Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews

On this week’s episode, Eugene Robinson joins us to discuss Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America (Simon & Schuster, Feb. 3). As Kirkus writes in a starred review of Freedom Lost, Freedom Won, the author skillfully illuminates a “central truth of African American history: that for every advance toward being seen as truly American, ‘in short order, that full citizenship would be revoked.’” Then Kirkus’ editors offer their top picks in books for the week.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
They Could Be Saviors by Diana Colleen
The Privilege of Aging by Kamla K. Kapur
The Prophecy by Kim Sakwa
The Holy Nail by Michael J. Serby
Murder on the Interstellar Express by Gregory D. Little

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On this week’s episode, Allegra Goodman joins us to discuss This Is Not About Us (Dial Press, Feb. 10). “Goodman offers an unsparingly frank, wryly funny take on a multigenerational American family.,” Kirkus writes in a starred review. “Like an exquisitely baked apple cake, Goodman’s delicious and deeply perceptive novel is something to savor.” Then Kirkus’ editors offer their top picks in books for the week.
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On our Best February Books episode, Kirkus’ editors share some of the month’s most highly anticipated titles. Then Sara Pennypacker joins us to discuss The Lions’ Run (Balzer + Bray, Feb. 3). “An orphan in occupied France during World War II finds his courage and a sense of family,” Kirkus writes in a starred review, calling this middle-grade historical fiction, “compassionate and complex.”
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Born Sick in the USA by Stephen Bezruchka (Cambridge Univ. Press)
Prey Before Bed by James Sackos
We Met at a Halloween Party by Marcus R. Ferrell
Karl Marx and the Lost California Manifesto by Scott D. Carlson
Peace Warrior by Greg Payton, with J.T. Molloy

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Amy DuBois Barnett joins us to discuss If I Ruled the World (Flatiron Books, Jan. 27). “A young Black woman navigates the treacherous world of New York magazines in the 1990s,” Kirkus writes in an admiring review of Barnett’s fiction debut: “Style, love, and hip hop converge in this lively, likable novel.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Children of the Fullness by Cyd Ropp, illus. by Elfaza Studio
We Met at a Halloween Party by Marcus R. Ferrell
What We Hold No Longer by Aaron Gedaliah
The Beekeeper’s Question by Christina Baldwin
Unbuttoning by Ross Taosaka

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On our special Spring Preview episode, celebrating the most anticipated titles of 2026, New York Times bestselling writer and artist Chanel Miller joins us to discuss The Moon Without Stars (Philomel, Jan. 13). “After her zines launch her into the popular crowd, seventh grader Luna must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to stay there,” Kirkus writes in a starred review of Miller’s latest middle-grade novel. “Genuine and poignant; [The Moon Without Stars] has the makings of a modern classic.” Then our editors recommend some of 2026’s most anticipated titles.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
50 Secrets Nobody Tells You in Hollywood by Mike Kimmel
The Compass Room by Mark James
Twelve Purposeful Immersions by Jess Barcco
The Last Wizard by Alex Mizgailo
Ruled by Fate by Sam Withrow & Amelia Pinkis
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