Sarah's Bookshelves Live

In Episode 220, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to!  They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why.  

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Announcement
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!
Highlights
Catherine had a high success rate, but a pretty "meh" overall feel 
Sarah's reading followed a familiar barbell pattern: some standout hits, several DNFs, and not much in between
Catherine's ratings mostly landed as mid-range reads — with two 4.5 star wins.
Sarah had one 5-star read (and a new favorite of the year), two 4.5-star reads, and one big disappointment
Some of Sarah's risk-taking paid off, while other picks didn't land
They share their best and worst picks from winter
Books Read Before the Preview [6:08] 
Sarah's Pick
Whidbey by T Kira Madden (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:13]
Winter 2026 Book Preview [8:20]
January
Catherine's Picks
Skylark by Paula McLain (January 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:49]
Vigil by George Saunders (January 27)  | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:43] 
Other Books Mentioned
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain (2021) [14:53] 
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain (2018) [15:21] 
February
Sarah's Picks
Good People by Patmeena Sabit (February 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:25]
Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway (February 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:49]
Kin by Tayari Jones (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:15] 
Catherine's Picks
More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:40]
Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:47]
Other Books Mentioned
The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland (2022) [17:32] 
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) [26:04] 
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2018) [26:58]
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones (2011) [26:59]  
March
Sarah's Picks
No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (March 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:51] 
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:23]
She Fell Away by Lenore Nash (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [43:23] 
The Complex by Karan Mahajan (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:07] 
Catherine's Picks
Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:34] 
No Friend to This House by Natalie Haynes (US Release March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:07]
Son of Nobody by Yann Martel (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:17] 
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:08] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff (2019) [32:10] 
Shelter by Jung Yun (2016) [38:26] 
Red Widow by Alma Katsu (2021) [44:17] 
Red London by Alma Katsu (2023) [44:18] 
From the Top of the Episode
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [1:10]

In Episode 219, Sarah talks with author T Kira Madden about her debut novel, Whidbey. A dark, atmospheric story that explores the long reach of violence and the lack of recourse many victims face, Whidbey tackles difficult themes including sexual abuse, stalking, and the ways narratives around these crimes are shaped by media and public perception. Sarah and T Kira discuss the inspiration behind the novel, its complex characters, and the themes at the heart of the story. Plus, she shares a bit about what she's working on next and some terrific book recommendations.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights
Books by T Kira Madden: Whidbey and Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls
A brief, spoiler-free overview of Whidbey
The inspiration behind the novel
Revisiting the impact of sexual assault through fiction
What the character of Mary-Beth brings to the story
The ways the novel explores justice, accountability, and the limited options available to victims
How the reality show storyline reflects the power of media to shape public narratives
What T Kira is working on next
T Kira's Book Recommendations [36:42]
Two OLD Books She Loves
Reading the Waves by Lidia Yuknavitch (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[36:56]
Scorched Earth by Tiana Clark (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:43]  
Other Books Mentioned The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch (2011) [37:15] 

Two NEW Books She Loves
Extinction Capital of the World by Mariah Rigg (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:38]
Bloodfire, Baby by Eirinie Carson (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:28]
One Book She DIDN'T Love
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (2003) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[41:58]
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Lovers XXX by Allie Rowbottom (June 4, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[45:22]
Other Books Mentioned Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (2024) [46:43] 
The Hop by Diana Clarke (2022) [47:09] 

Books From the Discussion
There There by Tommy Orange (2018) [36:32]
Other Links
Guernica | The Feels of Love by T Kira Madden (December 12, 2016)

In Episode 218, Sarah chats with Enneagram author, speaker, and podcaster Sarajane Case about Reading Through the Enneagram. After a brief introduction to the Enneagram and how it differs from other personality systems, they dive into how Enneagram types show up in our reading lives — from guessing an author's type to rethinking our own habits as readers. Sarajane walks through the nine types, shares a book recommendation for each, and offers her own personal picks.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights
Books by Sarajane Case: The Honest Enneagram and The Enneagram Letters
A brief introduction to the Enneagram — and how it differs from other personality systems
Sarajane's personal approach to working with the Enneagram
A quick overview of the nine Enneagram types
How each Enneagram type might approach reading
Whether (and how) we can discern an author's Enneagram type through their work (and the Enneagram types most and least likely to be authors themselves)
Practical tips for using your type to improve your reading life
Reading Through the Enneagram [29:51] 
Type 1: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:08]
Type 2: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:50]  
Type 3: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:27]
Type 4: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:42] 
Type 5: Fourth Wing (Empyrean, 1) by Rebecca Yarros (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:56] 
Type 6: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:32] 
Type 7: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:56] 
Type 8: Crook Manifesto (The Harlem Trilogy, 2) by Colson Whitehead (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:20] 
Type 9: Severance by Ling Ma (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:16] 
Other Books Mentioned The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, 1) by J. R. R. Tolkien (1954) [32:08] 
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847) [33:49] 
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez (2019) [34:57] 
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) [35:23] 

Sarajane's Book Recommendations [36:37] 
Two OLD Books She Loves
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:50] 
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:08] 
Two NEW Books She Loves
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:09] 
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:14] 
Other Books Mentioned Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019) [42:05] 
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017) [42:16] 
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2021) [42:28] 
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2022) [42:37] 
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (2022) [43:28] 

One Book She DIDN'T Love
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (1987) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:14] 
Other Books Mentioned South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami (1992) [44:20] 
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (2009) [44:49] 

One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Theodora's Tea Shop by Christy Anne Jones (July 28, 2026 — no US release date set yet) | Link to Blackwell's for US Orders [45:52] 
Other Links
Truity | Enneagram Personality Test

In Episode 218, Sarah chats with Enneagram author, speaker, and podcaster Sarajane Case about Reading Through the Enneagram. After a brief introduction to the Enneagram and how it differs from other personality systems, they dive into how Enneagram types show up in our reading lives — from guessing an author's type to rethinking our own habits as readers. Sarajane walks through the nine types, shares a book recommendation for each, and offers her own personal picks. 

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights
Books by Sarajane Case: The Honest Enneagram and The Enneagram Letters
A brief introduction to the Enneagram — and how it differs from other personality systems
Sarajane's personal approach to working with the Enneagram
A quick overview of the 9 Enneagram types
How each Enneagram type might approach reading
Whether (and how) we can discern an author's Enneagram type through their work (and the Enneagram types most and least likely to be authors themselves)
Practical tips for using your type to improve your reading life
Reading Through the Enneagram [29:51] 
Type 1: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:08]
Type 2: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:50]  
Type 3: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:27]
Type 4: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:42] 
Type 5: Fourth Wing (Empyrean, 1) by Rebecca Yarros (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:56] 
Type 6: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:32] 
Type 7: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:56] 
Type 8: Crook Manifesto (The Harlem Trilogy, 2) by Colson Whitehead (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:20] 
Type 9: Severance by Ling Ma (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:16] 
Other Books Mentioned The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, 1) by J. R. R. Tolkien (1954) [32:08] 
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847) [33:49] 
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez (2019) [34:57] 
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) [35:23] 

Sarajane's Book Recommendations [36:37] 
Two OLD Books She Loves
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:50] 
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:08] 
Two NEW Books She Loves
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:09] 
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:14] 
Other Books Mentioned Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019) [42:05] 
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017) [42:16] 
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2021) [42:28] 
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2022) [42:37] 
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (2022) [43:28] 

One Book She DIDN'T Love
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (1987) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:14] 
Other Books Mentioned South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami (1992) [44:20] 
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (2009) [44:49] 

One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Theodora's Tea Shop by Christy Anne Jones (July 28, 2026 — no US release date set yet) | Link to Blackwell's for US Orders [45:52] 
Other Links
Truity | Enneagram Personality Test

In Episode 217, Sarah chats with author Christine Kuehn about her memoir, Family of Spies, and the thirty-year journey that led her to uncover a long-buried family secret. Christine shares how the story first entered her life, the decades-long research process behind reconstructing her father's past, and what it meant to weave her own discovery into the historical narrative surrounding her family's role in the Pearl Harbor attack. She also offers a glimpse of what she's working on next and shares some of her favorite book recommendations.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights
How the shape of the book's narrative sets it apart from other WWII stories
How this story entered Christine's life — and the moment everything changed
Her decision to publicly share this dark chapter of her family's history
The decades-long research process behind uncovering her father's past
Why integrating her own discovery story was essential to telling her family's role in the Pearl Harbor attack
A glimpse at what she's working on next
Christine's Book Recommendations [31:29]
Two OLD Books She Loves
The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:43]
Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:45]  
Other Books Mentioned The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre (2018) [34:45] 
The Siege by Ben Macintyre (2024) [34:47] 

Two NEW Books She Loves
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:57]
The Lost Kitchen, Vol 2: Big Heart Little Stove by Erin French (2025) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [37:35]
Other Books Mentioned Finding Freedom by Erin French (2021) [38:46] 

One Book She DIDN'T Love
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:48]
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:33]
Other Books Mentioned Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) [42:06] 

Books From the Discussion
At Dawn We Slept by Gordon W. Prange (1981) [5:47]
Other Links
Instagram | Sarah's Bookshelves, Family of Spies Review