Marginalia

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Marginalia is an on-air commentary and podcast hosted by KMUW's Beth Golay. Each episode features author interviews, editorial commentary and other marginalia to enhance the reading experience.

KMUW Studios


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 255 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Marginalia podcast is a hidden gem for book lovers and avid readers looking for in-depth interviews with their favorite authors. I stumbled upon this podcast while searching for an interview with Amor Towles about his book, "The Lincoln Highway," and was immediately drawn in by the interviewer's skill in allowing the author to freely express his thoughts without interruption. This podcast has quickly become my go-to source for finding new and interesting authors to add to my reading list.

    One of the best aspects of The Marginalia podcast is the quality of the interviews. The host seems to have done her homework, as she asks well-thought-out questions that delve into the author's writing process, inspirations, and themes within their works. This leads to insightful and engaging conversations that not only enhance my reading experience but also provide a deeper understanding of the author's intentions behind their work. Additionally, I appreciate how the host allows the authors ample time to speak without cutting them off, creating a relaxed and comfortable environment for discussion.

    Another great feature of this podcast is its ability to introduce listeners to new authors. While searching for specific interviews, I discovered several other episodes featuring authors I had never heard of before but piqued my interest. This has allowed me to expand my literary horizons by exploring different genres and styles that I may not have otherwise considered. The variety of guests on The Marginalia podcast spans both literary fiction and non-fiction, offering a diverse range of perspectives and insights.

    Despite its many positives, one possible downside of this podcast is that it may not appeal to those who are not avid readers or interested in literature. The content can be quite niche at times, focusing exclusively on book-related topics rather than branching out into other areas such as film or music. However, for dedicated book enthusiasts like myself, this narrow focus is actually a strength as it provides an in-depth exploration of literature from various angles.

    In conclusion, The Marginalia podcast is a must-listen for anyone passionate about books and literature. It offers engaging and insightful interviews with authors, allowing listeners to gain a deeper understanding of their favorite books and discover new authors to add to their reading list. The host's well-prepared questions and relaxed interview style create an enjoyable listening experience that keeps me coming back for more. I highly recommend this podcast to fellow book lovers who are looking for thought-provoking conversations about the written word.



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    Latest episodes from Marginalia

    Maria Reva on her novel, 'Endling'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 30:59


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Maria Reva about her characters and how she incorporates her own life into "Endling."

    Tash Aw on his new novel, 'The South'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 21:12


    Beth Golay recently spoke with author Tash Aw about "The South," which follows a family one summer as they move to an inherited farm in southern Malaysia.

    Mary Morris on her new novel, 'The Red House'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 26:47


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Mary Morris about her Italian travels that led to the book "The Red House," her own connections with the characters, and more.

    Amanda Hess on her book, 'Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 22:53


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Amanda Hess, who works as a critic-at-large for the New York Times, where she writes about culture and the internet about her book, "Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age."

    Annie Hartnett on her new novel, 'The Road to Tender Hearts'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 34:37


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Annie Hartnett about the inspiration behind "The Road to Tender Hearts" and her unique voice that blends the true to life issues of loss and pain with a hint of magical realism.

    Jo Harkin on her historical novel, 'The Pretender'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 18:22


    When Jo Harkin was in the middle of writing a science fiction novel, she took a procrastination break to read a book about kings and queens. That's when she came across the name Lambert Simnel in footnotes of British history, a known pretender to Henry VII's throne. In her novel, "The Pretender," Harkin elevates Simnel from the footnotes to an imagined history, filling in with fiction what written history might have left out. KMUW's Beth Golay talked to Harkin.

    Andrew Porter on his new novel, 'The Imagined Life'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 14:11


    How much do we really want to know about our parents' past lives? Author Andrew Porter recently told KMUW's Beth Golay that this is just one question addressed in his novel, "The Imagined Life."

    Visiting poet Michael Prior on his two collections 'Model Disciple' and 'Burning Province'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 24:13


    The Writing Now | Reading Now: Reading with visiting poet Michael Prior will begin at 6 pm on Tuesday, April 8th at the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University following a 5:30 pm reception.

    Sarah Kay on her poetry collection, 'A Little Daylight Left'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 35:33


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Sarah Kay about her new collection of poetry, A Little Daylight Left.

    Ron Currie on his new novel, 'The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 24:17


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Ron Currie about "The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne" and what we can expect to see from him in the future.

    Evie Wyld on 'The Echoes'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 16:34


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Evie Wyld about her novel, 'The Echoes,' which touches on the indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history in Australia.

    Karen Russell on her new novel, 'The Antidote'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 32:08


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Karen Russell about where her novel "The Antidote" began for her.

    Nathaniel Ian Miller on his new novel, 'Red Dog Farm'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 21:59


    Beth Golay recently poke with Nathaniel Ian Miller about the relationship dynamics in "Red Dog Farm," and how he accidentally wrote a second book set in a cold and remote environment.

    Sophie Madeline Dess on her debut novel, 'What You Make of Me'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 18:57


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Sophie Madeline Dess about the different artistic mediums featured in her debut novel, "What You Make of Me."

    dess debut novel what you make
    Eric Puchner on his new novel, 'Dream State'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 17:13


    In his new novel, author Eric Puchner's "Dream State" explores the effects of climate change through a multi-generational saga. As he tells KMUW's Beth Golay, it begins when two people fall in love.

    Tova Mirvis on her new novel, 'We Would Never'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 17:05


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Tova Mirvis about her novel "We Would Never," inspired by the discovery of a true crime story.

    new novel tova mirvis
    Mischa Berlinski on Shakespeare, actors and 'Mona Acts Out'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 23:49


    "Mona Acts Out" by Mischa Berlinski is a novel set in the world of theatre in New York City, specifically, Shakespearean theatre. KMUW's Beth Golay visited with Berlinski about his novel, and how the #MeToo movement affected his characters and his plot.

    Lola Kirke on her new book, 'Wild West Village'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 13:45


    Lola Kirke grew up feeling like an outsider in her larger-than-life family of creatives. In her new book titled "Wild West Village," she details some of the memories of growing up in that family, and, as she told KMUW's Beth Golay, how the experience influenced who she is today - an actress and country music singer.

    Adam Ross on his new novel, 'Playworld'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 32:39


    In his new coming-of-age novel, Playworld, author Adam Ross writes about a child actor who must also deal with school, young crushes, adults behaving badly, and the many challenges that come with being a teenage. As he told KMUW's Beth Golay, this fictional account rhymes with his own life.

    Adam Haslett on his new novel, 'Mothers and Sons'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 20:22


    Pulitzer Prize–finalist Adam Haslett has a new novel out today titled, Mothers and Sons. The book explores grief, immigration, sexuality and politics.

    Philip Nel on 'How to Draw the World: Harold and the Purple Crayon and the Making of a Children's Classic'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 26:46


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Philip Nel about the structure of his new book "How to Draw the World: Harold and the Purple Crayon and the Making of a Children's Classic," as well as some of the historical context surrounding the book's publication.

    Lily Tuck on her new novel, 'The Rest is Memory'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 10:40


    National Book Award-winner Lily Tuck has a new novel out that's a haunting blend of fact with fiction. KMUW's Beth Golay recently spoke with Tuck about the piece of history that served as inspiration for her book.

    Jane Pek on 'The Rivals' - the second book in her mystery series

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 20:56


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Jane Pek about her mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Claudia Lin.

    Juhea Kim on her sophomore novel, 'City of Night Birds'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 25:21


    KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Juhea Kim about her sophomore novel, City of Night Birds, set in the complex world of the Russian ballet.

    Billy Collins on his new poetry collection, 'Water, Water'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 24:42


    Beth Golay recently spoke with two-time US Poet Laureate Billy Collins about his new poetry collection, "Water, Water."

    Melanie Cheng on her novel 'The Burrow'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 25:47


    KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Melanie Cheng about her novel, 'The Burrow,' a beautiful look at a family dealing with grief.

    burrow melanie cheng kmuw
    Sy Montgomery on her new book, 'What the Chicken Knows'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 15:33


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Sy Montgomery about what we should know about the world's most familiar bird, and what the bird actually knows.

    Holly Wilson on her debut novel, 'Kittentits'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 23:29


    Holly Wilson will be at the Ulrich Museum on Wednesday, October 30, beginning at 5:30 pm for the Writing Now Reading Now program.

    debut novel holly wilson
    Anna Montague on her debut novel, 'How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund?'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 17:02


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Anna Montague about her debut novel "How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Ecklund?" and the complexities of grief, friendship, and self-discovery explored through the lens of a therapist.

    Charles Baxter on his new book, 'Blood Test: A Comedy'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 20:12


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Charles Baxter about comedic writing and some of the real world businesses that predict our future actions in order to make money.

    Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin on their new book for young readers, 'The Bletchley Riddle'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 21:31


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin about "The Bletchley Riddle," their first collaboration with each other.

    Sarah Smarsh on her collection of essays, 'Bone of the Bone'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 20:13


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "Bone of the Bone" author Sarah Smarsh.

    Lauren Elkin on her novel, 'Scaffolding'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 20:45


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "Scaffolding" author, Lauren Elkin, about exploring grief, desire, love and fidelity.

    Melissa Petro on her novel, 'Shame on You: How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 22:35


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "Shame on You" author Melissa Petro about her experience with shame and the unique ways women experience different forms of shame in her book.

    Colm Tóibín on his new book of essays, 'On James Baldwin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 29:48


    On what would have been James Baldwin's 100th birthday, KMUW's Beth Golay spoke with Colm Tóibín about his new collection of essays, "On James Baldwin."

    Coco Mellors on her new novel, 'Blue Sisters'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 22:28


    KMUW's Beth Golay speaks with author Coco Mellors about family, grief and addiction in her novel 'Blue Sisters'.

    Amanda Jones on being 'That Librarian'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 21:10


    When school librarian, Amanda Jones, spoke out against censorship at a public library board meeting in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, she had no idea she would later see her own image in a targeted attack on social media.

    Priscilla Morris on her novel, 'Black Butterflies'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 31:04


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "Black Butterflies" author, Priscilla Morris, about the impact of art during conflict, the challenges faced during the Siege of Sarajevo, the humanizing portrayal of war refugees in the novel, and more.

    Kristopher Jansma on his new novel, 'Our Narrow Hiding Places'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 37:19


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Kristopher Jansma about the hardship and lasting effects of generational trauma in "Our Narrow Hiding Places."

    Jessica Anthony on her new novel, "The Most"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 29:41


    At first glance, Jessica Anthony's novel, The Most, takes place on a single unseasonably hot day in November 1957. But as she tells KMUW's Beth Golay, Anthony uses memory and perspective to explore the history of a marriage.

    Juliet Grames on her new novel, 'The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 27:54


    Beth Golay recently spoke with Juliet Grapes about her new novel, "The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia." The book is a mystery packed with intricate family secrets, interconnected family trees, danger, and vivid country-Italian culture.

    Kevin Barry on his new novel, 'The Heart in Winter'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 20:08


    In Kevin Barry's The Heart in Winter, an Irish immigrant living in Butte, Montana, falls in love with another man's mail order bride.

    Ben Shattuck on his new story collection, 'The History of Sound'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 27:32


    Beth Golay recently spoke with author Ben Shattuck about the quality of audiobooks, his story being adapted into a movie and more.

    Hampton Sides on Captain James Cook and 'The Wide Wide Sea'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 32:20


    Beth Golay visits with Hampton Sides about his new book, "The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook".

    Liz Moore on her new novel, 'The God of the Woods'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 16:35


    Beth Golay recently spoke with author Liz Moore about her new novel, "The God of the Woods."

    Catherine Newman on her new novel, 'Sandwich'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 16:57


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "Sandwich" author, Catherine Newman.

    Claire Lombardo on her sophomore novel, 'Same As It Ever Was'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 21:14


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "Same As It Ever Was" author, Claire Lombardo about capturing Julia's voice throughout the decades and the challenges of writing a second novel following the success of her debut, "The Most Fun We Ever Had."

    Nicola Yoon on her new adult novel, 'One of Our Kind'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 18:15


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "One of Our Kind' author, Nicola Yoon about Jasmyn's complicated view of the world, the real-world issues discussed in the novel, and more.

    Sarah Gilmartin on her novel 'Service'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 27:22


    Beth Golay spoke with "Service" author, Sarah Gilmartin about the rise of the Me Too movement in Ireland, writing from uncommon perspectives, and more.

    Yael van der Wouden on her debut novel, 'The Safekeep'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 29:40


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Safekeep" author, Yael van der Wouden about Isabel's relationship with her brothers, how the post World War II setting shapes the book, and more.

    Jaclyn Goldis on 'The Main Character'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 15:29


    Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Main Character" author, Jaclyn Goldis about her love of mysteries, how she plots her stories, and her background in economics and law.

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