Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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 Spare by Prince HarryAmazonBookshop.org[5:12]A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R. R. MartinAmazonBookshop.org[5:45]The Walking Dead (Compendium One) by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony MooreAmazonBookshop.org[5:54] The Book Industry Becoming by Michelle ObamaAmazonBookshop.org[9:55]Magnolia Table by Joanna GainesAmazonBookshop.org[10:46]The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff KinneyAmazonBookshop.org[10:50]Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel HollisAmazonBookshop.org[10:54]Fire and Fury by Michael WolffAmazonBookshop.org[10:56]Wonderby R. J. PalacioAmazonBookshop.org[11:12]Milk and Honey by Rupi KaurAmazonBookshop.org[11:16]The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill ClintonAmazonBookshop.org[11:42] Book Trends Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanAmazonBookshop.org[14:30]Something in the Water by Catherine SteadmanAmazonBookshop.org[14:34]Next Year in Havana by Chanel CleetonAmazonBookshop.org[14:36]Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensAmazonBookshop.org[14:38]Magnolia Table by Joanna GainesAmazonBookshop.org[17:27]Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel HollisAmazonBookshop.org[17:34]You Are a Badass® by Jen SinceroAmazonBookshop.org[17:59]12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. PetersonAmazonBookshop.org[18:08]The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark MansonAmazonBookshop.org[18:14] Big Books of 2018 Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin KwanAmazonBookshop.org[20:46]The Reckoning by John GrishamAmazonBookshop.org[20:58]The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill ClintonAmazonBookshop.org[21:05]Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensAmazonBookshop.org[21:56]There There by Tommy OrangeAmazonBookshop.org[23:25]The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah PekkanenAmazonBookshop.org[23:27]Tell Me Liesby Carola LoveringAmazonBookshop.org[24:16]Normal People by Sally RooneyAmazonBookshop.org[24:20]Friday Night Lights by H. G. BissingerAmazonBookshop.org[24:21]Big Little Lies by Liane MoriartyAmazonBookshop.org[24:33]Verity by Colleen HooverAmazonBookshop.org[25:30]Circe by Madeline MillerAmazonBookshop.org[26:08]The Song of Achilles by Madeline MillerAmazonBookshop.org[26:32]The Great Alone by Kristin HannahAmazonBookshop.org[27:36]The Great Believers by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[28:07]I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[28:19]Becoming by Michelle ObamaAmazonBookshop.org[28:36]Spare by Prince HarryAmazonBookshop.org[29:11]Educated by Tara WestoverAmazonBookshop.org[29:31]Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnAmazonBookshop.org[30:18]Atomic Habits by James ClearAmazonBookshop.org[31:11]I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraAmazonBookshop.org[31:51]Wandering Stars Tommy OrangeAmazonBookshop.org[32:53]The Kiss Quotient by Helen HoangAmazonBookshop.org[33:12]The Poppy War by R. F. KuangAmazonBookshop.org[33:37]Katabasis by R. F. Kuangexpected publication: August 15, 2025AmazonBookshop.org[33:50]Less by Andrew Sean GreerAmazonBookshop.org[34:54]The Friend by Sigrid NunezAmazonBookshop.org[35:02]Milkman by Anna BurnsAmazonBookshop.org[35:09]Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica LockeAmazonBookshop.org[35:22]The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth Book 3) by N. K. JemisinAmazonBookshop.org[36:04] Our Top Books of 2018 Circe by Madeline MillerAmazonBookshop.org[42:46]An...

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 Victim Andrew’s Book Recommendations [34:19] Two OLD Books He Loves Bodega Dreams by Ernesto QuiñonezAmazonBookshop.org[34:30]Loving Day by Mat JohnsonAmazonBookshop.org[36:11]Other Book Mentioned:Pym[37:56] Two NEW Books He Loves The Birthparentsby Frank SantoAmazonBookshop.org[38:09]Blackouts by Justin TorresAmazonBookshop.org[40:38]Other Book Mentioned:We the Animals[40:57] One Book He DIDN’T Love Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahAmazonBookshop.org[42:13]Other Book Mentioned:The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao[43:21] One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About Oye by Melissa MogollonMay 14, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[44:14] Last 5-Star Book Andrew Read Nightbitch by Rachel YoderAmazonBookshop.org[45:37] Other Books Mentioned Yellowface[27:31]The Sellout[31:14] About Andrew Boryga Website | 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.

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 Patreon Communityseveralbonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extrashere Highlights Spring 2024 Book Preview [3:52] April Sarah’s Picks The Wivesby Simone GorrindoAmazonBookshop.org[4:54]The Sicilian Inheritanceby Jo PiazzaAmazonBookshop.org[11:10]Colton Gentry’s Third Actby Jeff ZenterAmazonBookshop.org[19:51] Catherine’s Picks Christa Comes Out of Her Shellby Abbi WaxmanAmazonBookshop.org[8:54]Honeyby Victor LodatoAmazonBookshop.org[17:08]Real Americansby Rachel KhongAmazonBookshop.org[24:45] Other Books Mentioned The Wanderers[7:16]You Could Make This Place Beautiful[8:10]Maid[8:13]Between Two Kingdoms[8:17]Know My Name[8:20]Hillbilly Elegy[8:22]Educated[8:24]Other People’s Houses[10:37]We Are Not Like Them[13:53]Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win[14:01]Edgar and Lucy[17:17]All This Could Be Yours[19:14]The Serpent King[20:16]Normal People[22:36]Goodbye, Vitamin[24:55] May Sarah’s Picks The Ministry of Timeby Kaliane BradleyAmazonBookshop.org[29:20]The Wealth of Shadowsby Graham MooreAmazonBookshop.org[36:13]Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi NwabineliAmazonBookshop.org[42:05] Catherine’s Picks The Return of Ellie Blackby Emiko JeanAmazonBookshop.org[33:00]The Guncle Abroadby Steven RowleyAmazonBookshop.org[39:12]Lies and Weddingsby Kevin KwanAmazonBookshop.org[45:31] Other Books Mentioned Outlander[32:03]The Holdout[36:22]The Swans of Fifth Avenue[36:59]The Last Days of Night[37:39]The Guncle[39:36]The Editor[41:45]Someday, Maybe[42:12]The Buccaneers[46:28] Other Books Mentioned Say Hello to My Little Friend[3:39] About Catherine Gilmore Blog | 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.

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 Mercuryby Amy Jo BurnsAmazonBookshop.org[3:49]The Fortune Sellerby Rachel Kapelke-DaleAmazonBookshop.org[6:30] Other Books Mentioned Shiner[3:54]Cinderland[5:30]The Ballerinas[8:34]The Ingenue[8:35] Winter 2024 Circle Back [9:14] January Sarah’s Picks River East, River Westby Aube Rey LescureAmazonBookshop.org[13:00]Everyone on This Train Is a Suspectby Benjamin StevensonAmazonBookshop.org[22:52] Catherine’s Picks The Furyby Alex MichaelidesAmazonBookshop.org[9:23]Family Familyby Laurie FrankelAmazonBookshop.org[18:35] Other Books Mentioned The Silent Patient[11:32]This Is How It Always Is[22:42]One Two Three[22:43]Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone[22:57]Murder on the Orient Express[23:14] February Sarah’s Picks Dixon, Descendingby Karen OutenAmazonBookshop.org[30:04]Leavingby Roxana RobinsonAmazonBookshop.org[36:06] Catherine’s Picks The Things We Didn’t Knowby Elba Iris PérezAmazonBookshop.org[27:06]Medeaby Eilish QuinAmazonBookshop.org[33:17]Whiskey Tenderby Deborah Jackson TaffaAmazonBookshop.org[39:29]Wandering Starsby Tommy OrangeAmazonBookshop.org[40:49]After Annieby Anna QuindlenAmazonBookshop.org[45:20] Other Books Mentioned Into Thin Air[33:13]There There[41:02] March Sarah’s Picks Say Hello to My Little Friendby Jennine Capó CrucetAmazonBookshop.org[43:23]Headshotby Rita BullwinkelAmazonBookshop.org[47:55] Catherine’s Pick Jamesby Percival EverettAmazonBookshop.org[50:13] Other Books Mentioned My Time Among the Whites[45:10]The Knockout Queen[48:26]Good for a Girl[49:52]Adventures of Huckleberry Finn[50:29] Other Links Sara Hildreth (FictionMatters) on Substack | Reading in Public No. 32: Six things to know about Huck Finn before you read James About Catherine Gilmore Blog | 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.

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 The Custom of the Country by Edith WhartonAmazonBookshop.org[49:43]Passing by Nella LarsonAmazonBookshop.org[53:12]Other Books MentionedThe Age of Innocence[50:58]The House of Mirth[50:59]Roman Fever and Other Stories[51:03]The Vanishing Half[55:44] Two NEW Books She Loves — Retellings Anna Kby Jenny LeeAmazonBookshop.org[57:35]The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi VhoAmazonBookshop.org[1:00:28]Other Books MentionedAnna Karenina[59:01]Gossip Girl[59:53]Crazy Rich Asians[59:58] One Book She DIDN’T Love — Classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark TwainAmazonBookshop.org[1:03:25] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About — Retelling and Classic Pairing The Gardenby Claire Beams April 9, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[1:05:12]Other Books MentionedThe Illness Lesson[1:05:37]Little Women[1:05:41]The Secret Garden[1:06:21] Last 5-Star Book Sara Read James by Percival EverettMarch 19, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[1:07:47] Books Mentioned During the Classics Discussion The Bonfire of the Vanities[3:44]Beloved[10:46]Demon Copperhead[12:05]David Copperfield[12:19]JamesMarch 19, 2024[13:29]Adventures of Huckleberry Finn[13:34]Wide Sargasso Sea[13:51]Jane Eyre[14:02]The Great Gatsby[14:45]Frankenstein[15:09]Gone Girl[15:20]Wuthering Heights[24:27]A Model of Christian Charity: A City on a Hill[26:35]A Vindication of the Rights of Woman[26:47]Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass[26:54]The Diary of a Young Girl[26:59]A Room of One’s Own[27:02]In Cold Blood[27:14]The Talented Mr. Ripley[29:13]The Time Machine[29:20]The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde[29:23]Rebecca[29:30]The Handmaid’s Tale[29:36]The Women of Brewster Place[29:45]The Most Dangerous Game[30:17]The Yellow Wallpaper[30:20]The Lottery and Other Stories[30:23]The Minority Report and Other Classic Stories[30:26]Going to Meet the Man: StoriesSonny’s Blues[30:37]Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories from the Harlem RenaissanceThe Gilded Six-Bits[30:42]Their Eyes Were Watching God[30:54]Kindred[31:00]Parable of the Sower[31:08] Books Mentioned During the Retellings Discussion Julia[33:38]1984[33:40]Hamlet[34:10]Emma[34:24]The Taming of the Shrew[34:28]The Kind Worth Killing[34:45]Strangers on a Train[34:51]Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone[35:04]And Then There Were None[35:08]The Winters[35:35]The Odyssey[36:38]The Song of Achilles[37:00]Circe[37:01]Hogarth Shakespeare[37:53]Canongate Myth Series[37:57]The Austen Project[38:00]Eligible[38:03]Naamah[38:56]Anna K[40:10]Anna Karenina[40:20]Tom Lake[40:41]Beautiful Little Fools[42:36]Stone Blind[44:14]Marmee[44:17]Little Women[44:22]Gone with the Wind[44:38]Ruth’s Journey: A Novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind[44:40]Pride[45:19] Other Links The Atlantic | Italo Calvino’s 14 Definitions of What Makes a Classic by Maria Popova (July 7, 2012) Novel Pairings | The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton (February 27, 2024) About Sara Hildreth Website | Instagram | Facebook Sara Hildreth is the creator behind FictionMatters, a literary Instagram...

In Episode 162, Leigh Stein (author and journalist) joins me to jump into the world of BookTok, the bookish corner of TikTok. We talk about what early elements started this sensation, how creators and their content are different on this platform, and the main audience engaging with the app’s evolving algorithm. We also discuss the continuing gap in marketing and authentic social media content, and how we think publishers could address this issue. (Did we solve it?!) Plus, Leigh shares some great book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Leigh’s Book Recommendations [39:59] Two OLD Books She Loves Verity by Colleen HooverAmazonBookshop.org[40:19]Vladimir by Julia May JonasAmazonBookshop.org[41:51]Other Books MentionedIt Ends with Us[40:36]Lolita[42:33] Two NEW Books She Loves Y / Nby Esther YiAmazonBookshop.org[43:59]Big Swiss by Jen BeaginAmazonBookshop.org[46:10] One Book She DIDN’T Love Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusAmazonBookshop.org[47:41] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About Victimby Andrew Boryga March 12, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[49:54]Other Books MentionedYellowface[50:09]Self Care[50:45] Last 5-Star Book Leigh Read Birnam Wood by Eleanor CattonAmazonBookshop.org[52:10] Other Books Mentioned The Song of Achilles[4:49]The Lightning Thief[5:02]Lapvona[21:54]Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow[23:26]Crying in H Mart[23:36]Lonesome Dove[23:54]A Certain Hunger[24:50]City on Fire[29:14]Diary of a Void[30:55]Emotional Labor[37:57]My Year of Rest and Relaxation[38:39] Other Links LitHub | BookTok is Good, Actually: On the Undersung Joys of a Vast and Multifarious Platform by Leigh SteinYouTube | Simon & Schuster: How 2022’s Hottest Cover Was Created About Leigh Stein Website | Instagram | Substack | TikTok Leigh Stein is a writer interested in what the internet is doing to our identities, relationships, and politics. She is the author of five books, including the critically acclaimed satirical novel Self Care and the poetry collection What to Miss When. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker online, and more. She was co-founder and executive director of Out of the Binders/BinderCon, a feminist literary nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women and gender variant writers.

In Episode 161, author Amanda Peters joins me to discuss her surprise hit novel, The Berry Pickers. This debut novel (which was the 2023 Barnes & Noble Discover Pick) seamlessly blends sadness and heartwarming moments. In our chat, Amanda shares what (or who) started her on this journey, the road to publication, and what she hopes readers take away from her first novel. Plus, Amanda shares some great book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights The Berry Pickers Amanda’s Book Recommendations [25:28] Two OLD Books She Loves A Burning by Megha MajumdarAmazonBookshop.org[26:12]The Underpainter by Jane UrquhartAmazonBookshop.org[26:55] Two NEW Books She Loves Truth Tellingby Michelle GoodAmazonBookshop.org[28:28]We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carrexpected US release October 8, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[30:24]Other Books Mentioned:Five Little Indians[42:08]Hold My Girl[30:42] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About Fire Exit by Morgan TaltyJune 4, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[32:29]Other Books Mentioned:Night of the Living Rez[32:40] Last 5-Star Book Amanda Read Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi AndreadesAmazonBookshop.org[34:32] Other Books Mentioned A Burning[5:16]Chain-Gang All-Starsby[10:06]The Body Keeps the Score[21:19]Waiting for the Long Night Moon: Storiesexpected publication August 13, 2024[24:11] About Amanda Peters Website | Instagram Amanda Peters is a writer of Mi’kmaq and settler ancestry. Her debut novel, The Berry Pickers is the Winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Excellence in Fiction, the 2023 Barnes & Noble Discovery Prize Winner, and was shortlisted for the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year and the Atwood Gibson Fiction Award from the Writers Trust of Canada. Her work has also appeared in the Antigonish Review, Grain Magazine, the Alaska Quarterly Review, the Dalhousie Review and Filling Station Magazine. She is the winner of the 2021 Indigenous Voices Award for Unpublished Prose and a participant in the 2021 Writers’ Trust Rising Stars program. Amanda is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts Program at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has a Certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Toronto.

In Episode 160, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I share the best backlist books we read in 2023. We each discuss our top 5 backlist books from last year, highlight some underrated backlist gems, and review our backlist reading statistics. Devoting an entire episode to backlist reading is something we love doing and we've heard from you that you love it too! 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 Available Now!The Best of the BacklisthereDouble Booked Rock Your Reading Tracker Highlights Catherine had a small uptick in her backlist reading — her most successful segment of books in 2023!Sarah's backlist reading was slightly less successful than last year — maybe marking an unfortunate trend.How Sarah's decreased DNFs for last year impacted her Backlist stats.While Catherine has already read many of Sarah's picks, Sarah has already purchased (but not yet read) many of Catherine's choices! Our Top 5 Backlist Books We Read in 2023 [7:37] Catherine Black and Blueby Anna QuindlenAmazonBookshop.org[7:44]True Bizby Sara NovićAmazonBookshop.org[13:12]All My Rageby Sabaa TahirAmazonBookshop.org[17:52]The Flatshareby Beth O’LearyAmazonBookshop.org[24:58]Leaving Atlantaby Tayari JonesAmazonBookshop.org[32:31] Sarah Lying in Waitby Liz NugentAmazonBookshop.org[10:24]What My Bones Knowby Stephanie FooAmazonBookshop.org[15:36]Searchby Michelle HunevenAmazonBookshop.org[21:41]Like a House on Fireby Lauren McBrayerAmazonBookshop.org[29:04]The Swimmersby Julie OtsukaAmazonBookshop.org[36:55] Other Books Mentioned Strange Sally Diamond[10:38]Unraveling Oliver[11:10]The Ensemble[23:19]Untamed[31:14]An American Marriage[33:22]Silver Sparrow[36:31] Underrated Backlist Gems [39:54] Catherine Too Bright to Hear Too Loud to Seeby Juliann GareyAmazonBookshop.org[40:07]A Quiet Lifeby Ethan JoellaAmazonBookshop.org[48:06] Sarah Something Wildby Hanna HalperinAmazonBookshop.org[45:12]The Spy and the Traitorby Ben MacintyreAmazonBookshop.org[51:01] Other Books Mentioned I Could Live Here Forever[45:21]Red Widow[54:02]Red London[54:03] Other Links Vogue In Finishing My Book…

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 Patreon Communityseveralbonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extrashere Highlights Winter 2024 Book Preview [3:32] January Sarah’s Picks Mercuryby Amy Jo BurnsAmazonBookshop.org[3:47]River East, River Westby Aube Rey LescureAmazonBookshop.org[10:24]Everyone on This Train Is a Suspectby Benjamin StevensonAmazonBookshop.org[16:38] Catherine’s Picks The Furyby Alex MichaelidesAmazonBookshop.org[7:39]Family Familyby Laurie FrankelAmazonBookshop.org[14:15] Other Books Mentioned Shiner[3:57]The Silent Patient[7:59]The Maidens[8:05]The Great Gatsby[9:30]This Is How It Always Is[14:21]Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone[16:53]And Then There Were None[17:21]Murder on the Orient Express[17:27] February Sarah’s Picks Dixon, Descendingby Karen OutenAmazonBookshop.org[23:08]Leavingby Roxana RobinsonAmazonBookshop.org[28:35]The Fortune Sellerby Rachel Kapelke-DaleAmazonBookshop.org[33:56] Catherine’s Picks The Things We Didn’t Knowby Elba Iris PérezAmazonBookshop.org[20:40]Medeaby Eilish QuinAmazonBookshop.org[25:57]Whiskey Tenderby Deborah Jackson TaffaAmazonBookshop.org[31:04]Wandering Starsby Tommy OrangeAmazonBookshop.org[39:37]After Annieby Anna QuindlenAmazonBookshop.org[46:45] Other Books Mentioned Into Thin Air[24:05]Breathless[24:13]Stone Blind[26:30]The Paper Palace[30:21]Fleishman Is in Trouble[30:45]The Most Fun We Ever Had[30:49]The Many Lives of Mama Love[31:25]The Ballerinas[34:17]The Ingenue[34:20]Girls and Their Horses[39:08]There There[39:44]Alternate Side[48:37] March Sarah’s Picks Say Hello to My Little Friendby Jennine Capó CrucetAmazonBookshop.org[42:21]Headshotby Rita BullwinkelAmazonBookshop.org[49:03] Catherine’s Pick Jamesby Percival EverettAmazonBookshop.org[51:15] Other Books Mentioned Moby-Dick; or, The Whale[44:37]My Time Among the Whites[45:03]Adventures of Huckleberry Finn[51:35]The Trees[52:40] Other Links Golden Age of Detective Fiction | Knox’s 10 Commandments *The book’s publication date has been changed.

In Episode 158, we wrap up the year with our Best Books of 2023 Genre Awards with Susie (@NovelVisits). We reveal our Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction), and we have a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, we’re sharing the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live Patreon community! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements 2024 Reading TrackerBecome a Superstars Patron here! Highlights 2023 Genre Awards [19:14] Susie The Vaster Wilds by Lauren GroffAmazonBookshop.org[19:19]Tom Lake by Ann PatchettAmazonBookshop.org[22:41]No Two Persons by Erica BauermeisterAmazonBookshop.org[27:00]The River We Remember by William Kent KruegerAmazonBookshop.org[32:22]In Memoriam by Alice WinnAmazonBookshop.org[37:16]The Art Thief by Michael FinkelAmazonBookshop.org[40:24]You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie SmithAmazonBookshop.org[44:32]The Half Moon by Mary Beth KeaneAmazonBookshop.org[47:02]The Memory of Animals by Claire FullerAmazonBookshop.org[50:39]Stone Blind by Natalie HaynesAmazonBookshop.org[54:59]Go As a River by Shelley ReadAmazonBookshop.org[57:30]Shark Heart by Emily HabeckAmazonBookshop.org[59:58] Sarah Hello Beautiful by Ann NapolitanoAmazonBookshop.org[20:51]Adelaide by Genevieve WheelerAmazonBookshop.org[25:27]Spare by Prince HarryAmazonBookshop.org[29:00]All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William LandayAmazonBookshop.org[34:08]Bright Young Women by Jessica KnollAmazonBookshop.org[38:06]Generations by Jean M. Twenge PhDAmazonBookshop.org[42:04]The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love HardinAmazonBookshop.org[45:43]Romantic Comedy by Curtis SittenfeldAmazonBookshop.org[48:21]My Murder by Katie WilliamsAmazonBookshop.org[51:53]Yellowface by R. F. KuangAmazonBookshop.org[56:05]Happiness Falls by Angie KimAmazonBookshop.org[58:30]Talking at Night by Claire DaverleyAmazonBookshop.org[1:00:38] Patrons Hello Beautiful by Ann NapolitanoAmazonBookshop.org[21:45]Tom Lake by Ann PatchettAmazonBookshop.org[22:00]Pineapple Street by Jenny JacksonAmazonBookshop.org[30:14]All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William LandayAmazonBookshop.org[35:58]All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. CosbyAmazonBookshop.org[36:29]In Memoriam by Alice WinnAmazonBookshop.org[39:41]We Were Once a Family by Roxanna AsgarianAmazonBookshop.org[44:09]The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love HardinAmazonBookshop.org[46:13]Romantic Comedy by Curtis SittenfeldAmazonBookshop.org[49:50]Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahAmazonBookshop.org[52:49]Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosAmazonBookshop.org[53:45]Starling House by Alix E. HarrowAmazonBookshop.org[54:30]Congratulations, the Best Is Over! by R. Eric ThomasAmazonBookshop.org[57:18]I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[58:59]Shark Heart by Emily HabeckAmazonBookshop.org[59:02]Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline BoulleyAmazonBookshop.org[59:31] Other Books Mentioned Reef Road[4:19]Atomic Family[13:57]The Caretaker[14:02]All You Have to Do Is Call[14:03]One Woman Show[14:18]Big Swiss[14:19]Dear Edward[21:00]The Heart’s Invisible Furies[21:26]The Rachel Incident[22:16]Wellness[22:19]The Covenant of Water[22:22]Ghost[26:27]Tell Me Lies[26:29]Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers[31:00]Bad Summer People[31:30]The Five-Star Weekend[31:33]The Sweet Spot[31:39]Small Mercies[36:44]Drowning[36:48]Strange Sally Diamond[37:00]Beyond That, the Sea[39:54]The House Is on Fire[40:05]The Postcard[40:09]The Stranger in the Woods[41:38]In Light of All Darkness[42:18]A Fever in the Heartland[43:49]Poverty, by America[44:00]The Woman in Me[46:22]All My Knotted Up Life[46:29]How to Stay Married[46:38]Ask Again, Yes[47:28]Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow[49:06]Happy Place[49:45]Yours Truly[50:00]The Great...

We’re gearing up to close out our year of reading with today’s podcast episode, featuring the Best Books of 2023 Superlatives with Susie (@NovelVisits). Our wrap-up is split into two episodes: today’s Superlatives and next week’s Genre Awards. Today, we’re diving into more than 25 Superlative categories, including Most Deserving of the Hype, Biggest Surprise, the Darkest Book of the Year, and many others! 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 2024 Reading TrackerBecome a Superstars Patron here! Highlights 2023 Superlatives [6:52] Susie Hello Beautiful by Ann NapolitanoAmazonBookshop.org[7:03][24:25]I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[11:37]Age of Vice by Deepti KapoorAmazonBookshop.org[16:07]Juno Loves Legs by Karl GearyAmazonBookshop.org[21:17]Western Lane by Chetna MarooAmazonBookshop.org[25:14]The Future by Naomi AldermanAmazonBookshop.org[29:44]Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin ShetterlyAmazonBookshop.org[33:46]The Road to Dalton by Shannon BowringAmazonBookshop.org[37:31]Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahAmazonBookshop.org[40:22]One Woman Show by Christine CoulsonAmazonBookshop.org[43:40]Small Mercies by Dennis LehaneAmazonBookshop.org[46:41]Rootless by Krystle Zara AppiahAmazonBookshop.org[49:20]The Postcard by Anne BerestAmazonBookshop.org[52:19]Happiness Falls by Angie KimAmazonBookshop.org[58:01]Wandering Souls by Cecile PinAmazonBookshop.org[1:03:40] Sarah The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’DonoghueAmazonBookshop.org[8:42]The Quiet Tenant by Clémence MichallonAmazonBookshop.org[13:10]Pineapple Street by Jenny JacksonAmazonBookshop.org[15:03]All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. CosbyAmazonBookshop.org[18:43]Strange Sally Diamond by Liz NugentAmazonBookshop.org[22:56]All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William LandayAmazonBookshop.org[26:55]Bright Young Women by Jessica KnollAmazonBookshop.org[28:21]I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[32:26]I Could Live Here Forever by Hannah HalperinAmazonBookshop.org[35:53]How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott KeyAmazonBookshop.org[38:44]Drowning by T. J. NewmanAmazonBookshop.org[42:11]Shark Heart by Emily HabeckAmazonBookshop.org[45:09]Late Bloomers by Deepa VaradarajanAmazonBookshop.org[48:01]Good for a Girl by Lauren FleshmanAmazonBookshop.org[50:40]The Longest Race by Kara GoucherAmazonBookshop.org[50:56]Tom Lake by Ann PatchettAmazonBookshop.org[54:53]Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin StevensonAmazonBookshop.org[1:01:01]We Were Once a Family by Roxanna AsgarianAmazonBookshop.org[1:05:08] Other Books Mentioned Dear Edward[7:23]Blacktop Wasteland[19:27]Razorblade Tears[19:30]Unraveling Oliver[23:28]Talking at Night[24:30]Maame[24:32]The Power[30:11]Wellness[31:30]Day[31:32]Yellowface[31:35]The Great Believers[32:47]The Whispers[37:03]The Push[37:20]Our Town[56:12]

For our first annual 2023 State of the Industry episode, we’re welcoming back literary agent Sarah Landis for an overview and exploration of some hot topics in the book world this year. Taking stock of how this year panned out for the publishing industry, Sarah discusses top news stories, dives deep into how specific titles performed this year, and shares current trends she’s seeing in publishing. Also, Sarah shares her favorite books of 2023! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Coming Soon 2024 Rock Your Reading TrackerDecember 6!Don’t miss out on this and other bookish goodies – become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights 2023 State of the Industry High-Level Overview [3:08] Spare by Prince HarryAmazonBookshop.org[4:30]The Woman in Me by Britney SpearsAmazonBookshop.org[4:31]Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusAmazonBookshop.org[4:58]Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosAmazonBookshop.org[7:31]Iron Flame by Rebecca YarrosAmazonBookshop.org[10:08]Game of Thrones by George R. R. MartinAmazonBookshop.org[12:21]Fire & Blood by George R. R. MartinAmazonBookshop.org[12:22]The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsAmazonBookshop.org[12:48] Big Book Stories of 2023 [13:10] Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth GilbertAmazonBookshop.org[17:21]Beyond the Story by BTS and Myeongseok KangAmazonBookshop.org[21:22] The Over / Under Game [25:17] Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahAmazonBookshop.org[26:05]Yellowface by R. F. KuangAmazonBookshop.org[27:41]Pineapple Street by Jenny JacksonAmazonBookshop.org[30:17]In Memoriam by Alice WinnAmazonBookshop.org[31:26]I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[32:11]The Great Believers by Rebecca MakkaiAmazonBookshop.org[32:29]The Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseAmazonBookshop.org[33:39]Cutting for Stone by Abraham VergheseAmazonBookshop.org[34:15]The Vaster Wilds by Lauren GroffAmazonBookshop.org[37:28]Let Us Descend by Jesmyn WardAmazonBookshop.org[38:37]Tom Lake by Ann PatchettAmazonBookshop.org[39:11]The Dutch House by Ann PatchettAmazonBookshop.org[39:20]Wellness by Nathan HillAmazonBookshop.org[39:30]Hello Beautiful by Ann NapolitanoAmazonBookshop.org[39:52]Happiness Falls by Angie KimAmazonBookshop.org[40:14]Miracle Creek by Angie KimAmazonBookshop.org[40:35]Shark Heart by Emily HabeckAmazonBookshop.org[40:50]Spare by Prince HarryAmazonBookshop.org[42:00]The Woman in Me by Britney SpearsAmazonBookshop.org[42:01]Becoming by Michelle ObamaAmazonBookshop.org[42:39]A Promised Land by Barack ObamaAmazonBookshop.org[42:42] Bookish Trends of 2023 [44:26] Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnAmazonBookshop.org[47:08]Educated by Tara WestoverAmazonBookshop.org[47:23]The Girl on the Train by Paula HawkinsAmazonBookshop.org[47:25]The Dry by Jane HarperAmazonBookshop.org[48:04]All That Is Mine I Carry with Me by William LandayAmazonBookshop.org[48:24]Defending Jacob by William LandayAmazonBookshop.org[48:38]In Light of All Darkness by Kim CrossAmazonBookshop.org[49:16]You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie SmithAmazonBookshop.org[49:36] Examining the Shift in Publishers’ Calendars [51:43] Potential Trends for 2024 [54:25] The Midnight Library by Matt HaigAmazonBookshop.org[55:20]The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. SchwabAmazonBookshop.org[55:24] Sarah’s Top 3 Books of the Year [56:02] Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin StevensonAmazonBookshop.org[56:38]Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. SutantoAmazonBookshop.org[57:20]Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. SutantoAmazonBookshop.org[57:38]Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather FawcettAmazonBookshop.org[58:33]Weyward by Emilia HartAmazonBookshop.org[59:34]

In the Fall 2023 Book Preview, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I shared our 12 most-anticipated books that released mid-August – December. Today we’re going to circle back to share updates on which of these books we’ve read, our thoughts on them, and a few we attempted but couldn’t quite get through. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Coming Soon 2024 Rock Your Reading TrackerDecember 6!Don’t miss out on this and other bookish goodies – become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights Fall 2023 Book Preview Books We Read Before the Preview [8:38] Sarah’s Pick: Happiness Fallsby Angie KimAmazonBookshop.org[11:19] Catherine’s Picks: The English Experienceby Julie SchumacherAmazonBookshop.org[8:43]The River We Rememberby William Kent KruegerAmazonBookshop.org[15:26] Other Books Mentioned: Dear Committee Members[9:56]Miracle Creek[11:45] Fall 2023 Circle Back [17:18] September Sarah’s Pick: Bright Young Womenby Jessica KnollAmazonBookshop.org[17:23] Catherine’s Pick: The Museum of Failuresby Thrity UmrigarAmazonBookshop.org[26:17] Other Books Mentioned: The Quiet Tenant[18:53]Notes on an Execution[18:51]The Only Plane in the Sky[21:44]Luckiest Girl Alive[25:56]The Favorite Sister[25:57]Honor[28:12] October Sarah’s Picks: Kill Showby Daniel Sweren-BeckerAmazonBookshop.org[28:15]In Light of All Darknessby Kim CrossAmazonBookshop.org[34:42]The Sun Sets in Singaporeby Kehinde FadipeAmazonBookshop.org[41:33] Catherine’s Picks: The Hank Showby McKenzie FunkAmazonBookshop.org[32:35]The Leftover Womanby Jean KwokAmazonBookshop.org[38:23]One Woman Showby Christine CoulsonAmazonBookshop.org[44:14] Other Books Mentioned: I Have Some Questions For You[30:53]When the Stars Go Dark[35:15]I’ll Be Gone in the Dark[35:44]American Predator[35:46] November Sarah’s Pick: The Helsinki Affairby Anna PitoniakAmazonBookshop.org[47:43] Other Books Mentioned: Red London[48:08]Red Widow[48:07]Our American Friend[50:28]The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA[50:55] Other Books The Vaster Wilds[7:36]Let Us Descend[7:37]Wellness[7:39]The Fraud[7:42] Other Links Instagram | @ataleoftwolitties : Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

In podcast episode 154, we’re diving into the world of book cover design with Karen Horton, graphic designer and former Art Director at Henry Holt. Karen takes us behind the scenes of the process of book cover design, who makes key book cover related decisions, and the role of marketing budgets and author’s reputation in this process. Plus, Karen shares her book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Karen’s Book Recommendations [35:58] Two OLD Books She Loves A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth OzekiAmazonBookshop.org[36:11]The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz ZafónAmazonBookshop.org[38:04] Two NEW Books She Loves Thicker Than Waterby Kerry WashingtonAmazonBookshop.org[39:36]We Were Once a Family by Roxanna AsgarianAmazonBookshop.org[40:45] One Book She DIDN’T Love A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy TooleAmazonBookshop.org[42:46] NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia AlvarezApril 2, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[45:12]Unlikely Animals[46:56] Last 5-Star Book Karen Read A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25] Additional Books Mentioned Strange Sally Diamond[15:34]Lessons in Chemistry[26:45]Prep[31:04]Eat, Pray, Love[31:17]When the Stars Go Dark[32:11]Malibu Rising[32:20]The Paper Palace[32:25]The Push[32:32]The Whispers[33:00]The Mothers[34:49]The Vanishing Half[34:50] About Karen Horton Website | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Karen Horton is an Art Director and graphic designer with more than 15 years of experience working in the book publishing industry. She previously was the Art Director at Henry Holt and Company + Metropolitan Books. Prior to moving over to the Henry Holt imprint in 2016, she was the Senior Designer at Flatiron Books. Over the years she has worked as a freelancer and consulting Art Director for a variety of publishing clients. Additionally, Karen was a co-founder and the Editorial and Social Media Director for the startup design:related. Karen was also an Art Director on staff for a range of New York Times bestsellers at Little, Brown, and Company. Before working at Little, Brown, she managed a small team of designers as an Art Director at Oxford University Press. She first got her start in book publishing at St. Martin’s Press (Macmillan Publishers). When she’s not designing book covers, she spends much of her time wandering neighborhoods in Queens and researching all things design.

In Episode 153, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I are back for our 3rd annual Debuts Special! Today, we’re sharing our favorite debuts from 2023 (so far), new and backlist! Plus, we discuss our reading stats for debuts this year, and we talk about some standout sophomore novels that made the cut. 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 Favorite Debuts of 2023 (so far) [7:06] Sarah Talking at Night by Claire DaverleyAmazonBookshop.org[8:01]The Art of Scandal by Regina BlackAmazonBookshop.org[13:43]Good for a Girl by Lauren FleshmanAmazonBookshop.org[20:02]Shark Heart by Emily HabeckAmazonBookshop.org[26:41] Susie Go As a River by Shelley ReadAmazonBookshop.org[10:47]Wandering Souls by Cecile PinAmazonBookshop.org[16:49]In Memoriam by Alice WinnAmazonBookshop.org[22:43]The Road to Dalton by Shannon BowringAmazonBookshop.org[30:40] Other Books Mentioned The Many Lives of Mama Love[7:27]The Rachel Incident[8:47]Normal People[8:48]The Paper Palace[8:50]One Day[8:51]Tell Me Lies[9:20]Where the Crawdads Sing[13:07]The River We Remember[24:23]The Vaster Wilds[24:25]A Little Life[25:33]No Two Persons[32:06]The Net Beneath Us[33:07]A Town Called Solace[33:10] Favorite Backlist Debuts [33:22] Sarah The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray HintonAmazonBookshop.org[33:37]Blood Sugar by Sascha RothchildAmazonBookshop.org[39:47] Susie Severance by Ling MaAmazonBookshop.org[36:18]Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire FullerAmazonBookshop.org[41:53] Other Books Mentioned Just Mercy[34:23]Tom Lake[37:21]Pete and Alice in Maine[37:23]Station Eleven[37:33]The Dog Stars[37:40]Swimming Lessons[42:56] Standout Sophomore Novels [44:46] Sarah I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna HalperinAmazonBookshop.org[45:23]The Connollys of County Down by Tracey LangeAmazonBookshop.org[49:51] Susie The Shadow of Perseus by Claire HeywoodAmazonBookshop.org[47:33]The Whispers by Ashley AudrainAmazonBookshop.org[51:59] Other Books Mentioned Happiness Falls[45:10]Something Wild[47:25]Stone Blind[49:21]We Are the Brennans[50:00]The Push[52:35] Additional Books Mentioned Lessons in Chemistry[2:15]The Measure[2:17]

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 Strange Sally DiamondStrange Sally DiamondStrange Sally Diamond Liz’s Book Recommendations [32:45] Two OLD Books She Loves I Know This Much Is True by Wally LambAmazonBookshop.org[32:58]Razorblade Tears by S. A. CosbyAmazonBookshop.org[37:08]Other Books Mentioned:Pride and Prejudice[33:12]Bleak House[33:13]She’s Come Undone[36:02]All the Sinners Bleed[41:05] Two NEW Books She Loves Everyone Here is Lyingby Shari LapenaAmazonBookshop.org[41:21]I Will Find You by Harlan CobenAmazonBookshop.org[42:33]Other Books Mentioned:The Couple Next Door[42:08] One Book She Didn’t Love American Psycho by Bret Easton EllisAmazonBookshop.org[45:17] TWO NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About The Mystery Guest by Nita ProseNovember 28, 2023AmazonBookshop.org[47:58]End of Story by A. J. FinnFebruary 20, 2024AmazonBookshop.org[49:43]Other Books Mentioned:The Woman in the Window[49:46] Last 5-Star Book Liz Read The Lost Man by Jane HarperAmazonBookshop.org[50:54] Other Books Mentioned Unraveling Oliver[1:44]Lying in Wait[1:47]Little Cruelties[1:48]To Kill a Mockingbird[3:27]The Body Keeps the Score[10:33]The Maid[21:52] Other Links Esquire | Book Publishing’s Broken Blurb System (September 7, 2023)

Episode 151 brings author Angie Kim back to the podcast with her sophomore novel, Happiness Falls. Angie is carving out her niche with literary mysteries featuring children with disabilities or illnesses, drawing inspiration from her own family’s encounters. I broke my own rules for podcast guests because Happiness Falls is now in the running for my #1 book of 2023 and it’s the smartest book I’ve read all year! 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 full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Happiness FallsHappiness FallsMiracle CreekHappiness Falls Angie’s Book Recommendations [40:34] Two OLD Books She Loves Swamplandia! by Karen RussellAmazonBookshop.org[40:45]Chemistry by Weike WangAmazonBookshop.org[42:48]Other Books Mentioned:Joan Is Okay[44:47] Two NEW Books She Loves Greek Lessonsby Han KangAmazonBookshop.org[45:10]Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine GrilloAmazonBookshop.org[48:05]Other Books Mentioned:The Vegetarian[45:27] One Book She Didn't Love The Godfather by Mario PuzoAmazonBookshop.org[50:48] NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed ParkNovember 7, 2023AmazonBookshop.org[53:05]Other Books Mentioned:Cloud Atlas[54:09] Last 5-Star Book Angie Read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:24] Other Links Ep. 22: Angie Kim (Author of Miracle Creek)

Welcome to the Fall 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 mid-August through December. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement Patreon Communityseveralbonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extrashere Highlights Patreon Community Fall 2023 Book Preview [12:53] August Sarah’s Pick: Happiness Fallsby Angie KimAmazonBookshop.org[13:35] Catherine’s Pick: The English Experienceby Julie SchumacherAmazonBookshop.org[17:53] Other Books Mentioned: Miracle Creek[13:08]Hello Beautiful[17:22]Dear Committee Members[21:28]The Shakespeare Requirement[21:48] September Sarah’s Pick: Bright Young Womenby Jessica KnollAmazonBookshop.org[22:02] Catherine’s Picks: The River We Rememberby William Kent KruegerAmazonBookshop.org[26:21]The Museum of Failuresby Thrity UmrigarAmazonBookshop.org[31:57] Other Books Mentioned: Luckiest Girl Alive[22:57]The Favorite Sister[23:10]The Stranger Beside Me[23:26]The Quiet Tenant[24:11]Notes on an Execution[24:13]Honor[34:11] October Sarah’s Picks: Kill Showby Daniel Sweren-BeckerAmazonBookshop.org[29:37]In Light of All Darknessby Kim CrossAmazonBookshop.org[34:46]The Sun Sets in Singaporeby Kehinde FadipeAmazonBookshop.org[41:26] Catherine’s Picks: The Hank Showby McKenzie FunkAmazonBookshop.org[38:07]The Leftover Womanby Jean KwokAmazonBookshop.org[43:39]One Woman Showby Christine CoulsonAmazonBookshop.org[49:26] Other Books Mentioned: I Have Some Questions For You[31:00]My Murder[31:03]When the Stars Go Dark[35:37]The Expatriates[42:48]Girl in Translation[46:18]Metropolitan Stories[49:47] November Sarah’s Pick: The Helsinki Affairby Anna PitoniakAmazonBookshop.org[46:36] Other Books Mentioned: Red London[46:48]Red Widow[46:49]Necessary People[47:18]Our American Friend[47:20]The Futures[47:31]The Spy and the Traitor[48:40] Other Links Ep. 22: Angie Kim (Author of Miracle Creek) Ep. 105: Thrity Umrigar (Author of Honor) Ep. 116: Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits)

In Ep. 149, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I revisit the 12 books released from June to mid-August that we featured in the Summer 2023 Book Preview. We update you on our reading stats for summer, chat about the books we’ve tackled or tried, and let you know which ones are worth adding to your list and which ones you can pass on. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Summer 2023 Book Preview Books We Read Before the Preview [3:02] Sarah’s Picks: Same Time Next Summerby Annabel MonaghanAmazonBookshop.org[3:34]The Rachel Incidentby Caroline O’DonoghueAmazonBookshop.org[6:26] Other Books Mentioned: Nora Goes Off Script[3:39] Summer 2023 Circle Back [7:54] June Sarah’s Picks: My Murderby Katie WilliamsAmazonBookshop.org[11:55]Invisible Sonby Kim JohnsonAmazonBookshop.org[20:47] Catherine’s Picks: Lady Tan’s Circle of Womenby Lisa SeeAmazonBookshop.org[7:59]All the Sinners Bleedby S. A. CosbyAmazonBookshop.org[16:23]You Can’t Stay Here Foreverby Katherine LinAmazonBookshop.org[26:17] Other Books Mentioned: Foe[13:48]Blacktop Wasteland[16:28]Razorblade Tears[18:17]This Is My America[21:52]The Sun Does Shine[22:10] August Sarah’s Picks: The Art of Scandalby Regina Black AmazonBookshop.org[29:03]Tom Lakeby Ann PatchettAmazonBookshop.org[37:21] Catherine’s Picks: The Many Lives of Mama Loveby Lara Love HardinAmazonBookshop.org[33:18]Mobilityby Lydia KieslingAmazonBookshop.org[42:16]Western Alliancesby Wilton BarnhardtAmazonBookshop.org[45:20] Other Books Mentioned: Seven Days in June[30:53]Our Town[39:10]The Golden State[42:29] Other Links Ep. 146: Katie Williams (Author of My Murder) Ep. 147: Lara Love Hardin (Author of The Many Lives of Mama Love)

For Episode 148, as the podcast takes a brief break, we revisit a backlist episode…the Best Books of 2020 with Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits). Re-listening to this one is a unique opportunity to get a look back on a strange year. Whether you’re new to the podcast or have been with us for a while, everyone loves a TBR filled with backlist gems! Library holds should be easy and paperbacks editions have been released! So, let’s take a look back at 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!). This is a backlist episode. It features a new introduction and has been cut for content, but first aired on November 25, 2020, in its entirety, as Ep. 71: Best Books of 2020 and Bookish Superlatives with Susie from @NovelVisits. Highlights Our Favorite Books of 2020 (Overall and by Genre) [18:25] Sarah Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel WestAmazonBookshop.org[18:56]Untamed by Glennon DoyleAmazonBookshop.org[21:28]The Familiar Dark by Amy EngelAmazonBookshop.org[23:15]The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica MorganAmazonBookshop.org[24:39]The Knockout Queen by Rufi ThorpeAmazonBookshop.org[26:13]Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel WestAmazonBookshop.org[28:30]One to Watch by Kate Stayman-LondonAmazonBookshop.org[29:06]Long Bright River by Liz MooreAmazonBookshop.org[31:19]The Vanishing Half by Brit BennettAmazonBookshop.org[32:24]Craigslist Confessional by Helena Dea BalaAmazonBookshop.org[34:50]We Keep the Dead Close by Becky CooperAmazonBookshop.org[35:00]Memorial Drive by Natasha TretheweyAmazonBookshop.org[37:55]Smacked by Eilene ZimmermanAmazonBookshop.org[38:11]This is My America by Kim JohnsonAmazonBookshop.org[39:25] Susie The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. SchwabAmazonBookshop.org[19:34]A Knock at Midnight by Brittany K. BarnettAmazonBookshop.org[22:20]The Night Swim by Megan GoldinAmazonBookshop.org[23:41]Godshot by Chelsea BiekerAmazonBookshop.org[25:15]The Vanishing Half by Brit BennettAmazonBookshop.org[26:52]Writers & Lovers by Lily KingAmazonBookshop.org[27:40]The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby JimenezAmazonBookshop.org[30:12]Long Bright River by Liz MooreAmazonBookshop.org[32:00]Greenwood by Michael ChristieAmazonBookshop.org[33:48]Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. KendiAmazonBookshop.org[35:52]Open Book by Jessica Simpson AmazonBookshop.org[38:41]American Royals II: Majesty by Katharine McGee AmazonBookshop.org[41:00]A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet AmazonBookshop.org[42:52]Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam AmazonBookshop.org[43:37] 2020 Superlatives [43:54] Sarah The Vanishing Half by Brit BennettAmazonBookshop.org[44:18]Running by Natalia SylvesterAmazonBookshop.org[44:58]We Wish You Luck by Caroline ZancanAmazonBookshop.org[46:02]Untamed by Glennon DoyleAmazonBookshop.org[47:13]The Searcher by Tana FrenchAmazonBookshop.org[47:59]Sea Wife by Amity GaigeAmazonBookshop.org[49:28]Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel WestAmazonBookshop.org[50:18]This is My America by Kim JohnsonAmazonBookshop.org[50:29]The Knockout Queen by Rufi ThorpeAmazonBookshop.org[52:29]Deacon King Kong by James McBrideAmazonBookshop.org[53:25]Anxious People by Fredrik BackmanAmazonBookshop.org[53:58]Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarciaAmazonBookshop.org[53:59]A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne FowlerAmazonBookshop.org[54:00]Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie WrobelAmazonBookshop.org[54:02]Smacked by Eilene ZimmermanAmazonBookshop.org[55:17]Eat a Peach by David ChangAmazonBookshop.org[55:25]Stray by Stephanie DanlerAmazonBookshop.org[56:33]Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam AmazonBookshop.org[56:45]The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John MandelAmazonBookshop.org[57:40]Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarciaAmazonBookshop.org[57:46]The Boys’ Club by Erica KatzAmazonBookshop.org[58:59]The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke EmeziAmazonBookshop.org[1:00:54]The Office by...