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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Brisa Carleton: Last Call at the Savoy
11/15/2025
Brisa Carleton: Last Call at the Savoy
Brisa Carleton joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her debut novel, LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The inspiration for the book came when Brisa was visiting The Savoy Hotel in London more than a decade ago. She saw a footnote about Ada Coleman in a cocktail menu and was surprised that so little information existed about her. Ada was a prominent mixologist at the hotel from 1903 to 1925, and she invented many cocktails, including the “Hanky Panky.” Brisa discusses writing a dual timeline for the book: the historical story about Ada and the modern one featuring Cinnamon Scott, an aspiring New York writer who travels to London to help her pregnant sister, Rosemary, at The Savoy. An award-winning Broadway producer with three Tony wins to her credit, Brisa also talks about her role as a producer and how it differs from being a writer. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Alex DeMille: Lily King: Virginia Evans: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: Amy Neff: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: 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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Alex DeMille: The Tin Men
11/11/2025
Alex DeMille: The Tin Men
Alex DeMille joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss THE TIN MEN, the third installment in the Scott Brodie & Maggie Taylor series, which he wrote with his father, Nelson DeMille. Set at a fictional military base in the Mojave Desert, the book explores autonomous weapons and AI in warfare. Alex explains what drew him to set a thriller in the American Southwest and fills us in on the research trip that he took there. He talks about the themes of humanity versus technology in warfare, which he and Nelson wanted to address. Alex also shares his personal reflections on completing the book while grieving his father's death. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Lily King: Virginia Evans: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: Amy Neff: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: 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: Paula Hawkins
10/29/2025
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Paula Hawkins
Paula Hawkins joined us for October’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss her most recent thriller, THE BLUE HOUR, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. Readers asked questions before and during the program, and we covered a lot of details, including the meaning of the book’s title. Paula shares her love of art and how much she enjoys visiting museums as she travels. THE BLUE HOUR got its start when she was on a vacation; she saw a remote island and thought about what could happen in a place like that. Paula explains how she creates her characters and their backstories. And yes, she talks about what those blue lights at the end of the novel might mean. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Lily King: Virginia Evans: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amy Neff: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: 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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Lily King: Heart the Lover
10/17/2025
Lily King: Heart the Lover
Lily King joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, the instant New York Times bestseller HEART THE LOVER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Lily shares that she was working on a political murder mystery that came to a grinding halt when she got a manuscript from Ann Patchett, which led her to write college scenes that were the start of HEART THE LOVER. She talks about a significant plot point that was changed in the manuscript about 12 days before the book was submitted, as well as the long path to getting the right cover. She also touches on how this book is a companion to her previous work, WRITERS & LOVERS. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Virginia Evans: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amy Neff: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: 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: Amy Neff
09/30/2025
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Amy Neff
Amy Neff joined us for September’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss her debut novel, THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. Amy worked on this book for more than a decade, starting with writing in a notebook in Central Park when she was in her 20s. She talks about her own extended family and how their beach vacations (where picnics were held in the garage) influenced her writing about a long marriage, though she is only in her late 30s. Amy also shares that she developed the chapters with the three children later in the writing process. There is a lot of conversation about the ending; readers want to know if that had changed over the course of her writing. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Virginia Evans: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: 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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Virginia Evans: The Correspondent
09/26/2025
Virginia Evans: The Correspondent
Virginia Evans joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her debut novel, THE CORRESPONDENT. Virginia always saw the book as having an epistolary format, and she wrote it as readers are seeing it, with one letter after another. Carol thought this style worked for the storytelling as it allowed for pacing and for different aspects of Sybil’s life, and the world as she knows it now, to be explored. Virginia loved that Carol picked up on one detail that no one else has mentioned in an interview or a review. Carol listened to the audiobook recording, which features a 13-person ensemble cast, and enjoyed it so much that it’s a Bookreporter Bets On selection in audio. It already has been named an AudioFile Earphones Award Winner and an Audible Best of the Year (So Far) selection. In a moment of what seemed like kismet, THE CORRESPONDENT was announced as a New York Times bestseller a few hours after Carol and Virginia spoke. As it was published in April, and the interview was recorded in September, it shows that the book has been growing its readership over the past five months. Amazing! Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Hank Phillippi Ryan: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: 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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Hank Phillippi Ryan: All This Could be Yours
09/16/2025
Hank Phillippi Ryan: All This Could be Yours
Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS. This Bookreporter Bets On selection follows Tessa Calloway, a debut author on a book tour who discovers she may have a stalker. The idea for the book came from Hank’s own experiences on book tours, including the realization that her public schedule and locations potentially could be misused for harmful purposes. Hank discusses the creative process behind the novel, including how Annabelle's voice unexpectedly emerged while she was writing and became integral to the plot. She also shares insights about the audiobook narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen, emphasizing the challenge of finding a voice that effectively immerses readers in the story. And she reveals details about a new book that is in progress. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Sharon Kurtzman: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: 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 Kurtzman: The Lost Baker of Vienna
09/02/2025
Sharon Kurtzman: The Lost Baker of Vienna
Sharon Kurtzman joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her debut novel, THE LOST BAKER OF VIENNA, which is inspired by her mother, aunt and grandmother's experiences as Holocaust survivors. The book, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection, follows two timelines. In 1946 Vienna, Chana Rosenzweig navigates a dangerous love triangle while working in a hotel kitchen and pursuing her passion for baking. In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig, a food writer, becomes obsessed with uncovering her family's history. Sharon talks about her research on post-war Vienna, where she learned that the city was divided into four sections governed by the Allied powers. She emphasizes the importance of food and baking in the story, using it as a creative outlet and a means to convey the characters' experiences. Sharon shares her passion for baking, particularly her obsession with perfecting chocolate chip cookies and chocolate pecan pie as a teenager with one twist on an ingredient. Her website features an enhanced discussion guide that includes recipes. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Francesca Serritella: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: 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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Francesca Serritella: Full Bloom
08/12/2025
Francesca Serritella: Full Bloom
Francesca Serritella joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her second novel, FULL BLOOM, following GHOSTS OF HARVARD. The book’s protagonist is gifted a bespoke perfume, which makes her irresistible. Francesca talks about her fragrance research, which she conducted in Grasse, France, as well as her lifelong love of perfume. She also shares how she views women who are living life on their own terms --- and loving it. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: 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: J. Courtney Sullivan
07/31/2025
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: J. Courtney Sullivan
J. Courtney Sullivan joined us for July’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss her novel, THE CLIFFS, a Reese’s Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Bruce Holsinger: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: 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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Bruce Holsinger: Culpability
07/18/2025
Bruce Holsinger: Culpability
Bruce Holsinger joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss his latest novel, CULPABILITY, which is Oprah’s Book Club pick for July and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Bruce explains why he chose to explore AI and the decision to have each member of a family be culpable in a car accident involving an autonomously driven vehicle. The beach house that the Cassidy-Shaws retreat to is similar to the one that Bruce and his family enjoyed during the pandemic, and that peaceful setting kept coming back to him as he wrote. He also talks about the audiobook’s narrators, Stacy Carolan and January LaVoy, and how they each played roles that served the book. And yes, Bruce walks us through what it was like to get “the call” from Oprah. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Megan Abbott: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: 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 Abbott: El Dorado Drive
07/10/2025
Megan Abbott: El Dorado Drive
Megan Abbott joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, EL DORADO DRIVE. This is the first book that Megan has written about suburban Detroit, which is where she lived for her early years. The story is set during the time when the automobile market crashed, jobs were suddenly lost, and the lifestyle to which people were accustomed disappeared. Megan talks about those days when the rug was pulled out from under people after years of not worrying about money. She also explains what it was like to write about sisters, even though she only has a brother. And she shares the exciting screenwriting news of what is next for her. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Fiona Davis: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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: Fiona Davis
06/27/2025
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Fiona Davis
Fiona Davis joined us for June’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss her New York Times bestseller, THE STOLEN QUEEN, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She shares how the idea for the book came to her, the extensive research that she did (yes, including a trip to Egypt), and what it was like spending hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to better understand how it is run behind the scenes. Fiona also explains how she developed her characters to work well with the timing of the story. And, to the delight of her readers, she talks about what’s next for her. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Kaira Rouda: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Kaira Rouda: Jill is Not Happy
06/20/2025
Kaira Rouda: Jill is Not Happy
Kaira Rouda talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her latest thriller, JILL IS NOT HAPPY. Note: Kaira IS very happily married to her husband, Harley, which is something you need to know as you read this book. Kaira did get the idea for the novel when she and Harley went to Utah during the pandemic. She saw that the landscape there could lend itself to a number of terrifying moments as her characters, Jill and Jack, head off on a weekend road trip together. Jill wants time with her husband. Jack does not want to go but does so begrudgingly. Once they return home, he will leave Jill; to him, their marriage is a charade. Kaira addresses how she ramped up the tension in this cat-and-mouse game. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Jeanine Cummins: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Nita Prose: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Jeanine Cummins: Speak to Me of Home
06/16/2025
Jeanine Cummins: Speak to Me of Home
Jeanine Cummins joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, SPEAK TO ME OF HOME, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She shares her inspiration for the book and talks about the significance of home. What does it mean to different people and to different generations? Jeanine and Carol point out that we go through life either as passengers or as those who “control the wheel of the bus.” There is a family tree in the front of the book, which is helpful in following the story — and Jeanine shows its beautiful design. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Julie Clark: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Julie Clark: The Ghostwriter
06/13/2025
Julie Clark: The Ghostwriter
Julie Clark joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest thriller, THE GHOSTWRITER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Julie shares how she approached writing this book, including how a ghostwriter tackles a subject and handles the storytelling. She also talks about her process, which includes early mornings of writing, and why she will never be a book-a-year author. Julie’s character had some unexpected challenges that derailed her career, and she explains how these obstacles upped the stakes for her. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Lori Foster: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Lori Foster: The Guest Cottage
06/13/2025
Lori Foster: The Guest Cottage
Lori Foster joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, THE GUEST COTTAGE, which kicks off her Firefly Summer series. She explains how she developed the book, including the first idea that came to her, and where she sees the series headed. Fittingly, they talk about their mutual fascination with fireflies. Lori also shares information about her very successful “Reader & Author Get Together” event, and how it has grown and changed through the years. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Chris Pavone: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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 Pavone: The Doorman
05/30/2025
Chris Pavone: The Doorman
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. Chris has a number of book ideas that he is noodling at any one time, but he explains how this one spoke to him to be written, and how he pivoted along the way. He also muses about New York City today, and how much has changed from when he was growing up in Brooklyn. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Beatriz Williams: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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: Beatriz Williams
05/29/2025
Bookaccino Live Book Group: Beatriz Williams
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 White and Lauren Willig. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Janet Skeslien Charles: Victoria Christopher Murray: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Janet Skeslien Charles: The Parisian Chapter
05/27/2025
Janet Skeslien Charles: The Parisian Chapter
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: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Victoria Christopher Murray: Harlem Rhapsody
05/16/2025
Victoria Christopher Murray: Harlem Rhapsody
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 what happened later in her life. She is enthusiastic about how much has been achieved, as just 50 years ago, Black people had been enslaved and didn’t have access to education. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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: Marjan Kamali
04/30/2025
Bookaccino Live Book Group: Marjan Kamali
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” Interviews: Nita Prose: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Nita Prose: The Maid's Secret
04/24/2025
Nita Prose: The Maid's Secret
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 “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Katy Hays: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Katy Hays: Saltwater
04/10/2025
Katy Hays: Saltwater
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 “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Georgia Hunter: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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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Georgia Hunter: One Good Thing
04/04/2025
Georgia Hunter: One Good Thing
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 work. And yes, there is conversation about the Hulu series “We Were the Lucky Ones” and her presence as that was filmed. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Michelle Horton: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: 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: Anna Quindlen
03/28/2025
Bookaccino Live Book Group: Anna Quindlen
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 were excited to find out that Anna’s next book is scheduled to release in 2026, and she gives us a sneak peek at the plot. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Jeff Hobbs: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Michelle Horton: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: 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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Jeff Hobbs: Seeking Shelter
03/20/2025
Jeff Hobbs: Seeking Shelter
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 most effective. Jeff and Carol talk about the issue of homelessness, as well as home instability and how the recent L.A. fires have impacted this crisis even more. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Clare Leslie Hall: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Michelle Horton: Tracey Lange: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: 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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Clare Leslie Hall: Broken Country
03/13/2025
Clare Leslie Hall: Broken Country
Clare Leslie Hall joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, BROKEN COUNTRY, which is both a Reese’s Book Club selection and a Barnes & Noble Book Club pick, as well as a Bookreporter Bets On title. Clare explains the early inspiration for the novel and shares that she worked on it for four years, coming back to it again and again. She discusses the layers of the story while being careful not to reveal any spoilers. The setting is such a big part of the book, as well as the characters, and she notes that the farms near her home played a role in the storytelling. Right before this interview, Clare learned that BROKEN COUNTRY had hit the Sunday Times list (the New York Times news would come the next day), and she clearly was glowing from that! Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Charmaine Wilkerson: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Michelle Horton: Tracey Lange: Lisa Genova: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: 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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Charmaine Wilkerson: Good Dirt
03/04/2025
Charmaine Wilkerson: Good Dirt
Charmaine Wilkerson talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her latest novel, GOOD DIRT, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She explains how the character of Ebby Freeman came to her, and from there the idea of the clay jar that has been in the family for generations. Charmaine shares the research she conducted about the work of slaves in the South who created pottery with clay, tracing how an item like this could have made its way from the South to Connecticut with slaves who worked on sailing vessels. And she muses that what happened to Ebby would have implications on the rest of her life. As she did in her New York Times bestseller, BLACK CAKE, Charmaine invites readers to look at traditions and ideas that they may not have heard about previously while at the same time telling the story of a family. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Michelle Horton: Tracey Lange: Lisa Genova: Fiona Davis: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: Ashley Elston: Ariel Lawhon: Amanda Peters: Shelley Read: William Kent Krueger: Ann Napolitano: Kate Morton: 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: Lisa Wingate
02/28/2025
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Lisa Wingate
Lisa Wingate joined us for February’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group to discuss SHELTERWOOD, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. She explains what sparked the idea for her novel and why she chose to set it in two time periods: 1909 and 1990. We also learn about the research she did into the “elf children,” the Dawes Act and the formidable Kate Barnard, as well as the life of forest rangers who work in national parks. Lisa believes that listening to stories from our past matter --- and she shares how her work has inspired readers to reach out to find their own connections. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Marie Benedict: Joseph Finder: Scott Turow: Michelle Horton: Tracey Lange: Lisa Genova: Fiona Davis: Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ashley Elston: 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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