If you love reading (or writing!) novels that bring untold women’s stories to life, this week’s episode is for you. Tune into my conversation with Christina Baker Kline, whose brilliant, captivating novel The Exiles is now out in paperback.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World, Christina Baker Kline is published in 40 countries. Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today, and Slate.
You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
A powerful, emotionally resonant novel that captures the hardship, oppression, opportunity and hope of four women’s lives—three English convicts and an orphaned Aboriginal girl—in nineteenth-century Australia.
To learn more about Christina Baker Kline, follow her on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming authorevents visit http://christinabakerkline.com.
Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:
Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
Today we have a special episode with writing partners, Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz, authors of the new young adult novel Fade Into the Bright, about two sisters, one summer, and a diagnosis that changes everything.
Alyssa Embree Schwartz, from Virginia Beach, and Jessica Koosed Etting, a Los Angeles native, met at the University of Southern California and became best friends after meeting on the first day of school freshman year. After graduating and moving in together, they began a career in television writing. Following a lifelong passion for literature and fiction, Jessica and Alyssa branched into the world of Young Adult Fiction several years ago with the Georgetown Academy series, The Lost Causes, and their latest,Fade into the Bright.
You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
“Give this layered romance to readers who wished for a happy ending to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.” —School Library Journal
To learn more about Jessica and Alyssa, follow them on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming authorevents visit http://www.jessicaandalyssa.com/.
Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:
Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
Today I’m excited to share an interview with book-fluencer extraordinaire Zibby Owens. We discussed the new book she edited and contributed to, Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology, how she got started in the literary world, balancing passions for reading and writing, favorite words of wisdom from authors, and much more!
You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Order a copy of Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology on Bookshop.org.* It would make a great Mother’s Day gift for the moms in your life (or for yourself!).
To learn more about visit Zibby and follow along with all of the “Moms Don’t Have Time To” happenings visit zibbyowens.com
Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:
Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
Today we have a special episode where you’ll get the inside scoop on the upcoming Newburyport Literary Festival, which will be virtual this year.
Listen to my conversation with festival co-director Jennifer Entwistle. We chatted about the sessions she’s most looking forward to, how to watch this free festival, the literary culture in Newburyport, and much more!
You can also listen and subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
NY Times Bestselling Author Kristin Hannah joins me on the podcast this week to discuss her new novel, The Four Winds and all things bookish. Find out how Kristin got started as a writer, the inspiration behind this new book, how she feels about the new Netflix adaptation of her novel Firefly Lane, and much more!
“A spectacular tour de force of survival that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women.”
–People Magazine
Kristin is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, Winter Garden, Night Road, and Firefly Lane. A former-lawyer-turned writer, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.
The Four Winds has been a #1 bestseller everywhere, a Today Show “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick, a Book of the Month Pick, and much more.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
This week, my guest on the podcast is historical fiction author Jennifer Robson. Fans of The Gown will love her latest novel, Our Darkest Night: A Novel of Italy and the Second World .
“Robson shines with this stellar WWII story. Expert characterizations and perfect pacing are rounded out by lyrical prose … This will break readers’ hearts.” -Publishers’ Weekly Starred Review
An academic by background, a former editor by profession, and a lifelong history nerd, Jennifer Robson is now a full-time writer. She is the author of six novels set during and after the two world wars: Somewhere in France, After the War is Over, Moonlight Over Paris,Goodnight from London, The Gown, and her latest, Our Darkest Night: A Novel of Italy and the Second World War.
*A Bookish Home is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.
This week I’m sharing a post from last fall that’s chock full of great audiobook recommendations. Enjoy!
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Are you on the hunt for an audiobook so good you won’t be able to press pause? Look no further.
I’m always on the lookout for an audiobook that will draw me right in and allow for some successful bookish multitasking–reading while taking a walk or folding laundry. Here are five of my recent audiobook favorites:
1. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Narrated by Julia Whelan
From the bestselling author of The Nightingale, The Great Aloneis hands down my favorite audiobook of the year. I found myself looking forward to rush hour Boston traffic just so I could hear one more scene. The novel opens in 1974 when 13-year-old Leni moves to Alaska with her parents. The family is woefully unprepared for the emotional and physical challenges of this harsh, beautiful landscape. Leni must learn how to survive in her new surroundings–while navigating the complexities of her parents’ troubled relationship. Kirkus Reviews writes that Hannah “re-creates in magical detail the lives of Alaska’s homesteaders in both of the state’s seasons (they really only have two) and is just as specific and authentic in her depiction of the spiritual wounds of post-Vietnam America. A tour de force.” Hannah’s novel is a rare combination of exquisite writing, a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and characters that will stick with you. I highly recommend the audiobook version, Julia Whelan’s performance was exceptional.
Kristin Hannah discusses the real life inspiration behind The Great Alone in this video:
You can also listen to this interview with Kristin Hannah from WNYC:
2. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Read by Guy Lockard
My one regret aboutGhostby Jason Reynolds is that I didn’t pick it up sooner! This standout middle grade title is the first in Reynolds’ Track series and was a National Book Award finalist back in 2016, when the judges noted “In Ghost, Jason Reynolds flawlessly delivers eloquent moments of terror, anticipation and fun—clear to the finish line—without an extra word to spare. We are immersed in the backdrop of believable characters from the night Ghost Crenshaw runs for his life, to his struggle to silence the “scream inside him.” Ghost will stay with you.” I couldn’t agree more and the engaging audio narration had me hooked from chapter 1–and fittingly–adding serious mileage to my morning walk so I could listen longer. At various times the protagonist Ghost Crenshaw broke my heart and had me laughing out loud. I cannot wait to recommend this one to the kids and teens in my life and I’m sure this will be a top contender for this year’s Massachusetts Children’s Book Award program here in my state. You can also vote for Ghost as part of PBS’s Great American Read.
An excerpt of the Ghost audiobook is available to preview:
Conversational, practical nonfiction books are my favorite audiobooks to listen to and Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Doneis exactly that. If you are a podcast listener looking to dip your toe into audiobooks, I would suggest this new title by time management expert Laura Vanderkam. (In fact, you may have heard of Vanderkam from her podcast Best of Both Worlds). In her latest book, the author of 168 Hoursand I Know How She Does Itturns her attention to spending our free time wisely. She wrote about her inspiration for her book on her blog, “I first got the idea for this book in July 2016 when I was running in Bar Harbor, Maine. I had no immediate obligations for the day, and so that phrase popped into my head. I was off the clock — just like when I punched out after a shift back in my teenage minimum wage days. I wanted to explore this concept of time freedom: what makes it possible? How do busy people who feel relaxed about time structure their lives?”. For Off the Clock, Vandarkam had 900 people track their time on one day, March 27th, 2017–then analyzed the relationship between how people spent their time and how they felt about their time. Vandarkam’s findings will inspire you to turn off the television, put down your phone and invest time in the relationships and experiences that lead to a more satisfying life.
You can hear an excerpt of Off the Clock read by Vandarkam herself:
You can also listen to Vandarkam discuss the book on her Best of Both Worlds podcast with cohost Sarah Hart-Unger:
Katherine Applegate is the Newbery award-winning author of the The One and Only Ivan, one of my all-time favorite middle grade books. In Wishtree, Applegate turns her attention to a special talking tree and tackles issues of intolerance and immigration. Red, a 216-year-old oak tree and our narrator, tries to intervene after a hateful message–aimed at a Muslim family new to the neighborhood–is carved into her trunk. In a starred review Booklist calls Wishtree “Timely, necessary, and brimming with heart”. Wishtree would be an excellent choice for a classroom read aloud and the audiobook would be engaging listening for a family road trip. This one is sure to spark meaningful discussions with the kids in your life. Make sure to mention the connection to The One and Only Ivan to prospective young readers–Applegate’s earlier book is beloved.
You can listen to an excerpt of the Wishtree audiobook:
The trailer for Wishtree is extremely well done and has sparked so much enthusiasm for reading the book when I’ve shown it to 4th/5th grade classes:
5. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Narrated by Sean Crisden and Eisa Davis
Listening to An American Marriage by Tayari Jones instead of reading the print book happened by chance. I often place library holds for the print book and audiobook and read whatever becomes available first. In this case, I am so happy the audiobook won out because it was incredibly well done. The book is narrated by Sean Crisden and Eisa Davis, who read the parts of newly married Roy and Celestial–two characters whose stories take abrupt turns when Roy is wrongfully committed of a crime and sentenced to twelve years in prison. As The Washington Post notes, the questions around Celestial and Roy’s ties and responsibilities toward one another (they have only been married eighteen months) are “spun with tender patience by Jones, who cradles each of these characters in a story that pulls our sympathies in different directions.”
You can watch Oprah share this title as her book club pick and hear Tayari Jones discuss her inspiration for the book in this clip from CBS This Morning:
What audiobooks would you recommend? Let me know in the comments or on your favorite social media platform. I’m @ABookishHome.
One of my favorite authors, Laura Vanderkam, returns to the podcast this week to discuss her new book, Juliet’s School of Possibilities, which is a time management fable. Laura is the author of several other time management and productivity books, including Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done as well as I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. Laura’s work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Fortune. She is the host of the podcast Before Breakfast and the co-host, with Sarah Hart-Unger, of the podcast Best of Both Worlds. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and four children, and blogs at LauraVanderkam.com.
I am always on board for a new title by Laura Vanderkam. Her books have completely changed the way I approach managing my time and I can’t recommend them highly enough. When I heard that her next book was a fable, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it completely exceeded my expectations. Juliet’s School of Possibilitieshas the feel of a novel, while also imparting key aspects of Vanderkam’s time management philosophy.
Since it is a quick, enjoyable read, this is a perfect book to dip your toe into Vanderkam’s work and finish feeling motivated to make some changes. It would also be perfect to read as a staff and then discuss.
You can also listen to this episode on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you’re enjoying the podcast, be sure to subscribe and rate and review on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Are you reading a book mentioned on the blog or podcast? I’d love to hear. Tag me on Twitter or Instagram@ABookishHome.
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This Thursday, I’ll be sharing an interview with Ann Braden on the podcast, author of the incredible middle grade novel, The Benefits of Being An Octopus.
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Have you set a reading resolution for 2019? I’d love to hear! Tag me on Twitter or Instagram @ABookishHome. My goal for the year will be to read two books a week.
Affiliate links for Amazon are used in this post. At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you purchase an item through some of the links provided. Thanks for supporting A Bookish Home!
From the bestselling author of The Nightingale, 
Katherine Applegate is the Newbery award-winning author of the The One and Only Ivan, one of my all-time favorite middle grade books. In 
![Juliet's School of Possibilities: A Little Story About the Power of Priorities by [Vanderkam, Laura]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EppUUeUkL.jpg)
A Bookish Home Podcast 