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Books & Whatnot

Books & Whatnot is a conversation between those who provide book coverage for KMUW listeners. Beth Golay hosts the Marginalia podcast, where she interviews authors about their work, and Suzanne Perez is KMUW's resident book reviewer. Books & Whatnot is part of the NPR Podcast Network.

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  1. 39

    From page to screen: We chat about upcoming book adaptations

    Book reviewer Suzanne Perez and Marginalia host Beth Golay talk about their recent reads and offer a long list of books coming to the big or little screen.

  2. 38

    'Bibliotherapy' and other bookish thoughts

    Book reviewer Suzanne Perez and Marginalia host Beth Golay talk about the healing properties of books, spill some tea about the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes, and discuss their recent reads.

  3. 37

    Recent reads and middle grade March

    This is a month when readers of all ages celebrate the joy and magic of children’s literature, and especially books written for that 8- to 12-year age group. We talking about the appeal of middle-grade books and share some recommendations. Plus we talk about our current reads.

  4. 36

    Love is in the air — and between the covers — at this Wichita bookstore focused on romance

    This month's indie bookseller is Jaclyn Wooten, owner of Blush Bookstore in Wichita and Dallas. We talk with her about the increasingly popular romance genre.

  5. 35

    Need ideas for books to fulfill the 2025 #ReadICT Challenge? We've got you covered

    This month's indie bookseller is Latasha Kelly, owner of Left on Read, a new Wichita bookstore that focuses on Black authors and topics. We get her ideas about books to fulfill the 2025 #ReadICT Challenge categories.

  6. 34

    December books! And our favorites from 2024. (So far.)

    This month's indie booksellers are Emma and Sam Kaas, owners of The Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, Vermont. We talk with them about December releases and good gift ideas. And Suzanne and Beth reveal their favorite books of the year.

  7. 33

    Sometimes a book just finds you

    In this episode we visit with Harley Hamilton, owner of Red Fern Booksellers in Salina, Kansas, about new releases he's excited about.

  8. 32

    Spooky reads (and more) for a truly bookish October

    This month's indie bookseller is Kelly Justice, owner of Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia. We'll talk with her about October releases and other titles she's excited about.

  9. 31

    September, the second best month of the year

    This month’s indie bookseller is Holland Saltsman, owner of The Novel Neighbor in the Webster Groves neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. We’ll talk with her about September releases she’s excited about.

  10. 30

    On the road again... to Flint Hills Books

    In this episode, Beth & Suzanne chat about the New York Times 100 Books of the 21st Century (so far), they talk about what they've been reading, and more. They also take a trip to Council Grove, Kansas, to visit with Jennifer Kassebaum, owner of Flint Hills Books, about August releases.

  11. 29

    Ah... the books of summer

    Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk recent reads and visit with Lisa Baudoin, owner of Books & Company.

  12. 28

    We're back and we're not sorry | Books & Whatnot

    KMUW's Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez are back after a 3 month unintentional break, and they're joined by the folks at Exile in Bookville to talk about books coming out in June.

  13. 27

    At long last...

    In this episode of Books & Whatnot, book reviewer Suzanne Perez and Marginalia host Beth Golay discuss their recent reads... and a lot of whatnot.

  14. 26

    Crossover Episode 2024 #ReadICT Edition

    On January 4 at the Advanced Learning Library Books & Whatnot's Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez joined the Wichita's Public Library's podcast Read. Return. Repeat's Sara Dixon and Daniel Pewewardy to discuss this year's #ReadICT challenge categories.

  15. 25

    Cue the orchestral music...

    On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about their latest reads, the #ReadICT Challenge and their 2024 reading goals.

  16. 24

    Once again, it's the most wonderful time of the year

    Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez speak with NPR's Andrew Limbong about this year's Books We Love.

  17. 23

    The *best* season to read (for Suzanne)

    Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about how they approach fall reading season, and the atmospheric books they’re looking forward to this year.

  18. 22

    Revisiting our summer reading goals

    In this episode of Books & Whatnot Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay give us an update on their summer reading goals — some of which were met on their reading retreat.

  19. 21

    Are you making progress on your summer reading goals? (We are!)

    Beth & Suzanne give us an update on their summer reading goals, and on all of the other books they've read!

  20. 20

    'Summer of Saunders' and other goals for this reading season

    It's summer reading season! In this episode of Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about their current reads and summertime TBRs.

  21. 19

    Books & Whatnot: The waiting is the hardest part

    In this month's Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about poetry, book clubs, and listener-submitted shelfies!

  22. 18

    Top o' the book stack to ya! Celebrating Irish authors & whatnot

    In this month's Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about the 2023 NEA Big Read, the books they've recently read and Irish authors.

  23. 17

    We can make *anything* a book thing

    Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez share their January reads, explore the Tournament of Books bracket, and share some super (bowl) reading goals.

  24. 16

    ReadICT 2023 Kickoff: Live with WPL's 'Read. Return. Repeat.'

    In this episode recorded before a live audience at the Wichita Public Library's beautiful Advanced Learning Library, co-hosts Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez join Sara Dixon and Daniel Pewewardy, co-hosts of the Wichita Public Library's 'Read. Return. Repeat." podcast to celebrate the 2023 kickoff of the #ReadICT challenge.

  25. 15

    Books & Whatnot wraps up 2022 and looks forward to a new year of #ReadICT

    In this episode, Beth and Suzanne wrap up the year with a pretty good month of reading, despite life… and school!

  26. 14

    Books & Whatnot behind the stacks (because we're behind on everything else)

    On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay talk about some of their favorite recent reads, Beth shares some news about NPR's Books We Love, and Suzanne introduces Beth to Jólabókaflód. (Gesundheit.)

  27. 13

    'There's something about finding your bookstore': On the road to Flint Hills Books

    This month's Books & Whatnot episode was recorded at the beautiful Flint Hills Books in Council Grove, Kansas.

  28. 12

    Recorded live in front of a (very gracious) studio audience

    This month's Books & Whatnot episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience!

  29. 11

    Powering through a reading slump (Suzanne... not Beth)

    On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay talk about their latest reads, reflect upon their reading year so far, and discuss how to power through a reading slump.

  30. 10

    Summertime reading has arrived

    On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay discuss their latest reads, IndieNext books, and revisit the idea of "reading" audio books.

  31. 9

    It's springtime and we're tickled pink

    On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay tackle a new crop of spring books.

  32. 8

    The rating system reviewed

    On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez offers the criteria behind her book rating system, and Beth Golay explains why she wants no part of it. Plus, books about food, literary coincidences, and the latest books that are epic—in scope if nothing else.

  33. 7

    Challenges, goals & #ReadICT

    This is the time of year for reading challenges. Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay discuss their current reads and future challenges.

  34. 6

    The best intentions... | Books & Whatnot

    We recorded this conversation in early December, the most wonderful time of the year. And then [shrug]...

  35. 5

    Supply Chain? Pandemic reads? Can't we talk about something more pleasant?

    Kris Stephens, general manager of Watermark Books & Cafe in Wichita, Kansas, joins us to talk about book-buying and gifting during the upcoming holiday season. She brings a few of her favorite titles. And she gives us the whatnot on supply chain issues.

  36. 4

    Literary affiliations... and whatnot

    Whether it's a short story group, a book club, or a literary affiliation... reading with others is fun. In this episode of Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez report on their reading accomplishments and take a deep dive on the benefits of reading with others.

  37. 3

    It's a trend! | Books & Whatnot

    What we talk about when we talk about books.

  38. 2

    Opening Lines That Make You Go ‘Whaaaaaat?!’ | Books & Whatnot

    Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez are back with more book chatter.

  39. 1

    Is This Thing On? | Books & Whatnot

    After creating 5 pilot episodes that will never be released, we've decided to launch this thing. In this inaugural episode, Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez talk about books... and whatnot.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Books & Whatnot is a conversation between those who provide book coverage for KMUW listeners. Beth Golay hosts the Marginalia podcast, where she interviews authors about their work, and Suzanne Perez is KMUW's resident book reviewer. Books & Whatnot is part of the NPR Podcast Network.

HOSTED BY

KMUW

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Books & Whatnot have?

Books & Whatnot currently has 39 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Books & Whatnot about?

Books & Whatnot is a conversation between those who provide book coverage for KMUW listeners. Beth Golay hosts the Marginalia podcast, where she interviews authors about their work, and Suzanne Perez is KMUW's resident book reviewer. Books & Whatnot is part of the NPR Podcast Network.

How often does Books & Whatnot release new episodes?

Books & Whatnot has 39 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Books & Whatnot?

You can listen to Books & Whatnot on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Books & Whatnot?

Books & Whatnot is created and hosted by KMUW.
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