Sarah's Bookshelves Live

By: Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves
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  • Summary

  • Sarah’s Bookshelves Live is a weekly show featuring real talk about books and book recommendations from a featured guest. Each week, Sarah of the blog Sarah’s Bookshelves will talk with her guest about: - 2 OLD BOOKS THEY LOVE - 2 NEW BOOKS THEY LOVE - 1 BOOK THEY DON’T LOVE - AND 1 NEW RELEASE THEY’RE EXCITED ABOUT I’m getting real about all things books and serving you up a bit of snark on the side.
    Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves
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Episodes
  • Ep. 179: From Corporate America to Indie Bookstore Owner with Gayle Weiswasser (Co-Founder of Wonderland Books) + Book Recommendations

    Ep. 179: From Corporate America to Indie Bookstore Owner with Gayle Weiswasser (Co-Founder of Wonderland Books) + Book Recommendations
    Oct 2 2024
    In Episode 179, Sarah is joined by Gayle Weiswasser, co-founder of Wonderland Books, an independent bookstore in Bethesda, MD opening in November 2024. Gayle candidly shares her journey from her initial idea to being on the verge of opening the store. This behind-the-scenes episode offers a deep dive into everything from training and book buying to raising capital (including crowdsourcing) and much more! Plus, Gayle wraps up the episode with some great book recommendations (and how many copies of each she’s ordering for the store). 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 Gayle’s nearly 20-year journey in the book world.How the first spark for this idea came from listening to a podcast.Some of the fears and challenges Gayle is currently facing.Bookstore bootcamp and the other ways Gayle prepared to become a bookstore owner.All about raising capital: fundraising, crowdsourcing, small business loans, and the perks of working with a partner.How Gayle balances her personal reading tastes with the community’s expectations.The process of buying books and building the store’s collection.Breaking down book margins and why publishers tend to stay quiet about them.How Wonderland Books plans to stand out from other local bookstores.How this whole process has affected Gayle’s reading this year.Did Sarah just discover a new micro-genre?Plus, an impromptu request adds a fun twist to the book recommendations segment! Gayle’s Book Recommendations [53:04] Two OLD Books She Loves The Art Thief by Michael Finkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:15]Talking at Night by Claire Daverley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:55]Other Books Mentioned Normal People by Sally Rooney [57:55] Two NEW Books She Loves The Caretaker by Ron Rash | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:39]Green Dot by Madeleine Gray | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:15]Other Books Mentioned The Risen by Ron Rash [59:03] Serena by Ron Rash [59:07] One Book She DIDN’T Love Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:04:09]Other Books Mentioned The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe [1:04:33] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [1:04:35] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler (February 4, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:08:29]Other Books Mentioned: Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler [1:08:40]Beneath the Bonfire by Nickolas Butler [1:09:12] Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld (February 25, 2025) [1:09:25] You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld [1:09:36] Leaving by Roxana Robinson [1:10:12] Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf [1:10:49] Last 5-Star Book Gayle Read The Husbands by Holly Gramazio | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:11:42] Other Links The Bookshop Podcast with Mandy Jackson-BeverlyThe Bookstore Training Group About Gayle Weiswasser Blog | Instagram | X | Facebook Gayle Weiswasser is the co-founder of Wonderland Books, a soon-to-open independent bookstore opening soon in Bethesda, MD. Gayle is also the founder of the blog, Everyday I Write the Book and the co-host of the podcast The Readerly Report. Prior to opening Wonderland Books, Gayle was a lawyer and communications executive. She’s a DC native and now lives in Chevy Chase, MD with her family. Learn More about Wonderland Books:Website | Instagram | Facebook
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Ep. 178: Behind the Scenes of Amazon's Best Books Lists with Al Woodworth, Senior Editor & Manager of Amazon Books Editorial + Book Recommendations

    Ep. 178: Behind the Scenes of Amazon's Best Books Lists with Al Woodworth, Senior Editor & Manager of Amazon Books Editorial + Book Recommendations
    Sep 18 2024
    In Episode 178, Al Woodworth, Senior Editor and Manager at Amazon Books Editorial, goes behind the scenes of Amazon’s editorial division, including the start-to-finish process of building the “Best Books” lists, what “best” might mean, and what helps a book make the list. Plus, Al shares some of 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 How Al fits reading into her busy weekly scheduleThe start to finish process of building the Amazon “Best of” listsHow Amazon balances genre diversity in their “Best of” listsWhat “best” means to Amazon’s editorial teamPublication date criteria for the Best Books of the Month and Year listsHow the team discusses, votes, and makes decisions for the listsWhether sales numbers influence the year-end listHow Amazon’s editorial team handles publisher influenceWhat 2024 looks like so far for Al and the editorial team Al’s Book Recommendations [38:26] Two OLD Books She Loves Horse by Geraldine Brooks | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:39]Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:20]Other Books Mentioned Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe [41:32] Two NEW Books She Loves James by Percival Everett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:05]There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:18] One Book She DIDN’T Love Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:21] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami (Nov 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:54]Other Books Mentioned: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami [51:09] Last 5-Star Book Al Read There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:05]Other Books Mentioned: John Lewis: A Life by David Greenberg (Oct 8) [52:26] Books From Our Discussion All the Worst Humans by Phil Elwood [9:25]The Wedding People by Alison Espach [14:54]Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie [18:05]All the Broken Places by John Boyne [18:11]All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker [19:38]James by Percival Everett [21:40]Educated by Tara Westover [22:07]Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver [24:09]Spare by Prince Harry [25:25]The Testaments by Margaret Atwood [31:13] The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood [31:25]The 9/11 Commission Report by National Commission on Terrorist Attacks [31:34] About Al Woodworth More about Amazon Book Review Website | Instagram | X | Facebook Al Woodworth is a Senior Editor on the Amazon Books Editorial team and has spent more than ten years in the book industry, championing authors and their work. She’s never without a book or four in her bag and is happiest reading memoirs and literary fiction, especially sprawling stories that cross generations and countries. She lives in Brooklyn.
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    55 mins
  • Ep. 177: Fall 2024 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)

    Ep. 177: Fall 2024 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
    Sep 4 2024
    Welcome to the Fall 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Today, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing 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. Announcement One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here! Highlights Catherine and Sarah share some big releases coming this fall (lightning round style).Catherine’s theme is “unpredictability” — half her picks are repeat authors and the other half simply caught her eye.Sarah’s choices feature 6 returning authors and overall are leaning more literary.A few shorter books from Sarah’s picks: under 300 pages.Sarah has already read and rated two of her picks!Plus, their #1 picks for the fall. Big Fall Releases [1:29] Books Mentioned By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult (Aug 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:56]Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:00]The Life Impossible by Matt Haig (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:05]Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:11]The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:30]Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (Oct 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:36]The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (Oct 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:39]The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins (Oct 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:45]The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami (Nov 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:51]It Starts with One: The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park by Jason Lipshutz(Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:54]MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band by Brad Tolinski, Jaan Uhelszki, and Ben Edmonds (Oct 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:55]Never Understood: The Jesus and Mary Chain by William Reid and Jim Reid(Sep 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:56]Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton & Me by Bernie Taupin (2023 release — in paperback Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:58]The Name of This Band Is R.E.M.: A Biography by Peter Ames Carlin (Nov 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:59] Backlist Titles Mentioned The Midnight Library by Matt Haig [2:08]The Measure by Nikki Erlick [2:27]The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins [2:45]1Q84 by Haruki Murakami [3:02]What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami [3:25] Fall 2024 Book Preview [6:34] Mid-August Catherine’s Pick There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Aug 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[9:22] Other Books Mentioned The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak [11:03] 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak [11:12] September Sarah’s Picks Guide Me Home by Attica Locke (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:11]Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:41]The Siege by Ben Macintyre (Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:03] Entitlement by Rumaan Alam (Sep 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:37] A Reason to See You Again by Jami Attenberg (Sep 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:00]Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen (Sep 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:45] Catherine’s Picks Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes (Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:37]Bringer of Dust by J. M. Miro (Sep 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:28] Other Books Mentioned Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke [7:21] Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke [7:24]The Cutting Season by Attica Locke [7:55]Godshot by Chelsea Bieker [15:08] The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre [18:12] Ordinary Monsters by J. M. Miro [20:41] Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam [22:57] Trust by Hernan Diaz [23:45] Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid [23:48] All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg [28:06]Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg [28:09]The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg [28:10]Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow [29:39]Banyan Moon by Thao Tai [29:44]The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza [34:37]The Women by Kristin Hannah [35:44] October Sarah’s Picks The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:18] (To skip ahead, jump to [44:55] in your podcast player.)Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:44] Catherine’s Picks A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:11] The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni (Oct 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:59]Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth (Oct 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[36:48]Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger (Oct 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:56] ...
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    54 mins
Art Literary History & Criticism
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Fantastic Book Talk

I’m an avid reader and listening to Sarah and her guests really gets me excited about reading new writers and varied perspectives and subjects. Great questions and the show has a casual flow.

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