Podcast Watch: 'But That's Another Story'

by Rana Asfour

This delish podcast is created and presented by William Schwalbe, an author, entrepreneur and journalist based in New York City. Schwalbe was the former editor-in-chief of Hyperion Books. In this  podcast the author talks to his guests about the books that changed their lives.

Back when William Schwalbe's mother Mary Ann Schwalbe was diagnosed with cancer, he would always accompany her to the chemo sessions. One day, as they waited, Will casually asked his mum what she was reading. From there the talk progressed to a discussion about their favourite books. Soon, they were reading the same books to have something to talk about during their visits to the hospital.

In honour of his mother's memory, Schwalbe later wrote 'The End of Your Life Book Club' in 2012 in which he offers up the range of books mother and son discussed; Through their discussions of the classics, the popular, the absolute fantastical, and the spiritual, we sense their passion for books and reading and in the process we witness a profound moving experience of love between a parent and child as well as the undisputed richness that reading brings into our lives.

Later, 'Books for Living' (2017) came as a natural progression from the first. Throughout, Schwalbe tells stories from his life and focuses on the way certain books can help us honour those we’ve loved and lost, and also figure out how to live each day more fully.

And now the podcast 'But That's Another Story' ties in with Schwalbe's two books on the power of reading as he discusses books with his stellar guests, specifically the books that were most significant in their lives. All in just under 22 minutes.