This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What happens when book bans aren’t just headlines — but federal law?

In this episode, I’m chatting with historical fiction author Shelley Noble about The Sisters of Book Row, a novel set in 1915 New York during the height of the Comstock censorship laws. We talk about rare bookstores, banned poetry, Margaret Sanger, and why 100-year-old history feels… uncomfortably familiar today. If you care about protecting books, women’s voices, and literary legacy — this one will stay with you.

We also dive into Shelley’s unexpected path to publishing (spoiler: it started with a dare), why she left mysteries for historical women’s fiction, and her favorite historical mystery comfort reads.

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] Shelley’s journey from dancer to published mystery author

[03:00] Writing historical mysteries vs. women’s fiction

[06:30] Discovering the Tiffany Girls & shifting genres

[07:45] The Comstock Laws explained

[09:30] Margaret Sanger and censorship in 1915

[11:00] The Sisters of Book Row premise

[14:30] Book banning today vs. 1915

[18:30] Research process & using primary sources

[22:00] Historical mystery & romantic suspense recommendations

📚 Books Mentioned

The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble — Historical Women’s Fiction | Bookstore Drama | Women’s Rights

This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart — Romantic Suspense | Classic Mystery

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley — Time Slip Romance | Historical Fiction

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters — Historical Mystery | Victorian Egypt | Humor

Join the Conversation

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

Subscribe & leave a review!