On this special holiday episode, Megan presents her favorite fiction interviews of 2025, featuring National Book Award winner Rabih Alameddine (The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)) and National Book Award finalist Karen Russell (The Antidote).THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:French Lessons by Roberta SamuelsForgiven by Bruce J. BergerFrancisco De Saavedra's American Revolutionary War by James GieslerMaya Blue by Brenda CoffeeFlight of the Chicxulub by Christopher FlakusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We conclude our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to young adult. First, Libba Bray joins us to discuss Under the Same Stars (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Feb. 4). Then young readers’ editor Laura Simeon highlights some more of the year’s best YA.Thanks to our sponsors:The Tale of the Wicked Old Woman and the Very Nice 'Beast' of Crouch End by Lance Lee, illus. by Nathalie T. RetivoffA Widow’s Fire by Diane Pike HeilerFuture-Focused Wealth by Melissa CoxSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We’re continuing our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to middle grade. First, Adam Gidwitz joins us to discuss Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II (Dutton, February 25). Then young readers’ editors Laura Simeon and Mahnaz Dar discuss more of the year’s best books.Thanks to our sponsors: The Tale of the Wicked Old Woman and the Very Nice 'Beast' of Crouch End by Lance Lee, illus. by Nathalie T. RetivoffPassages by P.K. EdgewaterEco Reign by L. GaluppoRom-Com for Dummies by Tom DiggsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We’re continuing our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to picture books. First, Patricia Morris Buckley joins us to discuss To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Heartdrum, Jan. 28). Then young readers’ editor Mahnaz Dar dishes on more of the year’s best books.Thanks to our sponsors:The History of Lightning by Anthony Dwanye WebbInto the Gray Scale by Oge MobuogwuMaybe I’m Not God by Stefania Gander, trans. by Chiara GastaldiThe Judgy Bunny by Gramma Sir See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We’re continuing our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to nonfiction. First, Jen Hatmaker joins us to discuss Awake: A Memoir (Avid Reader Press, Sept. 23), one of Kirkus’ Best Nonfiction Books of the year. Then nonfiction editor John McMurtrie dishes on more of the year’s best books.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We’re kicking off our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to fiction. First, Lily King joins us to discuss Heart the Lover (Grove, September 30), one of Kirkus’ Best Fiction Books of the year. Then fiction editor Laurie Muchnick dishes on the year’s best novels and story collections. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this special episode, we present the 8th annual Fully Booked Holiday Gift Guide. Guest cohost Tom Beer joins host Megan Labrise in welcoming authors Ben Schott (Schott’s Significa; Workman) and Michael W. Twitty (Recipes From the American South; Phaidon). And Kirkus’ editors present their top holiday gift book picks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Newman joins us to discuss Wreck (Harper/HarperCollins, October 28), the follow-up to 2024’s Sandwich. Kirkus calls the new novel, “A heartbreaking, laugh-provoking, and absolutely Ephron-esque look at the beauty and fragility of everyday life” (starred review). Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance joins us to discuss Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy (Dutton, October 21). Kirkus calls it, “A hopeful manifesto for a renewed democracy.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On a special Mystery, Thrillers, and Horror episode, Janice Hallett joins us to discuss her latest murder mystery, The Killer Question (Atria, September 23). Kirkus: “A quintessential British pub, an escalating quiz-night rivalry, and a deeply personal mystery unfold in this clever epistolary tale.” Then our editors share some thrilling, chilling book recommendations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On a special episode of Fully Booked, we’re celebrating the 2025 Kirkus Prize finalists, ahead of our annual awards ceremony on Oct. 8. First, fiction judge Thérèse Purcell Nielsen joins us to discuss the process of selecting six outstanding works of fiction from hundreds of eligible titles. Then Kirkus’ editors add their insights to this year’s prize process.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On our Best October books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. Then Kate McKinnon joins us to discuss Secrets of the Purple Pearl, book two in her #1 New York Times-bestselling middle grade series, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science” (Little, Brown, September 30). “In a race against their enemies, the Porch girls must find a peculiar pearl in order to foil a fiendish plot… Unforgettably quirky, fast-paced fun” (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Author-illustrator YY Liak joins us to discuss Curious Coffins and Riveting Rituals: Death Practices Around the World (Chronicle Books, September 30), a vibrant volume Kirkus calls “an endearing and lighthearted look at the fate that awaits us all.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bestselling author Leni Zumas (Red Clocks) joins us to discuss her latest novel, Wolf Bells (Algonquin, September 16). “A young girl and her autistic cousin seek refuge in an intergenerational community,” Kirkus writes in a review of this “tender and well-told story about the meaning of family.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
National Book Award finalist and PEN/Faulkner Award winner Rabih Alameddine joins us to discuss The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (And His Mother) (Grove, September 2). Kirkus calls his latest novel “a sharp exploration of resilience in dark times.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On our Best September books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. Then Eliana Ramage joins us to discuss To the Moon and Back (Avid Reader Press, September 2), a debut novel about a gifted young woman who dreams of becoming the first Cherokee astronaut. Kirkus: “This author is as ambitious as her protagonist: There are three novels worth of material here, all good. The moon or bust!” (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tess Holliday joins us to discuss Take Up Space, Y’All: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love (Running Press Kids, Aug. 26), a body-positive wellness book for teens co-written with Kelly Coon. Kirkus: “Plus-size supermodel and activist Holliday empowers readers to love themselves, inside and out.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Charlie Jane Anders joins us to discuss her eagerly anticipated new novel, Lessons in Magic and Disaster (Tor, Aug. 19), about a young witch who teaches her mother how to do magic. In a starred review, Kirkus says it offers “much to ponder, much to cry over and rage against, much to appreciate.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On a special Romance Episode, Ivy Fairbanks joins us to discuss Heart Strings (Putnam, Aug. 12), the second book in her popular “Love in Galway” series. Kirkus: “When two exes reunite to attend a weekend-long wedding in Ireland, old feelings resurface” in this “charming and spicy” second-chance romance. Then our editors recommend some of their favorite romances and books about love.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On our Best August books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. River Selby joins us to discuss Hotshot: A Life on Fire (Atlantic Monthly, Aug. 5), a debut memoir chronicling their time as an elite firefighter. Kirkus: “With fortitude and admirable vulnerability, Selby brings readers directly into a tumultuous time and place. Like fire, this book burns hot” (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.