On episode 163, I speak with Brian Platzer author of The Optimists. We discuss many things including who influenced the creation of his protagonist and whether or not optimism can be taught.

This episode is sponsored by Fangs of Fate by Rebecca Parcha. Click here to listen to the audiobook.

Sheila Yasmin Marikar , author of Incidentals recommends With Friends Like You by Amy Chozick.

Rebecca Lehmann, author of The Beheading Game recommends The Unveiling by Quan Barry

Click here to enter the The Beheading Game book giveaway, which closes on April 30th.

Book Recommendations:

Hard Feelings – Daniel Smith

The Lamb – Lucy Rose

Maud Martha – Gwendolyn Brooks (a novella) add to list to give to mom

The Patientce Stone – Atiq Rahimi

Never Let Me Go – Ishiguro

Brian Platzer on instagram.

Brian Platzer's Websitehttps://www.brianplatzer.com

Take my Gelli Printing Class in Los Angeles

The International Booker Prize Shortlist:

The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran - Shida Bazyar

She Who Remains - Rene Karabash

The Director - Daniel Kehlmann

On Earth As It Ss Beneath - Ana Paula Maia

The Witch - Marie NDiaye

Taiwan Travelogue - Shuang-zi Yang

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I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

On episode 162, I'm visited by biographer Mark Oppenheimer, author of Judy Blume: A Life.

We discuss our favorite Judy Blume books, Blume's captivating draw as an author and we share some favorite book recommendations.

This episode is sponsored by Fangs of Fate by Rebecca Parcha. Click here to listen to the audiobook.

Books Recommended:

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translated

Cursed Bread by Sophie McKintosh

Air Guitar: Essays on Art and Democracy by Dave Hickey

The Optimists by Brian Platzer

Lake Effect: A Memoir by Rich Cohen

Find Mark Oppenheimer on Substack

I'm giving away a month-long giveaway to my online book club in April where we will be reading Lauren Groff's Brawler. Click here to enter.

I will be returning to the Culver City Book Festival on Sunday March 29th from 10 - 5 pm. I’ll be signing books, selling upcycled journals made out of books, selling original art and Books Are My People coffee mugs and stickers, which you can always purchase here. Come say hi if you’re in the area!

Purchase Books Are My People swag here.

Charlotte Woods The Natural Way of THings Giveaway linkup open closes 3/31. I will contact a winner on April 1st. This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only. Thank you to Riverhead Books for sponsoring this giveaway.

Click here to enter.

Registration for my gelli printing class in Santa Monica is open. If you happen to be local, please join me for a four-week beginning gelli printing class at the Brentwood Art Center in Santa Monica! Click here for more information. We will have so much fun exploring printmaking and maybe even side chatting about books.

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Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!

On episode 161 this week I'm visited by Booker Prize shortlist nominee, Charlotte Wood. We talk about internalized misogyny, systems of oppression, what it’s like to be a Booker Award finalist and Wood's reissue of her 2015 novel, The Natural Way of Things.

Books Recommended:

So Long, See You Tomorrow, William Maxwell

The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Disapin translated by Aneesa Abbas Higgins

Delirious by Damian Wilkins

How to Commit A Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley

Attention: Writing on Life, Art and the World by Anne Einreight out April 8th

Guest Author:

Lies We Tell About the Stars by Susie Nadler

Find Charlotte on Social Media:

Charlottewoodwriter on Instagram

Substack: substraction

Have an easy knitting project for me to try? Email me at booksaremypwople@gmail.com

Support the show

Get your Books Are My People merch here!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week!