Sarah's Bookshelves Live is a bi-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.
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Fall 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) (Ep. 211)
Episode 211
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 • Duration 52:29
In Episode 211, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 14 new releases they shared in the Fall 2025 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!).
State of the Publishing Industry in 2025 with Laura McGrath, Author of the textCrunch Substack (Ep. 210)
Episode 210
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 54:07
In Ep. 210, Laura McGrath, author of the popular Substack newsletter, textCrunch, joins Sarah to take a sharp look at the State of the Publishing Industry in 2025. This packed episode covers a high-level look at the top sales and book trends, as well as Laura's insights into the future of the book world for 2026. Also, Laura shares her favorite books of 2025!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Laura McGrath's bookMiddlemen (publishing April 28, 2026) is available for pre-order here: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Fiction's performance in the sales charts since 2019.
The trend seen in nonfiction over the past few years and where it may be headed.
The continued debate about whether 2025 has a "Book of the Year."
Surprising sales trends in religious books and imprints.
How self-publishing still brings us successful authors.
What Laura sees in her research that she thinks publishers should be paying attention to.
A bit about the current outlook for mid-list and debut authors.
Laura's predictions for 2026 book trends.
State of the Publishing Industry in 2025HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW [2:45]
Onyx Storm (Empyrean, 3) by Rebecca Yarros (2025) | |
Other Links
Ep. 202: 2025 Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits)
Episode 202
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 • Duration 52:35
In Episode 202, Susie (@NovelVisits) and Sarah explore some of their new favorite Micro Genres. Since starting the Micro Genres series, they've loved taking the opportunity each year to examine and define their tastes in these sub-sub-genres. This year, they have curated a list of 10 all-new Micro Genres, along with notable books for each category. With over 80 books mentioned, this is another year of niching down for some great book recommendations!
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Ep. 113: Spring 2022 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
Episode 113
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 • Duration 47:24
In the Spring 2022 Book Preview, Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I shared our most anticipated books that released April – May 2022. In today's episode, we're circling back to update you on the books we've had a chance to read — or at least attempted. Given my ongoing success rate with spring releases, I'm starting to wonder if that is just the best season for my type of books!
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)…
Summer Shelves features BACKLIST summer reading recommendations from over 25 former podcast guests and our team members.
The Summer Shelves design is clean, crisp, and unique and is available in a PDF file format via Patreon.
If you'd like to get the Summer Shelves companion guide, you can sign up to be a Superstars patron here. You'll also get access to a monthly bonus podcast series called Double Booked (where Catherine or Susie and I share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show) and my Rock Your Reading Tracker.
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Ep. 112: 2022 Summer Reading Special with Susie (@NovelVisits)
Episode 112
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 • Duration 01:06:51
Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year's Summer Reading Guides, some deep backlist books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for four categories featured in Sarah's 2022 Summer Reading Guide.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)…
In addition to my annual 2022 Summer Reading Guide, I'm introducing Summer Shelves, a companion exclusively for Superstars Patrons ($7/mo).
Summer Shelves features BACKLIST summer reading recommendations from over 25 former podcast guests and our team members.
The Summer Shelves design is clean, crisp, and unique and you'll receive it in a PDF file format via Patreon.
If you'd like to get the Summer Shelves companion guide, you can sign up to be a Superstars patron here. You'll also get access to a monthly bonus podcast series called Double Booked (where Catherine or Susie and I share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show) and my Rock Your Reading Tracker.
Ep. 111: Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Author of Take My Hand) + Book Recommendations
Episode 111
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 • Duration 48:33
In Episode 111, Dolen Perkins-Valdez (author of Take My Hand) shares details about the real-life events that inspired the book about a tragic story and historical landmark in the battle for women's rights. Dolen also talks about her research methods and a couple of key themes from the book. Take My Hand was a 5-star book for me and will be one of my favorite books of 2022!
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Highlights
What compelled Dolen to write this book, based on the true story of the Relf sisters.
How Dolen shaped this real-life story into fiction and the liberties she allowed for her novel.
Dolen's research process and a bit of the behind the scenes of crafting the book.
The theme of governmental coercion and exploitation of poor people.
Dolen's favorite genre of fiction as a reader.
How Dolen first resisted defining herself as a Historical Fiction writer.
The secret genre Dolen would like to explore one day.
Ep. 110: Memoir / Essays 101 with Mary Laura Philpott (Author of Bomb Shelter) + Book Recommendations
Episode 110
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 • Duration 53:37
In Episode 110, Mary Laura Philpott (author of Bomb Shelter) joins me for a deep dive into the memoir & essays genre, including the differences between a memoir and an essay collection, the level of involvement from editors and publishers, and how she personally approaches writing a memoir or essays.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Highlights
Mary Laura talks about her latest book, Bomb Shelter.
Where memoirs and essay collections fall on a spectrum.
The fluidity of genre-labeling books.
A bit about cover design and subtitles.
How Mary Laura feels about the "Literary" label.
The planning of an essay collection and their overarching themes.
Balancing living life for its own sake and living life for good book content.
How Mary Laura handles telling personal stories and the real people they feature.
How Mary Laura handles memory and recall in her work.
In this episode, Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in April – May 2022.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Announcements
In conjunction with my upcoming 9th annual Summer Reading Guide, I will be releasing a companion for Superstars Patrons ($7/mo)! The companion is called Summer Shelves and will feature backlist reading recommendations from former podcast guests. Plus, both Catherine and Susie will be contributing book recommendations! Both the 2022 Summer Reading Guide and Summer Shelves will launch on Tuesday, May 17. Sign up here, and select the Superstars tier to get this guide and more bonus content.
Join our Patreon Community ($5/mo) to get our bonus podcast episode series called 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 the key to their recent high success rate and try to go in cold to new books.
Sarah's second 5 star book of 2022!
Catherine and Sarah share their #1 spring release picks.
Ep. 108: Winter 2022 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
Episode 108
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 • Duration 52:12
In the Winter 2022 Book Preview (Ep. 102), Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I shared our most anticipated books set to release January – March 2022 (with one early April release). Today, we're giving an update on the books we shared in the Winter Preview — now that we've had the chance to read them.
This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Highlights
Sarah's and Catherine's Winter 2022 reading stats and success rates.
Ep. 107: Behind the Scenes of Ghostwriting with Barbara Feinman Todd (Author of Pretend I'm Not Here) + Book Recommendations
Episode 107
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 • Duration 51:37
In Episode 107, Barbara Feinman Todd (author of Pretend I'm Not Here) takes me behind the scenes of ghostwriting after a career of writing for many top names in Washington, DC. Barbara is wonderfully candid and we have a fascinating discussion all about the nuts and bolts of ghostwriting, and the emotional and personal side of the business.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
Highlights
How Barbara's ghostwriting career began
Nothing is typical when it comes to ghostwriting including the services offered
The reasons people might need a ghostwriter
The surprising distinction between author and writer.
We discuss confidentiality agreements and the vetting process
How ghostwriters get paid
Who has veto power and control of the information
The allure of the job and protecting your own legacy
The struggle with the moralities and ethics of ghostwriting
How Barbara handled balancing the work with the intimate access to other people's lives
Figuring out the perspective and angle for writing about the subject
A surprising person who requested her ghostwriting services
What Barbara is currently working on (it's fiction!)
Her ongoing nonfiction project that started with a diary from 1872
Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
Books That Missed Last Year's Summer Reading Guides [4:58]
Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish.
Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of Wench and Balm. She was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for fiction, and she was awarded the First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Dolen is the current Chair of the Board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. On behalf of the foundation, she has visited nearly every public high school in the District of Columbia to talk about the importance of reading and writing. She is currently Associate Professor in the Literature Department at American University and lives in Washington, DC with her family.
Mary Laura Philpott is the author of the brand-new memoir, Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives, which has been named an Indie Next pick by booksellers nationwide, an Amazon Editor's Choice selection, and a best book of the spring or most anticipated book of the year by publications ranging from the Washington Post to TODAY.com, among others. She is also the author of the national bestseller I Miss You When I Blink — which was named one of NPR's Favorite Books of 2019 and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Her writing has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and other publications. Additionally, Mary Laura (yes, she goes by both names) is a former bookseller and was an Emmy-winning co-host of A Word on Words, the literary interview program on Nashville Public Television. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family.
Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
Barbara Feinman Todd is the author of the 2017 memoir Pretend I'm Not Here. She taught journalism at Georgetown University for 25 years, where she was the founding Journalism Director and is currently professor emerita. Cofounder of the Pearl Project, she coauthored the e-book The Truth Left Behind: Inside the Kidnapping and Murder of Daniel Pearl. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Glamour, the Huffington Post, the Daily Beast, Newsweek, and on NPR.
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