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
Welcome to the Winter 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!
In this episode, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing January through March.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
AnnouncementJanuary
Sarah's Picks
Catherine's Picks
Other Books Mentioned
February
Sarah's Picks
Catherine's Picks
Other Books Mentioned
March
Sarah's Picks
Catherine's Pick
Other Books Mentioned
*The book's publication date has been changed.
In Episode 158, we wrap up the year with our Best Books of 2023 Genre Awards with Susie (@NovelVisits). We reveal our Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction), and we have a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, we're sharing the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah's Bookshelves Live Patreon community! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements My 2024 Reading Tracker is out! Once again, the Tracker is ONLY available to $7/month Superstars patrons (i.e., no longer available as a separate purchase for $14.99 here on my website). Become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights Podcast reflections from 2023 — including top episodes based on download stats. Overview of Susie's and Sarah's 2023 year in reading — including trends and stats. Favorite books of the year: overall and by genre, including the SBL Patreon Community's picks. 2023 Genre Awards [19:14] Susie The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:19] Tom Lake by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:41] No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:00] The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:22] In Memoriam by Alice Winn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:16] The Art Thief by Michael Finkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:24] You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:32] The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:02] The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:39] Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:59] Go As a River by Shelley Read | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:30] Shark Heart by Emily Habeck | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:58] Sarah Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:51] Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:27] Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:00] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org[34:08] Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:06] Generations by Jean M. Twenge PhD | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:04] The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin | Amazon | Bookshop.org[45:43] Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:21] My Murder by Katie Williams | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:53] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:05] Happiness Falls by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:30] Talking at Night by Claire Daverley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:38] Patrons Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:45] Tom Lake by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:00] Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:14] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org[35:58] All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:29] In Memoriam by Alice Winn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:41] We Were Once a Family by Roxanna Asgarian | Amazon | Bookshop.org[44:09] The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin | Amazon | Bookshop.org[46:13] Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:50] Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah | Amazon | Bookshop.org[52:49] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:45] Starling House by Alix E. Harrow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:30] Congratulations, the Best Is Over! by R. Eric Thomas | Amazon | Bookshop.org[57:18] I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org[58:59] Shark Heart by Emily Habeck | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:02] Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:31] Other Books Mentioned Reef Road by Deborah Goodrich Royce [4:19] Atomic Family by Ciera Horton McElroy [13:57] The Caretaker by Ron Rash [14:02] All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher [14:03] One Woman Show by Christine Coulson [14:18] Big Swiss by Jen Beagin [14:19] Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano [21:00] The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne [21:26] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue [22:16] Wellness by Nathan Hill [22:19] The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese [22:22] Ghost by Dolly Alderton [26:27] Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering [26:29] Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutano [31:00] Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum [31:30] The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand [31:33] The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel [31:39] Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane [36:44] Drowning by T. J. Newman [36:48] Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent [37:00] Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash [39:54] The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland [40:05] The Postcard by Anne Berest [40:09] The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel [41:38] In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross [42:18] A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan [43:49] Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond [44:00] The Woman in Me by Britney Spears [46:22] All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore [46:29] How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key [46:38] Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane [47:28] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [49:06] Happy Place by Emily Henry [49:45] Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez [50:00] The Great Transition by Nick Fuller Googins [52:43] Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling [52:45] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton [53:06] Starter Villain by John Scalzi [53:21] Holly by Stephen King [54:20] Lone Women by Victor LaValle [54:48] How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix [54:52] Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley [59:34] Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross [59:44] Normal People by Sally Rooney [1:00:56] Maame by Jessica George [1:01:39] Top Podcast Episodes for 2023 [8:42] Ep. 129: Best Books of 2022 Genre Awards with Susie (@NovelVisits) Ep. 150: Fall 2023 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) Ep. 140: 2023 Summer Reading Special with Susie (@NovelVisits) Ep. 131: The Best Backlist Books We Read in 2022 with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) Ep. 128: Best Books of 2022 Superlatives with Susie (@NovelVisits) Ep. 151: Angie Kim (Author of Happiness Falls) Ep. 133: Speculative Fiction / Fantasy 101 with Sarah Landis (Literary Agent) Ep. 143: Behind the Scenes of Book Coaching with Abigail K. Perry (of Lit Match Podcast) Ep. 138: Rebecca Makkai (Author of I Have Some Questions for You) Ep. 132: Katie Gutierrez (Author of More Than You'll Ever Know) Ep. 156: 2023 State of the Industry with Sarah Landis (Literary Agent) Ep. 147: Lara Love Hardin (Author of The Many Lives of Mama Love) Ep. 144: John Marrs (Author of The One, The Passengers, and The Marriage Act) Ep. 152: Liz Nugent (Author of Strange Sally Diamond)
Full show notes at the publisherWe're gearing up to close out our year of reading with today's podcast episode, featuring the Best Books of 2023 Superlatives with Susie (@NovelVisits). Our wrap-up is split into two episodes: today's Superlatives and next week's Genre Awards. Today, we're diving into more than 25 Superlative categories, including Most Deserving of the Hype, Biggest Surprise, the Darkest Book of the Year, and many others!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
AnnouncementsSusie
Sarah
For our first annual 2023 State of the Industry episode, we're welcoming back literary agent Sarah Landis for an overview and exploration of some hot topics in the book world this year. Taking stock of how this year panned out for the publishing industry, Sarah discusses top news stories, dives deep into how specific titles performed this year, and shares current trends she's seeing in publishing. Also, Sarah shares her favorite books of 2023! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Coming Soon The updated 2024 Rock Your Reading Tracker will release on December 6! This year's updated edition will be exclusively available to our $7/month Superstars Patrons and will not be offered for separate purchase as in previous years. Don't miss out on this and other bookish goodies – become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights 2023 bookish news and publishing numbers overview. Sarah talks current popular genres, BookTok trends, and Simon & Schuster sale. A quick dive into IP books, their meaning, and a notable downside. The Elizabeth Gilbert book review bombing situation. BTS vs. Taylor Swift pre-order controversy. Playing Over/Under with this year's top book performers. Do celebrity book clubs really boost sales? A look at the numbers. Publisher expectations and the influence of page count. Bookish trends of the year: BookTok's impact on publishing. Examining shifts in publishing calendars. Anticipating 2024's potential bookish trends. 2023 State of the Industry High-Level Overview [3:08] Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:30] The Woman in Me by Britney Spears | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:31] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:58] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:31] Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:08] Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:21] Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:22] The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:48] Big Book Stories of 2023 [13:10] Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:21] Beyond the Story by BTS and Myeongseok Kang | Amazon | Bookshop.org[21:22] The Over / Under Game [25:17] Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah | Amazon | Bookshop.org[26:05] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:41] Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:17] In Memoriam by Alice Winn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:26] I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org[32:11] The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:29] The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:39] Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:15] The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:28] Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:37] Tom Lake by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:11] The Dutch House by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:20] Wellness by Nathan Hill | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:30] Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:52] Happiness Falls by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:14] Miracle Creek by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:35] Shark Heart by Emily Habeck | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:50] Spare by Prince Harry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:00] The Woman in Me by Britney Spears | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:01] Becoming by Michelle Obama | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:39] A Promised Land by Barack Obama | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:42] Bookish Trends of 2023 [44:26] Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:08] Educated by Tara Westover | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:23] The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25] The Dry by Jane Harper | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:04] All That Is Mine I Carry with Me by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org[48:24] Defending Jacob by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:38] In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:16] You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:36] Examining the Shift in Publishers' Calendars [51:43] Potential Trends for 2024 [54:25] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:20] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab | Amazon | Bookshop.org[55:24] Sarah's Top 3 Books of the Year [56:02] Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:38] Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:20] Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:38] Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:33] Weyward by Emilia Hart | Amazon | Bookshop.org [59:34]
Full show notes at the publisherIn the Fall 2023 Book Preview, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I shared our 12 most-anticipated books that released mid-August – December. Today we're going to circle back to share updates on which of these books we've read, our thoughts on them, and a few we attempted but couldn't quite get through.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Coming SoonSarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
September
Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Pick:
Other Books Mentioned:
October
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
November
Sarah's Pick:
Other Books Mentioned:
In podcast episode 154, we're diving into the world of book cover design with Karen Horton, graphic designer and former Art Director at Henry Holt. Karen takes us behind the scenes of the process of book cover design, who makes key book cover related decisions, and the role of marketing budgets and author's reputation in this process. Plus, Karen shares her book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Karen Read
A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:25]
In Episode 153, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I are back for our 3rd annual Debuts Special! Today, we're sharing our favorite debuts from 2023 (so far), new and backlist! Plus, we discuss our reading stats for debuts this year, and we talk about some standout sophomore novels that made the cut.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
HighlightsSarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
In Episode 152, author Liz Nugent talks about her latest novel, Strange Sally Diamond. Liz is known for her dark and psychological storytelling. Strange Sally Diamond is character-driven, delving deep into psychology and trauma, and despite Sally's damaged nature, Liz portrays her with empathy and nuance. Strange Sally Diamond challenges us to consider the "why" behind someone's behavior. Plus, we get some great book recommendations from Liz.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn't Love
TWO NEW RELEASES She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Liz Read
Episode 151 brings author Angie Kim back to the podcast with her sophomore novel, Happiness Falls. Angie is carving out her niche with literary mysteries featuring children with disabilities or illnesses, drawing inspiration from her own family's encounters. I broke my own rules for podcast guests because Happiness Falls is now in the running for my #1 book of 2023 and it's the smartest book I've read all year!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for full episode Show Notes on the blog.
HighlightsTwo OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She Didn't Love
NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Angie Read
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:24]
Welcome to the Fall 2023 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!
In this episode, Catherine and I share 12 of our most anticipated books releasing in mid-August through December.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for full episode Show Notes on the blog.
AnnouncementAugust
Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Pick:
Other Books Mentioned:
September
Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
October
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
Other Books Mentioned:
November
Sarah's Pick:
Other Books Mentioned:
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
