Poured Over

Latest Episodes:

Poured Over Double Shot: Khashayar J. Khabushani and Jamel Brinkley Aug 05, 2023

Show notes

I Will Greet the Sun Again by Khashayar J. Khabushani is the story of a young Iranian American boy growing up in the San Fernando Valley with his brothers. With basketball, his family and the influences around him, he begins to understand his identity. Khabushani joins us to talk about the different realities within L.A., the rewriting process, what he learned as a teacher and more.

With ten rich and beautifully crafted stories, Jamel Brinkley's collection Witness shows a glimpse of life for people in pivotal times against the backdrop of New York City. Brinkley joins us to talk about the importance of short stories as an art form, his writing process, ghost stories and more.

Listen in as these authors speak separately with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode):

I Will Greet the Sun Again by Khashayar J. Khabushani

Witness by Jamel Brinkley

Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe

Stay True by Hua Hsu

A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley

I Am Not Your Negro by James Baldwin

Susan Casey on THE UNDERWORLD: JOURNEYS TO THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

"My overarching goal is to enchant people the way I am enchanted."

Explore the ocean and its wonders in Susan Casey's The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean. With an eclectic cast of scientists and enthusiasts along with the author's firsthand experience diving into the unknown of the deep, this is a one of a kind look at one of the most important features of our planet. Casey joins us to talk about the fascinating geography and animal life she's seen, the importance of connecting with nature, the threats that face the ocean and more with guest host, Jenna Seery.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode):

The Underworld by Susan Casey

The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey

The Wave by Susan Casey

Poured Over Double Shot: Ann Patchett and Jimin Han Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is a rich, multidimensional story of family, love and summer stock theater. Patchett joins us to talk about the wealth of influences that inspired this novel, wanting to write a happy book, being an author and a bookseller and more.

Jimin Han's The Apology follows a surprising and funny 105-year-old woman as she fends off an intergenerational curse. Han joins us to talk about the humor in her characters, claiming space as a writer, what she's learned while teaching and more.

Listen in as these authors speak separately with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Jamie and Marc.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode):

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Our Town by Thornton Wilder

Fool for Love by Sam Shepard

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III

The Color of Water by James McBride

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch

Loot by Tania James

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal

The Apology by Jimin Han

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

Colin Walsh on KALA Jul 29, 2023

Show notes

"There's always this thing that makes you kind of gravitate towards an idea… that you just feel this kind of throb or this pulse that's there within it."

Colin Walsh's debut novel, Kala, bridges the literary and the thrilling with a group of friends confronting their teenage years as the unraveling of a mystery from their past throws one small Irish town into turmoil. Walsh joins us to talk about creating his characters' voices, weaving together multiple timelines, the challenges and nostalgia of teenage friendships and more with guest host, Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Marc.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode):

Kala by Colin Walsh

Frank Sinatra Has a Cold by Gay Talese

My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

Devil House by John Darnielle

Pierce Brown on LIGHT BRINGER Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

"The fantastical worlds, the science fiction worlds offer a place where they can explore..."

Light Bringer, the 6th installment in Pierce Brown's Red Rising series, will bring fans back to beloved worlds and characters as the space opera saga hurtles forward. Brown joins us to talk about what other works inspired these books, how this genre can offer space for the outsiders, working toward the conclusion of the series and more with guest host, Kat Sarfas. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Marc.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Kat Sarfas and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode):

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Antigone by Sophocles

The Republic by Plato

Dune by Frank Herbert

The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Richard Russo on SOMEBODY'S FOOL Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

"If you're going to go to dark places… then you better go armed with humor."

Pulitzer Prize Winner Richard Russo returns to upstate New York with Somebody's Fool, which reunites readers with beloved characters as they continue their lives in North Bath. Russo joins us to talk about the idea of a regional writer, getting the atmosphere of small towns, writing humor and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.

This episode of Poured Over was produced and hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.

Featured Books (Episode):

Somebody's Fool by Richard Russo

Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo

Heartland by Sarah Smarsh

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza on YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE Jul 22, 2023

Show notes

Writing duo Christine Pride and Jo Piazza return with You Were Always Mine, a timely, tender and thought-provoking novel about race, motherhood and family ties. They joined us to talk about the challenges and surprises of cowriting, how they balance responsibilities and deadlines, the responses of their families to the book and more, live at Barnes & Noble Union Square with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode): You Were Always Mine by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza

David Lipsky on THE PARROT AND THE IGLOO Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

"I feel this book is really about America."

David Lipsky's The Parrot and the Igloo is not the climate change story you might expect — with a distinct and even humorous narrative voice and a wild story you'll need to read to believe, this book will change the way we look at one of our most pressing issues. Lipsky joins us to talk about why he decided to approach the topic in this way, the importance of balancing levity with a serious subject, his favorite literary influences and more with guest host, Jenna Seery.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode): The Parrot and the Igloo by David Lipsky Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Birds of America by Lorrie Moore

Rachel Cargle on A RENAISSANCE OF OUR OWN Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

"And I'm grateful for the times I got to ask questions. I got to be curious, I got to say, Hey, this looks different over there."

A Renaissance of Our Own is both memoir and manifesto; a rallying cry to reimagine how we exist and interact with the world and each other. Author and activist Rachel Cargle joined us to talk about ambition and curiosity, imposed expectations, grief and joy, her work with the Loveland Foundation, finding what we value most and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.

This episode of Poured Over was produced and hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books:

A Renaissance of Our Own by Rachel Cargle

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Michael Finkel on THE ART THIEF Jul 15, 2023

Show notes

"Every reader can have a different opinion at the end between admiration and disgust and nobody's wrong."

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is the stranger-than-fiction true story of Stéphane Breitweiser's infamous and incredible career as — you guessed it, one of the world's most notorious art thieves. Finkel joined us to talk about his own interactions with Breitweiser, the notion of obsession, how we should start viewing art and more with guest host, Allie Ludlow.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allie Ludlow and mixed by Harry Liang.

Featured Books (Episode):

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel