Sarah's Bookshelves Live cover art

Sarah's Bookshelves Live

Sarah's Bookshelves Live

By: Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves
Listen for free

About this listen

 Sarah's Bookshelves Live is a 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.Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • Ep. 209: 2025 Debuts Special with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley)

    Ep. 209: 2025 Debuts Special with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley)
    Oct 29 2025
    In Episode 209, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) join Sarah for the 5th annual Debuts Special! They're sharing their reading stats for debuts this year, along with their favorite debuts, new and backlist — so far for 2025. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights How debuts from 2025 compare to those from previous years.A full breakdown of Sarah's, Catherine's, and Chrissie's 2025 debut-related stats.Featured debuts, split into two categories: Favorite Debuts of 2025 (so far)Favorite Backlist Debuts Read in 2025 Favorite Debuts of 2025 (so far) [9:20] Sarah Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:27]The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:54]Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:12] Catherine The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:04]The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:50]Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:30] Chrissie Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:39]Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[26:34]Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:53] Other Books Mentioned The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) [10:09]The Compound by Aisling Rowle (2025) [10:11]Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje (2025) [10:14]Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams (2025) [10:17]Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) [10:19]Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill (2014) [12:48] You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith (2024) [12:56] Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) [18:47] Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger (1990) [20:49] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe (2020) [22:08] All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall (2025) [28:58] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014) [30:36] The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe (1987) [34:15] Favorite Backlist Debuts Read in 2025 [39:09] Sarah I Might Be In Trouble by Daniel Aleman (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:15]Out of Love by Hazel Hayes (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:26] Catherine In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[42:45]Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:47] Chrissie Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:04]The Undertaking by Audrey Magee (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:31] Other Books Mentioned Music of the Ghosts by Vaddey Ratner (2017) [44:58] Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (2022) [46:14] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (2022) [49:08] The Colony by Audrey Magee (2022) [53:26] Additional Books Mentioned Victim by Andrew Boryga (2024) [3:39] Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (2004) [6:54]
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Ep. 208: Best of Narrative Nonfiction with Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop (@FabledBookshop)

    Ep. 208: Best of Narrative Nonfiction with Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop (@FabledBookshop)
    Oct 15 2025
    Ep. 208 brings the third installment of our "Best of…" series. Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop joined Sarah for the Best of Narrative Nonfiction, sharing her ALL-TIME TOP books in this genre. Plus, she brings a few popular nonfiction reads that didn't work for her.⁠ This episode is chock-full of fantastic book recommendations to get you ready for Nonfiction November or just your next nonfiction pick. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights How Elizabeth got started with narrative nonfiction.How the pull of "real stories" has her returning to this category again and again.Her favorite sub-genres and what doesn't work for her.Elizabeth picks a book from her list that would be a good starter book for those new to the genre. All books mentioned in this episode are linked through Fabled Bookshop or Libro.FM. If you decide to purchase, we'd love for you to use our Fabled links in the show notes — if your budget allows. As a bonus, use promo code SARAH at checkout on Fabled's website for 10% off your order! Prefer audio? You can find the titles on Libro.fm and select Fabled as the store you'd like to support. You can also find a list of Elizabeth's books from this episode on both Fabled's website. Elizabeth's Favorite Narrative Nonfiction Sub-Genres [9:53] NATURAL DISASTER STORIES In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides (2014) | Fabled | Libro.FM [10:42] The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (2004) | Fabled | Libro.FM [11:13] The Vortex by Scott Carney and Jason Miklian (2022) | Fabled | Libro.FM [11:29] The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown (2009) | Fabled | Libro.FM [12:18] What Stands in a Storm by Kim Cross (2015) | Fabled | Libro.FM [13:11] Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson (1999) | Fabled | Libro.FM [13:33] LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS One Summer by Bill Bryson (2013) | Fabled | Libro.FM [14:24] Pappyland by Wright Thompson (2020) | Fabled | Libro.FM [15:05] The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris (2022) | Fabled | Libro.FM [15:43] POP SCIENCE Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (2019) | Fabled | Libro.FM [16:54] The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger (2024) | Fabled | Libro.FM [17:50] Replaceable You by Mary Roach (2025) | Fabled | Libro.FM [18:35] HISTORY TOLD IN INTERESTING WAYS Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (2018) | Fabled | Libro.FM [19:03] The Great Halifax Explosion by John U. Bacon (2017) | Fabled | Libro.FM [20:21] The Big Rich by Bryan Burrough (2009) | Fabled | Libro.FM [21:17] In Harm's Way by Doug Stanton (2001) | Fabled [21:43] Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (2010) | Fabled | Libro.FM [22:11] ORDINARY PEOPLE MEMOIRS Red Notice by Bill Browder (2015) | Fabled | Libro.FM [22:32] Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin (1988) | Fabled | Libro.FM [23:06] GOTCHA / PEOPLE BEHAVING BADLY Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (2018) | Fabled | Libro.FM [24:22] Bad City by Paul Pringle (2022) | Fabled | Libro.FM [24:24] Bully Market by Jamie Fiore Higgins (2022) | Fabled | Libro.FM [24:31] Elizabeth's All-Time Top Narrative Nonfiction [26:07] Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr. (2013) | Fabled | Libro.FM [26:56] The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan (2006) | Fabled | Libro.FM [28:07] The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (2016) | Fabled | Libro.FM [29:13] Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (2011) | Fabled | Libro.FM [30:57] The Deepest South of All by Richard Grant (2020) | Fabled | Libro.FM [33:03] Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall (2019) | Fabled | Libro.FM [35:01] All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg (1991) | Fabled | Libro.FM [37:41] Sudden Sea by R. A. Scotti (2003) | Fabled | Libro.FM [39:52] The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede (2002) | Fabled | Libro.FM [43:09] High-Profile Narrative Nonfiction That She Didn't Love [47:37] In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1965) | Fabled | Libro.FM [47:52]When the Sea Came Alive by Garrett M. Graff (2024) | Fabled | Libro.FM [49:19]Challenger by Adam Higginbotham (2024) | Fabled | Libro.FM [50:48] Other Books Mentioned Finding Flora by Elinor Florence (2025) [4:51]Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose (1996) [5:21]The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (2013) [12:22]Patty Reed's Doll by Rachel K. Laurgaard (1956) [12:59] In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross (2023) [13:15]The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (2024) [17:45]Grunt by Mary Roach (2016) [18:27]Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin (1984) [23:48]Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis (2018) [25:10]I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara (2018) [25:39]A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan (2023) [28:57]The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan (2016) [29:02]Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (1994) [33:48]Natchez Burning (Natchez Burning, 1 and Penn Cage, 4) by Greg Iles (2014...
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • Ep. 207: Regina Black (Author of August Lane)

    Ep. 207: Regina Black (Author of August Lane)
    Oct 1 2025

    In Episode 207, Sarah chats with author Regina Black about her newest novel, August Lane. A second-chance romance about two people healing from trauma, August Lane is set in Arcadia, Arkansas, with themes of family, generational scars, and a unique thread of Black country music. Regina also talks about how she got into writing Romance on top of her job as a law school administrator, how long she's been writing, and what spurred her on to seeking publication. Plus, Regina shares some of her top book recommendations!

    This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

    CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

    Highlights
    • Books by Regina Black: The Art of Scandal and August Lane
    • A brief, spoiler-free overview of August Lane.
    • How long Regina has been writing and what moved her to seeking publication.
    • Her unique journey to finding an agent
    • What exactly does it mean to have a likable character?
    • The way Regina uses and leans into typical romance tropes.
    • Her decision to step away from social media to write like "no one's watching."
    • A bit about the novel she's working on.
    • Regina talks about how a lot of writers become lawyers rather than the reverse.
    Regina's Book Recommendations [34:41]

    Two OLD Books She Loves

    • The Space Between Worlds (The Space Between Worlds, 1) by Micaiah Johnson (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:57]
    • Indigo by Beverly Jenkins (1996) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:54]

    Two NEW Books She Loves

    • The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:59]
    • Black in Blues:How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:03]
    • Other Books Mentioned
      • South to America by Imani Perry (2022) [41:14]

    One Book She DIDN'T Love

    • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:41]
    • Other Books Mentioned
      • Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817) [44:54]

    One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About

    • Where the Wild Flowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris (February 17, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:36]
    Books From the Discussion
    • Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [7:34]
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.