Bookreporter Talks To
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a podcast from The Book Report Network where we host in-depth conversations with authors about the books that we love. We know authors cannot travel everywhere, so we want to bring them to you, wherever YOU may be.
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2024 Bookreporter Bets On Selections: Books We're Betting You'll Love
12/16/2024
2024 Bookreporter Bets On Selections: Books We're Betting You'll Love
Carol Fitzgerald shares commentary about her 40 Bookreporter Bets On selections from 2024. These are books that she is betting Bookreporter readers will love! (* means a video/podcast interview with that author is available.) The Women by Kristin Hannah * The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali * First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston * Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews * Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams * The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff * The Stolen Child by Ann Hood * Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris * The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella, by Nita Prose The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl * Leaving by Roxana Robinson Boss Lady by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger * The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon * Jackie by Dawn Tripp * Did I Ever Tell You?: A Memoir, by Genevieve Kingston * The Wives: A Memoir, by Simone Gorrindo * What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts) by Stanley Tucci Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir, by Ina Garten Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins * What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena End of Story by A. J. Finn Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate * Bad Liar by Tami Hoag All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker * Bad Tourists by Caro Carver * The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave * The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz * The Grays of Truth by Sharon Virts * The Fury by Alex Michaelides The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman * What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan * Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Sharon Virts: Paula Hawkins: Susan Rieger: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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"Bookaccino Live": Our Reviewers' Top Book Picks of 2024
12/12/2024
"Bookaccino Live": Our Reviewers' Top Book Picks of 2024
Carol Fitzgerald and Tom Donadio talked to seven Bookreporter reviewers about two of their favorite books of 2024. Our guests were Kate Ayers, Harvey Freedenberg, Pamela Kramer, Bronwyn Miller, Rebecca Munro, Ray Palen and Stuart Shiffman. Four reviewers — Sarah Rachel Egelman, Megan Elliott, Eileen Zimmerman Nicol and Norah Piehl — were not able to join us, so we presented their top picks and their comments about them in a slideshow. Their selections cover a wide variety of genres, and there may be a few books you haven’t heard of that you will want to check out. You can see a list of the featured titles, along with their covers, here: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Sharon Virts: Paula Hawkins: Susan Rieger: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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"Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Ariel Lawhon
12/06/2024
"Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon joined us for a “Bookaccino Live” Book Group discussion of THE FROZEN RIVER, which was a “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and an NPR Book of the Year when it was published in hardcover last December. It is now available in paperback and is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Our reviewer Pamela Kramer has this to say about the book, and it is so dead-on: "A book club would have myriad topics to discuss after reading this thoughtful novel about a time when the health care of women was often better left entirely to women themselves." Ariel talks about Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife, and the diary that Martha kept for almost 30 years that informed so much of Ariel’s writing. She points out that the voice of the book was not always first person, but the title never changed, and it took time to figure out exactly what would find its way into the story. While not biographical, the details are period correct. Some of the storytelling had to be compressed into the timeline of a single year, 1789, which is why THE FROZEN RIVER is fiction. And yes, Ariel reveals what she is writing now, and when we can hope to see it. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Sharon Virts: Paula Hawkins: Susan Rieger: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Sharon Virts: The Grays of Truth
11/19/2024
Sharon Virts: The Grays of Truth
Carol Fitzgerald talks to Sharon Virts about her latest historical mystery, THE GRAYS OF TRUTH. This Bookreporter Bets On selection was inspired by true events involving one of Baltimore’s most powerful families. Sharon discusses why the Reconstruction era is such a poignant time in American history. She also explains the challenges of creating Jane, her protagonist, and the Edgar Allan Poe quotes that lead off sections of the book. In addition to giving us hints about what is next for her, Sharon talks about the work of the Selma Farm Foundation, as well as the large online book club that she hosts. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Paula Hawkins: Susan Rieger: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Paula Hawkins: The Blue Hour
11/05/2024
Paula Hawkins: The Blue Hour
Paula Hawkins joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE BLUE HOUR, which is November’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She discusses her inspiration for the book’s setting, which she had when she was on vacation, as well as her love of art. The characters and the way they move in and out of each other’s lives is key to the storylines, and she explains how their roles changed as the book went on. Paula also shares where the title came from and what she loves about the cover. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Susan Rieger: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Bookaccino Book Club: Amanda Peters
10/30/2024
Bookaccino Book Club: Amanda Peters
Amanda Peters joined us for October’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss THE BERRY PICKERS, which was the 2023 Barnes & Noble Discover Prize winner and was awarded the 2024 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. It also was a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Amanda talks about her inspiration for the novel, which involved a trip to Maine with her father to show her where his family who was part of the Mi'kmaq tribe came from. She shares that the story was first written in only one voice and explains when she made the decision to change that. The audience questions flew fast and furious. Amanda also told us that her collection of short stories, WAITING FOR THE LONG NIGHT MOON, will be out in the US on February 11th. You can read more about the book here: . Also, you can watch or listen to the interview done with Amanda when THE BERRY PICKERS first came out here: . Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Susan Rieger: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Susan Rieger: Like Mother, Like Mother
10/29/2024
Susan Rieger: Like Mother, Like Mother
Susan Rieger joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, LIKE MOTHER, LIKE MOTHER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She shares what drove her to write this book and why it is structured as a mystery, with the feel of literary Russian nesting dolls. Susan also reveals which was her favorite character to write and discusses the use of genealogy, as well as DNA. And she talks about what it was like to start writing fiction late in life. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Jean Hanff Korelitz: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Amy Neff: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Jean Hanff Korelitz: The Sequel
10/07/2024
Jean Hanff Korelitz: The Sequel
Jean Hanff Korelitz joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest book, THE SEQUEL, the appropriately titled follow-up to THE PLOT. In it, Anna, the widow of Jacob Finch Bonner, is enjoying the riches of being a literary widow and has written a debut novel called THE AFTERWORD. But, ah, Anna has a secret to hide. Jean shares the fun she had layering wry humor into the book, as well as how she satirizes the publishing industry in juicy detail. Yes, there is film news talk, as well as what’s next for Jean. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Amy Neff: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Bookaccino Book Club: Shelley Read
09/30/2024
Bookaccino Book Club: Shelley Read
Shelley Read was our guest for September’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group. As this was a book group-style program, we did talk spoilers. Four audience members joined us to ask her questions, all of which looked at GO AS A RIVER from different angles. Shelley shared her inspiration for the book and how she created her characters. She talked about prejudice and how it influenced her work. As a fifth-generation Coloradan, she explained how that history in her family gave her a perspective on her writing. The conversation was insightful, and readers clearly were passionate about this book. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Laura Dave: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Amy Neff: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Laura Dave: The Night We Lost Him
09/24/2024
Laura Dave: The Night We Lost Him
Laura Dave talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her latest novel, THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. At the heart of this story is a secret that has been hidden for years — one that may have caused the death of Liam Noone, a successful hotel magnate. Nora, his daughter from one of his marriages, is convinced by Sam, his son from another marriage, to join together to see if his death was accidental or something more sinister. Laura talks about Liam’s unique hotel properties and what inspired them, and how research finds its way into her writing. She also shares her writing schedule and how she manages her day, as well as the song she had on repeat as she wrote, which is something she always does. This is Laura's second thriller. Her first, THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, was adapted by Laura and her husband for Apple TV+. She talks about future screenwriting projects, as well as the book that readers can look forward to next year. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Chris Whitaker: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Amy Neff: Beatriz Williams: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Chris Whitaker: All The Colors of The Dark
08/23/2024
Chris Whitaker: All The Colors of The Dark
Chris Whitaker joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his New York Times bestseller, ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Chris explains how he developed the book by spending a year writing just dialogue to get a feel for his characters, Patch and Saint. Once he had a good grasp of their voices, he could write around that. Chris went through trauma in his youth that overshadowed his life, and it fueled his writing here. He shares how he researches the locations that he uses in his novels and talks about the joy of having Edoardo Ballerini as a narrator for the audiobook. And yes, he addresses the book’s 261 chapters that are just one to three pages long. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: T.J. Newman: Dawn Tripp: Amy Neff: Beatriz Williams: Caro Carver: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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T.J. Newman: Worst Case Scenario
08/15/2024
T.J. Newman: Worst Case Scenario
T.J. Newman joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about WORST CASE SCENARIO, her third thriller to be a Bookreporter Bets On selection (following FALLING and DROWNING). T.J. shares how she came up with the idea for this book and the research that was required (including a detail that Carol saw to be totally plausible). She discusses her character development and why she feels Joe Morton is the perfect narrator for the audiobook. We also hear about T.J.’s close relationship with her agent and how they work together. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Dawn Tripp: Amy Neff: Beatriz Williams: Caro Carver: Marjan Kamali: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Dawn Tripp: Jackie
08/09/2024
Dawn Tripp: Jackie
Dawn Tripp joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her book, JACKIE, a Bookreporter Bets On pick that novelizes the life of the legendary Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. A rare photograph, which became the cover of the book, inspired Dawn’s writing as much as the reading that she did. Along with books about Jackie, she read books that had been some of Jackie’s favorites. Carol and Dawn point out that while Jackie had always been looked upon as a style icon, her contributions were so much broader. They commiserate about how Jackie defined her style early --- and from there she continued to challenge herself intellectually as she had done in her youth and young adulthood. Her love for her children and of horseback riding was well known, but here they speak about her love of waterskiing and open-water swimming. Yes, there is mention of Jackie’s time at both Knopf and Doubleday, and Dawn explains what drew Jackie to become an editor. Lovely nuggets are sprinkled throughout this interview. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Amy Neff: Beatriz Williams: Caro Carver: Marjan Kamali: Lisa Wingate: Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Amy Neff: The Days I Loved You Most
08/01/2024
Amy Neff: The Days I Loved You Most
Amy Neff joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Amy talks about her 10-year journey to write this beautiful debut novel and the influences that she had for it. She expounds upon why she chose the time frame that she did for the storyline and what she changed along the way. Amy also shares the story behind the artwork on the stunning cover and what it means to her. Book groups will want to consider this book for a discussion! Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Beatriz Williams: Caro Carver: Marjan Kamali: Lisa Wingate: Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Beatriz Williams: Husbands and Lovers
07/26/2024
Beatriz Williams: Husbands and Lovers
Beatriz Williams joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, HUSBANDS & LOVERS, which is a Bookreporter Bets On pick. Here, for the first time, she sets one of her story threads in the present day, while the other takes place in 1950s Cairo. Beatriz loves reading about history and actually began developing the older storyline before moving over to the later one. Readers of THE SUMMER WIVES will note at least one character who finds his place in HUSBANDS & LOVERS. Carol asks about Beatriz’s inspiration for Monk, the rock star in the book, as well as the iconic bracelet that finds its way through generations. She also talks about what’s next for her. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Caro Carver: Marjan Kamali: Lisa Wingate: Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Caro Carver: Bad Tourists
07/19/2024
Caro Carver: Bad Tourists
Caro Carver joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her debut thriller, BAD TOURISTS, which is a Bookreporter Bets On pick. Her inspiration for the book came from a trip to the Maldives. It seems like an idyllic setting, but one where a lot more nefarious things might happen. Caro talks about her three characters, who are bound together by a past event, and why she chose a “divorce trip” as the reason for all of them to get away. She also explains how another couple on vacation at the resort worked for her storytelling. Caro shares a lot about her writing process for the book, as well as what’s next for her. This twisty thriller sets her up as an author to watch! Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Marjan Kamali: Lisa Wingate: Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Marjan Kamali: The Lion Women of Tehran
07/10/2024
Marjan Kamali: The Lion Women of Tehran
Marjan Kamali joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. We are told the genesis of the story and how Marjan built on it from there. She delves into her personal history coming to the US as a child and what it means to be a “lion woman.” We learn about how class and culture mattered in the relationship between Ellie and Homa, as well as how motherhood would change Homa. Marjan also discusses how she parsed some of the story to add intrigue --- and what her writing/editing process was like. Persian food is mentioned throughout the book, and Marjan talks about what food means beyond just nourishment. There is one recipe that Carol is keen on making. Book groups, take note! Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/Ob8T6DGotYA Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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“Bookaccino Live” Book Group with William Kent Krueger
06/28/2024
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group with William Kent Krueger
We wrapped up our early 2024 “Bookaccino Live” Book Group programming with William Kent Krueger as our guest. He discussed his New York Times bestseller and Edgar Award-nominated book, THE RIVER WE REMEMBER. Readers joined to ask questions, which covered a myriad of topics. Kent also gave us a preview of his new Cork O’Connor mystery, SPIRIT CROSSING, which will be available on August 20th, and talked about his audio original novella, THE LEVEE, which came out last year. As always when Kent joins us, the conversation was warm and engaging. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/Ob8T6DGotYA Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Lisa Wingate: Shelterwood
06/13/2024
Lisa Wingate: Shelterwood
Lisa Wingate joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest work of historical fiction, SHELTERWOOD, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She explains the origin of the story, a piece she found about a woman named Kate Barnard that sent her down a rabbit hole of learning more about the children known as “elf children” who lived in trees. They typically were Native American children who were sought after for the land rights that they owned after the Dawes Act went into effect as they were landowners. Lisa grew up in Eastern Oklahoma where the book is set and shares her history of the area, as well as her love of the Winding Stair Mountains where she frequently hikes. She and Carol also talk about shelterwood and the history that they were not really taught in school. Book discussed in this episode: SHELTERWOOD by Lisa Wingate: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Ruth Reichl: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Ruth Reichl: The Paris Novel
06/06/2024
Ruth Reichl: The Paris Novel
Ruth Reichl joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about THE PARIS NOVEL, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The concept for this book was born from a section in SAVE ME THE PLUMS, Ruth’s 2019 memoir, which prompted her longtime editor, Susan Kamil, to ask for a novel with that as a starting-off point. Ruth talks about why she set the book in the 1980s, as travel then was so different from what it is now. Yes, she dined at all the places mentioned in the book and remarks that she is surprised that more has not been written about Shakespeare and Company, and the Tumbleweeds who lived there. She also shares something personal from her childhood that influenced how she created the character of Stella. Book discussed in this episode: THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Bookaccino Book Club: Ann Napolitano
05/31/2024
Bookaccino Book Club: Ann Napolitano
Ann Napolitano joined us for May’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event. She talked about her New York Times bestseller, HELLO BEAUTIFUL (which was Oprah’s 100th Book Club selection), and her newly re-released 2004 debut novel, WITHIN ARM’S REACH. There also was a peek inside her writing process, which includes nine months of musing before putting pen to paper, and she shared a hint of what her next book will be about. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Genevieve Kingston: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Genevieve Kingston: Did I Ever Tell You?
05/27/2024
Genevieve Kingston: Did I Ever Tell You?
Genevieve “Gwen” Kingston joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her memoir, DID I EVER TELL YOU?, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. When Gwen was three years old, her mother, Kristina, was diagnosed with breast cancer; she passed away when Gwen was 11. When Kristina realized that her cancer was terminal, she created a box filled with individual presents for each year through Gwen’s 30th birthday, as well as special occasion notes for events like engagement, marriage and first baby. With just those last three to open, Gwen explored what these treasures had meant to her along the way. Life lessons and gifts were shared that showed what Kristina wanted to be sure her daughter knew, a guiding light of sorts for when she was not around. It was as much about the note that accompanied each present as it was about what was inside. Gwen talks about taking this box with her from place to place as she moved across the country. Trained as a playwright, she explains the difference between writing for the stage and penning a memoir. She points out that she showed the book to her brother and some close family friends before publication to be sure she had the facts right and that their memories aligned. Gwen also narrated the audiobook and notes what she learned from that experience. And she reveals what is next for her. Book discussed in this episode: DID I EVER TELL YOU?: A Memoir by Genevieve Kingston: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Terah Shelton Harris: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Terah Shelton Harris: Long After We are Gone
05/21/2024
Terah Shelton Harris: Long After We are Gone
Terah Shelton Harris joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her second novel, LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Terah explains what heir property is and the research she did about it to inform her story. She talks about developing the plot from four different points of view and her inspiration for that. Terah always knows how a book will end when she begins writing, and she crafts the story towards that conclusion. She reveals who the easiest character was to write --- and who challenged her the most. Terah also shares the meaning of the dedication in the front of the book (which gave both her and Carol a good laugh) and what’s next for her. Book discussed in this episode: LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE by Terah Shelton Harris: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Ann Hood: Mary Kay Andrews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Ann Hood: The Stolen Child
05/09/2024
Ann Hood: The Stolen Child
Ann Hood joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest work of historical fiction, THE STOLEN CHILD, which is a Bookreporter Bets On pick. Ann loves the World War I time period and has researched it through the years. She talks about her travels to World War I battle sites and how her son shares her passion for this history. Her thoughts about the tears she has shed inspired one thread of the storyline. Ann and Carol also touch on some musical references and discuss their shared love of knitting, mistakes and all. Book discussed in this episode: THE STOLEN CHILD by Ann Hood: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Mary Kay Andrews: Summers at The Saint
05/07/2024
Mary Kay Andrews: Summers at The Saint
Mary Kay Andrews returns to “Bookreporter Talks To” to discuss her latest book, SUMMERS AT THE SAINT, with Carol Fitzgerald. She talks about the resort that she modeled The Saint after and how she conducted research there while spending time with a friend. She also touches on the many storylines that are woven so well into this Bookreporter Bets On selection and points out that the novel originally had a different beginning. It is said that “summer begins with MKA,” and Mary Kay explains exactly why this book deserves that moniker and to be read wherever readers are this summer. Book discussed in this episode: SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Kate Morton: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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"Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Kate Morton
04/26/2024
"Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Kate Morton
Kate Morton joined us for April’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event to talk about her latest novel, HOMECOMING, a Bookreporter Bets On pick and one of Carol Fitzgerald’s top three books of 2023. At the start of the pandemic, Kate was working on another book in London. When she and her family went to Australia for what was planned as a spring break trip, COVID restrictions led to their living on a small farm south of Melbourne. She set aside that book as she began to be inspired by her surroundings and thus conceived a new plot and story. Kate discussed her writing process with us, as well as how she balanced multiple points of view, timeframes and the writing of a true-crime book as part of the arc for HOMECOMING. Our attendees asked Kate a number of questions, and one reader shared a very special story about how he came to her work. The conversation was brisk and enlightening. As for the abandoned book, Kate has picked that up again. Book discussed in this episode: HOMECOMING by Kate Morton: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Simone Gorrindo: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Simone Gorrindo: The Wives
04/11/2024
Simone Gorrindo: The Wives
Simone Gorrindo, whose debut memoir, THE WIVES, is a Bookreporter Bets On selection, joins Carol Fitzgerald on this episode of “Bookreporter Talks To.” Simone explains how she found her way to writing this book when her husband, an Army Special Ops team member, was assigned to a base in Columbus, Georgia. There she found herself with a group of women who had followed their husbands to this area. Here were wives who had one thing in common: their husbands and their work as soldiers. When the men left town, the women would gather together for support, and any of the typical social lines between them would drop as they commiserated about both their day-to-day lives and the larger role that their husbands were playing on a bigger stage. Simone shares where their lives went after the book ends and what it was like narrating her own story. Book discussed in this episode: THE WIVES: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Megan Miranda: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Nita Prose: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Megan Miranda: Daughter of Mine
04/09/2024
Megan Miranda: Daughter of Mine
Megan Miranda returns to “Bookreporter Talks To” to talk about her new thriller, DAUGHTER OF MINE, a Bookreporter Bets On selection with Carol Fitzgerald. She shares her inspiration for the book, as well as insight into her creative process. They talk about how she laid out the twists that make the book so special. She loves the narrator for the audio edition Ines del Castillo --- she feels that Ines sets the right tone for the book. Book discussed in this episode: DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Anna Quindlen: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Nita Prose: Fiona Davis: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Anna Quindlen: After Annie
03/29/2024
Anna Quindlen: After Annie
Anna Quindlen joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, AFTER ANNIE. The idea for the opening of the book came to Anna in a moment, which she explains. She thought for a while about just writing from the point of view of Ali, Annie’s 13-year-old daughter, but she changed her mind as she realized that she could not see the complete purview of a person that age. Instead, she layered in Annie’s husband, Bill, and her best friend, Annemarie, to give readers a fuller picture of the impact of Annie’s life even after her death. Annie, and what she thinks, is alive on every page. Surprisingly, AFTER ANNIE was not always the title, and the cover was not an immediate choice either. Anna also talks about what she does every day when she ends a writing session. Book discussed in this episode: AFTER ANNIE by Anna Quindlen: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Tamron Hall: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Nita Prose: Fiona Davis: Gilly Macmillan: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide
03/15/2024
Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide
Tamron Hall, the Emmy Award-winning host and executive producer of the syndicated talk show “Tamron Hall” and the bestselling author of the Jordan Manning series, joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest thriller, WATCH WHERE THEY HIDE. Tamron shares the genesis of the plot for this second book in the series and why it is set in 2009. She also talks about how she crafts her story, her writing process, and the realism that she brings to the table about how a broadcast journalist works. And yes, she explains how she came up with her character’s name. Author Photo Credit: Stephanie Augello Book discussed in this episode: WATCH WHERE THEY HIDE: A Jordan Manning Novel, by Tamron Hall: Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Kristin Hannah: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Ashley Elston: Amanda Peters: Katherine Faulkner: Nita Prose: Fiona Davis: Gilly Macmillan: Dani Shapiro: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Shelby Van Pelt: Lisa See: Dani Shapiro: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Alice Elliott Dark: Laura Dave: Kristin Hannah: Allison Pataki: Fiona Davis: Nita Prose: Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: FOLLOW US on Facebook: Website: Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions
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