

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

Jun 6, 2023 • 57min
Barbara Kingsolver on DEMON COPPERHEAD
“This is the place; this is the right place for me, it’s home.” Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize-winning return to Appalachia, is the story of a young boy growing into adulthood amid the struggle and beauty of this oft-overlooked corner of America. Kingsolver joins us to talk about the truth of Appalachian culture, how journalism made her the novelist she is today, the politics of art and more 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): Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver Dopesick by Beth Macy Raising Lazarus by Beth Macy Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe Dreamland by Sam Quinones Cannery Row by John Steinbeck The Leavers by Lisa Ko Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks

Jun 3, 2023 • 45min
Ramona Ausubel on THE LAST ANIMAL
“What if we could do anything? Should we do it? What are the consequences?” Ramona Ausubel’s new novel The Last Animal asks big questions about motherhood, grief and our responsibility to the planet. And there’s a woolly mammoth. Ausubel joins us to talk about the realities of working in male dominated fields, the differences in writing novels and short stories, the power of storytelling and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. 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): The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel A Guide to Being Born by Ramona Ausubel Pastoralia by George Saunders Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

Jun 1, 2023 • 1h 40min
Poured Over Double Shot: Héctor Tobar and Jonathan Eig
These two authors tackle important subjects with new research and keen insight. Héctor Tobar’s Our Migrant Souls delves into the “Latino” identity with thorough analysis of history, culture and extensive interviews. Tobar joins us to talk about the concepts of ethnicity and race, hearing stories from people across the country and more. King: A Life is the comprehensive new biography of Martin Luther King Jr. compiling new information with in-depth research to create a definitive portrait of this brilliant and complicated figure. Jonathan Eig joins us to talk about new declassified documents that aided his work, what surprised him about this project and more 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): Our Migrant Souls by Héctor Tobar King: A Life by Jonathan Eig The Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar Bearing the Cross by David Garrow G-Man by Beverly Gage The Sword and the Shield by Peniel Joseph Featured Books (TBR Topoff): The Dead are Arising by Les Payne Women in the Picture by Catherine McCormack

May 30, 2023 • 1h 34min
Poured Over Double Shot: Luis Alberto Urrea and Rita Chang-Eppig
Starring strong female characters in rich, captivating, historical settings, we can’t wait for you to dive into these two new novels we love. Our June B&N Book Club Pick is Good Night, Irene by Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea. Inspired by the life of his mother, this is the story of the bravery of women on the frontlines of WWII. Urrea joins us to discuss connecting his writing to his own family, what surprised him as he wrote and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig is our June Discover Pick, full of pirates, adventure and intrigue as one woman becomes a queen of the high seas in early 19th century China. Chang-Eppig talks with us about erasure of female stories, morally grey characters, and more with Poured Over guest host, Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer 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): Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Featured Books (TBR Topoff): The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

May 27, 2023 • 35min
Tom Hanks on THE MAKING OF ANOTHER MOTION PICTURE MASTERPIECE
Tom Hanks (yes, that Tom Hanks) returns to the world of fiction with The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece — a loving look at what (and who) it takes to make a movie, told through the lens of America’s changing history. Hanks joins us to talk about why he writes, how he finds his voice and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. 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): The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks Featured Books (TBR Topoff): The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman

May 25, 2023 • 50min
R.F. Kuang on YELLOWFACE
“I've become increasingly cynical about the industry's ability to change itself and how it deals with representation and marginalization.” R.F. Kuang’s new novel, Yellowface, tackles cultural appropriation, the challenges of the world of publishing and what it means to be a writer with a wit all her own. Kuang joins us to talk about what lead her to writing this novel, who gets to tell our stories, publishing her first literary fiction novel and more live at Barnes & Noble Union Square with Poured Over host, Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer 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): Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Babel by R.F. Kuang The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu Jade City by Fonda Lee

May 23, 2023 • 58min
Brandon Taylor on THE LATE AMERICANS
“I am a firm believer in consequences.” Brandon Taylor’s new novel, The Late Americans, finds a group of young people at a crossroads and follows as they face uncertainty and confront decisions that will affect the trajectory of their lives. Taylor joins us to discuss connections between his previous works, his love of revision and rewriting, starting a new career journey and more with Poured Over host Miwa Messer. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. Follow us here for New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays). Featured Books (Episode): The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor Real Life by Brandon Taylor The American by Henry James Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Ohio by Stephen Markley All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews

May 20, 2023 • 45min
Katy Hessel on THE STORY OF ART WITHOUT MEN
“In 1649, Artemisia Gentileschi wrote, ‘I'll show you what a woman can do.’” In The Story of Art Without Men, Katy Hessel recounts the legacy of the women that have shaped the history of art — largely without recognition. Hessel joins us to talk about how she started this massive project, what surprised her while writing, some of the women that inspire her and more with guest host Allie Ludlow. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was produced and hosted by Allie Ludlow and mixed by Harry Liang. Poured Over is brought to you by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and the booksellers of Barnes & Noble. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich Featured Books (TBR Topoff): How To Suppress Women’s Writing by Joanna Russ Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists? By Linda Nochlin

May 18, 2023 • 1h 18min
Samantha Irby on QUIETLY HOSTILE
Few people are as funny as Samantha Irby, and her new collection of essays, Quietly Hostile, proves it. Irby joins us to talk about representation in media, the importance of paperback books, writing for television and more with Poured Over host, Miwa Messer. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Madyson and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer 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): Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby Meaty by Samantha Irby Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Dear Girls by Ali Wong Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan

May 16, 2023 • 46min
Emma Cline on THE GUEST
Emma Cline, author of the The Girls, returns with her propulsive new novel, The Guest. This is the story of a singular young woman — a con artist drifting through Long Island’s high society in the heat of summer. Cline joins us to talk about trauma math, reasons to write complicated characters, how this book was influenced by John Cheever and more with Poured Over host, Miwa Messer. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer 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 Guest by Emma Cline The Girls by Emma Cline Daddy by Emma Cline The Stories of John Cheever by John Cheever Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith