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
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The Art of Painting Books with Jane Mount
Apr 7, 202500:36:20Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Books Are My People, I'm visited by artist and bibliophile Jane Mount. We discuss the importance of talking about banned books, her favorite book to paint, and how her degree in anthropology informs her work. This episode is sponsored by People of the Titanic by Shawn CarlowBooks Recommended: The Adventures of Amina Asarfti by Amina SomeoneThe Art of Noticing by Rob Walker The Vanished Birds by Simonoa Jiminez All that Glitters: by Orlando WhitfieldThe Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha MukerjeeLife with Picasso by Francoise Gilot Amy Shearn, author of Animal Instinct recommends Being Here is Everything: The Life of Paula Modersohn-Becker by Marie DarrieussecaSome of Jane's Books:Books Make Good FriendsBibliophile:an Illustrated MiscellanyBibliophile’s Reader’s JournalFind Jane online: https://janemount.comInstagram @jane_mountGIVEAWAY Kristen Arnett Smile if You’ve Heard This OneBook to Film Nickel BoysThe Women’s HotelCall the poetry hotline: 385 DIAL-FSG Support the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Clowning Around with Kristen Arnett
Mar 24, 202500:34:10Tap to summarizeThis week, I'm joined by author Kristen Arnett. We chat about clown and how they relate to her latest novel, Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One. Guest Book Author Recommendation: Eliza Kennedy Lucky Night recommends The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk Book Recommendations:State of Paradise by Laura Van Den BergHot Air by Marcy DermasnkyLot by Bryan WashingtonKate & Frida by Kim FeyDry Season by Melissa FebosWomen’s Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery Substack through my Read with Me program.Giveaway: Kristen Arnett’s Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One on Instagram LINK UP Closes April 16th. Click here to find out ways in which you can help the attack on Federal funding for libraries. On Social Media: Twitter @Instagram Kristen_ArnettBlue Sky Kristen ArnettSubstack: Dad LessonsLink up to her column, Am I the Literary Asshole on Lit Hub Support the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Book Podcasters Unite!
Mar 10, 202500:30:32Tap to summarizeOn this week’s episode of BOOKS ARE MY PEOPLE I’m joined by fellow book podcaster Traci Thomas of THE STACKS. We chat about some of her favorite author interviews, how she manages her reading time and, she even spills the tea regarding what kind of tea Regina Porter sent her after their interview! Guest Book Recommendation: Will Bardenwerper author of Homestand Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America recommends The Good Hand: a memoir by Michael Patrick F. SmithBooks Recommended:One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El AkkadA Great Country by Shilpi Somaya GowdaOriginal Sins by Eve L. EwingPrivate Rites by Julia ArmfeldThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsOther Books Discussed:North Woods by Daniel MasonCarry On by Shea Barry AndreoniEmpire of Ruin by Django WexlerTiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl StrayedThe Wild Robot by Peter BrownThe Partner by John GrishamTransect of Coexistence Inquiry into Nature Art and Habitat by Illaria Mazzoleni Be Ready When The Luck Comes by Ina GartenThe Bee Sting by Paul Murray Other Things: One for the Books LA istFind Traci online at:Instagarm @thestackpodSubstack: tracithomasTraci's website Links:Link to Substack Nickel Boys:Link to Instagram Nickel Boys:Youtube Bookbinding for the Booker series:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_XVn89hrlILink to my handmade upcycled journals.Support the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Refusing to Disappear
Feb 24, 202500:26:09Tap to summarizeThis week, on episode #141 Jane Tara visits all the way from Australia to discuss her first book written for adults, Tilda is Visible. We talk about self love during the aging process, what it's like to write over 100 children's books and of course, we both recommend books. Christine Murphy, author of Notes on Surviving the Fire also recommends a favorite read. Books Recommended:Pictures of You by Emma GreyThe Cafe with No Name by Robert SeethalerThe Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna JohnstonThe Hypocrite by Jo HamyaThe Pillow Book by Sei ShonagonChristine Murphy Notes on Surviving the Fire recommends Devolution by Max BrooksThe Great Divide Giveaway LinkOne-Day Choir Defying Gravity LinkRead Nickel Boys with me on Substack in MarchFind Jane on Social Media:instagram: @authorjanetaraFacebook: @authorjanetaraJane's bookclub: Book QueensSubstack: @janetaraSupport the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Fostering Community at the Culver City Book Festival
Feb 10, 202500:28:42Tap to summarizeThis week, I speak with Jennifer Caspar, founder and owner of Village Well Books & Coffee and one of their events coordinators, Brett Morrow. We focus on The Culver City Book Festival, Saturday, February 22nd from 10 - 5 pm. I will be there representing Books Are My People. Come say hi! We also talk about the many activities and events held at this wonderful independent bookstore. Today’s episode is brought to you by MOLDed: A Memoir of Loss & Resilience - a dark yet humorous journey into the underreported experience of fighting toxic mold.Books Recommended:Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher MurrayThe Bright Sword by Lev GrossmanThe Most by Jessica AnthonyThe Great Divide by Christina EnriguezCherished Belonging by Gregory BoyleCynthia Weiner, guest author of A Gorgeous Excitement recommends Banal Nightmare by Halle ButlerEnter my The Great Divide Giveaway here. Closes March 5th, 2025.Listen to my interview with Bookshop.org founder, Andy Hunter here on the episode titled: Bookshop.org and the Importance of Independent BookstoresJennifer Caspar is founder and owner of Village Well Books & Coffee, a community-focused bookstore-café with a mission: to be a welcoming comfortable community space where people can be inspired and find connection. A life-long lover of books, coffee and third spaces, Jennifer has been focused on developing community for most of her adult life. She worked for 3 decades in Washington DC and Los Angeles in affordable housing finance and development. In 2020 she was able to realize her dream of building a supportive community space when she opened Village Well in downtown Culver City California.Brett Morrow is one of the events coordinators at Village Well Books & Coffee and is currently organizing the Culver City Book Festival. Learn more about Village Well Books & Coffee here. Support the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
Transcribe →Los Angeles is a Megacity
Jan 27, 202500:27:53Tap to summarizeThis week, Genaro Trejo, founder of Megacity Review visits and we talk about his new literary and art journal which amplifies underrepresented voices. Author Jane Corey recommends a favorite read and I breakdown my experience during the recent L.A. fires. Jane Corry author of I Died on A Tuesday recommends Tell Me Everything by Elisabeth StroutRecommended Books:Prophet Song by Paul LynchHomeseeking by Karissa ChenButter by Asako Yuzuki Playworld by Adam RossStolen by Ann-Helen Laestadius Megacity Review : Buy a copy here and learn about how to submit.Megacity on Instagram @MegacityreviewEnter my Homeseeking Giveaway here. Goats on the LooseHave you been affected by the fires in L.A.? Do you know someone who has? Fill out this questionnaire if you need help replenishing your bookshelves due to the fires. Support the showGet your Books Are My People coffee mug here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!
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