Bookreporter Talks To

Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. This multilayered domestic thriller explores family secrets, identity, the meaning of motherhood, and the search for happy endings. The story centers on two sisters, Eliza and Bea Ramsey, the sole survivors of a plane crash that killed their parents. When Bea disappears on the 11th anniversary of the tragedy, Eliza must find Bea while caring for her 11-year-old niece, Piper. The book was inspired by Hank reflecting on lying to her mother as a teenager and then wondering if her mother had also lied to her — questioning the truth of family history and legacy. Additional creative inspirations came from Hank's mother reading stories aloud and always saying "the end," prompting Hank to wonder what happened after that. Hank discusses writing in first person as akin to method acting — fully inhabiting Eliza's perspective — and describes the "Hank DNA" as stories about smart, savvy women who have the rug pulled out from under them and must reclaim their power. She also talks about the audiobook, which is narrated by Stevi Incremona. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/AZykCEM0ojE Chris Bohjalian: https://youtu.be/VnRpBPFctY0 Nadia Hashimi: https://youtu.be/uxVRLLQY1oA Sophie Chen Keller: https://youtu.be/bWMs3VWUC4A Ben Reeves: https://youtu.be/Jsr5c3WQPuQ Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Shari Lapena joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, which is an instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller, as well as a "number one" library hold and a Goodreads "most wanted to read" title. It also is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. For Carol, Shari's books are always "one-sit reads," meaning that once she starts them, they are propulsive enough that she does not stop until they have been read in full. GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER centers on Jill and Ted, a privileged Manhattan couple who live in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone. Shari chose this as their home due to her personal fascination with these properties, using a coffee table book of floor plans and history for research. The two kill Ted's wealthy older brother, Greg (setting it up to look like a sailing accident), in order to inherit his estate and preserve their lifestyle. The settings throughout the book become characters of their own, and it is very interesting to see how this murder affects each character. Paul Ramirez, a special agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service, immediately senses that Jill and Ted are lying, and he makes it his mission to rattle their cage, even though he lacks evidence. Their cleaning lady, Nadya Sokolov, is a Russian immigrant and has intimate knowledge of the household. Paul and Nadya serve as foils to Jill and Ted, representing working-class perspectives that expose the couple's carelessness and privilege. Audio listeners, please note: A bonus interview between Shari and narrator January LaVoy is included at the end of the audiobook, recorded remotely between Toronto and a US studio — their first interaction despite multiple collaborations. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Chris Bohjalian: https://youtu.be/VnRpBPFctY0 Nadia Hashimi: https://youtu.be/uxVRLLQY1oA Sophie Chen Keller: https://youtu.be/bWMs3VWUC4A Ben Reeves: https://youtu.be/Jsr5c3WQPuQ Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Chris Bohjalian joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his new novel, THE AMATEUR, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. He wrote in an "alchemic frenzy" over 90 days in the summer of 2024 without telling anyone — not his wife, daughter, editor or agents — until it was finished. It's his most autobiographical book in nature as he mined the days he spent as a "spectacular golf caddie" when he was in high school, earning $40–$50 a day, staying fit, and reading during breaks. Chris explains that his second summer at this job made him acutely aware of how golf displays the class divide in America as he was caddying for his classmates' parents. In THE AMATEUR, Mira Winston hits a golf ball at a driving range. It goes through a net and kills 17-year-old caddie Kenny Foster by rupturing an artery. Chris shares that this prologue reads as if it is a third-person omniscient novel discussing the history of golf balls and country clubs, until the final sentences reveal Mira as the narrator. The book's title carries multiple meanings, including class elitism in golf culture and broader themes about Mira's identity and choices. Her first-person voice was a deliberate and central creative choice, enabling both wit and deep psychological complexity. The 1978 setting is integral to the novel's exploration of gender inequality, the dismissal of female athletes, and the systemic failure of adults to protect young women. Chris acknowledges that THE AMATEUR, though based on his adolescence, is now considered historical fiction — a reflection of how much the world has changed. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Nadia Hashimi: https://youtu.be/uxVRLLQY1oA Sophie Chen Keller: https://youtu.be/bWMs3VWUC4A Ben Reeves: https://youtu.be/Jsr5c3WQPuQ Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Nadia Hashimi joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, CITY OF WIDOWS, a Bookreporter Bets On selection set in Afghanistan, a place that she previously wrote about. While the book looks back in time, the arc of it moves towards the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, focusing on Afghan female soldiers, journalists, and the chaos of evacuation. Nadia talks about the shock of the total Taliban takeover — many had hoped for a power-sharing arrangement — and the rapid reversal of 20 years of progress for women. Marjan, Nadia's protagonist, had been a soldier in an elite unit of women serving with the Afghan army working with the Americans. As the Taliban advance toward Kabul in the summer of 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal announcement, Marjan and her unit go from hunters to hunted, facing a ticking clock to escape or find safety. She is on the run with her daughter, Hawa, hoping to get on one of the last planes leaving Kabul for the U.S. Nadia talks about the City of Widows, a place in Afghanistan where widowed women built their own homes on a hill, away from the city, creating an independent community. The Taliban's restrictions are deliberate and systematic, designed to suppress potential backlash by eliminating women's access to education, community and economic participation. Nadia notes that international outrage about what has happened in Afghanistan has faded, which she describes as "the heartbreaking part." The book grew from direct personal involvement in the evacuation crisis and a desire to highlight the hidden complexity and agency of Afghan women. CITY OF WIDOWS is a stand-alone novel but rewards readers of THE PEARL THAT BROKE ITS SHELL with a deeper understanding of Marjan's origins and transformation. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Sophie Chen Keller: https://youtu.be/bWMs3VWUC4A Ben Reeves: https://youtu.be/Jsr5c3WQPuQ Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Sophie Chen Keller joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, LITTLE WONDER, which was published by Jenna Bush Hager's imprint, Thousand Voices. It is an Oprah's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Song, a migrant worker, and her 11-year-old piano prodigy son, River, are separated in a massive crowd at a Beijing train station on the busiest travel day of the year. The story follows both characters over the years as they search for each other while building separate lives. Sophie describes LITTLE WONDER as being about motherhood, music, and the love between a mother and a child. She shares that she was born in rural northeastern China, was raised in the US, lived in Beijing, and is now residing in Germany. Her own experiences as a mother and a pianist deeply informed the novel. Carol and Sophie's conversation also touches on themes of longing, stage fright, social inequality in China, and the COVID-19 pandemic as portrayed in the book. And yes, Sophie explains what she was doing when she got the call from Oprah. The interview that Oprah taped with Sophie was her first real exposure to reader reactions. She found the audience's questions to be surprising and insightful as they made connections she had not anticipated. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Ben Reeves: https://youtu.be/Jsr5c3WQPuQ Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Ben Reeves joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his debut novel, EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTFUL AND NOTHING HURT, which is an instant New York Times bestseller, a #1 Indie Next pick, and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The book reimagines the Grim Reaper as a compassionate, ordinary man named Travis who spends time with people before they die, exploring themes of life, death, grief and regret. It ultimately makes readers question if they are truly living the life they want and focusing on what matters. The book won the Bath Novel Award in 2024, which launched Ben's publishing journey after 20 years of writing. Ben notes that he is always personally preoccupied with whether or not he is using his time well, and he wanted to unpack that through storytelling — encouraging readers to "wake up" by contemplating mortality. He also explains why he brought two characters to the forefront of the story: a midwife and her daughter. Carol praises the final chapter as the most impactful part of the novel and urges readers to give it a lot of thought. She sees it as the emotional and philosophical culmination of the book's message about living intentionally. Ben also shares that he is working on a new project. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Rachel Beanland joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel , THE HALF LIFE, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. This is the third time that Carol has interviewed Rachel. Her previous books, FLORENCE ADLER SWIMS FOREVER and THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE, were Bets On picks as well. THE HALF LIFE follows Eileen O'Malley, a 23-year-old woman from Charleston who marries a naval officer named Paul Archer and moves to La Maddalena, Italy, in 1974. Rachel drew heavily from her own childhood experiences living on La Maddalena as a Navy family member, as well as a 2019 research trip back to the island. The interview covers the book's various themes: coming of age, sexual awakening, military wife culture, Cold War politics, grief and self-discovery. Rachel had a clear picture of Eileen from the start — a questioning, unfulfilled young woman who had not yet come of age when she married — and was thinking about her mother, a Navy wife who resisted many of the expected social obligations, as she was shaping the character. She found Paul relatively easy to write, but it took several attempts to define Teo, who ultimately serves as an honest, non-performative counterpoint to Paul. The full cast of characters reflects the range of ways that women responded to the constraints of military life. Their relationships are complex and not always harmonious. And yes, there actually was a book called THE NAVY WIFE: What She Ought to Know About the Customs of the Service and the Management of a Navy Household, which Eileen receives as a wedding gift. Carol and Rachel also discuss the Epilogue, which is very powerful, as well as the choice of the title, which resonates on many levels. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lisa Scottoline joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, a domestic thriller centered on female friendship, murder and identity. A Bookreporter Bets On selection, it features two best friends — Julia and Courtney — who investigate the murder of Courtney's grandmother in rural Pennsylvania. Lisa describes the book as the "twistiest" she has ever written, with multiple layers of plot and character development. The friendship between Julia and Courtney is the emotional core of the story. They met in high school as outsiders and have sustained each other ever since. Lisa says that female friendships are often undervalued despite being a primary source of support through life's challenges. She highlights this line from the book: "Maybe girlfriends are there to fill in your blind spot." Bennie Rosato, who was in 17 of Lisa's previous novels, adds a third strong female voice and embodies the theme of fighting for justice over mere legal compliance. Lisa also shares details about the various locations in the book. The historical setting is not decorative but thematically essential, connecting personal history, regional history and national history. The audiobook features five narrators — Maria Marquis, Kate Burton (Richard Burton's daughter, who again is voicing the character of Bennie Rosato), Soneela Nankani, Stacy Carolan and Max Meyers — which marks the first time that Lisa has used a multicast format. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

John Searles joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his new novel, SINGLE GIRLS, a work of dramatic fiction set in the 1960s. It focuses on Helen Gurley Brown and the team of women she assembled who transformed Cosmopolitan into one of the best-selling magazines of all time. A Bookreporter Bets On selection, the book has been compared to "Mad Men" and "Sex and the City." John worked at Cosmopolitan and shares his encounters with Helen through the years. The novel is deeply informed by real events, Helen's memoirs, published biographies, and his personal knowledge of the editors who worked there. John had always wanted to write about Helen and had told her so during their friendship, but he had been constrained by publishing expectations to stay within his established genre: suspense/thrillers. The audiobook is narrated by his friend, Amy Ryan, who starred in the film adaptation of his earlier novel, STRANGE BUT TRUE. Carol worked at Mademoiselle , and during their conversation, she shares her background there and how she navigated her early career before leaving Condé Nast and starting The Book Report Network almost 30 years ago. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Jenny Jackson joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, THE SHAMPOO EFFECT, which was announced as July's "Read with Jenna" Book Club pick on the day of this interview. Set in a seaside Massachusetts town inspired by Ipswich, where Jenny grew up, the book explores themes of friendship, romantic entanglement, generational differences, imposter syndrome, and coming of age in one's 30s. Jenny talks about her writing process and balancing her role as Vice President and Editorial Director of Fiction at Alfred A. Knopf with her writing career. Carol notes the book's layered, unfolding mystery quality, with readers constantly wondering about character connections and motivations. Jenny knew key character traits from the start — Caroline's complicated relationship with her mother, Bailey's fierce independence, Augusta's traditional old-money conservatism, and Fran's exasperated, low-maintenance personality (partly inspired by her best friend). Rotating points of view is central to Jenny 's authorial voice and thematic goals, and the characters' backstories were largely established before writing. Jenny discusses how the book captures shifting attitudes toward sexuality and parenting across generations. And she also shares the origins of the title. Carol selected THE SHAMPOO EFFECT as a Bookreporter Bets On pick, just as she did Jenny 's debut novel, PINEAPPLE STREET. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Beatriz Williams joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, WHEN YOU LOVED ME, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Set on fictional Winthrop Island, this multilayered story combines historical fiction, mystery, romance and family drama. The Winthrop Island series has allowed Beatriz to build a rich, interconnected world where characters evolve across multiple books. WHEN YOU LOVED ME has a piece that will have readers marveling at how the island's inhabitants survived during a harsh winter when the snow was unrelenting. Beatriz talks about the deliberate choices behind the novel's multiple narrative perspectives, as well as the multicast recording for the audiobook. She shares personal background on her football experience at Stanford, which directly inspired the character of Ben Ressler, an NFL player at the center of the story. And towards the end of the interview, Beatriz reveals what's next for her. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Bruce Holsinger joined us for June's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event to discuss his national bestseller, CULPABILITY, which was a Bookreporter Bets On selection when it released last July. This suspenseful family drama is about moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence. Bruce offered many interesting tidbits about the origin of the book's plot, title and cover art, and he described the moment when he found out that it was going to be an Oprah's Book Club pick. Six readers joined the conversation on camera with questions about Bruce's storytelling and comments on how AI has quickly infused our lives. They also talked about how they related to the novel's various characters. We closed out the program with Bruce sharing what's next for him. Please note that this is our last "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event of the season as we will be taking July and August off. We will be back in September and will announce our author guest as soon as the details have been confirmed. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lori Foster talks to Carol Fitzgerald about her latest novel, THE LAKE HOUSE, which our reviewer Bronwyn Miller says "would be perfect to toss into your bag as you head to the beach or the lake, or as you're relaxing in your yard when you need a sweet escape from the everyday." Set in Bramble, Kentucky, it's the second installment in her Firefly Summer series, following last year's THE GUEST COTTAGE (though it easily can be read as a stand-alone title). Lori talks about being a linear writer, allowing the story to bring her along. The role of her new character, Brogan Rafferty, as an inexperienced caregiver provides both emotional depth and comic relief, grounding the novel in relatable human experiences. Amusingly, Lori enlisted her loved ones during a Sunday gathering to help her do the math on the ages of her characters across these two books, which became a fun family activity. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lisa See joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. This time, Lisa explores the idea of female friendship as told by three different Chinese women — Moon, Dove and Petal — who were inspired by real people. The book is rooted in the 1871 Chinese Massacre in Los Angeles, which has been largely erased from public memory and not taught in history classes. Lisa first explored the massacre over 30 years ago while researching ON GOLD MOUNTAIN, where it appeared in a single paragraph. She was later invited by the mayor to serve on an advisory board for a memorial commemorating what became known as the "Night of Horrors." The novel grew from both deep personal family history and a sense of compulsion to recover a deliberately suppressed historical event. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Ruta Sepetys talks about her ninth book and first adult novel, A FORTUNE OF SAND, with Carol Fitzgerald. Set in 1920s Detroit during the Prohibition era, the story is centered on the wealthy Lennox automotive dynasty behaving badly and accumulating power. The youngest daughter, Marjorie, uncovers a web of family secrets. The book is rooted in deep historical research, and explores themes of power, impermanence, control, and the fragility of constructed legacies in Detroit during this time period. Ruta discusses the control exerted over women during the era, often framed as "safeguarding" but functioning as suppression of creative and personal autonomy. She and Carol have a longstanding professional relationship dating back to her debut YA novel, BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. Ruta notes that the cover design — Honolulu Blue and silver — is a nod to Detroit. She also shares that the "Dear Coco" interstitial letters throughout were part of the original manuscript and come together meaningfully at the end. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Wally Lamb joined us for May's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event to discuss his instant New York Times bestseller, THE RIVER IS WAITING, which is now available in paperback. It also is an Oprah's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Wally explained how he came to write this story and how his time working with incarcerated women in the prison system influenced his work. A number of readers joined us to share their thoughts on the book and how it affected them in powerful ways. (Please note: Spoilers are included.) Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Kathryn Stockett joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new novel, THE CALAMITY CLUB, her first book since THE HELP (which was published in 2009) and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The story is set in Mississippi during the Great Depression and follows a group of scrappy, strong-willed women who work together to conquer challenges they face, knowing that there are no men to save them. The novel also addresses the societal expectations and hypocrisies of the 1920s and '30s. Kathryn balances the book's serious historical themes with humor. Initially she tried to write a cautious, bland tale that was different from THE HELP to avoid similar criticism, but she realized after a number of years that it lacked heart. Kathryn also discusses the novel's length, which she justifies by the character development and story complexity. She drew a lot of inspiration from her own mother, to whom THE CALAMITY CLUB is dedicated. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Laura Dave joined us for a "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event to discuss her instant New York Times bestseller, THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM, a Reese's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Laura shared how she came to write the sequel to THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME and what matters to her when it comes to writing and her writing process. She also talked about the screen adaptations of her books, giving readers a great deal of insight into how those are created. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Susan Patterson joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB, which she wrote with her husband, James Patterson. Set in Lake Como, Italy, the story revolves around four mothers and their five daughters, exploring mother-daughter relationships through a book club. Three of the mothers met at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is Susan 's alma mater. The book evolved naturally from the success and themes of their previous collaboration, THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER. Susan and James decided to structure chapters by character point of view to make it easier for readers to follow multiple characters. Lake Como was selected because it represents one of the most beautiful places, with a perfect landscape, mountains, water and food. Please note that some of the questions for this interview came from readers who won an advance copy of the book in a previous Bookreporter contest. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lisa Ridzén joined us from Sweden for a "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event about her internationally bestselling debut novel, WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH, which also was the Swedish Book of the Year and a Bookreporter Bets On pick. This was a very special program with smart questions from our readers. Lisa was completely engaged and brilliantly shared her inspiration for writing the book. She also talked about having a work in translation as it originally was written in Swedish and is now published in 45 countries. The enthusiasm from our attendees was clear, and there was lots of agreement on why it is a great book group selection, as well as one where the message will stay with you. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Jane Harper: https://youtu.be/PTqqPXbbX8A Devi S. Laskar: https://youtu.be/FR-6fGxBUS4 Allison Pataki: https://youtu.be/5I4q_OFCiTg Patricia Finn: https://youtu.be/QhZagqICgU4 Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions