Podcasts about let us descend

Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir, and nonfiction. She's been called “the new Toni Morrison.” Ward is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and in 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth, and John Updike. Her books include "Let Us Descend," "Sing, Unburied, Sing," "Salvage the Bones," and "Navigate Your Stars." The professor of creative writing at Tulane University joins host Dean Nelson for this evocative conversation as part of the 30th anniversary of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. Series: "Writer's Symposium By The Sea" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40217]

Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir, and nonfiction. She's been called “the new Toni Morrison.” Ward is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and in 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth, and John Updike. Her books include "Let Us Descend," "Sing, Unburied, Sing," "Salvage the Bones," and "Navigate Your Stars." The professor of creative writing at Tulane University joins host Dean Nelson for this evocative conversation as part of the 30th anniversary of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. Series: "Writer's Symposium By The Sea" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40217]

Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir, and nonfiction. She's been called “the new Toni Morrison.” Ward is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and in 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth, and John Updike. Her books include "Let Us Descend," "Sing, Unburied, Sing," "Salvage the Bones," and "Navigate Your Stars." The professor of creative writing at Tulane University joins host Dean Nelson for this evocative conversation as part of the 30th anniversary of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. Series: "Writer's Symposium By The Sea" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40217]

Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir, and nonfiction. She's been called “the new Toni Morrison.” Ward is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and in 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth, and John Updike. Her books include "Let Us Descend," "Sing, Unburied, Sing," "Salvage the Bones," and "Navigate Your Stars." The professor of creative writing at Tulane University joins host Dean Nelson for this evocative conversation as part of the 30th anniversary of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. Series: "Writer's Symposium By The Sea" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40217]

The Spoilers are back with the penultimate episode on their way toward the big 50! In this episode they heap praises upon Jesmyn Ward's latest triumph about a young, enslaved woman being led on a journey to the dark and deep of slavery's corrupt heart. They spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to understand this novel and what to do with its beauty and horror. In the end, they just follow Annis from the Carolinas to New Orleans on her harrowing journey and talk a lot about spirits, gods, love, and poetic brutality (a term they are not actually familiar with and do not use). Hope you enjoy it!

Jesmyn Ward, the two-time National Book Award winner, has returned with a new novel about an enslaved girl in the years before the Civil War. Let Us Descend, an Oprah's Book Club pick, describes a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation. In Let Us Descend (the title inspired by a line in Dante's Inferno) the protagonist Annis is sold by her father, a white slaveowner. In the face of unspeakable circumstances on her way south, Annis seeks comfort from memories of her mother and stories of her African warrior grandmother. She soon opens herself to a world beyond this world, one teeming with spirits: of earth and water, of myth and history; spirits who nurture and give, and those who manipulate and take. The tale explores themes of family separation, belief, and the harsh history of chattel slavery in antebellum America. While Annis leads readers through the descent, Ward's work aims to be a story of rebirth and reclamation. Jesmyn Ward received her MFA from the University of Michigan and is currently a professor of creative writing at Tulane University. She is the author of the novels Where the Line Bleeds and Salvage the Bones, which won the 2011 National Book Award, and Sing, Unburied, Sing, which won the 2017 National Book Award. She is also the editor of the anthology The Fire This Time and the author of the memoir Men We Reaped, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Ijeoma Oluo is a writer, speaker, and internet yeller. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race and, most recently, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America. Her work has been featured in the Guardian, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, among many other publications. She was named to the 2021 Time 100 Next list and has twice been named to the Root 100. She received the 2018 Feminist Humanist Award and the 2020 Harvard Humanist of the Year Award from the American Humanist Association. She lives in Seattle, Washington. Buy the Book Let Us Descend: A Novel The Elliott Bay Book Company

My glorious conversation with 2-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, discussing her latest novel, Let Us Descend. Topics included: (1) gaining hope and strength by remembering what others have borne; (2) making invisible history visible; and (3) finding authorial authenticity through concrete specifics. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

Comedian, actor, and Kid in the Hall Dave Foley talks about his “Fargo” character, Danish Graves. Author Jesmyn Ward on her novel, ‘Let Us Descend.’ And ‘How to Become a […]

Kimberly was really moved by Salvage the Bones. Tune in to find out why Ward's work just keeps getting better and better.

On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Meredith are discussing: Bookish Moments: sweet acts of service and manifesting wintry feelings Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: themed reading months and how we incorporate them into our reading lives The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  .  3:00 - Our Bookish Moments of the Week 3:18 - Krampus by Brom 3:39 - Slewfoot by Brom 7:09 - Cozy by Jan Brett 7:16 - The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand 8:08 - Current Reads 8:42 - Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor (Meredith) 10:06 - Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend 14:20 - The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern 14:45 - Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (Kaytee) 20:00 - Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (Meredith) 21:07 - I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardottir 24:45 - Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward (Kaytee) 28:25 - Cold People by Tom Rob Smith (Meredith) 29:31 - From the Front Porch podcast 32:53 - Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 34:10 - Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach (Kaytee) 37:05 - Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach 37:21 - Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 37:49 - Deep Dive: Themed Reading Months 47:39 - Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill 48:09 - Frindle by Andrew Clements 48:28 - The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz 48:51 - Our Zazzle storefront for all things CR merch 49:30 - Meet Us At The Fountain 49:54 - I wish everybody would compile a list of their favorite books of the year. (Meredith) 52:08 - I wish to press Marley by Jon Clinch this holiday season. (Kaytee) 52:14 - Marley by Jon Clinch Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. December's IPL will be a yearly recap from us, so we can give our beloved Indies a break for the holidays! Trope Thursday with Kaytee and Bunmi - a behind the scenes peek into the publishing industry All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the special insights of an independent bookseller The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

Jeff and Rebecca look at the most important, memorable, strangest, and all and all most superlative stories from the year in books and reading. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter! Discussed in this episode: TBR! First Edition! The Book Riot Podcast Patreon Read Harder 2024 is alive!  Good job, book people: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store gets all the love; Paul Harding does not win awards for the book Jeff called “gormless” Bad job, book people: The Vaster Wilds & Let Us Descend are under-celebrated Love to See It: Pultizers expand eligibility Audiobook moments of the year: Michelle Williams narrating Britney's memoir; Leslie Jones's 17-hour-long freestyle; Spotify introduces free listening for Premium members Worst publisher response to book bans: Scholastic's whole diversity collection situation Best publisher response to book bans: PRH takes legal action against book banning states Achievements in Reporting: The Atlantic's coverage of the Books 3 data set used to train LLMs More of These Conversations: The bestseller lists are broken and Goodreads is bad for books Biggest Mystery: WTF Oprah was up to with Covenant of Water Still Waiting to See Its Impact: Simon & Schuster sold to KKR, TikTok plans a publishing imprint Eyeballs Emoji: The BookTok hockey romance shenanigans, Bigolas Dickolas moves some units, Review Bombing Author Nobody Asked for This: Twilight series coming to TV; HBO plans 10-year run for Harry Potter reboot  Anticlimactic: Manuscript thief pleads guilty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for a last-minute gift? How about a book? Baltimore County librarian Conni Strittmatter shares her suggestions for children and teens, including a sci-fi space drama. Then, Meghan McCorkell of the Enoch Pratt Free Library offers popular picks for adult readers, such as a thriller set in a gothic mansion and a cocktail recipe book!   Books for kids:"Something, Someday," by Amanda Gorman"Dino-Hanukkah," by Lisa Wheeler"How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?" by Mac Barnett"The Story of Gumluck the Wizard," by Adam Rex"Dogtown," by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko"Merry Christmas, Anna Hibiscus!" by Atinuke"The Lost Library," by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass"Max Fernsby and the Infinite Toys," by Gerry Swallow"Winter Crafts Across Cultures: 12 Projects to Celebrate the Season," by Megan Borgert-Spaniol"Love in Winter Wonderland," by Abiola Bello"Star Splitter," by Matthew Kirby Books for adults:“Let Us Descend,” by Jesmyn Ward"Lessons in Chemistry,” by Bonnie Garmus"Iron Flame," by Rebecca Yarros“Day,” by Michael Cunningham“There Should Have Been Eight," Nalini Singh"Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: A Cocktail Recipe Book," by Toni Tipton Martin“13-23," by J.M. Giordano“My Name is Barbra," by Barbra Streisand“Spare,” by Prince Harry,  Duke of Sussex“The Way Forward," by Yung Pueblo"Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger and Higher Education," by Stephanie LandDo you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter (@shelfbyshelf) discuss their top 10 favorite books of 2023. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website (type “Episode 455” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode) or or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Annie's 2023 favorites: 1. In Memoriam by Alice Wynn 2. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 3. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano 4. The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff 5. How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key 6. Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward 7. All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore 8. Shark Heart by Emily Habeck 9. Monsters by Claire Dederer 10. Congratulations! The Best Is Over! by R. Eric Thomas Hunter's 2023 favorites: 1. The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff 2. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray 3. The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue 4. In Memoriam by Alice Winn 5. The Guest by Emma Cline 6. Monsters by Claire Dederer 7. Holler, Child by Latoya Watkins 8. Brother and Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella 9. Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang 10. Congratulations! The Best is Over! by R. Eric Thomas To purchase Annie and Hunter's mid-year favorite books referenced in this episode, visit our website (type “Episode 430” into the search bar and tap enter to find those books) or or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app. 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 at @bookshelftville, 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 God Speaks Through Wombs by Drew Jackson. Hunter is reading The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan. 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...Ashley Ferrell, Cammy Tidwell, Chanta Combs, Chantalle C, Kate O'Connell, Kristin May, Laurie Johnson, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stacy Laue, Stephanie Dean, Susan Hulings, and Wendi Jenkins.

Comedian, actor, and Kid in the Hall Dave Foley talks about his “Fargo” character, Danish Graves. Author Jesmyn Ward on her novel, ‘Let Us Descend.’ And ‘How to Become a Mob Boss’ showrunner Jake Laufer is gonna make you an offer you can't refuse.

Comedian, actor, and Kid in the Hall Dave Foley talks about his “Fargo” character, Danish Graves. Author Jesmyn Ward on her novel, ‘Let Us Descend.’ And ‘How to Become a Mob Boss’ showrunner Jake Laufer is gonna make you an offer you can't refuse.

Comedian, actor, and Kid in the Hall Dave Foley talks about his “Fargo” character, Danish Graves. Author Jesmyn Ward on her novel, 'Let Us Descend.' And 'How to Become a Mob Boss' showrunner Jake Laufer is gonna make you an offer you can't refuse.

Rachel I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times by Taylor Byas (and here's the interview I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/08/24/navigating-form-and-structure-in-i-done-clicked-my-heels-three-times/) Brother & Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella (and here's the essay I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/29/writing-my-novel-wasnt-therapy/) Solito by Javier Zamora A Country You Can Leave by Asale Angel-Ajani The In-Betweens by Davon Loeb Company by Shannon Sanders I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (and here's the interview I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/02/getting-into-the-gray-area-in-i-have-some-questions-for-you/)   Michael Who is the City For? By Blair Kamin I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times by Taylor Byas Open Throat by Henry Hoke The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty Enough to Lose by R.S. Deeren The Quail Who Wears the Shirt by Jeremy T. Wilson Veniss Underground by Jeff VanderMeer I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai And then a few I didn't get to talk about but want to throw out there: Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward Dr. No By Percival Everett The New Naturals by Gabriel Bump   Greg Wellness, by Nathan Hill I Could Live Here Forever, by Hannah Halperin Bliss Montage, by Ling Ma Sun House, by David James Duncan From Dust To Stardust, by Kathleen Rooney Here are two more Chicago novels I loved this year: Good Night, Irene, by Luis Alberto Urrea Hot Springs Drive, by Lindsay Hunter

A fun chat with Jillian Cantor all about her book The Fiction Writer, turning everything into a murder scene, her obsession with lists, and how no one really owns any story. Plus- Dave and Laura recap their New Orleans trip and Andrew gets a new electric truck. We also recommend:  Let Us Descend by Jesmyn … Continue reading Ep. 233 How To Turn Any Place Into A Murder Scene With Jillian Cantor

Oprah sits down with two-time National Book Award winning author Jesmyn Ward to talk about her new novel and Oprah's Book Club 103rd pick Let Us Descend. The narrative is set in the 19th century during the time of slavery. It follows a teenage girl's journey across the American South. Announced in October on CBS Mornings, Oprah describes Jesmyn's latest novel as “a vital work for our culture.” In this moving conversation, Oprah and Jesmyn discuss their upbringings in Mississippi, how the loss of Jesmyn's partner caused her to take a 6-month writing hiatus and how she wants people to leave the book with a sense of hope. Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPodsYou can also watch Oprah's Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN  

For our first annual 2023 State of the Industry episode, we're welcoming back literary agent Sarah Landis for an overview and exploration of some hot topics in the book world this year.  Taking stock of how this year panned out for the publishing industry, Sarah discusses top news stories, dives deep into how specific titles performed this year, and shares current trends she's seeing in publishing.  Also, Sarah shares her favorite books of 2023! 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. Coming Soon The updated 2024 Rock Your Reading Tracker will release on December 6! This year's updated edition will be exclusively available to our $7/month Superstars Patrons and will not be offered for separate purchase as in previous years. Don't miss out on this and other bookish goodies – become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights 2023 bookish news and publishing numbers overview. Sarah talks current popular genres, BookTok trends, and Simon & Schuster sale. A quick dive into IP books, their meaning, and a notable downside. The Elizabeth Gilbert book review bombing situation. BTS vs. Taylor Swift pre-order controversy. Playing Over/Under with this year's top book performers. Do celebrity book clubs really boost sales? A look at the numbers. Publisher expectations and the influence of page count. Bookish trends of the year: BookTok's impact on publishing. Examining shifts in publishing calendars. Anticipating 2024's potential bookish trends. 2023 State of the Industry High-Level Overview [3:08] Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:30] The Woman in Me by Britney Spears | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:31] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:58] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:31] Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:08] Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:21] Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:22] The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:48] Big Book Stories of 2023 [13:10] Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:21] Beyond the Story by BTS and Myeongseok Kang | Amazon | Bookshop.org[21:22] The Over / Under Game [25:17] Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah | Amazon | Bookshop.org[26:05] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:41] Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:17] In Memoriam by Alice Winn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:26] I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org[32:11] The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:29] The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:39] Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:15] The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:28] Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:37] Tom Lake by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:11] The Dutch House by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:20] Wellness by Nathan Hill | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:30] Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:52] Happiness Falls by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:14] Miracle Creek by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:35] Shark Heart by Emily Habeck | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:50] Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:00] The Woman in Me by Britney Spears | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:01] Becoming by Michelle Obama | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:39] A Promised Land by Barack Obama | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:42] Bookish Trends of 2023 [44:26] Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:08] Educated by Tara Westover | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:23] The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25] The Dry by Jane Harper | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:04] All That Is Mine I Carry with Me by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org[48:24] Defending Jacob by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:38] In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:16] You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:36] Examining the Shift in Publishers' Calendars [51:43] Potential Trends for 2024 [54:25] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:20] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab | Amazon | Bookshop.org[55:24] Sarah's Top 3 Books of the Year [56:02] Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:38] Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:20] Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:38] Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:33] Weyward by Emilia Hart | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:34]

In the Fall 2023 Book Preview, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I shared our 12 most-anticipated books that released mid-August – December. Today we're going to circle back to share updates on which of these books we've read, our thoughts on them, and a few we attempted but couldn't quite get through. 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. Coming Soon The updated 2024 Rock Your Reading Tracker will release on December 6! This year's updated edition will be exclusively available to our $7/month Superstars Patrons and will not be offered for separate purchase as in previous years. Don't miss out on this and other bookish goodies – become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights Catherine's curse has been broken — her top pick was a winner! Both Catherine and Sarah circle back with two 5-star books each! Their reading stats and success rates for fall. The best and worst picks from the Fall 2023 Book Preview. Books We Read Before the Preview [8:38] Sarah's Pick: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim (August 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:19] Catherine's Picks: The English Experience by Julie Schumacher (August 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:43] The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger (September 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:26]  Other Books Mentioned: Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher [9:56] Miracle Creek by Angie Kim [11:45] Fall 2023 Circle Back [17:18] September Sarah's Pick: Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (September 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:23] Catherine's Pick: The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar (September 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:17] Other Books Mentioned: The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon [18:53] Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka [18:51] The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff [21:44] Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll [25:56] The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll [25:57] Honor by Thrity Umrigar [28:12] October Sarah's Picks: Kill Show by Daniel Sweren-Becker  (October 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [28:15] In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross (October 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:42] The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe (October 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:33] Catherine's Picks: The Hank Show by McKenzie Funk (October 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:35]  The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok (October 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:23] One Woman Show by Christine Coulson (October 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [44:14] Other Books Mentioned: I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai [30:53] When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain [35:15] I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara [35:44] American Predator by Maureen Callahan [35:46] November Sarah's Pick: The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak (November 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:43]  Other Books Mentioned: Red London by Alma Katsu [48:08] Red Widow by Alma Katsu [48:07] Our American Friend by Anna Pitoniak [50:28] The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy [50:55] Other Books The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff [7:36] Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward [7:37] Wellness by Nathan Hill [7:39] The Fraud by Zadie Smith [7:42] Other Links Instagram | @ataleoftwolitties : Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward joins The Stacks to discuss her latest novel Let Us Descend. She reveals how the book came to her, and how audience plays into her writing process. We also learn why Jesmyn changed her normal writing process for this book, how she writes to the center of emotions in her fiction, and how her level of success impacts her ability to write.The Stacks Book Club selection for November is Severance by Ling Ma. We will discuss the book on November 29th with Mitchell S. Jackson.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/11/08/ep-292-jesmyn-wardEpisode TranscriptConnect with Jesmyn: Instagram | TwitterConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week's sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the first few years that National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward was writing her new novel, Let Us Descend, she says she really struggled to tap into her main character. Annis is an enslaved Black woman who faces unsurmountable hardships – but she also finds deep comfort in the spirits and elements that surround her. In today's episode, Ward tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe why she needed to incorporate spirituality into the Southern hellscape Annis faces; and why as hard as it can be to read about slavery, it's also an act of memory and resistance. To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

Jesmyn Ward's novel, Salvage the Bones, is an intimate and compelling look at Hurricane Katrina and the American South. It won the National Book award in 2011. Following the success of Salvage the Bones, Ward released her memoir, Men We Reaped, which examines her experiences with racism, the absence of her father and the death of her younger brother. Her new novel, Let Us Descend, follows an enslaved girl in the years before the Civil War. *This interview originally aired on Sept. 28, 2014.

For the first time recording in the ... afternoon ... Hannah and Sam are perhaps more lucid than normal and have a lot of books to chat about after a brief sidebar on Reddit posting (Sam's getting tooled on). First up is "The Future," from Naomi Alderman, which is an important novel that people really need to read, a commentary on where we are and where we're going that Sam highly recommends. Why are we still using social media, again? Next up is "Starling House," by Alix Harrow, a piece of "horror-light" that took Hannah a bit to warm up to. Then we hear about Sam's new project taking out new books from the library, which he has already violated by going back in time to read the first book in Christopher Paolini's "Fractalverse" series, "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars," which is VERY long and has lots of scenes with people eating in space, but Sam generally liked as impressive new science fiction. Hannah's reading a different kind of book with stars in the title, Tommy Orange's new "Wandering Stars," which is a highly anticipated follow up to "There There" (a novel, not short stories, as Sam believed). It's another must-read, if not an easy read, a multi-generational look at the Native American experience in the United States that makes a nice pair with Jesmyn Ward's new "Let Us Descend." This is how you grapple with the horrors of our history.  Then we transition into "Lazy City," which Sam says is like a Gen Z "Bright Lights Big City," a look at the culture of people in Belfast, Ireland, in their 20s, with all the dating and partying you might imagine. It's bleak, but a great read for understanding "what's going on with the kids these days." Watch out, though, there are no quotation marks. But, wait, there's more! Hannah listened to Britney's memoir — read by Michelle Williams! It's amazing. But the people around Britney are despicable. And, finally, Sam sings the praises of "Of Boys and Men," an examination by Richard Reeves of why men are struggling in today's society, and why policymakers aren't doing anything about it. 

Rebecca and Jenn Northington discuss Scholastic's decision to walk back the plan to silo diverse books, BookTok's takedown of a Taylor-Travis fanfic, and more. Then Rebecca is joined by Kelly Jensen for a conversation about Britney Spears's new memoir, The Woman in Me. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter! Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Links Discussed in the Episode: Michelle Williams impersonates Justin Timberlake in Britney Spears's memoir Nailed it: Oprah selects Let Us Descend for final book club of 2023 Update: Scholastic walks back separate diversity collection YA author opens bookstore dedicated to banned books & marginalized authors BookTok takes down a Tayvis romance How much should books cost? "Purge the Poison" by Marina A Fire Born of Exile by Aliette de Bodard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two-time US National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward's latest novel Let Us Descend tackles the hellish reality of life as a chattel slave. Modelled on Dante's Inferno, and based on extensive historical research, the book details a gruelling journey teenager Annis makes from a North Carolina plantation to the slave markets of New Orleans. It's being hailed as an instant classic; announced this week as Oprah's latest book club pick. Jesmyn Ward is a professor of creative writing at Tulane University. She is the youngest winner of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, and a MacArthur Fellow. Her other works include novels Sing, Unburied, Sing and Salvage the Bones, and a memoir Men We Reaped.

This week, Liberty and Patricia discuss Let Us Descend, Micro Activism, The Comfort of Crows, and more great books! Subscribe to All the Books! using RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and never miss a book. Sign up for the weekly New Books! newsletter for even more new book news. Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed On the Show: Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn by Omkari Williams with a forward by Layla F. Saad and illustrations by Octavia Mingerink The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl  It's Not You, It's Capitalism: Why It's Time to Break Up and How to Move On by Malaika Jabali with illustration and design by Kayla E. Nefando by Mónica Ojeda, Sarah Booker (translator) Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement by Tanisha Ford Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins—From Spices to Vices by Noah Whiteman The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: An Asteroid, Extinction, and the Beginning of Our World by Riley Black For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There have been more than 400 airstrikes in Gaza in the last 24 hours, according to the Israel Defense Forces. But with a possible ground invasion looming, Hamas did release two hostages overnight -- two Israeli women, ages 79 and 85. "CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil sits down with Israel's military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. They discuss Israeli's military goals, the state of hostages and the future of Gaza. Israeli Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says goal is to destroy Hamas, bring hostages home"People" magazine editor-in-chief Wendy Naugle joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the many revelations from Britney Spears' new memoir "The Woman in Me."Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter shared how he earned the nickname, "one take HOV." He gave "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King an exclusive tour of the "Book of HOV" exhibit, airing in a two-part interview on Thursday and Friday on "CBS Mornings."Bestselling Author Adam Grant is challenging the way we think about talent and greatness. Grant talks to CBS Mornings about his new book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things" and why he thinks all people can rise to achieve great things.Only on "CBS Mornings," Oprah Winfrey reveals her newest book club selection, "Let Us Descend," by two-time National Book Award winner, MacArthur Fellow and the youngest person to receive the Library of Congress's Prize for American Fiction, Jesmyn Ward. Ward joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss finding out her book was selected for Oprah's Book Club, her experience writing the book, and how her own personal loss and grief helped her write about the enslaved teen, Annis, at the center of "Let Us Descend."On this week's edition of CBS Mornings Deals, lifestyle expert Gayle Bass shows us several items, including the Gotze vegetable and fruit peelers and shears starting at the exclusive low price of $199.99. Visit cbsdeals.com to take advantage of these exclusive deals today. CBS earns commissions on purchases made through cbsdeals.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"I think that messy, sort of evolving spiritual element of Black Americans' lives ... has allowed us to survive, and not only to survive, but also to thrive." Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward balances grief and injustice with joy and reclamation in a sweeping, lyrical novel that brings often overlooked history into the light. Ward joins us to talk about exploring historical fiction, writing beyond the world we can explain, and finding the connections between literature, grief, connection and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Madyson.   This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.        New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.        Featured Books (Episode):   Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward  Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward  Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward  Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward    Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Beloved by Toni Morrison  Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson 

It's fall in New England! The leaves are starting to change and it's time for fall programs at the library. On this episode, we will be highlighting all the fun things happening at the Friends of the Library Harvest Market event. Don't miss Amy's book recommendations for new and upcoming releases. Amy's Book Recommendations Books I've Enjoyed Recently: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Fairytale by Stephen King The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese   New Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading: The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue Mother Tongue: A History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll   Emma Donoghue's other books I liked: The Wonder The Pull of the Stars Haven   Other upcoming books that haven't been published yet: Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward - Oct. 3 People to Follow by Olivia Worley - Oct. 31 Class by Stephanie Land Non fiction (Maid) - Nov. 7 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (The Maid) - Nov. 28  

Get ready for your TBR pile to actually topple over as we discuss a truly abundant season of publishing and books. The fall publishing calendar has a lot of hype-worthy titles, and in today's episode you'll hear our pared down lists (it was a struggle!) of excellent fall fiction due to hit shelves soon. This includes big books from BIG authors, intriguing titles from small indie presses, and a smattering of assorted fiction and non-fiction we think you'll love. Plus, each title we preview in today's episode is perfectly paired with a backlist book for your consideration, giving us the option to explore additional titles while we wait for our library holds and pre-orders to come in. If you love the work of public scholarship and the mission of Novel Pairings, we'd love for you to take a moment and share a review of the show over on Apple Podcasts. These reviews greatly help our shows visibility, and mean that other readers and lifelong learners have the opportunity to join our community. Novel Pairings also offers bonus content, classes, and a virtual book club through Patreon and we'd love to have you join. Tiers start at just $5 a month, and a 10% discount on annual subscriptions is available. Head over to patreon.com/novelpairings to sign up today!    Books Mentioned:    The Fraud by Zadie Smith Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff  Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, American captivity narratives Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward Jubilee by Margaret Walker America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien Absolution by Alice McDermott The Mountains Sing by Ngyuen Phan Que Mai Peach Pit: Sixteen Stories of Unsavory Women, edited by Molly Llewellyn & Kristel Buckely, ft. Deesha Philyaw, Lauren Groff, & more (Dzanc Books)  The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Company by Shannon Sanders  The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw Bluebeard's Castle by Anna Biller (Verso)  Rebecca and Jane Eyre North Woods by Daniel Mason  Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch  Bringing Up Baby (1938) When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin People Collide by Isle McElroy  Orlando by Virginia Woolf Starling House by Alix E. Harrow  Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia One Woman Show by Christine Coulson  From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler The New Naturals by Gabriel Bump  This Other Eden by Paul Harding Wild Girls: How the Outdoors Shaped the Women Who Challenged a Nation by Tiya Miles  End of the Rope: Mountains, Marriage, and Motherhood by Jan Redford The Loneliness Files by Athena Dixon  Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino  

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie is joined by friend and frequent co-host Hunter for a mid-year reading check-in and to chat all about their favorite books of 2023 so far. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website: Annie: First five-star read: Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny Most surprising: The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill Least favorite: When in Rome by Liam Callanan or Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Next on your TBR: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry / Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Most anticipated release: Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward / Family Meal by Bryan Washington Annie's Top Ten: 1. In Memoriam by Alice Winn 2. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano 3. Stealing by Margaret Verble 4. All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore 5. How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key 6. Monsters by Claire Dederer 7. Paper Names by Susie Luo 8. Congratulations, the Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas 9. If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook 10. How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCauley Hunter: First five-star read: Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Most surprising: Brother and Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella Least favorite: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai / The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie Next on your TBR: The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Most anticipated release for fall: The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff / Family Meal by Bryan Washington Hunter's Top Ten: 1. Big Swiss by Jen Beagin 2. August Blue by Deborah Levy 3. Monsters by Claire Dederer 4. The People Who Report More Stress by Alejandro Varela 5. My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Albert Florin 6. The New Life by Tom Crewe 7. Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns 8. The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff 9. Witness by Jamel Brinkley 10. In Memoriam by Alice Wynn 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 at @bookshelftville, 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 Talking at Night by Claire Deverly. Hunter is reading Rouge by Mona Awad. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Or, if you're so inclined, support us on Patreon, where you can hear our staff's weekly New Release Tuesday conversations, read full book reviews in our monthly Shelf Life newsletter and follow along as Hunter and I conquer a classic. 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...Ashley Ferrell, Cammy Tidwell, Chanta Combs, Chantalle C, Kate O'Connell, Kristin May, Laurie Johnson, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stacy Laue, Stephanie Dean, Susan Hulings, and Wendi Jenkins. Thank you to this week's sponsor, Visit Thomasville. Summer is a wonderful time to see Thomasville, Georgia!  If it's time to hit the road for a quick getaway, we're exactly what you're looking for! You can rekindle your spark, explore historical sites, indulge in dining out, shop at amazing independent stores, and finally relax and unwind. There's no better getaway than Thomasville!  Whether you live close by or are passing through, we hope you'll visit beautiful Thomasville, Georgia – it's worth the trip! Plan your visit at ThomasvilleGa.com.