Books & Looks

Tired of seeing the same titles on every "Best Of" list? In this third annual special episode, host Blaine DeSantis cuts through the noise to deliver his personal baker's dozen of the absolute best books he's read all year. If you're searching for the perfect present for the readers in your life, this list of Christmas book recommendations 2025 has something for everyone, from your spouse and parents to siblings and friends. Forget the popularity contests; these are 13 compulsively readable books, read cover-to-cover, that are guaranteed to surprise and delight.This is the ultimate Books and Looks podcast wish list, curated to solve the overwhelming problem of choosing from over a million books published each year. Blaine dives deep into his top picks across a wide range of genres, ensuring you'll find the perfect match for any taste. We start with some of the best nonfiction books 2025 has to offer, exploring pressing geopolitical issues in America in the Arctic by Mary Thompson-Jones and getting a stunning insider's view of modern Russia with Jill Doherty's My Russia. The episode then moves into a collection of unique memoir recommendations that celebrate the human spirit, from Marie Leautey's incredible story of running a marathon every single day in Leautey's World Run to John Seabrook's fascinating and complex family history in The Spinach King, the story of the family that made frozen lima beans a household staple. We also follow Graham Broyd's journey in Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard, as he retraces his 1980 hitchhiking trip across America.The list continues with incredible historical fiction and mystery books, including Sarah Dunant's masterful novel The Marquesa, which brings to life the first woman of the Italian Renaissance, Isabella d'Este. Blaine also highlights captivating biographies, such as Sister Aimee, Claire Hoffman's look at the spectacular rise and fall of Pentecostal preacher Aimee Semple McPherson, and Jan Gradvall's The Story of ABBA, offering an exclusive look into the lives of the iconic supergroup. We explore captivating nonfiction, from the surprisingly fascinating story of a despised bird in Starlings by Mike Stark to disappearing global traditions in Eliot Stein's Custodians of Wonder. David Krell's Do You Believe in Magic? provides a vibrant snapshot of America during the disco era of 1978. Finally, for those who love a good page-turner, Blaine recommends two compulsively readable mysteries: Danger, No Problem by Cindy F. Fariña, a thriller featuring a Filipino-American bounty hunter, and Ivory Bones by Sara Winokur, which centers on the mysterious and valuable Lewis Chessmen. These Christmas book recommendations 2025 are the best of the best from a year of reading.

Was the Italian Renaissance only for men? While history remembers the names of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and the Medici, one woman’s story of power, art, and ambition rivals them all. In this episode, we uncover the life of Isabella d'Este, the First Lady of the Renaissance, with acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant. Discover the incredible true story of the woman who ran a state, built a world-class art collection, and navigated a dangerous marriage—all while a secret disease swept through Europe, changing her destiny forever.Join us as celebrated author Sarah Dunant, a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, discusses her groundbreaking new novel, The Marchesa. Dunant shares how a simple question from her teenage daughter—"Where were the women?"—sparked a two-decade journey to uncover the forgotten stories of Renaissance women. This episode reveals the fascinating life of Isabella d'Este, a political mastermind and fashion icon who was brilliantly educated in humanist culture. From an early age, she was a force to be reckoned with, known for her sharp intellect and unshakeable confidence. Dunant explains how Isabella became a pioneer of female art patronage, commissioning works from the greatest artists of her time and building a collection that was the envy of popes and kings.We dive deep into the thousands of letters preserved in the Mantua archive, which provide an unprecedented look into Isabella’s mind. These documents reveal her cunning diplomacy as she ran the city-state of Mantua while her husband was away at war. We also explore her intense rivalry with her notorious sister-in-law, Lucretia Borgia. In a particularly captivating part of the interview, Dunant sheds light on a shocking and little-known aspect of the era: the history of syphilis in Italy. She details how the "French pox" arrived from the New World and secretly ravaged the European aristocracy, revealing a stunning discovery from her research that suggests Isabella knew her husband had the disease and took control of her own fate. Finally, hear about the author's own journey to publish Sarah Dunant The Marchesa, a beautifully illustrated hybrid of history and fiction that she was so passionate about, she decided to publish it herself.About Our Guest:Sarah Dunant is an award-winning British novelist, journalist, and critic. She is a recognized expert on the Italian Renaissance and has written six novels set in the period, all focused on bringing the vibrant and often hidden lives of women to the forefront. Her latest book, The Marchesa, is a culmination of years of deep archival research into the life of the extraordinary Isabella d'Este.Timestamps:(01:12) "Where Were the Women?": Sarah Dunant's Journey to the Renaissance(05:32) Introducing Isabella d'Este: The First Woman of the World(10:08) Uncovering History: Inside the Gonzaga Archive in Mantua(14:18) The First Female Art Patron: Building Isabella's Legendary Collection(20:23) A Rivalry of Style and Power: Isabella d'Este and Lucretia Borgia(24:52) The Past Talks Back: How Fiction Can Challenge Our View of History(31:36) The Secret Disease That Forged a Marriage: The History of Syphilis in the Renaissance(38:15) The Author’s Own Battle: The Journey to Self-Publishing The Marchesa(41:21) What's Next for Sarah Dunant?Learn More & Episode Resources:Get your copy of The Marchesa by Sarah DunantLearn more about Sarah Dunant's work

In 1980, a 20-year-old Graham Broyd turned a prestigious six-week scholarship to Washington, D.C. into the adventure of a lifetime. He traded his ticket for a flight to Los Angeles with a dream of surfing in Malibu and a wild plan to hitchhike across the country. In this episode, Graham shares the incredible story of his journey, a tale he revisited in 2024 to see how the country and he had changed. This is the ultimate story of hitchhiking across America then and now. What happens when you have just $600 to survive for six weeks, relying on your wits and the kindness—or danger—of strangers?This sprawling conversation, a must-listen for fans of incredible travel stories, is like a living "Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard" book review. Author Graham Broyd sits down with Blaine DeSantis to recount his unbelievable journey. We hear tales of extreme budget survival, like his method for turning a single Big Mac into a three-course meal, a story that comically landed his book in the "cooking humor" category on Amazon. Graham shares the unwritten rules and etiquette of the road, offering a fascinating look into the lost art of hitchhiking. This Graham Broyd travel memoir comes to life as he discusses his disastrous first attempt at surfing in Malibu, how he acquired an eight-foot surfboard as a travel companion, and the frightening night he spent alone in the desolate expanse of Death Valley.The episode explores the stark difference between America in 1980 vs 2024, contrasting the past with the present through Graham’s retraced journey. He shares thrilling and sometimes chilling stories from hitchhiking America, from navigating an unwelcome advance near the Grand Canyon to the bizarre experience of ending up in Tijuana, Mexico on a trip to Malibu—a mystery he still hasn't solved. We learn how a single smart jacket gave him access to the high-rolling casinos of 1980s Las Vegas and how a chance encounter in a youth hostel led to a stunning interview with Senator Howard Baker about the Panama Canal Treaty. This detailed look at hitchhiking across America then and now culminates in a tale of unexpected benevolence on the gritty subways of New York City, proving that adventure and humanity can be found where you least expect them.About Our Guest:Graham Broyd is the author of the travel memoir "Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard." In 1980, at the age of 20, he embarked on an impromptu hitchhiking trip across the United States, a journey that profoundly shaped his life. Over 40 years later, he retraced his steps to recapture 24 photos from his original trip, discovering not only how much America had changed, but how much he had as well.Timestamps:(00:00) A Scholarship Becomes an Epic Adventure(02:12) From D.C. Scholarship to a Cross-Country Hitchhiking Adventure(05:20) Surviving on $15 a Day: The Three-Course Big Mac Meal(07:45) The Mystery of Tijuana: Retracing Steps 40 Years Later(14:29) The Reality of Surfing Malibu & Acquiring a Surfboard(17:22) The Unwritten Rules and Etiquette of 1980s Hitchhiking(19:49) A Terrifying Night Alone in Death Valley(22:56) How a Smart Jacket Got Me Into Vegas Casinos(28:09) The Dangers of the Road: An Unwelcome Encounter(35:18) How a Hitchhiker Interviewed Senator Howard Baker(39:48) Unexpected Kindness in 1980s New York City(41:52) America Then and Now: A Love Letter to a Changing NationLearn More From Our Guest & Episode Resources:Get your copy of "Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard"Learn more about Graham Broyd

In this exclusive Mary Grand A Halloween Murder interview, we explore a high school reunion gone horribly wrong. When old friends gather at a historic castle on the most haunted island in the world, nostalgia quickly turns to terror after one of them is found dead. Was it a tragic accident, a desperate suicide, or a calculated murder? With the castle locked down, everyone is a suspect, and time is running out to find the truth before the killer can escape.Author Mary Grand joins the podcast to unpack her thrilling new novel, a perfect Halloween read for fans of classic whodunits. We discuss why the Isle of Wight haunted island reputation, with its mysterious ley lines and numerous historic buildings, makes it the ultimate setting for a spooky mystery. Mary shares the fascinating Carisbrook Castle history, revealing how its past as a Saxon fort, a Norman stronghold, and a royal prison for Charles I inspired this chilling tale. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves intricate locked room mystery books, as Mary explains how she crafted a puzzle where the killer had to be one of the guests trapped inside the castle walls.Throughout this Mary Grand A Halloween Murder interview, we delve into the author's creative process. Mary talks about her beloved amateur detective from the Susan Flynn book series, and how Susan gets entangled in the investigation through her daughter, Zoe, who is a key suspect. We also explore the complex group dynamics of a high school reunion, the intense and frightening Ouija board scene, and the real-world research behind the plot, including the harrowing details of the synthetic drug 'spice' and how it's smuggled into prisons. Mary gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the actual Carisbrooke Castle ghost walk she attended for research and shares fun anecdotes about the famous Isle of Wight tomatoes and her tradition of naming fictional dogs after her friends' real-life pets. If you're a fan of Agatha Christie, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the craft of plotting a modern cozy mystery that keeps you guessing until the final page.ABOUT OUR GUEST:Mary Grand is the acclaimed author of the Susan Flynn book series, a collection of cozy mysteries set on the picturesque and eerie Isle of Wight. Often compared to Agatha Christie for her well-plotted and character-driven stories, Mary specializes in creating intricate puzzles that keep readers captivated. She lives on the Isle of Wight, the real-life setting that inspires her compelling novels.TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS:(00:00) A Halloween Murder: A High School Reunion Gone Wrong(02:43) Why the Isle of Wight is the World's Most Haunted Island(04:07) Plot Deep Dive: A Locked-Room Mystery in a Castle(06:19) The Real History of Carisbrook Castle(09:11) The Psychology of a High School Reunion That Curdles(11:30) The Intense and Terrifying Ouija Board Scene(15:49) Fun Facts: Twixmas and Famous Isle of Wight Tomatoes(20:19) The Shocking Research Behind Smuggling the Drug 'Spice'(24:12) Fact vs. Fiction: The Real Carisbrooke Castle Ghost Walk(25:54) The Author's Craft: Writing Unlikable Characters and Plotting the 'Whydunit'(31:30) The Evolution of Protagonist Susan Flynn(36:43) What's Next for Mary Grand?

Before the Pink Ribbon, talking about breast cancer was taboo. In this episode, we uncover the shocking and inspiring history of breast cancer awareness and the three women who defied a dismissive medical establishment to save millions of lives. Author Judith L. Pearson joins us to discuss her groundbreaking book, "Radical Sisters," revealing how Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, and Evelyn Lauder launched a revolution from their hospital beds and boardrooms. How did a child star, a determined journalist, and a cosmetics mogul tear down the wall of silence and change medicine forever?This deep dive into the evolution of breast cancer advocacy explores the dark ages of treatment and the courageous fight for patient rights. Judith L. Pearson details the brutal radical mastectomy history, specifically the disfiguring Halstead radical mastectomy, a procedure that persisted long after it was proven ineffective. We revisit the pivotal moment of Shirley Temple Black breast cancer advocacy when the beloved star held an unprecedented 1972 press conference from her hospital room, urging women not to be afraid and to perform self-exams. The episode then follows the tenacious activist Rose Kushner and the one-step procedure, a barbaric practice where women went in for a biopsy and woke up with their breasts removed without their consent. Kushner’s relentless research and in-your-face advocacy, including a daring appearance on the Donahue show, forced the medical community to confront its paternalism. Finally, we explore the origins of the Evelyn Lauder Pink Ribbon Campaign and her "department store" concept for cancer care at Memorial Sloan Kettering, which was born from the frustrating and fragmented patient experience. This interview sheds light on the complete history of breast cancer awareness, from comparing the fight for funding to the AIDS movement to the discovery of the BRCA gene mutation, revealing a story of courage, tragedy, and ultimate triumph.About Our Guest:Judith L. Pearson is an author and historical biographer specializing in uncovering the stories of overlooked heroes. In her book, "Radical Sisters: The Women Who Pushed for and Paved the Way to Breast Cancer Awareness," she reveals the untold story of the three women whose personal battles and public advocacy transformed medicine and created the modern breast cancer movement.Timestamps / Chapters:(00:00) The Three Women Who Transformed Breast Cancer Awareness(03:31) Shirley Temple Black's Groundbreaking 1972 Announcement(06:05) Rose Kushner's Daring Appearance on the Donahue Show(09:07) The Near-Death Experiences That Shaped the "Radical Sisters"(14:38) How Shirley Temple's Press Conference Changed Everything(19:22) The Brutal History of the Halstead Radical Mastectomy(24:19) Rose Kushner's Fight Against the "One-Step Procedure"(29:56) Evelyn Lauder's Philanthropic Vision Before and After Her Diagnosis(32:28) Learning from the AIDS Movement to Fight for Funding(36:04) Evelyn Lauder’s "Department Store" Concept for Cancer Care(40:10) The True Origin Story of the Pink Ribbon Campaign