Libsyn Directory

“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Ashley Elston

Release Date: 01/30/2025

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Chris Pavone joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss his latest thriller, THE DOORMAN, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is being called a modern-day BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES, which is spot-on. Chris talks about the book’s setting, the Bohemia, which drew inspiration from the building where he now lives. He had long conversations with Johnny, one of the building’s doormen, and shares what their friendship brought to the story. The novel takes place over just a day, looking at the doorman and a couple of the building’s personnel, as well as the occupants of two apartments in the Bohemia....

Bookaccino Live Book Group: Beatriz Williams

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Beatriz Williams joined us for May’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss HUSBANDS & LOVERS, a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. She shares her inspiration for the novel, as well as her research. Spoilers are included here as we assume that everyone has read the book. Beatriz also previews her next novel, UNDER THE STARS, which releases on July 29th (readers may recognize the setting and some of the characters), and she teases the manuscript that she is finishing for her 2026 book. And yes, she talks about her writing relationship with Karen...

Janet Skeslien Charles: The Parisian Chapter

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Janet Skeslien Charles joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss THE PARISIAN CHAPTER, an audio original novel with a multi-cast recording. Pauline Chalamet and 10 other voice actors perform. Janet talks about the structure of the story, which provides listeners with a wonderful audio experience, and how she wrote to have the script work for an audiobook. She also praises the narrators who introduce each character, making this a brilliant gateway audio for those who have never listened in the past. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: ...

Victoria Christopher Murray: Harlem Rhapsody

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Victoria Christopher Murray joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about HARLEM RHAPSODY, which is her first solo historical novel (she has written New York Times bestsellers with her co-author, Marie Benedict). She explains why she chose to write about the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and shares her extensive research, which included reading issues of The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP, and her wonderful finds of letters and other works that helped to bring this story together. Victoria speaks of admiring Jessie Redmon Fauset and her education and career success, as well as...

Bookaccino Live Book Group: Marjan Kamali

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Marjan Kamali joined us for April’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN. This national bestseller and a 2024 Bookreporter Bets On selection is a heartfelt novel of friendship, betrayal and redemption set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran. Marjan talks about her inspiration for the book, which came from a childhood friendship. She also explains how she developed the storyline and fleshed it out from there. And in addition to sharing her writing process, Marjan fills us in on what she is working on now. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To”...

Nita Prose: The Maid's Secret

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Nita Prose joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about THE MAID’S SECRET, her last book featuring Molly the Maid. She shares that she did not set out to write a series, but once the first book was finished, it was clear that there was more to Molly’s story. Nita enjoyed developing a voice for Gran in this novel; in the prior installments, everything about Gran came to readers from Molly. She muses about “the egg,” which was referenced throughout the series as the nest egg, and how that had real implications in this final book. And yes, Nita reveals what’s next for her. Our Latest...

Katy Hays: Saltwater

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Katy Hays joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, SALTWATER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The book is set on the island of Capri and has the same vibes as “The White Lotus.” Katy explains the origins of the novel, as well as how the story grew and why she told it from the points of view of multiple characters, alternating between “Then” and “Now.” She also discusses her research on Capri and why it was the perfect place to set the novel. The audiobook has three narrators, and Katy shares why she feels they worked to best serve the book. Our Latest...

Georgia Hunter: One Good Thing

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Georgia Hunter, author of the New York Times bestseller WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES, joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, ONE GOOD THING. Georgia explains why she chose to set the book in Italy and the research trip that she took there with her mother, which was such a special time for her. She and Carol discuss what it must be like to live in a world where at any moment someone might be a friend or an enemy, and how a journey without a destination that you thought would be safe would be such a difficult one. Georgia also shares why she loves talking to students about her...

Bookaccino Live Book Group: Anna Quindlen

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Anna Quindlen joined us for March’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss AFTER ANNIE, a New York Times bestseller that is now available in paperback. The novel is told from the perspectives of three characters following Annie’s sudden death, and Anna explains why she felt this was the most effective way to tell the story. Anna talks about Annie’s oldest child, Ali, and how she copes with the reality of her mother’s passing. She also offers insight into the structure of the novel, which is divided by seasons, and what she hopes readers will take away from Annie’s story. We...

Jeff Hobbs: Seeking Shelter

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Jeff Hobbs has been on Carol Fitzgerald’s radar since she first interviewed him 11 years ago at a pre-publication event for THE SHORT AND TRAGIC LIFE OF ROBERT PEACE. So, she was happy to catch up with him about his latest work, SEEKING SHELTER: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Jeff explains how he approached the book and why he wrote it through the eyes of three characters: Evelyn, Wendi, and Evelyn’s teenage son, Orlando. He discusses writing it as reconstructive journalism and why he felt that would be...

More Episodes

Ashley Elston joins us for our first “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of 2025 to discuss her debut novel for adults, FIRST LIE WINS. This #1 New York Times bestseller and Bookreporter Bets On selection is now available in paperback.

Ashley talks about her writing process, which includes the brown butcher paper that lines her walls along with colored Post-it notes, and working with the software program Scrivener. Her past career as a wedding photographer enhanced her writing skills, and she explains how. She shares how the story’s twists and turns came to her, as well as the reveals and how to keep the tension up.

Ashley also recalls how excited she was when the book was named a Reese’s Book Club pick (which she had to keep secret) and what the past year has been like. Yes, it’s been a whirlwind. And she talks about what’s next for her.

Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews:

Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE

Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc