Tag Archives: family relationships

Episode 153: Interview with Susan Fletcher, author of The Night in Question

December 3, 2024Author Interviewageing, corrag, eve green, family relationships, Mystery, oystercatchers, susan fletcher, the highland witch, the night in question, women empowerment, Women's fictiontopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a very special episode featuring award-winning and award nominated author: Susan Fletcher!

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher is hands-down one of my favorite books of 2024. This contemporary mystery is also a heartfelt exploration of a woman’s life—grief, joy, regret, and resilience all wrapped into one.

In this special episode, Susan and I dive into the story of the remarkable Florence “Florrie” Butterfield, how the book emerged as a hopeful response to the pandemic, and why Susan shines a light on overlooked characters and and the challenges of their lives. We also explore the wisdom and richness of older generations and even get a peek into Susan’s next project.

This is an episode about the power of women and the friendships that sustain us; a moving interview and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to chat with Susan Fletcher —don’t miss it! Thank you Sue, from the bottom of my heart! Reserve books by Susan Fletcher here.

Follow Susan Fletcher on IG, Bluesky, Twitter: sfletcherauthor

Susan Fletcher recommends: Orbital by Samantha Harvey; Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

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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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E113: They’re Going to Love You by Meg Howrey

February 16, 2023Author InterviewAuthor Interview, ballet, blind sight, Book Discussion, Doubleday, family relationships, Friday Reads, greenwich village, meg howrey, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, the cranes dance, the wanderers, they're going to love youtopshelfatmerricklibrary

“They’re Going to Love You by Meg Howrey is my idea of a perfect book. It is about art, life, death, love, and family and it is beautifully and sharply written. I cried several times while reading it, and was sorry to let it go when I was done. I cannot recommend it enough.” —Jami Attenberg, NYT bestselling author of The Middlesteins and All This Could Be Yours.

I will read anything Jami Attenberg tells me to and what I agree with wholeheartedly is that you’re all going to love They’re Going to Love You by the brilliant Meg Howrey. We talk about family bonds, family secrets, recording the audio book, what she’s working on next and so much more. I cannot thank Meg Howrey enough for joining me – it’s a wonderful interview!

Meg Howrey recommends: How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz; The Hero of this Book by Elizabeth McCracken; A Bright Ray of Darkness by Ethan Hawke

Read the wonderful books by Meg Howrey here. Follow Meg Howrey on Twitter and Instagram: @meghowrey

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Episode 88: Kathleen West author of Home or Away

March 29, 2022Author Interviewfamily relationships, harrassment, hockey, Me Too, Me Too Movement, Minnesota, sexual harrassment, women's hockey, youth hockeytopshelfatmerricklibrary

HOME OR AWAY is the latest from Kathleen West and for this episode we talked about ice hockey, the #metoo movement, balancing careers, motherhood and more. HOME OR AWAY is about two friends, one Olympic dream, and the choice that stood in the way.

I was so fortunate to once again join forces with Cindy Burnett host of Thoughts From a Page podcast to bring you this special episode and we just had a blast. Thank you Cindy, and thank you so much Kathleen!

Kathleen West recommends: Will by Will Smith, both Cindy and Kathleen raved about the audio. Both Kathleen and I raved about Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette (a guest or our from Episode 67!)

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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.