Bookreporter Talks To

Ashley Audrain joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new domestic thriller, THE WHISPERS, which follows on the heels of her debut, THE PUSH. Both books are Bookreporter Bets On selections. Ashley sets her latest in a neighborhood that is being regentrified. Some homes are remodeled, while others are original to the neighborhood. We follow two moms of young children, Whitney and Blair, as well as Rebecca, an ER nurse who longs to be a mother, and Mara, an older woman who is watching these families grow up. Ashley explains why she created these four characters, as well as her inspiration for the block that they live on. She talks about the book's explosive opening and how it sets up the story. And oh, that ending. Ashley also shares her process on writing, revising and editing.

Book discussed in this episode:

THE WHISPERS by Ashley Audrain:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-whispers-by-ashley-audrain

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

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

John Sargent joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his memoir, TURNING PAGES: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher. John spent four decades in the world of publishing and concluded his career in 2020 at Macmillan when he was fired, which completely surprised people in the industry. For years he fought for what he believed was right for authors, readers and the "publishing ecosystem," the latter of which is a phrase he used again and again.

But while this book is about his time in publishing, John touches on so much more. He explains how his boyhood in Wyoming influenced him as much as his time with bestselling authors. John and Carol talk about the details in some of his essays, which include a lot of humor and self-deprecation. It's an inside look at what really is a wonderful life.

Stay until the end to hear about the cover of the book and the image that was used there. It, like the book, is all about the details.

Book discussed in this episode:

TURNING PAGES by John Sargent:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/turning-pages-the-adventures-and-misadventures-of-a-publisher

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

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

Sarah Pekkanen joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, GONE TONIGHT. In this mother/daughter story, a mother will do anything she can to keep her daughter, who is now in her 20s, safe and living near her. She had her daughter as a teen and has been long estranged from her family. The book is told from the points of view of both the mother and the daughter.

Sarah talks about ratcheting up the tension while also doing a slow reveal. Parts of the book take place in a memory care unit, and she explains how her earlier experience as a reporter helped her in developing character and setting background. Sarah also discusses lasagna pizza, which figures into the storytelling. And she shares a few hints about her next book, which will be in stores next summer.

Book discussed in this episode:

GONE TONIGHT by Sarah Pekkanen:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/gone-tonight

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

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

Angie Kim joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new novel, HAPPINESS FALLS, which packs so much between its pages. It's a family story with a mystery woven through. And much of the book revolves around the young son, Eugene, who has Angelman syndrome --- and what he may know about the disappearance of their father/husband.

Angie talks about how long this story was in her head --- more than a decade --- and why she felt that this was the right time to tell it. She notes that she aimed to look at the impact of someone who is verbally disabled on the entire family. And she wanted to address how those who are different may be in jeopardy when being looked at by law enforcement as they would not be attuned to things like Eugene's jumping to calm himself or the verbal noises he makes. These cues could keep someone who is disabled from protecting themselves. She also discusses her creative writing work with students who have issues with oral communication and shares how the person who performs Eugene's part for the audiobook was hand-selected by her from among this group.

Book discussed in this episode:

HAPPINESS FALLS by Angie Kim

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/happiness-falls

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

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

Melanie Benjamin joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest work of historical fiction, CALIFORNIA GOLDEN. Set in Southern California in the '50s and '60s, the story is built around Carol --- a prize-winning surfer at a time when women were not big contenders in the sport --- and her two daughters, Mindy and Ginger. Melanie discusses the structure of the book with the daughters' story coming first, then the mother's, and finally all of them together. She also delves into how the lives of women have changed over the past decades, as well as her research on surfing and life during these times in California and Hawaii.

Book discussed in this episode:

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN by Melanie Benjamin

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/california-golden

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg

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

Carol Fitzgerald talks to Shari Lapena about her latest thriller, EVERYONE HERE IS LYING. Carol has christened Shari "the Queen of the One-Sit Read," as every time she starts reading one of her books, she does not stop until she finishes. And she is not alone; we are hearing this from other readers. Shari talks about how the book opens and sets the story up, and from there how the neighbors all become part of the plot. The ending will make you stop and say, "That is so perfect." Shari discusses her writing process, her drafts and early passes on her books, and how she works with her agent and editor. She also shares what she is hearing from readers about the audiobook, which is narrated by January LaVoy…and, yes, some hints about the next book, which will be her eighth.

Book discussed in this episode:

EVERYONE HERE IS LYING by Shari Lapena:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/everyone-here-is-lying

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg

Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI

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

Carol Fitzgerald talks to Tracey Lange about her second novel, THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Tracey talks about the Connelly siblings, what she thought was special about each of them, and how her background in behavioral health helped her in developing them and their various situations. The themes of loyalty and love are at the core of this book, and she discusses how they came together. And yes, she explains where she got all the jokes that Conor tells and the story behind the fairy tale. She also touches upon her debut novel, WE ARE THE BRENNANS, and what's next!

Book discussed in this episode:

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN by Tracey Lange:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-connellys-of-county-down

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Naomi Hirahara: https://youtu.be/pwvkwqt2NTo

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg

Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI

Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E

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

Naomi Hirahara joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest mystery, EVERGREEN. The story once again features Aki Ito, who readers met in CLARK AND DIVISION. Aki has now moved back to Los Angeles from Chicago where her family was displaced during World War II. Naomi talks about her research for this book, some of which was drawn from relatives, as well as her work over the past decades. She explains how EVERGREEN works well as a stand-alone novel and what brought her and the publisher to call these books Japantown mysteries. Carol shares how they give an insightful look into this time as historical fiction, as well as a mystery.

Book discussed in this episode:

EVERGREEN by Naomi Hirahara

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/evergreen-a-japantown-mystery

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

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

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg

Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI

Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E

Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/TW01NY0d7CE

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

Liz Nugent joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new thriller, STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Liz reminds Carol that they spoke in 2017 about her debut, UNRAVELING OLIVER; it was her first interview. She explains how she developed the character of Sally. Carol was astonished to learn that this latest novel was not plotted, but rather written stream-of-consciousness. Liz also talks about letters that were shared with Sally and why they were woven into the story. She notes that while there are a lot of dark things insinuated in the book, they are not written on the page. Those visuals are manifested in the readers' minds.

Book discussed in this episode:

STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/strange-sally-diamond

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans: https://youtu.be/d02mLanJV8g

Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk

Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg

Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI

Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E

Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/TW01NY0d7CE

William Landay: https://youtu.be/Zcok9PHuRHw

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

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans make a return visit to "Bookreporter Talks To" to share their thoughts on their latest book, THE BETTER HALF — a Bookreporter Bets On selection — with Carol Fitzgerald. They talk about what they brought to their protagonist, Nina Morgan Clarke, who is the first Black female head of the very tony Royal-Hawkins School. Nina quickly learns that, along with being in charge of student life, she must manage a board and lots of parental expectations.

Alli shares that she knew this would not be a job for her, though she had thought she did want that role in her past life as an educator. Asha comes from a mixed marriage and points out that she had her sons turn to her father and brother about living as young Black men in America today. Both are clearly loving the second half of their lives! This was the first book that they wrote in different places, as opposed to being in the same room, and they explain how they were able to do that so well (though when together they do have their writing pajamas). The humor that they write also lives off the page, making this another fun conversation!

Book discussed in this episode:

THE BETTER HALF by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans:

https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-better-half

Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Carolyn Mackler: https://youtu.be/L4M-w9BeaTk

Adrienne Brodeur: https://youtu.be/6U7kf2KVtco

Lisa See: https://youtu.be/D8XYEYI60Ww

Nancy Horan: https://youtu.be/49bdiHbIUmY

Linwood Barclay: https://youtu.be/pkDG90y9FN0

Alice Elliott Dark: https://youtu.be/9AAk-lLDRbc

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/LMjdzDRlqrg

Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo: https://youtu.be/ZWDnhSS26KI

Lisa Scottoline: https://youtu.be/8F-CDltuc3E

Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/TW01NY0d7CE

William Landay: https://youtu.be/Zcok9PHuRHw

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/aZHZx2LaU4Y

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