Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews

Internationally bestselling Canadian romance author Amy Lea joins us to discuss The Catch (Berkley, Feb. 13), “A sweet conclusion to a swoony contemporary romance trilogy” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shayla Lawson joins us to discuss How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir (Tiny Reparations, Feb. 6): “A stunning essay collection about travel, mortality, and liberation” (starred review). Then Kirkus’ editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf...

Venita Blackburn joins us to discuss Dead in Long Beach, California (MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Jan. 23), “an astonishing debut novel from a remarkably creative writer” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veera Hiranandani joins us to discuss the novel Amil and the After (Kokila, Jan. 23), a standalone companion to her 2019 Newbury Honor winner The Night Diary. Kirkus: “A quietly brilliant, deeply insightful story of living in uncertain times” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

On a special Spring Preview episode, Marie-Helene Bertino joins us to discuss the novel Beautyland (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Jan. 16). Kirkus: “A heartbreaking book that staggers with both truth and beauty” (starred review). Then our editors share some of their most anticipated spring 2024 titles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/...

On this week's Fully Booked Takeover, special guest host Stuart Gibbs (Spy School, FunJungle, etc.) talks with YRL powerhouse Christina Soontornvat (2020 Kirkus Prize winner All Thirteen, etc.). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erika Howsare joins us to discuss The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship With Our Wild Neighbors (Catapult, Jan. 2). Kirkus: “A fascinating exploration….Outstanding natural history writing” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy New Year, Fully Booked fans! Kirkus correspondent Michael Schaub joins editor-in-chief Tom Beer and host Megan Labrise for the annual Fully Booked Year in Review. Our merry crew discusses 2023's weird book news and announces the most popular episode of the year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this special holiday episode, Megan presents her favorite interviews of 2023, featuring Ilyon Woo, author of Master Slave Husband Wife (Simon & Schuster), and Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider, author of In the Form of a Question (Avid Reader Press). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Best Books of 2023 coverage concludes on this special episode featuring Brandy Colbert, author of The Blackwoods (Balzer + Bray, Oct, 3). “Colbert’s sprawling novel is a deeply felt love letter to Black Hollywood’s groundbreaking forebears and a tribute to the transformative power of maternal love,” Kirkus writes in a starred review of The Blackwoods, one Kirkus’ Best YA Books of 2023. Then yo...

Our Best Books of 2023 coverage continues on this special episode featuring Zach Weinersmith, author of Bea Wolf (First Second, March 21). This cheeky retelling of the first part of Beowulf, illustrated by Boulet, is one Kirkus’ Best Middle Grade Books of 2023. Then young readers’ editors Laura Simeon and Mahnaz Dar discuss their approach to collaborating on this year’s middle grade list. See Priv...

Our Best Books of 2023 coverage continues with picture books. On this special episode, Leah Henderson joins us to discuss The Courage of the Little Hummingbird (Abrams, April 11), illustrated by Magaly Morales, one Kirkus’ Best Picture Books of 2023. Then editor Mahnaz Dar tells us all about the making of this year’s Best Books list. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California P...

Our Best Books of 2023 coverage continues with nonfiction. On this special episode, Curtis Chin joins us to discuss Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant (Little, Brown, Oct. 17), one Kirkus’ Best Nonfiction Books of 2023. Then editor Eric Liebetrau highlights some of the titles you’ll find on this year’s nonfiction list. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

We’re kicking off our Best Books of 2023 coverage with fiction. On this special episode, Bryan Washington joins us to discuss Family Meal (Riverhead, Oct. 10), one Kirkus’ Best Fiction Books of 2023. Then fiction editor Laurie Muchnick tells us what it takes to determine the year’s top 100 titles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pr...

It's the sixth annual Fully Booked Holiday Gift Guide! Editor-in-chief Tom Beer and host Megan Labrise welcome Margaret Renkl, author of The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year (Spiegel & Grau), and Ben Nadler, author of The Jewish Deli: An Illustrated Guide to the Chosen Food (Chronicle Books), for some good cheer and gift book recommendations. And Kirkus’ editors present their top books to give th...

Deirdre Sullivan joins us to discuss Savage Her Reply (Little Island, Oct. 3), a feminist retelling of Irish folktale The Children of Lir. “Haunting and lyrical” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former FBI agent and author Jana Monroe joins us to discuss her new memoir Hearts of Darkness: Serial Killers, the Behavioral Science Unit, and My Life as a Woman in the FBI (Abrams, Oct. 10). Kirkus: “Fans of true crime will find much to enjoy in this absorbing chronicle of criminology.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider joins us to discuss her memoir In the Form of a Question: The Joys and Rewards of a Curious Life (Avid Reader, Oct. 3). Kirkus: “[F]or a funny, memorable, philosophical take on life, Schneider’s book is far and away the winner.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

On this week's Fully Booked Takeover, special guest host Cassandra Clare is joined by friends Holly Black and Kelly Link, in celebration of the publication of Sword Catcher (Oct. 10, Del Rey), “A whirlwind epic fantasy featuring secret plots, ancient magic, and hidden identities” (Kirkus). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

On a special episode, editor-in-chief Tom Beer and host Megan Labrise discuss all things Kirkus Prize, one week ahead of our 10th anniversary celebration and awards ceremony in New York City. And in a sponsored interview, Megan talks with Sydney Smith, author-illustrator of the poignant picture book Do You Remember? (starred review). Then our editors share some of their favorite memories from Kirk...

Poet and essayist Ross Gay joins us to discuss The Book of (More) Delights (Algonquin, Sept. 19). Kirkus: “Keenly observed and delivered with deftness, these essays are a testament to the artfulness of attention and everyday joy” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...

On this week's Fully Booked Takeover, sponsored by Penguin Young Readers Group, special guest host Jason Reynolds (Stuntboy, In-Between Time, etc.) talks with author and activist Christine Platt (The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less, etc.). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:...

Critically acclaimed novelist Mona Awad joins us to discuss Rouge (Marysue Rucci Books, Sept. 12). Kirkus: “A woman tangles with a cultlike spa and her own obsession with physical beauty in the wake of her mother’s death in this hypnotic tour de force” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...

Alice Carrière joins us to discuss Everything/Nothing/Someone (Spiegel & Grau, Aug. 29), a memoir of mental illness from the daughter of American artist Jennifer Bartlett and German actor Mathieu Carrière. Kirkus: “[Carrière’s] artistic prowess and determination to unearth and interpret the true narrative arc of her life and healing shine through… A spellbinding memoir” (starred review). Then our...

Jamel Brinkley joins us to discuss Witness (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Aug. 1), a story collection from the author of National Book Award finalist A Lucky Man (2018). “After just two collections, Brinkley may already be a grand master of the short story,” Kirkus writes in a starred review. Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...