In Episode 45, Liz Moore (author of Long Bright River ) talks about the inspiration and research for her novel, mystery / thriller twists, and that comparison to The Girl on the Train . This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Liz comes up with inspiration for her books. Her time working with a photographer in the Kensington neighborhood (which ended up being research for Long Bright River ). Liz’s t...
Feb 05, 2020•51 min•Ep. 45
In Mini Episode 44, Jayda Justus ( @thehistorymom ) shares historical fiction and nonfiction history books paired with historical sites. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Recent books about women’s roles in past wars. Jayda’s and my Enneagram numbers. Jayda’s 2020 reading goal of reading 85% historical fiction or nonfiction. One of the rare books Jayda DNF’d. Jayda’s Book Recommendations Two OLD B...
Jan 29, 2020•32 min•Ep. 44
In Episode 43, Jordan Moblo talks about how he grew his #bookstagram account to over 35,000 followers in a year and a half and shares tips for growing your own #bookstagram account. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Why Jordan started his #bookstagram account (and what his husband thought about it initially). How he grew his account to 30,000 followers in the age of the Instagram algorithm. How he...
Jan 22, 2020•51 min•Ep. 43
In Mini Episode 42, Brittany Block ( @brbreads ) and I talk about the logistics of reading abroad, bleak books, and books that help you learn something. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Brittany gets access to books while living abroad (including her library access, e-book access, and what she does in German bookstores). How Brittany’s reading taste has evolved (and the vast difference betwee...
Jan 15, 2020•33 min•Ep. 42
Welcome back for the first episode of 2020…the Winter 2020 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out for the first quarter (January – March) of 2020. Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2020 blog post, which is coming out tomorrow. I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also some that I didn’t! This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affilia...
Jan 08, 2020•57 min•Ep. 41
In Episode 40, Byrd Leavell (Talent Agent at United Talent Agency ) talks about the business of publishing, the truth behind publisher marketing dollars, and shares holiday book recommendations for husbands / dads / sons / boyfriends. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement Links 2020 Rock Your Reading Tracker Support the blog on Patreon to get year-end bonus podcast episodes. Highlights How Byrd got ...
Nov 27, 2019•44 min•Ep. 40
In Mini Episode 39, Lindsay Creech ( @littlelindsreads ) and I talk about Southern books and character-driven dramas. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Lindsay’s mom’s parent gift-giving nightmare (which involves books). Sarah’s least favorite Pat Conroy book. A DNF tangent. Lindsay’s Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe | Buy from Amazon [4:24] The Win...
Nov 20, 2019•25 min•Ep. 39
In Episode 38, Garrett M. Graff goes behind the scenes of his new book, The Only Plane in the Sky (one of my top books of 2019). This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Where Garrett was on 9/11. What he was trying to accomplish with his book. The big challenge of understanding 9/11 as it moves “from memory into history.” The lack of communications and confusion of that day. How Garrett compiled all the...
Nov 13, 2019•46 min•Ep. 38
In Mini Episode 37, Elizabeth Chapman and I talk for so long about books that it can’t technically be called a mini episode. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How blogs, podcasts, and #bookstagram helped her go from not finishing her assigned reading in high school to becoming a high school English teacher. A type of book Elizabeth doesn’t like to read that will surprise you given her profession. ...
Nov 06, 2019•38 min•Ep. 37
In Episode 36, Claire Gibson, author of Beyond the Point ( my review ), talks about the inspiration behind the novel, what it was like growing up on the West Point campus, two editorial choices she made, and...of course, shares her book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link ), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights What it was like to grow up on the West Point campus. ...
Oct 30, 2019•41 min•Ep. 36
In Mini Episode 35, Sarah Bohl ( @sarahbohl ) and I talk about our shared terrible luck with Pulitzer Prize winners, character-driven mysteries, our thoughts on a beloved WWII novel…and, of course, book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Our mutual terrible luck with Pulitzer Prize winners. How does writing only memoirs impact how that author lives her life? Sarah’s theory about wh...
Oct 23, 2019•23 min•Ep. 35
In Episode 34, Sara Hildreth of Fiction Matters (also a high school English teacher at an all-girls school) talks about how she tries to encourage her students to love what they're reading, how she feels about classic and contemporary literature in the classroom, and…of course, 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!). Highlights Sara’s passion of helping her students read books they...
Oct 16, 2019•47 min•Ep. 34
In Mini Episode 33, Stephenie Freeman from @reads.on.wednesdays talks about hyped books, #bookstagram FOMO…and 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!). Highlights Managing #bookstagram FOMO. Our nervousness about The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. Stephenie’s Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves American Housewife by Helen Ellis ( My Review ) | Buy from Amazon [4:33] Rush by...
Oct 09, 2019•20 min•Ep. 33
In Episode 32, Cristina talks about her job as Senior Books Editor at Bustle and her path to that job, Bustle’s approach to recommending books, and shares her book recommendations (some by Latina authors). PLUS – You can now get bonus podcast content by supporting Sarah’s Bookshelves Live on Patreon ! Check out details here and sign up here ! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Cristina’s path to be...
Oct 02, 2019•46 min•Ep. 32
In Mini Episode 31, Kailey from @kmc_reads shares emotional book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights A little explanation of open vs. closed door romances. Books that made Kailey cry. Kailey’s Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain | Buy from Amazon [5:44] It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover | Buy from Amazo n [7:42] Two NEW Books She Love...
Sep 25, 2019•21 min•Ep. 31
In Episode 30, Deb and Amy from the Bless Your Heart Book Club join me to talk Southern literature…and obviously a heavy dose of Pat Conroy! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Our extensive thoughts on Pat Conroy. Our first memories of loving Southern literature. Deb and I’s differing opinions of overwrought, intricate writing. Our favorite types of Southern lit. A couple of our favorite Southern b...
Sep 18, 2019•37 min•Ep. 30
In Episode 29, Katie from @katieneedsabiggerbookshelf shares an eclectic range of book recommendations. If you’d like to be a guest on a mini episode of Sarah’s Book Shelves Live, apply here ! All you need to record is a Smartphone and a Skype account. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights The super hyped book that we both had complicated feelings about. Katie’s Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She ...
Sep 11, 2019•19 min•Ep. 29
In Episode 28, Annie Jones , owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA and Co-Host of the From the Front Porch podcast , joins me to talk about owning a bookstore…and answer listener questions! Plus, bonus new release recommendations! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Annie’s business strategy to grow The Bookshelf. The original mission of the From the Front Porch podcast that was never filled. Wh...
Sep 04, 2019•59 min•Ep. 28
Welcome to a special episode of the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live podcast…the Fall 2019 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out for the rest (August – December) of 2019. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Catherine and my success rate for books we shared in our Fall 2019 Preview episode. Our Best and Worst picks from the Fall 20...
Aug 21, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 27
In Episode 26, Beck Dorey-Stein, author of From the Corner of the Oval (my review), joins me to talk about working in the White House, being in your 20’s, and her second book! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights A couple fun anecdotes about Presidential staffers and life in the White House. How / when Beck decided to write about memoir about her experience. The original premise of Beck’s memoir (whi...
Aug 07, 2019•46 min•Ep. 26
In Episode 25, Siobhan Jones (Editorial Director of Book of the Month ) joins me to go behind the scenes of Book of the Month …and reveals one of the August Book of the Month picks early! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights What Siobhan’s job entails day-to-day. How Book of the Month picks its monthly selections (including how books initially get on their radar, how far in advance they pick the book...
Jul 24, 2019•47 min•Ep. 25
In Episode 24, Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman (Co-Hosts of the Bad on Paper Podcast ) join me to talk New York City books and bookstores and share their experience as Book of the Month judges. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Grace and Becca first met (and if they initially liked each other). The original premise (and name) of the Bad on Paper Podcast . Their first ever book club pick for the...
Jul 10, 2019•48 min•Ep. 24
In Episode 23, Carla from Happiest When Reading joins me to break down the 2019 books so far that most deserve the hype, least deserve the hype, and the best underrated gems. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Carla and my reading has been so far this year. How DNF’ing books is keeping Carla out of reading slumps. Carla’s trusted recommendation sources ( Novel Visits , Gilmore Guide to Books , ...
Jun 26, 2019•52 min•Ep. 23
In Episode 22, Angie Kim (author of Miracle Creek ) talks about how her background influenced her novel and shares her literary mystery recommendations. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Angie’s journey from trial attorney to novelist. How Angie’s own children’s medical problems when they were young inspired the submarine children in Miracle Creek . Angie’s child’s real life experience with HBOT t...
Jun 12, 2019•47 min•Ep. 22
In Episode 21, Mary Laura Philpott (author of I Miss You When I Blink ) talks about women’s identity crises, how she pitched her book to publishers, her job at Parnassus Books…and shares “women who get women” book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How long it took Mary Laura to record the audio of I Miss You When I Blink. What gave Mary Laura the courage to try to publish her memo...
May 29, 2019•51 min•Ep. 21
In Episode 20, Susie from the blog Novel Visits joins me to countdown our all-time favorite summer reads! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights What summer reading means to us. What we want to avoid in our summer reading. The one book you think would be on our lists, but isn’t. Sarah guesses the thinly veiled Hollywood celebrities from one of Susie’s picks. Our running theme of picking the one awesome...
May 22, 2019•50 min•Ep. 20
Welcome to a special episode of the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live podcast…the Summer 2019 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in June and July of 2019. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Catherine and my success rate for books we shared in our Winter 2019 Preview episode. Our Best and Worst picks from the Spring 2019 Preview...
May 15, 2019•51 min•Ep. 19
In Episode 18, Allison from the blog Mind Joggle joins me to talk about the mental load of motherhood, how to relieve it, and share books about motherhood. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Where the name Mind Joggle comes from. Why we both started our blogs (the reasons are similar and related to motherhood). How the mental load of being mothers can be overwhelming and how we try to “reclaim some...
May 08, 2019•44 min•Ep. 18
In Episode 17, Jaclyn and Rachael (aka the Pingel Sisters) join me to talk sisterly reading and share their book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Why the Pingel Sisters transitioned their blog from a lifestyle blog to a book blog. Our feelings about book reviews vs. book lists (reading them and writing them). Rachael and Jaclyn’s vastly different reading quantities. Rachael and J...
May 01, 2019•38 min•Ep. 17
In Episode 16, Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb join me to go behind-the-scenes of the Currently Reading Podcast . This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights The segment Currently Reading guests are always the most nervous about. How (and how fast) Currently Reading came together. What Meredith and Kaytee did not want Currently Reading to be. How Meredith and Kaytee’s relationship has changed since...
Apr 24, 2019•51 min•Ep. 16
