Steve Bertrand on Books

How many bad ideas have you had today? Wharton School of Business professor Adam Grant says the more the merrier, or original anyway. In his book Originals: How Non-conformists Move the World, Grant looks at what makes a truly original thinker. Bad ideas can be a good sign. Much more in this interview with Steve Bertrand on Books.

Chris Pavone is not your run of the mill espionage writer. Think of it this this way: Pavone writes and about real and compelling people who happen to be spies. His latest novel, “The Travelers,” proves that point wonderfully. He talks with Steve Bertrand on Books about the novel, about writing, and about being a stay-at-home dad in Europe.

Did you know the idea of an average person was unheard of until the 19th century?  Today, we measure ourselves against the average: the average ACT score, the average income, it goes on and on.  Harvard professor Todd Rose, who’s written “The End of Average,” says that’s a big mistake that costs us all.  He wants to do away with college diplomas, among other things, and focus on the science of the individual.

He explains it all in this chat with Steve Bertrand on Books.

Let’s do lunch with the 1960s socialites of New York City. Truman Capote will be there, so will Baby Paley. Novelist Melanie Benjamin writes about the rise and fall of Capote as seen through his relationships with the very rich in “Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel.” Melanie is the guest on  this edition of Steve Bertrand on Books.

Author Eric Weiner is chasing genius, trying to figure out what made Athens or Renaissance Florence tick. For that matter, what does today’s Silicon Valley have in common with Vienna during Mozart’s time or Edinburgh during the Enlightenment? He talks about his book The Geography of Genius in this edition of Steve Bertrand on Books.

Author Rebecca Makkai talks with Steve Bertrand on Books about her short story collection Music for Wartime.

Novelist Vanessa Diffenbaugh adopted her son when he was 25-years-old. That’s not surprising at all if you know her. Diffenbaugh writes books but she rescues hearts. She created the Camellia Network after her first novel “The Language of Flowers.” The non-profit helps children who “age-out” of foster care at 18-years-old and are then left on their own. She talks with Steve Bertrand on Books about her latest novel “We Didn’t Ask for Wings,” about her help for abandoned kids and about her bouncing “baby” boy.

Jami Attenberg, author of The Middlesteins, talks with Steve Bertrand on Books about her latest novel: Saint Mazie.

Pet coke, crooked politicians and corruption at Wrigley Field: today’s news or a new Sara Paretsky novel? Sara talks with Steve Bertrand on Books about V.I. Warshawky’s latest adventures in Brush Back. She and Steve also discuss her challenges as the president of the Mystery Writers of America.

Ryan Stradal’s debut novel Kitchens of the Great Midwest is getting rave reviews and it’s no wonder.  He talks with Steve Bertrand on Books about growing up in Minnesota and writing the book his mom would have loved.