Sarah's Bookshelves Live

In Episode 227, Sarah talks with book industry analyst Brenna Connor about the behind-the-scenes world of book sales, bestseller lists, and publishing trends. Brenna shares insight into how sales data is gathered and used across the publishing industry, from tracking pre-orders and audiobooks to measuring the impact of celebrity book clubs and award recognition. They also discuss what makes a book commercially "successful," what current reading trends are revealing about 2026 so far, and what Brenna is watching for in the second half of the year. Plus, Brenna shares her own 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
Why tracking book sales is far more complicated than most readers realize — including what Circana can and can't actually measure.
A behind-the-scenes look at bestseller lists and the role Circana data plays in lists like the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly.
The famously secretive methodology behind the New York Times Bestseller List.
The impact celebrity book clubs and reading lists from Reese, Oprah, and Obama have on book sales.
What current sales data is revealing about 2026 reading trends — and how the economy may be shaping book buying habits.
Brenna shares the books she recommends — and the trends she's watching for the rest of the year.
Brenna's Book Recommendations
Two OLD Books She Loves
The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:13]
Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:00]  
Other Books Mentioned The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [40:22]
Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [40:23]  

Two NEW Books She Loves
Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (November 3, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:07]
Joyride by Susan Orlean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:01]
Other Books Mentioned Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [45:12]
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) [45:14] 
The Library Book by Susan Orlean (2018) [46:12] 

One Book She DIDN'T Love
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:29]
Other Books Mentioned The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019) [47:51]
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (2021) [47:57] 
Whistler by Ann Patchett (2026) [48:55] 

One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (October 6, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:25]
Other Books Mentioned The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) [49:37] 

Books From the Discussion
Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 6) by Sarah J. Maas (October 27, 2026) [9:38]
Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 7) by Sarah J. Maas (January 12, 2027) [9:38]
Strangers by Belle Burden (2026) [11:54] 
Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) [15:35] 
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin (2023) [15:45]
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) [15:53]
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) [25:52]  
No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (2026) [31:38] 
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (2026) [31:53] 
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) [33:35]
Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, 1) by Matt Dinniman (2024)* [33:40] 
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [36:58] 
Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (October 6, 2026) [37:00] 
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (2025)* [38:39] 
*Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition. These titles were originally self-published.
Other Links
Publishing Confidential, on Substack | "A Tale of Three Bestseller Lists" by Kathleen Schmidt

Welcome to the Summer 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!  
Today, Sarah and Catherine share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in June through mid – August.  

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.
Announcements
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share 4 bonus books (2 each) we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!
Highlights
A lightning round of some big summer releases that are NOT our personal preview picks.
Catherine's theme this season was following her initial emotional reaction to a book, while Sarah's picks skew a bit outside of her usual comfort zone.
Catherine chose books across historical fiction, cultural fiction, romance, humor, and thriller.
One of the season's more challenging reads for Catherine comes from an author she trusts, while Sarah has two books over 450 pages.
There's one debut in Sarah's stack this season — along with some historical fiction.
Sarah has already read one of her picks — not only was it 5 stars, it's already a strong contender for book of the year.
Plus, their #1 picks for summer.
Big Summer Releases
Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (June 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:28] 
God's Country (Cork O'Connor, 22) by William Kent Krueger (August 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:33] 
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:36] 
Biological War by Annie Jacobsen (July 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [1:43] 
Cool Machine (The Harlem Trilogy, 3) by Colson Whitehead (July 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:48]
A Tender Age by Chang-rae Lee (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:53]  
Under the Falls by Richard Russo (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:55] 
Sunrise by Téa Obreht (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:14] 
Dominion (The Silk and Iron Trilogy, 1) by Jean Kwok (July 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:26] 
Other Books Mentioned
Less (The Arthur Books, 1) by Andrew Sean Greer (2017) [1:32] 
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (2023) [1:41] 
Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen (2024) [1:47] 
Empire Falls by Richard Russo (2001) [3:04] 
Summer 2026 Book Preview
June
Sarah's Pick
Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:53] 
Catherine's Picks
A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman (US Release June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:23]
Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (June 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:29] 
The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:59] 
Keep Them Close by David Ellis (June 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:39]
Other Books Mentioned
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) [8:05] 
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) [8:54] 
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) [9:12] 
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (2001) [9:16]
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019) [9:17]  
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (2011) [9:18] 
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) [10:07] 
Tin Man by Sarah Winman (US 2018) [13:39] 
Still Life by Sarah Winman (2021) [14:24] 
Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians, 1) by Kevin Kwan (2013) [19:54] 
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (2025) [20:12] 
The Best Lies by David Ellis (2024) [26:44] 
July
Sarah's Picks
The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (July 14) |Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:40]
Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick (July 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:27]
Catherine's Pick
City of Widows by Nadia Hashimi (July 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:28]
Other Books Mentioned
Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland (2020) [15:26] 
The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland (2023) [15:28] 
The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024) [16:27] 
The Wives by Simone Gorrindo (2024) [17:48] 
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (2008) [20:39] 
August
Sarah's Picks
Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:33]
Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:32]
Kitten by Stacey Yu (August 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:07] 
Catherine's Pick
You'll Love It Here by Natalie Sue (August 11) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:41]
Other Books Mentioned
Snowflake by Louise Nealon (2021) [25:05] 
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [26:25] 
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (2014) [28:54] 
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (2012) [29:14] 
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) [36:01] 
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (2024) [37:51]

In Episode 225, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 12 new releases they shared in the Spring 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to!  They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why.  

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.
Get the 2026 Summer Reading Guide
This year's Summer Reading Guide is bigger than ever — and now available as a full PDF with in-depth write-ups on every book.
Here's how to access it:
Full PDF Guide (with write-ups): Available to current paying members on Patreon or Substack 
Start a free trial (Patreon: 7 days | Substack: 30 days) *Be sure to use the link above to access your free trial on Substack.


Free Cheatsheet (no write-ups): Available to everyone on the blog

Free Trials close: Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend)

When you sign up, you'll also get:
2–3 bonus podcast episodes per month
Full back catalog of bonus content
Weekly reading updates + more
All the details in the recent IMPORTANT DETAILS bonus podcast episode and post.
Highlights
This time last year, Catherine was rocking a 100% success rate — this year's was "armageddon"
Sarah had really successful spring with one 5-star book and only 1 DNF with a total average star rating of 4.15.
They name their best and worst books picks for spring!
Books We Read Before the Preview
April
Sarah's Pick
The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:07] 
Spring 2026 Circle Back
April
Sarah's Picks
Into the Blue by Emma Brodie (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [8:33] 
Leave Your Mess At Home by Tolani Akinola (April 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:27] 
Catherine's Picks
American Fantasy by Emma Straub (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:45]
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:25] 
Like This, But Funnier by Hallie Cantor (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:23] 
Other Books Mentioned
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (2026) [7:59] 
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985) [14:24] 
August Lane by Regina Black (2025) [16:32] 
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [16:39] 
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (2025) [20:24] 
May
Sarah's Picks
The Mediator (Max Ringo, 1) by Robert Bailey (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:10]
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:39]
Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:25] 
Catherine's Picks
The Liar's Playbook by Leslie Bradford-Scott (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:20]
The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:35]
The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi, 2) by Shannon Chakraborty (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:16] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) [22:17]
Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond (2021) [26:30] 
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) [29:43] 
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (2025) [33:24] 
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, 1) by Shannon Chakraborty (2023) [42:06]

In Episode 224, Sarah, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) celebrate the release of the 2026 Summer Reading Guide with a special behind-the-scenes conversation about putting this year's guide together. Catherine and Chrissie share what it was like participating in the guide for the first time, from the reading process to narrowing down their final picks, while Sarah talks about how much more fun her spring reading felt with the guide becoming a team effort. Together, they reveal their secret books from the guide, share what's still sitting on their summer TBRs, and reflect on the kinds of books they found themselves gravitating toward while reading for summer.

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.
Get the 2026 Summer Reading Guide
This year's Summer Reading Guide is bigger than ever — and now available as a full PDF with in-depth write-ups on every book.
Here's how to access it:
Full PDF Guide (with write-ups): Available to current paying members on Patreon or Substack 
Start a free trial (Patreon: 7 days | Substack: 30 days)
*Be sure to use the link above to access your free trial on Substack.


Free Cheatsheet (no write-ups): Available to everyone on the blog

Free Trials close: Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend)

When you sign up, you'll also get:
2–3 bonus podcast episodes per month
Full back catalog of bonus content
Weekly reading updates + more
All the details in the recent IMPORTANT DETAILS bonus podcast episode and post.
The Secret Picks for the 2026 Summer Reading Guide
Catherine
Two Kinds of Stranger (Eddie Flynn, 9) by Steven Cavanagh (US: March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:13]
The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:04] 
The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:15] 
Chrissie
Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[20:33]
Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:45] 
Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West (April 14, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:47] 
Sarah
Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray (May 5, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[23:29] 
Heather by Caitlin Mullen (June 9, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:53] 
The Shark House by Sara Ackerman (January 13, 2026)
 | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:18] 
Other Books Mentioned
Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow (1987) [24:29] 
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) [26:20] 
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [34:24] 
Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [34:29] 
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) [39:27]
Jaws by Peter Benchley (1974) [43:28] 
The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey (2005) [44:42]
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (2023) [45:34] 
More From Summer TBRs
Catherine
You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate (March 3, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:22] 
The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:19] 
Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler (May 26, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:45] 
Sarah
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash (January 13, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:48] 
Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[53:01]
Brawler by Lauren Groff (February 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [52:28] 
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:46] 
The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [54:46] 
Porcupines by Fran Fabriczki (April 14, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:04] 
Chrissie
Nonesuch by Francis Spufford (March 10, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:51]
Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewksi (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:25] 
The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:24] 
Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:39] 
A Deadly Episode (Hawthorne & Horowitz, 6) by Anthony Horowitz (April 28, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [51:18]
Daughter of Crows (The Academy of Kindness, 1) by Mark Lawrence (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [51:29] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [48:12]
Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss (2016) [48:14]  
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (2000) [50:02] 
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (1985) [50:17]
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985) [50:18] 
The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, 1) by Katherine Arden (2017) [50:33] 
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (2017) [53:10] 
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) [53:49]

May is upon us and that means Summer Reading season is just about here!
The 2026 Summer Reading Guide went through a lot of changes this year, so I'm coming to you a bit early to walk through all the details.
CLICK HERE for the full Show Notes on the blog.
The 2026 Summer Reading Guide is launching this coming Tuesday, May 12! And, our Summer Reading Special podcast episode will air the following day (Weds, May 13).

WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR
The SRG is now a team project.
You'll be getting recommendations from Catherine and Chrissie in addition to me. 
And, there are a couple books on the SRG that are recommended by multiple team members.
But, don't worry, you will easily be able to tell who recommended each book in the Guide.

The primary SRG with full write-ups on every book we included will be in a printable PDF format.
Changing the primary Guide to a PDF format gives us the flexibility to include some different and helpful ways to categorize the books in the guide beyond our mood-based categories. In addition to the regular part of the Guide, we'll have lists for: Books that are now out in paperback 
Five star books
Books that are great on audio
Longer books (450+ pages)
Nonfiction
And, our Secret picks – which you'll hear more about in our Summer Reading Special coming on May 13



We selected our Top Picks differently. In the past, I chose my #1 pick for each of my mood-based categories in the Guide. 
This year, we're selecting a group of our OVERALL Top Picks regardless of which mood based category they fall in. We've chosen 6 top picks that represent a range of genres, vibes, and reading tastes. And, those will be in their very own section at the front of the Guide.

HOW TO GET THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDE
Different from last year
The primary Summer Reading Guide PDF with full write-ups on every book will ONLY be available to paying members (via Patreon or Substack).
BUT, we'll be running a Free Trial for our Patreon and paid Substack communities, so you can still technically get the full PDF guide for free. Free Trial sign-ups will be open through Friday, May 22 (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend).
The Substack Free Trial will be for 30 days.
The Patreon Free Trial will only be 7 days long. Patreon only allows 7 day free trials and I wish they'd change that policy. 
Obviously, we hope you sample our bonus content and decide to stick around on Patreon or Substack, but you can also drop your membership after 1 month if all you're interested in is the full Summer Reading Guide PDF.

AND, a Cheatsheet-style list WITHOUT write-ups for the books included will be available to everyone on my website.
HOW TO MAKE SURE THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDE LANDS IN YOUR INBOX ON MAY 12
If you are NOT already a paying member, you can sign up for a Free Trial either on Patreon (here) OR on Substack (here). 
If you are NOT already a paying member and you are not eligible for the Free Trial (i.e. you signed up in a previous year and dropped your membership since then), you can sign up to be a paid member on Patreon (here) OR Substack (here) for $7/month (and can drop your membership after 1 month if you don't want to stick around).
If you are ALREADY a Superstars member on Patreon or a paid member on Substack, you don't have to do anything else to get the Guide. It will arrive in your inboxes on Tuesday (May 12) morning.
And, don't forget that the Cheatsheet (i.e. a slimmed down version of the Guide WITHOUT WRITE-UPS on all the books included) there will be available on my website.