Tag Archives: Friday Reads

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.

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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!

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Episode 76: Interview with Jeffery Deaver

December 3, 2021Author InterviewAmelia Sachs, Author Interview, Friday Reads, Jeffery Deaver, Lincoln Rhyme, locksmithing, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Bone Collector, The Locksmith, The Midnight Lock, The Steel Kill, Thriller, thrillers, toothpastetopshelfatmerricklibrary

Jeffery Deaver, the #1 international bestselling and award winning author of over 40 books, yes that Jeffery Deaver, sat down with me and man, what at a thrill! I’ve been a fan for a looong time. We talked about his latest book The Midnight Lock, writing books that make me lose sleep at night and why Jeffery Deaver is better than toothpaste. Not sure what all that means? Give a listen!

The Midnight Lock is a roller-coaster read that takes place over just a few days’ time, features surprise after surprise and offers a fascinating look at the esoteric world of lockpicking.

Jeffery Deaver recommends: Elsewhere by Dean Koontz

Place your hold here for The Midnight Lock by Jeffery Deaver

Place your holds here for our entire Jeffery Deaver collection!

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Milestone! Episode 75: Interview with Kimmery Martin

November 19, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, doctors, doctors and friends, Friday Reads, kimmery martin, medical fiction, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a way to kick off my 75th episode: hosting author Kimmery Martin for her latest book, Doctors and Friends, and co-hosting this special episode with my pal Cindy Burnett at Thoughts from a Page podcast!

People Magazine calls Doctors and Friends a “..prescient, human and hopeful portrait of medical experts on a pandemic’s frontlines.” And I couldn’t agree more. We talked about writing the book pre-pandemic, how it changed post-pandemic, her wonderful website and so much more! Give a listen.

Kimmery Martin recommends: My Year Abroad by Chang-Rae Lee. My interview with Chang-Rae Lee can be found here!

Place your holds for these Kimmery Martin titles right here.

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E74: Interview with Naomi Krupitsky

November 16, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, bqe, brooklyn, debut, debut author, family, Friday Reads, G P Putnam & Sons, historical fiction, mafia, Naomi Krupitsky, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Familytopshelfatmerricklibrary

They say you can’t go home again but I sure did, right back to Brooklyn, NY with author Naomi Krupitsky’s debut novel The Family. Set in early 20th century Brooklyn, The Family is a captivating debut novel and coming-of-age story about the tangled fates of two best friends, Sophia and Antonia, who are both daughters of the Italian mafia. My copy of The Family is covered in sticky notes, Krupitsky’s prose is beautiful, and I can’t wait for you to read it. Thank you so much for joining me Naomi!

The Family is a November 2021 Read With Jenna Pick and a NYT Bestseller!

Naomi recommends: Matrix by Lauren Groff; and Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

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Episode 72: Interview with Josh Sabarra

October 29, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Beach Read, Book Discussion, Enemies Closer, Friday Reads, Hollywood, JBS Books, Josh Sabarra, Marcee Brookes, Skinny Cowtopshelfatmerricklibrary

I had such a blast interviewing Josh Sabarra for his debut novel, Enemies Closer.

Author Lauren Fox says, “Enemies Closer is a fizzy cocktail of insider Hollywood gossip, biting, laugh-out-loud humor and a supremely likable, relatable heroine. Enemies Closer is a twisty and delightful page-turner of a novel.” –Lauren Fox, bestselling author of Days of Awe, Friends Like Us and Still Life with Husband

Josh and I talked Skinny Cow ice cream, decorative throw pillows (at least ten), and his fabulous protagonist, Marcee Brookes. #teammarcee

Josh also revealed some of his exciting new projects and all I can say is, give a listen! Thank you so much Josh.

Josh Sabarra recommends: Days of Awe by Lauren Fox; Send For Me by Lauren Fox; Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed; The Hunting Wives by May Cobb; My Summer Darlings by May Cobb (2022); Bath Haus by P. J. Vernon; Small Changes: A Rules Free Guide to Add More Plant-Based Foods, Peace and Power to Your Life by Alicia Witt

Follow Josh on Twitter & Instagram at @joshsabarra and on Facebook at @JoshSabarraAuthor

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Episode 71: Interview with Nathaniel Philbrick

September 24, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Friday Reads, George Washington, Long Island, Nathaniel Philbrick, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, Viking Presstopshelfatmerricklibrary

What happened to George Washington after the Revolution? Find out in Nathaniel Philbrick’s latest bestselling book, Travels with George: In Search of George Washington and His Legacy.

Among other things, we talk about George Washington’s trip through Long Island, Philbrick’s love for libraries, and his excellent traveling companions. An absolutely delightful interview… thank you Nathaniel!

Award winning author Nathaniel Philbrick recommends, Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

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Episode 69: Interview with Megan Abbott

August 19, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, ballet, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, G P Putnam & Sons, Megan Abbott, Nutcracker, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, sisters, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Just after being selected as the August Read with Jenna pick for her latest book, The Turnout, I was thrilled to host Megan Abbott! Abbott was waving to us from Queens when we spoke…

Taut and unnerving, The Turnout is Megan Abbott at the height of her game. With uncanny insight and hypnotic writing, it is a sharp and strange dissection of family ties and sexuality, femininity and power, and a tale that is both alarming and irresistible and I will not say another word about it, I was on the edge of my seat. Give a listen!

Megan Abbott recommends: Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears, both by S.A.Cosby; Dreamgirl by Laura Lippman; The Collective by Alison Gaylin

Place you hold for all Megan Abbott titles here.

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Episode 67: Interview with Claire Luchette

August 10, 2021Author InterviewAgatha of Little Neon, Author Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Claire Luchette, debut, debut author, Farrar Straus Giroux, Friday Reads, Macmillan Publishers, New Bees, Nuns, Readers Advisory, Religion, Staff Pick, Woonsockettopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Claire Luchette is so wildly talented that I would follow them anywhere. Here, it’s to Woonsocket along with four women who are searching for meaning and a sense of belonging from each other and the world beyond. The result is a novel that’s blazingly original, wry, and perfectly attuned to the oddness―and the profundity―of life.”
―Cristina Henríquez, author of The Book of Unknown Americans

What a pleasure to sit down with Claire Luchette to talk about her gorgeous debut, Agatha of Little Neon. The book offers a view into the lives of women and the choices they make. It is a novel about female friendship and devotion, the roles made available to us, and how we become ourselves. I loved this absolute gem of a book…thank you so much for joining me Claire Luchette!

Claire recommends: Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So ; Something New Under the Sun by Alexanda Kleeman

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Episode 66: Interview with Byron Lane

July 22, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Carrie Fisher, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Henry Holt, personal assistant, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

Author Julia Claiborne Johnson, the bestselling author of Better Luck Next Time, and our guest on Top Shelf E56, says this about A STAR IS BORED by Byron Lane:

“I didn’t go into this expecting a love story, but the one here between a Hollywood assistant and his famous, hilarious and deeply lonely boss came very close to breaking my heart.”

A STAR IS BORED by Byron Lane is also a love letter to Carrie Fisher paved with heartbreak, humor, and love. What a special episode, I loved every minute…thank you so much Byron!

Byron Lane recommends: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon; Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole; Heart of Junk by Luke Geddes; Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon; Yes, Daddy by Jonathan Parks-Ramage

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