Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews

Debut novelist Naomi Xu Elegant joins us to discuss Ginko Season (Norton, May 20), a “beautifully wrought” story about a young woman trying to find her footing—socially, politically, romantically—in modern-day Philadelphia. Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Atlantic staffer David A. Graham joins us to discuss The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America (Random House, April 22). “A close look at the ultra-rightist Project 2025, now playing in a capital near you,” Kirkus writes in a review that calls Graham’s work “essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of the Trumpian maelstrom.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On our Best May Books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. Then novelist Brendan Slocumb joins us to discuss The Dark Maestro (Bloomsbury, May 13), a musical thriller in which a cello prodigy must battle a cadre of criminals to reclaim his promising future. Kirkus: “This novel should catapult Slocumb into the upper echelon of thriller authors" (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Award-winning actor and avid birder Lili Taylor joins us to discuss Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing (Crown, April 29). Kirkus calls her affecting debut essay collection “a delightful celebration of the joys of birding—and how it leads one to look at the world in a new light.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celebrated memoirist and novelist Kiese Laymon joins us to discuss City Summer, Country Summer(Kokila, April 1). Kirkus calls Laymon’s picture-book debut, illustrated by Alexis Franklin, “a heartfelt, elegantly wrought, and triumphant tribute to Black boy kinship” (starred review). Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York Times-bestselling humorist John Kenney joins us to discuss his latest novel, I See You’ve Called in Dead (Zibby Books, April 1). Kirkus: “ A touching ode to the people who make life worth living.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Edna Bonhomme joins us to discuss A History of the World in Six Plagues: How Contagion, Class, and Captivity Shaped Us, From Cholera to COVID-19 (One Signal/Atria, March 11). Kirkus: “ A searing attack on historical injustices.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this special episode of Fully Booked, Kirkus’ editors join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the current issue of Kirkus Reviews celebrating the best books of the 21st Century (so far). Then each editor chooses one book from the past 25 years they think everyone should read.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob the Drag Queen discusses his eagerly anticipated speculative novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert (Gallery Books, March 25). Kirkus: “The literary debut by Bob the Drag Queen—Instagram star, Madonna concert emcee, and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race—imagines a host of famous figures returning to life: Cleopatra is a fashion influencer, John D. Rockefeller is a robber baron all over again, and Harriet Tubman, a key figure in the Underground Railroad, wants to share her story via a Hamilton-style album.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Acclaimed author Deb Caletti discusses her latest YA novel, True Life in Uncanny Valley (Labyrinth Road, March 18). Kirkus: “A Seattle teen conceals her true identity as the long-abandoned daughter of a celebrated tech giant to gain entry into his household….[in this] at times heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful story about chosen family.” Then our editors share their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.