Tag Archives: Book Discussion

Episode 61: Interview with May Cobb!

May 21, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, berkley publishing, Book Discussion, book discussions, East Texas, Friday Reads, martinis, May Cobb, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“In moving here, I thought I could become someone more wholesome, more grounded. Someone I could admire…as it turns out, you can’t outrun who you are.” ~ Sophie O’Neill, The Hunting Wives

“Margot is totally fiction, but she could be real…” ~ May Cobb

Yikes! Folks, pour yourself a martini, hold onto your hats and get ready for THE HUNTING WIVES. I sat down with the absolutely fabulous May Cobb to talk about her equally fabulous second book, THE HUNTING WIVES. This spoiler-free interview was a delight and I could have spoken with May all darn day. We talked about East Texas, the character of Sophie O’Neill, a bit about Margot, and I will say no more. This book is a knockout.

Thanks so much May Cobb for sitting down with me, I really hope you’ll visit again!

May Cobb recommends: River Sing Out by James Wade; The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean; The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn; and Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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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!

Katherine Sherbrooke recommends books by: Jenna Blum, Rachel Barenbaum, Crystal King, Marjan Kamali, Christopher Castellani

Get more information about Grub Street right here!

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Episode 59: Interview with Elon Green

May 8, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Celadon, Celadon Books, Elon Green, Friday Reads, Non-Fiction, Staff Pick, True Crimetopshelfatmerricklibrary

A “terrific, harrowing, true-crime account of an elusive serial killer who preyed upon gay men in the 1990s.” ~ New York Times (Editor’s Pick)

It was great to sit down with author, Elon Green to talk about about his true-crime bestseller, Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York . This book presents a compelling and important look at the victims of the killer before they became victims: Fred Spencer, Peter Anderson, Tom Mulcahy, Anthony Marrero, Michael J Sakara. It’s an incredible and heartbreaking true story that is not to be missed. I spoke with Elon Green about his focus on the victims, investigative techniques, fingerprinting, and more. This episode is our first foray into the non-fiction genre, with a focus on true-crime in particular, and I am so grateful to Elon Green for taking the time.

“Using meticulous research and engaging prose, The Last Call tells the complete stories of the men who died in these killings, giving them dignity after death and shining a light on the issues queer people faced several decades ago that still ring true today.” ~ Stephen Ashley, Booklist

Elon Green recommends: The Real Lolita: The Kidnapping of Sally Horner and the Novel that Scandalized the World by Sarah Weinman; The Man From the Train: The Solving of a Century Old Serial Killer by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy; and We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence by Becky Cooper

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Episode 58: Interview with Flynn Berry

April 15, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, Viking Presstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Talk about thrillers! Flynn Berry’s debut, Under the Harrow, won the 2017 Edgar award for best first novel. That book and Berry’s follow up, A Double Life, were both NYT Editors’ Choices. Berry’s latest, Northern Spy, takes readers to Northern Island on a journey you won’t soon forget. It’s a heart-pounding story of the contemporary IRA and a moving portrait of sister- and motherhood, and of life in a deeply divided society.

For this episode, we talked about the surprising things she learned while researching the book, writing habits from book to book, her playlist and more. Flynn Berry, thank you so much for joining me for this episode!

Northern Spy is a Reese Witherspoon Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick, and an Indie Next Pick. The NYT Book Review says Northern Spy is “…a chilling, gorgeously written tale…Berry keeps the tension almost unbearably high.”

Author Elizabeth Wetmore, New York Times bestselling author of Valentine (E49) says, “Tense, terrifying, and briskly paced, Flynn Berry’s Northern Spy is not only a thrilling tale of espionage and conflicting loyalties in a deeply divided Northern Ireland, it is also a tender and honest portrayal of those fierce, all-consuming early days of motherhood and the complicated bonds between sisters, mothers, and daughters. A stunning story, beautifully told. I couldn’t put it down.”

Flynn Berry recommends: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason; Intimacies by Irish author and playwright, Lucy Caldwell is not available in the US yet, but Caldwell’s book, Being Various, can be reserved right here.

Twitter | @flynnberry_ Instagram | @flynnberryauthor

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Episode 57: Interview with Jess Montgomery for The Stills

April 9, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, historical fiction, Minotaur Books, prohibition, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Stillstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Oh my gosh, Jess Montgomery can come back any old time she wants. We talked about the third book in her Kinship series, The Stills. Here is the series in order: The Widows, The Hallows, The Stills, but the beauty of these books is that you don’t have to read them in order.

Family, friendship, kinship. That’s what this historical fiction mystery series is all about…well, that and the terrific character of Sheriff Lily Ross. Sheriff Lily’s love for her family and the residents of Kinship makes this series both compelling and comforting. And yes…once again, there’s the edge of your seat stuff we know to expect from Jess Montgomery! We talked about writing the third in the series, prohibition, and more. Jess is a joy and honestly, don’t miss this episode and don’t miss The Stills.

Click here to find Jess Montgomery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub and more!

Jess Montgomery recommends: Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell; A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser; The Overstory by Richard Powers; Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Thank you Jess Montgomery!

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Episode 56: Interview with Julia Clairbone Johnson

March 26, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Custom House, Friday Reads, Harper Collins, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Hold on to your hat folks, this fabulous and wonderful interview with Julia Claiborne Johnson is not to be missed! Gosh, we talked about the real-life inspiration for Better Luck Next time, the writing process, her debut, Be Frank With Me, friends, family, and more. We really had a blast speaking with each other and I cannot thank her enough. #newbestfriend

You can follow Julia Claiborne Johnson on both Instagram and Twitter: @juliaClaiborneJ. On Facebook: JuliaJohnson

Julia Claiborne Johnson recommends these books: anything by Steven Rowley including his soon-to-be-released, The Guncle; A Star is Bored by Byron Lane , Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley; The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donohue; and Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

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Episode 55: Interview with Chris Whitaker

March 18, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, Henry Holt & Co, Macmillan Publishers, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a pleasure to sit down with best-selling author Chris Whitaker to discuss the book that is taking the reading world by storm, We Begin at the End.

Chris Whitaker’s debut novel, Tall Oaks, a striking blend of tragedy and offbeat humor, was awarded the U.K. Crime Writers’ Association New Blood Dagger Award in 2017. He followed that up with All the Wicked Girls published in 2017 and here we are in 2021 with his latest, We Begin at the End. Already optioned by Disney, We Begin at the End became an instant bestseller on the NYT Bestseller list the first week of publication.

I am so lucky to have been able to sit down with Chris. He spoke about the very personal inspiration for Duchess Day Radley, and seeing We Begin at the End splashed all over Times Square as part of the GMA Book Buzz. We shared more than a few laughs and talked about his part-time gig at a library. Working part time at a library certainly has it demands, doesn’t it Chris, lol? Listeners, please tune in to this conversation…it’s terrific.

I’ll never forget his honesty and generosity as we spoke. Thank you so much Chris for making Top Shelf a stop on your book tour.

Follow Chris Whitaker on Twitter: @whittyauthor and on Instagram: chriswhitakerauthor

Chris Whitaker recommends, The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward (out 9/21)and any book by the terrific John Hart.

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Episode 54: Interview with author Kate Hope Day

March 11, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Feminist and thrilling, this novel centers around a precocious, brilliant character named June. I happily followed June into deep space, but I would have followed her anywhere. What a wonderful story—I highly recommend this novel.”
—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Dear Edward

Do I have your attention with that review for the fabulous In the Quick by Kate Hope Day? This is the story of one woman’s persistence despite many obstacles and the costs of human ingenuity. #TeamJune

For this episode Kate Hope Day and I talk about the book, space camp and Charles Dickens…how we get there is absolutely worth the listen. Just a great conversation, thank you so much Kate!

Kate Hope Day recommends: Wintering: the power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May; Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart; and We the Animals by Justin Torres

Please check out Kate’s website right here.

Follow her on twitter: @katehopeday and on Instagram: katehopeday

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Episode 53 : Interview with author Sarah Penner

March 2, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Harlequin, Park Row Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“How had I only just learned that happiness and fulfillment were entirely distinct things?” ~The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

That’s only one of the many gems in this fascinating debut by Sarah Penner, and I simply cannot thank her enough for joining me.

I was transported to 18th century England to a time where some women had no choice but to seek out revenge with the help of The Lost Apothecary. I could feel the cobblestone streets beneath my feet and was absolutely spellbound. We spoke about crime and forensics in the 1700s and a whole lot more.

Listeners, you’re in for a treat!

Readers? Even more than that… I’ll quote Sarah Penner with this synopsis of her debut:

“It’s perfect for readers who love:
-secret, hidden alleyways in London
-apothecaries, herbalists, witches, poison
-magical tinctures & spells
-antiquated ephemera like old maps/manuscripts
-unlikely friendships among women
-women exerting control in clever ways.”

So, yes. Raise your hands, listen to the interview and order this book!

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Episode 52: Interview with author Julie Carrick Dalton

February 25, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Forge Books, Friday Reads, Macmillan Publisherstopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Reading a novel is an act of empathy because you are choosing to give over your world view to somebody else’s world view.” ~ Julie Carrick Dalton

What an incredible conversation with the equally incredible Julie Carrick Dalton. We could have spoken for hours about so many different things, but most important? Her terrific debut, Waiting for the Night Song.

Julie Carrick Dalton owns a small farm in New Hampshire which serves as the inspiration for this book. She shared her 13-year journey of bringing the story of Cadie and Daniela to fruition. There are some surprises here as well and it’s such a pleasure for me to be able to bring this interview to all of you.

Synopsis: Cadie returns to her childhood home to confront her estranged best friend and the dark secret they both share and must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to protect the people and the land she loves.

Kim Michele Richardson, bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek calls Waiting for the Night Song, “Smart and searingly passionate…an illuminating snapshot of nature, betrayal, and sacrifices set in the evocative New Hampshire wilderness.” A review that says it all.

Julie Carrick Dalton recommends, The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

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