Podcasts about good morning america book club

Host Jason Blitman sits down with current Good Morning America Book Club author Jemimah Wei (The Original Daughter) to explore what silences born of care open up between families, the importance of chosen family, and the unexpected costs of liberation. Jemimah shares childhood memories at McDonald's and reveals the three definitive ways to eat a french fry. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader, fashion icon Prabal Gurung (Walk Like a Girl), who talks about how books have propelled strangers to talk to him and his memoir's intimate reflections on identity and belonging.Jemimah Wei was born and raised in Singapore, and is currently a 2022-2024 Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. She is the recipient of fellowships, scholarships, and awards from Columbia University, the Sewanee Writers' Conference, the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference, Singapore's National Arts Council, and more. Her fiction has won the William Van Dyke Short Story Prize, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and has been published in Guernica, Narrative, and Nimrod, among other publications. She was recently named one of Narrative's “30 below 30” writers, recognized by the Best of the Net Anthologies, and is a Francine Ringold Award for New Writers honouree. For close to a decade, prior to moving to the US to earn an MFA at Columbia University where she was a Felipe P. De Alba Fellow, she worked as a host for various broadcast and digital channels, and has written and produced short films and travel guides for brands like Laneige, Airbnb, and Nikon.Prabal Gurung is an award-winning fashion designer who has been at the forefront of American fashion since launching his eponymous label in 2009. He has been a relentless advocate for diversity, shattering beauty norms and championing inclusivity on the runway and beyond since the beginning of his career. His designs, a masterful blend of beauty, luxury, and edge, are as iconic as his commitment to social change. He is the co-vice chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, a co-founder of the Shikshya Foundation Nepal, a non-profit organization creating a critical mass of leaders in Nepal, and a co-founder/board member of Gold House, a cultural ecosystem that empowers Asian Pacific leaders to power tomorrow for all. Prabal has written numerous op-eds and has been interviewed on major networks, leveraging his platform to address critical social issues, from racial injustice to gender equality, especially surrounding the Asian and Black diaspora. A true industry disruptor based in New York City for over two decades, he has become a prominent figure in the city's cultural and social landscape, and he is redefining the role of the fashion designer as a catalyst for positive change.SUBSTACK!https://gaysreading.substack.com/ BOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

On this week's episode of You Are What You Read, author of the blockbuster Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus, joins us for a conversation about the book, which is available in a newly-designed paperback edition today. Lessons in Chemistry took the world by storm when it hit bookshelves in 2022. A #1 Global Bestseller with more than 8 million copies sold, the book received great acclaim from the Good Morning America Book Club and was named “Best Book of the Year” by Barnes & Noble, The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, and Newsweek. The book went on to become a series on Apple TV+ where it is now available to stream.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jason Blitman talks to Karissa Chen (Homeseeking) about musicals--particularly The Last Five Years' influence on her writing, dreams as well as idealism, the coincidence of reconnection, and the concept of seeking home. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Paul Lisicky (Song So Wild and Blue) and talk about all things Joni Mitchell. Homeseeking is the January 2025 Good Morning America Book Club selection. Karissa Chen is a Fulbright fellow, Kundiman Fiction fellow, and a VONA/Voices fellow whose fiction and essays have appeared in The Atlantic, Eater, The Cut, NBC News THINK!, Longreads, PEN America, Catapult, Gulf Coast, and Guernica, among others. She was awarded an artist fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as well as multiple writing residencies including at Millay Arts, where she was a Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Creative Fellow and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, among others. She was formerly a senior fiction editor at The Rumpus and currently serves as the editor-in-chief at Hyphen magazine. She received an MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and splits her time between New Jersey and Taipei, Taiwan.Paul Lisicky is the author of seven books including Later: My Life at the Edge of the World (one of NPR's Best Books of 2020), as well as The Narrow Door (a New York Times Editors' Choice and a Finalist for the Randy Shilts Award), Unbuilt Projects, The Burning House, Famous Builder, and Lawnboy. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, BuzzFeed, Conjunctions, The Cut, Fence, The New York Times, Ploughshares, Tin House, and in many other magazines and anthologies. He has taught in the creative writing programs at Cornell University, New York University, Sarah Lawrence College, and elsewhere. He is currently a Professor of English in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Rutgers University-Camden, where he is Editor of StoryQuarterly. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. BOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.comWATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

Our first episode of 2025 is a fantastic interview with author Chris Whitaker. As well as speaking about his writing career and the importance of being a reader, we chat about his newest bestseller All the Colours of the Dark; you do not have to have read the book, but there are some references to the storyline - these may be minor spoilers to some, but we are confident they don't impact a new reader's enjoyment of the novel.Chris Whitaker is the author of the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling All The Colours Of The Dark. His other acclaimed and bestselling novels include We Begin At The End, Tall Oaks, and All The Wicked Girls. Chris's novels have been translated into thirty languages and have won the CWA Gold Dagger, the CWA John Creasey Dagger, the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, the Ned Kelly International Award, and numerous awards around the world. His books have also been selected for the Read With Jenna Book Club, Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Good Morning America Book Club, and for BBC2's Between The Covers. All The Colours Of The Dark is currently in development with Universal Pictures. Chris was born in London and lives in the UK.- - -Thanks to Helen Becerra for the artwork and Mark Neville for the mixing.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/make-it-work License code: PLGGIGEZMJI9NR3G and https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/funky-junkLicense code: BZFZTXSSQI4PW6NW ---Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @another.chapter.podcastVisit our website www.anotherchapterpodcast.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariel Lawhon joined us for a “Bookaccino Live” Book Group discussion of THE FROZEN RIVER, which was a “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and an NPR Book of the Year when it was published in hardcover last December. It is now available in paperback and is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Our reviewer Pamela Kramer has this to say about the book, and it is so dead-on: "A book club would have myriad topics to discuss after reading this thoughtful novel about a time when the health care of women was often better left entirely to women themselves." Ariel talks about Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife, and the diary that Martha kept for almost 30 years that informed so much of Ariel's writing. She points out that the voice of the book was not always first person, but the title never changed, and it took time to figure out exactly what would find its way into the story. While not biographical, the details are period correct. Some of the storytelling had to be compressed into the timeline of a single year, 1789, which is why THE FROZEN RIVER is fiction. And yes, Ariel reveals what she is writing now, and when we can hope to see it. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc Chris Whitaker: https://youtu.be/5pQQbuIA1GM Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fTI Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Mexican Gothic Author Comes to Jacksonville Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, is coming to Jacksonville for Hispanic Heritage Month. Her latest novel is a historical drama set in Hollywood, following three different point of view characters all tied to the production of a movie inspired by the Biblical story of Salome. FEATURED BOOK: The Seventh Veil of Salome 1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times. So when the film's mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves. Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of a number of critically acclaimed novels, including Gods of Jade and Shadow (Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, Ignyte Award), Mexican Gothic (Locus Award, British Fantasy Award, Pacific Northwest Book Award, Aurora Award, Goodreads Award), Velvet Was the Night (finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Macavity Award), and her newest book, The Seventh Veil of Salome, which was a Good Morning America Book Club pick for August 2024. Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination. Cachanilla and Canuck, originally from Baja California, Silvia now resides in Vancouver. She has an MA in Science and Technology Studies from the University of British Columbia. Interviewer Michelle Lizet Flores is a graduate of the FSU and NYU creative writing programs. She currently works as a Creative Writing Instructor at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and co-hosts the What's in a Verse Poetry Open Mic at Rain Dogs. Publications include The NCTE English Journal, Salt Hill Journal, and The Talon Review. A finalist for the Juan Felipe Herrera Award for Poetry, she wrote the chapbooks Cuentos from the Swamp and Memoria, and the picture book, Carlito the Bat Learns to Trick or Treat. Her short fiction is in the anthology, Places We Build in the Universe. Invasive Species, her first full-length collection of poetry, is currently available from Finishing Line Press. READ Check out Silvia's work from the Library! THE LIBRARY RECOMMENDS The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzales James The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Piñata by Leopoldo Gout Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova Malas by Marcela Fuentes The Death of Vivek Oji by Awkaeke Emezi Bad Fruit by Ella King Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown The Queen of the Cicadas by V Castro River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan --- Never miss an event! Sign up for email newsletters at https://bit.ly/JaxLibraryUpdates  Jacksonville Public LibraryWebsite: https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaxlibrary Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaxLibrary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxlibrary/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jaxpubliclibraryfl Contact Us: jplpromotions@coj.net 

Paula Hawkins joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE BLUE HOUR, which is November's “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. She discusses her inspiration for the book's setting, which she had when she was on vacation, as well as her love of art. The characters and the way they move in and out of each other's lives is key to the storylines, and she explains how their roles changed as the book went on. Paula also shares where the title came from and what she loves about the cover. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc Chris Whitaker: https://youtu.be/5pQQbuIA1GM T.J. Newman: https://youtu.be/DOfl2RAdcB8 Dawn Tripp: https://youtu.be/OgaYC7kSlok Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fTI Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Ted is joined by Kirthana Ramisetti, author of the novels Advika and the Hollywood Wives and Dava Shastri's Last Day, a Good Morning America Book Club selection optioned by Max. Her books have been praised by TIME, Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, The Associated Press, and others. Beyond her novels, Kirthana's writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Elle, and Salon. She just finished the copyediting stage for her next novel, a case of mistaken identity titled The Other Lata. It comes out in April of next year, and it was a great time to talk with her about what her process looked like for this book in particular. In addition to humoring a question from Ted about Oxford commas and punctuation in general, she discusses the challenge of avoiding dangling plot lines that leave the reader hanging as well as the music-fueled writing sessions that allowed her to complete a first draft in one month. They then move onto what will be Kirthana's fourth book, one she is just in the early stages of writing right now and for which she is pushing herself to go in a direction she hasn't tried in her first three. She compares drafting to going on a hike, with her synopsis acting as the path to help her plot her way—even as she and Ted agree that synopsis writing is not among their favorite tasks—and highlights the importance of the little ways writers can make the process fun for themselves.Finally, as has become tradition these several last months, Kirthana hits Ted with a rom-com recommendation to wrap things up. Find Kirthana Online:Kirthana's website: kirthanaramisetti.comWorking Drafts episodes and info for requesting transcripts as well as more details about Ted and his books are available on his website, thetedfox.com.

Note: A revisiting of an amazing chat I had with Ashley Audrain. Also ... We're excited to be partnering with Writers Rising as one of this year's sponsors, and as a special gift to our listeners, we were able to get you a 10% discount on your in-person or virtual retreat ticket. Visit WritersRising.com today and enter code writerfiles10 to get that discount. Buy your ticket now before they sell out! We'll see you there. New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Audrain, spoke to me about giving herself permission to write sh*tty first drafts, writing in public, and her second novel THE WHISPERS. Ashley Audrain's debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than 40 territories, and a limited TV series is currently in development.  Her latest, The Whispers, is described as “ … a propulsive page-turner about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens – and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses.” The New York Times Book Review wrote, "Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered …. [The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you'll have to read twice to believe.” And #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it, “[An] electrifying … razor-sharp page-turner.” Ashley Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that, worked in public relations. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file, Ashley Audrain and I discussed:  Why she felt intimidated by writers while working in PR How to write claustrophobic, voyeuristic fiction Why she is drawn to the darker side of literature Tapping into the messiness of midlife ennui How to escape your kids And a lot more! Show Notes: Writers Rising 2024 ashleyaudrain.com The Whispers By Ashley Audrain (Amazon)  Ashley Audrain Amazon Author Page Ashley Audrain on Instagram Ashley Audrain on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Danzy Senna whose new book Colored Television is the latest Good Morning America Book Club pick. They talk about psychics, the Cult of California, author personas, and her writing process. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader, designer Jonathan Adler who shares what he's reading as well as tips to best curate your bookshelf. Check out the Colored Television Spotify PlaylistDanzy Senna is the author of five previous books, including the bestselling Caucasia and, most recently, New People, as well as a memoir. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, she teaches writing at the University of Southern California.Theme song performed by Kyle Sherman Sign up to learn more about OUTspoken at www.weareoutspoken.org Gays Reading is sponsored by Audible. Get a FREE 30-day trial by visiting audibletrial.com/gaysreadingSupport the showWATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreadingBOOKS!Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH!Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW!@gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

It's a Good Morning America Book Club pick so not exactly our usual choice of books. Go into this story like you would a Hallmark movie and you'll have an enjoyable but mindless time. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199928276-the-love-of-my-afterlife

Our Book Club selection for July was Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. It's the latest contemporary romance by Stephanie's favorite author that has received many accolades across bestseller lists and was a Good Morning America Book Club this summer. As Stephanie continues to work on her own contemporary romance series, which will be written using a pen name, Abby's books and daily social media posts are a continuous source of inspiration, however, this book threw a curveball. A fair warning here, there may be some spoilers and unpopular opinions ahead, or simply opportunities for great conversations about what it looks like to discuss a book from a reader's perspective and a writer's perspective. The viewpoints do not always align. Just for the Summer is an example of success for an author who knows her readers and has established a solid backlist, even when it's not quite the rom-com you expect. We can agree to disagree. If you go on Goodreads, there are plenty of 1-star reviews right alongside the 5-star reviews of Just for the Summer. Every reader is different. It's a helpful reminder to anyone pursuing a writing career that even the authors whose books are appearing on best seller lists get the 1-star reviews. You definitely want to be careful about judging this book by its cover. The image doesn't reflect the level of mental health darkness that develops for Emma. It's a common discussion thread amongst Abby's readers that they're left navigating so many emotions when reading her books, but the love story doesn't feel memorable in this one. We weren't left feeling like we were forever hopeful for the main characters. It was surprising because the genius hook at the beginning of the book of a Reddit thread that brings Emma and Justin (the romantic heroine and hero of the book) together creates the expected rom-com vibe. While Abby does research her books with great care and sensitivity, it went too far into the family drama for Emma and wove in character connections from her other books that didn't make sense to us. There was a difference between listening to the book and reading it. Stephanie shares how she felt like she wasn't paying as close attention when listening to it. The narrators are so good and the experience felt similar to putting a Netflix series on in the background while you're doing other things, so you're not paying as close attention. A closer read, with the book in hand, brought to light the depth of Emma's mental health challenges that presented a dark, troubling story line that overshadowed the sweetness of the love affair. We invite you to listen to the podcast to hear the details of our discussion. Our next Book Club selection is Go As A River by Shelley Read. We attended workshops by Shelley at the Mountain Words Festival in May 2024, and were inspired by her story and experience of her first novel becoming an International Bestseller. We look forward to sharing insights from her workshops and the book. We'd love to have you joConnect with us!Join our email list to be the first to know about our weekly podcast episodes and upcoming group programs for writers!Join our Inspired Writer's Group on Facebook! Schedule a coffee chat with Elizabeth or Stephanie! To get more information about joining our Inspired Writer Collective Membership community click here.If you prefer video versions of the podcast or want to leave a comment on this specific episode, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

In this episode of Complicated Conversations we chat with Liz Moore, the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Long Bright River, which was a Good Morning America Book Club pick and one of Barack Obama's favorite books of 2020. Her beautiful and complex new novel, The God Of The Woods, follows a wealthy American family who build an estate in the Adirondack Mountains. Their daughter, Barbara, goes missing from the summer camp they built, and the mystery of her disappearance is intertwined with the disappearance of their son years earlier.  We chat with Liz about the ambitious structure of the novel, which is told from multiple perspectives and written in dual timelines; her exploration of the themes of self-reliance, power dynamics, gender, class, and duality in the novel; the use of words with multiple meanings; the interconnectedness of characters and the power of belief; her process of finding the title; and, of course, her very fitting astrological sign.   The God Of The Woods is out now and you should believe all the hype! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Notes and Links to Marcela Fuentes' Work      For Episode 240, Pete welcomes Marcela Fuentes, and the two discuss, among other topics, her childhood in borderland Texas, her experiences with bilingualism, formative and transformative reading, the greatness and timelessness of Selena, seeds for Malas in fairy tales and the title's multilayered meanings, working in flashback and flashforward to illuminate racism and Texas/borderland histories, and salient themes in her collection like toxic masculinity, the burdens and triumphs of motherhood, grief, trauma, addiction, and ideas of fractured and reworked families.      Marcela Fuentes is a Pushcart Prize-winning fiction writer and essayist. She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and was the 2016-2017 James C. McCreight Fiction Fellow at the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in the Indiana Review, The Rumpus, Texas Highways Magazine, Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, and other journals. Her work has been anthologized in New Stories from the Southwest, Best of the Web, and Flash Fiction International. Her story, “The Observable World” appeared in the Pushcart Prizes XLVII : Best of the Small Presses 2023 Edition. She was born and raised in Del Rio, Texas.    Her debut novel MALAS is the Good Morning America Book Club pick for June 2024. Coming soon, the story collection MY HEART HAS MORE ROOMS THAN A WHOREHOUSE, from Viking Books. Buy Malas    Marcela's Website   Marcela's Appearance on Good Morning America   At about 2:00, Marcela describes her “surreal” experience being on Good Morning America At about 4:10, Marcela discusses her early relationship with the written word and Spanish and English-speaking  At about 10:10, Sandra Cisneros, Yo Soy Joaquin, and Helena Maria Viramontes, are cited as formative and transformative writing and writers At about 12:00, Pete recounts a surreal interaction with the wonderful Helena Maria Viramontes At about 13:00, Marcla shouts out Vanessa Chan and Rufi Thorpe as contemporaries who thrill and inspire At about 14:05, Marcela responds to Pete's questions about seeds for the book-shout out Edward Carey! At about 18:05, The two reflect on the book's opening and a resonant first line At about 20:55, Marcela gives background on Caimanes and the barrio where Pilar and José Alfredo, the first main characters, live, and why they like and hate it At about 23:00, Uh, oh-the curse is discussed, as well as Pilar's feelings at eight months pregnant   At about 24:35, Marcela talks about what she envisioned for Pilar, especially her backstory At about 28:20, Ideas of suspicions and insecurities involving José Alfredo on Pilar's part are discussed At about 30:10, Pete and Marcela discuss Anglo/Mexican-American relations and the ways in which racism affected the hospital visit where Pilar is to give birth At about 31:25, Marcela describes what it was like to write such a wrenching scene as the one in the hospital At about 33:45, Pilar's “dull anger” and the ways in which José Alfredo doesn't show up for her  At about 34:40, Lulu Munoz is characterized, as she is introduced in a flashforward scene, and Marcela expands upon her character and her relationship with her “boss man” father  At about 38:10, Pete points out page 60's use of “mala,” and Marcela expands on the word's attendant meanings, especially with regard to the book At about 40:00, Julio (Lulu's father) and his bad behavior is discussed At about 40:40, The two discuss some friends in Lulu's friend group and the “messiness” of the night where Lulu's beloved grandma dies and the chaos of the funeral At about 41:55, Pete wonders about Pilar's mindset and the ways in which Marcela envisioned her emotional state, as the book returned to 1951 At about 46:45, While discussing Lulu's band and music likes, Marcela fangirls about Selena and talks about her personal connections to the great one  At about 49:40, The chaotic quinceañera set for Lulu and its attendant drama is discussed  At about 50:50, Pete compliments the 1970s scenes and the ways in which Marcela writes about this “adjacent history” of civil rights fights in Texas; Marcela gives background on real-life parallels and histories At about 54:40, Marcela talks about exciting future projects, including her story collection  At about 56:50, Marcela highlights places to buy her book and gives out contact information and tour information     You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I'm @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I'm @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch this and other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you're checking out this episode.    I am very excited about having one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I'm looking forward to the partnership!     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl     Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!       This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I'd love for your help in promoting what I'm convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 241 with Antonio Lopez, who is a poetician working at the intersections of poetry and politics to fight for social change. His 2021 collection, Gentefication, was named one of the "Ten Notable Latino Books of 2021” by NBC. Antonio is a former Marshall Scholar and current Mayor of East Palo Alto. CA.    The episode will go live on July 2.     Lastly, please go to ceasefiretoday.com, which features 10+ actions to help bring about Ceasefire in Gaza.

Jenna Bush Hager has included Kirsten Miller's latest novel, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books, in her list of 5 Books to Read this Summer.  Kirsten stops by the Writing Table for a fun chat about small towns, book bans, and what has inspired her favorite characters.  Kirsten Miller grew up in a small town in the mountains of North Carolina. At seventeen, she left for college in New York City, where she lives to this day. Kirsten's latest novel, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books, is a side-splitting satire that takes on some of the most controversial issues of our day. Her first adult novel, The Change, was a Good Morning America Book Club pick for May 2022. Kirsten is also the author of over a dozen middle grade and YA novels, including the acclaimed Kiki Strike books, (which tell the tale of the delinquent girl geniuses who keep Manhattan safe), and How to Lead a Life of Crime. She is not the Kirsten Miller who wrote All That Is Left (which sometimes appears on the list of the books she's written), but she assumes that Kirsten is lovely and talented. Kirsten's latest novel is Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books.For more information visit www.KirstenMillerBooks.com Follow on Instagram & Threads: @kirstenmillerbooksIntro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table:On Twitter/X: @writingtablepcEverywhere else: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

Lily Brooks-Dalton is the bestselling author of The Light Pirate, which was the runner-up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, a #1 Indie Next pick, a Good Morning America Book Club selection, one of NPR's "Books We Love," and a New York Times Editors' Pick. Her previous novel, Good Morning, Midnight, which was the inspiration for the film adaptation The Midnight Sky and her memoir, Motorcycles I've Loved, was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. Her work has been translated into 18 languages. A former writer-in-residence at The Kerouac House and The Studios of Key West, she currently lives in Los Angeles. We talked about writing climate fiction, making time to feel grief, pacing the story so that hope only comes after a proper time to mourn, listening to intuition, remaking the world after catastrophe, magic, and literary structure.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Writers series was honored to host Nita Prose at the City Opera House on December 6th, 2023. Nita Prose is the author of The Maid, which has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and was published in over 40 countries. A #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club pick, The Maid won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction and was an Edgar Awards finalist for Best Novel. The Mystery Guest is a new mess. A new mystery. And it's up to Molly the Maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nationalwritersseries/message

In the first episode of the new year, Jason and Brett discuss books they're excited to check out in 2024. They're joined by editor and author Jenny Jackson (who initially put The Rachel Incident on their radar—one of Jason's Most Memorable 2023 Books!) Jenny talks about titles, some of which she served as editor, that she's looking forward to this year. You'll also find an Easter egg for an upcoming (unannounced) episode. Check out Jason's earlier interview with Jenny HERE. Jenny Jackson is a vice president and executive editor at Alfred A. Knopf. A graduate of Williams College and the Columbia Publishing Course, she lives in Brooklyn Heights with her family. Her debut novel Pineapple Street, a Good Morning America Book Club pick, was released in March 2023. **BOOKS!** Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page:https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading | By purchasing books through this Bookshop link, you can support both Gays Reading and an independent bookstore of your choice!Join our Patreon for exclusive bonus content! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast Merch! Follow us on Instagram @gaysreading | @bretts.book.stack | @jasonblitmanWhat are you reading? Send us an email or a voice memo at gaysreading@gmail.com

Fiona Davis is a historical fiction mainstay beloved by readers for her “winning formula of showcasing the stories behind New York City landmarks” (USA Today). Her seven bestselling novels to date include Good Morning America Book Club pick The Lions of Fifth Avenue, a “delightful mystery delving into the history of New York Public Library” […] The post Club Book Episode 161 Fiona Davis first appeared on Club Book.

Angie Kim came to fiction in her 40s, after careers in both law and business, and some challenging years mothering three boys who each faced medical complications. Her debut novel, Miracle Creek, won the Edgar Award, the ITW Thriller Award, the Strand Critics' Award and the Pinckley Prize, and was named one of the best books of the year by Time, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews and the “Today” show. Her second novel, Happiness Falls, came out in August by Hogarth. A NYT bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club pick, it will appeal to mystery and thriller lovers, philosophers, those active in the special needs and autism communities, and anyone who generally loves a thought-provoking and engaging read. Angie joins Marrie Stone to talk about. They discuss how both her childhood and her prior careers influence her fiction, how she used a combination of freewriting and her obsession with narrative architecture to structure this novel, how mysteries can be used as a trojan horse in fiction, using creative literary devices to reveal character in a novel, the perils and pleasures of first person, and so much more. Angie also shares her story of finding her agent, what to look for in an agent, query letters, and shares other book business insights. For more information on Writers on Writing and additional writing tips, visit our Patreon page. To listen to past interviews, visit our website. We're also excited to announce the opening of our new bookstore on bookshop.org. We've stocked it with titles from our guests, as well as some of our own personal favorites. By purchasing through the store, you'll support both independent bookstores and our show. New titles will be added all the time (it's a work in progress). Finally, on Spotify you can listen to an album's worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. Look for the artist, Just My Type. Email the show at writersonwritingpodcast@gmail.com. We like to hear from our listeners. (Recorded on October 7, 2023) Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett Host: Marrie Stone Music and sound editing: Travis Barrett

Bestselling author, Reese pick, and GMA pick Chandler Baker is back with a funny, daring mystery about what happens when ten preschoolers with an odd craving for blood are the only witnesses to a murder, pitched as Big Little Lies meets Nothing to See Here Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea are on personal quests to reclaim aspects of their identities subsumed by motherhood—their careers, their sex lives, their bodies—when their children, who all attend preschool at Little Academy, develop an unsettling medical condition: the kids are craving blood. Then a young teacher is found dead, and the only potential witnesses are ten adorable 4-year-olds. Soon it becomes clear that the children are not just witnesses, but also suspects. . . and so are their mothers. As the police begin to look more closely, the children's ability to bleed their parents dry becomes deadly serious. Part murder mystery, part motherhood manifesto, Cutting Teeth explores the standards society holds mothers to—along with the ones to which we hold ourselves—and the things no one tells you about becoming a parent. Chandler Baker lives in Austin with her husband and toddler, where she also works as a corporate attorney. She is the author of several young adult novels and her adult debut, Whisper Network, was a New York Times bestseller and Reese's Book Club pick. The Husbands was a USA Today bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. Cutting Teeth is her third novel for adults. You can find the book HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steve-richards/support

Praise for The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America Book Club pick! “Historical fiction at its best…The Personal Librarian spins a complex tale of deceit and allegiance as told through books.” —Good Morning America   The First Ladies Editorial Reviews “This book will expand your perspective and keep you reading late into the night." —Dolen Perkins-Valdez, New York Times bestselling author of Take My Hand   Victoria Christopher Murray's Books https://victoriachristophermurray.com/books About the Author Victoria Christopher Murray is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels. Her novels, The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, which she co-authored with Marie Benedict were both Instant New York Times bestsellers and her novel, Stand Your Ground won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction. Five of her novels, Lust, Envy, Wrath, Pride and Greed have been made into TV movies for Lifetime.  

On this edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet best-selling author Ashley Audrain. Two years ago Ashley debut novel, The Push, became a New York Times, Sunday Times (UK), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. The psychological thriller tells the story of three generations of women who have been abused and are passing on their traumas through these generations. Her second book “The Whispers,” now available wherever fine books are sold, is a propulsive page-turner about four suburban families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens—and what is lost when good people make unconscionable choices. We'll also meet Elegance Bratton, the film director who turned his story of being a young gay man, who found unexpected strength, camaraderie and support when he joined the Marines, after being rejected by his mother, into a critically acclaimed film called “The Inspection.” It is a classic against-all-odds story that paints a vivid picture of life inside the boot camp, the dehumanization, the violence, but also the brotherhood. The movie carefully builds the world of the boot camp, creating a palette of claustrophobia, brutality and tension that adds layers to the telling of his survival story.

Today we have the delightful Ashley Audrain, author of The Push, as we discuss her new book, The Whispers. From the many faces of motherhood, getting inspiration from your neighborhood, pantsing, editing, and creating suspense, we get into what it took to send this book out into the world! ASHLEY AUDRAIN'S debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), and number-one international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than forty territories, and a limited television series is currently in development. Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that she worked in public relations. She lives in Toronto, where she and her partner are raising their two young children. Learn more at https://ashleyaudrain.com/.

In conversation with Alexandra Auder, author of Don't Call Me Home: A Memoir Publishing industry veteran Christine Pride has held a variety of editorial positions at Doubleday, Simon & Schuster, and Crown, among other publishing companies. In this capacity she has championed and edited numerous New York Times bestselling memoirs and inspirational stories. Also a freelance editorial consultant, teacher, and coach, Pride writes the ''Race Matters'' column for the popular blog Cup of Jo. A journalist, editor, and podcast host, Jo Piazza is also the author of seven novels, including Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, If Nuns Ruled the World, and Fitness Junkie. Her other writing has been widely published in a variety of places, including The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, and Slate. She formerly served as a managing editor for Yahoo! Travel, the executive news director for the print and digital editions of In Touch Weekly, and the senior digital editor at Current TV. Pride and Piazza's first collaborative novel and a Good Morning America Book Club pick, We Are Not Like Them told the dual-perspective story of two lifelong friends, one Black and one white, whose bond is forever changed when the latter's police officer husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. In their follow-up novel, a Black woman, finds an abandoned white baby, setting up collisions with her own past and the child's mother. Alexandra Auder is a writer and actor and the author of Don't Call Me Home: A Memoir. Born in New York City to mother Viva, a Warhol superstar, and father Michel Auder, an award-winning filmmaker who directed Chelsea Girls with Andy Warhol. Alexandra  has been a featured character in HBO's High Maintenance and has acted in the films of Wim Wenders and Jodie Foster, among others. She resides in Philadelphia with her two children and husband, filmmaker Nick Nehez, with whom she co-produces and collaborates. (recorded 6/15/2023)

New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Audrain, spoke to me about giving herself permission to write sh*tty first drafts, writing in public, and her second novel THE WHISPERS. Ashley Audrain's debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than 40 territories, and a limited TV series is currently in development.  Her latest, The Whispers, is described as “ … a propulsive page-turner about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens – and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses.” The New York Times Book Review wrote, "Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered …. [The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you'll have to read twice to believe.” And #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it, “[An] electrifying … razor-sharp page-turner.” Ashley Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that, worked in public relations. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file, Ashley Audrain and I discussed:  Why she felt intimidated by writers while working in PR How to write claustrophobic, voyeuristic fiction Why she is drawn to the darker side of literature Tapping into the messiness of midlife ennui How to escape your kids And a lot more! Show Notes: ashleyaudrain.com The Whispers By Ashley Audrain (Amazon)  Ashley Audrain Amazon Author Page Ashley Audrain on Instagram Ashley Audrain on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome back Ashley Audrain. Her debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), and number-one international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. Her second novel, The Whispers, is out today and is a pageturner about four suburban families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens. No one examines motherhood with the nuance and complexity of Ashley and we loved deep diving into the weighty questions of her novel with her: does being a mother require a “voluntary death” of your identity or can you fight it? Can you be a feminist and a mother? What lengths will a woman go to become a mother or to protect her child? We debate all of that with Ashely, as well as discussing midlife, female desire, infertility, and womens' intuition (how to hear the “whispers” from within us). Finally, Ashley shares the way our episodes have inspired her exploration of astrology and Carinn tells us about how Ashley has been her literary fairy godmother.  The Whispers is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to this very special spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What stories is the city of Los Angeles brewing? Why do we need better friendship stories? We welcome back good friend of the show Kirthana Ramisetti and talk about the storytelling choices in her new novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives. Kirthana Ramisetti is author of Dava Shastri's Last Day, a novel selected a Good Morning America Book Club selection, and is currently in development as a television series for HBO Max. Her second novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives, comes out in April 2023.

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.”

Eleanor Shearer is here to discuss her debut novel, River Sing Me Home, a beautiful, page-turning and redemptive story of a mother's gripping journey across the Caribbean to find her stolen children in the aftermath of slavery. We discuss the power of historical novels to teach and bring lesser known periods of history to life and how she explores through her writing what it means to be free and finding love and joy in the darkest times. River Sing Me Home is a Good Morning America Book Club pick and was  named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by Real Simple, Goodreads, BookBub,  BookRiot and more.

THE LIGHT PIRATE: Told in four parts—power, water, light, and time--The Light Pirate mirrors the rhythms of the elements and the sometimes quick, sometimes slow dissolution of the world as we know it. It is a meditation on the changes we would rather not see, the future we would rather not greet, and a call back to the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness. "Brooks-Dalton has a different sort of vision for the post-apocalypse, one that's not so dystopian . . . It's good to read an alternate and more hopeful story of how life might be experienced on a planet that is partly dying but also evolving, even if fewer humans remain." Lily Brooks-Dalton's most recent novel is The Light Pirate,, a Good Morning America Book Club selection, one of NPR's "Books We Love," and a New York Times Editors' Pick. She is also the author of Good Morning, Midnight, and the memoir, Motorcycles I've Loved, which was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. A former writer-in-residence at The Kerouac House and The Studios of Key West, she currently lives in Los Angeles. "Brooks-Dalton turns a devastating dystopian vision on its head in this redemptive tale by asking whether life is sustainable without human connection. This exquisite novel will appeal to a diverse group of readers..." ―Library Journal, Starred Review #authorsontheair #authors #podcast #authorinterview #lilybrooksdalton

THE LIGHT PIRATE: Told in four parts—power, water, light, and time--The Light Pirate mirrors the rhythms of the elements and the sometimes quick, sometimes slow dissolution of the world as we know it. It is a meditation on the changes we would rather not see, the future we would rather not greet, and a call back to the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness. "Brooks-Dalton has a different sort of vision for the post-apocalypse, one that's not so dystopian . . . It's good to read an alternate and more hopeful story of how life might be experienced on a planet that is partly dying but also evolving, even if fewer humans remain." Lily Brooks-Dalton's most recent novel is The Light Pirate,, a Good Morning America Book Club selection, one of NPR's "Books We Love," and a New York Times Editors' Pick. She is also the author of Good Morning, Midnight, and the memoir, Motorcycles I've Loved, which was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. A former writer-in-residence at The Kerouac House and The Studios of Key West, she currently lives in Los Angeles. "Brooks-Dalton turns a devastating dystopian vision on its head in this redemptive tale by asking whether life is sustainable without human connection. This exquisite novel will appeal to a diverse group of readers..." ―Library Journal, Starred Review #authorsontheair #authors #podcast #authorinterview #lilybrooksdalton

In this episode, we talk to author Angie Cruz, whose latest novel is the widely acclaimed How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water. This irresistible book inspired a conversation about a myriad of topics: how the unconscious mind influences the creative process, the lengths women will go to escape a dangerous situation, invisible labor as it pertains to women–especially immigrant women. Friendship, partnership, motherhood, and more. Take a listen! Angie Cruz is the author of four novels. Her book Dominicana was the inaugural book pick for the Good Morning America Book Club. It was shortlisted for the Women's Prize, longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and won the Alex Award in Fiction. It was named a “most anticipated” or “best book” in 2019 by Time, Newsweek, People, Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Esquire. Angie is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning literary journal Asterisk, and she's currently an associate professor at University of Pittsburgh. How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water was a New York Times Notable and a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice. Find us on Twitter (@bookdreamspod) and Instagram (@bookdreamspodcast), or email us at contact@bookdreamspodcast.com. We encourage you to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter for information about our episodes, guests, and more. Book Dreams is a part of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate network, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. For more information on how The Podglomerate treats data, please see our Privacy Policy. Since you're listening to Book Dreams, we'd like to suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about literature, writing, and storytelling like Storybound and The History of Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonnie Garmus talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her debut novel, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, which has been getting a ton of buzz since it came out in April. It was a “Good Morning America” Book Club selection for April and an instant New York Times bestseller. Bonnie shares that one day she walked away from a meeting, headed to her desk, and banged out the first chapter of the book --- and explains what inspired that. She also talks about Elizabeth Zott being a character in an earlier book draft, where her role was not part of the main storyline, and why she loves writing her. She studied chemistry to write this book and brought on chemist friends to check her work lest the publisher's copywriters needed to brush up on their science skills. She discusses why she wanted to set the book against the timing of the late '50s and '60s. Carol guesses why Bonnie's dog is named 99; Bonnie likes her idea, but that is not the reason. They also explore the rest of the characters, including the amazing dog Six-Thirty. Books mentioned in this interview: LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/677234/lessons-in-chemistry-by-bonnie-garmus/ More Bookreporter Talks To: Katie Runde: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQHnE... Meg Mitchell Moore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS_qe... Tom Perrotta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTvm... Julie Clark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_hvO… Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events! Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM Lisa See: https://youtu.be/SdfiOwpBJ2s Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/boo… FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald Produced by Jordan Redd Productions

SOUL CAFE PODCAST Episode #8With special guest: Christine PrideChristine Pride is a writer, editor and long-time publishing veteran.  She's held editorial posts at many different trade imprints, including Doubleday, Broadway, Crown, Hyperion, and Simon& Schuster.As an editor, Christine has published a range of books, with a special emphasis on inspirational stories and memoirs including New York Times Bestsellers.  As a freelance editorial consultant, she does select editing and proposal/content development, as well as teaching and coaching, and pens a regular column—Race Matters-A Cup of Jo.  She lives in NYC and is co-author of Good Morning America Book Club choice…We Are Not Like Them.Welcome to the Soul Cafe Podcast…the Soul Cafe..”where life is served-up freshly brewed”. And the table is huge for ALL people.Are you ready for a rude awakening??  Della Mae wake us up….I will give a little intro to the book—WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM—told from —“alternating perspectives—-a novel about friendship—-ending with “WANLT explores complex questions of race and how they pervade and shape our most intimate spaces in a deeply divided world—but at its heart, it's a story of enduring friendship—-a love that defies the odds even as it faces its most difficult challenges”.So Christine—-in my curiosity I always want to know—why—why did you write this book—was their a foundational purpose?I want people if they have not already to get this book and read it—with that said—I promise not to give a spoiler—but I do want to read a couple of excerpts from the book and just get some vibe back from you.  I must confess up front though that I am not a big novel reader—I am a major non-fiction reader—but there is no way I would ever interview someone about something that I have not taken the time to read—so in this case—my wife and I read the book out loud—she read as Jen—-and I read as Riley—it was fun I promise—-and I must confess—I felt this book—and I felt the soul of this book—-and I believe it was because Christine Pride and Jo Piazza—are great writers they were able to pull even this old white guy into the story—okay even shed a tear or two.  this is the scene—Gigi—Riley's grandmother says—“I want to be buried in the family plot too—with them.  Y'all make that happen, ya hear?  And you bring Grandpa Leroy's ashes and scatter some around me so he there too.  God knows why that man wanted to be cremated.  I want to be in the ground, dust to dust, like Jesus.  Right where I was born.  Sometimes you gotta go home.  You promise you'll take me there.”  “We will. I promise.”  My heart is screaming.And in the middle of this real conversation about death and dying.And then Riley reflects a little—“it kills me how some people want so badly to believe racism is buried beneath layers and layers of history, “ancient history,” they say.  But it's not.  It's like an umpire brushing the thinnest layer of dirt off home plate: it's right there.  Only too often the trauma, the toll of it, remains unknown generation after generation.  Like how Gigi kept her own awful secret, presumably to protect us from the ugly truth, and I've kept my own secrets, haunted by a similar shame.I assume she's nodded off, but then Gigi opens her eyes and looks up at the ceiling.  “I want the world to be better, baby girl.  We gotta do better.”Any reflections here Christine?I will read another passage from the book if we have time but let's talk about something else—and that is the article you authored in the STYLIST entitled—“Why I Started to Question if I'd Event Want Another White Friend Again”.  And this article for me—kind of helped with the whole back story of your and Jo Piazza's relationship leading up to writing the book together and leading up to your friendship.  The honesty of this article is what we all need to hear.Christine writes:“There's an old Chris Rock bit where he jokes, “my black friends have a bunch of white friends and all my white friends have one Black friend.”  Like most comedy, the humor in this comes from the unrecognizable truth.  I know this first hand because it's the story of my life.  I should have business cards printed:  Christine Pride, Everyone's One Black Friend.Skipping ahead a little—“and since I've been single most of my adult life, it is these friendships I've built over 40 years, wide and deep and diverse, that constitute my family and my tribe, they are my cornerstone and salvation.  Which means, I was always on the prowl for additions to my circle—-and was promiscuous in my search:  white, Black, Latino, Asian, everyone was welcome in my friendship tent.  But then something changed.  Somewhere along the line (er, perhaps in early 2016?), I became wary of making new friendships…with white people.  Actually, the truth be told, I became wary of white people in general.  That eager, easy, color-blind approach I'd had to new connections was gone, replaced by a brittle cautiousness and skepticism.  I am not sure I even consciously realized how much this was the case, until I met Jo.”Another excerpt from book.Wow—-this seems like soul kind of stuff here and we know that the Soul Cafe is where life is served up freshly brewed—-so Christine would you continue this soul baring conversation—the world needs this kind of honest conversation—-talk Christine.So—what now?  I know this book—We Are Not Like Them—which is a Good Morning America Book Club pick—is been talked about in Book Clubs across the nation—there is even a little reading club guide at the back of the book.  What are you hearing—do you think the book is doing anything creatively in the mainstream of society??Is there a Part 2 coming?Folks—you gotta read WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM—-as Laura Dave—NY Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me says—“a powerful story about friendship, race, love, forgiveness, and justice—and the stunning ways they intersect…Empathetic, riveting, and authentic, We Are Not Like Them will stay with you long after you turn the last page.”  And Frank Newsome of the Soul Cafe Podcast says—-Amen sister.Thanks—Thanks Christine Pride for chatting with me today—please share this episode of the Soul Cafe Podcast with all your social media.Next months episode will be the Season finally..Today we go off the air with a song GOOD For Something by Chuck and Mira Costa the Indie folk-pop duo THE SEA THE SEA…thanks for the permission Chuck and Mira.

Brendan Slocumb talks to Carol Fitzgerald about his much acclaimed debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, which was a Good Morning America Book Club selection and a Bookreporter Bets On pick. The novel follows Ray McMillian, who discovers a love of playing the violin, but is unable to afford an instrument of his own. When he takes his family heirloom violin in for repairs, it is found to be a Stradivarius and suddenly there is a lot of attention to it --- and him. Shortly before his appearance at the biggest classic music competition in the world, his violin is stolen, and Ray needs millions of dollars for ransom. Brendan talks about how he came to write the book, which he wrote over the course of a few months. They discuss the pacing and many of the characters who mirror people from his own life. He also discusses his life as a musician and the similarities between music and writing, and the ways he uses music to influence the reader. Book Discussed in this Episode: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-violin-conspiracy More Bookreporter Talks To: Eternal: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM The Good Son: https://youtu.be/AZN6U3XCFJo The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post: https://youtu.be/ywUPJ9_iiB8 Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events! Jim DeFede: https://youtu.be/y2im_W_wGsw Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/-SCBGFZeoaM Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Literary Fiction Author Kirthana Ramisetti joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss how she accidentally got a songwriter credit, an overnight success 20 years in the making, bucking trends, finding the social media that works for you, how quarantine changed her writing process, and what TV show inspired a character's name. Kirthana Ramisetti is the author of Dava Shastri's Last Day, a Good Morning America Book Club pick. A former entertainment reporter, she has had her work published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic and more. Kirthana: Query | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqkirthana This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you'd like to support the show.

Adam interviews instant New York Times bestselling author and Good Morning America Book Club pick for June, Zakiya Dalila Harris about her debut novel, The Other Black Girl! They get nerdy about the publishing world, how readers from different cultural backgrounds will approach her book, and so much more. Register for our virtual event on 6/17 with Kate Moore Get your own Libby PRIDE t-shirt Librarians: sign up for Digipalooza where we'll be interviewing Andy Weir live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margarita Montimore is the author of Asleep from Day and Oona Out of Order, a USA Today bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club pick.