Poured Over
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).
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...
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...
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
...
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...
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 mi...
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
Th...
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:
...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...
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...
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
...
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
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
...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.
John Grisham on THE FRENCH ILLUSION
In The French Illusion by John Grisham, a honeymoon unravels into terror as newlyweds Paul and Chelsea get snatched from the French countryside, prompting a puzzling investigation. John joins us to talk about his time in law school, his prolific writing career, and his advocacy for the wrongfully convicted 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:
The French Illusion by John...
Ayad Akhtar on THE RADIANCE
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and author, Ayad Akhtar joins us to talk about craft, the campus novel, autofiction, and his latest book, The Radiance, 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 Radiance by Ayad Akhtar
Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar
Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar
American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar
Junk by...
Sharon McMahon on THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY
Now out in paperback, The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon casts a needed spotlight on the other heroes of American greatness — ones you may not have heard of. Sharon joins us to talk about raising engaged citizens, local news, and communication as a leadership skill 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:
The Small and the Mighty by...
John Green on HOLLYWOOD, ENDING
Beloved storyteller John Green returns with a tender love story set against the underbelly of the entertainment industry as two actors balance their rising fame with their complicated feelings in Hollywood, Ending. John joins us to talk about the social internet, the attention economy, Andy Warhol, having fun writing, and the world's largest ball of paint 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:<...
Makenna Goodman on HELEN OF NOWHERE
Blending surrealism, satire and philosophical concepts, Booker Prize-longlisted Helen of Nowhere by Makenna Goodman weaves a tale of beginnings following a disgraced professor who moves into a house where the presence of the previous owner lingers. Makenna joins us to talk about narrative form, stand-up comedy, and the dynamism of nature 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:
Helen of Nowhere...
Claudia Rankine on TRIAGE
In Triage, acclaimed author and playwright Claudia Rankine uses prose, poetry and art images to challenge the ways we look at friendship and memory, action and obligation. Claudia joined us live from B&N Upper West Side to talk about narrative, lyric poetry, interiority, and broadening the collective we 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:
Triage by Claudia Rankine
<...Jodi Picoult on HOLLOW BONES
In her latest novel, Hollow Bones, Jodi Picoult uses her powerful voice to craft a moving story about what we do to protect our loved ones when faced with the unexpected. Jodi joins us to talk about public health, private tragedy, motherhood, and gender gaps in healthcare 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:
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult
Olga Ravn on THE WAX CHILD
Told from the perspective of a wax doll, Olga Ravn's The Wax Child is a chilling tale inspired by a real group of women accused of dark magic in seventeenth-century Denmark. Olga joins us to talk about her craft, the power of ritual, collective memory, creepy children, and contemporary Scandinavian literature 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:
The Wax Child...
Emily Wilson on CROSSING THE WINE-DARK SEA
Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea by Emily Wilson takes readers on a tour through the ancient world for an entertaining examination of Greek and Roman literature and their impact on our modern world. Emily joins us to talk about the joys and challenges of interpreting antiquity, the stakes of poetic form and re-translating The Odyssey 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:
...
Marlon James on THE DISAPPEARERS
The Booker Prize–winning author Marlon James returns with The Disappearers, a deeply human story exploring queer life in Jamaica during the 1980s and 1990s. Marlon joined us live from Stony Brook University to talk about the consequences of violence, the loss of monoculture, Polari, post-colonial literature, and the X-Men 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 Disappearers by Marlon Ja...
Kai Bird on AMERICAN SCOUNDREL
Kai Bird follows his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer with a timely and meticulously researched true story of Roy Cohn — a friend of the famous, the right-hand man to Joseph McCarthy, mentor to a US President and a lawyer who showed no respect for the law. Kai joins us to talk about American Scoundrel, the McCarthy era, the politics of celebrity, and the cycles of American 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 oc...
Charlotte McConaghy on WILD DARK SHORE
Gripping, visceral and taut, Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is a complex story about survival, isolation and hope at the end of the world. Charlotte joins us to talk about family, nature, secrets, eco-pessimism and radical hope 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:
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
Chloe Benjamin on UNDER STORY
In Under Story by Chloe Benjamin, one biologist's journey to escape her painful past takes a turn when an unexpected scientific discovery bends time and memory, offering a glimpse of hope and a second chance at love. Chloe Benjamin joins us to talk about the craft of research, love stories, neutrinos and a tree named Louis 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.
Fe...
Jill Lepore on THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ARTIFICIAL STATE
The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State by Jill Lepore explores technology's impact on human community and self-government, and what the future holds. Jill Lepore joins us to talk about AI, citizenship, personal data, the public sphere, local newspapers and touching grass 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:
The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State by J...
Edwidge Danticat on DÈY
Dèy by acclaimed writer Edwidge Danticat is multigenerational story of family, resilience, and hope in the wake of an unexpected tragedy. Edwidge joins us to talk about evolving ideas of the American Dream, the Haitian diaspora, ghost stories and expanding canon 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:
Dèy by Edwidge Danticat
Breath, Eyes, Memory by...
John Manuel Arias on CROCODILOPOLIS
Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias is a riveting meditation on legacy, myth and masculinity which follows brothers locked in a power struggle after a dark family secret threatens their once-powerful political dynasty. John joins us to talk about the anxiety of a sophomore novel, sibling rivalry, global mythology, and tropical plants with cohost Isabelle McConville.
This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang.
New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.
Featured Books:
Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias
One Hundred...
Addie E. Citchens on DOMINION
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens explores the clash of small-town secrets, unspoken rules and family drama in a Mississippi church community. Addie joins us to talk about Faulkner, self-belief, and reading Harlequin novels in church 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:
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Intruder in the Dust by William Faulkner
Heavy...
Ed Park on THREE TENSES: A TRANSMISSION FROM THE NINETIES
Three Tenses: A Transmission from the Nineties by Pulitzer Prize finalist Ed Park is an experimental portrait of the author, pieced together from his early twenties to now. Ed Park, joined us live from B&N Upper West Side to talk about The Village Voice, reconnecting with his younger self, the art of juxtaposition 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:
Three Tenses: A Transmission from...
Daisy Dixon on DEPRAVED: THE STORY OF DANGEROUS ART
Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art by Daisy Dixon is an art guide unlike any other, exploring the history and meaning of depraved art through a fresh lens. Daisy joins us to talk about philosophy, censorship, and morality 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:
Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art by Daisy Dixon
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The Stranger...
Téa Obreht on SUNRISE
Sunrise by Téa Obreht is a riveting tale about one woman's survival, a Wyoming ghost town and a past that refuses to stay quiet. Téa joins us to talk about memory, mythology, and the Wild West 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:
Sunrise by Téa Obreht
Inland by Téa Obreht
The Morningside by Téa Obreht
The Tig...
Chang-rae Lee on A TENDER AGE
A Tender Age by Chang-rae Lee is a coming-of-age story which explores complex family dynamics, masculinity and the search for the American dream. Chang-rae joins us to talk about retrospection, the hidden drama of the suburbs, childhood in the 70's 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:
A Tender Age by Chang-rae Lee
Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee
My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee
David Szalay on FLESH
Now out in paperback, Flesh is a poignant examination of one teenage boy's brush with trauma that continues to haunt him far into adulthood. David joins us to talk about Hungary, agency, free will, physicality, realism 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:
Flesh by David Szalay
All That Man Is by David Szalay
Turbulence by David Szalay
Lond...
Colson Whitehead on COOL MACHINE
The final installment in the vibrant Harlem trilogy, Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead is a portrait of New York in transition during the 1980s. Colson joined us live at B&N Union Square to talk about the evolution of his career, ghost stories, researching the perfect coffee table and New York nostalgia 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:
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Crook Manife...
Stacey Yu on KITTEN
Kitten by Stacey Yu is a darkly funny modern love story from a debut novelist. Stacey joins us to talk about character, repression, coming of age, relationships, animals 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 Books (Episode):
Kitten by Stacey Yu
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
All About Love by bell hooks
Hot Milk by Deb...
Alison Espach on THE WEDDING PEOPLE
The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a tender, wise and witty story following a luxe wedding at the Cornwell Inn. Alison joins us to talk about character, middle age, liminal spaces, relationships and more 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:
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront
Jenny Jackson on THE SHAMPOO EFFECT
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson is a hilarious tale of old friends, new lovers and the pressures they face. Jenny joined us live at B&N Upper West Side to talk about small-town gossip, parenting, invisible labor, friendships, editing and more 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 (Episode):
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
Couples by John Updike
Yeste...
Emilee Hackney on ALL THAT'S UNSEEN
All That's Unseen by Emilee Hackney is a triumphant memoir of hope, home and reinvention. Emilee joins us to talk about growing up in Appalachia, faith, shame, craft 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 (Episode):
All That's Unseen: An Appalachian Memoir by Emilee Hackney
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Shiner by Amy Jo Burns
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
...
