Beyond the Next Chapter with Whitney Clark

Artificial intelligence is nothing new, but it's growing and changing every day. That includes in the world of book publishing. From lawsuits with social media companies, to books being pulled from shelves because of suspected AI use, we're covering it all with our guest Jane Freidman. She's spent more than 20 years in publishing and now reports on the industry, appearing in many national publications like The New York Times and CBS News. 

From TikTok to Instagram and YouTube, influencers are everywhere. And so are their families and children. In her new book "Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online," journalist Fortesa Latifi is exploring what it means to live your childhood online. Fortesa found some content creators make millions of dollars a year, with some of their best-performing content featuring their children sick or hurt. As Fortesa discusses, there's a lot of nuance that gets into the book: parents are grappling with tough decisions. Her work has been in The New York Times and more. Fortesa is from Arizona and is a graduate of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

It's a love story...about female friendships! New York Times Bestselling author Jessica George is out with her sophomore novel "Love By the Book." She joins the podcast this week from London to talk about how we can show up for friends as we age, why she's starting sometimes taboo conversations about having kids and making friends as adults, and she shares her favorite restaurants and spots across the pond! 

Is the book better than the movie? In this week's episode, we're joined by USA Today's books reporter Clare Mulroy to answer that age-old question. From "Wuthering Heights," to "Heated Rivalry," "Hamnet" and more, Clare and our host Whitney Clark chat about their favorite, and least favorite, page-to-screen adaptions. Clare also talks about how she got her dream job, how she finds time to read and her thoughts on the new "Project Hail Mary" film based on Andy Weir's 2021 hit novel.

It's the Super Bowl for book lovers: the Tucson Festival of Books! It's the biggest book festival in Arizona, and it's happening at the University of Arizona on March 14 and 15 this year. There are hundreds of authors who will be there, including the headliners Salman Rushdie, Susan Lucci, and R.L. Stine. On this episode, we're joined by public librarian and Tucson-based author Sarah T. Dubb. She has advice if you're going for the first time, and she chats about her new romance book, "Honey Bee Mine." Dubb's first book, "Birding With Benefits," was made into a Hallmark movie!

If you're a fan of 90's rom-coms and cozy love stories, you're in luck! Romance favorite B.K. Borison is out with "And Now, Back to You." It's the second book in her "Heartstrings" series. B.K. joins the podcast to talk about her love of her hometown Baltimore, where the book is set, local news, and classics like "Sleepless in Seattle." 

Every year February is recognized as Black History Month, but there's an Arizona-based bookseller who has made it her mission to highlight Black authors all year long. On this episode we're joined by Petra Sherbin-Fox. She owns The Lit Twis't: the first Black-owned mobile bookstore in the Valley. Petra opened the shop after not being able to find books by authors she was looking for, particularly Black female authors. She joins our host, Whitney Clark, with a list of ten recommendations, including fiction and non-fiction. That includes the following:  "Hood Wellness: Tales of Communal Care from People Who Drowned on Dry Land" by Tamela J. Gordon "A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir and Manifesto on Reimagining" by Rachel E. Cargle "Ride Or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women" by Shanita Hubbard "A Long Song for Ricki Wilde" by Tia Williams "Reel" by Kennedy Ryan "Communion" by bell hooks "Sula" by Toni Morrison "The Girls Who Grew Big" by Leila Mottley "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab "A Moth to a Flame" by Ashley Antoinette

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! If you're looking for a great romance book, we've got you covered. This week our host Whitney Clark is joined by two Arizona romance authors: Neely Tubati Alexander and Liana De la Rosa, who share their favorite picks. That includes "Honey Bee Mine" by Sarah T. Dubb and "The Magic of Untamed Hearts" by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. They also talk about their own books, the magic of the Tucson Festival of Books and how the romance author community has grown in the Valley.

It's officially 2026 and we're in for another great year of reading! In this episode we're joined by Ali Jaksich, a book buyer for the Changing Hands Bookstore with locations in Phoenix and Tempe. She chats about how she picks books for the store, how she became a book buyer and how you can read more in 2026.  From cookbooks, to horror and other fiction reads, here are Ali's most anticipated books of the year: "Operation Bounce House", by Matt Dinniman, "Ending Writes Itself" by Evelyn Clarke, "Crux" by Gabriel Tallent, "And Now Back to You" by B.K. Borison, "Fabulous Bodies" by Chuck Tingle, "Cooking con Claudia: Celebración!" by Claudia Regalado, "A Girl Like Her" by Talia Hibbert, "Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age" by Ibram X. Kendi, "Seasons of Glass and Iron" by Amal El-Mohtar, and "Half His Age" by Jennette McCurdy.

The year has come to an end and it's time to talk about our favorite books of the year! In the final podcast episode of the year, our host Whitney Clark is sharing her favs. Here's a look at her top ten: 

If reading more is one of your New Year's resolutions, it's the perfect time to start or join a book club! This week, we're hearing from the founders of Not Your Average Book Club and The Lonely Girls Book Club. From audio book walks to bookish markets in Arizona and more, their clubs are creating a sense of community that so many are craving right now. They share their tips on how to start a book club, how to choose books for the group, and their favorite reads of the year. 

The holidays are here and no one embodies the holiday spirit more than Valley-based author Karen Schaler. She's out with a new book for the holidays called "A Ruff Royal Christmas." Karen joins the podcast to talk about her books and her work as a screenwriter and former journalist. She helped write the Netflix hit movie series "A Christmas Prince." Karen also chats about the journey of self-publishing and how she started writing movie scripts.

They are one of the original founders of BookTok, and now Cait Jacobs is out with their debut novel, "The Princess Knight." It features a princess who is desperate to win back the prince who broke her heart, so she follows him to his kingdom's military academy. On this week's episode, Cait talks with our host Whitney Clark about how their success on social media led to a publishing deal, the rise of "romantasy" and how they balance mental health challenges while also creating content. 

Temperatures are going down and it's time for Fall reads and books for the holidays! We're joined this week by our friends Melati Parker and Rylie Occhipinto from Wijaya House in Tempe: a bookstore, flower and craft shop! From horror, dark academia and the classics, our host Whitney Clark also has some recommendations as well. A few of the favorites for this season include "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury, and "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt. 

You've probably seen her viral TikTok videos and now Eli Rallo is out with her new memoir: "Does Anybody Else Feel This Way?" The author, content creator and self-proclaimed theater kid joins the podcast this week to talk about the book, which features a series of essays. Rallo touches on everything from friendship breakups, navigating social media, and the ups and downs that come with life in your 20's. She also chats to our host Whitney Clark about the upcoming "Wicked For Good" film and her love of Taylor Swift. 

It's Banned Books Week! Banning books is nothing new. In fact, the first book ban in the U.S. took place in 1637, according to Harvard researchers. The American Library Association is just one of the organizations hosting events. On this week's episode, we're diving into the history of book bans and which popular books have faced challenges. We're joined by Arizona State University professor Dr. James Blasingame. He's been teaching at the university for 26 years and has written about the topic for The Washington Post. 

Ten years after her debut, Angela Flournoy is back with one of the most anticipated books of the year! In "The Wilderness," Flournoy explores 20 years of friendship among a group of millennial Black women. The book has already been named as a finalist for the 2025 Kirkus Prize in fiction, among other accolades. Flournoy chats with our host Whitney Clark about getting older and the uncharted territory that comes with middle age, the hardest parts of writing about the present moment, and her favorite reads. 

For the first time, we're joined by a YA author on the podcast: and she's an Arizona local! Hailey Alcaraz is out with her latest book "Rosa by Any Other Name." Alcaraz describes it as "West Side Story" meets "The Hate U Give" and it's a loose retelling of "Romeo & Juliet." The book takes place in Phoenix, and Alcaraz shares how she did her research, what she learned about the history of South Phoenix, and why she enjoys writing in the genre. 

What do librarians do? How do libraries pay for books? We're so glad you asked! This week on Beyond the Next Chapter, we're diving into the world of public libraries! We're joined by three employees of the Phoenix Public Library system, including the library services director. They chat about what they love about their jobs and all of the free services available to you and your family. You can also learn about which libraries in Phoenix are growing and how many more will be built in the next few years! 

Her name is synonymous with crime fiction and Karin Slaughter is out with her new book "We Are All Guilty Here." Slaughter is a New York Times bestselling author who's sold more than 40 million copies of her books across the world. Some of her books have also been developed into popular TV series, including WILL TRENT. In her latest novel we're transported to the small, fictional town of North Falls. When two teenage girls vanish, it gets personal for Officer Emmy Clifton. Slaughter talks to our host Whitney Clark about why she thinks small towns are scarier than big cities, how she helps libraries across the country and her special connection to Phoenix! 

As kids get ready to head back to school, we're tackling the question: What books should you read to your kids? Whether they are turning 2 or 12 this school year, we brought in some experts with a great recommendation list! This episode we're joined by Terri Clark, the Arizona literacy director with Read On Arizona. Also joining the conversation is our host Whitney Clark's friend and co-anchor Kylee Cruz, who is raising a young reader herself! Tune in for some great titles, why you should let your kids picks the book they want to read, and proven strategies to get them interested in reading.

Suspense, folklore, and witchcraft: that's how Silvia Moreno-Garcia describes her newest book "The Bewitching." It's about three different women in three eras who all encounter dangerous witchcraft. Moreno-Garcia is the New York Times bestselling author of "Mexican Gothic." She's joining our host Whitney Clark to chat about how she was inspired by Mexican and New England folklore. Moreno-Garcia was also inspired by the stories told by her own family in Mexico. She talks about the playlist she created to accompany the book and how her experience as an RA in college is similar to one of the main characters. 

Buckle up for this book! It's hard to talk about "Finding Grace" without giving too much away, but if you read the first chapter you'll be hooked. That at least is the goal of British author Loretta Rothschild in her debut novel. She joins the podcast to talk about her new book, which features an improbable story that almost reads like a tense thriller. Rothschild talks about love and grief and how they're intertwined, which book she calls a perfect love story and why she took a risk by using a very unique narrator in "Finding Grace."

Summer is still here and it's the perfect time to pick up a new book! If you're heading out of town for a vacation, or maybe you just need a bit of an escape by the pool, we're talking about the books you should read this summer! We're joined by two librarians from the Mesa Public Library, Megan Guderian and Caroline Lewicki. A few of their choices include "My Friends" by Fredrik Bachman, "Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan, and "Freaks, Gleeks and Dawson's Creek" by Thea Glassman.

Jewel thieves, World War II, Paris, a decades-old murder, and a long-lost love story: that's what you'll find in Kristin Harmel's newest book "The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau." Harmel is a New York Times best-selling author known for her historical fiction novels. She talks about what inspired her latest book, and how her recent battle with breast cancer changed her outlook on life and aging. 

Thriller lovers, rejoice! Riley Sager is joining the podcast this week to talk about his latest book "With a Vengeance." He's a New York Times bestselling author known for his page-turning novels that always include unexpected twists. Sager's latest novel is set on a train. The main character, Anna Matheson, is seeking revenge after her family was killed years prior. She invites six people on the train who she believes was responsible for their deaths. Anna lures them onto an overnight trip under false pretenses...and so the thriller begins! Sager talks about which authors and movies have inspired him (including the classic "White Christmas"), his real-life phobias and fears, and how he writes a book a year. 

it's the best time of the year: summer means beach reads! Annabel Monaghan is out with her third romance book called "It's A Love Story." Monaghan is a USA Today bestselling author, and she joins the podcast this week. Her new book features Jane Jackson, a former teen star who was the punchline of every joke. As an adult she's a producer trying to get a project greenlight and tells a lie she has to make come true. And unfortunately, Jane has to rely on a guy she can't stand. Cue the love story! Monaghan chats about how Jennette McCurdy's memoir inspired her, she gives her own love advice after being married for nearly 30 years and has great advice for women who may be contemplating a big change in life. 

Calling all reality television fans! Arizona-based author Neely Tubati Alexander is out with a new book called "Courtroom Drama." This is Alexander's third rom-com and it features childhood best friends who were on the cusp of something more. Sadly an incident abruptly ended Sydney and Damon's relationship. They reunite years later when they were placed on the same jury and the woman on trial for murder is a reality TV star. Alexander talks to our host Whitney Clark about her favorite Bravo shows, how COVID-19 helped her become a published author, and why it's so important to include real-world issues in contemporary romance.

She's one of the most popular romance authors right now and Kennedy Ryan is out with the final installment of her Skyland series. Ryan is joining "Beyond the Next Chapter" this week to talk about "Can't Get Enough." Hendrix is the heroine of the story: a business owner, the life of the party, and an entrepreneur who also helps run a venture capital fund for Black women. Hendrix is taking care of an aging parent, and she's not sure if she has time for love, until Maverick Bell enters the picture. Ryan chats about her own mental-health journey and how it's reflected in her work. She also shares her own love story and how she met her husband of 27 years!

It's time to take a trip to Italy! On this episode, we're joined by Sarah Penner who is out with her new book "The Amalfi Curse." It's set in present-day Positano and in the 1800s. The novel features witches, sunken treasure, and forbidden love in a picturesque Italian village. This is Penner's third book following her debut "The Lost Apothecary" in 2021. One of the main characters is a nautical archeologist and in her research for the book, Penner actually got two online certifications on the subject. She chats with Whitney about that, her research trips to Italy, how she was able to quit her full time job, her adventures in scuba diving and why she thinks women need to sometimes be selfish in accomplishing their dreams.

She's a reader favorite, and now Jeneva Rose is out with her latest book "The Perfect Divorce." This is the sequel to "The Perfect Marriage," which was Rose's debut in 2020. It has sold more than 2 million copies! In the new book, we are once again in Sarah Morgan's world as she has started a new family 11 years after she defended her husband in a high-profile murder case. Rose talks to our host Whitney Clark about how she connects with readers on social media, what it's like being on a book tour as an expectant mom, and Rose also talks about her two other books being released this year! 

You've likely been reading Jennifer Weiner's books for years, and now she's out with a new novel called "The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits." The No. 1 New York Times bestseller is known for her hit novels including "In Her Shoes and "Good In Bed." Her newest book is set in two timelines. In the present day, no one knows why the Griffin sisters' band implodes after they rose to fame in the early 2000's. Jennifer talks to our host Whitney about pop culture, often complex sister relationships, and what research she had to do (including an interview with an American Idol star).

We are taking you to the Land of Oz! You may have seen the movie "Wicked," but before it was a movie, it was a hit Broadway musical. And before that, it was a book originally published in 1995. While the book and the movie are much different, the author of the book "Wicked," Gregory Maguire, is out with a new book called "Elphie." It's a prequel that dives into Ephaba's childhood. What happened to the Wicked Witch of the West before she gets to Shiz University? Whitney got to talk to Maguire about the new book, why he chose to write it now, and what it was like to visit the film set! 

Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, we're going beyond the next chapter and taking you to Ireland! We're joined this week by Valley teacher and author Jennifer Deibel. She's out with a new book called "Heart of the Glen." Jennifer teaches in the Valley and is passionate about reading and literacy. She also spent 10 years living in Ireland and Austria. She talks about how she became an author, what surprised her most about the publishing world, and what gives her hope while working in public education.

Calling all historical fiction fans! On this episode, our host Whitney Clark is joined by New York Times best-selling author Fiona Davis. She's out with a new book called "The Stolen Queen." This novel takes us from The Met to Egypt! It's a mix of glamour and mummies, mystery, and Davis describes it as a cross between  "Indiana Jones," "Thelma & Louise" and "The Devil Wears Prada." Davis talks about how she went from acting to writing, why it's so important to portray female friendships in her novels, and what research went into this book. It included a trip to Eygpt!

Do you need a hug? We all do sometimes! In honor of Valentine's Day, this week we are joined by two librarians from the Maricopa County Library District with their book recommendations: specifically books that feel like a hug! They offer a few titles that may give you some comfort, a sense of community, feel-good reads, cozy fantasy books and more. Here is the list:  "Britt-Marie Was Here" by Fredrik Backman The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire "Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree  "This Is How You Lose the Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy "How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, New York Times best-selling author Tessa Bailey is out with her latest spicy sports romance “Dream Girl Drama.” When a professional hockey player and a harp player have a chance encounter, there is an instant love connection. Unfortunately though Sig and Chloe find out their parents are engaged and they have to make some tough choices about their careers and relationship. The new release comes as Tessa is making a stop in the Valley on her book tour! She talks to Whitney about what she loves about meeting her readers, what her husband thinks about her love stories, why romance has become such a popular genre, and how a real-life hockey player inspired this book!

It's a new year, which means we have another year of new books and reading to look forward to! On this episode, we're joined by Rylie Occhipinto and Melati Parker from Wijaya House in Tempe. It's a locally owned bookstore and flower shop with regular classes for the community! They talk to Whitney about which books they are looking forward to this year. That includes the following:   Whitney's picks:  "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid "Elphie" by Gregory Maguire "One Golden Summer" by Carley Fortune Melati's picks: "King of Ashes" by S.A. Cosby "Katabasis" by R.F. Kuang "The Listeners" by Maggie Stiefvater "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" by Grady Hendrix "The Unworthy" by Agustina Bazterrica "Courtroom Drama" by Neely Tubati-Alexander Rylie's picks:  "My Friends" by Fredrik Backman "The Lamb" by Lucy Rose "Fun and Games" by John Patrick McHugh "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins

Do you set high standards for yourself or others? Do you consider yourself a "perfectionist"? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Ellen Hendriksen who's out with a new book called "How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists." The author is a clinical psychologist who's been featured in major publications like the New York Times, the Washington Post, Psychology Today and many more. She also founded an award-winning podcast called Savvy Psychologist.  Dr. Hendriksen talks about different forms of perfectionism, how it can lead to burnout and what you can do if you recognize those symptoms in yourself. 

The year is coming to an end! Did you hit your reading goal? Do you want to read more in 2025? This episode is dedicated to helping you find more time to read. Whitney is joined by three other members of Arizona's Family who are avid readers. From audiobooks, to finding books you love, they talk about their favorite ways to squeeze reading time into their busy lives. The crew also talks about their favorite books of the year! 

It's the end of the year, so our host Whitney Clark is taking a look back at her favorite books of the year! She picks her top ten, and a few of the authors appeared on the podcast earlier this year. That includes Kristin Hannah who wrote "The Women," Kate Quinn of "The Briar Club," and Stephen Rowley the author of "The Guncle Abroad."

If you don't love Arizona quite yet, get ready to fall in love! In this episode we're joined by Roger Naylor. He's an Arizona-based travel writer and author in Arizona who's out with a new book called "Arizona National Parks and Monuments." It's a comprehensive guide to the 34 national park units in the state, including everything from the Grand Canyon to the smaller sites like the Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Roger shares his favorite things about the parks and gives some tips if you want to travel this winter. 

This episode features an Arizona author and her debut novel! "All Our Wars" by Stephanie Vasquez is out now. It's a fictionalized organized crime thriller featuring the daughter of a high-ranking Mexican cartel leader. After Sofia De Luna's mother was murdered, Sofia has to make some tough choices about her family business. It's a love story with dual timelines for fans of shows like Netflix's "Narcos." Vasquez grew up in Tucson and studied Journalism and Latin American studies at the University of Arizona. She's written for a number of publications, including the Tombstone Epitaph. She talks about why she is drawn to stories about families, which TV shows and movies inspired her book, and how she became a published author through a contest.