Category Archives: Author Interview

Episode 52: Interview with author Julie Carrick Dalton

February 25, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Forge Books, Friday Reads, Macmillan Publisherstopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Reading a novel is an act of empathy because you are choosing to give over your world view to somebody else’s world view.” ~ Julie Carrick Dalton

What an incredible conversation with the equally incredible Julie Carrick Dalton. We could have spoken for hours about so many different things, but most important? Her terrific debut, Waiting for the Night Song.

Julie Carrick Dalton owns a small farm in New Hampshire which serves as the inspiration for this book. She shared her 13-year journey of bringing the story of Cadie and Daniela to fruition. There are some surprises here as well and it’s such a pleasure for me to be able to bring this interview to all of you.

Synopsis: Cadie returns to her childhood home to confront her estranged best friend and the dark secret they both share and must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to protect the people and the land she loves.

Kim Michele Richardson, bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek calls Waiting for the Night Song, “Smart and searingly passionate…an illuminating snapshot of nature, betrayal, and sacrifices set in the evocative New Hampshire wilderness.” A review that says it all.

Julie Carrick Dalton recommends, The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

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Episode 51: Interview with author Chang-rae Lee

February 8, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Riverhead Books, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“But at some point, we’re all extra hungry, aren’t we, if not necessarily for grub.” ~ Tiller Bardmon

Yes, this is just one of the many gems in Chang-rae Lee’s latest, MY YEAR ABROAD. I cannot thank him enough for getting up so early to talk with me about this incredible new book, and the origins of Tiller Bardmon and Pong Lou.

Synopsis: “An everyday American college student, Tiller Bardmon, finds his life transformed by a Chinese-American businessman who unexpectedly takes him under his wing on a series of whimsical, heartbreaking and darkly shocking adventures throughout Asia. An exuberant and entertaining story of a young American on a global adventure.” ~from Riverhead Books

What a journey is MY YEAR ABROAD, thank you so much Chang-rae Lee!

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Episode 50! Interview with author Sarah Langan

February 2, 2021Author InterviewAtria Books, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, Readers Advisory, simon & schuster, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

What better way to celebrate the 50th episode than with Long Island native, author Sarah Langan for her latest book, the page-turning suburban thriller, GOOD NEIGHBORS.

A riveting and ruthless portrayal of American suburbia, GOOD NEIGHBORS excavates the perils and betrayals of motherhood and friendships and the dangerous clash between social hierarchy, childhood trauma, and fear.

This is such a special episode… Sarah Langan and I talked local LI establishments that appear in the book, suburban living, sink holes and yes, even Godzilla. Man did we pack alot into 32 minutes. Please join me for this episode-it was a total blast.

Sarah Langan recommends Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

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Episode 49: Interview with author Elizabeth Wetmore

January 26, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Harper Collins, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

I have wanted to host debut novelist Elizabeth Wetmore on Top Shelf for so long, and when it finally happened, I could barely sleep the night before. This episode was such a delight and I could have spoken to her all day. We talked about her amazing debut, VALENTINE, the strong and determined women in the book and maybe, just maybe there is something new in the works. You’ll have to listen here to find out. VALENTINE made my “Best of list” for 2020, so please, like I always say: give a listen, read the book!

Thank you SO much Elizabeth. The pleasure was all mine.

Elizabeth Wetmore recommends: Memorial by Bryan Washington, Lot by Bryan Washington, and Last One Out Shut Off the Lights by Stephanie Soileau

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Episode 48: Interview with author Ashley Audrain

January 7, 2021Author InterviewAshley Audrain, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Pamela Dorman Books, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Pushing into 2021 with an incredible debut…

The Push by Ashley Audrain is not to be missed, so book clubs? Start your engines. For this episode we talked about motherhood fears, the origin story of The Push, being on the author side of publishing, and more. Ashley Audrain, thank you so much for being our first guest of 2021!

“The Push is a tour de force you will read in a sitting, an utterly immersive novel that will challenge everything you think you know about motherhood, about what we owe our children, and what it feels like when women are not believed.” ~ from Penguin Random House and I couldn’t have said it any better.

Reserve your copy of The Push here.

Ashley Audrain recommends this title: The Harpy by Mehgan Hunter, check it out!

#givealistenreadthebook

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Episode 47: Interview with author Greer Macallister

December 21, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Readers Advisory, Sourcebooks Landmark, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a terrific sit down with author Greer Macallister! I’ve been a fan since her debut, The Magician’s Lie. Greer Macallister has the most empowering historical fiction titles that I can hardly wait until she has a new release. Well, her newest, The Arctic Fury couldn’t be more perfect: A dozen women join a secret 1850s Arctic expedition―and a sensational murder trial unfolds when some of them don’t come back. That’s some edge of your seat stuff right there. It’s terrific.

We also talked about what’s next for her and boy oh boy, are all you readers in for a surprise, but that’s all you’ll get from me. You’ll just have to listen to the episode. It’s pretty mind blowing! Thank you so much Greer Macallister for joining me on this episode of Top Shelf at Merrick Library!

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Episode 46 Interview with author Susie Yang

December 3, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Readers Advisory, simon & schuster, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Ivy Lin was a thief but you would never know it to look at her. So starts the compelling debut, White Ivy, by my guest for this episode, debut author Susie Yang.

White Ivy is a coming-of-age novel that is a nuanced exploration of class and race filled with surprising twists and a glimpse into the dark side of a woman who yearns for success at any cost. All I can say is good luck trying to make dinner when you’re halfway through the book! We had a terrific conversation that included how she got the news about making the NYT Bestseller list, getting the Shondaland treatment, and more! I am thrilled she stopped by to speak with us… thank you so much Susie!

Susie Yang recommends: The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst and The Patrick Melbourne Novels by Edward St. Aubyn

Give a Listen, Read the Book!

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Episode 45 Interview with author Jess Montgomery

November 6, 2020Author Interviewaudiobooks, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, Minotaur Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

For this episode it is with pleasure that I present the first book in an incredible historical mystery series, The Widows by Jess Montgomery. To prep, l listened to the audiobook read by the wonderful Susan Bennett, and it was so immersive, I immediately started reading the second book, The Hollows.

But let’s start with The Widows: Vowing revenge against her sheriff husband’s killers in 1924 Ohio, Lily Ross offers help to a fellow widow and uncovers dangerous evidence about her husband. The Widows, inspired by the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff, is a powerful debut about two women’s search for justice as they take on the corruption at the heart of their community. Julia Keller, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author calls The Widows, “[A] flinty, heartfelt mystery that sings of hawks and history, of coal mines and the urgent fight for social justice.”

I am so thrilled that Jess Montgomery sat down to chat about this book, the series, merchandising (#TeamLily) and more… I am totally hooked and you will be too.Thank you so much Jess Montgomery!

#GiveAListenReadtheBook

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Episode 44 Interview with author A.H. Kim

October 23, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, book clubs, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, summer readingtopshelfatmerricklibrary

What constitutes a good family? You may think you know the answer, but then again, maybe not even for one little second.

Book clubs? Start your engines and grab your copy of A Good Family, the must-read debut by author A.H.Kim.

Synopsis: Big pharma exec Beth Lindstrom is heading to prison thanks to a high-profile whistleblower law suit. Beth enlists the help of her sister-in-law Hannah to figure out what happened. All I can say is, think Big Little Lies meets Succession and you have A Good Family.

I cannot thank A.H. Kim enough for sitting down to chat with me about family relationships, white-collar prisons and Fruit Stripe gum…no spoilers!

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Episode 43 Interview with author Kathleen Rooney

October 10, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Cher Ami, Friday Reads, Major Whittlesey, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

I am thrilled to present this interview with Kathleen Rooney for her latest historical fiction stunner, Cher Ami And Major Whittlesey : a tale based on true events that follows the experiences of an army officer who answers the call to service during WWI before his life and the lives of those in the Lost Battalion are astonishingly reshaped by a battlefield encounter with a messenger pigeon.

I cannot thank Kathleen Rooney enough for sitting down with me for this episode. Folks? Do not miss the unforgettable Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey. #givealistenreadthebook

Click here to find out the latest and the greatest from Kathleen Rooney.

Click here to place your hold for any Kathleen Rooney titles.