In this bonus episode to close out Season 2 of Books, Beach, & Beyond, your hosts gab about favorite moments and books of the year, Elin's new merch at ElinBrand.com, plus take listener questions submitted on Instagram. Hear about Elin's thoughts on The Perfect Couple and other upcoming Hollywood adventures for Elin's novels, writing advice from Elin, Tim's dance moves, how Elin and Tim met, outrageous behavior on Nantucket, most anticipated reads coming in 2025, and other book related conversation and recommendations. We hope you enjoyed Season 2. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you!

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsor:
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Reading List

• God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
• Coleman Hill by Kim Coleman Foote
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman
• We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
• Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
• The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
• The Names by Florence Knapp
• Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner
• Elphie by Gregory Maguire
• Heartwood by Amity Gaige
• Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
• Dream State by Eric Puchner
• Model Home by Eric Buchner
• Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• Harry Potter by JK Rowling
• In Memoriam by Alice Winn
• Hamnet by Maggie O' Farrell
• The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’ Farrell
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
• Old School by Tobias Wolff

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Happy Reading!

Season 2 of Books, Beach, & Beyond ends its regular season with the icon that is Ina Garten and her new memoir Be Ready When The Luck Happens. Ina Garten is the author of a dozen cookbooks and the host of Be My Guest and Barefoot Contessa on Food Network and Max, for which she has won five Emmy Awards and three James Beard Awards. Elin, Tim, and Ina talk about the process of writing the memoir, the courage it took for her to take risks throughout her life, the support and love she feels from her husband Jeffrey, her time on Nantucket and Paris, and much more. The three reveal what their last meals would be and find out Ina's favorite ingredient, least favorite food, guilty food pleasure, favorite Thanksgiving dish, and what remains on her bucket list in the speed round at the end.

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Open Book With Jenna

Ina Garten Reading List

• Be Ready When The Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten
• Barefoot Contessa Parties! by Ina Garten
• Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garten
• Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten
• Family Style by Ina Garten
• The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

What else are we reading in this episode?

• Party of the Century by Deborah Davis
• Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X by Deborah Davis
• The Oprah Winfrey Show: Reflections on an American Legacy by Deborah Davis
• Tina Turner: My Love Story by Deborah Davis
• Nantucket Openhouse Cookbook by Sarah Leah Chase
• Coldweather Cooking by Sarah Leah Chase

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Happy Reading!

Barbara Kingsolver is the Pulitzer Prize winning, #1 best-selling author of Demon Copperhead, The Bean Trees, and The Poisonwood Bible. Elin, Tim, and Barbara start by telling listeners their favorite literary quotes inspired by a character in Demon Copperhead and then continue into Barbara’s origin story as a reader and a writer. They talk about the importance of setting in Barbara’s books, the Belgian Congo in The Poisonwood Bible, and Charles Dicken’s inspiring Demon Copperhead. They cover Barbara’s writing process, writers’ block, her favorite writers, the three characters in her own books she would take to dinner, and an exclusive on what she is working on next. What an absolutely delightful episode with this literary sensation.

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Barbara Kingsolver Reading List:

• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• Homeland and Other Stories by Barbara Kingsolver
• Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver 

What else are we reading in this episode?

• Far From The Tree by Andrew Solomon
• A Little Life by Hanya Yangagihara
• Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Martha Quest by Doris Lessing
• Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason

Other Authors Mentioned:

Vaclav Havel, Doris Lessing, Marilyn Robinson

Favorite Literary Quotes:
Tim’s Literary Quote

"What he knew, he knew from books"
  -  Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life

Elin Hildebrand's Literary Quote

“Once she had divided the world  into the sort of women who had love affairs, and the sort of woman who do not, but now she, a women who did not, did, and with considerable expertise.”
  -  Laurie Colwin, Family Happiness

Barbara Kingsolver's Literary Quote

“Hope is an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed.”
  -  Vaclav Havel

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Happy Reading!

Our next guest is Liane Moriarty, the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies, Apples Never Fall, The Husband’s Secret, Truly Madly Guilty and her newest, sure to be a best-seller on shelves this month - Here One Moment. Liane comes to us live from Australia and begins with how she got her start writing, the differences in publishing and reading between Australia and the US, the word "bubbler", and favorite places from the land down under. The three dig into Liane’s latest novel Here One Moment and discuss death, fate, fortune tellers, and her writing process and character development for this high-concept novel. They also discuss the pressure writers have to make each new book better, Hollywood adaptations, and Liane’s speed round of favorite books and writers.

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsor:
Book of the Month
N Magazine and Nantucket Current

Liane Moriarty's Reading List:

• Big Little Lies
• Apples Never Fall
• The Husband’s Secret
• Truly Madly Guilty
• Nine Perfect Strangers
• What Alice Forgot
• The Last Anniversary
• The Hypnotist’s Love Story
• Three Wishes

What else are we reading in this episode:

• Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty
• The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
• Barracuda by Cristos Tsiolkas
• The Accidental Tourist by Ann Tyler

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Happy Reading!

Our guest today in this special bonus episode of Books, Beach, & Beyond is Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, and Emmy Award winner Nicole Kidman. Elin and Tim ask Nicole about what books she loved throughout her life and how that love of literature turned into the passion for storytelling as an actor. They discuss many of Nicole’s book to screen acting portrayals from the Paddington Bear film to playing Virginia Woolf in The Hours. Discussion quickly and enthusiastically segues into The Perfect Couple, Elin’s 2018 novel and the brand-new Netflix limited series of the same name. Nicole talks about her role as Greer Garrison Winbury, what leapt out at her about the project, working with director Susanne Bier, the joy of collaborating with such a dynamic  ensemble cast, upcoming projects, more favorite books, Nantucket, and beyond! This is a don’t miss episode for any fan of Nicole's or literature and film and especially to learn more "behind the scenes" tidbits of your newest TV obsession - The Perfect Couple!

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
Book of the Month
Nantucket Book Partners
Nantucket Dreamland

Reading List

• The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
• The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
• The Winds of War by Herman Wouk
• The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
• Jaws by Peter Benchley
• The Famous Five by Enid Blyton
• The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton
• Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
• Paddington Bear by Michael Bond
• Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner
• Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes
• Cold Mountain by Charles Frasier
• Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
• The Hours by Michael Cunningham
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
• Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
• The Human Stain by Philip Roth
• Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
• All Fours by Miranda July
• Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
• Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judy Dench

Other Authors Mentioned

Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, John Steinbeck, Tim Winton, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Patrick White, Liane Moriarty, Patricia Cornwell, Elizabeth Strout

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Happy Reading!

You asked, we listened! Our guest today is #1 New York best-selling writer Emily Henry, author of Beach Read, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, Happy Place, and Funny Story. We start with Emily’s origin story as a YA writer turned romance queen we know today. We talk about her first novel Beach Read, the pressure for each new book, introverted writers being in the spotlight, naming characters, Emily’s favorite date night, and the qualities she looks for in new friends. We chat Hollywood adaptations, what makes each Emily Henry book different, and reading your own book reviews online.  Stick around to the end for Emily’s speed round of favorite books and authors and to hear Emily, Elin, and Tim’s favorite rom com films!

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
The Nantucket Hotel
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Emily Henry Reading List:

• Beach Read
• Book Lovers
• People We Meet on Vacation
• Happy Place
• Funny Story

Who else are we reading?

• A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
• Uprooted by Naomi Novik
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Other authors mentioned in this episode:

Danielle Steele, Judith Krantz, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Jeffrey Archer, Sally Thorne, Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, Dan Brown, Sherry Thomas, Gillian McAllister, and Mhairi McFarlane

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Happy Reading!

Kevin Kwan is the author of the international bestsellers Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, Rich People Problems, Sex and Vanity and new this year, Lies and Weddings. Elin, Tim, and Kevin tell us some of their favorite scenes in literature and some personal funny wedding stories, discuss Kevin’s upbringing in Singapore and origin story as a writer, and the Hollywood adaptation of Kevin’s debut, Crazy Rich Asians. They highlight the artistry that is Kevin’s newest novel Lies & Weddings and how it weaves together fashion, art, scandal, travel, and satire in one of the most entertaining reads of the year. As one of Time Magazine’s most influential people, we hear what Kevin hopes he is influencing in today’s world and his "speed round" of favorite books, fashion designers, art museums, and travel destinations.

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
Nantucket Book Partners
Erica Wilson

Kevin Kwan's Reading List:

• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
• China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan
• Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
• Sex & Vanity by Kevin Kwan
• Lies & Weddings by Kevin Kwan

What else are we reading in this episode:

• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• Harry Potter Series by J K Rowling
• Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
• Franny and Zooey by J D Salinger
• Mrs Everything by Jennifer Weiner
• Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
• The Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton
• The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
• The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne
• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Other Authors Mentioned:

Amy Tan, Lisa See

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Happy Reading!

Claire Lombardo is the best-selling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had (the April 2024 Reese’s Book Club pick) and the recently released Same As It Ever Was. We start with Claire’s origin story, her social work and family therapist background, as well as her time at the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. Claire discusses teaching writing classes, point of view, first sentences, writing flawed characters, and growing up in the Midwest and how that comes across on the page. We dive into her new book Same As It Ever Was and the characters you meet in it, editing such a long story, long marriages, and more. Claire mentions her part-time job as a bookseller at Prairie Lights, her best book recommendations, and Tim and Claire try to solve the Jon-Benet Ramsey murder case.

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
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Reading List:

• The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
• Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
• Leaving by Roxanna Robinson
• Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
• American Mermaid by Julia Langbein
• The Sentence by Louise Erdrich 
• Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
• The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West

Other Authors Mentioned:
Ethan Canin, Frank Conroy, John Irving

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Happy Reading!

Steven Rowley is the best-selling author of Lily and the Octopus, The Editor, The Guncle (Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor), The Celebrants (a Today Show Read with Jenna Book Club pick) and the recently published, The Guncle Abroad. Steven begins with his writing talents as a child through his publishing journey to his status as bestselling novelist, the love of our pets, queer voices in fiction, writer and editor relationships, writing a sequel, killing your darlings, being married to another writer, audio books, grief, and finding the balance of heart and humor in his stories. Steven’s latest book, The Guncle Abroad is on bookshelves now!

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
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Reading List:

•  Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
• Heroic Measures by Jill Ciment
• The Editor by Steven Rowley
• The Guncle by Steven Rowley
• Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
• The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
• The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
• Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
• In Memoriam by Alice Winn
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Other Authors Mentioned:
Byron Lane, Ann Patchett

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Happy Reading!

Emily Giffin is the #1 bestselling novelist of Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and on shelves yesterday, The Summer Pact. Elin, Tim, and Emily dissect their college experiences and friendships, and similar to the plot of The Summer Pact, how those relationships are some of the closest you can have in your lives. They segue into the underlying themes in Emily’s 12 books, perspective and point of view in her writing, and her law degree before her career as a writer. Elin and Emily gab about college sports, divorce, their relationships with their daughters, and how to pronounce Capri. The three close with discussion on social media, Taylor Swift, the Royals, and a speed round of Emily’s favorite books and writers.

A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
Book of the Month
Nantucket Atheneum

Emily Giffin Reading List:

• Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
• Something Blue by Emily Giffin
• The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin
• All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
• Meant to Be by Emily Giffin

What else are we reading in this episode:

• Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
• Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding
• Betsy Tacy & Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace
• A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Other authors mentioned:

Sally Hepworth, Jojo Moyes, Katherine Center, Colleen Oakley, Jennifer Weiner, Jo Piazza, Jill Santapalo

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Happy Reading!