Poured Over

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire — the 11th installment of the Wayward Childrens Series — takes us on a whirlwind quest to the underworld. Seanan joins us to talk about identity, portal fantasies, creating her own rules, working on multiple series at once, characterization and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and...

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez is a dazzling slow-burn historical romance set in 1400s Florence. Isabel joins us to talk about lush world building, coming-of-age novels, self-reflection, eldest daughters, control and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thur...

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman is an intergalactic sci-fi adventure following one man's journey through the apocalypse. Matt joins us to talk about LitRPG novels, video games, worldbuilding, writing in a gameshow structure, the evolution of gaming and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang.                    ...

The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery is a rollicking locked-room mystery centered on a dynamic detective duo. Ross joins us to talk about Halley's Comet, writing for children vs adults, cosmic frenzy, research, Golden Age murder mysteries and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New...

Tilt by Emma Pattee is a breathtaking exploration of humanity, desperation, love and survival in the midst of a catastrophe. Emma joins us to talk about natural disasters, control, motherhood, research, grief and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with...

The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits is a deeply human and tender story of a man's journey across North America. Ben joins us to talk about road trip novels, middle age, marriage, family and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays...

Get ready for another great year of reading! MJ Franklin and Joumana Khatib of The New York Times join us to talk about dissecting the literary canon, keeping books weird, language, dialogue, world building, rereading, blurbs and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (...

Water Mirror Echo by Jeff Chang is a gripping blend of biography and history centered on a legendary figure. Jeff joins us to talk about community, Chinatown, the Vietnam War, the 1970s, movies and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here...

Women by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz is a remarkable celebration of life and womanhood through powerful portraits. Annie joined us live at B&N Union Square to talk about the evolution of photography, Rolling Stone, portraits, photojournalism, digital vs film, the 70s, Gloria Steinem and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry...

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg expertly examines how to understand others and be understood through effective communication. Charles joins us to talk about identifying conversation types, connection, attention, the power of questions, neuroscience, habits and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang.             ...

The Breath of the Gods by Simon Winchester is a fascinating deep dive into a familiar phenomenon. Simon joins us to talk about changing wind speeds, the moon landing, oboes, human migration, tumbleweeds and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occa...

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson is the fully revised and updated exploration of life's biggest questions. Bill joins us to talk about advancements in research over the last 20 years, making science accessible, narrativizing history, Isaac Newton, humanity and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry L...

A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken is a thoughtful and engaging guide to the craft of writing filled with tips, tricks and personal anecdotes from an acclaimed author. Elizabeth joins us to talk about breaking story rules, short stories vs novels, character physicality, setting, plot, dialogue and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry...

Small Rain by Garth Greenwell is a haunting story of one man's emotional reckoning. Garth joins us to talk about bewilderment, memory, interiority, James Baldwin, home ownership, intimacy and more with host Miwa Messer.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and o...

Good Things by Samin Nosrat — our 2025 Gift Book of the Year — is a unique guide to forming a deeper sense of connection through food, paired with gorgeous photos and heartwarming anecdotes. Samin joins us to talk about reconnecting with cooking, writing recipes, teaching new thought processes in the kitchen, sharing a meal with loved ones, time, attention, community and more with guest host Brend...

Girls Play Dead by award-winning journalist Jen Percy is a powerful and poignant portrait of women and survival. Jen joins us to talk about understanding trauma, PTSD, gender expectations, wartime reportage, self-preservation, research and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and T...

Heart the Lover by Lily King is a gripping story of family, identity, life and love from the bestselling author of Writers & Lovers . Lily joined us live at B&N Upper West Side to talk about crafting an emotional arc, writing little moments between characters, details, process, vulnerability and more with host Miwa Messer.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry L...

Blank Space: A Cultural History of the Twenty-First Century by author and critic W. David Marx is a gripping retrospective that examines our culture today — and questions where we might be headed. David joins us to talk about living in Tokyo, the internet, merging art and commerce, nostalgia, smartphones and more with cohosts Chris Gillespie and Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was...

Joyride by Susan Orlean is a vibrant memoir about the craft of writing and the pursuit of creativity from an acclaimed author. Susan joins us to talk about reportage, capturing place, detail, writers as outsiders, curiosity and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (wi...

Palaver by National Book Award finalist Bryan Washington is a moving story about mother and son, identity, home and humanity. Bryan joins us to talk about Tokyo, writing in 3rd person, navigating intimacy, utilizing space on the page, honesty, memory and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land...

Languages of Home by John Edgar Wideman is a collection of the acclaimed author and cultural critic's most influential works — five decades in the making. John joins us to talk about the creative process, improvisation, basketball, storytelling, the evolution of voice, translation and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.       ...

We Survived the Night by Julian Brave NoiseCat is a powerful and poignant blend of memoir, poetry, folklore and reportage from an Oscar-nominated director, journalist and champion powwow dancer. Julian joins us to talk about trickster narratives, Coyote stories, art, consideration and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by H...

The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes is a lyrical and poignant novel about womanhood, home and identity from the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winner My Broken Language . Quiara joins us to talk about physicality, motherhood, eldest daughters, coming of age, Philadelphia and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                 ...

Some Bright Nowhere  by Ann Packer is a tender story of marriage, family and home. Ann joins us to talk about shifting perspective, community, character, moral dilemmas, influences and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your f...

Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte is a sharp and smart collection about belonging, vanity and connection. Tony joins us to talk about character vs plot, living alongside technology, isolation, satire and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) he...