Books Connect Us

Latest Episodes:

Andy Weir on the PROJECT HAIL MARY movie adaptation Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Bestselling author Andy Weir—and his longtime book editor Julian Pavia—break down Andy's role in the Project Hail Mary movie adaptation. They discuss the most critical things to get right, the parts Andy was nervous about, and the challenges with bringing Rocky to life.

Project Hail Mary: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/828207/project-hail-mary-deluxe-edition-by-andy-weir/

Emily Henry, romcom Queen and author of the #1 NYT Bestseller, HAPPY PLACE Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

On today’s season finale we welcome the delightful Emily Henry, author of bestsellers Beach Read, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation and, most recently the #1 NYT Bestselling Happy Place. Alyssa and Emily vibe out talking about romcom inspiration, fancasting, the ways art informs life (and vice versa), writing complex, imperfect love interests, and how underrated the state of Michigan is. Emily’s new book, Happy Place (available now) and is your perfect summer reading companion.

You can find Emily at www.emilyhenrybooks.com | Instagram: @emilyhenrywrites | Newsletter: https://emilyhenry.substack.com/
You can read Emily’s Vulture profile here: https://www.vulture.com/article/emily-henry-romance-novel-profile.html

Thank you for joining us this season! We’ll be back soon with more episodes soon.

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704944/happy-place-by-emily-henry/

Beach Read by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608898/beach-read-by-emily-henry/

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608899/people-we-meet-on-vacation-by-emily-henry/

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670293/book-lovers-by-emily-henry/

Jasmine Guillory novels: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2149662/jasmine-guillory/

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/577211/daisy-jones-and-the-six-tv-tie-in-edition-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/

The Daydreams by Laura Hankins: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691125/the-daydreams-by-laura-hankin/

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

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Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

Haley Jakobson, author of the astute and funny OLD ENOUGH Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Happy Pride from Books Connect Us! In honor of Pride, today’s guest is Haley Jakobson, author of the astute and funny bisexual debut Old Enough, on sale June 20. Carolina chats with Haley about all things identity: finding ourselves while we’re still “hurtling towards the person we’re becoming,” utilizing language and harnessing stories to explore our many-faceted, intersectional selves, writing and using art and words to explore the stickier parts of reality.

You can find Haley at www.haleyjakobson.com Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @haleyjakobson

BOOKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719001/old-enough-by-haley-jakobson/

Marlena by Julie Buntin Yolk, Permanent Record and Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Luster by Raven Leilani Sirens

Muses by Antonia Angress: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690759/sirens-and-muses-by-antonia-angress/

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690750/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin/

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

SUMMER READING SPECIAL! (with Carolina + Alyssa) May 30, 2023

Show notes

Join us for a super-fun, laugh-out-loud Summer Reading Picks episode! Carolina and Alyssa talk: books they love, books they can’t wait to read, horror movies, celebs they went to high school with, tips for writing, finding inspiration and reading al fresco.

CAROLINA RECOMMENDS:

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/718580/natural-beauty-by-ling-ling-huang/

Homegoing by Yah Gyasi: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533857/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/

Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/57953/dreaming-in-cuban-by-cristina-garcia/

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669846/giovannis-room-by-james-baldwin/

ALYSSA RECOMMENDS:

Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704944/happy-place-by-emily-henry/

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/702704/pineapple-street-by-jenny-jackson/

Say Nothing: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/90837/say-nothing-by-patrick-radden-keefe/

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678943/the-marriage-portrait-by-maggie-ofarrell/

Persuasion by Jane Austen: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/286398/persuasion-by-jane-austen-edited-with-an-introduction-and-notes-by-gillian-beer-cover-illustrated-by-coralie-bickford-smith/

Subscribe and Listen!
Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

ROMANCE ROUNDTABLE! (Featuring Amanda Elliot and Kosoko Jackson) May 22, 2023

Show notes

On a very exciting episode of BOOKS CONNECT US, Carolina and Alyssa host their first Roundtable. Joined by Amanda Elliot (author of Sadie on a Plate and Best Served Hot) and Kosoko Jackson (author of I’m So Not Over You and Dash of Salt and Pepper), this roundtable’s theme is romance! We discuss: what it takes to craft romance -- from chemistry to characters, how the industry has grown to be more inclusive, and how author identity often plays out on the page. Stay tuned for the recap after!

You can find Amanda at www.amandapanitch.com Instagram and Twitter: @amandapanitch

You can find Kosoko at www.kosokojackson.com Instagram and Twitter: @kosokojackson

BOOKS (and authors) MENTIONED IN TODAYS EPISODE:

Books by Amanda: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2243903/amanda-elliot
Books by Kosoko: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2241956/kosoko-jackson/

Well Met by Jen DeLuca: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/606854/well-met-by-jen-deluca/

Beverly Jenkins

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Red, White and Royal Blue bu Casey McQuiston

Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/306512/emily-henry/

Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez Meredith Schorr Jean Meltzer

Rachel Lynn Solomon

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711068/stone-cold-fox-by-rachel-koller-croft/

EXe’s and O’s — Amy Lea — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673410/exes-and-os-by-amy-lea/

The Manor House Governess by CA Castle — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730683/the-manor-house-governess-by-c-a-castle/

The Neighbor Favor by Kristine Forest: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708466/the-neighbor-favor-by-kristina-forest/

Subscribe and Listen!
Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

Chrissy King, author of THE BODY LIBERATION PROJECT May 15, 2023

Show notes

Today on the podcast, Carolina and Alyssa interview Chrissy King, author of THE BODY LIBERATION PROJECT, about the way our intersecting identities impact our body image, how and why body and beauty standards are rooted in racism and how we can overcome it all to liberate ourselves and bodies. Chrissy also tells us how she landed a book deal and how she cultivates her brand and platform.
You can find Chrissy at www.chrissyking.com | Instagram, TikTok and Twitter: @iamchrissyking

Books Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Body Liberation Project: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704696/the-body-liberation-project-by-chrissy-king/

Fearing the Black Body by Dr. Sabrina Strings Me and white Supremacy by Layla Saad

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690750/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin/

It’s Always Been Ours by Jessica Wilson

Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Szilvia Molnar, author of THE NURSERY May 08, 2023

Show notes

Today on BOOKS CONNECT US, Lisa Lucas, SVP and Publisher of Pantheon talks about motherhood and mental health with Szilvia Molnar, author of The Nursery. The two share a thought-provoking conversation about the rawness and realness of becoming a mother, and ask the question — does the world make space for new moms? Be sure to stick around for Carolina and Alyssa’s recap at the end.

You can find Szilvia at http://www.szilviamolnar.com/
Instagram & Twitter: @szilmolnar  

Books in today’s episode: THE NURSERY by Szilvia Molnar: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705245/the-nursery-by-szilvia-molnar/

Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Sarah Thankam Mathews, author of All This Could Be Different May 01, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode, we talk to National Book Award finalist Sarah Thankam Mathews about her debut novel, ALL THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT, a warm, dazzling, and profound saga of queer love, friendship, work, and precarity in twenty-first century America. Carolina talks to Sarah about the political engine that drives the book, the shared nuances of the brown queer experience, and the craft elements that bring multi-dimensional stories to life.

You can find Sarah at www.smathewss.com | Instagram & Twitter: @smathewss

Books mentioned in today's episode:

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Matthews: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691034/all-this-could-be-different-by-sarah-thankam-mathews/

Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid Open City by Teju Cole: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/29908/open-city-by-teju-cole/

Blue Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/668119/blue-skinned-gods-by-sj-sindu/

Sea Change Gina Chung Hope Andrew Ridker: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712970/hope-by-andrew-ridker/

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content:
Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

The Taste Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959

Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935

Dani Shapiro, author of SIGNAL FIRES and INHERITANCE Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

This week on BOOKS CONNECT US, we welcome Dani Shapiro, author of eleven books , most recently Signal Fires, which won the National Jewish Books Award and Inheritance, which was a New York Times Bestseller. Alyssa and Dani go deep, discussing the intersection of memory and imagination while writing, the importance of self-identity and ancestry in storytelling and the ways in which family — both biological and found — can inform our writing styles and choices.

You can find all of Dani’s books at DaniShapiro.com | Instagram: @daniwriter | Twitter: DaniJShapiro

Books mentioned in today’s episode: Inheritance by Dani Shapiro: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554262/inheritance-by-dani-shapiro/

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706864/signal-fires-by-dani-shapiro/

In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/SLT/in-search-of-lost-time

Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623433/praying-with-jane-eyre-by-vanessa-zoltan/

Fellowship point by Alice Elliot Dark Monogamy by Sue Miller

Lakiesha Carr, author of the intimate AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SKIN Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

This episode, we welcome Lakiesha Carr and her Knopf editor, Maria Goldverg. Lakeisha is the author of AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SKIN, a profound and tender look at Black womanhood. Maria and Lakiesha discuss the intimacy required to write fiction, the importance of intergenerational connections, and the ways in which we insert ourselves into our art. You can find Lakeisha at www.lakieshacarr.com

Subscribe and follow for more author interviews and book-related content: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301

An Autobiography of Skin by Lakiesha Carr: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696553/an-autobiography-of-skin-by-lakiesha-carr/

Books by Gayle Jones: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/61474/gayl-jones

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/117662/the-bluest-eye-by-toni-morrison/

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