Bookreporter Talks To

Carol Fitzgerald

"Bookreporter Talks To" is a podcast from The Book Report Network where we host in-depth conversations with authors about the books that we love. We know authors cannot travel everywhere, so we want to bring them to you, wherever YOU may be.

  1. 6h ago

    Robert Kolker: The Vanishing Family

    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

  2. Oct 22

    Bonnie Garmus: Peck & Peck

    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

  3. Sep 30

    "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Lisa See

    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

  4. Sep 29

    Amanda Peters: The Birthing Tree

    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

  5. Sep 22

    Jonathan Santlofer: Ten Perfect Guests

    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

  6. Sep 8

    Hank Phillippi Ryan: Mother Daughter Sister Stranger

    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

  7. Aug 21

    Shari Lapena: Getting Away With Murder

    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

  8. Aug 13

    Chris Bohjalian: The Amateur

    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

4.6
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

"Bookreporter Talks To" is a podcast from The Book Report Network where we host in-depth conversations with authors about the books that we love. We know authors cannot travel everywhere, so we want to bring them to you, wherever YOU may be.

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