Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books

Brad Montague, BECOMING BETTER GROWNUPS

I had such a nice conversation with Brad Montague. It felt so easy getting to know him; he's just an all-around awesome guy. Brad's latest book is called Becoming Better Grownups: Rediscovering What Matters and Remembering How to Fly. He also developed the award-winning series Kid President. Brad goes around the country talking to teachers and educators and everybody else helping us all rediscover something we lost as children. His book was inspired by listening to kids talk about what they think it looks like to be a "good grownup.” It’s a lesson we all need to hear, especially now. Our conversation about what adults are missing and how to find it again will give you some really good insights and tools to get through the darkest hours.

Leslie Gray Streeter, BLACK WIDOW

Leslie Gray Streeter is an award-winning columnist and pop culture critic for The Palm Beach Post where she has worked since 2002. She wrote a beautiful book about being a widow called Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like "Journey" in the Title. Her story is emotional, honest, and focuses on the small and very human things we notice and feel while mourning. I loved hearing from Leslie about how every person's experience with loss is different so there's no template for this type of book, how race and religion factor into her personal narrative, and finding moments of comic-relief in grief helped her process and tell her story.

Victoria James, WINE GIRL

Victoria James is the author of Wine Girl: The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America's Youngest Sommelier, her coming-of-age story in the wine world. Victoria has worked in restaurants since she was thirteen and was certified as a sommelier when she was twenty-one. She was Food & Wine's Sommelier of the Year in 2018 and has appeared on both Forbes and Zagat's "30 Under 30" lists. She's worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in New York City and is currently a partner and beverage director at Cote, a Michelin-starred hotspot, and cofounder of Wine Empowered, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to diversify the hospitality industry by offering tuition-free wine classes to women and minorities. I loved talking to Victoria about how hospitality has represented so much to her - irreplaceable community and culture, but also sexism and disciminartion - and how she can use her story to help other people navigate the restaurant industry.

 

 

Wally Lamb, I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE

I had the best time doing an Instagram Live with Wally Lamb who is the author of six New York Times best-selling novels: I’ll Take You There, We Are Water, Wishin’ and Hopin’, The Hour I First Believed, I Know This Much is True, and She’s Come Undone. I Know This Much is True and She’s Come Undone were both selected for Oprah’s Book Club. Lamb also edited Couldn’t Keep It to Myself and I’ll Fly Away, two volumes of essays from students in his writing workshop at York Correctional Institution which is a women’s prison in Connecticut where he has been a volunteer facilitator for the past seventeen years. I Know This Much is True was first published in 1998, and has now been turned into an HBO original limited series which just aired. Wally and I talked about what drew him to write these characters originally, his curiosity about and research into mental illness, and being part of a fifteen year project to turn his writing into film.

Jeanine Cummins, AMERICAN DIRT

I was absolutely thrilled to interview Jeanine Cummins for my virtual book club. When American Dirt came out, it was an Oprah's book club pick, landed on the best-seller list, was optioned by Clint Eastwood…. and yet caused an enormous controversy, one that caused Jeanine to cancel her book tour and all events due to death threats and more. I wrote an article defending her work and a novelists’s right to create fictitious worlds. I felt compelled to write it because of how much I adored story. How much it moved me. How beautifully written and powerful it was. Just like a good book should be. After months of speculation about her feelings, I could finally speak to her directly about what happened and the unheard story about her writing the book itself. We spoke more about the important part —the book, her relationship with her dad and her devastating loss of him—than the controversy, but it was all relevant, inspiring and informative. Jeanine is a passionate advocate for borderlands migrants and is matching donations up to $100K until July 31st for anyone who wants to give here. I hope you’ll find our discussion as moving as I did.

 

 

Lily King, WRITERS & LOVERS

I loved my conversation with Lily King which I did via Instagram Live in conjunction with the Montclair Literary Festival. Lily's latest novel, Writers & Lovers, was so good that it kept me up late two nights in a row, which is very rare for me. Lily is the author of five best-selling, award-winning novels. Writers & Lovers has been the Read with Jenna book pick, a New York Times best seller, and on everybody's list of what book you need to be reading. We talked about so many of the little gems in the book about the pressure on authors to write the next great American novel; rejection, perseverance, and writing rituals; and balancing writing with raising children,

Mary Beth Keane, ASK AGAIN, YES

Mary Beth Keane's most recent novel, Ask Again, Yes, is a New York Times best-seller and The Tonight Show Summer Reads Pick. She has authored two other books, was named one of the National Book Foundation's "5 Under 35," and was awarded a John Simon Guggenheim fellowship for fiction writing. Mary Beth and I talked about the moving moving themes in her novel: forgiveness and sacrifice, depression and masking fear, and how we protect ourselves and the people we love. Centered around two neighboring families in a New York City suburb in the 1970s, I've heard her describe Ask Again, Yes as Romeo and Juliet, if the families had to hang out forever. It's a must-read!

Kristy Woodson Harvey, FEELS LIKE FALLING

I met Kristy Woodson Harvey last summer at Author's Night for the East Hampton Library, but I interviewed her virtually to talk about her latest book, Feels Like Falling. She has a seriously impressive bio (phi beta kappa!!) which includes authoring many books, some of which have also been optioned for film. Feels Like Falling, about a seemingly unlikely friendship, is funny, relevant, and a book people can really escape into. Kristy and I talked about book tours, her writing schedule, and her advice to aspiring authors. As she says, the creative part of writing is what lights us up and keeps us coming back to it, but treat it as a business because that part of it is what allows us to be able to do this as a career.

 

Nina Renata Aron, GOOD MORNING, DESTROYER OF MEN'S SOULS

Nina Renata Aron recently published a beautiful, gritty, and un-put-down-able memoir called Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls. Nina is a features editor at Full Stop, an online literary magazine and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Rumpus, The Millions, and elsewhere. Nina calls her book a literary memoir about codependency - and while it is really an intense look at love and addiction, she encapsulated the universal appeal of her book during our conversation, which is broadly about the expectations that women place on themselves and that have been placed upon them culturally and how much of themselves to give in love - in motherhood, in family, in romance.

Judith Viorst, NEARING NINETY

I had the privilege of interviewing the legendary author Judith Viorst as part of the Women on the Move three-part series from the Streicker Center at Temple Emanu-El. Judith is basically who I want to be when I grow up. She has been a prolific writer for decades and just doesn't stop and is amazing. She wrote Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in 1972, which has sold over two million copies and of course has become a movie from Disney. Recently, she has also written many books for adults about each decade, books from your thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, up until now. She wrote Nearing Ninety, which is a fantastic book of poems, thoughts, and reflections. I loved our conversation and Judith's insights about paying attention to the world you're in - no matter what age you are!

Phyllis Grant, EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL

Phyllis Grant is an IACP finalist for Personal Essays/Memoir Writing and a three-time Saveur Food Blog Award finalist for her blog, Dash and Bella. Her latest book is Everything Is Under Control: A Memoir with Recipes. She has cooked in world-renowned restaurants, including Nobu, Michael's, and Bouley. Her essays and recipes have been published in a dozen anthologies and cookbooks, including Best Food Writing in both 2015 and 2016, and her work has been widely featured in everything from The New York Times to Food25. Her memoir is beautifully written and uniquely structured, tracing her appetites, desires, passions, challenges. I loved our conversation - especially Phyllis's hope that this book gives people confidence to play in the kitchen. She says the best learning comes from stepping back from recipes and getting creative with what you have in your kitchen! How perfect is that insight right now? (I’ve made her cottage cheese pancake recipe three times now in quarantine - with yogurt instead - and it’s AMAZING.)

Meena Harris, KAMALA AND MAYA'S BIG IDEA

I had a blast interviewing Meena Harris. Meena is the author of Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea which is based on her aunt and mom, Senator Kamala Harris and Maya Harris, who campaigned to change the playground outside their building when they were kids. She's also the founder and CEO of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign, which supports women everywhere and the critical work that's being done for women's rights. My kids and I loved her children's book - and the online activity book component is an amazing way to engage with your family! Meena and I chatted about creating children's literature that highlights girls in the world going after their big ideas, how to ingrain in people that activism starts small, and the importance of self-affirmation and the universal message that women are phenomenal. Check out the merch on the phenomenalwoman.com site. My daughter is obsessed with the Phenomenal Girl green, cozy sweatshirt!

Susan Choi, TRUST EXERCISE

I did an Instagram Live with Susan Choi, which was so much fun. Susan's first novel, The Foreign Student, won the Asian-American Literary Award for Fiction. Her second novel, American Woman, was a finalist for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize. Her third novel, A Person of Interest, was a finalist for the 2009 PEN/Faulkner Award. In 2010 she was named the inaugural recipient of the PEN/W.G. Sebald Award. Her fourth novel, My Education, received a 2014 Lammy Award. Her fifth novel, Trust Exercise, came out in April 2019 and is the one we talked about the most. It won the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction. Susan and I also talked about quarantine hair secrets, our agreement that the world students live in today is more complicated than the one we grew up in, and that different secrets to writing a book sometimes feel just like learning to parent different children.

Emily Henry, BEACH READ

I interviewed Emily Henry, author of Beach Read, which has been on every most-anticipated summer read list there is! Emily writes stories about love and family for both teens and adults. Her novel follows a romance writer who has stopped believing in love after uncovering some secrets that derail what she knew about her family. Emily and I talked about writing as a way of coping with things we fear, grabbing hold of happiness, and her wonderful insights into the literary world’s genre stereotypes. Enjoy listening to our conversation!

David Baldacci, WALK THE WIRE

I had the best time interviewing David Baldacci at seven thirty in the morning on the publication day for his latest novel, Walk the Wire. David is a best-selling author. His first novel was Absolute Power in 1996. The feature film adaptation that followed with Clint Eastwood as its director and star was just one of the many film adaptations of his forty novels that he's written for adults. All have been national and international best sellers. David and I talked about how pub dates are exciting even after experiencing so many of them, his advice to aspiring writers that they need to find subject matter that they have a lot if interest in instead of writing about something they think will be popular, and the wonderful foundation he and his wife started, Wish You Well, which aims to eradicate adult illiteracy in the US.

Laura Hankin, HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

Laura Hankin is the debut author Happy & You Know It, a darkly humorous novel set on New York's Upper East Side about a struggling musician who takes a gig as a playgroup entertainer and the clique of moms she comes to know. No one is as perfect as they seem. Laura is also an artist and performer herself. The viral videos that she creates and stars in with her comedy duo, Feminarchy, have been featured in NowThis, The New York Times, and Funny or Die. I don’t know why, but we recorded this episode so long ago (I think in December!!) and joked about what could possibly happen between then and now. Who ever would have imagined?!!? We had a fun conversation about the Upper East Side setting, female friendships, how we judge and label people before we know them, and the in-depth backstories that made her characters so detailed.

Valerie & Lynne Constantine, THE WIFE STALKER

Lynne and Valerie Constantine are the terrific duo behind the pen name Liv Constantine. Their debut thriller, The Last Mrs. Parrish, was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection, a People magazine Book of the Week, a Target Book Club selection, and is in development for television. Their second book, The Last Time I Saw You, was published by HarperCollins and is also in development for film. Now they’ve just released The Wife Stalker - which you might devour in one sitting - a woman whose husband leaves her for another woman who is hiding chillingly disturbing secrets. I talked to the duo about female protagonists, how to weigh the past against the future, and how they came to craft perfectly unexpected plot twists!

Maya Shanbhag Lang, WHAT WE CARRY

Maya Shanbhag Lang is the author of What We Carry: A Memoir and The Sixteenth of June, a novel. Lang’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Observer, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and In Style, among others. I got to do an Instagram Live event with Maya for this interview. I was dazzled while reading What We Carry because Maya's self-discovery and unpacking of the family and personal histories we think we know are palpable and profound. Maya and I talked about giving yourself permission to talk about things freely and processing experiences through writing and also, weightlifting, which she says became an exercise not in picking up heavy weights, but in finally setting them down and giving herself permission to do that. I love that.

Brian Platzer, THE BODY POLITIC

Brian Platzer is the author of The Body Politic and Bed-Stuy Is Burning. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, The New York Times, The New Republic, and Salon, among other publications. The Body Politic is an incredibly savvy novel about a group of four friends who first meet after September 11th, but the narrative begins right after the 2016 election. Secrets, confrontation, and forgiveness are central - as is a deep first-person account of having a neurological disorder from one of the central characters. It really sets the novel apart, and listening to Brian talk about how it was based on his own neurological disorder infuses it with even more meaning. We had a really enlightening talk about vocabulary and self-advocacy around chronic illness, the delicate nature of entering into somebody else's "dark space" to help, and tipping points that prompt us to open up and take action.

Mary Katherine Backstrom, MOM BABBLE

I could not stop laughing during my interview with Mary Katherine Backstrom. It was late on a Friday afternoon/evening during the quarantine. We were both a little bit giddy. I kept getting interrupted by my kids. It was very informal. I almost decided to cut all of it. Then I said, you know what? This is what life was like that day, and it's fitting because she is the founder, viral blogger, essayist, and personality behind Mom Babble, a growing community of about half a million followers. MK, as she goes by, has been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and was awarded the Today Show Iris Award. We talked about the challenges of postpartum depression, adventure-loving children, chasing dreams, and her latest book called Mom Babble, which will absolutely remind all the parents out there that they are not alone!

Lionel Shriver, THE MOTION OF THE BODY THROUGH SPACE

I had so much fun interviewing Lionel Shriver about her latest book, The Motion of the Body Through Space. Lionel's previous novels include the international best-seller We Need to Talk About Kevin, among other terrific books like Double Fault. Her journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. Lionel is witty and insightful and has her finger on the pulse of contemporary culture, as evidenced in the narrative and characters in The Motion of the Body Through Space. Our conversation was sprinkled with laughter as we talked about her novel, which highlights what she calls today's "cult of exercise" and how exercise has become somewhat of a spiritual pursuit plus a socially competitive activity. We also explored the experience of aging especially as an athlete. I loved her advice to aspiring authors: "write whatever you damn well please!"

Anna Solomon, THE BOOK OF V.

I had the privilege of interviewing author Anna Solomon on the Good Morning America Book Club Instagram Live account. Her book, The Book of V., was the GMA Book Club pick for the month of May! The most recent of Anna’s three novels is The Book of V., an intricate tale interweaving three stories of three women spread out across three different centuries. I was completely floored when I reached the end of the book! Anna and I talked about the exploration and subversion of power and gender dynamics in her characters, the impact of female friendships, and the fundamental relationship between grandmothers, mothers, and daughters, plus her really interesting and visual writing process.

 

 

Elizabeth Wetmore, VALENTINE

Elizabeth Wetmore is the debut author — at age 52 — of Valentine, which is a #ReadWithJenna Today Show pick. Elizabeth also came to my virtual book club, which was so much fun! She and her thrilling, emotional debut novel that explores a brutal crime in a small Texas town, are on a huge meteoric rise! I loved our conversation about how she blended her experiences with compelling characters to create an astonishing work of fiction, the complexities in mother-daughter relationships, and her advice to writers: you are not alone, and you are not on anyone else's timetable. 

 

 

 

Ruthie Lindsey, THERE I AM

I had the best time talking to Ruthie Lindsey, the author of There I Am: The Journey from Hopelessness to Healing - A Memoir. A speaker, author, podcast host, and social media figure, Ruthie travels the globe sharing her story empowering others to find purpose in their pain and to "look for beauty in the midst of their sacred wounds." Ruthie and I talked about the trauma she faced while in "Earth school," survival and resilience, breakdowns and breakthroughs, healing and hope. Her memoir is astounding to read, but listening to Ruthie's story in her own words is really something else - she brings a spiritual contribution to the world that is remarkable. 

Alicia Keys, MORE MYSELF

I was over the moon (!!!) to interview Alicia Keys recently. Just in case you don't already know, Alicia Keys is a modern-day renaissance woman. A 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia is a songwriter, musician, producer, accomplished actress, New York Times best-selling author, film/television/Broadway producer, entrepreneur, and a powerful force in the world of activism. Alicia recently released her bestselling book, More Myself: A Journey. Alicia and I talked about the chaos and beauty of creativity, the differences between her experience songwriting and writing a book, the path of discovering who we are under the layers we build up, and leaning into your intuition. We also bonded over how our 5-year-old sons seem to be running our lives during this pandemic! Alicia's positive presence and authenticity is contagious; you can just feel it while listening to our conversation. 

Lindsay Powers, YOU CAN'T F*CK UP YOUR KIDS

Lindsay Powers is the author of You Can't F*ck Up Your Kids: A Judgment-Free Guide to Stress-Free Parenting and the creator of the perfectly named #NoShameParenting movement which has reached more than 170 million people across social media. A long-time journalist, her work has appeared in The Washington Post, the New York Post, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, CNN, and more. She was founding editor-in-chief of Yahoo! Parenting and most recently, she was the Vice President for Lifestyle and Entertainment at SiriusXM and the founder of a digital content consulting company. Lindsay and I talked over Skype about trusting your instincts as a parent, that one extra minute of screen time isn't going to preclude your kids from getting into college, and the importance of creating a judgement-free parenting culture. This book is terrific at any time, but it feels even more significant as parents are spending even more time with their kids right now!

Brad Meltzer, I AM... LEONARDO DA VINCI & THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY

Today’s guest, Brad Meltzer, is unbelievably accomplished. He is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of 12 thrillers, he has written several nonfiction books, and now his latest adult book is available: The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President--and Why It Failed, co-written with Josh Mensch. Brad has also written gift and advice books, as well as the massively successful Ordinary People Change the World series of children's books, comic books, and two History Channel TV shows. The Hollywood Reporter, understandably, put Brad on their list of Hollywood's 25 Most Powerful Authors. Brad and I talked about remembering that every accomplished person - from presidents to pop stars - were once kids, the important role failure plays in success, and how to look for and thank the heroes in our everyday lives. My kids and I are obsessed with his "I am...." series and love his latest book, I Am Leonardo Da Vinci.

 

Kimberly McCreight, A GOOD MARRIAGE

I loved talking to Kimberly McCreight about her latest book, A Good Marriage. Kimberly has such an her impressive body of work including The New York Times best-selling book Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards and was called Entertainment Weekly’s favorite book of the year and optioned for film by HBO and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films. Her second adult novel, Where They Found Her, was a USA Today best seller and a Kirkus Best Mystery of the Year. She's also the author of The New York Times best-selling young adult trilogy The Outliers, which was optioned for film by Lionsgate and Reese Witherspoon’s Pacific Standard. Her latest book, A Good Marriage, is a legal and domestic suspense novel that had me gasping out loud while I was reading it. The characters and their exploration of marriage, secrets, and compromises is riveting. Kimberly and I spoke about "sleepaway camp parties," plot twists, and what happiness or "a good marriage" can really mean. 

Alli Frank & Asha Youmans, TINY IMPERFECTIONS

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans are the debut co-authors of Tiny Imperfections, a novel. Alli has worked in education for 20-plus years in San Francisco and Seattle in both public and private schools as a teacher, college counselor, coach, and assistant head. Asha has taught in public and private elementary schools for almost 20 years. Their book, an intergenerational, mother-daughter story, is hilarious and pitch perfect. Set against a backdrop of a prestigious San Francisco private school, the story addresses race, single parenting, and dating at 40. The three of us talked about the school admissions process, family relationships, Alli and Asha's terrific dynamic, and how their experience as educators for over 20 years shines through in this heart-filled and humorous love letter to schools and school communities.

Betsey Johnson, BETSEY: A MEMOIR

I recently interviewed Betsey Johnson, the supremely colorful, world-renowned fashion designer and author of Betsey: A Memoir. A designer at the forefront of fashion for the past forty years, Betsey's new memoir illustrates more than just her iconic brand, exploring the fierce fashion industry, motherhood, love, cancer, and more. Betsey and I talked about hard work, talent, and luck as a trifecta that has contributed to her path, being a Leo, and asking for what you want and need.

Margarita Montimore, OONA OUT OF ORDER

Margarita Montimore is the author of Oona Out of Order, a Good Morning America Book Club pick and a USA Today best seller. Her previous book is Asleep from Day. I absolutely loved reading Oona Out of Order - it's so original, surprising, and captivating. Margarita and I talked about what it means to be or feel your age, the discovery process in revising your work, and her advice to aspiring writers: tremendous tenacity.

 

 

Jeff Gordinier, HUNGRY

Jeff Gordinier is the author of Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World. Jeff is the Food and Drinks editor at Esquire and a frequent contributor to The New York Times where he was previously a reporter. Written in a time when we could go out to restaurants and enjoy the beauty of that type of hospitality, this interview made me long for culinary experiences other than chicken fingers with my children. You really have to hear from Jeff himself in this episode about how he ended up on an "eat, pray, love, eat more" journey with René Redzepi, renowned Danish chef who has been a significant change agent in the world of food. Jeff and I talked about his career and infatuation with the experience of restaurants, that sitting down at a restaurant or bar to enjoy a meal or cocktail is to delight in self-care, and how this book is really about reinvention and personal change.

 

Kari Lizer, AREN'T YOU FORGETTING SOMEONE?

Kari Lizer is the author of Aren't You Forgetting Someone?: Essays from My Mid-Life Revenge. She is the creator of the award-winning show The New Adventures of Old Christine, which was based on her life as a single working mom, and an Emmy-nominated co-executive producer of Will & Grace. We talked all about what Kari calls the "no-man's-land time of life," shaping identity through motherhood, empty-nesting, and career, and the creative diversity between writing for television and writing a book. Her collection of essays makes everyday occurrences laugh-out-loud-able and totally relatable!

 

Amy Klein, THE TRYING GAME

Amy Klein is the author of The Trying Game: Get Through Fertility Treatment and Get Pregnant without Losing Your Mind. Amy wrote The Fertility Diary column for The New York Times Motherlode blog for three years and writes frequently about health and fertility for publications like Newsweek, Slate, and The Washington Post. Amy and I talked about her fertility journey, what the much-discussed "baby boom" may look like for people seeking fertility treatment, and the transitions The Trying Game went through before ultimately becoming this compassionate guide about fertility.

 

 

R. Eric Thomas, HERE FOR IT

R. Eric Thomas is the author of a collection of essays called Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America. A senior staff writer at elle.com where he has written the pop culture and politics humor column Eric Reads the News since 2016, Eric has also been published by The New York Times and is a long-running host of The Moth StorySLAMs. I loved talking to Eric about going viral, figuring out where the humor is in the hard moments, finding the narrative arc in each story, and that the reason we keep trying is to see what the next chapter brings us. Reading his fantastic, humorous essays feels like you're listening to him talk because he has such a clear voice as a writer - listen on to hear our conversation!

 

 

Emily Gould, PERFECT TUNES

Emily Gould is the author of Perfect Tunes: A Novel. She also wrote the books And the Heart Says Whatever and Friendship. She has contributed to many anthologies, Bookforum, and The Cut. She also ran Emily Books, an imprint of Coffee House Press which publishes books by women! Perfect Tunes is a fusion of love, music, loss, and motherhood. Emily and I talked about the dreams of her protagonists and herself, what it's really like to put aside a full draft and start over, whether or not we should worry about what’s in our obituaries, and the pull of collective anguish that really makes people come together.

Susan Isaacs, TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE

My interview with Susan Isaacs was a special recording that happened earlier in the year at an event at Temple Emanu-El in New York City for their women's group. We did this in front of a live audience, which was a lot of fun. Susan is the best-selling author of 14 novels including her latest, It Takes One to Know One. Her literary accomplishments are beyond impressive! Her novels have been turned into movies with huge stars, she has reviewed books for the largest newspapers in the country, been a political speechwriter, senior magazine editor, recipient of a number of awards, and is the chairperson of Poets & Writers. I loved talking to Susan about combining research and empathy to create captivating narratives, getting to "live" a life other than your own through creating characters on the page, and the irreplaceable pleasure of picking up a book.

Mallory Kasdan, ELLA

Mallory Kasdan is the author of Ella, a hilarious, smart children's book that made Entertainment Weekly's Top Ten Must List and was featured in Time, Vogue, The LA Times, and The New York Post. Mallory is also a podcast producer and host of “MILK” as well as a professional voice-over actor for TV and radio. My daughter is obsessed with Ella, which is a perfectly executed modern take on Eloise at the Plaza. I loved talking with Mallory about the inspiration behind the story, the relationship between author and illustrator, her super cool career, and parenting podcasts galore!

Lisa Damour, UNDER PRESSURE

Lisa Damour, Ph.D, is the New York Times best-selling author of Untangled and her latest book, Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls. She is a graduate of Yale University where she worked at the Yale Child Study Center (which I also did when I was at Yale!). She is an expert on child development and education which she applies as a research center director, private psychotherapist, consultant, speaker, and advisor. Wow. This episode is full of really meaningful tips for parents. I talked to Lisa about her research, understanding the healthy sides of anxiety, how we can manage our own stress to help teenagers find a middle ground between the extremes, loving your career, and ... face masks! Listen for her many insights.

Amy Fish, I WANTED FRIES WITH THAT

I interviewed Amy Fish (over Skype - the new normal!), the author of the fabulously titled I Wanted Fries with That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need. She is the ombudsperson, also known as the Chief Complaints Officer at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, and regularly teaches, speaks, and writes about how to complain effectively. Her book is both funny and absolutely helpful. It’s about how to ask for what you want and get what you need. Amy and I talked about why we're fearful to "make waves," the art of speaking up for yourself, and how to make a phone-free dinner table happen!

Rachel Bertsche, THE KIDS ARE IN BED

Rachel Bertsche is the best-selling author of MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend, and Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me: The Pursuit of Happiness, One Celebrity at a Time. I'm obsessed with her latest book called The Kids Are in Bed: Finding Time for Yourself in the Chaos of Parenting. It’s so on brand for me and my podcast because it's all about finding ways to create and use our #momtime. Rachel and I talked about her research into the areas of our lives that fall to the wayside when we have kids, letting go of the guilt we have as parents to get everything done, and tips for what she calls creating "pockets of indulgence.” Sometimes all you need is 20 minutes to see a friend (in the non-COVID days) or read a book. I just love this approach and I'm really trying to follow this wisdom!

Janelle Brown, PRETTY THINGS

Janelle Brown is the New York Times best-selling author of Watch Me Disappear, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, and This is Where We Live. Her latest book, Pretty Things, comes out this week! Her suspense-novel about two women, one a con-artist and one an “Insta-famous" heiress, takes deceit and scheming in the age of influencers to an unexplored level. Janelle and I talked about the downside of social media, real-life stalkers, transitions and friendships, and how to write something unexpected.

Nicole Kear, FOREVERLAND

Nicole Kear is the author of the middle grade novel Foreverland, the memoir Now I See You which was on many magazines' best-of lists, the chapter series The Fix-It Friends, and The Startup Squad. Her essays have appeared in the Modern Love column of The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Salon, HuffPost, and more. I read Foreverland to my two little guys, ages five and six, and they joined us for the interview! A modern retelling of Peter Pan, Nicole and I talked about coming of age, the fantasy of running away from home (don't we all just want to hit pause some days!?), and coping with challenges - for kids and adults, alike.

Rebecca Serle, IN FIVE YEARS

Rebecca Serle is the author of six books, and is a television writer. Her latest novel, In Five Years, is the Good Morning America Book Club pick for March of 2020 and a bestseller on The New York Times list. I interviewed Rebecca on her pub day (this was before the whole coronavirus came out) and there was so much excitement in the air! Her book tour has been cut short, but I have very fond memories of being able to celebrate her publication day with her publicist Arielle Friedman and my husband Kyle. We talked about plans getting replaced by the unpredictability of life, fate versus free will, and even psychic readings. Try to take some of that joy away when you listen to this episode, even though now we're in a very different time.

Darcy Miller, CELEBRATE EVERYTHING!

Darcy Miller is the founder of Darcy Miller Designs and the author and illustrator of Celebrate Everything!: Fun Ideas to Bring Your Parties to Life and also Our Wedding Scrapbook. A "celebrations expert” (how can you not love that?), she has been an editor at Martha Stewart for 25 years including as editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings for 23 years, where she is now editor-at-large. The idea behind Celebrate Everything! is that you just have to celebrate life and the people you love because you never know what's going to happen next. (This current pandemic is case in point!!) The book is visually inspiring and the message — taking the time to appreciate the people you love and toasting to everything from birthdays and anniversaries to losing a tooth or getting a new job — is a positive reminder we need right now!

Adrienne Miller, IN THE LAND OF MEN

Adrienne Miller is the author of the novel The Coast of Akron and In the Land of Men: A Memoir. She was the literary and fiction editor of Esquire from 1997 to 2006. In the Land of Men is her coming-of-age story in the male-dominated literary world of the 1990s, during which she became the first female literary editor of Esquire at the age of 25. It's about power dynamics, the workplace, and as she aptly says, "how to build a self." We talked about looking back at our twenties, her relationship with and the loss of writer David Foster Wallace, and being the ultimate decision maker about your own life.

Serena Burdick, THE GIRLS WITH NO NAMES

Before social distancing, I sat down with Serena Burdick, who is the author of the historical novel The Girls with No Names. She's also the author of Girl in the Afternoon, and is the 2017 International Book Award winner for historical fiction. I was enthralled by her book and totally think it should be a play. Serena and I talked about this story of two sisters, her relationship with her older sister, how societal norms change, Serena's love of storytelling and characters (and how that led her to pursue acting in her twenties!), and separating her research process from her writing process and her advice to aspiring authors: even if you feel discouraged, finish the work so you have something complete you can work with!

 

 

Fanny Singer, ALWAYS HOME

Fanny Singer is the author of Always Home: A Daughter's Recipes & Stories with a forward by Alice Waters, her mother. In 2015, the mother-daughter duo published My Pantry, which Fanny also illustrated. Her new book, Always Home, is an immersive and sensory experience: a fusion of recipes, stories about food, and her special and inseparable bond with her mother. We talked about mother-daughter relationships, how food is a meaningful way to show and share love, and how you can use the dinner table as a way to feel part of a team or bigger collective - all of which feels really perfect for the moment we're in right now. I was so honored that Fanny joined my virtual book club this week. She absolutely delighted the group!

Marisa Meltzer, THIS IS BIG

Marisa Meltzer is the author of This Is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World (and Me). She co-authored How Sassy Changed My Life and also Girl Power, and is a contributor to New York Magazine and The New York Times. Her work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Elle, and Teen Vogue. The inspiration for her newest book, This Is Big, was sparked when she read The New York Times obituary of Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers. Part biography and part memoir, Marisa combines two compelling stories: her own journey with weight and body image, and her immersion into the world of Weight Watchers to research Jean's fascinating life and entrepreneurial impact. Marisa and I talked about our personal relationships to dieting, eating habits as a product of our society, and the complicated influence food has on girls and young women in particular. I think this conversation and her book will resonate strongly with a lot of people because it explores how nuanced transformation - physical and emotional - really is.

Joanna Hershon, ST. IVO

Joanna Hershon is the author of the novels, Swimming, The Outside of August, The German Bride, A Dual Inheritance and, as of the pub day today (!!), St. Ivo. St. Ivo is a psychological/emotional story that centers on a married couple with something out of control in their lives (don’t want to spoil the plot!!) and how they cope during a reunion with two old friends during a weekend in the country. This book deals with how individuals cope with uncertainty and is a timely read for this moment in time! Joanna and I discussed how being what she calls a “recovering actress” influences her writing and her interest in how humans move through the stages of trauma and loss. Joanna shared how writing can feel like time spent with a companion and the idea that writers are often exploring their unconscious anxieties through their work. Make sure you listen in to hear about the encounter on the subway that inspired this book! Joanna's writing has appeared in Granta, The New York Times, One Story, Virginia Quarterly Review, and two literary anthologies, Brooklyn Was Mine and Freud’s Blind Spot. She teaches in the creative writing department at Columbia University and lives in Brooklyn with her husband, the painter Derek Buckner.