Podcast star Aubrey Gordon (Maintenance Phase) discusses what a bookstore’s poetry section reveals about its true nature, the thrill of a literary “rug pull," and how sometimes the solution to “too much work reading” is… more reading? And Elena shares her go-to hack for getting your reading mojo back. 

Actor and cult film icon Bruce Campbell delights in playing age-appropriate roles and explains why horses are such high maintenance actors; comedian Sara Schaefer tells us a tale from childhood about losing her best friend (her blankie) during a Christmas vacation; and Puerto Rican pop-punk artist Emi Pop performs her self-released single “Lo Sé."

Award-winning author Karen Russell (Swamplandia!) chats about the joy of reading a book you love written by someone you love, how Stephen King led to sleepless nights as a child, and those “little black dress” books you always loan to a friend. Plus, Elena reveals her latest vacation read as a murder mystery starring "existential sheep." 

Podcaster and writer Kelsey McKinney (You Didn't Hear This From Me: Notes on the Art of Gossip) "spills the tea" on all things gossip — from prayer circles to AI tattle; award-winning author Omar El Akkad discusses his first book of nonfiction One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, which traces his disillusionment with the West and the failure of its promises; and indie folk band Kuinka perform their tune "Living Room Floor."

Open Book is a literary limited series that “cracks the spine” on a writer’s most intimate relationship: the one they have with books. Each episode, award-winning writer and Live Wire announcer Elena Passarello hosts candid conversations with some of today’s acclaimed authors, like Karen Russell and Melissa Febos – covering all things bookish, from reading habits and book recommendations to controversial literary opinions. Eavesdrop on the kind of passionate book talk that’s typically reserved for late nights and second glasses of wine. 

Acclaimed author Rachel Khong explores the themes in her newest novel Real Americans, including what it means to bridge cultural and generational divides within families; superstar poet Danez Smith reads from their latest collection Bluff and tells us what poetry can and cannot accomplish; and singer-songwriter Danielia Cotton chats about her tribute album to Black country star Charley Pride, before performing her own track "Bring Out the Country (In Me)."

Bestselling author Lidia Yuknavitch discusses her new memoir Reading the Waves, which explores memory and how a shift in position can reshape our complicated stories; award-winning humorist and writer Felipe Torres Medina (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert) takes us on an adventure through the quagmire of the US immigration system with his book America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story; and indie rock group Pedro the Lion performs "Spend Time" from their latest album Santa Cruz.

Bestselling author Jamie Loftus unpacks her latest podcast Sixteenth Minute of Fame, where she talks to "internet famous" folks of the past, like NFL half-time legend Elvis Presto; stand-up comedian Hari Kondabolu explains why he's never performed on Long Island and how his iPhone might be stunting his parenting; and celebrated Americana band Blizten Trapper perform "Planetarium" off their latest album 100's of 1000's, Millions of Billions. 

Slate writer Scaachi Koul unpacks her latest book of essays Sucker Punch, in which she delves into her unexpected birth, the dissolution of her marriage, and how her friends have come to know her as "the divorce doula." Multidisciplinary artist Emma Ruth Rundle explains how she crafted her debut poetry collection The Bella Vista – which touches on love lost, addiction, and discovering oneself – while traveling on tour, then performs “Blooms of Oblivion” from her album Engine of Hell. 

Author Danzy Senna unpacks the struggles of her protagonist to write the quintessential biracial comedy, in her newest (and very meta) novel Colored Television; filmmaker Penny Lane discusses her latest documentary Confessions of a Good Samaritan, which follows her personal quest to donate one of her kidneys to a stranger; and Brazilian rock duo Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom perform "We Used to Be Awesome." Plus, host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share some kind acts from strangers.