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On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: poolside reading and friends who know your reading tastes Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: it's finally time to let you know the bookish friends' best books of 2024! The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) . . . . 2:30 - Our Bookish Moments Of The Week 6:42 - Our Current Reads 6:47 - Tempest by Beverly Jenkins (Kaytee) 10:31 - Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams (Meredith) 19:41 - The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb (Kaytee) 19:56 - The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb 21:40 - Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb 24:19 - Campfires & Corpses by Nikki Weber (Meredith) 28:10 - Woodworking by Emily St. James (Kaytee) 28:45 - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 31:59 - This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (Meredith) 37:33 - Bookish Friends' Best Books of 2024 40:11 - The Women by Kristen Hannah (#4) 40:13 - The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (#4) 40:17 - Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being In Love by isthisselfcare (#4) 40:40 - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (#3) 40:45 - Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (#1) 40:47 - All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (#1) 43:36 - James by Percival Everett 43:37 - Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy 43:38 - The Wedding People by Alison Espach 44:35 - In An Instant by Suzanne Redfearn 44:57 - The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin 45:13 - All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby 45:30 - You Are Here by David Nicholls 45:31 - The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali 45:47 - Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner 46:23 - The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (#1 disliked) 46:26 - The Fury by Alex Michalides (#2 disliked) 46:30 - Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (#3 disliked) 46:33 - The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (#3 disliked) 46:47 - Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 46:48 - Starling House by Alix E. Harrow 46:56 - I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid 47:05 - Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver 47:13 - The Husbands by Holly Gramazio 47:15 - All This and More by Peng Shepherd 47:30 - The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett 49:18 - What Happened to Nina by Dervla McTiernan 50:13 - Meet Us At The Fountain 50:17 - I wish to press This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan. (Kaytee) 50:19 - This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan 52:38 - Shawnathemom on Instagram 54:31 - I wish book slumps weren't a thing. (Meredith) Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. May's IPL is a new indie to the rotation - Dog Eared Books in Ames, Iowa. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business. All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!
On our Best May Books episode, Kirkus' editors share their top titles for the month. Then novelist Brendan Slocumb joins us to discuss The Dark Maestro (Bloomsbury, May 13), a musical thriller in which a cello prodigy must battle a cadre of criminals to reclaim his promising future. Kirkus: “This novel should catapult Slocumb into the upper echelon of thriller authors" (starred review).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When someone steals a Black classical violinist's priceless family heirloom on the eve of the most important competition of his career, he must unravel a web of greed, racism, and long-buried secrets to reclaim his rightful legacy. The Violin Conspiracy is a gripping mystery that explores the power of music, resilience, and the fight for justice in a world that refuses to see his worth. Let's get LIT!
Welcome to the Spring 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement Sarah's Bookshelves has joined Substack! Please note, we're not MOVING to Substack, we're simply adding Substack to the places we already put out content. On our FREE Substack feed, Sarah's Bookshelves is offering all the content you already find on the blog, my Instagram account, public podcast, On our PAID feed, we're offering all the content we also offer on Patreon. If you're interested in becoming a paying subscriber on Substack, visit sarahsbookshelveslive.substack.com for all the details and a full list of benefits. If you're already on Substack, please consider following the FREE feed and sharing with your reader friends to help support the show. One of the many benefits to joining as a paying member of either our Patreon or Substack Communities is gaining access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that were not shared in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all Superstar patrons here and all Substack paid subscribers here! Highlights Catherine and Sarah share some big releases coming this spring (lightning round style). With a theme this season of “change,” Catherine focuses on lighter fiction and thrillers. Sarah's choices are evenly split between debut authors, new to her authors, and repeat authors. Food novels, rom-coms, thrillers (two with a mistaken identity element), and lighter reading are the picks for spring! Sarah has already read one of her picks — and one of Catherine's! And, Catherine has already started reading one of hers. Plus, their #1 picks for the spring. Big Spring Releases [5:15] The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:43] The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:47] Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:56] Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:03] Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:18] The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:26] Audition by Katy Kitamura (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:29] My Documents by Kevin Ngyuen (Apr 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:44] Backlist Titles Mentioned The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb (2022) [5:51] Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (2023) [5:53] Spring 2025 Book Preview [6:51] April Sarah's Picks The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:40] I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:49] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (Apr 22) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:15] Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone (Apr 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:28] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (Apr 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:42] Catherine's Picks Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:46] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (Apr 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:23] Other Books Mentioned The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh (2022) [9:44] Talk to Me by John Kenney (2019) [14:53] About a Boy by Nick Hornby (1998) [16:48] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [18:30] The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (2024) [18:32] Sea Wife by Amity Gaige (2020) [22:47] The Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (2024) [24:45] The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (2019) [26:18] Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [26:20] We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange (2021) [26:22] The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (2019) [26:25] Yours, Eventually by Nura Maznavi (2025) [30:58] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022) [33:47] The Guncle by Steven Rowley (2021) [38:04] May Sarah's Picks Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle (May 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:16] Catherine's Pick Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin (May 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:48] The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North (May 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:29] Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (May 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:56] Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald (May 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[45:36] Other Books Mentioned The People We Keep by Allison Larkin (2021) [28:23] The Angel Maker by Alex North (2023) [31:39] Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan (2022) [41:25] Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (2000) [43:42] The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (2024) [43:54] Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) [44:36] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) [44:40] Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2020) [44:42] Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (2021) [44:45] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) [44:53] Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander (2024) [47:32]
Welcome to Today's Real Talk, the ultimate radio show dedicated to all things North Carolina real estate, business, and life! Hosted by the knowledgeable duo, Claudia Ogrizek, Realtor® for Compass, and Justin A. Ckezepis, Real Estate Attorney, Investor, and Broker, this engaging program brings you expert insights, market trends, and valuable advice to help you navigate the dynamic world of real estate.Today's Guest -Brendan Slocumb - More Life ResourcesToday's Real Talk | Mondays at 3pm | WSICnews.comJoin the conversation | Call 844-STUDIO-4
The New York Times calls Brendan Slocumb "the maestro of mystery," and we couldn't agree more! One year after the release of THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY, Brendan visited Crime Time to talk with our magnificent Hank Phillippi Ryan about his latest suspenseful novel, SYMPHONY OF SECRETS. Hosted by Trisha Blanchet
For Ep. 173, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) joins me as we circle back to one of our favorite topics — niching down our reading into micro genres! In this special Circle Back, we revisit some previously shared micro genres from our two past Micro Genres We Love episodes and introduce two additional micro genres from a Patreon bonus episode not yet heard on the big show! We give examples that define each micro genre for us and share new books we've read that fit into these niches. Plus, we share books for that DIDN'T work for us. This episode is full of over 100 books for you to add to your TBR! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Romances That Deal With Fame [4:04] Sarah's Additions Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [4:53] Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:14] Other Books Mentioned Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld [4:31] Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston [4:34] You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi [6:01] Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura (July 9) [6:37] Frenzied but Favorable Family Dynamics [7:43] Sarah's Additions Mercury by Amy Jo Burns | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:21] Banyan Moon by Thao Thai | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:37] The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:44] Something Wild by Hanna Halperin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:59] Susie's Additions Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:19] Sandwich by Catherine Newman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:46] Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:31] Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:40] The Things We Didn't Know by Elba Iris Pérez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:42] Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:50] Other Books Mentioned The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [8:12] Happiness Falls by Angie Kim [10:35] The Bee Sting by Paul Murray [12:17] You Only Call When You're in Trouble by Stephen McCauley [12:35] Novels about the Dynamics of the Creative Process [12:53] Sarah's Addition Margo's Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:49] Susie's Addition The Art Thief by Michael Finkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:24] Other Books Mentioned Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [13:16] The Ensemble by Aja Gabel [13:23] Hell No! Women's Stories [15:16] Susie's Additions The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:05] Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:49] Margo's Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:10] Go As a River by Shelley Read | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:34] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:37] Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:51] Other Books Mentioned Circe by Madeline Miller [15:51] The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir [15:55] Intense, (Sometimes) F-ed Up Love Stories, that Most Definitely Are Not Romances [18:10] Sarah's Additions Talking at Night by Claire Daverley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:04] Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:17] Leaving by Roxana Robinson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:29] Susie's Addition How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:09] Other Books Mentioned Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering [18:52] Normal People by Sally Rooney [18:55] I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin [18:58] Time Travel Done Right [20:31] Susie's Additions The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:09] The Husbands by Holly Gramazio | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:33] The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:03] Other Books Mentioned 11/22/63 by Stephen King [20:58] Life After Life by Kate Atkinson [21:02] Books by Former or Current Attorneys [22:37] Sarah's Additions Gone But Not Forgotten by Phillip Margolin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:30] Happiness Falls by Angie Kim | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:47] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:52] Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:03] Susie's Addition What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:32] Other Books Mentioned The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer [22:54] Miracle Creek by Angie Kim [23:23] The Eddie Flynn Series by Steve Cavanagh [23:26] Faithful Friends / Ensembles [25:07] Sarah's Addition The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:39] Susie's Additions We Are the Light by Matthew Quick | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:53] Piglet by Lottie Hazell | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:16] Good Material by Dolly Alderton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:36] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:10] Other Books Mentioned The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer [25:37] The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall [25:41] The Ensemble by Aja Gabel [25:45] Come and Get It by Kiley Reid [27:28] Suspenseful Books That Are Not Truly Thrillers,But That Publishers Market as Thrillers [28:20] Sarah's Additions The God of the Woods by Liz Moore | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:26] All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:50] Susie's Addition Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:21] Other Books Mentioned The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [29:08] My Sunshine Away by M. O. Walsh [29:11] The Cutting Season by Attica Locke [29:20] Literary Angst [30:52] Sarah's Addition Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:01] Susie's Additions Yellowface by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:06] Victim by Andrew Boryga | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:30] I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:16] Other Books Mentioned Writers & Lovers by Lily King [31:26] Groundskeeping by Lee Cole [31:30] We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan [31:33] The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz [33:44] A Million Little Pieces by James Frey [34:22] Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James [34:24] Oral Histories [34:35] Sarah's Additions The Hop by Diana Clarke | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:18] Kill Show by Daniel Sweren-Becker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:38] Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, and Alan Sepinwall | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:52] Other Books Mentioned The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff [34:58] Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [35:05] Retellings of Classics or Beloved Books [36:43] Sarah's Addition Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:53] Susie's Additions Tom Lake by Ann Patchett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:27] Bear by Julia Phillips | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:46] Other Books Mentioned Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver [37:03] Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor [37:08] Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes [37:13] The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood [37:17] Birnham Wood by Eleanor Catton [38:38] James by Percival Everett [39:05] Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen [39:55] Badass Female Athlete Fiction / Competition Novels [40:14] Sarah's Addition Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:42] Other Books Mentioned Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid [40:35] Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley [40:38] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [41:02] Trust No One [41:33] Susie's Additions First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:46] Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:07] Other Books Mentioned I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid [42:03] Foe by Iain Reid [42:04] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [42:17] Sunburn by Laura Lippman [42:21] Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson [43:45] The Fury by Alex Michaelides [44:19] Workplace Dramas or Thrillers [44:58] Sarah's Additions Exit Interview by Kristi Coulter | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:38] Private Equity by Carrie Sun | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:50] Bully Market by Jamie Fiore Higgins | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:05] Susie's Additions The Sisterhood by Liza Mundy | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:48] Correspondents by Tim Murphy | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:11] Other Books Mentioned The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger [45:13] The Boys' Club by Erica Katz [45:17] All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris [45:19] Code Girls by Liza Mundy [47:04] Novels With a Focus on Found Family [47:28] Sarah's Additions Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:47] The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:17] Susie's Additions Who We Are Now by Lauryn Chamberlain | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:25] The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:48] All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:23] Other Books Mentioned A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara [48:04] We Are the Light by Matthew Quick [48:09] Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda [48:15] Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen [49:14] Family Family by Laurie Frankel [49:48]
Katy Hays, Marcie R. Rendon, and Brendan Slocumb, moderated by Laurie R. King Not even the rarified realms of art are safe in the imaginations of these writers, where intrigue lurks even in the concert hall or the museum. Buy the books here With support from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
I'm offering a FREE Five Day Challenge starting March 25. Seeking Work-Life Balance, for the WORKING, LIVING Musician. We'll meet on zoom (or you'll enjoy the replay) every day to look at how you could intentionally rebalance your pillars of MONEY, TIME, and JOY and thrive in your creative career! Register here Today you'll hear my interview with Brendan Slocumb, whose life was changed by the books he wrote during the pandemic! I read the Violin Conspiracy a year or so ago, on the recommendation of a non-musical friend. When your thriller, based in the world of classical music, is picked up and enjoyed by people outside of our insular little world, and when it has something really important to say about money and family and race and music and about the world we live in now - that is something we should all be paying attention to! Brendan Nicholaus Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in music education, concentrations on Violin and Viola. For the past two decades, he has been a public and private school music educator from kindergarten through twelfth grade, teaching general music, orchestra and guitar ensembles. His students were often chosen for district and regional orchestras. In 2005, Brendan was named Teacher of the Year for Robert E. Lee High School; he has been named to Who's Who of American teachers, and is a Nobel Teacher of distinction. Brendan also serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Music has always played a major part of Brendan's life. He believes that it's a life-saving force, and a gift we should always offer our children. When he was nine, he started playing violin through a public school music program. Friends he grew up with are today sitting in jail; when they were out running the streets, he was in rehearsals. When they were breaking into people's houses, he was practicing Dvorak and Mozart. His violin opened the door to opportunity, and he ran through it. Since then, Brendan has performed with the Washington Metropolitan Symphony, the McLean Symphony, the Prince George's Philharmonic, and the Alexandria Symphony. He has served as the concertmaster for the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs chamber music with members of the Alexandria Chamber Music Society. He maintains a private music studio teaching lessons to students on violin, guitar and piano. Brendan believes that everyone can learn to appreciate and love music, and that it can be a new way of communicating, building bonds, and connecting with people who may look, sound, or speak differently. In 2022, Brendan published his first novel, THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY (Anchor Books), a GMA Book Club Pick, the riveting story of a young Black musician who discovers that his old family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius: when it's stolen on the eve of the world's most prestigious classical music competition, he risks everything to get it back. In 2023, Brendan published his second novel, SYMPHONY OF SECRETS (Anchor Books), about a music historian who discovers that the world's greatest composer may have stolen the music from a neurodivergent Black woman – and the powers-that-be will do anything to silence the historian. Brendan is now at work on his third novel, to be published in early 2025. You can find Brendan at his website, or follow him on Instagram @brendanslocumb Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! Theme music by DreamVance. You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a short discovery call from my website. I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!
Show notes: Music and books pair together so well. We're both huge music fans and reading books about music and musicians really fascinates us. Today, we're sharing some fiction and nonfiction books recs about music and we hope you'll tune in to find some new faves! Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow, new books episodes, and Life Through Reading episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do! Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned. Something Bookish: [04:43] S: Grayson by Lynne Cox This is Love podcast, “Something Large and Wild” [06:18] M: A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay Fiction Books About Music: [12:35] S: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [13:20] M: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [14:22] S: The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton [14:57] M: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom [16:06] S: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey [16:53] M: Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson [17:42] S: Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman [18:19] M: Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel [19:11] S: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [20:06] M: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks [21:03] S: Modern Lovers by Emma Straub [21:41] S: The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka Nonfiction Books About Music: [22:29] M: The Beautiful Ones by Prince [23:10] S: The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl [23:56] M: Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton [24:38] S: Open Book by Jessica Simpson [25:16] M: Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you'll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It's free!
On today's episode we talk about Brendan Slocumb's second musical mystery novel, Symphony of Secrets.
The Kirkwood Library's One Author One Kirkwood event featured bestselling author Brendan Slocumb. This week's podcast contains clips from the evening. Alvin Reid was the moderator. He and Brendan discussed the two titles, The Violin Conspiracy and The Symphony of Secrets. It was a wonderful, fun-filled night. Listen to learn more about Brendan and his two novels.
Sarah and Cynthia discuss the novel The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. Join us in The Reading Lounge while we discuss this episode's book of choice and enjoy the signature cocktail. Symphony 2 oz Gin 1 oz Fresh lemon juice .5 oz Triple Sec 1 oz Cranberry Juice (we used 100% cranberry juice - use juice cocktail if you like your libations a bit sweeter) Mix in a shaker with ice and garnish with a lemon twist
In the latest episode of Bookies Talk, Erica and Marianne dive into historical fiction and this year's One Book, One Community pick.
This episode was sponsored by Signal Hill Insights. Want to know how your podcast is affecting listeners? Need to plan to share outcomes with a branded client? Visit measureyourpodcast.com for a free 4-part email series that will tell you how and why to measure the unique impact of branded podcasts. Go beyond counting downloads. Instead, obtain real responses from real listeners to demonstrate the ROI of branded podcasts. You'll learn how research generates practical insights to optimize your production and drive renewals. More on today's episode:When Anne Bogel was offered the plum gig of moderating a panel discussion with four famous authors at the Bookmarks NC Festival of Books and Authors, she knew it would be fun. But she had no idea of the turn it would take when her guests — authors TJ Klune, Andrew Sean Greer, Brendan Slocumb, and Tia Williams — began one-upping each other with wild tales from book club experiences like no other. Anne Bogel's been hosting her literary matchmaking show since 2016. This show is always at the top of the charts, in great company with shows like Fresh Air, NPR's Book of the Day, and The New York Times Book Review. There's a reason for that. Anne is purposeful about how she hosts, whether that's holding a deep conversation about a guest's reading life in-studio, or fielding unexpected stories, and a ton of laughs, on stage in front of hundreds.Anne has spent the last seven years of her life doing something uncanny: Every week on her hit show, What Should I Read Next, she excavates a guest's reading life in fine detail. Then she recommends books that always seem to be the perfect choices for that guest, no matter who they are.It's not just her unusual ability to pair book with reader that keeps her show at the top of the charts. It's also the way Anne approaches hosting – as the art of practicing deep hospitality. That keeps her in listeners' hearts, year after year. It also makes Anne in demand as a public speaker. As intimate as she is with her podcast guests, you might never guess how raucously fun she is in front of a live audience! If you dream of moving effortlessly between studio and stage, you'll love this episode. Anne Bogel is an author, the creator of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy, and host of What Should I Read Next? podcast and Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. Anne loves talking to readers about their favorite books, reading struggles, and of course what they should read next. Anne lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, four children, and a yellow lab named Daisy. Follow Anne on Instagram.What Should I Read Next episode discussed on today's show: Ep 351 “Book Club Favorites: LIVE from Bookmarks!”Anne Bogel's holiday gift book recommendations for your favorite hosts and producers: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker Out on a Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio by Jessica Abel with forward by Ira Glass I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca MakkaiScroll down for hosting takeaways from today's show. Subscribe to Sound Judgment, the Newsletter, our twice-monthly newsletter about creative choices in audio storytelling. Connect! Follow Elaine: Facebook | LinkedIn | InstagramLet's talk!✉️ Email me at allies@podcastallies.com
Kirstin Chen, Brendan Slocumb, and Kyla Zhao, moderated by Cheryl Popp This one's an ode to the grifters, the con artists, the scammers: the characters who would gleefully pull one over on you—and probably get away with it, too. Even if the characters they depict are complicated (to put it mildly), there's one thing we know for sure—these authors are the real deal. Buy the books here
Sara and Katie enjoy a glass of wine and chat about Brendan Slocumb's beautiful debut, The Violin Conspiracy.
Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Hannah Gabel, Literary Director of the Texas Book Festival (TBF). Gabel, who joined TBF in March of 2023, discussed the process for selecting authors for the festival which is being held November 11 -12. She also shared some of her favorite books including BABEL by R. F. Kuong and THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb, and we also talked about her popular Instagram account bookmarkparty.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com
Brendan Slocumb's latest novel, “Symphony of Secrets,” centers the stories of Black characters who are deeply immersed in the world of classical music. The story takes place in two time periods. Dr. Bern Hendrix, an African American man, who uncovers that a famous opera may have been stolen from a young Black, autistic woman named Josephine Reed. "Symphony of Secrets" readers learn what happened then and now as they explore the themes of privilege and appropriation. Through his writing, Slocumb wanted to highlight issues that are still happening today. Slocumb joined Callie Crossley on Under the Radar for a conversation about "Symphony of Secrets," July's selection for Bookmarked: The Under the Radar Book Club. "It's kind of crazy that, you know, this story takes place basically 100+ years ago and these same themes still are relevant," Slocumb said. "You know, what was it, a month or so ago, the case with — I think it was Ed Sheeran and the family of Marvin Gaye. Was it appropriation? Did he steal the tune from a Marvin Gaye song? ... It's a good thing I wasn't on that jury, because it sounded an awful, awful lot like his song." He said it doesn't matter where someone comes from or what they look like, they deserve credit for their work. "It's a shame that people either don't realize that they have a right to their own work and they should fight for it," he said. For Slocumb, the book is also deeply personal. The character of Eboni, a tech-savvy assistant to Dr. Hendrix, represents experiences Slocumb has lived through himself. “I'd like to think that Eboni is a representation of what people like me, basically what people like me have to have had to endure for a very, very, very long time," he said. "You know, it's not just me. I would never be have so much hubris as to think that she's representing me directly. But I've heard so many different stories from people that say, 'You know, that exact same thing happened to me.'”
Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books & you can read our affiliate disclosure here. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the incredibly talented Fiona Davis, author of the upcoming novel The Spectacular. Set in New York's iconic Radio City Music Hall, this mesmerizing tale follows a determined woman who defies her father's wishes to chase her dream of becoming a Rockette. Fiona shares her inspiration and amazing firsthand resources, revealing the sisterhood she uncovered while researching for her captivating book.For fellow book lovers, Fiona generously offers two fantastic recommendations to add to your reading list: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, a thrilling story of a black classical musician on the search for his stolen Stradivarius, and Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison, a perfect beach read set in the past with a strong female lead. Happy Reading!SHOWNOTES AND BOOK LINKShttp://WhattoReadNextBlog.comCheck out our YouTube Channel;https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/youtubeMusic from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/sunnyLicense code: 0RDRBKGH6NGQCAXR
Brendan Slocumb wedded his passion for music with a love for detective stories while imagining this dynamic novel.
By his own admission, Brendan Slocumb wants to be the "Stephen King of musical thrillers." He's well on his way.
Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I revisit the 12 books released in April and May featured in the Spring 2023 Book Preview. We give updates on our reading stats, share our thoughts on the books we've read or attempted, and offer recommendations on which ones deserve a spot on your reading list and which ones you might want to skip. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement In addition to my annual 2023 Summer Reading Guide, I'm once again offering Superstars Patrons ($7/mo) exclusive access to Summer Shelves, featuring even more recommendations for the season. Summer Shelves features BACKLIST summer reading recommendations from 17 former podcast guests, our team members, and — for the first time — 20+ Superstars patrons! The Summer Shelves design is clean, crisp, and unique and you'll receive it in a PDF file format via Patreon. If you'd like to get the Summer Shelves companion guide, you can sign up to be a Superstars patron here. You'll also get access to a monthly bonus podcast series called Double Booked (where Catherine or Susie and I share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show) and my Rock Your Reading Tracker. Highlights Catherine and Sarah share their Spring 2023 reading stats and success rates. How these stats compare to springs of previous years. Even more book talk, since Catherine has read several of Sarah's picks, too! Sarah shares something that's never happened before on the podcast! Plus, they name their best and worst books from the Spring 2023 Book Preview. Books Read Before the Preview [6:03] Sarah's Picks: Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:31] Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan (May 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[10:16] Other Books Mentioned: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [7:37] Spring 2023 Circle Back [13:27] April Sarah's Picks: The One by Julia Argy (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:03] The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants by Orlando Ortega-Medina (April 18) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [25:43] If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[32:55] Catherine's Picks: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:31] The Skin and Its Girl by Sarah Cypher (April 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[22:57] Searching for Savanna by Mona Gable (April 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:14] Other Books Mentioned: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal [16:22] The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal [16:28] May Sarah's Picks: The Marriage Act by John Marrs (May 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:16] Catherine's Picks: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (May 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:39] Dances by Nicole Cuffy (May 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:03] The Celebrants by Steven Rowley (May 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:14] Other Books Mentioned: The One by John Marrs [44:35] The Passengers by John Marrs [46:32] The Guncle by Steven Rowley [53:21] The Editor by Steven Rowley [53:42]
In his new novel, “Symphony of Secrets,” Brendan Slocumb once again tucks a mystery inside a musical thriller. But underscoring the plot are some big questions about our culture. Whose music gets heard and honored? Who gets to claim the ownership and rewards of a song? And who gets to tell the story of how that music came to be? Slocumb's protagonist is Bern Hendricks, a musicologist thrilled to be given the chance to authenticate a just discovered opera, attributed to his musical hero, Frederick Delaney. But as he investigates the long missing masterpiece, Hendricks uncovers the true source of Delaney's genius — a neurodivergent Black woman named Josephine Reed, who was never credited for her work. Will he be able to right history's wrongs? Or will the powerful musical establishment erase Reed's genius a second time? Slocumb's debut novel, “The Violin Conspiracy,” was a book club favorite. This week, Slocumb returned to Big Books and Bold Ideas to talk with MPR News host Kerri Miller about the messy ways music is written and how to decipher the line between borrowed and stolen. Guest: Brendan Slocumb is a musician, a music educator, a novelist and host of the podcast, “How Music Can Save Your Life.” His latest book is “Symphony of Secrets.” Use the audio player above to listen to the conversation. Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS. Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.
Novelist Brendan Slocumb joins us to discuss Symphony of Secrets (Anchor, April 18), a vibrant musical mystery from the author of The Violin Conspiracy (2022). Kirkus: “A scholar discovers his favorite composer's secret in this page-turning thriller….Sophomore novels don't get much better than this” (starred review). Then our editors join with their reading recommendations for the week.
In Episode 139, Brendan Slocumb talks about his sophomore novel, Symphony of Secrets, and the inspiration behind it. He shares a fascinating look into musical history of the 1920's, his unique approach to writing musical thrillers, and how he balances musical detail with readability. He also delves into the exploitation of musicians in the industry and how many are simply lost to history. Plus, stick around to hear Brendan's book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights The story behind Symphony of Secrets and the composer who partially inspired it. Brendan's unique approach to writing and his goal to become the “Stephen King of musical thrillers.” The pressure of writing a second book so soon after such a successful debut (The Violin Conspiracy). How Brendan blends musical analysis and character development without overwhelming the reader while staying true to the story. The exploitation and appropriation of musicians and their work in the music industry. Why he chose to make a main character neurodivergent and his experience with teaching neurodivergent music students. His inspiration for the badass character Eboni. The title changes for both of his books, including the original title for Symphony of Secrets. A bit about his upcoming third book and a potential fourth book in the future. Brendan's Book Recommendations [28:38] Two OLD Books He Loves A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:51] Riker's Calling by Rico Lamoureux | Amazon [30:08] Two NEW Books He Loves Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:15] Sea Change by Gina Chung | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:54] One NEW RELEASE He's Excited About Closer by Sea by Perry Chafe (May 23, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:54] Last 5-Star Book Brendan Read Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:32] Other Books Mentioned Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb [0:56] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [1:03] Don't Know Tough by Eli Cranor [31:47] Other Links Currently Reading Podcast | Minisode: An Interview with “The Violin Conspiracy” Author Brendan Slocumb About Brendan Slocumb Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Brendan Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and holds a degree in music education (with concentrations in violin and viola) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For more than twenty years he has been a public and private school music educator and has performed with orchestras throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
Brendan Slocumb has a seat in the hyperspace universe of the Zoom Damn Library to talk his new historical musical thriller Symphony of Secrets, and of course some Violin Conspiracy, getting into creating a world of historical music, how his violin discipline helps him as a writer, and more. Plus, he gets to talk up his debut panel friend Eli Cranor's Ozark Dogs, and how the literary world has welcomed him. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Brendan Slocumb is a renaissance man who writes his novels with a mission in mind. A violin virtuoso, music teacher, clarinetist AND oboist, he is also a best selling author who writes brilliantly about the world of music. His books could be classed as mysteries but they also bring into stark, painful relief the still largely white and privileged world of classical music. He reminds his readers that there is talent everywhere and anywhere, and he reminds us to look and listen closely to what we might ignore with his latest novel, Symphony of Secrets . We then talk to Afa Dworkin, President and Creative Director of the “Sphinx Organization.” “Sphinx” is doing amazing work, making sure that the country's orchestras reflect the diversity of our population. We will go back to bookstores next week, but we wanted to honor Brendan by talking to an organization doing work about which he is so passionate. Books mentioned in this week's podcast: Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
On this week's episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: book therapy and reading as cardio Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: planning a reading retreat with all the details The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down! We are now including transcripts of the episode (this link only works on the main site). The goal here is to increase accessibility for our fans! *Please note that all book titles linked below are Bookshop affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. If you'd prefer to shop on Amazon, you can still do so here through our main storefront. Anything you buy there (even your laundry detergent, if you recently got obsessed with switching up your laundry game) kicks a small amount back to us. Thanks for your support!* . . . . 1:41 - Bookish Moment of the Week 1:57 - Better Help (go to another podcast you love to get a referral code if you're interested!) This one is my personal referral 4:25 - Drowning by TJ Newman 4:30 - All Things Murderful is a Currently Reading Patreon Benefit 4:47 - Falling by TJ Newman 6:55 - Current Reads 7:00 - Platonic by Marisa G. Franco (Kaytee) 7:23 - The Life Council by Laura Tremaine 11:58 - Red Clocks by Leni Zumas (Meredith) 14:31 - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 16:21 - Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray (Kaytee) 19:34 - The Black Cat Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin (Meredith) 19:41 - Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin 20:01 - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 24:43 - Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (Kaytee) 24:58 - The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb 27:14 - Sarah's Bookshelves 28:09 - All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley (Meredith) 33:07 - Gretchen Rubin's post about guard shadows 34:05 - Reading Retreat Reconnaissance 39:34 - Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson 44:46 - Snackle Box 50:46 - The Life Council by Laura Tremaine 50:48 - Platonic by Marisa G. Franco 57:18 - Meredith's Mug Warmers 59:44 - Death at the Dive Bar Game 1:02:30 - Meet Us At The Fountain 1:02:46 - I wish for a “Reading Blinders” invention (Kaytee) 1:03:01 - Book Neck Light 1:03:03 - Noise Canceling Headphones 1:05:05 - I wish that other readers could deeply explore a book you love together (Meredith) 1:05:13 - Journey to Three Pines debuts on Friday! 1:05:40 - Still Life by Louise Penny Connect With Us: Meredith is @meredith.reads on Instagram Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram Mary is @maryreadsandsips on Instagram Roxanna is @roxannatheplanner on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast.com @currentlyreadingpodcast on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com Support us at patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast and www.zazzle.com/store/currentlyreading
Fresh off his successful debut and Good Morning America Book Club pick “The Violin Conspiracy,” Brendan Slocumb is back with his next classical music mystery – “Symphony of Secrets.”
Hannah is in the Berkshires (or someplace) digging for ramps and concerned about her to-be-read list, but she made some time to talk books, including "Rough Sleepers" (the next Book Club book), which leads to a big discussion of why people do good works. Sam thinks it's anger. Heavy cynicism ensues. As a palate-cleanser, we then engage in a discussion of note-taking — Hannah won't write in her hardcovers — and the use of notes at Book Club and the preciousness of books. (Note: Maine and Massachusetts are NOT the only states that celebrate Patriots Day). Oh, yeah, the books we read: "Blue Skies," by TC Boyle (who's great, but stay for the mediocre TC Boyle anecdote at the end); "Symphony of Secrets," by Brendan Slocumb (don't read the jacket copy!); "Saha," by Cho Nam-Joo (Singapore is not for Sam; it's unclear whether all of his facts are in order); "You Are Here," by Karin Lin-Greenberg ("shining beacons of capitalism"). And then there's 15 minutes worth of stuff about the Newburyport Literary Festival — for which Hannah is leading a panel on the "coming of age" novel, with Allegra Goodman, Kai Harris, and Jessica Anya Blau — and how we manage our advance-reader copies. Also Roxanne Gay's new imprint and its new romance novel from Vannessa Lyon.
In Episode 138, author Rebecca Makkai discusses I Have Some Questions for You, her latest novel that explores societal issues such as racism and wrongful incarceration through the lens of a crime story. This was a five-star book for me and looks to be *the book* of 2023 so far! Rebecca shared how she engaged with readers using click-bait style headlines and created a sense of intimacy through the second-person point of view. She also goes behind the scenes of how she pitches her new book ideas to her agent and publisher. Plus, Rebecca gives us her book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights A spoiler-free glimpse into her latest book, I Have Some Questions for You. What inspired her to start writing the book, including the initial wave of the #MeToo movement and the public's fascination with true crime. Insider knowledge about when she shares her work with agents and publishers. How she blended elements of crime within her literary fiction novel. How she uses click-bait style headlines to draw readers in from the opening of the book and throughout the story. Why Rebecca used the second-person point of view and how that created an intimate connection between readers and the protagonist. How she used student testimony and gossip to shape the narrative and delve into issues such as racism, sexism, and abuse. How she reconciled the viewpoints of the '90s with modern perspectives in her novel. A sneak peek of what Rebecca has planned next, including a hint about her upcoming book, and learn about her 84 Books Project. Rebecca's Book Recommendations [30:43] Two OLD Books She Loves The Door by Magda Szabó | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:57] We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:32] Two NEW Books She Loves If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:34] The Guest Lecture by Martin Riker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:06] A Book With Which She Has a Complicated Relationship London Fields by Martin Amis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:11] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About Maddalena and the Dark by Julia Fine (June 13, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:52] Last 5-Star Book Rebecca Read Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:09] Other Books Mentioned The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai [1:05] The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai [1:58] The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai [2:01] Music for Wartime by Rebecca Makkai [2:02] The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht [7:01] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay [9:43] When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain [12:09] The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson [34:29] The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson [34:39] The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan [42:02] Time's Arrow by Martin Amis [42:47] Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy [45:39] The Upstairs House by Julia Fine [48:02] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [48:51] The Ensemble by Aja Gable [48:53] About Rebecca Makkai Website| Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Substack Rebecca Makkai is the author of the novels I Have Some Questions for You, The Great Believers, The Hundred-Year House, and The Borrower, and the story collection Music for Wartime. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, The Great Believers received an American Library Association Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, among other honors, and was named one of the Ten Best Books of 2018 by The New York Times. A 202 Guggenheim fellow, Makkai is on the MFA faculties of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and Northwestern University, and is the artistic director of StoryStudio Chicago. She lives on the campus of the midwestern boarding school where her husband teaches, and in Vermont.
Dive into the captivating world of Brendan Slocumb's novels in this episode of Books & Looks. Explore the intriguing intersection of music, race, and neurodivergence in Slocumb's works, as well as his own journey as a musician and author. From creating a fictional musical catalog to the challenges and triumphs of representation, Slocumb's passion for storytelling comes to life. Listen in as we discuss the power of music, the realities of the classical world, and the importance of learning from history. Don't miss this harmonious blend of conversation and inspiration! Books Discussed: "Symphony of Secrets" by Brendan Slocumb - https://amzn.to/40eY8Wf "The Violin Conspiracy" by Brendan Slocumb - https://amzn.to/3GRsVl1 _ Produced by the Greenville Podcast Company. Books & Looks is a project of Views on Books.
This week on From the Front Porch, it's another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing April releases they're excited about to help you build your TBR. Don't forget, if you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, you can enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website: Annie's books This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs (4/4) The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland (4/4) Pomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee (4/11) Life and Other Love Songs by Anissa Gray (4/11) If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook (4/18) Olivia's books Panther Gap by James A. McLaughlin (4/4) Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef (4/4) Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (4/18) Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream by Polly Farquhar (4/25) In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune (4/25) Erin's books Homecoming by Kate Morton (April 4th) The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong (April 18th) Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (April 18th) Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo (April 18th) Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane (April 25th) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram at @bookshelftville, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. Thank you to this week's sponsor, the 102nd Annual Rose Show and Festival in Thomasville, Georgia. Come visit us for the weekend of April 28th-29th and experience the flowers, fun, food, and shopping in Beautiful Thomasville. Plan your visit at ThomasvilleGa.com. This week Annie is reading Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. Olivia is reading Drowning by T.J. Newman (May 30th). Erin is reading Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo (April 18th). If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Or, if you're so inclined, support us on Patreon, where you can hear our staff's weekly New Release Tuesday conversations, read full book reviews in our monthly Shelf Life newsletter and follow along as Hunter and I conquer a classic. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Cammy Tidwell, Chanta Combs, Chantalle C, Donna Hetchler, Kate O'Connell, Kristin May, Laurie Johnson, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stacy Laue, Stephanie Dean, Susan Hulings, and Wendi Jenkins.
Welcome to the Spring 2023 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share 12 of our most anticipated books releasing in April and May. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement I've got BIG NEWS! If you've been interested in joining our Patreon Community, but have yet to sign up — a 30-day free trial starts today! This is for new patrons only and sign-up continues for the next 7 days. Hurry and check out my Patreon page for more information! One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here! Highlights We have some debut authors and a few sophomore novels — one 14 years in the making! Catherine's picks are still leaning more literary, including getting herself into a 700+ page book! Sarah's spring has a variety of genres and micro genres. Two books Sarah has already read and loved from spring selections. Plus, their #1 picks for spring. Spring 2023 Book Preview [5:19] April Sarah's Picks: The One by Julia Argy (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:01] Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:00] The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants by Orlando Ortega-Medina (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:08] If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:00] Catherine's Picks: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (April 18) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:43] The Skin and Its Girl by Sarah Cypher (April 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:48] Searching for Savanna by Mona Gable (April 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:08] May Sarah's Picks: Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan (May 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:35] The Marriage Act by John Marrs (May 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:22] Catherine's Picks: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (May 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:52] Dances by Nicole Cuffy (May 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:56] The Celebrants by Steven Rowley (May 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:16] Other Books Mentioned The One by John Marrs [8:32] One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London [10:17] The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun [10:27] Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal [10:59] The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal [12:52] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [14:32] The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris [21:46] All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay [22:17] Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann [25:25] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [27:14] This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper [28:14] Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese [30:59] A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara [31:48] Watergate by Garrett M. Graff [31:58] Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner [34:23] The Passengers by John Marrs [41:19] Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell [43:17] The Guncle by Steven Rowley [46:18] The Editor by Steven Rowley [46:32]
On this week's episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: a deliciously beautiful book subscription and some middle-marriage mayhem Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: we are trying a new Boss My TBR Segment! The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down! We are now including transcripts of the episode (this link only works on the main site). The goal here is to increase accessibility for our fans! *Please note that all book titles linked below are Bookshop affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. If you'd prefer to shop on Amazon, you can still do so here through our main storefront. Anything you buy there (even your laundry detergent, if you recently got obsessed with switching up your laundry game) kicks a small amount back to us. Thanks for your support!* . . . . 2:19 - Currently Reading Patreon 3:44 - Bookish Moment of the Week 4:01 - Fairy Loot Book Only Box Adult and YA 4:21 - Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim 5:04 - Scythe Series Three Book Set by Neal Shusterman 5:25 - Cinder by Marissa Meyer 9:43 - The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 10:31 - East of Eden by John Steinbeck 11:16 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas 11:18 - Current Reads 11:29 - Laura Tremaine 11:38 - Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (Kaytee) 14:00 - Jason's Birthday Carrot Cake Recipe 14:05 - Sour Cream Apology Cake Recipe 14:45 - Black Cake Recipe 15:41 - Aurora by David Koepp (Meredith) 20:45 - Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood (Kaytee) 20:54 - The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood 20:56 - S4E21 Our Top Ten Books 24:47 - Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes (Meredith) 24:51 - A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes 27:00 - Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders 32:39 - For Every One by Jason Reynolds (Kaytee) 35:43 - All That is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay (Meredith) 37:44 - Defending Jacob by William Landay 39:19 - The Local by Joey Hartstone 39:32 - Elizabeth Robinson Barnhill Meredith's co-host for All Things Murderful (patron content) 40:10 - Deep Dive: Boss My TBR #1 40:18 - S3E6 Are You Book Bossy? We Are! 41:35 - Kiara's Books: 41:46 - The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden 41:54 - Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo 41:57 - Light from Uncommon Stars by Rya Aoki 42:01 - Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 42:04 - The Change by Kirsten Miller 44:17 - The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb 47:32 - Shawnna's Books: 47:40 - 11/22/63 by Steven King 47:42 - Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry 47:44 - Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler 47:46 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 47:49 - The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer 50:31 - Meet Us At The Fountain 50:39 - I wish everyone would follow goodreads_reviews on IG (Kaytee) 51:04 - Anne of Green Gables by LMM Montgomery 51:10 - All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox 51:29 - Lobinzona by Romina Garber 51:56 - I wish The Treehouse Series starting with The 13 Story Treehouse by Andy Griffith for MG would be more widely read (Meredith) Connect With Us: Meredith is @meredith.reads on Instagram Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram Mindy is @gratefulforgrace on Instagram Mary is @maryreadsandsips on Instagram Roxanna is @roxannatheplanner on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast.com @currentlyreadingpodcast on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com Support us at patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast and www.zazzle.com/store/currentlyreading
In episode 15, we feature The Violin Conspiracy, by Brendan Slocumb, and; The Haunting of Aveline Jones, by Phil HickesVisit our Bookshop.org site for all our featured books!For today's Hot Writing Tip, we talk about how to be on the look out for word tics and filler words in your manuscript. Support the showWebsite: https://www.writerswithwrinkles.net/Threads: @WritersWithWrinklesInsta: @WritersWithWrinklesTwitter: @BethandLisaPodSupport Writers With Wrinkles - become a subscriberEmail: Beth@BethMcMullenBooks.comWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for more!
Katie Gutierrez joins me for a spoiler-free discussion of her debut novel, More Than You'll Ever Know, which is a character study about a complex and fascinating woman behind a highly unusual crime. This is a deeply layered story touching on topics surrounding gender, motherhood, marriage, and the current fascination with true crime. Also, Katie shares her book recommendations — including 3 upcoming new releases! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights The incredible true story that was Katie's original inspiration for this book. The author Anaïs Nin's role in developing More Than You'll Ever Know. Katie's thoughts on writing a strong, but polarizing female character. How Katie incorporated motherhood and perceptions of motherhood into the story. What it was like marketing, and choosing a cover for, this unique genre mash-up of a book. Plus, Katie shares a bit about her next book! Katie's Book Recommendations [30:40] Two OLD Books She Loves Shadows of Pecan Hollow by Caroline Frost | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:01] Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:19] Two NEW Books She Loves The Girls in Queens by Christine Kandic Torres | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:25] Beasts of the Earth by James Wade | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:03] One Book She Didn't Love Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:40] Three NEW RELEASES She's Excited About Maddalena and the Dark by Julia Fine (June 13, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:56] Carmen and Grace by Melissa Coss Aquino (April 4, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:01] The Night Flowers by Sara Herchenroether (May 2, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:11] Last 5-Star Book Katie Read The Revivalists by Christopher M. Hood | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:21] Other Books Mentioned The Diary of Others: The Unexpurgated Diary of Anaïs Nin, 1955-1966 by Anaïs Nin [6:29] Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins-Reid [11:29] Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward [32:29] Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë [37:04] In Cold Blood by Truman Capote [38:36] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab [40:34] Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia [40:41] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [40:48] Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor [48:05] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton [49:34] About Katie Gutierrez Website | Twitter | Instagram Katie Gutierrez is the author of the national bestselling debut novel More Than You'll Ever Know, which is also a Good Morning America Book Club pick for June 2022. She is a National Magazine Award finalist whose writing has appeared in TIME, Harper's Bazaar, The Washington Post, Longreads, and more. She has an MFA from Texas State University and lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband and their two kids.
When authors and readers come together, it's always a good time, and today's episode is no exception.Today, we're sharing our recent Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club conversation with Brendan Slocumb, who joined us in January to discuss his musical thriller (and our January 2023 book club pick), The Violin Conspiracy. You might recognize Brendan from Episode 351, Book Club Favorites: LIVE from Bookmarks! as part of that excellent panel discussion with Tia Williams, Andrew Sean Greer, and TJ Klune.Today, Brendan is back to chat with Anne, our Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club Community Manager, Ginger Horton, and our Book Club co-host, Shannan Malone. Our conversation today covers a whole range of topics, from music to comic books, and of course we ask about Brendan's recent reads and his future novels. Whether or not you've read (or want to read) The Violin Conspiracy, you'll love listening in to our (spoiler-free!) conversation today. Find the list of titles and other resources mentioned today in our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/366.If our conversation with Brendan today has you thinking more, please, we'd love to have you join us for ALL our author chats over in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, our gathering spot for readers of all ages, and home to classes, conversation, and community. Come on over and say hello.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
“Commonality“ David briefs the Super Bowl. Jamie breaks down the “balloon incident.” Torie, David and Jamie play “if you liked this book on Chatter, get this one,” aka book recommendations. They fawn over COB alums Brendan Slocumb and Silas House, both finalists for the 2023 Southern Book Awards. Writer, teacher and semi-pro football player, David Wright Falade zooms in to share “Black Cloud Rising,” about a brigade of Black soldiers in the Civil War. The New York Times calls it “a straight-up page turner.” Yes, and even more it's a highly nuanced focus on race, identity and family.
Our 2022 year-end reading roundup continues today with our Best Books of 2022 Genre Awards with Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits). We reveal our Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction) and we have a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Backlist Read in 2022, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, this year I'm sharing the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah's Bookshelves Live Patreon community! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements Check out my 2022 Holiday Gift Guide! My 2023 Reading Tracker is out! This year, the Tracker will ONLY be available to $7/month Superstars patrons (i.e., I will no longer be selling it for $14.99 here on my website). Learn more about the Tracker here and become a Superstars Patron to purchase here! Highlights My thoughts on 2022 for the podcast — including top episodes based on download stats. Overview of Susie's and Sarah's 2022 year in reading — including trends and stats. Favorite books of the year: overall and by genre, including the SBL Patreon Community's picks. 2022 Genre Awards [18:13] Sarah The Measure by Nikki Erlick | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:42] Finding Me by Viola Davis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:18] The Golden Season by Madeline Kay Sneed | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:39] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:19] Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:36] Dilettante by Dana Brown | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:35] Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:27] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:53] Bad City by Paul Pringle | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:27] Never Simple by Liz Sheier | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:20] The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:01] Upgrade by Blake Crouch | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:52] More Than You'll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:22] The One by John Marrs | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:51] Susie Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:04] Solito by Javier Zamora | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:53] Vladimir by Julia May Jonas | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:15] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:53] Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:10] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:21] Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:16] Trust by Hernan Diaz | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:16] Dilettante by Dana Brown | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:45] Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:57] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:24] The Measure by Nikki Erlick | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:59] The Change by Kirsten Miller | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:07] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:57] Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:48] All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:44] We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:49] The Storyteller by Dave Grohl | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:08] Patrons Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:06] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:14] Finding Me by Viola Davis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:41] Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:11] Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:21] Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:17] Bad City by Paul Pringle | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:53] Finding Me by Viola Davis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:33] Book Lovers by Emily Henry | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:06] Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:36] The Measure by Nikki Erlick | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:31] Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:46] Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:23] Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:43] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:00] All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:04] Beartown by Fredrik Backman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:54] Other Books Mentioned Love & Saffron by Kim Fay [9:41] People Person by Candice Carty-Williams [9:51] Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley [11:09] Flight by Lynn Steger Strong [11:12] Trespasses by Louise Kennedy [11:13] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab [20:45] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller [20:53] Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid [23:36] The Winners by Fredrik Backman [23:47] Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott [25:50] I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy [25:57] Honor by Thrity Umrigar [29:40] Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson [29:50] The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka [29:53] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [30:44] Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt [35:47] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [39:17] The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell [42:04] These Precious Days by Ann Patchett [43:38] How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, LPC [44:42] Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [47:13] Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez [49:19] The Bodyguard by Katherine Center [49:22] Dark Matter by Blake Crouch [50:02] Recursion by Blake Crouch [50:03] The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger [51:50] How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu [52:22] Babel by R. F. Huang [52:42] A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross [53:55] The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna [54:03] Hide by Kiersten White [54:25] Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon [55:38] Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez [57:54] The Cartographers by Peng Shepard [58:14] The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes [1:00:27] The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes [1:00:31] Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow [1:02:24] These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant [1:04:20] Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh [1:04:36] Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer [1:04:44]
It's time for the most fun episode of the year: SECRET SANTA! In typical fashion, Kayla's coming in hot with evidence, Libby has thoughts, Emily has suspicions, and Becky has no idea. We've got some great books and some great mysteries lined up for you, so enjoy the holiday chaos :) and don't forget to read The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb for Emily's final fan club book club pick, coming up on January 3 in the new year. Thanks for listening! Grab your BATC merch (perfect stocking stuffers!) here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and shop all the books we've discussed on this episode and past episodes at https://www.bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Check out our website for more information about the fan club, any anything else at https://www.booksandthecitypod.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter there, and send us a note at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com-------------> Emily's pick: All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami (17:50-26:49) https://www.europaeditions.com/book/9781609456993/all-the-lovers-in-the-night On Emily's TBR: Breast and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami Libby's pick: Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun (27:50-42:43) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Kiss-Her-Once-for-Me/Alison-Cochrun/9781982191139 On Libby's TBR: Milkman by Anna Burns Becky's pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays (42:53-51:37) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Cloisters/Katy-Hays/9781668004401 On Becky's TBR: The Circus Train by Amita Parikh Kayla's pick: Anxious People by Frederik Backman (51:38-58:56) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Anxious-People/Fredrik-Backman/9781501160844 On Kayla's TBR: The Family Game by Catherine Steadman Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions are our own.
Hey! Don't forget to stop by Ink48 Hotel in Hell's Kitchen this holiday season to donate your gently used books, so that Book Fairies can help redistribute them to underserved communities in NYC & Long Island. Also, join Emily in the New Year to discuss her (last!!!) book club pick, The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. After these announcements, we're chatting (for too long) about our Spotify Wrapped, including plenty of conspiracy theories. And after all that: the books :) today, it's a buzzy pop culture novel, a play, historical fiction, and a weird but great kind of fantasy situation. Thank youuu for listening! You can get your BATC merch (perfect stocking stuffers!) here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and shop all the books we've discussed on this episode and past episodes at https://www.bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Check out our website for more information about the fan club, any anything else at https://www.booksandthecitypod.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter there, and send us a note at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com-------------> Kayla's pick: Anon Pls. by Deuxmoi (20:52-33:00) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/anon-pls-deuxmoi?variant=40169936257058 On Kayla's TBR: Angels of the Pacific by Elise Hopper Emily's pick: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee (33:01-42:28) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/295009/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf-by-edward-albee/ On Emily's TBR: Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin Becky's pick: The Wilder Women by Ruth Emmie Lang (42:38-50:21) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/609878/skin-of-the-sea-by-natasha-bowen/ On Becky's TBR: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester Libby's pick: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell (50:22-1:04:28) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612385/hamnet-by-maggie-ofarrell/ On Libby's TBR: The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions are our own.
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
#PodcastersForJustice Violinist and lauded debut novelist, Brendan Slocumb, spoke to me about how both music and writing saved his life, the darker side of the classical music world, and his debut "The Violin Conspiracy." Brendan Slocumb is an accomplished violinist and concertmaster who has performed with major symphonies, has a degree in music education, and has over twenty-five years of teaching in the classroom and in his private studio. His critically acclaimed debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, has been described as, "Part mystery thriller, part character study of a young Black man trying to make his way in the world of classical music..." It was a GMA Book Club Pick and named a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Mystery/Thriller, NPR's Books We Love 2022, Audible's 13 Best Debuts of 2022, and earned two Goodreads Choice Award nominations for Best Debut Novel and Best Mystery Thriller. Publishers Weekly called the book "[A] gripping debut. . . . Slocumb sensitively portrays Ray's resilience in the face of extreme racism. The author is off to a promising start.” Brendan hosts the podcast How Music Can Save Your Life, is a Nobel Teacher of distinction, and serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Stay calm and write on ... Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Brendan Slocumb and I discussed: How he finds time to tour, write, practice for his string quartet, and teach students for an upcoming recital Why the Pandemic forced him to become a prolific novelist What it's like to sign your first paperback for a fan The importance of practice, routine, and banging out 3000 words a day Why writers need to walk, stretch, and hit the gym And a lot more! Show Notes: brendanslocumb.com The Violin Conspiracy - By Brendan Slocumb (Amazon) How Music Can Save Your Life Podcast Brendan Slocumb on Facebook Brendan Slocumb on Instagram Brendan Slocumb on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our 2022 year-end reading roundup starts today with Best Books of 2022 Superlatives with Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits). This year, we're splitting our wrap-up into two episodes: Superlatives and Genre Awards (coming in mid-December). We have 17 Superlatives categories for you, including Most and Least Deserving of the Hype, Biggest Surprise, the Book I Hated that Everyone Else Loved, and more! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements Check out my 2022 Holiday Gift Guide! My 2023 Reading Tracker will be coming out in early December! This year, the Tracker will ONLY be available to $7/month Superstars patrons (i.e. I will no longer be selling it for $14.99 here on my website). Become a Superstars Patron here! Highlights Our best books of the year from 17 categories, including: Most and Least Deserving of the Hype Underrated Gems Favorite Fiction and Nonfiction on Audio The Book You Flew Through Biggest Surprise Best Heartwarming Book A 2022 Book You Missed, but Plan to Read 2022 Superlatives [5:27] Sarah Carris Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:13] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:16] Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:39] Bad City by Paul Pringle | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:30] More Than You'll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:33] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:08] Finding Me by Viola Davis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:07] The Winners by Fredrik Backman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:20] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:09] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:27] The Local by Joey Hartstone | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:31] Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:48] People Person by Candice Carty-Williams | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:18] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:53] Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:51] Love and Saffron by Kim Fay | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:47] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:08] Susie Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:17] The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:12] When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:17] Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:21] Trust by Hernan Diaz | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:31] Every Summer After by Carley Fortune | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:23] Solito by Javier Zamora | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:28] We Spread by Iain Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:48] Can't Look Away by Carola Lovering | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:37] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (December 6, 2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:52] The Winners by Fredrik Backman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:44] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:40] Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:54] We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:11] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:14] Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:17] This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:57] Babel by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:44] Other Books Mentioned Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [7:24] The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (December 6, 2022) [12:51] Vladimir by Julia May Jonas [19:10] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [23:30] Beartown by Fredrik Backman [28:39] Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering [32:42] Too Good to Be True by Carola Lovering [32:43] The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz [33:31] The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz [33:33] Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton [36:00] Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh [38:30] About Susie Boutry Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish.
In Episode 125, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I are back for our 2nd annual Debuts Special. Today we're sharing our favorite debut novels from 2022 (so far)! Plus, we discuss our reading stats for debuts this year and we talk about some upcoming sophomore novels (and their debuts) that are on our radar. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights We discuss why debut books often feel more polished. A full breakdown of our 2022 debut-related stats. Debuts we love, divided into three categories: Favorite Debuts of 2022 (so far) Favorite Backlist Debuts Upcoming Sophomore Novels Favorite Debuts of 2022 (so far) [8:47] Sarah Never Simple by Liz Scheier | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:57] More Than You'll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:43] Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:14] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:52] Susie Groundskeeping by Lee Cole | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:05] Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:37] Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:57] We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (November 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:31] Favorite Backlist Debuts [33:18] Sarah Finding Freedom by Erin French | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:21] The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:41] Susie A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:14] Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:57] Upcoming Sophomore Novels [44:30] Sarah Debut: Don't Know Tough by Eli Cranor | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:44] Upcoming: Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor (April 4, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:59] Debut: His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:46] Upcoming: Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie (June 13, 2023) | Amazon [49:05] Susie Debut: Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:32] Upcoming: Old Flame by Molly Prentiss (April 11, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:54] Debut: The Push by Ashley Audrain | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:40] Upcoming: The Whispers by Ashley Audrain (July 2023) [50:54] Other Books Mentioned Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [9:24] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [9:35] Corrections in Ink by Keri Blakinger [9:39] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [9:50] Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond [10:39] The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells [10:43] Inheritance by Dani Shapiro [10:45] Writers & Lovers by Lily King [13:12] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [15:11] Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff [37:32] The One by John Marrs [39:56] The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker [40:32] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [43:29] The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (December 6) [43:58] Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich [45:56] When I Ran Away by Ilona Bannister [48:22] About Susie Boutry Blog | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish.
Four dynamic authors gathered to speak on a Book Club Favorites panel last month at the Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors—and Anne was the moderator! Their conversation went in wildly delightful directions, and we're so excited to share it with all of you today. Anne was thrilled when Festival chair Beth Buss (whose name you might recognize from Episode 257: Let's build your holiday booklist) asked her to moderate the Festival panel focused on “Book Club Favorites", featuring authors TJ Klune, Andrew Sean Greer, Brendan Slocumb, and Tia Williams. During the unexpected and entertaining LIVE conversation, these authors shared a taste of what their books are like, told some stories from the writing life, and recommended a few books they think would make great Book Club reads. We're so happy we're able to share this conversation with all of you today: thanks to the Bookmarks NC Festival of Books & Authors, the authors and publishers who supported us sharing this live replay with all of you, and the festival staff and devoted volunteers for making all of this possible. We'd love to hear which of the books mentioned today is next on your reading list. Let us know over in the show notes at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/351!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Alison Stewart, host of WNYC's All Of It with Alison Stewart, joins to discuss what makes a great "summer read" and shares some of her picks. For the "it" books of summer that everyone is talking about, check out Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh and Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perotta. Looking for non-fiction? Alison recommends The Family Roe: An American Story by Joshua Prager and Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality by Tomiko Brown Nagin to learn more about the history behind some of the most important political issues today. And if you need a real escape from reality, pick up The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez or Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. → EVENT: Tune in for All Of It's Get Lit radio event with Jennifer Weiner and musical guest Lara Downes on Thursday, July 28th at 1 pm ET! For more information on the event, and how to sign up for next month's book club, click here.
Welcome to the Summer 2022 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out June through mid-August. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)… In addition to my annual 2022 Summer Reading Guide, I introduced Summer Shelves, a companion exclusively for Superstars Patrons ($7/mo). Summer Shelves features BACKLIST summer reading recommendations from over 25 former podcast guests and our team members. The Summer Shelves design is clean, crisp, and unique and is available in a PDF file format via Patreon. If you'd like to get the Summer Shelves companion guide, you can sign up to be a Superstars patron here. You'll also get access to a monthly bonus podcast series called Double Booked (where Catherine or Susie and I share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show) and my Rock Your Reading Tracker. Plus, as a patron you can listen to the quarterly bonus podcast episode series called Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books that we're excited about that we did not share in the regular Preview episode. Get Summer Shelves! Highlights The summer theme lands on the spectrum of female relationships — some healthy and some toxic. Catherine is more optimistic for these summer releases. Debut novels make up 4 of Sarah's 6 picks! Catherine and Sarah fall into an impromptu new game of Guess What Book This Sounds Like? Catherine shares a funny author meeting gaffe from her past. Catherine and Sarah share their #1 summer release picks. Summer 2022 Book Preview [2:33] June Sarah's Picks: These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany (June 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:11] The Measure by Nikki Erlick (June 28) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:08] Catherine's Picks: Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley (June 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:16] Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta (June 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:46] Girls They Write Songs About by Carlene Bauer (June 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:41] July Sarah's Picks: The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger (July 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:12] Crying in the Bathroom by Erika L. Sánchez (July 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:12] The Work Wife by Alison B. Hart (July 19) | Amazon [30:24] Catherine's Picks: Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark (July 5) | Amazon [27:20] Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress (July 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:15] August Sarah's Pick: Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor (August 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:03] Catherine's Pick: Bookish People by Susan Coll (August 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:57] Other Books Mentioned Upgrade by Blake Crouch (July 12) [3:51] Normal People by Sally Rooney [6:52] Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney [6:55] There There by Tommy Orange [9:44] Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades [10:00] American Predator by Maureen Callahan [11:00] The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin [11:57] Election by Tom Perrotta [14:51] The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta [15:11] The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger [18:50] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [19:53] Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven [20:10] Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer [22:54] The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer [24:42] Love and Saffron by Kim Fay [24:50] I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez [25:23] A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost [26:29] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [32:05] The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer [35:22] The Ensemble by Aja Gabel [35:29] The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [35:33] The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb [36:11] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [39:06] The Mothers by Brit Bennett [39:09] The Dry by Jane Harper [39:37] We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker [40:23] Descent by Tim Johnston [41:08] The Stager by Susan Coll [44:19] About Catherine Gilmore Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
Saturday on PBS News Weekend, Russia prepares to celebrate Victory Day amid a stalemate in the battle for eastern Ukraine as the last civilians evacuate Mariupol plant. Then, the latest jobs report shows a year of solid growth, but inequality persists as the economy recovers from the pandemic. Plus, author and violinist Brendan Slocumb shares how the world of classical music inspired his writing. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders