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This week we visit with Linda Kass, novelist and owner of Gramercy Books in Bexley, Ohio. Located in suburban Columbus, Gramercy is known for its series of fantastic author events and much more. Books We Talk About: The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, Stoner by John Williams, The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, The Waiting by Michael Connelly, The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis and more!
Meryl chats with Linda Kass about her new novel, Bessie (September 12, 2023). They discuss Bess Myerson's early life and her crowning as the first and only Jewish Miss America in 1945. They also talk about antisemitism in the wake of the Holocaust and World War II, the publishing industry, and Gramercy Books, Linda's independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Linda Kass is the author of the new novel, Bessie, which was named A Hasty Book List Most-Anticipated Historical Fiction Title for 2023. She has also written two other historical novels, Tasa's Song and A Ritchie Boy. A Ritchie Boy was the 2021 IPPY Gold Medal Winner in Historical Fiction. Linda began her career as a magazine journalist and correspondent for regional and national publications. She is the founder and owner of Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Author's website: lindakass.com Copyright by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #AuthorsOnTheAir #AuthorsOnTheAirGlobalRadioNetwork #AOTA #LindaKass #BessMyerson #Bessie #ARitchieBoy #Tasa'sSong #GramercyBooks #Publishing #MissAmerica #JewishMissAmerica #1945 #PostWorldWarII #AfterTheHolocaust #MissAmericaCompetition #HighSchoolofMusicandArt #ConcertPIanist #MissAmericaTalentCompetition #HunterCollege #ADL #AntiDefamationLeague #antisemitism #PeopleoftheBook #MerylAin #TheTakeawayMen #Sequel #ShadowsWeCarry #LetsTalkJewishBooks #JewsLoveToRead!
Meryl chats with Linda Kass about her new novel, Bessie (September 12, 2023). They discuss Bess Myerson's early life and her crowning as the first and only Jewish Miss America in 1945. They also talk about antisemitism in the wake of the Holocaust and World War II, the publishing industry, and Gramercy Books, Linda's independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Linda Kass is the author of the new novel, Bessie, which was named A Hasty Book List Most-Anticipated Historical Fiction Title for 2023. She has also written two other historical novels, Tasa's Song and A Ritchie Boy. A Ritchie Boy was the 2021 IPPY Gold Medal Winner in Historical Fiction. Linda began her career as a magazine journalist and correspondent for regional and national publications. She is the founder and owner of Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Author's website: lindakass.com Copyright by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #AuthorsOnTheAir #AuthorsOnTheAirGlobalRadioNetwork #AOTA #LindaKass #BessMyerson #Bessie #ARitchieBoy #Tasa'sSong #GramercyBooks #Publishing #MissAmerica #JewishMissAmerica #1945 #PostWorldWarII #AfterTheHolocaust #MissAmericaCompetition #HighSchoolofMusicandArt #ConcertPIanist #MissAmericaTalentCompetition #HunterCollege #ADL #AntiDefamationLeague #antisemitism #PeopleoftheBook #MerylAin #TheTakeawayMen #Sequel #ShadowsWeCarry #LetsTalkJewishBooks #JewsLoveToRead!
Meryl chats with Linda Kass about her new novel, Bessie (September 12, 2023). They discuss Bess Myerson's early life and her crowning as the first and only Jewish Miss America in 1945. They also talk about antisemitism in the wake of the Holocaust and World War II, the publishing industry, and Gramercy Books, Linda's independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Linda Kass is the author of the new novel, Bessie, which was named A Hasty Book List Most-Anticipated Historical Fiction Title for 2023. She has also written two other historical novels, Tasa's Song and A Ritchie Boy. A Ritchie Boy was the 2021 IPPY Gold Medal Winner in Historical Fiction. Linda began her career as a magazine journalist and correspondent for regional and national publications. She is the founder and owner of Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Author's website: lindakass.com Copyright by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network#AuthorsOnTheAir #AuthorsOnTheAirGlobalRadioNetwork #AOTA #LindaKass #BessMyerson #Bessie #ARitchieBoy #Tasa'sSong #GramercyBooks #Publishing #MissAmerica #JewishMissAmerica #1945 #PostWorldWarII #AfterTheHolocaust #MissAmericaCompetition #HighSchoolofMusicandArt #ConcertPIanist #MissAmericaTalentCompetition #HunterCollege #ADL #AntiDefamationLeague #antisemitism #PeopleoftheBook #MerylAin #TheTakeawayMen #Sequel #ShadowsWeCarry #LetsTalkJewishBooks #JewsLoveToRead!
Linda Kass is the acclaimed author of Tasa's Song (2016) and A Ritchie Boy (2020). Her latest book, Bessie—a fictional portrait of Miss America 1945, Bess Myerson—will be released in September 2023. She is also the founder and owner of Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Trained as a journalist, Linda began her career as a magazine reporter and correspondent for regional and national publications such as Columbus Monthly, TIME, and The Detroit Free Press. Linda is known for her advocacy in education, literacy, and the arts and has served in leadership roles on the boards of Bexley Schools, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and The Ohio State University among many others. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Master's in Journalism from The Ohio State University. Today, you'll hear Linda reveal her life's remarkable twists and turns through stints working in medicine, education, journalism, and freelance writing. She describes how a family history writing project and a chance meeting during an outing with her book club moved her to become a novelist. She explains what makes Columbus, Ohio a unique place to be in. You'll also hear about the ultimate value of reading and writing and why Linda was compelled to write her most recent book about the first Jewish Miss America, Bess Myerson. “Inhabit the character. Imagine what they would think, feel, and do in a scene—how they would relate to other circumstances. Walk in their shoes. That becomes the inventiveness on the page of fiction, but then it's grounded in all of that authentic, true history underneath it.” - Linda Kass This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores: ● The young Linda Kass and her life growing up in central Ohio● Linda's time at Eastmoor High School and how it led her to become a journalist● Her work as a physical therapist while studying journalism in graduate school● The genesis of Linda's life as a writer, teacher, and freelancer● What brought Linda back to Columbus after living and working in Detroit● How Columbus has changed since the late 80s● The creative writing project that began Linda's career as a historical novelist● What creative nonfiction is and how it helped Linda tell her parents' stories● Poland and modern-day Ukraine in the context of World War II● How a Catholic family helped Linda's mother and her family during World War II● The research and writing process involved in creating Tasa's Song● The art of inhabiting a character while writing● What led Linda to write her book on Bessy Myerson● The value of reading and writing Resources Mentioned: ● Book: The Bright Forever: A Novel by Lee Martin Our Favorite Quotes: ● “Read, because when you enjoy that experience you want to read more. When you read, you learn more, and when you learn you can be an empathetic human being that understands yourself and the world better.” - Linda Kass● “To tell a real human story is more treatful and effective than coming up with just a fact-by-fact biography.” - Linda Kass Connect with Linda Kass: ● Linda Kass Website● Gramercy Books● Book: Bessie● Gramercy Books on Instagram● Gramercy Books on Facebook● Gramercy Books on Twitter● Linda Kass on Instagram● Linda Kass on Facebook● Linda Kass on Twitter● Email: Linda@lindakass.com● Email: gramercyinfo@gramercybooksbexley.com Spaceship Not Required I'm Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean. I'm an explorer, and that doesn't always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action. In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required. Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores. Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead! Don't forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.
In this episode, I'm chatting with Linda Kass, co-owner of Gramercy Books in Bexley, Ohio, about her career as a journalist and author, the four ingredients needed to create an excellent indie bookshop, and Pelotonia!Gramercy Books is a locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Their philosophy is simple: they're about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. The booksellers at Gramercy Books connect readers and writers with books they love and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets, and songwriters that provoke conversation. The name, Gramercy, comes from the French word “grand merci,” which translates to “big thanks” or “many thanks.”Their inviting space includes a new café concept from Kittie's, featuring Stumptown coffee, breakfast items, savory and sweet snacks, and their iconic cupcakes.Gramercy BooksBooks by Linda KassLinda Kass Author WebsiteBooks by Kazuo IshiguroPelotoniaBooks by Temple Grandin, PhD Books by Maggie SmithBooks by James ClearBooks by Claire KeeganSupport the show
Linda Kass, author of Tasa's Song, joins Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee to discuss her book A Ritchie Boy. Caitlin Malcuit also discusses the continued fallout from last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. To learn more about Linda Kass, visit her official website, like her Facebook page, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram. A Ritchie Boy was featured in the November/December issue of "Books That Should Be On Your Radar." You can also catch Kass at Gramercy Books, the indie bookstore she founded in Bexley, Ohio. Today’s Friday Morning Coffee episode is sponsored by Libro.fm.
Linda Kass discusses her new novel A Ritchie Boy, which draws heavily on her father's unique experiences in World War II. She also talks about the many interesting twists her career has taken, including being a journalist, working in broadcasting, and owning Gramercy Books.
Amazon.com is known for a lot of things these days, but books are no longer top of mind when you think of the ecommerce giant. For the nation’s independent booksellers, that presents an opportunity as welcome as it is unexpected. The coronavirus pandemic has upended the business models of countless industries and caused pain for small-business owners nationwide. But entrepreneurs are fighting back and adapting. One of those is Gramercy Books in Bexley, where owner Linda Kass has ramped up online sales and fulfillment while emphasizing the store’s traditional strengths in personalized customer service. “Being a small, single independent bookstore, we've been able to be nimble and I think we have we quickly readjusted in reinventing our business into a phone and online transactional business, rather than an in-store customer face-to-face business,” she said. Kass said she feels like Gramercy has become “an alternative to Amazon” by being able to provide the convenience of online shopping and delivery while providing a concierge presence for those who want to talk to a human about their interests. “I think that that some of these things are almost habitual,” she said. “And as people are coming to us in that way, instead of just going on to Amazon, I think that has been a real positive for all booksellers across the country. Amazon had de-prioritized books in the midst of all this and it gave booksellers across the country the option opportunity to come into this space. And we've done so.” “Our e-commerce, which was a very, very little of portion of our revenue for the almost three and a half years we've been in operation, now is an enormous part of our revenue." In the latest episode of our Crisis Management podcast, Kass also talks about how Gramercy is adjusting its events business that has featured author readings and book clubs, and what the store is doing to accept walk-in customers again.
Amazon.com is known for a lot of things these days, but books are no longer top of mind when you think of the ecommerce giant. For the nation's independent booksellers, that presents an opportunity as welcome as it is unexpected. The coronavirus pandemic has upended the business models of countless industries and caused pain for small-business owners nationwide. But entrepreneurs are fighting back and adapting. One of those is Gramercy Books in Bexley, where owner Linda Kass has ramped up online sales and fulfillment while emphasizing the store's traditional strengths in personalized customer service. “Being a small, single independent bookstore, we've been able to be nimble and I think we have we quickly readjusted in reinventing our business into a phone and online transactional business, rather than an in-store customer face-to-face business,” she said. Kass said she feels like Gramercy has become “an alternative to Amazon” by being able to provide the convenience of online shopping and delivery while providing a concierge presence for those who want to talk to a human about their interests. “I think that that some of these things are almost habitual,” she said. “And as people are coming to us in that way, instead of just going on to Amazon, I think that has been a real positive for all booksellers across the country. Amazon had de-prioritized books in the midst of all this and it gave booksellers across the country the option opportunity to come into this space. And we've done so.” “Our e-commerce, which was a very, very little of portion of our revenue for the almost three and a half years we've been in operation, now is an enormous part of our revenue." In the latest episode of our Crisis Management podcast, Kass also talks about how Gramercy is adjusting its events business that has featured author readings and book clubs, and what the store is doing to accept walk-in customers again.
Cold weather means hot chocolate and good books, so snuggle up and listen to the top picks. From Tayari Jone's Oprah Book Club winner to the latest from the author of The Nightingale plus many more, Linda Kass walks you through the best of the February titles in independent bookstores around the country.
An interview with Linda Kass, author of Tasa's Song, plus the music inspired by the book, composed by Charles Weatherbee and performed by the Carpe Diem String Quartet.
Although the Holocaust inflicted extreme brutality wherever it occurred, the specific events associated with the violence differed from one place to another. In Tasa’s Song (She Writes Press, 2016), Linda Kass weaves stories of her own mother’s life in eastern Poland under Soviet and Nazi occupation to create a universal story of suffering and survival. Tasa Rosinski is a violinist, a child prodigy living in the Polish village of Podkamien, when Adolf Hitler is elected chancellor of Germany in 1933. At ten, her world revolves around school, music, and play–secure amid a loving family, friendly neighbors, and a teasing older cousin who has become her best friend. But as Tasa matures into adolescence and moves to the nearby town of Brody for schooling, the influence of antisemitism on her native Poland grows steadily. Life becomes increasingly unsafe for a Jewish girl, however gifted. In 1939, just before the outbreak of war, the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact transfers Tasa’s region to Soviet control. The USSR invades: demands for socialist realism eliminate the study of Polish literature, Marxist-Leninist ideology replaces religion, and students with questionable political connections disappear from the school. The Soviets deport several of Tasa’s relatives to Siberia. Yet Tasa and those close to her will soon recast their oppressors as liberators. Because in June 1941, Hitler orders his forces to attack the USSR, turning Tasa’s home into a battleground. C. P. Lesley is the author of six novels, including Legends of the Five Directions (The Golden Lynx, The Winged Horse, and The Swan Princess), a historical fiction series set in 1530s Russia, during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible. Find out more about her at http://www.cplesley.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Although the Holocaust inflicted extreme brutality wherever it occurred, the specific events associated with the violence differed from one place to another. In Tasa’s Song (She Writes Press, 2016), Linda Kass weaves stories of her own mother’s life in eastern Poland under Soviet and Nazi occupation to create a universal story of suffering and survival. Tasa Rosinski is a violinist, a child prodigy living in the Polish village of Podkamien, when Adolf Hitler is elected chancellor of Germany in 1933. At ten, her world revolves around school, music, and play–secure amid a loving family, friendly neighbors, and a teasing older cousin who has become her best friend. But as Tasa matures into adolescence and moves to the nearby town of Brody for schooling, the influence of antisemitism on her native Poland grows steadily. Life becomes increasingly unsafe for a Jewish girl, however gifted. In 1939, just before the outbreak of war, the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact transfers Tasa’s region to Soviet control. The USSR invades: demands for socialist realism eliminate the study of Polish literature, Marxist-Leninist ideology replaces religion, and students with questionable political connections disappear from the school. The Soviets deport several of Tasa’s relatives to Siberia. Yet Tasa and those close to her will soon recast their oppressors as liberators. Because in June 1941, Hitler orders his forces to attack the USSR, turning Tasa’s home into a battleground. C. P. Lesley is the author of six novels, including Legends of the Five Directions (The Golden Lynx, The Winged Horse, and The Swan Princess), a historical fiction series set in 1530s Russia, during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible. Find out more about her at http://www.cplesley.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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