Books and the City

Latest Episodes:

The Chain Restaurant Thriller Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

This week we're getting real chatty! (Remember you can always skip straight to the book talk if you prefer, time stamps are below.) We discuss how you can get more merch, a wild chain restaurant rabbit hole, a call from a special listener in France, and what our perfect beach read would be. Hint: We may or may not be extremely predictable. Read on for buy links, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode and all past episodes! Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to sign up for our newsletter and learn more about us. And of course, you can always drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Kayla just read: Behind the Red Door by Megan Collins (25:57-35:45)
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Behind-the-Red-Door/Megan-Collins/9781982130398
Up next for Kayla: Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Emily just read: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (35:45-49:56) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-murder-of-roger-ackroyd-agatha-christie
Up next for Emily: Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Becky just read: The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (49:56-1:00:1) https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/emma-donoghue/the-pull-of-the-stars/9780316499019/
Up next for Becky: A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers / Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing by Allison Winn Scotch

Libby just read: On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden (1:00:1-1:12:48)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250178138
Up next for Libby: Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

Books About Choices! (But No One Gave Emily the Memo) Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

Before we get into the episode, we have to give a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout-out to our Leo Queen Co-Host, Kayla!!!! To celebrate, she's reading 30+ books in a day. Tune into her journey on Instagram. In other very exciting news, we have our final fundraising results in from the Books and the City merch sales! Keep listening to hear all about that, and don't forget to use the hashtag #mybooksandthecity when you share your merch selfies. And before we dive into our accidentally-themed episode mostly featuring books about choices (who doesn't love a theme!), we all talk about our favorite (and least favorite) book-to-movie adaptations. So get ready to add some fantastic books and movies to your tbr/watchlist! Read on for buy links, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode, and all past episodes! Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com, and drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Libby just read: The Mothers by Brit Bennett (16:03-27:25)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534018/the-mothers-by-brit-bennett/
Up next for Libby: On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

Becky just read: Idle Hands by Cassondra Windwalker (27:26-40:25) https://www.agorabooks.co/titles/idle-hands/
Up next for Becky: A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers

Kayla just read: How to Save a Life by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke (40:26-48:32)
https://www.amazon.com/How-Save-Life-Liz-Fenton/dp/1542005094
Up next for Kayla: Behind the Red Door by Megan Collins

Emily just read: Here for It: Or, How To Save Your Soul in America; Essays by R. Eric Thomas (48:33-59:55) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/588517/here-for-it-by-r-eric-thomas/
Up next for Emily: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

"I'm Mad I Had Two Margaritas" ft. A Mid-Year Check-In! Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

We're a bit past the "halfway through 2020" mark, so join us for a (late) mid-year reading goal check-in! We're recapping our initial 2020 goals, talking secret "reach" goals, and looking back on the best books we've read this year so far. And buckle up, because tequila Kayla is back! Just kidding, she keeps it together during a very conflicted review of the first book she has *ever* reread. Her takeaway is that she should never reread books, so safe to say it's a complicated review. And of course, stayed tuned to hear about three more gems including a queer romance, new fantasy to fill that GoT void, and an underrated historical fiction novel ($5 to whoever can guess which of us talks about that one!) Read on for buy llinks, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode, and all past episodes! Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com, and drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Becky just read: This Lovely City by Louise Hare (17:28-25:59) https://houseofanansi.com/products/this-lovely-city?_pos=1&_sid=b1121fb74&_ss=r
Up next for Becky: Idle Hands by Cassondra Windwalker

Kayla just read: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (26:00-38:27)
https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/heather-cocks/the-royal-we/9781455557103/
Up next for Kayla: The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester

Emily just read: The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter (38:28-55:19) https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/evan-winter/the-rage-of-dragons/9780316489768/
Up next for Emily: Euphoria by Lily King

Libby just read: Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner (55:20-1:08:20)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624147/something-to-talk-about-by-meryl-wilsner/
Up next for Libby: How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Catherine Adel West Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

Hi everyone! It’s Thursday, and you know what that means - another Books and the City author interview! We are SO excited to be chatting with Catherine Adel West, author of the incredible SAVING RUBY KING. Kayla and Emily got to sit down (virtually) with this debut novelist and discuss her unforgettable, timely novel, which tells the story of Ruby King and the strong bonds of friendship that persevere after Ruby’s mother is murdered in their home on Chicago’s South Side. Before they launch into all things Saving Ruby King, the three have the ever-important pizza conversation: Chicago’s deep dish vs. New York’s thin crust (A.K.A. “cheese with cardboard on it”). But stay tuned as Catherine talks about the importance of writing about the Chicago South Side that she knows and loves, as opposed to the version of the neighborhood that gets portrayed on the news. Plus, you’ll want to hear what she has to say about the importance of Black female friendship in the novel, and about Catherine’s experience entering the mostly-white world of publishing as a Black woman. There’s more where that comes from in this rich interview, and we promise you’re not going to want to miss it. Read on for buy links, and please feel free to drop us a line about this interview, Catherine’s writing, or anything else you'd like to tell us at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. ------------------------>

Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780778305095_saving-ruby-king.html

Catherine just read: Fledgling by Octavia Butler

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/213844/fledgling-by-octavia-e-butler/

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagahira

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/239717/a-little-life-by-hanya-yanagihara/

Up next for Catherine: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/7753/the-fire-next-time-by-james-baldwin/

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (coming from Atria Books in 2021!)

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos

"Speaking As A Former Baby" ft. A Very Special Guest! Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode, we’re lucky enough to interview the one, the only, KayReadWhat'sMom! You know her, you love her, you've maybe even heard her in the background of an episode or two: it's Kayla's mom, Kelley! Books and the City pod is so excited to sit down with her and talk all things books. Kelley recently reignited her love of reading (thanks to Kayla's wonderful book recs and insane reading speed), so keep listening to find out what she's been loving recently, how reading helps soothe her anxiety, and her celeb crush (who she got to meet!). And stay tuned to hear from us with your latest round of recent reads. Read on for links, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode, and all past episodes! Check out our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com, and drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Kayla just read: The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda (16:20-25:40)
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Girl-from-Widow-Hills/Megan-Miranda/9781501165429
Up next for Kayla: Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Libby just read: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (26:30-38:04)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/600633/on-earth-were-briefly-gorgeous-by-ocean-vuong/
Up next for Libby: The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Emily just read: The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (38:14-50:31)
https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062990297/the-black-flamingo/
Up next for Emily: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Becky just read: We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall (50:32-1:00:14)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250169785
Up next for Becky: The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Baby incubator weirdness: https://www.1939nyworldsfair.com/worlds_fair/wf_tour/zone-7/baby_incubators.htm

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-pretended-be-doctor-ran-worlds-fair-attraction-saved-lives-thousands-premature-babies-180960200/

Susie Orman Schnall website: https://susieschnall.com/books/we-came-here-to-shine/worlds-fair-history/

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

Chicken Girl Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

First thing's first, thank you all for being as pumped about the Books and the City merch as we are!!! Don't forget, these designs will only be available until July 12 so grab yours today. Proceeds are going toward the Black Art Futures Fund. And then stick around because we're talking about fictional BFF's on today's episode. Find out which book character we'd each love to hang with, and please help Emily remember the title of a fifth grade-fave. Then of course, we have some great book talk lined up, ranging from contemporary fiction to very hot takes on a popular YA fantasy series. Read on for links, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode, and all past episodes! Check out our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to order your merch (available through July 12, hurry!) If you want to drop us a line about the books we talked about in episode 15 or anything else, send a note to booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Becky just read: Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid (16:15-23:54)

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605904/such-a-fun-age-by-kiley-reid/

Up next for Becky: Fast Girls by Elise Hooper

Kayla just read: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (23:55-36:10)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/577068/mexican-gothic-by-silvia-moreno-garcia/

Up next for Kayla: The Royal We + The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Emily just read: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (36:11-53:21)
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/a-court-of-thorns-and-roses-9781635575569/

Up next for Emily: The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

Libby just read: Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith (53:22-1:01:35)
https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062943170/stay-gold/

Up next for Libby: The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

Pride Books and an Unwelcome Guest Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to another nostalgia-heavy episode of Books and the City! Today we're chatting all things TikTok, but mainly how we feel ATTACKED by the young people making their cool dance videos and ripping on millennials in the comments. If anyone can tell us where the youth's awkward phases went, that would be great. Stay tuned for some extremely exciting announcements, including exclusive Books and the City merch!! Plus, a shiny new website and our official hashtag as voted by our listeners. Then of course, the main event: we're talking all books Pride on this episode, to celebrate the final Monday of June's Pride Month. Read on for links, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode, and all past episodes! Remember to check out our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to order your merch (available through July 12, hurry!) If you want to drop us a line about the books we talked about in episode 14 or anything else, send a note to booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Emily just read: Real Life by Brandon Taylor (16:34-28:58)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/594502/real-life-by-brandon-taylor/
Up next for Emily: The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Becky just read: Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey (28:59-38:49)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572795/under-the-rainbow-by-celia-laskey/
Up next for Becky: This is Major by Shayla Lawson

Libby just read:Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn (38:50-53:00)
https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631492945
Up next for Libby: Hunger by Roxane Gay

Kayla just read: Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins (53:01-59:15)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/552378/her-royal-highness-by-rachel-hawkins/
Up next for Kayla: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/books-and-the-city-pod/

Black Art Futures Fund: http://blackartfutures.org/

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Hannah Orenstein Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

We’re switching things up with an author interview on Monday, because author Hannah Orenstein’s fantastic new book, Head Over Heels, goes on sale tomorrow! Kayla and Emily are lucky enough to chat with this real-life Carrie Bradshaw about her personal experiences in the world of competitive gymnastics, which served as inspiration for her new book. Head Over Heels is a rom-com about a former elite gymnast who just missed her chance to qualify for the Olympics. She returns to the sport post-breakup, seven years later, to coach a new Olympic hopeful, when sparks start flying with her fellow coach. The girls chat with Hannah about all things summer Olympics, so this should fill the void if you’re sad to be missing them this summer. They also discuss Hannah’s research process, her favorite elite gymnasts, her favorite floor routine moves, her go-to writing cocktails, and her day-job writing about relationships and dating for Elite Daily. Keep listening for some fun dating app talk and a Love Island rabbit hole, and read on for buy links! Please feel free to drop us a line about this interview, Hannah’s novels, or anything else you'd like to tell us at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. ------------------------>

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Head-Over-Heels/Hannah-Orenstein/9781982121471

Hannah just read: They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610616/they-wish-they-were-us-by-jessica-goodman/

Up next for Hannah: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/553185/the-great-believers-by-rebecca-makkai/

Disney vs. Cartoon Network vs. Nickelodeon Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

Buckle up because we’re getting super nostalgic and talking toons today! We cover all the formative classic cartoons/kid’s shows across all three channels, with special shoutouts to the PBS shows for everyone without cable. Remember Arthur? Dragon Tales?!So great. Also, find out if you’re one of the two people on this planet who have watched a show that Becky grew up with. And be sure to head over to the Books and the City Instagram stories to vote for our official hashtag! We need your help to break the tie. Then stick around for some wonderful book talk, including a nice variety of YA, literary fiction, a thriller, and some antiracist nonfiction. Read on for links, and check out bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity to shop the books we’ve discussed on this episode, and all past episodes! We won’t be recommending bar pairings during quarantine, but we’ll bring them back after this is all over with. If you have a perfect bar + book pairing in your city, OR any thoughts about the books we talked about in episode 13, send us a note at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com------------->

Libby just read:The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth (18:31-34:02)
https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062020567/the-miseducation-of-cameron-post/
Up next for Libby: The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

Becky just read: My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (34:03-42:03)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/588860/my-sister-the-serial-killer-by-oyinkan-braithwaite/
Up next for Becky: This Lovely City by Louise Hare

Kayla just read: A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight (42:04-51:02)
https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062367686/a-good-marriage/
Up next for Kayla: Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

Emily just read: Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge (51:03-1:07:49)
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race-9781408870570/
Up next for Emily: Here For It: Or, How To Save Your Soul in America by R. Eric Thomas

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Whitney Scharer Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

It’s Thursday, and you know what that means! We’re back with another author interview. This week, Becky and Kayla are thrilled to be speaking with debut historical fiction author, Whitney Scharer. Whitney wrote The Age of Light, a sweeping story of Vogue model Lee Miller fleeing her role as muse and forging a new identity as a photographer and artist in Paris. This book has the two things that make today’s hosts very happy: the 20’s (Becky), and rich historical fiction to learn about real badass women of history (Kayla). In today’s interview, Whitney talks about all things inspiration, photography, Lee Miller and Man Ray. We also get to hear a bit about Whitney’s travels to Paris to do research for this book (sign us up for a research trip to Paris, please and thank you). Read on for buy links! And please feel free to drop us a line about this interview, Whitney’s novel, or anything else you'd like to tell us at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. ------------------------>

The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer: https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/whitney-scharer/the-age-of-light/9780316524094/

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