Sarah's Bookshelves Live

For Ep. 174, due to an unexpected change in our episode schedule, we’re bringing you an episode from our newest Patreon bonus series, Unscripted. This series is our sandbox for any bookish topic, whether it’s publishing news, behind-the-scenes insights from the podcast and our reading lives, or patron-submitted discussions. Most Unscripted episodes feature both co-hosts, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide), along with me — and this April episode was no exception. We dive into the topic of Auto-Buy Authors, submitted by patrons! Tune in for a candid chat about the authors we always buy, former favorites, and those we’ve learned to avoid.

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.

Announcement (Podcast Survey)

• Hey Listeners! We value your feedback and want to ensure Sarah’s Bookshelves Live continues to meet your needs. Please take a couple of minutes to complete our podcast survey. Your insights are crucial for us to keep improving the podcast. The results are completely anonymous, so feel free to be honest. You can access the survey here. Thank you for your support!

Introduction [4:19]

Books Mentioned

• The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [5:12]

Auto-Buy Authors [11:12]

Catherine

• Elizabeth George
  • The Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley Mysteries, #1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:43]
• Anna Quindlen
• Paula McLain
  • When the Stars Go Dark | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:49]
  • Circling the Sun | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:56]
  • Love and Ruin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:03]
  • A Ticket to Ride | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:23]
  • The Paris Wife | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:27]
• Alice Hoffman
  • Practical Magic | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:02]
  • The Rules of Magic | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:43]
• Thrity Umrigar
  • Honor | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:30]
• Barbara Kingsolver
  • Demon Copperhead | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:51]
  • The Bean Trees | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:03]
  • The Poisonwood Bible | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:25]
  • Unsheltered | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:46]
  • Prodigal Summer | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:10]
  • Pigs in Heaven | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:25]
• Natalie Haynes
• S. A. Cosby
  • All the Sinners Bleed | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:01]
• Maggie O’Farrell
  • I Am, I Am, I Am | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:03]
  • The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:22]
• John Boyne
  • Water | Amazon [43:48]
  • The Heart’s Invisible Furies | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:16]
  • The Boy in the Striped Pajamas | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:23]
  • All the Broken Places | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:25]
  • A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:04]
  • A Ladder to the Sky | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:18]
• Abbi Waxman
  • Other People’s Houses | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:12]
  • The Bookish Life of Nina Hill | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:21]
• Percival Everett
  • James | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:12]
  • The Trees | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:13]
  • Erasure | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:16]
• Jennifer Saint
  • Elektra | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:59]
  • Ariadne | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:00]
  • Atalanta | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:02]
• Laini Taylor
  • Strange the Dreamer | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:39]

Susie

• Claire Fuller
  • Unsettled Ground | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:41]
  • The Memory of Animals | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:42]
  • Bitter Orange | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:48]
  • Our Endless Numbered Days | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:31]
• Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • Daisy Jones & The Six | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:13]
  • The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:16]
  • Malibu Rising | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:18]
• Sally Rooney
  • Beautiful World, Where Are You | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:31]
  • Intermezzo (September 24, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:06]
  • Normal People | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:22]
• Madeline Miller
  • The Song of Achilles | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:20]
  • Circe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:21]
• David Joy
  • The Line That Held Us | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:58]
  • Those We Thought We Knew | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:32]
• Rebecca Makkai
  • The Great Believers | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:43]
  • The Hundred-Year House | Amazon [31:47]
  • I Have Some Questions For You | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:27]
• Peter Heller
  • The River | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:50]
  • The Guide | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:56]
  • The Last Ranger | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:59]
  • Burn | Amazon | Bookshop.org (August 13, 2024)[35:29]
  • The Dog Stars | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:43]
• Celeste Ng
  • Our Missing Hearts | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:41]
  • Everything I Never Told You | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:59]
  • Little Fires Everywhere | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:00]
• William Kent Krueger
  • The River We Remember | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:26]
• Annie Hartnett
  • Rabbit Cake | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:33]
  • Unlikely Animals | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:34]
• Fredrik Backman
  • Beartown | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:59]
  • A Man Called Ove | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:02]
  • Us Against You | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:16]
  • The Winners | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:19]
  • Anxious People | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:26]
• Lily Brooks-Dalton
  • Good Morning, Midnight | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:32]
  • The Light Pirate | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:34]
• Anna Pitoniak
  • Necessary People | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:45]
  • The Futures | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:58]
  • The Helsinki Affair | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:10]
• Emma Straub
  • This Time Tomorrow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:44]
  • All Adults Here | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:36]

Sarah

• Ann Patchett
  • Tom Lake | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:11]
  • Bel Canto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:14]
  • These Precious Days | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:20]
  • Run | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:33]
  • Commonwealth | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:45]
• Rufi Thorpe
  • The Girls from Corona del Mar | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:12]
  • Dear Fang, With Love | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:21]
  • The Knockout Queen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:39]
  • Margo’s Got Money Troubles | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:43]
• Garrett M. Graff
  • The Only Plane in the Sky | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:57]
• Kevin Wilson
  • Now Is Not the Time to Panic | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:10]
  • Nothing to See Here | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:48]
  • The Family Fang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:54]
• Amy Jo Burns
  • Shiner | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:13]
  • Mercury | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:14]
• Liz Nugent
  • Unraveling Oliver | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:06]
  • Strange Sally Diamond | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:14]
• Meg Wolitzer
  • The Interestings | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:34]
  • The Wife | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:39]
  • The Female Persuasion | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:32]
• Tayari Jones
  • An American Marriage | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:01]
  • Silver Sparrow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:07]
• Brit Bennett
  • The Mothers | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:52]
  • The Vanishing Half | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:00]
• Angie Kim
  • Miracle Creek | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:13]
  • Happiness Falls | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:14]
• Mary Laura Philpott
  • I Miss You When I Blink | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:13]
  • Bomb Shelter | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:14]
• Rachel Khong
  • Goodbye, Vitamin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:44]
  • Real Americans | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:46]
• Hanna Halperin
  • I Could Live Here Forever | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:50]
  • Something Wild | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:56]
• Gabrielle Zevin
  • The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:04]
  • Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:06]
  • Young Jane Young | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:08]

Former Auto-Buy Authors [1:03:23]

Catherine

• Mark Halperin
• Paul Auster
• John Irving
• Nelson DeMille
  • Plum Island (A John Corey Novel, #1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:08:50]
• Colson Whitehead
  • The Underground Railroad | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:14:03] 
  • The Nickel Boys | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:14:05] 

Susie

• Chris Bohjalian
  • Skeletons at the Feast | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:05:37]
  • The Sleepwalker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:05:55]
  • The Flight Attendant | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:05:57]
  • The Princess of Las Vegas | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:06:26]
  • The Double Bind | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:06:57]
  • Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:07:06]
  • The Sandcastle Girls | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:07:17]
  • Midwives | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:07:21]
• Sally Hepworth
  • The Younger Wife | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:10:43] 
• Stephen King
  • The Stand | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:12:14] 
  • 11/22/63 | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:12:17] 
  • Holly | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:12:37] 
  • Mr. Mercedes | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:12:45] 

Sarah

• Anna Quindlen
  • Alternate Side | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:52]
  • After Annie | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:59]
• Beatriz Williams
  • A Hundred Summers | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:07:53]
  • Along the Infinite Sea | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:08:16]
• Michael Lewis
  • Liar’s Poker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:11:22] 
  • Moneyball | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:11:22]
  • The Big Short | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:11:23]  
  • The Blind Side | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:11:24] 
  • The Undoing Project | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:11:25] 

Auto-Avoid Authors  [1:14:50]

Catherine

• Paula Hawkins
  • The Girl on the Train | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:17:11] 
• Colleen Hoover
  • Verity | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:18:30] 
• Fredrik Backman
• Alix E. Harrow

Susie

• Rachel Kapelke-Dale
  • The Ballerinas | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:15:07] 
  • The Ingenue | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:15:16] 
  • The Fortune Seller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:15:20] 
• Elle Cosimano
  • Finlay Donovan Is Killing It | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:16:11] 
• Annabel Monaghan 
• Benjamin Stevenson
  • Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone | Amazon | Bookshop.org[1:17:46] 
• T. J. Newman
  • Falling | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:19:11] 
  • Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:19:23] 
• Emma Cline
  • The Girls | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:20:45] 
  • The Guest | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:21:02] 

Sarah

• Riley Sager
  • Final Girls | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:17:04] 
• Emily Henry
• Liane Moriarty
  • The Husband’s Secret | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:19:40]
  • Big Little Lies | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:19:40]  
  • What Alice Forgot | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:19:41] 
• Kristin Hannah
  • The Nightingale | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:21:59] 
  • The Great Alone | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:22:03] 
  • The Women | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:22:06] 
• Emma Straub

Other Books Mentioned

• Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano [1:23:44]
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano [1:23:47] 
• 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard [1:25:04]
• The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard [1:25:16] 
• Writers & Lovers by Lily King [1:25:41] 
• Euphoria by Lily King [1:25:44] 

For Ep. 173, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) joins me as we circle back to one of our favorite topics — niching down our reading into micro genres! In this special Circle Back, we revisit some previously shared micro genres from our two past Micro Genres We Love episodes and introduce two additional micro genres from a Patreon bonus episode not yet heard on the big show! We give examples that define each micro genre for us and share new books we’ve read that fit into these niches. Plus, we share books for that DIDN’T work for us. This episode is full of over 100 books for you to add to your TBR!

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.

Romances That Deal With Fame [4:04]

Sarah’s Additions

• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:53]
• Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:14]

Other Books Mentioned

• Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld [4:31]
• Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston [4:34]
• You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi [6:01]
• Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura (July 9) [6:37]

Frenzied but Favorable Family Dynamics [7:43]

Sarah’s Additions

• Mercury by Amy Jo Burns | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:21]
• Banyan Moon by Thao Thai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:37]
• The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:44]
• Something Wild by Hanna Halperin | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:59]

Susie’s Additions

• Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:19]
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:46]
• Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [9:31]
• Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:40]
• The Things We Didn’t Know by Elba Iris Pérez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:42]
• Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:50]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [8:12]
• Happiness Falls by Angie Kim [10:35]
• The Bee Sting by Paul Murray [12:17]
• You Only Call When You’re in Trouble by Stephen McCauley [12:35]

Novels about the Dynamics of the Creative Process [12:53]

Sarah’s Addition

• Margo’s Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:49]

Susie’s Addition

• The Art Thief by Michael Finkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:24]

Other Books Mentioned

• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [13:16]
• The Ensemble by Aja Gabel [13:23]

Hell No! Women’s Stories [15:16]

Susie’s Additions

• The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:05]
• Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:49]
• Margo’s Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:10]
• Go As a River by Shelley Read | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:34]
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:37]
• Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:51]

Other Books Mentioned

• Circe by Madeline Miller [15:51]
• The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir [15:55]

Intense, (Sometimes) F-ed Up Love Stories, that Most Definitely Are Not Romances [18:10]

Sarah’s Additions

• Talking at Night by Claire Daverley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:04]
• Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [19:17]
• Leaving by Roxana Robinson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:29]

Susie’s Addition

• How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:09]

Other Books Mentioned

• Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering [18:52]
• Normal People by Sally Rooney [18:55]
• I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin [18:58]

Time Travel Done Right [20:31]

Susie’s Additions

• The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:09]
• The Husbands by Holly Gramazio | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:33]
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:03]

Other Books Mentioned

• 11/22/63 by Stephen King [20:58]
• Life After Life by Kate Atkinson [21:02]

Books by Former or Current Attorneys [22:37]

Sarah’s Additions

• Gone But Not Forgotten by Phillip Margolin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:30]
• Happiness Falls by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:47]
• All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:52]
• Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:03]

Susie’s Addition

• What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:32]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer [22:54]
• Miracle Creek by Angie Kim [23:23]
• The Eddie Flynn Series by Steve Cavanagh [23:26]

Faithful Friends / Ensembles [25:07]

Sarah’s Addition

• The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:39]

Susie’s Additions

• We Are the Light by Matthew Quick | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:53]
• Piglet by Lottie Hazell | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:16]
• Good Material by Dolly Alderton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:36]
• The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:10]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer [25:37]
• The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall [25:41]
• The Ensemble by Aja Gabel [25:45]
• Come and Get It by Kiley Reid [27:28]

Suspenseful Books That Are Not Truly Thrillers,But That Publishers Market as Thrillers [28:20]

Sarah’s Additions

• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:26]
• All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:50]

Susie’s Addition

• Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:21]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [29:08]
• My Sunshine Away by M. O. Walsh [29:11]
• The Cutting Season by Attica Locke [29:20]

Literary Angst [30:52]

Sarah’s Addition

• Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:01]

Susie’s Additions

• Yellowface by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:06]
• Victim by Andrew Boryga | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:30]
• I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:16]

Other Books Mentioned

• Writers & Lovers by Lily King [31:26]
• Groundskeeping by Lee Cole [31:30]
• We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan [31:33]
• The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz [33:44]
• A Million Little Pieces by James Frey [34:22]
• Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James [34:24]

Oral Histories [34:35]

Sarah’s Additions

• The Hop by Diana Clarke | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:18]
• Kill Show by Daniel Sweren-Becker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:38]
• Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, and Alan Sepinwall | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:52]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff [34:58]
• Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [35:05]

Retellings of Classics or Beloved Books [36:43]

Sarah’s Addition

• Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:53]

Susie’s Additions

• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:27]
• Bear by Julia Phillips | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:46]

Other Books Mentioned

• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver [37:03]
• Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor [37:08]
• Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes [37:13]
• The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood [37:17]
• Birnham Wood by Eleanor Catton [38:38]
• James by Percival Everett [39:05]
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen [39:55]

Badass Female Athlete Fiction / Competition Novels [40:14]

Sarah’s Addition

• Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:42]

Other Books Mentioned

• Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid [40:35]
• Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley [40:38]
• The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [41:02]

Trust No One [41:33]

Susie’s Additions

• First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:46]
• Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:07]

Other Books Mentioned

• I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid [42:03]
• Foe by Iain Reid [42:04]
• Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [42:17]
• Sunburn by Laura Lippman [42:21]
• Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson [43:45]
• The Fury by Alex Michaelides [44:19]

Workplace Dramas or Thrillers [44:58]

Sarah’s Additions

• Exit Interview by Kristi Coulter | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:38]
• Private Equity by Carrie Sun | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:50]
• Bully Market by Jamie Fiore Higgins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:05]

Susie’s Additions

• The Sisterhood by Liza Mundy | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:48]
• Correspondents by Tim Murphy | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:11]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger [45:13]
• The Boys’ Club by Erica Katz [45:17]
• All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris [45:19]
• Code Girls by Liza Mundy [47:04]

Novels With a Focus on Found Family [47:28]

Sarah’s Additions

• Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:47]
• The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:17]

Susie’s Additions

• Who We Are Now by Lauryn Chamberlain | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:25]
• The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:48]
• All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:23]

Other Books Mentioned

• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara [48:04]
• We Are the Light by Matthew Quick [48:09]
• Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda [48:15]
• Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen [49:14]
• Family Family by Laurie Frankel [49:48]

In Ep. 172, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits), Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide), and I are together for the first time on the big show to catch up on our 2024 reading — so far!  We talk about the current publishing landscape, what books are topping bestseller lists to date, and our personal reading as it stands halfway through the year. We share our stats and talk about expectations and hopes for the remainder of the year. Plus, we each share our TOP 5 books and our biggest disappointments so far.

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.

The Bookish Landscape [1:51]

Books Mentioned

• James by Percival Everett [4:00]
• The Women by Kristin Hannah [4:14]
• Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey [4:22]
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas [5:00]
• House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas [5:01]
• A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas [5:02]
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros [5:15]
• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros [5:16]
• Atomic Habits by James Clear [5:17]
• Icebreaker by Hannah Grace [5:26]

Our Personal Reading for 2024 (So Far) [6:59]

Books Mentioned

• Medea by Eilish Quin [8:12]
• Sociopath by Patric Gagne, PhD [8:12]
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley [8:13]
• River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure [8:15]
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [11:53]
• In Memoriam by Alice Winn [13:33]
• The Measure by Nikki Erlick [16:03]
• Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [16:04]
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver [16:05]

Our Top Five (So Far)  [16:49]

Sarah

• Leaving by Roxana Robinson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:18]
• Victim by Andrew Boryga | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:50]
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:05]
• Margo’s Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:16]
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (July 2, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[48:32]

Susie

• How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica | Amazon | Bookshop.org[20:44]
• Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:50]
• Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:46]
• Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:28]
• Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski | Amazon | Bookshop.org[50:52]

Catherine

• James by Percival Everett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:43]
• Mercury by Amy Jo Burns | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:39]
• The Women by Kristin Hannah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:12]
• The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:31]
• I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:46]

Other Books Mentioned

• Shiner by Amy Jo Burns  [30:13]
• Cinderland by Amy Jo Burns [31:23]
• Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong [33:14]
• The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [44:16]
• Long Bright River by Liz Moore [48:59]
• The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic [49:28]
• No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister [51:37]
• The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring [51:40]
• Virgil Wander by Leif Enger [54:59]
• The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton [55:15]
• The Iliad by Homer [55:36]
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [55:37]
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy [55:39]

Our Biggest Disappointments (So Far)  [56:27]

Sarah

• Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:35]
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:45]

Susie

• After Annie by Anna Quindlen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:01]
• The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:17]

Catherine

• Family Family by Laurie Frankel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:01]
• Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:00]

Other Books Mentioned

• Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson  [56:46]
• Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson (October 22, 2024) [57:17]
• We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman [59:51]

In Episode 171, Rufi Thorpe she joins me to discuss her latest novel, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and her career arc in general. Rufi talks about her inspiration for Margo and the quirky elements she uses to explore deeper topics like loneliness, motherhood, untraditional family dynamics, money, and art — all with a great sense of humor. We also go behind-the-scenes of marketing the book, including cover design, titles, and comparison titles.  Plus, Rufi 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

• A spoiler-free overview of Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
• Rufi talks about the inspiration for bringing together pro wrestling, OnlyFans, motherhood, a father-daughter story, and the challenges of making ends meet.
• How Wonder Woman (2017) played a role in creating Margo.
• Her thoughts on Margo’s Got Money Troubles possibly being her breakout book.
• The challenges of marketing such a complex book, including designing the cover.
• Rufi’s got title troubles: the working titles for a couple of her books!
• The big questions Rufi addresses in all her work.
• Some scenes that were cut from earlier versions book.
• A theme she’s exploring in her next book is gossip (which also contains time-travel and thriller elements).
• The way Rufi and her publisher handles comps for her hard-to-pin-down books.
• What she learned from an unpublished book she wrote between Dear Fang, With Love and The Knockout Queen.

Rufi’s Book Recommendations [39:30]

Two OLD Books She Loves

• Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:45]
• Ordinary Love and Good Will by Jane Smiley | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:45]

Two NEW Books She Loves

• Oye by Melissa Mogollon | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:35]
• Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25]
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain [50:36]

One Book She DIDN’T Love

• The Bee Sting by Paul Murray | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:56]

One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About

• Mad Woman by Chelsea Bieker (Sept 3, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:09]
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • God Shot by Chelsea Bieker [52:23]

Last 5-Star Book Rufi Read

• Come and Get It by Kiley Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:07]
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid [54:24]

Other Books Mentioned

• Dear Fang, With Love by Rufi Thorpe [1:57]
• The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe [2:12]
• The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [13:49]
• The Cider House Rules by John Irving [19:53]
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara [30:32]
• Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong [30:48]
• The Pisces by Melissa Broder [31:36]
• Milk Fed by Melissa Broder [31:38]
• Victim by Andrew Boryga [38:36]

About Rufi Thorpe

Website | Instagram | X | Facebook

Rufi Thorpe received her MFA from the University of Virginia in 2009. Rufi is the author of The Knockout Queen, a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, Dear Fang, With Love, and her first novel, The Girls from Corona del Mar, which was long-listed for the 2014 International Dylan Thomas Prize and for the 2014 Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize. A California native, she currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and sons.

Announcement

• One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here!

CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

Highlights

• Now that the 2024 Summer Reading Guide is set, Sarah welcomes heavier and more literary books.
• Catherine is leaning into several themes with books covering 4 decades.
• With a clean split of 3 new or debut authors and 3 repeat authors, Catherine is trying for more wins this season.
• Kick back with several summer picks that are 450+ pages.
• Sarah’s choices feature a wide variety of topics with 2 debuts and 4 returning authors.
• Sarah has already read and rated two of her picks 5 stars!
• Plus, listen in to hear their #1 picks for the summer season.

Summer 2024 Book Preview [2:49]

June

Sarah’s Picks

• Fire Exit by Morgan Talty (June 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:28]
• Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (June 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[9:05]
• What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris (June 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:59]

Catherine’s Picks

• Swift River by Essie Chambers (June 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:44]
• Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo (June 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:34]
• All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (June 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:17]
• How the Light Gets In by Joyce Maynard (June 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:31] 

Other Books Mentioned

• The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters [3:33]
• Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty [3:52]
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong [9:31]
• The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [9:41]
• Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [12:10]
• Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett [12:11]
• The Hop by Diana Clarke [13:26]
• The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [14:42]
• All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris [18:16]
• Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris [18:21]
• We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker [22:38]
• Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra [23:10]
• At Home in the World by Joyce Maynard (memoir published in 1998) [32:29]

July

Sarah’s Picks

• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:12] 
• The World After Alice by Lauren Aliza Green (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:17]
• Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (July 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:00]

Catherine’s Picks

• The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[35:28]
• The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:11] 

Other Books Mentioned

• Long Bright River by Liz Moore [25:22]
• I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai [28:56]
• Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead [34:09]
• Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane [34:23]
• Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [34:46]
• A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella [35:37]
• Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close [36:26]
• Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal [36:29]
• The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane [36:45]
• Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner [38:53]
• The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali [42:31]

In Episode 169, Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and I catch up on the 12 new releases from the Spring 2024 Book Preview. We share our reading stats, chat about what we liked, and what didn’t quite hit the mark. Tune in to hear our thoughts on these books and get some recommendations for your next read! 

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.

Access the 2024 Summer Reading Guide Cheatsheet and Free Trial on Patreon here.

Highlights

• Catherine describes spring as “disappointing and confusing” — Is 2024 a slow year for standout reads?
• Catherine’s spring reading trend dips over the past three years.
• On the flip side, spring seems to be Sarah’s reading season!
• This spring brought Sarah two 4.5-star books.
• One of Catherine’s auto-buy authors no longer makes the cut.
• Sarah’s wildcard selection missed the mark this season as well.
• Both Catherine and Sarah’s top picks from the Preview didn’t quite deliver.
• They name the best and worst books from their spring picks.⁠

Books We Read Before the Preview [6:20] Sarah’s Picks

• The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza (April 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:27]
• Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zenter (April 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[9:19]

Spring 2024 Book Preview [10:22]

April

Sarah’s Pick

• The Wives by Simone Gorrindo (April 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:09]

Catherine’s Picks

• Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman (April 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:22]
• Honey by Victor Lodato (April 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:56]
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong (April 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:23]

Other Books Mentioned

• Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman [13:51]
• The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman [14:32]
• You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith [19:17]
• Maid by Stephanie Land [19:19]
• Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad [19:21]
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller [19:23]
• Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance [19:25]
• Educated by Tara Westover [19:26]
• Greenwood by Michael Christie [26:02]

May

Sarah’s Picks

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley  (May 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[27:36] 
• The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:49]
• Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli  (May 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:11]

Catherine’s Picks

• The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (May 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:58] 
• The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:28]
• Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:00] 

Other Books Mentioned

• The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic [33:17]
• The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore [39:26]
• The Guncle by Steven Rowley [39:37]
• Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli [42:25]
• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan [47:05]

Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guide, some shorter books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for each category featured in my 2024 Summer Reading Guide.

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.

Access the 2024 Summer Reading Guide Cheatsheet and Free Trial on Patreon here.

Summer Reading [9:19] Books That Missed Last Year’s Summer Reading Guide [10:14]

Sarah

• All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:21]
• Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Guide for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:22]
• The Hop by Diana Clarke | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:22] 

Susie

• Shark Heart by Emily Habeck | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:58]
• Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:04] 
• The Last Ranger by Peter Heller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:24] 

Other Books Mentioned

• Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby [11:08]
• Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby [11:10] 
• Dial ‘A’ for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto [16:26]
• Take It Back by Kia Abdullah [20:07]

Shorter Books Great for Summer Reading [26:00]

Sarah

• All Together Now by Matthew Norman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:13] 
• Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:48]
  • Be spoiler ready: The murders and endings of The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie, Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne, Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles, Double Indemnity by James M. Cain, The Drowner by Robert Drewe, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, and Deathtrap by Ira Levin are discussed in detail as noted in the book.  But many readers have lamented that the endings and main plots were also spoiled for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and And Then There Were None, both by Agatha Christie.
• FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:29]

Susie

• Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:09] 
• I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:52]
• One Woman Show by Christine Coulson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:06]

Other Books Mentioned

• In Five Years by Rebecca Serle [28:49]
• One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle [28:51] 
• The Measure by Nikki Erlick [31:00]
• The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson [31:54]

Our #1 Summer Picks by Category  [42:43]

Something Light / Fun

• Sarah: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:20] 
• Susie: Annie Bot by Sierra Greer | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:13] 
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • The Measure by Nikki Erlick [45:19]
  • The One by John Marrs [45:23]

Slow-Burn Suspense

• Sarah: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (July 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[49:37] 

Something Fast-Paced / Intense

• Susie: What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan | Amazon | Bookshop.org[51:49] 

Something With a Bit More Substance

• Sarah: Real Americans by Rachel Khong | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:50] 
• Susie: Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:11] 
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong [57:42]

Something Different

• Sarah: The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:08] 
• Susie: Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:05:00] 
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter [1:03:55]
  • Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin [1:05:50]

In Ep. 167, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I are circling back to 2018 in the book world with a special retrospective episode!  We share big bookish highlights for that year, including book news, award winners, and what was going on in the world outside of reading. We also talk about our own 2018 reading and our favorite 2018 releases.  Plus, you’ll hear listener-submitted favorites!  This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR!  

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

• The big news going on outside the book world.
• Book stories and trends that dominated 2018.
• Looking back at 2018, we couldn’t help but say, “If only we knew what was coming!”
• The books that have had staying power.⁠
• Titles that now are comps for SO MANY books!⁠
• We explore the early days of this new wave of celebrity book clubs.
• Our personal 2018 reading stats.⁠
• Listener-submitted favorites from 2018.⁠

Circling Back to 2018 in Books [2:05] The World Beyond Books

• Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:12]
• A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R. R. Martin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:45]
• The Walking Dead (Compendium One) by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:54]

The Book Industry

• Becoming by Michelle Obama | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:55]
• Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:46]
• The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff Kinney | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:50]
• Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:54]
• Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:56]
• Wonder by R. J. Palacio | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:12]
• Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:16]
• The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:42]

Book Trends

• Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:30]
• Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:34]
• Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:36]
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:38]
• Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:27]
• Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:34]
• You Are a Badass® by Jen Sincero | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:59]
• 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:08]
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson | Amazon | Bookshop.org[18:14]

Big Books of 2018

• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:46]
• The Reckoning by John Grisham | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:58]
• The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [21:05]
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:56]
• There There by Tommy Orange | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:25]
• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:27]
• Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:16]
• Normal People by Sally Rooney | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:20]
• Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:21]
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:33]
• Verity by Colleen Hoover | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:30]
• Circe by Madeline Miller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:08]
• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:32]
• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:36]
• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:07]
• I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:19]
• Becoming by Michelle Obama | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:36]
• Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:11]
• Educated by Tara Westover | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:31]
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:18]
• Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:11]
• I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara | Amazon | Bookshop.org[31:51]
• Wandering Stars Tommy Orange | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:53]
• The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:12]
• The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:37]
• Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (expected publication: August 15, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:50]
• Less by Andrew Sean Greer | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:54]
• The Friend by Sigrid Nunez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:02]
• Milkman by Anna Burns | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:09]
• Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:22]
• The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth Book 3) by N. K. Jemisin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:04]

Our Top Books of 2018

• Circe by Madeline Miller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:46]
• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:55]
• The Line that Held Us by David Joy | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:30]
• The Pasha of Cuisine by Saygin Ersin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:55]
• Only Child by Rhiannon Navin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:32]
• Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:54]
• Song of a Captive Bird by Jasmin Darznik | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:00]
• There There by Tommy Orange | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:04]
• She Would Be King by Wayétu Moore | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:06]
• Tin Man by Sarah Winman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:09]
• Waiting for Eden by Elliot Ackerman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:42]
• A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:33]
• I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:46]
• Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:23]
• The Ensemble by Aja Gabel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:36]
• The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:46]
• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:55]
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:00]
• You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:31]

Listeners’ Top Books of 2018

• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:09]
• A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:29]
• Educated by Tara Westover | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:46]
• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:54]
• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:58]
• Circe by Madeline Miller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:01]
• The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:04]
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:26]

Other Links

• Time Magazine | What to Know About the Controversy Surrounding Where the Crawdads Sing by Annabel Gutterman, July 2022

In episode 166, author Andrew Boryga joins me to discuss his debut novel, Victim, a funny and gripping satire about success and identity. Through the adventures of Javier, Victim explores what “diversity” means, why society loves a victim narrative, and the pitfalls of chasing fame online. Boryga combines humor with biting social commentary without sacrificing heart. This is a juicy and highly discussable story! In our chat, Andrew shares his inspiration behind the book, his decade long road to publication, and what he finds most effective in a satirical novel.  Plus, Andrew shares some fantastic 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

• A spoiler-free overview of Victim.
• Andrew shares the inspiration and decade-long development of the story.
• How his journalism background is reflected in his book.
• Why Andrew decided to craft Javier’s story as a memoir.
• Andrew’s journey to finding an agent and getting published.
• Why Andrew followed his dream of writing fiction, rather than publishing an essay collection like many publishing insiders were advising him.
• The way his story drafts and characters evolved over time.
• How his MFA workshop helped shaped the story.
• Riding that fine line for a balanced satire: focusing on the social commentary without going over the top.
• The themes Andrew is exploring in his next book!

Andrew’s Book Recommendations [34:19]

Two OLD Books He Loves

• Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:30]
• Loving Day by Mat Johnson  | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:11]
• Other Book Mentioned:
  • Pym by Mat Johnson [37:56]

Two NEW Books He Loves

• The Birthparents by Frank Santo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:09]
• Blackouts by Justin Torres | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:38]
• Other Book Mentioned:
  • We the Animals by Justin Torres [40:57]

One Book He DIDN’T Love

• Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah | Amazon | Bookshop.org[42:13]
• Other Book Mentioned:
  • The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz [43:21]

One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About

• Oye by Melissa Mogollon (May 14, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:14]

Last 5-Star Book Andrew Read

• Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:37]

Other Books Mentioned

• Yellowface by R. F. Kuang [27:31]
• The Sellout by Paul Beatty [31:14]

About Andrew Boryga

Website | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)

Andrew Boryga is a writer, editor, and author from the Bronx, New York, currently residing in Miami, Florida with his wife and two children. Victim is his debut novel.

Boryga began his career writing for a local newspaper in the Bronx at age 16, eventually securing an internship with The New York Timesby age 18. His nonfiction writing has since been featured in prominent publications such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, and The Daily Beast, among others.  Boryga’s contributions to writing education extend beyond his own work, encompassing teaching roles for elementary school students, college students, and incarcerated individuals in Florida. He has also shared his insights on writing and the writing life through lectures at various academic institutions.  Throughout his career, Boryga has been awarded prizes by Cornell University, The University of Miami, The Susquehanna Review, and The Michener Foundation. 

Welcome to the Spring 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!  

In this episode, Catherine and I share 12 of our most anticipated books releasing in April and May.  

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.

Announcement

• One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here!

Highlights

• Catherine is fully embracing spring with some lighter, fun reading.
• Sarah is joining the fun with lighter reads as she preps for the Summer Reading Guide.
• Among weddings, homecomings, and books set in Washington State, Catherine is bringing 5 out of 6 familiar authors.
• With some atypical stories, Sarah has some with historical fiction elements and a nonfiction book.
• Sarah’s choices feature 2 debuts and 3 returning authors.
• Hopefully going for a tamer wildcard pick will work out for Sarah this season.
• Sarah has read and liked 2 of her chosen books, and has also started one of Catherine’s picks!
• And don’t forget to catch their top #1 picks for the spring season!

Spring 2024 Book Preview [3:52]

April

Sarah’s Picks

• The Wives by Simone Gorrindo (April 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:54]
• The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza (April 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:10]
• Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zenter (April 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[19:51]

Catherine’s Picks

• Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman (April 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:54]
• Honey by Victor Lodato (April 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:08]
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong (April 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:45]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Wanderers by Meg Howrey [7:16]
• You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith [8:10]
• Maid by Stephanie Land [8:13]
• Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad [8:17]
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller [8:20]
• Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance [8:22]
• Educated by Tara Westover [8:24]
• Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman [10:37]
• We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza [13:53]
• Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza [14:01]
• Edgar and Lucy by Victor Lodato [17:17]
• All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg [19:14]
• The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner [20:16]
• Normal People by Sally Rooney [22:36]
• Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong [24:55]

May

Sarah’s Picks

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley  (May 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:20] 
• The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:13]
• Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli  (May 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:05]

Catherine’s Picks

• The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (May 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[33:00] 
• The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:12]
• Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan (May 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:31] 

Other Books Mentioned

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon [32:03]
• The Holdout by Graham Moore [36:22]
• The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin [36:59]
• The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore [37:39]
• The Guncle by Steven Rowley [39:36]
• The Editor by Steven Rowley [41:45]
• Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli [42:12]
• The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton [46:28]

Other Books Mentioned

• Say Hello to My Little Friend by Jennine Capó Crucet [3:39]

About Catherine Gilmore

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Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Booksover 10 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle, WA.