Our favorite book families tend to be delightfully dysfunctional, and there are none quite like the one in The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes. With two sisters, a pair of aging parents and barn animals aplenty, this is a quirky and heartfelt novel that reminds readers our parents had lives before us. Camilla Barnes joined us live at the Barnes & Noble on NYC's Upper West Side to talk about long-term marriage, family folklore, llamas and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poure...
Apr 17, 2025•37 min
Mỹ Documents by Kevin Nguyen follows four cousins navigating a tumultuous political landscape, internment camps, exploitation and isolation. Kevin joins us to talk about Japanese incarceration, media misinformation, writing family stories, war movies 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 Book...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min
Doggerel by Reginald Dwayne Betts is a profound new collection on the intricacies of humanity and life, with man’s best friend as its focal point. Reginald joins us to talk about storytelling, the power of poetry, the necessity for community, masculinity, freedom, forgiveness 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 ...
Apr 12, 2025•59 min
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is escapist and relatable, poignant and funny. This genre-bending novel is firing on all storytelling cylinders, and is a terrific pleasure to read. Kaliane joined us to talk about falling down reading rabbit holes, writing about time travel, categorizing identity 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 ...
Apr 10, 2025•46 min
Audition by Katie Kitamura follows one woman’s daring exploration of identity, life and love. Katie joins us to talk about writing in first person, unreliable narrators, marriage as a narrative tool, writing women 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): Audition by Katie Kitamu...
Apr 08, 2025•49 min
After you read Becoming Earth by Ferris Jabr, be prepared to reconsider everything you think, know or believe to be true thanks to this engaging and thoughtful new look at our world. Ferris joins us to talk about the Gaia hypothesis, understanding planetary systems from your own backyard, science writing and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays)...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr
With personal anecdotes, writing exercises and a deep-dive into the pillars of creativity, Dear Writer by Maggie Smith is a one-stop-shop for budding authors, poets and artists from a bestselling voice in literature. Maggie joins us to talk about craft books, quieting the inner critic, tenacity, vulnerability 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 a...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min
Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh is a story of sisterhood, secrets and complicated family mythologies. Jennifer joined us to talk about writing in public spaces, visiting Shanghai, chance encounters, how well we really know our parents 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 favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Rabbit Mo...
Apr 01, 2025•41 min
O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy is a story about identity, grief, belonging, cults and coming-of-age centered on a young journalist in the California redwoods. Nicole joined us to talk about what it takes to build a cult, writing battle scenes, researching the Vietnam War, taking control of her language 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) her...
Mar 29, 2025•47 min
Passing Through a Prairie Country by Dennis E. Staples is a chilling tale of fear and folklore set in a labyrinthine casino on an Ojibwe reservation deep in the wilds of northern Minnesota. Dennis joins us to chat about brushing up against the paranormal, casino culture, writing genre fiction 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...
Mar 27, 2025•46 min
As timely as any book can possibly be, There Is No Place for Us is a sweeping and comprehensive journalistic investigation into a troubling new trend in American cities. Brian Goldstone joins us to talk about the realities of housing insecurity, on-the-ground reporting, narrative structure 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 ...
Mar 25, 2025•45 min
The Mirror and the Light is the final book in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy, showcasing the final years of Thomas Cromwell. Before you watch the newest season of the tv show, listen to Mantel talk about crafting her beloved series, her unique approach to historical fiction, planning the end of the trilogy and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Donald. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mix...
Mar 22, 2025•36 min
The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian is a sweeping tale of humanity and hope centered on two remarkable characters faced with a gruesome time in American history. Bohjalian joins us live at BN UWS to talk about his new book, his writing process 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 ...
Mar 20, 2025•42 min
Firstborn by Lauren Christensen is a memoir of tragedy and hope that depicts grief and love with tenderness and heart. Christensen joins us to talk about deciding to tell this story, the impact of writing the book on herself and those close to her, her healing process 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 ...
Mar 18, 2025•40 min
Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul is a witty and wise collection of essays on family, love, divorce and healing . Koul joins us to talk about what lead her to telling this story now, the vulnerability of writing a memoir, exploring challenging themes 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 favorite podcast app . Featured Books ( Episode): Suck...
Mar 15, 2025•40 min
The Antidote by Karen Russell is a transportive story about history, American ideology, and community . Russell joins us to talk about creating her cast of characters, her research process and historical inspiration, writing short stories vs. novels 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 favorite podcast app . Featured Books (Episode): T...
Mar 13, 2025•40 min
Stag Dance by Torrey Peters is a series of short stories and a novel that examine gender identity, pushing societal boundaries and more. Peters joins us to talk about exploring complicated themes, creating understanding for complex characters and a unique use of literary form 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 favorite podcast app. Featured B...
Mar 11, 2025•42 min
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton is the inspiring and extraordinary story of an unlikely connection between a woman and a wild hare. Dalton joins us to talk about how her life changed after encountering the leveret, her transformed perspective on nature, finding a sense of wonder 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 favorite podcast app ....
Mar 08, 2025•47 min
The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker is a mesmerizing story about motherhood, memory and complicated family ties based on case notes from Oliver Sacks. Walker joins us to talk about returning to the theme of time in her work, her writing process, her teaching career 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 fav...
Mar 06, 2025•47 min
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami is an engrossing, dire and dystopian story about authoritarianism, survival and the fight for privacy in a surveillance state. Lalami joins us to talk about the idea that inspired the novel, worldbuilding, creating her characters 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 . F...
Mar 04, 2025•56 min
Disposable by Sarah Jones is a compassionate examination of the most overlooked people in the United States. Jones joins us to talk about what inspired her to write this book, balancing personal narratives with broader themes, the lasting effects of the pandemic and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and...
Mar 01, 2025•36 min
Lion by Sonya Walger is an autobiographical novel detailing the life and loss of her complicated and charismatic father. Walger joins us to talk about writing themes of grief and love, crafting her own experience into fiction, nonlinear storytelling 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 favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): L...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is a big-hearted story with an eclectic soundtrack and sentences that'll stick in your head like your favorite lyrics. Brickley joins us to talk about her emotional connection to music, weaving together the lives of her characters, the effects of nostalgia in the novel and more with guest host Allyson Gavaletz . We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry L...
Feb 25, 2025•49 min
Paris Undercover by Matthew Goodman sheds new light on the story of two women who rescued Allied soldiers during World War II and the complicated history that came after. Goodman joins us to talk about his research process, the consequences and challenges of analyzing the past, t he cyclical nature of history and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Satur...
Feb 22, 2025•53 min
Gliff by Ali Smith is the story of two siblings navigating a d ystopian world that feels timely and hopeful amid themes of isolation and identity. Smith joins us to talk about the meaning of the title, the beauty of physical books, creating empathy and understanding through reading 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 favorite podcast ...
Feb 20, 2025•36 min
Dream State by Eric Puchner is a story spanning fifty years, with three best friends grappling with life, love, family and climate change set against the Montana terrain. Puchner joins us to talk about what inspired the novel, his writing process, what he loves about 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 favor...
Feb 18, 2025•47 min
Bibliophobia by Sarah Chihaya reflects on the books that change the way we think about life and literature. Chihaya joins us to talk about these “Life Ruiner” books, the way we connect to stories at different points in our lives, the way our reading shapes 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. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Feat...
Feb 15, 2025•50 min
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey delves into the wilderness in this tender, bold and enchanting fabl e set in Alaska. Ivey joins us to talk about her personal connections to the setting, themes of community and family ties, the complexities of parenthood 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 and on your favorite podcast app . Feat...
Feb 13, 2025•37 min
Loca by Alejandro Heredia is a stunning novel about identity, home, life and love that takes readers through one epic, life-changing year alongside two unforgettable protagonists. Heredia joins us to talk about his use of language in the book, his writing practice, his family connection to the 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) he...
Feb 11, 2025•42 min
Cleavage by Jennifer Finney Boylan interrogates modern and relevant themes of gender and sexuality with writing that is both entertaining and educational. Boylan joins us to talk about her personal connections to the topic, influential authors, the importance of 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 p...
Feb 08, 2025•41 min
