Sarah's Bookshelves Live

Gayle Weiswasser, co-owner of Wonderland Books in Bethesda, Maryland, returns to catch up with Sarah as the bookstore approaches its second anniversary! Gayle shares how the business has grown, what they've learned along the way, and how their first full year compared to expectations. Plus, they talk about the books flying off the shelves, surprising sales trends, and how owning a bookstore has changed Gayle's own reading life. And, of course, Gayle shares her top 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

• How Wonderland's first full year compared to Gayle's financial expectations and biggest fears.
• What they've learned from their first full holiday season, plus the changes they've made as the business has grown.
• Which genres are selling especially well at Wonderland … and which have been surprisingly slow.
• The books they can't keep on the shelves, some unexpected bestsellers, and how this fall's biggest releases are performing.
• How Gayle handles customers asking her about specific books that she didn't particularly like.
• How the bookstore has affected Gayle's personal reading habits.

Gayles's Book Recommendations

Two OLD Books She Loves

• I'll Come to You by Rebecca Kauffman (2025) | Bookshop.org [34:28]
• The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) | Bookshop.org [36:67]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman (Feb 24) [34:49]
  • The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman (2018) [35:01]
  • Chorus by Rebecca Kauffman (2022) [35:02]

Two NEW Books She Loves

• Brawler by Lauren Groff (Feb 24) | Bookshop.org [38:14]
• Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Feb 3) | Bookshop.org [40:11]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff (2015) [39:50]

One Book She DIDN'T Love

• The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (2025) | Bookshop.org [42:48]

Two NEW RELEASES She's Excited About

• Kaleidoscope by Dani Shapiro (May 4, 2027) | Bookshop.org [46:30]
• Lunch Money by J. Ryan Stradal (May 4, 2027) | Bookshop.org [48:54]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Inheritance by Dani Shapiro (2018) [46:40]
  • Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro (2022) [48:32]
  • Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal (2015) [49:02]

Books From the Discussion

• Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros (Sep 29) [8:24]
• A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas (Oct 27) [8:28]
• James by Percival Everett (2024) [12:32]
• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5) [12:48]
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Apr 7) [12:53]
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) [13:27]
• Strangers by Belle Burden (Jan 13) [14:55]
• Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (2024)* [15:04]
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952) [15:41]
• Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023) [15:53]
• Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [15:56]
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992) [16:03]
• Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang (Sep 8) [17:18]
• Partita by Barbara Kingsolver (Oct 6) [17:27]
• American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee (Sep 29) [17:31]
• Hollywood, Ending by John Green (Sep 22) [17:53]
• Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel (Sep 15) [18:34]
• Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty (Aug 25) [19:00]
• The Disappearers by Marlon James (Sep 1) [19:07]
• The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (Sep 8) [19:34]
• Under Story by Chloe Benjamin (Sep 1) [19:51]
• The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (2017 translation) [20:08]
• The Iliad by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (2023 translation) [21:05]
• The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds, adapted from Homer (2010) [21:10]
• The Iliad: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds, adapted from Homer (2019) [21:38]
• The Aeneid: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds, adapted from Virgil (March 16, 2027) [21:39]
• Whistler by Ann Patchett (Jun 2) [21:53]
• The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin (2023) [32:40]

*Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition for a book originally self-published.

Author Deesha Philyaw joins Sarah to discuss her debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. Deesha first started writing this book more than 20 years ago, before her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, became a National Book Award finalist. She shares the journey of bringing this novel to life, the women who inspired its characters, and how the story (and its author) evolved along the way. Plus, Deesha shares her top 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

• Books by Deesha Philyaw: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman
• What it means to be a "First Lady" in Black churches — and how that role figures into the novel.
• How Deesha's own experiences as a church lady more than 20 years ago first inspired the story.
• Why she put the novel aside to publish The Secret Lives of Church Ladies — and what that experience taught her.
• How the novel changed between its earliest version and the finished book.
• Sarah and Deesha talk about the importance of a great opening line — and when those first sentences come together in Deesha's writing process.
• Plus, a bit about her upcoming work!

Deesha's Book Recommendations

Two OLD Books She Loves

• Daddy Was a Number Runner by Louise Meriwether (1970) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:14]
• The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:16]

Two NEW Books She Loves

• The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams (Jan 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:51]
• Desperate Bodies by Lydia Mathis (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:17]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) [38:52]
  • The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (2021) [38:53]

Two Books She DIDN'T Love

• The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (1951) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[40:13]
• The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (1952) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:31]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Black Boy by Richard Wright (1945) [41:23]
  • Native Son by Richard Wright (1940) [41:24]
  • In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1966) [42:13]
  • The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (1926) [42:52]
  • Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville (1851) [43:07]

One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About

• These Girls Out Here by Dawnie Walton (June 15, 2027) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:50]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton (2021) [45:35]

About Deesha Philyaw

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Deesha Philyaw is the author of the debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. Her debut short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the Story Prize, the LA Times Book Prize: The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. Deesha is a Kimbilio Fiction Fellow, a Baldwin for the Arts Fellow, a United States Artists Fellow, and co-host of two podcasts, Ursa Short Fiction (with Dawnie Walton) and Reckon True Stories (with Kiese Laymon). She is currently at work developing TV shows based on her short fiction.

Next Episode

Coming October 28: Gayle Weiswasser, co-owner of Wonderland Books, returns to catch up with Sarah and talk about what she's learned after two years of owning an indie bookstore.

Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop joins Sarah for the latest installment of the "Best of…" series to share her ALL-TIME TOP TEN historical fiction novels, plus a few popular picks that didn't work for her.

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

• Elizabeth shares her personal definition of historical fiction.
• How she first found her way to the genre.
• What draws her to historical fiction and keeps her coming back to it.
• What works for her in historical fiction — and what doesn't.

All the books mentioned in this episode are linked through Fabled Bookshop or Libro.fm. If you decide to purchase, we'd love for you to use our Fabled links in the show notes — if your budget allows. As a bonus, use promo code SARAH at checkout for 10% off your Fabled order! Prefer audio? You can find the books on Libro.fm and select Fabled as the bookstore you'd like to support.

Elizabeth's All-Time Top Ten Historical Fiction

• City of Thieves by David Benioff (2008) | Fabled | Libro.fm [18:43]
• Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum (2004) | Fabled | Libro.fm [21:11]
• The Winter Rose (The Tea Rose, 2) by Jennifer Donnelly (2006) | Fabled | Libro.fm [22:45]
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007) | Fabled | Libro.fm [25:26]
• The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2008) | Fabled | Libro.fm [27:37]
• As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner (2018) | Fabled | Libro.fm [29:36]
• The Shoemaker's Wife by Andrea Trigiani (2012) | Fabled | Libro.fm [31:57]
• The Winter Sea (Slains, 1) by Susanna Kearsley (2008) | Fabled [33:52]*
• Greenwood by Michael Christie (2019) | Fabled | Libro.fm [35:47]
• The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (2019) | Fabled | Libro.fm [37:36]
  • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson(2019) | Fabled | Libro.fm [37:56]

High-Profile Historical Fiction She Didn't Love

• The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin (2021) | Fabled | Libro.fm [41:16]
• The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton (2018) | Fabled | Libro.fm [43:12]

Other Books Mentioned

• Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (2011) [4:06]
• Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (2026) [8:20]
• Little House on the Prairie (Little House, 3) by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935) [10:00]
• Anne of Green Gables (book 1) by L. M. Montgomery (1908) [10:02]
• Message From Nam by Danielle Steel (1990) [10:48]
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (2015) [14:44]
• The Tea Rose (The Tea Rose, 1) by Jennifer Donnelly (2002) [24:55]
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2003) [25:35]
• And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (2013) [27:19]
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2006) [28:24]
• The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (2010) [28:45]
• A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner (2014) [31:33]
• Big Stone Gap (book 1) by Andrea Trigiani (2001) [32:03]
• Outlander (book 1) by Diana Gabaldon (1991) [34:00]
• The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (2004) [41:25]
• The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) [42:27]
• The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (2026) [42:48]
• Homecoming by Kate Morton (2023) [44:01]

*The UK title is Sophia's Secret.

Sarah and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) dig into their very different relationships with big books, from what counts as "big" and knowing when the moment is right to what makes a long book worth the extra pages. They also share some of their favorite big books — and a few they wish had been shorter.

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

• Where Sarah and Chrissie each draw the line between a regular book and a big book.
• Is a 700-page book intimidating … or an invitation to settle in?
• When, and why, are they most likely to pick up a long book?
• Does format or genre change how big a book feels?
• What makes a book actually deserve its high page count?
• Some of their favorite big books … and a few they really wish had been shorter.

Some Favorite BIG Books

Chrissie

• 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:38]
• The Princes of Ireland (The Dublin Saga, 1) by Edward Rutherfurd (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:36]
• Fox by Joyce Carol Oates (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:54]
• Red Comet by Heather Clark (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:10]
• Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:45]
• The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:30]

Sarah

• 11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:31]
• I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (1998) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:32]
• A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (1989) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:23]
• The World According to Garp by John Irving (1978) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:25]
• Natchez Burning (Penn Cage, 4; Natchez Burning, 1) by Greg Iles (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:19]
• Wanderers (Wanderers, 1) by Chuck Wendig (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:40]

Other Books Mentioned

• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) [30:06]
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1846) [30:07]
• The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) [31:43]
• Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd (1987) [33:49]
• London by Edward Rutherfurd (1998) [33:53]
• The Rebels of Ireland (The Dublin Saga, 2) by Edward Rutherfurd (2006) [34:19]
• Whistler by Ann Patchett (2026) [38:04]
• Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (2011) [40:23]

Some BIG Books That Felt Too Long

Chrissie

• Ordinary Monsters (The Talents, 1) by J. M. Miro (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:39]
• Wellness by Nathan Hill (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:24]

Sarah

• City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:39]
• The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy (1986) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:51]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe (1987) [46:06]
• The Second Coming by Garth Risk Hallberg (2024) [48:05]

Books From the Opening Discussion

• The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (1989) [9:24]
• The Brightness by Chad Harbach (October 27, 2026) [11:47]
• I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (1998) [14:07]
• Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, 1) by Sarah J. Maas (2012) [14:51]
• Outlander (Outlander, 1) by Diana Gabaldon (1991) [19:05]
• 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin (2025) [22:12]
• Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry (1974) [22:19]
• Generations by Jean M. Twenge, PhD (2023) [22:26]
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [26:13]
• The Elements by John Boyne (2025) [29:08]
• A Court of Forgotten Memory (ACOTAR, 7) by Sarah J. Maas (January 12, 2027) [29:39]

Other Links

• The Gilmore Guide to Books | Catherine's Review of Ordinary Monsters

Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books are back with 16 of their most anticipated books publishing from 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 the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

Want More Book Preview Picks?

• Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even more seasonal recommendations with Book Preview Extras! In each episode, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 additional books they're excited about that didn't make the main Book Preview. Join on Patreon or Substack to listen — and get access to all our other bonus podcast episodes and paid-member content.

Highlights

• A lightning round of some big fall releases that are NOT their personal Preview picks.
• Catherine came in determined to have "no chunksters" this fall … only to discover that 2 of her picks are actually over 500 pages.
• Catherine's theme for fall is "intrigue" — the verb, not the noun — with picks she can't wait to see unfold.
• Sarah's list includes one actual chunkster, several books that fit into her recent Micro Genres, and 3 debuts.
• Stick around to the end to hear their #1 picks for fall!

Big Fall Releases

• Ply by Hernán Diaz (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02]
• The Thoroughbreds (The Academy, 2) by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:06]
• Story Telling by Isabel Allende (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:17]
• Hollywood, Ending by John Green (Sep 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:20]
• Big Little Truths (Big Little Lies, 2) by Liane Moriarty (Aug 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:30]
• Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:37]
• Under Story by Chloe Benjamin (Sep 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:43]
• Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (Oct 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:49]
• Switzy by Emma Cline (Sep 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:08]
• I Never Knew You At All by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (Oct 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:14]
• The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (Sep 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:41]
• The Weight of Angels by John Boyne (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:48]
• Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:13]
• The Radiance by Ayad Akhtar (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:16]
• Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (Oct 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:18]
• Blacktail by Scott Hawkins (Sep 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:28]
• Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:42]

Other Books Mentioned

• Trust by Hernán Diaz (2022) [1:05]
• The Academy (The Academy, 1) by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (2025) [1:15]
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012) [1:28]
• Big Little Lies (Big Little Lies, 1) by Liane Moriarty (2014) [1:36]
• The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin (2018) [1:47]
• The Time Traveler's Wife (The Time Traveler's Wife, 1) by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) [1:53]
• The Girls by Emma Cline (2016) [2:12]
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023) [2:45]
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) [3:21]
• The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (2015) [3:31]
• Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (2013) [3:45]

Fall 2026 Book Preview

September

Sarah's Picks

• The Barman of the Ritz by Philippe Collin (September 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:16]
• See You Next Tuesday by Kate Stayman-London (September 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:53]
• The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (September 29)| Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:01]
• American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee (September 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:00]
• Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason (September 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:18]

Catherine's Picks

• The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman (September 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:17]
• Female Life on Planet Earth by Laleh Khadivi (September 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:10]
• Empire (Heir Duology, 2) by Sabaa Tahir (September 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:03]
• The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters (September 1)† | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:30]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (2025)* [9:56]
• Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin (2019) [10:03]
• One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (2020) [14:00]
• The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (2020) [19:11]
• Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) [23:24]
• Heir (Heir Duology, 1) by Sabaa Tahir (2024) [24:25]
• All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (2022) [25:40]
• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) [26:24]
• Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee (2007) [26:32]
• The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters (2023) [30:38]
• Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (2020) [31:32]

*The WWII hotel book Sarah talked about. †New publication date.

October

Sarah's Pick

• Bad Words by Ríoghnach Robinson (October 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:58]

Catherine's Picks

• The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo (October 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:04]
• Fair Ones by Lydia Millet (October 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:56]
• Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova (October 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:25]
• The Bookshop Book by Mark Lawrence (October 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:38]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (2021) [34:47]
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) [34:51]
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005) [47:26]
• The Book That Wouldn't Burn (The Library Trilogy, 1) by Mark Lawrence (2023) [50:40]

November

Sarah's Pick

• Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (November 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:54]

Other Books Mentioned

• Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [42:58]
• The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) [42:59]

December

Sarah's Pick

• Lina & June by Genevieve Wheeler (December 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:23]

Other Books Mentioned

• Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler (2024) [48:26]
• The Girls of Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe (2014) [49:03]

Sarah and Catherine circle back to the 12 new releases they shared in the Summer 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! Find out which books worked, which didn't, and whether their most anticipated summer reads lived up to expectations.

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.

Want More Book Preview Picks?

• Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even more seasonal recommendations with Book Preview Extras! In each episode, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 additional books they're excited about that didn't make the main Book Preview. Join on Patreon or Substack to listen — and get access to all our other bonus podcast episodes and paid-member content.

Highlights

• Catherine calls her summer Preview reading "upwardly mobile," while Sarah sees hers as "the downside of high-risk picks."
• Catherine liked 4 of her 6 picks, while Sarah's riskier summer ended with one 5-star read — and 3 DNFs.
• Catherine and Sarah each tried one of the other's Preview picks … and neither made it to the finish line.
• Some deep thoughts on books where you can "feel the writing device" — and why that rarely works for either of them.
• Plus, Sarah has a new label for those deeply immersive, cozy reads: "warm bath books."
• And, of course, their best and worst book picks of the summer!

Books Read Before the Preview

Sarah's Pick

• Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:17]

Other Books Mentioned

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [4:02]

Summer 2026 Circle Back

June

Catherine's Picks

• A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman (US Release June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:37]
• Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:41]
• The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:26]
• Keep Them Close by David Ellis (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:17]

Other Books Mentioned

• Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs (2024) [7:08]

July

Sarah's Picks

• The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (July 14) |Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:33]
• Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick (July 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:08]

Catherine's Pick

• City of Widows by Nadia Hashimi (July 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:19]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (2008) [15:34]
• The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (2014) [34:42]

August

Sarah's Picks

• Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:25]
• Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:03]
• Kitten by Stacey Yu (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:39]

Catherine's Pick

• You'll Love It Here by Natalie Sue (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:26]

Other Books Mentioned

• Snowflake by Louise Nealon (2021) [24:09]
• Normal People by Sally Rooney (2019) [24:15]
• Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [25:07]
• Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) [25:11]
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (2014) [30:25]
• The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (2012) [30:57]
• I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (2024) [41:53]

In Episode 232, Sarah is joined by returning guest Anderson McKean of Page & Palette Bookstore for the 2026 edition of Micro Genres! Each year, this series gives us a chance to niche down even further into the kinds of books we love — spotlighting those very specific sub-sub-genres that capture a particular reading taste. This year, Sarah and Anderson have 10 all-new Micro Genres to share, along with standout books for each. With more than 80 books mentioned, you're bound to find a few new additions to your TBR — and maybe recognize a Micro Genre or two of your own.

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.

Politically-Adjacent Stories (Sarah)

• The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:00]
• Charlotte Walsh Like to Win by Jo Piazza (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:11]
• American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (2008) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:36]
• Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:38]
• Vantage Point by Sara Sligar (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:47]
• The Emperor of Ocean Park (Elm Harbor, 1) by Stephen L. Carter (2002) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:48]
• Palace Council (Elm Harbor, 3) by Stephen L. Carter (2008) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:49]
• The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:23]
• State of Terror by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:14]
• The Situation Room by George Stephanopoulos (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:55]
• Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:18]
• From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:53]

Retellings that Are NOT Mythological (Anderson)

• Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:41]
• The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:58]
• Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:55]
• Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:23]
• Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:55]
• Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:03]
• Anna K (Anna K, 1) by Jenny Lee (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:08]
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:20]
• The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:36]
• The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:48]
• Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:57]
• Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:26]
• A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (1991) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:39]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850) [12:32]
• James by Percival Everett (2024) [12:36]
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) [14:07]
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878) [14:11]
• David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850) [14:24]
• Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith (1950) [14:41]
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847) [14:55]
• The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley (1953) [15:03]
• The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry (1939) [15:32]
• King Lear by William Shakespeare (1608) [15:45]

Ministers Behaving Badly (Sarah)

• Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:36]
• Awake by Jen Hatmaker (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:45]
• God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:19]
• The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (Sep 29, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:36]
• The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:51]
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:16]

Dear Reader / Love Letters to Books (Anderson)

• This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:14]
• The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:53]
• The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:22]
• Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Anne Spence (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:24]
• Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:37]
• The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:56]

Other Books Mentioned

• I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (2023) [20:29]
• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [20:31]
• Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023) [22:15]

Dark Humor (Sarah)

• Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:52]
• Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:53]
• The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:55]
• Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:41]
• Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:42]
• Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:51]
• The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:00]
• Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:47]

Other Books Mentioned

• Real Americans by Rachel Khong (2024) [24:44]

Fantasy Even Sarah Might Like / Fantasy-Lite (Anderson)

• Conform (Conform Series, 1) by Ariel Sullivan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:54]
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:13]
• The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:39]
• The Atlas Six (The Atlas Trilogy, 1) by Olivie Blake (2022)* | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:53]
• A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, 1) by V. E. Schwab (2015) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [31:57]
• Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:02]
• The Midnight Train (The Midnight World, 2) by Matt Haig (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:04]
• The Midnight Library (The Midnight World, 1) by Matt Haig (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:05]
• The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:20]
• The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:25]
• The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:28]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, 1) by Suzanne Collins (2008) [29:03]
• The Handmaid's Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, 1) by Margaret Atwood (1985) [29:04]

Like Friday Night Lights, But Book Form (Sarah) a.k.a. Sports Books That Are About Far More Than Sports

• The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:06]
• The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:15]
• The World According to Garp by John Irving (1978) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:51]
• In One Person by John Irving (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:53]
• Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:12]
• The Flock by Ellen Bar (Apr 27, 2027) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:41]
• The Last Days of Vic & Coco by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Mar 2, 2027) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:31]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian (2026) [37:29]
• The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian (2007) [37:48]

Women Rule the World (Anderson)

• The Romanov Empress by C. W. Gortner (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:16]
• Mademoiselle Chanel by C. W. Gortner (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:41]
• Marlene by C. W. Gortner (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:43]
• The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:07]
• Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen (2013) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:28]
• Twain's End by Lynn Cullen (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:31]
• Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:36]
• The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:53]
• The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:47]
• Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:03]

Other Books Mentioned

• Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler (2013) [43:13]
• Isola by Allegra Goodman (2025) [43:32]

Royals (Sarah)

• The Royal We (The Royal We, 1) by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:04]
• Red, White & Royal Blue (Red, White & Royal Blue, 1) by Casey McQuiston(2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:06]
• American Royals (American Royals, 1) by Katharine McGee (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:09]
• Spare by Prince Harry (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:19]
• The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:29]
• The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:48]
• The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:03]

This Land is Your Land (Anderson)

• Land by Maggie O'Farrell (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:34]
• Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:33]
• I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:52]
• The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips (2007) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:07]
• Greenwood by Michael Christie (US Release 2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:03]
• The Islanders by Lewis Robinson (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:32]
• The Shark House by Sara Ackerman (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:40]

*Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition for a book originally self-published.

In Episode 231, Al Woodworth (Amazon Senior Editor) returns to the show to discuss Amazon's Best Books of 2026 So Far. They break down this year's list, discuss the books that rose to the top, and explore how the Amazon Books editorial team selected, debated, and ultimately ranked this year's Top 20. Plus, Al shares her personal 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

• Al shares the defining characteristics of Amazon's Best Books of 2026 So Far list.
• How the Amazon Books editorial team selected and ranked this year's Top 20.
• Whether this year's list sparked debate and how disagreements were resolved.
• Why Kin was chosen as Amazon's #1 book of the year so far.
• The genres that have stood out (and the ones that haven't) in 2026.
• A look at how books are assigned to Amazon's genre-specific lists.
• Why some books rank differently on genre lists than on the overall Top 20 list.
• Under-the-radar books from the list that deserve more attention.
• Al's personal favorites that didn't quite make the Top 20.

Al's Book Recommendations

Two OLD Books She Loves

• Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:54]
• Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn (US Release: 2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:22]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [35:56]

Two NEW Books She Loves

• The Nightingales by Emil Wilson (Aug 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:32]
• American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:07]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) [44:12]

One Book She DIDN'T Love

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Apr 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:05]

One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About

• The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[50:10]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker (2020) [50:42]

Books From the Discussion

• Kin by Tayari Jones (Feb 24) [2:06]
• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Apr 7) [3:07]
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Apr 7) [6:43]
• Strangers by Belle Burden (Jan 13) [6:50]
• Night Objects by Eli Raphael (May 26) [6:57]
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992) [7:51]
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [7:54]
• Land by Maggie O'Farrell (Jun 2) [11:14]
• Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell (2020) [12:15]
• Nothing Tastes as Good by Luke Dumas (Mar 31) [12:56]
• Famesick by Lena Dunham (Apr 14) [13:04]
• Transcription by Ben Lerner (Apr 7) [13:48]
• John of John by Douglas Stuart (May 5) [15:23]
• Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (2020) [15:27]
• Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart (2022) [15:28]
• Homebound by Portia Elan (May 5) [16:15]
• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5) [17:16]
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) [17:23]
• Educated by Tara Westover (2018) [18:52]
• James by Percival Everett (2024) [19:00]
• The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller (2024) [19:09]
• No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (Mar 3) [23:43]
• American Men by Jordan Ritter Conn (Apr 21) [25:29]
• A Far-Flung Life by M. L. Stedman (Mar 3) [28:25]
• Whistler by Ann Patchett (Jun 2) [28:38]
• Into the Blue by Emma Brodie (Apr 7) [32:12]
• Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell (Apr 14) [32:14]
• Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (2024) [32:19]
• How to Rule the World by Theo Baker (May 19) [33:16]

In Episode 230, Sarah chats with Kevin Hazzard about his new book, No One's Coming, the true story of the daring mission to rescue two Americans infected with Ebola during the 2014 West African outbreak. They discuss the unlikely team behind the unprecedented operation, the challenges of telling a real-life story with the pacing of a thriller, and what Kevin learned about the ordinary people who stepped up when no one else could. Plus, Kevin shares his 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

• Books by Kevin Hazzard: No One's Coming, American Sirens, and A Thousand Naked Strangers
• How Kevin first came across this remarkable true story — and how he knew he had to write it
• Why the Phoenix Air team agreed to take on an unprecedented and incredibly dangerous mission
• The challenge of getting people to speak candidly about such a high-pressure, high-stakes operation
• The qualities Kevin saw in the people who said "yes" when everyone else was saying "no"
• Kevin answers the question: Would he have agreed to go on this ebola mission?
• If he plans to stay in the world of medical nonfiction for future books

Kevin's Book Recommendations

Two OLD Books He Loves

• Apeirogon by Colum McCann (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:45]
• The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:07]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • The Tiger by John Vaillant (2010) [40:17]
  • Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry (2019) [42:59]
  • Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (1952) [43:03]

Two NEW Books He Loves

• In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means To Be A Man by Tom Junod (Mar 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:11]
• Black Dahlia by William Mann (Jan 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:57]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012) [44:16]
  • Black Dahlia, Red Rose by Piu Eatwell (2017) [45:56]
  • I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara (2018) [46:27]

One Book He DIDN'T Love

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:44]

One NEW RELEASE He's Excited About

• High Road by Hank Idsinga (Apr 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:39]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Homicide by David Simon (1991) [48:52]

In Episode 229, Sarah talks with Laura B. McGrath about her new book, Middlemen, and the behind-the-scenes role literary agents play in publishing. They discuss what agents actually do, how they shape an author's career, the hype surrounding debut novels, and what Laura learned while researching one of publishing's least visible professions. Plus, Laura 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

• Middlemen by Laura B. McGrath (April 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org
• Why a literary agent's most important job isn't what most readers think.
• What agents are really looking for when they decide to represent an author.
• The surprising amount of homework agents do before signing a new client.
• The hype surrounding debut novels — and some of the downsides that come with it.
• Why the publishing industry was initially wary of public book sales data.

Laura's Book Recommendations

Two OLD Books She Loves

• Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson (1980) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:12]
• Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger (1961) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:59]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (2004) [46:36]

Two NEW Books She Loves

• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[49:25]
• Discipline by Larissa Pham (Jan 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:42]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (2018) [50:31]

One Book She DIDN'T Love

• The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[53:14]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Erasure by Percival Everett (2001) [53:30]
  • The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (2003) [53:32]
  • And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939) [54:16]
  • The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie (1947/1952) [54:19]
  • Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023) [55:34]

One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About

• Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li (October 13, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:04]
• Sneak Pick: Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger by Kazuo Ishiguro (March 9, 2027) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:04]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li (2025) [57:39]
  • The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro (1995) [58:43]
  • The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989) [59:27]

Books From the Discussion

• The Middle Man by Paul R. Reynolds (1972) [3:09]
• Talking at Night by Claire Daverley (2023) [10:40]
• Zone One by Colson Whitehead (2011) [11:20]
• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961) [12:36]
• Mila 18 by Leon Uris (1961) [13:33]
• The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead (1999) [14:18]
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014) [33:52]
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [34:28]
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [34:34]
• Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [34:36]
• The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) [34:39]