Welcome to the Winter 2023 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! In this episode, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing January through March. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement Join our Patreon Community to get our bonus podcast episode series called Book Preview Extras ! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited ab...
Jan 11, 2023•51 min•Ep. 130
Our 2022 year-end reading roundup continues today with our Best Books of 2022 Genre Awards with Susie Boutry ( @NovelVisits ). We reveal our Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction) and we have a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Backlist Read in 2022, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, this year I’m sharing the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live Patreon community! This post contains affiliate ...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 129
Our 2022 year-end reading roundup starts today with Best Books of 2022 Superlatives with Susie Boutry ( @NovelVisits ). This year, we’re splitting our wrap-up into two episodes: Superlatives and Genre Awards (coming in mid-December). We have 17 Superlatives categories for you, including Most and Least Deserving of the Hype, Biggest Surprise, the Book I Hated that Everyone Else Loved, and more! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at...
Nov 30, 2022•55 min•Ep. 128
In the Fall 2022 Book Preview , Catherine ( Gilmore Guide to Books ) and I shared our 16 most-anticipated books that released mid-August – December 2022. In today’s episode, we’re going to circle back to update you on the books we’ve had a chance to read — or at least attempt. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights We discuss how the types of books released in the fall seem to have changed. Sarah comes...
Nov 16, 2022•56 min•Ep. 127
In Episode 126, audiobook producer Karen Dziekonski from Penguin Random House Audio joins me for today’s deep-dive discussion. Karen takes us behind the scenes from the growth of audiobooks in the industry to the ins and outs of how audiobooks are produced. Plus, Karen shares her audiobook recommendations! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights What it means to be an audiobook producer and Karen’s care...
Nov 02, 2022•55 min•Ep. 126
In Episode 125, Susie Boutry ( @NovelVisits ) and I are back for our 2nd annual Debuts Special. Today we’re sharing our favorite debut novels from 2022 (so far)! Plus, we discuss our reading stats for debuts this year and we talk about some upcoming sophomore novels (and their debuts) that are on our radar. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights We discuss why debut books often feel more polished. A fu...
Oct 19, 2022•55 min•Ep. 125
Candice Carty-Williams joins me for a spoiler-free discussion of her sophomore novel, People Person . In People Person , Candice writes about serious issues in a light-hearted way that’s full of dry humor. She explores questions of obligation to family — especially family to whom you were not previously close. Plus, Candice 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 Candice...
Oct 05, 2022•47 min•Ep. 124
In Episode 123, Nikki Erlick joins me to discuss (spoiler-free!) her debut novel, The Measure , and share her book recommendations. A both otherworldly and of our time story, in a symbolic way rather than a literal way. The Measure will absolutely be one of my favorite books of 2022! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Nikki’s inspiration for The Measure . How she incorporated Ancient Greek mythology...
Sep 21, 2022•44 min•Ep. 123
Double Booked is a monthly series, available to my Superstars patrons , where a co-host and I each share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show (2 old books we love, 2 new books we love, 1 book we didn’t love, and 1 upcoming release we’re excited about). In these more candid episodes, I talk more about my own reading, and share tons of books that I don’t share on any other public forum. Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and Susie from Novel Visits alternate months co-h...
Sep 07, 2022•56 min•Ep. 122
Welcome to the Fall 2022 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! In this episode, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing mid-August through December. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements Join our Patreon Community ($5/mo) to get our bonus podcast episode series called Book Preview Extras ! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we a...
Aug 24, 2022•55 min•Ep. 121
In Episode 120, Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and I circle back to the books we shared in the Summer 2022 Book Preview — now that we’ve actually had a chance to read them. Returning to our 12 summer releases, we take a look at what worked and what didn’t. Also, with both of our personal lives demanding more of our attention lately, our reading lives have definitely been impacted. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost...
Aug 17, 2022•50 min•Ep. 120
In Episode 119, Keri Blakinger joins me to discuss her debut memoir, Corrections in Ink , a mind-blowing personal story, also speaks to the broader issues of addiction and women in the prison system. Keri went from being an elite figure skater in her youth to being arrested for possession of heroin while a student at Cornell, and then serving two years in the New York prison system. In her memoir, Keri is self-reflective, sharing what is ultimately a hopeful and redemptive story, despite the dar...
Aug 10, 2022•50 min•Ep. 119
In Episode 118, Caroline Zancan, Senior Editor at Henry Holt , joins me for another episode in the Genre 101 series — this time with a twist. Caroline answers behind-the-scenes questions about editing literary fiction, as well as a deep dive into the genre itself. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements I’d love your feedback on the podcast! Please take a moment to complete my 2022 Podcast Survey ! H...
Jul 27, 2022•51 min•Ep. 118
In Episode 117, Annie Hartnett, author of Unlikely Animals , shares the intriguing backstory behind her new novel. She is wonderfully candid and shares interesting tidbits from the germ of the idea, through some of the editing process, all the way to the finished book and finding a publisher. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How interesting information transitions to the idea to write a book. The...
Jul 13, 2022•49 min•Ep. 117
In Episode 116, Susie Boutry ( @NovelVisits ) joins me to talk about niching down from traditional genre categories into the micro genres we love. Over the past year, I have picked up on some key themes and types of books that I can generally count on for successful reading. Today, we’re putting them all in one special episode as Susie and I bring you a delightfully overflowing list of the micro genres that work for us, books from each, and why we love them. This post contains affiliate links, t...
Jun 29, 2022•52 min•Ep. 116
In Episode 115, Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry , discusses the inspiration behind her best-selling debut novel, sexism in the workplace, and the story behind Six-Thirty the dog. Plus, Bonnie’s book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)… In addition to my annual 2022 Summer Reading Guide , I introduced Summer Shelv...
Jun 15, 2022•42 min•Ep. 115
Welcome to the Summer 2022 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! In this episode, Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out June through mid-August. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)… In addition to my annual 2022 Summer Reading Guide , I introduced Summer Shelves , a companion exclusively for Superstars P...
Jun 01, 2022•49 min•Ep. 114
In the Spring 2022 Book Preview , Catherine ( Gilmore Guide to Books ) and I shared our most anticipated books that released April – May 2022 . In today’s episode, we’re circling back to update you on the books we’ve had a chance to read — or at least attempted. Given my ongoing success rate with spring releases, I’m starting to wonder if that is just the best season for my type of books! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no ...
May 25, 2022•47 min•Ep. 113
Susie Boutry ( @NovelVisits ) and I share our favorite books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guides, some deep backlist books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for four categories featured in Sarah’s 2022 Summer Reading Guide. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)… In addition to my annual 2022 Summer Reading Guide ,...
May 18, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 112
In Episode 111, Dolen Perkins-Valdez (author of Take My Hand ) shares details about the real-life events that inspired the book about a tragic story and historical landmark in the battle for women’s rights. Dolen also talks about her research methods and a couple of key themes from the book. Take My Hand was a 5-star book for me and will be one of my favorite books of 2022! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). ...
May 04, 2022•49 min•Ep. 111
In Episode 110, Mary Laura Philpott (author of Bomb Shelter ) joins me for a deep dive into the memoir & essays genre, including the differences between a memoir and an essay collection, the level of involvement from editors and publishers, and how she personally approaches writing a memoir or essays. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Mary Laura talks about her latest book, Bomb Shelter . Where me...
Apr 20, 2022•54 min•Ep. 110
Welcome to the Spring 2022 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! In this episode, Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in April – May 2022. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements In conjunction with my upcoming 9th annual Summer Reading Guide , I will be releasing a companion for Superstars Patrons ($7/mo)! The companion is called Summer Shelves and will feat...
Apr 06, 2022•49 min•Ep. 109
In the Winter 2022 Book Preview (Ep. 102) , Catherine ( Gilmore Guide to Books ) and I shared our most anticipated books set to release January – March 2022 (with one early April release). Today, we’re giving an update on the books we shared in the Winter Preview — now that we’ve had the chance to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Sarah’s and Catherine’s Winter 2022 reading stats and su...
Mar 30, 2022•52 min•Ep. 108
In Episode 107, Barbara Feinman Todd (author of Pretend I’m Not Here ) takes me behind the scenes of ghostwriting after a career of writing for many top names in Washington, DC. Barbara is wonderfully candid and we have a fascinating discussion all about the nuts and bolts of ghostwriting, and the emotional and personal side of the business. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Barbara’s ghostwrit...
Mar 23, 2022•52 min•Ep. 107
Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books joins me for a special Superlatives episode where we are answering from the fourth bucket of questions submitted for the Ask Me Anything episode of Sarah’s Bookshelves Live. We give you a little taste of the bonus Monthly Superlative episodes Catherine and I often do for the Patreon community. This format is a favorite of mine, allowing for a bit more candor and a lot of fun. Today we tackle questions about our all-time favorite books, re-reads, auto-buy autho...
Mar 09, 2022•55 min•Ep. 106
In Episode 105, Sarah and Thrity (author of Honor ) tackle some hard-hitting questions related to the themes in her emotional book: religion, women’s rights, and identity. Thrity discusses the complicated relationship an immigrant often has with their homeland and the complex duality of human nature. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Spoiler-free summary of Honor . The real-life story behind the i...
Feb 23, 2022•48 min•Ep. 105
In Episode 104, hotly anticipated guest, Catherine Ryan Howard (author of The Nothing Man and 56 Days ), joins me to discuss her journey to becoming an author, behind-the-scenes of making of her books, her process for writing successful crime thrillers, and how much real-life crimes and circumstances influence her stories. Be ready for some non-graphic dead body talk. Plus, Catherine shares some breaking news about her upcoming novel! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a sma...
Feb 09, 2022•54 min•Ep. 104
In Episode 103, Catherine Gilmore (@gilmoreguide) and I share the best backlist books we read in 2021. We each share our top 5 backlist books from 2021, as well as some underrated backlist gems. Catherine and I both had a lot of success in 2021 with backlist reading, and this was especially true for me in comparison to my overall reading for the year. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements Join our P...
Jan 26, 2022•55 min•Ep. 103
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out January – March 2022 (and one early April release). Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2022 blog post, coming out soon. On there, I’ll share some of the books I talked about in this episode, but also some I didn’t. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement Join our Patreon Community ($5/mo) to get our bonus podcast episode ...
Jan 12, 2022•57 min•Ep. 102
In the Fall 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 93) , Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books that were coming out August – December 2021. Today, we’re updating you on the books we shared in the Fall Preview…now that we’ve had the chance to read — or at least attempt them. Many Fall books lean more literary, which hasn’t been working well for me lately, and overall, the Fall 2021 books didn’t turn out quite how we’d hoped. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission ...
Dec 22, 2021•52 min•Ep. 101
