Category: Summer Reading

Ep. 107: Julia Glass, Author of Vigil Harbor

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This week, I was honored to get to talk all things books and writing with the National Book Award–winning, best-selling author of Three Junes, Julia Glass. Her masterful new novel, Vigil Harbor, is set in a fictional version of Marblehead, Massachusetts ten years in the future and explores climate instability, political violence, and domestic upheavals. Tune in to go behind the book with us.

 

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“In her new novel, Julia Glass gathers a combustible cast of characters, places them ten years from now, and strikes a match. Fast-paced, immersive, and imaginatively daring, Vigil Harbor is a brave look at our climate perils, our political moment, and our deep dependence on one another.” —Lily King, author of Writers & Lovers

 

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

JULIA GLASS is the author of six previous books of fiction, including the best-selling Three Junes, winner of the National Book Award, and I See You Everywhere, winner of the Binghamton University John Gardner Fiction Book Award. Other published works include the Kindle Single Chairs in the Rafters and essays in several anthologies. A recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Glass is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at Emerson College. She lives with her family in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Learn more at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/10192/julia-glass/.

 

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.

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 105: Annabel Monaghan, Author of Nora Goes Off Script

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Today my guest is Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script, a heartwarming and hilarious novel about a divorced romance channel screenwriter whose script about her marriage’s collapse just might help her reclaim her life and find love.


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“Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan is funny and smart, with a Nancy Meyers–movie quality you’ll love and a main character you’ll want to befriend. This is the perfect easy-breezy, feel-good read.” —Real Simple

 

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

Annabel Monaghan is the author of two Young Adult novels and Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?, a selection of laugh-out-loud columns that appeared in the Huffington Post, The Week, and The Rye Record. Nora Goes Off Script is her adult debut novel. She lives in Rye, New York, with her family. Learn more at http://annabelmonaghan.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.

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 103: Alena Dillon, Author of My Body is a Big Fat Temple

Posted in Reading Life, Summer ReadingLeave a comment

My guest this week is Alena Dillon, author of My Body is a Big Fat Temple, a laugh out loud memoir of pregnancy and early motherhood that is also thought-provoking, powerful, and a bit like an older sister taking you aside to tell you what to really expect.

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“Alena Dillon is one of my favorite writers and to read her journey through pregnancy is a great joy and heartbreak.”―Amy Schumer

 

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

Alena Dillon is the author of Mercy House, a Library Journal Best Book of 2020, which has been optioned as a Paramount+ television series produced by Amy Schumer, as well as The Happiest Girl in the World, and My Body Is A Big Fat Temple, a memoir of pregnancy and early parenting, forthcoming from Woodhall Press October 2021. Alena’s work has appeared in publications including LitHub, River Teeth, Slice Magazine, The Rumpus, The Doctor TJ Eckleburg Review, and Bustle. She teaches creative writing and lives on the north shore of Boston with her husband, son, black lab, and lots of books. Learn more at alenadillon.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.

 

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 102: Lindsey J. Palmer, Author of Reservations for Six

Posted in Reading Life, Summer ReadingLeave a comment

This week, tune in to hear Lindsey Palmer discuss her new novel, Reservations for Six, an entertaining and insightful page-turner about modern marriage and a tight-knit group of friends navigating their 30s and beyond.

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“It’s not often you find a book that so perfectly captures the messy complexities of modern mid-life marriages and manages to also be a riveting page turner, yet with Reservations for Six, Palmer somehow pulls it off. I inhaled this book in two days, but these six characters so fully came alive for me that I’ll be thinking about them for much, much longer. Absolutely brilliant.” ―USA Today bestselling author, Colleen Oakley

 

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Lindsey J. Palmer is a writer, editor, and educator. She is the author of four novels, RESERVATIONS FOR SIX, OTHERWISE ENGAGED, IF WE LIVED HERE, and PRETTY IN INK. She worked in the magazine industry for many years, most recently as Features Editor at Self, and previously at Redbook and Glamour. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she earned a Master of Arts in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and taught A.P. Literature and Creative Writing at a Manhattan public school for several years. Nowadays she’s a senior editor at BrainPOP, an animated educational site for kids, which means she spends her days researching topics as diverse as Alan Turing, Juneteenth, and Mindfulness, and then translating what she’s learned into an engaging, narrative format. Lindsey lives on Cape Cod with her husband and daughter.

 

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.

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 101: Kristy Woodson Harvey, Author of The Wedding Veil

Posted in History, Reading Life, Summer ReadingLeave a comment

Today I’m thrilled to share an episode with one of my favorite authors, Kristy Woodson Harvey. We discussed The Wedding Veil, a sweeping new novel following four women across generations, bound by a beautiful wedding veil and a connection to the famous Vanderbilt family.

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“Masterfully woven…[a] literary homerun. This split-time narrative will delight readers of both contemporary and historical novels. As with all her books, Harvey delivers her trademark glamour and lighthearted spirit, all while weaving in fashion, architectural design, and the dramas that play out in daily life. It’s a delightful, well-shaped novel that leaves readers with a burst of joy in the end.” ―New York Journal of Books

 

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including Under the Southern Sky, and The Peachtree Bluff series, which is in development for television with NBC. Her writing has appeared in numerous online and print publications including Southern Living and USA TODAY and she was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction. She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic, and loves connecting with fans on KristyWoodsonHarvey.com. She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband and son where she is (always!) working on her next novel.

 

Listen to Past Episodes of A Bookish Home Featuring Friends & Fiction Authors:

Ep. 96: Patti Callahan Henry on Once Upon A Wardrobe

Ep. 85: Kristin Harmel on The Forest of Vanishing Stars

Ep. 58: Mary Kay Andrews on Hello Summer

Ep. 36: Mary Kay Andrews on Sunset Beach

Ep. 80: Mary Alice Monroe on The Summer of Lost and Found

 

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.

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 85: Kristin Harmel, Author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars

Posted in Books for Adults, Podcast, Reading Life, Summer Reading1 Comment

This week my guest is Kristin Harmel, whose new historical novel, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, is about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis during World War II. This is such a compelling, heart wrenching read and hearing about the inspiration for this novel and the research Kristin did was fascinating. I hope you tune in and of course, pick up a copy of the book.

 

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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With breathtaking natural descriptions, vivid historical details, and a brave heroine worth cheering for who must fulfill a destiny prophesied since birth, this novel is not to be missed!

—Heather Webb, bestselling author 

 

Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into twenty-nine languages and are sold all over the world. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction. She lives in Orlando, Florida.

To learn more about Kristin, follow her on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming author events visit https://kristinharmel.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.

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 84: Brittney Morris, Author of The Cost of Knowing

Posted in Podcast, Reading Life, Summer Reading, Young AdultLeave a comment

This week I’m chatting with Brittney Morris, whose new young adult novel The Cost of Knowing has received wide acclaim including multiple starred reviews, inclusion on the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide, and an Indie Next Pick selection. Tune in to hear more about the book, Brittney’s writing process, what she’s been reading lately, and much more.

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Emotional and gripping, The Cost of Knowing uses fantastical elements to convey how life-threateningly real the problems that Black boys face in America are—so real, in fact, that even having superpowers isn’t always enough to overcome them.

—Booklist

Brittney Morris is also the author of SLAY, the founder and former president of the Boston University Creative Writing Club, and holds a degree in economics. To learn more about Brittney, follow her on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming author events visit https://www.authorbrittneymorris.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.

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 83: Sarah Penner, Author of The Lost Apothecary

Posted in Books for Adults, Libraries, Podcast, Reading Life, Summer ReadingLeave a comment

This week I’m chatting with Sarah Penner, whose debut novel The Lost Apothecary was an instant NY Times bestseller and is being translated into 30 languages worldwide. We discuss Sarah’s inspiring path to publication, writing a dual timeline historical novel, the casting of the phenomenal audiobook, and much more!

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

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Spellbinding… Like in a well-brewed potion, all the ingredients have been given exactly the right level of care and time, and the result is a novel that simply overwhelms with its delicate spell.

—Bookpage

A graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah spent thirteen years in corporate finance and now writes full-time. She and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Florida. To learn more about Sarah Penner, follow her on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming author events visit https://www.sarahpenner.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.

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 82: Mary Dixie Carter, Author of The Photographer

Posted in Books for Adults, Podcast, Reading Life, Summer ReadingLeave a comment

Looking for summer reads to add to your list? My guest today is Mary Dixie Carter, whose debut novel The Photographer is sure to have you binge reading on the beach.

Mary Dixie’s writing has appeared in TIME, The Economist, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, and other print and online publications.  She worked at The Observer, where she served as the publishing director and also has a background as a professional actor. Mary Dixie graduated from Harvard with an honors degree in English Literature and holds an MFA from The New School.  She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children.

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Mary Dixie Carter’s debut is standout psychological suspense! With excellent pacing and a completely addictive style, The Photographer is exactly the kind of book you want to read in one sitting. This is a sneaky and unsettling read that’ll leave you guessing from start to finish.

—Becky LeJeune, BookBar, Denver, CO (Indie Next List)

 

To learn more about Mary Dixie, follow her on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming author events visit https://www.marydixiecarter.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. 

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.

Ep. 80: Mary Alice Monroe on The Summer of Lost and Found

Posted in Books for Adults, Podcast, Reading Life, Summer Reading1 Comment

Today I’m thrilled to be chatting with bestselling author, Mary Alice Monroe. If you’re looking for a beach read to add to your stack, The Summer of Lost and Found is sure to sweep you away!

 

You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Mary Alice Monroe’s inspired choice to write about the pandemic during the pandemic has paid off in this next installment of her acclaimed Beach House series, which can easily be read as a stand-alone, too. Quarantine isn’t so much an issue as it is a setting in the book, bringing unlikely housemates together…A novel of growing up, saying goodbye to the past, and learning to ask yourself the hard questions, including one of the most vital of all: ‘Who do you really want to be?’

—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars

Mary Alice Monroe is the author of 27 books, including the latest addition to her bestselling Beach House series, The Summer of Lost and Found. More than 7.5 million copies of her books have been published worldwide, and she’s earned numerous accolades and awards, including: Induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame. Mary Alice is also the co-creator and co-host of the weekly web show and podcast Friends and Fiction featuring the five bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. 

To learn more about Mary Alice, follow her on social media, and stay in the know about upcoming The Summer of Lost and Found events visit https://maryalicemonroe.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. 

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Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*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.