Home Podcasts Poured Over
Poured Over

Poured Over

Barnes & Noble 727 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like host Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who's always reading. The podcast features surprising riffs, candid conversations, a few laughs, and lots of great book recommendations from big name authors and authors on their way to being big names. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays with occasional bonus episodes on Saturdays.

Episodes

Anand Giridharadas on MAN IN THE MIRROR
Anand Giridharadas on MAN IN THE MIRROR Oct 13, 2026 01:04:19 Man in the Mirror by Anand Giridharadas is a meticulously reported, empathetic and urgent account of America at a crossroads, where mental health and systemic failure intersect. Anand joins us to talk about his reporting process, compassion, civic engagement, and the questions of democracy with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New ep
Deesha Philyaw on THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF THE FIRST LADY FREEMAN
Deesha Philyaw on THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF THE FIRST LADY FREEMAN Oct 10, 2026 49:43 The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw is a scandalous, messy satire about a pageant for the wives of megachurch pastors, following Scharisse Freeman, a church "First Lady" who gets caught between childhood secrets and her public image. Deesha joined us live at B&N City Center in Philadelphia to talk about creating humor on the page, obedience, faith, and her skepticism of fo
Barbara Kingsolver on PARTITA
Barbara Kingsolver on PARTITA Oct 8, 2026 57:44 Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver returns with Partita, an unforgettable story of resilience, possibility and the transformative power of music. Barbara joins us to talk about her craft, her passion for classical music, and her Appalachian heritage with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. The episode features musical accompanimen
Imbolo Mbue on EVERY STORY IS A LOVE STORY
Imbolo Mbue on EVERY STORY IS A LOVE STORY Oct 6, 2026 35:28 Every Story is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue is a smart and tender exploration of grief following a man who meets the person responsible for his wife's fatal car accident. Imbolo joins us to talk about faith, community, regret, and forgiveness with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with
Hernan Diaz on PLY
Hernan Diaz on PLY Oct 3, 2026 01:06:01 In Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hernan Diaz's Ply, centuries from now, society has adapted to a new way of life as humans mend their relationships to the world…and each other. Hernan joined us live in Philadelphia to talk about subjectivity, selfhood and identity; particle physics; and Charles Dickens with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry
Min Jin Lee on AMERICAN HAGWON
Min Jin Lee on AMERICAN HAGWON Oct 1, 2026 01:03:31 The acclaimed, bestselling author of Pachinko, Min Jin Lee returns with American Hagwon, a modern classic about ambition and love, family and finding home. Min Jin joined us live at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church to talk about education and ambition, the 19th century social novel, compressed modernity, and trying to be a good person in an anxious world with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Pour
John Grisham on THE FRENCH ILLUSION
John Grisham on THE FRENCH ILLUSION Sep 30, 2026 52:10 In The French Illusion by John Grisham, a honeymoon unravels into terror as newlyweds Paul and Chelsea get snatched from the French countryside, prompting a puzzling investigation. John joins us to talk about his time in law school, his prolific writing career, and his advocacy for the wrongfully convicted with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and m
Ayad Akhtar on THE RADIANCE
Ayad Akhtar on THE RADIANCE Sep 29, 2026 01:07:06 Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and author, Ayad Akhtar joins us to talk about craft,  the campus novel, autofiction, and his latest book, The Radiance, with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.   Featured Books: The Radiance by
Sharon McMahon on THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY
Sharon McMahon on THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY Sep 24, 2026 56:19 Now out in paperback, The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon casts a needed spotlight on the other heroes of American greatness — ones you may not have heard of. Sharon joins us to talk about raising engaged citizens, local news, and communication as a leadership skill with cohost Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes
John Green on HOLLYWOOD, ENDING
John Green on HOLLYWOOD, ENDING Sep 22, 2026 51:14 Beloved storyteller John Green returns with a tender love story set against the underbelly of the entertainment industry as two actors balance their rising fame with their complicated feelings in Hollywood, Ending. John joins us to talk about the social internet, the attention economy, Andy Warhol, having fun writing, and the world's largest ball of paint with cohost Brenda Allison. This episode o
Makenna Goodman on HELEN OF NOWHERE
Makenna Goodman on HELEN OF NOWHERE Sep 19, 2026 45:42 Blending surrealism, satire and philosophical concepts, Booker Prize-longlisted Helen of Nowhere by Makenna Goodman weaves a tale of beginnings following a disgraced professor who moves into a house where the presence of the previous owner lingers. Makenna joins us to talk about narrative form, stand-up comedy, and the dynamism of nature with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hos
Claudia Rankine on TRIAGE
Claudia Rankine on TRIAGE Sep 17, 2026 51:25 In Triage, acclaimed author and playwright Claudia Rankine uses prose, poetry and art images to challenge the ways we look at friendship and memory, action and obligation. Claudia joined us live from B&N Upper West Side to talk about narrative, lyric poetry, interiority, and broadening the collective we with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry

Recommended