Beyond the Next Chapter with Whitney Clark
Episodes
The best books of 2025
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The year has come to an end and it's time to talk about our favorite books of the year! In the final podcast episode of the year, our host Whitney Cl...
How to start and join a book club
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If reading more is one of your New Year's resolutions, it's the perfect time to start or join a book club! This week, we're hearing from the founders ...
Karen Schaler on her new Christmas book, writing Netflix movies, and TikTok
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The holidays are here and no one embodies the holiday spirit more than Valley-based author Karen Schaler. She's out with a new book for the holidays c...
Cait Jacobs talks about their debut novel, BookTok, and the rise of romantasy
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They are one of the original founders of BookTok, and now Cait Jacobs is out with their debut novel, "The Princess Knight." It features a princess who...
Books you should read this fall and holiday season
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Temperatures are going down and it's time for Fall reads and books for the holidays! We're joined this week by our friends Melati Parker and Rylie Occ...
Eli Rallo on her new memoir, Taylor Swift's engagement and "Wicked For Good"
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably seen her viral TikTok videos and now Eli Rallo is out with her new memoir: "Does Anybody Else Feel This Way?" The author, content crea...
The history of banned books
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's Banned Books Week! Banning books is nothing new. In fact, the first book ban in the U.S. took place in 1637, according to Harvard researchers. Th...
Angela Flournoy, "The Wilderness"
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ten years after her debut, Angela Flournoy is back with one of the most anticipated books of the year! In "The Wilderness," Flournoy explores 20 years...
Hailey Alcaraz, "Rosa by Any Other Name"
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time, we're joined by a YA author on the podcast: and she's an Arizona local! Hailey Alcaraz is out with her latest book "Rosa by Any Ot...
Diving into the world of public libraries
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do librarians do? How do libraries pay for books? We're so glad you asked! This week on Beyond the Next Chapter, we're diving into the world of p...
Karin Slaughter on "We Are All Guilty Here"
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Her name is synonymous with crime fiction and Karin Slaughter is out with her new book "We Are All Guilty Here." Slaughter is a New York Times bestsel...
Books you should read to your kids
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As kids get ready to head back to school, we're tackling the question: What books should you read to your kids? Whether they are turning 2 or 12 this ...
"The Bewitching" with Silvia Moreno-Garcia
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Suspense, folklore, and witchcraft: that's how Silvia Moreno-Garcia describes her newest book "The Bewitching." It's about three different women in th...
"Finding Grace" by Loretta Rothschild
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up for this book! It's hard to talk about "Finding Grace" without giving too much away, but if you read the first chapter you'll be hooked. Tha...
Books you should read this summer
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is still here and it's the perfect time to pick up a new book! If you're heading out of town for a vacation, or maybe you just need a bit of an...
Kristin Harmel on her new book "The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau"
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jewel thieves, World War II, Paris, a decades-old murder, and a long-lost love story: that's what you'll find in Kristin Harmel's newest book "The Sto...
Riley Sager on his new book "With a Vengeance"
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thriller lovers, rejoice! Riley Sager is joining the podcast this week to talk about his latest book "With a Vengeance." He's a New York Times bestsel...
Annabel Monaghan on her new book "It's A Love Story"
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
it's the best time of the year: summer means beach reads! Annabel Monaghan is out with her third romance book called "It's A Love Story." Monaghan is ...
Neely Tubati Alexander on her new book "Courtroom Drama"
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Calling all reality television fans! Arizona-based author Neely Tubati Alexander is out with a new book called "Courtroom Drama." This is Alexander's ...
Kennedy Ryan on her new book "Can't Get Enough"
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She's one of the most popular romance authors right now and Kennedy Ryan is out with the final installment of her Skyland series. Ryan is joining "Bey...
Sarah Penner, "The Amalfi Curse"
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to take a trip to Italy! On this episode, we're joined by Sarah Penner who is out with her new book "The Amalfi Curse." It's set in present-...
Jeneva Rose on her latest book "The Perfect Divorce"
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She's a reader favorite, and now Jeneva Rose is out with her latest book "The Perfect Divorce." This is the sequel to "The Perfect Marriage," which wa...
Jennifer Weiner on her new book "The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits"
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You've likely been reading Jennifer Weiner's books for years, and now she's out with a new novel called "The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits." The No. ...
Gregory Maguire on his new book "Elphie," the "Wicked" movie, and more
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are taking you to the Land of Oz! You may have seen the movie "Wicked," but before it was a movie, it was a hit Broadway musical. And before that, ...
How an Arizona teacher became a published author
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, we're going beyond the next chapter and taking you to Ireland! We're joined this week by Valley teacher and author Jennife...
Fiona Davis on her new book "The Stolen Queen"
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Calling all historical fiction fans! On this episode, our host Whitney Clark is joined by New York Times best-selling author Fiona Davis. She's out wi...
Books that feel like a hug
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you need a hug? We all do sometimes! In honor of Valentine's Day, this week we are joined by two librarians from the Maricopa County Library Distri...
Tessa Bailey on her new book “Dream Girl Drama”
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, New York Times best-selling author Tessa Bailey is out with her latest spicy sports romance “Dream Girl ...
The big books of 2025
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a new year, which means we have another year of new books and reading to look forward to! On this episode, we're joined by Rylie Occhipinto and M...
"How To Be Enough" with Dr. Ellen Hendriksen
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you set high standards for yourself or others? Do you consider yourself a "perfectionist"? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Ellen Hendriksen wh...
How to read more in 2025
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The year is coming to an end! Did you hit your reading goal? Do you want to read more in 2025? This episode is dedicated to helping you find more time...
The best books of 2024
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the end of the year, so our host Whitney Clark is taking a look back at her favorite books of the year! She picks her top ten, and a few of the a...
Exploring Arizona's national parks and monuments with Roger Naylor
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you don't love Arizona quite yet, get ready to fall in love! In this episode we're joined by Roger Naylor. He's an Arizona-based travel writer and ...
Stephanie Vasquez on her new book "All Our Wars"
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features an Arizona author and her debut novel! "All Our Wars" by Stephanie Vasquez is out now. It's a fictionalized organized crime thri...
The book and author convention coming to the Phoenix-area in 2025
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Calling all authors and book lovers! On this episode of Beyond the Next Chapter, we're joined by a Valley woman who's planning a convention for book l...
What it's like traveling to the deepest part of the ocean with Dr. Dawn Wright
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Beyond the Next Chapter is truly living up to its name! We're joined by Dr. Dawn Wright, who's the first Black person to reach the bo...
How a Valley boy is raising books for kids in need
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While many 8-year-old's love reading, not many start non-profits to comfort others! This week's episode of Beyond the Next Chapter features Anaik Sach...
Laura Dave on "The Night We Lost Him"
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After the death of their father, estranged siblings discover their dad may have been keeping a secret for more than 50 years. While his death was rul...
How to improve literacy rates in Arizona
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Only 41% of third-grade students in Arizona are reading at grade level. That's according to the most recent statistics from the Education Progress me...
How to solo travel on a budget with Jen on a Jet Plane
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we're taking you around the world, but on a budget! Our host Whitney Clarks to Jen Ruiz, the author of "12 Trips in 12 Months." The y...
Arizona Native T.J. Newman Talks About Her Third Book "Worst Case Scenario"
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From a Changing Hands bookseller, to a flight attendant to a New York Times bestselling author, Valley native T.J. Newman is getting ready for the re...
Book Recommendations and Read Alikes
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," Whitney Clark is joined by Marissa Daley, librarian and manager of the Fountain Hills library, and Paige...
Kate Quinn on her new book "The Briar Club"
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Author Kate Quinn is out with her new book "The Briar Club." If you like historical fiction, you will love this book! "The Briar Club" is set in a bo...
Ruth Ware on her book "One Perfect Couple"
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, our host Whitney Clark chats with Ruth Ware. She's known for her psychological thrillers and is a No. 1 New York Times bestsel...
Ashley Poston on Her New Book "A Novel Love Story"
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," our host Whitney Clark chats with author Ashley Poston about her new book. "A Novel Love Story" is out ...
The most highly anticipated books of the summer
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're going on a trip this summer and you're looking for a good book, we've got you covered! In this episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," our ...
Combating trauma in the workplace
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Beyond the Next Chapter, our host Whitney Clark talks to an author and psychologist about overcoming trauma associated with work. G...
Steven Rowley on his new book “The Guncle Abroad”
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a bonus episode of “Beyond the Next Chapter,” our host Whitney Clark talks to author Steven Rowley about his newest book “The Guncle Abroad....
Abby Jimenez on her new book "Just for the Summer"
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is just around the corner, and on this episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter" host Whitney Clark talks to the author of "Just for the Summer." A...
Why an Arizona mom and author wrote a children's book about camping
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time on Beyond the Next Chapter, our host Whitney Clark is chatting with a children's book author—and she's local! Lindsay Gonzales l...
Allison Winn Scotch on her new book, Taylor Swift, and 90's romcoms
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! If you're looking for a good beach read, Allison Winn Scotch's new book "Take Two, Birdie Maxwell...
Christina Estes on her new book "Off the Air"
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time, the podcast is featuring an Arizona author! Christina Estes is out with her debut novel "Off the Air." It's a murder mystery set i...
Rebecca Serle on her new book "Expiration Dates"
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if every time you met a man, you would know how long you would spend with him? That's the premise of Rebecca Serle's new book "Expiration Dates."...
Where you can go to book fairs for grown-ups in the Valley
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whitney Clark takes us on a trip down memory lane! Her guest this week is Laura Sharp, the owner of a Gilbert-based pop-up bookstore. Literally, A Boo...
What is a Silent Book Club?
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," our host Whitney Clark introduces us to silent book clubs. What is a silent book club? Think of it as a ...
Kristin Hannah on her new book "The Women"
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," our host Whitney Clark talks to the #1 New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Hannah. If you do...
Whitney's Reading Origin Story & How to Raise a Reader
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of "Beyond the Next Chapter," we'll introduce you to our host, Whitney Clark, and dive into her reading origin story. Some of he...
Welcome to “Beyond the Next Chapter with Whitney Clark"
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Think of this as a book recommendation podcast for all walks of readers, whether you’re an avid reader or you want to fall in love with books! It’...
Steven Rowley, “The Celebrants”
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A group of college friends lose one member of the group to suicide just before graduation in 1995. The loss resonates and shapes their relationships f...
Riley Sager, “The Only One Left”
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Riley Sager is back and this creepy, twisty thriller takes readers on a tense ride to reveal what really happened the night of the Hope family murders...
Ashley Audrain, “The Whispers”
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ashley Audrain, the author of the 2021 powerhouse women’s fiction debut, THE PUSH, returns to the podcast to talk with Olivia about her new novel, T...
Gretchen Rubin, “Life In Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World”
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happiness Project Founder and New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin returns to the podcast to talk with Olivia about her new book, LIFE I...
T.J. Newman, “Drowning”
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“A plane crashes into the ocean, sinks with people trapped inside,” T.J. Newman says in describing the premise of this summer’s new novel, DROWN...
Christina Lauren, “The True Love Experiment”
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, the besties and writing duo who make readers’ smiles and hearts grow with every book published under the pen na...
Neely Tubati Alexander, "Love Buzz"
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A Mardi Gras bachelorette party leads to a chance encounter for bridesmaid Serena Khan that leads her considering blowing up the life she’s carefull...
Don Winslow, “City of Dreams”
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“He’s driving across America, running from the mob, the feds, the cops, a whole bunch of people just to try to find a place to be and exist,” sa...
Rebecca Makkai, “I Have Some Questions For You”
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist Rebecca Makkai joins the podcast to discuss her novel, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU. The book follows...
Larry Loftis, “The Watchmaker’s Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie Ten Boom”
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Larry Loftis writers non-fiction thrillers. Not a genre Olivia was familiar with before reading his 2023 book THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER, Larry joine...
Anastasia Ryan, “You Should Smile More”
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Blair is most definitely not living her dream life. She’s working as a telemarketer for a judgmental tyrant who wants her out because of her...
William Landay, “All That is Mine I Carry With Me”
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For attorney turned novelist William Landay, the justice system is a complex beast, and the stories worth telling don’t often resolve simply. The in...
Sarah Penner, "The London Séance Society"
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah joins the podcast to discuss her second novel, THE LONDON SEANCE SOCIETY. Book number two comes just two years after her instant New York Times ...
Wanda Morris, “Anywhere You Run”
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“When I tell you I’m living the dream Olivia, I’m living the dream!” Wanda Morris returns to the podcast to talk about her second novel, ANYWH...
Rachel Koller Croft, “Stone Cold Fox”
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Screenwriter Rachel Koller Croft’s debut novel STONE COLD FOX is a deliciously wicked thriller about a gorgeous woman who has no intention of lettin...
Barbara VanDenburgh, USA TODAY Books Editor
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There aren’t many people around who read more than Barbara VanDenburgh, the former Arizona Republic writer turned USA Today Books Editor. When she’...
Elle Cosimano, “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun”
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When a misunderstanding at a Panera results in an offer that’s impossible to refuse, Elle Cosimano’s title character springs to life for readers w...
Dani Shapiro, "Signal Fires"
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dani Shapiro is the author of eleven books, and the host and creator of the hit podcast Family Secrets. She joined the podcast to talk with Olivia abo...
Valerie Tejeda, "Self Care by the Signs"
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2023 is going to be a good year according to astrologer Valerie Tejeda. Tejeda is a bestselling author, an astrologer with a degree in psychology and ...
Mary Kubica, “Just The Nicest Couple”
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Queen of suspense Mary Kubica opens the year with her latest suspenseful mystery, JUST THE NICEST COUPLE, to be released January 10th. The New York Ti...
Kiersten Modglin, “A Quiet Retreat”
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“You are cordially invited to visit the new Black Hills Manor Writing Retreat,” says the invitation received by five mystery/thriller writers, wha...
SANTA, BRING US THE BOOKS (and Mary Kay Andrews!)
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The countdown to Christmas is ON! Whether you’re looking for the festive audiobook to listen to while shopping or gift wrapping, or a gift idea for ...
Ben Lytle, “The Potentialist: Your Future in the New Reality of the Next Thirty Years”
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Lytle is a potentialist and invites all readers of his book to become one as well. He joins the podcast this week to discuss with Olivia the philo...
Katherine Corcoran, “IN THE MOUTH OF THE WOLF: A Murder, a Coverup, and the True Cost of Silencing the Press”
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“We are actually heading into the direction of Mexico, while Mexico is trying to be more like us, a country of free press that supports the free pre...
Books We Are Thankful For, with Whitney Clark
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whoa, the holidays are upon us (and the cost of dinner is up 20% on average!) So, let’s talk about what we’re thankful for: BOOKS! In particular t...
Nora McInerny, “Bad Vibes Only (And Other Things I Bring to the Table)"
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When Nora and her husband Aaron collaborated on his obituary her grief was introduced to the world, alongside the creative spirit and humor she and he...
Lisa Unger, "Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six"
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Luxury cabin out in the middle of nowhere, what could go wrong? Readers of the November thriller SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX. “I’ve been writing sin...
Sulari Gentill, "The Woman in the Library"
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Things like structural edits, what the characters do, that’s really the choice of the writer,” quips Sulari Gentill, while discussing communica...
A Moment With Margaret
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It has been too long since the podcast caught up on what Margaret is reading. Olivia’s favorite reader to turn to for book recommendations, the once...
Alex Finlay, "The Night Shift"
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When writing the conversations between teenagers targeted in a 1999 New Year’s Eve massacre at a Blockbuster video in THE NIGHT SHIFT, Alex Finlay s...
Laurie Lico Albanese, "Hester"
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Laurie Lico Albanese, author of HESTER, a reimagining of the story behind THE SCARLET LETTER, joins the podcast to talk about her latest work of histo...
Michelle Wolett of Once Upon a Book Club
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once Upon a Book Club is a bookworm’s dream come true: a monthly delivery service of an oversized book box filled with a surprise book selection a...
Amina Akhtar, “Kismet”
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amina Akhtar is a former fashion writer turned novelist, who uses her current home of Arizona as the setting for her thriller KISMET, where enlightenm...
Karin Slaughter, “Girl Forgotten”
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Karin Slaughter is the author of more than twenty instant New York Times bestselling novels, and she joins the podcast to talk to Olivia about her lat...
Jennifer Hillier, “Things We Do In the Dark”
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Jimmy was one of my favorite characters… even though he’s dead. Dead from the first word!” declares Jennifer Hillier, when talking about the ...
Dolen Perkins-Valdez, “Take My Hand”
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Historical fiction at its finest, TAKE MY HAND is a fictional retelling of a truly shocking practice in Alabama in the early 1970s: the forced sterili...
Bonnie Garmus, “Lessons In Chemistry”
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Widely praised as one of the best books of 2022, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY is the debut novel about the reluctant host of 1960s cooking show from Bonnie Ga...
Julia Whelan, “Thank You For Listening”
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Julia Whelan is a multi-hyphenate, multi-talented actor and writer. Her new novel, THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, is published by AVON Books (8/2 release.) ...
Katherine Center, “The Bodyguard”
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Like, is that too fun?” Katherine Center says she wondered, about THE BODYGUARD plot that places Hannah, an executive protection agent, in the en...
David Ellis, “Look Closer”
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
LOOK CLOSER is a wildly entertaining domestic thriller with so many twists and turns - even the savviest readers will fail to figure out who or what t...
Delia Owens, “Where the Crawdads Sing”
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Delia Owens’ marsh girl story is a fiction phenom, on the bestseller lists 166 weeks and counting, and holds the New York Times Bestseller List reco...
Daniel Seddiqui, “Piecing Together America”
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Summertime is road trip season, and this week’s podcast guest is the perfect guide to inspire our sense of adventure. Daniel Seddiqui joins Olivia t...