Books, Beach, & Beyond

Elin Hilderbrand, Tim Talks Books, N Magazine
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Join Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 30 titles and the “Queen of the Beach Reads,” and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of the popular Tim Talks Books, as they talk shop and host spirited discussions with special guests from bestselling and internationally recognized authors, to publishing industry insiders, to local island legends who feature prominently in Hilderbrand’s prolific Nantucket stories.  From what it’s like to take a book to the screen to the intricacies and intimate details of an author’s writing process, Hilderbrand and Ehrenberg take listeners on an exciting (and amusing) journey each episode, bringing books to life in a brand-new way in this podcast presented by N Magazine.  A special thank you to our Season 2 Premier Sponsors: Nantucket Book Partners, Book of the Month, The Nantucket Hotel, Cartolina, and Triple Eight Distillery.Interested in advertising in Books, Beach, & Beyond? Email advertising@n-magazine.com to learn more!

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Gayle King

    Our first official episode of Season 3 is with the force that is GAYLE KING! Gayle is an award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS MORNINGS, also editor-at-large of Oprah Daily and hosts “Gayle King in the House,” a live, weekly radio show on SiriusXM. The three discuss their favorite interview topics to engage with writers about, what Gayle was reading as a young girl, how her journalism career started, and some highlights from that journey. The three continue with their reading habits, book recommendations, likes and dislikes in their reading lives, interviewing tips, and the people they would most like to interview someday. A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsors Nantucket Book PartnersBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Island Properties NantucketReading List Elsie Dinsmore by Martha FinleyNancy Drew Books Bobby Twins Books Danielle Steel BooksLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottBeverly Cleary Books Judith Krantz Books Barbara Taylor Bradford BooksTilt by Emma Pattee The River is Waiting by Wally LambI Know This Much is True by Wally LambThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongBridge of Sighs by Richard RussoFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    37 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Carl Hiaasen

    Books, Beach, & Beyond’s first LIVE podcast recording was June 14th at the Nantucket Book Festival where Elin and Tim were in conversation with best-selling author Carl Hiaasen, author of Fever Beach. The three talk about Carl’s career as a journalist turned novelist, setting his novels in the state of Florida, writing satire, his outrageous characters, and writing for both adults and children. Carl discusses how publishing has changed in his long career, engaging in politics, the exuberant writing and humor in his novels, his advice to graduates, and his take on Hollywood adaptations. The audience at the Nantucket Book Festival was in stitches and you will be, too. A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsors: CartolinaNantucket LoomsCarl Hiaasen Books: Double WhammyTourist SeasonFever BeachAssume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You’ll Never HearHoot Other Books Mentioned: The Hardy Boys by Franklin W DixonNancy Drew by Carolyn KeeneDavy Barry booksKaren Russell booksErik Larson booksMartin Amos booksChristopher Moore books Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    45 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Curtis Sittenfeld

    Elin and Tim welcome to the podcast Curtis Sittenfeld, the author of Prep, American Wife, and Show, Don’t Tell. They start with Curtis’s favorite books, her time at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where Elin and her compare stories, and then segue into her debut novel, “the boarding school book of boarding school books”, Prep. They discuss how much of it was inspired by Curtis’s own boarding school experience and compare and contrast it to Elin’s upcoming boarding school novel, The Academy, as well as chat about their favorite campus novels. The three move on to Curtis’s novels inspired by First Ladies, American Wife and Rodham, and they laugh about their favorite SNL skits. This episode is rich with reading recommendations so don’t miss it! A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: The Nantucket HotelNantucket Historical AssociationCurtis Sittenfeld’s Reading List: PrepAmerican WifeEligibleRomantic ComedyRodhamShow Don’t TellWhat Else Are We Reading in this Episode: Charlotte’s Web by E.B WhiteStuart Little by E.B. WhiteThe Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Secret History by Donna TarttFoster Dade Explores the Cosmos by Nash JenkinsSarah Phillips by Andrea LeeGentlemen and Players by Joanne HarrisI am Charlotte Simmons by Thomas WolfeThe Islanders by Lewis RobinsonGirlfriending by Susanna DanielMy Own Devices by DessaAnimal Instinct by Amy ShearnFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    52 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Catherine Newman

    Next on Books, Beach, & Beyond is Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich, We All Want Impossible Things, and Wreck, (forthcoming from HarperCollins in October 2025.) Elin and Tim begin by gushing about Catherine’s writing and how much they love her books. Catherine takes us back to her first writing projects, and then her pivot into writing auto-fiction with her three novels. They talk about family summer vacations, what keeps them up at night, health scares, grief, food in her books, her beloved characters, family dynamics, and all the themes and layers upon layers in Catherine’s novels. Don't miss this episode and make sure to pre-order Wreck coming out this fall. A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: CartolinaNantucket Meat & FishCatherine Newman Reading List: We All Want Impossible ThingsSandwichWreck (coming October 28, 2026. Pre-order now!)What else are we reading in this episode? The Beans of Egypt, Maine by Carolyn ChuteSmall Rain by Garth GreenwellStation Eleven by Emily St. John MandelThe Road by Cormac McCarthyLittle House on the Prairie by Laura Ingall’s WilderBlack Hearts in Battersea by Joan AikenThe Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan AikenThe Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla BarnesReal Americans by Rachel KhongLoved and Missed by Susie BoytThe Girls in Queens by Christine Kandic TorresHeartwood by Amity GaigeCassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy BakerBridge of Sighs by Richard RussoStraight Man by Richard RussoThe Risk Pool by Richard RussoThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    54 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Elizabeth Strout

    Next up for Books, Beach, & Beyond is the best-selling and award-winning writer Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteridge, My Name is Lucy Barton, and Tell Me Everything, just released in paperback. Elin and Tim start by discussing why they read and welcome Liz with how she got her start in this literary life along with her one night as a stand-up comedian. They continue with discussion on some of her beloved characters Olive, Lucy, and Bob, and dig into her process, point of view, her Pulitzer Prize win and Oprah’s Book Club experience. We hear about the screen adaptation of Olive Kitteridge with Frances McDormand, which two characters Liz would take to a weekly lunch, and what books her characters would recommend to read. A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Little, BrownHill House HomeElizabeth Strout Books: Amy and IsabelleOlive KitteridgeMy Name is Lucy BartonOlive, AgainTell Me EverythingOther Books Mentioned: Winesburg, Ohio: A Group of Tales of Ohio Small Town Life by Sherwood AndersonThe Good Seed by William MarchMrs. Dalloway by Virgina WoolfMiddlemarch by George EliotFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    46 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Lily King

    Next up is Lily King, the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, including Euphoria and Writers & Lovers, and coming in the fall, Heart the Lover. Pre-order today! The three start talking about the expression “writers’ writer” and who they would describe as a “writer’s writer”, and then they continue with Lily’s writing and reading origin stories. They spend time on Margaret Mead, anthropology, a writer’s process, golf, and love in all its forms. Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation on writing, reading, and everything in between. A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Nantucket Book PartnersOpen Book With Jenna Lily King Books The Pleasing HourFather of the RainEuphoriaWriters and LoversHeart the Lover Who else are we reading in this episode? Lorrie MooreMaggie O’FarrellTim WintonGish JenShirley HazzardTessa HadleyElizabeth StroutAnn PatchettPlayworld by Adam RossTobias WolfeAre You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Jude BlumeIt’s Not The End of the World by Judy BlumeWilliam FaulknerVirginia WolffAndre DubusThe Cheever Stories by John CheeverFranny and Zooey by JD SalingerFranz KafkaFlannery O’ConnerToni MorrisonWhat We Can Know by Ian McEwanColm ToibinMy Friends by Hisham MatarFree Love by Tessa HadleySpeak Memory by Vladimir NabokovFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    49 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Shelby Cunningham

    This is a very special episode for Books, Beach, & Beyond celebrating Elin’s 31st novel written with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham – The Academy, publishing this September 16th. Our guest for this episode is Elin’s daughter Shelby and they dig into the writing of The Academy, Shelby growing up on Nantucket and heading to boarding school at St. George’s Academy in Rhode Island, and how that inspired the writing of the novel and the fictional Tiffin Academy. The three discuss the difference between Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, what books they were reading and their individual high school experiences, and so much more! It’s a funny, entertaining look at this mother-daughter duo in anticipation of the book's release. A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Book of the MonthNantucket LoomsReading List: The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby CunninghamPinkaliciousFancy NancyOlivia the PigPerfectly Arugula28 Summers by Elin HilderbrandThe Love Season by Elin HilderbrandThe Blue Bistro by Elin HilderbrandMrs DallowayThe Hours by Michael CunninghamJane Eyre The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldColeman Hill by Kim Coleman FooteDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverA Separate Peace by John KnowlesHuck Finn by Mark TwainThe Crucible by Arthur MillerThe Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby CunninghamFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    48 min

  8. BONUS

    Introducing… Season 3

    Elin Hilderbrand and Tim Ehrenberg of Tim Talks Books are back for Season 3 of Books, Beach, & Beyond! This introductory episode is a catch-up on what the two have been reading, watching, and looking forward to this summer on everyone’s favorite island. They also cover the release of The Blue Book, Elin’s recommendation guide to Nantucket. Joining Elin and Tim for the second half of the episode is Elin’s sister, Heather Thorpe, who will be running the Elin Hilderbrand Blue Book Tours with Nantucket Island Tours this summer. The trio chat details about the new tour, discuss their perfect Nantucket days, and choose which Elin Hilderbrand novel they would all choose to be living in. Elin’s choice is a mic drop moment so listen until the end! A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsors: Nantucket Island ToursN MagazineNantucket CurrentReading List: The Names by Florence KnappPlayworld by Adam RossMariette in Ecstasy by Ron HansenThe River is Waiting by Wally LambThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongFever Beach by Carl HiaasenLetting Go by Philip RothThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. SalingerMansion Beach by Meg Mitchell MooreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldFar and Away by Amy PoeppelHow to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong FastFear of Flying by Erica JongAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerElin Hilderbrand books mentioned: The Blue Bistro, The Five-Star Weekend, The Blue Book, Barefoot, and 28 Summers Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    55 min

  9. BONUS

    Adam Ross

    This bonus episode features the live conversation with your host, Elin Hilderbrand, at the Nantucket Book Festival with Adam Ross, author of Playworld. Playworld is one of Elin’s favorite books she has read in a decade. Adam is the acclaimed author of Mr. Peanut and renowned editor of the Sewanee Review.  Sure to be a conversation to remember, these two masters of their craft have much to discuss about contemporary fiction, the publishing industry, and the art of storytelling. A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsor: J.CrewAdam Ross Reading List: Mr. PeanutPlayworldLadies and Gentleman: Stories What else are we reading in this episode? The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellows Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    41 min

  10. BONUS

    Wally Lamb

    This bonus episode features the live conversation with your host, Tim Ehrenberg of Tim Talks Books, at the Nantucket Book Festival with one of his favorite novelists, Wally Lamb. Wally is the author of seven New York Times best-sellers, three of them selections for Oprah’s Book Club, She’s Come Undone, I Know This Much is True, and most recently, The River is Waiting. The two discuss many of Wally’s books, one of Tim’s favorites of all time, I Know This Much is True, and the newest novel, The River is Waiting. They examine its themes, our prison system, addiction, the act of forgiveness, emotional intelligence, and the transformative power of fiction. A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsor: J.CrewWally Lamb Reading List: She’s Come UndoneI Know this Much is TrueThe Hour I First BelievedCouldn’t Keep it To MyselfI’ll Fly AwayWe Are WaterWishin’ and Hopin’The River is WaitingWhat else are we reading in this episode? Flannery Conner, Anny Tyler, Raymond Carver, John Updike Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Flannery O’Conner Collected Stories Raymond Carver Collected Stories The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott Paper Girl by Beth Macy Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes. And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond Happy Reading!

    44 min
See All Season 3 (10)

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About

Join Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 30 titles and the “Queen of the Beach Reads,” and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of the popular Tim Talks Books, as they talk shop and host spirited discussions with special guests from bestselling and internationally recognized authors, to publishing industry insiders, to local island legends who feature prominently in Hilderbrand’s prolific Nantucket stories.  From what it’s like to take a book to the screen to the intricacies and intimate details of an author’s writing process, Hilderbrand and Ehrenberg take listeners on an exciting (and amusing) journey each episode, bringing books to life in a brand-new way in this podcast presented by N Magazine.  A special thank you to our Season 2 Premier Sponsors: Nantucket Book Partners, Book of the Month, The Nantucket Hotel, Cartolina, and Triple Eight Distillery.Interested in advertising in Books, Beach, & Beyond? Email advertising@n-magazine.com to learn more!

Information

  • Creator
    Elin Hilderbrand, Tim Talks Books, N Magazine
  • Episodes
    38
  • Seasons
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Books, Beach, & Beyond
  • Show Website
    Books, Beach, & Beyond

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