Stay ConnectedSarah’s Bookshelves Live is a bi-weekly show featuring real talk about books and book recommendations from a featured guest. Each week, Sarah of the blog Sarah’s Bookshelves will talk with her guest about:
– 2 OLD BOOKS THEY LOVE
– 2 NEW BOOKS THEY LOVE
– 1 BOOK THEY DON’T LOVE
– AND 1 NEW RELEASE THEY’RE EXCITED ABOUT
I’m getting real about all things books and serving you up a bit of snark on the side.
Copyright: © Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves
In Episode 99, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books from 2021, overall and by genre, along with a ton of bookish superlatives. We also talk about whether our reading has recovered from COVID and I reflect on the past year of the podcast. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). I also included Bookshop.org affiliate links. Announcements Upcoming "Ask Me Anything" podcast, airing December 8, to celebrate the 100th episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live! Sarah's 2021 Holiday Gift Guide 2022 Rock Your Reading Tracker is coming soon! You'll be able to purchase it for $14.99 on my website OR Superstars Patrons will get it for FREE! Highlights My 2021 Podcast Overview — including top episodes based on download stats and polled favorites. Overview of our reading this year including key stats (including the ongoing impact of COVID-19). Our favorite books of 2021: overall and by genre. 2021 Bookish Superlative Awards. Our Favorite Books of 2021 (Overall and by Genre) [17:09] Susie Landslide by Susan Conley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [17:33] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [19:27] Animal by Lisa Taddeo | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [22:01] The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [23:37] The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [25:32] Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [28:00] What Comes After by Joanne Tompkins | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [29:19] Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [30:55] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [33:43] Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [35:12] Femlandia by Christina Dalcher | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [38:02] Sarah When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [18:52] What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Bruce D. Perry | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [20:14] Make it Nice by Dorinda Medley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [22:55] The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [24:53] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [26:27] Seven Days in June by Tia Williams | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [28:49] The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [30:01] The Unwilling by John Hart | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [32:02] Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [34:00] Dear William by David Magee | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [35:51] Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [37:02] 2021 Bookish Superlative Awards [38:55] Susie We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [39:15] Falling by T. J. Newman | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [40:16] Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [42:50] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [45:25] Friends Like These by Kimberly McCreight | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [46:48] Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [49:33] The People We Keep by Allison Larkin | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [52:55] Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [54:51] Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [56:38] The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [59:47] These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:00:32] Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:02:36] God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:04:00] How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:08:46] Sarah Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [39:58] Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [40:01] Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [42:05] All Together Now by Matthew Norman | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [43:58] The Push by Ashley Audrain | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [45:58] Imposter Syndrome by Kathy Wang | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [47:47] We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [51:39] Last Call by Elon Green | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [53:32] The Turnout by Megan Abbott | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [57:49] Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [58:34] The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:01:43] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:03:19] The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:04:35] The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [01:09:32] Other Books Mentioned The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller | Buy from Amazon [11:15] Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley | Buy from Amazon [11:59] Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Buy from Amazon [25:02] Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead | Buy from Amazon [31:41] Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead | Buy from Amazon [31:43] Iron House by John Hart | Buy from Amazon [33:13] & [01:08:30] Vox by Christina Dalcher | Buy from Amazon [38:13] Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman | Buy from Amazon [44:57] Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney | Buy from Amazon [59:28] Normal People by Sally Rooney | Buy from Amazon [59:30] Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller | Buy from Amazon [01:01:01] Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston | Buy from Amazon [01:02:13] Fallen Mountains by Kimi Cunningham Grant | Buy from Amazon [01:06:17] Too Good to Be True by Carola Lovering | Buy from Amazon [01:06:34] Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering | Buy from Amazon [01:06:42] Can't Look Away by Carola Lovering (June 2022) | Buy from Amazon[01:06:46] The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz | Buy from Amazon [01:08:04] You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz | Buy from Amazon [01:08:11] About Susie Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. Next Episode In two weeks (December 8), Catherine (@gilmoreguide) and I will be celebrating the 100th episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live with the "Ask Me Anything" episode.
Full show notes at the publisherIn Episode 98, the three founders of The Book & Cover (@thebookandcover) join me to share a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into opening an independent, brick-and-mortar bookshop. We discuss non-traditional way they financed the business, how they learned the reading taste of their community, and how a new indie builds its inventory.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Other Books Mentioned: A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne [39:40]
Two NEW Books She Loves
Other Books Mentioned:The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune [41:10]
One Book They DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Other Books Mentioned: A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow [44:27] The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow [45:04] The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow [45:05] Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine [45:18] The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman [45:40]
Last 5 Star Books They Read [46:34]Other Books Mentioned: The Secret History by Donna Tartt [48:11]
Other Links About the Founders of The Book & CoverBlaes Green enjoys running, knitting, wrangling kiddos, and sobbing over epic family sagas. In her day job, she manages a team of customer service representatives in manufacturing for her family's 100-year-old Chattanooga printing business. She is running the New York City marathon in a month!
Emily Lilley enjoys cooking, playing with her dachshund Bertie, and curling up with a cozy or smart TV comedy. In her day job, she is the Vice President of External Affairs for a statewide education policy and advocacy nonprofit. Emily and her friend Audrey are writing their own mystery series!
Sarah Jackson enjoys organizing, Enneagramming, glitter, and getting lost in magical realist tales. In her day job, she is the chief operations officer of her home. In college, Sarah "beta" read fan fiction.
Next EpisodeIn two weeks (November 24), Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) will join me to discuss our choices for the 2021 Best Books of the Year.
In Episode 97, Christine Pride and Jo Piazza share how their co-authored novel (We Are Not Like Them) explores how hard it is to have conversations about difficult topics even between dear friends. We discuss why they decided to write a book with a lifelong, interracial friendship at its core, and how they handled collaborating on a book with a plot revolving around a fraught topic.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
HighlightsTwo OLD Books They Love
Two NEW Books They Love
Other Books Mentioned: Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler [38:13] Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff [42:01] Bonus Pick: Three Girls from Bronzeville by Dawn Turner [42:42]
Two Books They DIDN'T LOVE
Other Books Mentioned: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller [48:18] Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl [48:20] Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens [49:53]
Two NEW RELEASES They're Excited About
Other Books Mentioned: 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard [53:51] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow [54:02]
Last 5 Star Books They ReadIn Episode 96, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share some of our favorite debut novels and discuss why we gravitate toward debuts. We also discuss our reading stats for debut novels, as well as exploring some sophomore novels...the good, the not so good, and those we're still awaiting.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). I also included Bookshop.org affiliate links.
HighlightsSarah
Honorable Mentions
Susie
Honorable Mention
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
If you'd like to track your own reading stats, check out my downloadable spreadsheet. Learn more about the 2021 Rock Your Reading Tracking Spreadsheet here, or by becoming a supporter on Patreon and choosing the Superstar level, you'll get the upcoming 2022 Reading Tracker included with your membership.
In Episode 95, Cheryl Diamond joins me to discuss what it was like to have been "born a ghost," her outlaw life with her fugitive parents, on the run from Interpol and other government agencies, and what brought her to detail her tumultuous childhood in her latest memoir, Nowhere Girl.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
By the age of nine she had lived in more than a dozen countries, on five continents, under six assumed identities. She was home-schooled by her parents who were evading Interpol and various other law enforcement agencies.
At sixteen, Cheryl was scouted by a modeling agency and arrived in New York City with nothing but $300, her cat, and a fair bit of life experience. Between shoots and castings, she began to write. Model: A Memoir, a behind the scenes account of her life as a young high fashion model, was published by Simon & Schuster five years later. The book was featured by the New York Times, the L.A. Times, Good Morning America, and Fox News Live.
Her second book, Naked Rome, tells the story of the Eternal City through the eyes of its most fascinating people, and was published in 2019.
Cheryl's newest project, Nowhere Girl, the shocking true story of her outlaw childhood, hit shelves on June 2021. She currently lives in Rome and obeys the law — most of the time.
Today, we're bringing you a sneak peek of a new podcast series for patrons!
Double Booked is a monthly series where a co-host (Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and Susie from Novel Visits will alternate months) and I will each share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show (2 old books we love, 2 new books we love, 1 book we didn't love, and 1 upcoming release we're excited about).
Moving forward, these episodes will be available to "Superstars" patrons for $7 / month (join here).
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
AnnouncementsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
In Episode 94, Kimberly McCreight (author of Friends Like These) joins me to deep dive into the mysteries & thrillers genre (including the difference between a mystery and a thriller, how involved authors are in deciding their books' titles, and what makes a great twist…and to talk about the inspiration behind her new novel.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Kimberly McCreight is the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards and was called Entertainment Weekly's Favorite Book of the Year. Reconstructing Amelia has been optioned for film by HBO and Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films. Ms. McCreight's second adult novel, Where They Found Her, was a USA Today bestseller and a Kirkus Best Mystery of the Year.
She is also the author of The New York Times bestselling young adult trilogy The Outliers (The Outliers, The Scattering and The Collide), optioned for film by Lionsgate and Reese Witherspoon's Pacific Standard. Her next novel, an adult mystery set in Park Slope, is forthcoming in 2020.
Ms. McCreight attended Vassar College and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two daughters.
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out August – December 2021.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
AnnouncementAugust
Catherine's Picks:
September
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
October
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
November
Sarah's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
In the Summer 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 86), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books coming out June – July 2021. But, we often haven't read the books we share in the Preview Episodes.
So, in this new series, we will "circle back" to update you on all the books we presented in the previous season's Book Preview now that we've at least attempted to read them.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Bonus BooksSarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
June
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
July
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
In Episode 91, Caitlin Wahrer (author of The Damage) shares how she decided to tackle sexual assault of a man by a man, how she felt about writing a gay male protagonist as a straight woman, and how the U.S. legal system is re-traumatizing for sexual assault victims.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Caitlin is a Maine girl through and through. She was born to two hippies who raised her in a small town in central-southern Maine without a single stoplight in it. Caitlin left the state for four years to study criminal justice and marriage and family studies at a college in Pennsylvania. She returned to Maine after graduation to attend law school and practice law. She and her husband live in southern Maine with their dog.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
