
Welcome to The Book Up, your thoughtful guide to discovering great books that aren’t on the end cap - but should be.
I’m your host, Verdell Walker, a Harvard MBA who’s blazed a trail at companies like The Wall Street Journal, Goldman Sachs, Scholastic, and Sesame Street. I’m also a Black Southern belle raised by books, and a published writer who knows how stories work.
Books are my passion, and... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 31 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HobbiesArtsLeisureBooks | |||

It’s time for a TBR refresh! In this episode - the season 3 finale! - I’m sharing the books currently on my to-be-read list, along with a few upcoming releases that have caught my eye. Whether you're looking to add to your own stack or just want to h... more
Love books? Looking for honest book reviews and book recs? Whether you're a lifelong reader, crawling out of a reading slump, or just need a trusted voice to help you find a great story — you're in the right place.
Today’s book is "The Everlasting" ... more
Love books? Looking for honest book reviews and book recs? Whether you're a lifelong reader, crawling out of a reading slump, or just need a trusted voice to help you find a great story — you're in the right place.
Today’s book is "The Wishing Game"... more
Love books? Looking for honest book reviews and book recs? Whether you're a lifelong reader, crawling out of a reading slump, or just need a trusted voice to help you find a great story — you're in the right place.
Today’s book is "When the Cranes F... more
Some stories are too good to fit into just one book. In this Series Spotlight, I’m diving into the Between Earth and Sky Trilogy by Rebecca Roanhorse — giving an overview of the series, what makes it stand out, and why I think it’s worth the commitme... more
Love books? Looking for honest book reviews and book recs? Whether you're a lifelong reader, crawling out of a reading slump, or just need a trusted voice to help you find a great story — you're in the right place.
Today’s book is "The Savage, Noble... more
Love books? Looking for honest book reviews and book recs? Whether you're a lifelong reader, crawling out of a reading slump, or just need a trusted voice to help you find a great story — you're in the right place.
Today’s book is "The Adventures of... more
Love books? Looking for honest book reviews and book recs? Whether you're a lifelong reader, crawling out of a reading slump, or just need a trusted voice to help you find a great story — you're in the right place.
Welcome to Season 3! Today’s book ... more
Verdell’s insights and reviews have my TBR overflowing. The episodes are just the right length to peek my interest about the books without giving too much away. This podcast is now my go to when I am looking for new reads.
I can’t get enough of this perfectly paced pod. It is like browsing a bookstore, reading the backs of titles that catch the eye, and getting the opinion of the smart, interesting bookseller that curated the selection. TBR pile is getting STACKED. Keep them coming!!
This show is really fun! Listening to Verdell is like chatting with a book club friend…except you just get to listen. I love that Verdell’s takes sound open and honest. And after listening to a few episodes about books I’ve been curious about, I feel like I’m ready to jump in…with excitement now, because Verdell’s passion for books is contagious. Can’t wait for more eps and more titles to add to my TBR pile.
I appreciate the length and the density of useful information in this podcast. I need some new book recommendations and I found a credible source that matches the variety in my own book collection.
Really enjoy listening to Verdell’s perspective in the books. Love fiction but need to make more time to read them. The BookUp is the next best thing!
Went to download THE DREAM HOTEL before the episode was even finished thanks to Verdell’s review. Love how digestible these eps are! Great quick summaries and helpful comparisons to other books you may have read before. An easy, low commitment add to your podcast subs for any book lover!
I really enjoy listening to this podcast! Verdell gives thoughtful and engaging takes on a wide variety of books, and I always appreciate the way she talks through themes, characters, and overall impressions. She’s also introduced me to some genres and titles I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Her voice is incredibly soothing and easy to listen to, which makes each episode even more enjoyable. It’s a great place to discover new reads, and I always come away excited to add more books t... more
Verdell does a good job of giving a short summary and getting you interested.
I could listen to Verdell all day! Her voice is so easy on the ears. Her summaries are so concise and crisp. I love how she paints the picture and packs in so much insight with a special dash of her unique personality…and she keeps it all under 15 minutes as promised! Such a treat!!!
Verdell Walker has an easy on the ear, soothing voice with personality popping through. She’s clear and descriptive bringing to life the summary of the book, concisely as well. She motivates me to read her choices.
Can we talk about how soothing and cozy Verdell’s voice is? I just love listening to this podcast and it transports me to all sorts of worlds. She’s inspired me to read fantasy again and I’m glad she’s doing the hard work of finding books that I will dive into.
Love this pod! Reviews are quick and thorough and help me sort out what to prioritize next on my reading list
I love how this podcast gives me ideas for books to read that normally I might not have considered or have seen before. The recaps are thoughtful, short to listen to, and help me find new great reading choices!
I don’t have a ton of time, but I’m always looking for good book podcasts. This one is fantastic and is a great for helping me find my next read.
Verdell has this rare ability to make you feel like you already know a book before you’ve opened it, in the best way. I’ve recommended more books to friends this year than ever before, and every single one came from her pod. It’s become a non-negotiable part of my routine. If your to-read list feels like a burden instead of a joy, this is the reset you need!!
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #201 |










Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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The Book Up with Verdell Walker launched a year ago and published 31 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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