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Bookish

Bookish

By Bookish

Talking, raving, and ranting about all things books, from Harry Potter to Hemingway to Harry Dresden, from Bulgakov to the Bible, from our favorite bookstores to least-favorite film adaptations.

You can also check out my novel series, The Last Word, at www.amazon.com/dp/0692235388/
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Currently playing episode

The Most Bookish City in the World

BookishJun 27, 2019

00:00
10:14
The Best and Worst Fictional Moms: A Mother's Day Ramble

The Best and Worst Fictional Moms: A Mother's Day Ramble

It's time for the Sunday Ramble and on this Mother's Day it includes the best, and worst, fictional moms. Let's get Bookish.
May 09, 202105:17
Happy World Book Day!

Happy World Book Day!

Today is World Book Day, and in today's episode we take a look back at an earlier discussion we had about books in translation. Books in translation can expand our worldview while entertaining us at the same time. And be warned, this episode comes with a challenge. Let's get Bookish.
Apr 23, 202113:00
Throwback Thursday: When the Reader is Ready

Throwback Thursday: When the Reader is Ready

Have you ever had a book you just literally could not put down? In today's Throwback Thursday episode we look at this rare phenomenon. Let's get Bookish.
Apr 08, 202108:10
Short Story Saturday

Short Story Saturday

It's time again for Short Story Saturday. Let's get Bookish.
Apr 03, 202106:09
Debunking Some Myths About William Shakespeare

Debunking Some Myths About William Shakespeare

In today's episode we debunk some persistent myths about the man many consider to be the greatest writer of all time: William Shakespeare. Let's get Bookish.
Mar 29, 202108:44
Books That Lead to Other Books

Books That Lead to Other Books

In today's episode we look at books that lead to other books, as well as some pairings of fiction and non-fiction books you should read side by side.
Mar 27, 202107:45
A Few Facts About Hemingway Before You Watch the Ken Burns Documentary

A Few Facts About Hemingway Before You Watch the Ken Burns Documentary

Legendary filmmaker Ken Burns has a new series on Ernest Hemingway coming out next month, so today we present five cool facts about the greatest American author ever. Let's get Bookish.
Mar 17, 202108:29
Short Story Saturday is Back

Short Story Saturday is Back

Short Story Saturday returns, this time with a selection from my new anthology, “Adventures in Bookselling.” Let's get Bookish.
Mar 13, 202115:14
Throwback Thursday: My Five Favorite Fictional Booksellers

Throwback Thursday: My Five Favorite Fictional Booksellers

Today's Throwback Thursday episode is a quick look at what I consider the Top Five fictional booksellers ever. Thanks again to my friend Brian (and Lithub.com) for the inspiration. Let's get Bookish.
Feb 25, 202107:14
A Snowy Sunday Ramble (and Update)
Feb 14, 202107:35
Patrick Modiano: An Author Profile

Patrick Modiano: An Author Profile

It's time for another installment of our not-as-regular-as-it-should-be Author Profile segment. Today's author is one you probably don't know, but definitely should. Let's meet Patrick Modiano.
Feb 03, 202105:57
Bookscouting in a Pandemic

Bookscouting in a Pandemic

In today's episode I recount my recent experience of bookscouting in a pandemic. It's tough going, but still the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Jan 31, 202111:31
Friends of Shakespeare and Company: A Sunday Ramble

Friends of Shakespeare and Company: A Sunday Ramble

It's time again for the Sunday Ramble, and in today's ramble we update the state of indie bookstores during the pandemic, with a special emphasis on that iconic Paris bookshop, Shakespeare and Company. We also give some book recommendations. Let's get bookish.
Jan 24, 202110:38
Poetry Night: A Short Story Saturday Work in Progress

Poetry Night: A Short Story Saturday Work in Progress

It's Short Story Saturday, and today we're doing something a little different. Today's short story is a work in progress that may be a short story, and may end up as a chapter in the next book in The Last Word series. Time will tell. Let's get Bookish.
Jan 23, 202112:47
Reading the Classics: A 2021 Reading Challenge

Reading the Classics: A 2021 Reading Challenge

Reading challenges always seem to show up with the new year, and like all resolutions often fall by the wayside sometime in February. Here's one you can stick with. Let's get Bookish.
Jan 06, 202106:45
Some Bookish Christmas Quotes

Some Bookish Christmas Quotes

In honor of Christmas Day, here are some Bookish Christmas quotes to get you in the mood to read all those books Santa brought you.
Dec 25, 202005:56
Throwback Thursday: Organizing Your Books

Throwback Thursday: Organizing Your Books

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we're discussing organizing your books. How we shelve our books in our bookcases can be a very personal thing, but I'd like to give you some suggestions that you might try, as well as some methods you should definitely avoid. Let's get Bookish.
Dec 10, 202016:38
Throwback Thursday: The Penguin Books Episode
Nov 19, 202009:56
Finally Write that Novel During NaNoWriMo 2020
Oct 28, 202008:35
Book Review: The Word on Fire Bible
Oct 21, 202007:43
Hagiography and Halloween: A Sunday Ramble

Hagiography and Halloween: A Sunday Ramble

In today's episode we bring back the Sunday Ramble, which has been gone for too long, with two timely topics: hagiography and Halloween. Let's get Bookish.
Oct 19, 202011:01
Short Story Saturday
Oct 17, 202008:17
Throwback Thursday: Bookstores are a Refuge

Throwback Thursday: Bookstores are a Refuge

We all need a refuge sometimes, and today's Throwback Thursday episode is about the greatest refuge ever: the bookstore. In a world where we're increasingly disconnected, take a short trip with me where everybody knows your name. Let's get Bookish.
Oct 08, 202010:26
Author Profile: Ray Blackston
Oct 07, 202008:31
The Shadow of the Wind: A Book Club Discussion
Oct 04, 202008:15
Short Story Saturday for Banned Books Week
Oct 03, 202010:03
The Bible and Banned Books Week
Oct 02, 202009:13
Libraries Matter: A Banned Books Week Throwback Episode
Oct 01, 202008:53
Sylvia Beach: A Banned Books Week Author Profile
Sep 30, 202008:27
Banned Books Week: Book Burning
Sep 29, 202011:29
The Top 100 Banned Books of the Past Decade
Sep 28, 202017:56
Banned Books Week 2020
Sep 27, 202010:38
Short Story Saturday: A Pre-Banned Books Week Story

Short Story Saturday: A Pre-Banned Books Week Story

It's time again for Short Story Saturday, and as Banned Books Week begins tomorrow across the United States, today's story has a banned tie-in. Let's get Bookish.
Sep 26, 202015:25
Author Profile: Neil Gaiman
Sep 23, 202007:49
The Penguin Books Episode
Sep 19, 202009:03
Friends of the Library Book Sales: A Throwback Thursday Episode

Friends of the Library Book Sales: A Throwback Thursday Episode

Want to help your local library during these tough times and get a great deal on books in the process? On today's Throwback Thursday episode I'll tell you how.
Sep 17, 202011:31
Author Profile: Lucia Berlin

Author Profile: Lucia Berlin

It's time again for our weekly author profile. Today we meet the excellent short story writer Lucia Berlin, and also read one of her stories (even though it's not Short Story Saturday). Let's get Bookish.
Sep 16, 202013:21
Sunday Ramble: Bookscouting During a Pandemic and More

Sunday Ramble: Bookscouting During a Pandemic and More

In today's Sunday Ramble we look at the challenges of bookscouting during COVID, talk about a bookstore that needs saving, and give our weekly book recommendation. Let's get Bookish.
Sep 13, 202010:31
Short Story Saturday

Short Story Saturday

It's time again for Short Story Saturday, but this time with a bit of a twist. It should be of particular interest to those of you who lend books to people and never have them returned, as well as to those who are incorrigible book borrowers. Let's get Bookish.
Sep 12, 202009:38
Author Profile: Nicholas Basbanes

Author Profile: Nicholas Basbanes

On today's author profile episode we meet the Dean of books about books, Nicholas Basbanes. Let's get Bookish.
Sep 09, 202007:21
A Labor Day Fiction Ramble

A Labor Day Fiction Ramble

It's Labor Day here in the US, as well as the start of the autumn reading season, and for our holiday ramble we'll be talking about something near and dear to readers everywhere: Fiction. Let's get Bookish!
Sep 07, 202011:25
Flashback Friday: My Top 10 Books

Flashback Friday: My Top 10 Books

In today's Flashback Friday episode I break with tradition to offer you my personal Top 10 Books list. Feel free to argue in the comments/voice message section. Let's get Bookish.
Sep 04, 202012:30
Author Profile: Alexandre Dumas

Author Profile: Alexandre Dumas

In our weekly author profile episode we look at one of the all-time greats of literature: Alexandre Dumas, author of "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo." Let's get Bookish.
Sep 02, 202007:38
The Sunday Ramble: Book Snobbery

The Sunday Ramble: Book Snobbery

It's time again for the Sunday Ramble, and this time we look at the issue of book snobbery, mine in particular. Is it right? We'll see. Let's get Bookish.
Aug 30, 202009:05
It's Independent Bookstore Day

It's Independent Bookstore Day

Today is Independent Bookstore Day across the United States, and today's episode looks again at why our independent bookstores matter now more than ever. Ensuring they survive the current health and economic crisis is as important as the survival of any of our local small businesses, so support your local indie today. Let's get Bookish.
Aug 29, 202022:37
Book Club Discussion: The Circle

Book Club Discussion: The Circle

In today's episode we have our first ever Bookish Book Club discussion, about Dave Eggers' "The Circle." We also pick our book for September. Let's get Bookish.
Aug 28, 202006:25
The Haunting of Hill House: A Throwback Thursday Episode

The Haunting of Hill House: A Throwback Thursday Episode

In the past we have looked at both good and bad book-to-film adaptations. In today's Throwback Thursday episode we look at Shirley Jackson's classic horror novel "The Haunting of Hill House" and the runaway hit Netflix adaptation of the book. Let's get Bookish.
Aug 27, 202012:05
Author Profile: Bret Easton Ellis

Author Profile: Bret Easton Ellis

In today's Author Profile segment, we look at Bret Easton Ellis, author of Less Than Zero and American Psycho, and a key voice of Generation X. Let's get Bookish.
Aug 26, 202007:52
Sunday Ramble: Support Bookish

Sunday Ramble: Support Bookish

In today's Sunday Ramble we're taking a brief break from all things Bookish to ask you to help support this podcast. Your support will ensure we can keep rambling, ranting, and raving about books long into the future.
Aug 23, 202005:12
Short Story Saturday: Now Hiring

Short Story Saturday: Now Hiring

It's time again for Short Story Saturday. Let's get Bookish.
Aug 22, 202016:00