Podcast appearances and mentions of victoria christopher murray

June’s Reese’s Book Club Pick, A Pair of Aces, takes two women from different worlds, and brings them together to reveal the truth. The novel’s two authors, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, are doing the same thing in real life. This week, Danielle, Marie and Victoria get into the nuances of writing historical fiction, finding stories that no one else was willing to tell, and why women have always banded together - and been stronger for it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray have just published new historical fiction. Their novel A Pair of Aces is about two women in 1930s New York who face down the mob and try to take down the infamous gangster Lucky Luciano. One of the protagonists is Eunice Carter, based on the real first Black female prosecutor in New York. In today's episode, the co-authors talk with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about how they approached their third collaboration.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

What happens when a fearless prosecutor and a notorious madam join forces to take down the most dangerous mob boss in 1930s New York? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray on their new novel A Pair of Aces. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.com/moments-with-marianneMarie Benedict is a graduate of Boston College and the Boston University School of Law. She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and lives in Pittsburgh with her family. https://authormariebenedict.comVictoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels. She is an NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. https://victoriachristophermurray.comOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07Mb4djn To learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

Victoria Christopher Murray hosts a conversation with Sadeqa Johnson about her new novel, Keeper of Lost Children. Johnson shares that her inspiration comes from Mabel Grammer, a woman who dedicated her life to helping mixed-race children in post-World War II Germany. She explains her choice to tell the story through three characters—Ethel, a version of Grammer; Ozzie, an African American GI; and Sophia Clark, a teenager wrestling with her identity. This structure helps explore themes like parental love, identity struggles, and second chances as key parts of the story. Johnson also discusses her research and the emotional scenes designed to connect with readers and highlight the important, often overlooked, history of Black women's contributions. The episode ends with a Q&A from the audience, deepening the discussion of these themes and her writing journey.Takeaways:Ramunda Young, co-owner of Mahogany Books, opens the podcast by introducing the esteemed moderator, Victoria Christopher Murray, a prominent author.Victoria Christopher Murray engages Sadeqa Johnson in a profound discussion of her novel Keeper of Lost Children, which draws on historical events.Sadeqa Johnson articulates her narrative approach, utilizing three distinct timelines and perspectives to explore themes of identity and parental love.The novel's premise is rooted in the real-life story of Mabel Grammer, highlighting the struggles of mixed-race children in post-war Germany.Sadeqa emphasizes the importance of telling underrepresented historical narratives, asserting that Black women have been pivotal yet often overlooked in history.The episode culminates in an audience Q&A, inviting further exploration of the themes and characters introduced in the discussion.Hosts & Guests:Sadeqa JohnsonVictoria Christopher MurrayPodcast Credits:Audio & Production: Christian Jones (https://www.instagram.com/cjthegenesis)Add it to your LibraryKeeper of Lost ChildrenMentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African Ancestry

New York Times bestselling co-authors Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict open the pages to their latest text “A Pair Of Aces: A Novel,” about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law working to bring down notorious gangster Lucky Luciano.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button. You can find Alyson Richman at www.alysonrichman.com or on IG @alysonrichman.   If you're a historical fiction lover, you've probably read something by Alyson Richman. She's the author of 11 novels, including The Missing Pages, which was published last fall. We were delighted that she agreed to come on the show and speak to us about this book, although we did sneak in a question about The Velvet Hours published in 2016, which our book club read many years ago. It is about a real Paris courtesan in the Belle Epoque who in her later years as World War II approaches shares her life story with her granddaughter.   The Missing Pages is a historical fiction novel that is about a man's love of books, but it is also a ghost tale, a romance, and a story of the Titanic all rolled into one. Richman is known for making the reader feel the sumptuous details of the world she is writing about, and she does it again in this book.   Our book rec segment of the show is all about musicians, but we're not talking solely about musician memoirs, although we do have one of those. We've got a children's nonfiction book about a Ukrainian pianist who performed for Nazsis, a National Book Award winner, a mystery about a stolen violin, a story about a wedding singer whose own relationship is on the rocks, and a coming of age story set in the 1970s that includes a rock star.    Books Mentioned in This Episode: 1- The Missing Pages by Alyson Richman  2- The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman  3- The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray  4- All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley  5- Buckeye by Patrick Ryan  6- The Hare with the Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal  7- Underlake by Erin L. McCoy  8- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower  9- A Five Star Read from fellow Book Lover Anima D. @autopsyofbooks - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie  10- The Encore by Juliet Izon  11- Songs For Other People's Weddings by David Levithan and Jens Lekman  12- Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood and Greg Dawson  13- Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau  14- The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by David Grohl  15- The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb        

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce has a conversation with her New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Marie Benedict about her recent book Daughter of Egypt. About the Author: MARIE BENEDICT is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, and with Victoria Christopher Murray, the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. All have been translated into multiple languages, and many have been selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family. Book Summary: In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible. Though not a trained archaeologist, she nonetheless pursued her passion, determined to leave her mark on the field and be treated as an equal by her male colleagues. Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt's lost pharaoh. From her father Thutmose I, she learned how to lead and through her political savvy she rose to guide her kingdom to prosperity. By her side was her trusted adviser and secret lover, Senemut. Though he was a commoner and she royalty, together they formed a partnership that allowed a dynasty to flourish. Though Hatshepsut's reign was bold and visionary it was also nearly erased from history.  When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut's secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign. She must also confront the reality of the artifact trade—that despite regulations governing the removal of artifacts from Egypt, colonial antiquity collectors were selling them at alarming rates. Evelyn must rethink her assumptions as she resolves that valued artifacts must be kept in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father's legacy—or forge her own. Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.   For more information about Marie Benedict, visit authormariebenedict.com. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and her new release, Best Boy, along with information about the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

Last week saw oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara, and listeners, it finally happened: a legal argument so outlandish from the Trump administration that even this Court will have to rule against him. Leah and Melissa break down the back-and-forth and explain why this case will give SCOTUS credibility it doesn't deserve. They also cover the President's firing of the blonde with the binders, Pamela Jo Bondi–pouring one out for her chaotic, destructive reign at the Department of Justice.Favorite things: Leah: The Birthright Con, Jamelle Bouie (NYT); WNBA Players Had an Ace Up Their Sleeve in Pay Negotiations: A Nobel Laureate, Rachel Bachman & Justin Lahart (WSJ) Melissa: Parents as Regulators by Caitlin Millat, forthcoming in UCLA L. Rev.; Harlem Rhapsody, Victoria Christopher Murray; My Boo Buddies; Artemis II Vote for us in the Webbys! Preorder Melissa's book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern ReaderPreorder a signed paperback of Leah's book, Lawless, here.Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky

Kelly joins me for March's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads. Kelly's Selections: Last:  Start at the End by Emma Grey The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews Now: Keep Them Close by David Ellis  Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshminarayan  Next: City of Widows by Nadia Hashimi Time to Burn by Ellery Lloyd DNFs: None Book Mail highlights: The Brunswick by Callie Murray In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival, and Courage by Michael Tugias     Cindy's Selections: Last:  The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers  The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout  Now: Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel  Kin by Tayari Jones  Next: The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston  A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray   Didn't Work/DNFs: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Hard Times by Jeff Boyd Book Mail highlights: Small Town Girls by Jayne Anne Phillips The Unknown by Riley Sager Connect with Kelly Hooker on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for my literary salon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Purchase Kelly and my Shelf Ceremony ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We discuss tons more great read from 2025. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Venmo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2026? Check out our fifth ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Literary Lookbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one!  Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buzz Reads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Melissa, Shannon, Robin, and Kristeen are discussing more books written by women. Titles mentioned include:Victoria Christopher Murray, Harlem RhapsodyPatric Gagne, SociopathDenne Michele Norris, When The Harvest ComesHannah M. Lynn, The Women of ArtemisKennedy Ryan, Hook Shot (Hoops #3)Anna Akbari, There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America's Biggest CatfishRyka Aoki, Light From Uncommon StarsBeatriz Williams, Husbands And LoversKimberly Brown, Fever: Love In ScrubsKate Francis, Every Last LiarLisa Bunker, Zenobia JulyEileen Garvin, The Music Of BeesYou can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting:https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/You can also send an email to:TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.comFor more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/book-bistro

Discover the power of storytelling in the Black literary community, as authors discuss history, identity, and resilience in their works. The dialogue among esteemed authors Dolen Perkins Valdez, Sadeqa Johnson, and Victoria Christopher Murray, moderated by Morgan Menzies, illuminates the overlooked relationship between Black women and the Historical Fiction genre. Our panelists detail their distinct journeys into writing, revealing how their paths serve not only as reflections of the past but as vital acts of reclamation and resistance against the erasure of Black history. They emphasize the importance of detailing the experiences of Black women, whose stories have historically been marginalized.The conversation highlights the struggle for visibility and voice within the literary industry, underscoring that stories written for, by, or about Black people, especially Black women, are a critical necessity. This compelling discussion, rich with insights and perspectives, invites listeners to engage deeply with the works of these authors and the broader implications of their narratives.Takeaways:The authors collectively emphasize the critical importance of preserving Black women's history, ensuring that their contributions are acknowledged and remembered for future generations.Each author shares their unique journey into the realm of Historical Fiction, highlighting how personal experiences and ancestral narratives inspire their storytelling.The panel discusses the profound impact of societal injustices, such as voting rights and reproductive health, and how these themes resonate within their respective works of fiction.They underscore the necessity of documenting untold histories as a form of resistance against the erasure of Black narratives in contemporary literature and education.The conversation reveals the authors' commitment to crafting narratives that not only entertain but also educate and empower readers about their heritage and identity.Through their discussions, the authors convey a shared belief that writing serves as a vital tool in reclaiming lost histories and fostering a sense of community among readers.Hosts & Guests:Dolen Perkins ValdezSadeqa JohnsonVictoria Christopher MurrayMorgan MenziesPodcast Credits:Production: Muse ProAudio: Christian Jones (https://www.instagram.com/cjthegenesis)Mentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African Ancestry

It all started with a DM

Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button.   You can find Sarah Landenwich on her website SarahLandenwich.com or on IG @sarahlandenwich   Books Mentioned in this Episode 1- A Home for Friendless Women by Kelly E. Hill  2- The Fire Concerto by Sarah Landenwich  3- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi  4- Possession by AS Byatt  5- Plainsong (trilogy) by Kent Haruf 6- Old Souls at Night by Kent Haruf 7- The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich 8- How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self Care Epidemic One Dubious Cure at a Time by Amy LaRocca  9- Say Everything by Ione Skye  10- The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett 11- A Five Star Read recommended by fellow Book Lover Cathleen @wovenfromwords - Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray  12- Sleepless by Romy Hausmann 13- What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon  14- The Murder Farm by Andrea Maria Schenkel  15- A Death in Door County (Monster Hunter series) by Annelise Ryan  16- Death in the Dark Woods (Monster Hunter series) by Annelise Ryan 17- Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug 18- The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb   Media Mentioned:   1- Speed Museum Glass Art exhibit - https://www.speedmuseum.org/the-adele-and-leonard-leight-glass-art-award-victoria-ahmadizadeh-melendez/ 2- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) 3- The Naked Gun (2025)

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with our featured author, New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray. About the Author: Victoria Christopher Murray is the best-selling author of more than 30 novels, including the New York Times Instant Best Sellers, The Personal Librarian, and The First Ladies. In both novels, Victoria co-wrote with Marie Benedict. A native New Yorker, Victoria Christopher Murray attended Hampton University, where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University's Stern Business School, where she received her MBA in Marketing. Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she tested her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA, where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. However, Victoria always dreamed of writing, and in 1997, she pursued her dream. About The Book: She found the literary voices that would inspire the world…. The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian. In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all. W. E. B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, is not only Jessie's boss, he's her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Amidst rumors of their tumultuous affair, Jessie is determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenge of discovering young writers with fervor, finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie's leadership, The Crisis thrives…every African American writer in the country wants their work published there. When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it's clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she'll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success. Find out more about Victoria Christopher Murray and her books at victoriachristophermurray.com. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she was born to be a writer—she was literally introduced as one at the age of seven when her second-grade class performed her first play. That moment sparked a lifelong passion, even if it took decades to pursue professionally. Now a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 books under her belt, Victoria's work blends powerful storytelling with faith, moral conflict, and deeply rooted historical truths. Her historical fiction—including the breathtaking Harlem Rhapsody—shines a light on extraordinary Black women who have been erased from the pages of history. In this candid, funny, and deeply moving conversation, Victoria shares the circuitous path that led her from corporate success to full-time author, the invaluable support of her late husband, and how she guerrilla-marketed her way into a major publishing deal. She talks about the creative joy (and challenge!) of co-authoring with Marie Benedict, immersing herself in research by living in Harlem, and her unwavering belief that it's never too late to chase your purpose. Victoria's art is her resistance, and this episode is full of wisdom, inspiration, and a little bit of magic. Connect with Victoria:

Ep. 57 DuEwa interviewed award winning and New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray about her latest book Harlem Rhapsody. Visit www.victoriachristophermurray.com. Follow in Instagram @nerdacityartsFollow on X @nerdacitypod1Listen and subscribe at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube.com/DuEwaWorld and more!BioVictoria 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. Four of her novels, Lust, Envy, Wrath and Greed have been made into TV movies for Lifetime. Visit her at www.victoriachristophermurray.com.

Victoria Christopher Murray joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about HARLEM RHAPSODY, which is her first solo historical novel (she has written New York Times bestsellers with her co-author, Marie Benedict). She explains why she chose to write about the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and shares her extensive research, which included reading issues of The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP, and her wonderful finds of letters and other works that helped to bring this story together. Victoria speaks of admiring Jessie Redmon Fauset and her education and career success, as well as what happened later in her life. She is enthusiastic about how much has been achieved, as just 50 years ago, Black people had been enslaved and didn't have access to education. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Nita Prose: https://youtu.be/sq4T8qGV5ko Katy Hays: https://youtu.be/mNOW8_CJ0zM Georgia Hunter: https://youtu.be/E0zRbp6ti8g Jeff Hobbs: https://youtu.be/Y-B_yErFlvI Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/vEtkFycxXjc Charmaine Wilkerson: https://youtu.be/jxlrtbxCAsE Marie Benedict: https://youtu.be/-GF-3ZU4a1M Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo 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

“So many firsts.“   Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Jamie, Jud, and Torie.  After discussing Kaitlyn/Colin nuptials and cars they shockingly move quickly to book topics.  Is “The Great Gatsby” the great American novel?  Is there really a great American novel?   COB alum and fave  Victoria Christopher Murray zooms in to share “Harlem Rhapsody,” the story of Jesse Redmon Fauset, the “literary midwife” of the Harlem Renaissance.  Victoria's the perfect person to write about the woman at the heart of a cultural renaissance.

Welcome back! This week the ladies explore "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray—a stunning historical fiction novel based on the real life of Belle da Costa Greene, a Black woman who passed as white to rise through the ranks of elite society in the early 1900s. Handpicked by J.P. Morgan himself, Belle becomes the personal librarian to one of the most powerful men in the world and curates a collection that would define literary prestige. But, behind her poise and power, lies a daily negotiation of identity and survival. The hosts explore Belle's dual existence, the cost of racial passing, and the brilliance she brought to a world that would've rejected her if they'd known her truth. Join them as they unpack the legacy of a woman who had to erase herself to leave her mark. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only.Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you and thank you!Moni: To ladies of the CockTales Podcast, specifically KiKi for inspiring this weeks book topic. https://www.youtube.com/channel/CockTalesKat: To Arthentic Arts and the wonderful mural project. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3swsJx52R/?igsh=cGZkbjk3c3kxdXhiArt Effect About the life and work Belle da Costa Greene aka Belle Marion Greener https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene Belle da Costa Greene (Belle Marion Greener) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_da_Costa_Greenehttps://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/02/belle-de-costa-greene/About the authors:Victoria Christopher Murrayhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56575.Victoria_Christopher_MurrayMarie Benedicthttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14815127.Marie_Benedict*Stranger than Fiction:

Do you know the powerful story of the woman who helped shape the Harlem Renaissance? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Victoria Christopher Murray on her book Harlem Rhapsody. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! 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. Four of her novels, Lust, Envy, Wrath and Greed have been made into TV movies for Lifetime. Visit her at www.victoriachristophermurray.com For more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

The episode features a compelling conversation with Victoria Christopher Murray, an accomplished author, who discusses her latest work, 'Harlem Rhapsody'. The narrative centers around the life of Jessie Redmond Fawcett, a pivotal figure of the Harlem Renaissance whose contributions have been largely overshadowed. Victoria reveals the profound importance of Fawcett's legacy and how her mentorship influenced renowned writers such as Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. Through an exploration of Fawcett's life, Victoria illuminates the complexities of race, gender, and literary identity during a transformative period in American history. The discussion delves into the challenges faced by black writers in a racially stratified society, as well as the enduring relevance of their struggles today. As Victoria reflects on her writing process and the historical research behind her novel, she underscores the necessity of reclaiming untold stories to ensure that the contributions of black women are recognized and celebrated in literature.

Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button. You can find Rebecca Schinsky on IG @rebeccaschinsky and Book Riot at www.bookriot.com   In this week's episode, we chat with Rebecca Schinsky, who is chief of staff for Riot New Media Group and co-host of The Book Riot podcast. Book Riot is the largest independent editorial book site in North America and book lovers can find all kinds of interesting stuff there, such as numerous podcasts, newsletters, and articles about different genres.   I have long been a listener of this podcast and love it because ….I am a book nerd through and through and this podcast gives me the inside look at the world of publishing.  If you enjoy learning about trends and want the inside scoop about how and why certain books make it to your eyeballs or just want to have your pulse on bookish news, this podcast is for you.  Rebecca talks to us about what book trends have had the biggest impact on the industry over the last 15 years, what other goodies you can find at Book Riot.com, and why social media flattens the book options we see in our feeds.   And this week for our book recommendations section, we put on our 10 gallon hats and our chaps because we're talking about westerns. Westerns became popular in the late 1800s and derived from the dime novels of the mid-19th century. Many of these stories were later turned into movies in the 1940s and 1950s, which is probably the way most people had exposure to them. Films like High Noon and Shane were based on western stories. There was a second resurgence of western films based on novels between the 1970s-90s such as The Unforgiven and The Outlaw Josey Wales. We offer westerns that are in the graphic novel genre, the horror genre, literary fiction, and middle grade.   Books Mentioned in this Episode:   1- The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray   2- The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict   3- Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray   4- Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi    5- Back After This by Linda Holmes   6- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte   7- Glass Town: The Imaginary World of the Brontes by Isabel Greenberg   8- The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak   9- Red Widow by Alma Katsu   10- A Five Star Read Recommended by Fellow Book Lover Beth @a_vet_nurse_and_her_books - The Game by Danny Dagan   11- Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry   12- True Grit by Charles Portis   13- The Searchers by Alan LeMay   14- The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend by Glenn Frankel   15- Lone Women by Victor LaValle   16- Coyote Doggirl by Lisa Hanawalter   17- Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang   18- Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison   19- The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt   20- Pony by RJ Palacio   Media mentioned--   1- Heretic (Max, 2024)   2- Longlegs (Hulu, 2024)   3- True Grit (2010)   4- Deadwood (Max, 2004-2006)   5- The Searchers (1956)   6- The Sisters Brothers (2018)   Bella Da Costa Greene Exhibit in NYC -  https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene    

Most people in North America have probably at least heard the name W. E. B. Dubois. In the early twentieth century, DuBois—the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard—published and spoke extensively about his vision of equality through education. In particular, he edited The Crisis, the monthly magazine of the NAACP, while also writing such classics as The Souls of Black Folk. But if Dubois is well known, the same cannot be said these days of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the central character of Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody (Berkley, 2025). In her day, Fauset—who held a degree from Cornell as well as a master's from Penn and a certificate from the Sorbonne in Paris—worked as the literary editor of The Crisis and its associated children's magazine, The Brownies Book, while writing the first of what would become four acclaimed novels. She fostered such stars of the Harlem Renaissance as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Nella Larsen, and Zora Neale Hurston. She was also romantically involved with W. E. B. Dubois, a reality that Murray uses to humanize a heroine who is in every other respect truly remarkable. Her story pulled me in and kept me reading to the very last page. Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, both historical fiction co-written with Marie Benedict. Harlem Rhapsody is her most recent book. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her next book, Song of the Steadfast, is due in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

Most people in North America have probably at least heard the name W. E. B. Dubois. In the early twentieth century, DuBois—the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard—published and spoke extensively about his vision of equality through education. In particular, he edited The Crisis, the monthly magazine of the NAACP, while also writing such classics as The Souls of Black Folk. But if Dubois is well known, the same cannot be said these days of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the central character of Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody (Berkley, 2025). In her day, Fauset—who held a degree from Cornell as well as a master's from Penn and a certificate from the Sorbonne in Paris—worked as the literary editor of The Crisis and its associated children's magazine, The Brownies Book, while writing the first of what would become four acclaimed novels. She fostered such stars of the Harlem Renaissance as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Nella Larsen, and Zora Neale Hurston. She was also romantically involved with W. E. B. Dubois, a reality that Murray uses to humanize a heroine who is in every other respect truly remarkable. Her story pulled me in and kept me reading to the very last page. Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, both historical fiction co-written with Marie Benedict. Harlem Rhapsody is her most recent book. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her next book, Song of the Steadfast, is due in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Most people in North America have probably at least heard the name W. E. B. Dubois. In the early twentieth century, DuBois—the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard—published and spoke extensively about his vision of equality through education. In particular, he edited The Crisis, the monthly magazine of the NAACP, while also writing such classics as The Souls of Black Folk. But if Dubois is well known, the same cannot be said these days of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the central character of Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody (Berkley, 2025). In her day, Fauset—who held a degree from Cornell as well as a master's from Penn and a certificate from the Sorbonne in Paris—worked as the literary editor of The Crisis and its associated children's magazine, The Brownies Book, while writing the first of what would become four acclaimed novels. She fostered such stars of the Harlem Renaissance as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Nella Larsen, and Zora Neale Hurston. She was also romantically involved with W. E. B. Dubois, a reality that Murray uses to humanize a heroine who is in every other respect truly remarkable. Her story pulled me in and kept me reading to the very last page. Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, both historical fiction co-written with Marie Benedict. Harlem Rhapsody is her most recent book. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her next book, Song of the Steadfast, is due in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Most people in North America have probably at least heard the name W. E. B. Dubois. In the early twentieth century, DuBois—the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard—published and spoke extensively about his vision of equality through education. In particular, he edited The Crisis, the monthly magazine of the NAACP, while also writing such classics as The Souls of Black Folk. But if Dubois is well known, the same cannot be said these days of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the central character of Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody (Berkley, 2025). In her day, Fauset—who held a degree from Cornell as well as a master's from Penn and a certificate from the Sorbonne in Paris—worked as the literary editor of The Crisis and its associated children's magazine, The Brownies Book, while writing the first of what would become four acclaimed novels. She fostered such stars of the Harlem Renaissance as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Nella Larsen, and Zora Neale Hurston. She was also romantically involved with W. E. B. Dubois, a reality that Murray uses to humanize a heroine who is in every other respect truly remarkable. Her story pulled me in and kept me reading to the very last page. Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, both historical fiction co-written with Marie Benedict. Harlem Rhapsody is her most recent book. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her next book, Song of the Steadfast, is due in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/historical-fiction

The Beyond the Shelves first ever Book Club episode is live! This month, Jes and Sarah both read Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray. They discuss the historical fiction novel about Jessie Redman Fauset, a real life figure dubbed "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance," and her relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois. This podcast does contain spoilers - but you don't have to have read the book to listen and learn more about the Harlem Renaissance era! Show Notes The Book Club Book Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray Further Reading "A History of The Crisis" (NAACP website) The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson I Too Sing America: the Harlem Renaissance, at 100 by Wil Haygood Smoketown, by Mark Whitaker Joy Goddess: A'lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, by A'lelia Bundles  Authors in the Book Blues in Stereo, by Langston Hughes Cane, by Jean Toomer Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories From the Harlem Renaissance, by Zora Neale Hurston My Soul's High Song, by Countee Cullen Passing and Quicksand, by Nella Larsen The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, by James Weldon Johnson The Souls of Black Folk, by W.E.B. Du Bois Home to Harlem, by Claude McKay Amiable with Big Teeth, by Claude McKay Timestamps 0:00 - AViD Lineup/What We're Reading 11:20 - Book Club Discussion 46:32 - Book Bulletin What They're Reading/To Be Read A Thousand Ships, by Natalie Haynes A Hard Day for a Hangover, by Darynda Jones Haunted Ever After, by Jen DeLuca Crossings, by Ben Goldfarb The Shots You Take, by Rachel Reid Blood Over Bright Haven, by M.L. Wang Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix Sula, by Toni Morrison The Knockout Queen, by Rufi Thorpe Idle Grounds, by Krystelle Bamford The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride Book Bulletin "A Court of Thorns and Roses TV Series Dead at Hulu" (Variety) "Meet-cute at Mansfield Park: can modern covers turn young readers on to Jane Austen?" (The Guardian) "Readerlink Will Stop Distributing Mass Market Paperbacks at the End of 2025" (Publishers Weekly) Women's Prize for Fiction longlist

A while back, Victoria Christopher Murray set out on a mission to learn about the women of the Harlem Renaissance. But in her research, she mostly found stories about men – until she came across Jessie Redmon Fauset. Fauset, whom Langston Hughes called "the midwife of the Harlem Renaissance," was a writer who eventually became literary editor at The Crisis, the NAACP's magazine. Her life serves as inspiration for Murray's new historical fiction novel Harlem Rhapsody. In today's episode, Murray speaks with NPR's Pien Huang about the historical impact of Fauset's romantic relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois and Murray's decision to include the affair in the book.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Marie Benedict joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest book, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Marie read classic women's mysteries at a young age, as she was introduced to them by her aunt. Her love for the genre influenced this book, as well as her earlier work, THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE. Marie discusses the case that the five crime writers in the novel set out to unravel, explains why a case like this might have taken long to solve, and talks more about the legendary Detection Club. She also shares what she is working on now and notes a future collaboration, once again, with Victoria Christopher Murray. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0 Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT 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

Evelyn chats with Victoria Christopher Murray, bestselling coauthor of THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, about HARLEM RHAPSODY, the extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance.

We sit down with award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray to talk about Harlem Rhapsody, her novel about the Harlem Renaissance and the woman who made it possible. This gripping novel brings to life Jessie Redmon Fauset, a pioneering literary editor, mentor, and novelist who played a pivotal role in shaping the Harlem Renaissance—yet remains largely … Continue reading Black History Month: Victoria Christopher Murray on HARLEM RHAPSODY & Reviving Forgotten Women Writers →

Just in time for Valentine's Day, New York Times bestselling co-author, Victoria Christopher Murray, takes us inside the forbidden love affair between the woman who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance and a famed civil rights leader in her new historical novel, “Harlem Rhapsody”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with return guest, Victoria Christopher Murray about her latest novel, Harlem Rhapsody. The novel tells the story of Jesse Redmon Faucet. A complex and ambitious woman who moved to New York to be nearer to her lover W.E.B. DuBois, and also to run his magazine, The Crisis. Between the scandal she had to keep quiet and an opportunity she didn't want to squander, Victoria details how Jesse Redmon Faucet birthed what we now know as the Harlem Renaissance. In our conversation, Victoria explains why there would have been no boon in Black literature—then or now—without the visionary work of Ms. Faucet. Plus, the countless writers Faucet discovered and mentored whose works we still return to today. And the echoes of the past in the present Victoria is seeing in her own career where she's been mandated to prove herself and to readers that Black stories sell. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode:Rate & ReviewThanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/40G3V9sShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jes and Sarah are talking about loving your library during this month's episode of Beyond the Shelves! After talking about unique library services and the best ways you can support your library, they talk about some of their favorite books that feature libraries. Then they dig into a busy Book Bulletin segment (starts at 42:51), full of interesting news. Next month, Jes and Sarah are hosting their first ever Beyond the Shelves Book Club episode! They're reading Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. That episode is scheduled to be up on Tuesday, March 11. We encourage you to read the book so you can follow along with their discussion next month!   Show Notes Show Up for Your Library - ALA Advocacy One of the best ways to support the library is using your library!   What We're Reading The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything, by Colette Shade House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J. Maas Onyx Storm, by Rebecca Yarros A Bad Day for Sunshine, by Darynda Jones The Age of Magical Overthinking, by Amanda Montell Keep Me, by Sara Cate To Be Read Sula, by Toni Morrison Voice Like a Hyacinth, by Mallory Pearson Water Moon, by Samantha Sotto Yambao Ana Maria and the Fox, by Liana De la Rosa Deep End, by Ali Hazelwood Books About Libraries The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins The Book that Wouldn't Burn, by Mark Lawrence The Parliament, by Aimee Pokwatka The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern The Cartographers, by Peng Shepherd Upright Women Wanted, by Sarah Gailey Library Services Book Club Sets TONS of eMagazines on Libby Comics Plus Community Fridges Book Bulletin Children of Blood and Bone Cast Reveal Bookshop.org now sells eBooks Department of Education is ending book ban investigations Simon & Schuster is no longer requiring book blurbs Philadelphia Eagles player AJ Brown helps a book become a bestseller after being spotted reading it on the sidelines during a playoff game Onyx Storm reaction (the headlines - they're bad and misunderstand the book!) Lady Whistlethreads book drama newsletter

Readers, today we're thrilled to share a delightful conversation with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, authors of The Personal Librarian. This conversation originally took place over in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community, where Marie and Victoria joined Anne, our MMD Book Club Community Manager Ginger Horton, our MMD Book Club Co-Host Shannan Malone, and a whole bunch of our Book Club Members for this live event. Today, you'll hear that conversation too as Marie and Victoria bring us behind the scenes of their co-writing process. This conversation feels especially timely to share with you right now, because Marie's new book The Queens of Crime is out February 11, and Victoria's new book Harlem Rhapsody—her first solo-written historical novel—is out February 4. Whether you've read The Personal Librarian or not, we think you'll really enjoy today's spoiler-free discussion. Let us know if you have a favorite title by either author to recommend to your fellow readers, or if there's a book you'd love to read in Book Club, by sharing a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/463. That's also where you'll find the full list of titles mentioned today. And if you loved today's conversation with Marie and Victoria, you'll love our library of author talks in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. Along with other events, classes, and programs, we host monthly talks just like this with a wide range of favorite authors. We'd love to have you join us—find out more at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Cyrus Webb welcomes back author Colette Harrell to Conversations LIVE to discusss her love of storytelling and connecting with readers---and her upcoming literary event in Ohio on Aug. 24, 2024 called COLETTE HARRELL AND FRIENDS WRITERS BRUNCH featuring New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray. Find out more information about the event here. 

In this interview, I chat with ReShonda Tate about The Queen of Sugar Hill, how she became interested enough in Hattie McDaniel to write about her, how Hattie opened doors for others, the research she did for the book, how she decided what years of Hattie's life to focus on for the story, looking at historical events through the lens of the time period versus a 21st-century lens, and much more. ReShonda's recommended reads are: The Other Princess by Denny S. Bryce The Inmate by Freida McFadden Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter The First Ladies by Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2024? Check out the new Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead. Join my Patreon group to support the podcast.  Other ways to support the podcast can be found here.     The Queen of Sugar Hill can be purchased at my Bookshop storefront.      Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the KPL podcast we have author and librarian Laura Sims telling us about her wonderful new book, How Can I Help You.  If you ever wondered about librarian life than this is the perfect book for you.  Laura has done an incredible job capturing the nuances of librarian life.  Author Book RecommendationsKillingly by Katherine BeutnerOur Share of Night by Mariana EnriquezTerrace Story by Hilary LiechterWe Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley JacksonAll's Well by Mona AwadThe Blunderer by Patricia HighsmithKill for Love by Laura PicklesimerBelle Greene by Alexandra LapierreThe Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona DavisPersonal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Episode Notes In the latest episode of "Orange Juice Optional," our hosts delve into November's book of the month, "The First Ladies" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. The book explores the deep friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune during the pre-civil rights era. Despite numerous societal challenges, the two friends worked together to create a better world for all. As the episode concludes, Michelle excitedly announces December's book of the month, "One Day in December" by Josie Silver. This heartwarming Christmas read promises to be a delightful escape into a Hallmark-style holiday story. Until next week, cheers to all our listeners. A link to November's book if the month:  https://www.amazon.com/First-Ladies-Marie-Benedict/dp/0593440285/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XZW0GPLYBGNZ&keywords=the+first+ladies+marie+benedict&qid=1698514204&sprefix=the+first%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 One Day in December by Josie Silver https://www.amazon.com/One-Day-December-Josie-Silver/dp/0525574689/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1H2A3WRII68SP&keywords=one+day+in+december+by+josie+silver&qid=1700011039&sprefix=one+day+%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1 For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations: Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spiritually situated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com We use the podcast editing service, Next Day Podcast

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, Michelle is feeling inspired by the Holiday season! While Suzanne isn't quite there yet, Michelle will do her best to spread a little Christmas Cheer.  Will her enthusiasm rub off on Suzanne?  Listen in to find out.  As the conversation draws to an end, Suzanne reminds listeners that November's book of the month is “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.  They also share that due to timing issues, this book will be discussed next week.   Then Michelle announces that the next book they will be reading is  “One Day in December” by Josie Silver.  This book is a light-hearted Christmas read.  Based on that description alone, of course, Michelle made this book selection.   Until next week everyone…Cheers!! A link to November's book if the month:  https://www.amazon.com/First-Ladies-Marie-Benedict/dp/0593440285/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XZW0GPLYBGNZ&keywords=the+first+ladies+marie+benedict&qid=1698514204&sprefix=the+first%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 One Day in December by Josie Silver https://www.amazon.com/One-Day-December-Josie-Silver/dp/0525574689/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1H2A3WRII68SP&keywords=one+day+in+december+by+josie+silver&qid=1700011039&sprefix=one+day+%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1 Links: https://www.signupgenius.com/groups/would-you-rather-holiday-questions.cfm https://www.perkins.org/wp-content/uploads/elearning-media/would-you-rather-Christmas-edition-for-kids.pdf For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations: Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spiritually situated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com We use the podcast editing service, Next Day Podcast

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, the ladies will be talking about Michelle's recent trip to visit Suzanne in Scottsdale.  During this visit, they talked about spouses, shopping styles, obnoxious drivers and decorating for Christmas early. They are going to be sharing those observations, and so much more, in today's episode.  As the conversation concludes, Suzanne reminds listeners that November's book of the month is “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.  The ladies also share, that because of scheduling, November's book will now be discussed the first week of December.  Until next week everyone…Cheers!! A link to November's book if the month:  https://www.amazon.com/First-Ladies-Marie-Benedict/dp/0593440285/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XZW0GPLYBGNZ&keywords=the+first+ladies+marie+benedict&qid=1698514204&sprefix=the+first%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations: Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spiritually situated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com We use the podcast editing service, Next Day Podcast

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, we find that Suzanne has just returned from her trip to Singapore and Tokyo. Listen in as the ladies talk about Suzanne's reaction to both locations. While Suzanne's overall reaction was surprising to her, Michelle knew she'd find her comforts and have a great vacation. As the episode concludes, Suzanne reminds listeners that November's book of the month is “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Until next week everyone…Cheers!! A link to November's book if the month: https://www.amazon.com/First-Ladies-Marie-Benedict/dp/0593440285/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XZW0GPLYBGNZ&keywords=the+first+ladies+marie+benedict&qid=1698514204&sprefix=the+first%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations: Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spiritually situated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com We use the podcast editing service, Next Day Podcast.

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle will be discussing October's Book of the Month - “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett. As the episode concludes, Suzanne reminds listeners that November's book of the month is “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.  Until next week everyone…Cheers!! A link to November's book if the month:  https://www.amazon.com/First-Ladies-Marie-Benedict/dp/0593440285/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XZW0GPLYBGNZ&keywords=the+first+ladies+marie+benedict&qid=1698514204&sprefix=the+first%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations: Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spiritually situated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne is worked up about her upcoming travels to Foreign destinations that are new to her.  Michelle will be a supportive friend, as Suzanne shares all the reasons that she is apprehensive about going.  To get this episode in, October's book club episode has been pushed back to next week. Stepping into the Nostalgia presented by Tom Lake, the ladies will have plenty to discuss.  As the episode concludes, Suzanne introduces November's book of the month.  In November, we will be reading “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.    Until next week everyone…Cheers!! A link to October's book of the month: https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Lake-Novel-Ann-Patchett/dp/006332752X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=77KMZKMLR30U&keywords=tom+lake&qid=1696030341&sprefix=tom+lak%2Caps%2C258&sr=8-1 A link to November's book if the month:  https://www.amazon.com/First-Ladies-Marie-Benedict/dp/0593440285/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XZW0GPLYBGNZ&keywords=the+first+ladies+marie+benedict&qid=1698514204&sprefix=the+first%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1 For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations: Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spiritually situated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

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

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

“The best of friends.“ Chatter rolls into fall with favorite alums and powerful friendships. David, Torie, and Louis Bayard share their summer vacations. COB listener Bobby Gottfried has rare good news on book banning. The best of friends and award winning writers to boot, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray zoom in to share “The First Ladies” about the extraordinary partnership between civil rights activist Mary Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt. As COB alum Sadeqa Johnson said in her blurb: “The timely story encapsulates the unmovable power of when two strong minds come together in the name of justice and equality.”

In this interview, we discuss The First Ladies, writing about the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, their cover and title, how readers are so curious about Marie's and Victoria's friendship, their writing process and research, and much more. Check out my Summer Reading Guide for 2023 and my Houston Life segment. Join my Patreon group to support the podcast.  Other ways to support the podcast can be found here.     If you enjoyed this episode and want to listen to more episodes, try Kate Manning, Lynn Cullen, Patti Callahan Henry, Shelley Read, and Jennifer Rosner. The First Ladies can be purchased at my Bookshop storefront.      Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in VBT history, we are welcoming not one, but TWO authors: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Tune into this week's episode to learn more about The First Ladies, how this co-author-duo met, and what they learned about each other in the process.  The First Ladies is about the extraordinary friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights Activist Mary McLeod Bethune. When FDR is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, and Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness on Civil Rights. When she receives threats, it only fuels the two women's desires to fight for justice and equality.  Get The First Ladies at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout.  Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.