On today’s show Paul Lynch discusses his new novel, 'Grace. ' Publishers Weekly gave 'Grace' a starred review, calling it "wonderful." Lynch follows a teenage girl, Grace Coyle, through impoverished Ireland at the height of the Great Famine.

Then, Publishers Weekly editorial director Jim Milliot talks about Canadian bookseller Indigo’s possible move into the U.S.

Publishers and bookstore owners cheered good news from several corners this week. Public libraries provide a strong foundation for publishers’ sales and a recent Congressional committee vote has raised hopes that federal budget dollars will continue to flow in that direction despite White House efforts to eliminate any library support.

According to Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer, the House Appropriations committee is looking at level funding for libraries in FY2018, which would mean roughly $231 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), $183 million for the Library Services and Technology Act, and $27 million for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program.

“FY18 federal library funding has not been saved yet and hurdles can arise at each stage of the appropriations process,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “It is worth noting that the House Budget Committee has put forth a budget resolution that is every bit as -- if not more – drastic than Trump’s budget proposal. There is much work to be done before the Federal government’s fiscal years ends in September.”

On today’s show Margaret Maron discusses her new and final mystery, 'Take Out.' Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, called 'Take Out' "the excellent 10th and final entry in her series featuring New York City detective Sigrid Harald,"

MWA Grand Master Maron is the winner of the Edgar Award, Agatha Award, Anthony Award and Macavity Award for her classic mystery 'The Bootlegger's Daughter.'

Then, Publishers Weekly associate editor John Maher talks about the news surrounding Milo Yiannopoulos book, 'Dangerous.'

For Bastille Day 2017, Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer, finds opportunity to speak about revolutionary figures – whether real, or self-styled ones.

As Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally, alt-right firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos has followed through on a threat to sue Simon & Schuster over its decision last fall to drop his memoir, Dangerous. The author’s lawyers demand $10 million in damages.

“The suit alleges that the publisher ‘wrongfully, and in bad faith’ terminated its contract with Yiannopoulos. In comments to PW and other media outlets, he has made the suit sound like a free speech or a defamation case, alleging ‘reputational’ damage, as well as a plot by S&S brass to ‘silence’ conservative voices,” Albanese reports.

Music historian Elaine Hayes discusses her new book, 'Queen of Bebop: The Musical Lives of Sarah Vaughan.'

Then, Publishers Weekly editorial director Jim Milliot looks back at the first half of 2017 in publishing.

On today’s show Harvey Sachs discusses his new book, 'Toscanini: Musician of Conscience.'

Then, Publishers Weekly's director of digital operations Craig Teicher talks about this fall's big poetry books.

At the half-way point for 2017, the Association of American Publishers has completed its calculations on book sales for 2016, says Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer.

“The publishers in AAP’s StatShot program reported that revenues declined about 6.6% over 2015. Overall, revenue for 2016 was $14.25 billion, down from $15.26 billion in 2015,” he tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

Downloadable audio sounded an especially bright note for publishers with sales up 24.9% to $254.9 million.

“The print story also continues to be a good one, with physical book sales showing growth in all categories,” Albanese adds. “On the other hand, e-book sales dipped about 14 percent.”

Later this year, Albanese noted, AAP will issue a further report including publishers not enrolled in StatShot.

Author, actor, and playwright Wallace Shawn discusses his new book, 'Night Thoughts.'

Then, Publishers Weekly senior editor Peter Cannon previews our most anticipated mystery and thriller books for fall.

In time for this weekend’s American Library Association conference in Chicago, trade book publisher HarperCollins revealed it will make 15,000 e-book titles, including works from bestselling authors like Neil Gaiman, Louise Erdrich, and Dennis Lehane, available to U.S. public libraries via digital lending platform Hoopla, and others, inlcuding OverDrive and Library Ideas Freading platform.

“HarperCollins becomes the first Big Five publisher to offer e-books to library patrons on a multi-user, on-demand model,” Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer, reports.“ Just five years ago, many publishers refused to allow libraries to buy and lend e-books. By 2014 they were all in the game, but with most publishers offering a one copy/one user digital lending model.”

According to Albanese, Hoopla’s lending service is a multi-user, “transactional” model, along the lines of Netflix, that makes e-books available to anyone with a valid library card at a participating library. Each time a title is borrowed, the publisher receives a payment, also much like Netflix and other popular media streaming services generate royalties.

“For library patrons, the HarperCollins deal means 24/7 access to titles in the Hoopla collection--no more waiting on a hold list,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “And for librarians, it’s an alternative to the complicated, inefficient licensing arrangements that have defined the early days of library e-book lending.”

PW's FaithCast caught up with author Joanne Cacciatore on 'Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief,' a guide to coping with grief. In it, Cacciatore explains why grief is often perceived as unimportant in today's happiness-obsessed culture and how to better care for ourselves during bereavement.