Bookreporter Talks To

Dani Shapiro discusses SIGNAL FIRES for "Bookaccino Live" Book Group moderated by Carol Fitzgerald. Bookreporter readers loved this book and were quick to ask questions about the characters, who drive this story. Dani had put this book away a while ago, and when she came back to it, it was with fresh eyes and a new perspective. She shares why she pivoted in time to tell the story and how the accident that opens the book radiated through the lives of the Wilf family in very different ways. She also explains why Waldo stole a piece of her heart, as well as that of readers. People from 22 states, along with DC and Canada, were part of the audience. As a result, there was a question about the city of Roseville, Michigan, being mentioned in the book as a reader lived close to there.

Book discussed in this episode:

SIGNAL FIRES by Dani Shapiro:

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Douglas Brunt: https://youtu.be/IDCvXA0uTtQ

Tess Gerritsen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s885KBtDOsY

Jessica Knoll: https://youtu.be/Tbfe3JckjhI

Sharon Virts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3apzsRDXCI

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/Msr6r9J_-PY

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

Douglas Brunt joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF RUDOLF DIESEL: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I, which was an instant New York Times bestseller. Apple Books has selected it as one of the 20 best books of 2023, and it already was named one of the Best History Books of the Year by Audible. Doug talks about the origin of the story, which came about as he bought an older boat, and how his fascination with the character of Rudolf Diesel sprang from there. Many know about Diesel fuel, but few are aware that it was named for the man who invented it, along with the first Diesel engine. Doug explains why he chose to include a wider view of what was going on in the world at the time, as well as theories about Diesel's fate. He goes on to present his thoughts on what really happened; to him, it was neither suicide nor murder. He also reveals his inspiration for his podcast, "Dedicated with Doug Brunt," where he speaks with authors --- and shares cocktails.

Book discussed in this episode:

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF RUDOLF DIESEL: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I by Douglas Brunt

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Tess Gerritsen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s885KBtDOsY

Jessica Knoll: https://youtu.be/Tbfe3JckjhI

Sharon Virts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3apzsRDXCI

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/Msr6r9J_-PY

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/F0btsAxTPQA

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

Tess Gerritsen joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, THE SPY COAST, which kicks off a new series, The Martini Club. Tess shares where she got the idea for this book, which had a very interesting origin. She has visited the international locations where the action takes place, and she discusses how she was able to make those scenes feel so authentic. She did not plot the novel in advance, which is surprising when readers see how well it all came together. Carol thinks this is her best book, and it will be a Bookreporter Bets On selection.

Book discussed in this episode:

THE SPY COAST by Tess Gerritsen:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-spy-coast

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Jessica Knoll: https://youtu.be/Tbfe3JckjhI

Sharon Virts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3apzsRDXCI

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/Msr6r9J_-PY

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/F0btsAxTPQA

Ashley Audrain: https://youtu.be/39UpbAbc5no

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

Jessica Knoll joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. It's a fictitious look at the victims of a serial killer, based on Ted Bundy, though he is never called by name here. Jessica talks about the structure of the novel, where the crimes that open the book are captured hour by hour and day by day. She explores the three characters in the book, as well as the research that she did to get the right tone and tenor for the story. Jessica realizes that if the victims had survived, they would be in their 50s and 60s today. She also touches on the television series adaptation that she has been tapped to write, as well as her experience with the film adaptation of LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE.

Book discussed in this episode:

BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN by Jessica Knoll:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/bright-young-women

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Sharon Virts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3apzsRDXCI

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/Msr6r9J_-PY

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/F0btsAxTPQA

Ashley Audrain: https://youtu.be/39UpbAbc5no

John Sargent: https://youtu.be/Wm93hbgRs-A

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan joined our "Bookaccino Live" Book Group for a brilliant discussion about their novel, MAD HONEY. Jennifer explains that the idea for the book came to her in a dream that she had in 2017. They talk about their characters and who wrote each, as well as how they worked with one portion of the narrative going forward and another going backward. Jodi is a complete outliner, and they discuss how having this structure allowed them to develop the story with each of them writing on their own. This truly was a partnership throughout the entire process of writing, editing and promoting the book. Jodi and Jennifer also point out that they wanted to tell a story about a person who was transgender but frame it against a much bigger narrative and a mystery.

Book discussed in this episode:

MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/mad-honey

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Sharon Virts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3apzsRDXCI

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/Msr6r9J_-PY

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

Thrity Umrigar: https://youtu.be/F0btsAxTPQA

Ashley Audrain: https://youtu.be/39UpbAbc5no

John Sargent: https://youtu.be/Wm93hbgRs-A

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

Sharon Virts joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, VEIL OF DOUBT, a mystery set in 1872. She shares how her love of history helped her to discover this story. She talks about the character of Emily, who is accused of poisoning her daughter, and how she had to learn not only the legalese of the day, but also about chemistry and how poisoning may have happened in that time frame. Sharon needed to stay grounded in what information was available. She researched the trial and learned some interesting things about what went on in court then as opposed to now.

Sharon discusses how this post-Civil War time period was important to the story, explaining what the times meant as men returned home with emotional as well as physical scars. She also reveals the novel's original title and shares what she loves about the cover. Like Sharon's first book, MASQUE OF HONOR, VEIL OF DOUBT is a Bookreporter Bets On selection.

Book discussed in this episode:

VEIL OF DOUBT by Sharon Virts:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/veil-of-doubt

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/Msr6r9J_-PY

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

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

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

William Kent Krueger joined us for our first-ever LIVE "Bookreporter Talks To" interview to discuss THE RIVER WE REMEMBER. Some of the readers who won the book in a recent Bookreporter contest joined us live with their questions, while Carol Fitzgerald shared questions on behalf of our readers who are camera-shy or were unable to join us live. Please note that there were no spoilers discussed so you can watch or listen even if you have not read the book. We also opened up this program to all readers who wanted to attend live so they could enjoy it.

Book discussed in this episode:

THE RIVER WE REMEMBER by William Kent Krueger:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-river-we-remember

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Jean Kwok: https://youtu.be/zi5aAQBvX6g

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

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

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

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

Alice Elliott Dark discussed her novel, FELLOWSHIP POINT, with Carol Fitzgerald and readers at the September "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event. Members of the audience asked questions both on and off camera about her character development, including Maine as a character. Alice talked about her writing routine and shared insight into the editing process, where 200 pages of the book were winnowed down --- and her focus on Agnes and Polly. The ending of the book came to her quite late; she did not write towards it, and readers felt it was very satisfying. There was continuous talk about the beauty of Alice's writing, and how that made a long book feel just right as our attendees mentioned they were so vested in the story and how it was told.

Book discussed in this episode:

FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliott Dark:

https://www.bookreporter.com/features/bookreportercom-bets-on/fellowship-point

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