Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance joins us to discuss Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy (Dutton, October 21). Kirkus calls it, “A hopeful manifesto for a renewed democracy.” Then our editors recommend 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 a special Mystery, Thrillers, and Horror episode, Janice Hallett joins us to discuss her latest murder mystery, The Killer Question (Atria, September 23). Kirkus: “A quintessential British pub, an escalating quiz-night rivalry, and a deeply personal mystery unfold in this clever epistolary tale.” Then our editors share some thrilling, chilling book recommendations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a special episode of Fully Booked, we’re celebrating the 2025 Kirkus Prize finalists, ahead of our annual awards ceremony on Oct. 8. First, fiction judge Thérèse Purcell Nielsen joins us to discuss the process of selecting six outstanding works of fiction from hundreds of eligible titles. Then Kirkus’ editors add their insights to this year’s prize process.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 October books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. Then Kate McKinnon joins us to discuss Secrets of the Purple Pearl, book two in her #1 New York Times-bestselling middle grade series, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science” (Little, Brown, September 30). “In a race against their enemies, the Porch girls must find a peculiar pearl in order to foil a fiendish plot… Unforgettably quirky, fast-paced fun” (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author-illustrator YY Liak joins us to discuss Curious Coffins and Riveting Rituals: Death Practices Around the World (Chronicle Books, September 30), a vibrant volume Kirkus calls “an endearing and lighthearted look at the fate that awaits us all.” Then our editors recommend 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.

Bestselling author Leni Zumas (Red Clocks) joins us to discuss her latest novel, Wolf Bells (Algonquin, September 16). “A young girl and her autistic cousin seek refuge in an intergenerational community,” Kirkus writes in a review of this “tender and well-told story about the meaning of family.” Then our editors recommend 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.

National Book Award finalist and PEN/Faulkner Award winner Rabih Alameddine joins us to discuss The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (And His Mother) (Grove, September 2). Kirkus calls his latest novel “a sharp exploration of resilience in dark times.” Then our editors recommend 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 September books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. Then Eliana Ramage joins us to discuss To the Moon and Back (Avid Reader Press, September 2), a debut novel about a gifted young woman who dreams of becoming the first Cherokee astronaut. Kirkus: “This author is as ambitious as her protagonist: There are three novels worth of material here, all good. The moon or bust!” (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tess Holliday joins us to discuss Take Up Space, Y’All: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love (Running Press Kids, Aug. 26), a body-positive wellness book for teens co-written with Kelly Coon. Kirkus: “Plus-size supermodel and activist Holliday empowers readers to love themselves, inside and out.” Then our editors recommend 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.

Charlie Jane Anders joins us to discuss her eagerly anticipated new novel, Lessons in Magic and Disaster (Tor, Aug. 19), about a young witch who teaches her mother how to do magic. In a starred review, Kirkus says it offers “much to ponder, much to cry over and rage against, much to appreciate.” Then our editors recommend 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.