Podcasts about Literary festival

The Bratislava literary festival, commonly known as BRaK, brought together readers and the wider community of authors, poets, translators, critics, and professionals working in the book industry, including publishers, distributors, illustrators, and even book reviewers from all across Slovakia. Although it is called the Bratislava literary festival, it also hosted several public readings and discussions with authors from abroad. At the same time, several discussions were dedicated to Slovak—and not only Slovak—literature in translation. In modern science, particularly in physics, a quantum is the smallest unit of reality capable of interacting with its surroundings. In Slovakia, KVANTUM is an interdisciplinary festival that combines science and art. It is one of several festivals currently taking place across the country that cater to English speakers living in or visiting Slovakia.

Flor Y Canto, translates to “flower and song.” This weekend San Francisco's Mission District will be home again to the weekend-long literary festival known as Flor Y Canto. The streets of the City's Latino Cultural District will be filled with vibrant events, decorations, and music. All centered around the works by Latine writers, with readings happening all throughout the neighborhood. KALW's Jenee Darden spoke with two organizers of the festival for “The Sights + Sounds Show," poets Lourdes Figueroa and Josiah Luis Alderete, host of KALW's “Bay Poets.” Here's an excerpt of their interview.

We're bringing back favorite episodes over the summer as encore editions. Since this episode first aired, poet Jen Siraganian won the 2026 Perugia Press Prize for her debut collection "Everything Has Been Moved, Even the Dead," which is forthcoming in September 2026. Congratulations, Jen!  Slushies, we invoke the retelling of a ghostly experience shared by Kathy and Marion at the Hotel Figueroa in California earlier this year partway into this episode. Two poems by Jen Siraganian are at the heart of our discussion, and it's the first of these that puts ghosts into our heads. This poem also causes us to consider at some length the physical form chosen by or for a poem, and how this can utterly enhance the experience of the poem when it's just right. It's also an opportunity for Jason to raise the spectre of the virgule (or slash) once again, and we even pause briefly to recall when WYSIWYG was a useful acronym. We end the episode with an ekphrastic that prompts an on-the-spot tie breaker (thanks to our sound engineer Lillie for saving the day!).   https://whitney.org/collection/works/2171 https://www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/gorky-the-artist-and-his-mother.html    At the table: Kathleen Volk Miller, Marion Wrenn, Lisa Zerkle, Jason Schneiderman, Dagne Forrest, Jodi Gahn, Derek Grebis (sound engineer)   Jen Siraganian is an Armenian-American writer, educator, and former Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, California. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in AGNI, Barrow Street, Best New Poets, Cortland Review, Poetry Daily, Prairie Schooner, The Rumpus, Smartish Pace, and other journals. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won the 2024 New Ohio Review Poetry Prize. A former managing director of Litquake: San Francisco's Literary Festival, she is a current Lucas Artist Fellow. jensiraganian.com      Social media handles:   Facebook @jen.siraganian, Instagram @jsiraganian, Bluesky @jsiraganian.bsky.social, Website   Walking into St. James Cathedral as If We Were Already Ghosts     My Father and I View Two Versions of Arshile Gorky's The Artist and his Mother   Lip corners sink, an upturned bowl dripping its contents onto the white   of her dress. Her eyes, Armenian saucers of round, outline hollows of darkness.   Sharing color only, no overlap of limbs or space, shades of pink echo his coat,   her lap, a paleness descends. My father nudges my elbow. He seldom mentions   his mothers, the one who raised him, the other who gave him away. I want him   to discuss the lack of daisies in the boy's hands, the mother's face swaddled in a cocoon of scarf.   Instead, he stands, cloud-drifts across the gallery. We bench in front of The Liver is the Cock's Comb.   He points to the ferns feuding with triangles, the thorned stems breathing blossom.  

On today's show, an upcoming literary festival honors writers in the San Francisco Mission. Then, a writing center celebrates 10 years of teaching Oakland youth the joys of writing, and publishing kids too.

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Eddie Masibi, Head of Client Coverage at Standard Bank Wealth and Investment, about the Kingsmead Book Fair, exploring its diverse programme designed to cater to young readers, teens, and adults. They discuss how the fair aims to promote a strong reading culture, highlight the importance of books and storytelling, and what attendees can look forward to at this year’s event. 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.

Saskia Falken in for CapeTalk’s Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined on Weekend Breakfast by festival programme director Jennifer Ball. Weekend Breakfast with Sara-Jayne Makwala King is the weekend breakfast show on CapeTalk. This 3-hour morning programme is the perfect (and perky!) way to kickstart your weekend. Author and journalist Sara-Jayne Makwala-King spends 3 hours interviewing a variety of guests about all things cultural and entertaining. The team keeps an eye on weekend news stories, but the focus remains on relaxation and restoration. Favourites include the weekly wellness check-in on Saturdays at 7:35am and heartfelt chats during the Sunday 9am profile interview. Listen live on Primedia+ Saturdays and Sundays between 07:00 and 10:00am (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Sara-Jayne Makwala-King broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/AgPbZi9 or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/j1EhEkZ Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: 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/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Veruska De Vita speaks to Charlotte Bauer about Deep Blue. Veruska De Vita is the author of Deep Blue, a love letter to the sea that explores humanity's deep connection with water and the bliss of swimming, diving, dipping, and simply being in salt water. The latest episode of Pagecast, recorded live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival, is out now.

“When love hurts, what remains of who we are?” In the final live Pagecast episode from the Franschhoek Literary Festival, Joy Watson sits down with Karina Magdalena Szczurek for a thoughtful conversation about Because I Love You, Joy's latest book exploring gender, power, violence, and the complicated realities of love through the stories of three women. Drawing from her work as a researcher, writer, and feminist storyteller, Watson reflects on the difficult questions the book asks about relationships, identity, survival, and what happens when love becomes harmful.

This one's pure joy. Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Africa Melane and Fehmz get into food, family, and the stories behind the recipes, and you can hear the laughter from a mile off. Fehmz's debut cookbook Damn Good Food features over 80 recipes. Fehmz is a city girl from Johannesburg chasing her dreams as a food, lifestyle and travel influencer. She is a strong believer in keeping things real and authentic, and her vibrant personality infuses every recipe with energy, colour, and bold flavours inspired by her Muslim heritage. Africa Melane is a South African broadcaster, journalist, and moderator known for hosting the Early Breakfast Show on both CapeTalk and 702. He is admired for his measured, inquisitive, and respectful interview style, and brings more than a decade of experience in South African broadcasting.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Bronwyn Williams and Paige Nick are in conversation about AI, the economy, and the trajectories shaping the years ahead, in a way that actually makes sense. Bronwyn Williams's new book is The Future. Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist and business-trends analyst. She is the co-author of The Future Starts Now, Rescuing Our Republic and The Future, a columnist for leading business and technology publications, and a well-known global keynote speaker and media commentator on future trends and economic trajectories. Paige Nick is a South African novelist, columnist, and advertising copywriter. She founded The Good Book Appreciation Society on Facebook, and has co-authored A Girl Walks Into a Bar, a series of choose-your-own-adventure erotic novels.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Justice Malala joins Lester Kiewit for a wide-ranging conversation on South Africa's political trajectory and the questions shaping our democracy. Justice Malala is an award-winning South African political analyst, journalist and bestselling author. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including We Have Now Begun Our Descent and The Plot to Save South Africa, which examine the country's political trajectory and democratic challenges. Lester Kiewit hosts CapeTalk's Good Morning Cape Town. Filmed & edited by Curt Ruiters at @Quickclickproductions_

A little reminder to look up. Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Bridget McNulty and Sarah Bullen are in conversation about the small, glimmering moments that make up a year, and the practice of noticing them. Bridget McNulty's new book is Daily Glimmers: The Art of Finding Tiny Joys Every Day of the Year. Bridget McNulty began her career as a magazine journalist and has since written the novel Strange Nervous Laughter, The Grief Handbook, and her most recent book, Daily Glimmers. After being diagnosed with diabetes, Bridget co-founded the NGO Sweet Life Diabetes Community, through which she publishes books and a regular magazine. She also co-founded Now Novel, an online writing course. Sarah Bullen is a multi-published author and renowned writing coach who leads international writing retreats and adventures in Europe and Africa. A former financial and magazine journalist, her most recent book The Other Side delves into stories of near-death experiences and spiritual encounters. Sarah's work reflects her passion for storytelling and exploration of the human spirit.

Saskia Falken speaks to CapeTalk’s Pippa Hudson and Africa Melane about the Franschhoek Literary Festival which gets underway this weekend. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: 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/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio. Sven Axelrad's new book is The Dogs of Vivo. Sven Axelrad is the author of four novels: Buried Treasure, God's Pocket, Nicotine Gospel, and now The Dogs of Vivo. He has published short stories in New Contrast and Fragment Collective and has been longlisted for the Desperate Literature Prize in Madrid. Sven is an accountant who just loves reading and writing. Riley Henry-Herbert is a fiction writer and book reviewer based in Cape Town. He reviews books on Book Choice for Fine Music Radio and shares his thoughts on social media and on his Substack page, Underline. Filmed & edited by Curt Ruiters at @Quickclickproductions_

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio. Tara Roos's new book Where To From Here? is a book for anyone wanting to understand the future of South African politics and the choices that will define it. Get your copy at Exclusive Books at the Franschhoek Town Hall! Tara Roos is a political analyst and the parliamentary correspondent for Business Day. Emma Swart is a Cape Town-based book reviewer, content creator, and co-host of The Reading Chatroom podcast. She is also the founder of The Shared Shelf, a literary community that brings readers together through book clubs, author conversations, and reflective reading spaces. Through her work, she shares a deep love for books and the conversations they make possible. The latest episode of Pagecast is out now! For more festival insights, follow along with the News24 livestream of the Franschhoek Literary Festival. Filmed & edited by Curt Ruiters at @Quickclickproductions_

Pagecast is coming to you live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival. Rémy Ngamije's new book is Only Stars Know, a collection of short stories that explore love, loss, identity, and human connection, centred on the life of an aspiring writer. Rémy Ngamije is a Rwandan-born Namibian writer and photographer. He is the founder of the Doek Arts Trust, an arts organisation which publishes Doek! Literary Magazine, Namibia's first literary magazine, which he cofounded and serves as editor-in-chief. In conversation with Wamuwi Mbao, columnist for Business Day's Wanted magazine, SALA-winning literary critic for the Johannesburg Review of Books, and lecturer in English Studies at Stellenbosch University. His book Years of Fire and Ash brings together fifty years' worth of South African protest poetry into one collection. Filmed & edited by Curt Ruiters at Quickclick Productions.

What does it take to turn years of investigative reporting into a book? Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Jeff Wicks opens up to Qaanitah Hunter about the craft, the process, and the personal toll of putting his new book on the page. Jeff Wicks is a journalist with News24's investigations team. His reporting on the assassination of Babita Deokaran was shortlisted for the Global Shining Light Award, which recognises watchdog journalism in developing countries carried out under threat, duress or the direst conditions. Qaanitah Hunter is an award-winning South African political journalist and founding editor of The Debrief Network. She is the author of several non-fiction and fiction works, including the co-authored Who Will Rule SA?, which has helped shape public discourse around South Africa's political future.

Ahead of the 2026 Santa Fe International Literary Festival, Georgina Godwin speaks to Megan Mulry, the executive director, to discuss this year’s event and the importance of global literary engagements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'll have a lookahead to weekend sports and hearing from Gibraltar's walking footballers who have returned from Mallorca as 65+ champions after a standout performance.The Gibraltar Literary Festival is returning with a packed line-up already beginning to take shape. Cultural Services CEO Seamus Byrne will join us to tell us more. A 23 year old Gibraltarian is walking across the length of Japan to raise funds for the British Red Cross. We'll be catching up with Ben Vasquez.We discuss what was a lively debate on ViewPoint last night on travel and tourism, which featured Ministers John Cortes and Christian Santos and the GSD's Damon Bossino and Giovanni Origo.The Young enterprise competition is in full swing, today we'll be finding out about Hidden Gems.And, every year family and friends come together to remember Jay Alman through music, fundraising and community spirit. We'll be looking ahead to Jay Day, happening tomorrow at the Rock on the Rock club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend, the Literary Festival is happening in Santa Barbara. Leslie Zemekis, the founder of the festival, tells us all about the exciting events and panels coming. KCSB's Abbey Guerrero has the story.

Pippa Hudson speaks to Jennifer Ball, programme director of the Franschhoek Literary Festival, about the introduction of the dedicated Family Programme on Saturday 16 May. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: 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/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our first Three Ravens Live Show release of 2026 we have a recording from Farnham Literary Festival in March, all about the history and folklore of Surrey! Recorded at Farnham Town Hall, a stone's throw from the town's Norman castle, we begin by offering a whistle-stop tour of the ways in which the historic county of Surrey has been shaped by conflicts, including Bronze Age tribal clashes, Viking invasions, and the seemingly unstoppable growth of neighbouring Greater London.Despite the county having traditionally been overlooked in terms of its folklore and folktales, this episode is packed to the gunnels, from the legacy of local witch Mother Ludlam to the dragon converted to Christianity by St Martha, the eerily haunted natural spring known as 'The Silent Hill' to persistent horse demons, eccentrics buried upside-down, the Devil's various doings in the county, and much more besides!For our story, Eleanor transports us to Chertsey during the Wars of the Roses for a romance that stopped time - The Legend of Blanche Heriot - underscored by Martin doing his best with bells, cymbals and coconuts, after which we discuss the story's provenance and open the floor for a Q&A pleasingly enlivened by contributions from The Farnham Folklore Society.Thank you so much to everyone who came along, Farnham Town Council for hosting the event, and if you would like to come and see us recording Three Ravens Live at one of our upcoming events then do please take a look at our Events Calendar and book yourself some tickets!We really hope you enjoy the episode, and will speak to you again on Monday for a new episode of the Three Ravens Bestiary all about the history and mythology of Giants!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?REGISTER FOR THE TALES OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND TOURVisit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome into The Reading Lounge! We are discussing My Mother Cursed My Name by Anamely Salgado Reyes. Three generations of Mexican American grapple with family history and the "curse" of their names. We discovered this novel and this author at the 2026 Women's Literary Festival in Long Beach, California. This episode's libation is called: The Truth Tea.2 oz gin2 oz chilled mint teatop with a splash of elderflower liqueurShake with icePour into ice filled glass and top with an ounce or two of tonic water, to taste.Garnish with a limeOther books we talk about in this episode: Project Hail MaryThe Boleyn TraitorHomeseekingThe Conjuring of AmericaThanks for joining us in The Reading Lounge.

Adjusting your sleeping positions, pizza hacks, Boise pizza delivery man's gesture earns an 80,000% tip, things you thought were going to be a huge deal as a kid — plus more news. Plus, joining us in the studio today, Brazos County Commissioner Bentley Nettles joined WTAW's Scott DeLucia to talk about subdivisions in the county, the Messier Gas Plant, the recovery of the $400K in stolen funds, and more. Plus, joining us in the studio today, Bryan/College Station Public Library System Youth Services Librarians Mackenzie Kubacak and Jenny Stadler joined WTAW's Scott DeLucia to preview the Brazos Valley Children's Literary Festival being held on April 11, and more. 

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Springtime Synergy: A Literary Festival's Blossoming Bond Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2026-03-25-22-34-01-no Story Transcript:No: Lillehammer lå som et maleri denne våren.En: Lillehammer lay like a painting this spring.No: Det var påske, og byen var pyntet med fargerike vårblomster.En: It was Easter, and the town was decorated with colorful spring flowers.No: Mellom vakre, brosteinsbelagte gater, var det musikk og latter.En: Between beautiful, cobblestone-paved streets, there was music and laughter.No: Norsk litteraturfestival trakk mange.En: The Norwegian Literature Festival attracted many.No: Forfattere og lesere fylte byen med levende samtaler.En: Authors and readers filled the town with lively conversations.No: Sigrid gikk med bestemte skritt mot Kulturhuset.En: Sigrid walked with determined steps towards the Kulturhuset.No: Hun hadde på seg en lys jakke og en stor notatbok i hånden.En: She wore a light jacket and had a large notebook in her hand.No: Hun søkte inspirasjon for sin neste roman.En: She was seeking inspiration for her next novel.No: Den må være spesiell, tenkte hun.En: It had to be special, she thought.No: På programmet stod det flere paneldiskusjoner.En: The program had several panel discussions.No: I det store panelet satt anerkjente forfattere.En: In the large panel sat renowned authors.No: Der satt også Eirik, bredt smilende, med sin siste bok som hadde hatt stor suksess.En: There was also Eirik, broadly smiling, with his latest book that had been very successful.No: Sigrid følte et stikk av sjalusi.En: Sigrid felt a pang of jealousy.No: Hun var en dedikert forfatter, men fryktet hennes uvanlige ideer ville falle igjennom.En: She was a dedicated author, but feared her unusual ideas would fall through.No: "Eirik," hvisket noen ved hennes side, "han er fantastisk.En: "Eirik," someone whispered beside her, "he's fantastic."No: "Sigrid nikket stille.En: Sigrid nodded silently.No: Hun lyttet ivrig til diskusjonene.En: She listened eagerly to the discussions.No: Temaene var bøker, kreativitet, og hvordan ord kunne forme verden.En: The topics were books, creativity, and how words could shape the world.No: Eirik snakket med overbevisning.En: Eirik spoke with conviction.No: Hans ord traff hennes sinn som en vårbris.En: His words touched her mind like a spring breeze.No: Men Sigrid var fortsatt usikker.En: But Sigrid was still unsure.No: Hun måtte overvinne sin frykt for å uttrykke seg annerledes.En: She had to overcome her fear of expressing herself differently.No: De neste dagene var fulle av foredrag og lesinger.En: The next days were full of lectures and readings.No: Sigrid merket at mange forfattere hadde sine egne vendinger om fortelling.En: Sigrid noticed that many authors had their own twists on storytelling.No: Det ga henne håp.En: It gave her hope.No: På den siste dagen bestemte hun seg.En: On the last day, she made up her mind.No: Hun måtte snakke med Eirik.En: She had to talk to Eirik.No: Hun måtte vite om deres kjærlighet for litteratur kunne møte.En: She had to know if their love for literature could meet.No: En varm formiddag, under en kaffepause, så hun Eirik alene ved et bord.En: One warm morning, during a coffee break, she saw Eirik alone at a table.No: Koppene dampet, og lukten av nytraktet kaffe fylte luften.En: The cups were steaming, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.No: Hun så på blomstene som danset i vinden.En: She looked at the flowers dancing in the wind.No: De ga henne mot.En: They gave her courage.No: "Eirik," sa hun, og satte seg forsiktig ved bordet.En: "Eirik," she said, and sat down carefully at the table.No: "Kan vi snakke om skriving?En: "Can we talk about writing?"No: "Eirik så opp.En: Eirik looked up.No: Han smilte.En: He smiled.No: "Selvfølgelig, Sigrid.En: "Of course, Sigrid.No: Jeg har lest om bøkene dine.En: I've read about your books.No: Du er veldig talentfull.En: You are very talented."No: "Det var alt hun trengte å høre.En: It was all she needed to hear.No: De begynte å snakke om alt og ingenting.En: They began to talk about everything and nothing.No: Snart var de dypt inne i en diskusjon om hva som driver en god historie.En: Soon they were deep into a discussion about what drives a good story.No: Hun delte sitt ønske om å formidle det unike, det usett, og det menneskelige.En: She shared her desire to convey the unique, the unseen, and the human.No: Eirik lyttet, oppmuntret og delte sine metoder.En: Eirik listened, encouraged, and shared his methods.No: Sigrid følte nervene slippe taket.En: Sigrid felt her nerves relax.No: Hun satte pris på hans ærlige mening og forståelse.En: She appreciated his honest opinion and understanding.No: De lo og delte tanker inn i ettermiddagen.En: They laughed and shared thoughts into the afternoon.No: "Vi burde gjøre noe sammen," foreslo Eirik.En: "We should do something together," Eirik suggested.No: "Kanskje skrive en bok?En: "Maybe write a book?"No: "Tankene surret i henne.En: Thoughts swirled in her.No: Et samarbeid?En: A collaboration?No: Hun så på det som en mulighet, ikke en trussel.En: She saw it as an opportunity, not a threat.No: Å smelte deres stiler kunne skape noe uventet og vakkert.En: Merging their styles could create something unexpected and beautiful.No: Sigrid nikket.En: Sigrid nodded.No: "Ja, la oss gjøre det.En: "Yes, let's do it."No: "De ble enige om å skrive noe nytt, noe deres.En: They agreed to write something new, something of their own.No: Sigrid merket tilliten vokse i henne.En: Sigrid felt her confidence growing.No: Hun var klar for noe nytt, åpen for samarbeid.En: She was ready for something new, open to collaboration.No: Med Eirik ved sin side, så fremtiden lysere ut.En: With Eirik by her side, the future looked brighter.No: Og slik, i det spirende vårlandskapet i Lillehammer, begynte en ny reise for dem begge.En: And so, in the budding spring landscape of Lillehammer, a new journey began for them both.No: Ordet var deres å forme.En: The word was theirs to shape. Vocabulary Words:cobblestone-paved: brosteinsbelagtedetermined: bestemtesought: søkterenowned: anerkjentejealousy: sjalusiconviction: overbevisningovercome: overvinneexpressing: uttrykkelectures: foredragreadings: lesingertwists: vendingercourage: motinspired: inspirerteagerly: ivrigsteaming: dampetconvey: formidleunseen: usettencouraged: oppmuntretnerves: nerverappreciated: satte pris påhonest: ærligecollaboration: samarbeidthreat: trusselmelding: smelteunexpected: uventetbudding: spirendelandscape: landskapjourney: reiseattracting: trakkpanel discussions: paneldiskusjoner

On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Deb and Paul Lindsay, the enthusiastic co-chairs of the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary April 10–12, 2026 in downtown New Iberia. Centered around the Sliman Theater, Shadows-on-the-Teche, and other historic sites, this year's festival brings together literature, music, food, history, and community for a full weekend of programming. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Rick Bragg is being celebrated as the 2026 Great Southern Writer, with sessions, book signings, museum tours, a book fair, and more planned throughout the weekend. Deb and Paul's story is, in many ways, a love letter to Acadiana. They were living in Guanajuato, Mexico when Deb's health concerns prompted them to consider returning to the United States. As Paul explains, they began researching Acadiana after learning Lafayette had been named “the happiest city in the USA.” Deb knew what she wanted: “I want to go someplace where there's nice people, kind people. I want to go someplace where they have great food, and I want to go someplace where they have great music, great culture.” Their conclusion? “We hit a trifecta.” Deb and Paul LIndsey are pictured in Guanajuato, Mexico in 2019. The couple had no roots in the region and no contacts here when they first began exploring south Louisiana. But a chance stop on Main Street in New Iberia on June 25, 2022, changed everything. While reading the trilingual plaque near the Bayou Teche Museum, they were approached by Cathy Indest of the Iberia Cultural Resources Association, who asked, “Y'all aren't from around here, are you?” That unexpected conversation led to an invitation to come back for the literary festival, and eventually to a much bigger decision. Back in Mexico, the Lindsays decided to do more than simply visit. They would return to volunteer and sponsor the festival as part of what Paul called an exploratory trip. They came for the 2023 festival, met local leaders and volunteers, and quickly found themselves embraced by the community. A memorable and funny festival incident sealed the deal. While attempting Cajun dance lessons, Deb became so dizzy that she had to be helped to a chair and then to an ambulance for evaluation. Paul, not yet realizing how serious things were, responded to a warning from a concerned helper who said, “Your wife is bad,” with the now legendary line: “I'm sorry, but she's always been a bad dancer.” What stayed with them most was not the scare, but the care. Paul recalls that neighbors and new friends, including Wyatt and Becky Collins, immediately stepped in to help, offering to follow him to the hospital and even opening their home if needed. Others checked on Deb throughout the night. “To me, that sealed the deal,” Paul says, “because those are the kind of people I want to be around now.” Deb adds that Acadiana's warmth is more than politeness: “I'm not sure that people in Acadiana fully appreciate just how special the culture of caring for others really is. It is endemic here. It is just part of how people are.” That sense of belonging deepened quickly. The Lindsays moved to New Iberia in October 2023 and were immediately drawn into the life of the community, volunteering at local events and building friendships that made them feel at home. Deb notes, “We have chosen to be here because, as Paul said, we feel like we hit the trifecta.” Their affection for New Iberia and the wider Acadiana region comes through clearly in this conversation, as does their gratitude for the people who welcomed them in. That spirit of welcome is central to the mission of the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, which Deb describes as preserving “the legacy of Southern storytelling through literature, culture, and community.” The 2026 schedule reflects just how broad that vision has become: guided tours at the Bayou Teche Museum and Shadows-on-the-Teche, free literary sessions at the Sliman Theater, a children's book fair, a Main Street book fair, and multiple ticketed food-and-music experiences designed to bring people together. A major draw this year is Rick Bragg, the festival's 2026 Great Southern Writer. The festival describes Bragg as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author whose writing captures “the struggles and strength of Southern life,” and notes that he continues to teach at the University of Alabama. Paul shares that he reached Bragg personally after recognizing in his writing a deep connection to family, resilience, and Southern roots. That conversation led Bragg to accept the invitation, telling Paul, “You've made me laugh more in the last 40 minutes than I have in probably a year.” Bragg will appear for both a symposium and a special book club-style event during the weekend. Deb speaks beautifully about why Bragg matters. Though memoir was not previously her preferred genre, she says his storytelling changed that. His books about family and ordinary Southern people, she says, “remind us of our shared humanity, something especially needed in these divided times.” That human-centered view of literature runs through the entire festival. Jane and Scott Wolfe of Melba’s Po Boys in New Orleans The opening Friday session features Jane and Scott Wolfe of the infamouse Melba's Po Boys in New Orleans, who will discuss entrepreneurship, perseverance, literacy, and community. Festival listings describe their presentation as “Building Perseverance and Community: How Two Teenagers Created a Life Inside Small Business in New Orleans.” Deb and Paul highlight Jane Wolfe's remarkable path from earning her GED to studying at Tulane and later Harvard Divinity School, as well as her role in literacy work through Melba's. Published sources confirm that Jane Wolfe received the 2024 Light Up for Literacy Award from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for her work with Eat and Read at Melba's, and that she is a graduate of both Tulane and Harvard Divinity School. The 2026 schedule also reflects the festival's wide-ranging curiosity. Friday includes a session on the Creole lineage of Pope Leo XIV, a discussion with romance author Juliette Cross, and a closing session on Carville and Hansen's disease. Saturday brings the Dave Robicheaux Readers Theater, a Rick Bragg book club, a session on Louisiana Black Creole Trail Riders, a program on Black female jazz singers, a Swamp Pop-themed session, and Bragg's major symposium and signing. The Children's Book Fair and the Main Street Book Fair, making the festival accessible to readers of all ages. Beyond the literary sessions, the weekend is intentionally immersive. Friday night's ticketed event, “A Novel Evening in Prose and Pours,” unfolds beneath the oaks at Shadows-on-the-Teche and includes food, drink, music, and time for festivalgoers to mingle with authors in a relaxed setting. Saturday morning introduces “Beignets & Beats, A Cajun Breakfast Jam” at Bambino's, while Saturday night has been reimagined as “Swamp Sounds: A Swamp Pop Revival,” complete with dance lessons and live music from The Revelers. The weekend closes with Symphony Sunday in the Park, a free outdoor performance by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra in New Iberia's City Park on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. It is a free concert under the oaks, continuing a long-running partnership between the Symphony and New Iberia. What makes this interview especially meaningful is hearing why Deb and Paul have poured themselves into the festival. Deb says the literary festival “has a special place in my heart, just because it's what brought us to Louisiana in the first place.” She sees their work as “a way of saying ‘we feel like we're a part of the community. We owe the community.” Paul echoes that sentiment and says what he loves most is that books can bring people together across differences: “It doesn't matter who you voted for; it's about coming together with common bonds and trying to learn from each other and listen to each other.” Their vision extends beyond one April weekend. They are exploring interim events throughout the year and building stronger partnerships with other Louisiana book festivals, including those in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with the goal of strengthening audiences and collaboration rather than competing against one another. That cooperative spirit feels very much in keeping with what they have come to love about this region. As Deb and Paul make clear, the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival is about far more than books alone. It is about story, hospitality, history, music, place, and the kind of human connection that turns visitors into neighbors. Or, as Deb puts it, “It's a terrific place to be.” For festival details, schedules, and tickets, the primary website is BooksAlongTheTecheLiteraryFestival.com; BayouBookFest.com also redirects there. The festival is largely free, with select ticketed food and music events available through the website. Published festival and tourism pages confirm the event dates, venues, and the weekend's featured programming. Thanks to Deb and Paul Lindsey for their commitment to the arts, culture and community! They are eloquent spokespersons for their new home, Acadiana!

This week on Devoncast, we look at how the war in the Middle East and rising oil prices could affect people in Devon. The Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival returns for its spring weekend, Josh speaks to the festival's chair about what visitors can expect. An MP raises concerns at a Devon hospital, where sewage leaks and scaffolding have been installed to stop the roof from collapsing. Millions of pounds have been invested in electric buses for Exeter, with the city's MP sharing his views on what it could mean for local transport. And the future of a historic monastery in Paignton moves a step closer. Josh Tate presents this edition of Devoncast.

Gugs Mhlungu speaks to Petina Gappah, Zimbabwean lawyer and Acclaimed author, about the 2026 Johannesburg Feminist Writers’ Week (JFWW), discussing its celebration of women’s voices, the theme Inyathi Ibuzwa Kwabaphambili, and the festival’s role in fostering intergenerational dialogue, literary innovation, and collaboration across the African continent. 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/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s longest-running writers festival was sensationally cancelled after a controversial author was axed from the line-up. Is bringing her back next year the right thing to do? Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's More Rosebud, and this episode is a conversation that took place at the Henley Literary Festival in 2025 between Gyles and Dame Joanna Lumley, about her Book of Treasures, which had then just been published. This conversation is about poetry, books and quotations that inspire Joanna. It's also about her childhood, and how moving about a lot made her curious, and optimistic. It's about Leonardo Di Caprio, Dame Patricia Routledge, Frank Sinatra and Sir John Betjeman. It's about the lowest point in Joanna's life, and about a moment of joy. Enjoy this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Irfan and Abbas sit down with the legendary Narjis Sheikh, who is a Toronto-based novel writer as well as a community organizer with a deep passion for helping people make their dreams come true. In this episode we talk with Narjis about her journey of social entrepreneurship, the ups and downs of a founder's experience in creating out of nothing, and the immense value of having the support and backing of your community.

Georgina Godwin meets American writer and historian Harlan Greene at the 2025 Charleston Literary Festival to discuss the playwright Dorothy Heyward, who is the subject of Greene’s book ‘Porgy’s Ghost’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local congressman weighs in on how the federal shutdown is affecting the region. Also, a controversial housing bill aimed at increasing construction near major transit stops is signed. Finally, authors showcase their works at a new literary event.

Join host Kim Russo as she chats with Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival, for a look at this spectacular 2025 event! Sarah Moriarty shares the fascinating history of the festival, tracing its roots to Charleston House in Lewes, UK —the historic home of the radical writers and artists of the Bloomsbury Group— and its start in South Carolina in 2017, courtesy of Debo Gage and Diana Reich. Hear the inspiring journey of how it grew from a 2-day "mini-version" with 8 events to the current 10-day literary marathon featuring over 50+ programs at the Dock Street Theatre (November 7 - 16, 2025). Discover the various ways you can attend and experience the festival. Find out how you can join the celebration! Attend, volunteer, or become a donor. For tickets, event details, and more information, visit: www.CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com

Explore artist studios and connect with local artists at the 2025 Durango Open Studio Tour. Authors, writers, and literature lovers are invited to Durango Public Library's Literary Festival. And the Payroll Department and Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado launched an interactive grantmaking initiative that replaces “Meet Your Match.” By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/durango-open-studio-tour-connects-art-lovers-with-artists  This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Crystal Mart. Support the show

This coming weekend in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, the WIT Literary Festival will get happen - a celebration of writers, their work, and the vital role they play in society. By bringing writers and readers together for a weekend of timely conversations, the WIT Literary Festival reflects the belief that a rich culture of free expression is essential to a thriving democracy.Who are we? What do we believe? In what kind of country do we want to live?Guided by this year's theme, The Power of Words: Authors & Activism, the Author Guild's WIT Literary Festival welcomes audiences to explore these abiding questions with a distinguished group of speakers renowned for their artistic virtuosity, intellectual passion, moral seriousness, restless faith, and civic engagement.

First Edition returns after a summer hiatus. Amanda Bullock of Portland's Literary Arts talks about how to make a literary festival, Literary Arts growth over the past several years, and advice for book festival attendees. Then, The Atlantic Books editor Boris Kachka joins to talk about The Atlantic's new The Writer's Way series and creating modern book coverage. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Discussed in this episode: The 2025 Portland Book Festival Literary Arts The Writer's Way Series at The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month's show is dedicated to The Coast is Queer Festival, Brighton's landmark festival of LGBTQ+ literature. Info about all the events we speak to festival speakers Ayse Huseyin, Abi Fellows, Kit Heyam and DG Coutinho. We also chat to Sarah from Writers HQ about their Writing As Resistance Festival in September.  The Coast is Queer events mentioned on the show: The Queer Girls Book Club presents Christina Fonthes Not That Innocent with with Jack Jordan, DG Coutinho, Piotr Cieplak and Lesley Thomson Developing Your Non-Fiction with Abi Fellows and Paula Akpan Is a Shared History Possible? with Dr. Nat Arias, Kit Heyam, Jane Traies and Paula Akpan

Part 1 - Filling in for Neville James, guest host Raffy Encarnacion chats with Ellie Hirsh and Donna Duffy of the St. Croix Children's Museum in Estate Carlton. The museum is preparing to hold the Children's Literary Festival on Sunday, August 24, 2025, which will feature story time with local authors.

Word Festival: Lorne – In a year of anniversaries, Saturday Night Live turned 50, and The New Yorker celebrated its first century. To mark the occasion, Word and Working Loose, the Blue Hill “concept shop” and art gallery, hosted a conversation between two New Yorker editors, one of whom has written the definitive biography of SNL founder Lorne Michaels. The event took place on Tuesday, July 29. Susan Morrison, New Yorker articles editor and author of Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live, was interviewed by New Yorker executive editor Daniel Zalewski. The conversation took place at Working Loose, 49 Main Street, Blue Hill. Recorded by Matt Murphy. The post Word Literary Festival 7/29/25: Lorne first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

35. Indian & Pakistani authors & poets talk to co-hosts Paul Waters & Jonathan Kennedy on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival London 2025 (which Paul also co-organises). We hear from Devike Rege on Indian politics, whether "home is a place where you can be comfortably racist" & her book Quarterlife; from Shueyb Gandapur on his book Coming Back - The Odyssey of a Pakistani Through India, on the unusual challenges of getting his book published in India, and on his Pakistani home Dera Ismail Khan & how Hindus and Sikhs who fled during partition preserve memories of the city in India, & on and the unusual challenges of getting his book published in India; from KSLF organiser Niloufer Bilimoria; from Saba Karim Khan on the Pakistan #itscomplicated essay collection she edited & contributed to, & how to get behind the cliches of potraying Pakistan; from Muhammed Ali Bandial on his contribution to Pakistan #itscomplicated & his complex relationship with his homeland; from Prabhu Guptara of Pippa Rann publishing, Global Resilience publishing & Salt Desert Media; from poet Tanya Rai who is @diversityofme on Instagram; & from poet Devi Chatterjee who has also helped develop the Poetry Archive's new online collection of south Asian poets reading their own work.And we also hear about the recent India-Pakistan conflict and ceasefire, Saraiki language & Pashtun culture, Lahore authors Awais Khan & Faiqa Mansab, Pakistani Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, the Marati language, poets Sudeep Sen and R Parthasarathy, the Rann of Kutch salt desert & the Great Indian Salt Hedge, Stephen Huyler's book Transformed by India - A Life, & poets Rabindranath Tagore, Bhanu Kapil & Sampurna Chatterji.WHO IS JONATHAN KENNEDY? Jonathan was Director of Arts in India for 5 years for the British Council. He's been everywhere in India and knows everyone there involved in culture. He was also for 12 years the Executive Director of Tara Arts, looking at the world through a South Asian lens. Jonathan is doing some India & South Asian episodes of We'd Like A Word with us every now & then. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. (And sometimes Jonathan Kennedy.) We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books.Paul is the author of a new Irish-Indian cosy crime series set in contemporary Delhi. The first in the series is Murder in Moonlit Square, which published by No Exit Press / Bedford Square Publishers in October 2025 - but you can pre-order it now. (Ah go on.) It'll also be published in India in paperback in October 2025 by Penguin India. Paul previously wrote the 1950s Irish border thriller Blackwatertown.We can also recommend Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan, and his hugely popular YouTube channel @Colganology

Sights + Sounds brings you a peek into the upcoming Flor Y Canto Literary Festival in San Francisco' Mission District.

On today's show: We give you a peek into the upcoming Flor Y Canto Literary Festival in the San Francisco Mission.

In this live episode of Hurt to Healing, Julia Samuel is joined by acclaimed author and advocate Kit de Waal for a powerful conversation about friendship, fear, and the patterns we inherit from childhood. With her signature blend of candour and compassion, Kit opens up about the painful unravelling of a close friendship and how it stirred echoes of her early life — growing up with a strict Jamaican Jehovah's Witness father and a fiery Irish Catholic mother. She reflects on the emotional survival tactics that shaped her, the fierce loyalty of her siblings, and the way fear and secrecy became part of her emotional DNA. Together, Julia and Kit explore the complexities of trust, identity, and repair — what it means to rewrite the stories we were raised with, and how we begin to parent and connect differently. From Kit's teenage rebellion and escape from a rigid religious upbringing to her work in social care and advocacy for marginalised voices, this is a conversation about resilience, rupture, and growth.  Find Kit: Website: https://www.kitdewaal.com/ Instagram: @kitdewaal Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Goodwin - BAD EDUCATION: How the Left CRUSHED the Right in Universities. NCF Literary Festival by New Culture Forum

Slushies, we invoke the retelling of a ghostly experience shared by Kathy and Marion at the Hotel Figueroa in California earlier this year partway into this episode. Two poems by Jen Siraganian are at the heart of our discussion, and it's the first of these that puts ghosts into our heads. This poem also causes us to consider at some length the physical form chosen by or for a poem, and how this can utterly enhance the experience of the poem when it's just right. It's also an opportunity for Jason to raise the spectre of the virgule (or slash) once again, and we even pause briefly to recall when WYSIWYG was a useful acronym. We end the episode with an ekphrastic that prompts an on-the-spot tie breaker (thanks to our sound engineer Lillie for saving the day!).   https://whitney.org/collection/works/2171 https://www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/gorky-the-artist-and-his-mother.html  At the table: Kathleen Volk Miller, Marion Wrenn, Lisa Zerkle, Jason Schneiderman, Dagne Forrest, Jodi Gahn, Lillie Volpe (sound engineer)   Jen Siraganian is an Armenian-American writer, educator, and former Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, California. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in AGNI, Barrow Street, Best New Poets, Cortland Review, Poetry Daily, Prairie Schooner, The Rumpus, Smartish Pace, and other journals. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won the 2024 New Ohio Review Poetry Prize. A former managing director of Litquake: San Francisco's Literary Festival, she is a current Lucas Artist Fellow. jensiraganian.com      Social media handles:   Facebook @jen.siraganian, Instagram @jsiraganian, Bluesky @jsiraganian.bsky.social, Website

Back to normal! No guests this week, just a bunch of books to talk about, including some big names. Is Sam's mic kind of wonky early? Yes. Just get by that. It doesn't last long. And you really want to hear about: -  "Great Big Beautiful Life," by Emily Henry, which is just enough different from her previous beach reads to make a great beach read. It's a ridiculous biography contest set in Georgia.  - "The Name of this Band is R.E.M.," by Peter Ames Carlin, which Sam found a little boring, but it's hard to tell if that's just because R.E.M. is a boring band.  - "Raising Hare," by Chloe Dalton, which really is about raising a bunny, but not a bunny, a hare, which is a different mysterious kind of animal. Better than that sounds, though.  - "Everything is Tuberculosis," by John Green, which has a terrible name, but is very readable because John Green can write like crazy. This leads to talk about Reddit forums detailing woo-woo mom forum posting, for reasons, and discussion of the term "vlogger."  - "Whyte Python World Tour," by Travis Kennedy, an absolutely absurd and often funny tale of a hair-metal band secretly working for the CIA to bring down the Wall in the late 1980s. Sam doesn't know what to make of it.  - "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries," by Heather Fawcett, which is delightful, about an academic cataloging faeries in Norway. It's cozy and quite charming.  Also, no, we didn't get this posted in time for Bookstore Day or the Literary Festival, but just try to look past that. It's already happened and you missed it. But there will be other stuff that's awesome in the future, we promise.