Book of the Month

What is a “Real American”? Check out Rachel Khong’s latest novel and listen to our conversation for free in the Book of the Month app. Thank you to Kelly Shi and Jennifer Barth for joining us, and congratulations to Marya Spence!

Something new! Seven short stories. Just for fun. Featuring works by: Juliet Escoria, Mary Jones, Lena Valencia, Puloma Ghosh, Christine Vines, Jean Kwok, and Abby Geni Special thanks to: Andrea Blatt, Suzanne Gluck, Laura Langlie, Nanci McCloskey, Anne Messitte, Ben Schrank, and Monika Woods!

What’s more emotionally devastating than baring your soul to a television writer’s room? For Yulin Kuang, it might just be reminiscing about high school. In our hilarious conversation with the debut author of How to End a Love Story, we discuss the required skills of a TV writer, what makes workplace romances so hot, and settle the debate of whether LA or NYC is superior. Listen now for free on the BOTM app. Thanks to May Chen, Jessica Lyons, Ellie Anderson, and Kristin Dwyer for joining us!   

Simone Gorrindo author of The Wives, joined us to discuss her life as a military spouse, including living on a military base, the intimate bonds between military spouses, coping with the distance and risks of deployment, and honoring the experiences of the women and men surrounding her. Listen now for free on the BOTM app. Thanks to Lucy Nalen, Julia McGarry, Hannah Braaten, and Rachel P. for joining us!

The afterlife, atheism, and (un)happy childhoods—podcast episode or therapy session? We had the honor of hosting the amazing Adriana Trigiani for her incredible interview with Amor Towles in a special live episode of Adri’s podcast You Are What You Read. Thank you Dorian Karchmar, Lane Kizziah, Andrea Rillo, and Molly Doherty for joining us!

Imagine a hangover so bad, you end up in law school. Sounds weird right?  Not for Steve Cavanagh. The author of Kill for Me Kill for You joined us from Northern Ireland to talk about his background in law, embarrassing wigs, and NYC neighborhood stereotypes. Listen now for free in the Book of the Month app. Thank you Sean deLone, Alison Hinchcliffe, and Camila Araujo for joining us!

We all carry a piece of the people we love with us after they're gone. In our conversation with Amy Lin, we discussed the weight of loss, leaning on others to cope, and using writing as therapy (along with an actual therapist, too). Listen now for free in the Book of the Month app. Thank you Zibby Owens, Diana Tramontano, Graça Tito, Katie Teas, Samantha Marks, Sarah Fradkin, Madeleine Letellier, Erinn McGrath, Kathleen Murray Harris, and Anne Messitte for joining us. And congratulations to Bridie Loverro and Katherine Fausset!

Attending the Ivy League—is it really an education, or just live Tinder? Get the inside scoop from our conversation with Xochitl Gonzalez, where we unpack the Brown University experience, the art world, and the meaning of legacy. Listen now for free in the Book of the Month app. Congratulations to Mollie Glick, Megan Lynch, Claire McLaughlin, and Robert Miller! 

Before letting your best friend know you have a crush on her older brother you might want to hear what Cara Bastone has to say about it. We consulted the master of communication on all the best methods to break your awkward news. Listen now for free in the Book of the Month app. Congratulations to Tara Gelsomino, Emma Caruso, and Brianna Kusilek!   

And the Lolly goes to… Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez! This year, the title of Book of the Year and a $25,000 prize goes to Yours Truly—a stunning novel that will make you both laugh and cry. Congratulations to Abby Jimenez, Stacey Graham, Leah Hultenschmidt, and Estelle Hallick! Learn more at bookoftheyear.com