Tag Archives: penguin random house

Episode 58: Interview with Flynn Berry



Talk about thrillers! Flynn Berry’s debut, Under the Harrow, won the 2017 Edgar award for best first novel. That book and Berry’s follow up, A Double Life, were both NYT Editors’ Choices.  Berry’s latest, Northern Spy, takes readers to Northern Island on a journey you won’t soon forget. It’s a heart-pounding story of the contemporary IRA and a moving portrait of sister- and motherhood, and of life in a deeply divided society.

For this episode, we talked about the surprising things she learned while researching the book, writing habits from book to book, her playlist and more. Flynn Berry, thank you so much for joining me for this episode!

Northern Spy is a Reese Witherspoon Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick, and an Indie Next Pick.  The NYT Book Review says Northern Spy is  “…a chilling, gorgeously written tale…Berry keeps the tension almost unbearably high.”

Author Elizabeth Wetmore, New York Times bestselling author of Valentine (E49) says, “Tense, terrifying, and briskly paced, Flynn Berry’s Northern Spy is not only a thrilling tale of espionage and conflicting loyalties in a deeply divided Northern Ireland, it is also a tender and honest portrayal of those fierce, all-consuming early days of motherhood and the complicated bonds between sisters, mothers, and daughters. A stunning story, beautifully told. I couldn’t put it down.”

Flynn Berry recommends: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason; Intimacies by Irish author and playwright, Lucy Caldwell is not available in the US yet, but Caldwell’s book, Being Various, can be reserved right here.

Twitter | @flynnberry_   Instagram | @flynnberryauthor


Episode 54: Interview with author Kate Hope Day



“Feminist and thrilling, this novel centers around a precocious, brilliant character named June. I happily followed June into deep space, but I would have followed her anywhere. What a wonderful story—I highly recommend this novel.”
—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Dear Edward

Do I have your attention with that review for the fabulous In the Quick by Kate Hope Day? This is the story of one woman’s persistence despite many obstacles and the costs of human ingenuity. #TeamJune

For this episode Kate Hope Day and I talk about the book, space camp and Charles Dickens…how we get there is absolutely worth the listen. Just a great conversation, thank you so much Kate!

Kate Hope Day recommends: Wintering: the power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May; Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart; and We the Animals by Justin Torres

Please check out Kate’s website right here.

Follow her on twitter: @katehopeday and on Instagram: katehopeday


Episode 51: Interview with author Chang-rae Lee



“But at some point, we’re all extra hungry, aren’t we, if not necessarily for grub.”  ~ Tiller Bardmon

Yes, this is just one of the many gems in Chang-rae Lee’s latest, MY YEAR ABROAD. I cannot thank him enough for getting up so early to talk with me about this incredible new book, and the origins of Tiller Bardmon and Pong Lou.

Synopsis: “An everyday American college student, Tiller Bardmon, finds his life transformed by a Chinese-American businessman who unexpectedly takes him under his wing on a series of whimsical, heartbreaking and darkly shocking adventures throughout Asia. An exuberant and entertaining story of a young American on a global adventure.”   ~from Riverhead Books

What a journey is MY YEAR ABROAD, thank you so much Chang-rae Lee!

 

 


Episode 48: Interview with author Ashley Audrain



Pushing into 2021 with an incredible debut…

The Push by Ashley Audrain is not to be missed, so book clubs? Start your engines. For this episode we talked about motherhood fears, the origin story of The Push, being on the author side of publishing, and more.  Ashley Audrain, thank you so much for being our first guest of 2021!

The Push is a tour de force you will read in a sitting, an utterly immersive novel that will challenge everything you think you know about motherhood, about what we owe our children, and what it feels like when women are not believed.” ~ from Penguin Random House and I couldn’t have said it any better.

Reserve your copy of The Push here.

Ashley Audrain recommends this title: The Harpy by Mehgan Hunter, check it out!

#givealistenreadthebook

 


Episode 43 Interview with author Kathleen Rooney



I am thrilled to present this interview with Kathleen Rooney for her latest historical fiction stunner, Cher Ami And Major Whittlesey :  a tale based on true events that follows the experiences of an army officer who answers the call to service during WWI before his life and the lives of those in the Lost Battalion are astonishingly reshaped by a battlefield encounter with a messenger pigeon.

I cannot thank Kathleen Rooney enough for sitting down with me for this episode. Folks? Do not miss the unforgettable Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey.  #givealistenreadthebook

Click here to find out the latest and the greatest from Kathleen Rooney. 

Click here to place your hold for any Kathleen Rooney titles.

 

Kathleen Rooney recommends:

Trumbull Park by Frank London Brown; Hog Butcher by Ronald L. Fair


Episode 38: Interview with Liz Moore, author of Long Bright River



** This episode was recorded pre-pandemic. Apologies to Liz Moore for the late posting.**

I was absolutely thrilled to host Liz Moore for this episode. I read her book, Heft and I’ve been a fan ever since!

Her newest book, Long Bright River is a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the strong bonds that persist between place, family, and fate. Long Bright River did not start out as a literary crime thriller, and you’ll just have to listen to find out more. I can tell you that Brooklyn, NY is mentioned in our interview, but no spoilers!

Please visit Liz Moore’s website for more information about some of the themes included in the novel, such as addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and under served public schools.

I had a blast and cannot thank Liz enough for taking the time to chat with me on Top Shelf!

#GiveAListenReadtheBook

Place your holds here for all these amazing Liz Moore titles.

 


Episode 35: Interview with Matthew Norman, author of Last Couple Standing.



Book clubs, start your 2020 engines…

You all know my love for books ’bout the ‘burbs and Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman checks all the book discussion boxes: When Jessica and Mitch find out that their core group of friends are getting divorced, they find themselves as the last couple standing. This third novel by Matthew Norman asks what you would do to keep your marriage afloat?

We had such a great discussion about his writing style, the role that ensemble characters play in Last Couple Standing, and more. Norman is the also the author of We’re All Damagedand Domestic Violets.

Last Couple Standing hits shelves on Tuesday, March 17th, place your reserve now!  #GiveAListenReadtheBook

Don’t miss these:

 

 


Episode 24: Interview with Anissa Gray author of The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls



Debut author Anissa Gray sat with Top Shelf today to talk about her fabulous new book, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls.

Set to hit shelves on Tuesday, February 19th, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, is the story of the four Butler siblings who have had their share of familial trials. But Althea, Viola, Lillian, and Joe are not prepared for the literal trial that will upend their lives. This moving debut will be hard to put down.  

Merrick patrons place your hold here: https://tinyurl.com/Care-and-Feeding-Anissa-Gray

Follow Anissa Gray on her website: https://anissagray.com/meet-the-author/

#givealistenreadthebook