Poured Over

Barnes & Noble

Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like Poured Over's host, Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who's always reading. Follow us here for surprising riffs, candid conversations, a few laughs, and lots of great book recommendations from big name authors and authors on their way to being big names. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional bonus episodes on Saturdays).

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61 episodes
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Thursday · 49 min
Mary Beth Keane on WHALE HARBOR
Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane is our 2026 Barnes & Noble Book of the Year. A poignant multigenerational story of eleven brothers and the vastly different life paths they take, Whale Harbor examines ambition, masculinity and responsibility from Ireland to Montana to New York City. Mary Beth joins us to talk about her family history, the Irish language, and the American landscape with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane Fever by Mary Beth Keane The Walking People by Mary Beth Keane
Tuesday · 45 min
John Gwynne on THE WOLVES OF WAR
Known for his sweeping epic fantasy, John Gwynne returns with The Wolves of War, a new tale in which the future of the Clans hangs in the balance, and only one girl's powers can save them, even while she sleeps. John joins us to talk about his research process, Slavic mythology, and his heroic daughter Harriett with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. {{ product: 9780316595001 }} Featured Books & Authors: The Wolves of War by John Gwynne The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne The Faithful and The Fallen Series by John Gwynne Of Blood and Bone Series by John Gwynne Iron Gold by Pierce Brown The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien The Devils by Joe Abercrombie The Poetic Edda Dracula by Bram Stoker The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Salem's Lot by Stephen King Legend by David Gemmell The Sword in the Storm by David Gemmell Shogun by Robert Clavell Robin Hobb Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell Jay Kristoff Fonda Lee Matt Dinniman Christopher Buehlman
November 7 · 44 min
John U. Bacon on THE GALES OF NOVEMBER
The Gales of November by John U. Bacon tells the harrowing true story of the "Mighty Fitz," a 729-foot-long ship that perished in November 1975, and the lasting impact of the tragic maritime disaster. John joins us to talk about his research, the history of the Great Lakes, Gordon Lightfoot, and more with cohost Christine Ruhe. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Christine Ruhe and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: The Gales of November by John U. Bacon Let Them Lead by John U. Bacon The Great Halifax Explosion by John U. Bacon The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan The Wager by David Grann The Wide, Wide Sea by Hampton Sides Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
November 5 · 57 min
Robert Kolker on THE VANISHING FAMILY
Expertly researched and intimately narrated, The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker is the harrowing and hopeful account of one family's experience with a terrifying genetic illness. Robert joins us to talk about memory, personality, agency, illness, and resilience with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books & Writers: The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker Lost Girls by Robert Kolker The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe Nick Cohn Joan Didion In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo Moneyball by Michael Lewis Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel The Fifties by David Halberstam
November 3 · 57 min
Ariel Lawhon on THE PIRATE QUEEN
The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon follows the headstrong Grace O'Malley, a young woman who defies her family's expectations by becoming a sea captain with her own mighty fleet of ships. As she sails, she learns to defend her land, her people and herself. Ariel joins us to talk about the craft of historical fiction, defying genre, and Irish folklore with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books & Authors: The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon Lisa Gardner I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon Madeline L'Engle
October 31 · 54 min
Emily St. John Mandel on EXIT PARTY
Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel begins in future America, where society is crumbling, and a bewildering mystery unravels after a man vanishes during a house party. Emily joined us live in Philadelphia to talk about the craft of fiction, hinge moments, world-building, transience, and quantum entanglement with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books & Authors: Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Zone One by Colson Whitehead The Road by Cormac McCarthy Sebastian Junger Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu
October 29 · 59 min
Nathaniel Philbrick on THE RUSH: CALIFORNIA GOLD, THE CIVIL WAR, AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD
The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World by Nathaniel Philbrick vividly brings to life the western migration that changed the United States forever, propelling it into a new era of expansion and conflict. Nathaniel joins us to talk about the Wild West, vigilante justice, Herman Melville, and the value of reading history with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: The Rush by Nathaniel Philbrick The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick Away Off Shore by Nathaniel Philbrick Why Read Moby-Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick In the Hurricane's Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick Sea of Glory by Nathaniel Philbrick Second Wind by Nathaniel Philbrick Suttree by Cormac McCarthy The Confidence-Man by Herman Melville Moby-Dick by Herman Melville McTeague by Frank Norris The Octopus by Frank Norris The Great Game by Peter Hopkirk
October 27 · 34 min
Jane Schoenbrun on PUBLIC ACCESS AFTERWORLD
Public Access Afterworld, a harrowing mystery from filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, follows a content moderator who discovers the horrific realm beyond the television static. Jane joins us to talk about creating a mythology, nostalgia, screenwriting and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Authors & Films: Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun I Saw The TV Glow Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma Cormac McCarthy Don DeLillo TBR Featured Books: Slade House by David Mitchell Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul Tremblay
October 24 · 46 min
T. Geronimo Johnson on THE OCCIDENTAL BOOK OF THE DEAD
The Occidental Book of the Dead by T. Geronimo Johnson is a sharp-eyed look at America which follows George Washington Jonson across two decades of his life as a Black cop in Atlanta. T. Geronimo joins us to talk about class, community, belonging, and empathy with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books & Authors: The Occidental Book of the Dead by T. Geronimo Johnson Welcome to Braggsville by T. Geronimo Johnson Hold It 'Til It Hurts by T. Geronimo Johnson House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski Percival Everett Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace Tibetan Book of the Dead Egyptian Book of the Dead Middlemarch by George Eliot Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen James Baldwin There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone
October 22 · 1 hr
Julie Orringer on LUNA, PHOENIX, QUEEN
Luna, Phoenix, Queen is Julie Orringer's latest, a thoughtful, and thought-provoking novel about the stories we tell about ourselves—and who gets to tells them. Julie joins us to talk about autonomy, memory, patience, and her adopted dog, Hazel with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Luna, Phoenix, Queen by Julie Orringer The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer Dear Life by Alice Munro How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend by The Monks of New Skete The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Last Days of the Dog-Men: Stories by Bad Watson Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet's Journey by Stephen Kuusisto Middlemarch by George Eliot Day for Night by Frederick Reiken Intimacies by Katie Kitamura Foster by Claire Keegan A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
October 20 · 47 min
Yiyun Li on MUSIC AGAINST THE NIGHT
Music Against the Night is an epic story about love and betrayal, music and power, creativity and lust, that cuts across time and countries, from Yiyun Li, the acclaimed author of The Book of Goose. Yiyun joins us to talk about Hilary Mantel, movement and music, laughter and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li Book of Goose by Yiyun Li Wednesday's Child by Yiyun Li Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel Childhood; Boyhood; Youth by Leo Tolstoy War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy King Lear by William Shakespeare Moby Dick by Herman Melville The Collected Stories by William Trevor Nocturnes for the King of Naples by Edmund White Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Moderation by Elaine Castillo Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin Duel Duet: Selected Stories by Graham Greene East of Eden by John Steinbeck
October 17 · 49 min
Bonnie Garmus on PECK & PECK
After the global sensation Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus delivers a charming and funny novel about a young man searching for his place in the world in Peck & Peck. When he stumbles into a job at an unconventional New York City poetry journal, Batter Gray discovers the transformative power of language and a community he never knew he needed. Bonnie joined us live in New York to talk about her dog Friday, the magic of poetry, and the future of the arts with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books & Poets: Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant Robert Lowell Sylvia Plath Jericho Brown Aimee Nezhukumatathil Jorie Graham Geraldine Brooks Langston Hughes Claudia Rankine Edgar Allen Poe Charles Bukowski A. A. Milne Phillip Larkin
October 16 · 44 min
Elizabeth Kostova on MYSTERY PLAY
When a dark secret comes to light after his mother's death, Jay sets out to uncover the truth in Mystery Play, a haunting tale steeped in Dracula lore from master storyteller, Elizabeth Kostova. Elizabeth joins us to talk about seances, mysticism, the theater and Indiana Jones with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books & Authors: Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Booth by Karen Joy Fowler Dracula by Bram Stoker Henry James Robert Louis Stevenson The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins Arthur Conan Doyle Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare King Lear by William Shakespeare Macbeth by William Shakespeare Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare
October 15 · 49 min
Jason Rekulak on LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN
In Look What the Cat Dragged In by Jason Rekulak, after agreeing to pet sit, a cartoonist becomes haunted by violent nightmares and starts to find disturbing imagery in her art. Jason joins us to talk about demonic possession, viral videos, collaborating with Doogie Horner and Will Staehle on the book's illustrations, and more with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Look What the Cat Dragged In by Jason Rekulak Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak Smile by Raina Telgemeier Baby-Sitters Club Graphix Series The Adventures of Invisible Boy by Doogie Horner Bleak House by Charles Dickens The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters Cujo by Stephen King Dead Zone by Stephen King Christine by Stephen King Carrie by Stephen King The Shining by Stephen King The Green Mile by Stephen King Jaws by Peter Benchley Pet Semetary by Stephen King Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix
October 13 · 1 hr 4 min
Anand Giridharadas on MAN IN THE MIRROR
Man in the Mirror by Anand Giridharadas is a meticulously reported, empathetic and urgent account of America at a crossroads, where mental health and systemic failure intersect. Anand joins us to talk about his reporting process, compassion, civic engagement, and the questions of democracy with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Man in the Mirror by Anand Giridharadas The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas Evicted by Matthew Desmond There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder Invisible Child by Andrew Elliott
October 10 · 49 min
Deesha Philyaw on THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF THE FIRST LADY FREEMAN
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw is a scandalous, messy satire about a pageant for the wives of megachurch pastors, following Scharisse Freeman, a church "First Lady" who gets caught between childhood secrets and her public image. Deesha joined us live at B&N City Center in Philadelphia to talk about creating humor on the page, obedience, faith, and her skepticism of forgiveness with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Phillyaw The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw The Sellout by Paul Beatty The Prophets by Robert Jones
October 8 · 57 min
Barbara Kingsolver on PARTITA
Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver returns with Partita, an unforgettable story of resilience, possibility and the transformative power of music. Barbara joins us to talk about her craft, her passion for classical music, and her Appalachian heritage with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. The episode features musical accompaniment from pianist and musicologist, César Reyes. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Partita by Barbara Kingsolver The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver The Death of the Hired Man by Robert Frost
October 6 · 35 min
Imbolo Mbue on EVERY STORY IS A LOVE STORY
Every Story is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue is a smart and tender exploration of grief following a man who meets the person responsible for his wife's fatal car accident. Imbolo joins us to talk about faith, community, regret, and forgiveness with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Every Story is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundathi Roy Monkey Boy by Francisco Goldman The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland The Laughter by Sonora Jha
October 3 · 1 hr 6 min
Hernan Diaz on PLY
In Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hernan Diaz's Ply, centuries from now, society has adapted to a new way of life as humans mend their relationships to the world…and each other. Hernan joined us live in Philadelphia to talk about subjectivity, selfhood and identity; particle physics; and Charles Dickens with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: Ply by Hernan Diaz Trust by Hernan Diaz In the Distance by Hernan Diaz The Bostonians by Henry James Zone One by Colson Whitehead Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens Bleak House by Charles Dickens Moderation by Elaine Castillo Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The Summer Book by Tove Jansson Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
October 1 · 1 hr 3 min
Min Jin Lee on AMERICAN HAGWON
The acclaimed, bestselling author of Pachinko, Min Jin Lee returns with American Hagwon, a modern classic about ambition and love, family and finding home. Min Jin joined us live at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church to talk about education and ambition, the 19th century social novel, compressed modernity, and trying to be a good person in an anxious world with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee Middlemarch by George Eliot Can You Forgive Her? By Anthony Trollope Bleak House by Charles Dickens The Risk of Compressed Modernity by Chang Kyung-Sup Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

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