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PODCAST

Books with Betsy

Books with Betsy is a podcast that celebrates the reading life of all readers. Each week, Betsy interviews a different person about their reading life. Listen for book recommendations, reading tips, and to join in the joy that reading brings. And remember, anyone who reads is a reader.

arts books

All Episodes

01:14:09

Episode 60 - Pull Your Guts out Through Your Nose...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/06/30

On this episode, Melissa Joulwan, author and co-host of the podcast Strong Sense of Place, discusses the way her personal reading life and work for the show overlap. We talk about her deep and varied book preferences, our shared love for diving deep into a backlist, and you get to hear the fabulous way she describes the books she loves.Strong Sense of Place website https://strongsenseofplace.com For the podcast, extensive show notes, book lists, and travel tips and photos. For people new to

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53:41

Episode 59 - Picked it Up Out of FOMO with Samiksha Gaur

Books with Betsy ·

2025/06/23

On this episode, Samiksha Gaur, a mom and baker who has found herself enjoying dark romance recently, talks to me about her life engaging with bookish social media. We talk about a bunch of series that she loves, how she got back into reading later in life, and we give a big shoutout to Tanima Kazi for getting us connected!Follow Samiksha on Instagram Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Lost Man’s Lane by Scott Carson Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E

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01:00:49

Episode 58 - Challenges My Expectations with Jess...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/06/16

On this episode, Jess Abra Sandy, a self-described lapsed opera singer and cyber security expert talks about how poetry has provided for her in different ways as her seasons of life change. We also talk about books that make us want to throw them across the room, how her reading life has changed as her kid has grown, and Jess shares a lot of very insightful thoughts about the reading life. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Devil House by John Darnielle Say Hello to My

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56:44

Episode 57 - It's Not Cheating with Caroline Pilman

Books with Betsy ·

2025/06/09

On this episode, Caroline Pilman, a fellow Chicago Public Schools teacher, and I discuss the many ways of reading, all of which are acceptable. We also discuss a shared pet peeve in children’s literature, how a seasonal career can affect the reading life, and how Chicago Public Schools does one thing right. American Library Association Lists CPS Battle of the Books 2025 Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak Amatka by Karin

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54:47

Episode 56 - Feels Folkloric with Meara McNitt

Books with Betsy ·

2025/06/02

On this episode, Meara McNitt, a social media professional who loves stories of all types, discusses her love for all kinds of books, including an interest that her friends suggest she doesn’t yell about in the bookstore. She talks about a lot of books that haven’t appeared on the show yet and I go on a bit of a rant about one of my favorite hot takes. Meara on TikTok Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak Last Summer on State

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59:04

Episode 55 - Competitive Reading with Austin Waters

Books with Betsy ·

2025/05/26

On this episode, Austin Waters, a friend of mine from high school, describes how he has had lots of experience with many different types of reading and writing. We discuss reading plays, how we read so many good books in high school, and how competition in reading can be detrimental. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak Books Highlighted by Austin: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Peter

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01:00:20

Episode 54 - Take My Books Where They Belong with...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/05/19

On this episode, Chelsey Stone, a freelance writer and book tour leader, describes herself as someone who reads to learn. She brings a lot of really great non-fiction books to the show, and while some of them can be a bit of a bummer, these books help Chelsey learn more about herself and the world while facing reality through reading. NatGeo article about the Chicago River Read and Run on the Road in DC Guided Tour of Lemont’s Waterways Book Talk and Signing for The Kat Bunglar with Tanima

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01:05:26

Episode 53 - Horror for Anxious Readers with Johanna...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/05/12

On this episode, Johannah @memydogandbooks who loves to shout about books on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and I discuss leaning into cozy hobbies, reading widely and eclectically, and an overlapping prize interest for us. We also discuss how horror is an underrated genre and why it works, even for scaredy-cats!Find Johanna on Instagram Find Johanna on TikTok Find Johanna on YouTube Book Talk and Signing for The Kat Bunglar with Tanima Kazi Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s

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59:19

Episode 52 - My Entire Life is Words with Hannah Gordon

Books with Betsy ·

2025/05/05

On this episode, Hannah Gordon, a fellow CPS teacher and I discuss the importance of the library as a public service, how your reading life can turn around from what people expect of you as a child, and she brings some really great books to the show that haven’t been talked about yet. Find Hannah on TikTok Book Talk and Signing for The Kat Bunglar with Tanima Kazi Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Are You Happy? By Lori Ostlund On the Calculation of Volume (Book 1) by

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01:01:58

Episode 51 - More Beautiful Thoughts with Christopher...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/04/28

On this episode, Christopher Hermelin, host of the podcast So Many Damn Books and I discuss his life that revolves around books, our shared love for stories on the continuum of weird, and we both go on a bit of a tear about over-comped books. You can also hear me get totally sucked in by something Christopher recommends. So Many Damn Books The Roving Typist Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Are You Happy? By Lori Ostlund Books Highlighted by Christopher: Skippy Dies

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52:21

Episode 50 - How to Raise a Reader with Mary Hopper...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/04/21

On this episode, my mom, Mary Hopper Welander, and I discuss shared reading memories from my childhood, how much the library has impacted both of our reading lives, and how her reading life has changed in retirement. She also gives some great advice about how to develop a love of reading in your child. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: On the Calculation of Volume (Book 1) by Solvej Balle Moms Like Us by Jordan Roter Books Highlighted by Mary: The Beautiful Mystery by

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01:01:55

Episode 49 - Read Everything All the Time with Alayna...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/04/14

On this episode, Alayna Mills, a college writing teacher, discusses their love for reading everything all the time, by incorporating reading into all parts of their day. We also talk about their wide reading preferences, we get deep on a few specific books, and we find a shared notebook of book prize stress. Follow Alayna on Instagram Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: On the Calculation of Volume (Book 1) by Solvej Balle Audition by Katie Kitimura Chain Gang All-Stars

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54:53

Episode 48 - A Community of Problematic Characters...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/04/07

On this episode, Bre @Brezzylovesbooks, a therapist who also runs the Raleigh chapter of Well-Read Black Girl, and I discuss our shared love of book communities, problematic characters, and why romance isn’t our reading preference. I also give a rare TV recommendation! Follow Bre on Instagram More info about Well-Read Black Girl in Raleigh Well-Read Black Girl Raleigh Instagram Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Reservoir Bitches by Dahlia de la Cerda On the Calculation

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55:34

Episode 47 - Political Intrigue with Trevor Dykes

Books with Betsy ·

2025/03/31

On this episode, Trevor Dykes, a fantasy reader who has written his own fantasy saga, and I discuss how he fits in reading as a father of two young kiddos, what piques his interest in a fantasy, and how much of a commitment some of the long series are. We also get into the difference between the second in a trilogy versus the second in a series - there’s a difference!Get Trevor’s Book, Titan’s Garden Crimson Wolf here! Support my Open Books fundraiser Books mentioned in this episode: What

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01:01:41

Episode 46 - The Struggle for Good with Maggie Brennan

Books with Betsy ·

2025/03/24

On this episode, Maggie Brennan, a loyal member of the Off Color Book Club, and I discuss the retellings she will always read, how being an oldest sister impacted her reading life, and the way that her Irish family has impacted her reading life. She also talks about her favorite fantasy and sci-fi and how these genres can tell stories that reflect our reality. Support my Open Books fundraiser Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Kingdom of No Tomorrow by Fabienne

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59:57

Episode 45 - TBR Snowball with Deedi Brown

Books with Betsy ·

2025/03/17

On this episode, Deedi Brown, who runs The Booker of the Month book club, and I discuss the crossover love of literary fiction and genre, getting sucked in by award lists, and how being more involved in books turns into a snowball! Follow Deedi on Instagram Find Deedi’s Substack here Get more information about Booker of the Month Club Support my Open Books fundraiser Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Kingdom

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57:54

Episode 44 - Bad Decisions and Good Sex with Meredith...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/03/10

On this episode, Meredith Turits, debut novelist, and I discuss the process of making her book come to life, how amazing her editor is, and the best ways to support friends who are writers. We also discuss her book, Just Want You Here, which I encourage anyone to go pick up! Order Just Want You Here! Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden Books Highlighted

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01:05:20

Episode 43 - Insatiable Curiosity with Rebecca...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/03/03

On this episode, Rebecca Schinsky and Jeff O’Neal of Book Riot sit down and talk to me about their reading lives. We talk about their professional work in the world of books, how Oliver Burkeman would feel about my bad bookish habit, and how any book can be interesting if you’re curious enough. Listen to the Book Riot Podcast Listen to First Edition Better Living Through Books Newsletter (and the rest of the Book Riot Newsletters!) Jeff and Rebecca Live at Powells! Books mentioned in this

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56:01

Episode 42 - Working on Your Brain with Betsy Kipnis

Books with Betsy ·

2025/02/24

On this episode, Betsy Kipnis, a multi-hyphenate who loves a wide variety of authors, and I discuss some shared favorites, great Chicago bookstores, and she has some great stories. She discusses books that are multi-sensory and we get spicy about a beloved author. Betsy’s Blog - Bookisshh Barbara Kingsolver’s Recovery Center Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kọláwọlé Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis Books Highlighted by

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01:00:40

Episode 41 - Completely Booked with Jordan Hernandez

Books with Betsy ·

2025/02/17

On this episode, Jordan Hernandez, who organizes the book community Completely Booked and I discuss what diverse books means to her, how to curate a feed that provides diverse options, and so many amazing book recommendations. If you want to join Completely Booked, you can send Jordan a DM on Instagram to get added to the email list! Follow Completely Booked on Instagram Double Dough HobokenGirl Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Less by Andrew Sean Greer The Road to

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