In this episode, we sit down with Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, author of The Undocumented Americans and Catalina, which was longlisted for the 2024 National Book Awards. Cornejo Villavicencio opens up about her experience with meeting readers for the first time and how the unpredictability of the publishing world has shaped her perspective. She also discusses the process of recording Catalina’s audiobook and how it led to her connecting with the novel in a deeper, more personal way.

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About Karla: Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is an Ecuadorian-American writer and the author of The Undocumented Americans and Catalina. Catalina was longlisted for the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction. Her work, which focuses on race, culture, and immigration, has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vogue, Elle, Interview, and on NPR.

Get Karla's books:

• Catalina
• The Undocumented Americans

Books discussed on today’s episode:

• Model Home by Rivers Solomon
• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
• The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi

In this episode, hosts Karen Farmer and Craig Silva chat with comedian, actor, and debut author Adrian Bliss. Adrian shares his journey from creating online comedy sketches to writing The Greatest Nobodies of History, which explores humorous and mostly factual stories of overlooked historical figures, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s ferret and Henry VIII’s Groom of the Stool. Adrian reflects on the shift from immediate online feedback to the publishing process and discusses creating an audiobook, collaborating with voice actors, and transitioning from short-form content to long-form storytelling. Plus, he shares his love for history, photography, and his favorite historical tidbits.

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Use promo code: SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.

About Adrian: Adrian Bliss is a British comedian, writer, and filmmaker known for his quirky and imaginative humor, often shared through viral sketches on social media. He gained popularity with his humorous historical and literary videos, blending absurdity with a touch of educational satire.

Get Adrian's new book: The Greatest Nobodies of History

Books discussed on today’s episode:

• William by Mason Coile
• Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang
• The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

In this episode, Philomena Polefrone, PhD discusses her role in advocating for intellectual freedom through the ABA. The conversation touches on book bans, censorship, and the role of bookstores as spaces for activism. The discussion covers the history of book bans, grassroots organizing, and the legal challenges involved in defending diverse literature.

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Use promo code: SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.

About Philomena: Philomena Polefrone is the Advocacy Associate Manager at the American Booksellers Association, where she champions intellectual freedom and free expression. With a background in bookselling and a decade in academia, Philomena brings a unique perspective to her work, blending literature and activism. She leads initiatives like the Set Books Free Project, aimed at combating book bans and promoting access to diverse, often censored literature. Her passion for defending the right to read makes her a key advocate in the fight against censorship.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

• Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
• The 1619 Project by Caitlin Roper, Ilena Silverman & Jake Silverstein
• Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
• Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal
• Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio