Tag Archives: family drama

Episode 145: Interview with Claire Lombardo, author of Same As It Ever Was

June 24, 2024Author Interviewclaire lombardo, Doubleday, family drama, penguin random house, same as it ever was, talking heads, the most fun we ever hadtopshelfatmerricklibrary

Claire Lombardo, NYT bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had, returns with another brilliantly observed family drama in which the enduring, hard-won affection of a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present: Same As It Ever Was. Author Bonnie Garmus calls it, “Witty and insightful…a powerful exploration of marriage, motherhood, and self.” For this episode we talk about Claire’s brilliant character development, our shared love of music, and more! This is a perfect summer read, don’t miss it. Thank you so much for joining me, Claire!

Claire Lombardo recommends: The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter.

Place holds here for both of Claire’s terrific books!

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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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E119: Interview with Jenny Jackson, author of Pineapple Street

March 23, 2023Author Interviewbestseller, brooklyn, debut, debut author, family drama, family fiction, family life, jenny jackson, Pamela Dorman Books, penguin random house, pineapple streettopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Full of witty and caustic observations about a privileged class of New Yorkers, Pineapple Street is a sharp and juicy satire.” So says bestselling author Nita Prose about the transporting and lush debut by Jenny Jackson, Pineapple Street.

For E119, best-selling debut author Jenny Jackson shares what it’s like to be on the other side of the editorial desk, a potential screen treatment of the book, what she’s working on next and more. Please don’t miss the audiobook of Pineapple Street performed by the amazing Marin Ireland. Thank you so much Jenny!

Jenny Jackson recommends: Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny; Big Swiss by Jen Beagin. Follow Jenny Jackson on Instagram @jennyjacksonpineapple; on Twitter @JennyeJackson. Read Jenny’s Literary Hub piece here. Place you hold for Pineapple Street here.

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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!