Tag Archives: Staff Pick

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 70: Interview with Isla Morley

August 23, 2021Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Author Interview, blue people, Book Discussion, book discussions, Isla Morley, kentucky, Pegasus Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, wpatopshelfatmerricklibrary

In this luminous historical fiction narrative inspired by the fascinating real case of the Blue People of Kentucky, Isla Morley probes questions of identity, love, and family in her breathtaking new novel.

In 1937, there are recesses in Appalachia no outsiders have ever explored. Two government-sponsored documentarians from Ohio, a writer and photographer are dispatched to penetrate this wilderness and record what they find for President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. For photographer Clay Havens, the assignment is his last chance to reboot his flagging career. So when he and his journalist partner are warned away from the remote Spooklight Holler outside of town, they set off eagerly in search of a headline story.

I was hooked from the first page, second sentence. Morley’s prose is luminous indeed and I was thrilled to host her for this episode. A must read and book club gold. Can’t thank her enough for joining me.

Isla Morley recommends, The Body by Bill Bryson; Leaving Coy’s Hill by Katherine Sherbrooke; How to Fly by Barbara Kingsolver

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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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Episode 65: Interview with Matthew Norman, 2021 Edition!

June 14, 2021Author InterviewAll Together Now, Author Interview, Ballantine Books, Beach Read, Billionaire, Book Discussion, Delaware, Fenwick Island, Friendship, Last Couple Standing, Matthew Norman, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Big Chilltopshelfatmerricklibrary

Welcome back to our E35 guest, Matthew Norman. Matthew Norman was here previously to talk about his third book, Last Couple Standing. For this episode, we talk about his latest publication, All Together Now. Please feel free to sing right along with that title! All Together Now is about a reclusive billionaire who invites his four oldest friends to their beloved Fenwick Island on the coast of Delaware to share his secret and to reveal plans to change their lives forever.

So grab your beach towels, unfold your picnic blankets and check this one out! This novel of friendship will kick off your summer reading perfectly! Can’t thank Matthew Norman enough for coming back on the show!

Reserve your copies here: All Together Now; Last Couple Standing; Domestic Violets; We’re All Damaged

Matthew Norman recommends: Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau; Station Eleven and Glass Hotel both by Emily St. Mandel; All Adult Here by Emma Straub

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Episode 64: Interview with Laurie Frankel for ONE TWO THREE

June 8, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, corporate malfeasance, Friday Reads, Henry Holt & Co, Laurie Frankel, malfeasance, One Two Three, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, tripletstopshelfatmerricklibrary

What is “normal”? Who defines “normal”?

Laurie Frankel asks these questions in all of her books, most notably for One Two Three, a book that had me absolutely riveted. We sat down to talk about the book, how humans define “normal” and so much more. I love the voices of these triplet sisters trying to make their way through insurmountable challenges.

To say I am grateful to have had this time with Laurie Frankel is an understatement. Please don’t miss this episode and do not miss One Two Three, it’s book club gold.

Laurie Frankel recommends: Stranger Care: A Memoir of Loving What Isn’t Ours by Sarah Sentilles; Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy; Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConahgy; and the Hilary Mantel Trilogy: Wolf Hall (2009), Bring up the Bodies (2012) and The Mirror and the Light (2020)

Reserve your Laurie Frankel titles here: One Two Three; This Is How It Always Is; The Atlas of Love; Goodbye For Now

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Episode 63: Interview with James Wade 2021 Edition: RIVER, SING OUT

June 8, 2021Author InterviewAll Things Left Wild, Author Interview, bad guys, Blackstone Audio, Blackstone Publishing, Book Discussion, book discussions, East Texas, Friday Reads, James Wade, Mare of Easttown, Readers Advisory, River Sing Out, Staff Pick, Texas, The Thin Mantopshelfatmerricklibrary

You all remember when James Wade joined us for E42 to discuss his debut novel, All Things Left Wild.

Well, James Wade is BACK!

He’s back on Top Shelf and he’s back to talk about his new book, River Sing Out. River Sing Out is an East Texas thriller that finds young Jonah Hargrave navigating the very depths of the river bottoms in more ways than one. Hold on to you hats folks, because once again James Wade delivers some serious bad guys in River Sing Out...one in particular is known as the Thin Man and I’m getting the chills just typing his name. So check out this episode because this southern gothic kept me glued until the very last page.

Man it was great to catch up with James Wade, and we even managed to talk about Mare of Easttown, so you’ll just have to give a listen.

James Wade recommends: The Hunting Wives by May Cobb; Joe Lansdale titles especially the forthcoming Moon Lake; and Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann

Reserve your copy of River, Sing Out ; and All Things Left Wild

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Episode 62: Interview with Steven Rowley

May 25, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, G. P. Putnam, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, Steven Rowley, The Guncletopshelfatmerricklibrary

Get your beach towels and picnic blankets ready because Steven Rowley has given us a perfect summer read. I am over the moon to have had the chance to sit down with him for his third book, The Guncle! Rowley tackles modern-day family issues with love and humor and this book is not to be missed. Think Auntie Mame for 2021, and you’ve got The Guncle.

FYI, Guncle’s Day is the second Sunday in August, so you have plenty of time to prepare!

Steven Rowley recommends: A Star is Bored by Byron Lane; Less by Andrew Sean Greer; Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris; Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead By Emily Austin

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Episode 61: Interview with May Cobb!

May 21, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, berkley publishing, Book Discussion, book discussions, East Texas, Friday Reads, martinis, May Cobb, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“In moving here, I thought I could become someone more wholesome, more grounded. Someone I could admire…as it turns out, you can’t outrun who you are.” ~ Sophie O’Neill, The Hunting Wives

“Margot is totally fiction, but she could be real…” ~ May Cobb

Yikes! Folks, pour yourself a martini, hold onto your hats and get ready for THE HUNTING WIVES. I sat down with the absolutely fabulous May Cobb to talk about her equally fabulous second book, THE HUNTING WIVES. This spoiler-free interview was a delight and I could have spoken with May all darn day. We talked about East Texas, the character of Sophie O’Neill, a bit about Margot, and I will say no more. This book is a knockout.

Thanks so much May Cobb for sitting down with me, I really hope you’ll visit again!

May Cobb recommends: River Sing Out by James Wade; The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean; The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn; and Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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