Category Archives: Author Interview

Episode 83 : Interview with Jennifer Fawcett, author of BENEATH THE STAIRS

February 22, 2022Author InterviewAtria Books, Author Interview, Beneath the Stairs, Book Discussion, book discussions, Childhood trauma, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Jennifer Fawcett, Readers Advisory, Simon and Schuster, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“OH MY GOD!” That’s what author/director/actress Leslie Zemeckis says about BENEATH THE STAIRS the debut by Jennifer Fawcett. And author Wendy Walker, author of Don’t Look for Me says, “In Beneath the Stairs, Jennifer Fawcett explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma in this metaphysical story about a house with buried secrets. An enthralling debut by a gifted storyteller!”

BENEATH THE STAIRS is a story about the trauma that follows us from childhood to adulthood and returning to the beginning to reach the end. I was on the edge of my seat. Jennifer and I talked about her inspiration for the book, writing something scary in the deep woods, and how building up to writing a novel is very similar to running a marathon. Great interview – especially the part about her playwriting which was fascinating. Thank you Jennifer!

Jennifer Fawcett recommends, Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola

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Episode 82 : Interview with Edward Ashton author of MICKEY7

February 10, 2022Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Edward Ashton, Friday Reads, Macmillan, quantum physics, Readers Advisory, Science Fiction, ship of theseus, St. Martin's Press, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

The Martian meets Dark Matter in Edward Ashton’s high concept science fiction thriller, in which Mickey7, an “expendable,” refuses to let his replacement clone Mickey8 take his place.

I sat down with Ed Ashton in November of 2021 to talk about his fabulous third novel, Mickey7. We talked about the Ship of Theseus, quantum physics, and yes, even some Cthulhu. He also mentioned that Mickey7 has been optioned by Plan B Entertainment with quite the stellar director and lead actor. Do not miss his website which has Ashton’s many short stories and please do not miss this terrific novel.

Great big thanks to Ed, I had a blast!

Edward Ashton recommends: The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie; and Shakespeare’s Planet by Clifford D. Simak

Ed & Carol Ann both recommend, Seveneves by Neal Stephenson

You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @edwardashtonwriting

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Episode 81: Interview with Fiona Davis for The Magnolia Palace

February 2, 2022Author Interviewdutton press, Fiona Davis, Magnolia Palacetopshelfatmerricklibrary

“There is a real person behind this beautiful piece of art…” that’s what Fiona Davis says about Audrey Munsen, the sculptor’s model who is the basis for the character of Lillian in the latest book from author Fiona Davis, THE MAGNOLIA PALACE.

Fiona Davis and I go way back to her very first book, THE DOLLHOUSE, and her very first visit to Merrick Library…give a listen to this episode as we talk about the Frick family, Fiona’s love for libraries, what’s next for her and so much more. You can follow Fiona Davis on her website and on social media. Twitter: @fionadavisbooks; on Instagram @fionadavisauthor; on Facebook @FionaDavisAuthor

Fiona Davis recommends: The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale. Place your hold here for THE MAGNOLIA PALACE and place your hold here for all Fiona Davis titles.

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Episode 80! Interview with Jonathan Evison

January 20, 2022Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Americana, dutton press, Epic novels, Jonathan Evison, lawn boy, penguin random house, Small World, Transcontinental Railroadtopshelfatmerricklibrary

Jonathan Evison’s latest, Small World, really swings for the fences in this sweeping Great American Novel that intricately weaves family sagas spanning centuries, generations and experience. Small World chronicles 170 years of American nation building – it’s a grand entertainment and I loved every page. Evison also took the time to talk about the libraries of his youth and the impact they had on his life. What a great interview, thank you so much Jonathan!

Place your holds here for all Jonathan Evison’s books!

Jonathan Evison recommends Hell of a Book by Jason Mott; Great Expectations by Charles Dickens; The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

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Episode 79: Interview with Erin Bartels author of The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

January 14, 2022Author Interviewaquanotes, Author Interview, baker publishing group, bay city rollers, Book Discussion, book discussions, erin bartels, family relationships, fiction, Friday Reads, michigan, Readers Advisory, revell, Staff Pick, the girl who could breathe underwater, upper peninsulatopshelfatmerricklibrary

Author Erin Bartels took me to the gorgeous state of Michigan not just in her book, but via her website and her stellar conversation for this interview. The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water explores the theme of forgiving what seems unforgiveable and also addresses how our memories may not be exactly as we remember.

The Library Journal says of The Girl Who Could Breathe Underwater, “Emotions leap off the page in this deeply personal book…” We explore some of those emotions in this episode as well as AquaNotes, the Bay City Rollers, where she gets her ideas from, and her next TWO books – you’re in for a treat right there! Thank you so much Erin – what a pleasure.

Erin Bartels recommends, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett; All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr; Atonement by Ian McEwan; and The Mirror and the Palette by Jennifer Higgie.

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Episode 78: Interview with Ethan Joella, A LITTLE HOPE

December 20, 2021Author InterviewA Little Hope, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, book of the month, botm, debut, debut author, Ethan Joella, family, family drama, Friday Reads, grief, literary fiction, middle chil, Read With Jenna, Readers Advisory, Scribner, Simon and Schuster, small town life, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“It’s all here—community, family and friendship, how we love, grieve…a story of ordinary moments that connect and eventually transform us in extraordinary ways.”
—Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Lucia, Lucia and The Shoemaker’s Wife

I mean that quote right there says it all about A LITTLE HOPE by Ethan Joella. It was an absolute delight to sit down with him to talk about this remarkable gem of a book. A LITTLE HOPE gives us hope and it’s exactly what I needed as an end of year read. The book is book club gold. Ethan Joella also gives listeners some holiday cheer in this episode – to find out what those gifts are, you’ll have to listen to find out. It may involve actress Jean Smart… Thank you Ethan for joining me!

Ethan Joella recommends Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson.

You can follow Ethan Joella @joellawriting on Instagram and Twitter!

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Episode 77: Interview with Leslie Zemeckis

December 14, 2021Author Interview2021 Favorites, Anna Bailey, Anthony Doerr, Ashley Winstead, Beneath the Stairs, Chris Whittaker, Cloud Cuckoo Land, Dark Things I Adore, Dial A For Aunties, Good Wife of Bath, In Every Mirror She's Black, In My Dreams I Hold A Knife, Jennifer Fawcett, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Karen Brooks, Kate Moore, Kerri Maher, Leslie Zemeckis, Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Nichole Perkins, Sadeqa Johnson, Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be, The Paris Bookseller, The Woman They Could Not Silence, We Begin at the End, Where the Truth Lies, Yellow Wifetopshelfatmerricklibrary

‘Tis the season to haul out your favorites of 2021! I had the pleasure of hosting writer, producer, actress and director, Leslie Zemeckis to talk about her faves of the year and boy did we have a blast talking books. Her titles below as well as the books she’s looking forward to in 2022. Thanks so much Leslie, I had a ball! You can follow @LeslieZemeckis on all social media platforms.

Leslie’s favorites: We Beg in at the End by Chris Whitaker; Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson; Where the Truth Lies by Anna Bailey; Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins; Dark Things I Adore by Kate Lattari; The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore; In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström; Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr; Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto; In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead.

Leslie looks forward to: The Paris Bookseller by Kerry Maher; The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks; Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett.

Click here to request all things Leslie Zemeckis: books, movies & more!

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Episode 76: Interview with Jeffery Deaver

December 3, 2021Author InterviewAmelia Sachs, Author Interview, Friday Reads, Jeffery Deaver, Lincoln Rhyme, locksmithing, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Bone Collector, The Locksmith, The Midnight Lock, The Steel Kill, Thriller, thrillers, toothpastetopshelfatmerricklibrary

Jeffery Deaver, the #1 international bestselling and award winning author of over 40 books, yes that Jeffery Deaver, sat down with me and man, what at a thrill! I’ve been a fan for a looong time. We talked about his latest book The Midnight Lock, writing books that make me lose sleep at night and why Jeffery Deaver is better than toothpaste. Not sure what all that means? Give a listen!

The Midnight Lock is a roller-coaster read that takes place over just a few days’ time, features surprise after surprise and offers a fascinating look at the esoteric world of lockpicking.

Jeffery Deaver recommends: Elsewhere by Dean Koontz

Place your hold here for The Midnight Lock by Jeffery Deaver

Place your holds here for our entire Jeffery Deaver collection!

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Milestone! Episode 75: Interview with Kimmery Martin

November 19, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, doctors, doctors and friends, Friday Reads, kimmery martin, medical fiction, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a way to kick off my 75th episode: hosting author Kimmery Martin for her latest book, Doctors and Friends, and co-hosting this special episode with my pal Cindy Burnett at Thoughts from a Page podcast!

People Magazine calls Doctors and Friends a “..prescient, human and hopeful portrait of medical experts on a pandemic’s frontlines.” And I couldn’t agree more. We talked about writing the book pre-pandemic, how it changed post-pandemic, her wonderful website and so much more! Give a listen.

Kimmery Martin recommends: My Year Abroad by Chang-Rae Lee. My interview with Chang-Rae Lee can be found here!

Place your holds for these Kimmery Martin titles right here.

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E74: Interview with Naomi Krupitsky

November 16, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, bqe, brooklyn, debut, debut author, family, Friday Reads, G P Putnam & Sons, historical fiction, mafia, Naomi Krupitsky, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Familytopshelfatmerricklibrary

They say you can’t go home again but I sure did, right back to Brooklyn, NY with author Naomi Krupitsky’s debut novel The Family. Set in early 20th century Brooklyn, The Family is a captivating debut novel and coming-of-age story about the tangled fates of two best friends, Sophia and Antonia, who are both daughters of the Italian mafia. My copy of The Family is covered in sticky notes, Krupitsky’s prose is beautiful, and I can’t wait for you to read it. Thank you so much for joining me Naomi!

The Family is a November 2021 Read With Jenna Pick and a NYT Bestseller!

Naomi recommends: Matrix by Lauren Groff; and Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

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