Book It!

Being a new parent is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, often in the span of a single day! Debut author Andrea Pfeiffer, along with illustrator Erin Barker, explores the trials and tribulations, the heartwarming moments and the horrible ones, and how sometimes a good laugh is the ultimate medicine.

Featuring:
Baby Monster
Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party

In this episode of B**K It!, we sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Connie Schultz and discuss her debut novel THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIETOWN. We talk all about the midwest as depicted in the arts, the upcoming election, our clingy but lovable pets, and more!

Featuring:

The Daughters of Erietown

Sometimes a book is so many things that it's hard to describe. That's Debora Harding's debut book "Dancing with the Octopus." In her memoir, Debora tells of an experience in adolescence that altered her life, the abuse she was experiencing at home, and her journey toward hope. Michael and Jill chat with Debora, and talk all things family, politics, writing, and more!

Featuring: Dancing with the Octopus

CW: abduction; emotional, physical, and sexual assault

Spill all the tea. Tell all the truths. What makes a good memoir, and what do we expect from people who choose to share their life stories with us? Jill and Michael chat all about their favorite tell-alls, which ones could've been better, and which ones they read over and over again!

Featuring:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
Beautiful on the Outside by Adam Rippon

Being a debut novelist is tough! Writers today can't just write a good book anymore. They have to have certain marketing skills, an amazing social media presence, the ability to travel as far they can to bookstores and schools...and on and on! Jill and Michael chat about debut books they love, debuts they hated, and why it's important to celebrate new voices!

FEATURING:
The Dearly Beloved
The Golden State
Conjure Women
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
The Water Dancer
The Joy Luck Club
The Time Traveler's Wife
Looking for Alaska

School sucks, we know. (Blink-182 anyone?) ESPECIALLY this year, back-to-school has been an incredibly difficult thing for teachers, parents, and students alike. Michael and Jill reflect on their experiences with required reading growing up, books they read in school that stayed with them, and books we can say goodbye to. PLUS: Skip the saccharine! Jill has back-to-school picture book recommendations that won't make you and your family cringe! 

Spoiler alert: This quarantine has been a bummer. As booksellers and book people, one of the major bummers for us isn't getting to talk with customers and the community about upcoming books we can't wait for everyone to read. In this episode, Michael and Jill chat about books that were published this summer or are coming out this fall to help everyone build their TBR piles with brand-new titles!

Featuring:

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Seven Clues to Home

Clap When You Land

Summer at Meadow Wood

The Nerviest Girl in the World

Before the Ever After

Dress Coded

What we love, what we hate, what we love to hate and hate to love...Michael and Jill chat all things pet peeves in books and publishing! PLUS: Michael updates us on his Twilight reread, including Edward being creepy and Bella thinking it's romantic.

Order any of the books you hear about at our website: https://shop.bluemanatee.org/

When a book is coming out that's been hyped by the publisher, is it our fault or theirs when it doesn't meet our expectations? Michael and Jill talk about their reading habits, book hype, and the boring saga that is Twilight!

Multi-award-winning novelist Jacqueline Woodson has made a career out of writing books for all ages. Whether it's a picture book or a book for adults, her writing offers readers truth and hope. Michael and Jill chat with Woodson about how she navigates writing for every age group, what it's felt like to have her books banned, and gave us the inside scoop about Trevor Noah, Seth Meyers, and Gayle King!

Featuring:

Each Kindness

The Day You Begin

Harbor Me

Before the Ever After

If You Come Softly

Brown Girl Dreaming

Another Brooklyn

Red at the Bone