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Artwork for Burned By Books

Burned By Books

New Books Network
Zambia
Grace Zulu
Iris Mwanza
LGBTQ+ Rights
Ordinary Human Failings
Gender Equality
The Nude
Desire
Storytelling
LGBTQ Identity
Endpapers
Say Hello To My Little Friend
Real Americans
AIDS
Corruption
London
C. Michelle Lindley
Cultural Identity
Korean American Literature
Post-9/11 New York City

A podcast for writers and readers who are obsessive about their books. Interviews with established and up-and-coming writers, and recommendations for the best in contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama. Chris Holmes. Chris is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. He is the co-director of The New Voices Fes... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes178Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksFiction

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Artwork for Burned By Books

Latest Episodes

Maggie Gram is a writer, cultural historian, and designer. She leads an experience-design team at Google. She has taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Harvard University, and she has written for N+1 a... more

Brandon Taylor is the author of the novels Minor Black Figures (Riverhead, 2025), The Late Americans and Real Life, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle John Leonard Prize, and named a New York Times Book R... more

Olivia Wolfgang-Smith is the author of the novels Mutual Interest (2025) and Glassworks, which was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Apple, and Good Housekeeping. She is a 2024 NYSCA/NYF... more

Yiming Ma holds an MBA from Stanford and an MFA from Warren Wilson College, where he was the Carol Houck Smith Scholar. His stories and essays appear in the New York Times, The Guardian, The Florida Review, and elsewhere. Born in Shanghai, he now liv... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Olivia Wolfgang-Smith
Author of Mutual Interest and Glassworks.
2024 Nysca Artist Fellow in Fiction, resident writer
Episode: Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, "Mutual Interest" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Yiming Ma
Debut author of 'These Memories Do Not Belong To Us', holds an MBA from Stanford and an MFA from Warren Wilson College
Episode: Yiming Ma, "These Memories Do Not Belong To Us" (Mariner Books, 2025)
Emily Adrian
Author of Daughterhood and Seduction Theory, she explores themes of campus life and relationships.
Little, Brown
Episode: Emily Adrian, "Seduction Theory" (Little, Brown, 2025)
Jonas Hassen Khemiri
Author of The Sisters, known for his novels and plays
Episode: Jonas Hassen Khemiri, "The Sisters" (FSG, 2025)
Alejandro Puyana
Author of 'Freedom Is a Feast'
Little, Brown
Episode: Alejandro Puyana, "Freedom Is a Feast" (Little, Brown, 2024)
Nell Stevens
Award-winning author of memoir and fiction, and associate professor of creative writing at the University of Warwick.
University of Warwick
Episode: Nell Stevens, "The Original" (Norton, 2025)
Megan Cummins
Author of Atomic Hearts, a debut novel exploring adolescent vulnerability and familial relationships.
Ballantine Books
Episode: Megan Cummins, "Atomic Hearts" (Ballentine Books, 2025)
Amy Stuber
Author of 'Sad Grown Ups' and recipient of several literary awards
Episode: Amy Stuber, "Sad Grownups" (Stillhouse Press, 2024)
Jesse Browner
Author of "Sing to Me" and translator of literary works
Little Brown
Episode: Jesse Browner, "Sing to Me" (Little Brown, 2025)

Host

Chris Holmes
Host of Burned By Books and Chair of Literatures in English, with expertise in contemporary global literatures.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 70 ratings
  • The sound of gushing praise

    I have come to contemporary fiction a bit late in my reading life. Now that I have plenty of time on my hands (having taken early retirement five years ago) and determined to avoid the destructive addiction of today’s online political discourse, I turned to literature as a balm. Chris Holmes’ podcast seemed a nice way to hear about new writing, especially novels, which I find more satisfying than short stories. There are a few things to be said in praise of this podcast. Unlike the Book Review p... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sidneyhart
    United Statesa year ago
  • Eclectic

    I am impressed by the variety of books reviewed here. The host’s enthusiasm and thoughtful preparation for these discussions makes this a great listen. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Se. Valpolicella
    United States2 years ago
  • It is indeed

    ...the best podcast about literature that exists. Generous and penetrating. I've been listening for years; how come I haven't left a review until now? A real personal failure!

    Every episode is a gift.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    young4552
    United States3 years ago
  • Refreshing ♥️👍🏽

    I listened to the conversation Chris had with Xochitl Gonzalez and loved to hear questions based on his knowledge of writing and literature! That definitely makes for a better conversation with the authors and when they get excited, the audience gets even more excited about their books.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luz-y-Traducciones
    United States4 years ago
  • A rare treat

    It’s a pleasure to listen to such rich, compelling interviews with exciting contemporary writers. Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    oregonbookworm
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners express a desire for a more critical perspective on the books featured, suggesting a mixture of both praise and critique would enhance the discussion.
Listeners appreciate the comprehensive focus on one book per episode, which allows for deeper literary discussions with authors.
The podcast is lauded for its insightful commentary on contemporary literature and the craft of writing, establishing it as a valuable resource for writers and readers alike.
The enthusiasm of the host, while occasionally seen as excessive, adds a unique charm to the interviews, engaging audiences effectively.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#191
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#235
South Korea/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, "Mutual Interest" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Q: Can you talk to us about queer family and kinship as a means of creating a life in an inhospitable world?
Wolfgang-Smith describes how the characters find community and support in one another, creating a chosen family that contrasts with their blood families.
Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, "Mutual Interest" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Q: What was your research process like for this historical novel?
Wolfgang-Smith emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context in developing characters and their stories, intertwining historical facts with imaginative narrative.
Yiming Ma, "These Memories Do Not Belong To Us" (Mariner Books, 2025)
Q: What were your own anxieties about the role of literature in a world dominated by technology?
I worried that literature might have a lesser role due to media competition for attention and the rise of technologies like AI.
Yiming Ma, "These Memories Do Not Belong To Us" (Mariner Books, 2025)
Q: Could you give us a little gloss of where the world stands geopolitically and culturally in the present of the novel?
The Chin Empire is a reimagined China that has taken over the West and uses mind banks for military capabilities and consumer products.
Emily Everett, "All That Life Can Afford" (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2025)
Q: How does the title operate for you? And do you feel this friction and pull between multiple pulls?
The title reflects both the expansive possibilities of life and the logistical limitations of what one can afford, encapsulating the novel's themes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Burned By Books

What is Burned By Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on literature and the craft of writing, this series features in-depth conversations with both established and emerging authors, presenting their insights and experiences connected to their works. While primarily dedicated to contemporary fiction, the episodes also explore poetry and drama, providing listeners with recommendations to enrich their reading lists. The host often emphasizes the importance of personal narratives, cultural contexts, and writing processes, making this a valuable resource for writers and book enthusiasts alike. The unique format, where each episode centers on a single author's latest work, allows for thorough discussions that entertain as well as educate listeners on literary complexities.

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How many episodes of Burned By Books are there?

Burned By Books launched 6 years ago and published 178 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Burned By Books?

Recent guests on Burned By Books include:

1. Olivia Wolfgang-Smith
2. Yiming Ma
3. Emily Adrian
4. Jonas Hassen Khemiri
5. Alejandro Puyana
6. Nell Stevens
7. Megan Cummins
8. Amy Stuber

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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