Either/Or, Elif Batuman’s sequel to Pulitzer Prize finalist The Idiot, is the humorous and relatable ongoing story of a Turkish American surviving college in the 90s. Batuman joins us to talk about her approach to writing fiction, how her own life influences her work, analyzing literature and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).  Featured Books (Episode): The Idiot by Elif Batuman  Either/Or by Elif Batuman  Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy   Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin  Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert  The Possessed by Elif Batuman  In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust 

“This is the place; this is the right place for me, it’s home.” Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize-winning return to Appalachia, is the story of a young boy growing into adulthood amid the struggle and beauty of this oft-overlooked corner of America. Kingsolver joins us to talk about the truth of Appalachian culture, how journalism made her the novelist she is today, the politics of art and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.           Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).    Featured Books (Episode): Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver Dopesick by Beth Macy Raising Lazarus by Beth Macy Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe Dreamland by Sam Quinones Cannery Row by John Steinbeck  The Leavers by Lisa Ko Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks 

“What if we could do anything? Should we do it? What are the consequences?” Ramona Ausubel’s new novel The Last Animal asks big questions about motherhood, grief and our responsibility to the planet. And there’s a woolly mammoth. Ausubel joins us to talk about the realities of working in male dominated fields, the differences in writing novels and short stories, the power of storytelling and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Jamie.   This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.          Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays)   Featured Books (Episode):  The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel A Guide to Being Born by Ramona Ausubel Pastoralia by George Saunders Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell    Featured Books (TBR Topoff):   Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler 

These two authors tackle important subjects with new research and keen insight. Héctor Tobar’s Our Migrant Souls delves into the “Latino” identity with thorough analysis of history, culture and extensive interviews. Tobar joins us to talk about the concepts of ethnicity and race, hearing stories from people across the country and more.  King: A Life is the comprehensive new biography of Martin Luther King Jr. compiling new information with in-depth research to create a definitive portrait of this brilliant and complicated figure. Jonathan Eig joins us to talk about new declassified documents that aided his work, what surprised him about this project and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.         Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).      Featured Books (Episode):  Our Migrant Souls by Héctor Tobar  King: A Life by Jonathan Eig  The Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar  Bearing the Cross by David Garrow  G-Man by Beverly Gage  The Sword and the Shield by Peniel Joseph    Featured Books (TBR Topoff):  The Dead are Arising by Les Payne  Women in the Picture by Catherine McCormack 

Starring strong female characters in rich, captivating, historical settings, we can’t wait for you to dive into these two new novels we love. Our June B&N Book Club Pick is Good Night, Irene by Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea. Inspired by the life of his mother, this is the story of the bravery of women on the frontlines of WWII. Urrea joins us to discuss connecting his writing to his own family, what surprised him as he wrote and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.  Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig is our June Discover Pick, full of pirates, adventure and intrigue as one woman becomes a queen of the high seas in early 19th century China. Chang-Eppig talks with us about erasure of female stories, morally grey characters, and more with Poured Over guest host, Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Jamie.   This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer 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): Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry   Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez Piranesi by Susanna Clarke    Featured Books (TBR Topoff): The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein