Bookreporter Talks To

Patricia Finn joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her novel, THE GOLDEN BOY, a complex, non-linear narrative about marriage, friendship and redemption that spans multiple timelines. The book explores themes of memory, identity, exile and atonement through the lives of Stafford and Agnes, a wealthy couple who are living on Maui when readers first meet them. The novel's structure consists of three parts: marriage (a 24-hour period on Maui), friendship (non-linear memories) and found family. This is Patricia's first novel at the age of 71, and she talks about how her background — which includes television writing, ghostwriting, corporate communications and crisis management — informs her literary approach. She notes that she used the real-life trial of Steven Truscott from 1959 to explore themes of justice and moral choices. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: 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 Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: 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 J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 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

Lily King joined us for February's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her most recent novel, HEART THE LOVER, which is an instant New York Times bestseller and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Eight readers joined us on camera to ask Lily questions about the plot and its various twists (spoilers ARE included), as well as character development, her writing process, the book's title and cover, and much more. Other members of the audience, who submitted their questions via Zoom's Q&A feature, were curious to know about Lily's involvement with the production of the audiobook (which is narrated by Rebecca Lowman) and what she's most proud of about HEART THE LOVER. Lily is currently on vacation, so we really appreciate her taking the time to join us. Carol and Tom loved the lively conversation and the enthusiasm that our readers continue to show for this book. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: 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 Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: 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 J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

Sadeqa Johnson joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN. Like her earlier two works of historical fiction, it is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Sadeqa shares that she found a piece about the Brown Babies when she was doing research for THE HOUSE OF EVE. The story was calling to her, but she put it aside to finish that book. She learned more about the Brown Babies and Mabel Grammer, the inspiration for her character Ethel Gathers, in both Ebony and Jet magazines. Bringing these children from Germany to the United States brought lots of press; there is even a documentary called Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story. Sadeqa talks about crafting the three different characters the way that she did and the challenge of parsing their stories together. She also expresses her love of the audiobook, which features three voice actors --- Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton and Adam Lazarre-White --- the latter of whom she came to admire when he narrated S. A. Cosby's work. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: 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 Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: 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 J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

Wendy Walker joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new thriller, BLADE, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is set in the world of competitive figure skating. The novel, which draws from Wendy's personal experience as a competitive figure skater (she trained in Colorado from ages 13 to 16), features alternating timelines that follow attorney Ana Robbins, who returns to her former skating facility to defend a young skater accused of murder. Wendy talks about the book's themes of isolation, the pressure on young athletes, and the psychological impact of competitive sports. The dual-timeline structure allows readers to see connections between past and present events. And with the Winter Olympics airing, she touches on the importance of nailing the triple axel. Wendy has expanded her career to include producing audio originals. She shares how creating audio content differs from writing novels, including being able to rewrite lines during recording sessions, and various writing techniques, such as minimizing dialogue tags. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: 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 J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

Ashley Elston joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her New York Times bestseller, ANATOMY OF AN ALIBI, which also is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Ashley reveals that she rewrote the book three times, changing structure, timeline and point of view. She shares the character she began with, and how the others evolved, as well as what stayed the same from the very start. Ashley was thinking about the Murdaugh family murders and how technology can help with an alibi as much as it can hurt it. She confirms that she is under contract for a new book and updates us on what is happening with the film/TV development deal for her 2024 novel, FIRST LIE WINS. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: 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 J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

Paula McLain joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, SKYLARK. Paula has been enthralled with Paris since her 2011 bestseller, THE PARIS WIFE. Her new book features dual timelines set in Paris --- one in 1664 and the other in the 1940s during the Nazi occupation. The characters face parallel struggles across different time periods. Both storylines address how people find meaning and hope through connections with others. In SKYLARK, the underground tunnels beneath Paris serve as a space of refuge and resistance throughout history. Paula conducted extensive research, including physically exploring the city's underground tunnel network. She wanted to create a "drilled-down view" of Paris rather than the glamorous cafés portrayed in her earlier work. In addition to talking about how she worked with her editor, Peter Borland, to weave the two stories together, Paula discusses the audiobook narration by Alexa Davalos and Michiel Huisman, both of whom captured the emotional essence of the characters. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: 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 J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

Allen Levi joined us for January's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss his New York Times bestselling debut novel, THEO OF GOLDEN. The audience clearly was mesmerized by the insight he gave into the characters and setting. Allen talked about his inspiration for writing the book and expressed his appreciation for how it has resonated with so many people. He thoughtfully responded to a number of reader questions. Some were asked by attendees who appeared on the virtual stage, while Carol Fitzgerald shared questions and comments from those who were camera-shy or weren't able to attend. Allen also updated us on the project that he is working on now --- and yes, it features Ellen. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

Belle Burden joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her memoir, STRANGERS, which details how her husband abruptly left their marriage during the early days of the pandemic. The book, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection, chronicles Belle's journey from shock and grief to rebuilding her life as a writer and single mother. Belle started writing about her experience after her divorce was finalized in 2022, feeling "a burning need to write down what had happened." She initially wrote a piece for the New York Times "Modern Love" column, which ran in June 2023. Following the article's publication, Belle was contacted by editors who suggested turning it into a book. The trauma of her divorce reconnected her with her desire to write, which she had abandoned in college. She explains how the divorce affected her children and her approach to parenting through the crisis. Belle admits that she handed over financial authority to her husband, despite her being a former corporate lawyer. She has advised her daughters to "never let go of their own financial authority." Belle sees her memoir as reclaiming her narrative rather than letting others define her story. She connects her experience to broader patterns of women's silence and how it allows others to control their narratives. For her, writing the book was an act of agency and authenticity. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

Rebecca Armitage joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her debut novel, THE HEIR APPARENT, which was a Reese's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Rebecca describes the book as a modern-day fairy tale. Lexi, who is living in Tasmania and training to be a doctor, is summoned home after a skiing accident kills her father and critically injures her brother. Her grandmother is the Queen of England; she is the heir apparent and must return to London. Carol loved the cinematic opening scene with the helicopter landing to whisk Lexi away from her life in Australia. Rebecca drew upon her experience as a journalist covering the royal family to create an authentic portrayal of their lives. The story centers on Lexi's decision between duty to the crown and personal freedom, complicated by a secret that could prevent her from taking the throne. The relationships in the book highlight the sacrifices required by royal life and explore whether or not genuine connections can survive within the constraints of the monarchy. Rebecca discusses the Australian setting, particularly Tasmania, and its significance in the book. She shares that she moved to Tasmania during the pandemic and realized that it was the perfect place for Lexi's escape. There is a contrast between controlled palace life and Tasmania's wild, natural environment. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

Carol Fitzgerald shares commentary about her 42 Bookreporter Bets On selections from 2025. These are books that she is betting Bookreporter readers will love! (* means a video/podcast interview with that author is available.)  Fiction Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall * The Correspondent by Virginia Evans * The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb Heart the Lover by Lily King * Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins * Culpability by Bruce Holsinger * The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage (* to come) Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson * More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova * What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange * When the Cranes Fly South written by Lisa Ridzén, translated by Alice Menzies What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown Pictures of You by Clare Leslie Hall * Days You Were Mine by Clare Leslie Hall *  Historical Fiction The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis * Atmosphere: A Love Story, by Taylor Jenkins Reid One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter * Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray * The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman * Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton * Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely? by Sarah McCoy Thrillers & Mysteries The Doorman by Chris Pavone * Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow * Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark * All This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan * The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney Saltwater by Katy Hays * Please Don't Lie by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict * The Oligarch's Daughter by Joseph Finder * The Break-In by Katherine Faulkner The Note by Alafair Burke The Maid's Secret: A Maid Novel, by Nita Prose * Memoirs & Other Nonfiction Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, by Michelle Horton * Seeking Shelter: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America, by Jeff Hobbs * This Happened to Me: A Reckoning, by Kate Price Boat Baby: A Memoir, by Vicky Nguyen * Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

Carol Fitzgerald and Tom Donadio talked to eight Bookreporter reviewers about two of their favorite books of 2025. Our guests were Sarah Rachel Egelman, Megan Elliott, Harvey Freedenberg, Pamela Kramer, Bronwyn Miller, Rebecca Munro, Norah Piehl and Stuart Shiffman. Kate Ayers and Ray Palen, who have appeared on previous programs, were not able to join us live. But we showed Ray's presentation on video, and we shared Kate's picks, along with brief excerpts from her reviews of those books. Their selections cover a wide variety of genres, and there may be a few books you haven't heard of that you will want to check out. You can see a list of the featured titles, along with their covers, here: https://www.bookreporter.com/sites/default/files/Bookaccino_Live_Special_Event_Bookreporter_Reviewers_Share_Their_Favorite_Books_of_2025.pdf Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

Vicky Nguyen joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her memoir, BOAT BABY, which is about her experience as a Vietnamese refugee who came to America as an eight-month-old "boat baby" in 1979. She talks about the challenges of growing up as a child of immigrants, navigating cultural differences, and her path to becoming an NBC News correspondent. The interview includes honest conversation about multi-generational living, parenting approaches across cultures, and the importance of maintaining immigrant values while assimilating. Vicky emphasizes how her parents' work ethic, optimism and risk-taking shaped her career and personal life. Here is a link to the "Today" show piece where Vicky and her family met up with the couple from Eugene, Oregon, who sponsored them when they came to America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqc3jREhovE Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

Clare Leslie Hall joined us for November's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her New York Times bestseller, BROKEN COUNTRY, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that has received numerous "Best Of 2025" accolades. Clare talks about her inspiration for the novel, as well as the different paths that she took to writing it. She shares details on the development of her characters and explains how the trial was woven throughout the pages. She also touches on her earlier books, PICTURES OF HIM and DAYS YOU WERE MINE, which released this summer in the US as trade paperbacks. PLEASE NOTE: Spoilers are included in this program! Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI 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

Brisa Carleton joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her debut novel, LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The inspiration for the book came when Brisa was visiting The Savoy Hotel in London more than a decade ago. She saw a footnote about Ada Coleman in a cocktail menu and was surprised that so little information existed about her. Ada was a prominent mixologist at the hotel from 1903 to 1925, and she invented many cocktails, including the "Hanky Panky." Brisa discusses writing a dual timeline for the book: the historical story about Ada and the modern one featuring Cinnamon Scott, an aspiring New York writer who travels to London to help her pregnant sister, Rosemary, at The Savoy. An award-winning Broadway producer with three Tony wins to her credit, Brisa also talks about her role as a producer and how it differs from being a writer. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI 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

Alex DeMille joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss THE TIN MEN, the third installment in the Scott Brodie & Maggie Taylor series, which he wrote with his father, Nelson DeMille. Set at a fictional military base in the Mojave Desert, the book explores autonomous weapons and AI in warfare. Alex explains what drew him to set a thriller in the American Southwest and fills us in on the research trip that he took there. He talks about the themes of humanity versus technology in warfare, which he and Nelson wanted to address. Alex also shares his personal reflections on completing the book while grieving his father's death. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI 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

Paula Hawkins joined us for October's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her most recent thriller, THE BLUE HOUR, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. Readers asked questions before and during the program, and we covered a lot of details, including the meaning of the book's title. Paula shares her love of art and how much she enjoys visiting museums as she travels. THE BLUE HOUR got its start when she was on a vacation; she saw a remote island and thought about what could happen in a place like that. Paula explains how she creates her characters and their backstories. And yes, she talks about what those blue lights at the end of the novel might mean. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs 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

Lily King joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, the instant New York Times bestseller HEART THE LOVER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Lily shares that she was working on a political murder mystery that came to a grinding halt when she got a manuscript from Ann Patchett, which led her to write college scenes that were the start of HEART THE LOVER. She talks about a significant plot point that was changed in the manuscript about 12 days before the book was submitted, as well as the long path to getting the right cover. She also touches on how this book is a companion to her previous work, WRITERS & LOVERS. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs 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

Amy Neff joined us for September's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her debut novel, THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. Amy worked on this book for more than a decade, starting with writing in a notebook in Central Park when she was in her 20s. She talks about her own extended family and how their beach vacations (where picnics were held in the garage) influenced her writing about a long marriage, though she is only in her late 30s. Amy also shares that she developed the chapters with the three children later in the writing process. There is a lot of conversation about the ending; readers want to know if that had changed over the course of her writing. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc 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

Virginia Evans joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her debut novel, THE CORRESPONDENT. Virginia always saw the book as having an epistolary format, and she wrote it as readers are seeing it, with one letter after another. Carol thought this style worked for the storytelling as it allowed for pacing and for different aspects of Sybil's life, and the world as she knows it now, to be explored. Virginia loved that Carol picked up on one detail that no one else has mentioned in an interview or a review. Carol listened to the audiobook recording, which features a 13-person ensemble cast, and enjoyed it so much that it's a Bookreporter Bets On selection in audio. It already has been named an AudioFile Earphones Award Winner and an Audible Best of the Year (So Far) selection. In a moment of what seemed like kismet, THE CORRESPONDENT was announced as a New York Times bestseller a few hours after Carol and Virginia spoke. As it was published in April, and the interview was recorded in September, it shows that the book has been growing its readership over the past five months. Amazing! Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc 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

Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest thriller, ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS. This Bookreporter Bets On selection follows Tessa Calloway, a debut author on a book tour who discovers she may have a stalker. The idea for the book came from Hank's own experiences on book tours, including the realization that her public schedule and locations potentially could be misused for harmful purposes. Hank discusses the creative process behind the novel, including how Annabelle's voice unexpectedly emerged while she was writing and became integral to the plot. She also shares insights about the audiobook narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen, emphasizing the challenge of finding a voice that effectively immerses readers in the story. And she reveals details about a new book that is in progress. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Megan Abbott: https://youtu.be/IXRkJuh3_eU Kaira Rouda: https://youtu.be/0P_bOFWTFQ8 Jeanine Cummins: https://youtu.be/sZL0N-UuChk Julie Clark: https://youtu.be/L3MTzzyFcG4 Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/GScWl6dBexk Chris Pavone: https://youtu.be/8icmR8CaYBk Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg Marjan Kamali: https://youtu.be/ePn3taNUHRI Anna Quindlen: https://youtu.be/OgMczT4JlTs Lisa Wingate: https://youtu.be/X4RKP3mT4Rc 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