Sarah's Bookshelves Live (Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves)
Explore every episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 2020 | BONUS EPISODE: Favorite Books by Black Authors | 00:36:44 | |
A lot has happened in the world over the past couple weeks that hasn’t been reflected on the podcast because June episodes were recorded in mid-May. So, I wanted to bring you this special bonus episode to highlight some books by black authors that I’ve loved over the past couple years. These are stories of the lives of particular black characters and people that have stuck with me (in many cases for years) since I read them. I’m also looking to highlight more stories by and about black people moving forward on the podcast. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Favorite Books by Black Authors (Fiction) [3:04]2 Auto-Buy Authors
An Old-Time Favorite Author (Stephen L. Carter)
Under the Radar Gems
Super Buzzy Books You’ve Probably Already Heard Of
Favorite Books by Black Authors (Nonfiction) [25:09]2 Memoirs I Loved
Super Buzzy Books You’ve Probably Already Heard Of
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
Next EpisodeA full length episode featuring Morgan Hoit (@nycbookgirl), Associate Marketing Manager at Avid Reader Press (airing June 24). Support the Podcast
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| 25 Sep 2019 | Mini Ep. 31: Emotional Books with Kailey from @KMC_Reads | 00:20:42 | |
In Mini Episode 31, Kailey from @kmc_reads shares emotional book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Kailey’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
Three NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About KaileyKailey Costa is a book blogger living in Virginia with her husband, 1 year old daughter and mini-goldendoodle. An avid reader, you can find Kailey on Instagram @kmc_reads & also as a contributor for SheReads.com. In addition to books, Kailey loves spending time with her family, watching The Office reruns, and enjoying a good craft beer. Support the Podcast
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| 23 Oct 2019 | Mini Ep. 35: Sarah Bohl (Character-Driven Mysteries & Terrible Luck with Pulitzer Winners) | 00:22:30 | |
In Mini Episode 35, Sarah Bohl (@sarahbohl) and I talk about our shared terrible luck with Pulitzer Prize winners, character-driven mysteries, our thoughts on a beloved WWII novel…and, of course, book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Sarah’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About SarahSarah Bohl is a visual artist and a writer, and, most importantly, a lifelong bookworm. Sarah and her family recently moved back to her home state of Missouri after living in Washington, DC. You can find her on Goodreads and #bookstagram @sarahbohl, and if you’d like to read her writings about civility and compassion in politics, you can head to thecivilian.substack.com. Next EpisodeFull length episode featuring Claire Gibson, author of Beyond the Point (airing Wednesday, October 30). Support the Podcast
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| 29 May 2019 | Ep. 21: Mary Laura Philpott (Author of I Miss You When I Blink) | 00:51:16 | |
In Episode 21, Mary Laura Philpott (author of I Miss You When I Blink) talks about women’s identity crises, how she pitched her book to publishers, her job at Parnassus Books…and shares “women who get women” book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Mary Laura’s Book Recommendations (Mostly Women Who Get Women)Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
Two New Releases She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Mary LauraAuthor Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Mary Laura Philpott is an essayist whose writing appears in publications including The New York Times, The Paris Review, The Washington Post, O The Oprah Magazine, and others. Across her work, Mary Laura examines the overlap of the absurd and the profound in life, literature, and culture. I Miss You When I Blink is Mary Laura’s debut memoir, written in essays. It was named to the #1 spot on the Indie Next List by booksellers nationwide, and was chosen as a best or most anticipated book of 2019 by Esquire, BuzzFeed, Lit Hub, Southern Living, Bustle, The Millions and the Chicago Review of Books. Real Simple magazine called it “the one book you should read right now.” (Get a short snippet of it in The New York Times, read a review in The Washington Post, or listen to a conversation about it on NPR.) Mary Laura is also the author and illustrator of the book Penguins with People Problems; the founding editor of MUSING, the digital magazine published by Parnassus Books; and an Emmy-award winning co-host of A Word on Words, a literary interview show on Nashville Public Television. She enjoys traveling around the country to speak with people about creativity, work, the ups and downs of perfectionism, reinvention, reading, and writing. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family.
Support the Podcast
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| 24 Mar 2021 | Ep. 79: Circling Back to Winter 2021 Preview Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:50:54 | |
Welcome to the first Winter 2021 Circle Back Episode with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In the Winter 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 73), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books coming out January – March 2021. But, we often haven’t read the books we share in the Preview Episodes. So, in this new series, we will “circle back” to update you on all the books we presented in the previous season’s Book Preview now that we’ve at least attempted to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Winter 2021 Books We Had Already Read When We Recorded the Preview [5:17]Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Circling Back: Winter 2021 Books [10:25]January Catherine’s Picks:
February Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
March Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 30 Nov 2022 | Ep. 128: Best Books of 2022 Superlatives with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 00:54:37 | |
Our 2022 year-end reading roundup starts today with Best Books of 2022 Superlatives with Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits). This year, we’re splitting our wrap-up into two episodes: Superlatives and Genre Awards (coming in mid-December). We have 17 Superlatives categories for you, including Most and Least Deserving of the Hype, Biggest Surprise, the Book I Hated that Everyone Else Loved, and more!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
Highlights
2022 Superlatives [5:27]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
About Susie BoutryBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| 23 Feb 2022 | Ep. 105: Thrity Umrigar (Author of Honor) + Book Recommendations | 00:47:34 | |
In Episode 105, Sarah and Thrity (author of Honor) tackle some hard-hitting questions related to the themes in her emotional book: religion, women’s rights, and identity. Thrity discusses the complicated relationship an immigrant often has with their homeland and the complex duality of human nature.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Thrity’s Book Recommendations [32:48]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Thrity Read
Other Books Mentioned
About ThrityWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Thrity Umrigar is the bestselling author of eight novels, including The Space Between Us, which was a finalist for the PEN/Beyond Margins Award, as well as a memoir and three picture books. Her books have been translated into several languages and published in more than fifteen countries. She is the winner of a Lambda Literary Award and a Seth Rosenberg Award and is Distinguished Professor of English at Case Western Reserve University. A recipient of the Nieman Fellowship to Harvard, she has contributed to the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and Huffington Post. | |||
| 12 May 2021 | Ep. 83: 2021 Summer Reading Special with Susie from @NovelVisits | 00:54:57 | |
In Episode 83, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guides, books for people who have time to dig into something big in the summer, and our #1 picks for the four of the five categories featured in Sarah’s 2021 Summer Reading Guide. This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link Our Summer Reading GuidesBooks That Missed Last Year’s Summer Reading Guides [4:12]Sarah
Susie
Books For People Who Have More Time to Dig Into Something Big in Summer (i.e. “Teacher Books”) [17:36]Sarah
Susie
Our #1 Picks for Each Summer Reading Guide Category [37:56]Something Light / Fun
Something Intense / Fast-Paced
Something with a Bit More Substance
Something Different
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About SusieBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books I read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of my own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| 16 Sep 2020 | Ep. 66: Kate Stayman-London (Author of One to Watch) + Book Recommendations | 00:56:28 | |
In Episode 66, Kate Stayman-London (author of One to Watch) talks about how The Bachelor / ette franchise inspired her book, diversity in the franchise, and shares her biggest fear before her book came out. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Kate’s Book Recommendations [37:50]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Kate Read [52:06]
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout KateKate is a novelist, screenwriter, and political strategist. She served as lead digital writer for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has written for notable figures ranging from President Obama and Malala Yousafzai to Anna Wintour and Cher. When not writing or traveling, Kate can be found obsessively ranking Taylor Swift songs, laughing loudly with friends over really good bottles of wine, and of course, watching reality TV. She lives in Los Angeles. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Kelly Jensen talking about libraries & COVID (airing September 30). | |||
| 06 Jan 2021 | Ep. 73: Winter 2021 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:53:50 | |
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out January – March 2021. Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2021 blog post, which is coming out soon. I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also some that I didn’t! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Winter 2021 Book Preview [6:43]January Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
February Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
March Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week’s episode will feature Sara Hildreth of @fictionmatters and the Novel Pairings Podcast going behind-the-scenes of judging a literary prize (airing January 20). | |||
| 01 Jun 2022 | Ep. 114: Summer 2022 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:48:49 | |
Welcome to the Summer 2022 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out June through mid-August.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)…
Highlights
Summer 2022 Book Preview [2:33]June Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
July Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
August Sarah’s Pick:
Catherine’s Pick:
Other Books Mentioned
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 13 May 2020 | Ep. 58: 2020 Summer Reading Special with Susie from @NovelVisits | 00:59:05 | |
In Episode 58, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guides, books set in cool travel destinations, and our #1 picks for the four categories featured in Sarah’s 2020 Summer Reading Guide. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Our Summer Reading Guides
Books That Missed Last Year’s Summer Reading Guides [7:13]Sarah
Susie
Books Set in Cool Travel Destinations [20:13]Sarah
Susie
Our #1 Picks for Each Summer Reading Guide Category [37:49]Something Light / Fun
Something Intense / Fast-Paced
Something with a Bit More Substance
Something Different
Rate It Game [43:30]Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About SusieBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books I read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of my own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Alyssa Hertzig (@alyssahertzig and @alyssaisbooked)…airing May 20. Support the Podcast
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| 04 Dec 2024 | Bonus Episode: Behind the Scenes of Amazon’s Best Books of 2024 List with Al Woodworth, Senior Editor & Manager of Amazon Books Editorial | 00:46:51 | |
In this Bonus Podcast Episode, Al Woodworth, Senior Editor and Manager at Amazon Books Editorial, returns to the show to take listeners behind the scenes of Amazon’s Best Books of 2024, as chosen by the Amazon Editors! A fascinating glimpse into how the 2024 list was curated, how the rankings were determined, and what criteria guided the selections.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements
Highlights
Books From Our Discussion
Other LinksAbout Al WoodworthMore about Amazon Book Review Al Woodworth is a Senior Editor on the Amazon Books Editorial team and has spent more than ten years in the book industry, championing authors and their work. She’s never without a book or four in her bag and is happiest reading memoirs and literary fiction, especially sprawling stories that cross generations and countries. She lives in Brooklyn. | |||
| 17 Apr 2024 | Ep. 166: Andrew Boryga (Author of Victim) + Book Recommendations | 00:48:29 | |
In episode 166, author Andrew Boryga joins me to discuss his debut novel, Victim, a funny and gripping satire about success and identity. Through the adventures of Javier, Victim explores what “diversity” means, why society loves a victim narrative, and the pitfalls of chasing fame online. Boryga combines humor with biting social commentary without sacrificing heart. This is a juicy and highly discussable story! In our chat, Andrew shares his inspiration behind the book, his decade long road to publication, and what he finds most effective in a satirical novel. Plus, Andrew shares some fantastic book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Andrew’s Book Recommendations [34:19]Two OLD Books He Loves
Two NEW Books He Loves
One Book He DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Andrew Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Andrew BorygaWebsite | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Andrew Boryga is a writer, editor, and author from the Bronx, New York, currently residing in Miami, Florida with his wife and two children. Victim is his debut novel. Boryga began his career writing for a local newspaper in the Bronx at age 16, eventually securing an internship with The New York Timesby age 18. His nonfiction writing has since been featured in prominent publications such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, and The Daily Beast, among others. Boryga’s contributions to writing education extend beyond his own work, encompassing teaching roles for elementary school students, college students, and incarcerated individuals in Florida. He has also shared his insights on writing and the writing life through lectures at various academic institutions. Throughout his career, Boryga has been awarded prizes by Cornell University, The University of Miami, The Susquehanna Review, and The Michener Foundation. | |||
| 04 May 2022 | Ep. 111: Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Author of Take My Hand) + Book Recommendations | 00:48:33 | |
In Episode 111, Dolen Perkins-Valdez (author of Take My Hand) shares details about the real-life events that inspired the book about a tragic story and historical landmark in the battle for women’s rights. Dolen also talks about her research methods and a couple of key themes from the book. Take My Hand was a 5-star book for me and will be one of my favorite books of 2022!
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Dolen’s Book Recommendations [24:31]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Dolen Read
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout Dolen Perkins-ValdezWebsite | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of Wench and Balm. She was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for fiction, and she was awarded the First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Dolen is the current Chair of the Board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. On behalf of the foundation, she has visited nearly every public high school in the District of Columbia to talk about the importance of reading and writing. She is currently Associate Professor in the Literature Department at American University and lives in Washington, DC with her family. | |||
| 19 Oct 2022 | Ep. 125: 2022 Debuts Special with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 00:54:42 | |
In Episode 125, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I are back for our 2nd annual Debuts Special. Today we’re sharing our favorite debut novels from 2022 (so far)! Plus, we discuss our reading stats for debuts this year and we talk about some upcoming sophomore novels (and their debuts) that are on our radar.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Favorite Debuts of 2022 (so far) [8:47]Sarah
Susie
Favorite Backlist Debuts [33:18]Sarah
Susie
Upcoming Sophomore Novels [44:30]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
About Susie BoutrySusie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| 29 Sep 2021 | Ep. 95: Cheryl Diamond (Author of Nowhere Girl) + Book Recommendations | 00:53:30 | |
In Episode 95, Cheryl Diamond joins me to discuss what it was like to have been “born a ghost,” her outlaw life with her fugitive parents, on the run from Interpol and other government agencies, and what brought her to detail her tumultuous childhood in her latest memoir, Nowhere Girl. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Cheryl’s Book Recommendations [34:35]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book(s) Cheryl Read
Other Books Mentioned
About CherylBy the age of nine she had lived in more than a dozen countries, on five continents, under six assumed identities. She was home-schooled by her parents who were evading Interpol and various other law enforcement agencies. At sixteen, Cheryl was scouted by a modeling agency and arrived in New York City with nothing but $300, her cat, and a fair bit of life experience. Between shoots and castings, she began to write. Model: A Memoir, a behind the scenes account of her life as a young high fashion model, was published by Simon & Schuster five years later. The book was featured by the New York Times, the L.A. Times, Good Morning America, and Fox News Live. Her second book, Naked Rome, tells the story of the Eternal City through the eyes of its most fascinating people, and was published in 2019. Cheryl’s newest project, Nowhere Girl, the shocking true story of her outlaw childhood, hit shelves on June 2021. She currently lives in Rome and obeys the law — most of the time. | |||
| 23 Jun 2021 | Ep. 87: Tia Williams (Author of Seven Days in June) + Book Recommendations | 00:43:35 | |
In Episode 87, Tia Williams (author of Seven Days in June) shares how she wrote such a meaty romance novel and what it’s like to be an author with chronic pain.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link Highlights
Tia’s Book Recommendations [26:44]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
Two Authors She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book(s) Tia Read [40:32]
Other Books Mentioned
About TiaTia began her career as a beauty editor at YM, Elle, Lucky, Glamour, and Essence. In 2004, her debut novel, The Accidental Diva hit shelves – and she went on to publish the It Chicks series and co-write Iman’s The Beauty of Color. Tia’s award-winning novel, The Perfect Find, is being adapted for a film starring Gabrielle Union for Netflix. Her latest novel, Seven Days in June (Grand Central Publishing), debuts in June 2021. Currently an Editorial Director at Estee Lauder Companies, Tia lives in Brooklyn with her daughter and her husband. | |||
| 08 Mar 2023 | Ep. 134: Deborah Goodrich Royce (Author of Reef Road) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:24 | |
In today’s episode, Deborah Goodrich Royce joins me to talk about her latest book, Reef Road. We discuss the personal story behind her book and the role of generational trauma in her writing niche, which she calls “Identity Thrillers.” We also covered the explosion of true crime content and got a sneak peek at some details of her upcoming book. Also, Deborah shares her book recommendations — breaking the format by pairing the old and new books together.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Deborah’s Book Recommendations [33:26]Two Book PAIRINGS She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Deborah Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Deborah Goodrich RoyceDeborah Goodrich Royce’s thrillers examine puzzles of identity. Reef Road hit Publishers Weekly’s Bestseller list, Good Morning America’s Top 15 list, and was an Indie Next pick by the American Booksellers Association for January 2023. Ruby Falls won the Zibby Award for Best Plot Twist in 2021 and Finding Mrs. Ford was hailed by Forbes, Book Riot, and Good Morning America’s “best of” lists in 2019. She began as an actress on All My Children and in multiple films, before transitioning to the role of story editor at Miramax Films, developing Emma and early versions of Chicago and A Wrinkle in Time. With her husband, Chuck, Deborah restored the Avon Theatre, Ocean House Hotel, Deer Mountain Inn, United Theatre, Savoy Bookstore, and numerous Main Street revitalization projects in Rhode Island and the Catskills. She serves on the governing and advisory boards of the American Film Institute, Greenwich International Film Festival, New York Botanical Garden, Greenwich Historical Society, and the PRASAD Project. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in modern foreign languages and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Lake Erie College.
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| 27 May 2020 | Ep. 60: Summer 2020 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:57:13 | |
Welcome to the Summer 2020 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in June and July 2020. Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2020 blog post, which is coming out tomorrow. I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also some that I didn’t! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). SponsorHighlights
Summer 2020 Book Preview [9:02]June Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
July Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on its bi-weekly summer schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Kimberly McCreight, author of A Good Marriage (airing June 10). Support the Podcast
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| 31 May 2023 | Ep. 142: Summer 2023 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:49:04 | |
Announcement
Highlights
Summer 2023 Book Preview [5:13]June Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
August Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
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| 11 Mar 2020 | Mini Ep. 50: Dual Timelines & Reading an Author's Backlist with Julia Spence (@GameOfReading) | 00:25:49 | |
In Mini Episode 50, Julia Spence (@gameofreading) talks about her love for dual timelines in her books and reading an author’s backlist. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Julia’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Julia Julia is an actuary at an insurance company in Boston, MA. During her 9-5 job, she deals with numbers, but after work she unwinds with a book. She’s been an avid reader since grade school and reads more than 200 books a year. When she’s not reading, you can find her obsessively stalking Taylor Swift online or passionately cheering on Boston sports teams. Next EpisodeFull length episode featuring Steph Hockersmith of Pie Lady Books (airing Wednesday, March 18). Support the Podcast
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| 14 Oct 2020 | Ep. 68: Eilene Zimmerman (Author of Smacked: A Story of White-Collar Ambition, Addiction, and Tragedy) + Book Recommendations | 00:50:19 | |
In Episode 68, Eilene Zimmerman (author of Smacked) shares how she decided to go public with her experience discovering her ex-husband was addicted to drugs, her research into addiction in the legal profession, and how Peter’s death shaped Eilene’s life now. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Eilene’s Book Recommendations [30:38]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Eilene Read [46:54]
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About EileneEilene Zimmerman is a journalist and social worker. For three decades, she has written about business, technology and social issues for a wide array of national magazines and newspapers. She was a columnist for The New York Times Sunday Business section for six years and since 2004 has been a regular contributor to the newspaper. In September 2020, Zimmerman completed a masters degree in social work. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Peace Adzo Medie, author of His Only Wife (airing October 28). | |||
| 10 Jul 2019 | Ep. 24: Grace Atwood & Becca Freeman from the Bad on Paper Podcast | 00:47:48 | |
In Episode 24, Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman (Co-Hosts of the Bad on Paper Podcast) join me to talk New York City books and bookstores and share their experience as Book of the Month judges. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Grace and Becca’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books They Love
Two NEW Books They Love
Two Books They Didn’t Love
Two New Releases They’re Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
The Bad on Paper PodcastPodcast Website | Instagram | Facebook Group About GraceThe Stripe blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Grace Atwood is the founder + voice behind The Stripe. She is also the co-host of podcast, Bad on Paper. Currently based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Grace grew up on Cape Cod, which she credits for her love of the ocean (and probably a nautical stripe or two). The blog began in January of 2010 (originally Stripes & Sequins), born out of a love of fashion, beauty, and making. Prior to running this site full time, Grace was the director of social media for BaubleBar. Before that, she worked in marketing for Procter & Gamble and Coty. She has spoken about social media and blogging at panels for Internet Week, ShopStyle, General Assembly, and IFB. She’s been featured in Glamour, The Coveteur, StyleWatch, Apartment Therapy and more. In 2019 she was named one of The Daily Front Row‘s 50 names to know right now. Outside of work, Grace’s passions include food, wine, art, yoga, reading, her Persian cat Tyrion and exploring everything New York and Brooklyn have to offer. About BeccaBecca is a freelance marketing consultant in NYC. Previously, she was the Head of Marketing at LOLA. When not working, reading, or podcasting, Becca loves plane tickets, red wine, and 30 Rock reruns and has never met a dog in a costume she hasn’t liked. Support the Podcast
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| 03 Feb 2021 | Ep. 75: Ashley Audrain (Author of The Push) + Book Recommendations | 00:55:32 | |
In Episode 75, Ashley Audrain (author of The Push) joined me to talk about society’s expectations of mothers, how her publishing background influenced an early draft of The Push, and what it’s like to read and write dark stores. This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link Highlights
Ashley’s Book Recommendations [33:59]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Ashley Read [50:02]
Other Books Mentioned
About AshleyAshley previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada. Prior to Penguin, she worked in public relations. She is a graduate of the Media, Information & Technoculture program at Western University. She lives in Toronto, where she and her partner are raising their two young children. The Push is her first novel. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Laura Tremaine, the author of Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First. and the host of the podcast 10 Things to Tell You (airing February 17). | |||
| 05 Feb 2020 | Ep. 45: Liz Moore (Author of Long Bright River) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:06 | |
In Episode 45, Liz Moore (author of Long Bright River) talks about the inspiration and research for her novel, mystery / thriller twists, and that comparison to The Girl on the Train. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Liz’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout LizHer first novel, The Words of Every Song (Broadway Books, 2007), centers on a fictional record company in New York City just after the turn of the millennium. It draws partly on Liz’s own experiences as a musician. It was selected for Borders’ Original Voices program and was given a starred review by Kirkus. Roddy Doyle wrote of it, “This is a remarkable novel, elegant, wise, and beautifully constructed. I loved the book.” After the publication of her debut novel, Liz obtained her MFA in Fiction from Hunter College. In 2009, she was awarded the University of Pennsylvania’s ArtsEdge residency and moved to Philadelphia. Her second novel, Heft, was published by W.W. Norton in January 2012 to popular and critical acclaim. Of Heft, The New Yorker wrote, “Moore’s characters are lovingly drawn…a truly original voice”; The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Few novelists of recent memory have put our bleak isolation into words as clearly as Liz Moore does in her new novel”; and editor Sara Nelson wrote in O, The Oprah Magazine, “Beautiful…Stunningly sad and heroically hopeful.” The novel was published in five countries, was long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and was included on several “Best of 2012” lists, including those of NPR and the Apple iBookstore. Moore’s short fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in venues such as Tin House, The New York Times, and Narrative Magazine. She is the winner of the Medici Book Club Prize and Philadelphia’s Athenaeum Literary Award. After winning a 2014 Rome Prize in Literature, she spent 2014-15 at the American Academy in Rome, completing her third novel. That novel, The Unseen World, was published by W.W. Norton in July of 2016. Louisa Hall called it “fiercely intelligent” in her review in The New York Times; Susan Coll called it “enthralling . . . ethereal and elegant . . . a rich and convincing period piece” in her review in the Washington Post. The Unseen World was included in “Best of 2016” lists by The New Yorker, the BBC, Publishers Weekly, Vox, Google Play, and Audible.com, among others. Moore’s fourth novel, Long Bright River, is forthcoming from Riverhead Books in January 2020. She lives with her family in Philadelphia and is a faculty member of the MFA program in Creative Writing at Temple University. Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Aubree Cheadle (@mnreadingmama)…airing February 12. Support the Podcast
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| 31 Mar 2021 | Ep. 80: Spring 2021 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:53:22 | |
Welcome to the Spring 2021 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out April – May 2021 (plus, 2 June 1 releases!). Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2021 blog post, which is coming out soon. I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also some that I didn’t! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Spring 2021 Book Preview [5:49]April Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
May Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
June 1 Sarah’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 13 Jul 2022 | Ep. 117: Annie Hartnett (Author of Unlikely Animals) + Book Recommendations | 00:48:36 | |
In Episode 117, Annie Hartnett, author of Unlikely Animals, shares the intriguing backstory behind her new novel. She is wonderfully candid and shares interesting tidbits from the germ of the idea, through some of the editing process, all the way to the finished book and finding a publisher.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Annie’s Book Recommendations [33:09]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Annie Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Annie HartnettIn addition to her new book, Unlikely Animals, Annie Hartnett is the author of Rabbit Cake, which was listed as one of Kirkus Reviews’s Best Books of 2017 and a finalist for the New England Book Award. She has received fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library. She studied philosophy at Hamilton College, has an MA from Middlebury College, and an MFA from the University of Alabama. When she began writing Unlikely Animals, she was living in the groundskeeper’s house in a cemetery. She now lives in a small town in Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and darling border collie, Mr. Willie Nelson. | |||
| 10 Apr 2019 | Ep. 14: Lindsey J. Palmer (Author of Otherwise Engaged) | 00:43:10 | |
In Episode 14, Lindsey J. Palmer (author of Otherwise Engaged) joins me to talk about her book and her reading and writing life. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Lindsey’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One Upcoming Releases She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About LindseyAuthor Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook After a childhood spent devouring every book and magazine I could get my hands on and dreaming up stories that took place along the Oregon Trail, I left the suburbs of Boston to attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As an English major and Benjamin Franklin Honors Scholar, I continued devouring every book and magazine I could get my hands on and dreaming up stories (most of which didn’t take place along the Oregon Trail). Post-college, I shipped out to bucolic Vermont to teach creative writing and Pilates to high school kids at a summer arts camp. There, I picked blueberries, ran across rolling hills, and realized I was not nearly mature enough to be teaching anyone much of anything. And so I moved to Manhattan and broke into magazine publishing, starting at Glamour and then moving on to Redbook and next Self, where I was Features Editor. I worked on stories about relationships and sex, parenting, social activism, career and finances, and well-being; I interviewed the occasional V.I.P. (including Michelle Obama and both Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, a.k.a. Coach and Mrs. Taylor for Friday Night Lights fans); and I gathered material for what would eventually become my debut novel, PRETTY IN INK. After nearly a decade in publishing, I decided I was finally ready to try my hand at teaching again. So I waved goodbye to magazines and began my Master’s of English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. I took classes on Shakespeare and adolescent literature, and talked books with teenagers. I then joined the faculty of NEST+m, a Manhattan public high school, as the A.P. Literature and Creative Writing teacher, plus advisor of the literary magazine, the yearbook, and National Honor Society. During my three years of teaching, I aspired to be a slightly more down-to-earth reincarnation of my favorite fictional teacher, Miss Jean Brody. These days, I work as a scriptwriter at BrainPOP, an animated educational site for kids. I spend my days researching topics as diverse as Nuclear Fusion, Emily Dickinson, and the Tuskegee Airmen, and then translating what I’ve learned into an engaging, narrative format. My scripts get made into short films to be shown in classrooms grades 4-10, nationwide and around the world. I live in Brooklyn, NY with my husband and 1-year-old daughter. Support the Podcast
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| 29 Jan 2020 | Mini Ep. 44: Historical Fiction & History Nonfiction with Jayda Justus (@TheHistoryMom) | 00:31:33 | |
In Mini Episode 44, Jayda Justus (@thehistorymom) shares historical fiction and nonfiction history books paired with historical sites. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Jayda’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About JaydaJayda Justus is a writer and blogger at “The History Mom,” where she reviews historical sites and experiences for families. These reviews provide helpful tips and reading lists to enhance visits for families and encourage parents to make historical sightseeing part of their vacations. She is originally from the historical town of Kings Mountain, NC, and lives in Richmond, VA. Previously, Jayda worked as Legislative Director for Rep. Sue Myrick on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and majored in History and Political Science at Furman University. Her blog can be found at https://thehistorymom.com. She was recently featured on NBC 12’s RVA Parenting and was a panelist at the 1455 Summer Literary Festival. Support the Podcast
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| 25 Mar 2020 | Mini Ep. 52: A Couple Differing Opinions with Sarah Verity Collica (@seize_the_page) | 00:33:27 | |
In Mini Episode 52, Sarah Verity Collica (@seize_the_page) and I talk about a couple books we have differing opinions about…plus, She Said vs. Catch and Kill. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). 2020 Podcast SurveyI’d love it if you could take a couple minutes to complete the 2020 Podcast Survey. I’d love to hear your feedback about what’s working, what’s not working, and the direction you’d like to see the podcast take. I’ll be using this feedback as I plan for next Fall. And, your responses are anonymous! Highlights
Sarah’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Sarah Sarah works full time for a summer camp and year-round retreat center. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband two daughters and two dogs. Sarah has been an avid reader since she was little and could often be found sitting in the corner at family events with a book or staying up late reading under the covers. She read Babysitters Club books until she was way too old and started stealing her mom’s Danielle Steele books when she was way too young. Next EpisodeSpring 2020 Book Preview with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books (airing Wednesday, April 1). Support the Podcast
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| 18 Sep 2024 | Ep. 178: Behind the Scenes of Amazon's Best Books Lists with Al Woodworth, Senior Editor & Manager of Amazon Books Editorial + Book Recommendations | 00:54:48 | |
In Episode 178, Al Woodworth, Senior Editor and Manager at Amazon Books Editorial, goes behind the scenes of Amazon’s editorial division, including the start-to-finish process of building the “Best Books” lists, what “best” might mean, and what helps a book make the list. Plus, Al shares some of her book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Al’s Book Recommendations [38:26]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Al Read
Books From Our Discussion
About Al WoodworthMore about Amazon Book Review Al Woodworth is a Senior Editor on the Amazon Books Editorial team and has spent more than ten years in the book industry, championing authors and their work. She’s never without a book or four in her bag and is happiest reading memoirs and literary fiction, especially sprawling stories that cross generations and countries. She lives in Brooklyn. | |||
| 22 Mar 2023 | Ep. 135: William Landay (Author of All That Is Mine I Carry With Me) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:01 | |
In episode 135, author William Landay discusses his latest novel, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, while also sharing his background as a prosecutor and how he incorporates family drama into his crime novels. William shares a couple elements of his book that changed throughout the writing process (including how it was almost meta fiction!). We also chat about how the court of public opinion shapes the idea of doubt in his book and how the different perspectives play a role in creating suspense. Plus, William gives us his book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
William’s Book Recommendations [36:06]Two OLD Books He Loves
Two NEW Books He Loves
William’s Take on UPCOMING RELEASES [46:32] Last 5-Star Book William Read
Other Books Mentioned
About William LandayWilliam Landay is the author of All That Is Mine I Carry With Me and three previous novels: Defending Jacob, which won the Strand Critics Award for best mystery novel; The Strangler, listed as a best crime novel of the year by the L.A. Times, Daily Telegraph and others; and Mission Flats, winner of the Dagger Award for best first crime novel. A former assistant district attorney, he lives in Boston. | |||
| 01 May 2024 | Ep. 167: Circling Back to 2018 in Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:54:46 | |
In Ep. 167, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I are circling back to 2018 in the book world with a special retrospective episode! We share big bookish highlights for that year, including book news, award winners, and what was going on in the world outside of reading. We also talk about our own 2018 reading and our favorite 2018 releases. Plus, you’ll hear listener-submitted favorites! This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Circling Back to 2018 in Books [2:05]The World Beyond Books
The Book Industry
Book Trends
Big Books of 2018
Our Top Books of 2018
Listeners’ Top Books of 2018
Other Links
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| 04 Mar 2020 | Ep. 49: Zibby Owens (Host of Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books Podcast) | 00:39:16 | |
In Episode 49, Zibby Owens (Host of the Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books Podcast) talks about what it’s like to interview authors and shares some of her favorite memoirs. This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99! Highlights
Zibby’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
Two NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About ZibbyWebsite | Personal Instagram | Podcast Instagram | Twitter Zibby Owens is a writer and mother of four in New York City. She is the creator and host of award-winning literary podcast, “Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books” and runs a literary salon with author events and book fairs from her home. Zibby published her first article, a personal essay for Seventeen magazine, when she was in high school and has been writing ever since. She has covered topics such as books, parenting, health/fitness, weddings, grief, friendship, beauty, and aging. Most recently, she has focused on finding the humor in the everyday struggles of motherhood. She is represented by Joe Veltre at Gersh. Her work has appeared in Redbook, Marie Claire, Shape, SELF, Modern Bride and other magazines, as well as online in the New York Times, Parents, TODAY Parents, Huff Post, Scary Mommy, What’s Up Moms, Kveller, Mommy Nearest and Medium. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Zibby has a marketing and branding background, especially for start-ups and consumer products companies. She currently lives in Manhattan, where she was born and raised, with her four children ages 5-12 and her husband, Kyle Owens, of Morning Moon Productions. Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Julia Spence (@gameofreading)…airing March 11. Support the Podcast
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| 16 Jan 2019 | Ep. 3: Susie from Novel Visits (Fiction Audiobook Recommendations) | 00:37:27 | |
In Episode 3, I'm back to my regular format with Susie from the blog Novel Visits (one of my top recommendation sources!). Susie recently fell in love with audiobooks and, unlike me, listens to fiction on audio. Join us for her fiction audiobook recommendations! Highlights
Susie’s Fiction Audiobook RecommendationsTwo OLD Audiobooks She Loves
Two NEW Audiobooks She Loves
One Audiobook She Didn’t Love
One Upcoming Release She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About SusieBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, I began journaling about the books I read and turned that passion into writing about books. My first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but I soon realized I wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of my own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, I love being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish.
Support the Podcast
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| 18 May 2022 | Ep. 112: 2022 Summer Reading Special with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 01:06:51 | |
Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guides, some deep backlist books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for four categories featured in Sarah’s 2022 Summer Reading Guide.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)…
Our Summer Reading GuidesSummer Reading [4:23]Books That Missed Last Year’s Summer Reading Guides [4:58]Sarah
Susie
Backlist Books That Are Great for Summer Reading [25:30]Sarah
Susie
Our #1 Summer Picks by Category [42:08]Something Light / Fun
Something Fast Paced / Intense
Something with a Bit More Substance
Something Different
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Susie BoutryBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| 05 Apr 2023 | Ep. 137: Spring 2023 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:48:47 | |
Welcome to the Spring 2023 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share 12 of our most anticipated books releasing in April and May.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Spring 2023 Book Preview [5:19]April Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
May Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
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| 08 May 2019 | Ep. 18: Allison from Mind Joggle (Books about Motherhood) | 00:44:13 | |
In Episode 18, Allison from the blog Mind Joggle joins me to talk about the mental load of motherhood, how to relieve it, and share books about motherhood. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Allison’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One New Release She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About AllisonAllison writes at Mind Joggle about books, reading, writing, creativity, learning, and anything related and in between. She’s always said that her dream job would be reading books for a living. She didn’t quite go either route, opting instead for a “practical” writing career that more easily pays the bills. Nonetheless, those dreams of long, cozy days composing the stories that play out in her head persist—as does her love of great books, writing stories, learning interesting things, and discussing it all with others. Next Week’s EpisodeSpring 2019 Book Preview with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books (airing May 15) Support the Podcast
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| 18 Aug 2021 | Ep. 91: Caitlin Wahrer (Author of The Damage) + Book Recommendations | 00:52:19 | |
In Episode 91, Caitlin Wahrer (author of The Damage) shares how she decided to tackle sexual assault of a man by a man, how she felt about writing a gay male protagonist as a straight woman, and how the U.S. legal system is re-traumatizing for sexual assault victims. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Caitlin’s Book Recommendations [31:19]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book(s) Caitlin Read [49:03]
Other Books Mentioned
About CaitlinCaitlin is a Maine girl through and through. She was born to two hippies who raised her in a small town in central-southern Maine without a single stoplight in it. Caitlin left the state for four years to study criminal justice and marriage and family studies at a college in Pennsylvania. She returned to Maine after graduation to attend law school and practice law. She and her husband live in southern Maine with their dog. | |||
| 17 Feb 2021 | Ep. 76: Laura Tremaine (Author of Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First & Host of 10 Things to Tell You Podcast) + Book Recommendations | 01:09:08 | |
In Episode 76, Laura Tremaine (author of Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First. and host of 10 Things to Tell You podcast) joins me to talk about why women in mid-life have trouble sharing, how she chose the 10 prompts in her book, how her book club chooses the books they read, and how her reading has been recently. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Laura’s Book Recommendations [36:03]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Laura Read [1:03:33]
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links MentionedAbout LauraLaura Tremaine grew up in small town Oklahoma and moved to Los Angeles sight unseen when she was twenty-two years old. She worked in film and television production for many years at MTV, VH1, Fox, and Paramount Pictures, before pursuing writing full time. Laura has been sharing her life online for ten years. She writes about friendship, anxiety, motherhood, and marriage. Her blog posts and podcast episodes resonate with women looking for ways to connect more deeply with others as they transform from one era of life into another. Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and their two children. | |||
| 07 Aug 2024 | Ep. 175: 2024 Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 00:51:34 | |
In Episode 175, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I explore our favorite Micro Genres for 2024. Over the past year, we’ve continued to refine our reading tastes and identify specific themes and types of books that resonate deeply with us. This year, Susie and I have a curated list of 10 all-new Micro Genres, along with standout books from each category. It’s another big episode with tons of great book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Cold War Espionage (Sarah) [3:19]Sarah
Susie
Angsty Motherhood (Susie) [7:21]Sarah
Susie
Memoirs About the Demise of a Marriage (Sarah) [12:18]Sarah
Susie
Pandemic Stories (Susie) [15:26]NOT Based on the COVID-19 Pandemic & More Dystopian [15:49] Sarah
Susie
With the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Background [18:28] Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Did She Actually Say That?! (Sarah) [23:03]Sarah
Susie
Books Revolving Around Generational Trauma (Susie) [27:34]Sarah
Susie
Co-Ed Friend Groups (Sarah) [32:18]Sarah
Susie
Peace, Love, and Rock n’ Roll / Books Set in the ’60s & ’70s (Susie) [36:58]Susie
Surprisingly High-Quality Celebrity Memoirs (Sarah) [40:33]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Look Backs (Susie) [44:38]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
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| 20 Mar 2024 | Ep. 164: Winter 2024 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:55:28 | |
In today’s episode, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I circle back to the 16 books we featured in the Winter 2024 Book Preview. We’ll be sharing our reading stats and thoughts on the books we’ve read (or attempted), to help you decide which ones to add to your reading list and which ones to skip.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Books We Read Before the Preview [3:44]Sarah’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
Winter 2024 Circle Back [9:14]January Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
February Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
March Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Pick
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 10 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle, WA. | |||
| 18 Sep 2019 | Ep. 30: Southern Books with Deb & Amy of Bless Your Heart Book Club | 00:37:03 | |
In Episode 30, Deb and Amy from the Bless Your Heart Book Club join me to talk Southern literature…and obviously a heavy dose of Pat Conroy! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Amy and Deb’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books They Love
Two NEW Books They Love
Two Books They DIDN’T Love
Two NEW RELEASES They’re Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksThe Bless Your Heart Book ClubDeb and Amy discovered a common passion for Southern writing after meeting on Bookstagram. Their goal is to share Southern voice, setting and authors, with readers who join in their monthly book club. About DebDeb is an adopted Texan, having lived there for just 3 years. She is originally from metropolitan Boston, spent 15 years in Vermont and 10 in New York before heading South. She is happiest when surrounded by her many animals and family. She loves spending time in the barn with her horse Sterling (who many of you know from her stories) and cycling is her go-to hobby. Professionally, she is a college admissions counselor. About AmyAmy is a North Carolina native who reads her way through all the genres. At the end of the day, Southern Fiction will always hold her heart. She currently lives in the Piedmont with her husband, two sons and three dogs. Try to pick which is her favorite….spoiler…it’s the dogs. Support the Podcast
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| 12 Jun 2024 | Ep. 171: Rufi Thorpe (Author of Margo's Got Money Troubles) + Book Recommendations | 00:57:00 | |
In Episode 171, Rufi Thorpe she joins me to discuss her latest novel, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and her career arc in general. Rufi talks about her inspiration for Margo and the quirky elements she uses to explore deeper topics like loneliness, motherhood, untraditional family dynamics, money, and art — all with a great sense of humor. We also go behind-the-scenes of marketing the book, including cover design, titles, and comparison titles. Plus, Rufi shares her book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Rufi’s Book Recommendations [39:30]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Rufi Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Rufi ThorpeWebsite | Instagram | X | Facebook Rufi Thorpe received her MFA from the University of Virginia in 2009. Rufi is the author of The Knockout Queen, a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, Dear Fang, With Love, and her first novel, The Girls from Corona del Mar, which was long-listed for the 2014 International Dylan Thomas Prize and for the 2014 Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize. A California native, she currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and sons. | |||
| 22 Jan 2025 | Ep. 186: The Best Backlist Books We Read in 2024 with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:52:53 | |
In Episode 186, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Sarah share the best backlist books they read in 2024. They discuss their top 5 backlist books from last year, highlight some underrated backlist gems, and review their backlist reading statistics. Devoting an entire episode to backlist reading is now an annual tradition at Sarah’s Bookshelves Live — a team and listener favorite!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement
Highlights
Our Top 5 Backlist Books We Read in 2024 [6:27]Catherine
Sarah
Other Books Mentioned
Underrated Backlist Gems [38:56]Catherine
Sarah
Other Books Mentioned
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| 07 Aug 2019 | Ep. 26: Beck Dorey-Stein (Author of From the Corner of the Oval) + Book Recommendations | 00:46:07 | |
In Episode 26, Beck Dorey-Stein, author of From the Corner of the Oval (my review), joins me to talk about working in the White House, being in your 20’s, and her second book! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Beck’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One New Release She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
About BeckAuthor Website | Instagram |Facebook | Twitter A graduate of Wesleyan University, BECK DOREY-STEIN worked as a White House stenographer from 2012 to 2017. Previously she worked as a high school English teacher in Hightstown, New Jersey, Washington, DC, and Seoul, South Korea. This is her first book. Support the Podcast
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| 26 Mar 2025 | Ep. 191: Winter 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GIlmoreGuide) | 00:56:43 | |
In Episode 191, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2025 Book Preview. They share their reading stats, chat about what they liked, and what didn’t work out.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Books Read Before the Preview [1:46]January Sarah’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
Winter 2025 Circle Back [7:42]January Sarah’s Pick
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
February Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Pick
Other Books Mentioned
March Sarah’s Pick
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
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| 20 Apr 2022 | Ep. 110: Memoir / Essays 101 with Mary Laura Philpott (Author of Bomb Shelter) + Book Recommendations | 00:53:37 | |
In Episode 110, Mary Laura Philpott (author of Bomb Shelter) joins me for a deep dive into the memoir & essays genre, including the differences between a memoir and an essay collection, the level of involvement from editors and publishers, and how she personally approaches writing a memoir or essays.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Mary Laura’s Book Recommendations [32:31]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
The CURRENT READING TREND She DOESN’T Love One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Mary Laura Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Mary Laura PhilpottWebsite | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Mary Laura Philpott is the author of the brand-new memoir, Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives, which has been named an Indie Next pick by booksellers nationwide, an Amazon Editor’s Choice selection, and a best book of the spring or most anticipated book of the year by publications ranging from the Washington Post to TODAY.com, among others. She is also the author of the national bestseller I Miss You When I Blink — which was named one of NPR’s Favorite Books of 2019 and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Her writing has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and other publications. Additionally, Mary Laura (yes, she goes by both names) is a former bookseller and was an Emmy-winning co-host of A Word on Words, the literary interview program on Nashville Public Television. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family. | |||
| 14 Apr 2021 | Ep. 81: Behind the Scenes of Narrating Audiobooks with Julia Whelan (Audiobook Narrator) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:40 | |
In Episode 81, audiobook narrator Julia Whelan goes behind the scenes of narrating audiobooks. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Julia’s Book Recommendations [36:53]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book(s) Julia Read [48:56]
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout JuliaHaving narrated over 400 audiobooks in all genres, Whelan is, by industry standards, considered one of the top narrators recording today. She’s repeatedly featured on Audiofile Magazine’s annual Best-Of Lists. She was named Audible’s Narrator of the Year in 2014 and is a Grammy-nominated audiobook director. She has acquired multiple Audies and SOVAS (Society of Voice Arts) Awards, including for the performance of her own novel, My Oxford Year. She has won dozens of Earphone Awards, The Audie Award for Best Female Narrator of 2019, and was presented with Audiofile Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Golden Voice Award in 2020. She attributes her distinctive style of narration to her ongoing passion for literature fueled by her decades of acting experience. | |||
| 04 Oct 2023 | Ep. 152: Liz Nugent (Author of Strange Sally Diamond) + Book Recommendations | 00:53:35 | |
In Episode 152, author Liz Nugent talks about her latest novel, Strange Sally Diamond. Liz is known for her dark and psychological storytelling. Strange Sally Diamond is character-driven, delving deep into psychology and trauma, and despite Sally’s damaged nature, Liz portrays her with empathy and nuance. Strange Sally Diamond challenges us to consider the “why” behind someone’s behavior. Plus, we get some great book recommendations from Liz.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Liz’s Book Recommendations [32:45]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
TWO NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Liz Read
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links | |||
| 02 Oct 2019 | Ep. 32: Cristina Arreola (Senior Books Editor at Bustle) | 00:45:55 | |
In Episode 32, Cristina talks about her job as Senior Books Editor at Bustle and her path to that job, Bustle’s approach to recommending books, and shares her book recommendations (some by Latina authors). PLUS – You can now get bonus podcast content by supporting Sarah’s Bookshelves Live on Patreon! Check out details here and sign up here! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Cristina’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About CristinaCristina Mari Arreola is the Senior Books Editor at Bustle, where she writes about literary fiction, nonfiction, young adult novels, romance novels, and whatever Reese Witherspoon posts about on Instagram. Cristina also talks about books at Book of the Month, where she recommends books on an intermittent basis. She also served as a judge for the 2018 PEN America Open Book Award. In her free time, Cristina reads books, talks about books, hangs out with other people who loves books, visits bookstores, and thinks about how she should maybe get another hobby. Support the Podcast
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| 27 Nov 2024 | Ep. 183: Best Books of 2024 Superlatives with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 01:05:25 | |
In Ep. 183, we’re starting the wrap-up of 2024 with the first of our two year-end episodes: Best Books of 2024 Superlatives with Susie (@NovelVisits). In this episode, we’re sharing our top books of the year across over 25 Superlative categories, including Most Deserving of the Hype, Best Pairing, an “Eat My Words” book, Most Memorable Cast of Characters, and so much more!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements
HighlightsOur best books of the year from over 25 categories, including:
2024 Superlatives [3:42]Susie
Sarah
Other Books Mentioned
About Susie BoutryBlog | Facebook | Instagram | X Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| 05 Oct 2022 | Ep. 124: Candice Carty-Williams (Author of People Person) + Book Recommendations | 00:46:59 | |
Candice Carty-Williams joins me for a spoiler-free discussion of her sophomore novel, People Person. In People Person, Candice writes about serious issues in a light-hearted way that’s full of dry humor. She explores questions of obligation to family — especially family to whom you were not previously close. Plus, Candice shares her book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Candice’s Book Recommendations [21:26]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Candice Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Candice Carty-WilliamsCandice Carty-Williams is a writer and the author of the Sunday Times (London) bestselling Queenie, which was been shortlisted by Goodreads for book of the year in 2019. In 2016, Candice created and launched the Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, the first inclusive initiative of its kind in book publishing. Candice has written for The Guardian, i-D, Vogue, every iteration of The Sunday Times (London), Beat magazine, Black Ballad, and more. She will probably always live in South London. | |||
| 27 Jul 2022 | Ep. 118: Editing Literary Fiction with Caroline Zancan (Senior Editor at Henry Holt) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:24 | |
In Episode 118, Caroline Zancan, Senior Editor at Henry Holt, joins me for another episode in the Genre 101 series — this time with a twist. Caroline answers behind-the-scenes questions about editing literary fiction, as well as a deep dive into the genre itself.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
Highlights
Caroline’s Book Recommendations [39:19]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
The Series of Books She DIDN’T Love One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Caroline Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Caroline ZancanCaroline Zancan is a Senior Editor at Holt, acquiring literary and upmarket fiction and memoir, and the author of We Wish You Luck and Local Girls. She is a graduate of Kenyon College and holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. Caroline lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their children. | |||
| 12 Jan 2022 | Ep. 102: Winter 2022 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:56:54 | |
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out January – March 2022 (and one early April release). Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2022 blog post, coming out soon. On there, I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this episode, but also some I didn’t. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Winter 2022 Book Preview [4:01]January Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
February Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Pick:
March Sarah’s Pick:
Catherine’s Picks:
April Sarah’s Pick:
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links*Book’s release date changed since the time of recording. About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 11 Jan 2023 | Ep. 130: Winter 2023 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:51:07 | |
Welcome to the Winter 2023 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing January through March.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Winter 2023 Book Preview [4:34]JANUARY Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
FEBRUARY Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
MARCH Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links | |||
| 28 Apr 2021 | Ep. 82: JoAnne Tompkins (Author of What Comes After) + Book Recommendations | 00:50:53 | |
In Episode 82, JoAnne Tompkins (author of the debut novel What Comes After) shares how her previous career inspired her to write this story, the real-life case that partially inspired the book, and how she wrote a character-driven novel that was also a page turner. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
JoAnne’s Book Recommendations [30:35]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book(s) JoAnne Read [47:40]
Other Books Mentioned
About JoAnneJoAnne Tompkins is the author of WHAT COMES AFTER, published April 2021 by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Her first career as a trial lawyer and mediator immersed her in lives disrupted by conflict, injury, and far too often violence and abuse. Yet, she discovered in many a resiliency and passion for life that continues to move her. Her written work explores the small moments that hold the possibility of transformation and for finding grace in life’s darkest times. Her short work has appeared in journals such as High Country News, Lithub, Writer in the World, Stratus: Journal of Arts and Writing. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She lives in Port Townsend, Washington. | |||
| 28 Oct 2020 | Ep. 69: Peace Adzo Medie (Author of Reese's Book Club October pick His Only Wife) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:54 | |
In Episode 69, Peace Adzo Medie (author of His Only Wife) talks about why she decided to use fiction to speak out about gender politics, the importance of women asserting themselves, and when first started writing (it was when she was very young!). Please note that this episode was recorded before His Only Wife was announced as Reese’s Book Club’s October pick. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Peace’s Book Recommendations [34:08]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Peace Read [49:16]
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout PeacePeace Adzo Medie is a scholar and writer. She is Senior Lecturer in Gender and International Politics at the University of Bristol. Her research addresses gender, politics, and conflict in Africa. Her book, Global Norms and Local Action: The Campaigns to End Violence against Women in Africa, was published in March 2020 by Oxford University Press. Her debut novel, His Only Wife, was published in September 2020 by Algonquin Books and selected as the October Pick for Reese’s Book Club. Medie’s research has been supported by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, and the Social Science Research Council, and her findings have been published in African Affairs, International Studies Review, Politics & Gender, and the European Journal of Politics and Gender. Her work has won several awards, including the 2019 Best Paper Award of the European Journal of Politics and Gender. Her short stories have appeared in Slice Magazine, Transition, Four Way Review, and elsewhere. She is a co-editor of African Affairs, the top-ranked African Studies journal and is also a Research Fellow at LECIAD, University of Ghana, and a 2015 – 2017 Oxford-Princeton Global Leaders Fellow. She earned a BA in Geography from the University of Ghana, an MA in International Studies from Ohio University, and a PhD in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. She attended OLA Girls Secondary School, Ho. Medie is represented by Kiele Raymond at Thompson Literary Agency. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode about all things audiobooks featuring Claire Handscombe from Libro.fm (airing November 11). | |||
| 02 Jan 2019 | Ep. 1: Georgia Hunter (Mostly Historical Fiction Recommendations) | 00:47:51 | |
Bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones, Georgia Hunter, joins me to share her (mostly) historical fiction book recommendations, talk about the impact her novel had on her life and her family, and go behind-the-scenes of her recent book tour. Highlights
Georgia Hunter’s (Mostly) Historical Fiction RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One Upcoming Release She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Georgia HunterAuthor Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to write. I penned my first “novel” when I was four years old, and titled itCharlie Walks the Beast after my father’s recently published sci-fi novel, Softly Walks the Beast. When I was eleven, I pitched an article—an Opinion piece on how I’d spend my last day if the world were about to come to an end—to the local newspaper. Since that debut in the Attleboro Sun Chronicle, my personal essays and photos have been featured in places like the New York Times “Why We Travel,” in travelgirl magazine, and on Equitrekking.com. I’ve also taken on the role of freelance copywriter in the world of adventure travel, crafting marketing materials for outfitters such as Austin Adventures and The Explorer’s Passage. In 2000, a family reunion opened my eyes to the astounding war stories of my grandfather and his family. Eight years later, armed with a digital voice recorder and a moleskin notebook, I set off to unearth and record my family’s story. I spent nearly a decade traversing the globe, interviewing family and digging up records from every possible source I could think of, eventually piecing together the bones of what would become my novel, We Were the Lucky Ones.
Support the Podcast
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| 17 Mar 2021 | Ep. 78: Deep Backlist Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:55:24 | |
In Episode 78, Catherine Gilmore (@gilmoreguide) and I go deep into our backlists to share some of our favorite older books we haven’t talked about in a long time! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Deep Backlist Books [2:25]Sarah
Catherine
Other Books Mentioned
About CatherineBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 25 Nov 2020 | Ep. 71: Best Books of 2020 and Bookish Superlatives with Susie from @NovelVisits | 01:09:21 | |
In Episode 71, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite 2020 books (overall and by genre) and our picks for tons of bookish superlatives. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). AnnouncementsHighlights
Our Favorite Books of 2020 (Overall and by Genre) [19:31]Sarah
Susie
2020 Superlatives [45:01]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About SusieBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books I read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend’s blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of my own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| 20 Feb 2019 | Ep. 8: Carla from Happiest When Reading (Tracking Your Reading) | 00:45:46 | |
In Episode 8 (the episode in which I have a really bad cold and don’t sound like myself!), Carla from @happiestwhenreading and I talk fitting in reading amongst our mom activities, reading goals, and tracking your reading! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Carla’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One Upcoming Release She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About CarlaBlog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter As a stay-at-home mama to two “tween” kids, I finally have more time to dedicate to reading. I have loved getting back into a passion of mine that I’ve had since I was a small girl. But sadly, what I quickly came to realize is that I really don’t have a lot of local reading friends. As a way to connect with others who love to read just as much as I do, I started my “Bookstagram” account (@happiestwhenreading). This community has given me a place to engage in bookish conversations, and I can truly say I have made so many online friendships that I’m truly grateful to have. Support the Podcast
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| 24 Jun 2020 | Ep. 62: Behind the Scenes of Book Marketing with Morgan Hoit (@nycbookgirl, Avid Reader Press) + Book Recommendations | 00:54:11 | |
In Episode 62, Morgan Hoit (Associate Marketing Manager at Avid Reader Press & @nycbookgirl) and I go behind-the-scenes of book marketing…including read-alikes, celebrity book clubs, author blurbs, and cover art. Morgan also shares some of her favorite memoirs, a genre she’s been loving lately. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Morgan’s Book Recommendations [32:52]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
Two Books She DIDN’T Like
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Rate It Game [49:15]Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout MorganPrior to joining Avid Reader Press, Morgan worked as an Associate at Jill Furman Productions for two and a half years, where she assisted in the producing of new plays and musicals for Broadway and the NYC theater industry. At Avid Reader Press, Morgan is the voice of the imprint on social media and also manages title marketing campaigns, working closely with authors on their digital presence and social media strategy. In her free time, Morgan is also the content creator and book worm behind nycbookgirl – a blog dedicated to book recommendations, guides to NYC, and more. She was born in NYC and raised in New Jersey, and she graduated from Duke University magna cum laude with degrees in English and Theater Studies. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on its bi-weekly summer schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Helena Dea Bala, author of Craigslist Confessional (airing July 8). Support the Podcast
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| 09 Aug 2023 | Ep. 147: Lara Love Hardin (Author of The Many Lives of Mama Love) + Book Recommendations | 00:49:43 | |
In Episode 147, Lara Love Hardin joins me to discuss her memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love. Lara shares her journey from opioid addict (funded through credit card theft) to successful ghostwriter. Her warm and candid storytelling touches on themes of forgiveness, redemption, and unwavering resilience, demonstrating people’s ability to triumph over life’s darkest moments. This was a five-star book for me, and I am thrilled to explore such a deeply felt journey with Lara.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Lara’s Book Recommendations [33:59]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
Two NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Lara Read
Other LinksAbout Lara Love HardinWebsite | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Lara Love Hardin is the President and Founder of True Literary a full-service boutique literary agency. Hardin has an MFA in creative writing and is a 4-time New York Times bestselling writer, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Designing Your Life by Dave Evans and Bill Burnett, and 2018 Oprah Book Club pick, The Sun Does Shine, which she co-authored with Anthony Ray Hinton about his 30 years as an innocent man on Alabama’s death row. There are well over a million copies sold of the many books she has written, and you can find her on the title page and in the acknowledgments of books by Nelson Mandela, John Gottman, Evy Poumpouras, and other luminary authors on the Idea Architects roster. In 2019 she won a Christopher Award for her work “affirming the highest values of the human spirit.” In 2019, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award, won the Moore Prize in the UK, and was short-listed for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. In 2020, she launched her own division within Idea Architects (Idea Architects: True) as a literary agent specializing in memoir. She lives in La Selva Beach, California with her third husband, three dogs, three cats, and three teenagers. She also has 21 chickens, four ducks, and three adult sons who live at home on holidays and big laundry days. | |||
| 29 Apr 2020 | Ep. 56: Holly Root (Literary Agent) on the Rise of Rom-Coms & Publishing in the Coronavirus Era + Book Recommendations | 00:54:43 | |
In Episode 56, Holly Root (Literary Agent and Owner of Root Literary) talks about the rise of the rom-com and publishing in the coronavirus era…plus, the story of selling Jasmine Guillory’s debut novel to publishers. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Holly’s Book Recommendations [27:49]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
Discussion About Reading Books You Don’t Like [38:17] Two NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About
Rate It Game [43:30]Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About HollyHolly is the founder of Root Literary, which opened in 2017. Prior to opening her agency, she worked at Waxman Leavell Literary, Trident Media Group, and William Morris. Based in Los Angeles, her clients include #1 New York Times bestsellers, international bestsellers, RITA winners and nominees, and numerous titles named to Best Books of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, NPR, the American Library Association, RT Book Reviews, Kirkus, and Amazon. She represents authors of commercial fiction for adults and kids, as well as select nonfiction. Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Liz Hein (@lizhein89)…airing May 6. Support the Podcast
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| 26 Feb 2020 | Mini Ep. 48: Genevieve Trono (@GenTheBookworm) | 00:34:14 | |
In Mini Episode 48, Genevieve Trono (@genthebookworm) talks mood reading and shares her thoughts about Brit Bennett’s new book (which she’s already read)! SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99! This month, I chose You Are Not Alone, The Holdout, and Anna K. Check out my commentary on all the February picks to help choose the right book for your reading taste. Highlights
Genevieve’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About GenevieveGenevieve is a mom, wife, professional photographer, book blogger, library volunteer, and a motherhood book club facilitator. She lives with her husband of 10+ years, their two sons who are 7 & 9 and their springer spaniel named Buzz. She is a photographer and mostly does behind the scenes work now. She spends a lot of her work days editing in Lightroom and Photoshop which makes plenty of time for audiobooks! She also teaches photography classes. Support the Podcast
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| 18 Mar 2020 | Ep. 51: Steph Hockersmith (@PieLadyBooks) + Book Recommendations | 00:53:04 | |
In Episode 51, Steph Hockersmith (@pieladybooks), fresh off her appearance on Good Morning America, shares all the behind-the-scenes details of her book-themed pies, including her favorite dessert (it’s not pie!) and her goals for expanding Pie Lady Books. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99! My March Book of the Month pick was Hour of the Assassin by Matthew Quick…an espionage thriller (out of my usual wheelhouse, but I’m intrigued!). [1:29] Highlights
Steph’s Book Recommendations [24:42]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Rate It Game [43:58]Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About StephSteph lives is a stay-at-home Mom of two boys (ages 5 & 3) in Colorado Spring, CO. She has been gluten free for about 13 years and has been baking gluten free pies for about 12 years. She is a voracious reader and loves creating pie designs to go with the books she’s reading. And, she and her pies recently appeared on Good Morning America! Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Sarah Verity Collica (@seize_the_page)…airing March 25. Support the Podcast
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| 23 Mar 2022 | Ep. 107: Behind the Scenes of Ghostwriting with Barbara Feinman Todd (Author of Pretend I’m Not Here) + Book Recommendations | 00:51:37 | |
In Episode 107, Barbara Feinman Todd (author of Pretend I’m Not Here) takes me behind the scenes of ghostwriting after a career of writing for many top names in Washington, DC. Barbara is wonderfully candid and we have a fascinating discussion all about the nuts and bolts of ghostwriting, and the emotional and personal side of the business.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Barbara’s Book Recommendations [29:43]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Barbara Read
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout BarbaraBarbara Feinman Todd is the author of the 2017 memoir Pretend I’m Not Here. She taught journalism at Georgetown University for 25 years, where she was the founding Journalism Director and is currently professor emerita. Cofounder of the Pearl Project, she coauthored the e-book The Truth Left Behind: Inside the Kidnapping and Murder of Daniel Pearl. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Glamour, the Huffington Post, the Daily Beast, Newsweek, and on NPR. | |||
| 13 Nov 2024 | Ep. 182: Chelsea Bieker (Author of Madwoman) + Book Recommendations | 01:06:20 | |
In Episode 182, author Chelsea Bieker discusss her new novel, Madwoman, with Sarah. Chelsea shares how her own childhood inspired the fictional characters in her book and what parts of the book differ from her own experience. They talk about the trajectory of this intense and personal novel that began as a “funny little book about motherhood” and morphed into a story about trauma and abuse. Plus, Chelsea shares her book recommendations.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Chelsea’s Book Recommendations [46:01]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Chelsea Read
About Chelsea BiekerWebsite | Instagram | X | Facebook | SubstackChelsea Bieker is the author of three books, most recently the nationally bestselling novel, Madwoman, a Book of the Month club pick the New York Times calls “brilliant in its depiction of the long shadows cast by domestic violence.” Her first novel, Godshot, was long-listed for The Center For Fiction’s First Novel Prize and named a Barnes & Noble Pick of the Month. Her story collection, Heartbroke, won the California Book Award and was a New York Times “Best California Book of 2022.” Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Marie Claire UK, People, The Cut, Wall Street Journal, No Tokens, and others. She is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Writers’ Award, as well as residencies from MacDowell and Tin House. Raised in Hawai’i and California, she now lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children. | |||
| 13 Nov 2019 | Ep. 38: Garrett M. Graff (Author of The Only Plane in the Sky) + Book Recommendations | 00:45:41 | |
In Episode 38, Garrett M. Graff goes behind the scenes of his new book, The Only Plane in the Sky (one of my top books of 2019). This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Garrett’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books He Loves
Three NEW Books He Loves
One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About GarrettAuthor Website | Twitter | Instagram Garrett M. Graff, a distinguished magazine journalist, bestselling historian, and regular TV commentator has spent more than a dozen years covering politics, technology, and national security—helping to explain where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Today, he serves as the director of the Aspen Institute’s cybersecurity and technology program, and is a contributor to WIRED, Longreads, and CNN. He’s written for publications from Esquire to the New York Times, and served as the editor of two of Washington’s most prestigious magazines, Washingtonian and POLITICO Magazine, which he helped lead to its first National Magazine Award, the industry’s highest honor. Graff is the author of multiple books, including The First Campaign: Globalization, the Web, and the Race for the White House, which examined the role of technology in the 2008 presidential race, and The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Mueller’s FBI, which traces the history of the FBI’s counterterrorism efforts. His book, Raven Rock, a national bestseller, about the government’s Cold War Doomsday plans, was published in May 2017, and his most recent book, co-authored with John Carlin, examined the rise of cyber threats, Dawn of the Code War: America’s Battle Against Russia, China, and the Rising Global Cyber Threat. Inside both journalism and politics, he has a long history as a new media pioneer. He was the founding editor of mediaBistro.com’s FishbowlDC (www.FishbowlDC.com), a popular blog that covers the media and journalism in Washington, and co-founder of EchoDitto, Inc., a multi-million-dollar Washington, D.C.-based internet strategy consulting firm. During his time at FishbowlDC, he was the first blogger admitted to cover a White House press briefing in 2005, a moment considered significant enough that his reporter’s notebook from that first briefing is on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. A Vermont native and graduate of Harvard, he served as deputy national press secretary on Howard Dean’s presidential campaign and, beginning in 1997, was then-Governor Dean’s first webmaster. He taught at Georgetown University for seven years, including courses on journalism and technology, and his writing and commentary has appeared in publications like the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, New York, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Rolling Stone, 5280, Politico, AARP Magazine, Eater, Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine, USA Today, GQ UK, NextCity, and he has appeared on CBS This Morning, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBC, the BBC, Al Jazeera English, the History Channel, National Geographic, and various NPR programs, including “This American Life,” “Fresh Air,” and “All Things Considered.” His reporting has been cited on shows ranging from Stephen Colbert to John Oliver to Rachel Maddow. He also is the chair of the board of the National Conference on Citizenship, a congressionally-charted civic engagement group founded by Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, and serves on the board of Vermont Public Radio and the Burlington Housing Authority. Support the Podcast
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| 02 Oct 2024 | Ep. 179: From Corporate America to Indie Bookstore Owner with Gayle Weiswasser (Co-Founder of Wonderland Books) + Book Recommendations | 01:13:53 | |
In Episode 179, Sarah is joined by Gayle Weiswasser, co-founder of Wonderland Books, an independent bookstore in Bethesda, MD opening in November 2024. Gayle candidly shares her journey from her initial idea to being on the verge of opening the store. This behind-the-scenes episode offers a deep dive into everything from training and book buying to raising capital (including crowdsourcing) and much more! Plus, Gayle wraps up the episode with some great book recommendations (and how many copies of each she’s ordering for the store).
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Gayle’s Book Recommendations [53:04]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Gayle Read
Other Links
About Gayle WeiswasserBlog | Instagram | X | Facebook Gayle Weiswasser is the co-founder of Wonderland Books, a soon-to-open independent bookstore opening soon in Bethesda, MD. Gayle is also the founder of the blog, Everyday I Write the Book and the co-host of the podcast The Readerly Report. Prior to opening Wonderland Books, Gayle was a lawyer and communications executive. She’s a DC native and now lives in Chevy Chase, MD with her family. Learn More about Wonderland Books: | |||
| 19 Aug 2020 | Ep. 64: Catherine Adel West (Author of Saving Ruby King) + Book Recommendations | 00:54:55 | |
Catherine Adel West (author of Saving Ruby King) talks about how she found her agent, the strong women of Saving Ruby King, and how she decided to make the church a narrator. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Catherine’s Book Recommendations [31:30]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Catherine Read [48:47]
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout CatherineCatherine graduated with both her BA and MA in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her work has been published in Gay Magazine, Black Fox Literary Magazine, Five2One, Better Than Starbucks, and others. Catherine was born and raised in Chicago. Saving Ruby King is her debut novel. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week will be the Fall 2020 Book Preview episode with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books (airing September 2). | |||
| 22 Jan 2020 | Ep. 43: Jordan Moblo (@Jordys.Book.Club) on Growing a #Bookstagram Account | 00:50:49 | |
In Episode 43, Jordan Moblo talks about how he grew his #bookstagram account to over 35,000 followers in a year and a half and shares tips for growing your own #bookstagram account. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Jordan’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books He Loves
Two NEW Books He Loves
One Book He DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About JordanJordan runs the #bookstagram account @jordys.book.club, which has over 35,000 followers. He is also a television Executive and lives in Los Angeles. Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Jayda Justus (@thehistorymom) on historical fiction and nonfiction history (airing January 29). Support the Podcast
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| 28 Jun 2023 | Ep. 144: John Marrs (Author of The One, The Passengers, and The Marriage Act) | 00:53:48 | |
John Marrs, best-selling author of The One, The Passengers, and The Marriage Act, talks about his journey from self-published to bestselling author, his writing process, how he manages writing in multiple genres for two different publishers, and more. John’s journalism background led him to ask me some thought-provoking questions as well. Our conversation was an absolute delight, and I can’t wait for you to dive into his captivating universe of books. Plus, be sure to check out John’s book recommendations that align nicely with my own reading tastes!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
John’s Book Recommendations [34:32]Two OLD Books He Loves
Two NEW Books He Loves
NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book John Read
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| 19 Feb 2025 | Ep. 188: Best of Fantasy with Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) | 00:55:49 | |
In Ep. 188, we are kicking off our new “Best of…” series with Sarah’s Bookshelves Live team member, Chrissie, for the Best of Fantasy. Today, Chrissie brings you her all-time top ten favorite fantasy novels. Also, as a long-time reader and evangelizer of the genre, Chrissie talks about how she started reading fantasy, the wide scope of the genre, and ways those new to fantasy might jump in!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Chrissie’s All-Time Top Ten Fantasy Books [16:36]
High-Profile Fantasy Books That Did Not She Didn’t Love [48:39]
Other Books Mentioned
Books from Our Discussion
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| 09 Dec 2020 | Ep. 72: Best Backlist Books We Read in 2020 with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:55:55 | |
In Episode 72, Catherine Gilmore (@gilmoreguide) and I share the best backlist books we read in 2020 and the high priority backlist books on our TBR lists. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). AnnouncementsHighlights
The Top 5 Backlist Books We Read in 2020 [9:55]Sarah
Catherine
2020 Backlist Underrated Gems [29:07]Sarah
Catherine
Big Name Backlist Books We Finally Read in 2020 [36:57]Sarah
Catherine
Authors Whose Backlist We’ve Been Meaning to Dig Into [41:46]Sarah
Catherine
High Priority Backlist Books on our TBR Lists [46:58]Sarah
Catherine
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About CatherineBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 20 Jan 2021 | Ep. 74: Judging the Aspen Words Literary Prize with Sara Hildreth (@FictionMatters) + Book Recommendations | 00:54:31 | |
In Episode 74, Sara Hildreth from @fictionmatters and the Novel Pairings Podcast shares her experience judging the Aspen Words literary prize. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Sara’s Book Recommendations [34:52]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5 Star Book Sara Read [50:02]
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About SaraSara Hildreth is a reader, teacher, and lifelong learner. Prior to this year, Sara taught high school English at an all-girls school in Colorado. While working on her MA in Literature at Georgetown University, Sara began sharing her reading life publicly on Instagram as a way to connect with bibliophiles outside of academia. Through her participation in this community, Sara fell in love with recommending books to a larger audience all while challenging her thinking and expanding her own reading taste. She lives in Denver, CO with her husband and their puppy, Mr. Bingley. | |||
| 13 Mar 2019 | Ep. 11: Katharine from @ReadWithKat (Book Clubs & Living with Cystic Fibrosis) | 00:46:49 | |
In Episode 11, Katharine from @ReadWithKat joins me to talk about living with cystic fibrosis and her real-life book club that’s been going strong for 10 years. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Katharine’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One Upcoming Releases She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About KatharineInstagram | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads Katharine lives in Baltimore with her husband and miniature schnauzer. She works in higher education doing communications, and spends the rest of her time hoarding books (and reading as many as she can). She runs the instagram account @readwithkat, and is also 1/4 of @thebooklyclub. Katharine is also a cystic fibrosis patient and advocate, sharing her story of life with CF at local events and online. Her dream is to open up a bookstore. Support the Podcast
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| 10 Jun 2020 | Ep. 61: Kimberly McCreight (Author of A Good Marriage) + Book Recommendations | 00:56:34 | |
Special Note This episode was recorded on May 14, 2020. A lot has happened since then, so I wanted to time-stamp this to provide appropriate context for our discussion. Next Wednesday, I'm releasing a special bonus episode sharing my favorite books by black authors. In Episode 61, Kimberly McCreight (author of A Good Marriage) shares her 11 year journey to publishing her first novel, why she wanted to focus on marriage in this book, how working during coronavirus has been, and a possible sequel to A Good Marriage! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Kimberly’s Book Recommendations [31:56]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Like
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Rate It Game [45:16]Other Books Mentioned
About KimberlyKimberly McCreight is the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards and was called Entertainment Weekly’s Favorite Book of the Year. Reconstructing Amelia has been optioned for film by HBO and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films. Ms. McCreight’s second adult novel, Where They Found Her, was a USA Today bestseller and a Kirkus Best Mystery of the Year. She is also the author of The New York Times bestselling young adult trilogy The Outliers (The Outliers, The Scattering and The Collide), optioned for film by Lionsgate and Reese Witherspoon’s Pacific Standard. Her next novel, an adult mystery set in Park Slope, is forthcoming in 2020. Ms. McCreight attended Vassar College and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two daughters. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on its bi-weekly summer schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode all about book marketing featuring Morgan Hoit, Associate Marketing Manager at Avid Reader Press and the woman behind @nycbookgirl (airing June 24). Support the Podcast
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| 30 Mar 2022 | Ep. 108: Winter 2022 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:52:12 | |
In the Winter 2022 Book Preview (Ep. 102), Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I shared our most anticipated books set to release January – March 2022 (with one early April release). Today, we’re giving an update on the books we shared in the Winter Preview — now that we’ve had the chance to read them.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Winter 2022 Books Read Before the Preview [2:54]Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Winter 2022 Circle Back [8:08]January Sarah’s Pick:
Catherine’s Picks:
February Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Pick:
March Sarah’s Pick:
Catherine’s Picks:
April Sarah’s Pick:
Other Books Mentioned
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 22 Feb 2023 | Ep. 133: Speculative Fiction / Fantasy 101 with Sarah Landis (Literary Agent) | 00:49:34 | |
Literary agent Sarah Landis joins me for a deep dive into the Speculative Fiction / Fantasy genre. Sarah breaks down these terms, shares popular books in these genres, and discusses the trends she’s seeing in the publishing industry. Also, Sarah shares both her book recommendations and her go-to books for those looking to dive into these genres!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Sarah’s Book Recommendations [30:31]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Sarah Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Sarah LandisSarah Landis represents a wide range of fiction from middle grade to adult. Sarah is particularly drawn to high-concept plots, big hooks, speculative fiction, twisty thrillers, novels with a strong emotional core, and sweeping fantasy. She is always on the lookout for new talent and narrative risk-takers. Her clients’ novels have received a variety of accolades, including Barnes and Noble book club selections and Reese’s Book Club, and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists as well as international bestseller lists around the globe. Before joining Sterling Lord Literistic in 2017, Sarah worked as an editor for fifteen years, holding roles at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Sarah graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. | |||
| 22 Dec 2021 | Ep. 101: Fall 2021 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:51:42 | |
In the Fall 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 93), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books that were coming out August – December 2021. Today, we’re updating you on the books we shared in the Fall Preview…now that we’ve had the chance to read — or at least attempt them. Many Fall books lean more literary, which hasn’t been working well for me lately, and overall, the Fall 2021 books didn’t turn out quite how we’d hoped. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Fall 2021 Books Read Before the Preview Episode [6:05]Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Fall 2021 Circle Back [7:43]August Catherine’s Picks:
September Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
October Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
November Sarah’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over six years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 10 Aug 2022 | Ep. 119: Keri Blakinger (Author of Corrections in Ink) + Book Recommendations | 00:49:53 | |
In Episode 119, Keri Blakinger joins me to discuss her debut memoir, Corrections in Ink, a mind-blowing personal story, also speaks to the broader issues of addiction and women in the prison system. Keri went from being an elite figure skater in her youth to being arrested for possession of heroin while a student at Cornell, and then serving two years in the New York prison system. In her memoir, Keri is self-reflective, sharing what is ultimately a hopeful and redemptive story, despite the dark places it goes along the way.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Keri’s Book Recommendations [32:02]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Keri Read
Other Books Mentioned
About Keri BlakingerKeri Blakinger is a Texas-based investigative reporter and the author of the Corrections in Ink, a memoir tracing her path from figure skating to heroin addiction to prison and, finally, to life as a journalist covering mass incarceration. Currently reporting for The Marshall Project, her work covering criminal justice, has previously appeared in VICE, the New York Daily News, the BBC, and The New York Times. She previously worked for the Houston Chronicle and was a member of the Chronicle‘s Pulitzer-finalist team in 2018. Her 2019 coverage of women’s jails for The Washington Post Magazine helped earn a National Magazine Award. | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | Ep. 176: Summer 2024 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:48:20 | |
In Episode 176, Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and I catch up on the 12 new releases from the Summer 2024 Book Preview. We share our reading stats, chat about what we liked, and what didn’t work out. Listen in as we share our reviews on these books and get some recommendations for your next read!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Books We Read Before the Preview [4:27]Sarah’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
Summer 2024 Circle Back [7:36]June Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
July Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
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| 20 Nov 2019 | Mini Ep. 39: Southern Books & Character-Driven Dramas with Lindsay Creech (@LittleLindsReads) | 00:24:36 | |
In Mini Episode 39, Lindsay Creech (@littlelindsreads) and I talk about Southern books and character-driven dramas. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Lindsay’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About LindsayLindsay is a high school Spanish teacher and Pastor’s wife living in North Carolina with her husband and puppy named Baxter. Growing up, her nose was always in a book and she had her own personal library with personalized stickers that said “from Lindsay’s library.” She started a book club in Raleigh with 6 women who started out as strangers and have become close friends including Hannah (@booknerdnative) and she also started a book club with her students at the high school where she teaches. Support the Podcast
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| 23 Jan 2019 | Ep. 4: Tina from TBR, etc. | 00:34:51 | |
In Episode 4, Tina from the blog TBR, etc. and I talk book recommendations, break down #bookstagram (including when her engagement photo went viral!), and compare our reading tastes. This contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link Highlights
Tina’s Fiction Audiobook RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn’t Love
One Upcoming Release She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About TinaBlog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Tina is happiest when reading and reviewing books – especially thrillers and new releases. She’s a blogger at tbretc.com and Bookstagrammer @tbretc. That’s TBR (as in to be read) Etc. Support the Podcast
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| 12 Jul 2023 | Ep. 145: 2023 Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 00:55:59 | |
In Episode 145, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I dive into micro genres — the niches within niches that we’ve come to adore. Over the past year, we’ve discovered even more unique themes and types of books that consistently captivate us. Today, we’re thrilled to present a special episode where we share an abundant list of our favorite micro genres, the books that define them, and the reasons why we find them so irresistible.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Get Even More Summer Reading Recommendations with Summer Shelves:
Micro Genres We LoveRomances that Deal with Fame [3:47]Sarah
Susie
Speculative Fiction that Involves Climate Change(a.k.a. Cli-Fi) [7:02]Susie
Other Books Mentioned:
Novels about the Dynamics of the Creative Process [11:35]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned:
Novels With a Focus on Found Family [17:11]Susie
Other Books Mentioned:
Literary Authors Leaping into Genre Writing [22:07]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned:
Retellings of Classics or Beloved Books [29:10]Susie
Sarah
Other Books Mentioned:
Character Twists [38:38]Sarah
Susie
Stories Taking Place in a Single Day (a.k.a. Circadian Novels) [41:24]Susie
Sarah
Other Books Mentioned:
Intense, (Sometimes) F-ed Up Love Stories, that Most Definitely Are Not Romances [46:00]Sarah
Susie
Novels Where Musicians or the Music Industry Play a Dominant Role [50:15]Susie
Other Books Mentioned:
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| 06 Mar 2024 | Ep. 163: Classics & Retellings 101 with Sara Hildreth (@FictionMatters) + Book Recommendations | 01:10:24 | |
In Episode 163, Sara Hildreth, from @FictionMatters and co-host of the podcast Novel Pairings, returns for her third appearance on our show as our expert for Classics & Retellings 101. Sara guides us through the sometimes intimidating world of timeless reads in an accessible way. She busted some myths about classics and changed my mind about some elements of the classics. And, she has a great approach to find the perfect retelling of your favorite classics for your next read.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Please note: Sara mistakenly mentions during the discussion that The Great Gatsbydid not come into popularity until its distribution to soldiers during World War I, when this actually occurred during World War II. Sara’s Book Recommendations [49:02]Two OLD Books She Loves — Classics
Two NEW Books She Loves — Retellings
One Book She DIDN’T Love — Classic
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About — Retelling and Classic Pairing
Last 5-Star Book Sara Read
Books Mentioned During the Classics Discussion
Books Mentioned During the Retellings Discussion
Other Links
About Sara HildrethWebsite | Instagram | Facebook Sara Hildreth is the creator behind FictionMatters, a literary Instagram account, newsletter, and book club focused on putting thought-provoking books into the hands of adventurous readers. She also co-hosts Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun. | |||
| 10 Jan 2024 | Ep. 159: Winter 2024 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:56:02 | |
Welcome to the Winter 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing January through March.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement
Highlights
Winter 2024 Book Preview [3:32]January Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
February Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
March Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Pick
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links*The book’s publication date has been changed. | |||
| 08 Jul 2020 | Ep. 63: Helena Dea Bala (author of Craigslist Confessional) + Book Recommendations | 01:02:16 | |
In Episode 63, Helen Dea Bala (author of Craigslist Confessional) shares why she started Craigslist Confessional, how she decided to quit her job to pursue Craigslist Confessional full-time, and shares her own story of immigrating to the U.S. from Albania. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement [00:55] Y’all know I had always planned to air the podcast bi-weekly through the summer. As the summer has progressed, I’ve realized how burned out I am (this probably isn’t a surprise to y’all if you’ve been reading between the lines of my recent posts). The last couple months of quarantine with 2 young children, having to manage all their distance learning, and lacking any childcare completely drained me. I pushed through because there was an end point. It’s now becoming apparent that school will not resume as normal in the Fall, which will require me to put structure in place to make sure our lives can run smoothly for the longer-term. I need some time and space to be able to think clearly (rather than frantically turning my wheels to keep churning out content) and plan for how the podcast will look and how my family’s life will run in the future. So, I’ve decided to take a FULL break from the podcast following today’s episode…most likely until mid-August.
I consider this podcast a marathon, not a sprint. I’m committed to it and want to ensure I’m able to give it my all over the long term. Thank you all so much for your understanding and know that I appreciate every one of you so much! I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments. Highlights
Helena’s Book Recommendations [36:43]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Rate It Game [48:47]Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout HelenaHelena Dea Bala immigrated to the United States as a child. To make ends meet during those difficult first years, she helped her mother clean houses on the weekends. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington University and worked to become a lawyer and lobbyist in Washington, DC. After her day job left her feeling disconnected and unfulfilled, she deferred her student loans, applied for a credit card, and gave herself one year—one year to just listen. Five years in, she now does Craigslist Confessional full time. Find out more at CraigslistConfessional.com. Next EpisodeThe podcast will be on hiatus through mid-August. Support the Podcast
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| 02 Jun 2021 | Ep. 85: Circling Back to Spring 2021 Preview Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:50:33 | |
In the Spring 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 80), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books coming out April – May 2021. But, we often haven’t read the books we share in the Preview Episodes. So, in this new series, we will “circle back” to update you on all the books we presented in the previous season’s Book Preview now that we’ve at least attempted to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Highlights
Spring 2021 Books We Had Already Read When We Recorded the Preview [5:42]Sarah’s Picks:
Circling Back: Spring 2021 Books [5:42]April Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
May Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
June 1 Sarah’s Pick:
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| 06 May 2020 | Mini Ep. 57: Two Old Books We Both Loved with Liz Hein (@lizhein89) | 00:35:26 | |
In Mini Episode 57, Liz Hein (@lizhein89) and I talk about two old books we both love and a beloved campus novel Liz didn’t love. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Liz’s Book Recommendations [7:39]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other LinksAbout LizLiz went to college to become an English teacher to spend all day talking about books! That transitioned to an administrative position at a high school in Milwaukee, WI. Even though she doesn’t teach books anymore, she is consistently and perhaps obnoxiously recommending books to students and really anyone that will listen. Next EpisodeSummer Reading Guide Special episode with Susie from Novel Visits (airing Wednesday, May 13). Support the Podcast
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| 03 Apr 2024 | Ep. 165: Spring 2024 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:49:37 | |
Welcome to the Spring 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share 12 of our most anticipated books releasing in April and May.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement
Highlights
Spring 2024 Book Preview [3:52]April Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
May Sarah’s Picks
Catherine’s Picks
Other Books Mentioned
Other Books Mentioned
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Booksover 10 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle, WA. | |||
| 26 Jun 2024 | Ep. 172: Best Books of 2024 (So Far) with Susie and Catherine | 01:04:26 | |
In Ep. 172, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits), Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide), and I are together for the first time on the big show to catch up on our 2024 reading — so far! We talk about the current publishing landscape, what books are topping bestseller lists to date, and our personal reading as it stands halfway through the year. We share our stats and talk about expectations and hopes for the remainder of the year. Plus, we each share our TOP 5 books and our biggest disappointments so far.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. The Bookish Landscape [1:51]Books Mentioned
Our Personal Reading for 2024 (So Far) [6:59]Books Mentioned
Our Top Five (So Far) [16:49]Sarah
Susie
Catherine
Other Books Mentioned
Our Biggest Disappointments (So Far) [56:27]Sarah
Susie
Catherine
Other Books Mentioned
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| 09 Jan 2019 | Ep. 2: Winter 2019 Book Preview with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books | 00:47:51 | |
Welcome to a special episode…Winter 2019 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in January, February, and March of 2019. Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2019 blog post, which is coming out tomorrow. I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also many that I didn’t! Highlights
Winter 2019 Book PreviewJanuary Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
February Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
March Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle. Support the Podcast
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| 15 Nov 2023 | Ep. 155: Fall 2023 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:54:59 | |
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
Highlights
Books We Read Before the Preview [8:38]Sarah’s Pick:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
Fall 2023 Circle Back [17:18]September Sarah’s Pick:
Catherine’s Pick:
Other Books Mentioned:
October Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
November Sarah’s Pick:
Other Books Mentioned:
Other Books
Other Links | |||
| 08 Jan 2020 | Ep. 41: Winter 2020 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 00:56:40 | |
Welcome back for the first episode of 2020…the Winter 2020 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out for the first quarter (January – March) of 2020. Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2020 blog post, which is coming out tomorrow. I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also some that I didn’t! This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link AnnouncementStarting this month, I’m introducing a new bonus feature for $5/month podcast patrons! I’m going to do a monthly solo episode (i.e. no co-host) where I do the book recommendations segment from Sarah’s Book Shelves Live. So, I’ll share…
These episodes will be released around mid-month. I’m so excited to have a place to talk about the books I’m loving (and not loving) beyond just piping in when I happen to have read a book my guest is sharing. If you’d like access to these episodes (and other bonus content), subscribe for $5/month on Patreon! Highlights
Winter 2020 Book PreviewJanuary Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
February Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
March Sarah’s Picks:
Catherine’s Picks:
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About Catherine Gilmore
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle. Support the Podcast
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| 14 Jun 2023 | Ep. 143: Behind the Scenes of Book Coaching with Abigail K. Perry (of Lit Match Podcast) + Book Recommendations | 00:56:17 | |
In today’s episode of Sarah’s Bookshelves Live, we dive into the fascinating world of book coaching with Abigail K. Perry (@abigailkperry)! We chat about the role of book coaches, the perks of working with them, and uncover some valuable insights for aspiring authors and book lovers. Plus, Abigail shares her book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Abigail’s Book Recommendations [35:16]Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Abigail Read
Other Links
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| 11 Sep 2019 | Mini Ep. 29: Katie from @KatieNeedsABiggerBookshelf | 00:18:41 | |
In Episode 29, Katie from @katieneedsabiggerbookshelf shares an eclectic range of book recommendations. If you’d like to be a guest on a mini episode of Sarah’s Book Shelves Live, apply here! All you need to record is a Smartphone and a Skype account. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Katie’s Book RecommendationsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN’T Love
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
Other Books Mentioned
Other Links
About KatieKatie is a new bookstagrammer, but definitely not a new reader! In first grade she needed extra help while learning to read, but since then she hasn’t put books down. She read 210 books last year. She is very active on goodreads and more recently Instagram with book reviews and sharing her love of books at @Katieneedsabiggerbookshelf.
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