Adriana Trigiani's You Are What You Read

February is Black History Month, and here with us today on You Are What You Read is Professor of African American literature and Dean of the Graduate School at Howard University, Dr. Dana A. Williams. Dr. Williams joins us for a conversation about her book,Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship, a biography about the great Toni Morrison and the lesser-known details of her work as a writer and an editor. Today, February 18th, happens to be Toni Morrison’s birthday—and we are thrilled to pay tribute to her in this episode.

This Presidents' Day on You Are What You Read, we are joined by former presidential speechwriter, political commentator, talk show host, and New York Times bestselling author, Chris Matthews. Chris is the author of Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero, Kennedy & Nixon: The Rivalry that Shaped Postwar America, and Hardball: How Politics Is Played, Told by One Who Knows the Game. Chris was both a presidential speechwriter and top aide to Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill Jr. For a generation, he hosted Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC, which is now exclusively on Substack. Chris joins us to talk about his latest book, Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters. This book is a tribute about why Robert F. Kennedy’s revolutionary vision offers the roadmap America needs today.

On this week's episode of You Are What You Read, Father James Martin joins us with his new memoir, Work in Progress: Confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest. Father Jim is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and host of The Spiritual Life podcast. His books include Learning to Pray, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. In this conversation filled with humility and humor, Father Jim reminisces about the summer jobs that prepared him for his calling to the priesthood. 

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel joins us this week on You Are What You Read with his new book, Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life. In this practical and entertaining guide to healthy living, Dr. Emanuel reveals that many of the tools for a long and meaningful life are already within reach. Dr. Emanuel is a vice provost and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a bioethicist, health policy expert, and oncologist, and was one of the architects of the Affordable Care Act. 

On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by social media sensation and New York Times bestselling author, Melani Sanders. Melani’s latest book The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook is a “Hot-Mess Guide for Women in Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond Who Are Over It”! Melani is a digital creator and founder of the “We Do Not Care Movement”. Her viral “We Do Not Care” reels and posts capture the humor, heart, and chaos of perimenopause, menopause, midlife, motherhood, and real life. 

Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me. On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, Laura joins us for a conversation about The First Time I Saw Him—an instant best seller and thrill to read.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is #1 on the New York Times best seller list this week, and you will discover why in this episode of You Are What You Read. The book is about a retired law clerk named Sybil, who reflects on her life through letters. She writes to family, friends, and even authors, revealing her regrets, joys, and a painful past she must confront to find forgiveness. Virginia talks about her journey as a writer through her experiences with family, work and books. 

2026 reading has started off strong. This week on You Are What You Read, we are thrilled to host Ben Markovitz with his novel, THE REST OF OUR LIVES, which has been one of the biggest novels this January. THE REST OF OUR LIVES was a finalist for the Booker Prize, a Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick, a Late Show Book Club Pick, and a national best seller. Ben Markovits is the author of eleven novels, including Fathers and Daughters, You Don’t Have to Live Like This, and The Sidekick. He has also published essays, stories, poetry, and reviews in The Guardian, Granta, The Paris Review, and The New York Times, among others. THE REST OF OUR LIVES is all the buzz this winter, and we can’t wait to talk about it.

On this week's episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by the Emmy-nominated and #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer with his latest, The Viper. You know Brad’s work: his thrillers, his nonfiction, and his children’s books, the Ordinary People Change the World series. This is a conversation about Brad's books, his process, and his connection with his beloved readers. 

On today’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by the great Paula McLain. Paula is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, including The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin, as well as two collections of poetry and a memoir. This winter, we are looking forward to Paula’s return to Paris in her forthcoming novel, Skylark.