Person
Every book Sadie Stein recommended on podcasts
Sadie Stein contributes to The Book Review podcast as a knowledgeable commentator on literature, novellas, and illustrated works. During her podcast appearances, Stein frequently recommends compelling companion pieces and follow-up reads, such as Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing and Fred Uhlman's evocative novella Reunion. She has also explored the intersection of text and art, celebrating the centenary of Edward Gorey by highlighting the iconic pairing of his illustrations with John Bellairs's children's gothic books, starting with The House with a Clock in Its Walls and its sequels. Stein shared her personal favorite Gorey volume, The Willowdale Handcar, and discussed his trilogy of moral instruction, noting that The Insect God held a special place for her alongside the more famous The Gashlycrumb Tinies and The Iron Tonic, Or, A Winter Afternoon in Lonely Valley. Furthermore, she connected Gorey's distinct aesthetic to Joan Aiken's novels, such as The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, illustrating how cover illustrations and gothic storytelling coalesce to create unforgettable reading experiences for young readers and adults alike.
Books recommended by Sadie Stein
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Reunion
Reunion by Fred Uhlman is a poignant and tightly crafted novella that explores the tragic friendship between two schoolboys in Germany as the Nazi party rises to power.
Recommended“Um, but to go in a slightly different direction, I I thought a few times about this novella, Reunion by Fredman.”
Where to get it
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Say Nothing
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe is a gripping work of true crime and investigative journalism that explores a murder and memory during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Recommended“I would say definitely read Say Nothing if you haven't and if you liked it, I second that.”
Where to get it
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The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs is a classic dark fantasy novel about an orphan boy who discovers witchcraft and magic after moving into his uncle's mysterious house.
Recommended“and then the John Belair books if you like the house with the clock and its walls and all the sequels again you can't really separate his illustrations and covers from those terrific books”
Where to get it
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The Willowdale Handcar
The Willowdale Handcar by Edward Gorey is an eccentric and atmospheric illustrated story that follows a group of curious characters on a mysterious journey.
Recommended“my favorite and let me know if you've read it is called called the Willowdale handar”
Where to get it
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The Gashlycrumb Tinies
Discussed“hidden around the house are table or references to each of the 26 deaths from the gashly crumb tinies and so you get a a piece of paper that reprints the gashly crumb tinies”
Where to get it
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The Insect God
Discussed“actually that's part of a Trilogy you'll recall the vinegar works three volumes of moral instruction and and of those three gley crom tines is the most famous but the insect God was actually always my favorite”
Where to get it
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The Iron Tonic, Or, A Winter Afternoon in Lonely Valley
Discussed“another one I was thinking about is the iron tonic or a winter afternoon in lonely Valley”
Where to get it
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The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase
Discussed“when I got into kind of young Reader Books some of my favorites had Edward gory covers Wolves of willowy Chase and the other Joan aen books have a perfect match with gory's covers”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book Club: Let’s Talk About ‘London Falling’ | The Book Review | 2026-08-28 | 2 |
| Celebrating 100 Years of Edward Gorey | The Book Review | 2025-02-21 | 6 |
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“and they had also all the compan one of which I see you have here the igore”