The Women Books & More’s Podcast

Mystery, intrigue, romance and recipes every Wednesday. Join Irene Rawlings to explore hidden Paris. Make pierogi in Poland and single malt in Denver. Meet the Dutch Oven Divas of the Desert. Travel to Denmark in search of the perfect seaside hotel. Expect guests like acclaimed chef Jacque Pepin. Best-selling authors like Lisa See, Isabelle Allende and Mark Greaney. Women, Books & More with Irene Rawlings.

The Women Books & More’s Podcast is a society podcast hosted by Irene Rawlings, with 64 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Irene Rawlings hosts The Women Books & More’s Podcast, a society show with 64 episodes published.

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  Episode #68

  Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt: Death, Grief and the Beauty of Being Alive

  Aug 19, 202627 min

  What happens when Death (the main character of this book) learns to love life? In Ben Reeves’s Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt, Death is a man named Travis Smith. He quietly accompanies people at the ends of their lives—not causing death but making the passage a little gentler. Then Travis meets eight-year-old Layla. Boisterous, curious and determined to be his friend, Layla draws the solitary Travis into her family. Her mother, Dalia, is a midwife—a woman who ushers people into the world while Travis accompanies them out of it. Through them, Travis (Death) discovers friendship, family, love and attachment. On this episode of Women, Books & More, host Irene Rawlings talks with Ben Reeves about creating Death as a tender and surprisingly sympathetic protagonist and the novel’s exploration of grief, mortality and the fleeting beauty of being alive. They also talk about Death’s hobby of restoring old photographs, the symbolism of mayflies whose bright-and-glorious lives last just a day, and the question at the heart of the novel: If you understood how fleeting life really was, would you experience an ordinary moment differently? An early version of Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt won the 2024 Bath Novel Award. Learn more about Ben Reeves and his work: https://benreeves.co.uk/ What are you reading? What are your recommendations for me? And who would you like to hear on Women, Books & More? Email us at womenbooksandmore@gmail.com . If you enjoyed the conversation, please tell a friend. Word of mouth is one of the best ways for new listeners to discover Women, Books & More.

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  Episode #67

  Amy Irvine on Almost Animal: Motherhood, Identity & the American West

  Aug 12, 202632 min

  Acclaimed nature writer Amy Irvine joins Irene Rawlings on Women, Books & More to discuss her powerful new memoir, Almost Animal. For more than twenty years, Amy has written about the American West and our relationship with the natural world. In this deeply personal conversation, she reflects on motherhood, identity, belonging, and the challenge of holding onto yourself while caring for others. Together, Irene and Amy explore the courage it takes to write a memoir, the expectations placed on women, the restorative power of wild places, and how Almost Animal became a story of resilience, self-discovery, and finding your way back to yourself. For more about Amy Irvine: amyirvine.com If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow Women, Books & More wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend. We'd also love to hear from you. Tell us what you're reading, suggest authors you'd like us to interview, or simply say hello. You can reach us anytime at womenbooksandmore@gmail.com .

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  Episode #66

  Chanel Cleeton: An Infinite Love Story, the Space Race & the Women Behind the NASA Astronauts

  Aug 5, 202629 min

  Bestselling author Chanel Cleeton joins Women, Books & More to discuss her new novel, An Infinite Love Story. Set during the early years of America's Space Race, the novel shines a light on the women whose courage, resilience, and sacrifices unfolded behind the headlines. Chanel shares the surprising inspiration behind the book, the extensive research that brought Cape Canaveral and the early NASA years to life, and how her own experience as the wife of an American fighter pilot shaped the story. We also talk about love, history, journalism, military families, and why history's biggest moments are often lived one family at a time. If you enjoy historical fiction, compelling conversations, and stories inspired by real events, you'll love this episode of Women, Books & More. More about Chanel Cleeton: She is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels, including Next Year in Havana, a Reese's Book Club selection, and The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes. She also authored the Wild Aces Romance Series. chanelcleeton.com Connect with Women, Books & More: If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow Women, Books & More, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow readers. New episodes are released every Wednesday. What are you reading? Send us your suggestions. womenbooksandmore@gmail.com

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  Episode #64

  David Heska Wanbli Weiden on Wisdom Corner, Native Justice, and the Return of Virgil Wounded Horse

  Jul 29, 202628 min

  Award-winning author David Heska Wanbli Weiden joins Women, Books & More to discuss Wisdom Corner, the eagerly awaited sequel to his acclaimed debut, Winter Counts. Host Irene Rawlings explores the return of Virgil Wounded Horse, whose search for justice on South Dakota's Rosebud Reservation becomes far more than a murder investigation. Their conversation examines contemporary Native life, the complexities of tribal, state and federal law, the lasting impact of Native boarding schools, and the larger questions of justice, identity and community that lie at the heart of the novel. Weiden also talks about creating Virgil Wounded Horse, weaving authentic cultural details into a fast-paced thriller, and why crime fiction can both entertain and deepen our understanding of the world. About the Author: David Heska Wanbli Weiden is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Nation and a professor of English and Native American & Indigenous Studies at Stony Brook University. His novels have earned widespread acclaim for combining compelling mysteries with powerful explorations of Native life, justice and resilience. https://davidweiden.com/ We'd love to hear from you. Email us at womenbooksandmore@gmail.com with your suggestions for future guests or simply to share your latest favorite read. Your recommendations help shape future episodes. Until next time, happy reading!

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  Episode #63

  Author Catherine Kurtz discusses FEAST, Historical Fiction & French Cuisine

  Jul 22, 202631 min

  In this episode of Women, Books & More, Irene Rawlings talks with author Catherine Kurtz about her richly imagined historical novel, Feast. Set in nineteenth-century France, the story follows Minha, a young woman with an extraordinary sense of taste who discovers she can detect poison—an ability that draws her into the kitchens and intrigues of a grand château. Catherine shares the inspiration behind the novel, the fascinating culinary traditions of nineteenth-century France, the research that brought the story to life, and the themes of identity, resilience, and belonging that lie at the heart of Feast. In this episode: The inspiration behind Minha and her extraordinary ability The culinary traditions of nineteenth-century France The little-known history of poison tasters Bringing the world of Château Bellefalaise to life Why Feast is about far more than food Learn more about Catherine Kurtz: www.dhhliteraryagency.com/catherine-kurtz If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Women, Books & More, leave a review, and share the podcast with a fellow reader. We'd love to hear from you at womenbooksandmore@gmail.com

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