March | 2024 | topshelfmerricklibrary

What a thrill to host Garrard Conley for this episode! Conley is the author of the bestselling memoir, Boy Erased, about his time in a church supported conversion therapy facility, which became a major motion picture. For E141, we spoke about his fiction debut, All the World Beside, an electrifying, deeply moving novel about the love story between two men in Puritan New England. We talk about this time period, small town communities, religion & sexuality, writing ensemble characters, big hair (you’ll have to listen to find out), what he’s working on next, and more. Garrard, what a pleasure – thank you so much!

Garrard Conley recommends: Exhibit by R.O. Kwon; All Fours by Miranda July; The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver; My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel

Follow Garrard Conley on Facebook @garrardconleyauthor; Instagram & Twitter @gayrodcon

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Set against the unyielding backdrop of the Great Depression with an unforgettable cast of ornery characters, The County Line by Steve Weddle is a lyrical, loving celebration of community and opportunity in 1933 America. For this episode, Steve talked about outlaw camps, his deep dive into the history of the 1930s, his character development, and his “downright dazzling” debut novel, Country Hardball. He also shares some excellent book recommendations. I had such a blast, thank you so much Steve!

Steve Weddle recommends: Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett; Little Underworld by Chris Harding Thornton; Negative Tilt by Bobby Matthews; Something Bad Wrong by Eryk Pruitt.