The Breath of the Gods by Simon Winchester is a fascinating deep dive into a familiar phenomenon. Simon joins us to talk about changing wind speeds, the moon landing, oboes, human migration, tumbleweeds and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind by Simon Winchester The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World by Simon Winchester Knowing What We Know: The Transmission of Knowledge: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic by Simon Winchester
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Bill Bryson on A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING 2.0
A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson is the fully revised and updated exploration of life's biggest questions. Bill joins us to talk about advancements in research over the last 20 years, making science accessible, narrativizing history, Isaac Newton, humanity and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
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Elizabeth McCracken on A LONG GAME
A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken is a thoughtful and engaging guide to the craft of writing filled with tips, tricks and personal anecdotes from an acclaimed author. Elizabeth joins us to talk about breaking story rules, short stories vs novels, character physicality, setting, plot, dialogue and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): A Long Game: Notes on Writing Fiction by Elizabeth McCracken Thunderstruck & Other Stories by Elizabeth McCracken Here's Your Hat What's Your Hurry: Stories by Elizabeth McCracken The Souvenir Museum: Stories by Elizabeth McCracken Sweet Talk: Stories by Stephanie Vaughn The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken Niagara Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken Lost in the City by Edward P. Jones All Aunt Hagar's Children: Stories by Edward P. Jones Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do by Studs Terkel North Woods by Daniel Mason
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Garth Greenwell on SMALL RAIN
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell is a haunting story of one man's emotional reckoning. Garth joins us to talk about bewilderment, memory, interiority, James Baldwin, home ownership, intimacy and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Small Rain by Garth Greenwell Nocturnes for the King of Naples by Edmund White Confessions by Saint Augustine Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin Another Country by James Baldwin
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Samin Nosrat on GOOD THINGS
Good Things by Samin Nosrat — our 2025 Gift Book of the Year — is a unique guide to forming a deeper sense of connection through food, paired with gorgeous photos and heartwarming anecdotes. Samin joins us to talk about reconnecting with cooking, writing recipes, teaching new thought processes in the kitchen, sharing a meal with loved ones, time, attention, community and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat Canal House: Cook Something: Recipes to Rely On by Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Hechel The Sabbath World: Glimpse of a Different Order of Time by Judith Shulevitz Featured Books (TBR Top Off) Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook: A Cookbook by Sohla El-Waylly Measure with Your Heart: Southern Home Cooking to Feed Your Family and Soul: A Cookbook by Hannah Taylor
Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like Poured Over's host, Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who's always reading. Follow us here for surprising riffs, candid conversations, a few laughs, and lots of great book recommendations from big name authors and authors on their way to being big names. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional bonus episodes on Saturdays).
South Africa