Books & Looks Books & Looks

In a break from our regular programming, we turn the spotlight on an extraordinary race that gripped the world in the late 1880s. Think you know competition? Meet Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, two daring female journalists who embarked on a whirlwind journey inspired by Jules Verne's fictional odyssey. With little time to prepare and the eyes of the media—and an entire nation—watching their every move, these women weren't just challenging the clock; they were challenging societal norms.
But that's not all. The tale takes a twist when Bly detours to meet none other than Jules Verne, adding a layer of meta to this already electrifying story. We also explore how these women's contrasting backgrounds colored their experiences, right down to their interactions with the everyday people and elites they met along the way. Stay tuned until the end for a sneak peek into our next episode featuring Nev March and her globe-trotting mysteries. Don't miss this ride; it's one for the ages.
Buy "80 Days" on Amazon
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Listen on YouTube.
Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.

Join us as we venture into the cobbled streets of Paris's Montmartre with Aimie Runyan, the creative force behind the novel "A Bakery in Paris." We journey through time, experiencing the Franco-Russian War and WWII through the eyes of Lisette and Michelin, connected across generations by family and the smell of fresh bread.
We also dive deep into Aimie's storytelling choices, from the inclusion of traditional French recipes to the challenge of navigating multiple timelines. Hear how she crafts each character's story, blending historical facts with evocative narratives. Don't miss this engrossing exploration of French history, culture, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Listen on YouTube.
Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.

Step into the pages of history that often escape the limelight. Join us as we explore Heather B. Moore's "Under the Java Moon," a compelling narrative that opens the curtains on Java's POW camps during WWII—a place where even whispers had eyes. Starting each chapter with real survivor accounts, this novel reveals how families, torn from their lives, faced unparalleled challenges.
From Heather's transition from fashion merchandising to becoming a versatile author, to the riveting stories of men, women, and children caught in the war's merciless grip, we dig deep. We'll also explore how wartime fear wasn't confined to one part of the globe, drawing parallels between internment camps in Java and America. As a closing note, we shift from the weight of history to the lightness of tradition, introducing you to the charming Icelandic custom of Jolabokaflod, which turns book-giving into a festive affair. Don't miss this episode; it's a tapestry of forgotten history and a glimpse into cherished traditions.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Listen on YouTube.
Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.

Ali Bryan takes us on a riveting journey through the intricacies of human behavior, set against the unlikely but compelling stage of a karaoke championship and a prison break. Bryan, the mastermind behind the spellbinding "The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships," exposes us to characters wrestling with identity, second chances, and the perpetual struggle between expectations and reality.
Switching gears, we raise our eyebrows at the alarming trends in tourist behavior worldwide. From defacing ancient landmarks to sheer disrespect for local culture, we explore the urgent need for ethical tourism. It's a ride through the beautiful, messy symphony that is human life—each of us a note, each story a melody, together composing the complex harmonies and dissonances that define us.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.

Ever wondered why cheese is the most stolen food or how maple syrup can be a hotbed for criminal activity? In this riveting episode, we sit down with Chris Garcia, the mind behind the eye-opening book "Food and Crime," to explore these questions and more. We dive into the four major categories of food-related crimes: theft, fraud, organized crime, and even assault and murder.
From the ancient history of food fraud to the modern-day artichoke mafia, we unravel the complex relationship between what we eat and the darker aspects of human behavior. We also touch on current events, like the tragic case of a young girl killed over McDonald's sauce packets, to illustrate the sometimes devastating intersections of food and crime. Don't miss this episode that serves up a full course of intrigue, history, and societal impact.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Julia Bryan Thomas, the creative mind behind the evocative novel "The Radcliffe Ladies’ Reading Club: A Novel.” Journey with us as we explore the transformative years of the 1950s through the eyes of four first-year students at Radcliffe College. Julia shares her own literary journey, from a childhood filled with letters and poems to fulfilling her dream at the Yale Writers Workshop.
We also discuss the shifting landscape of higher education and the diminishing role of liberal arts. Don't miss our conversation about Julia's upcoming espionage novel set in 1960s Paris and the challenges of writing in extreme weather conditions. Tune in for a rich narrative that transcends time, offering both a nostalgic look back and a critical eye on today's societal norms. As a bonus, listen to me touch on the recent wildfires in Maui, urging a nuanced understanding of their complex causes.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.