

Poured Over
Barnes & Noble
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).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 24, 2024 • 58min
Wright Thompson on THE BARN
The Barn by Wright Thompson examines the story of Emmett Till, including new details and perspectives that shed light on one of the most tragic events of American history. Thompson joins us to talk about how his background influenced the book, the connection between place and history, the lasting effects of these events and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. 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): The Barn by Wright Thompson Pappyland by Wright Thompson Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe North Toward Home by Willie Morris Providence by Will D. Campbell Prairyerth by William Least Heat-Moon The Overstory by Richard Powers

Sep 21, 2024 • 52min
Sarah Smarsh on BONE OF THE BONE
Bone of the Bone by Sarah Smarsh is a collection of essays reflecting on class, politics, the media and related socioeconomic and cultural topics. Smarsh joins us to talk about how she came to this project, her approach to telling a story, her inspirations and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Mary. 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): Bone of the Bone by Sarah Smarsh Heartland by Sarah Smarsh She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh Educated by Tara Westover Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond Working by Studs Terkel Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt Featured Books (TBR Top Off): American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell The Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts

Sep 19, 2024 • 46min
Rebecca Nagle on BY THE FIRE WE CARRY
By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle blends first-person reportage and historical sleuthing from the journalist and podcaster following a murder that led to a landmark Supreme Court decision that reaffirmed Native rights in America. Nagle joins us to talk about the inception of her work on this story, the importance of analyzing little known history, how writing the book has impacted her and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. 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): By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Sep 17, 2024 • 51min
Timothy Snyder on On Freedom
In On Freedom, Timothy Snyder takes a long look at this concept we all hold dear (at least in theory). Snyder joins us to talk about defining an expansive topic, empathy in community, the importance of time and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. 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): On Freedom by Timothy Snyder On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Our Malady by Timothy Snyder The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith Night Flyer by Tiya Miles

Sep 14, 2024 • 47min
Chelsea Bieker on MADWOMAN
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker is a twists-and-turns story of mothers and family, trauma and survival, truth and lies. Bieker joins us to talk about developing her characters, writing about motherhood and its many forms, themes of trust and more with guest host, Marie Hendry. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Marie Hendry and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app Featured Books (Episode): Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker Godshot by Chelsea Bieker Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder White Oleander by Janet Fitch The Shame by Makenna Goodman After Birth by Elisa Albert The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons

Sep 12, 2024 • 50min
Elizabeth Strout on TELL ME EVERYTHING
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout returns to Crosby, Maine and to her beloved characters in a novel of friendship, love and the many ways in which we tell our own stories. Strout joins us to talk about writing familiar faces, creating a sense of community, the importance of emotional truth and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Donald and Marc. 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): Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante Featured Books (TBR Top Off): Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith

Sep 10, 2024 • 37min
Attica Locke on GUIDE ME HOME
Guide Me Home by Attica Locke concludes the gripping Highway 59 series with a story of complicated family ties and a riveting missing persons investigation. Locke joined us to talk about ending her ongoing story, the importance of community, the role of music in her writing and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. 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): Guide Me Home by Attica Locke Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke Black Water Rising by Attica Locke

Sep 7, 2024 • 47min
Rachel Kushner on CREATION LAKE
Rachel Kushner, a talented novelist known for her spy novels steeped in philosophical themes, joins cohost Jenna Seery. They dive into Kushner's latest work, 'Creation Lake', discussing the intricate journey of its strong female lead, Sadie. The conversation touches on the complexities of narrative reliability, the emotional depth literature offers readers, and the influence of iconic authors on her writing style. Kushner also draws parallels between her characters and other strong females in literature, enriching the dialogue with humor and intrigue.

Sep 5, 2024 • 41min
Elizabeth O'Connor on WHALE FALL
Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor is a stunning coming-of-age tale of a girl caught on the precipice between adulthood and childhood, familiarity and the unknown. O’Connor joins us to talk about crafting a short novel, isolated settings, her influences and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Jamie and Donald. 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): Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor Clear by Carys Davies Orbital by Samanta Harvey Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Featured Books (TBR Top Off): The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry Clear by Carys Davies

Sep 3, 2024 • 46min
Coco Mellors on BLUE SISTERS
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors is a story about sisterhood and how grief can pull a family apart — and put them back together again. Mellors joins us to talk about creating her characters’ distinct voices, sibling dynamics, connection through writing 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): Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors Little Women by Louisa May Alcott All Fours by Miranda July On Beauty by Zadie Smith A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin