MashReads Podcast

'Homegoing' (featuring guest and author Yaa Gyasi)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, with Yaa herself. Homegoing is a novel that follows the family lineage of two half sisters, Effia who is the wife of a British slaver and Esi who is sold into slavery and eventually sent to America. As the story follows each line's family tree, Homegoing offers a brief yet powerful look at history and family, the forces that seek to disrupt them, and the lengths we will go to hold on to them. Then, as always, we...

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' and our favorite comic book/ superhero adaptations

Spider-Man is back! After surprising audiences with his acrobatics and quips in Captain America: Civil War, the famed web swinger is back on the big screen with Spider-Man: Homecoming. Join us this week on the MashReads Podcast, as we discuss Spider-Man, what sets him apart from other superheroes, what Spider-Man: Homecoming got right, and what the movie got wrong. Then we pan out and talk about our other favorite comic book superhero adaptations. And as always, we close the show  Aliza r...

'The Idiot' and Russian literature you should read

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Elif Batuman's new novel The Idiot. The book follows the year in the life of Selin, a Turkish-American freshman at Harvard. As Selin goes throughout her freshman year who is growing up, navigating an infatuation/ relationship with a senior student who is from Hungary, and examining existence and language in the world by studying linguistics. "It is plotless, it's mundane and quiet and calm, and it's very internal, and it's kind of wonder...

'The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley' (feat. Hannah Tinti)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Hannah Tinti's novel The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley with author Hannah Tinti herself!  The novel is a father/ daughter story about what it means to be a hero, and the price we pay to protect the people we love the most. The book follows two stories, told in parallel: The history of Samuel Hawley and his "twelve lives" (which are the twelve bullet wounds he's received while working as a criminal smuggler), told side-by-side with the c...

MashReads Mini: 'Harry Potter' turns 20 years old

The 'Boy Who Lived' just entered a new decade. Today marks the 20 anniversary since 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' debuted in the UK. To celebrate the occasion, we sat down and reflected on Harry Potter and the impact that it has had over the past 20 years.

'Lord of The Flies' and books where kids run the show (for better or for worse)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss William Golding's classic tale of kids gone mad, The Lord of the Flies. The book follows a group of British school students who crash land on a deserted island, and must struggle to survive, unsure if or when they will be rescued. Then, inspired by The Lord of the Flies, we talk about our favorite books where kids run the show (for better or for worse). And finally, we close the show with recommendations. Peter gives a shout out to Mas...

'Wonder Woman' and the most incredible, badass women in literature

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies, from D.C.'s new Rebirth run. Then, inspired by Wonder Woman, we talk about the most incredible, badass women in literature.

'Strange The Dreamer' (with guest and author Laini Taylor)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, MashReads' Aliza chats with Laini Taylor about her upcoming book Strange The Dreamer.

'Into The Water' and our favorite mystery novels

This week, we read and discuss Paula Hawkins' new mystery novel Into The Water. The novel follows a small town, Beckford that is reeling after a community member, Nel Abbott, falls from a cliff and drowns in the local river. There are multiple theories about the cause of death — some say she slipped of the cliff, others say she jump, while others say she was pushed. But as the town, and newcomer detective investigates Nel's death, they learn the river holds more secrets than anyone suspected....

'Boy Erased' and books to celebrate Gay Pride Month (feat. guest and author Garrard Conley)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we chat with Garrard Conley about his memoir, Boy Erased, which details Conley's experience in ex-gay conversion therapy. "So much of good memoir suggests to the reader: I'm okay now," explains Conley.Then, in honor of Gay Pride Month in June, we discuss our favorite queer books to celebrate Pride. And as always, we close the show with recommendations: Garrard recommends the new season of Twin Peaks. "It's like a crime procedural drama but it goes way left...

'The Hate U Give' and our favorite socially conscious books

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Angie Thomas' new YA novel The Hate U Give. The Hate U Give follows Starr Carter, a black teen who witnesses her unarmed friend Khalil get shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop. In addition to having to face the trauma of witnessing the shooting, as the sole witness to the incident, Starr finds herself at the center of the trial against the cop that shot Khalil. But after speaking to her police department about the in...

'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman and our favorite books featuring mythology

Inspired by the new Starz adaptation, this week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Neil Gaiman's tale of warring deities, American Gods. The novel follows Shadow, a man just released from prison and looking to find his way home. However, Shadow is intercepted by a mysterious man named Mr. Wednesday who enlists Shadow as his assistant and body guard. Soon Shadow is sucked into a world much bigger and much more powerful than the one he knew before. Then, we move from American Gods ...

'Things We Lost In The Fire' (feat guest and author Mariana Enriquez)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Mariana Enriquez's new short story collection 'Things We Lost In The Fire' with Enriquez herself.  

'March Vol 1' and the best uses of art in literature

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Congressman John Lewis' graphic memoir 'March Vol 1.' Then, inspired by the visual storytelling in the graphic novel, we talk about the best uses of art in literature.

'The Outsiders' (feat. guest and author S.E. Hinton)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of 'The Outsiders' and chat with the iconic book's author S.E. Hinton. And as always, we close the show with recommendations: S.E. Hinton has a host of recommendations 'Lost City of Z' by David Grann (and the recent movie adaptation starring Robert Pattinson and Charlie Hunan, as well), 'The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The Ancient World' by Andrienne Mayor, and 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. She also reco...

'The Great Gatsby' and our favorite high school books

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby. Then, inspired by Gatsby's place in the canon of books we all read in high school, we chat about our favorite high school books including Lord Of The Flies by William Golding, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, and Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger. Then, as always, we close the show with recommendations: Aliza recommends Pod Save America, Lovett or Leave It, and the other podcasts from Cro...

'Exit West' (feat. guest and author Mohsin Hamid)

 Author Mohsin Hamid has an observation about how people migrate today: "Human existence is an existence of transience. We don't stick around, sadly, and we change from moment to moment." It is this observation that inspired Mohsin's latest novel Exit West, a stirring fable about the world's migrant crisis. The novel follows two lovers, Nadia and Saeed, who live in a fictional city that succumbs to a militant civil war. Though restrictions are soon placed their city, Nadia and Saeed are not s...

'Goodbye Days' (featuring author and guest Jeff Zentner)

This week on the 'MashReads Podcast,' we are joined by author Jeff Zentner to discuss his latest novel 'Goodbye Days.' And, as always, we close the show with recommendations: Jeff recommends 'The Last of August' by Brittany Cavallaro. The book is the second book in the 'Charlotte Holmes' series. "Both books are the most utterly brilliant blend of commercial and literary writing." He also recommends 'History Is All You Left Me' by Adam Silvera (which we talked about here on the MashReads Podc...

'A Separation' by Katie Kitamura (feat. guest and author Katie Kitamura)

This week we are joined by author Katie Kitamura to read and discuss her new book 'A Separation.' 'A Separation' is one woman's inner thoughts as she travels to Greece to try to uncover the mystery of her separated and soon-to-be divorced from husband who goes missing on a research trip.And as always, we close the show with recommendations. Katie recommends 'The Mountain', an upcoming short story collection by Paul Yoon. "[The stories] kind of migrate, there's a path of migration but both th...

'Fever Dream' and books that make you say 'WTF?!'

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Samanta Schweblin surrealist novel 'Fever Dream.' Then inspired by the book's trippy nature, we chat about books that make us say 'WTF?!'And as always we close the show with recommendations. Aliza recommends You Must Remember This by Karina Longworth, a podcast that covers the unknown secrets and lesser-known stories of Hollywood in the 20th century. "It's just amazing. Karina is amazing. Here research is great. Her voices when she does ...

Revisiting 'The Familiar’ (with guest Mark Z. Danielewski)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we chatted with author Mark Z. Danielewski about writing and his experiment uber-novel series 'The Familiar.'

'Stranger Than Fanfiction' (with guest Chris Colfer)

'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' and women who shaped the book world

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Ursula Le Guin's short story "The One's Who Walk Away From Omelas." The story forces readers to imagine the utopia of Omelas, an idylic land filled with festivals, sun and happiness. But as a part of an undisclosed bargain, the joy of Omelas is only possible if one child experiences extreme pain. This child is imprisoned in a cellar or broom closet, covered in sores and can have no happy thing or kind word offered to him. Everyone in Om...

'History Is All You Left Me' (with guest Adam Silvera)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Adam Silvera's novel 'History Is All You Left Me,' a YA novel about love and grief. Then, as always, we close the show with recommendations:This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera. Aliza recommends Moonlight. "It's gorgeous both in the themes but [it's] also visually stunning...the acting was so good, and it's so important in that it's giving representation to people who are not...

'Lincoln In The Bardo' (with guest George Saunders)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss George Saunders's new postmodern novel 'Lincoln In The Bardo'And as always, we close the show with recommendations: Aliza recommends the audiobook version of Lincoln In The Bardo. "The audiobook for this book, Lincoln In The Bardo, is amazing. All of the 166 different perspectives have a different voice actor; they're all well known celebrities/ big name actors, and they all apparently knocked it out of the park." Peter recommends rewatc...

'Their Eyes Were Watching God' and books by black authors that everyone should read

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Zora Neale Hurston's timeless classic Their Eyes Were Watching God. Then, inspired by Their Eyes Were Watching God and Black History Month, we discuss our favorite books by black authors. And as always we close the show with recommendations. Aliza recommends the trailer for the movie adaptation of Nicola Yoon's YA novel 'Everything, Everything.' She also recommends a list of geeky feminist projects after attending the Strand bookstore's...

YA fans are the best book fans ever. Take it from a YA expert Jeff Giles

In a special episode of the MashReads Podcast, MashReads spoke at length with YA expert Jeff Giles about his journey from YA fan to YA author. Giles is known for being the former Entertainment Weekly editor who brought in-depth YA coverage to EW in the early days of the Twilight craze. Now he can include himself among the ranks of the YA authors he covered with the publication of his debut novel The Edge of Everything. The Edge of Everything is about teen Zoe, who is still reeling from loss...

'Universal Harvester' (with guest John Darnielle)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss John Darnielle's new novel 'Unverisal Harvester' with John Darnielle himself! 'Universal Harvester' follows Jeremy, a video store clerk in Nevada, Iowa, who notices that curious, shocking and sometimes violent scenes are being recorded on top of the store's tapes. When Jeremy and a few other employees at the video store begin to investigate the tapes, they realize that the scenes were recorded just outside of their town, leading them dow...

'Chairman Spaceman' by Thomas Pierce and our favorite books about space

This week, we read and discuss Thomas Pierce's short story "Chairman Spaceman," published in the New Yorker. The story is about a man, Dom Whipple, and his last day on earth before he leaves, with no plan to return, to go live on a distant planet. Then, inspired by the way this story deals with the decision to go to space, we discuss our favorite books about space including "The Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card, and a whole lot of complicated feelings a...

'Tiny Beautiful Things' and books that taught us important lessons

"Most things will be okay eventually, but not everything will be. Sometimes you'll put up a good fight and lose. Sometimes you'll hold on really hard and realize there is no choice but to let go. Acceptance is a small quiet room." So writes Cheryl Strayed in her advice/ essay collection Tiny Beautiful Things. Tiny Beautiful Things started out as an advice column by Steve Almond in 2009, written on the literary website The Rumpus. Advice came from the anonymous "Sugar" persona, a figure who ...

'The Shining' and our favorite books about isolation

This week, we read and discuss Stephen King's classic wintery psychological thriller The Shining. Then inspired by the setting and isolation of The Shining, we talk about our favorite books about isolation.And as always we, close the show with recommendations. MJ finished reading and recommends The Female of The Species by Mindy McGinnis. He also recommends 'Becoming Ugly,' an essay by Madeleine Davies published in Jezebel. "There is a theme of women fighting back in what I read this week th...

The Goldfinch and our favorite (non YA) coming of age novels

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Goldfinch. The Goldfinch starts with a boy named Theo as he experiences a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The attack kills his mother, and in the confusing aftermath of the attack, Theo accidentally steals a painting called 'The Goldfinch' from the museum. From there, we follow Theo as he grows up, traveling from New York to Vegas and back to New York, all the while deali...

Celebrating books and setting New Year's Reading Resolutions in 2017 (with Lisa Lucas from the National Book Foundation)

If you're a book nerd, there's one goal that's always on your list of New Year's resolutions: read more books. But with the hustle and bustle of daily life, the question remains -- how do you set a good reading resolution and actually accomplish it in the year? Luckily, we brought in an pro to give us some advice. This week on the MashReads Podcast, we are joined by Lisa Lucas, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation. The National Book Foundation is non-profit organization dedicate...

Best of 2016

In honor of 2016 coming to a close, this week on the MashReads Podcast, we reflect on our favorite books of 2016. Join us as we talk about the best new books from 2016, the favorite things we've read this year, books that surprised us and more.

Cloud Atlas and books with great world building

"Yet, what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?" So asks David Mitchell in his post-modern masterpiece Cloud Atlas. In many ways, it's a fitting question that sums up the book entirely. Cloud Atlas is composed of 6 stories each about bravery and resistance in their own ways. Throughout the book, each story looks at the figures on the cusp a revolution, turning the tide of either personal or far-reaching history. (i.e. the individual drops that form the ocean of revolution) Each story is tol...

'Cat's Cradle' and our favorite satire

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Kurt Vonnegut's book Cat's Cradle, a novel that defies description partially because of how absurd the plot is. The book follows a journalist John (who at the beginning of the novel requests to be called Jonah) as he investigates the inventor of the atomic bomb. It's this investigation that leads him to discovering Hoenikker's eccentric children, the mysterious substance Ice-nine, the secluded island San Lorenzo, a new religion called Bo...

'To Kill A Mockingbird' and books that change when you reread them

We have a long running joke on the MashReads Podcast -- Can our co-host Aliza Weinberger reference to To Kill A Mockingbird, her favorite book, in every episode that we record. Given that joke, we are happy to say, this week on the MashReads Podcast, we finally took the plunge and read Harper Lee's classic. Join us as we discuss To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee's portrayal of racism in the south and if Atticus is actually the hero we all say he is. Then, inspired by our revisit of To Kill A ...

'The Sun Is Also A Star' (with guest Nicola Yoon)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we are joined by New York Times bestselling author Nicola Yoon to talk about her new novel The Sun Is Also A Star. The Sun Is Also A Star follows two strangers -- romantic poet Daniel and science whiz Natasha -- who have very different opinions on love. When Natasha and Daniel run into each other on a fateful day in New York, Daniel believes he has found The One and embarks on a quest to convince Natasha to fall in love with him. The only problem: at the en...

Books We're Thankful For

'Tis the season! In honor of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, this week on the MashReads Podcast we discuss the books we're thankful for and why.

'The Mothers' (with guest Brit Bennett)

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we are joined by author Brit Bennett to discuss her new novel The Mothers. The novel begins with Nadia, a girl who, after the loss of her mother when she is 17, has a fling with the son of a paster, gets pregnant and decides to terminate the pregnancy. The novel then follows Nadia throughout her life, exploring how the repercussions of that decision effect not only her but also her community and her relationships in the future. Join us as we talk to Brit ...

'The Underground Railroad' (with guest Colson Whitehead)

This week, we are joined by Colson Whitehead to chat about his book The Underground Railroad.  The book paints a portrait of slavery and American history by following Cora, a slave running away from a cruel plantation in Georgia. As she struggles to escape to freedom, Cora travels through the country, seeing how deeply slavery as shaped American life and how passionately citizens will fight to keep or destroy the institution. Join us as we chat about writing, history and The Underground Rai...

Halloween reading and our favorite scary books

This week, in honor of Halloween, we take a deep dive into the world of horror books. Join us as we chat about what we look for in a scary book, what tropes do you see in the horror genre, and our favorite terrifying books.

'Something Wicked This Way Comes' and lesser known books by famous authors

This week, we read and discuss Ray Bradbury's haunting carnival tale Something Wicked This Way Comes. The book follows two young friends, Jim and Will, living in a small town in Illinois. When a mysterious carnival arrives in the middle of the night, it's up to Jim and Will, along with Will's father Charles Halloway, to unravel the secrets of this carnival and protect the town from its horrors. Then, inspired by the fact that Something Wicked is a lesser known Bradbury novel (compared to Fah...

'Underground Airlines' and our favorite speculative fiction

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we read and discuss Underground Airlines by Ben Winters. The novel imagines a world where slavery was not abolished and still exists in four states -- The Hard Four. Then inspired by Underground Airlines, we talk about our favorite speculative ficton.

'The Girls' (with guest Emma Cline)

This week, author Emma Cline joins the MashReads Podcast as we talk about her debut novel 'The Girls.' Join us as we chat about cults and communes, being a teen, and the complicated nature of friendship, as seen in 'The Girls.' 

How to read good and do other book stuff good too (with guest Cheryl Klein)

This week we are joined by Cheryl Klein, the executive editor at Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic and author of The Magic Words:  Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults.  Basically -- as a reader, editor and author -- Cheryl is an expert in all things books. Join us as we talk about how to approach reading, how we discover books, tips for new writers and our other reading habits.

'The Depressed Person' by David Foster Wallace and books to read when you are sad

In honor of David Foster Wallace (this month marks 8 years since his passing) and his iconic writing, this week we discuss 'The Depressed Person,' Wallace's short story detailing a narrators inner thoughts about her depression. Then, inspired by Wallace's exploration of sadness and depression, we chat about books you should read when you are sad.

'Franny and Zooey' by J.D. Salinger and our favorite books about siblings

This week, we read and discuss Franny and Zooey, J.D. Salinger's hyper-existential novel about a family of geniuses grappling witht the spiritial crisis of its two youngest members, Franny and Zooey. The inspired by the novels examination of family, we chat about our favorite books about siblings.

Catching up with Sarah J. Maas and the 'Throne of Glass' series

This week on the MashReads Podcast, we catch up with YA superstar Sarah J. Maas. Join us as chat about with Sarah about what she's been up to, writing emotional YA scenes (do authors like it when they make you cry?), what music makes good writing music and what to expect from Empire of Storms. Also, Ghostbusters.

Summer Reading

Summer is coming to a close and that means one thing -- last minute vacations!This week on the MashReads podcast, we chat all things vacation reading. What do we like to read on vacation? What makes a good summer book? Are "beach reads" actually a thing? Join us as we take a deep dive into all things summer reading.