Poured Over

Writing duo Christine Pride and Jo Piazza return with You Were Always Mine, a timely, tender and thought-provoking novel about race, motherhood and family ties. They joined us to talk about the challenges and surprises of cowriting, how they balance responsibilities and deadlines, the responses of their families to the book and more, live at Barnes & Noble Union Square 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): You Were Always Mine by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza 

“I feel this book is really about America.”  David Lipsky’s The Parrot and the Igloo is not the climate change story you might expect — with a distinct and even humorous narrative voice and a wild story you’ll need to read to believe, this book will change the way we look at one of our most pressing issues. Lipsky joins us to talk about why he decided to approach the topic in this way, the importance of balancing levity with a serious subject, his favorite literary influences and more with guest host, Jenna Seery.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.        Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).    Featured Books (Episode):  The Parrot and the Igloo by David Lipsky Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld  Birds of America by Lorrie Moore 

“And I'm grateful for the times I got to ask questions. I got to be curious, I got to say, Hey, this looks different over there.”  A Renaissance of Our Own is both memoir and manifesto; a rallying cry to reimagine how we exist and interact with the world and each other. Author and activist Rachel Cargle joined us to talk about ambition and curiosity, imposed expectations, grief and joy, her work with the Loveland Foundation, finding what we value most and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was produced and hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.    Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).     Featured Books: A Renaissance of Our Own by Rachel Cargle The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

“Every reader can have a different opinion at the end between admiration and disgust and nobody's wrong.” The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is the stranger-than-fiction true story of Stéphane Breitweiser’s infamous and incredible career as — you guessed it, one of the world’s most notorious art thieves. Finkel joined us to talk about his own interactions with Breitweiser, the notion of obsession, how we should start viewing art and more with guest host, Allie Ludlow.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allie Ludlow and mixed by Harry Liang.     Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).      Featured Books (Episode):  The Art Thief by Michael Finkel  The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel 

“That to me is part of the joy … of memoir, which is — it is all about looking back.” Beth Nguyen’s Owner of a Lonely Heart is a memoir about motherhood, loss and coming-of-age while navigating the refugee experience, told with a vivid and powerful voice. Nguyen joins us to talk about the feeling of writing nonfiction, the importance of names, generational impacts on the way we view life and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Jamie and Marc.     This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.    Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).       Featured Books (Episode): Owner of a Lonely Heart by Beth Nguyen Stealing Buddha’s Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen Heavy by Kiese Laymon The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh  When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka  The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka  Featured Books (TBR Topoff): The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen The Committed by Viet Thang Nguyen  Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson is a novel of family and freedom as one young man navigates coming of age as a Londoner born to Ghanian parents. Nelson joins us to talk about the change and growth in his second book, visiting Ghana while writing, the importance of place and more.  In her short story collection, Temple Folk, Aaliyah Bilal examines and illuminates some of the realities of the Black Muslim experience through her stunning prose and deep characters. Bilal talks with us on how she came to short stories, the impact of community, the influences that shape her as an author and more.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.          Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).        Featured Books (Episode):  Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson  Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal  Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson  NW by Zadie Smith  Lot by Bryan Washington  Family Meal by Bryan Washington  Jazz by Toni Morrison  Corregidora by Gayl Jones  Lost in the City by Edward P. Jones  The Turner House by Angela Flournoy  The Sword and the Shield by Peniel Joseph 

“... what is it like to live your life through the books you read?"  The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is a warm, introspective novel about a retired librarian who lives his life surrounded by books, and the impact he has on those around him. DeWitt joins us to talk about finding the story’s voice, balancing humor and melancholy, writing in different genres and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Jamie and Mary.     This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.            Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).        Featured Books (Episode): The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick deWitt French Exit by Patrick deWitt Ablutions by Patrick deWitt Stoner by John Williams Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller  Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Fifth Business by Robertson Davies The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson 

“What part of yourself is actually in each character?”  Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur is a family drama set on the shores of Cape Cod, full of complicated relationships, secrets and revelations. Brodeur joined us to talk about creating her detailed characters, writing intuitively, her career in the literary world 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):  Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur  Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley  Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy  The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy  The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese  Featured Books (TBR Topoff):  The Great Offshore Grounds by Vanessa Veselka Seven Steeples by Sara Baume 

Whether it’s to 18th century Prague or present-day Los Angeles, you’ll find yourself transported with these fast paced and thrilling reads and their complicated characters and dynamic plots. The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni is thriller unlike any other with its intricate web of enigmas and ancient mysteries that will keep you guessing until the very end. Trussoni joins us to talk about how she developed her characters and plots, the immense amount of research she did before writing, why we’re scared of lifelike dolls and more with guest host, Chris Gillespie.  Ivy Pochoda returns with her newest novel, Sing Her Down, which follows the charged and often violent journey of two women released from prison in the height of COVID lockdown. Pochoda joins us to talk about female rage, writing during quarantine, the personality of LA and more with guest host, Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.          Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).       Featured Books (Episode):   The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni Sing Her Down by Ivy Pochoda The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown These Women by Ivy Pochoda Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy Angels by Denis Johnson Mecca by Susan Straight Pity the Beast by Robin McLean 

“This whole life experience is just a ride, and occasionally we get to steer it.”  Jason Mraz’s new album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride combines elements from his previous music with all new influences for this journey through sound. Mraz joins us to talk about writing new songs, his time on Broadway, his take on concert etiquette and more with Poured Over guest host, Allyson Gavaletz. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry Liang.     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.            Featured Titles (Episode): Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride by Jason Mraz The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur