Podcast appearances and mentions of Mary Kay Andrews

What a thrill to welcome the ladies of Friends and Fiction to celebrate 5 years of connecting readers with stories! It was such a joy to chat with Mary Kay Andrews, Patti Callahan Henry and Kristin Harmel and hear their inspiration, their journey with F&F and what it means to hear from readers and the meaning of F&F to them. We missed Kristy Woodson Harvey but she was very much there in spirit as her bookish sisters were celebrating her latest, Beach House Rules. They are the book girl band we didn't know we needed giving just a little more glitter and light to the book world. I am a better reader having been in their presence.

Friends & Fiction authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Patti Callahan Henry join me to chat about celebrating their fifth anniversary. We discuss how the group formed originally, centering independent bookstores on their platform, impact of Friends & Fiction on their writing, how inclusive they are, how they handle disagreements, and more. Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page ⁠⁠2025 Winter Reading Guide⁠⁠ with 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter. I also include mystery series recommendations, new releases in a next-in-the-series section and fiction and nonfiction pairings. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2025? Check out our fourth ⁠⁠Literary Lookbook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead.     Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly ⁠Buzz Reads⁠ column with five new recommendations each month. Link to my article about ⁠older protagonists in fiction⁠.     Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠.  Friends & Fiction links: Subscribe to their PODCAST. Subscribe to their YOUTUBE channel. Join their FACEBOOK group. Follow them on INSTAGRAM. Find details about everything F&F on their WEBSITE. Shop their MERCH STORE. Find out about their LIVE EVENTS. Join the F&F Official BOOK CLUB with Brenda & Lisa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A First Coast Romance Sheila Athens writes smart contemporary fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world. Featured Book: Mae Van Dorn's Perfect Storm All thirty-four-year-old Mae Van Dorn wants is to live alone. But she soon finds herself living with her estranged brother in a town she's never been to and working for the founder of the local megachurch, though she's as misanthropic as they come. An added benefit of the job: Ezra Watts, the handsome construction company owner who's remodeling the deck at the pastor's waterfront mansion. Between her brother's mysterious past, the pastor's potentially illicit dealings and Ezra's on-again-off-again flirtations, Mae's life spins out of control…and that's all BEFORE Hurricane Carly makes landfall in Jacksonville Beach. Check out Sheila's work from the Library: https://jaxpl.na4.iiivega.com/search?pageSize=20&pageNum=0&sorting=relevance&sortOrder=asc&searchType=everything&query=sheila%20athens&universalLimiterIds=&materialTypeIds=&collectionIds=&intendedAudienceIds=&literaryFormIds=&agentIds=&conceptIds=&language=  After growing up in the Ozarks, Sheila Athens moved to Florida—sight unseen—with the man who would become her husband. Thirty-five years later, she's still on the shores of the Atlantic, grateful that her two grown sons and their families live nearby. After many years as a vice president of human resources, she now spends her time ensconced in her quiet little lair, where she reads, writes and communes with the ducks who live on the lake right off her back porch. She loves quiet spaces, eccentric people and the little band of writer hikers who walk at sunrise on a regular basis. To sign up for her newsletter or to schedule a book club visit (either in-person or virtual), go to SheilaAthens.com. Interviewer Jessica Hatch has a passion for writing genre-blind, character-first fiction. Her work has appeared in such publications as Writer's Digest, The Millions, Fast Company, Neutral Spaces, and Surely Magazine, among others, and her freshman and sophomore novels were published by Hachette UK's Bookouture imprint. Before becoming an author, Jessica worked and interned in New York trade publishing institutions Writers House and St. Martin's Press. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Find her at jessicahatch.com. More Recommended Reading SHEILA RECOMMENDS Looking for other authors of Southern fiction? Sheila recommends Karen White, Sarah Addison Allen, Mary Kay Andrews, and Kristy Woodson Harvey. --- 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 

On this episode of Currently Reading, Mary and Roxanna are sharing their favorite reads of 2024. We are excited to give them the reins for a full episode, and they bring some awesome reads for you to add to your TBR! Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  1:24 - Mary and Roxanna's Reading Year In review 2:06 - Mary read 84 books in 2024, 59% print, 24% digital, 17% audio 2:54 - Mary read 71% adult, 16% middle grade, 7% young adult and 6% new adult 4:29 - Currently Reading Patreon 7:45 - Roxanna read 70 books in 2024, 19 were 5-star reads. 8:18 - Roxanna read 81% fiction, 19%  nonfiction 9:09 - Both Mary and Roxanna want to increase their POC/Diverse reads im 2025. 10:48 - Mary and Roxanna's Top Reads of 2024 10:57 - The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand (Roxanna #10) 12:15 - The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews 13:23 - The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon (Mary #10) 14:39 - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett 15:22 - Hotline by Dimitri Nasrallah (Roxanna #9) 16:51 - How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz 17:45 - Death in the Dark Woods by Annelise Ryan  (Mary #9) 17:51 - A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan 20:33 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (Roxanna #8) 21:13 - The Last Dragoners of Bowbazar by Indra Das 23:52 - Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison (Mary #8) 26:27 - It's Easier than you Think by Sylvia Boorstein (Roxanna #7) 30:18 - A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush (Mary #7) 30:56 - @maryoliversdrunkcousin on Instagram 31:19 - Winter Hours by Mary Oliver 32:03 - Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark (Roxanna #6) 34:58 - The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (Mary #6) 35:09 - The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer 37:24 - Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (Roxanna #5) 40:05 - The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman 41:52 - Heir by Sabaa Tahir (Mary #5) 43:47 - A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 46:44 - Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski (Roxanna #4) 50:12 - The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Mary #4) 53:38 - In the Shadow of the Mountain by Sylvia Vasquez-Lovado (Roxanna #3) 54:02 - Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 54:04 - Finding Me by Viola Davis 57:00 - The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury (Mary #3) 58:59 - Be Ready when the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (Roxanna #2) 1:02:08 - The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop 1:02:25 - The Baddest Bitch in the Room by Sophia Chang 1:04:36 - A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall (Mary #2) 1:08:22 - Matrix by Lauren Groff (Roxanna #1) 1:08:39 - Search by Michelle Huneven 1:11:15 - Sandwich by Catherine Newman (Mary #1) 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. January's IPL is a special episode in partnership with All Things Murderful and a total mystery and thriller stack from Fabled Bookshop in Waco, Texas! 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!

Mike "C-Roc" brings together an all-star cast of New York Times bestselling authors: Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Mary Kay Andrews. Known collectively as the co-hosts of the popular Friends & Fiction podcast and community, these talented writers share how they came together during the pandemic to support each other, their fans, and fellow book lovers. With a shared passion for storytelling, connection, and community, these authors created a thriving online space of over 250,000 members, a true haven for readers and writers alike. Mike dives into each author's personal journey, exploring their motivations, their grit, and the unique qualities they bring to Friends & Fiction. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of writing and promoting books, especially during the challenges of lockdown. Whether you're a bookworm, an aspiring writer, or simply interested in the power of community, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration for anyone looking to live their dream life. Join in for laughs, wisdom, and the inside story on how Friends & Fiction became a powerful literary force. Friends and Fiction: Building Community and Inspiring Readers with Bestselling Authors

Book 15: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews by

The month of May has arrived and tiny town is blooming. Catch up with the librarians in Mont Vernon to hear what's happening in town and get excited for summer reads! Don't miss our interview with Friend of the Library, Hayley Parker. She's our special guest and honored Friend of the Year for 2023! Be sure to wave to her in the Spring Gala Parade! Amy's Book Recommendations Books I Read Recently That I Enjoyed Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (Luckiest Girl Alive, The Favorite Sister) The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynne Barnes (YA) 1st in a series, the rest are as follows: The Hawthorne Legacy The Final Gambit The Brothers Hawthorne Games Untold New offshoot series, 1st book coming out in July- The Grandest Game is book 1 The Book of Fire by Christie Lefteri (The Beekeeper of Aleppo) The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay (The London House, Lizzy & Jane, Dear Mr. Knightley, plus others)   New Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading The Husbands by Holly Gramazio The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl Real Americans by Rachel Khong Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench Upcoming Books I'd Like to Read The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley 5/7 Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski 5/7 Long Island by Colm Toibin 5/7 The Stolen Child by Ann Hood 5/7 Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews 5/7 One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware 5/21 You Like It Darker by Stephen King - short stories - 5/21  

Mary Kay Andrews returns to “Bookreporter Talks To” to discuss her latest book, SUMMERS AT THE SAINT, with Carol Fitzgerald.  She talks about the resort that she modeled The Saint after and how she conducted research there while spending time with a friend. She also touches on the many storylines that are woven so well into this Bookreporter Bets On selection and points out that the novel originally had a different beginning. It is said that “summer begins with MKA,” and Mary Kay explains exactly why this book deserves that moniker and to be read wherever readers are this summer. Book discussed in this episode: SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews: https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/summers-at-the-saint Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Simone Gorrindo: https://youtu.be/pgg46TW63SY Megan Miranda: https://youtu.be/VqZ_EEV5JbE Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/JiOt8pz9kLo Tamron Hall: https://youtu.be/XIgoGu-Qpc4 Kristin Hannah: https://youtu.be/rQpe4F0jLe8 Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/WgMH-QE2Jb0 Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/RAA3xm1_z_o Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/WDDpUmWZEkY Katherine Faulkner: https://youtu.be/TtPCMj-aYwQ Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs Lisa See: https://youtu.be/GV3G-szlWHU Dani Shapiro: https://youtu.be/Qwb4YxxQIPU Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: https://youtu.be/A4t2w8dat7c Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/4fgncFSfeM0 Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/fD82fbLJ1Pg Kristin Hannah: https://youtu.be/p4dVHdVZC3I Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/7HmJlMd0V1A Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/DT-XR5ue_5Q Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/f_Ev0KN8z2M 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

We're continuing to add to your beach read pile today with another fiction pick I couldn't get enough of: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews, which is out May 7. Mary Kay is so talented at making the setting or the place of her books as a character in the novel, and she certainly does that in this latest book with “the Saint,” a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia. Traditions run deep here, but scandals run even deeper. “The Saint” is shorthand for the St. Cecelia, and if you grew up coming to this hotel, you were referred to as “a Saint”; if you came from the wrong side of the river, you were “an Ain't.” In the book we meet Traci Eddings, who was one of those outsiders; her family wasn't rich or connected enough to vacation at the Saint. She did work at the Saint, however, for one summer, and she married the boss' son. In this book we find her the widowed owner of the hotel, attempting to get the Saint back to its glory days, even though she's got a mountain of opposition standing in her way. She's got one summer season to turn it around, but then, new information about a drowning that happened long ago at the hotel threatens to come to light, and then a tragic death of one of the Saint's own brings Traci to the brink of despair. It's a love story, it's a mystery, and it's definitely worth a place on your TBR pile. Mary Kay Andrews is such a talented writer—she's a New York Times bestseller and her hit books are too numerous to name, but I'll try: The Homewreckers, The Newcomer, Hello, Summer, Sunset Beach, The High Tide Club, The Beach House Cookbook, The Weekenders, Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies' Night, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues, and I know there are many others that I left out. She is actually a former journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and lives in Georgia; Mary Kay Andrews is actually a pen name she adopted in 2002—her real name is Kathy Hogan Trocheck—and (I find this so interesting!) her pen name is inspired by the names of her children, Mary Kathleen, so Mary K, and Andrew, so Andrews. I love details like that. I have lived in the South for 15 years this year, and I really resonate with Mary Kay Andrews' Southern-flavored stories, but they're relatable and totally compelling to anyone, anywhere, as her books at their heart deal with the human element.   Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

Holiday episode time! Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. After listening, leave a comment here or head over to the Off the Shelf blog and tell us what you think. And don't forget to check out Freegal Music for your holiday music needs! Music provided by: https://www.purple-planet.com

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for Nov 3rd      Publish Date:  Nov 2nd Commercial: Henssler :15   From the Henssler Financial Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  Today is Friday, November 3rd and Happy 73rd Birthday to boxer Larry Holmes  ***LARRY HOLMES*** I'm Dan Radcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Engineered Solutions of Georgia Georgia Journalist Jim Wooten Dies at 78 Mableton Mayor says 'Highly Likely' Citizens Will See Higher Natural Gas Prices MUST Ministries Opens Thrift Store in East Cobb All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  BREAK: CU of GA  STORY 1: Georgia Journalist Jim Wooten Dies at 78 Renowned Georgia journalist Jim Wooten passed away at the age of 78. He had a long and impactful career, serving as an editor and conservative columnist at the Atlanta Journal and later at the Journal-Constitution. Wooten was known as the "voice of conservatives" at AJC and was actively involved in the GOP, offering his time and mentorship to young leaders. In addition to his journalism career, he served in the Georgia Army National Guard, retiring as a colonel. Later in life, he and his wife, Ann, restored an historic home and received an award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. A memorial service is scheduled for November 11. STORY 2: Mableton Mayor: 'Highly Likely' Citizens Will See Higher Natural Gas Prices The Mableton City Council is considering a 30-year contract with Austell Gas System, which could raise natural gas prices for residents. The contract is one of several franchise fee agreements being considered by Mableton with utility companies. The city collects franchise fees from utilities for using government rights-of-ways, and they are a significant source of revenue for the city. In this contract, Mableton would collect 3% of Austell Gas System's sales receipts, and the company is likely to pass that fee on to customers. The fees, though they may lead to higher utility costs, are necessary for a city that doesn't levy property taxes and require revenue to operate. STORY 3: MUST Ministries Opens Thrift Store in East Cobb MUST Ministries CEO Ike Reighard inaugurated the new MUST Marketplace thrift store in East Cobb. The thrift store was previously located in Marietta and has now moved to a 7,000-square-foot space in the Sandy Plains Village shopping center. The store offers various items, including clothing, books, kitchenware, Christmas decor, sports gear, and furniture. The revenue generated from the thrift store will be reinvested in MUST's programs to support those in need. The store's affordability makes it accessible to clients and helps expand MUST's presence in East Cobb, allowing people to learn more about MUST Ministries and its mission. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.  We'll be right back  Break: ESOG – ELON – DAYCO STORY 4: 'Something for everybody': New Barnes & Noble Opens at Avenue East Cobb Barnes & Noble has opened a new 15,000-square-foot store in Avenue East Cobb, featuring a brighter and more community-focused design. Bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews was present for the store's grand opening, where she held a meet-and-greet and book signing. Barnes & Noble's rebranding aims to tailor each store to the local community's preferences. The store brought in 89 pallets of 75,000 pounds of books, creating a model for other locations with a wide selection of titles. The bookstore emphasizes its "New and Noteworthy Fiction" section to entice customers as they enter the store, offering a curated shopping experience. STORY 5: Six Flags to Unveil America's First Coaster Of Its Kind Saturday Six Flags Over Georgia is set to introduce the "KID FLASH Cosmic Coaster," the first of its kind in America. This roller coaster features a "P'Sghetti Bowl twin-tracked" style, with twin tracks crossing over and under each other during the ride. Passengers will experience a comic book-themed adventure with LED lighting displays involving the heroes and villains of Gotham City. The ride is suitable for all ages with a 36-inch height requirement, and it allows riders to race others on the opposite side. The coaster opens to pass holders on Saturday and the general public on Sunday. We'll be back in a moment  Break: DRAKE – INGLES 5 – THE MARKET STORY 6: Former Chief Scientist at GA Tech Research Institute Led Scheme to Defraud Tech, CIA James G. Maloney, the former chief scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for conspiring to defraud Georgia Tech and the CIA. He, along with two other scientists, conspired to charge personal expenses to a Georgia Tech credit card, engaged in outside consulting activity, and covered up their actions. Maloney, James J. Acree, and James D. Fraley III worked on projects funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and private companies. Between 2007 and 2013, they used their positions to charge hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal expenses. Maloney was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1.9 million in restitution. STORY 7: Richardson Ally Files Paperwork to Run For Cobb Commission Kevin Redmon, an ally of Democratic Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson, has filed paperwork to run for Richardson's seat on the Board of Commissioners. Redmon, who serves as the east Cobb liaison on Richardson's community cabinet, plans to run as a Democrat in District 2 in 2024. On his campaign website, he lists priorities like increased engagement, intentional budget planning, infrastructure modernization, smart planning for residential growth, and supporting local businesses. Redmon has previously worked for the political group For Which It Stance, which supported Richardson's "home rule" bid. Several Republicans have also expressed interest in running for the seat. Break: JRM (Taste of Ken) – Henssler :60  Signoff-   Thanks again for hanging out with us on today's Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com.   Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.    www.henssler.com  www.inglesmarkets.com  www.cuofga.org  www.drakerealty.com  www.daycosystems.com   www.esogrepair.com  www.elonsalon.com  www.jrmmanagement.com  #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Roxanna are discussing: Bookish Moments: books from beloved authors and the perfect buddy reading scenario Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: a deeper look into The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese 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) .  .  .  .  .  1:18 - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese 1:36 - Bookish Moments of the Week 2:06 - @Roxannathereader on Instagram 2:26 - No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister 2:38 - The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister 2:39 - House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister 5:51 - Kill Show by Daniel Sweren-Becker 6:27 - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 7:56 - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 8:53 - Penguins Classic version of Jane Eyre 10:32 - Current Reads 11:09 - Before He Finds Her by Michael Kardos (Meredith) 12:28 - @booktalketc on Instagram 12:29 - Book Talk, etc. Podcast 13:43 - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave 14:54 - Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan 16:24 - The Almost Widow by Gail Anderson-Dargatz (Roxanna) 21:51 - Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie (Meredith) 25:42 - House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister (Roxanna) 26:52 - Downton Shabby by Hopwood DePree 26:54 - The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews 28:52 - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 28:53 - Search by Michelle Huneven 30:11 - The Exchange by John Grisham (Meredith) 30:35 - The Firm by John Grisham 34:44 - Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes 34:50 - Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes 36:53 - The Pelican Brief by John Grisham 36:57 - A Time to Kill by John Grisham 37:00 - The Brethren by John Grisham 37:53 - Deep Dive: A Discussion on The Covenant of Water 38:01 - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (Roxanna) 42:23 - The Gilmore Guide to Books 43:51 - A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry 48:51 - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese 49:59 - A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas 52:41 - Meet Us At The Fountain 52:56 - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 53:11 - I wish more book reviewers and podcasters would explain why Tom Lake may be a book for you or not for you. (Roxanna) 53:41 - Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 56:12 - These Precious Days by Ann Patchett 56:32 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 58:23 - I wish if you like documentaries you would watch Hello Bookstore. (Meredith) Hello Bookstore website and ways to watch  Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the independent bookstore of the month. October's IPL is curated by The Novel Neighbor. Visit them on Instagram Trope Thursday with Kaytee and Bunmi - a behind the scenes peek into the publishing industry All Things Murderful - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the special insights of an independent bookseller The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts 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!* 

The countdown to Christmas is ON! Whether you're looking for the festive audiobook to listen to while shopping or gift wrapping, or a gift idea for the bookworm on your nice list, this episode is here for you. Olivia shares recommendations and future holiday favorites straight from her own TBR. This is followed by a revisiting of a festive 2021 conversation with New York Times bestselling novelist Mary Kay Andrews, author of THE SANTA SUIT.   Also mentioned in this episode: HOLIDAYS ON ICE, David Sedaris SKIPPING CHRISTMAS, John Grisham LOVE ALWAYS, CHRISTMAS, Karen Schaler ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Karen Schaler CHRISTMAS SHOPAHOLIC, Sophie Kinsella Once Upon a Book Club monthly subscription service:  https://www.onceuponabookclub.com/

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry speak with Reyna Grande about her sweeping and powerful historical fiction novel, A Ballad of Love and Glory. This conversation delves into Reyna's beginnings as a writer and her path to becoming a a strong immigrant voice in literature.

Join us on Thanksgiving Eve as we welcome some of our favorite indie bookseller pals for a very special holiday episode of Friends & Fiction! The Fab Four are joined by Tim from Nantucket Book Partners in Nantucket, MA; Peter from Booktowne in Manasquan, NJ; Susan from Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE; Cathy & Serena from Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, FL; Rebecca from Macintosh Books on Sanibel Island, FL; and Laura from Oxford Exchange in Tampa, FL.We hear from each of them about their origin story as a bookseller, their holiday book recommendations, and trends they're seeing in their stores.All hosts and guests don their Friends & Fiction t-shirt for this Thanksgiving "Tee Party!" Join us by wearing yours—on sale now "Buy-One-Get-One-Free" in the F&F merch shop at Oxford Exchange!

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey talk with Tori Whitaker about her fascinating historical fiction novel that connects two women across decades. The 1920's and the present day come alive across generations with this story of strength, connection, and the power to find one's own path.

On this show, we welcome back our dear friend, award-winning author Lisa Unger! Lisa is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty novels, including THE STRANGER INSIDE, LAST GIRL GHOSTED, and CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 — now in development at Netflix, starring Jessica Alba. A co-President of the International Thriller Writers Organization with books published in thirty-two languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, Lisa is regarded as a master of suspense. She joins us to discuss her brand-new release, SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX (just published 11/8/22 by Park Row Books), which has gotten starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus has been named to most-anticipated lists by USA Today, the American Booksellers Association, Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryReads and Target, among others. The crew delve into Lisa's writing process, the inspiration for her latest novel, what prompted her interest in writing about crime and dysfunctional families, and news on her Netflix adaptation that's in the works.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block speaks with Jennifer Coburn about her thoroughly researched and fascinating first historical fiction novel, Cradles of the Reich and about her path to change genres in her writing.

On this episode we introduce you to one of the world's foremost historical novelists, Philippa Gregory! Philippa is the acclaimed author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL (which was a 2008 major motion picture starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson) and THE WHITE QUEEN (which became a StarzOriginals 10-part series in 2013). Philippa has won numerous awards including Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction by the Historical Writers' Association, an Honorary Platinum Award by Nielsen for achieving significant lifetime sales of her books, and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature and charity. She joins us from the UK to discuss her brand-new novel, DAWNLANDS, the spellbinding new entry in her Fairmile series featuring palace intrigue, political upheaval, and life-changing secrets in seventeenth-century England. Join the fun as we discuss the origins of this series, her journailsm background, her research and writing process, and her charitable efforts.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry dive into How to Write A Novel in 20 Pies with author and teacher, Amy Wallen. Sure to be a delicious treat for writers and aspiring writers alike!

On this episode we spend some quality time with our friend Wanda Morris! The acclaimed author of 2021's #1 Library Reads Pick ALL HER LITTLE SECRETS (which is being adapted by Uzo Aduba as a limited series for Showtime!), joins us to talk about her brand-new gripping, suspenseful novel, ANYWHERE YOU RUN (just released on 10/25/22 by William Morrow Books). Wanda tells us about her gut-wrenching research into Jim Crow-era Mississippi, the difficult decision to keep the language of the time authentic in her writing, the food and music at play in her novel, and all about her writing process and path to publication.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry speak with literary superstar Bethanne Patrick about her hit Podcast, Missing Pages, her upcoming memoir and about keeping her finger on the pulse of the publshing industry!

On this episode we have FOUR amazing author guests! On the first half of the show, meet the author trio of Ariel Lawhon, Susan Meissner & Kristina McMorris who join us to discuss the historical novel they team-wrote together, WHEN WE HAD WINGS, about three WWII nurses who wage their own battle for freedom and survival in the South Pacific. We find out their inspiration for this book, their research and process for writing together, and which of them wrote which character. On the second half of the show we introduce #1 bestselling author, Santa Montefiore, who is a huge bestseller in England with more than 3-million copies sold across Europe and novels translated into 20 languages. We talk to Santa about her children's Royal Rabbits series she writes with her husband Simon Sebag Montefiore and discuss her spellbinding new novel set in war-torn Italy and the streets of New York, AN ITALIAN GIRL IN BROOKLYN, in which dark secrets and hidden sorrows abound.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry celebrate the release of Marple: Twelve New Stories with contributers Alyssa Cole and Jean Kwok, discussing their short stories, the enduring popularity of Agatha Christie and how the project came together.

On this episode we speak with Lisa Jewell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels such as The Family Upstairs, Then She Was Gone, The Girls, and The Night She Disappeared whose work has been translated into 29 languages and has sold more than 10 million copies internationally. She joins us to discuss her standalone sequel, THE FAMILY REMAINS, published earlier this year. Listen in as the ladies discuss her career shift from rom-com to psychological thriller, her inspiration for her deeply troubled characters, how she veered into police procedural for the first time with this latest book, her inspiration and writing process. Stick around for a great “Ask Us Anything” segment on the after show.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristin Harmel speak with international and NYT Bestselling author Fredrik Backman about his latest, THE WINNERS which concludes his hugely popular BEARTOWN series.

Meet two incredible, mega-bestselling author guests on this show—Veronica Roth and Gabrielle Zevin. Veronica is the New York Times bestselling author of the phenomenally popular series of books and movies, Divergent, who has also penned The End and Other Beginnings, Chosen Ones, and the Carve the Mark duology. She joins us to discuss her brand-new dystopian mystery novel POSTER GIRL, pushing her boundaries as a writer, and exploring big themes through science fiction. Gabrielle Zevin is the internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed author of several novels, including Margarettown, Young Jane Young, and book-cub favorite The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry which spent several months on the New York Times Best Seller List and was just released as a major motion picture. She joins us to discuss her super buzzworthy tenth novel, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW, which was published earlier this year and was a NYT bestseller and named a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year. We hear from Gabrielle about the role of gaming in her life and in this novel, seeing her work come alive on the big screen, and the friendship/love story at the heart of her new book.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block is joined by Friends and Fiction Founder Kristin Harmel to celebrate and discuss the 10th Anniversary Edition release of her International Bestselling Book, The Sweetness of Forgetting

The four Friends & Fiction host authors gather to catch up on what's going on with their writing and their lives, and to give you a sneak peek at what they each have coming out. Hear from Kristin Harmel all about the 10th anniversary re-packaged trade paperback edition of her novel, THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING (in stores October 4th from Gallery Books). Hear from Mary Kay Andrews about the forthcoming paperback release of THE SANTA SUIT (October 11th, St. Martin's Press). And each of the Fab Four will also talk a bit about their 2023 book releases. We will hear from Patti Callahan Henry about THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA (May 2nd, Atria Books), from Kristin about THE PARIS DAUGHTER (June 6th, Gallery), from Kristy Woodson Harvey about THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS (July 11th, Gallery), and from MKA about the Top Secret Book Project she's been toiling over and which St. Martin's will publish next fall.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristin Harmel have a conversation with thriller writer, Ruth Ware about her lastes book, The It Girl, and explore her writing process, life in England, and how she puts it all together!

On this very special episode of Friends & Fiction we gather with our good friend Jennifer Robson for a show all about the British monarchy. Jennifer is the USA Today bestselling author of seven novels, including THE GOWN and her forthcoming CORONATION YEAR (coming April 2023) which feature Queen Elizabeth II. If you love The Crown, are obsessed with the royals, and have been drawn to recent coverage of Queen Elizabeth's passing, you'll love this lively conversation and royal bookish chatter with Jennifer — who holds a doctorate in British history from the University of Oxford — as the crew take a deep dive into our shared fascination with the royal family and the rich history and traditions of the monarchy.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey talk with Pulitzer Prize winning author Andrew Sean Greer about his newest book, Less Is Lost which is a follow-up to his hugely popular Less.

The Fab Four sit down with Shelby Van Pelt, the author of the smash hit and much buzzed about debut novel REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES which was an instant New York Times bestseller, named one of Amazon's #1 Best Books of the Year, chosen as a Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick, and named a Best Book of Summer by the Chicago Tribune, The View, Southern Living, and USA Today. The gang have a fun and insightful conversation about Shelby's writing process, her path to publication, her inspiration for the caharacter of Marcellus the octopus, and what it's been like to have her very first book—the quirky story of a widow who befriends an aquarium-dwelling octopus—burst onto the literary scene in such grand fashion.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Meg Walker talk to bestselling novelist and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Tom Perrotta about his new sequel to ELECTION two decades in the making, TRACY FLICK CAN'T WIN.

On this episode, we talk to TWO amazing authors! Meet the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels (Garden Spells, First Frost), Sarah Addison Allen, a self-described master of "southern fried magical realism." She joins us to discuss her long-awaited seventh novel, OTHER BIRDS, which St.Martin's Press just released on August 30th, and which debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list. The crew discuss character develpment, the craft of magical realism, the role that food and the theme of motherhood play in her books, and they go deep as they talk to Sarah about the tragic loss of her mother and how it effected her writing. On the second half of the show, the crew welcomes the USA TODAY bestselling author of six novels (The Hideaway, Hurricane Season), Lauren K. Denton who joins us to discuss her forthcoming sixth novel, A PLACE TO LAND (Harper Muse, October 4th). We hear all about the southern setting in her new novel, her strong female characters, sacrifice and sisterhood.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey speak with prolific author Brenda Novak about her latest book, Summer On The Island, and dive deep into her writing career and how she supports readers and writers.

We are joined by show regular Kristina McMorris for a night of bookish talk, lots of laughs, and even a magic trick! Kristina joins us to discuss her brand-new book, just released this week, THE WAYS WE HIDE. The crew chat about the pressures of following up Kristina's hugely successful million-copy bestseller, SOLD ON A MONDAY, her extensive research process into the mechanics of the magic, illusion, and spycraft of her main character, and are even treated to custom-made dossiers for each of the Fab Four and a magic trick! Kristina also briefly touches on her forthcoming collaboration with Ariel Lawhon & Susan Meissner, WHEN WE HAD WINGS. We round out the night with a writing tip, book recommendation, and a tip for how to raise your kids to be readers. On the after show, Patti joins us live from the streets of the New Orleans French Quarter where she was visiting for an indepdenent booksellers conference.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry explore storytelling through food and entrepeneurship with Carrie Morey, Chef, TV Star, Author and creator of Callie's Hot Little Biscuit Company

On this episode, the Fab Four are joined by FOUR fabulous authors! On the first half of the show, we meet Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White (affectionately known as “Team W”) about the most recent novel they team-wrote together, THE LOST SUMMERS OF NEWPORT. We hear all about their team-writing process, how their partnership came to be, the setting and inspiration for their latest bestseller, and are treated to some writing tips. On the second half of the show, we meet publishing veteran turned novelist, Miriam Parker. With an MFA in Creative Writing, two decades in the book biz, some short stories and a debut novel under her belt, Miriam is currently the VP, Associate Publisher of Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins. She joins us to discuss her new novel, ROOM AND BOARD. The crew talks about her path to publication, her unique perspective as both an author and a pubishing insider, and how she juggles it all.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Meg Walker are joined by Christine Pride & Jo Piazze about ther book, We are Not Like Them, a GMA Book Club Pick and out now in paperback.

On this episode, the Fab Four host broadcast journalist and Emmy Award-winning talk show host turned novelist, Tamron Hall to discuss her debut novel, the first in a thrilling new series, AS THE WICKED WATCH, recently released in paperback. The crew discusses why Tamron chose to venture into fiction, the challenges of tackling a difficult and timely subject like crime against communities of color, how her journalism work and own tragic life experiences inspired her fiction, and how she juggles it all. This episode is filled with intimate and revealing talk and, as always, a few laughs. It will leave you feeling both inspired and excited to meet Tamron's heroine Jordan Manning.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Mary Kay Andrews host author Clare Pooley, author of Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting in our ongoing series, Books You Should Know!

The Fall 2022 season premiere episode with Karin Slaughter and Chris Swann is a rip roaring good time filled with lots of laughs and insightful book talk. Hear from Karin all about her latest GIRL, FORGOTTEN. We talk to her about her research process into cults and the federal marshal service, what drew her to the 1980's time period, her work to raise money for libraries, and what's coming next. Then 2022 Georgia Author of the Year Chris Swann joins the Fab Four to chat about his latest novel NEVER GO HOME. We hear from Chris about blancing his career as English dept chair at a provate Atlanta high school with his career as a thriller writer, and he tells us how he devised his badasss female character Suzie Faulkner and the joys and challenges of setting his fiction in and around his home city of Atlanta. All this plus book recommedations and writing tips!

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Mary Kay Andrews are joined by Ellen Meister, author of the darkly comic new book, Take My Husband to talk about writing with humor.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block is joined by special guest Co-host Nancy Johnson, author of The Kindest Lie to speak with Dolen Perkins-Valdez about her powerful, poignant and timely newest work, Take My Hand.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block is joined by Mary Kay Andrews in conversation with NYT Bestselling Author Therese Anne Fowler to discuss It All Comes Down To This, her latest novel.

For the Spring/Summer 2022 season finale, the Fab Four are joined by bestselling authors Jamie Ford and Jason Mott. Jamie Ford discusses his research into epigenetics for his new novel THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY, his own muti-cultural background, his inspriation for writing about a real historical figure, and the challenges of telling a tale that spans 250 years. Jason Mott discusses the phenomenal success of and the winding road to publication for his National Book Award winning novel HELL OF A BOOK. We hear about Jason's inspiration, his bravery in branching out into a different direction with his writing, the challenges of incorporating current events while still weaving in humor, and what he hopes "all the other mad kids, the outsiders, the weirdos, and the bullied" take away from the novel.

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry talk with Laura McKowen about her astounding book, We Are The Luckiest, and her hugely popular podcast, Tell Me Something True!

The Fab Four are joined by blockbuster bestselling author and “the queen of fun, feisty summer reads” Jennifer Weiner. We hear about the origin story behind Jen's latest NYT bestselling novel THE SUMMER PLACE, the themes of motherhood and secrets in the book, and the Cape Cod setting. We also hear about how Jen found her own voice as a writer, her writing process, her activism on behald of body positivty and recognition for women authors, and her decision to travel her book tour by bicycle. On the after show we meet Mateo Askaripour who tells us all about his debut novel BLACK BUCK, his inspirations, the blend of fact and fiction in his work, how he devised the novel's structure, and what he's working on next.

Amanda and Jenn discuss books for dealing with homophobia, novels from around the world, and a variety of cozy reads in this week's episode of Get Booked. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Feedback The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Brigg for this and also any Charlaine Harris supernatural series (The Sookie Stackhouse series; Midnight, Texas; Grave series) (rec'd by Julie) The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews and Love and Saffron by Kim Fay (rec'd by Amanda) Books Discussed Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawab Judith Butler Interview regarding feminism and transphobia (and a follow-up) Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers The Immortals of Tehran by Alireza Taheri Araghi (TW suicide) Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (cw: slavery and related violences) Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (tw graphic harm to children, suicide) The Cutting Season by Attica Locke (cw: violence against women and children) The Man with the Poison Gun by Serhii Plokhy The She-Devil in the Mirror by Horacio Castellanos Moya, rec'd by Vanessa Diaz From Duke Till Dawn by Eva Leigh The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris (cw: gory violence, mention of rape) This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. For listener feedback and questions, as well as a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices