Category Archives: Author Interview

Episode 28: Interview with Anne Griffin, author of When All Is Said

April 25, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Graham Norton, Jonathan Coe, Mary Lawson, Olive Kitteridge, Readers Advisory, Richard Russo, St. Martin's Press, Staff Pick, Thomas Dunne Bookstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Spending my morning with Anne Griffin to talk about her amazing debut novel, When All Is Said, was like sunshine on a cloudy day.

This story of 84-year old Maurice Hannigan toasting the five most important people in his life is also wrapped around a mystery and makes When All Is Said perfect for book discussions. Anne talked about her inspiration for the book…no spoilers, you’ll have to listen! We also talked about Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo, authors Mary Lawson and Jonathan Coe, and author and TV host, Graham Norton.

This episode really is action packed and I can’t thank Anne Griffin enough for pausing in the midst of writing to speak with us today.

You can find Anne Griffin on her website: http://annegriffinwriter.com/

Merrick patrons place your holds here.

Thanks so much to Thomas Dunne Books and St. Martin’s Press for the early galley.

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Episode 27: Interview with Angie Kim, author of Miracle Creek

March 15, 2019Author InterviewAngie Kim, book discussions, debut, debut author, HBOT, Macmillan Publishers, Miracle Creek, Readers Advisory, Sara Crichton Bookstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Three different strands of author Angie Kim’s life come together to create her debut novel, Miracle Creek. This interview with Angie Kim is a must listen for a must read. Excellent choice for book discussions.

Miracle Creek hits shelves Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Follow Angie Kim on her website angiekimbooks.com

Merrick Library patrons place your hold right here.

Miracle Creek is a literary courtroom drama about a Korean immigrant family and a young, single mother accused of murdering her eight-year-old autistic son. Mark your calendars for the release on April 16 2019.

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Episode 26: Interview with Etaf Rum, author of A Woman Is No Man.

February 7, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Etaf Rum, Harper Collins, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Where I come from, we’ve learned to silence ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence will save us. Where I come from, we keep these stories to ourselves. To tell them to the outside world is unheard of, dangerous, the ultimate shame.” – -Etaf Rum, A Woman Is No Man

What an amazing interview with debut author Etaf Rum for her book, A Woman Is No Man. I cannot thank her enough for sitting for this interview and I cannot wait for all of you to read this novel. It’s a book discussion must.

It hits shelves on Tuesday, March 5th.

Follow Etaf Rum on her website: EtafRum.com and on Instagram @booksandbeans

Merrick Library patrons place your hold here.

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Episode 25: Interview with William Shaw, author of The Salt Lane

February 7, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Dungeness, Mulholland Books, Readers Advisory, Salt Lane, Staff Pick, The Birdwatcher, William Shawtopshelfatmerricklibrary

To celebrate the UK paperback release of Salt Lane, I have for you this podcast interview. In this episode, I get so wrapped up interviewing William Shaw, I move away from the mic! Apologies! But my aim is true. Also: rookie.

Anyway, the very patient William Shaw sat with me to talk about his newest edge-of-your-seat thriller: Salt Lane. #givealistenreadthebook

Visit William Shaw’s website.

Merrick Library patrons place your hold for any William Shaw book here.

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Episode 24: Interview with Anissa Gray author of The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls

January 18, 2019Author InterviewAnissa Gray, Author Interview, berkley publishing, Book Discussion, Library Reads, penguin random house, Readers Advisorytopshelfatmerricklibrary

Debut author Anissa Gray sat with Top Shelf today to talk about her fabulous new book, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls.

Set to hit shelves on Tuesday, February 19th, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, is the story of the four Butler siblings who have had their share of familial trials. But Althea, Viola, Lillian, and Joe are not prepared for the literal trial that will upend their lives. This moving debut will be hard to put down.

Merrick patrons place your hold here: https://tinyurl.com/Care-and-Feeding-Anissa-Gray

Follow Anissa Gray on her website: https://anissagray.com/meet-the-author/

#givealistenreadthebook

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Episode 23: Interview with Gretchen Anthony, author of Evergreen Tidings From the Baumgartners

December 4, 2018Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, Gretchen Anthony, Harper Collins, Park Row Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

It’s that time of the year when things can get a little hairy planning all the holiday festivities. Looking for that perfect antidote? I strongly suggest you try Evergreen Tidings From the Baumgartners. This book will surely take the edge off! My interview with the remarkably patient Gretchen Anthony was absolutely my pleasure and I cannot thank her enough. Thank you so much Gretchen! #givealistenreadthebook

Synopsis: Formidable matriarch Violet Baumgartner learns the hard way that no family is perfect when her daughter reveals a shocking secret in front of Violet’s husband’s whole retirement party.

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Episode 22 Interview with Libby Page, author of The Lido

November 15, 2018Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Libby Page, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Lidotopshelfatmerricklibrary

On this surprisingly snowy November day, I’m posting this lovely interview with the ever-sunny Libby Page. We spoke about her debut novel, The Lido, and it’s not to be missed. The Lido will provide just the right amount of warmth for this fall season. Thank you so much Libby Page for joining us!

Take a listen, read the book.

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Episode 21 Interview with Susan Perabo, author of The Fall of Lisa Bellow

October 24, 2018Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Friday Reads, Susan Perabo, The Fall of Lisa Bellowtopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a great interview with author Susan Perabo…this novel is an absolutely perfect book discussion choice. Susan has an uncanny ability to nail the honesty, warts and all, of familial relationships within the construct of this stark family drama.

Please take a listen and read this book.

We also discussed Susan’s name appearing at the Women in Baseball exhibit at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown! I know, right?

And from the “If I can find a way to embarrass myself, I sure will nail it” category: in my fervor, at the end of the interview, I called Susan, “Lisa” after the title character of the book (eye-roll and rookie mistake all at once!), I apologized profusely and do hope she’ll allow another interview in the future.

Synopsis: When a popular middle-school girl is abducted in broad daylight by a masked man, the victim’s rival, Meredith, struggles with terror while their community organizes vigils and searches.

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Episode 20! Interview with Anne Youngson author of Meet Me at the Museum

September 28, 2018Author InterviewAnne Youngson, Author Interview, Flat Iron Books, Meet Me At the Museum, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Back in August I had the absolute delight of interviewing Anne Youngson, author of the must read, Meet Me at the Museum. I must thank Caroline Bleeke of Flat Iron Books for sending me the advanced review copy and to both Caroline Bleeke and Amelia Possanza for helping me put this interview together. Thank you so much ladies and to Anne Youngson for taking the time to speak with me!

Meet Me at the Museum: A disenchanted farmer’s wife and a widowed museum curator begin a correspondence over their mutual fascination with poet Seamus Heaney’s “The Tollund Man” and gradually share details from their lives, forging an unexpected bond along the way.