Check This Out with Rachel Barenbaum artwork

Check This Out with Rachel Barenbaum

86 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

From New Hampshire Public Radio and the Howe Library in Hanover, New Hampshire, Check This Out is a literary series where host Rachel Barenbaum dives deeply into the works of emerging and diverse authors.

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Episodes

Ep 112 NHPR Vauhini Vara: THIS IS SALVAGED

January 05, 2024 17:02 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MB

Vauhini Vara's story collection, THIS IS SALVAGED, has been named by The New Yorker, Publisher’s Weekly, Vox, and the New York Public Library as one of the best books of the year.

Ep. 111 NHPR: 2023 Holiday Show

January 04, 2024 17:02 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MB

Host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with her colleagues from the Howe Library in Hanover, New Hampshire to discuss their favorite reads from 2023.

Ep 110 NHPR Emma Törzs: INK BLOOD SISTER SCRIBE

December 18, 2023 19:55 - 56 minutes - 52 MB

This week on Check This Out, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Emma Törzs, author of "Ink Blood Sister Scribe." Törzs' debut novel will soon be available in 13 languages. It's a fast paced, magical book about two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's library of magical books. They work together along with a stranger, a magical scribe, to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection. It's a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal and the pursuit of magic and ...

Ep 110 Emma Törzs: INK BLOOD SISTER SCRIBE

December 18, 2023 19:55 - 56 minutes - 52 MB

This week on Check This Out, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Emma Törzs, author of "Ink Blood Sister Scribe." Törzs' debut novel will soon be available in 13 languages. It's a fast paced, magical book about two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's library of magical books. They work together along with a stranger, a magical scribe, to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection. It's a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal and the pursuit of magic and ...

Ep 109 NHPR Ayana Mathis: THE UNSETTLED

December 11, 2023 16:19 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MB

Episode 109. You may know Ayana Mathis from her debut novel, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. Published 11 years ago, the excitement and noise around that debut took up all the space and energy Mathis had to write fiction. Her new second novel is called The Unsettled. It’s a mother-daughter-son story that braids two narratives - one from the south and one from the north.

Ep 108 NHPR John Manuel Arias: WHERE THERE WAS FIRE

November 27, 2023 19:49 - 57 minutes - 52.2 MB

John Manuel Arias is a queer Costa Rican-American poet and writer who has lived in the U.S. and in Costa Rica where, as he reports, he shared a house with his grandmother and four ghosts. His debut novel, Where There Was Fire, burst onto the scene in August 2023. Set in Costa Rica, this story follows several generations of women in one family — mothers and daughters — alternating between their lives in the 1960s and the 1990s. The novel focuses on one major event that reverberates and haun...

Ep 107 NHPR Angie Kim: HAPPINESS FALLS

November 17, 2023 19:58 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MB

This week, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Angie Kim, author of the novel "Miracle Creek." Kim was named a finalist for the New American Voices Award. Her latest work, "Happiness Falls" follows the story of family in crisis, after a father goes missing — and the only person who knows what happened to him is the family's non-verbal 14 year old son, Eugene. In this conversation, Angie Kim shares her inspiration for "Happiness Falls," which tackles fascinating questions of love, language,...

Ep 106 NHPR Tania James: LOOT

November 14, 2023 19:46 - 56 minutes - 78.1 MB

This week, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Tania James, author of the novels "The Tusk That Did the Damage" and "Atlas of Unknowns." Her latest work, "Loot," has been named to the longlist of the 2023 National Book Award in fiction. In this conversation, Tania James shares her inspiration for "Loot," which gives readers a front-row seat to 18th and 19th century imperialism as seen through the eyes of an artisan toy maker who begins his journey in 1794 in Mysore, India. Check this Out ...

Ep 105 Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS

June 16, 2023 20:02 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MB

Episode 105. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah on the launch of his phenomenal debut CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS. Do not miss this book of this author!

Ep 104 Claire Jimenez: WHAT HAPPENED TO RUTHIE RAMIREZ

May 25, 2023 19:45 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MB

Episode 104. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Claire Jimenez on the launch of her debut, WHAT HAPPENED TO RUTHIE RAMIREZ?

Ep 103 Priya Guns: YOUR DRIVER IS WAITING

April 18, 2023 20:05 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MB

Rachel Barenbaum interviews Priya Guns on the launch of her debut novel, YOUR DRIVER IS WAITING. 

Ep 102 Jenny Jackson: PINEAPPLE STREET

April 09, 2023 15:30 - 29 minutes - 40.3 MB

Rachel Barenbaum interviews debut author Jenny Jackson on the launch of her Instant New York Times Best Seller PINEAPPLE STREET. 

Ep. 101 Patricia Park: IMPOSTER SYNDROME

March 29, 2023 12:44 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MB

Rachel Barenbaum interviews Patricia Park on the launch of her debut YA novel IMPOSTER SYNDROME. 

Ep 100 Ruben Degollado: THE FAMILY IZQUIERDO

December 05, 2022 19:39 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MB

Episode 100. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Ruben Degollado on the launch of his debut novel, THE FAMILY IZQUIERDO. Don't miss this interview of this amazing book!!

Ep 99 Elena Armas: THE AMERICAN ROOMMATE EXPERIMENT

November 15, 2022 14:21 - 28 minutes - 39.7 MB

Episode 99. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Elena Armas on the launch of her new novel THE AMERICAN ROOMMATE EXPERIMENT. Elena is a brilliant writer who started by self publishing - and grew into a TikTok sensation. After exploding sales, she was picked up by a big publisher and both of her books have been NYTimes instant bestsellers. Don't miss this book or this author!!

Ep 98 Belinda Huijuan Tang: A MAP FOR THE MISSING

November 02, 2022 13:25 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MB

Episode 98. Rachel Barenbaum interviews debut author Belinda Huijuan Tang about her novel A MAP FOR THE MISSING. Don't miss this amazing book!!

Ep 97 Kelly J. Ford: REAL BAD THINGS

October 14, 2022 12:43 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MB

Episode 97. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Kelly J. Ford on the release of her new novel REAL BAD THINGS. This interview is a part of the new literary series CHECK THIS OUT at the Howe Library. 

Ep 96 Jonathan Escoffery: IF I SURVIVE YOU

September 23, 2022 15:30 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

Episode 96. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Jonathan Escoffery on the launch of his debut IF I SURVIVE YOU. This book is already nominated for the National Book Award. Do not miss the book or this interview!

Ep 95 E.B. Bartels: GOOD GRIEF

August 03, 2022 18:37 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MB

Episode 95 Rachel Barenbaum interviews E.B. Bartels on the launch of her debut GOOD GRIEF. Don't miss this amazing author or interview!! 

Ep 94 Felicia Berliner: SHMUTZ

July 22, 2022 17:17 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MB

Episode 94. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Felicia Berliner on the launch of her debut, SHMUTZ. Don't miss it!!

Ep 93 Zibby Owens: BOOKENDS

July 13, 2022 14:53 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MB

Episode 93. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Zibby Owens on the launch of her debut memoir, BOOKENDS. Do not miss this amazing author or her memoir!!

Ep 92 Katie Gutierrez: MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW

June 23, 2022 18:38 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MB

Episode 92. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Katie Gutierrez on the launch of her debut MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW. This book is fantastic. Don't miss it or this amazing author. 

Ep 91 John Vercher: AFTER THE LIGHTS GO OUT

June 16, 2022 18:43 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MB

Episode 91. Rachel Barenbaum interviews John Vercher on the launch of his second novel, AFTER THE LIGHTS GO OUT. Don't miss this amazing book or interview. 

Ep 90 Vauhini Vara: THE IMMORTAL KING RAO

May 26, 2022 18:41 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

Episode 90. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Vauhini Vara on the launch of her debut novel THE IMMORTAL KING RAO. This book was unbelievable!! Do not miss this interview. 

Ep 89 Karen Winn: OUR LITTLE WORLD

May 19, 2022 18:38 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

Episode 89. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Karen Winn on the launch of her debut novel OUR LITTLE WORLD. Don't miss it!!

Ep 88 Courtney Maum: THE YEAR OF THE HORSES

May 12, 2022 14:39 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MB

Episode 88. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Courtney Maum on the launch of her debut memoir THE YEAR OF THE HORSES. The book is heartbreaking and uplifting - brilliant. Don't miss this interview. 

Ep 87 Boris Dralyuk: MY HOLLYWOOD

May 06, 2022 12:08 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

Episode 87. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Boris Dralyuk on the launch of his debut poetry collection, MY HOLLYWOOD. Don't miss this amazing interview or collection. 

Ep 86 Kate Quinn: THE DIAMOND EYE

April 22, 2022 18:40 - 29 minutes - 27 MB

Episode 86. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Kate Quinn on the launch of her new novel THE DIAMOND EYE. This author and this novel are incredible. Do not miss them!!

Special Episode: Caroline Leavitt interviews Rachel Barenbaum on the launch of ATOMIC ANNA

April 10, 2022 16:41 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MB

Special Episode: Caroline Leavitt interviews Rachel Barenbaum on the launch of Rachel's second novel, ATOMIC ANNA. 

Ep 85 Ellen Alpsten: THE TSARINA’S DAUGHTER

March 31, 2022 18:38 - 29 minutes - 27 MB

Episode 85. Author Spotlight. Don't miss this episode!! Rachel Barenbaum interviews Ellen Alpsten on the launch of her second book THE TSARINA'S Daughter, book two in the trilogy. 

Ep 84 Alex Segura: SECRET IDENTITY

March 24, 2022 18:35 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

Episode 84. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Alex Segura on the launch of his novel SECRET IDENTITY. Don't miss this interview!!

Ep 83 Jennifer Haigh: MERCY STREET

March 03, 2022 19:46 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MB

Episode 83. Author spotlight. Jennifer Haigh discusses her latest, MERCY STREET, with Rachel Barenbaum. This book is INCREDIBLE. Do not miss it. And don't miss the bonus - writing advice and tips from Jennifer. 

Ep 82 Renee Branum: DEFENESTRATE

February 17, 2022 19:39 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

Episode 82. Debut author Renee Branum talks about her amazing debut DEFENESTRATE with Rachel Barenbaum. 

Ep 81 Destiny O. Birdsong: NOBODY’S MAGIC

February 09, 2022 19:37 - 30 minutes - 28 MB

Episode 81. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Destiny O. Birdsong on the launch of her debut NOBODY'S MAGIC. Don't miss this interview or this amazing book!!

Ep 80 Sequoia Nagamatsu: HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK

February 03, 2022 19:36 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MB

Episode 80. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Sequoia Nagamatsu on the launch of his debut HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK. Don't miss it. 

Ep 79 Gwen E. Kirby: SHIT CASSANDRA SAW

January 20, 2022 19:36 - 30 minutes - 28 MB

Episode 79 Gwen E. Kirby talks to Rachel Barenbaum about her debut short story collection: SHIT CASSANDRA SAW. This collection and this author are amazing! Don't miss it. 

Ep 78 Clare Chambers: SMALL PLEASURES

December 14, 2021 19:37 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

Episode 78. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Clare Chambers on the launch of her eight novel: SMALL PLEASURES. This amazing book was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Don't miss it!!

Ep 77 Mina Seçkin: THE FOUR HUMORS

December 02, 2021 19:38 - 29 minutes - 84.7 KB

Episode 77. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Mina Seçkin on the launch of her debut novel: THE FOUR HUMORS. Don't miss it. 

Ep 76 Jenna Blum: WOODROW ON THE BENCH

November 19, 2021 15:35 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MB

Episode 76. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Jenna Blum on the launch of her debut memoir, WOODROW ON THE BENCH. Don't miss this fantastic interview!

Ep 75 David Hoon Kim: PARIS IS A PARTY, PARIS IS A GHOST

October 29, 2021 12:31 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MB

Episode 75. Rachel Barenbaum interviews David Hoon Kim on the launch of his debut PARIS IS A PARTY, PARIS IS A GHOST.

Ep 74 Zoraida Córdova: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina

October 14, 2021 18:51 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MB

Episode 74. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Zoraida Córdova on the launch of her adult debut, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. Don't miss the amazing author. She talks about writing for Star Wars and magical realism. 

Ep 73 Judy Bolton-Fasman: ASYLUM

September 23, 2021 18:49 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MB

Episode 73. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Judy Bolton-Fasman on the launch of her debut memoir: ASYLUM. 

Ep 72 Honorée Fanonne Jeffers: THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS

September 03, 2021 12:56 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MB

Rachel Barenbaum interviews the brilliant and lovely Honorée Fanonne Jeffers about her debut novel - THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS.

Ep 71 Rachel Yoder: NIGHTBITCH

August 17, 2021 13:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MB

Episode 71. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Rachel Yoder on the launch of her debut, NIGHTBITCH.

Ep 70: Charlotte McConaghy: ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES

August 10, 2021 13:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Episode 70. Rachel Barenbaum interviews the incredible and brilliant Charlotte McConaghy on the launch of her new book ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES. McConaghy is the aithor of MIGRATIONS - named Amazon's best book of the year. 

Ep 66Dariel Suarez: THE PLAYWRIGHT'S HOUSE

June 15, 2021 13:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MB

Episode 66. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Dariel Suarez on the launch of his debut novel, THE PLAYWRIGHT'S HOUSE. 

Ep 65 Zakiya Dalila Harris: THE OTHER BLACK GIRL

June 08, 2021 13:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

Episode 65. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Zakiya Dalila Harris on the launch of her debut, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL.

Ep 64 Zakiya Dalila Harris: THE OTHER BLACK GIRL

June 08, 2021 13:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

Episode 65. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Zakiya Dalila Harris on the launch of her debut, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL.

Ep 64 Rahul Raina: HOW TO KIDNAP THE RICH

June 01, 2021 13:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

Episode 64. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Rahul Raina on the launch of his debut: HOW TO KIDNAP THE RICH.

Ep 63 Dawnie Walton: THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV

May 25, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

Episode 63. Rachel Barenbaum interviews debut author Dawnie Walton on the launch of her debut novel, THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & Nev.