
Ep. 164: Winter 2024 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
03/20/24 • 55 min
1 Listener
In today’s episode, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I circle back to the 16 books we featured in the Winter 2024 Book Preview. We’ll be sharing our reading stats and thoughts on the books we’ve read (or attempted), to help you decide which ones to add to your reading list and which ones to skip.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights- Catherine and Sarah share their Winter 2024 reading stats and success rates.
- Despite some trouble in her reading early on, Catherine ended up with a successful winter.
- Sarah’s reading had a mix of fiction and nonfiction with several debuts.
- We’ve got a total of 3 five-star books!
- Does a mythology retelling always work for Catherine?
- Was Sarah’s wildcard pick a little too out there for her?
- Plus, don’t miss their #1 picks for winter.
Sarah’s Picks
- Mercury by Amy Jo Burns (January 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:49]
- The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:30]
Other Books Mentioned
- Shiner by Amy Jo Burns [3:54]
- Cinderland by Amy Jo Burns [5:30]
- The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [8:34]
- The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [8:35]
January
Sarah’s Picks
- River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure (January 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:00]
- Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson (January 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52]
Catherine’s Picks
- The Fury by Alex Michaelides (January 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:23]
- Family Family by Laurie Frankel (January 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:35]
Other Books Mentioned
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides [11:32]
- This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel [22:42]
- One Two Three by Laurie Frankel [22:43]
- Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson [22:57]
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie [23:14]
February
Sarah’s Picks
- Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:04]
- Leaving by Roxana Robinson (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:06]
Catherine’s Picks
- The Things We Didn’t Know by Elba Iris Pérez (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:06]
- Medea by Eilish Quin (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:17]
- Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa (February 27) |
In today’s episode, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I circle back to the 16 books we featured in the Winter 2024 Book Preview. We’ll be sharing our reading stats and thoughts on the books we’ve read (or attempted), to help you decide which ones to add to your reading list and which ones to skip.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights- Catherine and Sarah share their Winter 2024 reading stats and success rates.
- Despite some trouble in her reading early on, Catherine ended up with a successful winter.
- Sarah’s reading had a mix of fiction and nonfiction with several debuts.
- We’ve got a total of 3 five-star books!
- Does a mythology retelling always work for Catherine?
- Was Sarah’s wildcard pick a little too out there for her?
- Plus, don’t miss their #1 picks for winter.
Sarah’s Picks
- Mercury by Amy Jo Burns (January 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:49]
- The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:30]
Other Books Mentioned
- Shiner by Amy Jo Burns [3:54]
- Cinderland by Amy Jo Burns [5:30]
- The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [8:34]
- The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [8:35]
January
Sarah’s Picks
- River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure (January 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:00]
- Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson (January 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52]
Catherine’s Picks
- The Fury by Alex Michaelides (January 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:23]
- Family Family by Laurie Frankel (January 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:35]
Other Books Mentioned
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides [11:32]
- This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel [22:42]
- One Two Three by Laurie Frankel [22:43]
- Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson [22:57]
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie [23:14]
February
Sarah’s Picks
- Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:04]
- Leaving by Roxana Robinson (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:06]
Catherine’s Picks
- The Things We Didn’t Know by Elba Iris Pérez (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:06]
- Medea by Eilish Quin (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:17]
- Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa (February 27) |
Previous Episode

Ep. 163: Classics & Retellings 101 with Sara Hildreth (@FictionMatters) + Book Recommendations
In Episode 163, Sara Hildreth, from @FictionMatters and co-host of the podcast Novel Pairings, returns for her third appearance on our show as our expert for Classics & Retellings 101. Sara guides us through the sometimes intimidating world of timeless reads in an accessible way. She busted some myths about classics and changed my mind about some elements of the classics. And, she has a great approach to find the perfect retelling of your favorite classics for your next read.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights- Sara explores the definitions of a classic and a modern classic book.
- We talk about separating the American literature canon from the idea of a classic.
- Sara talks about being free to define classics on personal terms.
- The idea of a book being labeled a “future classic.”
- Now-famous books that went unnoticed initially when they were released.
- Sara’s personal reading motivations.
- Common issues people have when trying to tackle classic books.
- Notable quirks of many classics that were first published as serials.
- Tips and advice for approaching older books.
- Addressing the pressure surrounding reading or revisiting classics.
- Examples of nonfiction classics.
- Legal considerations for all those retellings.
- The rise of retellings as a trend with today’s audience.
- The difference between retellings and fan fiction.
- Sara’s recommendations for accessible classic literature.
- A different approach to finding the right retelling for your reading.
Please note: Sara mistakenly mentions during the discussion that The Great Gatsbydid not come into popularity until its distribution to soldiers during World War I, when this actually occurred during World War II.
Sara’s Book Recommendations [49:02]Two OLD Books She Loves — Classics
- The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:43]
- Passing by Nella Larson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:12]
- Other Books Mentioned
- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton [50:58]
- The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton [50:59]
- Roman Fever and Other Stories by Edith Wharton [51:03]
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett [55:44]
Two NEW Books She Loves — Retellings
- Anna K by Jenny Lee | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:35]
- The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vho | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:28]
- Other Books Mentioned
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy [59:01]
- Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar [59:53]
- Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan [59:58]
One Book She DIDN’T Love — Classic
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain | Amazon | Bookshop.org[1:03:25]
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About — Retelling and Classic Pairing
- The Garden by Claire Beams (April 9, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:05:12]
- Other Books Mentioned
- The Illness Lesson by Claire Beams [1:05:37]
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott [1:05:41]
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett [1:06:21]
...
Next Episode

Ep. 165: Spring 2024 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
Welcome to the Spring 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!
In this episode, Catherine and I share 12 of our most anticipated books releasing in April and May.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Announcement- One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here!
- Catherine is fully embracing spring with some lighter, fun reading.
- Sarah is joining the fun with lighter reads as she preps for the Summer Reading Guide.
- Among weddings, homecomings, and books set in Washington State, Catherine is bringing 5 out of 6 familiar authors.
- With some atypical stories, Sarah has some with historical fiction elements and a nonfiction book.
- Sarah’s choices feature 2 debuts and 3 returning authors.
- Hopefully going for a tamer wildcard pick will work out for Sarah this season.
- Sarah has read and liked 2 of her chosen books, and has also started one of Catherine’s picks!
- And don’t forget to catch their top #1 picks for the spring season!
April
Sarah’s Picks
- The Wives by Simone Gorrindo (April 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:54]
- The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza (April 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:10]
- Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zenter (April 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[19:51]
Catherine’s Picks
- Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman (April 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:54]
- Honey by Victor Lodato (April 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:08]
- Real Americans by Rachel Khong (April 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:45]
Other Books Mentioned
- The Wanderers by Meg Howrey [7:16]
- You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith [8:10]
- Maid by Stephanie Land [8:13]
- Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad [8:17]
- Know My Name by Chanel Miller [8:20]
- Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance [8:22]
- Educated by Tara Westover [8:24]
- Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman [10:37]
- We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza [13:53]
- Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza [14:01]
- Edgar and Lucy by Victor Lodato [17:17]
- All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg [19:14]
- The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner [20:16]
- Normal People by Sally Rooney [22:36]
- Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong [24:55]
May
Sarah’s Picks
- The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (May 7) |
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