There are some people who are so interesting, who have such fascinating lives and jobs, that I can't wait to invite them to the podcast. Then they turn around and scare the life out of me with their book choices. That's what happened with today's guest, Azhelle Wade. Azhelle designs toys for a living, and mentors others in the toy design process. She is sweet and funny and an utterly delightful guest. But the book she chose, "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston, is about a near-catastrophic outbreak of the Ebola virus. I don't read a lot of scary books,…

Today, adventure novelist, pilot, and airplane tinkerer joins me to give the definitive answer to the question, "What is the best book ever?" Nathan insists that his answer is the final answer to the question. I suppose after this I'll have to rename this show to "The Second or Third Best Book Ever."  I had so much fun chatting with Nathan. There is something magical about listening to someone who has thought so deeply about a book, particularly a book from childhood that still affects the reader so deeply. I know you're going to love this episode. Support the Best…

Cat lovers, rejoice! This is an episode about how a book about a cat led one man to change everything in his life. Chris Burch is a ceramics artist from Colorado Springs, Colorado (I am lucky enough to own one of his beautiful pieces.) In this wide ranging chat, Chris and I talked about the power of art, grief, and family, and how to find your center in ceramics and in life. It was a really powerful and moving conversation. Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon Follow the Best Book ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best…

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 StraussWebsite/Instagram/Facebook Guest: Elizabeth GowingWebsite/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn Books discussed in this episode: Stay With Me by Ayobami AdelbayoWhat It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky: Stories by Lesley Nneka ArimahChimamanda Ngozi AdichieAsian Enough (LA Times Podcast) episode with Viet Thanh NguyenWriting About Infertility in a World that Sees Childless Marriage as Tragedy: Ayobami Adebayo on Infertility in the Nigerian Novel, via Lit HubBrit BennettYaa GyasiA Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon JamesThe Book of Night…