Episodes
Elizabeth talks to legendary fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, American Gods, the Sandman comic series and many other bestsellers. He's also the co-author of “Good Omens,” which has just been adapted to TV by Amazon. He talks about “playing God” as a writer, about his friend and collaborator Terry Pratchett... and about the books that changed his life - including the children’s book series that inspired him to start writing what would later become “Good Omens.”
Published 05/29/19
Author of "The Bride Test" and "The Kiss Quotient" Helen Hoang talks to Elizabeth about the (steamy!) books of her life. Helen tells Elizabeth about being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, about her rocky relationship with her family, and her love affair with romance novels. Talk about her book picks at the Books of Your Life book club on Goodreads.com!  https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/623569-books-of-your-life-with-elizabeth
Published 05/17/19
Goodreads co-founder Elizabeth Khuri Chandler talks to billionaire philanthropist Melinda Gates about her new book "The Moment of Lift" and about the books that have shaped her life. Melinda talks about her spiritual journey, the common frustrations she works to overcome, and being willing to show your vulnerabilities as a leader. Check out her picks including Awakening Joy by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
Published 05/06/19
Jared Diamond, the author of Guns Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, invites Elizabeth into his Los Angeles home where he shares the books that have shaped his life. He speaks about Walden by Henry David Thoreau, If This is a Man by Primo Levi, Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, and other books that reflect his adventures in New Guinea. They also discuss his latest book, Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis and why he remains optimistic for the future.  
Published 05/01/19
Author, editor and entrepreneur Will Schwalbe loves to talk about the books that have changed his life. He's written two books to the subject, The End of Your Life Book Club, which was about the books he read with his mother while she was dying, and Books for Living, about how books can show us how to live each day more fully and with more meaning. In this podcast he talks with Elizabeth about The Importance of Living, Giovanni's Room, A Little Life, and Why I Wake Early among others. 
Published 04/15/19
Author, essayist, art critic, and Guggenheim fellow Frederic Tuten discusses his memoir, My Young Life, Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, Nightwood by Djuna Barnes, Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo, and why he doesn't want to live in a world without books.  *Our theme was composed by Mia Schettino. Additional music from Caius Cowgill's Atlas Orchestra and Podington Bear." 
Published 04/09/19
Podcaster, author, blogger, and very tall person Nora McInerny discusses her latest book, No Happy Endings, about how she found love again after her first husband Aaron died of brain cancer, and three other books that have shaped her life: Smashed: The Story of a Drunken Girlhood, Food Freedom Forever: Letting Go of Bad Habits, Guilt, and Anxiety Around Food, and Man's Search for Meaning. *Theme composed by Mia Schettino. Additional music from Caius Cowgill's Atlas Orchestra and Podington...
Published 03/26/19
Famed author, editor, publisher and activist Dave Eggers discusses his latest book, Parade, as well as the books that have shaped his life: Anna Karenina, Dune, Gulliver's Travels, The Adventures of Augie March, and the Voice of Witness series. 
Published 03/15/19
Marlon James and Elizabeth discuss books that have changed his life: Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn, Shame by Salman Rushdie and Sula by Toni Morrison. 
Published 02/27/19
LeVar Burton and Elizabeth discuss books that have shaped his life, from Roots by Alex Haley to The Teachings of Don Juan series by Carlos Castaneda. Along the way, he spoke about his desire to live life as a “spiritual warrior,” personal accountability, and the flexible nature of "truth" today.
Published 11/12/18
Radha Agrawal, co-founder of Thinx and founder and CEO Daybreaker--a community that dances together in the early hours of the morning, talks with Elizabeth about our need to combat loneliness and feel like we are part of something. Her new book, Belong, is a how-to guide for her that endeavor. She also speaks about a series of books that gave her values for life, and a famous entrepreneur's memoir that has something for everyone.
Published 10/15/18
Celebrated novelist and nonfiction writer Anne Lamott talks with Elizabeth about her new book about how to have hope in the modern world. She also recommends two powerful books for all readers. One about a woman's painful quest for enlightenment and another that will inspire writers everywhere. 
Published 10/02/18
Abby Falik, founder and CEO of Global Citizen Year, talks with Elizabeth about three books that changed her perspective: A memoir by a classmate that altered her view on living and dying, a short tome that prescribes taking the time to be present in the moment, and a guilty pleasure book about a man that that rises from rural poverty to tycoon status and the toll it takes on his soul. 
Published 09/23/18
Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of the nonprofit charity: water, talks with Elizabeth about his new memoir, Thirst, which traces his path from club promoter to creative force behind bringing clean drinking water to more than eight million people worldwide. They also discuss his favorite book about parenting and the productivity book that changed his life.
Published 09/23/18
Sarah Jessica Parker and Elizabeth discuss an upcoming book from SJP's new imprint, talk about a recent book she thinks is perfect for the #MeToo movement, and dive into another that explores the dark side of being born with a famous father. 
Published 09/23/18
What is Sarah Jessica Parker reading right now? What books does the  founder of Charity Water, Scott Harrison, think can change your life? Or what books would Anne Lamott like to foist upon you, dear reader?Goodreads Co-founder and Editor in chief Elizabeth Khuri Chandler wants to know. 
Published 09/23/18