Podcast appearances and mentions of asha youmans

Alii Frank and Asha Youmans, authors of "Boss Lady"

Episode 85 is Alli Frank and Asha Youmans Alli Frank has worked in education for over twenty years, from an overcrowded, cacophonous public high school to a pristine private girl's school. She has been a teacher, curriculum leader, college counselor, assistant head, school co-founder, sometimes pastor, often mayor, and de facto parent therapist. A graduate of Cornell and Stanford University, Alli lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. She is the co-author of Tiny Imperfections, Never Meant to Meet You and The Better Half and an essayist in Moms Don't Have Time to: A Quarantine Anthology.Asha Youmans is the daughter of an educational pioneer and Children's Hospital administrator, after graduating UC Berkeley Asha spent the next twenty years teaching elementary school. Asha continues to work in schools in the Pacific Northwest believing children keep her youthful, as do her husband and two sons. She is the co-author of Tiny Imperfections, Never Meant to Meet You and The Better Half.In this episode we discussed how their first three books are love letters to educators and how their most recent release THE BETTER HALF rose from the inspirations of body autonomy and the concept of arrival. We discussed how these two authors crafted their main character, taking from different inspirations and their overall mission in their writing. Finally we talked about their strengths in their teamwork, about their own meet cute, and how they make things work as co-authors.Links discussed:HOW TO NOT DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER***Order FOREVERMORE, a romance anthology, comprised of ten interconnecting romance short stories surrounding the Moore family and a wedding in Napa California. Written by ten Filipino-American authors. Pick it up at books2read.com/forevermoreNote: some links are affiliate linksContact Tif at tif@tifmarcelo.comPlease check out her website for podcast submissions

Jean Kwok joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about THE LEFTOVER WOMAN. In this book, a young woman named Jasmine had a baby girl. With China's one-child policy in place, her husband tells her the baby died, and instead arranges for an adoption to take place in the US. He wants to have a son as his one child.   The baby is adopted by a woman named Rebecca who works at a publishing company. Here Jean shares an "inside baseball" look at that industry, along with the story of the little adopted girl.    Jasmine comes to New York undocumented seeking to reunite with her daughter. Jean talks about how coming to a new country like Jasmine does is hard and how must live under the radar to support herself. And they talk about those from home that have touchpoints with you.   Jean also talks about how her own upbringing as the youngest in a family of seven found its way into this story.  Book discussed in this episode:  THE LEFTOVER WOMAN by Jean Kwok: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-leftover-woman Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/F0btsAxTPQA Ashley Audrain: https://youtu.be/39UpbAbc5no John Sargent: https://youtu.be/Wm93hbgRs-A Sarah Pekkanen: https://youtu.be/lb5EUOn-Rr4 Angie Kim: https://youtu.be/iOZJcg6i1iM Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Thrity Umrigar joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES, which is set in India. It's a Bookreporter Bets On selection, as was her previous book, HONOR. In it, Remy Wadia has come back to India from his home in Columbus, Ohio, to adopt a child; a young woman who his friends know is pregnant and wants to give up her child. Remy is conflicted about this trip as he has had a long, contentious relationship with his mother, and this is his first time back in India since the death of his father, who was his champion. He and his dad shared a warm loving relationship. His mom was colder and more guarded with him. Thrity talks about her plotting and the building of her characters, as well as the multiple references to “the museums of failures” in the book. Like Remy, Thrity is Parsi, part of a very small sect, and she delves into their history. There is also a discussion about how infrequently many Americans contemplate the nuances of the larger world, and how little is taught in school about much of it. Book discussed in this episode:  THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES by Thrity Umrigar https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-museum-of-failures Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Ashley Audrain: https://youtu.be/39UpbAbc5no John Sargent: https://youtu.be/Wm93hbgRs-A Sarah Pekkanen: https://youtu.be/lb5EUOn-Rr4 Angie Kim: https://youtu.be/iOZJcg6i1iM Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Alice Elliott Dark discussed her novel, FELLOWSHIP POINT, with Carol Fitzgerald and readers at the September “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event. Members of the audience asked questions both on and off camera about her character development, including Maine as a character. Alice talked about her writing routine and shared insight into the editing process, where 200 pages of the book were winnowed down --- and her focus on Agnes and Polly. The ending of the book came to her quite late; she did not write towards it, and readers felt it was very satisfying. There was continuous talk about the beauty of Alice's writing, and how that made a long book feel just right as our attendees mentioned they were so vested in the story and how it was told. Book discussed in this episode:  FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliott Dark: https://www.bookreporter.com/features/bookreportercom-bets-on/fellowship-point Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Ashley Audrain: https://youtu.be/39UpbAbc5no John Sargent: https://youtu.be/Wm93hbgRs-A Sarah Pekkanen: https://youtu.be/lb5EUOn-Rr4 Angie Kim: https://youtu.be/iOZJcg6i1iM Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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 Audrain joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new domestic thriller, THE WHISPERS, which follows on the heels of her debut, THE PUSH. Both books are Bookreporter Bets On selections. Ashley sets her latest in a neighborhood that is being regentrified. Some homes are remodeled, while others are original to the neighborhood. We follow two moms of young children, Whitney and Blair, as well as Rebecca, an ER nurse who longs to be a mother, and Mara, an older woman who is watching these families grow up. Ashley explains why she created these four characters, as well as her inspiration for the block that they live on. She talks about the book's explosive opening and how it sets up the story. And oh, that ending. Ashley also shares her process on writing, revising and editing. Book discussed in this episode:  THE WHISPERS by Ashley Audrain: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-whispers-by-ashley-audrain Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: John Sargent: https://youtu.be/Wm93hbgRs-A Sarah Pekkanen: https://youtu.be/lb5EUOn-Rr4 Angie Kim: https://youtu.be/iOZJcg6i1iM Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

John Sargent joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his memoir, TURNING PAGES: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher. John spent four decades in the world of publishing and concluded his career in 2020 at Macmillan when he was fired, which completely surprised people in the industry. For years he fought for what he believed was right for authors, readers and the “publishing ecosystem,” the latter of which is a phrase he used again and again. But while this book is about his time in publishing, John touches on so much more. He explains how his boyhood in Wyoming influenced him as much as his time with bestselling authors. John and Carol talk about the details in some of his essays, which include a lot of humor and self-deprecation. It's an inside look at what really is a wonderful life. Stay until the end to hear about the cover of the book and the image that was used there. It, like the book, is all about the details. Book discussed in this episode:  TURNING PAGES by John Sargent: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/turning-pages-the-adventures-and-misadventures-of-a-publisher Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Sarah Pekkanen: https://youtu.be/lb5EUOn-Rr4 Angie Kim: https://youtu.be/iOZJcg6i1iM Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Sarah Pekkanen joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, GONE TONIGHT. In this mother/daughter story, a mother will do anything she can to keep her daughter, who is now in her 20s, safe and living near her. She had her daughter as a teen and has been long estranged from her family. The book is told from the points of view of both the mother and the daughter. Sarah talks about ratcheting up the tension while also doing a slow reveal. Parts of the book take place in a memory care unit, and she explains how her earlier experience as a reporter helped her in developing character and setting background. Sarah also discusses lasagna pizza, which figures into the storytelling. And she shares a few hints about her next book, which will be in stores next summer. Book discussed in this episode:  GONE TONIGHT by Sarah Pekkanen: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/gone-tonight Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Angie Kim: https://youtu.be/iOZJcg6i1iM Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Angie Kim joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new novel, HAPPINESS FALLS, which packs so much between its pages. It's a family story with a mystery woven through. And much of the book revolves around the young son, Eugene, who has Angelman syndrome --- and what he may know about the disappearance of their father/husband. Angie talks about how long this story was in her head --- more than a decade --- and why she felt that this was the right time to tell it. She notes that she aimed to look at the impact of someone who is verbally disabled on the entire family. And she wanted to address how those who are different may be in jeopardy when being looked at by law enforcement as they would not be attuned to things like Eugene's jumping to calm himself or the verbal noises he makes. These cues could keep someone who is disabled from protecting themselves. She also discusses her creative writing work with students who have issues with oral communication and shares how the person who performs Eugene's part for the audiobook was hand-selected by her from among this group. Book discussed in this episode:  HAPPINESS FALLS by Angie Kim https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/happiness-falls Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Melanie Benjamin: https://youtu.be/Vl-uEWGAnn4 Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Melanie Benjamin joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest work of historical fiction, CALIFORNIA GOLDEN. Set in Southern California in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the story is built around Carol --- a prize-winning surfer at a time when women were not big contenders in the sport --- and her two daughters, Mindy and Ginger. Melanie discusses the structure of the book with the daughters' story coming first, then the mother's, and finally all of them together. She also delves into how the lives of women have changed over the past decades, as well as her research on surfing and life during these times in California and Hawaii. Book discussed in this episode:  CALIFORNIA GOLDEN by Melanie Benjamin https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/california-golden Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/zCT_Z1nJPT0 Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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 talks to Shari Lapena about her latest thriller, EVERYONE HERE IS LYING. Carol has christened Shari “the Queen of the One-Sit Read,” as every time she starts reading one of her books, she does not stop until she finishes. And she is not alone; we are hearing this from other readers. Shari talks about how the book opens and sets the story up, and from there how the neighbors all become part of the plot. The ending will make you stop and say, “That is so perfect.” Shari discusses her writing process, her drafts and early passes on her books, and how she works with her agent and editor. She also shares what she is hearing from readers about the audiobook, which is narrated by January LaVoy…and, yes, some hints about the next book, which will be her eighth. Book discussed in this episode:  EVERYONE HERE IS LYING by Shari Lapena: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/everyone-here-is-lying Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/NvMLQsooDvQ Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2No Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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 talks to Tracey Lange about her second novel, THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Tracey talks about the Connelly siblings, what she thought was special about each of them, and how her background in behavioral health helped her in developing them and their various situations. The themes of loyalty and love are at the core of this book, and she discusses how they came together. And yes, she explains where she got all the jokes that Conor tells and the story behind the fairy tale. She also touches upon her debut novel, WE ARE THE BRENNANS, and what's next! Book discussed in this episode:  THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN by Tracey Lange: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-connellys-of-county-down Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2NTo Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Naomi Hirahara joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest mystery, EVERGREEN. The story once again features Aki Ito, who readers met in CLARK AND DIVISION. Aki has now moved back to Los Angeles from Chicago where her family was displaced during World War II. Naomi talks about her research for this book, some of which was drawn from relatives, as well as her work over the past decades. She explains how EVERGREEN works well as a stand-alone novel and what brought her and the publisher to call these books Japantown mysteries. Carol shares how they give an insightful look into this time as historical fiction, as well as a mystery. Book discussed in this episode:  EVERGREEN by Naomi Hirahara https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/evergreen-a-japantown-mystery Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Liz Nugent: https://youtu.be/pH2HEvvyiAo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/TW01NY0d7CE Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Guest host Julie Chavez interviews comedy writing duo Alli Frank and Asha Youmans about The Better Half, a charming, laugh-out-loud funny book about a woman who has reached her personal and professional pinnacle and then… gets pregnant! Alli and Asha share their mission of exploring challenging subjects through a lens of humor and joy. They also talk about their partnership with Mindy's Book Studio (Mindy Kaling's new publishing house!) and their lovely writing support group, the Tall Poppy Writers. Finally, they play the question game with Julie (“When was the last time you got unreasonably upset?"). Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3DO0FOwShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Nugent joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new thriller, STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Liz reminds Carol that they spoke in 2017 about her debut, UNRAVELING OLIVER; it was her first interview. She explains how she developed the character of Sally. Carol was astonished to learn that this latest novel was not plotted, but rather written stream-of-consciousness. Liz also talks about letters that were shared with Sally and why they were woven into the story. She notes that while there are a lot of dark things insinuated in the book, they are not written on the page. Those visuals are manifested in the readers' minds. Book discussed in this episode:  STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/strange-sally-diamond Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/TW01NY0d7CE William Landay: https://youtu.be/Zcok9PHuRHw Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

A Book Cougars first: we interview a writing duo! In our Author Spotlight segment, we talk with Alli Frank and Asha Youmans about their new novel THE BETTER HALF, how they started writing together, their path to publication, and their writing process. Spoiler: matching pajamas! Some episode highlights: We both read Ann Petry's powerful 1946 novel, THE STREET, for the Vintage Book Club (hosted by Book Club on the Go at Red Heat Tavern in South Windsor). This story about a struggling single mother in 1940s Harlem seems as relevant as ever and generated great discussion. We recommend the audio version narrated by Danielle Deadwyler. Emily read a novel about two women friends by Edgar Award-winning novelist Erin Flanagan. If you like twisty and dark stories about people who are not what they seem, COME WITH ME (out 8/22) is for you. She also enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's forthcoming beach read, THE BREAKAWAY (out 8/29), about a fat-positive protagonist who leads a bike tour. Emily also crossed off another square on her Scarlet Summer Bingo Card by reading/listening to WE RIDE UPON THE STICKS by Quan Barry, a story set in Danvers, MA with lots of 1980s love. Chris ripped through Laura Sims' new novel, HOW CAN I HELP YOU, a psychological mystery/thriller/suspense novel set in a small town library that revolves around two women who become obsessed with one another for very different reasons. Teaser: there's more than a nod to Shirley Jackson. And while waiting out a thunderstorm at the Acton Public Library in Old Saybrook, Chris read WHAT DID IT TAKE? a short biography by Whitney McKendree Moore about Anna Louise James. James, a fascinating woman in her own right, was Ann Petry's aunt. We recap our Biblio Adventure at the Grolier Club in NYC where we did some archival research (Emily is hooked!) and also had a browse at McNally Jackson Books at Rockefeller Center. On Wednesday, August 2nd, we're heading to Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA to see Laura Sims and Paul Tremblay in conversation. Come join us!

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans make a return visit to “Bookreporter Talks To” to share their thoughts on their latest book, THE BETTER HALF — a Bookreporter Bets On selection — with Carol Fitzgerald. They talk about what they brought to their protagonist, Nina Morgan Clarke, who is the first Black female head of the very tony Royal-Hawkins School. Nina quickly learns that, along with being in charge of student life, she must manage a board and lots of parental expectations. Alli shares that she knew this would not be a job for her, though she had thought she did want that role in her past life as an educator. Asha comes from a mixed marriage and points out that she had her sons turn to her father and brother about living as young Black men in America today. Both are clearly loving the second half of their lives! This was the first book that they wrote in different places, as opposed to being in the same room, and they explain how they were able to do that so well (though when together they do have their writing pajamas). The humor that they write also lives off the page, making this another fun conversation! Book discussed in this episode:  THE BETTER HALF by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-better-half Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0 Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/TW01NY0d7CE William Landay: https://youtu.be/Zcok9PHuRHw Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/aZHZx2LaU4Y Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M Chamaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/0DluxmfXGoI  Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans bring their very different cultural backgrounds and perspectives together to write in one seamless, cohesive voice, united in their belief that humor and fiction can inspire empathy and learning, and that exposure to diverse experiences can only enrich one's life.  Alli Frank and Asha Youmans share a passion for telling stories that bring a smile to your face and bridge the gaps that lay between us. Listen in as they share insights into writing, storytelling, their approach to collaborating together for their novels. Their latest book, The Better Half is available now. Give this episode a listen for insights and laughs.

What do we lose as a society when we only experience a person, a group of people, or an entire culture through their pain or losses—not their joys, successes, or humor?Alli Frank and Asha Youmans are multi-published authors, novelists, and former educators who use humor, joy, and compassion to write stories that encourage candid conversations about issues such as race, religion, culture, class, privilege, parenting, and education. Alli and Asha found "literary soulmates" in each other after working together as a teacher and a school administrator in Seattle, Washington. That's when they discovered their shared mission as educators and as authors.Alli, who is white and Jewish, and Asha, who is Black and Baptist, bring their very different cultural backgrounds and perspectives together to write in one seamless, cohesive voice, united in their belief that humor and fiction can inspire empathy and learning, and that exposure to diverse experiences can only enrich one's life. Their latest novel, The Better Half, was named an Entertainment Weekly Best Book of Summer, and an AARP Hot Summer Read in 2023. It is published by comedian, actor, and producer Mindy Kaling's publishing imprint under Amazon, Mindy's Book Studio.How Mindy Kaling fell in love with Alli's and Asha's women-centered storiesThe importance of telling peoples' stories through more than their suffering and strugglesHow joy, wit, and humor can open people up to being more receptive to unfamiliar cultural experiences or identitiesWant to get in touch? Leave us a voicemail!Support our partners and affiliates for exclusive discounts:Fathom Analytics: Get beautiful, secure website data without trading your customers' private browsing data to Google and FacebookFlywheel: Seamless WordPress website hosting on US-based serversHover: Register domains with ease. Save $2 on your first purchaseMailerLite: A powerful, affordable email marketing platform with premium plans starting at just $9/mo.Sanebox: Take back your inbox with machine learning to automatically organize your emails. Save $5 when you join.Trint: Turn recordings of meetings, calls, and interviews into transcripts with 99% accuracy.Affiliate Disclosure: Our show is listener supported through affiliate and partner links. By clicking one of the above links and registering or making a purchase, we may earn a small commission, which helps pay for the costs of our show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Emmy nominations are out and Succession was the big winner today! Accidental sports talk: what does it take to be ball boys/girls at Wimbledon? You won't believe what it takes to get chosen. LOJ Book Club: The Better Half by Alli Frank & Asha Youmans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Emmy nominations are out and Succession was the big winner today! Accidental sports talk: what does it take to be ball boys/girls at Wimbledon? You won't believe what it takes to get chosen. LOJ Book Club: The Better Half by Alli Frank & Asha Youmans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Cyrus Webb welcomes back authors Alli Frank and Asha Youmans to #ConversationsLIVE to discuss their literary success and new book THE BETTER HALF. 

We both recently headed to the Midwest for some family & friend time. Chris went to Chicago and met up with Colleen, our guest on Episodes 27 and 145. We had a browse in Women & Children First, a legendary feminist bookstore and one of Chicago's oldest indies, after which we had lunch across the street at Lady Gregory's, an Irish pub named after the legendary Irish dramatist. Chris also got to visit one of her favorite used bookstores, Frugal Muse in Darien, IL, where she found two copies of THE RED GARDEN by Alice Hoffman (it's a book on our Scarlet Summer Bingo! Card). Emily headed to Michigan to celebrate her daughter's birthday and gifted her a Little Free Library! They went on a Biblio Adventure together to Blue Vase Book Exchange in Interlochen, MI, a used bookstore with a computer inventory database (so convenient!). Emily also got to visit Bay Books in Suttons Bay, MI where she discovered the books of Viola Shipman, a local author. Shipman is actually the pen name of Wade Rouse whose grandma inspired his writing so he writes under her name. What an amazing way to honor her. We also finished a few books. Chris feels quite accomplished for having finished ULYSSES by James Joyce. Phew! As she says in the episode, it is everything that everyone has ever said it is. Emily read THE RED GARDEN by Alice Hoffman, a collection of related stories that contain a few “Easter Eggs” that'll show up in her forthcoming novel, THE INVISIBLE HOUR, which comes out in August. She also read THE BETTER HALF by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, who will be our guests on Episode 186. As for upcoming reads and Biblio Adventures, we'll both be reading THE SCARLET LETTER by Nathaniel Hawthorne this week and are looking forward to our Biblio Adventure to Concord, MA. Reminder that our readalong discussion is on Wed, July 12, 4:30 pm ET at the Concord Public Library. If you'd like to join us in person or on the Zoom call, please email us at bookcougars@gmail.com.

July 1st The Better Half was released. its the 3rd book by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans. James Lott Jr chats with them! follow them on IG @alliandasha

Bill welcomes co-authors Alli Frank and Asha Youmans to the show. Alli Frank and Asha Youmans have co-written three novels together: Tiny Imperfections, Never Meant to Meet You, and THE BETTER HALF, which Mindy's Book Studio will publish on July 1, 2023. Alli (who is white and Jewish) and Asha (who is Black and Baptist) found literary soulmates in each other after working together as teacher and school administrator in Seattle, WA. They discovered a shared mission as educators and as authors— to use humor, joy and compassion to write stories that encourage candid conversations about issues such as race, religion, culture, class, privilege, parenting, and education. 

Deborah Goodrich Royce joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest book, REEF ROAD, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. This is Deborah's third novel and was inspired by the murder of her mother's best friend. REEF ROAD opens on a surf beach where young surfers find seagulls hovering over something in the sand, which ends up being a hand. Deborah talks about adding this later --- and the woman the boys never see on the beach. She offers insight into why she writes short chapters and the two voices in the book --- that of The Writer and The Wife. She has experience on the screen as an actress and as a script editor, which influences her writing. She also has restored a number of historic places, namely Ocean House in Rhode Island, and discusses how this skill finds its way into her writing. Deborah references a number of books and films that she has read and watched --- and details how they inspire her as a writer. Book discussed in this episode: REEF ROAD: https://www.bookreporter.com/features/bookreportercom-bets-on/reef-road Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Allegra Goodman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_Un9MvpmNQ Dani Shapiro: https://youtu.be/cxN5wItfyP0 Clare Mackintosh: https://youtu.be/yxU_npofftw Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://youtu.be/bz6tTCLmxlE Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/295H-VzRJeU Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/4kvcZ6nqoo4 Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Chamaine Wilkerson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DluxmfXGoI Joyce Maynard: https://youtu.be/atXP9_gxGU8 Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Allegra Goodman joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, SAM, which is a “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club selection. They talk about the character development of Sam, and Allegra's challenge of writing her with the right voice as she ages. They explore Sam's worldview during her coming of age and how it changes through the years, as risk comes more to the forefront. Allegra explains why she included climbing in the book and who inspired Sam as a young climber. And they share their love of adventure films, namely one called Free Solo. Book discussed in this episode: SAM: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/sam Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Dani Shapiro: https://youtu.be/cxN5wItfyP0 Clare Mackintosh: https://youtu.be/yxU_npofftw Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://youtu.be/bz6tTCLmxlE Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/295H-VzRJeU Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/4kvcZ6nqoo4 Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events: Chamaine Wilkerson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DluxmfXGoI Joyce Maynard: https://youtu.be/atXP9_gxGU8 Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Dani Shapiro joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about SIGNAL FIRES, which was named a best book of 2022 by Time Magazine, the Washington Post and Amazon, and was a 2022 Bookreporter Bets On selection. Dani shares that she started this book 15 years ago — but shelved it to turn to other projects — and came back to it in 2020. They talk about their favorite character (they both loved the same one) and what a terrible secret can do to a family who decides to keep it. Dani narrated the audio edition of SIGNAL FIRES, as well as some of her other work, and explains why she enjoys this experience. She also discusses her current project working on the screenplay for the book, as well as her podcast “Family Secrets.” Books mentioned in this interview: SIGNAL FIRES by Dani Shapiro: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/signal-fires INHERITANCE by Dani Shapiro: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/inheritance-a-memoir-of-genealogy-paternity-and-love More “Bookreporter Talks To”: Clare Mackintosh: https://youtu.be/yxU_npofftw Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://youtu.be/bz6tTCLmxlE Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/295H-VzRJeU Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/4kvcZ6nqoo4 Check out our past “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events! Chamaine Wilkerson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DluxmfXGoI Joyce Maynard: https://youtu.be/atXP9_gxGU8 Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M 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

Zibby speaks to author duo and repeat MDHTTRB guests Alli Frank and Asha Youmans about Never Meant to Meet You, a sparkling new book about two outwardly different neighbors (a Black Baptist kindergarten teacher and a white Jewish cookbook editor) and the beautiful friendship that forms between them. Alli and Asha describe the origins of their writing partnership, the eye-opening conversations they had as they developed their Black and Jewish characters in a time of racial crisis in America, and their hope to highlight the simple things that unite us (like food!). Finally, they reveal what they are working on next and spill the secrets of their successful, long-distance writing relationship!Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: bit.ly/3hkFqwcBookshop: bit.ly/3UZxiirSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our End-of-the-Year video where Carol Fitzgerald talks about all 40 of the books that she selected as Bookreporter "Bets On" selections in 2022! You can read more about these titles and enter to WIN ALL 40 of them by Friday, January 6th in our End-of-the-Year Contest: https://www.bookreporter.com/features/end-of-the-year-celebration/end-of-the-year-contest-2022 Here is a list of the books discussed (in order) and (*) notes authors who were interviewed on "Bookreporter Talks To" this year. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki * Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid Meant to Be by Emily Giffin Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy * Sister Stardust by Jane Green * Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus * Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson * The Shore by Katie Runde * Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore * Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard * The Real Mrs. Tobias by Sally Koslow * Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta * Never Meant to Meet You by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans * Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard * Honor by Thrity Umrigar * Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez * The Maid by Nita Prose * The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb * Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner * The Cage by Bonnie Kistler * The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark * What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward * The Other Family by Wendy Corsi Staub * The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf * The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone * Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh * Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier * The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan * Bully Market by Jamie Fiore Higgins * A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney Check out our past "Bookaccino Live" Book Group events! Chamaine Wilkerson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DluxmfXGoI Joyce Maynard: https://youtu.be/atXP9_gxGU8 Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M More “Bookreporter Talks To”: Clare Mackintosh: https://youtu.be/yxU_npofftw Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://youtu.be/bz6tTCLmxlE Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/295H-VzRJeU Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/4kvcZ6nqoo4 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: Greg Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions  

Charmaine Wilkerson joined Carol Fitzgerald for a "Bookaccino Live" Book Group discussion about her debut novel, BLACK CAKE. Three readers shared questions on screen, and then there were numerous audience questions. Charmaine explained how she writes in bursts, and that her writing can sometimes appear in brief on the page, while at other times more is explored. She talked about her characters, her background that inspired the story…and, yes, black cake! There was also discussion about the cover and the additional materials in the paperback edition.   Check out our past "Bookaccino Live" Book Group events! Joyce Maynard: https://youtu.be/atXP9_gxGU8 Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Miranda Cowley Heller: https://youtu.be/gVlKvApDO8M   More “Bookreporter Talks To”: Clare Mackintosh: https://youtu.be/yxU_npofftw Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://youtu.be/bz6tTCLmxlE Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/295H-VzRJeU Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/4kvcZ6nqoo4 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: Greg Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Hickman

Clare Mackintosh joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE LAST PARTY, which is a blend of police procedural and psychological thriller. It's set on the border of England and Wales, where each country has a lot of national pride at stake when a crime happens across the border. As Clare was writing, she realized that this would be the start of a three-book series featuring Detective Constable Ffion Morgan. She writes from multiple points of view and timelines, and discusses what drew her to write in that style and flesh out so many characters. They both love to swim, though Carol hands the cold water sans wetsuit swims over to Clare. Books mentioned in this interview: THE LAST PARTY by Clare Mackintosh: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-last-party/about More Bookreporter Talks To: Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz6tTCLmxlE&t=3s Thrity Umrigar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=295H-... Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kvcZ... Lynda Cohen Loigman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bdC9... Check out our "Bookaccino Live" Book Group events! Joyce Maynard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atXP9... Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM Lisa See: https://youtu.be/SdfiOwpBJ2s Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald Video Edited by Jordan Redd

Jamie Fiore Higgins talks to Carol Fitzgerald about BULLY MARKET: My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs. Jamie explains what drove her to join Goldman Sachs in the late '90s and the obstacles she faced as she started her career. She shares details about the demands of the job and the cost of her success. As both her marriage and her mental health were tested, she made plans to leave the company, creating a “spreadsheet of freedom” to calculate the moment “she would have enough financial security to quit.” As she moved on from Goldman, she discusses how she worked to redefine herself --- and what a challenge that was. They also talk about how the book has been resonating with book groups --- and what they are reacting to. Books mentioned in this interview: BULLY MARKET by Jamie Fiore Higgins: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/bully-market More Bookreporter Talks To: Thrity Umrigar: https://www.youtube.com/watch Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4 Lynda Cohen Loigman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Sally Koslow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v Check out our "Bookaccino Live" Book Group events! Joyce Maynard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atXP9_gxGU8&t=9s Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM Lisa See: https://youtu.be/SdfiOwpBJ2s Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald Video Edited by Jordan Redd

For so many of us writers, the actual act of writing is a solitary process. We write alone and maybe, after a while we will share something with a confidant or perhaps our agent. Of course, at the end of the first draft it will go to an editor and, at that point, writing becomes more of a collaborative process. Well, today's guests do things a little bit differently—Alli Frank and Asha Youmans met while teaching at the same school. One day, Alli approached Asha with the idea to co-write a novel and the rest is history. They joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about their career and latest novel Never Meant to Meet You. Meet Alli and Asha: Alli Frank has worked in education for more than twenty years, from boisterous public high schools to small, progressive private schools. A graduate of Cornell and Stanford University, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters.  Asha Youmans spent two decades teaching elementary school students. A graduate of University of California, Berkeley, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons.  Key Topics: How working at a small, progressive private school influenced Alli and Asha's first, and subsequent, novels. What it is like to write collaboratively. How humor can be a vehicle for bigger life lessons. Why we can learn important lessons through fiction as well as non fiction. What it means to write from the human perspective. Buy Never Meant to Meet You Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UdqHAI Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781542034104 Connect with Ali and Asha Website:https://alliandasha.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlliandAsha/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliandasha/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliandasha Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joyce Maynard joins Carol Fitzgerald for a "Bookaccino Live" Book Group discussion about her latest novel, COUNT THE WAYS. They were joined by two readers who shared questions on screen, and then they went to audience questions. Joyce is now writing the sequel to COUNT THE WAYS, so she was very interested in what readers loved about it and what they thought should happen to the characters. She also shared news about her original story that is now available, THE INFLUENCER. Books mentioned in this interview: COUNT THE WAYS by Joyce Maynard: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/... Register for our next webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regis... More Bookreporter Talks To: Thrity Umrigar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=295H-... Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kvcZ... Lynda Cohen Loigman: https://youtu.be/4bdC9IDT5rg Sally Koslow: https://youtu.be/pueqZogCswk Casey Sherman: https://youtu.be/SdohyNr6zqc Bonnie Garmus: https://youtu.be/SR2ApTICYKc Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events! Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://youtu.be/rYelwWiTJbE Janet Skeslien Charles: https://youtu.be/47Sx9DtcAkA Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM Lisa See: https://youtu.be/SdfiOwpBJ2s Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/boo... FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd

From the authors of 2020's Tiny Imperfections comes a new novel that takes a humorous but candid look at issues like race, religion, parenting, and love through the lens of female friendship. Never Meant to Meet You features protagonist Marjette Lewis, a self-proclaimed “fixer” and kindergarten teacher facing the challenges of raising a son on the verge of manhood, entering her first year without her best friend (the campus “Black-up”) at the private school, and dealing with an ex-husband who is the source of chronic vexation. In contrast to Marjette, her white, Jewish neighbor Noa Abrams appears perfect on the outside, and Marjette is too focused on her own matters to butt in to her neighbor's business affairs this time. But when tragedy strikes Noa's family and an unexpected students enters Marjette's classroom, she is forced to face both her neighbor and her own disappointment — as well as the possibility of new love. Through laughter, tears, and expanding our pre-conceived notions of family and kinship, Marjette and Noa find common ground, common goals, and a strength they didn't know they had. Alli Frank and Asha Youmans are coauthors of Tiny Imperfections (Random House, 2020), and Alli is a contributing essayist in the anthology Moms Don't Have Time to: A Quarantine Anthology. Alli has worked in education for more than twenty years, from boisterous public high schools to small, progressive private academies. A graduate of Cornell and Stanford Universities, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. Alli became a Tall Poppy Writer in 2022. Asha Youmans spent two decades teaching elementary school students. A graduate of University of California, Berkeley, Asha lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and has two grown sons. Asha is a fabulous home cook who loves storytelling and connecting with others by making them smile. In 2022, Asha joined with Alli as a Tall Poppy Writer. Learn more about Alli Frank and Asha Youmans at www.alliandasha.com. Tara Conklin is a writer and former lawyer whose first novel, The House Girl,  was a New York Times bestseller, #1 IndieNext pick, Target book club pick, and has been translated into eight languages. Her second novel, The Last Romantics (2019) was an instant New York Times bestseller and major book club pick. Her latest novel Community Board will be released March 28, 2023. Never Meant to Meet You

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans talk to Carol Fitzgerald about their first two novels, TINY IMPERFECTIONS and NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU, both of which are Bookreporter Bets On selections. Both books are sharply smart and full of comedic timing (Carol laughed out loud reading both) as readers see both dialogue and inner monologue from characters. Alli and Asha once worked together in a tony private school; Alli was a kindergarten teacher, and Asha was an administrator. Each often said, “If I ever write a book.” And then one day they joined to do just that. They talk about their co-writing process. And they share how their different backgrounds - Alli is white and Jewish, Asha is Black and Baptist - inform their writing realistic characters. At a time when diversity is being touted in publishing, Alli and Asha are creating characters that talk the talk - and make you laugh. Books mentioned in this interview: TINY IMPERFECTIONS by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/... and NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/... More Bookreporter Talks To: Lynda Cohen Loigman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bdC9... Sally Koslow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueqZ... Casey Sherman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdohy... Bonnie Garmus: https://youtu.be/SR2ApTICYKc Jennifer Hillier: https://youtu.be/Z4B8o7LKcsg Katie Runde: https://youtu.be/GQHnE1NmXks Check out our "Bookaccino Live" Book Group events! Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYelw... Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM Lisa See: https://youtu.be/SdfiOwpBJ2s Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald Video Edited by Jordan Redd

Host Cyrus Webb welcomes authors Alli Frank and Asha Youmans to #ConversationsLIVE to discuss their writing journey and new book NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU.