Books Connect Us

Jen Spyra is a comedy writer and performer who has worked as a staff writer on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT and headed the video department for THE ONION. In her uproarious short story collection BIG TIME, Jen takes a culture that seems almost beyond parody and holds it up to a funhouse mirror, immersing the reader in a world of prehistoric influencers, woodland creatures plagued by millennial neuroses, and an all-out birthday bash determined to be the most lavish celebration of all time, by any means necessary. Now let's join Pat Stango in conversation with author Jen Spyra.

Don Bentley spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot, and while deployed in Afghanistan was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with “V” device for valor. He is the author of novels such as THE OUTSIDE MAN and WITHOUT SANCTION, and the new Jack Ryan Jr. thriller TOM CLANCY TARGET ACQUIRED. In the book Jack helps a woman and her young son, and finds himself the target of trained killers. Alone and outgunned, Jack will have to use his skills to protect the life of a child.

In THE OUTSIDE MAN the fight for freedom has sent Matt Drake to some of the world’s most dangerous spots. This time the war is coming to his front door.

Now let's join editor Tom Colgan in conversation with author Don Bentley.

Charles Yu has been nominated for two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work on the HBO series, WESTWORLD. He is also the author of four books, including INTERIOR CHINATOWN, winner of the 2020 National Book Award. INTERIOR CHINATOWN is a deeply personal novel about race, pop culture, immigration, assimilation, and escaping the roles we are forced to play. Now let's join Amy Brinker in conversation with Charles Yu.

Karen McManus is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ONE OF US IS LYING, and its sequel ONE OF US IS NEXT. In her novel THE COUSINS, a rich and mysterious grandmother reveals a family's dark secrets. Now let's join Abbe Wright in conversation with author Karen McManus as part of the READ IT FORWARD BOOK CLUB.

Check out the new book club journal from Read It Forward! BOOK CLUB: A JOURNAL acknowledges the wide range of interests and reading habits within book clubs, with recommendations organized in a way to help readers discover new voices from all kinds of backgrounds. Never again will you have to search far and wide to find your next great read!

Dr. Edward Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, a world-renowned keynote speaker, and the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION, which sparked a revolution in our understanding of ADHD. he is now the co-author of the new book ADHD 2.0, which draws on the latest science to provide both parents and adults with ADHD a plan for minimizing the downside and maximizing the benefits of ADHD at any age. On this episode book editor Marnie Cochran talks to Dr. Hallowell about the book, and new strategies and lifestyle hacks for thriving with ADHD.

Catherine Cohen is a comedy sensation who hosts the very popular podcast Seek Treatment. She has been featured in The New York Times and Vogue, and has appeared in the Netflix film The Lovebirds and HBO's High Maintenance. She is now the author of the comedic poetry collection GOD I FEEL MODERN TONIGHT. A Dorothy Parker for our time, a Starbucks philosopher with no primary-care doctor, Catherine will say all the outrageous things we think but never say out loud ourselves. Join our own Pat Stango as he talks to Catherine about comedy, dating, and the misery of podcasting.

Lisa Scottoline is the New York Times-bestselling author and Edgar Award-winning author of thirty-two novels. Her latest, ETERNAL, is a sweeping and shattering epic of historical fiction fueled by shocking true events— the tale of a love triangle that unfolds in the heart of Rome. Lisa has also co-authored nine best-selling essay collections with her daughter Francesca Serritella, who has just released her debut novel GHOSTS OF HARVARD, which has been described as part mystery, part ghost story, part psychological thriller. Today this mother-daughter author team have a fun discussion about their books and whether writing runs in the family.

BOOKS CONNECT US is going on a little break. But we'll be back later in January with all new episodes. We're lining up lots of great authors for Season 2 of the podcast, and we look forward to connecting with you then. Take care, and we'll be back soon! Happy Holidays!

Stefanie Caponi (she/her) is an intuitive writer and illustrator. She has been reading tarot for more than 20 years and established her business as a professional tarot reader after creating her first tarot deck, The Moon Void Tarot. Her new book GUIDED TAROT is an essential guide to reading tarot cards seamlessly–with confidence and ease. Each of us holds gifts deep within and, with tarot, we have the power to unlock those gifts and make transformative discoveries. Now let's join Pat Stango and author Stefanie Caponi as they discuss her book and the world of tarot.

Alicia Garza is an organizer, political strategist, and cheeseburger enthusiast. She is the principal at the Black Futures Lab, and co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network. Her book THE PURPOSE OF POWER is an essential guide to building transformative movements to address the challenges of our time. This is the story of one woman’s lessons through years of bringing people together to create change. Now let's join Taylor Noel in conversation with author Alicia Garza.