Meet the Writers on Poured Over: 2023 Book of the Year Finalists

“We all shape our stories in some way, we all try to emerge as the hero of them…”

David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon) takes on mutiny and shipwreck in the shocking true story of The Wager. Grann joined us on the show to talk about wading through archival research, his adventure to the sites from the book, seeing his works become films and more live at Barnes & Noble Union Square. Listen here or watch here.

“In 1649, Artemisia Gentileschi wrote, ‘I’ll show you what a woman can do.’” 

In The Story of Art Without Men Katy Hessel recounts the legacy of the women that have shaped the history of art — largely without recognition. Hessel joins us to talk about how she started this massive project, what surprised her while writing, some of the women that inspire her and more with guest host Allie Ludlow. Listen here or watch here.

“I’ve become increasingly cynical about the industry’s ability to change itself and how it deals with representation and marginalization.” 

R.F. Kuang’s new novel, Yellowface, tackles cultural appropriation, the challenges that permeate the world of publishing and what it means to be a writer, delivered with her singular wit. Kuang — author of Babel, our 2022 Speculative Fiction Pick of the Year — joins us to talk about what lead her to write this new book, who gets to tell our stories, publishing her first literary fiction novel and more live at Barnes & Noble Union Square with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. Listen here or watch here.

“People who love books, we’re the last line of reason and discourse…”

National Book Award winner James McBride’s newest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store showcases the complicated and compassionate lives of the inhabitants of a small Pennsylvania town. McBride joins us to discuss the research he does, his personal connections to the book, telling stories that need to be told and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. Listen here or watch here.

“There’s nothing truer than fiction, because you can always find yourself in the work.” 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters is the story of a Mi’kmaq girl who goes missing and the grief, turmoil and hope that they find as they move forward. Our 2023 Discover Prize winner Peters joins us to talk about her personal connections to the novel, crafting her characters, connection through storytelling and more with guest host, Jenna Seery.  Listen here or watch here.

“I think that messy, sort of evolving spiritual element of Black Americans’ lives … has allowed us to survive, and not only to survive, but also to thrive.” 

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward balances grief and injustice with joy and reclamation in a sweeping, lyrical novel that brings often overlooked history into the light. Two-time National Book Award winner Ward joins us to talk about exploring historical fiction, writing beyond the world we can explain, and finding the connections between literature and grief, and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. Listen here or watch here.