Tag Archives: Harper Collins

Episode 144: Interview with Wanda M. Morris, author of What You Leave Behind

June 14, 2024Author Interviewall her little secrets, anywhere you run, Harper Collins, southern fiction, Thriller, Wanda Morris, what you leave behind, William Morrowtopshelfatmerricklibrary

What You Leave Behind is the powerful new book by Wanda M. Morris, and I am thrilled to host her for this episode! What You Leave Behind is a haunting thriller following a lawyer who after the mysterious disappearance of a local landowner, uncovers a conspiracy that dates back to Reconstruction and still persists in half the US today. For this episode we talk about why she writes thrillers, what she’s working on next and more. We share quite a few laughs in this episode, don’t miss it. Wanda is the only author I boost on the Long Island Railroad, so go back and listen to the first episode we did to find out why this is so!

Thank you so much Wanda! Follow Wanda on IG & Threads: @wandamowrites; on Twitter: @WandaMo14; and on Facebook: @WandaMorris. Place your holds for all Wanda’s books right here.

Wanda M. Morris recommends: You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen; Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe.

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E85: Interview with Sarah McCraw Crow author of The Wrong Kind of Woman

March 9, 2022Author Interview1960s, 1970s, Campus novels, Harper Collins, MIRA Books, Sarah McCraw Crow, The Wrong Kind of Women, Women, Women's fictiontopshelfatmerricklibrary

“A glorious debut filled with characters grasping to find a place to belong in a world on the edge of change.” ~ Carol Rifka Brunt, bestselling author of Tell the Wolves I’m Home

That quote right there is for THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN, the debut by Sarah McCraw Crow. Virginia finds herself suddenly widowed one wintry day in the late 1970s, and her world begins to change in completely unexpected ways. A campus novel of sorts, THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN is a powerful exploration of what a woman can be when what she should be is no longer an option. Sarah created a must listen-to playlist over at Largeheartedboy.com that is an excellent companion piece to the book. We talk about the 1970s in light of the present day in this special interview, thank you so much Sarah!

Sarah McCraw Crow recommends: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel; Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan; Manifesto by Bernadine Evaristo

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Episode 73: Interview with Wanda M. Morris!

November 5, 2021Author InterviewAtlanta, Harper Collins, Lawyers, Lesa Holstine, Library Love Fest, Mystery, Secrets, Thriller, Wanda Morristopshelfatmerricklibrary

This buzzy debut thriller, All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris has all the things and has made all the lists! NYT best-selling author Karin Slaughter says, “All Her Little Secrets is a brilliantly nuanced but powerhouse exploration of race, the legal system, and the crushing pressure of keeping secrets. Morris brings a vibrant and welcome new voice to the thriller space.” — Karin Slaughter

In this fast-paced debut, Wanda M. Morris crafts a twisty mystery about a black lawyer who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy after the sudden death of her boss. Perfect for fans of Attica Locke, Alyssa Cole, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng, with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.

We talked about her incredible main character, Ellice Littlejohn, Wanda’s love for libraries, and what it was like being a Library Journal cover girl. This episode is action packed and to say I loved speaking with Wanda M. Morris is an understatement. Give a listen!

Wanda M. Morris recommends: Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe

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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 49: Interview with author Elizabeth Wetmore

January 26, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, Harper Collins, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

I have wanted to host debut novelist Elizabeth Wetmore on Top Shelf for so long, and when it finally happened, I could barely sleep the night before. This episode was such a delight and I could have spoken to her all day. We talked about her amazing debut, VALENTINE, the strong and determined women in the book and maybe, just maybe there is something new in the works. You’ll have to listen here to find out. VALENTINE made my “Best of list” for 2020, so please, like I always say: give a listen, read the book!

Thank you SO much Elizabeth. The pleasure was all mine.

Elizabeth Wetmore recommends: Memorial by Bryan Washington, Lot by Bryan Washington, and Last One Out Shut Off the Lights by Stephanie Soileau

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Episode 33: Interview with Jean Kwok, author of Searching for Sylvie Lee

January 6, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, book discussions, Harper Collins, Jean Kwok, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, William Morrowtopshelfatmerricklibrary

Happy 2020!

I cannot think of a better way to have ended 2019 and then kick off 2020 than with the amazing company of author Jean Kwok. We could have chatted for hours, although she might have felt different!

This is a very special episode, indeed, and not to be missed. Jean Kwok talks about the motivations and inspirations for each of her books: Girl in Translation; Mambo in Chinatown; and most particularly her latest, Searching for Sylvie Lee. All three titles are perfect for book discussions-don’t miss any of them!

I’ve provided links to each book as well as the link to Jean’s incredibly robust website. The website is filled with content not just for readers and fans, but features an incredibly comprehensive toolkit for teachers as well.

I thank Jean Kwok so very much for taking the time to sit down with me for this episode, it was an absolute pleasure.

#GiveAListenReadTheBook

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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).

#GiveAListenReadTheBook!

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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 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.

It hits shelves on Tuesday, March 5th.

Follow Etaf Rum on her website: EtafRum.com and on Instagram @booksandbeans

Merrick Library patrons place your hold here.

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Episode 23: Interview with Gretchen Anthony, author of Evergreen Tidings From the Baumgartners

December 4, 2018Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, Gretchen Anthony, Harper Collins, Park Row Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

It’s that time of the year when things can get a little hairy planning all the holiday festivities. Looking for that perfect antidote? I strongly suggest you try Evergreen Tidings From the Baumgartners. This book will surely take the edge off! My interview with the remarkably patient Gretchen Anthony was absolutely my pleasure and I cannot thank her enough. Thank you so much Gretchen! #givealistenreadthebook

Synopsis: Formidable matriarch Violet Baumgartner learns the hard way that no family is perfect when her daughter reveals a shocking secret in front of Violet’s husband’s whole retirement party.

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