Books with Betsy
Books with Betsy is a podcast that celebrates the reading life of all readers. Each week, Betsy interviews a different person about their reading life. Listen for book recommendations, reading tips, and to join in the joy that reading brings. And remember, anyone who reads is a reader.
Episodes
On this episode, Caroline Pilman, a fellow Chicago Public Schools teacher, and I discuss the many ways of reading, all of which are acceptable. We also discuss a shared pet peeve in children’s literature, how a seasonal career can affect the reading life, and how Chicago Public Schools does one thing right.
American Library Association Lists
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading...
On this episode, Meara McNitt, a social media professional who loves stories of all types, discusses her love for all kinds of books, including an interest that her friends suggest she doesn’t yell about in the bookstore. She talks about a lot of books that haven’t appeared on the show yet and I go on a bit of a rant about one of my favorite hot takes.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
...On this episode, Austin Waters, a friend of mine from high school, describes how he has had lots of experience with many different types of reading and writing. We discuss reading plays, how we read so many good books in high school, and how competition in reading can be detrimental.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
Book...
On this episode, Chelsey Stone, a freelance writer and book tour leader, describes herself as someone who reads to learn. She brings a lot of really great non-fiction books to the show, and while some of them can be a bit of a bummer, these books help Chelsey learn more about herself and the world while facing reality through reading.
NatGeo article about the Chicago River
On this episode, Johannah @memydogandbooks who loves to shout about books on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and I discuss leaning into cozy hobbies, reading widely and eclectically, and an overlapping prize interest for us. We also discuss how horror is an underrated genre and why it works, even for scaredy-cats!
On this episode, Hannah Gordon, a fellow CPS teacher and I discuss the importance of the library as a public service, how your reading life can turn around from what people expect of you as a child, and she brings some really great books to the show that haven’t been talked about yet.
Book Talk and Signing for The Kat Bunglar with Tanima Kazi
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
On this episode, Christopher Hermelin, host of the podcast So Many Damn Books and I discuss his life that revolves around books, our shared love for stories on the continuum of weird, and we both go on a bit of a tear about over-comped books. You can also hear me get totally sucked in by something Christopher recommends.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
On this episode, my mom, Mary Hopper Welander, and I discuss shared reading memories from my childhood, how much the library has impacted both of our reading lives, and how her reading life has changed in retirement. She also gives some great advice about how to develop a love of reading in your child.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
On the Calculation of Volume (Book 1) by Solvej Balle
Moms Like Us b...
On this episode, Alayna Mills, a college writing teacher, discusses their love for reading everything all the time, by incorporating reading into all parts of their day. We also talk about their wide reading preferences, we get deep on a few specific books, and we find a shared notebook of book prize stress.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
On this episode, Bre @Brezzylovesbooks, a therapist who also runs the Raleigh chapter of Well-Read Black Girl, and I discuss our shared love of book communities, problematic characters, and why romance isn’t our reading preference. I also give a rare TV recommendation!
More info about Well-Read Black Girl in Raleigh
Well-Read Black Girl Raleigh Instagram
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s...
On this episode, Trevor Dykes, a fantasy reader who has written his own fantasy saga, and I discuss how he fits in reading as a father of two young kiddos, what piques his interest in a fantasy, and how much of a commitment some of the long series are. We also get into the difference between the second in a trilogy versus the second in a series - there’s a difference!
On this episode, Maggie Brennan, a loyal member of the Off Color Book Club, and I discuss the retellings she will always read, how being an oldest sister impacted her reading life, and the way that her Irish family has impacted her reading life. She also talks about her favorite fantasy and sci-fi and how these genres can tell stories that reflect our reality.
Support my Open Books fundraiser
Books mentioned in this episode:
...
On this episode, Deedi Brown, who runs The Booker of the Month book club, and I discuss the crossover love of literary fiction and genre, getting sucked in by award lists, and how being more involved in books turns into a snowball!
Get more information about Booker of the Month Club
Support my Open Books fundraiser
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading...
On this episode, Meredith Turits, debut novelist, and I discuss the process of making her book come to life, how amazing her editor is, and the best ways to support friends who are writers. We also discuss her book, Just Want You Here, which I encourage anyone to go pick up!
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Madwoman by C...
On this episode, Rebecca Schinsky and Jeff O’Neal of Book Riot sit down and talk to me about their reading lives. We talk about their professional work in the world of books, how Oliver Burkeman would feel about my bad bookish habit, and how any book can be interesting if you’re curious enough.
Listen to the Book Riot Podcast
Better Living Through Books Newsletter (and the rest of the Book Riot Newslette...
On this episode, Betsy Kipnis, a multi-hyphenate who loves a wide variety of authors, and I discuss some shared favorites, great Chicago bookstores, and she has some great stories. She discusses books that are multi-sensory and we get spicy about a beloved author.
Barbara Kingsolver’s Recovery Center
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kọláwọlé
...On this episode, Jordan Hernandez, who organizes the book community Completely Booked and I discuss what diverse books means to her, how to curate a feed that provides diverse options, and so many amazing book recommendations. If you want to join Completely Booked, you can send Jordan a DM on Instagram to get added to the email list!
Follow Completely Booked on Instagram
Books mentioned in this episode...
On this episode, bookstagrammer and journalist Jocelyn Aspa and I discuss books with extensive character development, how everything makes us cry, and why we gravitate towards books with low ratings on Goodreads. We also discuss how we determine books to pack on a trip which can be a little extra.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
Devil is Fine by John Vercher
On this episode, indie author David Jay Collins and I discuss his work writing books in and about Chicago, how he keeps going by honoring his characters, and the unique ways that he connects with his readers. We also discuss his reading life, including a current fast from horror content which blows my mind!
Order any of David’s books from his website
Where you can see David in 2025!
Books mentioned i...
On this episode, Ree @Read_withree on instagram, discusses her love for thrillers and mysteries. We also talk about a shared favorite author, the joy that book people can bring, and how to make bookstagram a place of enjoyment.
Books mentioned in this episode:
What Betsy’s reading:
There is a Rio Grande in Heaven by Ruben Reyes, Jr.
Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
Books Highlighted by Re...
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