This Is the Author

In this episode, meet journalist Susan Orlean, inclusion strategist and speaker Ruchika T. Malhotra, and researcher and crossword constructor Natan Last. Listen in as Susan Orlean shares how orchid enthusiasts in Florida inspired her to write her book, Ruchika T. Malhotra reflect on why the last chapter was her favorite to record, and Natan Last on the more intimate side of crossword puzzles and how they’ve served as a source of comfort and connection for so many people. The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/124844/the-orchid-thief-by-susan-orlean/9798217294756/ Uncompete by Ruchika T. Malhotra https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753092/uncompete-by-ruchika-t-malhotra/9798217163847/ Across the Universe by Natan Last https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796/across-the-universe-by-natan-last/9798217165407/

In this episode, meet psychic medium Laura Lynne Jackson, manifestation coach and speaker Matt Cooke, and clinical psychologist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish. Hear Laura Lynne Jackson discuss how she prepared to record her audiobook, Matt Cooke share his excitement for listeners to hear his personal stories with manifesting, and Dr. Tracy Dalgleish talk about the lack of resources available to help daughters-in-law build healthy relationships with their mothers-in-law and spouses. Guided by Laura Lynne Jackson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735734/guided-by-laura-lynne-jackson/audio/ Beyond Wanting by Matt Cooke https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/773553/beyond-wanting-by-matt-cooke/audio/ You, Your Husband, and His Mother by Tracy Dalgleish https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/780894/you-your-husband-and-his-mother-by-dr-tracy-dalgleish/audio/

In this episode, meet CEO & founder of beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills, Anastasia Soare, co-hosts of The War on Cars podcast Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, and host of the Sanctuary Stirrings podcast, Lori G. Melton. Tune in to hear Anastasia Soare talk about what inspired her to write her book and how she hopes to empower others, Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon on the negative impact of cars on our society, and Lori G. Melton on why she chose to narrate her audiobook. Raising Brows by Anastasia Soare: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776754/raising-brows-by-anastasia-soare/audio Life After Cars by Sarah Goodyear, Doug Gordon, and Aaron Naparstek: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/757609/life-after-cars-by-sarah-goodyear-doug-gordon-and-aaron-naparstek/audio Journey with a Giant by Lori G. Melton: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/764110/journey-with-a-giant-by-lori-g-melton/audio

In this episode, meet host of The Witch Wave podcast Pam Grossman, writer Jenna Moreci, and designer Cas Holman. Tune in to hear Pam Grossman speak about how magical techniques can support creativity, Jenna Moreci share which audiobook helped her turn off her inner editor, and Cas Holman reflect on the importance of reconnecting with our playful selves. Magic Maker by Pam Grossman: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753978/magic-maker-by-pam-grossman/audio How to Write Romantasy by Jenna Moreci: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777856/how-to-write-romantasy-by-jenna-moreci/audio Playful by Cas Holman: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/736596/playful-by-cas-holman-with-lydia-denworth/audio

In this episode, meet American Episcopal prelate Mariann Edgar Budde, rabbi Angela Buchdahl, and former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Joyce Vance. Hear Mariann Edgar Budde reflect on how our most courageous experiences are shaped in youth, Angela Buchdahl share her excitement for readers to learn about Korean and Jewish history, and Joyce Vance explain why the civil rights movement in Alabama is deeply personal to her. We Can Be Brave (YA Edition) by Mariann Edgar Budde https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804322/we-can-be-brave-by-mariann-edgar-budde-with-bryan-bliss/9798217171859/ Heart of a Stranger by Angela Buchdal https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697350/heart-of-a-stranger-by-angela-buchdahl/9798217163793/ Giving Up is Unforgivable by Joyce Vance https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/801635/giving-up-is-unforgivable-by-joyce-vance/9798217169337/

In this episode, meet writer and filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat, actor, playwright, and audiobook narrator Dominic Hoffman, and Indigenous activist Na’Kuset. Listen to Julian Brave NoiseCat highlight the use of endangered native languages throughout his novel, hear Dominic Hoffman share his experience reading and narrating his own work, and hear Na’Kuset delve into the documentary that inspired the creation of I Am My Name. We Survived the Night by Julian Brave NoiseCat https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688144/we-survived-the-night-by-julian-brave-noisecat/9798217165506/ Late Rehearsals by Dominic Hoffman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804965/late-rehearsals-by-dominic-hoffman/ I Am My Name by Na'kuset and Judith Henderson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721401/i-am-my-name-by-nakuset-and-judith-henderson-illustrated-by-onedove/9798217156931/

In this episode, meet researcher Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, journalist Beth Macy, and neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein. Hear Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman discuss why “Tokens” was her favorite chapter to record, Beth Macy on reporting the cultural and political shifts in her small town, and Dr. Ben Rein on the impacts isolation has on brain function and overall health. The Double Tax by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734115/the-double-tax-by-anna-gifty-opoku-agyeman-foreword-by-chelsea-clinton/9798217163656/ Paper Girl by Beth Macy https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739927/paper-girl-by-beth-macy/9798217163564/ Why Brains Need Friends by Dr. Ben Rein https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761227/why-brains-need-friends-by-ben-rein-phd/9798217161058/

In this episode, meet world-travelling octogenarians Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip, comedian and KevOnStage Studios founder Kevin Fredericks, and writer and musician Josh Malerman. Hear Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip on the power of travel and aging with “grace and adventure” all over the world, Kevin Fredericks on what he’s most excited for listeners to hear, and Josh Malerman on finding the rhythm in audiobook recording. Here We Go by Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753976/here-we-go-by-eleanor-hamby-and-dr-sandra-hazelip-with-elisa-petrini/audio/ Successful Failure by Kevin Fredericks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/752158/successful-failure-by-kevin-fredericks/audio Watching Evil Dead by Josh Malerman: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783050/watching-evil-dead-by-josh-malerman/audio/

In this episode, meet co-founder of The Home Edit Clea Shearer, writer Mary Roach, and historian Mark Mazower. Discover what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and find out who they would cast to narrate if they hadn’t read their audiobooks themselves. Cancer is Complicated by Clea Shearer https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746020/cancer-is-complicated-by-clea-shearer/9798217163946/ Replaceable You by Mary Roach https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807111/replaceable-you-by-mary-roach/9798217281527/ On Antisemitism by Mark Mazower https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768066/on-antisemitism-by-mark-mazower/9798217163618/

In this episode, meet writer Sasha Bonét, poet Rickey Laurentiis, and chef Samin Nosrat. Learn why recording her audiobook made Sasha Bonét feel like a musician, how the title of Rickey Laurentiis’s poetry collection acted as a premonition, and how Samin Nosrat turned her journey to reconnecting with food and cooking into her new book. The Waterbearers by Sasha Bonét: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717223/the-waterbearers-by-sasha-bonet/audio Death of the First Idea by Rickey Laurentiis: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753987/death-of-the-first-idea-by-rickey-laurentiis/audio Good Things by Samin Nosrat: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622646/good-things-by-samin-nosrat/audio

If you find yourself in need of a few moments of beauty, a breeze of empathy, and the warmth of a shared quiet space, this special episode of This Is the Author is for you. We’re celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month (all September long) by hearing from authors on their favorite library memories. Listen to clips from interviews with Naomi Watts, Glory Edim, Griffin Dunne, and so many more of your favorite authors to learn how libraries have impacted their lives and their communities. And don't be shy about letting a happy tear fall; this is truly lovely stuff. Episode features interview clips from the following authors: Naomi Watts, Glory Edim, Daniel Stone, Whitney Hanson, Tao Leigh Goffe, Joy McCullough, Susan Minot, Lydia Yuknavitch, Griffin Dunne, Haley Mlotek, Jefferson Fisher, Mikaela Loach, Antwan Eady, Manny Arango, Tourmaline, Mark Kriegel, Jennifer Pastiloff, David Gate, Jessa Crispin, Kaila Yu, Alishia McCullough, Vaunda Nelson, Suzanne Scanlon, Kevin Barry

In this episode, meet clinical psychologist Dr. Ingrid Clayton, writer Carla Ciccone, and writer Sam Sussman. Tune in to hear about the personal experiences that inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what it was like to record their audiobooks. Plus, learn how sneakily difficult it is to pronounce the word “onions.” Fawning by Dr. Ingrid Clayton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/9798217160617/ Nowhere Girl by Carla Ciccone https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735723/nowhere-girl-by-carla-ciccone/9780593950074/ Boy From the North Country by Sam Sussman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776752/boy-from-the-north-country-by-sam-sussman/9798217163625/

In this episode, meet primatologist Christine Webb, writer and poet Jim Reese, and writer and Emmy-nominated producer, Reza Aslan. Hear Christine Webb on the dangers of human exceptionalism and what we can do about them, Jim Reese on the intensity of the audiobook studio, and Reza Aslan on what he’s most excited for listeners to hear in this 20th anniversary edition of his book. The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717436/the-arrogant-ape-by-christine-webb/audio/ Coming to a Neighborhood Near You by Jim Reese: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/796877/coming-to-a-neighborhood-near-you-by-jim-reese/audio No god but God by Reza Aslan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/5837/no-god-but-god-by-reza-aslan/audio/

In this episode, meet author and speaker Austin Channing Brown, author of Full of Myself, and historian James Delbourgo, author of A Noble Madness. Learn what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. Full of Myself by Austin Channing Brown https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742511/full-of-myself-by-austin-channing-brown/audio/ A Noble Madness by James Delbourgo https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798395/a-noble-madness-by-james-delbourgo/

In this episode, meet authors Johnathan Walton, Angus Fletcher, and Dr. Vonda Wright. Discover how Johnathan Walton went from being the victim of a con artist to teaching others how to defend against scammers, hear Angus Fletcher on surprise pronunciation lessons in the studio, and listen to Dr. Vonda Wright on confronting the realities of aging for women, and the audiobook that changed her life. Anatomy of a Con Artist by Jonathan Walton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/745592/anatomy-of-a-con-artist-by-johnathan-walton/9798217075898/ Primal Intelligence by Angus Fletcher https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740110/primal-intelligence-by-angus-fletcher/9798217076987/ Unbreakable by Dr. Vonda Wright https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777365/unbreakable-by-vonda-wright-md/9780593736586/

In this episode, meet Thomas Chatterton Williams, author of Summer of Our Discontent, Robert B. Reich, author of Coming Up Short, and Kaila Yu, author of Fetishized. Hear Thomas Chatterton Williams on the pivotal and complex meaning of the summer of 2020, Robert Reich on what he would most like listeners to understand, and Kaila Yu both on what inspired her to write her memoir, and how she would describe her recording experience. Summer of Our Discontent by Thomas Chatterton Williams: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704632/summer-of-our-discontent-by-thomas-chatterton-williams/audio Coming Up Short by Robert B. Reich: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763803/coming-up-short-by-robert-b-reich/audio Fetishized by Kaila Yu: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738645/fetishized-by-kaila-yu/audio

In this episode, meet authors Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, Anne Waldman, and Fannie Flagg. Hear Zadie Smith and Nick Laird on writing a book for their children and working together in the studio, discover why poet Anne Waldman describes recording her audiobook as a “sonic investigation,” and learn what Fannie Flagg is most excited for listeners to hear. In the Wild by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777195/in-the-wild-by-zadie-smith-and-nick-laird-illustrated-by-magenta-fox/audio/ Mesopotopia by Anne Waldman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690646/mesopotopia-by-anne-waldman/audio/ Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/767921/something-to-look-forward-to-by-fannie-flagg/9798217159581/

In this episode, meet comedian and content creator Sarah Hartshorne, Slate staff writer and president of AMEJA Aymann Ismail, and writer Tre Johnson. Hear Sarah Hartshorne on being her own dream narrator, Aymann Ismail on the cinematic scene he’s most excited for listeners to hear, and Tre Johnson on the difference between recording an audiobook and reading one’s work in person. You Wanna Be on Top? by Sarah Hartshorne: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/750064/you-wanna-be-on-top-by-sarah-hartshorne/audio Becoming Baba by Aymann Ismail: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719995/becoming-baba-by-aymann-ismail/audio Black Genius by Tre Johnson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690733/black-genius-by-tre-johnson/audio

In this episode, meet poet David Gate, author and public speaker Jennifer Pastiloff, and poet Whitney Hanson. Hear David Gate on why he’s excited for listeners to hear poems on audio, Jennifer Pastiloff on why now was the time to write Proof of Life, and Whitney Hanson on what made recording her audiobook a reflective experience. Plus, find out which author prepared for their day in the studio by binge watching Severance. A Rebellion of Care by David Gate https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768719/a-rebellion-of-care-by-david-gate/9798217075997/ Proof of Life by Jennifer Pastiloff https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734285/proof-of-life-by-jennifer-pastiloff/9798217012015/ Climate by Whitney Hanson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776365/climate-by-whitney-hanson/9798217071678/

In this episode, meet actress and comedian Jo Firestone, writer and speaker Talia Pollock, and historian Scott Ellsworth. Hear how Jo Firestone’s book was born from the “unstoppable urge to combine” two of her most-loved interests, Talia Pollock on appreciating the power of word choice and language in the recording booth, and Scott Ellsworth on the personal and cultural importance of libraries. Murder on Sex Island by Jo Firestone: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/789705/murder-on-sex-island-by-jo-firestone/audio The Problem with Being a Person by Talia Pollock: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690816/the-problem-with-being-a-person-by-talia-pollock/audio/ Midnight on the Potomac by Scott Ellsworth: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743267/midnight-on-the-potomac-by-scott-ellsworth/audio