The Book Case

Angela Flournoy’s newest, The Wilderness was on the long list of nominees for the National Book Award, and we believe if you read it,

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy

The Turner House by Angela Flournoy

Brown Girls, Brownstones by Paule Marshall

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Workhorse by Caroline Palmer

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

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Sometimes we look back on a season of great podcasts (humble podcasts hosts that we are) and consider what we like best within a season.  Today, we look at the summer that was.  From the great epistolary novel, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans to non-stop laughs with Dave Barry to the magical world of Leigh Bardugo, there is something for everyone in this episode.  Join us as we look back on a truly great summer of reading.  Plus we hear from the owners of the recently opened Cranford Bookstore in Cranford, NJ.

Books mentioned on this week's episode:

Six of Crows Duology: Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Class Clown by Dave Barry

Vianne by Joanne Harris

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

Queen Esther by John Irving-On Sale 11/4/25

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Leigh Bardugo has written some masterful fantasy.  And, the Six of Crows Duology (that means there is only two books in the series) is about to turn 10 years old.  So we celebrate the anniversary of these two great reads with an in depth conversation with their author, Leigh Bardugo.  Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom tell the story of a small street gang as they pull of the biggest heist of their careers.  Full of tension, atmosphere, humor and heart, these two books are some of the best the fantasy

Books mentioned on this week's episode:

Six of Crows Duology:

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone Trilogy:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

King of Scars Duology:

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo

Demon in the Woods by Leigh Bardugo

Alex Stern Series:

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Dune by Frank Herbert

Gideon the Ninth by Tasmyn Muir

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

The Corrections by Johnathan Franzen

And Then There were None by Agatha Christie

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Joanne Harris is the writer of the “Chocolat" series, which began with the famous Chocolat (also made into a movie with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp) which spawned three sequels all continuing the story of the mysterious, talented and independent Vianne and her daughters as they struggle to find their place in the world.  But in her newest contribution to the series, Vianne, she writes beautifully of Vianne’s prequel story.  What brought Vianne to her love of chocolate and what spawns her to keep traveling the world, untethered and without roots?  This is the story of her beginnings and her beginnings as the literary chocolatier that we have come to know and love.  We also talk to an amazing bookstore that is over a century old, Andover Bookstore in Andover, Massachusetts. Tune in and find out how a bookstore can still be great…even after 100 years.

Find books mentioned on The Book Case:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302

The Chocolat Series:

Vianne by Joanne Harris

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris

Peaches for Monsieur le Cure by Joanne Harris

The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris

 Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris

Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

Coastliners by Joanne Harris

Holy Fools by Joanne Harris

Honeycomb by Joanne Harris

Jigs and Reels by Joanne Harris

Maiden, Mother, Crone by Joanne Harris

The Moonlight Market by Joanne Harris

Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris

Different Class by Joanne Harris

Blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris

A Narrow Door by Joanne Harris

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang Goethe

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Take a moment to sit down with us to talk to the Reynolds Brothers, Peter and Paul.  On Thursday of this week we appeared on GMA to talk about International Dot Day, a worldwide creativity movement inspired by The Dot, an illustrated children’s book released more than 20 years ago. Tune in to find out more about why this book means so much to so many, and why it’s message has spread around the world.  We also talk to a uniquely named bookseller you won’t soon forget. Join us!

For more information on Dot Day: https://www.internationaldotday.org/

Find books mentioned on The Book Case:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds 

Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds

Love You By Heart by Peter H. Reynolds

Say Something! By Peter H. Reynolds

Gift of Words by Peter H. Reynolds

Be You! By Peter H. Reynolds

Peace Train by Cat Stevens & Peter H. Reynolds 

The World Collector by Peter H. Reynolds

Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds

Little Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds 

The North Star by Peter H. Reynolds 

Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds

Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds

I’m Here by Peter H. Reynolds

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Occasionally, a book comes into your life that is a revelation. And The Correspondent by Virginia Evans was one of these books for us. A masterful epistolary novel in which the protagonist, a retired lawyer named Sybil, corresponds with…well, anyone and everyone.  It’s an incredible read. Trust us. Don’t miss this great conversation with a wonderful writer. And to sweeten the pot? We also talk to The Vermont Bookstore. Join us.

Find books mentioned on The Book Case:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff

The White Album by Joan Didion

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

The Boy From The Sea by Garrett Carr

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

Is a River Alive? By Robert Macfarlane

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Joyride by Susan Orlean COMING 10/14/25

Heart the Lover by Lily King COMING 9/20/25

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Thomas Schlesser is a French Art Historian whose new novel, Mona’s Eyes is a brilliant way of exploring the great museums of Paris.  When Mona, his title character, is in danger of losing her sight, her grandfather, Henri, decides to show her one work of art a week for a year in the hopes that she can absorb all the beauty of the world before she goes blind. It is not just the touching story of a wonderful French girl and her grandfather visiting art, but also an amazing course in Art History.  From Botticelli to Basquiat, Thomas will tell you the history and stories behind some of the world’s greatest.  Join us as we talk to him about these fifty two works, his unforgettable characters and why it took him ten years to write.

Find books mentioned on The Book Case:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302

Books mentioned on this week's episode:

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Kathy Wang’s newest, The Satisfaction Café is the story of Joan Laing, her compromises, her victories, her loves and her loneliness.  In this memorable story, Joan and her reflections lead us through the journey of her life…culminating in the opening of a unique, strange and lovely café..  Kathy’s writing is poignant, subtle, and Joan, her protagonist is flawed yet inspiring.  Take a seat at the Satisfaction Café with us as we talk to Kathy about how she does what she does, and why she believes “satisfaction” may spell out true happiness.

Find books mentioned on The Book Case:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302

The Satisfaction Café by Kathy Wang

Imposter Syndrome by Kathy Wang

Family Trust by Kathy Wang

The World According to Garp by John Irving

Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler

Monogamy by Sue Miller

Villain by Shūichi Yoshida

Middlemarch by George Eliot

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

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J. Ryan Stradal is our Writer in Residence, if you have been following along.  What does that mean?  Well, we have been with him from step one since he started his fourth novel, as yet unnamed.  A deeply personal novel that imagines the third act his mother might have lived if she had progressed past the age of 55.  She was J.’s person, his guiding light and his North Star.  He has now finished his first draft and we talk to him as he tackles notes and thinks about bringing the novel to market.  Also joining us is Jonah Zimiles, one of our all-time favorite booksellers with his mission based independent bookstore, Words in Maplewood.  Join us for a great show with old friends.

Find books mentioned on The Book Case:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

The Sportswriter by Richard Ford

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Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is a feverishly paced, lyrical portrait of an unnamed African American man in the 1930’s.  Hauntingly beautiful and raw, this book changed how Americans think about race.  Immediately popular and the winner of the National Book Award in 1953, Ralph Ellison’s classic does not fit neatly in any literature genre (is it satire?  Is it fiction?  Is it historical fiction?).  We sit down with two professors from Ellison’s alma mater, Tuskegee University, Dr. Zanice Bond and Dr. Caroline Gebhard to discuss Ellison’s legacy, and the legacy of his most famous work.  Join us.

Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison

The Collected Essays of Ralph Ellison edited by John F. Callahan

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

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