Tag Archives: Macmillan Publishers

Episode 100: Interview with Julia Armfield, author of Our Wives Under the Sea

July 27, 2022Author InterviewFlatiron Books, LGBTQ, Macmillan Publishers, Marriage, Our Wives Under the Sea, Salt Slow, Speculative Fictiontopshelfatmerricklibrary

Welcome to the 100th Episode of the Top Shelf Podcast!

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than with the brilliant Julia Armfield talking about her debut novel, Our Wives Under the Sea. You may remember that Julia was my guest for Episode 32. Back then we discussed her fantastic book of short stories, Salt Slow. For this episode, we talk about her new release, Our Wives Under the Sea, which is a gorgeous debut that is a fathomlessly inventive and original portrait of marriage as we’ve never seen it before. Critics are raving and I wouldn’t steer you wrong in the ocean of books out there – please don’t miss this episode and don’t miss this book. Thank you so much Julia!

Julia Armfield recommends: Devil House by John Darnielle; Matrix by Lauren Groff; X by Davy Davis; Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer; The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff

Place your holds for Julia Armfield’s books here.

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Episode 95 : Interview with Nina LaCour, author of Yerba Buena

June 7, 2022Author InterviewCalifornia, Contemporary Fiction, Flatiron Books, LGBTQ, Macmillan, Macmillan Publishers, Nina Lacour, Queer, Yerba Buenatopshelfatmerricklibrary

Here’s what’s being said about the debut adult fiction novel, Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour:

“A love story for our time.” ―Tara Conklin, bestselling author of The Last Romantics

“This book is a precious thing.” ―Casey McQuiston, bestselling author of One Last Stop.

I mean these reviews for Yerba Buena are so true, I needed to include both of them! This lush and lyrical queer love story gave me such joy and hope that when I was finished, I went right back and read it again. For this episode, Nina spoke about writing her first adult fiction novel, writing that book during lock down, her inspiration and more. Thank you so much for joining me Nina LaCour, Yerba Buena is such a special book! I loved this interview…

Nina LaCour recommends We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart; and Memorial by Bryan Washington

Click here to reserve all Nina LaCour titles!

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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 55: Interview with Chris Whitaker

March 18, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, Henry Holt & Co, Macmillan Publishers, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a pleasure to sit down with best-selling author Chris Whitaker to discuss the book that is taking the reading world by storm, We Begin at the End.

Chris Whitaker’s debut novel, Tall Oaks, a striking blend of tragedy and offbeat humor, was awarded the U.K. Crime Writers’ Association New Blood Dagger Award in 2017. He followed that up with All the Wicked Girls published in 2017 and here we are in 2021 with his latest, We Begin at the End. Already optioned by Disney, We Begin at the End became an instant bestseller on the NYT Bestseller list the first week of publication.

I am so lucky to have been able to sit down with Chris. He spoke about the very personal inspiration for Duchess Day Radley, and seeing We Begin at the End splashed all over Times Square as part of the GMA Book Buzz. We shared more than a few laughs and talked about his part-time gig at a library. Working part time at a library certainly has it demands, doesn’t it Chris, lol? Listeners, please tune in to this conversation…it’s terrific.

I’ll never forget his honesty and generosity as we spoke. Thank you so much Chris for making Top Shelf a stop on your book tour.

Follow Chris Whitaker on Twitter: @whittyauthor and on Instagram: chriswhitakerauthor

Chris Whitaker recommends, The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward (out 9/21)and any book by the terrific John Hart.

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Episode 52: Interview with author Julie Carrick Dalton

February 25, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Forge Books, Friday Reads, Macmillan Publisherstopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Reading a novel is an act of empathy because you are choosing to give over your world view to somebody else’s world view.” ~ Julie Carrick Dalton

What an incredible conversation with the equally incredible Julie Carrick Dalton. We could have spoken for hours about so many different things, but most important? Her terrific debut, Waiting for the Night Song.

Julie Carrick Dalton owns a small farm in New Hampshire which serves as the inspiration for this book. She shared her 13-year journey of bringing the story of Cadie and Daniela to fruition. There are some surprises here as well and it’s such a pleasure for me to be able to bring this interview to all of you.

Synopsis: Cadie returns to her childhood home to confront her estranged best friend and the dark secret they both share and must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to protect the people and the land she loves.

Kim Michele Richardson, bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek calls Waiting for the Night Song, “Smart and searingly passionate…an illuminating snapshot of nature, betrayal, and sacrifices set in the evocative New Hampshire wilderness.” A review that says it all.

Julie Carrick Dalton recommends, The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

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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!

#GiveaListenReadtheBook

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 27: Interview with Angie Kim, author of Miracle Creek

March 15, 2019Author InterviewAngie Kim, book discussions, debut, debut author, HBOT, Macmillan Publishers, Miracle Creek, Readers Advisory, Sara Crichton Bookstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Three different strands of author Angie Kim’s life come together to create her debut novel, Miracle Creek. This interview with Angie Kim is a must listen for a must read. Excellent choice for book discussions.

Miracle Creek hits shelves Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Follow Angie Kim on her website angiekimbooks.com

Merrick Library patrons place your hold right here.

Miracle Creek is a literary courtroom drama about a Korean immigrant family and a young, single mother accused of murdering her eight-year-old autistic son. Mark your calendars for the release on April 16 2019.

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