Books Are My People

In this episode, we get a visit from the amazing author, Laurie Frankel, author of the recently published, Enormous Wings. We discuss reproductive freedoms, bodily autonomy, aging and ageism. And I make a very special and bittersweet announcement.  Books Mentioned:  Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann The Library Book by Susan Orlean The Future by Naomi Alderman...

Not only is my sister Melissa Clark a force of nature, she also published a fantastic young adult novel titled Force of Nature! We discuss podcasting, writing for children's television and novel writing on today's episode, plus we offer a slew of book recommendations.  This episode is sponsored by To Lay to Rest our Ghosts by Caitlin Hamlton Summie Learn more at caitlinhamiltonmarketing....

Today, we're talking about dogs and art, two of my favorite topics! In The Dog's Gaze: A Visual History, historian Thomas W. Lauqeur investigates why so many dogs are depicted in great works of art. We also chat about the long history of the relationship between humans and dogs.   Shownotes:  Today’s podcast is sponsored by Dancing Woman by Elaine Nell Orr  Books Discussed: The Dog’s Gaz...

On episode #164 author and King scholar Caroline Bicks discusses her latest book, Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King .  We talk about what makes Stephen King so ubiquitously beloved across generations, how horror stories are a way to face our deepest fears and how King called upon Shakespeare for one of his most famous manuscripts.  Plus we get a guest author recommendatio...

On episode 163, I speak with Brian Platzer author of The Optimists . We discuss many things including who influenced the creation of his protagonist and whether or not optimism can be taught.  This episode is sponsored by Fangs of Fate by Rebecca Parcha. Click here to listen to the audiobook.   Sheila Yasmin Marikar , author of Incidentals recommends With Friends Like You by Amy Chozick.  Rebecca...

On episode 162, I'm visited by biographer Mark Oppenheimer, author of Judy Blume: A Life.  We discuss our favorite Judy Blume books, Blume's captivating draw as an author and we share some favorite book recommendations.  This episode is sponsored by Fangs of Fate by Rebecca Parcha. Click here to listen to the audiobook.  Books Recommended: The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translated Curse...

On episode 161 this week I'm visited by Booker Prize shortlist nominee, Charlotte Wood. We talk about internalized misogyny, systems of oppression, what it’s like to be a Booker Award finalist and Wood's reissue of her 2015 novel, The Natural Way of Things.  Books Recommended:  So Long, See You Tomorrow, William Maxwell The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Disapin translated by Aneesa Abbas Higgin...

This week, on episode 160 of Books Are My People, I speak with Lillian Li author of Bad Asians. We talk about identity, the perils of the internet, and the aftermath of the 2008 recession.  Shownotes: How to Commit A Post Colonial Murder by Nina McConigley Vigil by George Saunders Nice Places by Vincent Chu Pedro the Vast by Simón Lopez Trujillo translated by Sophie Hughes House of Monstrous Women...

It's a bit of a longer episode today but I couldn’t tear myself away from my new Bay Area Crafty friends: Monica and Cortney from the fantastic podcast Craft Cook Read Repeat.  These joyful makers will inspire creativity and curiosity in the kitchen, on the needles on the nightstand and more. And, one of them answers the age-old question "Are Sophie scarves a project for beginning knitte...

Yup, I finally read part of a romance novel and watched two romance shows. Who am I in 2026? In episode #158 I announce some new forthcoming screen adaptations, we get a guest author book recommendation from Nalini Singh, author of Such A Perfect Family and I recommend five books to add to your TBR.  Join me on Substack.  Books Recommended: Such a Perfect Family Nalini Singh The Midnight Taxi - Yo...

This week on episode #157, I speak with one of my favorite authors, the delightful Sara Levine, author of The Hitch, out tomorrow. I talk about some of my New Year’s resolutions, the amazing new skill I taught my dog and winter break travel plans gone wrong. We also get a guest author recommendation from Mark Medley author of Live to see the Day.  PODCAST NOTES: The Hitch by Sara Levine Treasure I...

This week, I go back in time to 2012 to share some of my favorite reads as well as discuss other, notable reads from that year.  We have a special guest author recommendation from Emily Wiberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka authors of  Seeing Other People .  Happy New Year, everyone!  Shownotes:  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Where’d You Go Bernadette by Ma...

Check out my top reads of 2025. I also include some books I read in 2025 that were previously published. I share what craft I'm struggling with, what Thanksgiving crop I grew this year as well as some bookish news.  Books Published in 2025 Mentioned: Heart The Lover by Lily King The Ten-Year Affair by Erin Somers A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toews Runs in the Blood  by Matthew J. Traff...

This week, I speak with Aja Gabel, author of Lightbreakers . We talk about loss, writing and book recommendations, of course! We also get a guest author recommendation from Amie McNee, author of To Kill A Queen. Books recommended: Stories of Your Life by Ted Chiang The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor Maggie: or a man and a woman walk into a bar by Katie Lee Great...

Every once in a while I like to just record on my own! Especially when life gets hectic!  We get a guest author recommendation from Kristin Bair, author of Clementine Crane Prefers Not To. I share a story about why I'll never wear white pants again, I talk about the National Book Award fiction contenders and I recommend five great reads. Enjoy! In November, we'll be reading Washington Bl...

This week, we're joined by Nick Medina, author of The Whistler. We talk about superstitions, narrative voice and so much more! We also get a book recommendation from  Julian Brave NoiseCat, author of We Survived The Night .  Books Recommended: Buffalo Hunter Hunter - Stephen Graham Jones The Red Ca r by Marcy Dermasnky Villain Hitting for Viscous Little Nobodies - Lindsay Wong (this one is fo...

On episode 151 Kristine Eckart visits and talks about her new book, Meet Me At Luke's: Lessons in Life and Love from the Gilmore Girls.  We talk about Rory's booklist, sense of community and important lessons we can learn from the beloved series.  Books Recommended: Spells and Forgotten Things by Brianne Randall Hazel Says No by Jessica Burger Gross Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt The Ac...

On episode #150, I sit down with Matthew J. Trafford to talk about his short fiction collection Runs in the Blood . We explore the grounded fantastic—where everyday life meets the surreal—and how queerness, family, and myth shape his stories.   Books Discussed:  This is It – Matthew Fox Endling - Maria Reva How to Restore A Timeline - Peter Counter The Hounding - Xenobe Purvis Cuckoo – Gretchen Fe...

This week, on episode #149 with Laura Dickerman, we discuss her debut novel, HOT DESK - a funny and touching book about two people who share a desk in the publishing industry, some of our favorite books that subvert expectations and, I've decided I only want to read whatever Laura Dickerman has read because she picks the best books! We also get a guest author recommendation from Thomas Schles...

This week, we speak with the delightful Samantha Dion Baker, artist and author of Draw Your Adventures: Making Art to Celebrate Everyday Experiences and Travel Near and Far . This episode is sponsored by The Housekeeper’s Secret by Sandra Schnakenburg. Enter the Mona’s Eyes Giveaway: closes September 15th, 2025 Open to U.S. Mailing addresses only Thank you to Europa Editions for sponsoring this gi...

This week, I'm joined by Lisa Pahl who talks about an inventive way to talk about death and dying, through use of The Death Deck. We also discuss books that deal with this topic.  The Clouds Far Behind Me by Laurie Lo Cicero Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor  Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living by Penny Hawkins Smith Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yin Li The Gentle Art o...

An adorably short episode where I talk about the Pulitzer winning book of fiction as well as ponder whether or not dead authors' work should be publishing after their death and without their permission. Plus, I recommend five books.  The Names by Florence Knapp Sleep by Honor Jones How Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie Cruz Warhol's Muses by Laurence Leamer Is Mother Dead by Vide...

Today, I'm in conversation with Annie Hartnett, author of the recently published Road to Tender Hearts. We talk about the inspiration for her protagonist, PJ as well as how many pages she wrote before she sold this novel.  Books Recommended: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett The Red Grove by Tessa Fontaine Tilt by Emma Pattee Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall Three Bags Full...

This week, I'm in conversation with Lauren Steinstra, author of The Beauty of the End. We discuss genetics, how her career in science influenced her work and whether or not people should delete their 23 and Me accounts. Plus, lots of book recommendations.  This episode is sponsored by People of the Titanic   by Shawn Carlow Andrew Porter, author of The Imagined Life recommends a favorite read...

On this episode of Books Are My People, I'm visited by artist and bibliophile Jane Mount. We discuss the importance of talking about banned books, her favorite book to paint, and how her degree in anthropology informs her work.  This episode is sponsored by People of the Titanic   by Shawn Carlow Books Recommended:  The Adventures of Amina Asarfti b y Amina Someone The Art of Noticing by   Ro...