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. 1D AGO

    "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Lily King

    Lily King joined us for February's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss her most recent novel, HEART THE LOVER, which is an instant New York Times bestseller and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Eight readers joined us on camera to ask Lily questions about the plot and its various twists (spoilers ARE included), as well as character development, her writing process, the book's title and cover, and much more. Other members of the audience, who submitted their questions via Zoom's Q&A feature, were curious to know about Lily's involvement with the production of the audiobook (which is narrated by Rebecca Lowman) and what she's most proud of about HEART THE LOVER. Lily is currently on vacation, so we really appreciate her taking the time to join us. Carol and Tom loved the lively conversation and the enthusiasm that our readers continue to show for this book. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Sadeqa Johnson: https://youtu.be/ED0LOkAarVE Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

    1h 15m
  2. FEB 20

    Sadeqa Johnson: Keeper of Lost Children

    Sadeqa Johnson joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN. Like her earlier two works of historical fiction, it is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Sadeqa shares that she found a piece about the Brown Babies when she was doing research for THE HOUSE OF EVE. The story was calling to her, but she put it aside to finish that book. She learned more about the Brown Babies and Mabel Grammer, the inspiration for her character Ethel Gathers, in both Ebony and Jet magazines. Bringing these children from Germany to the United States brought lots of press; there is even a documentary called Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story. Sadeqa talks about crafting the three different characters the way that she did and the challenge of parsing their stories together. She also expresses her love of the audiobook, which features three voice actors --- Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton and Adam Lazarre-White --- the latter of whom she came to admire when he narrated S. A. Cosby's work. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Wendy Walker: https://youtu.be/y-2G5AC9heU Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

    58 min
  3. FEB 12

    Wendy Walker: Blade

    Wendy Walker joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her new thriller, BLADE, a Bookreporter Bets On selection that is set in the world of competitive figure skating. The novel, which draws from Wendy's personal experience as a competitive figure skater (she trained in Colorado from ages 13 to 16), features alternating timelines that follow attorney Ana Robbins, who returns to her former skating facility to defend a young skater accused of murder. Wendy talks about the book's themes of isolation, the pressure on young athletes, and the psychological impact of competitive sports. The dual-timeline structure allows readers to see connections between past and present events. And with the Winter Olympics airing, she touches on the importance of nailing the triple axel. Wendy has expanded her career to include producing audio originals. She shares how creating audio content differs from writing novels, including being able to rewrite lines during recording sessions, and various writing techniques, such as minimizing dialogue tags. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/Yb_ig0leaQA Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

    1h 7m
  4. FEB 6

    Ashley Elston: Anatomy of an Alibi

    Ashley Elston joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her New York Times bestseller, ANATOMY OF AN ALIBI, which also is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Ashley reveals that she rewrote the book three times, changing structure, timeline and point of view. She shares the character she began with, and how the others evolved, as well as what stayed the same from the very start. Ashley was thinking about the Murdaugh family murders and how technology can help with an alibi as much as it can hurt it. She confirms that she is under contract for a new book and updates us on what is happening with the film/TV development deal for her 2024 novel, FIRST LIE WINS. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Paula McLain: https://youtu.be/vKwg0G18sCA Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

    46 min
  5. JAN 30

    Paula McLain : Skylark

    Paula McLain joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, SKYLARK. Paula has been enthralled with Paris since her 2011 bestseller, THE PARIS WIFE. Her new book features dual timelines set in Paris --- one in 1664 and the other in the 1940s during the Nazi occupation. The characters face parallel struggles across different time periods. Both storylines address how people find meaning and hope through connections with others. In SKYLARK, the underground tunnels beneath Paris serve as a space of refuge and resistance throughout history. Paula conducted extensive research, including physically exploring the city's underground tunnel network. She wanted to create a "drilled-down view" of Paris rather than the glamorous cafés portrayed in her earlier work. In addition to talking about how she worked with her editor, Peter Borland, to weave the two stories together, Paula discusses the audiobook narration by Alexa Davalos and Michiel Huisman, both of whom captured the emotional essence of the characters. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Allen Levi: https://youtu.be/tELDtaqsD7g Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU 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

    1h 8m
  6. JAN 29

    "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Allen Levi

    Allen Levi joined us for January's "Bookaccino Live" Book Group to discuss his New York Times bestselling debut novel, THEO OF GOLDEN. The audience clearly was mesmerized by the insight he gave into the characters and setting. Allen talked about his inspiration for writing the book and expressed his appreciation for how it has resonated with so many people. He thoughtfully responded to a number of reader questions. Some were asked by attendees who appeared on the virtual stage, while Carol Fitzgerald shared questions and comments from those who were camera-shy or weren't able to attend. Allen also updated us on the project that he is working on now --- and yes, it features Ellen. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Belle Burden: https://youtu.be/kmlJvv037Yg Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

    1h 57m
  7. JAN 22

    Belle Burden: Strangers

    Belle Burden joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her memoir, STRANGERS, which details how her husband abruptly left their marriage during the early days of the pandemic. The book, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection, chronicles Belle's journey from shock and grief to rebuilding her life as a writer and single mother. Belle started writing about her experience after her divorce was finalized in 2022, feeling "a burning need to write down what had happened." She initially wrote a piece for the New York Times "Modern Love" column, which ran in June 2023. Following the article's publication, Belle was contacted by editors who suggested turning it into a book. The trauma of her divorce reconnected her with her desire to write, which she had abandoned in college. She explains how the divorce affected her children and her approach to parenting through the crisis. Belle admits that she handed over financial authority to her husband, despite her being a former corporate lawyer. She has advised her daughters to "never let go of their own financial authority." Belle sees her memoir as reclaiming her narrative rather than letting others define her story. She connects her experience to broader patterns of women's silence and how it allows others to control their narratives. For her, writing the book was an act of agency and authenticity. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Rebecca Armitage: https://youtu.be/xVTebMX3Bg0 Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

    49 min
  8. JAN 15

    Rebecca Armitage: The Heir Apparent

    Rebecca Armitage joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her debut novel, THE HEIR APPARENT, which was a Reese's Book Club pick and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Rebecca describes the book as a modern-day fairy tale. Lexi, who is living in Tasmania and training to be a doctor, is summoned home after a skiing accident kills her father and critically injures her brother. Her grandmother is the Queen of England; she is the heir apparent and must return to London. Carol loved the cinematic opening scene with the helicopter landing to whisk Lexi away from her life in Australia. Rebecca drew upon her experience as a journalist covering the royal family to create an authentic portrayal of their lives. The story centers on Lexi's decision between duty to the crown and personal freedom, complicated by a secret that could prevent her from taking the throne. The relationships in the book highlight the sacrifices required by royal life and explore whether or not genuine connections can survive within the constraints of the monarchy. Rebecca discusses the Australian setting, particularly Tasmania, and its significance in the book. She shares that she moved to Tasmania during the pandemic and realized that it was the perfect place for Lexi's escape. There is a contrast between controlled palace life and Tasmania's wild, natural environment. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Vicky Nguyen: https://youtu.be/ssPMpaokVp8 Brisa Carleton: https://youtu.be/aE2cCH4oMsk Alex DeMille: https://youtu.be/EstkI7Caul8 Lily King: https://youtu.be/ir_IaUnaru4 Virginia Evans: https://youtu.be/6FtYT5KRW2Q Hank Phillippi Ryan: https://youtu.be/7O3gIC1IJN4 Sharon Kurtzman: https://youtu.be/CMCnGJitKMY Francesca Serritella: https://youtu.be/XmmvtzilXg0 Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/KukE7DscmsY Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Clare Leslie Hall: https://youtu.be/j0j3_ScryJg Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/nxakmJRaKaY Amy Neff: https://youtu.be/lfHGY8VEyoA J. Courtney Sullivan: https://youtu.be/fE8XHj-vV40 Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/hv68HE3tjLU Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/q1lwGj7ZUlg 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

    1h 2m
4.7
out of 5
36 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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