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Ep. 182: Chelsea Bieker (Author of Madwoman) + Book Recommendations

Sarah's Bookshelves Live

Release Date: 11/13/2024

Ep. 202: 2025 Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits) show art Ep. 202: 2025 Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits)

Sarah's Bookshelves Live

In Episode 202, Susie () and Sarah explore some of their new favorite Micro Genres. Since starting the Micro Genres series, they’ve loved taking the opportunity each year to examine and define their tastes in these sub-sub-genres. This year, they have curated a list of 10 all-new Micro Genres, along with notable books for each category. With over 80 books mentioned, this is another year of niching down for some great book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Books Told From the Perspective...

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

In Ep. 199, Susie Boutry (), Catherine Gilmore (), and Sarah are all back on the mic, ready to catch up on how their reading is shaping up for 2025 — so far!  They talk about the current publishing landscape, what books are topping bestseller lists to date, and their personal reading as it stands halfway through the year. They share reading stats and talk about expectations and hopes for the remainder of the year. Plus, their TOP 5 books and their biggest disappointments so far. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no...

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

Ep. 198 is the second episode of our brand-new “Best of…” series. Anderson McKean of  joined me for the Best of Thrillers, with her all-time TOP TEN favorite thriller novels…and, a couple buzzy thrillers that didn’t work for her.⁠ Also, Anderson talks about how she started reading thrillers, the wide variety available in the genre, and books from her list that would be perfect for those new to the genre! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights What draws her to the thriller...

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

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Sarah's Bookshelves Live

In Episode 193, author Clare Leslie Hall talks with Sarah about her US debut,  — a breakout hit and a . A genre mash-up that is part love story and part murder trial, Clare talks about marketing Broken Country, how this came to be her first U.S. release, and the ways the novel evolved over time. Plus, Clare shares her 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 Books by Clare Leslie Hall: ,  (previously published as Mine),...

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In Episode 182, author Chelsea Bieker discusss her new novel, Madwoman, with Sarah. Chelsea shares how her own childhood inspired the fictional characters in her book and what parts of the book differ from her own experience. They talk about the trajectory of this intense and personal novel that began as a “funny little book about motherhood” and morphed into a story about trauma and abuse.  Plus, Chelsea shares her 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 Chelsea Bieker: Madwoman (2024), Heartbroke (2022), and Godshot (2020)
  • A spoiler-free overview of Madwoman.
  • How this story transformed from a “funny little book about motherhood” to an intense story about trauma and abuse.
  • The ways Chelsea’s childhood experiences and memories shaped her story of Clove.
  • The parts of Madwoman that were pulled directly from her own life and those that weren’t.
  • Exploring the publisher’s statement that Madwoman would be Chelsea’s breakout.
  • Conversations with her mom and dad about the book’s story.
  • The relationship between Madwoman, Godshot, and Chelsea’s current work in progress.

Chelsea’s Book Recommendations [46:01]

Two OLD Books She Loves

Two NEW Books She Loves

One Book She DIDN’T Love

One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About

Last 5-Star Book Chelsea Read

About Chelsea Bieker

Website | Instagram | X | Facebook | Substack

Chelsea Bieker is the author of three books, most recently the nationally bestselling novel, Madwoman, a Book of the Month club pick the New York Times calls “brilliant in its depiction of the long shadows cast by domestic violence.” Her first novel, Godshot, was long-listed for The Center For Fiction’s First Novel Prize and named a Barnes & Noble Pick of the Month. Her story collection, Heartbroke, won the California Book Award and was a New York Times “Best California Book of 2022.” Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Marie Claire UK, People, The Cut, Wall Street Journal, No Tokens, and others. She is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Writers’ Award, as well as residencies from MacDowell and Tin House. Raised in Hawai’i and California, she now lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children.