Episode 87: Eli Cranor author of Don’t Know Tough

March 22, 2022Author InterviewArkansas, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, crime noir, debut, debut author, Don't Know Tough, Eli Cranor, Football, Friday Reads, noir, Peter Lovesey, Readers Advisory, Russellville, Soho Press, southern noir, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

You may not know tough but author Eli Cranor sure does in his debut, DON’T KNOW TOUGH, a book that S.A. Cosby calls, “…a searing and stunningly poignant study in what makes us and what breaks us and ultimately what brings us to a place of peace. Eli Cranor is that rare writer who can make you gasp, cry and cheer often in the same paragraph.” There’s not a single a lie in that review.

Sarah Weinman, of the The New York Times Book Review and true-crime writer says, “Eli Cranor’s top-shelf debut, DON’T KNOW TOUGH, is Southern noir at its finest, a cauldron of terrible choices and even more terrible outcomes . . . There is a raw ferocity to Cranor’s prose, perfectly in keeping with the novel’s examination of curdling masculinity.” All I can say about DON’T KNOW TOUGH is, think Friday Night Lights with a much darker edge. Speaking of the edge? I was on the edge of my seat for this incredible debut. For this episode, we talk football, Arkansas, recording his own audiobook and more. Thank you Eli!

Eli Cranor recommends: Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland both by S.A.Cosby; Shoot the Moonlight Out and all of the novels by William Boyle; The Turnout and all of the novels by Megan Abbott; all the work by Ace Atkins; The Devil Himself by Peter Farris;

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Episode 86: S.A. Barnes author of Dead Silence

March 18, 2022Author InterviewDead Silence, Horror, Macmillan, S.A. Barnes, Science Fiction, Space Horror, Stacey Kade, Titanic, Tor Nightfiretopshelfatmerricklibrary

“While I was writing this book, I had the worst nightmares…” ~ S.A. Barnes about her science fiction horror book, DEAD SILENCE.

In DEAD SILENCE, the crew of the LINA respond to a distress signal in space and it’s from a space liner that has been missing for twenty years…oof, hold onto your hats folks. Think Titanic meets Event Horizon. Yikes!

S.A. Barnes talks about the book, corporate greed, the Titanic, and this fascinating genre. Thank you so much Stacey, this was great…

S.A. Barnes recommends: Dead Space, and Salvation Day: both by Kali Wallace; Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo; The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.

Carol Ann recommends: Providence by Max Barry; The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling.

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E85: Interview with Sarah McCraw Crow author of The Wrong Kind of Woman

March 9, 2022Author Interview1960s, 1970s, Campus novels, Harper Collins, MIRA Books, Sarah McCraw Crow, The Wrong Kind of Women, Women, Women's fictiontopshelfatmerricklibrary

“A glorious debut filled with characters grasping to find a place to belong in a world on the edge of change.” ~ Carol Rifka Brunt, bestselling author of Tell the Wolves I’m Home

That quote right there is for THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN, the debut by Sarah McCraw Crow. Virginia finds herself suddenly widowed one wintry day in the late 1970s, and her world begins to change in completely unexpected ways. A campus novel of sorts, THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN is a powerful exploration of what a woman can be when what she should be is no longer an option. Sarah created a must listen-to playlist over at Largeheartedboy.com that is an excellent companion piece to the book. We talk about the 1970s in light of the present day in this special interview, thank you so much Sarah!

Sarah McCraw Crow recommends: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel; Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan; Manifesto by Bernadine Evaristo

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Episode 84 : Interview with Katy Regan author of How To Find Your Way Home

February 28, 2022Author InterviewAuthor Interview, berkley publishing, Birding, Book Discussion, book discussions, Contemporary Fiction, Friday Reads, Homeless, How to Find Your Way Home, Katy Regan, Little Big Love, mental health, migration, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, siblings, Staff Pick, swallows, swiftstopshelfatmerricklibrary

From Katy Regan, the author of Little Big Love (a huge favorite of mine) comes her latest, How to Find Your Way Home, a warm, life-affirming novel. When a sister discovers that the brother she hasn’t seen in more than a decade is homeless, she learns the true meaning of belonging when she tries to reconnect. How to Find Your Way Home is not to be missed.

I enjoyed this conversation about the book so much, thank you Katy Regan! Keep an eye-out Roger…I’ll see you soon.

Katy Regan recommends: Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave; Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers; Attic Child by Lola Jay.

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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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