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Archives - June 2012

Author Talk: Karen Thompson Walker, author of The Age of Miracles

Jun 29, 2012

Karen Thompson Walker is a former editor at Simon & Schuster who wrote her debut novel, THE AGE OF MIRACLES, in the mornings before work and on the subway. In this interview, which Walker did with her editor, Kate Medina, she talks about her narrator, growing up in California, and the similarities between the earth’s rotation slowing and our recent climate change.

Author Talk: Sarita Mandanna, author of Tiger Hills

Jun 27, 2012

Author Sarita Mandanna shares the background to her novel, Tiger Hills, identifying the ever-present human need to come full-circle.

Author Talk: Joshua Henkin, author of The World Without You

Jun 22, 2012

Joshua Henkin's THE WORLD WITHOUT YOU focuses on the Frankel family reunion on the 4th of July, a year after Leo --- a son, husband and brother --- was slain in Iraq on a journalistic assignment. His passing causes tension amongst family members, evokes tender recollections, and helps the Frankels understand the true meaning of family.  In this interview, Henkin talks about his inspiration for the novel, the difficulties of writing from a myriad of characters’ perspectives, and the role of his own personal losses in developing the story.

Author Talk: Alma Katsu, author of The Reckoning

Jun 22, 2012

THE RECKONING, the second book in Alma Katsu’s The Taker Trilogy, takes readers deeper into her expertly crafted, supernatural universe. Lanore tries to put the past behind her to make way for her future with her new love, Luke Findley. However, a shocking realization hits Lanore --- Adair has escaped from his prison and will come looking for her. In addition to unraveling the complex motives and personalities of her characters, Katsu talks about her writing process, the inspiration for the widely varied settings, and her feelings on true love.

Author Talk: Claire McMillan, author of Gilded Age

Jun 22, 2012

Claire McMillan offers an updated version of Edith Wharton’s THE HOUSE OF MIRTH in her debut novel, GILDED AGE, replete with scandal, tricky social terrain and decisions that change the course of the heroine Ellie’s life. In this interview, McMillan talks about her attraction to Wharton’s work, the way Cleveland inspires her daily, and the difficulties in revitalizing classic novels.

Interview: Mark K. Shriver , author of A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver

Jun 15, 2012

A GOOD MAN is a reflection on the life and accomplishments of Mark K. Shriver’s legendary father, Sargent “Sarge” Shriver --- the founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty --- as well as the principles that guided him. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s co-Founder and President, Carol Fitzgerald, Shriver discusses the incredible undertaking in writing such an intimate portrait, the importance of handwritten letters, and his father’s unconditional love.

Author Talk: C. W. Gortner, author of The Queen's Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile

Jun 15, 2012

C. W. Gortner’s newest novel, THE QUEEN’S VOW, follows Isabella of Castile through her complex tumultuous rise to power and her subsequent reign. In this interview, Gortner talks about his extensive research process and the surprising and unexpected things he learned. He also discusses how he approaches writing historical fiction and reveals what he’s working on next.

Interview: Lisa T. Bergren, author of Glamorous Illusions: The Grand Tour Series, Book 1

Jun 15, 2012

Lisa T. Bergren’s latest novel, GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS, tells the story of Cora Kensington, whose life is permanently altered when she finds out that she, is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s Melanie Smith, Bergren discusses her and her family’s passion for travel. She also touches on some of the book’s quirks, talks about her research process, and gives a glimpse into what the rest of the series will bring.

Author Talk: Francesca Segal, author of The Innocents

Jun 8, 2012

Francesca Segal’s debut novel, THE INNOCENTS, follows Adam, who has been dating his fiancé Rachel for 13 years and has become tightly integrated into her close-knit Jewish family and their London community. But when Rachel’s alluring cousin, a model, reappears in his life, he begins to question everything. In  this interview, Segal shares how the idea for the book came to her and talks about Edith Wharton’s THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, on which the novel is based.

Author Talk: Laura Moriarty, author of The Chaperone

Jun 8, 2012

In her new novel, THE CHAPERONE, Laura Moriarty reimagines silent film star Louise Brooks as a 15-year-old girl coming to New York for the first time with her chaperone, Cora Carlisle. At first, Louise is annoyed by Cora’s presence, but the five weeks they spend together ultimately will transform them. In this interview, conducted by bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld, Moriarty discusses the extensive research she did into the actress’s life. She also talks about being a writer in Kansas and shares a juicy story about Louise that didn’t make it into the book.