Podcast
Books Are My People
Hosted by Jennifer Caloyeras · EN
Find your next great read. Book recommendations, book news and guests, including top authors and other book enthusiasts who discuss what’s happening in the world of books with a focus on frontlist and backlist fiction including literary fiction, suspense, historical, memoir and nonfiction.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Dog's Spirit Jumps into a Boy - Sara Levine and The Hitch
Jan 1200:34:43Tap to summarizeThis week on episode #157, I speak with one of my favorite authors, the delightful Sara Levine, author of The Hitch, out tomorrow. I talk about some of my New Year’s resolutions, the amazing new skill I taught my dog and winter break travel plans gone wrong. We also get a guest author recommendation from Mark Medley author of Live to see the Day. PODCAST NOTES:The Hitch by Sara LevineTreasure Island by Sara LevineWar with the Newts – Karel Capek Heart The Lover by Lily KingNature Poem by Tommy PicoOften I am Happy by Jens Christian GrondhalIs Mother Dead by Vigdis HjorthInstagram @hitchfaceSubstackSara Levine’s websiteLive to see the Day by Mark MedleyJoyride by Susan OrleanSaturday Night by Susan Orlean Read The Empusium with me on SubstackListen to Episode #3 of Books Are My People, where my dad and I talk about Sara Levine’s Treasure Island!!! (It was only my third episode, so please forgive any sound editing issues!) Support the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Back in Time Books out in 2012
Dec 1500:25:30Tap to summarizeThis week, I go back in time to 2012 to share some of my favorite reads as well as discuss other, notable reads from that year. We have a special guest author recommendation from Emily Wiberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka authors of Seeing Other People . Happy New Year, everyone! Shownotes: The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsEleanor & Park by Rainbow RowellWhere’d You Go Bernadette by Maria SempleWe Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin SloaneEvery Day by David LevethanMe Before You by Jojo MoyesThe Round House by Loise ErdrichTell The Wolves I’m Home by Carole Rifka BruntLinks to Books Are My People mugsLink to my Chair ArtLink to Empusium Read AlongLink to National Book Award winnersSupport the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Best Books of 2025
Dec 100:27:14Tap to summarizeCheck out my top reads of 2025. I also include some books I read in 2025 that were previously published. I share what craft I'm struggling with, what Thanksgiving crop I grew this year as well as some bookish news. Books Published in 2025 Mentioned:Heart The Lover by Lily KingThe Ten-Year Affair by Erin SomersA Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam ToewsRuns in the Blood by Matthew J. Trafford Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy Endling by Maria RevaThings in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li Careless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsJane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley Books Published Other Years: This Motherless Land by Nikki MayHow to Read a Book by Monica Wood How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo CampbellSend me a photo of your specialty library card! You can send it to: booksaremypeople@gmail.comSupport the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Aja Gabel - When Art and Science Collide
Nov 1700:30:05Tap to summarizeThis week, I speak with Aja Gabel, author of Lightbreakers. We talk about loss, writing and book recommendations, of course! We also get a guest author recommendation from Amie McNee, author of To Kill A Queen.Books recommended:Stories of Your Life by Ted ChiangThe Ten Year Affair by Erin SomersNotes on Infinity by Austin TaylorMaggie: or a man and a woman walk into a bar by Katie LeeGreat Circle by Maggie Shipstead Find Aja Gabel on Instagram @AjaGabel Support the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Me, Myself and I
Nov 300:23:16Tap to summarizeEvery once in a while I like to just record on my own! Especially when life gets hectic! We get a guest author recommendation from Kristin Bair, author of Clementine Crane Prefers Not To.I share a story about why I'll never wear white pants again, I talk about the National Book Award fiction contenders and I recommend five great reads. Enjoy!In November, we'll be reading Washington Black and watching the TV series in my online bookclub on Substack. Come join us! Books Recommended: The Ex-Boyfriend’s Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee by Saki Kawashiro Ghost Fish by Stuart PennebakerA Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam ToewsWhale Fall by Elizabeth O'ConnorThe Road to the Country by Chigozie ObiomaRegister to watch the National Book Awards Support the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Nick Medina - Superstitious Fiction
Oct 2000:27:10Tap to summarizeThis week, we're joined by Nick Medina, author of The Whistler. We talk about superstitions, narrative voice and so much more! We also get a book recommendation from Julian Brave NoiseCat, author of We Survived The Night. Books Recommended:Buffalo Hunter Hunter - Stephen Graham JonesThe Red Car by Marcy DermasnkyVillain Hitting for Viscous Little Nobodies - Lindsay Wong (this one is forthcoming and not yet listed online.) The Wilderness by Angela FlournoyAngel Down by Daniel KrauseOther Books Mentioned:Never Whistle At Night - Shane Hawk, et al.There, There by Tommy OrangeFind Nick on Social Media:@nickmedinawritesX @medinanickwww.nickmedina.netSupport the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →147 - Books About Death and Dying
Jun 2, 202500:28:52Tap to summarizeThis week, I'm joined by Lisa Pahl who talks about an inventive way to talk about death and dying, through use of The Death Deck. We also discuss books that deal with this topic. The Clouds Far Behind Me by Laurie Lo CiceroDeath of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living by Penny Hawkins SmithThings in Nature Merely Grow by Yin LiThe Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family by Marguerite MagnusonLearn more about The Death DeckThe Death Deck on InstagramSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Me, Myself and I
May 19, 202500:12:23Tap to summarizeAn adorably short episode where I talk about the Pulitzer winning book of fiction as well as ponder whether or not dead authors' work should be publishing after their death and without their permission. Plus, I recommend five books. The Names by Florence KnappSleep by Honor JonesHow Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie CruzWarhol's Muses by Laurence LeamerIs Mother Dead by Videos HjorthCheck out Peggi Kroll Roberts on Instagram. Support the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Slutty Golden Retrievers - The Always Original, Annie Hartnett
May 5, 202500:34:33Tap to summarizeToday, I'm in conversation with Annie Hartnett, author of the recently published Road to Tender Hearts. We talk about the inspiration for her protagonist, PJ as well as how many pages she wrote before she sold this novel. Books Recommended:The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HartnettThe Red Grove by Tessa FontaineTilt by Emma PatteeWomen! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren MarshallThree Bags Full by Leoni SwannHot Air by Marcy DermanskyGuest Recommendation from Dean Van Nguyen, author of Words For My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac ShakurFind Annie Hartnett on Instagram @Annie_hartnettSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →When Science and Novel Writing Collide
Apr 21, 202500:32:56Tap to summarizeThis week, I'm in conversation with Lauren Steinstra, author of The Beauty of the End. We discuss genetics, how her career in science influenced her work and whether or not people should delete their 23 and Me accounts. Plus, lots of book recommendations. This episode is sponsored by People of the Titanic by Shawn CarlowAndrew Porter, author of The Imagined Life recommends a favorite read. Giveaway: Girls and Their HorsesBooks Discussed:The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson WalkerSky Full of Elephants by Cabo CampbellThe Unthinkable: Who Survives Disasters and Why by Amanda RipleyDan and Jane at the End of the World by Colleen OakleyOur Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGillOther books Mentioned:The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca SklootGallery info: I have a piece of art on display at the Rod Briggs Gallery through May 24th. Click here for more info. Art Hang Recording: Draw Book CoversSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →