READ TO ME with Becky Karush

Today we get to talk to the exuberantly powerful writer and healer Katina Makris, author of LOVING YOURSELF ENOUGH TO THRIVE.

How does a self-help book make the reader the sovereign star of the show? Just listen to LOVING YOURSELF ENOUGH TO THRIVE by Katina Makris. A Gateless-trained writer, a healer with decades of experience, a storyteller of flair, Katina empowers us with style, power, and the authority of love. Enjoy, learn how to do this craft yourself — and find your power, pure Katina-style. Visit today's blog post here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/katina-makris

Today we get to talk to Robert Jones, Jr, author of the novel THE PROPHETS, an instant NYT bestseller, received with immense critical praise and devoted readers. I loved talking with Mr. Jones. Imagine him with a portrait of James Baldwin over one shoulder, a portrait of Toni Morrison over the other, between them beautiful writer and person in a fine, fine suit and bowtie. Here is Robert Jones, Jr, and lucky, lucky me.

The PROPHETS by Robert Jones, Jr., is set on an antebellum plantation in Mississippi. The two main characters are two black boys, almost men, Samuel and Isaiah, both enslaved and in love with each other. Their love is this one bit of beauty in a place called Empty — until they're betrayed by another enslaved man. Though happiness of any kind was never long in a place like Empty.

We get to read a piece near the end. It's maybe 15 percent spoiler-y, but hearing it really will not affect your reading, because the book is so rich, so wild with voices of ancestors and characters and the land, and so fierce with action.

The character here is Maggie, an enslaved black woman, older, who was forced to work in the house. The only other thing you might need to know is that toubab means white person, white slaver.

This book is a wonder. Let's read.

Katherine May is joining me for today's author interview. We covered her book, Wintering, on the last episode of READ TO ME, so be sure to check out that episode before tuning into this one. During our conversation today, we talk about what happens in the body when we write and finding our rhythm that helps get all of the words onto the page. You'll also hear which scenes Katherine struggles to write and how she overcomes them. Plus, Katherine shares the stories and authors that have greatly expanded her own writing. Visit this episode's blog post here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/mini-katherine-may

Today we read from WINTERING by Katherine May. We hear a series of short excerpts in which the narrator, Katherine May, and a friend swim swim in the winter ocean on the southeastern shore of England. In a book that meditates on and gallops around the ideas of retreat, this scene splashes jubilantly, even crazily, into the heart of darkness, where we rest and repair. This is what iconoclasm looks like: Katherine May, writing about a cold ocean swim. Visit today's blog post here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/wintering

Why settle for one icon when you could have two? Today we read pieces from SONGTELLER by Dolly Parton & A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama. Parton's lyrics and Obama's telling of the healthcare battle are like two strangers next to each other on a bus ride, having a great conversation. They talk about dignity. About impossibility. About sorrow and family love. About faith, and rhythm, and the body on the page. They share snacks. I can't wait for you to hear them talk as they ride.

Visit this episode's blog post here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/dolly-parton-and-barack-obama

Our next mini episode features Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth (and other amazing novels). Be sure to listen to the full episode on DISAPPEARING EARTH before diving in to today's show.

Today Julia and I chat about what makes her happy, what great writing feels like in the body), what has helped to expand Julia's craft, and much more goodness. Enjoy!

Visit this episode's blog post here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/mini-julia-phillips

Complex, beautiful, powerful characters are the heart of DISAPPEARING EARTH by Julia Phillips. In this episode, we get to walk alongside one deliciously guarded and broken heart. Oh! We meet Oksana. Never has ice been made so warm without melting. Settle in, get comfortable, and join us as we search for what Oksana loves best in the world. For more info about this book and to read Becky's thoughts, visit here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/disappearing-earth

Our second mini-episode stars Kirun Kapur, author of WOMEN IN THE WAITING ROOM. (Listen to the full episode on Kirun's poem TREATMENT in your podcast app or on my website by following the link below.) Today Kirun and I chat about the books that make her happy, the craft that she's drawn to, and what the body feels like when the writing is on fire. For more info about this book and to read Becky's thoughts, visit here: https://www.readtomepod.com/season2episodes/mini-kirun-kapur