Episode 142: Interview with Edward Ashton, author of Mal Goes to War

April 10, 2024Author Interviewantimatter blues, artificial intelligence, Edward Ashton, Macmillan, mal goes to war, Mickey17, Mickey7, Science Fiction, techno thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

I was thrilled to welcome back Edward Ashton for his third visit to talk about his latest release, Mal Goes to War. Mal is a dark comedy wrapped in a techno-thriller that is a a satirical take on war, artificial intelligence, and what it really means to be human. For this episode we talk about the amazing personality of Mal, the ensemble cast, some Mickey17 movie updates (based on Mickey7), and of course, spiders. Thank you so much Ed – this was great!

Edward Ashton recommends The Children of Time series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Click here to reserve all Ed’s books.

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Episode 141: Interview with Garrard Conley, author of All The World Beside

March 26, 2024Author Interviewbig hair, boy erased, colonial times, garrard conley, great reclamation, historical fiction, homosexuality, LGBTQ, puritan times, puritans, Religion, Riverhead Books, the world besidetopshelfatmerricklibrary

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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Episode 140: Interview with Steve Weddle, author of The County Line

March 13, 2024Author Interview1930s, American Historical Fiction, Arkansas, country hardball, heist, historical fiction, lake union, steve weddle, the county linetopshelfatmerricklibrary

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.

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Episode 139: Interview with Anders de la Motte, author of The Mountain King

February 28, 2024Author Interviewanders de la motte, seasons quartet, the mountain king, Thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

For this episode I was thrilled to host Anders de la Motte, one of Sweden’s most cherished crime writers, to talk about his latest American release, The Mountain King. This page-turning thriller is the first bestselling installment in his new Leo Asker series and The Mountain King is not to be missed. The son of a librarian, Anders talks all about his love of reading, being in the library during off hours, his love of Agatha Christie, his writing origin story and so much more. Thank you Anders!

Anders recommends: the work of Jo Nesbo; Long Bright River by Liz Moore; the work of Agatha Christie. Place your hold here for books by Anders de la Motte!

Follow Anders on Facebook and Instagram: @andersdelamotte

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Episode 138: Interview with Ellen Feldman, author of The Trouble With You

February 15, 2024Uncategorized1940s, American Historical Fiction, ellen feldman, historical fiction, nyc, post ww ll, radio serials, St. Martin's Griffin, the trouble with youtopshelfatmerricklibrary

For this episode I was thrilled to host Guggenheim Fellow author Ellen Feldman to discuss her latest release, The Trouble With You. Ellen shares the inspiration behind this captivating 1940s NYC tale of women’s roles in the aftermath of WWII, the legacy these women left behind, and how it paved the way for the women’s movement of the 1970s. Ellen also provides a sneak peek into her next project and offers some fantastic book recommendations. Author Stacy Schiff says “The Trouble With You is exhilarating.” Thank you for joining me, Ellen!

Ellen Feldman recommends: the work of Lissa Evans; The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard; The Group by Mary McCarthy

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Episode 137: Interview with Heather Levy, author of Hurt For Me

January 25, 2024Author Interviewdark romance, heather levy, hurt for me, montlake, Thriller, walking through needlestopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Titles pop into my head as I’m falling asleep.” ~ Heather Levy

What a thrill to host Heather Levy for this episode! I missed Heather for her debut Walking Through Needles and to say I was excited to host her for Hurt For Me, is an understatement! Edgar Award-nominated author Jess Lourey says, “Levy’s latest grips you by the throat from page one and never lets up. It’s a riveting, sexy, twisty mystery full of beautiful writing and characters you can’t help but care about.” And boy is that the truth about this terrific dark romance! For E137, we talk about the fabulous Hurt For Me, her debut Walking Through Needles, wine, cookies, and so much more! Loved every minute, thank you Heather!

Heather Levy recommends: Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar; Safe and Slow by Laura McHugh; The Devil and Mrs. Davenport. Heather’s favorite spot to buy cookies is: Creative Cookie Corner.

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Episode 136: Interview with Amy Jo Burns, author of Mercury

January 17, 2024Author Interviewamy jo burns, Author Interview, Celadon, cinderland, family drama, family relationships, mercury, shinertopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Roofers are the best storytellers…” ~ Amy Jo Burns

We kick off 2024 the right way with author Amy Jo Burns! She sat down with me to talk about her 2024 release, Mercury, a compelling family drama about the Joseph family that takes place in the town of Mercury. The Josephs are a roofing family and their bonds of loyalty are tested when they uncover a long-hidden secret at the heart of their blue-collar town. The characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page. We also chat about her terrific debut Shiner, what she’s working on next, and more. Thank you Amy Jo!

Follow Amy Jo Burns on Instagram: @burnsamyjo

Amy Jo Burns recommends East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

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E135: Interview with Danielle Arceneaux, author of Glory Be

December 22, 2023Author Interviewdanielle arceneaux, glory be, glory broussard, Louisiana, Mystery, Mystery Series, pegasus crime, Simon and Schustertopshelfatmerricklibrary

Top Shelf is ending 2023 with the glorious Glory Be, a fantastic mystery by debut author Danielle Arceneaux. Glory Be is “Murder She Wrote” with an African American lead. Instead of Cabot Cove, readers will find themselves in Lafayette, Louisiana and you will want to take that journey! Glory Be is the first in a vivid and charming crime series set in the bayou, introducing readers to the hilariously uncensored amateur sleuth Glory Broussard. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. For this episode Danielle Arceneaux talks about writing her debut, what’s next for Miss Glory herself and so much more. Glory Be is a must read, a perfect gift, and a series we all look forward to. Thank you so much for joining me Danielle!

Danielle Arceneaux recommends: The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman; The Housekeepers by Alex Hay

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E134: Interview with May Cobb, author of A Likeable Woman

December 6, 2023Author Interviewa likeable woman, berkley publishing, East Texas, May Cobb, the hunting wives, thrillers, Women's fictiontopshelfatmerricklibrary

May Day! May Day! One of the most likeable authors I know, May Cobb sat down with me for this episode to talk about her latest thriller, A Likeable Woman. Author Eliza Jane Brazier calls it, “An evocative tale filled with sultry glamour and secrets as thick as an East Texas pine forest.” May also shared ALL the info about her second book, The Hunting Wives becoming a limited series over on STARZ, and man I can hardly wait for that. And I also can’t wait for May’s 2024 release, The Hollywood Assistant. Great episode, thank you so much May!

May Cobb recommends: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jessie Sutanto; An American Girl by Wendy Walker; Girls And Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier, Enemies Closer and Porn Again both by Josh Sabarra. Movies mentioned: Fatal Attraction and Unfaithful.

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Episode 133: Interview with Suzanne Crain Miller, author of Temperatures

October 12, 2023Author Interviewnorth carolina, southern crime, southern noir, suzanne crain miller, temperatures, winding road presstopshelfatmerricklibrary

I am so late to the Suzanne Crain Miller party, and boy am I thrilled to be here! I read Suzanne’s most recent novel, Temperatures, over the summer and to say I was riveted is an understatement. Temperatures is a Southern noir page-turning thriller set in the oppressive summer heat of rural North Carolina. Police officers Mitchum Cobb and Cyrus Hogue partner up to battle what the volatile south dishes out in the wake of 2020.

For this episode we talk about her amazing book Temperatures, how she develops her characters, how improv classes help her writing; what she’s working on next, and more! Thank you so much for joining me Suzanne!

Suzanne Crain Miller recommends: Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto; Invention of Sound and Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk; Hurt For Me and Walking Through Needles both by Heather Levy; Heartbroke by Chelsea Bieker; My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout; Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett; American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis; Little Children and Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perotta; Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby; Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano; Lakeview Terrace: The Movie; True Detective: the HBO Series; Copycat: The Movie.