisa are joined by TRL Librarians Betsy and Zach to kick off the new year with the ultimate reading list!

It's time for us to share our favorite books of 2025! Get your notebooks ready because WE! HAVE! RECS!

Grand Tamasha is Carnegie's weekly podcast on Indian politics and policy co-produced with the Hindustan Times, a leading Indian media house. For six years (and counting), host Milan Vaishnav has interviewed authors, journalists, policymakers, and practitioners working on contemporary India to give listeners across the globe a glimpse into life in the world's most populous country.Each December, Milan looks back at the conversations we've hosted during the course of the year and selects a handful of books that stayed with him long after our recording wrapped. This year's selections span biography, history, and political economy—but they share a common thread: Each offers a bold reinterpretation of India at a moment of profound political and social churn.In keeping with this tradition, here—in no particular order—are Grand Tamasha's top books of 2025. A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India's Development OdysseyBy Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian. Published by HarperCollins India.Believer's Dilemma: Vajpayee and the Hindu Right's Path to Power, 1977–2018By Abhishek Choudhary. Published by Pan Macmillan India.Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern AsiaBy Sam Dalrymple. Published by HarperCollins India.Taken together, these books showcase the breadth of scholarship animating debates on India and South Asia today. They remind us that the region's past remains contested, its present deeply complex, and its future still uncertain. I hope you find these conversations as stimulating and inspiring as I did.One final note here: As you consider your year-end charitable giving, we hope you will choose to support Grand Tamasha. This season, you might have noticed that we've expanded into video, allowing listeners to watch full-length conversations on YouTube. Listener contributions sustain the costs of production, research, and distribution—especially as we expand our video offerings. The podcast receives no external funding beyond what our audience generously provides, and contributions from U.S.-based supporters are fully tax-deductible. We would be grateful for whatever support you can offer. Please visit https://donate.carnegieendowment.org/for more information on how you can give.On behalf of the entire team, we hope you have a wonderful holidays. Thanks for listening to the show—and see you in the new year.Episode notes:1. “The Forgotten Partitions That Remade South Asia (with Sam Dalrymple),” Grand Tamasha, October 29, 2025.2. “A Sixth of Humanity and the Dreams of a Nation (with Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian),” Grand Tamasha, October 22, 2025.3. “Vajpayee and the Making of the Modern BJP (with Abhishek Choudhary),” Grand Tamasha, September 3, 2025.4.  Milan Vaishnav, “Grand Tamasha's Best Books of 2024,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, December 17, 2024.5.  Milan Vaishnav, “Grand Tamasha's Best Books of 2023,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, December 19, 2023.6.  Milan Vaishnav, “Grand Tamasha's Best Books of the Year,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, December 20, 2022.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and publisher, Todd Sattersten to unpack his brand-new book The 100 Best Books for Work & Life. After spending thousands of hours studying the world's top ideas, Todd distilled them into three massive themes: the core beliefs that shape how we grow, the foundational skills we all need, and the proven strategies for implementation. Together, we explore why purpose matters more than you think, why progress—not perfection—is what keeps us motivated, and how the strongest relationships (both personal and professional) can radically improve your success. We also break down lessons from books on goals, growth, habits, vulnerability, and the surprising science behind becoming your best self. This conversation skims across decades of research, the best thinkers in the world, and hundreds of lessons that can transform your trajectory. If you've ever wondered what to prioritize, where to focus, or how to build a career and life you actually love, you'll hear ideas you can implement today—along with the stories, examples, and science that make them stick. Topics We Cover in This Episode:    The surprising way Todd chose the "100 best" books—and why categories came after the insights The core belief every high performer needs before any real growth can happen A mindset shift from one of the world's most famous researchers that proves anyone can improve The daily and weekly habits scientifically shown to increase happiness, productivity, and clarity Why three layers of your social network influence you far more than you realize The uncomfortable—but essential—truth Brene Brown uncovered about connection and professional success A story of how following intuitive energy (instead of logic) can redirect an entire career The one type of progress that dramatically increases motivation—and how to track it in under 15 minutes   If this episode sparks something in you—an idea, a curiosity, or even the sense that it's time for a shift—I'd love for you to dive into Part 2 where we continue the conversation with generosity, influence, habits, and implementation. And if Todd's insights resonated, check out The 100 Best Books for Work & Life and start building your own roadmap for growth. Your next breakthrough might be waiting in the pages of a single book—or a single idea you hear today.   Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Bard Press 100 Best Books for Work and Life: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and publisher, Todd Sattersten to unpack his brand-new book The 100 Best Books for Work & Life. After spending thousands of hours studying the world's top ideas, Todd distilled them into three massive themes: the core beliefs that shape how we grow, the foundational skills we all need, and the proven strategies for implementation. Together, we explore why purpose matters more than you think, why progress—not perfection—is what keeps us motivated, and how the strongest relationships (both personal and professional) can radically improve your success. We also break down lessons from books on goals, growth, habits, vulnerability, and the surprising science behind becoming your best self. This conversation skims across decades of research, the best thinkers in the world, and hundreds of lessons that can transform your trajectory. If you've ever wondered what to prioritize, where to focus, or how to build a career and life you actually love, you'll hear ideas you can implement today—along with the stories, examples, and science that make them stick. Topics We Cover in This Episode:  The surprising way Todd chose the "100 best" books—and why categories came after the insights The core belief every high performer needs before any real growth can happen A mindset shift from one of the world's most famous researchers that proves anyone can improve The daily and weekly habits scientifically shown to increase happiness, productivity, and clarity Why three layers of your social network influence you far more than you realize The uncomfortable—but essential—truth Brene Brown uncovered about connection and professional success A story of how following intuitive energy (instead of logic) can redirect an entire career The one type of progress that dramatically increases motivation—and how to track it in under 15 minutes   If this episode sparks something in you—an idea, a curiosity, or even the sense that it's time for a shift—I'd love for you to dive into Part 2 where we continue the conversation with generosity, influence, habits, and implementation. And if Todd's insights resonated, check out The 100 Best Books for Work & Life and start building your own roadmap for growth. Your next breakthrough might be waiting in the pages of a single book—or a single idea you hear today.   Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Bard Press 100 Best Books for Work and Life: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and publisher, Todd Sattersten to unpack his brand-new book The 100 Best Books for Work & Life. After spending thousands of hours studying the world's top ideas, Todd distilled them into three massive themes: the core beliefs that shape how we grow, the foundational skills we all need, and the proven strategies for implementation. Together, we explore why purpose matters more than you think, why progress—not perfection—is what keeps us motivated, and how the strongest relationships (both personal and professional) can radically improve your success. We also break down lessons from books on goals, growth, habits, vulnerability, and the surprising science behind becoming your best self. This conversation skims across decades of research, the best thinkers in the world, and hundreds of lessons that can transform your trajectory. If you've ever wondered what to prioritize, where to focus, or how to build a career and life you actually love, you'll hear ideas you can implement today—along with the stories, examples, and science that make them stick. Topics We Cover in This Episode:    The surprising way Todd chose the "100 best" books—and why categories came after the insights The core belief every high performer needs before any real growth can happen A mindset shift from one of the world's most famous researchers that proves anyone can improve The daily and weekly habits scientifically shown to increase happiness, productivity, and clarity Why three layers of your social network influence you far more than you realize The uncomfortable—but essential—truth Brene Brown uncovered about connection and professional success A story of how following intuitive energy (instead of logic) can redirect an entire career The one type of progress that dramatically increases motivation—and how to track it in under 15 minutes   If this episode sparks something in you—an idea, a curiosity, or even the sense that it's time for a shift—I'd love for you to dive into Part 2 where we continue the conversation with generosity, influence, habits, and implementation. And if Todd's insights resonated, check out The 100 Best Books for Work & Life and start building your own roadmap for growth. Your next breakthrough might be waiting in the pages of a single book—or a single idea you hear today.   Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Bard Press 100 Best Books for Work and Life: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You

It's that time again—my annual roundup of the best books I read this year! In this episode, I'm sharing the top 10 reads that made my 2025 unforgettablem, from romantasy and magical realism that were some of my best reads of the decade to thought-provoking nonfiction that challenged how I think about life, creativity, and the world around us. This year, I read purely for the joy of it. No research, no goals, just great stories, fascinating ideas, and the simple pleasure of turning pages late into the night. Join me as I talk about the books that inspired me most and why they stuck with me long after I finished them. Whether you're looking for your next great read or just want to reflect on your own year in books, you'll find plenty of inspiration here. Full transcript here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/best-books-i-read-in-2025/

A great book transports and educates—and the New York Times has the best ones from 2025. Gilbert Cruz, NYT Book Review editor, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about the best five fiction and five nonfiction selections to earn the title this year, from WWI battlefields to marriage on a shipwrecked vessel, and discusses the process of choosing the best of the best. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

First… a personal note from Suzi and Michelle: Yes, this really is the last Content Sells episode after 10 incredible years. We will get on with our regular "Show Notes" in just a moment, but first, we wanted to say to you, our dear listener… THANK YOU. We are both so deeply grateful to YOU and have loved making this show for you. Thank you for listening to us on your walks, while driving, at the gym, at work and everywhere else we enjoyed the privilege of your time and attention. We never took that responsibility lightly. Thank you so much for your presence, your feedback, your support and, most of all, for your own adventure as a business owner and content creator – you have inspired us (and continue to inspire us) every single day! Thank you! OK… on with the Show (notes) ;-) It's time to say goodbye to Content Sells! In this final episode, Suzi and Michelle close the door on a decade-long chapter – one that shaped their thinking, their teaching, their businesses, and the lives of thousands of women who tuned in every fortnight. This final episode isn't just a farewell; it's a moment of reflection on what it really means to create content with purpose, longevity, and heart. In this episode, your hosts Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon honour the evolution of the show, the community it's built, and the role it has played inside the HerBusiness ecosystem, the Marketing Success Mastermind and beyond. It's an intimate conversation about endings, beginnings, creative seasons, and the strategic decisions we all face as business owners. You'll hear the behind-the-scenes insights that shaped their 10-year run — from the surprising stats about podcast longevity, to the lessons that kept them consistent, generous, collaborative, and anchored in their mantra: No content without conversion. And while it's the end of the show, you'll hear in this episode how both Suzi and Michelle will continue to support you moving forward. Listen to This Episode to Hear More About: Why Suzi and Michelle chose to end the podcast now — and how to recognise when a piece of content has fulfilled its strategic purpose. The surprising truth about podcast longevity — and what their 10-year run reveals about consistency and audience trust. Why "No content without conversion" remains the single most powerful filter you can apply to any content decision. How understanding your ideal client reshapes everything from episode ideas to strategic messaging. The real reason consistency outperforms intensity — and how fortnightly publishing built a decade-long relationship with listeners. What collaboration makes possible that wouldn't exist if you tried to create in isolation. How a podcast becomes part of your body of work — sharpening your thinking, strengthening your voice, and supporting your legacy. Why generosity is a growth strategy (and how it builds a community that stays with you for years). The "Step 2" gap most business owners miss — and why Episode 11 remains one of their most referenced teachings. What to do when you feel called to pivot — and how both Suzi and Michelle are evolving their work from here. How your 'non-negotiables' simplify decisions and create a rhythm you can sustain for years. Why foundational ideas need to be taught 20 different ways — and how this deepens mastery for you and your clients. A behind-the-scenes look at favourite episodes — from Lady Gaga insights to sales page frameworks and unforgettable guest interviews. The power of saying yes before you feel ready — and how Episode 1 became a threshold moment that shaped everything that followed. What's next for Suzi, Michelle, the Marketing Success Mastermind and the HerBusiness Network – how the work continues, even as the podcast concludes. And so much more… Content Sells Podcast Episodes: EP 01 – The Content Universe https://herbusiness.com/podcast/01-the-content-universe/  EP 02 – Your Ideal Client https://herbusiness.com/podcast/02-your-ideal-client/ EP 11 – The Step 2 Secret https://herbusiness.com/podcast/11-step-2-secret/ EP 23 – How to Craft an Offer That Sells https://herbusiness.com/podcast/how-to-craft-an-offer-that-sells/ EP 121 – Content Lessons We Learned From Lady Gaga https://herbusiness.com/podcast/content-lessons-we-learned-from-lady-gaga/ EP 206 – The 16 Essential Elements of a High-Converting Sales Page https://herbusiness.com/podcast/the-16-essential-elements-of-a-high-converting-sales-page/ EP 225 – How We Produce This Podcast https://herbusiness.com/podcast/how-we-produce-this-podcast/ EP 226 – Best Books for Content Marketers – 2024 Edition ** With Free Download "Content Sells Recommended Reading List" https://herbusiness.com/podcast/best-books-for-content-marketers-2024-edition/ EP 251 – Winning Proposals – How to Get More Clients To Say Yes More Often – Part 1 https://herbusiness.com/podcast/winning-proposals-how-to-get-more-clients-to-say-yes-more-often-part-1/ EP 252 – Winning Proposals – How to Get More Clients To Say Yes More Often – Part 2 https://herbusiness.com/podcast/winning-proposals-how-to-get-more-clients-to-say-yes-more-often-part-2/ EP 273 – How to Grow Your Podcast With Award-Winning Producer & Broadcaster Gab Burke https://herbusiness.com/podcast/how-to-grow-your-podcast-with-award-winning-producer-and-broadcaster-gab-burke/   People and Resources Mentioned: Valerie Khoo — https://www.valeriekhoo.com Jeff Walker — https://jeffwalker.com Marisa Murgatroyd — https://liveyourmessage.com Stu McLaren — https://stumclaren.com Victoria Labalme — https://victorialabalme.com Ryan Levesque — https://ryanlevesque.net/ Joanna Wiebe — https://copyhackers.com Clint Salter — https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintsalter/ Susan Bradley — https://thesocialsalesgirls.com James Wedmore — https://jameswedmore.com Linda Diggle — https://www.lindadiggle.com Amanda Farmer — https://www.yourstrataproperty.com.au Fiona Keary — https://styleliberation.com.au Susan Bell — https://www.susanbell.com.au Cat Matson – https://www.catmatson.com.au/ People Powered Business with Kristy-Lee Billett — https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au Riverside 2025 Podcast Statistics and Trends Report — https://riverside.com/blog/podcast-statistics Social Media for Small Business Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/social-media-for-small-business/id467504559 Content Sells Reading List – https://herbusiness.com/podcast/best-books-for-content-marketers-2024-edition/

In this episode, Sarah and Jes discuss the best books of the year, great books to give as gifts, the most checked out items at DMPL, and the librarians personal favorite books they read in 2025. Learn more below:   Show Notes What we are reading Jes: On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Sarah: Just Our Luck by Denise Williams, The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow Best Bets (good gifts) Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz, The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy―and Why it Failed by Brad Meltzer and Joel Mensch, How to Be a Saint: An Extremely Weird and Mildly Sacrilegious History of the Catholic Church's Biggest Names by Kate Sidley Best of the Year Lists Books 1. Heart the Lover by Lily King 2. Audition by Katie Kitamura 3. Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong 4. Katabasis by R.F Kuang 5. Mother Mary Comes to me by Arundhati Roy 6. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones 7. A Flower Traveled in My Blood by Haley Cohen Gilliland 8. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid 9. Baldwin by Nicolas Boggs 10. Flesh by David Szalay Top Checked Out 1. The Wedding People by Alison Espach 2. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 3. Strangers in Time by Baldacci by David Baldacci 4. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 5. Great, Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry 6. James by Percival Everett 7. Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez 8. Dog Man: Big Jim Begins and Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder by Dav Pilkey 9. My Friends by Fredrik Backman Top DVDs Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Wicked Conclave  Jes' Top Ten 1. Woodworking by Emily St. James 2. Poet's Square by Courtney Gustafson 3. Heart the Lover by Lily King 4. Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy 5. Sky Daddy by Kate Folk 6. Audition by Katie Kitamura 7. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden 8. Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan 9. Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang 10. Stag Dance by Torrey Peters Sarah's Top Ten 1. A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera 2. Who is Government edited by Michael Lewis and Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson 3. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young 4. The Shots you Take by Rachel Reid 5. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes 6. Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry 7. Muted by Miranda Mundt 8. The River has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar 9. Everyone Who is Gone is Here by Jonathan Blitzer 10. Heir by Sabaa Tahir Random Books Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid The Correspondent by Virginia Evans     Links No Lovers on These Covers https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/books/review/831-stories-romance.html?unlocked_article_code=1.1E8.jA9U.hHjLV3tspEo8&smid=url-share&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email  It's Time To Put The "Where Are All The Male Novelists?" Debate To Bed https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/vanishing-young-male-novelists-debate  The Guardian view on the Booker prize winner: putting masculinity back at the centre of literary fiction https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/14/the-guardian-view-on-the-booker-prize-winner-putting-masculinity-back-at-the-centre-of-literary-fiction 

Stephen Grootes interviews Ian Mann, Managing Director of Gateways Business Consultants, about Antonio Iozzo’s new book Slaying the Standard. Mann also reviews several notable titles, including Conquering Crisis by Admiral William McRaven, Tribes by Michael Morris, Superbloom by Nicholas Carr, and 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gilbert Cruz, editor at The New York Times Book Review shares the five fiction and five non-fiction books from this year that made it into The New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of 2024. 

Brea and Mallory pick their best books of the year! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreThe Reading Glasses Book!Sponsors -ZocDocwww.zocdoc.com/GLASSESGreenChefwww.greenchef.com/GLASSESGRAZACODE: GLASSESGRAZA Links -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupWish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/join Books Mentioned - Katabasis by R.F. KuangWill There Ever Be Another You by Patricia LockwoodFiend by Alma KatsuBest of All Worlds by Kenneth OppelThe Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HarnettThe Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-GarciaDaughter of Daring by Mallory O'MearaOld Soul by Susan BarkerWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyA Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie CathrallWake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman What Fury Brings by Tricia LevensellerAngel Down by Daniel KrausThe Dry Season by Melissa FebosBury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff HillerSky Daddy by Kate FolkMurder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd Clean by Alia Trabucco Zeran, translated by Sophie HughesStrange Houses by Uketsu, translated by Jim RionThe Brain at Rest by Joseph Jebelli Somebody is Walking on Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowell, performed by Annette Amelia Oliveira It Rhymes with Takei by George TakeiEl Dorado Drive by Megan AbbottMonsters and Mainframes by Barbara TrueloveVantage Point by Sara SligarThis is My Body by Lindsey King-MillerThe Original by Nell StevensVera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q. SutantoThe Salvage by Anbara SalamShark Heart by Emily HabeckHere's Your Hat What's Your Hurry by Elizabeth McCracken

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)

We have had a spectacular year on You Are What You Read with some of the greatest writers in the world! Thank you all for joining us every week, for your comments and reviews, and for joining us on the road. We have loved meeting you and hearing your thoughts. This holiday season, we are highlighting some of your favorite guests from 2025. Here to join us, is our dear friend Jake Morrissey. Jake is the Executive Editor at Riverhead Books at Penguin Random House. Jake works with bestselling and award-winning authors, including Daniel H. Pink, Anne Lamott, James McBride, Priya Parker, Michele Harper, and Marlon James, with whom he cohosts the podcast Marlon & Jake Read Dead People. Today, we take a look back on some of our favorite books from this year…the best in fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, and the books we are looking forward to in 2026.  Titles mentioned in this episode:  Fiction:  Audition by Katie Kitamura Colored Television by Danzy Senna The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight The Life Impossible by Matt Haig Among Friends by Hal Ebbott Persuasion by Jane Austen Nash Falls by David Baldacci The Unraveling of Julia Lisa Scottoline Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely by Sarah McCoy The Correspondent by Virginia Evans My Grandma and Grandpa Rock! by Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Dangerland by Eric Singer Skylark by Paula McLain It Girl by Allison Pataki Waiting for Dawn: Living with Uncertainty Marisa Renee Lee The Viper by Brad Meltzer  The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave Nonfiction: I Said Yes to Everything by Lee Grant Before You Fly Away by Christina Geist Heart Life Music by Kenny Chesney Waiting on the Moon by Peter Wolf When It All Burns by Jordan Thomas The American Revolution and the Fate of the World by Richard Bell We Did It, Kid by Anthony Hopkins The Art of Spending Money by Morgan House l1929 by Aaron Ross Sorkin Cookbooks:  You Can Make This!  Lidia's The Art of Pasta  Italian Snacking by Anna Francese Gass Cooking with Nonna by Rossella Rago My Harvest Kitchen by Gesine Bullock-Prado The Delmonico Way by Max Tucci  Shows:  Oedipus The Mousetrap Oratorio Films:Hamnet Knives Out Frankenstein  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is story excellence something you "know when you see it"—or can it actually be measured?Is excellence defined by hitting bestseller lists? Filling seats at every book tour stop? Being selected for “Best Books of 2025” lists?Is excellence defined by getting gatekeeper approval? Getting agent representation? Landing a book deal? Winning awards?Is excellence defined by earning money? Getting a big advance? Earning out the advance and bringing in royalties?Or is it something else?How can we measure that a book is good? What is the pinnacle we're trying to reach, and how will we tell when we achieve it?This is a big, big question, and feels in some ways impossible to answer. But I'm going to try. Because if we want to craft excellent novels, we need to know what we're aiming for so we can recognize when we reach it and spot when we're going off course.Come journey with me to discover what excellent stories truly do. We're going to get lightly philosophical so you can shape your stories to excellence too. You'll hear:My current working definition of an excellent novelWhy I am not actually the arbiter of excellence (even though I have really good taste)Why excellent books don't always receive industry validation . . . and whether all books the industry promotes are excellent (spoiler: no)What readers WANT from storiesWhy stories have been essential to human survival since the beginning of storytelling5 questions to ask yourself to define YOUR OWN standard of excellenceOnce you've heard how I'm defining excellence, I'd love to hear your definition! Head to the comments on the blog post and let me know what makes a story excellent to you.Share your standard of excellence in the comments »Links mentioned in the episode:Ep. 65: Why Some Writers Resist Measuring Their Craft (And Why They Shouldn't)Ep. 84: What If You Do Everything Right and the Book Launch Still Goes Wrong? with A.S. KingEp. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?Send me a Text Message!Support the showRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

We conclude our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to young adult. First, Libba Bray joins us to discuss Under the Same Stars (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Feb. 4). Then young readers' editor Laura Simeon highlights some more of the year's best YA.Thanks to our sponsors:The Tale of the Wicked Old Woman and the Very Nice 'Beast' of Crouch End by Lance Lee, illus. by Nathalie T. RetivoffA Widow's Fire by Diane Pike HeilerFuture-Focused Wealth by Melissa CoxSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is UNDRIP on the way out? Guest: Dwight Newman, Professor, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Rights, Communities, and Constitutional Law How do you know what you're buying online isn't stolen? Guest: Corporal Michael Kalanj, Media Relations Officer, Burnaby RCMP Indigo's Best books to gift this Christmas! Guest: Amanda Gauthier, Print Director & BOTY 2025 Committee Chair The mistakes being made at the CRA Guest: Ryan Minor, Director of Tax, Chartered professional Accountants Canada How is AI destroying any idea of positive body image? Guest: Delaney Thibideau,  Post-doctoral researcher, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto The City of Vancouver responds to Development fees causing house prices to rise Guest: Josh White, General Manager, Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability. City of Vancouver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jess and Trisha talk about some of their favorite romance reads of 2025, including books that are light and fun, books that pack an emotional punch, books with mysteries, books with sports…and more! Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! We've got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift Tailored Book Recommendations! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started. News: Send us your most anticipated romances of 2026, and/or your book club suggestions!! Check out Book Riot's amazing list of the Best Books of 2025! Jess recommended the adaptation Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell - check it out! Books Discussed: Mr Collins in Love by Lee Welch 10 Dance by Satoh Inoue I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Romcom by Kimberly Lemming A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria After Hours at Dooryard Books by Cat Sebastian Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin Fan Service by Rosie Danan Homemaker by Ruthie Knox Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa Breakout Year by KD Casey Love Letters from the Trail by Tif Marcelo A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell Let us know what you're reading, what you're thinking, and what you're thinking about what you're reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our best books of the year episode!   Anna, Amanda and Annie reveal our favourite reads of 2025:   Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden The Time of the Child by Niall Williams The Granddaughter by Bernhard Schlink translated by Charlotte Collins A Guardian and a Thief by Megan Majhumdar Eurotrash by Christian Kracht translated by Daniel Bowles Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngoze Adichie (and audio book) Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor (and substack Sweater Weather) Heart the Lover by Lily King Follow us! Email: Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie Substack: Books On The Go Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

The Birding Book Club is back again to do our annual Best Bird Books of the Year episode for 2025. There's no better time to give the gift of bird books to the birder in your life. And why not something for yourself while you're at it? Nate Swick is joined by 10,000 Birds book reviewer Donna Schulman and Birding magazine media and book review editor Rebecca Minardi to talk about what we loved this very unique year of birds in books. Links to all of our choices at the ABA website.  Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!

Jayda Justus of The History Mom recommends books for gift giving this holiday. Favorite Fiction: ●      Nostalgic reading - The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway ●      Old favorites made new - The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson Wheeler, The Worlds of Jane Austen: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Novels by Helena Kelly, and Jane Austen's Fashion Bible by Ros Ballaster ●      Old favorite/new favorite pairing - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian. ●      Vacation reading - The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman  ●      Sweet reads - Katherine Reay, Kristy Cambron, Sarah Sundin, and Laura Frantz  ●      Entertaining reads - Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard   250th for America: ●      For guys: fiction - Jeff Shaara and John Jakes, nonfiction - Rick Atkinson and Nathaniel Philbreck  ●      For women: fiction - King's Mountain by Sharyn McCrumb, My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, and Answering Liberty's Call by Tracy Lawson. Nonfiction - Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts ●      Middle grade: Susanna's Midnight Ride by Libby McNamee   First Lady history: ●      Official White House China by William G. Allman ●      Jackie Kennedy: Jackie by Dawn Tripp and And They Called it Camelot by Stephanie Marie Thornton (fiction), and Designing Camelot by the White House Historical Society (nonfiction)   Royals watchers: Nonfiction - Sally Bedell Smith has written many biographies of the Royal family and The Queen: The Life and Times of Elizabeth II by Catherine Ryan Fiction - Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, The Gown and Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson, and The Queen's Faithful Companion by Eliza Knight   Christmas Books: O. Henry for the Holidays by O. Henry   Cookbooks: The Southern Kitchen by Ivy Odom The Pioneer Woman Cooks―The Essential Recipes: 120 Greatest Hits, New Twists, and Perfected Classics by Ree Drummond Sign up for my literary salon. Jayda can be found on ⁠her website⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠. Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2026? Check out our fifth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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. Link to my article about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Best Books of 2025⁠.     Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Storytime for Grownups Christmas Spectacular! We are celebrating a Victorian Christmas by reading A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett a few chapters at a time, with a few notes along the way. It's like an audio book with built in notes. So brew a pot of tea, find a cozy chair, and settle in. It's storytime!To hear Faith on the Wisdom in the Best Books and Films podcast, click hereTo pick up a copy of Faith's novel, Christmas Karol, click hereTo enter our drawings or receive a signed bookplate, click hereTo join in our Victorian Christmas sing-along, click hereTo submit a question or comment about this episode, click hereTo visit the merch store, click hereTo become a Storytime for Grownups member and gain access to our online community and monthly voice chats, click hereTo visit the Storytime for Grownups webpage, click hereTo learn more about your host, Faith Moore, click hereTo join Faith's mailing list, click hereFollow Faith on X hereTo support the show financially, click hereNext time we'll be reading: Chapter 13-14Support the show

In Ep. 212, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books start wrapping up 2025 with the first of the two year-end episodes: Best Books of 2025 Superlatives. In this episode, they share their picks for over 25 superlative categories, including Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025, The Book That Made Us Furious, Most Underrated Gem, Too Dark Even for Me, and so much more! 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 Our best books of the year from over 25 categories, including: My First 5-Star 2025 Release of the Year Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025 The Book That Made Us Furious Most Underrated Gem Most Perplexing Book Best Book to Be Made into a Reality Series Too Dark Even for Me Most Crushingly Depressing Book I Loved Best Horror Book in the Victorian-Feminist-Gory Category The Crime Novel That Hit Me Hardest Emotionally 2025 Superlatives [7:32] Sarah Penitence by Kristin Koval (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:58] What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[12:38] Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (2025)| Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:22]  Maggie; a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:43]  The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:25]  Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:22]  The Dinner Party by Viola Van de Sandt (2025)  | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:25]  Fox by Joyce Carol Oates (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:35] When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (US release 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:37]  Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:30] What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:53] Dream State by Eric Puchner (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:52] Heart the Lover by Lily King (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:06] The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:38] Awake by Jen Hatmaker (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:07] Catherine What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[9:58] The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:37] The Compound by Aisling Rawle (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:31] Murderland by Caroline Fraser (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:53] Heart, Be At Peace by Donal Ryan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:07] The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:13] Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:31] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:12] Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:45] Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer, 2) by Laini Taylor (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:40] Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:39] Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:31] The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:18] Other Books Mentioned Defending Jacob by William Landay (2012) [8:59]  All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay (2023) [9:00] Pretty Things by Janelle Brown (2020) [10:40]  I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid (2016) [30:25]  The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan (2012) [33:08] Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (2025) [45:20]  The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange (2023) [45:39]  Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1934) [46:13] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (2021) [48:34] Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler (2013) [48:35]   Writers and Lovers by Lily King (2020) [51:32]

With the end of 2025 approaching and cold weather keeping us indoors, what better time to dig into some of the best books of the year? Jennifer Alexander of St. Louis County Library and Lauren Brickey of St. Louis Public Library share their top picks.

Week of 12/1/25: This week on the show features an in-depth conversation with "The Economist's" Middle East reporter Gregg Carlstrom and correspondent Rosie Blau, who explain why Gaza is unlikely to be rebuilt any time soon and explore various plans for overcoming barriers. The hosts discuss JTV's Ollie Ansfeld report on reasons why some Jews supported Hitler during the 1930s in hopes of their own survival. Mike and Laureen look at the week's major headlines including an AI-generated  top 10 "Best Books of 2025," that included three titles that don't exist; Hamas terrorists trapped in Gaza's tunnels who refused to lay down their arms when offered safe passage; lifetime payments to terrorists' families who die while murdering Jews; blood libel claims against Israel shifting from starvation in Gaza to accusations of causing obesity despite climbing birth rates; the Pope's historic visit to Lebanon and the Hezbollah welcome that followed; and Texas' designation of CAIR as a terrorist organization. Thank you for listening, sharing and subscribing to the Third Opinon Podcast!

Award-winning author and business executive Margaret Heffernan has written extensively about uncertainty. Her book Uncharted: How to map the future became an instant bestseller and featured on Bloomberg's Best Books of 2021 list. Her most recent book Embracing Uncertainty: How writers, musicians and artists thrive in an unpredictable world outlines how creatives use ambiguity to stimulate innovation and novel ideas. In this episode, Jen, Dom and Cat chat with Margaret to her views on the power of conversation. In ambiguous and chaotic work landscapes, convening group discussions to hear diverse perspectives and harness collective intelligence is a new leadership meta-skill.   About Margaret Heffernan Dr. Margaret Heffernan produced programmes for the BBC for 13 years.  She then moved to the US where she spearheaded multimedia productions for Intuit, The Learning Company and Standard&Poors. She was Chief Executive of InfoMation Corporation, ZineZone Corporation and then iCast Corporation, was named one of the “Top 25” by Streaming Media magazine and one of the “Top 100 Media Executives” by The Hollywood Reporter.  The author of six books, Margaret's third book, Willful Blindness : Why We Ignore the Obvious at our Peril was  named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times. In 2015, she was awarded the Transmission Prize for  A Bigger Prize: Why Competition isn't Everything and How We Do Better, described as “meticulously researched…engagingly written…universally relevant and hard to fault.” Her TED talks have been seen by over 13 million people and in 2015 TED published Beyond Measure: The Big Impact of Small Changes. In 2020, she published Uncharted: How to map the future, which quickly became a bestseller and was nominated for the Financial Times Best Business Book award, was one of Bloomberg's Best Books of 2021 and was chosen as the “Medium Best of the Best” business book. 2025 saw the publication of Embracing Uncertainty: How Writers, Musicians and Artists Thrive in an Unpredictable World, described as ‘a timely, insightful book….Heffernan highlights what it takes to excel in turbulent times.' In 2024, she was inducted into the  Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, in recognition of her lasting impact on management thinking.  She is a Professor of Practice at the University of Bath, Lead Faculty for the Forward Institute's Responsible Leadership Programme and, through Merryck & Co., mentors CEOs and senior executives of major global organizations. She chairs the board of DACS and is a parish councillor.   Find Margaret on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-heffernan-ab5205/ Margaret's website:                   https://www.mheffernan.com/ Margaret on Substack:             https://heffernanm.substack.com/ Margaret's TED talks: https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_human_skills_we_need_in_an_unpredictable_world https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_dangers_of_willful_blindness

We love unique reading projects around here, and today's guest has maintained hers since 2021. We're going to hear all about it and explore how she's adding a new twist for 2026. Kate Mosesso is a reader and improv comedian who lives and works in Chicago. She's a lifelong reader, and while she loves the stories on the page, she's an even bigger fan of the connections that reading fosters. Since 2021, Kate's undertaken a community-inspired reading project: every month, she reads a book recommended by a loved one. This project has led her to a lot of great books and given her a new way to connect with people she loves: friends, family members, even favorite professors. For 2026, she's thinking of a new angle for this long-time project and is interested in discussing how to make it really work for her. Today, we're going to explore what's happening with Kate's project, the changes she'd like to make for the year ahead, and what we can do about it. Anne recommends titles and tips to infuse Kate with confidence and enthusiasm for her reading year to come. Find the full list of titles mentioned today and leave your recommendations for Kate on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/505. If you're curious about what the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is all about, today Anne shares a peek behind the scenes of this online community. From our annual readers' retreats to author talks and classes to help you make the most of your reading life, Book Club is full of things to look forward to each year. Our team Best Books of the Year event is coming up in January, an event that's only available for our online communities. And looking ahead for 2026, our Book Club members will enjoy our February Readers' Day with a Spring Book Preview themed library chat, our Summer Reading Guide unboxing, Austen in August, and more good nerdy fun. We hope you'll join us in 2026 as we celebrate 10 years of the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. A Book Club membership also makes a fantastic last-minute holiday gift. Find out more or sign up now at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All year long, the staff of The New York Times Book Review conducts a running discussion over what belongs on its year-end Top 10 list. In this week's episode, host Gilbert Cruz gathers a group of fellow Book Review editors to talk about the most exciting fiction and nonfiction of the year. Here are the books discussed in this week's episode:Fiction“The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,” by Kiran Desai“Angel Down,” by Daniel Kraus“The Sisters,” by Jonas Hassen Khemiri“The Director,” by Daniel Kehlmann“Stone Yard Devotional,” by Charlotte WoodNonfiction“A Marriage at Sea,” by Sophie Elmhirst“Wild Thing,” by Sue Prideaux“Mother Emanuel,” by Kevin Sack“There Is No Place for Us," by Brian Goldstone“Mother Mary Comes to Me,” by Arundhati Roy Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

We're continuing our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to middle grade. First, Adam Gidwitz joins us to discuss Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II (Dutton, February 25). Then young readers' editors Laura Simeon and Mahnaz Dar discuss more of the year's best books.Thanks to our sponsors: The Tale of the Wicked Old Woman and the Very Nice 'Beast' of Crouch End by Lance Lee, illus. by Nathalie T. RetivoffPassages by P.K. EdgewaterEco Reign by L. GaluppoRom-Com for Dummies by Tom DiggsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 Kelly joins me for November's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads. Kelly's Selections: Last:  One & Only by Maureen Goo Orbital by Samantha Harvey Now: The Whisper Man by Alex North You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees Next: Kin by Tayari Jones Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston DNFs: None Book Mail highlights: Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James Cindy's Selections: Last:  A Guardian and a Thief by Megda Majumdar  Grace and Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman Now: A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman  Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson Next: Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon  Bumblebee Season by Eileen Garvin  Didn't Work/DNFs: A Dark and Deadly Journey by Julia Kelly  The Picasso Heist by James Patterson and Howard Roughan Book Mail highlights: Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi   Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online by Fortesa Latifi  Connect with Kelly Hooker on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠. Donate to the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Venmo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2026? Check out our fifth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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. Link to my article about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Best Books of 2025.     Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paula Saunders is a graduate of the Syracuse University creative writing program and was awarded a postgraduate Albert Schweitzer Fellowship at the State University of New York at Albany, under Schweitzer chair Toni Morrison. Her first book, The Distance Home, was longlisted for the Center for Fiction 2018 First Novel Prize and named as one of The Best Books of 2018 by REAL SIMPLE. She lives in California with her husband. They have two grown daughters.  Her new novel is called Starting from Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out my top reads of 2025. I also include some books I read in 2025 that were previously published. I share what craft I'm struggling with, what Thanksgiving crop I grew this year as well as some bookish news. Books Published in 2025 Mentioned:Heart The Lover by Lily KingThe Ten-Year Affair by Erin SomersA Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam ToewsRuns in the Blood by Matthew J. Trafford Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy Endling by Maria RevaThings in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li Careless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsJane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley Books Published Other Years: This Motherless Land by Nikki MayHow to Read a Book by Monica Wood How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo CampbellSend me a photo of your specialty library card! You can send it to: booksaremypeople@gmail.comSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

History has not graced us with many details about Shakespeare as a person, but we do know that he and his wife had three children, including a son named Hamnet who died at the age of 11 in 1596, four years before Shakespeare went on to write his great tragedy “Hamlet.”Maggie O'Farrell's novel “Hamnet” — one of the Book Review's 10 Best Books of 2020, and the source of Chloé Zhao's new movie of the same name — starts from those scant facts, and spins them into a powerful story of grief, art and family steeped in the textures of late-16th-century life.In this episode of the Book Review Book Club, host MJ Franklin discusses “Hamnet” with his colleagues Leah Greenblatt, Jennifer Harlan and Sarah Lyall. Other works mentioned in this podcast:“Hamlet,” “King Lear,” “Macbeth,” “The Winter's Tale,” by William Shakespeare“Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott“Grief Is the Thing With Feathers,” by Max Porter“Lincoln in the Bardo,” by George Saunders“Fi,” by Alexandra Fuller“Things In Nature Merely Grow,” by Yiyun Li“The Accidental Tourist,” by Anne Tyler“Will in the World” and “Dark Renaissance,” by Stephen Greenblatt“Gabriel,” by Edward Hirsch“Once More We Saw Stars,” by Jayson Greene“The Dutch House,” by Ann Patchett Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

I love learning and talking about books, and I've found that getting back into reading—starting with just one or two books a month—is a key daily habit for my own personal development and learning how to be happier. That's why I dedicate a whole episode of More Personal to sharing my favorite reads every month! Today I'm sharing the best books I read in 2024 to give you a taste of what you get—it's packed with recommendations across genres like historical fiction, romance, and non-fiction. Whether you're working on self-compassion, figuring out how to stop being a perfectionist, or looking for self-care-for-busy-moms ideas, joining the Supporters Club will get you exclusive access to all my book reviews and behind-the-scenes content!  Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal, including my upcoming 2025 Best Books Read Review! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca inhale a slew of best books of the year lists. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Check out Zero to Well-Read! The Book Riot Podcast Patreon Book Riot's Best Books of 2025 National Book Award winners Shein partners with Alibris to sell books Lit Hub's Book Twitter bracket Libro.fm's top 10 audiobooks of the year Audible's best of 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jez Alborough is the author and illustrator of over 45 books for children. His Eddy and the Bear trilogy (which began with the much loved WHERE'S MY TEDDY in 1992) has sold nearly four and a half million copies and was made into a Bafta award-winning animated television special and series.DUCK IN THE TRUCK (1999) heralded the start of another bestselling series, this time featuring the irrepressible Duck and his three friends - Frog, Goat and Sheep. There are nine books in the Duck series (1.3 million copies sold) including DUCK'S KEY WHERE CAN IT BE? which won the Child magazine Best of the Year Award.In 2000 Jez created HUG - a powerful and touching book of only three words about a baby chimpanzee called Bobo who loses his Mum. HUG was raved about by Oprah Winfrey on her show when she chose it for her recommended reading list while Richard Curtis (the writer and director of Four Weddings and a Funeral) selected HUG as one of his ‘Best Books' calling it: ‘classic family drama which holds up well next to Jez's other masterpieces.' Bobo went on to star in three more classics; TALL (which along with HUG won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Book Award), YES and PLAY. The series has sold around 2 million copies. Jez's other books include SOME DOGS DO (2004) and the NAT THE CAT series (2013).Takeaways: Smiling is a contagious act, capable of spreading joy across vast distances. The journey of creativity often begins with a single idea that evolves over time. The relationship between an author and a publisher is crucial for a book's success. Illustration and storytelling are intertwined, where images and text complement each other. Learning is a continuous process that requires both patience and resilience from the learner. Inspiration can strike unexpectedly, leading to the creation of impactful works of art. Chapters:00:08 - The Ripple Effect of a Smile00:34 - Introduction to the Education on Far Podcast13:21 - The Journey of Creation: From Idea to Publication29:32 - The Intersection of Creativity and Technical Skill44:15 - The Power of Inspirationhttps://jezalborough.com/https://jezalborough.com/numberwondersgame/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

Jess and Trisha offer romance recommendations for characters with diabetes, characters who are immigrants, characters who are dinosaurs (or dinosaur adjacent) and more! Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! We've got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift Tailored Book Recommendations! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started. News: Send us your favorite romances of 2025, your most anticipated of 2026, and/or your book club suggestions!! Check out Book Riot's amazing list of the Best Books of 2025! Trisha mentioned the podcast Maintenance Phase and also the book What We Don't Talk about When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon - check them both out.  Trisha also mentioned Book Riot's Grumpy/Grumpy romance list pulled together by R. Nassor. Books Discussed: Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne  The Companion by EE Ottoman  They Ain't Proper by M.B. Guel Any romance written by Diana Quincy The Heart of the Blade duology by Sherry Thomas A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall Give Me A Reason by Stephanie Nicole Norris Pulling Doubles by Christina C. Jones Everything's Better With Lisa by Lucy Eden Loving Queen by Saffron Brooks Captured by Siren Crow The Bride Test by Helen Hoang His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa The Broposal by Sonora Reyes Trade Me by Courtney Milan When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley Romance Class authors, including Carla de Guzman, Tara Frejas, and Mina V. Esguerra The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish by Xue Shan Fei Hu The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes Anything by Therese Beharrie (one option is Single Dads Club) Nalini Singh's contemporary romances (one series starts with Rock Addiction) Love in Color by Bobu Babalola Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon Something About You by Julie James The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan Office Hours by Katrina Jackson White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg Anger Bang by Avery Flynn A Sharp Endless Need by Marisa Crane Play You For It by Samantha Saldivar Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings The Long Game by Elena Armas The Hate Project by Kris Ripper After Hours at Dooryard Books by Cat Sebastian This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Let us know what you're reading, what you're thinking, and what you're thinking about what you're reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Penelope Fletcher, who runs two Paris bookshops, side by side near the Luxembourg Gardens. The shops: The Red Wheelbarrow and The Red Balloon The Red Balloon is just for children's books, and is almost certainly the most likely of all shops in Paris to have all our own children's books.  Addresses: 9-11 Rue de Médicis, 75006. This episode is from The Earful Tower podcast archives.  Here are all the books that Penelope mentioned, in order: Books for adults Stories from the Magic Canoe of Wa'xaid, by Cecil Paul.  A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway. Selected Letters, by Madame De Sevigne. The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, by Gertrude Stein. The Flight Portfolio, by Julie Orringer. Almost French, by Sarah Turnbull. Circe, by Madeline Miller. Walking on the Ceiling, by Aysegül Savas. Demystifying the French, by Janet Hulstrand. Books for children Paris Chien, Adventures of an Expat Dog, by Jackie Clark. Marielle in Paris, by Maxine Schur. I'm sure you can find these and more at The Red Wheelbarrow. Check out the site here. Music in the episode was from Pres Maxson, his take on the classic Charles Aznavour song Hier encore. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For the past 92 months and counting it has cost just $10 a month to unlock almost endless extras including bonus podcast episodes, live video replays, special event invites, and our annually updated PDF guide to Paris.  Membership takes only a minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.  For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links: Website  Weekly newsletter  Walking Tours

Vanessa Diaz sits in for Rebecca this week and talks to Jeff about the challenges of making a best books of the year list before getting into the news of the week. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Check out Zero to Well-Read! The Book Riot Podcast Patreon Amazon's best books of the year David Szalay has won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel Flesh B&N's best book of the Year is Mona's Eyes The 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards.  I'm bookmarking this deep dive into the fashion industry's recurrent interest in literature for knife-and-fork reading this weekend Reader's Digest asked three professional designers to pick the best book covers of the year Kindle translate Somebody is Walking On Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez Stolen Crown by Tracy Borman Devouring Time by Tod Goddard One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai Flashlight by Susan Choi This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices