This week, I'm joined by Lisa Pahl who talks about an inventive way to talk about death and dying, through use of The Death Deck. We also discuss books that deal with this topic. The Clouds Far Behind Me by Laurie Lo Cicero Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living by Penny Hawkins Smith Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yin Li The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family by Marguerite Magnuson Learn more about The ...
Jun 02, 2025•29 min
An adorably short episode where I talk about the Pulitzer winning book of fiction as well as ponder whether or not dead authors' work should be publishing after their death and without their permission. Plus, I recommend five books. The Names by Florence Knapp Sleep by Honor Jones How Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie Cruz Warhol's Muses by Laurence Leamer Is Mother Dead by Videos Hjorth Check out Peggi Kroll Roberts on Instagram. Support the show Get your Books Are My People coffee mug ...
May 19, 2025•12 min
Today, I'm in conversation with Annie Hartnett, author of the recently published Road to Tender Hearts. We talk about the inspiration for her protagonist, PJ as well as how many pages she wrote before she sold this novel. Books Recommended: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett The Red Grove by Tessa Fontaine Tilt by Emma Pattee Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall Three Bags Full by Leoni Swann Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky Guest Recommendation from Dean Van Nguyen, author of Words For M...
May 05, 2025•35 min
This week, I'm in conversation with Lauren Steinstra, author of The Beauty of the End. We discuss genetics, how her career in science influenced her work and whether or not people should delete their 23 and Me accounts. Plus, lots of book recommendations. This episode is sponsored by People of the Titanic by Shawn Carlow Andrew Porter, author of The Imagined Life recommends a favorite read. Giveaway: Girls and Their Horses Books Discussed: The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker Sky Full of...
Apr 21, 2025•33 min
On this episode of Books Are My People, I'm visited by artist and bibliophile Jane Mount. We discuss the importance of talking about banned books, her favorite book to paint, and how her degree in anthropology informs her work. This episode is sponsored by People of the Titanic by Shawn Carlow Books Recommended: The Adventures of Amina Asarfti b y Amina Someone The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker The Vanished Birds by Simonoa Jiminez All that Glitters: by Orlando Whitfield The Song of the Cell: An...
Apr 07, 2025•36 min
This week, I'm joined by author Kristen Arnett. We chat about clown and how they relate to her latest novel, Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One. Guest Book Author Recommendation: Eliza Kennedy Lucky Night recommends The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk Book Recommendations: State of Paradise by Laura Van Den Berg Hot Air by Marcy Dermasnky Lot by Bryan Washington Kate & Frida by Kim Fey Dry Season by Melissa Febos Women’s Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery Substack through my Read with Me program. Giveaway: ...
Mar 24, 2025•34 min
On this week’s episode of BOOKS ARE MY PEOPLE I’m joined by fellow book podcaster Traci Thomas of THE STACKS. We chat about some of her favorite author interviews, how she manages her reading time and, she even spills the tea regarding what kind of tea Regina Porter sent her after their interview! Guest Book Recommendation: Will Bardenwerper author of Homestand Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America recommends T he Good Hand: a memoir by Michael Patrick F. Smith Books Recommen...
Mar 10, 2025•31 min
This week, on episode #141 Jane Tara visits all the way from Australia to discuss her first book written for adults, Tilda is Visible. We talk about self love during the aging process, what it's like to write over 100 children's books and of course, we both recommend books. Christine Murphy, author of Notes on Surviving the Fire also recommends a favorite read. Books Recommended: Pictures of You by Emma Grey The Cafe with No Name by Robert Seethaler The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Jo...
Feb 24, 2025•26 min
This week, I speak with Jennifer Caspar, founder and owner of Village Well Books & Coffee and one of their events coordinators, Brett Morrow. We focus on The Culver City Book Festival, Saturday, February 22nd from 10 - 5 pm. I will be there representing Books Are My People. Come say hi! We also talk about the many activities and events held at this wonderful independent bookstore. Today’s episode is brought to you by MOLD ed : A Memoir of Loss & Resilience - a dark yet humorous journey i...
Feb 10, 2025•29 min
This week, Genaro Trejo, founder of Megacity Review visits and we talk about his new literary and art journal which amplifies underrepresented voices. Author Jane Corey recommends a favorite read and I breakdown my experience during the recent L.A. fires. Jane Corry author of I Died on A Tuesday recommends Tell Me Everything by Elisabeth Strout Recommended Books: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch Homeseeking by Karissa Chen Butter by Asako Yuzuki Playworld by Adam Ross Stolen by Ann-Helen Laestadius Me...
Jan 27, 2025•28 min
Be back in two weeks. Stay safe out there. Be kind to one another. Support the show Get your Books Are My People coffee mug here! I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Jan 13, 2025•1 min
On Episode #138 I share my favorite reads and audiobook listens from 2024 as well as some favorite backlist titles I read this past year. Watch me recommend books on The Mark Thompson Show. Win a copy of Guilt and Ginataan. Click here to enter. Closes Thursday, January 2nd, 2024. Read Faces in the Crowd by Valeria Luisella with me on Substack starting January 6th. Books Recommended: Clean by Alia Trabucco Zeran Still Life With Remorse by Maira Kalman Martyr ! by Kaveh Akbar James by Percival Eve...
Dec 23, 2024•29 min
This week, my favorite guest is back, my dad, writer Ron Clark! Plus, there’s even a special bonus guest. We all giggle. A lot. Then, I go back in time and recommend some of my favorite reads from 2013. This episode is sponsored by Out Like A Lion by Tracey L. Thompson Books Recommended: Life After Life by Atkinson Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt The Flame Throwers by Rachel Kushner The Interestings Meg Wolitzer We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Jo...
Dec 09, 2024•37 min
A.D. Rhine - the pseudonym for co-authors Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson are here to discuss their latest novel, Daughters of Bronze, a retelling of Homer's Iliad from the women who were there. This episode is sponsored by Out Like A Lion by Tracey L. Thompson Books Recommended: Horses of Fire by A.D. Rhine Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City: a Diary by Anonymous James by Percival Everett Versailles by Katheryn Davis We Begin at the End by ...
Nov 25, 2024•36 min
This week, I speak with Nayantara Roy about her debut novel The Magnificent Ruins . We speak about how she managed the logistics of her page-turning family saga, how her lived experience influenced this novel, as well as how long it took her to write this expansive novel. This episode of Books Are My People is sponsored by Out Like A Lion by Tracy L. Thompson. Guest author recommendation Mia P Manansala, author of Guilt and Ginataan recommends A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherri Thomas. Books Rec...
Nov 11, 2024•31 min
This week, on episode 134, I'm joined by podcaster and writer Jonathan Small, author of the recently published Write About Now: Successful Authors on Overcoming Obstacles, Finding Inspiration and the Birth of Their Careers. He also has an incredible podcast called Write About Now! We talk about origin stories, our shared love of book to film adaptations and Jonathan’s unique hybrid version of consuming books. This episode is sponsored by Now You Owe Me by Aliah Wright. Enter to win a copy of Nig...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min
In episode 133, I'm visited by Leigh Ann Henion author of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark . We discuss artificial light, glowworms, mothapalooza and the biodiversity of night. Plus, we get a guest recommendation from Dianne C Braley author of The Summer Before. Book Recommendations: Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark by Leigh Ann Henion Wintering by Catherine May Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the La...
Oct 14, 2024•23 min
On episode 132 Louis Bayard discusses his latest historical novel, The Wildes: a novel in five acts. We talk about our shared affinity for Oscar Wilde, Bayyard's favorite work of Wilde's and we share some recent reads we loved. In addition, Shannon Bowring, author of Where the Forest Meets the River recommends a favorite read. Books Recommended: The Wildes: A Novel In Five Acts by Louis Bayard James by Percival Everett Peggy by Rebecca Godfrey with Leslie Jamison This is Happiness by Niall Willi...
Sep 29, 2024•25 min
This week, on episode 131, I speak with the incredibly creative and talented Janice Hallett about her latest novel, The Examiner . We discuss how she goes about crafting her novels and she shares some of her favorite reads. Guest Author Recommendation: Caroline Woods, author of The Mesmerist recommends The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird. Get your Books Are My People coffee mug here! Books Recommended: Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak The Wedding People by Alison Espach You'd Look Better As A Ghost by...
Sep 16, 2024•24 min
I read 40 books this summer! On episode 130, I share some of my favorites. This episode of Books Are My People is sponsored by Darrin Doyle’s Let Gravity Seize the Dead . Books Recommended: This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud Bear by Julia Phillips Cutting for Stone also by Abraham Verghese Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller The Winner by Teddy Wayne Enter my Anita De Monte's Last Laugh book giveaway here on Instagram. Read Caoilinn Hughes' The Alternatives w...
Sep 02, 2024•16 min
Episode 129 of Books Are My People is sponsored by Let Gravity Seize the Dead by Darrin Doyle. This week, I speak with Catherine Chidgey, the award-winning author of The Axeman's Carnival and Pet. We talk about magpies and finding the perfect point of view for your novel. Books Recommended: The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey Jackie by Dawn Tripp HORSE by Geraldine Brooks The Grimalings by Rachel King HUM by Helen Phillips The Natural Way of Things By Charlotte Wood Guest Author, Ellen Ho...
Aug 19, 2024•33 min•Ep. 129
On episode 128 I speak with author Catherine Newman about summer hair, humor as survival strategy and Catherine’s previous job working in a sandwich shop. This episode of Books Are My People is sponsored by Let Gravity Seize the Dead by Darrin Doyle. Sandwich by Catherine Newman We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman Books Recommended: Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby Weekends with O’Keeffe by C.S. Merrill Went to London, Took The Dog: A Memoir Nina Stibbe Mother Doll by Katya Apekina...
Jun 17, 2024•23 min
These week, on episode 127 I take it back to the OG days of the podcast five years ago when I struggled to get a guest on the show. Now, I am so lucky to get to pick amazing guests! This episode of Books Are My People is sponsored by The Year We Danced: A Memoir by Stephen E. Smith Books Recommended: I am Not Sydney Poitier by Percival Everett The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peter s Johanna Porter is Not Sorry by Sara Read The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan The Dolphin House by Audrey Schulman ...
Jun 03, 2024•29 min
This week, on episode 126, I speak with picture book author Nell Cross Beckerman. We discuss how authors find illustrators, some of our favorite picture books and Nell’s recently published book, From Park to Playa: The Trails That Connect Us. From Park to Playa: The Trails That Connect Us by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Sophie Diao This episode of Books Are My People is sponsored by The Year We Danced: A Memoir by Stephen E. Smith Books Recommended: The House of East 88th Street by Berna...
May 20, 2024•32 min
This week on episode #125, author and Drag Queen Story Hour founder Michelle Tea visits and talks to us about her new Press, Dopamine, its forthcoming anthology, Sluts and how she generates so much writing. This episode of Books Are My People is sponsored by The Year We Danced, A Memoir by Stephen E. Smith Books Discussed: Sluts Anthology edited by Michelle Tea My Child The Algorithm by Hannah Silva Skunks by Fiona Warnick Candy Darling : Dreamer Superstar by Candy Darling Missing White Woman by...
May 06, 2024•28 min
On episode #124, collage artist and printmaker Sarah Z. Short talks about her creative process, how language figures into her art, the books she used to love to teach and, she recommends some of her favorite reads on episode 124 of Books Are My People. Books Discussed: The Hunter by Tana French Real Americans by Rachel Khong Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrow One Hundred Days by Alice Pung The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel Sarah Z. Short Website Sarah Z. Short on Instagram Other Things Disc...
Apr 22, 2024•28 min
#123 with Jo Piazza The Sicilian Inheritance This week, I talk food and books with The Sicilian Inheritance author and podcaster extraordinaire, Jo Piazza. Book Recommended The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan Henry The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Finlay Donovan is Killing it by Elle Cosimano Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano The Husbands by Holly Gramazio Breaking and Entering b...
Apr 08, 2024•34 min
On episode #122, author Garrard Conley ( Boy Erased) speaks with me about his latest novel, All The World Beside . We talk about the research involved in writing historical fiction, how he helped change legislature, and some scandalous letters he discovered while conducting research. , Books Recommended: All the World Beside by Garrard Conley Exhibit by R.O. Kwon James by Percival Everett The Son of Man by Jean-Baptiste del Amo The Morningside by Tea Obrecht The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawth...
Mar 25, 2024•31 min
In episode #121, graphic memoirist, Kelcey Ervick joins the show to talk about her graphic memoir and what it’s like to write about and draw her lived experience. Books Recommended: I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft Good Talk by Mira Jacob The Painter’s Daughter by Emily Howes Give Me Space But Don't Go Far by Haley Weaver Kelcey's books: The Keeper: Soccer, Me, and the Law that Changed Women's Lives Field Guide to Graphic Literature Find K...
Mar 11, 2024•33 min
On episode #120, Roxana Robinson ( Leaving ) and I discuss novels that move us, Parisian sewers and best approaches to teaching writing. Books Recommended: Leaving by Roxana Robinson Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert MacFarlane Piglet by Lottie Hazell Trespasses Louise Kennedy Alice Sadie Celine by Sarah Blakley-Cartright Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley Guest Author Recommendation: Mrs. Gulliver by Valerie Martin Twitter: @ValerieMmart The Morning Star by Karl Ove Knausgaard Other Things ...
Feb 26, 2024•28 min
