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John Mutter joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his debut novel, FORTUNE AND GLASS. The book, which received starred reviews from Library Journal, Kirkus and Booklist, is inspired by the true story of Fritz Kolbe, an anti-Nazi German Foreign Ministry official who smuggled nearly 2,000 top-secret documents to American spy Allen Dulles in Switzerland during WWII. John explains the novel's dual focus as a spy story and a love story, with the protagonist sheltering a Jewish former lover and maintaining a dangerous friendship with an SS officer. He had two primary motivations for writing the book: countering Holocaust denial and revisionism, and challenging the assumption that all Germans were committed Nazis. He also reflects on his personal connection to the subject matter, including a junior year abroad in Munich, German family heritage, and childhood friendships with Jewish families whose relatives were Holocaust survivors or victims. John is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Shelf Awareness, which provides a daily newsletter for the trade and a weekly publication for readers. He describes the process of writing and editing the book, which took place over 15 years. The title is from a Latin quote by Publilius Syrus and its German adaptation: "Glück und Glas, wie leicht bricht das" (Fortune and glass, how easily they break). Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Mary Beth Keane: https://youtu.be/0bwgjN2zT1M Robert Kolker: https://youtu.be/5Yl1L26ynDk Bonnie Garmus: https://youtu.be/36MZitg0qkI Lisa See: https://youtu.be/V3tkRy0OkVk Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/1ZpbCHCiD38 Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/AZykCEM0ojE Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/Ye_NQmQY0z8 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 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

Mary Beth Keane joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, WHALE HARBOR, which is a "Good Morning America" Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The story is deeply rooted in Mary Beth's family history, drawing from her father's Irish immigrant experience, including the loss of his mother and the disappearance of a younger brother. Starting in 1963, the book is about 11 brothers from an Irish-speaking family in western Ireland whose mother dies suddenly after the birth of her 11th son. The interview covers themes of family, immigration, forgiveness, identity, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. Mary Beth notes that the narrative follows the second eldest brother, Macdara, and tracks how the lives of these siblings diverge and reconnect over 40 years. The central plot thread involves one of the brothers, Rian, who runs away and is lost to the family for decades. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Robert Kolker: https://youtu.be/5Yl1L26ynDk Bonnie Garmus: https://youtu.be/36MZitg0qkI Lisa See: https://youtu.be/V3tkRy0OkVk Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/1ZpbCHCiD38 Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/AZykCEM0ojE Chris Bohjalian: https://youtu.be/VnRpBPFctY0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/Ye_NQmQY0z8 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 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 joined us for October's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event to discuss her #1 New York Times bestseller, THE CALAMITY CLUB, a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection that released in May and still is on the NYT list. Eleven enthusiastic readers appeared on camera to ask Kathryn questions about the novel. We touched on many different aspects of the book in the hour that Kathryn gave us, including what inspired her to tell this story about a group of unbreakable women fighting for what's rightfully theirs, the historical research she conducted as she wrote about the South, and the characters she was drawn to the most. She also explained why it took 17 years for her second novel to be published, following the enormous success of THE HELP. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Robert Kolker: https://youtu.be/5Yl1L26ynDk Bonnie Garmus: https://youtu.be/36MZitg0qkI Lisa See: https://youtu.be/V3tkRy0OkVk Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/1ZpbCHCiD38 Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/AZykCEM0ojE Chris Bohjalian: https://youtu.be/VnRpBPFctY0 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

Robert Kolker joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his new book, THE VANISHING FAMILY, which chronicles a nine-sibling unnamed family affected by an inherited form of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This Bookreporter Bets On selection explores profound questions about identity, caregiving, genetic testing, and whether or not people would choose to know their fate if a hereditary disease runs in their family. FTD is frequently misdiagnosed for years as depression, schizophrenia or addiction, delaying proper care and support. Approximately 40% of these cases are inherited; the remaining 60% are sporadic. The disease typically manifests between the ages of 40 and 60. It is systematically underdiagnosed due to its behavioral (rather than memory-based) presentation. The condition's invisibility in public health frameworks means that many affected individuals, including those who are homeless, may go unidentified. Robert shares how he worked with each family member to listen to their story as he was researching and writing. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Bonnie Garmus: https://youtu.be/36MZitg0qkI Lisa See: https://youtu.be/V3tkRy0OkVk Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/1ZpbCHCiD38 Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw Shari Lapena: https://youtu.be/AZykCEM0ojE Chris Bohjalian: https://youtu.be/VnRpBPFctY0 Nadia Hashimi: https://youtu.be/uxVRLLQY1oA 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

Bonnie Garmus joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her new novel, PECK & PECK. Set in 1980s New York City, it centers on a young man named Batter Gray, who has an entry level job at a downtown Manhattan poetry journal, which is very quirky.  Bonnie had a memory of a high school English teacher who read a poem aloud every day and urged students to do the same for life. She admitted that she, like most of her fellow classmates, did not keep that promise, and she did not read poetry seriously again for about 20 years. Bonnie was "blown away" during her poetry research for the book, validating her teacher's advice. She said that the novel is intended as a commentary on late-stage capitalism, the impact of AI on creative voices, and a defense of the arts.  Bonnie notes that poetry, like chemistry, is a difficult subject to make commercially appealing. She also discusses the pressure on her to follow up on the success of her debut novel, the #1 global bestseller LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Lisa See: https://youtu.be/V3tkRy0OkVk Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/1ZpbCHCiD38 Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw 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 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 See joined us for September's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event to discuss her instant New York Times bestseller, DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON, which was a Bookreporter Bets On selection when it released in June. Lisa shared how a story that her grandmother told her when she was a child standing in downtown Los Angeles gave her the initial idea for the book. Research is always critical to her writing, and she explained how she created her three characters, basing them on four women she read about.  Lisa loves talking to book groups and has created materials to enhance the reading experience with the "Step Inside" feature on her website, as well as tea-tasting kits.  Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/1ZpbCHCiD38 Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw 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 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

Amanda Peters joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest novel, THE BIRTHING TREE, which is an instant national bestseller. Like her debut, THE BERRY PICKERS, it is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Amanda shares the personal and professional inspirations behind the book. They include a childhood memory involving her grandmother, who had dementia and told her about a tree near the water where Mi'kmaq women used to give birth, as well as Amanda's work with Nova Scotia's midwifery regulation committee. Our conversation explores the importance of preserving Mi'kmaq traditions, intergenerational storytelling, and Amanda's personal journey reconnecting with her Indigenous heritage. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Jonathan Santlofer: https://youtu.be/rUk_eqMBrgk Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw 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 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

Jonathan Santlofer joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his latest thriller, TEN PERFECT GUESTS, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. He describes the book as a classic whodunit featuring 10 characters brought to an isolated island for a memorial, with an inheritance at stake. Jonathan wanted to use all classic tropes — locked room, large cast, hidden motives — without a detective figure. He explains that managing 10 distinct characters was more difficult than anticipated, requiring a character chart and careful differentiation so readers would not need to look back. The novel is written in the third-person omniscient perspective, allowing access to all characters' inner thoughts, with the final section shifting to the killer's point of view — which expanded unexpectedly to 35 pages. Jonathan also discusses his next project, the third book in his art-thriller series, which he is working on now. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/6EjQPzlBOxw 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 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

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