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 54, Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks (authors of You Are Not Alone) go behind-the-scenes of their writing process, how they decided to write psychological thrillers, and share where their next novel is set (it's not in New York City!).
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
Two NEW RELEASES They're Excited About
Author Website | Instagram | Twitter
Sarah Pekkanen is also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller THE WIFE BETWEEN US and the upcoming AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, both cowritten with Greer Hendricks.
AN ANONYMOUS GIRL has been optioned for a television series by eOne, with Sarah and Greer executive producing. THE WIFE BETWEEN US has been optioned for film by Amblin Entertainment, with Sarah and Greer screenwriting the adaptation.
Her prior solo novels are: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS.
Sarah's linked free short e-stories, published by Simon & Schuster exclusively for e-readers, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
Sarah is the mother of three young boys, which explains why she writes part of her novels at Chuck E. Cheese. Sarah penned her first book, Miscellaneous Tales and Poems, at the age of 10.
About GreerAuthor Website | Instagram | Twitter
GREER HENDRICKS is the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of An Anonymous Girl and The Wife Between Us. The Wife Between Us has been optioned for film by Amblin Entertainment, with Greer and her co-author, Sarah Pekkanen, hired to write the screenplay. An Anonymous Girl has been optioned for television, with Greer and Sarah tapped to executive produce. Prior to becoming a novelist, Greer served as Vice President and Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Allure, and Publishers Weekly. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children.
Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Sarah Saba Cetra (@bookedinadvance)…airing April 22.
Support the PodcastWelcome to the Spring 2020 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in April and May 2020. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Supporting Local Bookstores Libro.fm (affiliate link for audiobooks) Order online from your local bookstore (Sarah: The Bookshelf, Thomasville, Catherine: Powell's) Bookshop.org (25% of profits go to a pool of independent bookstores) Highlights How you can support local bookstores (and authors by extension) during Coronavirus. Catherine and my success rate for books we shared in our Winter 2020 Preview episode. Our Best and Worst picks from the Winter 2020 Preview episode. How we were both awkwardly tall when we were young. A smaller (ish?) publishing imprint Catherine and I both love. Sarah's and Catherine's #1 Spring book picks. Spring 2020 Book Preview [13:58] April Sarah's Picks: Perfect Tunes by Emily Gould (April 14) | Buy from Amazon [14:55] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe (April 28) | Buy from Amazon [22:49] Catherine's Picks: Godshot by Chelsea Bieker (March 31 – NEW publication date) | Buy from Amazon [20:08] Master Class by Christina Dalcher (April 21) | Buy from Amazon [27:27] If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha (April 21) | Buy from Amazon [33:42] May Sarah's Picks: All Adults Here by Emma Straub (May 4) | Buy from Amazon [29:57] Stray by Stephanie Danler (May 5) | Buy from Amazon [36:27] Running by Natalia Sylvester (May 5) | Buy from Amazon [44:00] Eat a Peach by David Chang (May 19) | Buy from Amazon [48:12] Catherine's Picks: Big Summer by Jennifer Wiener (May 5 – NEW publication date!) | Buy from Amazon [40:59] Red Dress in Black and White by Elliot Ackerman (May 26) | Buy from Amazon [46:25] The First Actress by C.W. Gortner (May 26) | Buy from Amazon [50:08] Bonus Recommendation (Co-Signed by Both of Us): Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld (May 19) | Buy from Amazon [51:39] Other Books Mentioned Writers and Lovers by Lily King (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [9:23] Euphoria by Lily King | Buy from Amazon [9:23] We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [10:22] Long Bright River by Liz Moore (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [11:15] My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [11:15] The Lost Diary of M by Paul Wolfe | Buy from Amazon [12:31] The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [13:36] The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [13:36] Why Women Can't Sleep by Ada Calhoun | Buy from Amazon [19:12] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [22:12] Dear Fang, With Love by Rufi Thorpe (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [23:08] The Girls of Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe | Buy from Amazon [23:08] My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [26:13] Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell | Buy from Amazon [26:26] Vox by Christina Dalcher | Buy from Amazon [27:56] The Vacationers by Emma Straub (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [31:36] Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [32:12] Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [32:12] The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [32:22] Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [36:35] Inheritance by Dani Shapiro | Buy from Amazon [36:56] Open Book by Jessica Simpson | Buy from Amazon [39:52] Wild Gameby Adrienne Brodeur (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [40:46] In Her Shoes by Jennifer Wiener | Buy from Amazon [41:11] Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Wiener | Buy from Amazon [41:23] Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [42:38] Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [43:36] Chasing the Sun by Natalia Sylvester | Buy from Amazon [44:31] I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [45:19] The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [45:37] Waiting for Eden by Elliot Ackerman (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [46:36] Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner | Buy from Amazon [50:21] The Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner | Buy from Amazon [50:21] An American Wifeby Curtis Sittenfeld | Buy from Amazon [52:02] You Think It, I'll Say It: Storiesby Curtis Sittenfeld (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [52:45] Other Links How Bookshop.org works March 2020 Books to Read (and Skip) Riverhead Books 2020 Reading Tracker Bill Simmons / David Chang podcast About Catherine Gilmore 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. Next Episode There will not be a new episode next week (I'm going to "observe" my children's Spring Break from my house). The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, authors of You Are Not Alone (airing April 15). Support the Podcast Support on PatreonWhen you support the podcast on Patreon for $5/month, get bonus podcast episodes and other goodies! ShareIf you like the podcast, I'd love for you to share it with your reader friends…in real life and on social media (there's easy share buttons at the bottom of this post!). Subscribe …wherever you listen to podcasts, so new episodes will appear in your feed as soon as they're released. Rate and ReviewSearch for "Sarah's Bookshelves" in Apple Podcasts…or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Full show notes at the publisherIn Mini Episode 52, Sarah Verity Collica (@seize_the_page) and I talk about a couple books we have differing opinions about…plus, She Said vs. Catch and Kill.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
2020 Podcast SurveyI'd love it if you could take a couple minutes to complete the 2020 Podcast Survey. I'd love to hear your feedback about what's working, what's not working, and the direction you'd like to see the podcast take. I'll be using this feedback as I plan for next Fall. And, your responses are anonymous!
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Spring 2020 Book Preview with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books (airing Wednesday, April 1).
Support the PodcastIn Episode 51, Steph Hockersmith (@pieladybooks), fresh off her appearance on Good Morning America, shares all the behind-the-scenes details of her book-themed pies, including her favorite dessert (it's not pie!) and her goals for expanding Pie Lady Books.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99!
My March Book of the Month pick was Hour of the Assassin by Matthew Quick…an espionage thriller (out of my usual wheelhouse, but I'm intrigued!). [1:29]
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Steph lives is a stay-at-home Mom of two boys (ages 5 & 3) in Colorado Spring, CO. She has been gluten free for about 13 years and has been baking gluten free pies for about 12 years. She is a voracious reader and loves creating pie designs to go with the books she's reading. And, she and her pies recently appeared on Good Morning America!
Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Sarah Verity Collica (@seize_the_page)…airing March 25.
Support the PodcastIn Mini Episode 50, Julia Spence (@gameofreading) talks about her love for dual timelines in her books and reading an author's backlist.
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
Full length episode featuring Steph Hockersmith of Pie Lady Books (airing Wednesday, March 18).
Support the PodcastIn Episode 49, Zibby Owens (Host of the Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books Podcast) talks about what it's like to interview authors and shares some of her favorite memoirs.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here's your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99!
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
Two NEW RELEASES She's Excited About
Website | Personal Instagram | Podcast Instagram | Twitter
Zibby Owens is a writer and mother of four in New York City. She is the creator and host of award-winning literary podcast, "Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books" and runs a literary salon with author events and book fairs from her home.
Zibby published her first article, a personal essay for Seventeen magazine, when she was in high school and has been writing ever since. She has covered topics such as books, parenting, health/fitness, weddings, grief, friendship, beauty, and aging. Most recently, she has focused on finding the humor in the everyday struggles of motherhood. She is represented by Joe Veltre at Gersh.
Her work has appeared in Redbook, Marie Claire, Shape, SELF, Modern Bride and other magazines, as well as online in the New York Times, Parents, TODAY Parents, Huff Post, Scary Mommy, What's Up Moms, Kveller, Mommy Nearest and Medium.
A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Zibby has a marketing and branding background, especially for start-ups and consumer products companies. She currently lives in Manhattan, where she was born and raised, with her four children ages 5-12 and her husband, Kyle Owens, of Morning Moon Productions.
Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Julia Spence (@gameofreading)…airing March 11.
Support the PodcastIn Mini Episode 48, Genevieve Trono (@genthebookworm) talks mood reading and shares her thoughts about Brit Bennett's new book (which she's already read)!
SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99!
This month, I chose You Are Not Alone, The Holdout, and Anna K. Check out my commentary on all the February picks to help choose the right book for your reading taste.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Genevieve is a mom, wife, professional photographer, book blogger, library volunteer, and a motherhood book club facilitator. She lives with her husband of 10+ years, their two sons who are 7 & 9 and their springer spaniel named Buzz.
She is a photographer and mostly does behind the scenes work now. She spends a lot of her work days editing in Lightroom and Photoshop which makes plenty of time for audiobooks! She also teaches photography classes.
Support the PodcastIn Episode 47, Caroline Zancan (author of We Wish You Luck) discuss her time getting her MFA at the Bennington Writing Seminars, how her job as an editor at Henry Holt impacted her as an author, and the allure of campus novels.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here's your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99!
This month, I chose You Are Not Alone, The Holdout, and Anna K. Check out my commentary on all the February picks to help choose the right book for your reading taste.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
*Note: when we recorded, there was no cover or full blurb about this book available from the publisher. Since recording, you can now see the cover on Goodreads, which interestingly, features an actual photo of Hillary Clinton (how is this legally possible?!)!
Other Books MentionedCaroline Zancan is the author of the novels Local Girls and We Wish You Luck. She is a graduate of Kenyon College and holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. A Senior Editor at Henry Holt, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their children.
Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Genevieve Trono (@genthebookworm)…airing February 26.
Support the PodcastIn Mini Episode 46, Aubree Cheadle (@mnreadingmama) shares her love for heart-breaking, but hopeful books and we talk about overdone literary comparisons.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Book of the Month. Use the code SARAHSBOOKSHELVES at checkout to get your first book for just $9.99!
This month, I chose You Are Not Alone, The Holdout, and Anna K. Check out my commentary on all the February picks to help choose the right book for your reading taste.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Full length episode featuring Caroline Zancan, author of We Wish You Luck (airing Wednesday, February 19).
Support the PodcastIn Episode 45, Liz Moore (author of Long Bright River) talks about the inspiration and research for her novel, mystery / thriller twists, and that comparison to The Girl on the Train.
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
Her first novel, The Words of Every Song (Broadway Books, 2007), centers on a fictional record company in New York City just after the turn of the millennium. It draws partly on Liz's own experiences as a musician. It was selected for Borders' Original Voices program and was given a starred review by Kirkus. Roddy Doyle wrote of it, "This is a remarkable novel, elegant, wise, and beautifully constructed. I loved the book."
After the publication of her debut novel, Liz obtained her MFA in Fiction from Hunter College. In 2009, she was awarded the University of Pennsylvania's ArtsEdge residency and moved to Philadelphia.
Her second novel, Heft, was published by W.W. Norton in January 2012 to popular and critical acclaim. Of Heft, The New Yorker wrote, "Moore's characters are lovingly drawn…a truly original voice"; The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "Few novelists of recent memory have put our bleak isolation into words as clearly as Liz Moore does in her new novel"; and editor Sara Nelson wrote in O, The Oprah Magazine, "Beautiful…Stunningly sad and heroically hopeful." The novel was published in five countries, was long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and was included on several "Best of 2012" lists, including those of NPR and the Apple iBookstore.
Moore's short fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in venues such as Tin House, The New York Times, and Narrative Magazine. She is the winner of the Medici Book Club Prize and Philadelphia's Athenaeum Literary Award. After winning a 2014 Rome Prize in Literature, she spent 2014-15 at the American Academy in Rome, completing her third novel.
That novel, The Unseen World, was published by W.W. Norton in July of 2016. Louisa Hall called it "fiercely intelligent" in her review in The New York Times; Susan Coll called it "enthralling . . . ethereal and elegant . . . a rich and convincing period piece" in her review in the Washington Post. The Unseen World was included in "Best of 2016" lists by The New Yorker, the BBC, Publishers Weekly, Vox, Google Play, and Audible.com, among others.
Moore's fourth novel, Long Bright River, is forthcoming from Riverhead Books in January 2020.
She lives with her family in Philadelphia and is a faculty member of the MFA program in Creative Writing at Temple University.
Next EpisodeMini Episode featuring Aubree Cheadle (@mnreadingmama)…airing February 12.
Support the Podcast
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