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Books Are My People — Arts
Books Are My People

Find your next great read. Book recommendations, book news and guests, including top authors and other book enthusiasts who discuss what’s happening in the world of books with a focus on frontlist and backlist fiction including literary fiction, suspense, historical, memoir and nonfiction.

Copyright: © 2024 Books Are My People

Latest Episodes:

Theives' Gambit and Wanderlust Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Today, on episode #109, I speak with young adult Kayvion Lewis, author of the recently published Thieves’ Gambit. We talk about her writing process and her adventurous spirit is so infectious!

Book Recommended:

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

Yellow Face by R.F. Kuang

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix
Guest author Emily Brightwell, author of Mrs. Jeffries Aims to Win recommends Redshirts by John Scalzi

Starter Villian by John Scalzi

See my art in The Nelligan Review.

Shop my art and upcycled book journals.

Giveaway: I am giving away TWO copies of Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall. This giveaway will close on publication day, October 10th, and I will announce the two winners on this post on October 11th. Open to U.S. mailing addresses only.
To enter: Follow me on Instagram, click here to leave a comment and sign up for my weekly Books Are My People newsletter, out each Tuesday with new books releases, paperback releases and more in my Linktree on Instagram. Gain extra entries by sharing this post in your stories and tagging your book-loving friends.

Annie Sullivan of SoThis and I went live with book recommendations. Click here to check it out!

Esquire article on Blurbs: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a44948120/book-publishing-broken-blurbs-system/

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Pockets and Fashion in Books And Culture Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Today, on episode #108, I speak with Hannah Carlson, who has a PHD in material culture, to talk about her book, Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close.
Books Recommended:

The Mummies of Urumchi by Elizabeth Wayland Barber

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber

Rouge by Mona Awad

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

Guest author recommendation: Laura Zimmerman Just Do This One Thing For Me

Weather by Jenny Offill

Other Books Discussed:

Prophet by Sin Blanche and Helen McDonald

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Pet by Catherine Chidgey

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

Annie Sullivan and I recommend book live on Instagram @JenniferCaloyeras 9 am 9 /19

Shop my Journals and Art in my Etsy Shop

The Weaver and the Witch Queen Giveaway Link, closes Thursday, 9/14

Sign up for my weekly newsletter out each Tuesday.

Follow me on Substack.

Follow me on Instagram

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Dreamgirls Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Today, on episode 107 I speak with author Denene Millner about her latest novel, One Blood, and her experience novelizing the film Dreamgirls.

Click on any of the links below to purchase the books discussed.

Shownotes:

My upcycled book journals are on sale with 25% off through September 15th, 2023 with the code: ENDOFSUMMER Free shipping free when you spend $35 or more. Click here to shop!

Book Giveaway: The Weaver and the Witch Queen

All you have to do to enter is click here and comment on my The Weaver and the Witch Queen post on my Instagram account, and sign up for my weekly Books Are My. People Newsletter, which comes out each Tuesday on New Book Release Day. You can gain extra entries by sharing the post and tagging friends in the comments.

This giveaway will close on Thursday, September 14th and I will announce a winner on the original post on Friday, September 15th.

Where to find me online:

Instagram @jennifercaloyeras

Substack: Jennifer Caloyeras

Email: booksaremypeople@gmail.com

Sign up link for my Books Are My People Weekly Newsletter here.

Books Recommended:

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

What Never Happened by Rachel Howzell Hall

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Other Books Discussed:

The Weaver and The Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J. A. Bear

The Warriors by Sol Yurick

Pockets: An Intimate History of How We keep things close by Hannah Carlson

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Stephen Sondheim, Writer's Strike and Books Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Shownotes:
Today, on episode #106, I am joined by screenwriter, Ron Clark, who also happens to be my father. We discuss the writer's strike, Stephen Sondheim, my dad's secret fear and, we hum, in addition to recommending books, of course. Click on any of the titles to be taken to my bookshop.org shop.

Permanent Linkups:
Sign up for my weekly newsletter
Follow me on Substack

Follow me on Instagram

Take a writing class with me

Buy a unique, upcycled journal for book lovers

Reach out and email me at booksaremypeople@gmail.com

Books Recommended:

The English Teacher by Lily King

The Finale by D.T. Max

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

Miss Lonely Hearts by Nathaniel West

A Cool Million by Nathaniel West

The Day of the Locust by Nathaniel West

Guest author recommendation from Eva Silverfine: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

Ephemeral Wings by Eva Silverfine

How To Bury Your Dog by Eva Silverfine

Elastic Walls by Eva Silverfine

Eva Silverfine on Episode #78 of Books Are My People
Other things discussed:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Booker Prize Longlist

Up next:

Oscar Hammerstein and the Invention Of The Musical by Laurie Weiner

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Historical Fiction and Hotel Laguna Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Today, on episode #105 historical fiction author, Nicola Harrison pops by to discuss her latest novel, Hotel Laguna.
Recommended Books:
Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
The House Is On Fire by Rachel Beanland
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Book Giveaway! I'm giving away one copy of May Cobb's A Likable Woman out July 11th. Click here to be taken to my Instagram post to learn how to enter.
Guest author recommendation by Daisy Alpert Florin, author of My Last Innocent Year
Book recommended: Social Engagement by Avery Carpenter Forrey
Other Books by Nicola Harrison:
Montauk
The Showgirl

Up Next:
Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane
Faces by Tove Ditlevsen
Other links:
See Nicole Harrison on Friday, June 23rd at 6 pm at Zibby's
Twitter casting call for Crying in H Mart buy the book here!
Sign up to have your name go to space with Ada Limon's poem.

Nicola Harrison on Instagram @nicolaharrisonauthor
Nicola Harrison on Facebook @nicolaharrisonauthor
Nicola Harrison on Twitter @nicolahauthor

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Suspense Novels and May Cobb Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Today, on episode #104, A Likable Woman author, May Cobb, and I talk about how we unknowingly used to be neighbors, what it means to be an unlikable woman and what inspired her latest novel out July 11th.
Shownotes
click on any title to be taken to my bookshop.org shop: Books Are My People

Recommended Books:

A Likeable Woman by May Cobb

Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier

My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Flores

Vera Won’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland

How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano

Other Books Mentioned:

Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Only One Left by Riley Sager

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Find May on social media: @may_cobb

Click here to enter my book giveaway of Emma Cline's The Guest. Giveaway closes on June 7th. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Char Hamilton’s art classes on YouTube

Sign up for my Books Are My People newsletter

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Bookpage Magazine May 22, 2023

Show notes

Today on episode #103, you won't believe how many books Bookpage Editor, Savanna Walker looks at a month in order to make her review selections at BookPage! And don't forget to enter my giveaway of Emma Cline's The Guest.

Books Recommended:
A Right Sort Of Man by Allison Montclair
The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel
The Devil And The Dark Water by Stuart Turton
The Guest by Emma Cline
All The Sinners Bleed by S. a. Cosby

Other Books Discussed:
Dreaming Of You by Lisa Kleypas
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Trust by Hernan Diaz
How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Link to the CRSPR episode on RadioLab
Click here to enter my book giveaway of Emma Cline's The Guest. Giveaway closes on June 7th. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Savanna's Social Media:
Twitter: vanna_walker
Instagram: savanna.c.walker
BookPage Social Media:
Twitter @Boookpage
Facebook / Instagram: @Readbookpage
Here is my link to my Etsy shop where I sell unique, handmade, upside journals.
Here is a link to my website where you can learn more about the creative writing classes I teach and my editing services.

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Book Recommendations from a Book Editor May 08, 2023

Show notes

Today, on episode #102, listen to learn about Katie Mouallek's life as an editor in Amsterdam, her love of Southern storytelling and her number one tip for writers revising their own work.

Books Recommended:

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

House of Cotton by Monica Brashears

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro

What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez

Other Books Mentioned:

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

An American Marriage by Tyari Jones

Inheritance by Dani Shapiro

Find Katie on Social Media:

Instagram @katiemouallek

Twitter @katiemouallek

www.katiemouallek.com

Other links mentioned:

Transcribe historical documents at the U.S. Library of Congress

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

Bookstagram and Book Influencers Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Today on episode #101, I speak with lawyer and Bookstagrammer, Caroline Dreyfus of @Texacalibooks. She shares with us three books that make her happy, including the book she wants to hug for the rest of her life. (How’s that for an endorsement?)
Books Recommended:

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman
For You and Only You a Joe Goldberg Novel by Caroline Kepnes
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Other Books Mentioned:

Joseph Cornell's Manual of Marvels: How Joseph Cornell reinvented a French agricultural manual to create an American

A Humument 1966-2016 Final edition

Check out Caroline on social media
@texacalibooks on Instagram

Carolinedrey1 on Tik-Tok

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

100 Episodes of Book Recommendations Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

This week, on episode #100, I celebrate my 100th podcast episode!
Want more book recommendations? Sign up for my newsletter here.
Win Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson here.
Books Recommended
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
American Mermaid: a novel by Julia Langbein
The Fake by Zoe Whittall
Up Next For Me:
For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes

SoThis Bookclub link
Come say hello to me at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Check here for a forthcoming post about where I will be and when!

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

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