Top Shelf at the Merrick Library

“How had I only just learned that happiness and fulfillment were entirely distinct things?” ~The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner That’s only one of the many gems in this fascinating debut by Sarah Penner, and I simply cannot thank her enough for joining me. I was transported to 18th century England to a time where … Continue reading Episode 53 : Interview with author Sarah Penner →

“Reading a novel is an act of empathy because you are choosing to give over your world view to somebody else’s world view.” ~ Julie Carrick Dalton What an incredible conversation with the equally incredible Julie Carrick Dalton. We could have spoken for hours about so many different things, but most important? Her terrific debut, … Continue reading Episode 52: Interview with author Julie Carrick Dalton →

“But at some point, we’re all extra hungry, aren’t we, if not necessarily for grub.” ~ Tiller Bardmon Yes, this is just one of the many gems in Chang-rae Lee’s latest, MY YEAR ABROAD. I cannot thank him enough for getting up so early to talk with me about this incredible new book, and the … Continue reading Episode 51: Interview with author Chang-rae Lee →

What better way to celebrate the 50th episode than with Long Island native, author Sarah Langan for her latest book, the page-turning suburban thriller, GOOD NEIGHBORS. A riveting and ruthless portrayal of American suburbia, GOOD NEIGHBORS excavates the perils and betrayals of motherhood and friendships and the dangerous clash between social hierarchy, childhood trauma, and … Continue reading Episode 50! Interview with author Sarah Langan →

I have wanted to host debut novelist Elizabeth Wetmore on Top Shelf for so long, and when it finally happened, I could barely sleep the night before. This episode was such a delight and I could have spoken to her all day. We talked about her amazing debut, VALENTINE, the strong and determined women in … Continue reading Episode 49: Interview with author Elizabeth Wetmore →

Pushing into 2021 with an incredible debut… The Push by Ashley Audrain is not to be missed, so book clubs? Start your engines. For this episode we talked about motherhood fears, the origin story of The Push, being on the author side of publishing, and more. Ashley Audrain, thank you so much for being our … Continue reading Episode 48: Interview with author Ashley Audrain →

What a terrific sit down with author Greer Macallister! I’ve been a fan since her debut, The Magician’s Lie. Greer Macallister has the most empowering historical fiction titles that I can hardly wait until she has a new release. Well, her newest, The Arctic Fury couldn’t be more perfect: A dozen women join a secret … Continue reading Episode 47: Interview with author Greer Macallister →

Ivy Lin was a thief but you would never know it to look at her. So starts the compelling debut, White Ivy, by my guest for this episode, debut author Susie Yang. White Ivy is a coming-of-age novel that is a nuanced exploration of class and race filled with surprising twists and a glimpse into the dark … Continue reading Episode 46 Interview with author Susie Yang →

For this episode it is with pleasure that I present the first book in an incredible historical mystery series, The Widows by Jess Montgomery. To prep, l listened to the audiobook read by the wonderful Susan Bennett, and it was so immersive, I immediately started reading the second book, The Hollows. But let’s start with … Continue reading Episode 45 Interview with author Jess Montgomery →

What constitutes a good family? You may think you know the answer, but then again, maybe not even for one little second. Book clubs? Start your engines and grab your copy of A Good Family, the must-read debut by author A.H.Kim. Synopsis: Big pharma exec Beth Lindstrom is heading to prison thanks to a high-profile … Continue reading Episode 44 Interview with author A.H. Kim →

I am thrilled to present this interview with Kathleen Rooney for her latest historical fiction stunner, Cher Ami And Major Whittlesey : a tale based on true events that follows the experiences of an army officer who answers the call to service during WWI before his life and the lives of those in the Lost Battalion … Continue reading Episode 43 Interview with author Kathleen Rooney →

“There’s a story in my head…” novelist James Wade tells us in this incredible interview about his page-turning historical fiction debut, All Things Left Wild: after a botched robbery, sixteen-year-old Caleb Bentley is on the run with his mean-spirited older brother across the American Southwest at the turn of the 20th century. And boy will … Continue reading Episode 42 Interview with author James Wade →

I read The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbull in 2019 and this book is *still* with me… This incredible debut is an alien first contact novel set in the Virgin Islands and follows three families adjusting to this invasion. The Lesson explores colonialism, and the history of colonialism (how Turnbull does this, I will not spoil, … Continue reading Episode 41: Interview with author Cadwell Turnbull →

Let’s hear it for our amazing Episode 40 and let’s hear it for author: R.L. Maizes as we celebrate her debut novel, the incredible, Other People’s Pets. This novel is not what anyone would think of as a page-turner, but there I was absolutely riveted. I loved the characters, the story, the writing, it was … Continue reading Episode 40: Interview with author R.L. Maizes →

At the age of twelve, Eve Black was the only member of her family to survive an encounter with serial killer the Nothing Man. Now an adult, she is obsessed with identifying the man who destroyed her life. Yes, that’s my way of saying, get yourselves ready for this book and this interview with the … Continue reading Episode 39: Interview with author Catherine Ryan Howard →

** This episode was recorded pre-pandemic. Apologies to Liz Moore for the late posting.** I was absolutely thrilled to host Liz Moore for this episode. I read her book, Heft and I’ve been a fan ever since! Her newest book, Long Bright River is a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the strong bonds that … Continue reading Episode 38: Interview with Liz Moore, author of Long Bright River →

This episode combines three of my favorites: Erika Swyler, Erika Swyler books, and the incredible Long Island Reads Initiative! So yes, I had the pleasure of interviewing author and Long Island, NY native, Erika Swyler about her book, Light From Other Stars, which is the Long Island Reads Selection for 2020! Literary science fiction, faith, … Continue reading Episode 37: Interview with Erika Swyler, author of Light From Other Stars: the 2020 Long Island Reads Selection! →

Well. To say I was thrilled to host author Lisa See is an understatement. And no, I couldn’t sleep the night before. We talked about her most recent novel, The Island of Sea Women, available in paperback on Tuesday, March 10th. A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them—The … Continue reading Episode 36: Interview with Lisa See, author of The Island of Sea Women →

Book clubs, start your 2020 engines… You all know my love for books ’bout the ‘burbs and Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman checks all the book discussion boxes: When Jessica and Mitch find out that their core group of friends are getting divorced, they find themselves as the last couple standing. This third novel … Continue reading Episode 35: Interview with Matthew Norman, author of Last Couple Standing. →

Maurice Carlos Ruffin had an amazing book year in 2019, and since we recorded this podcast, his 2020 has only gotten better. We Cast A Shadow has been selected as a 2020 Pen Open Book Award finalist, is a 2020 ALA RUSA Audio Book award winner, Ruffin himself was the keynote speaker at the Literary … Continue reading Episode 34: Interview with Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of We Cast A Shadow →