PODCAST · arts
Books Connect Us
by Penguin Random House
We’re staying connected with each other and the stories and authors who inspire us. BOOKS CONNECT US brings you brand new conversations with some of your favorite authors.
Episodes
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The Storied History of Johnny Carson with Mark Malkoff | LOVE JOHNNY CARSON
Mark Malkoff discusses his book LOVE JOHNNY CARSON, sharing untold stories about the King of Late Night and his legendary TV tenure. Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714761/love-johnny-carson-by-mark-malkoff-with-david-ritz/ --
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How Do Elise Kova & Danielle Jensen Write Unforgettable Characters?
Elise Kova (ARCANA ACADEMY) and Danielle L. Jensen (A FATE INKED IN BLOOD) walk through how they build their fantasy worlds and write unforgettable characters. About ARCANA ACADEMY: Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal…
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The Magical True Story Behind RAISING HARE with Chloe Dalton
Chloe Dalton discusses her memoir RAISING HARE, sharing the magical experience of raising a wild animal and how it inspired her New York Times bestseller. She is joined by Bianca Ducasse, her book marketer from Penguin Random House. Read the book:...
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Sarah MacLean and Ali Hazelwood in conversation | THESE SUMMER STORMS
Join bestselling authors Sarah MacLean and Ali Hazelwood as they discuss Sarah's new novel THESE SUMMER STORMS. Learn about the inspiration behind this family saga, the challenges of writing contemporary romance, and the process of crafting a compelling "hot fixer" hero. THESE SUMMER STORMS by...
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TJ Alexander on Queering the Historical Romance Genre | A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS
TJ Alexander dives into A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS, their queer Regency romance with a genderfluid lead, discussing how they joyfully upend genre conventions and embrace expansive representation in a Bridgerton-obsessed world, and write with a specific queer audience in mind while welcoming a broader...
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Molly Crabapple and Morgan Bassichis on the Jewish Labor Bund | HERE WHERE WE LIVE IS OUR COUNTRY
Molly Crabapple sits down with Morgan Bassichis to talk about her new book HERE WHERE WE LIVE IS OUR COUNTRY, a lively and deeply researched history of the Jewish Labor Bund. They explore how this secular socialist movement fought for dignity and equality in Eastern Europe, the central roles…
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Ibram X. Kendi and Heather McGhee on the world’s most dangerous conspiracy theory | CHAIN OF IDEAS
Authors Ibram X. Kendi (HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST) and Heather McGhee (THE SUM OF US) discuss Dr. Kendi’s new book CHAIN OF IDEAS: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age. They break down the Great Replacement Theory, which Kendi calls the most dominant and dangerous political idea of our time…
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Terry Brooks & Delilah S. Dawson in Conversation on The Future of SHANNARA
Authors Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson sit down to discuss the future of the SHANNARA series, as Brooks passes the torch to Dawson to continue his beloved world. The two longtime friends share how their collaboration works, what fans can expect, and why Dawson is the perfect person to carry…
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Eddie Huang on romcoms, fame, and his new book COME UNDONE | In conversation w/ Chris Jackson
Eddie Huang is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Fresh Off the Boat. His subversively funny first novel COME UNDONE delivers a portrait of a haunted manchild and his messy search for love. Eddie sits down with his editor and publisher Chris Jackson for a frank conversation about...
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Matt Dinniman, author of DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL and OPERATION BOUNCE HOUSE
Dungeon Crawler Carl author, Matt Dinniman, talks about how video games influence his writing, how he got into LitRPG, the next entry in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, as well as adaptation news and his new science fiction thriller, Operation Bounce House. Matt Dinniman:...
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Andy Weir on the PROJECT HAIL MARY movie adaptation
Bestselling author Andy Weir—and his longtime book editor Julian Pavia—break down Andy's role in the Project Hail Mary movie adaptation. They discuss the most critical things to get right, the parts Andy was nervous about, and the challenges with bringing Rocky to life. Project Hail Mary:...
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Emily Henry, romcom Queen and author of the #1 NYT Bestseller, HAPPY PLACE
On today’s season finale we welcome the delightful Emily Henry, author of bestsellers Beach Read, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation and, most recently the #1 NYT Bestselling Happy Place. Alyssa and Emily vibe out talking about romcom inspiration, fancasting, the ways art informs life (and...
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Haley Jakobson, author of the astute and funny OLD ENOUGH
Happy Pride from Books Connect Us! In honor of Pride, today’s guest is Haley Jakobson, author of the astute and funny bisexual debut Old Enough, on sale June 20. Carolina chats with Haley about all things identity: finding ourselves while we’re still “hurtling towards the person we’re becoming,”...
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SUMMER READING SPECIAL! (with Carolina + Alyssa)
Join us for a super-fun, laugh-out-loud Summer Reading Picks episode! Carolina and Alyssa talk: books they love, books they can’t wait to read, horror movies, celebs they went to high school with, tips for writing, finding inspiration and reading al fresco. CAROLINA RECOMMENDS: Natural Beauty by...
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ROMANCE ROUNDTABLE! (Featuring Amanda Elliot and Kosoko Jackson)
On a very exciting episode of BOOKS CONNECT US, Carolina and Alyssa host their first Roundtable. Joined by Amanda Elliot (author of Sadie on a Plate and Best Served Hot) and Kosoko Jackson (author of I’m So Not Over You and Dash of Salt and Pepper), this roundtable’s theme is romance! We discuss:...
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Chrissy King, author of THE BODY LIBERATION PROJECT
Today on the podcast, Carolina and Alyssa interview Chrissy King, author of THE BODY LIBERATION PROJECT, about the way our intersecting identities impact our body image, how and why body and beauty standards are rooted in racism and how we can overcome it all to liberate ourselves and bodies....
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Szilvia Molnar, author of THE NURSERY
Today on BOOKS CONNECT US, Lisa Lucas, SVP and Publisher of Pantheon talks about motherhood and mental health with Szilvia Molnar, author of The Nursery. The two share a thought-provoking conversation about the rawness and realness of becoming a mother, and ask the question — does the world make...
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Sarah Thankam Mathews, author of All This Could Be Different
On today’s episode, we talk to National Book Award finalist Sarah Thankam Mathews about her debut novel, ALL THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT, a warm, dazzling, and profound saga of queer love, friendship, work, and precarity in twenty-first century America. Carolina talks to Sarah about the political...
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Dani Shapiro, author of SIGNAL FIRES and INHERITANCE
This week on BOOKS CONNECT US, we welcome Dani Shapiro, author of eleven books , most recently Signal Fires, which won the National Jewish Books Award and Inheritance, which was a New York Times Bestseller. Alyssa and Dani go deep, discussing the intersection of memory and imagination while...
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Lakiesha Carr, author of the intimate AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SKIN
This episode, we welcome Lakiesha Carr and her Knopf editor, Maria Goldverg. Lakeisha is the author of AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SKIN, a profound and tender look at Black womanhood. Maria and Lakiesha discuss the intimacy required to write fiction, the importance of intergenerational connections, and…
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Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of TAKE MY HAND
This episode, we welcome Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the unforgettable and deeply profound TAKE MY HAND, which won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction. Carolina talks to Dolen about her writing and research process, the true-life inspiration behind TAKE MY HAND and…
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Eleanor Shearer, author of the beautiful RIVER SING ME HOME
In today’s episode, we talk to Eleanor Shearer, author of the gripping and beautiful RIVER SING ME HOME, which was a GMA Book Club Pick. Carolina chats with Eleanor about finding time for creative writing (especially within the confines of a day job), traveling to the Caribbean for her novel and...
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Joanne Lee Molinaro, author of the James Beard Award-Winning, NYT Bestseller THE KOREAN VEGAN COOKBOOK
Today, we talk to NYT Bestselling and James Beard Award-winning author of The Korean Vegan Cookbook , Joanne Lee Molinaro. Alyssa chats with Joanne about representation, the writing and publishing process, family stories and how they seep into our writing, and much more! Be sure to stick around…
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How Do Authors Portray Their Origin Stories? (Plus, meet your new hosts!)
In today’s episode, get to know Alyssa Adler and Carolina Meurkens, the new hosts of BOOKS CONNECT US! We chat about what’s in store for the new season, how authors portray their origin stories and have fun laughing about what books inspired us growing up (and as adults). All new season of author...
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An exciting new season of BOOKS CONNECT US!
This brand new season of BOOKS CONNECT US will keep you connected with the authors and stories that inspire you, and bring you the inside scoop on “the story behind the story”. Join hosts Alyssa Adler and Carolina Meurkens in conversation with diverse authors, as they discuss how identity impacts...
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Sathnam Sanghera, author EMPIRELAND, on the hidden legacies and modern realities of the British empire
The new book EMPIRELAND is an illuminating tour through the hidden legacies and modern realities of British empire that exposes how much of the present-day United Kingdom is actually rooted in its colonial past. In accessible, witty prose, award-winning journalist and best-selling author Sathnam...
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George R.R. Martin, author of the acclaimed series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE
George R. R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including those of the acclaimed series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, upon which the iconic HBO series GAME OF THRONES is based. FIRE & BLOOD is his thrilling history of the Targaryans, which is the inspiration for the new...
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George Saunders, author of LINCOLN IN THE BARDO and LIBERATION DAY
George Saunders is the author of nine books, including the novel LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, which won the Man Booker Prize, and the brand-new short story collection LIBERATION DAY. On today's episode George is in conversation with Matt Rodbard, host of the popular food culture show THE TASTE PODCAST....
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Sarah Thankam Mathews, author of ALL THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT
Sarah Thankam Mathews is a recipient of fellowships from the Asian American Writers’ Workshop and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and her work has been published in Best American Short Stories. ALL THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT is her electrifying novel of a young immigrant building a life for herself—a...
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Clancy Martin, acclaimed author of HOW TO SELL and his new book HOW NOT TO KILL YOURSELF
Clancy Martin is the acclaimed author of the novel HOW TO SELL, numerous books on philosophy, and the viral essay, “I’m Still Here.” He is the survivor of more than ten suicide attempts and a recovering alcoholic. His new book HOW NOT TO KILL YOURSELF is an intimate, insightful, at times even...
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Ali Hazelwood, author of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS and LOVE ON THE BRAIN
Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times bestselling author of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, as well as the writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever-after is not always happy. Her new romance novel LOVE ON THE BRAIN revolves around a scientist who is forced…
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Susan Elia MacNeal, author of the new thriller MOTHER DAUGHTER TRAITOR SPY
Susan Elia MacNeal is the New York Times bestselling author of the MAGGIE HOPE mysteries. In her new thriller MOTHER DAUGHTER TRAITOR SPY, a mother and daughter find the courage to go undercover after stumbling upon a Nazi cell in Los Angeles during the early days of World War II. Inspired by the...
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Laura Warrell, author of SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM
Laura Warrell's work has appeared in HuffPost, The Rumpus, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among other publications. SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM is her provocative debut novel about the perennial temptations of dangerous love, told by the women who love Circus Palmer—trumpet player and...
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Laura Warrell, author of the new novel SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM
Laura Warrell's work has appeared in HuffPost, The Rumpus, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among other publications. SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM is her provocative debut novel about the perennial temptations of dangerous love, told by the women who love Circus Palmer—trumpet player and...
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Laurie R. King, bestselling author of the Mary Russell mysteries and the new novel BACK TO THE GARDEN
Laurie R. King is the award-winning, bestselling author of seventeen Mary Russell mysteries and many other novels. In the new novel BACK TO THE GARDEN, a fifty-year-old cold case involving California royalty comes back to life—with potentially fatal consequences. This gripping tale involves…
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Ava Glass, author of the new thriller ALIAS EMMA
Ava Glass is a pseudonym for an internationally bestselling author who has sold over two and a half million copies worldwide. Ava's new novel ALIAS EMMA is a breakneck, race-against-the-clock thriller, in which a British spy has twelve hours to deliver her asset across London, after Russia hacks...
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Gabrielle Zevin, author of TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW
Gabrielle Zevin is the New York Times and internationally best-selling author of several critically acclaimed novels, including THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY and YOUNG JANE YOUNG. Her exhilarating new novel TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW is about two friends—often in love, but never…
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James Burrows, co-creator of CHEERS and director of classic sitcoms FRIENDS, FRASIER, TAXI discusses his career and new memoir DIRECTED BY JAMES BURROWS
As the legendary director of classic sitcoms such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Will & Grace, Frasier, and Friends—and the co-creator of Cheers—James Burrows has spent five decades making America laugh. His new book DIRECTED BY JAMES BURROWS is an insightful and nostalgic memoir that offers…
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Grace D. Li, author of the exciting new novel PORTRAIT OF A THIEF
Grace Li is a Chinese American writer who is currently attending medical school at Stanford University. Her debut novel PORTRAIT OF A THIEF is a lush, lyrical heist novel inspired by the true story of Chinese art vanishing from Western museums. Described as "Ocean’s Eleven meets The Farewell"…
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Cleyvis Natera, author of NERUDA ON THE PARK
Cleyvis Natera was born in the Dominican Republic, migrated to the United States at ten years old, and grew up in New York City. Her exhilarating debut novel NERUDA ON THE PARK follows members of a Dominican family in New York City who take radically different paths when faced with encroaching...
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Vanessa Hua, author of A RIVER OF STARS and FORBIDDEN CITY
Vanessa Hua is a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and the author of the novel A RIVER OF STARS and a story collection, DECEIT AND OTHER POSSIBILITIES. Her new novel FORBIDDEN CITY is an epic yet intimate portrayal of one of the world’s most powerful and least understood leaders during an...
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Fiona Davis, author of THE CHELSEA GIRLS and THE MAGNOLIA PALACE
Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including THE DOLLHOUSE, THE ADDRESS, THE MASTERPIECE, and THE CHELSEA GIRLS. Her latest is THE MAGNOLIA PALACE, a tantalizing novel about the secrets, betrayal, and murder within one of New York City’s most impressive Gilded...
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Heather McGhee, author of THE SUM OF US
Heather McGhee is an expert in economic and social policy, and now chairs the board of Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. Her new book THE SUM OF US offers a powerful exploration of inequality and the lesson that generations of Americans have failed to…
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Adriana Trigiani, author of BIG STONE GAP and the new novel THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE
Adriana Trigiani is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books, including THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE. Among her screen credits, Trigiani wrote and directed the major motion picture adaptation of her debut novel, BIG STONE GAP. Her latest work is THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE, a lush, immersive novel...
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Dr. Benjamin Gilmer, author of THE OTHER DR. GILMER, a powerful true story about a shocking crime
Dr. Benjamin Gilmer is a former neurobiologist turned rural family practitioner, Dr. Gilmer has lectured across the country about medical ethics, rural health, and the intersection of medicine and criminal justice reform. His new book THE OTHER DR. GILMER is a powerful true story about a shocking...
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Kai Harris, author of WHAT THE FIREFLIES KNEW
Kai Harris is a writer and educator from Detroit, Michigan, who uses her voice to uplift the Black community through realistic fiction centered on the Black experience. Her new book WHAT THE FIREFLIES KNEW is a coming-of-age novel told by an almost-eleven-year-old girl, as she and her sister try…
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Sarah Polley and Margaret Atwood in conversation
Sarah Polley is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, director, and actor whose films include AWAY FROM HER and TAKE THIS WALTZ. In her new essay collection RUN TOWARDS THE DANGER, Polley contemplates stories from her own life ranging from stage fright to high-risk childbirth to endangerment…
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Judd Apatow, director of THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN and author of SICKER IN THE HEAD
Judd Apatow is one of the most important comic minds of his generation. He directed the films THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, KNOCKED UP, and TRAINWRECK. His producing credits include Superbad, Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, and The Ben Stiller Show. He is the author of the interview collections SICK IN...
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Gretchen Rubin (THE HAPPINESS PROJECT) and Arthur C. Brooks (FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH)
Arthur C. Brooks is the author of the instant bestseller FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, which is a roadmap for finding purpose, meaning, and success as we age. Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and eastern wisdom—as well as dozens of interviews with everyday men and...
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Diana Gabaldon, author of the OUTLANDER series and the new novel GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE
Diana Gabaldon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular OUTLANDER novels, the basis for the hit Starz series. In her latest novel GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE the year is 1779, and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter Brianna—but the American...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Books Connect Us have?
Books Connect Us currently has 135 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Books Connect Us about?
We’re staying connected with each other and the stories and authors who inspire us. BOOKS CONNECT US brings you brand new conversations with some of your favorite authors.
How often does Books Connect Us release new episodes?
Books Connect Us publishes regularly with 135 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Books Connect Us?
You can listen to Books Connect Us on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Books Connect Us?
Books Connect Us is created and hosted by Penguin Random House.
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