Beyond the Next Chapter with Whitney Clark

This episode features an Arizona author and her debut novel! "All Our Wars" by Stephanie Vasquez is out now. It's a fictionalized organized crime thriller featuring the daughter of a high-ranking Mexican cartel leader. After Sofia De Luna's mother was murdered, Sofia has to make some tough choices about her family business. It's a love story with dual timelines for fans of shows like Netflix's "Narcos." Vasquez grew up in Tucson and studied Journalism and Latin American studies at the University of Arizona. She's written for a number of publications, including the Tombstone Epitaph. She talks about why she is drawn to stories about families, which TV shows and movies inspired her book, and how she became a published author through a contest.

Just in time for Halloween, we're diving into a new thriller called "Fatal Intrusion." It's the first book in a new series by authors Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado. After a series of murders in Southern California, a Homeland Security agent needs the help of professor in catching a serial killer. Deaver is an international bestselling author who has written more than 40 books, including  "The Bone Collector." Maldonado is also a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She graduated from the FBI National Academy and was the first Latina to become a captain within the Fairfax County Police Department near Washington, D.C. Deaver and Maldonado talk about what it's like to co-write a book, how they worked together, and much more. 

Calling all authors and book lovers! On this episode of Beyond the Next Chapter, we're joined by a Valley woman who's planning a convention for book lovers and authors in 2025. It's called Readers of the Valley and will be in Glendale, Arizona on January 18 and 19th. The convention is being organized by Rebecca Lopez. She's a local author who also owns Sunrise Bookworm Co., a business she runs with her husband featuring book-themed goodies. Rebecca talks about what it's like being a small-business owner, why she wanted to bring a convention like this to the Phoenix-area, and of course she gives us some book recommendations! 

This episode of Beyond the Next Chapter is truly living up to its name! We're joined by Dr. Dawn Wright, who's the first Black person to reach the bottom of the ocean. Wright is out with a new book called "Mapping the Deep: Innovation, Exploration, and the Dive of a Lifetime." Back in 2022, she visited the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean. At more than 35,000 feet, it's the deepest and most unexplored place on planet Earth. Her book details her dive, her path in life and how she became a professor. She now works at a company called the Environmental Systems Research Institute, or ESRI. Wright talks about what she saw at the bottom of the ocean and why mapping the deepest parts of the ocean is so important for all of us. 

While many 8-year-old's love reading, not many start non-profits to comfort others! This week's episode of Beyond the Next Chapter features Anaik Sachdev, the Valley boy who started the organization "The Loving Library." He's also joined by his mom and younger brother who serves as an ambassador. The group donates books to kids who are in the hospital and they now have chapters across the country, even in the UK. Anaik got the idea after his grandma was hospitalized with COVID-19 and she was lonely. Since then, more than 15,000 books have been donated! They talk about how you can give back, their favorite books for kids, how the non-profit has been able to grow and the plans for the future!

After the death of their father, estranged siblings discover their dad may have been keeping a secret for more than 50 years. While his death was ruled accidental, the siblings are afraid something more sinister is at play. It's a slow-burn mystery and family drama and Laura Dave joins the podcast to talk about "The Night We Lost Him." Dave is a #1 New York Times best-selling author who most recently wrote "The Last Thing He Told Me." That book is also hit series on Apple TV starring Jennfier Garner. Dave talks to our host Whitney Clark about the real event that inspired "The Night We Lost Him," her own fears, what it's like working with Garner, and the plans for her next book (a sequel to "The Last Thing He Told Me."). 

Only 41% of third-grade students in Arizona are reading at grade level. That's according to the most recent statistics from the Education Progress meter. Findings were released earlier this year by the non-profit, Center for the Future of Arizona. In this episode, our host Whitney Clark focuses on how we can improve literacy rates among kids, how we got here, why it's a skill that's so important, and what you can do to help. She's joined by Terri Clark, the Arizona Literacy Director for Read On Arizona, and Jennifer Deibel, who's an author and teacher in the Deer Valley Unified School District. 

In this episode we're taking you around the world, but on a budget! Our host Whitney Clarks to Jen Ruiz, the author of "12 Trips in 12 Months." The year before her 30th birthday, Ruiz decided to take a a challenge: Go on 12 trips in 12 months. Her book unpacks her travel journey around the world, how she was able to go from an attorney to a full-time travel blogger, and Jen shares some of her secrets to getting cheap flights. She even flew from the U.S. to New Zealand for $38! Ruiz also shares the magic of solo travel and her advice for women who may be at a crossroads in life and are looking for a change.

From a Changing Hands bookseller, to a flight attendant to a New York Times bestselling author, Valley native T.J. Newman is getting ready for the release of her third book "Worst Case Scenario." Our host Whitney Clark talks to her about the latest thriller. After an airline pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner crashes into a nuclear power plant and the race is on to prevent a total meltdown. Newman talks to Whitney about what it's like to return home as an author, her pet peeves as a former flight attendant, and what it's like to see her other books adapted for the big screen!  

In this episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," Whitney Clark is joined by Marissa Daley, librarian and manager of the Fountain Hills library, and Paige Cordner, librarian at the Queen Creek library. Together, they dive into the world of book recommendations and read alikes, offering listeners a treasure trove of new books to explore based on popular titles they already love.

Marissa and Paige share their insights on what makes a read-alike, discuss some of their favorite genres, and provide personalized recommendations for books like "The Fourth Wing," "I'm Glad My Mom Died," and "Funny Story." They also explore the impact of social media on reading habits and the resurgence of certain genres like fantasy romance.

Whether you're a fan of Emily Henry's charming romances, Colleen Hoover's gripping stories, or Kristin Hannah's historical fiction, this episode is packed with suggestions to keep your reading list full and varied. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a librarian and the joys of fostering a love for reading in the community.