Best Bookrecommendations Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 480: Branching out with escapist, emotionally resonant novels 58:23

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20h ago58:23

58:23

Feeling more confident about finding the right reads is a common bookish goal. In today's conversation, Anne welcomes Tynisha Coleman to the show to talk about her current reading goals. Tynisha is a leadership development coach, university lecturer, and sci-fi and fantasy lover from New Jersey. She doesn't shy away from books that tackle tough plo…

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Ep. 197: Summer 2025 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) 50:18

7d ago50:18

50:18

Welcome to the Summer 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing from 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!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show N…

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Ep 479: Balancing backlist with shiny new releases 1:12:38

8d ago1:12:38

1:12:38

Every year we get some variation of this question: how can a reader like today’s guest, Elise Brancheau, balance all the shiny new books of summer with the backlist titles that are already patiently waiting on her to-be-read list? Elise is a New Jersey-based professional classical singer who describes herself as a huge reading-planning nerd. We kno…

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Chapter 29: Michael Harris on queer questions and the quest for quiet 1:35:46

8d ago1:35:46

1:35:46

Loneliness rates have doubled since the 1980s and Vivek Murthy, former US Surgeon General, says loneliness will be the next major epidemic. So if loneliness is being alone and sad … then what’s being alone and happy? Solitude. A few years ago, I picked up an incredible book called 'Solitude' by Michael Harris, bestselling author and winner of the…

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Ep. 196: Spring 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) 49:07

14d ago49:07

49:07

In Episode 196, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 12 new releases they shared in the Spring 2025 Book Preview, now that they’ve read them. They share their reading stats, chat about what worked — and hash out which books didn’t work and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when …

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Ep 478: A snippet from the 2025 Summer Reading Guide 10:33

15d ago10:33

10:33

We're taking you behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide and sharing an excerpt from our live Unboxing party. Our 2025 Guide includes 35 books across a range of genres which we've grouped into six categories. Today you'll hear Anne's commentary of three books from the first category, Family Sagas. Our Summer Reading Guide and Unboxing ar…

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Ep. 195: 2025 Summer Reading Special with Susie (@NovelVisits) 1:08:25

21d ago1:08:25

1:08:25

In Ep. 195, Susie (@NovelVisits) and Sarah are back to share their favorite books that missed last year’s Summer Reading Guide and our #1 picks for each category featured in my 2025 Summer Reading Guide. Plus, they begin by sharing how their summer reading habits have evolved over the years. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a…

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Ep 477: A summer reading road trip 59:40

22d ago59:40

59:40

We're kicking off Summer Reading Season with our fourteenth annual Summer Reading Guide, coming this Thursday! Today on the podcast Anne is joined by a special guest who is particularly well qualified to go behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide with her: Will Bogel! Many of you consider Anne's husband Will to be your book twin, and tod…

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Chapter 148: Ginny Yurich obviates obsolete offspring with 1000 hours outside 1:57:02

23d ago1:57:02

1:57:02

Ginny Yurich (@1000hoursoutside) drove 5 hours up the road from Michigan to Toronto to hang out with Leslie and me. We went for a walk outside (of course!) and recorded this podcast—our second outdoors podcast in a row after Nickisha The Dog Walker! Why outside? I'm glad you asked! Ginny Yurich is the homeschooling mother of 5 (!) who has spiri…

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Ep 476: Offbeat, intricately plotted books for an ambitious reading project 1:13:42

29d ago1:13:42

1:13:42

Reading projects take all shapes and sizes, and today's guest has set a goal to read all the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlists and winners. Today, Anne is talking books with Kathryn, who lives on the island of Okinawa, Japan, with her military husband and energetic golden retriever. Kathryn works for a nonprofit and spends her leisure time readi…

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Ep. 194: Bookish Time Capsule (2017) with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) 52:15

1M ago52:15

52:15

In Ep. 194, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Sarah head back to the year 2017 in the book world with this second annual special retrospective episode! They share big bookish highlights for that year, including book news, award winners, and what was going on in the world outside of reading. They also talk about how their own 2017 reading shook out, inc…

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Ep 475: Help for a fiction lover who wants to read more nonfiction 48:59

1M ago48:59

48:59

Today's guest is an avid reader, retired social worker, and What Should I Read Next? completist who lives in New Jersey. Jill Jaclin has a reading conundrum: she really wants to read more nonfiction, but she's struggled to find a way to incorporate it into her reading life. As she told Anne, she also knows that there are nonfiction books out there …

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Chapter 28: Mark Manson on constant cursing and clearing clutter 1:50:53

1M ago1:50:53

1:50:53

Have you heard of a book called 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck'? I’m guessing you have since it’s sold, uh, 16 million copies since it came out in 2016. There hadn't been a non-fiction book that big and disruptive in a long, long time… Mark’s meteoric success is the product of a giant mind which has mastered the art of taking the biggest, d…

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Ep 474: Burnout and the reading life 51:22

1M ago51:22

51:22

Readers, if you are feeling burned out right now, you are not alone. In our team meeting last week, we talked about the fact that things are hard right now. That's why this feels like a great time to revisit a favorite past episode from another time not so long ago when we were also feeling burned out. Today we're sharing Anne's May 2021 conversati…

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Ep. 193: Clare Leslie Hall (Author of Broken Country) + Book Recommendations 55:23

2M ago55:23

55:23

In Episode 193, author Clare Leslie Hall talks with Sarah about her US debut, Broken Country — a breakout hit and a Reese’s Book Club pick. A genre mash-up that is part love story and part murder trial, Clare talks about marketing Broken Country, how this came to be her first U.S. release, and the ways the novel evolved over time. Plus, Clare share…

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Ep 473: Refining an out-of-date TBR system 1:00:46

2M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

When the world feels heavy, many of us look to books for distraction, inspiration, or reassurance. Today's guest has a unique spin on what she's seeking and would love Anne's help in figuring out how the types of reads she wants right now fit into her existing to-be-read (TBR) system. Émilie Weidl lives in Wales, where she's taken a year off before…

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Chapter 147: Nickisha the Dog Walker on dangerous drivers and dog doo diligence 1:08:21

2M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Let's go for a walk! I've sometimes imagined 3 Books as a long walk with a friend. So today—let's take one! Nickisha moved to Toronto from Jamaica when she was 16 to reunite with her mom and after working as a travel agent she broke out on her own to run a successful business full of fresh air, exercise, community, and lots of love. I sometimes see…

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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 9:19

2M ago9:19

9:19

By Eden Rusdia

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Ep. 192: Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) 49:47

2M ago49:47

49:47

Welcome to the Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the …

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Ep 472: Literary + Genre = match made in heaven 56:55

2M ago56:55

56:55

Finding highly discussable books for book clubs often feels like a full-time job, especially if you're a member of multiple long-standing book clubs like today's guest, Lara. Today, Lara joins Anne to talk about her constant search for fiction that explores the human condition in all its messy glory. She loves these sorts of books because they give…

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They Both Die At The End 4:38

2M ago4:38

4:38

By Eden Rusdia

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Chapter 26: Angie Thomas on righting racist wrongs and remembering radicals 48:47

2M ago48:47

48:47

No one does it like Angie. Racial tensions, police shootings, citizen uprisings. Does this sound like the setting of a YA novel? How about three of them? Her debut 'The Hate U Give,' her sophomore release 'On The Come Up,' and her third 'Concrete Rose' were all on The New York Times bestseller list, and her fantasy middle school-level book '…

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Ep. 191: Winter 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GIlmoreGuide) 56:43

2M ago56:43

56:43

In Episode 191, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2025 Book Preview. They share their reading stats, chat about what they liked, and what didn’t work out. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLI…

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Ep 471: Don't let perfectionism ruin your reading life 1:07:42

2M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Over the past few years, today's guest has been on a journey of self-discovery. Florida reader Casey has been working on coming to terms with her perfectionism and along the way, she's been noticing what it means for her reading life. Casey's noticed she tends to save highly anticipated books for later: some uncertain time down the road when circum…

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Ep. 190: Behind the Scenes of a Book-to-Screen Adaptation with Georgia Hunter (Author of One Good Thing) + Book Recommendations 1:07:34

3M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

In Episode 190, author Georgia Hunter returns to the podcast to chat with Sarah about her sophomore novel, One Good Thing, and go behind-the-scenes of her experience adapting her first novel, We Were the Lucky Ones, for Hulu. Georgia talks about her role as executive producer, the difference in writing a novel that wasn’t based on family history, a…

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Ep 470: Revisiting childhood favorites for a nostalgic reading project 57:30

3M ago57:30

57:30

Re-reading is a practice fits into every reader's life in a different way, and today's guest has embarked on a unique reading challenge that brings a fresh perspective to her re-reading. Sarah Swarbrick joins Anne today from the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, to talk about the special project she's crafted in advance of her 53rd birthday. With her…

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Under The Same Stars 7:02

3M ago7:02

7:02

By Eden Rusdia

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Chapter 146: Emily Nagoski on exuberant erotic exploration 2:57:33

3M ago2:57:33

2:57:33

Is porn good sex education? Why does body autonomy matter for kids? Does talking about sex kill the mood? Emily Nagoski has the answers! Emily is a sex educator and activist whose mission is to teach us how to live with confidence and joy inside our bodies. She does this as the New York Times bestselling author of 'Come As You Are,' 'Burnout,' and …

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Ep 469: Book Club is for discussing, discovering, and dissenting 1:08:29

3M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

Readers, we often receive questions from you about our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and what actually goes on in our online reading community, and today's guest is here to help Anne take you behind the scenes! You may already know Ginger Horton, our MMD Book Club Community Manager, from her prior appearances here on the podcast or because you interac…

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Ep. 189: Karen Thompson Walker (Author of The Strange Case of Jane O.) + Book Recommendations 52:59

3M ago52:59

52:59

In Episode 189, author Karen Thompson Walker talks with Sarah about her career to date and her newest novel, The Strange Case of Jane O. Karen discusses her writing journey, including each book’s inspiration and research process. She also touches on the challenges of promoting her latest book without giving away too much and her current work in pro…

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Ep 468: Books for an adventure out West 1:00:54

3M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Today's guest is a mood reader who often finds herself falling down a reading rabbit hole. Madelyn Kresinske is an elementary school librarian, wife, and mom who reads widely from middle-grade and picture books to romance, family dramas, and more. Madelyn doesn't hate her pattern of falling into sometimes a rut, sometimes she actually quite enjoys …

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White Bird 7:57

3M ago7:57

7:57

By Eden Rusdia

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Chapter 25: James Frey on drunk, defiant differentiation 1:09:37

3M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

What do you know about James Frey? Or what do you think you know about James Frey? I’m guessing it’s not nothing. Everyone has an opinion! When I first spotted 'A Million Little Pieces' on my wife’s bookshelf when we were moving in together I was like “Oh? Really? That book? The Oprah guy?” And she was like “Have you read it?” And I was like “No,…

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Ep 467: I love literary fiction... don't I? 1:05:45

3M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

Today's guest has a common readerly dilemma: what to do when reading tastes change? In her submission to join Anne on the show, Philadelphia dweller and avid book thrifter Phoebe Mellinger shared that she'd had pretty consistent reading tastes for her whole life, until last year when she noticed that her taste suddenly and vastly changed. Her go-to…

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Other Words For Home 6:36

3M ago6:36

6:36

By Eden Rusdia

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Ep. 188: Best of Fantasy with Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) 55:49

3M ago55:49

55:49

In Ep. 188, we are kicking off our new “Best of…” series with Sarah’s Bookshelves Live team member, Chrissie, for the Best of Fantasy. Today, Chrissie brings you her all-time top ten favorite fantasy novels. Also, as a long-time reader and evangelizer of the genre, Chrissie talks about how she started reading fantasy, the wide scope of the genre, a…