Tag Archives: American Historical Fiction

Episode 154: Interview with Sharon Short, author of Trouble Island

December 17, 2024Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, gangsters, historical mystery, Jess Montgomery, Minotaur Books, Mystery, prohibition, Sharon Short, suspense, Thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

Inspired by a real place and events from her own family history, Trouble Island marks Sharon Short’s gripping debut in standalone suspense.

Many of you may also know Sharon as Jess Montgomery , the acclaimed author of the Kinship Mystery Series and a beloved guest on our show from episodes 45, 57, and 99. But for this episode, we dive into Sharon’s deep personal connection to the story in Trouble Island, we chat about monkeys, macaws, and murder (oh my!), her must-read book recommendations, what’s next on her writing journey, and so much more. Place your hold here for Trouble Island. Please your hold here for books by Jess Montgomery. Thank you, Sharon, for an insightful and engaging conversation!

Sharon Short recommends: the work of Erin Flanagan; Christina Consolino; Katrina Kittle; Meredith Doench; and The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen.

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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 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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E 99: Interview with Jess Montgomery, author of The Echoes

July 20, 2022Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Author Interview, historical fiction, Jess Montgomery, Ohio, The Echoes, The Hollows, The Stills, The Widowstopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a joy to host for the third time author Jess Montgomery for the next book in her Kinship series, The Echoes. Jess and I chatted about her amazing main character Sheriff Lilly Ross, the very personal background behind the title, WWI, keeping the series fresh and more! Remember, you don’t have to read the series in order, that’s the beauty. Please make your next read The Echoes.

Jess Montgomery recommends: Deer Season by Erin Flanagan; The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi; Blackout by Erin Flanagan

Place your holds here for the other books in the Kinship series!

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Episode 96 : Interview with Geraldine Brooks author of Horse

June 13, 2022Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, art, Geraldine Brooks, Horse, kentucky, penguin random house, people of the book, pulitzer prize winner, race, slavery, Viking Presstopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Horse isn’t just an animal story—it’s a moving narrative about race and art.”
—TIME

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, Pulitzer Prize winner G eraldine Brooks braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and racial injustice across American history. Horse is a fascinating and richly compelling story that I could not put down.

What a thrill and honor to host Geraldine Brooks for this episode. We talked about the greatest racehorse of all time, the Kentucky Derby, bone articulation (trust me) and what she’s working on next and our love for The Overstory by Richard Powers. Place you hold here for all work by the fabulous Geraldine Brooks!

Geraldine Brooks recommends: The Overstory by Richard Powers

Follow her on Twitter: @geraldinebrooks and on Facebook @GeraldineBrooks

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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 70: Interview with Isla Morley

August 23, 2021Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Author Interview, blue people, Book Discussion, book discussions, Isla Morley, kentucky, Pegasus Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, wpatopshelfatmerricklibrary

In this luminous historical fiction narrative inspired by the fascinating real case of the Blue People of Kentucky, Isla Morley probes questions of identity, love, and family in her breathtaking new novel.

In 1937, there are recesses in Appalachia no outsiders have ever explored. Two government-sponsored documentarians from Ohio, a writer and photographer are dispatched to penetrate this wilderness and record what they find for President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. For photographer Clay Havens, the assignment is his last chance to reboot his flagging career. So when he and his journalist partner are warned away from the remote Spooklight Holler outside of town, they set off eagerly in search of a headline story.

I was hooked from the first page, second sentence. Morley’s prose is luminous indeed and I was thrilled to host her for this episode. A must read and book club gold. Can’t thank her enough for joining me.

Isla Morley recommends, The Body by Bill Bryson; Leaving Coy’s Hill by Katherine Sherbrooke; How to Fly by Barbara Kingsolver

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Episode 60: Interview with Katherine A. Sherbrooke

May 18, 2021Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, Katherine Sherbrooke, Lucy Stone, Pegasus Books, Readers Advisory, simon & schuster, Staff Pick, Susan B. Anthonytopshelfatmerricklibrary

Katherine A. Sherbrooke sat down with me for our 60th episode to talk about, Leaving Coy’s Hill, an unforgettable story about the triumphs and travails of a woman unwilling to play by the rules, based on the the remarkable life of pioneering feminist and abolitionist Lucy Stone. Lucy Stone was news to me until the gift of Leaving Coy’s Hill arrived in my mailbox. I cannot wait for you all to discover Lucy and her incredible journey. Thank you so much Katherine Sherbrooke for joining me on this episode!