Welcome to Sarah’s Bookshelves!
Sarah’s Bookshelves began as a blog in 2013 and eventually migrated to a podcast (Sarah’s Bookshelves Live) in 2019.
On Sarah’s Bookshelves Live, I’m talking books with my co-hosts (Catherine Gilmore and Susie Boutry) or an author or publishing industry guest.
Though I’ve changed platforms over the years, a few things about my book commentary remain consistent. I always share my honest opinions and don’t shy away from snarky opinions. I also love digging into the behind the scenes of publishing books.
About Me
Prior to founding Sarah’s Bookshelves and Sarah’s Bookshelves Live (my podcast), I worked in Leadership Development for a large financial institution. I earned my Masters of Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and my Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
I fell in love with reading at a young age outside of the classroom through books like Sweet Valley High, Babysitter’s Club, and Nancy Drew. I didn’t love most of what I read for school, didn’t major in English or Literature in college, and am still somewhat allergic to the “classics.”
My current reading taste falls in the sweet spot between literary and commercial. I love family dramas, intense love stories, grounded speculative fiction, literary thrillers, memoir, most any books that contain sports, oral histories, and an occasional romance. I still haven’t found my footing with fantasy, though I’d like to at some point!
I currently live in Virginia with my husband, two tween children, and orange tabby cat, Katie. In addition to reading, I love to play tennis, watch sports (I’m obsessed with the summer Olympics!), and spend time outdoors and especially on the water.
What You’ll Find on my Substack
Both free and paid content:
FREE
A new podcast episode every other week
My annual Summer Reading Guide
My annual Best Books of the Year lists
Book reviews
Monthly reading recap with my ratings
PAID ($7/month)
Monthly Double Booked podcast episodes (either
Catherine Gilmore or Susie Boutry and I share 2 old books we love, 2 new books we love, 1 book we didn’t love, and 1 upcoming release we’re excited about)
Monthly Superlatives podcast episodes (5 Superlatives questions and behind-the-scenes discussion with every public show podcast guest)
Bi-Monthly (every other month) Unscripted podcast episodes (some combination of Catherine Gilmore, Susie Boutry, Chrissie Whitley and I riff on a bookish topic)
Bi-Monthly Spoiler Discussion podcast episodes (about a specific book)
Annual Best Backlist We Read Last Year Guide (PDF)
Annual Reading Tracker
Thank you for reading and subscribing to Sarah’s Bookshelves!
