On Episode 174, we share LISTENER TOP 10s of 2022. Thanks to the 70+ listeners who contributed their top 10 lists. Out of 427 books, Emily shares not only what the combined top 10 titles are (actually, 11 titles because there was a tie) but also who the most frequently listed authors are. We also talk about our READING INTENTIONS & GOALS for 2023. Listeners shared their plans and intentions on a Goodreads thread (https://bit.ly/2023_Reading_Intentions_and_Goals). The discussion is ongoing and inspiring.

Reminder: PARNASSUS ON WHEELS by Christopher Morley is our first quarter readalong. If you’d like to join our live Zoom conversation on February 26th at 7 PM (ET), send us an email (bookcougars at gmail dot com). Here’s the Goodreads discussion link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/22401319-parnassus-on-wheels-by-christopher-morley

In our JUST READ segment, we talk about:

ROUGH SLEEPERS: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People by Tracy Kidder

HOW THE WORD IS PASSED: A Reckoning with Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

A HEART THAT WORKS by Rob Delaney

THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT by John Steinbeck

And in BIBLOADVENTURES, we recap our day in Boston, where we visited three bookstores: Brattle Books, Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, and Commonwealth Books. We had a blast! Emily had a solo biblioadventure, also in Massachusetts, where she saw Tracy Kidder in conversation with Dr. O’Connell discussing his new book ROUGH SLEEPERS.

Books that we have talked about on earlier episodes and are OUT NOW:

Small World by Laura Zigman

Decent People by De’shawn Charles Winslow

Georgie, All Along: An Uplifting and Unforgettable Love Story by Kate Clayborn

Exiles by Jane Harper

Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT!

We are so excited to introduce you to debut novelist JENNA MILLER! We talk with Jenna about her first novel, OUT OF CHARACTER, making friends online, her writing practice, and the growing controversy of butter boards.

Happy Listening!

Emily & Chris