Poured Over

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson is a novel of family and freedom as one young man navigates coming of age as a Londoner born to Ghanian parents. Nelson joins us to talk about the change and growth in his second book, visiting Ghana while writing, the importance of place and more.  In her short story collection, Temple Folk , Aaliyah Bilal examines and illuminates some of the realities of the B...

"... what is it like to live your life through the books you read?"  The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is a warm, introspective novel about a retired librarian who lives his life surrounded by books, and the impact he has on those around him. DeWitt joins us to talk about finding the story's voice, balancing humor and melancholy, writing in different genres and more with Miwa Messer, host of Pour...

"What part of yourself is actually in each character?"  Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur is a family drama set on the shores of Cape Cod, full of complicated relationships, secrets and revelations. Brodeur joined us to talk about creating her detailed characters, writing intuitively, her career in the literary world and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.  This episode of Poured Over wa...

Whether it's to 18th century Prague or present-day Los Angeles, you'll find yourself transported with these fast paced and thrilling reads and their complicated characters and dynamic plots. The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni is thriller unlike any other with its intricate web of enigmas and ancient mysteries that will keep you guessing until the very end. Trussoni joins us to talk about how s...

"This whole life experience is just a ride, and occasionally we get to steer it."  Jason Mraz's new album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride combines elements from his previous music with all new influences for this journey through sound. Mraz joins us to talk about writing new songs, his time on Broadway, his take on concert etiquette and more with Poured Over guest host, Allyson Gavaletz....

"I didn't want to get sick of my work … let's write something that I'm going to enjoy." Open Throat by Henry Hoke is a novel unlike any other. This propulsive and vulnerable story reflects humanity from the perspective of a queer mountain lion living under the Hollywood sign. Hoke and his editor, Jackson Howard, join to talk about the process of writing this book, the canon of queer literature, th...

"God, I was an idiot, but I had good legs." Caroline O'Donoghue's  The Rachel Incident   is a witty and emotional journey through friendships, first loves and all the challenges that come with being in your early 20s. O'Donoghue joins us to talk about her incredibly relatable characters, realistic love interests, writing for adults and YA and more with guest host, Jenna Seery. We end this episode...

Elysha Chang's debut, A Quitter's Paradise , is the story of one woman's journey through family secrets, grief and love told with humor and heart. Chang and her publisher, Sarah Jessica Parker, join us live at Barnes & Noble Union Square to talk about the challenges of writing this novel, what they look for in books, getting into the publishing industry and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Ov...

"I found in nature that kind of the same appeal that I find in books which is: … they're both filled with these rich particularities and they're also … mysteriously universal." Jennifer Ackerman's What an Owl Knows is a compelling and vivid investigation into one of our world's most beloved and mysterious animals. Ackerman talks with us about her journey to the world of birds, the incredible resea...

"Does one ever move on from someone they love dying?" Lorrie Moore's I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home is a story of love, family, life and death, written with the unmistakable wit and humor her readers cherish. Moore talks with us about her distinct authorial voice, balancing humor and grief, the difference in reviewing television and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this epi...

Two authors take on historical fiction with these novels featuring queer love, heartbreak, coming of age and agency with rich settings and vibrant casts, from 17th century France to the wild, wild American West.  Celia Bell's The Disenchantment finds Paris amidst political and social upheaval, while one noblewoman balances her unhappy marriage and her female lover in the tenuous world of high soci...

These two new novels ask a crucial question: who gets to tell our stories?  Keziah Weir's The Mythmakers follows one young journalist as she seeks answers within the unpublished manuscript of a recently dead author while her own life starts to crumble. Weir joins us to talk about likeable female characters, what makes the literary canon, AI storytelling and more. My Murder by Katie Williams is a f...

These two novels transport readers into rich, vivid historical settings — whether it's a journey from colonial India to Europe, or through the canals of 18th century Venice.   Loot by Tania James follows one young artist from his homeland across the world to retrieve a stolen wooden tiger in an engrossing adventure. James joins us in conversation about the choice to write historical fiction, the v...

Powerful women, families of all kinds, fantastical adventures and so much more unite these two spellbinding tales. Juno Dawson's  The Shadow Cabinet is the second installment in her series of witches, intrigue and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Dawson joins us to talk about the importance of complex female characters, the response to This Book is Gay, the strength her characters find togethe...

Either/Or , Elif Batuman's sequel to Pulitzer Prize finalist The Idiot , is the humorous and relatable ongoing story of a Turkish American surviving college in the 90s. Batuman joins us to talk about her approach to writing fiction, how her own life influences her work, analyzing literature and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Produce...

"This is the place; this is the right place for me, it's home." Demon Copperhead , Barbara Kingsolver's Pulitzer Prize-winning return to Appalachia, is the story of a young boy growing into adulthood amid the struggle and beauty of this oft-overlooked corner of America. Kingsolver joins us to talk about the truth of Appalachian culture, how journalism made her the novelist she is today, the politi...

"What if we could do anything? Should we do it? What are the consequences?" Ramona Ausubel's new novel The Last Animal asks big questions about motherhood, grief and our responsibility to the planet. And there's a woolly mammoth. Ausubel joins us to talk about the realities of working in male dominated fields, the differences in writing novels and short stories, the power of storytelling and more...

These two authors tackle important subjects with new research and keen insight. Héctor Tobar's Our Migrant Souls delves into the "Latino" identity with thorough analysis of history, culture and extensive interviews. Tobar joins us to talk about the concepts of ethnicity and race, hearing stories from people across the country and more.  King: A Life is the comprehensive new biography of Martin Lut...

Starring strong female characters in rich, captivating, historical settings, we can't wait for you to dive into these two new novels we love. Our June B&N Book Club Pick is Good Night, Irene by Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea. Inspired by the life of his mother, this is the story of the bravery of women on the frontlines of WWII. Urrea joins us to discuss connecting his writing to his o...

Tom Hanks (yes, that Tom Hanks) returns to the world of fiction with The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece — a loving look at what (and who) it takes to make a movie, told through the lens of America's changing history. Hanks joins us to talk about why he writes, how he finds his voice and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recomme...

"I've become increasingly cynical about the industry's ability to change itself and how it deals with representation and marginalization." R.F. Kuang's new novel,  Yellowface ,  tackles cultural appropriation, the challenges of the world of publishing and what it means to be a writer with a wit all her own. Kuang joins us to talk about what lead her to writing this novel, who gets to tell our stor...

"I am a firm believer in consequences." Brandon Taylor's new novel,  The Late Americans , finds a group of young people at a crossroads and follows as they face uncertainty and confront decisions that will affect the trajectory of their lives. Taylor joins us to discuss connections between his previous works, his love of revision and rewriting, starting a new career journey and more with Poured Ov...

"In 1649, Artemisia Gentileschi wrote, 'I'll show you what a woman can do.'"  In  The Story of Art Without Men , Katy Hessel recounts the legacy of the women that have shaped the history of art — largely without recognition. Hessel joins us to talk about how she started this massive project, what surprised her while writing, some of the women that inspire her and more with guest host Allie Ludlow....

Few people are as funny as Samantha Irby, and her new collection of essays, Quietly Hostile , proves it. Irby joins us to talk about representation in media, the importance of paperback books, writing for television and more with Poured Over host, Miwa Messer. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Jamie.     This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Pr...

Emma Cline, author of the The Girls , returns with her propulsive new novel, The Guest . This is the story of a singular young woman — a con artist drifting through Long Island's high society in the heat of summer. Cline joins us to talk about trauma math, reasons to write complicated characters, how this book was influenced by John Cheever and more with Poured Over host, Miwa Messer. We end this...