Sarah's Bookshelves Live

• Ep. 193: Clare Leslie Hall (Author of Broken Country) + Book Recommendations

  In Episode 193, author Clare Leslie Hall talks with Sarah about her US debut, Broken Country — a breakout hit and a Reese’s Book Club pick. A genre mash-up that is part love story and part murder trial, Clare talks about marketing Broken Country, how this came to be her first U.S. release, and the ways the novel evolved over time. Plus, Clare 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. Highlights Books by Clare Leslie Hall: Broken Country, Days You Were Mine (previously published as Mine), and Pictures of Him (previously published as Him). Clare gives a brief, spoiler-free overview of Broken Country.  Clare’s inspiration for Broken Country. How the themes of love, guilt, and connection play roles in the novel. The ways Broken Country developed and changed over the course of her writing process. How Clare decided that this was no longer a contemporary novel and needed to be set in the 1950s and 1960s. The aspect of the book of which she’s most proud. How Broken Country came to be her first book released in the U.S. What the marketing looked like for Broken Country compared to her first two novels. Anything Clare would change about Broken Country down the line should she have the opportunity (since she was able to change the ending of her second book for the U.S. release). A bit about what Clare has planned for her next book. Clare’s Book Recommendations [35:30] Two OLD Books She Loves Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively (1987) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:43] All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (1992) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:26] Other Books Mentioned: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (1985) [38:42]   Two NEW Books She Loves Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell (February 18, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[40:12] Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (July 30, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[41:33] Other Books Mentioned: The Wedding People by Alison Espach (July 30, 2024) [43:48]  The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (2021) [44:04]  One Book She DIDN’T Love Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:22] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About What the Deep Water Knows by Miranda Cowley Heller (July 1, 2025) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [48:40] Last 5-Star Book Clare Read Leaving by Roxana Robinson (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:19] Books From the Discussion Atonement by Ian McEwan (2001) [14:38] The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley (1953) [14:42] To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) [16:22] Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (2018) [54:02]  About Clare Leslie Hall  Instagram | X Clare Leslie Hall is a novelist and journalist who lives in the wilds of Dorset, England, with her family. She’s the author of Broken Country, Pictures of Him, and Days You Were Mine.

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• Ep. 192: Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)

  Welcome to the Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!   Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May.   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. Announcement Sarah’s Bookshelves has joined Substack! Please note, we’re not MOVING to Substack, we’re simply adding Substack to the places we already put out content. On our FREE Substack feed, Sarah’s Bookshelves is offering all the content you already find on the blog, my Instagram account, public podcast, On our PAID feed, we’re offering all the content we also offer on Patreon. If you’re interested in becoming a paying subscriber on Substack, visit sarahsbookshelveslive.substack.com for all the details and a full list of benefits. If you’re already on Substack, please consider following the FREE feed and sharing with your reader friends to help support the show. One of the many benefits to joining as a paying member of either our Patreon or Substack Communities is gaining access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that were not shared in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all Superstar patrons here and all Substack paid subscribers here! Highlights Catherine and Sarah share some big releases coming this spring (lightning round style). With a theme this season of “change,” Catherine focuses on lighter fiction and thrillers. Sarah’s choices are evenly split between debut authors, new to her authors, and repeat authors. Food novels, rom-coms, thrillers (two with a mistaken identity element), and lighter reading are the picks for spring! Sarah has already read one of her picks — and one of Catherine’s! And, Catherine has already started reading one of hers. Plus, their #1 picks for the spring. Big Spring Releases [5:15]  The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:43] The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:47] Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:56] Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:03] Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:18] The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:26] Audition by Katy Kitamura (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:29] My Documents by Kevin Ngyuen (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:44] Backlist Titles Mentioned The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb (2022) [5:51] Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (2023) [5:53] Spring 2025 Book Preview [6:51] April Sarah’s Picks The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:40] I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:49] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (Apr 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:15] Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone (Apr 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:28] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (Apr 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:42] Catherine’s Picks Cat’s People by Tanya Guerrero (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:46] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:23] Other Books Mentioned The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh (2022) [9:44]  Talk to Me by John Kenney (2019) [14:53]   About a Boy by Nick Hornby (1998) [16:48] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [18:30] The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (2024) [18:32] Sea Wife by Amity Gaige (2020) [22:47]  The Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (2024) [24:45]  The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (2019) [26:18]  Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [26:20]  We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange (2021) [26:22]  The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (2019) [26:25]  Yours, Eventually by Nura Maznavi  (2025) [30:58]  Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [33:47]  The Guncle by Steven Rowley (2021) [38:04]  May Sarah’s Picks Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle (May 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:16] Catherine’s Pick Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin (May 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:48] The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:29]  Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (May 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:56] Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald (May 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[45:36] Other Books Mentioned The People We Keep by Allison Larkin (2021) [28:23]  The Angel Maker by Alex North (2023) [31:39] Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan (2022) [41:25]   Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (2000) [43:42]   The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (2024) [43:54]  Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) [44:36]  Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [44:40]  Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2020) [44:42]  Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (2021) [44:45]  The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) [44:53]   Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander (2024) [47:32] 

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• Ep. 191: Winter 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GIlmoreGuide)

  In Episode 191, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2025 Book Preview. They share their reading stats, chat about what they liked, and what didn’t work out.  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 For the first time ever, Sarah’s Preview selections resulted in a 100% success rate! Catherine’s reading was also successful at 75%, with 2 DNFs. A total of three 5-star books from the Winter Preview! Sarah successfully revived her reading from that “sameness” she felt in December. Catherine’s reading seems to revolve around “right time” and “wrong time” books even more than usual. They name the best and worst books from their winter picks. Books Read Before the Preview [1:46]  January Sarah’s Picks The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Jan 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:18] Penitence by Kristin Koval (Jan 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:05] Other Books Mentioned Defending Jacob by William Landay [5:12] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay [5:13]   Winter 2025 Circle Back [7:42] January Sarah’s Pick Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Jan 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[11:44] Catherine’s Picks All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall (Jan 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[7:46] Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives (Jan 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:14] Call Her Freedom by Tara Dorabji (Jan 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [25:59]  Too Soon by Betty Shamieh (Jan 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:53] Other Books Mentioned Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [9:46]   February Sarah’s Picks Yours, Eventually by Nura Maznavi (Feb 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:29] Crush by Ada Calhoun (Feb 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:40] The Strange Case by Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker (Feb 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:59] The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay (Feb 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[43:10] Catherine’s Pick This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer (Feb 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:44] Other Books Mentioned Persuasion by Jane Austen [22:35] Why We Can’t Sleep by Ada Calhoun [32:09]   Wedding Toasts I’ll Never Give by Ada Calhoun [32:11]  Yellowface by R. F. Kuang [43:56]  Victim by Andrew Boryga [44:04]  By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult [45:54]  March Sarah’s Pick Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (Mar 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:33] Catherine’s Picks The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami (Mar 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:21] Kate & Frida by Kim Fay (Mar 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:56] Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Mar 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:25] Other Books Mentioned Love & Saffron by Kim Fay [49:07]  Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens [50:37]  The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller [50:40] 

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• Ep. 190: Behind the Scenes of a Book-to-Screen Adaptation with Georgia Hunter (Author of One Good Thing) + Book Recommendations

  In Episode 190, author Georgia Hunter returns to the podcast to chat with Sarah about her sophomore novel, One Good Thing, and go behind-the-scenes of her experience adapting her first novel, We Were the Lucky Ones, for Hulu. Georgia talks about her role as executive producer, the difference in writing a novel that wasn’t based on family history, and how the screenwriting process influenced her own writing. Plus, Georgia 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. Highlights Books by Georgia Hunter: We Were the Lucky Ones (2017) and One Good Thing (2025) A spoiler-free overview of One Good Thing. Georgia’s inspiration for the characters, their story, and choosing Italy as the setting. The very different process for writing and editing her second book. How the steps for adapting We Were the Lucky Ones began and how long it took. Georgia’s role in the writer’s room for the screen adaptation and as a resource for the actors and writers.  How the six writers handled their episodes and wove together the different perspectives for a cohesive series. If Georgia would ever consider writing for a tv series. How screenwriting impacted Georgia writing her second novel. What her day on set looked like as executive producer. How Georgia handled filming on location and the timeframe from start to finish. Talk about an adaptation for One Good Thing — and is it better suited for a feature-length film or another tv miniseries? Georgia’s Book Recommendations [51:05] Two OLD Books She Loves Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:39] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:38] Other Books Mentioned The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998) [54:00]   David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850) [54:17]  Two NEW Books She Loves All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[56:29] The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:49] Other Books Mentioned We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (2021) [56:41]  One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About The Names by Florence Knapp (May 6, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:55] Last 5-Star Book Georgia Read Horse by Geraldine Brooks (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:52] About Georgia Hunter Website | Instagram | Facebook When Georgia Hunter was fifteen years old, she discovered that she came from a family of Holocaust survivors. Years later, she embarked on a journey of intensive research, determined to unearth and record her family’s remarkable story. The result is the New York Times best seller, We Were the Lucky Ones, which has been published in over 20 languages and adapted for television by Hulu as a highly acclaimed limited series. One Good Thing is Georgia’s second novel. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and their two sons.

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• Ep. 189: Karen Thompson Walker (Author of The Strange Case of Jane O.) + Book Recommendations

  In Episode 189, author Karen Thompson Walker talks with Sarah about her career to date and her newest novel, The Strange Case of Jane O. Karen discusses her writing journey, including each book’s inspiration and research process. She also touches on the challenges of promoting her latest book without giving away too much and her current work in progress. 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. Highlights Books by Karen Thompson Walker: The Age of Miracles (2012), The Dreamers (2019), and The Strange Case of Jane O. (2025) Karen talks about going from working as an editor to a being published author The genre Karen feels her books best fit in The real-life inspiration for The Age of Miracles  A peek into her research process and which book required the most work Karen’s thoughts on writing about an epidemic (in The Dreamers) just before the real-life  COVID-19 pandemic A brief spoiler-free overview of The Strange Case of Jane O. and the inspiration behind it Some of Oliver Sacks’ interesting case histories that inspired Karen The difficulty in trying to promote and talk about a book like The Strange Case of Jane O. without giving too much away How Karen sees the relationship between her three published books A bit about Karen’s current work in progress Karen’s Book Recommendations [36:20] Two OLD Books She Loves The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides (1993) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[37:22] The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:26] Other Books Mentioned: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka (2023) [40:51]   Two NEW Books She Loves The Antidote by Karen Russell (March 11, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[41:20] The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:39] One Book She DIDN’T Love My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:39] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About Audition by Katie Kitamura (April 8, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:22] Other Books Mentioned:  The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (2024) [49:20]  A Separation by Katie Kitamura (2017) [49:35]  Intimacies by Katie Kitamura (2021) [49:39]  Last 5-Star Book Karen Read Trust by Hernan Diaz (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:14] Books From the Discussion Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan (2012) [22:54] Awakenings by Oliver Sacks (1973) [24:16]  

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