Pouring Over Books

LaShawn Wiltz
  • 5.0 (13)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Pouring Over Books, a podcast where we dive into the books we love…and maybe a few we didn’t.   Every week I’ll  be deep diving into what I’m reading, recommendations, and talking about all the things we love about books!  . 

  1. FEB 17

    Black Romantasy Recommendations for Black History Month

    Send a text Today, LaShawn discusses her love for the Romantasy genre, particularly Black Romantasy books since it is Black History Month. She critiques the derogatory term 'fairy smut' and addresses the elitism surrounding literature, emphasizing the importance of escapism in reading. LaShawn highlights the lack of diversity in Romantasy literature and shares her favorite book recommendations by Black authors. She also touches on her current reads   Books and Articles Mentioned in this Podcast Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana Our Vicious Oaths By NE Davenport The Book of Azriel by Amber Nicole Vicious Bonds by Shanora Williams Son of the Morning  By Akwaeke Emezi The Last One (Vallendor Book 1) Rachel Howzell Hall  Kin by Tayari Jones Sula By Toni Morrison Brimestone By Callie Hart If I Ruled the World By Amy Dubois Barnett Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe Articles Is "Fairy Smut" dumbing down literature? History of GoGo Musichttps://lashawnwiltz.substack.com/p/toni-morrison Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    24 min

  2. FEB 10

    Banned Books By Black Women

    Send a text In this episode of the Pouring Over Books podcast, LaShawn discusses the alarming rise of book censorship in the United States, particularly targeting works by Black authors. She highlights five significant books by Black women that have faced bans and restrictions, emphasizing the importance of these narratives in understanding the Black experience. The conversation also touches on LaShawn's current reading list, including new releases and personal recommendations. Books Mentioned in this Episode  A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi  Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward Dear martin by Nic Stone Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston The Color Purple By Alice Walker  If I Ruled the World by Amy Dubois Barnett  Daggermouth by HM Wolfe Kin by  Tayari Jones Other things mentioned: Kindle Colorsoft  20 Banned Books by Black Women Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    23 min

  3. FEB 3

    January Reads and 5 New Books By Black Authors coming in February

    Send us a text v In this episode, LaShawn talks about how she got over two reading slumps in January,  and celebrates Black History Month by emphasizing the importance of amplifying Black voices in literature with 5 new books by Black Authors coming out in February. She also reflects on her current reads and the impact of maintaining a reading journal, which has deepened her understanding of the books she engages with. Books Mentioned in this episode. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica We who will Die Stacia Stark You and Me Tai Bauer  Half his age  By Jeanette McCurdy  Common Goal, Game Changer and Tough Guy  Its never too late by Marla Gibbs Kin Tayari Jones  Who’s Watching Shorty?: Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse Where the wildflowers grow Terah Shelton Harris Language as liberation Toni Morrison Archangel’s Eternity by Nalaini singh Sula by Toni Morrison  Reading Journal Pouring Over Books Bookclub: Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    23 min

  4. JAN 27

    5 Books to Read in Times of Resistance

    Send us a text In this episode of Pouring Over Books, LaShawn shares five books to read in times of resistance — stories that challenge power, question truth, and remind us why paying attention matters. From censorship to memory to survival, these picks show how reading can be both an escape and a quiet act of defiance. Books Mentioned in this Episode  Octavia Butler – Parable of the Sower Citizen by Claudia Rankine George Orwell – 1984 How Fascism Works, Jason Stanley Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury Half His Age Jennette McCurdy  If I ruled the World by Amy Dubois Barnett The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams  Our Vicious Oaths N.E. Davenport Fire Sword and Sea by Vanessa Riley Burn Down Masters House Clay Cane BookTalk for Booktok Whistles as Resistance  Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    19 min

  5. JAN 20

    The Well Read Debate, 5 Easy Classics and a Personal Reading Project

    Send us a text In this episode of the Pouring Over Books Podcast,  LaShawn  reflects on her reading goals for the year, particularly her intention to read three classic novels. She discusses the ongoing debate in the literary community about what it means to be 'well-read' and shares her personal list of five accessible classics,  and explains why each book is worth reading. LaShawn also reveals her own selections for her own personal curriculum of reading 3 classics in 2026 Books Mentioned in This Episodes Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austin The Count of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien If Beale Street Could Talk James Baldwin Kindred By Octavia E Butler LaShawn's Personal Classic List Anna Karenina By Leo Tolstoy The Odyssey By Homer Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston My Currently Reading List We Who Will Die by Stacia Startk Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma If I Ruled the World by Amy DuBois Barnett Half His Age By Jennette Mccurdy  Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    25 min

  6. JAN 13

    My Most Anticipated Romance Books of 2026

    Send us a text  In this episode of the Pouring Over Books Podcast, LaShawn discusses her chaotic reading life, the struggle to finish books, and her love for romance novels. She emphasizes that Romance Novels MUST HAVE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER, contrary to recent chatter on the book internet.  She then shares her most anticipated romance novels for 2026.   Books Mentioned on this Podcast Slanting Towards the Sea By Lidije Hilje Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte Our Perfect Storm Carly Fortune A Girl Like Her  Talia Hibbert   In her own league Liz thomford  Catch Her If You Can Tessa Bailey The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Dolly All the Timeby Annabel Monaghan Score (Hollywood Renaissance Book 2) by Kennedy Ryan  The Missed Connection by Tia Williams Queen of Lombard Street: A Novel by Lisa Kleypas Unrivaled By Rachel Reid Barnes and Noble Special Edition LaShawn's Currently Reading List  Physical Book: Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma Kindle Book We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark Audio book Cultish by Amanda Montel. Join the Bookclub for $5 a month! This year we are reading Toni Morrison  Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    24 min

  7. JAN 6

    My Reading Goals and Most Anticipated Books for 2026

    Send us a text Happy New Year! Catch up with LaShawn as she discusses her reading goals for 2026 and her most anticipated books for 2026.   Books Mentioned in this Episode The Odyssey By Homer The Love Songs By WEB Dubois The Missed Connection By Tia Williams   The First Time I saw him Laura Dave Kin By Tayari Jones The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez  Rites of the Starling By Devney Perry  Fury Bound By Sable Sorensen  Aresenio A Memoir By Aresenio Hall Meet Me in the Garden by Nina LaCour   DireBound by Sable Sorenson Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica    The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison The Complete List for Most Anticipated Books of 2026 Join the Pouring over Books Bookclub! Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    32 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    The Best Books I Read in 2025

    Send us a text In this episode of the Pouring Over a Books podcast, LaShawn shares her top 10 books. She discusses the emotional depth of character-driven stories and highlights the importance of diverse narratives in literature. LaShawn also shares her current reads and looks ahead to her bookish goals for 2026, encouraging listeners to join her in exploring the works of Toni Morrison in the Pouring Over Books Bookclub in 2026 Books mentioned in this episode can be found here:  Join the Pouring Over Books Bookclub in our year  of Reading Toni Morrison here Support the show Follow the Podcast on IG @pouringoverbookspod and YouTube Follow LaShawn on IG @lashawnwiltz and Threads @lashawnwiltz Substack: Letters From LaShawn

    26 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to Pouring Over Books, a podcast where we dive into the books we love…and maybe a few we didn’t.   Every week I’ll  be deep diving into what I’m reading, recommendations, and talking about all the things we love about books!  . 

Information

  • Creator
    LaShawn Wiltz
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pouring Over Books
  • Show Website
    Pouring Over Books

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