Books Connect Us

Curtis Sittenfeld is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Prep, American Wife, Sisterland, and Eligible. Her latest is the much anticipated RODHAM, a novel that imagines a deeply compelling what-might-have-been: What if Hillary Rodham hadn’t married Bill Clinton? Brilliantly weaving a riveting fictional tale into actual historical events, RODHAM delivers an uncannily astute and witty story for our times. So now let's join READ IT FORWARD's Abbe Wright in conversation with Curtis Sittenfeld.

This episode is brought to you by the new podcast THE ADAPTABLES from Read It Forward.

Today's guest is Nic Stone, the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of titles such as DEAR MARTIN, JACKPOT, CLEAN GETAWAY and her latest DEAR JUSTYCE. Angie Thomas, author of THE HATE U GIVE, called Dear Martin "a must-read", while THE FAULT IN OUR STARS author John Green described it as "Powerful and wrenching." Here's Nic Stone in conversation with her friend, Random House Digital Director Elizabeth Ward.

About DEAR JUSTYCE:

Praise for DEAR MARTIN:

“A visceral portrait of a young man reckoning with the ugly, persistent violence of social injustice.” -Publishers Weekly

“Powerful, wrenching.” –JOHN GREEN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down

“Raw and gripping.” –JASON REYNOLDS, New York Times bestselling coauthor of All American Boys

Today's guest is USA Today bestselling author and native New Yorker Kwana Jackson. Aside from her career as an author, Kwana is also a longtime advocate of diversity and equality in the romance genre, and a successful clothing designer who spent a decade creating women's sportswear for various fashion houses. Her novel REAL MEN KNIT is a heartfelt romance that takes place in a beloved Harlem knitting shop, and Booklist raved that "“Jackson crafts a cute friends-to-lovers romance with a diverse cast of characters that emphasizes the importance of community and found family." So here's Erin Leafe (of the romance podcast LEARNING THE TROPES) in conversation with author Kwana Jackson.

Praise for REAL MEN KNIT:

“If you’re looking for an easy charmer, this is the novel for you.”—Shondaland

"A big-hearted, warm, funny story of community, family and unexpected romance, Real Men Knit is an absolute winner. Kwana Jackson never fails to give me exactly what I want in a book: a messy family, characters who fight for what they want, believable and delicious romance, and a setting that’s as much a part of the story as the people in it.”—Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author

“Such a fantastic read, complete with an emotion-filled romance, and a cast of characters I’m so looking forward to seeing again.”—Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author

“I loved every word of Real Men Knit. It’s a sweet and satisfying slow-burn of a romance about what knits us together as family, friends, and lovers. I can’t wait for the next installment of the Old Knitting Gang!”—Lyssa Kay Adams

Frances Cha's novel IF I HAD YOUR FACE is a riveting debut set in contemporary Seoul, Korea, about four young women making their way in a world defined by impossible standards of beauty, after-hours room salons catering to wealthy men, ruthless social hierarchies, and K-pop mania. Here she is in conversation with Random House's Taylor Noel.

Praise for IF I HAD YOUR FACE:

"If I Had Your Face isn’t just a good book—it’s a book we need, badly. . . . The vivid characters at the novel’s core make for a compelling read, and in a time of such global division, hopefully a uniting one. . . . If you read one book this month, make it If I Had Your Face.”—InStyle

“Magnificent . . . With unblinking focus, [Cha] confronts some of the darkest consequences of contemporary gender inequity.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Searing . . . Essential reading in what Jia Tolentino memorably called the age of Instagram face.”—Vogue (UK)

Today's discussion is between Laura Huang, author of EDGE: TURNING ADVERSITY INTO ADVANTAGE, and Arlan Hamilton, author of IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME. Laura gets Arlan to discuss her personal journey from sleeping on the floor of the San Francisco airport to now being an important force of change within the venture capitalism business. Arlan shares her hard won wisdom as a black, gay woman who broke into the boys’ club of Silicon Valley, and provides an empowering guide to finding your voice, working your way into any room you want to be in, and achieving your own dreams. Here's Lura Huang in conversation with Arlan Hamilton.

Praise for IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME:

"Hamilton’s story speaks to all the would-be entrepreneurs and dreamers out there. She brings a unique perspective that has enabled her to see opportunities that others cannot. Her message is simple: Those of us who are different can rule the business world, and no one can stop us.”—Mark Cuban

Praise for EDGE:

“We’re all looking for an edge. But where does it come from? In this insightful and accessible book, Laura Huang provides the answers. Be authentic and distinct. Provide value to others. And turn adversity into advantage. Packed with fascinating stories and counterintuitive principles, Edge is a must read for anyone seeking to stand out from the crowd.”

Today's guest is Adam Resnick, an Emmy Award winner who has written on Late Night with David Letterman, The Larry Sanders Show, HBO's Divorce, and who co-created the cult favorites CABIN BOY and GET A LIFE. As an author Resnick penned the darkly comedic essay collection WILL NOT ATTEND, which Rolling Stone called "An anti-social work of art" and the Chicago Tribune praised as "A biting, darkly hilarious collection of personal essays that begs to be read aloud." Here's Adam Resnick in conversation with Penguin Random House Video Director Pat Stango.

Praise for Will Not Attend

“Writing a collection of short stories is a very difficult thing to do. These Adam Resnick stories are great. You read one and think, that was so well done maybe I’ll read another. You think, the next one can’t be as good, and it’s even better. I hope you read this book. It’s funny, smart and thoughtful; and it’s funny, smart and thoughtful. I loved it. I think you will as well. Did I mention I loved it? Happy reading.”—Dave Letterman

“Having worked with Adam Resnick many years ago, I can easily recall he was a little nuts, but I completely forgot he was this talented and funny. Damn, this book is good.”—Jon Stewart

“Adam Resnick is one of the funniest writers I’ve ever known, and he proves it big-time in this acid-swaddled memoir. You will laugh reading this book, I swear to Christ Almighty. Adam comes by his misanthropy honestly and bravely—and his continued existence is a tribute to the soul-nourishing qualities of an unrelenting, unforgiving, and hilarious outlook. I will be reading this again and again for the rest of my life like it’s the goddamn bible.”—Bob Odenkirk

“In the ideal film adaptation of Will Not Attend, second-grader Adam Resnick would be played by a four-foot-tall, fully adult homunculus Resnick, animated by a precocious despair, disdainful of cultural idiocy, and wearing the ever-present scowl of the perpetually put-upon. Undoubtedly, the child Resnick is father of the man Resnick. This is a very funny book, and I would pay decent money to see the movie version, or even to play it in the form of an extremely sad video game.”—Charlie Kaufman

On today's show we have the acerbic R. Eric Thomas, a senior staff writer at Elle.com and author of the funny and touching essay collection HERE FOR IT: HOW TO SAVE YOUR SOUL IN AMERICA, which none other than Lin Manuel-Miranda called "Sedaris-level, laugh-out-loud funny." Among many other topics, Eric discusses the ridiculous nature of pop culture in the age of quarantine. Here's R. Eric Thomas in conversation with Read It Forward senior editor Abbe Wright.

About HERE FOR IT

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to help it reach more listeners, feel free to leave us a 5-star review.

For more information on our authors please visit PenguinRandomHouse.com

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The Thurber Prize-winning author John Kenney (the novel TALK TO ME and the collection LOVE POEMS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE) brings us the lighter side of being trapped inside for weeks on end. John and his editor Sally Kim discuss, among other things, what it means to be "pants drunk" during a pandemic in this fun conversation.

ABOUT LOVE POEMS FOR ANXIOUS PEOPLE

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to help it reach more listeners, feel free to leave us a 5-star review.

For more information on our authors please visit PenguinRandomHouse.com

Follow us on: Twitter @penguinrandom

Instagram @penguinrandomhouse

Emma Straub is the author of the new novel ALL ADULTS HERE and proprietor of BOOKS ARE MAGIC in Brooklyn, NY. Today she discusses what it's like being an author and bookstore owner, and the unique challenges that both of those pose today. In conversation with our own Amy Brinker, Emma lets us know what she's reading, how she's preparing for the launch of her latest book, and which books are inspiring her right now.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to help it reach more listeners, feel free to leave us a 5-star review.

For more information on our authors please visit PenguinRandomHouse.com

Follow us on: Twitter @penguinrandom

Instagram @penguinrandomhouse

Go behind the scenes of TV's The Office with Andy Greene, author of THE OFFICE: THE UNTOLD STORY. In conversation with fellow author Rob Sheffield (LOVE IS A MIX TAPE), Andy discusses his extensive oral history of the most popular sitcom of the 2000s. They share inside information about the show's development, how Bob Odenkirk almost won the role of Michael Scott, and why The Office still endures as one of the most watched shows today.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to help it reach more listeners, feel free to leave us a 5-star review.

For more information on our authors please visit PenguinRandomHouse.com

Follow us on: Twitter @penguinrandom

Instagram @penguinrandomhouse