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Mark Malkoff discusses his book LOVE JOHNNY CARSON, sharing untold stories about the King of Late Night and his legendary TV tenure.  Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714761/love-johnny-carson-by-mark-malkoff-with-david-ritz/   --

Elise Kova (ARCANA ACADEMY) and Danielle L. Jensen (A FATE INKED IN BLOOD) walk through how they build their fantasy worlds and write unforgettable characters.  About ARCANA ACADEMY: Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards—a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy. Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape—for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time. In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be. Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world—and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?  About A FATE INKED IN BLOOD  Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back. Freya’s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region’s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate. Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. The greatest test of all, however, may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.

Chloe Dalton discusses her memoir RAISING HARE, sharing the magical experience of raising a wild animal and how it inspired her New York Times bestseller. She is joined by Bianca Ducasse, her book marketer from Penguin Random House.  Read the book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761910/raising-hare-by-chloe-dalton/

Join bestselling authors Sarah MacLean and Ali Hazelwood as they discuss Sarah's new novel THESE SUMMER STORMS. Learn about the inspiration behind this family saga, the challenges of writing contemporary romance, and the process of crafting a compelling "hot fixer" hero. THESE SUMMER STORMS by Sarah MacLean: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768403/these-summer-storms-by-sarah-maclean/ PROBLEMATIC SUMMER ROMANCE by Ali Hazelwood: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800620/problematic-summer-romance-by-ali-hazelwood/

TJ Alexander dives into A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS, their queer Regency romance with a genderfluid lead, discussing how they joyfully upend genre conventions and embrace expansive representation in a Bridgerton-obsessed world, and write with a specific queer audience in mind while welcoming a broader readership. They chat Lord Byron cameos, the flexible role of historical accuracy, and close things out with a playful round of “Gothic/Regency Heroine or ’90s Pop Song.” The book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783127/a-lady-for-all-seasons-by-tj-alexander/ --

Molly Crabapple sits down with Morgan Bassichis to talk about her new book HERE WHERE WE LIVE IS OUR COUNTRY, a lively and deeply researched history of the Jewish Labor Bund. They explore how this secular socialist movement fought for dignity and equality in Eastern Europe, the central roles women played in the movement, and the importance of solidarity in the global fight against fascism. The Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/646320/here-where-we-live-is-our-country-by-molly-crabapple/

Authors Ibram X. Kendi (HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST) and Heather McGhee (THE SUM OF US) discuss Dr. Kendi’s new book CHAIN OF IDEAS: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age. They break down the Great Replacement Theory, which Kendi calls the most dominant and dangerous political idea of our time; explain how authoritarians around the world are leveraging it to gain power and dismantle democracy; and offer a rubric for recognizing and fighting back against these forces. CHAIN OF IDEAS: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/778233/chain-of-ideas-by-ibram-x-kendi/ THE SUM OF US: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/564989/the-sum-of-us-by-heather-mcghee/

Authors Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson sit down to discuss the future of the SHANNARA series, as Brooks passes the torch to Dawson to continue his beloved world. The two longtime friends share how their collaboration works, what fans can expect, and why Dawson is the perfect person to carry on one of fantasy's most iconic legacies. Delilah S. Dawson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2136430/delilah-s-dawson/ Terry Brooks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/3394/terry-brooks/

Eddie Huang is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Fresh Off the Boat. His subversively funny first novel COME UNDONE delivers a portrait of a haunted manchild and his messy search for love. Eddie sits down with his editor and publisher Chris Jackson for a frank conversation about love, relationships, growing up, the writing process, and whether romantic comedies are used to manage society. COME UNDONE: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555046/come-undone-by-eddie-huang/

Dungeon Crawler Carl author, Matt Dinniman, talks about how video games influence his writing, how he got into LitRPG, the next entry in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, as well as adaptation news and his new science fiction thriller, Operation Bounce House.  Matt Dinniman: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2309250/matt-dinniman/

Bestselling author Andy Weir—and his longtime book editor Julian Pavia—break down Andy's role in the Project Hail Mary movie adaptation. They discuss the most critical things to get right, the parts Andy was nervous about, and the challenges with bringing Rocky to life. Project Hail Mary: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/828207/project-hail-mary-deluxe-edition-by-andy-weir/

On today’s season finale we welcome the delightful Emily Henry, author of bestsellers Beach Read, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation and, most recently the #1 NYT Bestselling Happy Place. Alyssa and Emily vibe out talking about romcom inspiration, fancasting, the ways art informs life (and vice versa), writing complex, imperfect love interests, and how underrated the state of Michigan is. Emily’s new book, Happy Place (available now) and is your perfect summer reading companion.  You can find Emily at www.emilyhenrybooks.com | Instagram: @emilyhenrywrites  | Newsletter: https://emilyhenry.substack.com/  You can read Emily’s Vulture profile here: https://www.vulture.com/article/emily-henry-romance-novel-profile.html  Thank you for joining us this season! We’ll be back soon with more episodes soon.  BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:  Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704944/happy-place-by-emily-henry/  Beach Read by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608898/beach-read-by-emily-henry/  People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608899/people-we-meet-on-vacation-by-emily-henry/  Book Lovers by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670293/book-lovers-by-emily-henry/  Jasmine Guillory novels: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2149662/jasmine-guillory/  Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/577211/daisy-jones-and-the-six-tv-tie-in-edition-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/  The Daydreams by Laura Hankins: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691125/the-daydreams-by-laura-hankin/  Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler  Subscribe and Listen!  Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301  The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959  Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935  Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

Happy Pride from Books Connect Us! In honor of Pride, today’s guest is Haley Jakobson, author of the astute and funny bisexual debut Old Enough, on sale June 20. Carolina chats with Haley about all things identity: finding ourselves while we’re still “hurtling towards the person we’re becoming,” utilizing language and harnessing stories to explore our many-faceted, intersectional selves, writing and using art and words to explore the stickier parts of reality.  You can find Haley at www.haleyjakobson.com Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @haleyjakobson  BOOKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:  Old Enough by Haley Jakobson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719001/old-enough-by-haley-jakobson/  Marlena by Julie Buntin Yolk, Permanent Record and Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi  One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston  Luster by Raven Leilani Sirens  Muses by Antonia Angress: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690759/sirens-and-muses-by-antonia-angress/  Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690750/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin/  Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

Join us for a super-fun, laugh-out-loud Summer Reading Picks episode! Carolina and Alyssa talk: books they love, books they can’t wait to read, horror movies, celebs they went to high school with, tips for writing, finding inspiration and reading al fresco.  CAROLINA RECOMMENDS:  Natural Beauty by Ling Ling: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/718580/natural-beauty-by-ling-ling-huang/  Homegoing by Yah Gyasi: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533857/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/  Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/57953/dreaming-in-cuban-by-cristina-garcia/  Commonwealth by Ann Patchett  Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669846/giovannis-room-by-james-baldwin/  ALYSSA RECOMMENDS:  Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704944/happy-place-by-emily-henry/  Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/702704/pineapple-street-by-jenny-jackson/   Say Nothing: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/90837/say-nothing-by-patrick-radden-keefe/  The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678943/the-marriage-portrait-by-maggie-ofarrell/  Persuasion by Jane Austen: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/286398/persuasion-by-jane-austen-edited-with-an-introduction-and-notes-by-gillian-beer-cover-illustrated-by-coralie-bickford-smith/ Subscribe and Listen!  Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301  The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959  Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935  Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565

On a very exciting episode of BOOKS CONNECT US, Carolina and Alyssa host their first Roundtable. Joined by Amanda Elliot (author of Sadie on a Plate and Best Served Hot) and Kosoko Jackson (author of I’m So Not Over You and Dash of Salt and Pepper), this roundtable’s theme is romance! We discuss: what it takes to craft romance -- from chemistry to characters, how the industry has grown to be more inclusive, and how author identity often plays out on the page. Stay tuned for the recap after!  You can find Amanda at www.amandapanitch.com Instagram and Twitter: @amandapanitch  You can find Kosoko at www.kosokojackson.com Instagram and Twitter: @kosokojackson  BOOKS (and authors) MENTIONED IN TODAYS EPISODE:  Books by Amanda: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2243903/amanda-elliot  Books by Kosoko: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2241956/kosoko-jackson/  Well Met by Jen DeLuca: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/606854/well-met-by-jen-deluca/  Beverly Jenkins  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas  Red, White and Royal Blue bu Casey McQuiston  Emily Henry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/306512/emily-henry/  Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez Meredith Schorr Jean Meltzer  Rachel Lynn Solomon  Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711068/stone-cold-fox-by-rachel-koller-croft/  EXe’s and O’s — Amy Lea — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673410/exes-and-os-by-amy-lea/  The Manor House Governess by CA Castle — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730683/the-manor-house-governess-by-c-a-castle/  The Neighbor Favor by Kristine Forest: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708466/the-neighbor-favor-by-kristina-forest/  Subscribe and Listen!  Books Connect Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/books-connect-us/id1059532301  The Taste Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste/id1393739959  Marlon and Jake Read Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935  Criminal Types: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-types/id1681638565