Sarah's Bookshelves Live

Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop joins Sarah for the latest installment of the "Best of…" series to share her ALL-TIME TOP TEN historical fiction novels, plus a few popular picks that didn't work for her.

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.
Highlights
Elizabeth shares her personal definition of historical fiction.
How she first found her way to the genre.
What draws her to historical fiction and keeps her coming back to it.
What works for her in historical fiction — and what doesn't.
 
All the books mentioned in this episode are linked through Fabled Bookshop or Libro.fm. If you decide to purchase, we'd love for you to use our Fabled links in the show notes — if your budget allows. As a bonus, use promo code SARAH at checkout for 10% off your Fabled order! Prefer audio? You can find the books on Libro.fm and select Fabled as the bookstore you'd like to support.
Elizabeth's All-Time Top Ten Historical Fiction
City of Thieves by David Benioff (2008) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [18:43]
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum (2004) | Fabled | Libro.fm [21:11]
The Winter Rose (The Tea Rose, 2) by Jennifer Donnelly (2006) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [22:45]
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [25:26]
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2008) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [27:37]
As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner (2018) | Fabled | Libro.fm   [29:36]
The Shoemaker's Wife by Andrea Trigiani (2012) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [31:57]
The Winter Sea (Slains, 1) by Susanna Kearsley (2008) | Fabled [33:52]*
Greenwood by Michael Christie (2019) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [35:47]
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (2019) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [37:36] The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson(2019) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [37:56]

High-Profile Historical Fiction She Didn't Love
The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin (2021) | Fabled | Libro.fm  [41:16]
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton (2018) | Fabled | Libro.fm [43:12]
Other Books Mentioned
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (2011)  [4:06]
Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (2026) [8:20] 
Little House on the Prairie (Little House, 3) by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935) [10:00] 
Anne of Green Gables (book 1) by L. M. Montgomery (1908) [10:02] 
Message From Nam by Danielle Steel (1990) [10:48] 
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (2015) [14:44] 
The Tea Rose (The Tea Rose, 1) by Jennifer Donnelly (2002) [24:55] 
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2003) [25:35] 
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (2013) [27:19] 
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2006) [28:24] 
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (2010) [28:45] 
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner (2014) [31:33] 
Big Stone Gap (book 1) by Andrea Trigiani (2001) [32:03] 
Outlander (book 1) by Diana Gabaldon (1991) [34:00] 
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (2004) [41:25] 
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) [42:27] 
The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (2026) [42:48] 
Homecoming by Kate Morton (2023) [44:01] 
*The UK title is Sophia's Secret.

Sarah and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) dig into their very different relationships with big books, from what counts as "big" and knowing when the moment is right to what makes a long book worth the extra pages. They also share some of their favorite big books — and a few they wish had been shorter.

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.
Highlights
Where Sarah and Chrissie each draw the line between a regular book and a big book.
Is a 700-page book intimidating … or an invitation to settle in?
When, and why, are they most likely to pick up a long book?
Does format or genre change how big a book feels?
What makes a book actually deserve its high page count?
Some of their favorite big books … and a few they really wish had been shorter.
Some Favorite BIG Books
Chrissie
4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:38] 
The Princes of Ireland (The Dublin Saga, 1) by Edward Rutherfurd (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:36]
Fox by Joyce Carol Oates (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:54]
Red Comet by Heather Clark (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:10]
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:45]
The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [44:30] 
Sarah
11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:31] 
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (1998) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:32]
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (1989) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:23]
The World According to Garp by John Irving (1978) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:25]
Natchez Burning (Penn Cage, 4; Natchez Burning, 1) by Greg Iles (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:19] 
Wanderers (Wanderers, 1) by Chuck Wendig (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:40]
Other Books Mentioned
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) [30:06]
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1846) [30:07]  
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) [31:43] 
Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd (1987) [33:49]
London by Edward Rutherfurd (1998) [33:53]  
The Rebels of Ireland (The Dublin Saga, 2) by Edward Rutherfurd (2006) [34:19] 
Whistler by Ann Patchett (2026) [38:04] 
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (2011) [40:23]
Some BIG Books That Felt Too Long
Chrissie
Ordinary Monsters (The Talents, 1) by J. M. Miro (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:39]
Wellness by Nathan Hill (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [51:24] 
Sarah
City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:39] 
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy (1986) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:51]
Other Books Mentioned
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe (1987) [46:06]
The Second Coming by Garth Risk Hallberg (2024) [48:05] 
Books From the Opening Discussion
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (1989) [9:24]
The Brightness by Chad Harbach (October 27, 2026) [11:47]
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (1998) [14:07]
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, 1) by Sarah J. Maas (2012) [14:51] 
Outlander (Outlander, 1) by Diana Gabaldon (1991) [19:05] 
1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin (2025) [22:12]
Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry (1974) [22:19]
Generations by Jean M. Twenge, PhD (2023) [22:26]  
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [26:13] 
The Elements by John Boyne (2025) [29:08] 
A Court of Forgotten Memory (ACOTAR, 7) by Sarah J. Maas (January 12, 2027) [29:39] 
Other Links
The Gilmore Guide to Books | Catherine's Review of Ordinary Monsters

Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books are back with 16 of their most anticipated books publishing from 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 the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Want More Book Preview Picks?
Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even more seasonal recommendations with Book Preview Extras! In each episode, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 additional books they're excited about that didn't make the main Book Preview. Join on Patreon or Substack to listen — and get access to all our other bonus podcast episodes and paid-member content.
Highlights
A lightning round of some big fall releases that are NOT their personal Preview picks.
Catherine came in determined to have "no chunksters" this fall … only to discover that 2 of her picks are actually over 500 pages.
Catherine's theme for fall is "intrigue" — the verb, not the noun — with picks she can't wait to see unfold.
Sarah's list includes one actual chunkster, several books that fit into her recent Micro Genres, and 3 debuts.
Stick around to the end to hear their #1 picks for fall!
Big Fall Releases
Ply by Hernán Diaz (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:02] 
The Thoroughbreds (The Academy, 2) by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:06] 
Story Telling by Isabel Allende (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:17] 
Hollywood, Ending by John Green (Sep 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:20]
Big Little Truths (Big Little Lies, 2) by Liane Moriarty (Aug 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:30] 
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:37] 
Under Story by Chloe Benjamin (Sep 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:43] 
Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (Oct 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:49] 
Switzy by Emma Cline (Sep 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:08] 
I Never Knew You At All by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (Oct 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:14] 
The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (Sep 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:41] 
The Weight of Angels by John Boyne (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:48] 
Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:13] 
The Radiance by Ayad Akhtar (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:16] 
Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (Oct 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:18] 
Blacktail by Scott Hawkins (Sep 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:28] 
Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson (Sep 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:42] 
Other Books Mentioned
Trust by Hernán Diaz (2022) [1:05] 
The Academy (The Academy, 1) by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (2025) [1:15] 
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012) [1:28] 
Big Little Lies (Big Little Lies, 1) by Liane Moriarty (2014) [1:36] 
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin (2018) [1:47] 
The Time Traveler's Wife (The Time Traveler's Wife, 1) by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) [1:53] 
The Girls by Emma Cline (2016) [2:12] 
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023) [2:45] 
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) [3:21] 
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (2015) [3:31] 
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (2013) [3:45] 
Fall 2026 Book Preview
September
Sarah's Picks
The Barman of the Ritz by Philippe Collin (September 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [8:16] 
See You Next Tuesday by Kate Stayman-London (September 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:53] 
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (September 29)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [19:01] 
American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee (September 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:00]
Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason (September 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:18]
Catherine's Picks
The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman (September 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:17]
Female Life on Planet Earth by Laleh Khadivi (September 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [16:10]
Empire (Heir Duology, 2) by Sabaa Tahir (September 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:03]
The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters (September 1)† | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:30] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (2025)* [9:56] 
Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin (2019) [10:03] 
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (2020) [14:00] 
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (2020) [19:11] 
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) [23:24] 
Heir (Heir Duology, 1) by Sabaa Tahir (2024) [24:25] 
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (2022) [25:40] 
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) [26:24] 
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee (2007) [26:32] 
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters (2023) [30:38] 
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (2020) [31:32] 
*The WWII hotel book Sarah talked about. 
†New publication date.

October
Sarah's Pick
Bad Words by Ríoghnach Robinson (October 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:58] 
Catherine's Picks
The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo (October 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:04]
Fair Ones by Lydia Millet (October 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:56]
Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova (October 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:25]
The Bookshop Book by Mark Lawrence (October 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:38] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (2021) [34:47] 
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) [34:51] 
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005) [47:26] 
The Book That Wouldn't Burn (The Library Trilogy, 1) by Mark Lawrence (2023) [50:40] 
November
Sarah's Pick
Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (November 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:54]
Other Books Mentioned
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [42:58]
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) [42:59]  
December
Sarah's Pick
Lina & June by Genevieve Wheeler (December 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:23] 
Other Books Mentioned
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler (2024) [48:26] 
The Girls of Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe (2014) [49:03]

Sarah and Catherine circle back to the 12 new releases they shared in the Summer 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to!  Find out which books worked, which didn't, and whether their most anticipated summer reads lived up to expectations.

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.
Want More Book Preview Picks?
Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even more seasonal recommendations with Book Preview Extras! In each episode, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 additional books they're excited about that didn't make the main Book Preview. Join on Patreon or Substack to listen — and get access to all our other bonus podcast episodes and paid-member content.
Highlights
Catherine calls her summer Preview reading "upwardly mobile," while Sarah sees hers as "the downside of high-risk picks."
Catherine liked 4 of her 6 picks, while Sarah's riskier summer ended with one 5-star read — and 3 DNFs.
Catherine and Sarah each tried one of the other's Preview picks … and neither made it to the finish line.
Some deep thoughts on books where you can "feel the writing device" — and why that rarely works for either of them.
Plus, Sarah has a new label for those deeply immersive, cozy reads: "warm bath books."
And, of course, their best and worst book picks of the summer!
Books Read Before the Preview
Sarah's Pick
Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:17] 
Other Books Mentioned
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [4:02] 
Summer 2026 Circle Back
June
Catherine's Picks
A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman (US Release June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:37] 
Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:41] 
The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:26] 
Keep Them Close by David Ellis (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:17]
Other Books Mentioned
Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs (2024) [7:08]
July
Sarah's Picks
The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (July 14) |Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:33] 
Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick (July 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:08] 
Catherine's Pick
City of Widows by Nadia Hashimi (July 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:19] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (2008) [15:34] 
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (2014) [34:42] 
August
Sarah's Picks
Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:25] 
Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:03] 
Kitten by Stacey Yu (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:39] 
Catherine's Pick
You'll Love It Here by Natalie Sue (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:26] 
Other Books Mentioned
Snowflake by Louise Nealon (2021) [24:09] 
Normal People by Sally Rooney (2019) [24:15] 
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [25:07] 
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) [25:11]
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (2014) [30:25] 
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (2012) [30:57] 
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (2024) [41:53]

In Episode 232, Sarah is joined by returning guest Anderson McKean of Page & Palette Bookstore for the 2026 edition of Micro Genres! Each year, this series gives us a chance to niche down even further into the kinds of books we love — spotlighting those very specific sub-sub-genres that capture a particular reading taste. This year, Sarah and Anderson have 10 all-new Micro Genres to share, along with standout books for each. With more than 80 books mentioned, you're bound to find a few new additions to your TBR — and maybe recognize a Micro Genre or two of your own.

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.
Politically-Adjacent Stories (Sarah)
The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:00] 
Charlotte Walsh Like to Win by Jo Piazza (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:11] 
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (2008) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:36]
Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:38]  
Vantage Point by Sara Sligar (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:47]
The Emperor of Ocean Park (Elm Harbor, 1) by Stephen L. Carter (2002) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [4:48]  
Palace Council (Elm Harbor, 3) by Stephen L. Carter (2008) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [4:49] 
The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [5:23]
State of Terror by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:14] 
The Situation Room by George Stephanopoulos (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:55] 
Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [8:18] 
From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [8:53] 
Retellings that Are NOT Mythological (Anderson)
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:41] 
The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:58] 
Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:55] 
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:23] 
Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:55] 
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [14:03] 
Anna K (Anna K, 1) by Jenny Lee (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [14:08] 
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:20] 
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:36] 
The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [14:48] 
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [14:57] 
Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:26] 
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (1991) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:39] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850) [12:32] 
James by Percival Everett (2024) [12:36] 
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) [14:07] 
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878) [14:11] 
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850) [14:24] 
Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith (1950) [14:41] 
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847) [14:55] 
The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley (1953) [15:03] 
The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry (1939) [15:32] 
King Lear by William Shakespeare (1608) [15:45] 
Ministers Behaving Badly (Sarah)
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [16:36]
Awake by Jen Hatmaker (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [16:45]
God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:19]
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (Sep 29, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [17:36]
The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [17:51]
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:16]
Dear Reader / Love Letters to Books (Anderson)
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [19:14]
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [19:53]
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:22]
Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Anne Spence (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:24]
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:37]
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:56]
Other Books Mentioned
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (2023) [20:29]
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [20:31]
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023) [22:15]
Dark Humor (Sarah)
Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [23:52]
Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [23:53]
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:55]
Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:41]
Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [25:42]
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [25:51]
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:00]
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:47]
Other Books Mentioned
Real Americans by Rachel Khong (2024)  [24:44]
Fantasy Even Sarah Might Like / Fantasy-Lite (Anderson)
Conform (Conform Series, 1) by Ariel Sullivan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:54]
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:13]
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:39]
The Atlas Six (The Atlas Trilogy, 1) by Olivie Blake (2022)* | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:53]
A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, 1) by V. E. Schwab (2015) | Amazon| Bookshop.org  [31:57]
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:02]
The Midnight Train (The Midnight World, 2) by Matt Haig (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:04]
The Midnight Library (The Midnight World, 1) by Matt Haig (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:05]
The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:20]
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:25]
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:28]
Other Books Mentioned
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, 1) by Suzanne Collins (2008) [29:03]
The Handmaid's Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, 1) by Margaret Atwood (1985) [29:04]
Like Friday Night Lights, But Book Form (Sarah)
a.k.a. Sports Books That Are About Far More Than Sports
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:06] 
The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:15] 
The World According to Garp by John Irving (1978) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:51]
In One Person by John Irving (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:53]  
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:12] 
The Flock by Ellen Bar (Apr 27, 2027) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:41] 
The Last Days of Vic & Coco by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Mar 2, 2027) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:31] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian (2026)  [37:29] 
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian (2007)  [37:48] 
Women Rule the World (Anderson)
The Romanov Empress by C. W. Gortner (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:16] 
Mademoiselle Chanel by C. W. Gortner (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:41]
Marlene by C. W. Gortner (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:43]
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:07] 
Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen (2013) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:28] 
Twain's End by Lynn Cullen (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:31]
Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:36] 
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:53]
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:47]
Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:03]
Other Books Mentioned
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler (2013) [43:13] 
Isola by Allegra Goodman (2025) [43:32] 
Royals (Sarah)
The Royal We (The Royal We, 1) by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:04] 
Red, White & Royal Blue (Red, White & Royal Blue, 1) by Casey McQuiston(2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:06] 
American Royals (American Royals, 1) by Katharine McGee (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:09] 
Spare by Prince Harry (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:19]
The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:29]
The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:48]  
The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:03] 
This Land is Your Land (Anderson)
Land by Maggie O'Farrell (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:34] 
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:33] 
I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:52] 
The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips (2007) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:07] 
Greenwood by Michael Christie (US Release 2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:03] 
The Islanders by Lewis Robinson (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:32] 
The Shark House by Sara Ackerman (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:40] 
*Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition for a book originally self-published.