TBR Lowdown

We Discuss Fences by August Wilson

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 176, we discuss the play Fences by August Wilson.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our ...

Books and Intellectualism

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 175, we discuss books and intellectualism.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our Discord...

NEA Grants Pulled and What This Means For Indie Publishing

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 174, we discuss the pulled NEA grants and what this means for indie publishing.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to...

We Discuss Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur, translated from the Persian by Faridoun Farrokh

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 173, we discuss Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur, translated from the Persian by Faridoun Farrokh.Visit our website at htt...

We Discuss Stag Dance by Torrey Peters

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 172 we discuss Stag Dance by Torrey Peters.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our Discor...

We Discuss Death Takes Me by Cristina Rivera Garza

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 171, we discuss Death Takes Me by Cristin Rivera Garza, translated from the Spanish by Robin Myers and Sarah Booker.Visit our web...

Annotating Books and Other Reading Habits

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 170, we chat about annotating books and other reading habits.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show note...

Weekend Recap: A Book Thrifting Extravaganza

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 169, we chat about the weekend we spent book thrifting and hanging out.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our...

Anticipated Summer Releases

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 168, we share some of our anticipated summer reads.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our...

The Evolution of Our Reading Tastes

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4, episode 167, we talk about the evolution of our reading tastes. What a journey it has been.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.co...

We discuss A Separate Peace by John Knowles

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 166, we discuss A Separate Peace by John KnowlesVisit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our Di...

We discuss Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 165, we discuss Black Chalk by Christopher J. YatesVisit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our...

We discuss The Impatient by Djaïli Amadou Amal, translated from the French by Emma Ramadan

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 164, we discuss our January/February book club pick The Impatient by Djaïli Amadou Amal, translated from the French by Emma Rama...

[REBROADCAST] March is National Small Press Month

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Team TBR Lowdown has laryngitis. Since March is National Small Press Month, we’re rebroadcasting an episode from season 1 where we share some of our...

Are the Classics Still Relevant?

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 162, we discuss whether the Classics are still relevant.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, joi...

Translated Literature Starter Pack [2025 Edition]

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 161, we give readers a Translated Literature Starter Pack to help you ease your way into reading translated literature.Visit our w...

Did the Big 5 Ruin Literary Fiction?

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 160, we discuss two articles about the Big 5 ruining literary fiction and literary fiction not being a real thing.Visit our websit...

We discuss Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán, translated from the Spanish by Sophie Hughes

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 159, we discuss Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán, translated from the Spanish by Sophie HughesVisit our website athttps://www.tbrlow...

Our Anticipated Spring Releases

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 158, we share 10 Spring book releases we’re looking forward to reading. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see o...

We Discuss All Yours and Times of the Flies by Claudia Piñeiro

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 157, we discuss All Yours (translated from the Spanish by Miranda France) and Times of the Flies (translated from the Spanish by F...

Best Books of 2024

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 156, we share our best books of 2024. Visit our individual Substack newsletters to see our full lists. Visit our website at https:...

We Discuss Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin, translated from the Spanish by Megan McDowell

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 155, we discuss Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin, translated from the Spanish by Megan McDowell. Visit our website at https://www...

We Announce Our 2025 Book Club Picks + Reading Challenge

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 154, we announce our 2025 book club picks and talk about our 4th annual reading challenge! Visit our website at https://www.tbrlo...

We Discuss The Secret History by Donna Tartt

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 153, we discuss The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join ou...

AI & Publishing.... What the Heck is Going on?!

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 152, we discuss how AI initiatives continue to grow in the publishing industry. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com t...

We Discuss The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Whose Names are Unknown by Sanora Bab

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 151, we discuss The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Whose Names are Unknown by Sanora Babb. Visit our website at https://www...

We Discuss Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 150, we discuss Near to the Wild Heart by the incredible Clarice Lispector, our May book club pick. Visit our website at https://...

The Rise of Romantasy

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 149, we talk about the romantasy subgenre and how publishing plays a role in its explosion. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlo...

10 Before the End

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 148, we jump on the 10 Before the End trend. What 10 books would you like to read before the end of the year? Visit our website at...

Fall Books to Read!

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 147, we share some books we think are perfect to read during the Fall season. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to s...

It's Nonfiction November! What We're Thinking About Reading

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 146, we discuss the nonfiction books we’d like to read for Nonfiction November. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com...

We Discuss Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 145, we discuss Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. Who else is excited about the upcoming Apple TV series adaptation?!?...

We Discuss I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Our Aug/Sep Book Club Pick

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In season 4 episode 144, we discuss our Aug/Sep book club pick I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, translated from the French by Roz Sch...

Anticipated Translated Fiction Fall Reads to Add to Your TBR!

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Fall and we read translated fiction all year long. Here are some upcoming releases to keep your eye on. Visit our website at https://www.tbrlow...

Add These Anticipated Fall Reads to Your TBR!

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fall is here, and some books are coming out that we think you should add to your TBR! Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show ...

Hello and Welcome Back to Season 4!

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back from our summer break and ready to talk about books! Hello and welcome back to season 4! Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com...

[REBROADCAST] We have a conversation with literary translator Tina Kover

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our conversation with literary translator Tina Kover. Kover has translatedDisoriental by Négar Djavadi, Blue b...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Belle Greene by Alexandra Lapierre, translated from the French by Tina Kover

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our discussion of Belle Greene by Alexandra Lapierre, translated from the French by Tina Kover. The story of Be...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Elena Knows by Claudia Piñero, translated from the Spanish by Francis Riddle

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our discussion of Elena Knows by Claudia Piñero, translated from the Spanish by Francis Riddle. Highlights: 🎙...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our discussion of Vladimir by Julia May Jonas. Highlights: 🎙 We open the episode by giving you a little gard...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our discussion of Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth. Highlights: 🎙 Motherthing looks at motherhood from many a...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield, Our December 2022 Book Club Pick

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our discussion of Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield, our December 2022 Book Club Pick, from Season 2 Ep...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Boulder by Eva Baltasar, translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanches

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are rebroadcasting our discussion of Boulder by Eva Baltasar, translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanches, from season 2 episode ...

We discuss The Glutton by A.K. Blakemore

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss The Glutton by A.K. Blakemore. Highlights: 🎙 We agree the writing was beautifully written at times, but was that enoug...

We discuss A Little Luck by Claudio Piñero

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss A Little Luck by Claudia Piñero, translated from the Spanish by Francis Riddle. We are big fans of Piñero and truly enjo...

S.T. Gibson stops by to chat about her new novel Evocation

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we chat with S.T. Gibson, the author of the forthcoming novel Evocation, with special guest Jess Owens. Highlights: 🎙 Saint and ...

The Adultification of YA

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss an article on The Bookseller titled The Adultification of YA. Highlights: 🎙 Is the intended audience for the YA reade...

Why Does Every Famous Woman Have a Book Club Now?

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss an article on The Cut titled Why Does Every Famous Woman Have a Book Club Now? Highlights: 🎙 The idea of having a ‘...

We Discuss The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, translated from the Dutch by Michele Hutchison.

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss our MAR/APR community read: The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, translated from the Dutch by Michele Hut...

The Great American Novels

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss, The Atlantic’s March 14, 2024, The Great American Novels article. Highlights: 🎙 Can one book encompass the totality...

2024 Q1 Book Favs

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we share our favorite books from the first quarter. Highlights: 🎙 Poets writing novels FOR THE WIN! 🎙Naomi makes serious prog...

Late Spring/Summer Book Releases

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about some of the late Spring and Summer book releases we’re looking forward to and think you should put on your radar. Hi...

We Discuss Grapes of Wrath and Whose Names are Unknown [UPCOMING]

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

STAY TUNED FOR THIS UPCOMING EPISODE.... The Grapes of Wrath was published today in 1939. We have been reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbec...

We chat about the Bloomberg article: TikTok Is Turning the Publishing World Into Fast Fashion

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we chat about the Bloomberg article: TikTok Is Turning the Publishing World Into Fast Fashion. There have been several articles and Y...

We discuss Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar. Highlights: 🎙You can’t help but feel a great deal of empathy for Cyrus. 🎙 We explore the h...

We discuss Vengeance Is Mine by Marie NDiaye, translated from the French by Jordan Stump

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss Vengeance Is Mine by Marie NDiaye, translated from the French by Jordan Stump. Highlights: 🎙Sometimes beautiful writing...

Longlist Reactions: Women's Prize, Carol Shields Prize. & International Booker

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we share our reactions to the Women's Prize for Fiction, Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, and the International Booker Prize long...

Let’s talk about being a completist

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about being a completist. Maybe not for every single author we’ve ever read, but the ones who struck such a cord in our lit...

What floats our boats in the books we read

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about what floats our boats in the books we read. Highlights: 🎙 Alyssa loves it when bad stuff happens to people in books...

It's Book Prize Season!!

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about book prizes we follow. Book prizes are a great way to find ‘new to you’ authors, books, and publishers. Highlights:...

What books do we have on pre-order?!

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we share the books we have on pre-order. There are so many exciting books releasing this year. Highlights: 🎙 Some interesting book...

We Discuss Tentacle and Miss Iceland

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we finally discuss our last two reads from our 2023 community reading schedule, Tentacle by Rita Indiana, translated from the Spanish...

How many books Americans own + how they organize them

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss an article that shares statistics on how many books people own and how they organize them. Highlights: 🎙 85% say they ...

How much people read + Obama’s reading list

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we chat about a Book Riot article and Obama’s list of his favorite books from 2023. Highlights: 🎙 It’s weird being concerned ...

Romance novels vs romance in books

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we chat about romance novels vs romance in books. Highlights: 🎙 We briefly chatted about finally starting the Malazan Book of the...

Our 12 Favorite Books of 2023

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we chat about our 12 favorite books we read in 2023. Highlights: 🎙 Alyssa has such an appreciation for well-written short novels.🎙...

2024 Reading Schedule + 12 Women 12 Countries Reading Challenge

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we announce our 2024 Reading Schedule and talk about our 3rd annual 12 Women 12 Countries Reading Challenge. Highlights: 🎙 We anno...

It’s time for an end-of-year bookish chat!

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss how our reading went for the year, our goals for 2024, and other bookish things. It was a lovely all-around bookish conver...

We Discuss Sphinx by Anne Garréta

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we discuss Sphinx by Anne Garréta, translated from the French by Emma Ramadan. Highlights: 🎙 This book is a genderless...

We Discuss My Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we discuss our March/April community read, My Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women. Highlights: 🎙 The ...

[REBROADCAST] Nonfiction November, from Season 1 in 2021

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we rebroadcast our Nonfiction November episode from 2021, season 1! Highlights: 🎙We gush over the brilliance that is Isabel Wilkerson🎙...

12 Novels Under 200 Pages You Should Read

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about short novels under 200 pages worth reading. Highlights: 🎙 Everyone should read James Baldwin.🎙 There are so many ...

Authors We Read for the First Time in 2023 and Fell in Love With

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about authors we read for the first time this year and fell in love with. Highlights: 🎙 Sarah Waters continues to give us...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Nonfiction November and in this week’s episode, we thought we’d rebroadcast an episode from season 1 where we discussed our November 2021 p...

Books We Want to Read During Nonfiction November

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about the nonfiction books we want to read during Nonfiction November. Highlights: 🎙 Three books Naomi wanted to read las...

The Tea About ARC Teams and their PR People

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we talk about the rumblings we’ve heard from bookish content creators across social platforms who’ve been talking about ...

Books the Surprised Us…in a Good Way!

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we talk about books we’ve read that truly surprised us…in a good way. Highlights: 🎙 A book Alyssa read that she didn...

We celebrate our 100th episode!

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we celebrate our 100th episode and have a super casual conversation about booktok, the rise of men on booktube, the bookish ...

We have a follow up chat about Bindery

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we follow up on our previous discussion about Bindery. Highlights: 🎙 How diverse is Bindery?🎙 We’re wondering if bo...

Who’s in the Mood for Some Fall Reading?!

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we share some books we’ve read and enjoyed and think would be great to read this Fall season. Highlights: 🎙 We recomme...

We Discuss Greek Lessons by Han Kang

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we discuss our May/June read Greek Lessons by Han Kang, translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won. High...

Add these books to your Fall tbr!

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we share some books we think would be great to read this Fall season. Highlights: 🎙 We chat a bit about Empire of Pain a...

We chat with CJ Leede, author of Maeve Fly!

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We were so psyched to have a chat with CJ Leede, author of the debut novel Maeve Fly. If you haven’t read it, we highly recommend you get your hands...

Welcome Back and Hello Season 3!

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Season 3! We’re back from our summer break and we catch up and share what we’ve been up to. Highlights: 🎙 Naomi shares her m...

[REBROADCAST] An Interview w/Charles A. Bush, author of Every Variable of Us

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a rebroadcast interview with Charles A. Bush, debut author of Every Variable of Us. Highlights: 🎙We share how our bookshelves are organiz...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss The Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnston

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a rebroadcast of a book discussion we had about The Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnston. Highlights: 🎙 It was kinda cool to see these ol...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a rebroadcast of a book discussion we had about The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall. Highlights: 🎙 Our current issues surrounding the...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Giovanni’s Room, Our February Book Club Pick

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a rebroadcast of a book discussion we had about Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. Highlights: 🎙What was the deal with the photograph of ...

[REBROADCAST] We Discuss Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O’Connell

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a rebroadcast of the discussion about the book Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O’Connell. Just by Looking at Him is one of those books you r...

Classics we want to read this year

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have so many classics on our shelves we've been talking about reading for so long, but have not even cracked one book open. So, on this episode...

A conversation with literary translator Tina Kover

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We enjoy reading translated books. It’s a big part of our reading lives. We’ve had a strong desire to be in conversation with literary translators...

REBROADCAST: Interview w/ Hugh Ryan, the author of The Women's House of Detention

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2022, we had the pleasure of interviewing Hugh Ryan, the author of our June 2022 book club pick, The Women's House of Detention: A Queer Histor...

6 nonfiction books we want to read before this year ends

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: We’ve been in possession of a few nonfiction books we have been meaning to read since 2022. We sh...

Should we be concerned about AI-narrated audiobooks in the bookish world?

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: There’s no doubt AI is the hot buzz around town. Every week there’s a new AI service that allow...

Burn, Rewrite, Reread - The Podcast Edition (Round 2)

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: We’re back for another round of Burn, Rewrite, Reread! We’d love to know what books you would’...

We interview Emily Brandt, self-published author of Love Letters from Hades

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: We’ve been wanting to speak with a self-publishing author to get insight into the process for qu...

Has the mystery around the true identity of Elena Ferrante finally been solved?

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: It’s no secret the identity of Elena Ferrante is a mystery. The author has never introduced them...

[LIVE REBROADCAST] We discuss the longlists for The Women’s Prize, Carol Shields Prize, and International Booker

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: It’s prize season and we couldn’t be more excited. In this live episode, we discuss the longli...

Reading From Our Shelves: Fantasy/Sci-fi Books We Want to Finish

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: It’s time to get through the fantasy/sci-fi books on our shelves and see what we need to finish....

We Discuss Boulder by Eva Baltasar, translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanches

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Friends. Time for a new episode of TBR Lowdown: We Discuss Boulder by Eva Baltasar, translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanches Highlights: 🎙...