Books Are My People Weekly Newsletter

out today, paperback releases and more!

Books Are My People: A Podcast Companion Newsletter

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Dear Reader,

We have between 4-5 more weeks of summer break over here between my high schooler and my college kid and I am trying to make the most of every second: boardgames, dog walks, travel, books, even summer hockey. I’m here for almost all things summer. (I don’t love the heat, but most mornings in Los Angeles are delightfully overcast.)

We Angelinos have been operating in a bit of a fog of our own due to all of the uncertainty here. My privilege to live freely in this city is on display every time I leave the house. I’m sickened by the way families are being ripped apart. How are your cities holding up?

Here are the results from the poll last week. I think it’s interesting that e-books are below audiobooks. This was not the case ten years ago. I think there are so many more options when it comes to audiobooks (previously, you could really only listen to bestsellers.) And maybe people just don’t want to spend MORE time staring at a device. Or maybe that’s just me.

Podcast News:

You can click here to listen to the most recent episode of my book recommendation podcast - I’m on summer hiatus, but I’ll be back in August. Until then, you can keep up to date with book releases and bookish news by signing up for my free newsletter right here on Substack! And, if you haven't yet, the greatest gift would be to rate my show, wherever you listen.

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Member’s Corner:

July: Book to Film Adaptation - We Were Liars by e. lockhart. Order your copy here!

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The best way you can support this newsletter is to click on the books below and purchase them through my Bookshop.org affiliate store. A portion of your spending goes to independent bookstores! A win-win-win! (You win, I win, indie bookstores win!) Let Me Help You Discover New Books! (I’ve starred the ones I’ve read) I’m confident readers of all stripes will find their next read in this newsletter, where there’s something for everyone! You can learn more about me by visiting my introductory post here.

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Today’s New Releases: (I’ve starred the ones I’ve read)

An atmospheric read and postmodern novel in four parts: Blowfish by Kyung-Ran Jo - a successful sculptor who decides to end their life by artfully preparing and deliberately eating a lethal dish of blowfish.

An irreverent novel about art: If You Love It, Let It Kill You by Hannah Pittard - A novelist learns that an unflattering version of herself will appear prominently—and soon—in her ex-husband’s debut novel.

Historical fiction: Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs - Based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption. Set in the turbulent Vietnam era in the All-American city of Buffalo, New York, six girls are condemned to forced labor in the laundry of a Catholic reform school.

1770’s Buenos Aires: A Flower Traveled in My Blood by Haley Cohen Gilliland – Nonfiction about a group of courageous grandmothers who fought to find their grandchildren who were stolen.

An Explosive thriller: Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza - Two estranged friends, a grisly murder, a sudden disappearance, and the truly shocking revelation that everyone is lying to you about something .

Listen to my interview with Jo Piazza on my Books Are My People podcast.

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Paperback Releases:

*Colored Television by Danzy Senna - A satire about writing, race, ambition and Hollywood. Fun Fact: Senna is married to Percival Everett, author of James!

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I haven’t been updating my Etsy shop with new art, mostly because I want to leave Etsy and move all purchases to my own website, but I made these original prints over the weekend. They’re 18 x 24 inches - the first six are made using acrylics and the last two, using Akua inks. They’re all for sale. You can reach out via Substack or my website or Instagram for more information.

I hope everyone has a great week!

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