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Poured Over

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Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like Poured Over's host, Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who's always reading. Follow us...

Location:

United States

Description:

Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like Poured Over's host, Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who's always reading. Follow us here for surprising riffs, candid conversations, a few laughs, and lots of great book recommendations from big name authors and authors on their way to being big names. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional bonus episodes on Saturdays).

Language:

English


Episodes
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S.A. Cosby on KING OF ASHES

4/22/2026
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby is an action-packed quest for vengeance. S.A. joined us to talk about sibling dynamics, gender roles, crime fiction, The Godfather, masculinity and more with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode): King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper

Duration:00:55:10

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Maria Semple on GO GENTLE

4/21/2026
Go Gentle by Maria Semple is a transformative novel of new beginnings and second chances. Maria joined us live at the Upper West Side to talk about stoicism, satire, dialogue, coming-of-age, theater and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Go Gentle by Maria Semple Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard When All the Men Wore Hats: Susan Cheever on the Stories of John Cheever by Susan Cheever Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt The Author Weekend by Laura Zigman The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke Clear by Carys Davies Rasputin Swims the Potomac by Ben Fountain Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain

Duration:00:51:50

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Chanda Prescod-Weinstein on THE EDGE OF SPACE-TIME

4/18/2026
The Edge of Space-Time by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein takes you to the edge of the universe and explains abstract theoretical physics concepts in an accessible and engaging way. Chanda joined us live at the Upper West Side to talk about particle cosmology, creation, metaphors, certainty, black holes, craft books, Star Trek and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice, and Skill by Jericho Brown The Scientist's Guide to Writing, 2nd Edition: How to Write More Easily and Effectively throughout Your Scientific Career by Stephen B. Heard The Sentences That Create Us by PEN America The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe by Clifford V. Johnson

Duration:00:57:58

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Ben Lerner on TRANSCRIPTION

4/16/2026
Transcription by Ben Lerner is a poetic meditation on art, technology and what it really means to be alive. Ben joins us to talk about journalism, authenticity, language, voice, podcasts, connection, attention and more with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Transcription by Ben Lerner The Topeka School by Ben Lerner 10:04 by Ben Lerner The Hatred of Poetry by Ben Lerner G. by John Berger Distant Star by Roberto Bolaño

Duration:00:53:59

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Patrick Radden Keefe on LONDON FALLING

4/14/2026
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe is a stunning piece of investigative journalism about a young man whose life is cut short after he becomes entangled in London's dark underworld. Patrick joined us live in Philly to talk about social media, London, access as a journalist, adolescence, storytelling, truth and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis

Duration:00:51:42

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Emma Straub on AMERICAN FANTASY

4/9/2026
American Fantasy by Emma Straub is a charming and comic story about the joys of middle age — and what lies beyond nostalgia. Emma joins us to talk about boybands, New Kids on the Block, parasocial relationships, fandom, finding freedom in cringe and more with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): American Fantasy by Emma Straub This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub Country People by Daniel Mason

Duration:00:55:41

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Caro Claire Burke on YESTERYEAR

4/7/2026
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is a witty, dark debut about a tradwife social media influencer. Caro joins us to talk about likable characters, performance, social media, traditional living, surveillance and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates Whidbey by T Kira Madden The Secret History by Donna Tartt In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Duration:00:43:02

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Kevin Fedarko on A WALK IN THE PARK

4/2/2026
A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko is an inspired look at our beautiful world and where we fit in it. Kevin joins us to talk about setting off on his hike, the unique terrain of the Grand Canyon, perseverance, the beauty of the natural world, the National Park Service and more with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode): A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko The Man Who Walked Through Time: The Story of the First Trip Afoot Through the Grand Canyon by Colin Fletcher

Duration:00:57:31

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Jenny Lawson on HOW TO BE OKAY WHEN NOTHING IS OKAY

4/1/2026
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson shares tips and tricks for all of life's messy bits. Jenny joins us to talk about the joys of reading, finding community, doom scrolling, empathy, expectations, Freud and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay: Tips and Tricks That Kept Me Alive, Happy, and Creative in Spite of Myself by Jenny Lawson Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson Featured Books (TBR Top Off) How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay: Tips and Tricks That Kept Me Alive, Happy, and Creative in Spite of Myself by Jenny Lawson Joyful Recollections of Trauma by Paul Scheer The Creative Act: : A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Duration:01:04:01

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Yann Martel on SON OF NOBODY

3/31/2026
Son of Nobody by Yann Martel is an imaginative retelling of the Trojan War from the bestselling author of Life of Pi. Yann joins us to talk about the Trojan War, studying the classics, writing epic poetry, structure, Greek mythology, storytelling and more with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Son of Nobody by Yann Martel Life of Pi by Yann Martel The Iliad by Homer, translated by Stephen Mitchell The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison The Divine Comedy: The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso by Dante Alighieri, translated by John Ciardi The Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzati Waiting for Godot: : A Tragicomedy in Two Acts by Samuel Beckett The Iliad by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson Featured Books (TBR Top Off) Son of Nobody by Yann Martel What We Can Know by Ian McEwan Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Duration:01:07:25

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Kristen Arnett on STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE

3/28/2026
Stop Me If You've Heard This One by Kristen Arnett is a heartfelt and hilarious romp through Central Florida following an unlikely protagonist: a clown working the birthday circuit. Kristen joins us to talk about the polarization of clowns, following your creative intuition, the tourism economy, art, friendship, Florida, third spaces and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Stop Me If You've Heard This One by Kristen Arnett Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett With Teeth by Kristen Arnett It by Stephen King Brawler: Stories by Lauren Groff Alligator Tears: A Memoir in Essays by Edgar Gomez Whidbey by T Kira Madden Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden State of Paradise by Laura van den Berg

Duration:00:45:11

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Amal El-Mohtar on SEASONS OF GLASS AND IRON

3/26/2026
Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar features her award-winning folktales that invite readers into fantastic new worlds. Amal joins us to talk about Dungeons & Dragons, creating characters, long form vs short form writing, the life of the internet, creativity, birds and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories by Amal El-Mohtar The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm Jade City by Fonda Lee The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee Metal from Heaven by August Clarke

Duration:00:54:10

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Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney on LAKE EFFECT

3/24/2026
Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney is a witty and wry story about family, marriage—and happiness. Cynthia joined us live at The Grove to talk about the 1970s, women's agency, revisiting classic novels, Rochester and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney The Great American Novel by Philip Roth Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Middlemarch by George Eliot North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse Intruder in the Dust by William Faulkner

Duration:00:39:49

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Tom Junod on IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH I WAS TOLD WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN

3/21/2026
In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod is a poignant reflection of fathers, sons and the complex bonds of family. Tom joins us to talk about growing up on Long Island, Mad Men, writing about his father, masculinity, Mr. Rogers and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod

Duration:00:53:07

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Andy Weir on PROJECT HAIL MARY

3/19/2026
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a tale of impending catastrophe, survival and interstellar adventure. Andy joins us to talk about his books being adapted into films, astrophysics, placing his characters in tricky situations, world building, The Beatles and more with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Martian by Andy Weir A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith The Time Machine by H.G. Wells Featured Books (TBR Top Off) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi

Duration:00:53:00

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Jung Yun on ALL THE WORLD CAN HOLD

3/17/2026
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun is a smart, sharp and surprising novel following three passengers aboard a Bermuda-bound cruise ship. Jung joins us to talk about The Love Boat, character, the aftermath of 9/11, capturing history through art, the early internet, technology and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun Shelter by Jung Yun O Beautiful by Jung Yun The Wapshot Chronicle by John Cheever On Morrison by Namwali Serpell Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru

Duration:00:51:19

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Karan Mahajan on THE COMPLEX

3/14/2026
The Complex by Karan Mahajan is a captivating family drama that moves between the US and India during a time of political transformation. Karan joins us to talk about Russian novels, the American Dream, New Delhi, connection, memory vs nostalgia, exile and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Complex by Karan Mahajan The Association of Small Bombs by Karan Mahajan The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Paradise Lost by John Milton Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte Malgudi Days by R.K. Narayan The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy This Is Not That Dawn by Yashpal The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing Ravelstein by Saul Bellow Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow

Duration:00:46:03

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T Kira Madden on WHIDBEY

3/12/2026
Whidbey by T Kira Madden is a gripping story of three women and the complex ties that bind them. T Kira joins us to talk about life-changing moments, balancing fact and fiction, immersive research, interactive reading, truth, storytelling and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Whidbey by T Kira Madden Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden Geek Love by Katherine Dunn Cruddy by Lynda Barry The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith Trust Exercise by Susan Choi

Duration:00:49:24

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Caitlin Breeze on THE FOX HUNT

3/11/2026
The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze follows students at an elite university concealing a dark and deadly secret. Caitlin joins us to talk about the publishing process, attending Cambridge, patriarchy within academia, tradition, the gothic, fairy tales and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce Metamorphoses: Translated by Stephanie McCarter Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Duration:00:51:55

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Patricia Finn on THE GOLDEN BOY

3/10/2026
The Golden Boy by Patricia Finn is a deeply funny and tender novel following a former Hollywood executive who must finally confront a long-buried secret to build a brighter future. Patricia joins us to talk about ghostwriting, hope, voice, boundaries, Aristotle, connection and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Golden Boy by Patricia Finn The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst Angel Down by Daniel Kraus The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro My Antonia by Willa Cather Featured Books (TBR Top Off) The Golden Boy by Patricia Finn Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Duration:01:00:05