Best Book Ever Podcast
Julie Strauss
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084 Chris Angel Murphy on "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
Best Book Ever Podcast
01/31/22 • 44 min
5.0
Chris Angel Murphy (they/them) is a queer, trans, and nonbinary LGBTQ+ educator and consultant living in Denver, CO, but is originally from Los Angeles, CA. They have a background in social work and LGBTQ+ community organizing. Chris Angel started LGBTQ+ community organizing as a freshman in high school back in 2001 and has been speaking and presenting on various topics ever since. They also have their own podcast, Allyship is a Verb, in which they interview LGBTQ+ community members from various lived experiences and backgrounds. In addition to all that, Chris Angel is just a great conversationalist, fearless when it comes to tackling difficult subjects with love and compassion. I loved this conversation with them, and fell wildly in love with their Best Book Ever, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. WHAT a book!
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Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Chris Angel Murphy
Instagram /Podcast/Etsy Store/Website/Gumroad
Discussed in this episode:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self Love by Jonathan Van Ness (Julie’s note: JVN narrates the audiobook version of this book; if you aren’t in love with them yet, you for sure will be after you listen to it!)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
Discussed in our Patreon Exclusive clip
(Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. Anytime you shop for books, you can use my affiliate link on Bookshop, which also supports Indie Bookstores around the country. If you’re shopping for everything else – clothes, office supplies, gluten-free pasta, couches – you can use my affiliate link for Amazon. Thank you for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)
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015 Libbie Hawker on "Dune" by Frank Herbert
Best Book Ever Podcast
09/07/20 • 52 min
Libbie Hawker is one of my very favorite writers, and I was thrilled for the opportunity to have a good long book chat with her. We discovered a shared love of "atmospheric weirdness" in our books, and the fascinating sensory experience she has when reading and writing books. Libbie's favorite book, Dune, is a science fiction classic that I would never have picked up on my own, and it was a blast listening to Libbie explain the layers of it. Trust me, even if you don't like sci-fi, you will love this discussion.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon. If you join in September, I'll send you a Best Book Ever Face Mask! I know: masks are the worst. But if you wear these super soft masks from the BBE TeePublic Shop, men will stop telling you to smile more, and start asking you about your books. That's a bookworm Win/Win.
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Libbie Hawker
Discussed in this episode:
Dune by Frank Herbert (this is the first book, that I read with Libbie)
The Complete Dune Series Set (Books 1-6) by Frank Herbert
The Eye of the World: Book One of the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Baptism for the Dead by Libbie Hawker
Curious Toys by Elizabeth Hand
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
The Silk Road by Kathryn Davis
Madam (Old Seattle Book 2) by Libbie Hawker
E.M. Forster (you know my favorite of his!)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Kyle MacLachlan’s hair in Dune
Dune 2020 (as of this recording, there is no official trailer available, but I did find this very compelling compilation of stills from the upcoming movie)
Jadorowsky’s Dune (documentary film)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Phillip K. Dick (inspiration for Blade Runner movies)
Arrival (Stories of Your Life) by Ted Chiang
Discussed in our Patreon Exclusive Clip:
Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
...
010 - Casey Starnes on "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
Best Book Ever Podcast
08/03/20 • 32 min
Casey Starnes is a Disney blogger, which I think is the coolest job imaginable. She convinced me to re-read a book that used to annoy me - The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Casey is a joy to talk to, and it was particularly wonderful to revisit this story with her as a mature woman, as a mother, as a person with a new understanding of mental wellness.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Casey Starnes
Discussed in this episode:
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History by Josef Benson

013 Asha Sabbella on "The Last Mrs. Parrish" by Liv Constantine
Best Book Ever Podcast
08/24/20 • 41 min
I found Asha Sabbella on Instagram, where she keeps a lovely book review account. She also writes reviews on her blog, ashareads.com. When I asked her to choose her favorite book, she didn't hesitate to choose a twisty thriller with lots of devious characters and a satisfying payoff. We talked about thrillers, reading and writing with sisters, and the joy of reading books by Own Voices authors.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Asha Sabbella
Discussed in this episode:
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
The Truth Hurts by Rebecca Reid
The Safe Place: A Novel by Anna Downes
Us Against You: A Novel by Fredrick Backman
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena
Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
The Ripped Bodice Bookstore (located in Los Angeles, California, open for online or phone orders)
East Bay Book Sellers (located in Oakland, California, open for online or phone orders)
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Discussed in our Patreon Exclusive Clip:
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
(Note: some of these are affiliate links. Your purchase helps to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business. Thank you!)

012 Farheen Abbas on "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
Best Book Ever Podcast
08/17/20 • 32 min
Farheen Abbas is the kind of person you want to be friends with the first time you meet her. She is engaging, quick-witted and energetic. She's my first guest who chose to talk about a book from her childhood, and it was amazing how relevant the book still is today. We ventured all over the place in this wide ranging talk - from Manga to how movies depict slavery to reading difficult books as a child. I know you're going to love hearing from her as much as I did.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Farheen Raza Abbas
Instagram/ Podcast /Radio Caravan
Discussed in this episode:
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Pokemon Classic Chapter Book Collection
Sailor Moon 1 by Naoko Takeuchi
Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 1 by Akira Toriyama
Chobits 20th Anniversary Edition 1 by CLAMP
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Juliet, A Novel by Anne Fortier
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Discussed in our Patreon Exclusive clip:
Flight #116 is Down! By Caroline B. Cooney
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Twelve Years a Slave (PS from Julie – this is also an excellent book by Solomon Northrup, and the audio version is especially gripping)
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Who Was? and What Is? Books (Note: this link is for a boxed set of 25 books, but the books are also available individually)

011 Elizabeth Essex on "Lessons in French" by Laura Kinsale
Best Book Ever Podcast
08/10/20 • 41 min
Elizabeth Essex is the award-winning author of critically acclaimed historical romance, including Reckless Brides and her new Highland Brides series. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and Seal of Excellence Award, and RWA’s prestigious RITA Award. The Reckless Brides Series has also made Top-Ten lists from Romantic Times, The Romance Reviews and Affaire de Coeur Magazine, and Desert Isle Keeper status at All About Romance. Her fifth book, A BREATH OF SCANDAL, was awarded Best Historical in the Reader’s Crown 2013.
When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden, walking her beloved dogs, Ghillie and Brogue, or simply messing about with boats, Elizabeth can be always be found with her laptop, making up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so. Long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics and Art History, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure.
Elizabeth lives in Texas with her husband, the indispensable Mr. Essex, and her active and exuberant family in an old house filled to the brim with books.
Show notes:
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Elizabeth Essex
Website/Facebook/ Instagram/Pinterest
Discussed in this episode:
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Poetry of Robert Frost: The Collected Poems, Complete and Unabridged
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
From Cabin Boys to Captains: 250 Years of Women at Sea by Jo Stanley
Most Secret and Confidential: Intelligence in the Age of Nelson by Steven E. Maffeo
Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny (Loose Ends Book 1) by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
After the Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Mad About the Marquess by Elizabeth Essex
Almost a Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
A Scandal to Remember by Elizabeth Essex
The Lady Sherlock Series by Sherry Thomas
Book 1: A Study in Scarlet Women
Book 2: A Conspiracy in Belgravia
The Veronica Speedwell Series by Deanna Raybourn
Book 2: A Perilous Undertaking
Book 4: A Dangerous Collaboration
Andrea Penrose: The Lady Arianna Hadley Mysteries (6 Book Series) and the Wrexford and Sloane Regency Mysteries (4 Book Series)
During our conversation, we talked about a Jane Auste...

014 Jeff Adams on "The Understatement of the Year" by Sarina Bowen
Best Book Ever Podcast
08/31/20 • 48 min
Jeff Adams got me to do something I've never done before: enjoy a book about sports. Who would have thought? You're going to love this episode. Jeff is a reader and reviewer, and he has amazing taste in books. You are going to love all of the recommendations he has for us.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon. If you join in September, I'll send you a Best Book Ever Face Mask! I know: masks are the worst. But if you wear these super soft masks from the BBE TeePublic Shop, men will stop telling you to smile more, and start asking you about your books. That's a bookworm Win/Win.
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Jeff Adams
Website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Big Gay Fiction Podcast/Big Gay Author Podcast
Discussed in this episode:
The Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen
(Part of the Ivy Years Series)
New York City Gay Hockey Association
Trouble Shooter Series by Suzanne Brockman (This is a 19-book series that begins with The Unsung Hero.)
The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren
Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
The Extraordinaries by TJ Clune
They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera
The Dreamers Series Adriana Herrera
The Hideaway Inn by Phillip William Stover
The Hockey Player’s Heart by Jeff Adams and Will Knauss
Discussed in our Patreon Exclusive Clip:
The Astonishing Life of August March by Aaron Jackson
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters
Pretty Pretty Boys by Gregory Ashe
(Note: some of these are affiliate links. Your purchase helps to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business. Thank you!)

009 Mark Lefebvre on "Earth Abides" by George R. Stewart
Best Book Ever Podcast
07/27/20 • 37 min
My guest today is one of my favorite book friends, Mark Lefebvre. Despite how much I love talking books with Mark, I really dreaded reading his book choice, because it's a post-pandemic book and I'm a baby. But I'm so glad I went ahead and read Earth Abides. It's a lovely book about what makes us human when everything we know changes.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Mark Lefebvre
Website/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube/Podcast
Discussed in this episode:
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart
(side note: Mark recommends this one on audio)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
AMC’s The Walking Dead (TV show)
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
City of the Dead by Brian Keene
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
Pilgrim: A Novel by Timothy Findley
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Active Reader: And Other Cautionary Tales from the Book World by Mark Leslie
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
No Day Like Today by Amy Teegan
Every House is Haunted by Ian Rogers
Awakened: The Ascension Myth Book 1 by Ell Leigh Clarke and Michael Anderle

008 Marion Hill on "Memory and Dream" by Charles de Lint
Best Book Ever Podcast
07/20/20 • 34 min
I'm a longtime fan of the thoughtful book reviews that my guest Marion Hill writes. He is possibly the most diverse reader I've ever met - veering around all genres, always willing to try something new and recommend unfamiliar authors and books. I was delighted that he agreed to join me today to talk about why "Memory and Dream" by Charles de Lint is the Best Book Ever.
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Marion Hill
Website/Instagram/GoodReads/BookBub
Discussed in this episode:
Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint
The Little Country by Charles de Lint
The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner
Ascending (The Vardeshi Saga Book 1) by Meg Pechenik
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Diondray’s Chronicles Series by Marion Hill
Diondray’s Roundabout (Book 3)
Marion’s 25, Vol. 2 by Marion Hill
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy
The Highway 59 Series by Attica Locke
The Little Leaders Series by Vashti Harrison
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World

016 Kenya Goree Bell on "Nine Rules to Break" by Sarah MacLean
Best Book Ever Podcast
09/14/20 • 35 min
Kenya Goree Bell is warm and bawdy and hilarious. She was exactly the person I needed to talk to in the middle of a rough week. We talked about reading romances when we were way too young to read them, and the joys of being proven wrong when we discover a romance trope we previously thought we hated. And she made me laugh so hard my side ached for the rest of the day. Plus, her favorite book is an absolute joy of a romance. I know you're going to love this episode!
Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon. If you join in September, I'll send you a Best Book Ever Face Mask! I know: masks are the worst. But if you wear these super soft masks from the BBE TeePublic Shop, men will stop telling you to smile more, and start asking you about your books. That's a bookworm Win/Win.
Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website
Host: Julie Strauss
Guest: Kenya Goree Bell
Website/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook
Discussed in this episode:
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Looking for Mr. Goodbar by Judith Rossner
The Lonely Lady by Harold Robbins
Rapper’s Delight by Kenya Goree Bell
Cry of Metal and Bone by L. Penelope
Your Dad Will Do by Katee Robert
Scoring the Player’s Baby by Naima Simone
Holt, Her Ruthless Billionaire by Theodora Taylor
Discussed in our Patreon Exclusive Clip:
Rapper’s Delight by Kenya Goree Bell
Lotus Flower Bomb by Kenya Goree Bell
Rapper’s Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang
(Note: some of these are affiliate links. Your purchase helps to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business. Thank you!)
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FAQ
How many episodes does Best Book Ever Podcast have?
Best Book Ever Podcast currently has 144 episodes available.
What topics does Best Book Ever Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Leisure, Hobbies, Literature, Reading, Podcasts, Books, Arts and Authors.
What is the most popular episode on Best Book Ever Podcast?
The episode title '084 Chris Angel Murphy on "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Best Book Ever Podcast?
The average episode length on Best Book Ever Podcast is 36 minutes.
How often are episodes of Best Book Ever Podcast released?
Episodes of Best Book Ever Podcast are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Best Book Ever Podcast?
The first episode of Best Book Ever Podcast was released on May 19, 2020.
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