Ep. 177: Fall 2024 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
Release Date: 09/04/2024
Sarah's Bookshelves Live
In Episode 213, Sarah and Chrissie () wrap up the year with the Best Books of 2025 Genre Awards. They reveal their Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction) and a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, they share the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live Member Community. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements The 2026 Reading Tracker is out! This year brings...
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In Ep. 212, Sarah and Catherine of start wrapping up 2025 with the first of the two year-end episodes: Best Books of 2025 Superlatives. In this episode, they share their picks for over 25 superlative categories, including Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025, The Book That Made Us Furious, Most Underrated Gem, Too Dark Even for Me, and so much more! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Our best books of the year from over 25 categories, including: My First 5-Star 2025...
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In Episode 211, Sarah and Catherine of catch up on the 14 new releases they shared in the , 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!). Highlights Catherine’s success rate bounces back from summer. Sarah’s fall reading felt kind of “meh” despite a higher success rate. They also share their combined 2025 Preview success rates....
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In Ep. 210, Laura McGrath, author of the popular Substack newsletter, , joins Sarah to take a sharp look at the State of the Publishing Industry in 2025. This packed episode covers a high-level look at the top sales and book trends, as well as Laura’s insights into the future of the book world for 2026. Also, Laura shares her favorite books of 2025! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Laura McGrath’s book (publishing April 28, 2026) is available for pre-order...
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In Episode 209, Catherine () and Chrissie () join Sarah for the 5th annual Debuts Special! They’re sharing their reading stats for debuts this year, along with their favorite debuts, new and backlist — so far for 2025. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How debuts from 2025 compare to those from previous years. A full breakdown of Sarah’s, Catherine’s, and Chrissie’s 2025 debut-related stats. Featured debuts, split into two categories: Favorite Debuts of 2025 (so far) Favorite...
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Ep. 208 brings the third installment of our “Best of…” series. Elizabeth Barnhill of joined Sarah for the Best of Narrative Nonfiction, sharing her ALL-TIME TOP books in this genre. Plus, she brings a few popular nonfiction reads that didn’t work for her. This episode is chock-full of fantastic book recommendations to get you ready for Nonfiction November or just your next nonfiction pick. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Elizabeth got started with narrative...
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In Episode 207, Sarah chats with author Regina Black about her newest novel, . A second-chance romance about two people healing from trauma, is set in Arcadia, Arkansas, with themes of family, generational scars, and a unique thread of Black country music. Regina also talks about how she got into writing Romance on top of her job as a law school administrator, how long she’s been writing, and what spurred her on to seeking publication. Plus, Regina shares some of her top book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a...
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Please listen to the accompanying (less than 4 minute) episode for an important update about the Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast. Thank you, Sarah
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For Episode 206, fellow podcaster Jason Blitman, host of the podcast, joins Sarah to go behind the scenes of producing book festivals. They talk about how he came to reading later in his life and how his journey as a reader led him to his current role. Also, they discuss how he approaches author interviews. Plus, Jason shares his book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Jason’s experience with becoming a “later in life reader” How Jason got his start in...
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Welcome to the Fall 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of ! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 14 of their most anticipated books releasing from mid-August through December. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our or our (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 I share at least 4 bonus books we...
info_outlineWelcome to the Fall 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!
Today, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing mid-August through December.
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 joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I 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 to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here!
Highlights
- Catherine and Sarah share some big releases coming this fall (lightning round style).
- Catherine’s theme is “unpredictability” — half her picks are repeat authors and the other half simply caught her eye.
- Sarah’s choices feature 6 returning authors and overall are leaning more literary.
- A few shorter books from Sarah’s picks: under 300 pages.
- Sarah has already read and rated two of her picks!
- Plus, their #1 picks for the fall.
Big Fall Releases [1:29]
Books Mentioned
- By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult (Aug 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:56]
- Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:00]
- The Life Impossible by Matt Haig (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:05]
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:11]
- The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:30]
- Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (Oct 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:36]
- The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (Oct 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:39]
- The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins (Oct 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:45]
- The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami (Nov 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:51]
- It Starts with One: The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park by Jason Lipshutz(Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:54]
- MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band by Brad Tolinski, Jaan Uhelszki, and Ben Edmonds (Oct 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:55]
- Never Understood: The Jesus and Mary Chain by William Reid and Jim Reid(Sep 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:56]
- Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton & Me by Bernie Taupin (2023 release — in paperback Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:58]
- The Name of This Band Is R.E.M.: A Biography by Peter Ames Carlin (Nov 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:59]
Backlist Titles Mentioned
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig [2:08]
- The Measure by Nikki Erlick [2:27]
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins [2:45]
- 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami [3:02]
- What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami [3:25]
Fall 2024 Book Preview [6:34]
Mid-August
Catherine’s Pick
- There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Aug 20) | Amazon
| Bookshop.org[9:22]
Other Books Mentioned
- The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak [11:03]
- 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak [11:12]
September
Sarah’s Picks
- Guide Me Home by Attica Locke (Sep 3) | Amazon
| Bookshop.org [7:11]
- Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker (Sep 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:41]
- The Siege by Ben Macintyre (Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:03]
- Entitlement by Rumaan Alam (Sep 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:37]
- A Reason to See You Again by Jami Attenberg (Sep 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:00]
- Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen (Sep 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:45]
Catherine’s Picks
- Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes (Sep 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:37]
- Bringer of Dust by J. M. Miro (Sep 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:28]
Other Books Mentioned
- Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke [7:21]
- Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke [7:24]
- The Cutting Season by Attica Locke [7:55]
- Godshot by Chelsea Bieker [15:08]
- The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre [18:12]
- Ordinary Monsters by J. M. Miro [20:41]
- Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam [22:57]
- Trust by Hernan Diaz [23:45]
- Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid [23:48]
- All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg [28:06]
- Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg [28:09]
- The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg [28:10]
- Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow [29:39]
- Banyan Moon by Thao Tai [29:44]
- The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza [34:37]
- The Women by Kristin Hannah [35:44]
October
Sarah’s Picks
- The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:18] (To skip ahead, jump to [44:55] in your podcast player.)
- Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:44]
Catherine’s Picks
- A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang (Oct 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:11]
- The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni (Oct 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:59]
- Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth (Oct 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[36:48]
- Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger (Oct 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:56]
Other Books Mentioned
- The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni [31:07]
- A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin [38:43]
- The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz [39:23]
- The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin [42:23]
- Capote’s Women by Laurence Leamer [42:27]
- It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover [43:39]
- The Heirs by Susan Rieger [45:04]
- The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner [46:56]
- Happiness Falls by Angie Kim [47:53]
November
Catherine’s Pick
- The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson (Nov 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:53]