Podcast · Arts & Books

The Book Case

by ABC News | Charlie Gibson, Kate Gibson · English · Arts & Books

Are you stuck in a reading rut? The Book Case makes the case for books outside of your usual genre. Wander the aisles of your local bookstore with Kate and Charlie Gibson and meet fascinating characters who will open your appetite to new categories while deepening your hunger for books. This weekly

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 35 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 28 min

TWO FOR ONE: Robert Kolker AND Chloe Benjamin

This week we have to terrific authors in one show. Robert Kolker’s newest, The Vanishing Family, is a look at a family afflicted with an early onset dementia, and how this family could revolutionize the way we think about the aging mind. Chloe Benjamin was GMA’s September Book Club pick, and although we are late to the party, we are proud to get to attend at all. It’s a mind-blowing book about time flowing backwards, and forwards. Join us for a sit down with two great authors and their two great books. Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

1 Oct 2026 · 33 min
Catherine Grace Katz: the Hindenburg and the Humanity
Up until now, there hasn’t really been a complete compendium on the Hindenburg disaster. Catherine Grace Katz gives it us in SHADOW BEFORE THE FLAME, and it is a page turner. Filled with top notch research, Katz drops readers squarely in the 1930’s so that they experience the majesty, mystery and looming fascism that cloaked the Hindenburg’s journey from Germany to the US. Something the size of three football fields was destroyed in 34 seconds. What did the people see on the ground? What did the passengers feel and see as it combusted? Did anyone live? These are all questions asked and…
30 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Jennifer McMahon and the Allure of Haunted Towns
Jennifer McMahon has been called the Shirley Jackson of her generation. Her newest, Stay Buried, is a fascinating look at what can happen to a small town when beset with an almost inhuman pandemic, and how they turn on each other as the diseases claims victim after victim (sound familiar?). Come join us for a great conversation with Jennifer in which we talk abut her ides, her process, and how there is a touch of the scary in so many of the classics we love. Find books mentioned on The Book Case: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books…
17 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Jodi Picoult Talks Hollow Bones
Jodi Picoult’s newest, Hollow Bones, is probably more topical than even she would have wanted. A book that heart wrenchingly twists the anniversaries of 9/11 along with a serious look at Post Partem Psychosis, Picoult acknowledges how relevant this story may be in the shadow of the Lindsay Clancy trial. She of course, could not know how riveting and frightening that trial would be for so many Americans to read about and watch, and this book treats the subject with sensitivity and care. Join us as we talk to Picoult about how she feels about PPP as a mother herself (and grandmother) and how…
10 Sep 2026 · 32 min
Harlan Coben Gives Us a Writing Class
Plot Twist by Harlan Coben is a non fiction book that focusses on writing: the desperation, the inspiration, the execution…it’s all here. And it’s compulsively readable and wonderfully conversational, just like Harlan. Join us as we ask him about his tips and tricks, and why there is no substitution for getting your heart and mind on the page. Find books mentioned on The Book Case: ⁠https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books featured in this episode: Plot Twist: Life, Craft and the Messy First Draft by Harlan Coben Gone Before Goodbye by…
3 Sep 2026 · 35 min
Ashley Kahn and the Wonder of Paul Simon’s Graceland
Graceland, by the great Paul Simon, was always a big deal in our house. From the Boy in the Bubble to the Myth of Fingerprints, it was on almost constant repeat, the soundtrack of my childhood. Ashley Kahn’s book, Days of Miracle and Wonder, is a thorough, beautifully researched compendium of how the album was made. A real examination of Simon’s genius, this book breaks down the album and its effects on the music industry and the world. Join us as we discuss a seminal moment in music history, and a terrific book. Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
27 Aug 2026 · 31 min
Why Catcher in the Rye Still Captures Us
We love doing “classics” episodes. And since The Catcher in the Rye is turning 75 this year, it seems that lots of folks in the book world are talking about it and we thought we would hop on board. Our two distinguished guests for this conversation are Kenneth Slawenski, one of the world's foremost historians on J.D. Salinger, and Stephen B. Shepard, a magazine editor who penned a fascinating book on the complexities of Salinger’s character. We hope you will join us in thinking about how our readings of Catcher in the Rye change over the years, and how the novel continues to touch the souls…
13 Aug 2026 · 30 min
Meg Richardson and the True Voice of Adolescence
This is an interesting show, because the person who really championed the read this week was Arlene Gibson, the matriarch of the Gibson Family. A lifelong school teacher and administrator for girls’ schools, she fell in love with Paradise Pawn by Meg Richardson. And when Arlene tells us to do something, we do it. Paradise Pawn in the story from the perspective of a young 14 year old girl named Jackie who works in a Pawn Shop in Florida. Full of humor, heart and an adolescent voice that is sincere and true to a very difficult age, this is a great book. If the age of young teenagers confuse…
6 Aug 2026 · 39 min
Chris Bohjalian Writes His Most Personal Novel
Chris Bohjalian is prolific to say the least. With about 25 novels under his belt, he hits the bestseller list often with his unforgettable characters and twisty plots. But his newest, The Amateur, is his most personal novel to date. The narrator, Mira, was a caddy, just as Chris was for most of his high school career. And she is a writer, just like Chris, her sense of humor and feelings about writing are pure Chris. It’s a page turner with some terrific writing. And we talk to Elderberry and Plum, a new bookstore in Springfield, Illinois. Join us! Find books mentioned in The Book Case:…
30 Jul 2026 · 32 min
Stephanie Soileau and the Richness of Cajun History
Should the Waters Take Us a is a novel of great beauty…centered around the swamp letters in the south of Louisianna. Whereas so many novels focus on story and character-this one focusses on place and how this place has shaped the lives of the characters that live there. As climate change shifts the land beneath our feet and oil companies have raided the Acadian swamps for their natural resources, the Cajun background is ever changing, and often full of tragedy. We also talk to Final Draft, the bookstore in Kansas that JUST opened. We check in to see how their opening went and how they are…
23 Jul 2026 · 36 min
An Injustice in the Justice System
Pamela Colloff is an accomplished investigative journalist and has written "Catch the Devil" about a frighteningly prolific jailhouse snitch. Paul Skalnik testified in dozens of cases that inmates in Florida prisons had confessed their guilt to him. Often prosecutors won convictions based largely on Skalnik’s testimony including four cases where he was instrumental on putting men on Florida’s death row. One of them, Jim Dailey, was convicted of murdering a 14 year old girl. Despite evidence that has come out since Dailey’s conviction, he sits on Florida’s death row. He has been there over 40…
16 Jul 2026 · 35 min
Double Header: Jenny Jackson and Scott D. Reich
Jenny Jackson’s newest, The Shampoo Effect, tells the story of an insular gang of year-round beach residents who have known each other all their lives. Until one member of their clique begins to date outside of the group-they are generally an exclusive “they go out on and off” type of friends. So how will they handle a new girlfriend they don’t know or with whom they have so little in common? The book is nuanced, funny and asks the question: what does marriage mean in the current world? We also talk to Scott D. Reich whose book One Day in September tells the story of a historic baseball game…
9 Jul 2026 · 34 min
Paul Tremblay: AI and the Not So Distant Future
Paul Tremblay has written a science fiction book that will prompt all sorts of important questions about AI, the role of consciousness in humanity, and how writers might have to work around AI in order to keep their work original and sustainable and it’s called DEAD BUT DREAMING OF ELECTRIC SHEEP. We love a book that poses important questions like these while still being a good page turner, and this is one of those. This is the story of Julia, a semi professional video gamer asked to take remote control of a body in a vegetative state. It’s suspenseful, strange, and will leave you with all…
2 Jul 2026 · 38 min
Kevin Powers and the Art of Writing War
Kevin Powers’ Children of the Wild is a book about Roy and Ennis, two friends on a farm who sign up for WWI, one excited for battle, one a feral child baffled by war. What does war do to friendship? To the minds of men? We talk to Kevin, a veteran of the war in Iraq, about his ability to write war so well and the effects of PTSD on his characters. We also talk to Bartleby Books in Vermont…join us! Find books mentioned on The Book Case: ⁠https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books mentioned on this week's episode: Children of the Wild by Kevin…
25 Jun 2026 · 39 min
Our Favorites of 2026….So Far
2026 is half over. And Kate turned 50 on June 16th. So in honor of all of this half life, we decided to talk about our favorite books so far of 2026. Tana French, Tayari Jones, Ann Patchett and Allegra Goodman all made the list, but there are so many books we have loved this year that we think we mention just about all of them. Then we quiz each other on rapid fire and get sort of gooey about it. Join us! Find books mentioned on The Book Case: ⁠ https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books mentioned on this week's episode: Kin by Tayari Jones…
18 Jun 2026 · 38 min
Carlos Barragan Shows Us Why Online Scams Work
Carlos Barragan’s book The Yahoo Boys schooled us on the huge and terrifying world of online moneymaking scams. From the romance scams (pretending to be a man or woman you are not, wooing others into sending you money), to celeb scams (pretending to be a celebrity for money), all the way to adoption scams (send us money, we will get you a baby). As horrible as these schemes are, Barragan takes an in depth look at the scammers, specifically in the community of Ikotun, Nigeria, painting a thorough portrait of the scammers and the loneliness in our world that allows them to thrive. Find books…
11 Jun 2026 · 40 min
Martha Raddatz Recognizes the Heroes Next Door
Martha Raddatz is a war correspondent, one of the biggest household names in front line reporting. Her newest book, The Hero Next Door tells the story of the service men, women and the caregivers who bring honor to the uniform. From celebrations to heartbreak, these are the stories that have stayed with Martha throughout her decade of brave work, shadowing families and soldiers both on and off the battlefield. We are also talking to a mother daughter team that run LALA Books in Lowell, MA. Join us for two great conversations! Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
4 Jun 2026 · 44 min
Ann Patchett and an Audience!
Ann Patchett has written a new novel, and if you are a listener to this show, you know we are both huge fans of her work. Her newest, Whistler, is beautiful book about grace, kindness, the relationships we can’t let go and what we learn of ourselves in a crisis. When we asked if we could come down to Parnassus in Nashville TN, she said yes. So, with great enthusiasm we hopped on planes and did The Book Case in front of a live audience at her Parnassus Bookstore in Nashville. We also have the tail end of our interview with Jesmyn Ward. I mean…Jesmyn Ward AND Ann Patchett? Doesn’t get better…
28 May 2026 · 30 min
Jesmyn Ward on Pain and Beauty
Jesmyn Ward is arguably one of the most important writers of our generation. She has won two National Book Awards before fifty (first woman to do that and first Black woman to do that). And in this, her new essay book, ON WITNESS AND RESPAIR, she writes essays on everything from Faulkner to Hurricane Katrina. This book is in part a look back at some of her most impactful essays, speeches, and book introductions-but this is also a remarkable book full of pain, fascination and joy. Join us in our conversation with one of the generations most thoughtful and talented writers. Find books…
21 May 2026 · 34 min
J. Ryan Stradal Edits and Delivers
It has been quite a few months since we checked in with J. Ryan Stradal, our writer in residence. He is in his editing stage, making sure that the latest draft he delivers is the best he can do. AND, he has a title-NEXT WEEK WHEN THINGS CALM DOWN (we love this title). We talk to him about where he is, why it takes so long to get a book out and how is feeling about this very personal novel. We also talk to The Nook in Lancaster PA about how and why they got into the book business. Join us. Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
14 May 2026 · 38 min
Laurie Frankel, Impossible Realism and Caroline Bicks’ Childhood Ghosts
Today The Book Case has another two for one. Laurie Frankel’s newest, ENORMOUS WINGS is funny, thought provoking and will have you questioning the vitality of choosing everything in your life from those first steps towards independence to dying with dignity. An incredible read you won’t want to put down. Caroline Bicks talks to us about her newest, MONSTERS IN THE ARCHIVES. In it, she explores the archives of Stephen King’s early works and tells us why he is enormously popular and worthy of academic study. Join us! Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
7 May 2026 · 33 min
Elizabeth Strout Tries Something New
Elizabeth Strout has departed from Olive Kittredge, Lucy Barton and Burgess Boys; she has even departed from Maine. Her newest, THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY, introduces us to Artie Dam, a teacher in Massachusetts who is just as full of depth, pain and laughter as any character Strout has ever written. Haunted by the divisiveness that has beset our nation, he searches for meaning in his family and his work, and is upended by a secret he never saw coming. A wonderful book full of Strout’s amazing ability to explore the follies and foibles of the human mind, THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY will charm you…
30 Apr 2026 · 31 min
Books for Mother's Day
If you had a mother who was a strong influence in your life, we wanted to honor her with this week’s Book Case episode. Sometimes we want to find all the right words to tell mom how much she meant to us and we can’t find them. This week we share some great books that would make terrific gifts for Mother’s Day. From Mary Laura Philpott to Niall Wiliams to Whoopi Goldberg, there is something in this week’s Book Case for every type of mom. Grab a pen and paper and join us to make your Mother’s Day shopping easy this year. Join us! Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
23 Apr 2026 · 36 min
Jason Reynolds on Music, Reading and Writing
Jason Reynolds is one of the best young adult writers of our generation. But don’t let the label fool you into thinking that young adult writing hasn’t provided some of the most important books in the American Literary Canon (Catcher in the Rye? To Kill a Mockingbird?). His latest, Soundtrack, explores the life of teenagers busking great music in New York subway stations. It is also about the fact that even though we are born into a family that never leaves us, our chosen family of friends is just as important. Funny, gritty and brilliantly written, this is a book that brings to you all the…
16 Apr 2026 · 36 min
Why Are Boys Falling Behind On Reading?
The Book Case is largely about talking to authors, yes, but we believe that reading is critical for everyone. We believe it is most important for kids, that raising readers is one of the most important duties a parent can perform. But we read a study recently that said boys reading scores are lower than girls. And not just in the US, boys reading scores are lower internationally as well. Why? What is the key to teaching boys to read, and to love it for life? We are joined by Dr. Sean Reardon at Stanford author of the study as well as Dr. Nakia Townes President of Accelerate, which is…
9 Apr 2026 · 43 min
Tana French Mixes Ireland and the Old West
We are going full Ireland on this show. First, we talk to the incredible Tana French about her newest, The Keeper. Set in rural Ireland it combines great mystery writing with the classic American Western. Does that sound like it is a long shot? Not with Tana’s talent. We then go from a fascinating conversation with a great author to Hodges and Figgis, our first international bookseller, smack in the middle of Dublin. It’s all Irish and on this week’s Book Case, so pull up a pint and join us. Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
2 Apr 2026 · 37 min
Jenny Lawson Wants You to Be Okay
Jenny Lawson is Kate’s all time favorite humor author. Obsessed since her first book, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Kate saw she had a new one out, How to be Okay When Nothing is Okay, and she actually whooped. Loudly. In this book, Jenny shares the different tools and tricks that she uses to try to right the ship, when she is sinking in depression. But this is not your average advice book. It’s hilarious. Seriously. It is also moving, personal, and, well, helpful. Join us when we talk to one of the great humorists of our generation. She also happens to own an independent bookstore in…
26 Mar 2026 · 32 min
Louise Erdrich and the Art of the Seminal Moment
Louise Erdrich is one of the most important writers of our time. Her award-winning words have created modern classics such as Love Medicine, The Night Watchman and The Sentence. Her newest release, Python’s Kiss, is a collection of short stories, illustrated by Aza Erdrich Abe, her daughter. Each one speaks to turning points…moments that change us and shape us. Louise talks about how her writing shapes her and how she shapes her writing. Aza then joins us to talk about how she brought her mother’s stories to life through her art. Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
19 Mar 2026 · 33 min
Elizabeth Berg And a Love Story to Life (Also with Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang!)
It’s a TRIPLE header on the Book Case podcast. First, our main guest is Elizabeth Berg, whose newest, Life: A Love Story is a beautifully woven tale of a woman reflecting on what objects she has saved throughout her life and why. Look around your room…are there things in there that means something to you but no one else? Elizabeth Berg writes so deftly that you will want to write your own autobiography in objects. AND, we are joined by the AMAZING Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo so they can tell us all about their new podcast, Storykind. JOIN US! Find books mentioned on The Book Case:…
12 Mar 2026 · 36 min
Joan Lunden Says Good Morning Book Case!
Joan Lunden has been a part of the Gibson family for a long time. Her newest memoir, Joan, is an attempt to look back upon the moments of her life, her life that she has lived at an almost breakneck speed. How did she hold down one of the toughest jobs in journalism, raise a bunch of kids and write a bunch of books? What is life like after GMA? She answers all those questions and gets a chance to reminisce with her old partner, Charlie. Join us. Find books mentioned on The Book Case: ⁠https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books mentioned on…

About The Book Case

The Book Case is a English arts & books podcast from ABC News | Charlie Gibson, Kate Gibson. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: ABC News | Charlie Gibson, Kate Gibson
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 35 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1621128813

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