Ep. 206: Behind the Scenes of Book Festivals & Author Interviews with Jason Blitman (Host of the Gays Reading Podcast)

For Episode 206, fellow podcaster Jason Blitman, host of the Gays Reading 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. 

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CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

Highlights

• Jason’s experience with becoming a “later in life reader”
• How Jason got his start in podcasting and started the Gays Reading podcast
• The method and madness behind choosing which authors to feature
• Jason turns the tables on Sarah and asks her an interview question
• With 2 different book festivals under his belt, Jason shares what producing these events entails
• How authors and special guests are chosen for book festivals
• Managing authors’ expectations, difficulties, and comfort levels at these large events
• Plus, ALL of Jason’s book recommendations are from LGBTQIA+ authors!

Jason’s Book Recommendations [39:38]

Two OLD Books He Loves

• A Star is Bored by Byron Lane (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:00]
• Still Life by Sarah Winman (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:01]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Tin Man by Sarah Winman (2017) [43:32]  

Two NEW Books He Loves

• Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:02]
• The Sunflower Boys by Sam Wachman (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:26]

One Book He DIDN’T Love

• Blackouts by Justin Torres (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:48]
• Other Books Mentioned
  • Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig (1976) [50:14] 

One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About

• Lean Cat, Savage Cat by Lauren John Joseph (February 17, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:40]

Books From the Discussion and Other Links

• The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) [1:01]
• Gays Reading | Season 4, Episode 36: Lucas Schaefer (The Slip) feat. Mike Curato, Guest Gay Reader [1:04] 
• We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (2021) [1:39] 
• Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [1:48] 
• The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (1937) [3:29] 
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) [4:03] 
• How I Paid for College by Marc Acito (2004) [5:10] 
• A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2010) [6:11] 
• Find Me by André Aciman (2019) [7:31] 
• Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman (2007) [7:34] 
• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (2009) [8:09]
• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [8:37] 
• The Nix by Nathan Hill (2016) [8:54] 
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) [8:57] 
• The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel (2021) [11:24] 
• Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau (2021) [11:50]
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [12:55]
• The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue (2023) [14:48]
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong (2024) [37:20]
• Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White (1952) [38:41]
• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean (2008) [38:43]