Welcome to CMU Booked: For the hot takes, the hard truths, and most importantly, illumination. Because reading shouldn’t feel like a club with a bouncer at the door. It’s how you get out of your own head and into the outer limits of everything.
Your hosts, Sam Mahler and Hannah Schager, from Carnegie Mellon’s Dietrich College, are ready to talk books, share opinions, and invite you into the conversation. Join us!
Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BFyWpI1jDQ7eZ1Bv8es91Wg%3D%3D) & Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BeXIS4CUvSgSOXFmLM9SUrA%3D%3D)
Executive Producer: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BmCDjNb4TR2Cihm0DJwTuQQ%3D%3D)
Hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler analyze Stephen King's novels *Misery*, *The Shining*, and *The Long Walk*, offering insights into his storytelling techniques and recurring themes.
22 Nov 2025
Steve's Rec
Stephen Makin recommends Walter M. Miller Jr.'s *A Canticle for Leibowitz* to hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler, exploring themes of faith and societal cycles in this interview.
10 Nov 2025
The Diving Pool
Hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler discuss Yōko Ogawa's novel *The Diving Pool*, exploring themes and literary devices within the narrative.
14 Oct 2025
Hombrecito
Authors Santiago Jose Sanchez speaks with hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler about his book Hombrecito in this interview episode.
1 Oct 2025
Bunny
Authors Mona Awad and hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler discuss Awad's novel *Bunny* in an interview.
26 Sept 2025
Rejection
Author Tony Tulathimutte discusses his book Rejection with hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler, exploring themes of rejection and its impact on individuals in this interview.
15 Sept 2025
Summer Wrap-Up (Plus Dune)
Hosts Hannah Schager and Samantha Mahler discuss Frank Herbert's *Dune* and summarize their summer reading experiences, offering insights into classic science fiction.
27 Apr 2025
The Awakening
Book: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/) & Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%253Ali%253Apage%253Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%253Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%253D%253D)EP: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
15 Apr 2025
All Fours
Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/) & Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%253Ali%253Apage%253Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%253Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%253D%253D)Guest: Jennifer Bortner Book Discussed: All Fours (https://mirandajuly.com/all-fours/) Author: Miranda July (https://mirandajuly.com/)EP: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
9 Apr 2025
Austen's Emma
Book: Emma (https://janeaustens.house/jane-austen/novels/emma/) Author: Jane Austen Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/) & Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%253Ali%253Apage%253Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%253Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%253D%253D)EP: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
28 Mar 2025
Small Things Like These
Book: Small Things Like These (https://groveatlantic.com/book/small-things-like-these/) Author: Claire Keegan Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/overlay/about-this-profile/)Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%3D%3D)EP: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
19 Mar 2025
No Country for Old Men
Book: No Country for Old Men Author: Cormac McCarthy Guest: Aviv Spitz (https://www.avivspitz.com/) Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/overlay/about-this-profile/) and Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3B4A%2FsJMZqTtS1uf8f6SoAZQ%3D%3D) Producer: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
1 Mar 2025
The Big Sleep
Book: The Big Sleep (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/26040/the-big-sleep-special-edition-by-raymond-chandler/)Author: Raymond Chandler Guest: Emma Johnson Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/overlay/about-this-profile/)Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%3D%3D)Producer: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
22 Feb 2025
To Be Marquette (ft. Sharon Dilworth)
Book: To Be Marquette (https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/T/bo237305437.html) Author: Sharon Dilworth (https://www.sharon-dilworth.com/)Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/overlay/about-this-profile/)Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%3D%3D)Producer: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
14 Feb 2025
Introductions & Martyr!
Book: Martyr (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734476/martyr-by-kaveh-akbar/)! Author: Kaveh Akbar (https://kavehakbar.com/)Hosts: Hannah Schager (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-schager-b793a32a8/overlay/about-this-profile/)Samantha Mahler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mahler-806977205/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3Bh6SaHp4KS8yq345yNIm2fw%3D%3D)Producer: Dylan Courtney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-courtney-45a6a1257/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIrNJQuGFQNKeOrsTLlWUyg%3D%3D)
20 Nov 2024
Gloria
Host: Dylan Courtney Guest: Evan Vines Play: Gloria Author: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
EVAN'S MUSIC:
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1tYt1SDX0Pew4JeVf3yXKv?si=Yfwabxw6RXOvCYvJDRrdXw)
Apple (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/evan-vines/1606618617)
CMU DRAMA Upcoming Shows (http://linktr.ee/dramacmu)
BUY TICKETS TO THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY (https://citytheatrecompany.org/play/the-wickhams-christmas-at-pemberley/)
10 Nov 2024
Super-Frog Saves Tokyo
Host: Dylan Courtney Guest: Dylan Rossi Book Discussed: After the Quake (Short Story Collection) Featured Story: Super-Frog Saves Tokyo Author: Haruki Murakami
28 Oct 2024
Let's Talk Rooney
Host: Dylan Courtney Guest: Jennifer Bortner Book Discussed: Intermezzo Author: Sally Rooney
Who has been a guest on CMU BOOKED
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Stephen Makin
Santiago Jose Sanchez
Mona Awad
Tony Tulathimutte
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 3 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
5
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact CMU BOOKED
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of CMU BOOKED?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
