Tag Archives: Book Discussion

Episode 40: Interview with author R.L. Maizes

July 14, 2020Author InterviewBook Discussion, book discussions, Celadon Books, debut, Macmillan Publishers, Readers Advisory, RL Maizestopshelfatmerricklibrary

Let’s hear it for our amazing Episode 40 and let’s hear it for author: R.L. Maizes as we celebrate her debut novel, the incredible, Other People’s Pets.

This novel is not what anyone would think of as a page-turner, but there I was absolutely riveted. I loved the characters, the story, the writing, it was all just a fab five star read for me. I’m so honored that she sat down with me to talk about her craft, her essays, magical realism and… her pets! At least listen for that! Maizes just writes like a dream; what a blast to host R.L. Maizes on this episode.

Other People’s Pets is out July 14th, for heaven’s sake, don’t miss it. AND, her fabulous book of short stories, We Love Anderson Cooper is out in paperback also on July 14th. What a day!

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Place you library holds right here: Other People‘s Pets ; We Love Anderson Cooper

Other People's Pets: A Novel - Kindle edition by Maizes, R.L. ... R.L. Maizes (Author of We Love Anderson Cooper)

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Episode 38: Interview with Liz Moore, author of Long Bright River

May 26, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Liz Moore, Long Bright River, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Riverhead Books, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

** This episode was recorded pre-pandemic. Apologies to Liz Moore for the late posting.**

I was absolutely thrilled to host Liz Moore for this episode. I read her book, Heft and I’ve been a fan ever since!

Her newest book, Long Bright River is a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the strong bonds that persist between place, family, and fate. Long Bright River did not start out as a literary crime thriller, and you’ll just have to listen to find out more. I can tell you that Brooklyn, NY is mentioned in our interview, but no spoilers!

Please visit Liz Moore’s website for more information about some of the themes included in the novel, such as addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and under served public schools.

I had a blast and cannot thank Liz enough for taking the time to chat with me on Top Shelf!

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Place your holds here for all these amazing Liz Moore titles.

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Episode 37: Interview with Erika Swyler, author of Light From Other Stars: the 2020 Long Island Reads Selection!

March 11, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Bloomsbury Publishing, Book Discussion, book discussions, Erika Swyler, long island reads, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

This episode combines three of my favorites: Erika Swyler, Erika Swyler books, and the incredible Long Island Reads Initiative!

So yes, I had the pleasure of interviewing author and Long Island, NY native, Erika Swyler about her book, Light From Other Stars, which is the Long Island Reads Selection for 2020!

Literary science fiction, faith, family relationships, getting the call about the Long Reads Selection, this episode has it all. Light From Other Stars is a novel about fathers and daughters, women and the forces that hold them back, and the true meaning of progress. I just loved it, don’t miss it.

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Episode 36: Interview with Lisa See, author of The Island of Sea Women

March 6, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Lisa See, Readers Advisory, Scribner, simon & schuster, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Well. To say I was thrilled to host author Lisa See is an understatement. And no, I couldn’t sleep the night before. We talked about her most recent novel, The Island of Sea Women, available in paperback on Tuesday, March 10th.

A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them—The Island of Sea Women introduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives. And a story you will not be able to put down and one you won’t soon forget. Booklist has called the novel, “A stupendous multi-generational family saga” and I could not agree more. A major theme of the book is forgiveness, and boy, that’s a tough one on a good day…we get into that and more for this episode.

I could have listened to her speak all day and I cannot thank her enough.

Also-you must visit Lisa’s incredible website-it is chock full of everything you need to make you reading experience that much more successful. It’s the perfect reader’s companion.

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Place your hold here for all of Lisa See’s titles in multiple formats, including the mystery series!

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Episode 35: Interview with Matthew Norman, author of Last Couple Standing.

February 28, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Ballantine Books, Book Discussion, book discussions, Matthew Norman, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, Suburbstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Book clubs, start your 2020 engines…

You all know my love for books ’bout the ‘burbs and Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman checks all the book discussion boxes: When Jessica and Mitch find out that their core group of friends are getting divorced, they find themselves as the last couple standing. This third novel by Matthew Norman asks what you would do to keep your marriage afloat?

We had such a great discussion about his writing style, the role that ensemble characters play in Last Couple Standing, and more. Norman is the also the author of We’re All Damaged, and Domestic Violets.

Last Couple Standing hits shelves on Tuesday, March 17th, place your reserve now! #GiveAListenReadtheBook

Don’t miss these:

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Episode 31: Interview with Erin Somers, author of Stay Up With Hugo Best

May 23, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Readers Advisory, simon & schustertopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Reading is the whole reason to be alive”, says Erin Somers in this episode.

I couldn’t agree more.

So what are your plans for this weekend? Make sure it includes, Stay Up With Hugo Best by Erin Somers.

Our main character, June Bloom, is twenty-nine, broke, and an aspiring comedy writer. Hugo Best is a beloved late-night chat show host – and notorious womanizer – who invites her to his mansion for Memorial Day Weekend. Stay Up With Hugo Best is the story of their four days together.

What a fabulous conversation I had with Erin about this book…we talked about many things, but no spoilers here. She’s in the midst of her book tour and speaking at the Center for Fiction tonight (5/23rd) in Brooklyn. Get your tickets now, and then visit Erin’s website http://www.esomers.com/ or find her on Twitter at: @somerserin. I’m thrilled to have hosted her and cannot wait to have her back.

Two books Erin mentioned as must reads: The Falconer by Dana Czapnik and Three Women by Lisa Taddeo.

Place a hold: Stay Up With Hugo Best

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Give a listen, read the book.

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Episode 30: Interview with Jason Allen, author of The East End

May 17, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Beach Read, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, Harper Collins, Park Row Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, summer readingtopshelfatmerricklibrary

I could not be happier to have hosted Jason Allen, featuring his debut novel, The East End, for Episode 30! Gosh, we talked about so many things, I couldn’t possibly collect it all here. Get your beach towels ready because this gripping novel of suspense and culture clash set in the Hamptons makes The East End a perfect summer read. What makes a summer read for me? A novel that you simply cannot put down. The East End sure hits that mark.

As part of his book tour, Jason will be returning to LI on Sunday, May 19th at 5 p.m. at BookHampton, East Hampton and at Book Culture LIC in Long Island City, Queens on Monday, May 20th at 6:30pm. Follow him on twitter to get more info: @eathenjason. And you thought everyone was out here on LI this weekend because of the 2019 PGA tournament…ha!

Jason also raved about the following novels: Winter Loon by Susan Bernhard ; Goodnight Stranger by Miciah Bay Gault (out in July, 2019); The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring (out in October 2019); and finally, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr .

Jason is an absolute gem and I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode. Follow him on Facebook (Jason Allen), Twitter (@eathanjason) and Instagram (eastendauthor).

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Episode 29: Interview with Julie Langsdorf, author of White Elephant

May 3, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, ecco books, Friday Reads, Harper Collins, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

I’m on a roll with debut authors and their fabulous books and this podcast featuring author Julie Langsdorf is no exception.

White Elephant takes us to the suburban Washington DC town of Willard Park and particularly Tunlaw Place, where next door neighbors are not quite seeing eye-to-eye. Conflicts abound between the neighbors and to say I was on the edge of my seat to see how these conflicts would be resolved is an understatement. The book is honest, dark, joyful and at times, very funny. Told from alternating perspectives, White Elephant is perfect for book discussions. Thank you so much, Julie!

Give a listen, read the book.

To view Julie Langsdorf’s very cool website, click here.

Merrick patrons place your hold here.

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Episode 28: Interview with Anne Griffin, author of When All Is Said

April 25, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Graham Norton, Jonathan Coe, Mary Lawson, Olive Kitteridge, Readers Advisory, Richard Russo, St. Martin's Press, Staff Pick, Thomas Dunne Bookstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Spending my morning with Anne Griffin to talk about her amazing debut novel, When All Is Said, was like sunshine on a cloudy day.

This story of 84-year old Maurice Hannigan toasting the five most important people in his life is also wrapped around a mystery and makes When All Is Said perfect for book discussions. Anne talked about her inspiration for the book…no spoilers, you’ll have to listen! We also talked about Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo, authors Mary Lawson and Jonathan Coe, and author and TV host, Graham Norton.

This episode really is action packed and I can’t thank Anne Griffin enough for pausing in the midst of writing to speak with us today.

You can find Anne Griffin on her website: http://annegriffinwriter.com/

Merrick patrons place your holds here.

Thanks so much to Thomas Dunne Books and St. Martin’s Press for the early galley.

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Episode 26: Interview with Etaf Rum, author of A Woman Is No Man.

February 7, 2019Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Etaf Rum, Harper Collins, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Where I come from, we’ve learned to silence ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence will save us. Where I come from, we keep these stories to ourselves. To tell them to the outside world is unheard of, dangerous, the ultimate shame.” – -Etaf Rum, A Woman Is No Man

What an amazing interview with debut author Etaf Rum for her book, A Woman Is No Man. I cannot thank her enough for sitting for this interview and I cannot wait for all of you to read this novel. It’s a book discussion must.