Books with Betsy is a podcast that celebrates the reading life of all readers. Each week, Betsy interviews a different person about their reading life. Listen for book recommendations, reading tips, and to join in the joy that reading brings. And remember, anyone who reads is a reader.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 17 - Book Clubs will Save the World with Allison Yates and Fernanda Wetzel
1:05:36
1:05:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:36
On this episode, Allison Yates and Fernanda Wetzel come on to talk about their organization, Read and Run Chicago, a book and run club that features specific books with coordinated runs in Chicago. They describe how accessible their organization is, open to anyone who might be interested in participating, and we get to talk about some incredible bo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 16 - Library Superuser with Emily McClanathan
58:46
58:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:46
On this episode, Emily McClanathan, a Chicago Public Library superuser, discusses her love of character-driven stories and excellent prose. She also talks about how reading has helped her become a better writer, as she writes both book reviews and theater reviews in Chicago. We get into some shared loves and Emily gets to share a hot take about a b…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 15 - Percival Everett Fan Club with Ben Ustick
1:00:02
1:00:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:02
On this episode, Ben Ustick, the taproom manager at Off Color Mousetrap and I discuss some of our shared favorite books, the excellence of contemporary fiction, and his goal to read Percival Everett’s entire oeuvre this year. Get ready to be shocked yourself when you hear the book that shocked Ben. If you want to visit us at Off Color Book Club, ch…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 14 - Information is Meant to be Shared with Mawuli Grant Agbefe
43:02
43:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:02
On this episode, Mawuli Grant Agbefe and I discuss his love for fascinating non-fiction, including one of my absolute favorite books ever that he recommended to me in January! We also discuss our shared love of being readers in Chicago, based on the gorgeous places to read and the incredible resource the Chicago Public Library is. Books mentioned i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 13 - Book Hunting with Tanima Kazi
1:00:21
1:00:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:21
On this episode, Tanima Kazi, a writer (get her novel here!) who loves language, shares her love of romance novels, favorite parts of her favorite books, and how her day job helps her build ideas for her own writing. She describes how books speak to her and even shares excerpts from her favorite books. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 12 - Establishing Empathy with Mike Finucane
1:09:52
1:09:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:52
On this episode, Mike Finucane, a campus minister at a high-school in St. Louis, and I discuss how books can help develop empathy. He also gives a great tip from his dad about how to tackle a large non-fiction text. We also confirm that collecting books shouldn’t be considered a bad habit if you love it. We talk about a lot of really intense books …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 11 - A Series of Series with Rachel Kilthorne
51:17
51:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:17
On this episode, Rachel Kilthorne, a self-processed nerd’s nerd, discusses her love of both fantasy novels and going deep on a subject in non-fiction. She names many series and discusses how she determines when to re-read or when to let go of a series. I also get to go on a soapbox rant about reading diversely, especially in genre fiction. Books me…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 10 - Weird Does Not Translate to Screen with Rachel Rolland
47:45
47:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:45
On this episode, Rachel Rolland, a hobby-enthusiast, discusses her love for weird books, including two authors with a decently large backlist that I’ve never heard of. We discuss how a book about accounting can help investigate the way we see the world, how some books just shouldn’t be adapted to screen, and her love for the bookstores where she wo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 9 - I'm Already Traveling Somewhere with Monika Janas
54:41
54:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:41
On this episode, Monika and I discuss her love of fantasy, she mentions so many series, some longer than others, and we share the joy of staff picks in an indie bookstore. We also talk about the magic of airplane reading and how amazing Libby can be. If you are interested in the Reddit thread Monika mentions, you can find that here. Books mentioned…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 8 - Poetry that Blows the Door off your Brain with Anna Deem
45:52
45:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:52
In this episode, Anna Deem, a high school English teacher in Chicago, and I discuss how seasons of life change our reading habits, her love of poetry, and our definitive shared overrated book. We also discuss the influence of the Beat generation on her writing and end with some excellent recommendations for books she enjoys with her 4-year-old daug…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 7 - Speed Reading with Nuns with Mo Smith
49:23
49:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:23
On this episode, Mo Smith, the person I know who reads the most, and we discuss her experiences as a very early reader in school, a book habit that stuns me a little, and she gets to gush about her amazing backyard pool at her home in Las Vegas. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Dune by Frank Herbert The Only One Left by Riley …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 6 - The Lynn Painter Book Club with Sarah Sabet
52:57
52:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:57
On this episode, Sarah Sabet and I discuss Scandi-Crime, how her book club fell in love with Lynn Painter, and we have an extended conversation about a fantastic organization that, unfortunately, neither of us have had a chance to connect with: @readandrunchicago on Instagram! Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Iron Flame by Reb…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 5 - Yummy Trash with Francesca Musumeci
59:32
59:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:32
On this episode, Francesca Musumeci and I discuss the wealth of indie bookstores we have in Chicago, how school can make reading less fun, and why it’s important to read what you like. She also tells some pretty great stories about her years working at Half-Price Books, including a hilarious mystery request from a customer that she manages to solve…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 4 - Cuckoo Bananas Thrillers with Erin Jacobo
45:09
45:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:09
On this episode, Erin Jacobo and I discuss a lot of really juicy thrillers, her love of a heart wrenching story, and why romance just doesn’t work for us. She also tells some great stories about her family and their connection with reading, and we learn how much she has influenced my reading life! Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s readi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 3 - A Safe Place to Have Bad Feelings with Tim Mueller
1:03:24
1:03:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:24
A Safe Place to Have Bad Feelings with Tim Mueller Episode 3 On this episode, Tim Mueller and I discuss his passion for collecting books, comics, and other physical media; the magic and abundance of a used bookstore; and how the darkest kinds of books can develop the most empathy. Also, Tim recommends a host of underlooked books that you probably h…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Beauty of Escaping into a Book with Carolyn Latshaw
53:59
53:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:59
The Beauty of Escaping into a Book with Carolyn Latshaw Episode 2 On this episode, Carolyn Latshaw and I discuss her love of classics, select ones at least, the joy and difficulty of getting absolutely swept up into a book, and a slew of great book recommendations that are a little unusual! Listen for a huge revelation on Carolyn’s part about one o…
…
continue reading
Bathing in Darkness with Sam Wilmes Episode 1 On this episode, Sam Wilmes and I discuss reading dark books including Stephen King, horror, and dark literary fiction. We find her book ick, a new-to-me source of books, and books that connect anxiety and depression and humor. Books mentioned in this episode: What Betsy’s reading: Station Eleven by Emi…
…
continue reading