Bookreporter Talks To

Marie Benedict is an author who has written multiple historical fiction novels, each with a focus on a particular woman in history. In her latest, Lady Clementine, we get a close-up on Clementine Churchill and her effect on Winston Churchill's work as well as WWII, including how her actions had a direct impact on the war. Carol talks to Marie about the women throughout history who stand beside the men -- not behind them.

Books discussed in this episode:

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

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The Jetsetters was just announced as Reese's Book Club Pick for March. Amanda Eyre Ward, the critically acclaimed author of seven novels, came to discuss her new headlining book, The Jetsetters, with Carol. When an aging mother wins a cruise ship contest, she invites her children to join her on the vacation of their lives. Those 10 days are filled with conflicting family personalities and life-changing reveals. Together, Carol and Amanda talk about siblings, success, and the baggage families carry with them.
Recorded: 1/15/20

Books discussed in this episode:

The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward

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Luanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of over 34 novels, including books which have been adapted to television. LAST DAY, Luanne's latest adult suspense thriller, tells the story of Kate and her sister in the aftermath of a terrible crime. When violence is inflicted on the family again, Kate struggles to make sense of what happened and who the culprit might be. Carol talks with Luanne about goodbyes, family secrets, and the deep understanding our friends have of who we really are.

Books discussed in this episode:

Last Day by Luanne Rice

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Alexis Schaitkin is a short story and essay writer here to introduce her debut novel: Saint X. Alexis has already been given immense praise, which includes its inclusion as a Bookreporter Bets On book! Carol and Alexis discuss the ways Saint X's characters grow to understand their past, the sense of place that serves as both a paradise and a nightmare, and the secret ingredient that keeps Alexis writing.

Books discussed in this episode:

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

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Allison Pataki is a New York Times Bestselling author who has written historical fiction, children's picture books, and a memoir. Carol talks with Allison about her new novel, The Queen's Fortune, which tells the story of ruling families after the French Revolution, and the power one woman finds in her relationship with Napoleon. The two discuss women at the forefront of history, Allison's research in Paris, and the ways in which Allison's personal life has affected her historical storytelling over the years.

Books discussed in this episode:

The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire by Allison Pataki

Beauty in Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience by Allison Pataki

Where the Light Falls: A Novel of the French Revolution by Allison Pataki

Sisi: Empress on Her Own by Allison Pataki

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki

Nelly Takes New York: A Little Girl's Adventures in the Big Apple by Allison Pataki

Polly Takes Paris: A Little Girl's Adventures in the City of Light by Allison Pataki

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We're taking a week-long break from our usual "Bookreporter Talks To" interviews to bring you something different. The American Bookseller Association's Winter Institute brings hundreds of booksellers from around the country for networking, educating, and introducing upcoming books. ALA's Midwinter Meeting does the same for librarians. Carol takes a journey to both events and finds authors to share their new novels. Here we've got thirteen books you'll want to keep an eye out for in 2020!

Books discussed in this episode:

The Paris Hours by Alex George
1:47 ; Released May 5, 2020

Broken People by Sam Lansky
3:48 ; Released June 9, 2020

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin
4:09 ; Released February 18, 2020

Filthy Beasts by Kirkland Hamill
4:46 ; Released July 14, 2020

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
6:35 ; Released June 2, 2020

Mother Daughter Widow Wife by Robin Wasserman
7:23 ; Released June 23, 2020

Tiny Imperfections by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans
8:40 ; Released May 5, 2020

The Book of V. by Anna Solomon
9:24 ; Released May 5, 2020

Three Hours in Paris by Cara Black
9:55 ; Released 2020

The Last Flight by Julie Clark
11:31 ; Released June 2, 2020

The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals by Becky Mandelbaum
12:07 ; Released August 4, 2020

Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman
13:33 ; Released March 3, 2020

This episode was produced by Austin Ruh

Jesse Kornbluth is an author and journalist who has contributed to Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, The New York Times and more. Today he is the cultural concierge at HeadButler.com. He also is Carol's business partner and together they founded The Book Report Network back in 1996 when the internet as a communications medium was in its early days. In this interview, Carol and Jesse talk about his new book, a fictional diary from the perspective of JFK's fondest lover, Mary Meyer. As Jesse puts it, what would otherwise be a footnote in historical books about John F. Kennedy takes center stage in this tragic love story; perhaps the greatest love story never told.

Discussed in this episode:

JFK and Mary Meyer: A Love Story by Jesse Kornbluth

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Liz Moore, an acclaimed author who lives in Philadelphia, has closely researched her city's police districts and the nearby victims of the opioid crisis. As material for inspiration, Liz kept a journal of nonfiction sketches about the people who affected her during the time she spent with them, culminating in the completely fictional, though tonally accurate, LONG BRIGHT RIVER. Carol asks Liz about her new book, her understanding of the drug trade, the state of police and their handling of heroin addiction, and the plight of the characters on both ends of that dilemma in LONG BRIGHT RIVER.

Discussed in this episode:

LONG BRIGHT RIVER by Liz Moore
https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/long-bright-river

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This Tender Land made breakthrough success on the New York Times Bestseller list in 2019 and has been reviewed as one of the best books of the year. Not surprising, since the character relationships and stories at play in this enthralling journey make it a true modern-day classic. Carol sits down to talk with author William Kent Krueger about his own experiences in America's heartland. They discuss the struggles he faced writing about Native American children in the depression era, both tangibly in his writing process and how the book's events impacted him as he explored them.

Discussed in this episode:

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger 

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Cara talks about her fantastic debut novel, The Dearly Beloved, which was a Bookreporter Bets-On selection earlier this year. She relays her writing experience in-depth with Carol, sharing her thoughts on cultural expression in the '50s and '60s, the controversial topics at the heart of her book, discussions she's had with book clubs, and more. Cara has said her book is about faith in all of its forms, including faith in families, faith in relationships, and people's faith in each other.

The Dearly Beloved is a Today Show Book Club pick. To see the whole Today Show interview, click here.

You can find and direct message Cara on her Instagram page.

Books discussed in this episode:

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

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