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Books & Looks

Books & Looks
America
John Candy
Bill Benter
Macaroni and Cheese
Mysteries Of the National Parks
The Doctors' Riot Of 1788
London, United Kingdom
Domingo the Bounty Hunter
The Deadliest
Cassie Chadwick
Martians
The Strength Of Water
Card Counting
Italy
France
United States
Library Of Congress
Hitchhiking
Filipino-American Literature
Isle Of Wight, United Kingdom

Fascinating conversations with today's most engaging authors. On each episode, we sit down with an acclaimed author for an in-depth chat about their latest work, the creative process, and the stories behind the stories. With its broad range of titles and topics, Books & Looks is your ticket to literary discovery. Join the conversation and find your next great read, with new episodes weekly. Listen... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes157Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsLeisure

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Artwork for Books & Looks

Latest Episodes

Before the Hearsts and the Pulitzers, before the front page as we know it, the American newspaper was built by teenagers covered in soot, women who risked hanging, and editors who settled arguments with pistols. Alex Wright joins Blaine DeSantis to t... more

In July 1831, the whaleship Mentor sailed out of New Bedford Harbor with 22 men aboard, hoping to strike it rich hunting sperm whales in the Pacific. They never made it. Caught in a raging storm, the ship smashed into the remote island chain of Palau... more

Who truly drove TR's presidency? Discover the untold story of Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet, the diverse, athletic advisors who shaped his legacy.

Resources:

【"Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet" By Michael Cullinane】a.co/... more

Discover the untold story of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Jim Rasenberger reveals their bitter rivalry and the miracle of their shared July 4th deaths.

Episode Links:

• "A Perfect Coincidence" by Jim Rasenberger

• Jim Rasenberger Website

The o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

Alex Wright
Author of Empire of Ink: The Printers, Rogues, and Radicals Who Invented the American Newspaper
Author, Empire of Ink
Episode: Mummy Paper, Print Devils, and Gunslinging Editors: Alex Wright's Empire of Ink
Eric J. Dolin
Author of The Wreck of the Mentor
Author, The Wreck of the Mentor
Episode: 22 Men, One Storm, and the Island That Wouldn't Let Go
Michael Cullinane
Presidential Historian and author of Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet
Episode: Teddy Roosevelt's Secret Weapon: The Tennis Cabinet That Built Modern America
Jim Rasenberger
Author of A Perfect Coincidence
Author, A Perfect Coincidence
Episode: Same Beginning, Same End: The Entwined Lives of Adams and Jefferson
Cathy Haynes
Author of The Fullness of Time, artist and curator
Author
Episode: How Nature Tells Time without a Clock
Eric Moskowitz
Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Author of The Hardest, Longest Race
Episode: The 1909 Race Henry Ford Cheated to Win - Eric Moskowitz on "The Hardest, Longest Race"
April Masten
Author of Diamond and Juba: The Rockest World of 19th Century Challenge Dancing
Author, Diamond and Juba
Episode: The true story of America's first dance battle ft. April F. Masten
Kit Chellel
Author
Author of Lucky Devils
Episode: The Secret Math System That Broke Casinos ft. Kit Chellel
Karima Moyer-Nocchi
Author of The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese
Episode: The 2,000-Year History of Mac and Cheese

Host

Blaine DeSantis
Host of Books & Looks, introduces guests and guides the conversation

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Love the discussions with authors

    If you love books and fun discussions with author, this is the podcast for you. Blaine is a wonderful host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FSBurke2
    United States2 years ago
  • A book lover's treasure!

    The insights into the authors' processes are invaluable. Blaine does a great job, though some more editing could tighten up the conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Cox..
    United States3 years ago
  • Solid 4 stars!

    Solid 4 stars! I love the variety of authors featured, and Blaine's thoroughness makes each episode a literary delight.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Maybelle Webb
    United States3 years ago
  • AMAZING

    Definitely my go to reading and book related podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Crothers
    United States3 years ago
  • Love!

    Keep the episodes coming! I especially love the diversity in book genres. I feel like it's opened me up to a variety of books I wouldn't have looked for otherwise.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marvin Lamagna
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note occasional need for tighter editing but still value the content and guest expertise.
Listeners praise thoughtful author conversations and host engagement.
Fans appreciate the depth and variety of guests, with high praise for interview quality and insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mummy Paper, Print Devils, and Gunslinging Editors: Alex Wright's Empire of Ink
Q: How long did the research for the book take, and what was that process like?
The author describes a 15-year journey of research with intense recent focus in the last couple of years, involving extensive digging into archival material and unraveling numerous historical threads to craft a cohesive narrative.
Mummy Paper, Print Devils, and Gunslinging Editors: Alex Wright's Empire of Ink
Q: What inspired you to write Empire of Ink and explore the origin of the newspaper era?
Alex Wright explains it started as a personal project rooted in family history and a larger curiosity about how newspapers evolved before the 20th century, revealing a fascinating web of people and technologies that shaped American public life.
The Secret History of Breast Cancer Awareness & The Women Who Fought It with Judith L. Pearson | #134
Q: Why did you start the narrative with the Phil Donahue episode instead of beginning at the earliest moments of the story?
Pearson explains that prologues and mid-time backstories help engage readers in biographies, and the Donahue episode served as a pivotal, dramatic middle-ground that framed a shift in public conversation and medical practice.
Beyond Baker Street: An Irregular Detective Mystery Series | #129
Q: How did you come up with the idea of transplanting the Baker Street Irregulars into their own detective duo?
I wanted to explore how ordinary people in a richly detailed Victorian setting could become capable detectives, using a mix of street smarts and early forensic thinking, while letting Holmes remain a grand, guiding presence in the background.
Mary Grand Unlocks A Halloween Murder on a Haunted Island | #135
Q: How did you research the setting and the prison spice element?
Grand explains research methods—visiting the island, historical study of Carisbrook Castle, and learning about spice smuggling into prisons—emphasizing that while you gather a lot of information, only a fraction makes it into the story to keep the narrative focused.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Books & Looks

What is Books & Looks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Books & Looks features in-depth author conversations across a broad range of genres, from history and biography to culture and science. Episodes typically center on the author's latest work, the research process, and storytelling choices, with rich anecdotes and historical context that illuminate broader themes. A notable strength is the host's ability to pull out practical insights about craft, research, and the cultural impact of books, making it appealing to serious readers, librarians, educators, and professionals in publishing and media seeking thoughtful, narrative-driven discussions.

Where can I find podcast stats for Books & Looks?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Books & Looks. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Books & Looks and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Books & Looks get?

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What are the audience demographics for Books & Looks?

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How many subscribers and views does Books & Looks have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Books & Looks has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Books & Looks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Books & Looks:

1. The Heal Thrive Dream Podcast
2. Read And Write With Natasha
3. WBZ Book Club
4. Pop Apologists
5. The French History Podcast

How many episodes of Books & Looks are there?

Books & Looks launched 6 years ago and published 157 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Books & Looks?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Books & Looks?

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What guests have appeared on Books & Looks?

Recent guests on Books & Looks include:

1. Alex Wright
2. Eric J. Dolin
3. Michael Cullinane
4. Jim Rasenberger
5. Cathy Haynes
6. Eric Moskowitz
7. April Masten
8. Kit Chellel

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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