Culture Study Podcast

chevron_right

Dozens of New-To-You Books for Your TBR Pile

whatshot 30 snips

Aug 27, 2025

Guest

Maris Kreizman

Maris Kreizman, an avid reader and book critic known for her essay collection 'I Want to Burn This Place Down,' joins for a lively discussion on expanding literary horizons. They explore the emotional connections with books found in indie bookstores, share recommendations across genres, and dive into themes of comfort in literature. Kreizman highlights contemporary works and captivating narratives, encouraging listeners to reignite their reading passion with a new stack of must-reads.

00:00

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Shop Local To Find Better Books

Visit indie bookstores and talk to booksellers to discover unexpected, well-curated titles.
Handle and browse physical books to get a tactile sense that often leads to better picks.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Career Pivot From Editor To Book Curator

Maris planned to be a traditional book editor and worked at Simon & Schuster in her twenties.
After a layoff she pivoted to roles like Book of the Month and Kickstarter, staying close to books.

insights

INSIGHT

Stretch Reading Gently

Readers widen their tastes by leaving their comfort zones a bit instead of staying stuck in familiar genres.
Small, intentional reading challenges expand what you enjoy without erasing comfort choices.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Expanding Literary Horizons

04:08 • 8min

chevron_right

Books and Comfort: A Journey Through Literature and Life

12:33 • 9min

chevron_right

Exploring Contemporary Romance and Literature

21:13 • 28min

chevron_right

Exploring Literary Page Turners and Skin Care Innovations

49:30 • 5min

chevron_right

Exploring Compelling Reads: Nonfiction and Fiction Must-Reads

54:23 • 5min

chevron_right

Curated Comfort Reads and Reigniting Reading Habits

Elizabeth McCracken's 'The Giant's House' is a poignant coming-of-age story set in a small town in Cape Cod during World War II. The novel centers on librarian Peggy Cort, an introspective young woman who feels like an outsider in her community. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets James Carlson, a boy afflicted with gigantism. As James grows, their connection deepens, and Peggy finds herself drawn to his unique perspective on the world. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the search for belonging in a world marked by change and uncertainty. 'The Giant's House' is celebrated for its lyrical prose and unforgettable characters.

#26318

Whiskey when we're dry

Cowboys Are My Weakness

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Nora Goes off Script

Annabel Monaghan

#8794

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Writers & Lovers

Lily King

Writers & Lovers follows Casey Peabody, a woman in her thirties living in Boston, as she grapples with grief, financial struggles, and complex romantic entanglements while working on her first novel. The novel explores themes of art, love, and ambition, offering a poignant portrayal of a young woman finding her courage for life.

#11348

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Interestings

Meg Wolitzer

The novel begins at Camp Spirit-in-the-Woods in 1974, where six teenagers, including Jules, Ethan, Ash, Goodman, Cathy, and Jonah, form a tight-knit group they call 'The Interestings'. The story spans over 40 years, tracing their lives as they navigate careers, relationships, and personal struggles. It delves into themes such as the pursuit of artistic ambitions, the challenges of feminism, and the complexities of long-term friendships. The characters face various life events, including successes, failures, and personal crises, all while maintaining a deep connection with each other despite their diverging paths.

#20570

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Free Food for Millionaires

Min Jin Lee

Free Food for Millionaires is Min Jin Lee's debut novel, published in 2007. It follows Casey Han, a strong-willed daughter of Korean immigrants, as she strives to join Manhattan's elite while dealing with her family's expectations and her own financial struggles. The novel explores themes of intergenerational strife, immigrant struggles, and social mobility in a city marked by stark contrasts between wealth and poverty.

#1430

• Mentioned in 21 episodes

Rules of civility

George Washington

This book contains a list of 110 rules that George Washington copied from a French etiquette manual written by Jesuits in 1595. The rules, translated into English by Francis Hawkins in 1640, cover various aspects of social behavior, including respect for others, proper conduct in company, and general courtesies. These rules were influential in shaping Washington's character and behavior throughout his life, and they remain relevant today as a guide to respectful and considerate behavior.

#76755

Permared

null

Deborah Magpie Earling

Set in the 1870s, 'News of the World' follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, an elderly widower who travels from town to town reading news from newspapers to the locals. He is hired to return Johanna, a 10-year-old girl who has been living with the Kiowa Indian tribe for four years, to her relatives near San Antonio. As they navigate the harsh and lawless Texas frontier, they face numerous challenges, including bandits, Comanche raids, and violent weather. Despite their differences, they form a strong bond, with Captain Kidd teaching Johanna how to speak English and adapt to white culture. The story is a poignant exploration of human goodness, hope, and the unexpected bonds that form between people from different backgrounds.

#24518

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Rachel Incident

Caroline O'Donoghue

The Rachel Incident is a novel that follows the story of Rachel and her friend James as they navigate the complexities of early adulthood in Ireland. The story delves into themes of class, morality, and personal growth, set against the backdrop of economic and social challenges. Through Rachel's narrative, O'Donoghue explores the messy realities of transitioning into adulthood.

#21920

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Headshot

Rita Bullwinkle

#14290

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Outlawed

Anna North

In 'Outlawed', Anna North crafts a story set in an alternate 19th-century America where a devastating flu pandemic has led to a society obsessed with procreation. Ada, a 17-year-old midwife, is forced to leave her home after failing to conceive. She first seeks refuge in a convent and then joins the Hole in the Wall Gang, a group of outcast women led by the enigmatic and nonbinary Kid. The gang's mission is to create a safe haven for women rejected by society, but their plan is fraught with danger. The novel explores themes of gender, sexual expression, and the struggle for freedom in a rigidly patriarchal world.

#4001

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Audition

Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part

Michael Shurtleff

This book, written by Michael Shurtleff, provides comprehensive advice on auditioning techniques. Drawing from his extensive experience in casting over 200 Broadway shows and various film and television productions, Shurtleff offers practical guidance for actors. The book includes his famous '12 Guideposts' for monologue and scene work, such as 'Relationships – how to create them onstage' and 'Conflict – what are you fighting for? ' It covers every aspect of auditioning, from basic acting techniques to handling distractions and risks, and is applicable not only to actors but also to other areas of life where 'auditions' occur.

#10290

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Flashlights

Susan Choi

#3240

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

God of the Woods

Liz Moore

#5221

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

I Want to Burn This Place Down

Essays

Maris Kreizman

#10574

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Real American

Julie Lythcott-Haims

In 'Real American,' Julie Lythcott-Haims shares a deeply personal and candid look at her experiences growing up as a biracial woman. The book is a collection of vignettes that address her internal struggles with race, identity, and belonging. It delves into microaggressions, discrimination, and racism, and how these factors have shaped her life. The memoir also highlights the healing power of community in overcoming the isolation and self-loathing that often accompany being considered 'the other. ' Lythcott-Haims' narrative is a powerful exploration of what it means to be Black in America and her path to self-love and acceptance.

#6940

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Burnham Wood

Eleanor Catton

#18821

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Beautyland

Marie-Helene Bertino

Over on the newsletter, our book concierge threads — when people ask for specific book recommendations, and readers then offer their suggestions — regularly top 1500 comments. We wanted to bring the same energy to the podcast, and Maris Kreizman, author of The Maris Review and I Want To Burn This Place Down, reads more (and more widely) than anyone else I know. I promise: you’ll leave this episode with a new pile of books you want to read immediately. (And honestly, that’s the Back to School Adult Energy I crave).

Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!

Go to HelloFresh.com/CULTURESTUDY10FM to get 10 free meals + a free item for life
Get 35% off your entire order at LolaBlankets.com using code CULTURE at checkout
Get a great night’s sleep with a new mattress from Birch. Go to BirchLiving.com/CULTURE to get 27% off sitewide
Try OneSkin for 15% off using code CULTURE at oneskin.co

Show Notes:

Subscribe to Maris’s newsletter, The Maris Review, here.
Buy Maris’s new book, I Want To Burn This Place Down, here!

Listen to our previous episode with Maris on How Goodreads Got SO BAD

BOOKS WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE

Everyone Is Lying To You by Jo Piazza
The Parisian and Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
Flashlight and Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Audition by Katie Kitamura
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Eat the Document by Dana Spiotta
Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
The Trees by Percival Everett
Perma Red by Debra Magpie Earning
Outlawed by Anna North
Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison
News of the World by Paulette Giles
The Best Bad Things by Katrina Carrasco
Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmani
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
Writers & Lovers and Euphoria by Lily King
The Giant’s House by Elizabeth McCracken
Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin
The Boys of my Youth by Jo Ann Beard
Cowboys are my Weakness by Pam Houston
The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
Freedom; The Corrections; and Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson
Love Medicine; The Master Butchers Singing Club; The Night Watchman; and LaRose by Louise Erdrich
The God of the Woods and Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Dare Me; The Fever; and The Turnout by Megan Abbott
The Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley
Nevada by Imogen Binnie
Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
The Company She Keeps by Mary McCarthy
Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman
My Friends by Hisham Matar
The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward
On the Calculation of Volume by Solvej Balle
The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
Fight Night and All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst
Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith

We’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:

Running a Small Business — and How to Make It Sustainable & Survivable (with Jen Hewett!)
All things Love is Blind with Audie Cornish
Different Modalities of Hanging Out (aka, best ways to hang out with different people) with Mary HK Choi
Baseball Culture (with Ali Liebegott and Melody as additional co-host!!!)
The history/utility/culture of OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE GEAR with Avery Trufelman (of Articles of Interest)
What an actually family-friendly society would look like (with Elliot Haspel)
An ADULT HOBBIES crossover episode with Forever35!
Anything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything, it’s literally the name of the segment!
As always, you can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here

For this week’s discussion: In addition to our recs… what other books would you suggest for our question-askers?

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books