BOOKSTORM

NYT bestselling author C.J. BOX joins BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss STORM WATCH, his newest novel in the beloved Joe Pickett series! Just like his novels, C.J. takes us to a wild, rugged, and beautiful place in this conversation. We talk about his love for the natural world. We acknowledge its importance in all of our lives. The natural world is beautiful, majestic, and inspiring ... but also harsh. And that turn in the conversation was the springboard into a fascinating back-and-forth about the harsh reality of people with hidden goals and extreme views. And that landscape can be frightening. We talked about the people who unite over shared agendas, and also the elites behind those groups stoking that fervor for their own possibly corrupt purposes. How does an average person, like Joe Pickett, stand a chance when facing powerful elites? Does he ever want to give up? Do we all have the potential to get carried away with our beliefs? What happens when we forget our original purpose in starting something ... and become corrupt ourselves? And wait until you hear our discussion about politics, cryptopming, energy, and ELK! (Yes, CJ could see them from his window!) Join us!

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

NYT Bestselling author Marie Benedict joins BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss The Mitford Affair!  Have you lost a friend to an extreme political view? Like today, this novel takes place during a time of political upheaval. Dangerous ideologies were on the rise. We talk about the infamous Mitford sisters – they were smart, respected, educated, and otherwise enjoyed advantages others didn't have. So how did some of them become involved in extreme political movements? Is it a slow fade? How could anyone follow – or romantically pursue -- someone as evil as Hitler? Are we all vulnerable to brainwashing? How do you ask yourself “why do I believe what I believe?” And what happens when your loyalty to your family means that others may be harmed?  We talk about the effect of siblings on one another ... and so much more! Join us for a thoughtful and timely discussion! 

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

NYT Bestselling author Mary Kubica joins BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss her newest novel, Just the Nicest Couple! This thriller has it all - a "perfect" marriage, twisted lies, and thrills you don't see coming! Have you ever had a moment where you just snapped? Did you cross the line into wrongful behavior? If not, what stopped you? We threw a bunch of thorny ethical issues Mary's way!  We talked about the ways people justify lying. Have you heard (or used!) one of these excuses? "I did this because I love you,"  "it's for your own good,"  "you ignored me and I needed more" or "she/he deserved it." Is there ever a justification for acting illegally or unethically? Only ONE of Mary's characters refused to justify wrongdoing . . . even when she had a pretty good reason to do it. We talked about IQ and emotional intelligence. We talked about facades. What about those marriages that look perfect on the outside? Should we assume that all people are dealing with weighty issues behind the scenes? Should that change the way we treat one another? We talked about losing it as a parent .... just wait until you hear our discussion about the GOOD that comes from conflict! Dive in with us!

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Bestselling author PAM JENOFF joins BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss her newest novel, CODE NAME SAPPHIRE!  Courage, sacrifice  . . . and the tough choices that women have to make when their loyalties are divided! The theme of heroic choices runs strong in this story.  We encounter characters that helped others -- at great personal cost -- and others that chose not to act. What drives people as they make those decisions? What are the risks to standing up? How do those decisions change history? Would you take a stand knowing what's coming for you? We also explored long-harbored hurt and pain . . . and the resilience of the human spirit. Is our ability to hide hidden wounds healing for us or more hurtful? And did you know about the WWII escape lines for downed airmen that were scattered across Belgium, Holland, and France? Wow! Women played important roles in helping these soldiers escape from occupied Europe. Why did these people risk their lives for people they'd never met? Join us for a riveting discussion!

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Katy Hays joins BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss THE CLOISTERS, her instant NYT bestseller. If you could, would you want to know the future? Do you believe in Fate or Free Will? We explored those topics, as well the obsessions of Katy’s mysterious, driven, and deceitful characters – all against the backdrop of The Cloisters, a real-life Gothic museum located in New York City. We talked about the role of divination in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, including the eye-opening practices of interpreting the flight patterns of birds, casting lots made of bones, or reading animal entrails. Why were people during these times taken with the idea of knowing the future? We talked about the insular (dare we say, cloistered?) world of academia. It’s at times secretive and unknowable … especially from the outside. We touched on nepotism, gatekeeping, and privilege in these institutions of higher learning. We discussed the work of an art historian. After all, as one of Katy’s characters notes, the real task of a scholar is to re-animate something that has been dead for centuries. Is history the best predictor of the future? Would you still enter a relationship or take a job knowing about the difficulties ahead? We discuss it all. And how does astroarchaeology relate to this discussion?! Join us to find out!

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author GERALDINE BROOKS joins BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss her fantastic new novel, HORSE! This story immediately captures our attention with a discarded painting and a skeleton in an attic. But upon that foundation Geraldine weaves an incredible saga about the greatest racehorse in American history, social injustice, and art history. This story soars! We discussed the contributions of skilled black horsemen, grooms, trainers, and jockeys to the thoroughbred racing industry. We talked about the fact that the role of Black slaves and formerly enslaved individuals in that industry has only recently begun to be researched and fully acknowledged. We touched on the post-Reconstruction period in the South, and the dangers of segregation on the track at that time. We talked about judging others. We talked about identity. We talked about fear. And you’ll love our discussion about art: It matters. It moves people. And sometimes it can be used to highlight social injustices or expose wrongs. (Just how loud does that message need to be in today’s world?) We explored so many fascinating subjects with Geraldine, including her own incredible bond with these noble animals. You’ll love hearing about Valentine and Screaming Hot Wings. We address the therapeutic value of a person’s relationship with a horse. (Indeed, her beautiful writing helps us experience the soothing act of brushing a horse.) If our common humanity is not enough, can these magnificent creatures serve as a unifying starting point for humans? Just beautiful – join us!

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

New York Times bestselling author DEBBIE MACOMBER joins BOOKSTORM podcast to talk about her Christmas release, The Christmas Spirit! Laugh with us as we celebrate friendships and talk about love! We addressed common relationship issues - do opposites really attract? Aren’t shared values important? We touched on male bonding and friendships … and the level of intentionality necessary to maintain those important relationships. One of Debbie’s characters made a list of everything she wanted in a mate. Have you ever made such a list? (Yes, one of us did!) What happened when you deviated from it? Finally, against the backdrop of Christmas, we talked about community and acceptance. What better way to ring in the Holidays than with the official storyteller of Christmas herself! 

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

New York Times bestselling author and internationally known essayist/poet BARBARA KINGSOLVER joins BOOKSTORM to discuss her newest novel, Demon Copperhead! Although Appalachia is the locale for this life-changing novel, we dove deep into its resilient people and our common humanity. We talk about our innate need to be loved, accepted, nurtured, and cared for. What happens when these essential needs aren’t met early in life? We all know people — and we’re likely one of them — who spent a good part of their  adulthood pursuing that love and affirmation. We examine the importance of mentors, friendships, and friends-like-family. And in between these absorbing topics, we also discuss addiction, compassion, poverty, under-funded educational systems, facts that get lost in politics, the mining industry, the foster care system, and the need for and importance of a mammaw. Join us as we “look to the child.” You’ll be so glad you did. 

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Best-selling author and attorney Scott Turow joins us to discuss SUSPECT, his newest thriller! No subject was taboo … we talk about sex positivity and shame. We address the multiple purposes for which people engage in sex. His characters aren’t just using sex for love, connection, need, honesty, or vulnerability, but also for selfish gratification, manipulation, power, and crime. We explore its beauty and darkness. We were awed by the truism that you can never see your own face … and how that ties into perception and identity. (Have you ever considered that we can see the face of every single human being in the world, except our own?) Is this why we crave acceptance and admiration? Who are we, really, in the eyes of others? Not surprisingly, we talk about the legal system and whether it’s equipped to handle the viral nature of information? Can it handle emerging technology that can produce deep fakes? Is the Court of public opinion more important than ever? 

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Bestselling author Lisa Unger joins BOOKSTORM to discuss Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, her newest thriller! An isolated cabin. A storm. A stranger ... and a family that's about to be confronted with long-held secrets. Wow! We love talking about family trauma, and coping when a family falls apart. And this discussion delivers! We examine isolation, and the necessity of pulling away from the distractions and pressures of everyday life in order to focus on something we've long avoided confronting. What happens when you have a niggling worry about a family member? Have you brushed away doubts about someone close to you? And what is it about being in a pressing situation that forces us to confront deep-seated emotional issues? We talk about DNA testing, and the can of worms those kits could unleash. And then we dive even deeper. We talk about darkness in people. Is wrongdoing by nature ... or nurture ... or a little of both? What keeps you in check morally, legally, or ethically? We cover it all in this lively discussion with Lisa! Join us for this thrill ride!

You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!