Raising Confident Girls: Diana Sussman on The Neighbor’s Secret
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this engaging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Diana Sussman, author of the middle grade mystery The Neighbor’s Secret. Diana introduces us to Maddie, a curious and imaginative 12-year-old who becomes convinced her new neighbors are Russian spies after witnessing something very strange. Maddie’s big imagination sometimes gets her into trouble—like the time she thought a neighbor was being eaten by a Yeti—but she’s also sharp, determined, and usually onto something real. Diana shares how her own love of puzzles, mysteries, and strong female characters helped shape...
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Overprotected Offline, Underprotected Online: Veronica Sommers Tells Parents What They Need to Know
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes Veronica Sommer, author of Sacred Stewardship: Restoring Moral Clarity in the Digital Age. Drawing on over two decades in cybersecurity recruiting and her experience raising two smartphone-era teens, Veronica offers a heartfelt, eye-opening look at what today’s kids are really facing online. Jed and Veronica begin by talking about that familiar parenting dilemma: giving kids phones “for safety” and connection, without fully understanding that those same devices give the entire world access to...
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Fire & Ice, Exploring Dragon Island Legends
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes back middle-grade fantasy author Greg Slomba to talk about his brand-new series, the Dragon Island Legend books, beginning with Fire and Ice. Greg explains that this new series grows out of the world of his earlier Deliverers books, particularly The Golden Dragon of Aang, which introduced the mystical Dragon Islands. Each of the five planned stories will focus on a different island, with Fire and Ice serving as a 95-page novella that opens the saga. Greg introduces listeners to Ben and May, two 15-year-old...
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Feathered And Famous
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
On this episode, Jed welcomes author and neuroscientist Gail Martino, whose new picture book “Feathered and Famous: Meet America’s All Star Birds” celebrates the national and state birds of the United States and the stories behind them. Gail explains how her book helps kids (and parents) discover the unique traits that made each bird worthy of representing a state—from the clever chickadee of Massachusetts, which actually grows part of its brain in the fall to help remember where it hid seeds, to the hopeful, homey robin of Connecticut, often seen as a harbinger of spring. She also...
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Physics, Pirates, and a Haunted Inn: Conversations with AJ Alanson
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this engaging episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Jed Doherty welcomes AJ Alanson, author of the Admiral Inn mystery and adventure series, to celebrate book ten, Wolf in the Cove. AJ introduces us to June Faust, a former Treasury Department “super accountant” who buys a derelict mansion on the coast of Maine through a government auction—sight unseen. The locals wish the place had been burned to the ground, but June spends a decade fixing it up, turning it into the Admiral Inn, and slowly (and awkwardly) mending fences with the small-town community. Each book in the...
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Telepathic Pop Star: Sarah Crowne’s ‘Tune In
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Sarah Crowne to talk about her new YA thriller, Tune In. The novel follows Nikki Scott, a telepathic pop star who’s investigating her mother’s mysterious death. As Nikki uncovers her powers, she also discovers a shadowy organization that’s weaponizing her voice—blending high-stakes conspiracy with a glittering pop music world. Think Stephen King’s Carrie meets a modern pop icon, with a sci-fi twist. Sarah shares how her lifelong love of pop music—from Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, Madonna, and...
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Sitting Beside The Hurt
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author, advocate, and writing mentor Melissa B. Lombardo, creator of Hurt, Healing, and Hope: Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault. Melissa shares how, after being sexually assaulted in her 20s, she found her way to counseling at the New Britain YWCA and was encouraged to write about her experiences. What started as private journal entries slowly grew into a three-act interwoven monologue, complete with reflection questions and journaling space to support other survivors in their own healing journeys....
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Every Book Should Bring A Smile
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Freddy the Frog hops onto the Connecticut Book Festival Podcast in this lively episode featuring debut author-illustrator Devon (DL) Torres. Jedlie welcomes Devon from Hartford to talk about his joyful new rhyming picture book, “Freddy the Frog,” a story all about confidence, imagination, and good old-fashioned playground fun. Devon describes Freddy as a confident, energetic frog who’s always ready for the next adventure: “I want to do this, I want to do that—come along if you want!” Through Freddy’s playful leadership, the book celebrates unstructured playtime—the kind...
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Returning Home: Mystery and Mayhem in Robin Cannon’s Connecticut
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Join us for a special episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast as host Jed Doherty welcomes celebrated author Robin Cannon for an in-depth conversation about her latest cozy mystery, "Into the Shallows Darkly." As the highly-anticipated sequel to her popular novel "Into the Attic Darkly," this engaging episode dives into the compelling world of Connecticut-based crime fiction. Discover how Robin draws inspiration from the places and people around her in Connecticut, weaving local charm and personal experiences into her twist-filled mysteries. Robin shares the creative journey behind...
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Libraries, Creativity, and Counting Pears
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Emily Raymond and her mother, illustrator Gail Striegel, to discuss their collaborative children’s book, "Danny the Goat Does Not Like Pears." The conversation begins with Emily recounting the inspiration drawn from her childhood habit of hiding vitamins—a quirk that became the heart of Danny the goat’s story as he goes on whimsical adventures to avoid eating pears. Gail shares her artistic background and describes how their familial bond made the book’s illustration process especially joyful...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Lee sits down with John Hoffman, author of "Liver: My Journey of Transplant Survival," to share an extraordinary story of medical resilience, hope, and personal transformation. Diagnosed with biliary atresia at just eight weeks old, Hoffman underwent his first experimental liver transplant in 1981 when liver transplants for infants were still a groundbreaking procedure. Growing up with a massive surgical scar and daily medications, he navigated childhood with remarkable normalcy, participating in sports and maintaining close friendships. By his freshman year of high school, Hoffman faced the reality of needing a second liver transplant. Despite the emotional and physical challenges, he maintained a positive outlook, inspired by his parents' unwavering support. The second transplant in 1999 marked a turning point, leading him through a journey of recovery, depression, and ultimately, personal growth. Hoffman's book isn't just a medical memoir—it's a testament to the human spirit. After struggling with depression and feeling directionless, he found purpose in sharing his story. His message is clear: never give up hope and consider becoming an organ donor. The podcast episode highlights Hoffman's key motivations for writing the book, including honoring his family's perseverance and inspiring others facing similar medical challenges. He candidly discusses his experiences, from survivor's guilt to his recent health transformation, which included losing 40 pounds and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Listeners can find more about John's journey at johntransplantjourney.com, where they can purchase the book in multiple formats, including a recently released audiobook. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in medical memoirs, organ donation awareness, and stories of incredible personal resilience.