Is there such a thing as a Midwestern sensibility? J. Ryan Stradal thinks so. And through both of his books he does a great job of characterizing it. Published in 2015, Kitchens of the Great Midwest explored location and the rise of foodie culture. And now his new book take a deep dive into the world of craft beer. The Lager Queen of Minnesota features three strong women raised with stoicism and that Midwestern sensibility. I recently spoke with J. Ryan about his books, his strong female

In her new novel, The Den , Abi Maxwell tells the stories of two sets of sisters. They are separated by more than 100 years, but are connected through circumstances and place: unplanned pregnancy and disappearance from the same den in a New Hampshire forest. I recently spoke with Maxwell about the novel, her characters, their individual strengths, and the curious naming of one particular character. Here’s our conversation: - The Den by Abi Maxwell was published by Knopf. Marginalia was produced

When writing her novel Bunny , Mona Awad created a setting that mimics Brown University in Providence, RI, one of the schools from which she earned a degree. Her main character, Samantha, is a lonely MFA student in a workshop with the “bunnies”--a group of rich air-kissing, hair-braiding, sweater-set donning young women who are a bit off. While Bunny dabbles in the magical, Awad grounds it in realism. I recently spoke with Mona Awad about the novel. Here’s our conversation: - Bunny by Mona Awad

I recently spoke with Samantha Downing about her debut thriller, My Lovely Wife . We couldn’t get into a lot, because it’s a domestic thriller which I don’t want to ruin with spoilers. It’s about a husband and wife who go to great lengths to keep their marriage fresh. I’d tell you their names, but I only know hers. I’d tell you more, but this is one book with a plot that you should probably for yourself. I will say that the publisher describes My Lovely Wife as Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith .

In her new book, Rules for Visiting , author Jessica Francis Kane has created a charming character in May Attaway. A fan of The Odyssey , May decides to contemplate Penelope’s actions when determining action in her own life. Perhaps it is when we see May name a suitcase after Beowulf ’s Grendel, or follow along as she is guided by Emily Post’s book on etiquette, explore with her as she consults the OED--somewhere along the way the reader discovers that May is whip smart, but also awkward and not

Author Stewart O’Nan has devoted more than a thousand pages to the Maxwell family. A saga, of sorts, three books-- Wish You Were Here , Emily, Alone , and now, Henry, Himself --have been released in reverse chronological order. And despite this reversal, more insights are gained as time is erased. I recently spoke with O'Nan about the Maxwell family and his time with the books. Here's our conversation: - Henry, Himself by Stewart O'Nan was published by Viking. Marginalia was produced at KMUW

Before she began her career as a full-time writer, Lisa Scottoline earned a law degree and clerked for the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Scottoline has penned more than 30 legal thrillers, and her latest, Someone Knows, is also a domestic thriller that was influenced, in part, by Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment . I recently spoke with Scottoline about the book — and when not guilty doesn’t mean innocent . - Someone Knows by Lisa

John Burnham Schwartz has six novels under his belt, he’s written extensively for the screen and television, and he was nominated for the 2018 Writers Guild of America Award. His subject matter varies, and he’s not a stranger to historical fiction. What is new this time around is his family connection to the subject. The Red Daughter by John Burnham Schwartz is the story of the only daughter of Joseph Stalin, Svetlana Alliluyeva, who defected to the United States in 1967. That’s where John’s

It’s often said that authors should write what they know. David Dow took that advice when he penned the novel Confessions of an Innocent Man .

In her new novel, Lydia Fitzpatrick tells the story of two teenage brothers--Ilya and Vladimir--who live together in Russia. While the boys have always dreamed of escape from their life in Russia, it’s only Ilya who gets to come to the United States in an exchange student program. Ilya exchanges one refinery town in Russia for another in Louisiana, and although his body has escaped the physical location, family drama will not release his heart, mind or soul. I recently spoke with Lydia