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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

55:22

Episode 40 - Character Studies with Jocelyn Aspa

Books with Betsy ·

2025/02/10

On this episode, bookstagrammer and journalist Jocelyn Aspa and I discuss books with extensive character development, how everything makes us cry, and why we gravitate towards books with low ratings on Goodreads. We also discuss how we determine books to pack on a trip which can be a little extra. Follow Jocelyn on Instagram Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Devil is Fine by John Vercher Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the

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01:01:25

Episode 39 - Soft Heart, Thick Skin with David Jay...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/02/03

On this episode, indie author David Jay Collins and I discuss his work writing books in and about Chicago, how he keeps going by honoring his characters, and the unique ways that he connects with his readers. We also discuss his reading life, including a current fast from horror content which blows my mind!Follow David on Instagram Order any of David’s books from his website Where you can see David in 2025! Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Lilith by Eric Rickstad A

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47:12

Episode 38 - Ate it Up with Ree @Read_withRee

Books with Betsy ·

2025/01/27

On this episode, Ree @Read_withree on instagram, discusses her love for thrillers and mysteries. We also talk about a shared favorite author, the joy that book people can bring, and how to make bookstagram a place of enjoyment.Follow Ree on Instagram Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: There is a Rio Grande in Heaven by Ruben Reyes, Jr. Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen Books Highlighted by Ree: Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby The Passengers by John

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01:02:39

Episode 37 - All Print, All the Time with Leah Rachel...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/01/20

On this episode, Leah Rachel von Essen, whose job is books, and I discuss our shared love of translated literature, especially genre fiction from other countries, and our shared love of reading and walking. She also talks about her very entertaining experiences with the library as a child and shares about her current work with Chicago Books to Women in Prison. Follow Leah on Instagram! Find Leah’s posts about books in translation here More information about how to support Chicago Books to Women

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01:02:08

Episode 36 - Reading Helps Me Figure it Out with...

Books with Betsy ·

2025/01/13

On this episode, Shakia Perry, a very creative book lover who creates amazing book-related experiences for friends and family, discusses how she loves fiction to get into the messiness of other people. We also discuss our love for the library, reading pretty much wherever, and how much Libby can stress you out. Follow Shakia on Instagram! Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai All Fours by Miranda July Books Highlighted by

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01:27:54

Episode 35 - Best of 2024 Part 2

Books with Betsy ·

2025/01/06

On this episode, past guests of Books with Betsy and I share our favorite books of 2024! Listen to hear about lots of great 2024 books and the excellent backlist we got to this year. Books mentioned in this episode: Betsy’s Top 11 Books (in no particular order): Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Reformatory by Tananarive Due Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe My Friends by Hisham Matar Punk Rock Karaoke by Biana Xunise Headshot by Rita

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01:34:01

Episode 34 - Best of 2024 Part 1

Books with Betsy ·

2024/12/30

On this episode, past guests of Books with Betsy and I share our favorite books of 2024! Listen to hear about lots of great 2024 books and the excellent backlist we got to this year. Books mentioned in this episode: Betsy’s Best Categorically (books that…): Shocked me: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix None of This is True by Lisa Jewell The Night House by Jo Nesbø Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra Made me Cry: North Woods by Daniel Mason The Bee Sting by Paul

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56:38

Episode 33 - I'll Crack it Open with Stephanie Majercik

Books with Betsy ·

2024/12/23

On this episode, Stephanie Majercik, a reader who reads widely, and I discuss our shared tricks for Book of the Month, why passing around books is great, and how her reading chair revolutionized her reading life. We also discuss her book club and the bookish names she has for her collection of house plants. Read & Run Chicago - The Great Believers Stephanie’s Reading Chair Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner Good Material by Dolly

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50:03

Episode 32 - Where Literature is at this Moment with...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/12/16

On this episode, Bernie Lombardi, a professor and researcher, discusses how his popular bookstagram and award lists are intertwined, along with his experiences reading the lists and even getting to go to the final ceremonies of a few awards! We also hear about his new author obsession and a very cool way that he tracks his reading each year. Bernie’s Instagram The Read & Run Chicago Gift Guide Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady

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01:01:18

Episode 31 - These are my Trophies with Jenn...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/12/09

On this episode, Jenn Moland-Kovash and I discuss our shared interest in thrift-store book sections, the joy of walking around a bookstore and pointing out the books we have read, and her theories about why romantasy is popular. Jenn also gets me on a roll about the difference between book collecting and reading and why sprayed edges mean nothing to me. The Mail-a-Book program is still alive and well! The Read & Run Chicago Gift Guide Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s

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01:04:43

Episode 30 - On the Edge of Heartbreak with Cynthia...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/12/02

On this episode, Cynthia Okechukwu, the founder of Black Girls Read Chicago, and I discuss books that make you cry, her love of hardcover books, and what kinds of audiobooks work for both of us. She also gets to share an incredible story of getting a critical book put into her hands at a young age. Black Girls Read Chicago Instagram The Read & Run Chicago Gift Guide Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: The City and It’s Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami How to Sell

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01:01:04

Episode 29 - Never Earned a Personal Pan Pizza with...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/11/25

On this episode, Susanna Chapman, an illustrator who loves picture books, discusses her career in books, her love for an audiobook mausoleum, and why she loves the beginning of a book. We also destigmatize her concern around her main reading format and she tricks me into answering one of my own questions. The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith Pre-Order Dragonflies of Glass: the True Story of Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s

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01:00:29

Episode 28 - Intellectually Affectionate with Annette...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/11/18

On this episode, Annette LaPlaca, a self-proclaimed church lady who loves mysteries and thrillers, discusses her career in editing, how she developed a love of reading in her children, and why it’s ok to have a lot of books. We also discuss the moral and empathetic benefits of a murder book and why people shouldn’t shy away from them. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Dearest by Jacqui Walters Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro How to Sell a

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01:01:37

Episode 27 - Nobel Prize in Reading with Amie Medley

Books with Betsy ·

2024/11/11

On this episode, Amie Medley, who loves a long book, discusses her big reading project, which is reading every author who has won a Nobel Prize in Literature, and what she has discovered through that endeavor. We also discuss the ups and downs of book clubs, the benefits she finds from ereaders, and her love for a book that I can’t help but roll my eyes at. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda Nora Goes off Script by Annabel Monaghan Klara and the

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01:02:50

Episode 26 - Challenging for Some, Liberating for Me...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/11/04

On this episode, Cat Shieh, a Caliornian transplant to Chicago and former ethnic studies professor, discusses her hesitancy when people ask for recommendations and recommend books to her. She’s not afraid to drink the haterade, give a hot take, and make me guess what her answer is going to be to my questions. We talk about sad books (about reality) and some of our shared pet peeves about the reading world. Here is the Claudia Rankine excerpt that Cat read on the episode. Books mentioned in

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01:01:52

Episode 25 - Be a Dear, Unflip Your Dogears with...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/10/28

On this episode, Jennifer Moe, a professor and former bookseller, discusses her love for books that fully envelop the reader in a setting. We reminisce about our adventures with Twilight, our shared love for library magazines, and when it might be ok to leave a note or two in a library book. She also gives some Preorder Nobody’s Perfect, the book in which Jennifer has a chapter. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: My Friends by Hisham Matar Shred Sisters by Betsy

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01:05:54

Episode 24 - Always Been a Fan of a List with Ian...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/10/21

On this episode, Ian Gillham, @criticalgayze on Instagram, and I discuss our shared love of book lists, book awards, and reading these lists. We also discuss Ian’s Substack project focusing on the Pulitzer Prize and how it has morphed throughout the years. Also, stick around for some hot takes about super popular books! Here is the link to Ian’s Substack so you can follow along with his prize project. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: My Friends by Hisham Matar Colored

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01:01:52

Episode 23 - Genre Promiscuous with Nina Li Coomes

Books with Betsy ·

2024/10/14

On this episode, Nina Li Coomes, who was once described as genre promiscuous by a professor, discusses her traumatic early reading experiences, and how her identity as a writer has developed. We also discuss some shared favorites, how much she loves a hate-read, and why it can be good to read books you might not like. Click here to support Eman Alhaj Ali, the writer in Palestine that Nina has been working to support. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Invisible Child:

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01:02:10

Episode 22 - A Little Bit of Everything with Leah...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/10/07

On this episode, Leah, @Dishingonbooks on Instagram, and I discuss our shared love of intense reads, how to find more books that open up the world, and her love for the Women’s Prize. We also give a lot of recommendations for books that are not for everyone but hit both of us in just the right spot. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones Orbital by Samantha Harvey Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, and Hope in an American City

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59:37

Episode 21 - The Story Sits in Your Bones with Sam...

Books with Betsy ·

2024/09/30

On this episode, Sam Luchsinger, an eclectic reader and artist, talks about their love of picking up whatever strikes their interest, beautiful book covers, and the joy of reading children’s books into adulthood. They also discuss their love of graphic novels and some tips on how to get into the format that might feel a little overwhelming. Books mentioned in this episode: If you want to get ahead and join us at Off Color Book Club: October 15 - Trust by Hernan Diaz November 19 - Klara and

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