Episodic: 6 episodes

© 2021 World Literature Today

WLT Book Buzz

World Literature Today

World Literature Today is joining the podcast world! The show is WLT Book Buzz, hosted by two former interns who now work in children’s book publishing. After watching Laura Hernandez and Bunmi Ishola read more books than anyone else we knew, we convinced them to discuss their reading in a short monthly program. Though not exclusively about children’s and young adult lit, these two voracious readers cover many children’s and YA books with an international focus that incorporates their (and our) commitment to reading diverse authors.

Laura Hernandez lives and writes in Brooklyn, New York. Working in the book-publishing industry has only made her book-hoarding tendencies worse. She takes at least one international trip a year and has visited over twenty different countries so far. But when she’s not reading or traveling, she’s galavanting around New York City in search of foodventures and whimsy. You can find her on Instagram: @laura_louda & @booklynbites.

Bunmi Ishola is a former journalist turned middle-school teacher who works in children’s book publishing. She’s constantly guilty of tsundoku, but that hasn’t stopped her from buying more books. She loves to travel and has been to over twenty countries and every continent except Antarctica (she’s saving that for her fortieth birthday!). When she’s not reading, buying books, or traveling, she’s probably watching something on Disney+, HGTV, or Food Network. You can find this former WLT intern on Instagram: @bunmi_ishola.

Literature

    Season 1

  • 01 May 2021

    S1 : E1 WLT Book Buzz - Episode 1 - Intro
    Full

    WLT is booktubing! The show is WLT Book Buzz, hosted by two former WLT interns who now work in children’s book publishing. After watching Laura Hernandez and Bunmi Ishola read more books than anyone else we knew, we convinced them to discuss their reading in a short monthly program. Though not exclusively about children’s and young-adult lit, these two voracious readers will cover many children’s and YA books with an international focus that incorporates their (and our) commitment to reading diverse authors. 

    Website

    42 Minutes

  • 14 Aug 2021

    S1 : E2 WLT Book Buzz - Episode 2 - Reading History: Partition, the Tulsa Race Massacre, Bold Women & More.
    Full

    In this second episode of WLT Book Buzz, Laura Hernandez & Bunmi Ishola cover 42 books that connect with history. Find out what they read this summer and why these books should be on your shelf. Partition, World War II, the Tulsa Race Massacre, and the architect Zaha Hadid: these are just a few of the topics covered in this show with shout-outs to Jewell Parker Rhodes, Jacqueline Woodson, and NSK finalist Laurie Halse Anderson.

    Website

    42 Minutes

  • 20 Sep 2021

    S1 : E3 WLT Book Buzz - Episode 3 - The Middle East & Northern Africa: Persian New Year, a Diverse Take on Alice in Wonderland, & More.
    Full

    In this third episode of WLT Book Buzz, Laura Hernandez & Bunmi Ishola cover 17 books from the Middle East and Northern Africa. Persian New Year, a diverse take on Alice in Wonderland, and “the best kind of angst” are all here, with a special shout-out to NSK Finalist Laurel Snyder.

    Website

    29 Minutes

  • 20 Dec 2021

    S1 : E4 WLT Book Buzz - Episode 4 - Kids’ Lit in Translation: Dragons, zombies, friendship, and adventure.
    Full

    In this fourth episode of WLT Book Buzz, Laura Hernandez & Bunmi Ishola cover 18 books in translation for children and young adults, with translations from Japanese, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. Dragons, zombies, friendship, and adventure + a special shout-out to @worldkidlit!

    Website

    18 Minutes

  • 24 Feb 2022

    S1 : E5 WLT Book Buzz - Episode 5 - Black Voices: 41 Books for Everyone of Any Age from Black Joy to History to EmpowermentLaura and Bunmi celebrate 41 books by Black authors. From Black joy to history to empowerment, the books on this list provide affirming messages for children and young adults with a special shout-out to NSK Neustadt Prize finalist Jason Reynolds. Which book “affirms Blackness like no other”? Which kept Bunmi and Laura on the edge of their seats? Find out in this episode.
    Full

    Laura and Bunmi celebrate 41 books by Black authors. From Black joy to history to empowerment, the books on this list provide affirming messages for children and young adults with a special shout-out to NSK Neustadt Prize finalist Jason Reynolds. Which book “affirms Blackness like no other”? Which kept Bunmi and Laura on the edge of their seats? Find out in this episode.

    Website

    26 Minutes

  • 24 Aug 2022

    S1 : E6 Latinx authors—growing up, food, immigration, and beautiful illustrations.
    Full

    Laura and Bunmi celebrate books by Latinx authors—growing up, food, and immigration plus a section about beautifully illustrated books and a shout-out to 2021 NSK Prize finalist Meg Medina. Cover envy, space pods, dragons, and food for the soul: this new episode has something for every reader. Which book gets the “chef’s kiss”? Which made Bunmi want to bake? Find out in episode 6. BOOKLIST https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/

    33 Minutes