Person
Every book S.A. Cosby recommended on podcasts
Key facts
- S.A. Cosby has recommended or discussed 12 books on podcasts, as of June 6, 2025.
- S.A. Cosby has talked about books on 1 podcast, as of June 6, 2025.
- Those books came up in 2 episodes, as of June 6, 2025.
- The 3 books S.A. Cosby has mentioned in the most episodes, as of June 6, 2025: A thousand acres, Winter's Bone and American Pastoral.
- The latest episode with a book mention from S.A. Cosby aired on June 6, 2025.
Updated
S.A. Cosby’s most recommended books
- A thousand acres by Jane Smiley
- Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell
- American Pastoral by Philip Roth
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Darkness, take my hand by Dennis Lehane
- Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
- Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper
- If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes
- Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
- The chill by Ross Macdonald
S.A. Cosby is a prominent author who frequently discusses the nuances of crime fiction, writing craft, and narrative inspiration across multiple appearances on The Book Review. As evident from his podcast discussions, Cosby is deeply inspired by gritty, impactful storytelling that transcends traditional genre boundaries. He has enthusiastically recommended Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres, naming it one of his favorite books of all time to illustrate the universal presence of crime and human conflict in serious fiction. Furthermore, he has strongly praised Daniel Woodrell's Winter's Bone as a supreme piece of literature. Beyond his direct recommendations, Cosby frequently cites foundational and contemporary crime novels that challenge and elevate his own writing process. He has referenced Jordan Harper's Everybody Knows, Jennifer Hillier's Little Secrets, and Dennis Lehane's Darkness, Take My Hand as examples of epic storytelling. Additionally, he looks to masters of the genre, invoking Walter Mosley's Devil in a Blue Dress, Raymond Chandler's The Long Goodbye, and Ross Macdonald's The Chill as deeply moving works that capture the captivating essence of powerful crime fiction.
Books recommended by S.A. Cosby
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A thousand acres
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley is a celebrated contemporary novel that reimagines King Lear on a sprawling farm in rural Iowa, exploring deep family fractures, dark secrets, and rural life.
Discussed“...or you can read A Thousand Acres by James Smiley and you may not relate to a family that owns a huge farm in Nebraska.”
Where to get it
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Winter's Bone
Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell is a gritty, atmospheric Ozark noir novel about a young woman named Ree Dolly who searches for her missing, drug-dealing father to save her family from eviction.
Recommended“I defy anyone to read Winter's Bone by Daniel woodrell and tell me that's not a great piece of literature”
Where to get it
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American Pastoral
American Pastoral is a critically acclaimed 1997 novel by Philip Roth that examines the disintegration of a successful American family during the turbulent social upheavals of the late twentieth century.
Discussed“So, you can read American Standing by Philip Roth and you may not understand or relate to an upper northeast professor who's passing for white...”
Where to get it
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Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a profound psychological novel that explores guilt, morality, and the severe consequences of moral relativism and nihilism.
Discussed“I mean one of the greatest books ever written is crime and punishment”
Where to get it
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Darkness, take my hand
Discussed“You read, I don't know, Darkness Take My Hand by Dennis Lane, right? That book feels epic.”
Where to get it
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Devil in a Blue Dress
Discussed“You read Devil in a Blue Dress. These stories that I find the most captivating, The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler or Lill by Ross McDonald or If You Hollow, let him go by Chester.”
Where to get it
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Everybody Knows
Discussed“Like when I read Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper, I read Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier.”
Where to get it
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If He Hollers Let Him Go
Discussed“The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler or Lill by Ross McDonald or If You Hollow, let him go by Chester. books that really move me, that really touch me...”
Where to get it
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Little Secrets
Discussed“Like when I read Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper, I read Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier.”
Where to get it
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The chill
Discussed“The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler or Lill by Ross McDonald or If You Hollow, let him go by Chester. books that really move me, that really touch me...”
Where to get it
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The Long Goodbye
The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler is a celebrated hardboiled detective novel featuring the private investigator Philip Marlowe.
Discussed“The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler or Lill by Ross McDonald or If You Hollow, let him go by Chester. books that really move me, that really touch me...”
Where to get it
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The Vanishing Half
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is a compelling contemporary novel that examines family, racial identity, and the choices that shape our lives through the lives of twin sisters who choose to live in very different worlds.
Discussed“and like I said and I I love the vanish in half it's such a great book and it's talking about very similar issues from a different perspective”
Where to get it
Books S.A. Cosby wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.A. Cosby on Writing Southern Crime Fiction | The Book Review | 2025-06-06 | 9 |
| S.A. Cosby on 'Razorblade Tears' | The Book Review | 2021-07-16 | 4 |
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“One, there's a writer named Craig Johnson who writes the lawmire series and I had a book come out, an independent book come out a few years ago called My Darkest Prayer.”