...But Make It Books
...But Make It Books

...But Make It Books

...But Make It Books

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Episodes

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Join Niccara as she talk about the ups and downs of the world and work through them, bookishly. Every episode, you’ll hear about amazing books and why you should read them, receive a peek into her musings with her guests where folks can find a safe space to process life. We cover topics ranging from love, ambition, plants, love…but we always make it books. Keep bookishly healing through life.

Recent Episodes

Hypervisible and Invisible: Paula Chase on The Heights and Who Gets to Be Human
JAN 8, 2026
Hypervisible and Invisible: Paula Chase on The Heights and Who Gets to Be Human
Join Niccara as she welcomes Paula Chase, co-founder of The Brown Bookshelf and author of the Heights series, to the pod! We talk about her novel The Balancing Act, the power of reclaiming language around grief, and how young people navigate invisibility within communities fighting over scarce resources in their own neighborhoods.Perfect for readers who appreciate stories centered on Black youth, community resilience, grief and healing, institutional critique, and the courage it takes to be truly seen. Make sure you pick up The Balancing Act from where you get your books!Follow Us:@butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.comFollow & Find Paula Chase:paulachasewrites.com | @paulachaseauthorShop With Us:Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIBDon't forget to rate, subscribe and review!Keeping it real...but make it books. Peace y'allMentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryThe Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African Ancestry
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51 MIN
Stewards of the Wilds: How Analeigh Sbrana Empowers Through Fantasy
DEC 25, 2025
Stewards of the Wilds: How Analeigh Sbrana Empowers Through Fantasy
Join Niccara as she welcomes Sunday Times Bestselling author Analeigh Sbrana to the pod! We talk about her duology "Lore of the Wilds" and "Lore of the Tides", the power of Black heroines discovering their own magic, and how courage, stewardship of the land, and community create opportunities for freedom and belonging. Fantasy and romantasy lovers, especially those who appreciate stories centered on Black girlhood, identity, and representation, this episode is for you! Lore of the WildsLore of the TidesMake sure you pick up the Lore duology from where you get your books! Follow Us:@butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.comFollow & Find Analeigh Sbrana: analeighsbrana.com | @analeighsbranaShop With Us:Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIBDon't forget to rate, subscribe and review!Mentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryThe Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African Ancestry
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46 MIN
"You Wanted a Worshipper, Not a Wife": Dominion with Addie E. Citchens
DEC 11, 2025
"You Wanted a Worshipper, Not a Wife": Dominion with Addie E. Citchens
Join Niccara as she welcomes Addie E. Citchens, inaugural recipient of the Farrar, Straus and Giroux Writer's Fellowship and debut author, to the pod! We talk about her novel Dominion, the cost of maintaining false narratives, and how women become the custodians of family reputation and community silence in the Black church.Perfect for readers who appreciate stories centered on Black womanhood, Southern life, faith, complicity, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. Make sure you pick up Dominion from where you get your books!Follow Us:@butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.comFollow & Find Addie E. Citchens:addiecitchens.com | @addiecitchensShop With Us:Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIBDon't forget to rate, subscribe and review!Keeping healing...but make it books. Peace y'allMentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryAfrican AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryThe Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.
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53 MIN
Under the Neon Lights: Big Names, Belonging, and Black Girlhood with Arriel Vinson
OCT 9, 2025
Under the Neon Lights: Big Names, Belonging, and Black Girlhood with Arriel Vinson
Join Niccara as she welcomes Arriel Vinson, Reese's Book Club LitUp Fellow and debut author, to the pod! We talk about her novel-in-verse, "Under the Neon Lights", the power of Black girls with big names, and how change—whether it's gentrification, divorce, or growing up—creates opportunities for freedom and belonging.YA lovers, especially those who appreciate stories centered on Black girlhood, identity, and community, this episode is for you! Make sure you pick up "Under the Neon Lights" from where you get your books!Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottieFollow & Find Arriel Vinson: arriwrites.com & @arriwritesUse my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!Mentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryThe Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African Ancestry
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44 MIN
Where There's Smoke, There's Love...(w/ Aricka Alexander)
SEP 11, 2025
Where There's Smoke, There's Love...(w/ Aricka Alexander)
Join Niccara as she welcomes Aricka Alexander, Young Adult Romance & Queer Adult Romance writer, to the pod! We talk about her newest release, "Where There's Smoke", growing up in the South, and how love is driving force for what we do and inspiration that we find right in front of us.Romance lovers, especially my sapphic romance lovers, this episode is for you! Make sure you pick up "Where There's Smoke" from where you get your books!Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottieFollow & Find Aricka Alexander: instagram & websiteUse my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!Mentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryAfrican AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African AncestryThe Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.
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41 MIN