Bookreporter Talks To

Kathryn Stockett joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, THE CALAMITY CLUB, her first book since THE HELP (which was published in 2009) and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The story is set in Mississippi during the Great Depression and follows a group of scrappy, strong-willed women who work together to conquer challenges they face, knowing that there are no men to save them. The novel also addresses the societal expectations and hypocrisies of the 1920s and '30s. Kathryn balances the book's serious historical themes with humor. Initially she tried to write a cautious, bland tale that was different from THE HELP to avoid similar criticism, but she realized after a number of years that it lacked heart. Kathryn also discusses the novel's length, which she justifies by the character development and story complexity. She drew a lot of inspiration from her own mother, to whom THE CALAMITY CLUB is dedicated. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Laura Dave joined us for a "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event to discuss her instant New York Times bestseller, THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM, a Reese's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Laura shared how she came to write the sequel to THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME and what matters to her when it comes to writing and her writing process. She also talked about the screen adaptations of her books, giving readers a great deal of insight into how those are created. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Susan Patterson joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB, which she wrote with her husband, James Patterson. Set in Lake Como, Italy, the story revolves around four mothers and their five daughters, exploring mother-daughter relationships through a book club. Three of the mothers met at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is Susan's alma mater. The book evolved naturally from the success and themes of their previous collaboration, THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER.   Susan and James decided to structure chapters by character point of view to make it easier for readers to follow multiple characters. Lake Como was selected because it represents one of the most beautiful places, with a perfect landscape, mountains, water and food. Please note that some of the questions for this interview came from readers who won an advance copy of the book in a previous Bookreporter contest. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lisa Ridzén joined us from Sweden for a "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event about her internationally bestselling debut novel, WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH, which also was the Swedish Book of the Year and a Bookreporter Bets On pick. This was a very special program with smart questions from our readers. Lisa was completely engaged and brilliantly shared her inspiration for writing the book. She also talked about having a work in translation as it originally was written in Swedish and is now published in 45 countries. The enthusiasm from our attendees was clear, and there was lots of agreement on why it is a great book group selection, as well as one where the message will stay with you. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Jane Harper joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her sixth novel, LAST ONE OUT, which is set in Carralon Ridge, a dying rural Australian mining town that has become a shadow of its former self due to an industrial mining operation. It follows Ro Crowley as she returns annually to investigate her son Sam's disappearance on the eve of his 21st birthday five years earlier. This is Harper's first book with a female main character after five previous novels featuring male protagonists. She explains why Ro was the perfect character to tell this story. She also talks about the three houses near where Sam disappeared, which are almost characters themselves. Harper took a three-year break between books to avoid burnout and spend time with her young children. She returned refreshed to write this novel. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Devi S. Laskar joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her third novel, MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR, which is primarily set in the years after 9/11. The protagonist, Rita Das, is a journalist inspired by Christiane Amanpour and Sylvia Poggioli, who planted themselves in conflict zones for their reporting. The book explores both personal and professional challenges faced by Rita, who is running from conflicts in her own life into parts of the world where she finds herself in unknown political circumstances as she works. She has complicated relationships, including a rocky marriage, a lover, a sick mother, and difficulties with her father. The unnamed location where Rita is stationed allows readers to focus on universal themes rather than specific geopolitical details. It provides a look at a time when journalism was much more fact-based than it is now, where the most important thing seems to be "being first" instead of "being right." Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Allison Pataki joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, IT GIRL, which is a USA Today bestseller and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Allison shares that her inspiration for the book was Evelyn Nesbit, one of the Gibson Girls of the early 20th century, who became America's first self-made female celebrity and "It Girl," rising from poverty in Pittsburgh to Broadway stardom. The story takes place during a transformative period following the Gilded Age with new technology like electricity, automobiles and cameras, and the birth of Broadway as the "Great White Way." It examines the exploitation of young women in early celebrity culture while exploring themes of survival, agency and female empowerment. Allison and Carol also talk about their mutual love of audiobooks. Carol listened to IT GIRL and appreciated Barrie Kreinik's narration. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Patrick Ryan joined us for March's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group. We had a brilliant conversation about his debut novel, BUCKEYE, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Readers from across the country shared their questions about the plot, the characters, the cover, the audiobook --- and so much more. Patrick noted that the book took six years to write and two years to edit. He discussed his inspiration for it, which included trips to see family in Ohio on summer vacations from his home in Florida. He also talked about the map he constructed of the town of Bonhomie to ensure that he had scenes set in the right places. This interview has lots of information for those who are scheduling book group discussions. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Patricia Finn joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her novel, THE GOLDEN BOY, a complex, non-linear narrative about marriage, friendship and redemption that spans multiple timelines. The book explores themes of memory, identity, exile and atonement through the lives of Stafford and Agnes, a wealthy couple who are living on Maui when readers first meet them. The novel's structure consists of three parts: marriage (a 24-hour period on Maui), friendship (non-linear memories) and found family. This is Patricia's first novel at the age of 71, and she talks about how her background — which includes television writing, ghostwriting, corporate communications and crisis management — informs her literary approach. She notes that she used the real-life trial of Steven Truscott from 1959 to explore themes of justice and moral choices. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lily King joined us for February's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her most recent novel, HEART THE LOVER, which is an instant New York Times bestseller and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Eight readers joined us on camera to ask Lily questions about the plot and its various twists (spoilers ARE included), as well as character development, her writing process, the book's title and cover, and much more. Other members of the audience, who submitted their questions via Zoom's Q&A feature, were curious to know about Lily's involvement with the production of the audiobook (which is narrated by Rebecca Lowman) and what she's most proud of about HEART THE LOVER. Lily is currently on vacation, so we really appreciate her taking the time to join us. Carol and Tom loved the lively conversation and the enthusiasm that our readers continue to show for this book. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Sadeqa Johnson joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN. Like her earlier two works of historical fiction, it is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Sadeqa shares that she found a piece about the Brown Babies when she was doing research for THE HOUSE OF EVE. The story was calling to her, but she put it aside to finish that book. She learned more about the Brown Babies and Mabel Grammer, the inspiration for her character Ethel Gathers, in both Ebony and Jet magazines. Bringing these children from Germany to the United States brought lots of press; there is even a documentary called Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story. Sadeqa talks about crafting the three different characters the way that she did and the challenge of parsing their stories together. She also expresses her love of the audiobook, which features three voice actors --- Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton and Adam Lazarre-White --- the latter of whom she came to admire when he narrated S. A. Cosby's work. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Wendy Walker joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new thriller, BLADE, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is set in the world of competitive figure skating. The novel, which draws from Wendy's personal experience as a competitive figure skater (she trained in Colorado from ages 13 to 16), features alternating timelines that follow attorney Ana Robbins, who returns to her former skating facility to defend a young skater accused of murder. Wendy talks about the book's themes of isolation, the pressure on young athletes, and the psychological impact of competitive sports. The dual-timeline structure allows readers to see connections between past and present events. And with the Winter Olympics airing, she touches on the importance of nailing the triple axel. Wendy has expanded her career to include producing audio originals. She shares how creating audio content differs from writing novels, including being able to rewrite lines during recording sessions, and various writing techniques, such as minimizing dialogue tags. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Ashley Elston joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her New York Times bestseller, ANATOMY OF AN ALIBI, which also is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Ashley reveals that she rewrote the book three times, changing structure, timeline and point of view. She shares the character she began with, and how the others evolved, as well as what stayed the same from the very start. Ashley was thinking about the Murdaugh family murders and how technology can help with an alibi as much as it can hurt it. She confirms that she is under contract for a new book and updates us on what is happening with the film/TV development deal for her 2024 novel, FIRST LIE WINS. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Paula McLain joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, SKYLARK. Paula has been enthralled with Paris since her 2011 bestseller, THE PARIS WIFE. Her new book features dual timelines set in Paris --- one in 1664 and the other in the 1940s during the Nazi occupation. The characters face parallel struggles across different time periods. Both storylines address how people find meaning and hope through connections with others. In SKYLARK, the underground tunnels beneath Paris serve as a space of refuge and resistance throughout history. Paula conducted extensive research, including physically exploring the city's underground tunnel network. She wanted to create a "drilled-down view" of Paris rather than the glamorous cafés portrayed in her earlier work. In addition to talking about how she worked with her editor, Peter Borland, to weave the two stories together, Paula discusses the audiobook narration by Alexa Davalos and Michiel Huisman, both of whom captured the emotional essence of the characters. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Allen Levi joined us for January's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss his New York Times bestselling debut novel, THEO OF GOLDEN. The audience clearly was mesmerized by the insight he gave into the characters and setting. Allen talked about his inspiration for writing the book and expressed his appreciation for how it has resonated with so many people. He thoughtfully responded to a number of reader questions. Some were asked by attendees who appeared on the virtual stage, while Carol Fitzgerald shared questions and comments from those who were camera-shy or weren't able to attend. Allen also updated us on the project that he is working on now --- and yes, it features Ellen. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Belle Burden joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her memoir, STRANGERS, which details how her husband abruptly left their marriage during the early days of the pandemic. The book, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection, chronicles Belle's journey from shock and grief to rebuilding her life as a writer and single mother. Belle started writing about her experience after her divorce was finalized in 2022, feeling "a burning need to write down what had happened." She initially wrote a piece for the New York Times "Modern Love" column, which ran in June 2023. Following the article's publication, Belle was contacted by editors who suggested turning it into a book. The trauma of her divorce reconnected her with her desire to write, which she had abandoned in college. She explains how the divorce affected her children and her approach to parenting through the crisis. Belle admits that she handed over financial authority to her husband, despite her being a former corporate lawyer. She has advised her daughters to "never let go of their own financial authority." Belle sees her memoir as reclaiming her narrative rather than letting others define her story. She connects her experience to broader patterns of women's silence and how it allows others to control their narratives. For her, writing the book was an act of agency and authenticity. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Rebecca Armitage joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her debut novel, THE HEIR APPARENT, which was a Reese's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Rebecca describes the book as a modern-day fairy tale. Lexi, who is living in Tasmania and training to be a doctor, is summoned home after a skiing accident kills her father and critically injures her brother. Her grandmother is the Queen of England; she is the heir apparent and must return to London. Carol loved the cinematic opening scene with the helicopter landing to whisk Lexi away from her life in Australia. Rebecca drew upon her experience as a journalist covering the royal family to create an authentic portrayal of their lives. The story centers on Lexi's decision between duty to the crown and personal freedom, complicated by a secret that could prevent her from taking the throne. The relationships in the book highlight the sacrifices required by royal life and explore whether or not genuine connections can survive within the constraints of the monarchy. Rebecca discusses the Australian setting, particularly Tasmania, and its significance in the book. She shares that she moved to Tasmania during the pandemic and realized that it was the perfect place for Lexi's escape. There is a contrast between controlled palace life and Tasmania's wild, natural environment. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Carol Fitzgerald shares commentary about her 42 Bookreporter Bets On selections from 2025. These are books that she is betting Bookreporter readers will love! (* means a video/podcast interview with that author is available.)  Fiction Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall * The Correspondent by Virginia Evans * The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb Heart the Lover by Lily King * Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins * Culpability by Bruce Holsinger * The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage (* to come) Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson * More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova * What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange * When the Cranes Fly South written by Lisa Ridzén, translated by Alice Menzies What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown Pictures of You by Clare Leslie Hall * Days You Were Mine by Clare Leslie Hall *  Historical Fiction The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis * Atmosphere: A Love Story, by Taylor Jenkins Reid One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter * Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray * The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman * Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton * Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely? by Sarah McCoy Thrillers & Mysteries The Doorman by Chris Pavone * Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow * Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark * All This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan * The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney Saltwater by Katy Hays * Please Don't Lie by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict * The Oligarch's Daughter by Joseph Finder * The Break-In by Katherine Faulkner The Note by Alafair Burke The Maid's Secret: A Maid Novel, by Nita Prose * Memoirs & Other Nonfiction Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, by Michelle Horton * Seeking Shelter: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America, by Jeff Hobbs * This Happened to Me: A Reckoning, by Kate Price Boat Baby: A Memoir, by Vicky Nguyen * Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Carol Fitzgerald and Tom Donadio talked to eight Bookreporter reviewers about two of their favorite books of 2025. Our guests were Sarah Rachel Egelman, Megan Elliott, Harvey Freedenberg, Pamela Kramer, Bronwyn Miller, Rebecca Munro, Norah Piehl and Stuart Shiffman. Kate Ayers and Ray Palen, who have appeared on previous programs, were not able to join us live. But we showed Ray's presentation on video, and we shared Kate's picks, along with brief excerpts from her reviews of those books. 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: https://www.bookreporter.com/sites/default/files/Bookaccino_Live_Special_Event_Bookreporter_Reviewers_Share_Their_Favorite_Books_of_2025.pdf Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Vicky Nguyen joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her memoir, BOAT BABY, which is about her experience as a Vietnamese refugee who came to America as an eight-month-old "boat baby" in 1979. She talks about the challenges of growing up as a child of immigrants, navigating cultural differences, and her path to becoming an NBC News correspondent. The interview includes honest conversation about multi-generational living, parenting approaches across cultures, and the importance of maintaining immigrant values while assimilating. Vicky emphasizes how her parents' work ethic, optimism and risk-taking shaped her career and personal life. Here is a link to the "Today" show piece where Vicky and her family met up with the couple from Eugene, Oregon, who sponsored them when they came to America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqc3jREhovE Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Clare Leslie Hall joined us for November's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her New York Times bestseller, BROKEN COUNTRY, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that has received numerous "Best Of 2025" accolades. Clare talks about her inspiration for the novel, as well as the different paths that she took to writing it. She shares details on the development of her characters and explains how the trial was woven throughout the pages. She also touches on her earlier books, PICTURES OF HIM and DAYS YOU WERE MINE, which released this summer in the US as trade paperbacks. PLEASE NOTE: Spoilers are included in this program! Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/-X7szSaX-DE Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/9DTZoKTNAOA Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0 Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

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: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0 Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions