Poured Over - podcast cover

Poured Over

Barnes & Noblewww.bn.com
Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like Poured Over’s host, Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who’s always reading. Follow us here for surprising riffs, candid conversations, a few laughs, and lots of great book recommendations from big name authors and authors on their way to being big names. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional bonus episodes on Saturdays).

Episodes

Geraldine Brooks on MEMORIAL DAYS

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks explores what it means to truly grieve — a moving account of what it is to love, to lose and to heal. Brooks joins us to talk about her relationship with her late husband, Tony Horwitz, how writing this book helped process her grief, themes of isolation, growth and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here an...

Feb 06, 202547 min

Allegra Goodman on ISOLA

Isola by Allegra Goodman is a story of courage and isolation and a sweeping tale of companionship against all odds. Goodman joins us to talk about the real historical events that inspired the novel, her meticulous research process, her unique experience writing this book and more with cohost Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Jamie and Donald. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Th...

Feb 04, 202544 min

Charmaine Wilkerson on GOOD DIRT

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson takes us from New England to West Africa and France on a quest to uncover the secrets of the past and build a new future. Wilkerson joins us to talk about the history in the novel, the importance of storytelling, balancing heavy tones in her writing and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorit...

Feb 01, 202547 min

Adrienne Young on A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young is a breathtaking journey of grief, love and history about a woman that loses her twin brother in a freak accident. Young joins us to talk about her descriptive and atmospheric style, what it’s like to write for both adults and young people, creating the connection between twin characters and more with guest host, Allyson Gavaletz. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursda...

Jan 30, 202539 min

Imani Perry on BLACK IN BLUES

In Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People Imani Perry studies the color blue in all its history and hues in this remarkable analysis. From West Africa to the American South, Black in Blues examines the color's relation to Blackness and culture. Perry joins us to talk about the symbolic history of the color blue, her research process, the role of storytelling in identity and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mix...

Jan 28, 202542 min

Revisiting Colson Whitehead on THE NICKEL BOYS

The Nickel Boys , the Pulitzer P rize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead , is a story of injustice and ultimately hope about two young men at a Florida reform school. We love this interview with Miwa Messer and Whitehead from the novel’s release in 2019. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app . Featured Books (Episode): The Nickel Boys by Colson White...

Jan 25, 202534 min

Elizabeth Harris on HOW TO SLEEP AT NIGHT

How to Sleep at Night is a tender and timely novel telling a heartfelt story about marriage, love and politics. Harris joined us live to talk about writing about people who are challenging their values, how her characters surprised her, the effects of being a journalist on pacing and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favor...

Jan 23, 202535 min

Paraic O'Donnell on THE NAMING OF THE BIRDS

The Naming of the Birds by Paraic O’Donnell takes readers back to dark and gloomy Victorian London with a relentless killer on the loose. O’Donnell joins us to talk about continuing a series, balancing tone with humor, his writing process and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Donald and Marc. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasion...

Jan 21, 202558 min

Aria Aber on GOOD GIRL

Good Girl by Aria Aber is a coming-of-age novel featuring the daughter of Afghan immigrants set against the backdrop of Berlin’s creative scene. Aber joins us to talk about themes of identity and exile, speaking and reading in multiple languages, her literary influences in prose and poetry and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on ...

Jan 16, 202546 min

Nnedi Okorafor on DEATH OF THE AUTHOR

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is a novel about what it means to be a storyteller , told in an ingenious blend of sci-fi and literary fiction. Okorafor joins us to talk about what freedom means, technology and authenticity, the personal nature of this story and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app ...

Jan 14, 202550 min

Alafair Burke on THE NOTE

The Note by Alafair Burke is a page-turning thriller that springs into action when one small decision leads a group of friends to question what they know about each other and the secrets we keep from those around us. Burke joins us to talk about the themes in the novel, writing a character driven story, her real-life connections to her stories and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays...

Jan 11, 202540 min

Tananarive Due on THE REFORMATORY

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due is sharp, tragic, heartbreaking and terrifying, taking readers back in time to an all-boys school in the 1950s American South. Due joins us to talk about her personal connection to the novel, entertainment in horror storytelling, creating memorable characters and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favori...

Jan 09, 202543 min

Emma Knight on THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight is a sharp coming-of-age journey set in a glamorous world of high academia, old money and one eccentric upper-class family. Knight joins us to talk about how she crafts her characters, themes of friendship and motherhood, her literary favorites and more with guest host, Allyson Gavaletz. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here ...

Jan 07, 202542 min

A.O. Scott on Criticism and Voice

A.O. Scott, critic at The New York Times Book Review joins us to talk about what he looks for in literature, why we read the things we do, his path to a career in journalism and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode): The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Jane Eyre by Charlot...

Jan 02, 202553 min

Adam Moss on THE WORK OF ART

The Work of Art is a series of in-depth conversations from artists, poets, musicians and more on how they make their art and what goes on inside their heads with Adam Moss, former editor of New York magazine. Moss joins us to talk about his time as a painter, how he decided the composition of the book, changing how we appreciate art over time and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays ...

Dec 12, 202444 min

Lili Anolik on DIDION & BABITZ

Lili Anolik’s Didion and Babitz takes a look at the fraught relationship between two iconic women of literature. Anolik joins us to talk about how she decided to tell this story, the literary landscape of LA, her influences and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode): Didion & Babitz...

Dec 10, 202435 min

Brandon Sanderson on WIND AND TRUTH

Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson is the fifth book in the best-selling Stormlight Archive — a story of honor, battles won and lost and a race to save Roshar. Sanderson joins us to talk about writing this crucial book in the series, why he loves fantasy, the connections between his work and more with cohost, Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Erin. Featured Books (Episode): Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanders...

Dec 06, 202452 min

Percival Everett and Cord Jefferson on JAMES

Author James Everett and director Cord Jefferson sat down live to discuss Book of the Year, James . Everett and Jefferson join us to talk about adapting novels for film, finding humanity in serious stories, the power of art and storytelling and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode)...

Dec 03, 202456 min

Nate DiMeo on THE MEMORY PALACE

The Memory Palace by Nate DiMeo presents a collection of stories from history highlighting both quiet and significant moments with a personal and captivating lens. DiMeo joins us to talk about adapting his podcast into the written word, some of his favorite moments and why remembering our history is so important and more with cohost, Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) he...

Nov 30, 202444 min

Matty Matheson on SOUPS, SALADS, SANDWICHES

Soups, Salads, Sandwiches by Matty Matheson showcases the culinary star’s favorite meals with flavorful twists on kitchen basics. Matheson joins us to talk about putting together another cookbook, some of his go-to recipes, his influences and more with guest host, Kat Sarfas. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Kat Sarfas and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode): Soups, Sala...

Nov 28, 202456 min

Karl Ove Knausgaard on THE THIRD REALM

The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgaard continues the story of a world where change is set in motion when a new star appears in the sky and the lives of those affected. Knausgaard joins us to talk about creating his many characters, crafting a narrative across many books, writing from points of transition and conflict and more with cohost, Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturday...

Nov 26, 202440 min

Nayantara Roy on THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS

The Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy is a saga of secrets, lies and family ties set when a prodigal daughter returns to a hefty inheritance and relatives that deem her undeserving. Roy joins us to talk about the voices of her characters, how she came to tell this story, writing in different mediums and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) h...

Nov 21, 202437 min

Charles Yu on INTERIOR CHINATOWN

National Book Award winner Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu captures family, legacy, immigration and assimilation in a personal and comedic novel. Yu joins us to talk about the adaptation of the book into a television series, writing in different genres, who gets to tell our stories and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your fa...

Nov 19, 202454 min

Peter Ames Carlin on THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS R.E.M.

The Name of This Band Is R.E.M. by Peter Ames Carlin chronicles the band’s precipitous rise to fame, shining a comprehensive light on their journey. Carlin joins us to talk about his start in music journalism, telling important stories, the lasting influence of songs and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast a...

Nov 14, 202450 min

Robin Wall Kimmerer on THE SERVICEBERRY

The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer reflects with care and compassion on humanity’s reciprocal relationship with nature and the economy. Kimmerer joins us to talk about the ways the natural world reflects human society, how we can reframe our views on the systems around us, what we can do to improve our connection to nature and more with cohost Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Donald and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery a...

Nov 12, 202447 min

Ruth Dickey of The National Book Foundation

Ruth Dickey, Executive D irector of the National Book Foundation, joins us to talk about her connection to the organization, the process of judging the National Book Awards, who she is as a reader and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc, Jamie, and Donald. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your f...

Nov 07, 202448 min

Malcolm Gladwell on REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT

Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point revisits the author’s previous subject matter with a modern lens, dissecting what it is that pushes society over the edge, and what role we play in it. Gladwell joined us live to talk about how he started working on this book, some of the things that surprised him with the process, the ways our environments influence us and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. Ne...

Nov 05, 202450 min

Glory Edim on GATHER ME

Gather Me by Glory Edim is a memoir that centers on reading, writing and the way literature can shape us and make us feel seen. Edim joins us to talk about why she wrote this book, the importance of an author’s voice, the many works that shaped her as a reader and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Feat...

Nov 02, 202442 min

Susanna Clarke on THE WOOD AT MIDWINTER

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke returns to the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell with an atmospheric fairytale about a young woman and her connection to nature. Clarke joins us to talk about why she chose to write this story now, creating her memorable characters, incorporating magic into the world we know and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Satu...

Oct 31, 202443 min

Nikole Hannah-Jones and Xaviera Simmons on THE 1619 PROJECT: A VISUAL EXPERIENCE

The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience is a new illustrated edition of the bestselling, conversation-driving anthology featuring some of our top journalists, historians, poets, essayists, and photographers examining the lasting impacts of slavery in America. Author Nikole Hannah-Jones and artist Xaviera Simmons join us live to talk about the continuation of the project, the responses from readers, the power of who gets to tell stories and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode o...

Oct 29, 202441 min