Bookreporter Talks To

Dianna Rostad talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her debut novel, You Belong Here Now, which received this praise from William Kent Krueger: “I love this book, and I guarantee you won’t find a better debut novel anywhere.”

You Belong Here Now is about three orphans who journey west from New York City on one of the infamous orphan trains. On the train, the orphans come up with a plan to jump off in Montana to seek a life all their own. They find themselves on a ranch on Montana where they quickly work to adapt to ranch life. The two older boys work as ranch hands under the doubtful eye of a young woman whose family owns the ranch. She worries that the arrival of these orphans will get in the way of her plan to someday run the family property. Along the way, the orphans and the ranch family blend in a way that brings healing for all of them.

Dianna, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, talks to Carol about how the place inspired her. Her family has a long history in Montana, and her father was a huge influence on the book.

Books discussed in this episode:

You Belong Here Now by Dianna Rostad https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/you-belong-here-now/about

More Bookreporter Talks To:
Damnation Spring: https://youtu.be/QlEcbVNmpCs
Clark and Division: https://youtu.be/K_FH3j4ctcU
In Every Mirror She's Black: https://youtu.be/QwMDl_RZ4LA

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

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Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her debut novel, In Every Mirror She's Black. Lolá was born in Nigeria and lived in the States for a long time before moving to Sweden. She is an award winning author, speaker, and photographer who has traveled the globe for her work.

In Every Mirror She's Black is told through the perspectives of three women. Kemi Adeyemi, is a marketing executive living in the United States, who is hired by a major Sweden marketing company to help them with their diversity efforts with branding. The company is recovering from a brutal faux paux. Brittany-Rae Johnson is a former model now working as a flight attendant, and she is charmed by the owner of the Swedish marketing company. The third woman, Muna Saheed, is a refugee seeking residency in Sweden. She works at a cleaning company and one of their clients is the forestated marketing company. Each of the women is black, and that is what people see first. But from there, each is perceived differently according to her station in life.

Lolá talks to Carol about the ways in which Swedish racism differs from the racism commonly discussed in America. She explains how she decided to use her characters to show this through their actions and reactions in ways that are both believable and realistic. They discuss some of the challenges Sweden still has left to overcome, and what we can all take away from them. This is the kind of book that can spur a terrific book club discussion.

Books discussed in this episode:

In Every Mirror She's Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström https://www.bookreporter.com/features/fiction-author-spotlight/in-every-mirror-shes-black

More Bookreporter Talks To:
Lightning Strike: https://youtu.be/Ylo8rzowHzM
Clark and Division: https://youtu.be/K_FH3j4ctcU
Damnation Spring: https://youtu.be/QlEcbVNmpCs

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Naomi Hirahara, the Edgar Award-winning author of the Mas Arai series, talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her latest historical mystery novel, Clark and Division, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection.

Clark and Division tells the story of the Ito family who was detained first at Manzanar in California and then to Chicago in 1944 as Japanese Americans were moved by the government after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The oldest daughter, Rose, had gone on ahead of the family to Chicago, and they were eager to reconnect with her. But the day before the family arrives, Rose is killed in a subway accident, which is ruled a suicide. Aki doesn't believe that about her older sister Rose, and she embarks on a quest to unravel the truth about her death.

Naomi talks to Carol about the research she did to tell this story, and how her nonfiction research on Japanese Americans inspires her fiction. She talks about her trip to Chicago, where she walked the streets of Clark and Division to absorb details shared in her writing. Clark and Division is so much different than most World War II historical novels, and they discuss how it would be perfect for book club discussions.

Book Discussed in this Episode:

Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/clark-and-division

More Bookreporter Talks To:
The Paper Palace: https://youtu.be/jYhiuOz7X3Q
Lightning Strike: https://youtu.be/Ylo8rzowHzM
Damnation Spring: https://youtu.be/QlEcbVNmpCs

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Ash Davidson talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her very accomplished debut novel, Damnation Spring, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. It’s a book where the characters and their story will stay with you.

Damnation Spring is set in a northern California town in the late ‘70s. Damnation Spring tells the very human story of a family torn apart by the underlying effects of environmental destruction. Rich and his family have been longtime loggers in this area, and he sees an opportunity for a fortune to be made by buying a track of forest to harvest. He keeps this purchase quiet, not even sharing it with his wife, Colleen. She recently lost a child, a still birth after a number of miscarriages, and as a midwife in the area she is also seeing miscarriages across the community. A longtime friend of Colleen’s comes to the area and points out that the herbicides the logging company uses are infiltrating their water supply, and may be causing issues with not only wildlife, but people as well.

Ash talks to Carol the decade she spent writing the book, and how the story changed over time. They discuss the development of the characters, and how their stories were very much a reality for people living in that part of the country. There is a lot here for a book group discussion.

Book Discussed in this Episode:

Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson
https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/damnation-spring/about

More Bookreporter Talks To:
The Last Mona Lisa: https://youtu.be/BBKKvV9moW8
The Paper Palace: https://youtu.be/jYhiuOz7X3Q
Lightning Strike: https://youtu.be/Ylo8rzowHzM

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

William Kent Krueger joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss his newest novel, Lightning Strike, which is a prequel to his Cork O'Connor series. He is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Ordinary Grace, This Tender Land, 18 Cork O'Connor novels, and more.

Lightning Strike tells the story of 12-year-old Cork O'Connor in his home town of Aurora, Minnesota. When Cork stumbles upon a dead body, he begins his first foray into detective work. His father, who is the sheriff of Aurora, needs to confirm that the man is dead by suicide, as all evidence suggests. But Cork takes matters into his own hands to find out what may have gone awry.

Kent talks to Carol about how he decided to write this prequel that both serves an entry point for those new to the series (essentially functioning as a standalone), and also shares a backstory for longtime readers. He talks about some of the oft forgotten history of Minnesota in the novel --- including the repercussions of The Native Families Relocation Act of 1956, as well as his research, his inspirations, and a hint of what's next. Readers who enjoyed Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land will appreciate this latest novel.

Book Discussed in this Episode:
Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/lightning-strike

More Bookreporter Talks To:
Malibu Rising: https://youtu.be/6HUSQdISH18
The Last Mona Lisa: https://youtu.be/BBKKvV9moW8
The Paper Palace: https://youtu.be/jYhiuOz7X3Q

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Miranda Cowley Heller talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her debut novel, The Paper Palace, which was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller.

Set on the Outer Cape of Cape Cod over the course of 24 hours, Elle must make a decision about whether to stay with her husband, Peter, or to leave her marriage for her childhood friend, Jonas. The book looks back over Elle’s life and delves into moments, including one pivotal one, that will influence her decision.

Miranda talks to Carol about how she came to write this book in her fifties after putting it aside almost a decade ago and the story's development. She talks about how her poetry background has influenced her writing. They discuss the cover, which has its own background in her family. Miranda is currently writing the script for the book's adaptation for HBO, a homecoming of sorts for her, as she worked as the head of programs at HBO, including "The Sopranos," "Six Feet Under," and "The Wire."

Book Discussed in This Episode:

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-paper-palace

More Bookreporter Talks To:
The Husbands: https://youtu.be/3MnwiM9Gdw4
Malibu Rising: https://youtu.be/6HUSQdISH18
The Last Mona Lisa: https://youtu.be/BBKKvV9moW8

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Jonathan Santlofer joins Carol Fitzgerald for a lively discussion of his new novel, The Last Mona Lisa, his first novel with a historical setting.

The Last Mona Lisa explores the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, giving readers a backstage look at what happened with the painting and the thief behind it all. With forgeries propping up in its wake, the ensuing years became a mystery for the art world. Where is the real painting? And what if the Mona Lisa that ended up in the Louvre has been a replica all along? Jonathan’s protagonist, Luke Perrone, a descendant of the thief tries to sort out what happened and ends up deep in the underworld of art forgery.

Jonathan , who is not only a gifted writer, but also an artist, shares his expertise on the art world and dives deep into his research for the famous painting. As part of his research, he even sat in the cell where the culprit was jailed. Jonathan talks to Carol about how his work as an artist has influenced his writing. And what he’s working on now with both his painting and his writing.

Books Discussed in This Episode:

The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-last-mona-lisa

Jonathan and Mona Lisa Drawings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTan0YUNeM

More Bookreporter Talks To:
The Turnout: https://youtu.be/xf_Pz25ZLk4
The Husbands: https://youtu.be/3MnwiM9Gdw4
Malibu Rising: https://youtu.be/6HUSQdISH18

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Taylor Jenkins Reid joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about Malibu Rising, her latest New York Times bestseller.

Malibu Rising follows four famous siblings over one day in August 1983, the day of their annual party, which is legendary. All the “right” people are there. By the end of the night their lives will be changed, secrets will be revealed -- and oh, the house where the party is taking place will be burned down. The Rivas are connected to fame. Two are beloved surfers, one is a renowned photographer, and all four of them are children of the legendary singer, Mick Riva, who is estranged from his children.

Taylor shares her thoughts on the appeal of setting this book in Malibu and shares why it has become a mecca for stars. Their discussion also covers Daisy Jones & the Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor’s earlier books, which now take her readers from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. She shares the decade where her next book will take place, which will pull these books together in a quartet. They talk about fame and how it impacts people’s lives. And there’s an update on the film adaptation of Daisy Jones & the Six. Surf’s up, and you do not want to miss this ride.

Books Discussed in This Episode:

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

More Bookreporter Talks To:
Such a Quiet Place: https://youtu.be/vaqRfElP_ow
The Turnout: https://youtu.be/xf_Pz25ZLk4
The Husbands: https://youtu.be/3MnwiM9Gdw4

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Chandler Baker, the New York Times bestselling author of the Whisper Network, talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her newest novel, The Husbands.

The Husbands follows Nora Spangler, an attorney with more than her career on her plate. She’s up for partnership at her law firm, but at home she’s juggling everything for the house and kids. Her husband works hard at the office, but on the home front his task list is a lot lighter, and he is a lot more relaxed. When they plan a move to a new neighborhood, Nora finds the women there less challenged by their household tasks; their husbands are helping out a lot more around the house. What’s happening there?

Chandler and Carol talk about “the second shift” and what it means for women, especially those with young children -- as well as the nod this book has to The Stepford Wives. Chandler talks about the book that her friends were reading and discussing that inspired the story. Chandler also talks about writing the screenplay. They discuss the characters and relate their choices to their own lives, all while doing their best not to give anything away.

Books Discussed in This Episode:

The Husbands by Chandler Baker

More Bookreporter Talks To:

The Personal Librarian: https://youtu.be/DYhTvlyWDSU
Such a Quiet Place: https://youtu.be/vaqRfElP_ow
The Turnout: https://youtu.be/xf_Pz25ZLk4

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald

Megan Abbott joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, The Turnout, which is the 10th book in her award-winning career.

Set against the world of ballet, The Turnout follows Dara and Marie Durant, two sisters who trained in ballet since they were children. Their parents ran the prestigious Durant School of Dance. After their sudden death, the girls take over running the dance school together, teaming up for the parts of teaching that suit them best. Working with them is Charlie, a young man who was a ballet student but was injured early in his career. Charlie was like a son to the family and he is now married to Dara, the older sister. At the height of one of the most important events of the year, the annual performance of "The Nutcracker," a suspicious accident occurs that throws this troika and the entire studio into a tailspin.

Their conversation is fast-paced as they talk plot, characters, and what a "turnout” is, as well as how tension is built in Megan’s writing. They each have fond memories of their childhood moments in dance studios, where neither was destined to star. They also talk about Megan’s film work, both on HBO’s “The Deuce” and her role as the creator, Executive Producer and showrunner of the adaptation of her book, Dare Me. She will be adapting The Turnout for film as well, and they talk about the differences between writing for a book and writing for the screen.

Books Discussed in This Episode:
The Turnout by Megan Abbott https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-turnout

More Bookreporter Talks To:
The Last Commandment: https://youtu.be/vyVcaUCh2Lw
The Personal Librarian: https://youtu.be/DYhTvlyWDSU
Such a Quiet Place: https://youtu.be/vaqRfElP_ow

Check out our Bookaccino Book Club live events!
Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/8AjJHRttMpU
William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/dX-mHWLmv5k

Sign up for the weekly Bookreporter.com newsletter here: http://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/bookreporter-weekly-newsletter-subscribe

FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter
Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Photography Credit: Greg Fitzgerald