Thoughts from a Page Podcast

Interview with Jenny Brown - Senior Editor, Shelf Awareness

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Jenny and I chat about her role as Senior Editor at Shelf Awareness and what that entails, supporting independent...

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of April - June 2023

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in April through June 2023. Our shared top reads: It Was an Ugly Couch Anyw...

Interview with Ashley Poston - THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Ashley and I discuss The Seven Year Slip, her love of time travel stories, creating a strong sense of place, switching from YA to a...

Interview with Riley Sager - THE ONLY ONE LEFT

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Riley and I discuss The Only One Left, writing a gothic novel, his writing process, what surprised him the most while writing this ...

Interview with Ruth P. Watson - A RIGHT WORTHY WOMAN

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Ruth and I discuss A Right Worthy Woman, writing about Maggie Lena Walker and including her in all of her books, the cover process,...

Interview with Wendy Walker - WHAT REMAINS

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Wendy and I discuss What Remains, cold cases, her Patreon episode with Megan Miranda, how she writes and edits her books, selecting...

Interview with Matthew Quirk - INSIDE THREAT

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Matthew and I discuss Inside Threat, Raven Rock Mountain Complex, what surprised him the most while writing this one, The Night Age...

Interview with Danielle Trussoni - THE PUZZLE MASTER

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Danielle and I discuss The Puzzle Master, how she came up with the ideas for this one, working with a puzzle constructor for this b...

Cathy Berner - Recommended Romance Novels

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cathy Berner of Blue Willow Bookshop joins me to chat about her favorite romance novels. Cathy's Book Recommendations: This is Not a Book about Benedi...

Interview with Fiona Davis - THE SPECTACULAR

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Fiona and I discuss The Spectacular, how she decided to write about Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes, the Book Club kit crea...

Interview with Simon Mockler - THE DARK THAT DOESN'T SLEEP

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Simon and I discuss The Dark That Doesn't Sleep, when the setting is a character, Project Iceworm, setting a story in the late 1960...

Interview with Kathleen Grissom - CROW MARY

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Kathleen and I discuss Crow Mary, how she learned about Crow Mary, researching the Crow culture, the use of the name Mary for Nativ...

Interview with Michelle Hoffman - THE SECOND ENDING

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Michelle and I discuss The Second Ending, the event that spurred her to write this novel, how she has played the piano since age 5 ...

Interview with Kristyn Kusek Lewis - Author and Contributing Books Editor at Real Simple

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Kristyn and I chat about her role as Contributing Books Editor at Real Simple, how she got started in the job, ho...

Interview with Jaclyn Goldis - THE CHATEAU

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jaclyn and I discuss The Chateau, when the setting is a character, the inspiration for the chateau in the novel, setting the story ...

Interview with Jane L. Rosen - ON FIRE ISLAND

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jane and I discuss On Fire Island, her connection to Fire Island and the strong sense of place in the book, infusing humor and hear...

Interview with Ava Chin - MOTT STREET

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Ava and I discuss Mott Street, the Chinese Exclusion Act, her family's close connection to Mott Street and how 49 of her family mem...

Interview with Lisa Brideau - ADRIFT

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Lisa and I discuss Adrift, climate fiction, why she chose to set the book in 2038 and the world building she did, helping people ga...

Interview with Paige Toon - ONLY LOVE CAN HURT LIKE THIS

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Paige and I discuss Only Love Can Hurt Like This, how she came up with the idea for this one, publishing her first book in the Unit...

Interview with Christina Lauren - THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Christina, Lauren, and I discuss The True Love Experiment, how they decided to tell Fizzy's story, deciding how much steam to inclu...

Interview with Megan Tady - SUPER BLOOM

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Megan and I discuss Super Bloom, her publishing journey with Zibby Books, leaning into the romance genre, portraying grief includin...

Interview with Caroline Bleeke - Executive Editor, Flatiron Books

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Caroline and I chat about her role as an Executive Editor at Flatiron Books, how she got started in the job, what...

Interview with Patti Callahan Henry - THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Patti and I discuss The Secret Book of Flora Lea, the origin of Whisperwood and how much fun she had creating it, the legend of the...

Interview with Laura Hankin - THE DAYDREAMS

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Laura and I discuss The Daydreams, her inspiration for the book, the fun research she conducted, deciding to have Kat tell the stor...

Ask Me Anything

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Ask Me Anything episode, Kelly Hooker asks me your questions about the podcast and my various roles in the book world. Support the pod...

Interview with Elly Griffiths - THE LAST REMAINS

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Elly and I discuss The Last Remains, how she chose Norfolk for the setting of the series, ending the series at least for now, creat...

Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn - Their Spring 2023 Recommended Reads

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mary and Pamela join me to discuss their recommended reads for Spring 2023. Mary’s Selections: Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline Fifth Avenue Glamour Gir...

Interview with Alex Mar - SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Alex and I discuss Seventy Times Seven, what constitutes justice, eliminating the death penalty for children, her title and its mea...

Interview with Brenda Janowitz - THE AUDREY HEPBURN ESTATE

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Brenda and I discuss The Audrey Hepburn Estate, the concept of home, writing about starlets and an heirloom item of theirs, indulgi...

Interview with Lauren Thoman - I'LL STOP THE WORLD

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Lauren and I discuss I'll Stop the World, being selected by Mindy Kaling's new imprint, time travel and how she incorporated it int...

Interview with Rory Carroll - THERE WILL BE FIRE

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Rory and I discuss There Will Be Fire, creating a roadmap regarding the history of the British/Irish conflict, how religion is real...

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of January - March 2023

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in January through March 2023. Our shared top reads: The House of Eve by Sa...

Interview with Megan Miranda - THE ONLY SURVIVORS

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Megan and I discuss The Only Survivors, the event that inspired this story, setting books by the water or by the woods and how both...

Interview with Jane Roper - THE SOCIETY OF SHAME

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jane and I discuss The Society of Shame, how she decided to write this story, weaving in the themes of scandal, cancel culture, med...

Interview with Jane Green - Founder and Creative Director, Emerald Audio

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Jane and I chat about her role as Founder and Creative Director of Emerald Audio, creating a company to produce f...

Interview with Rachel Beanland- THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Rachel and I discuss The House Is On Fire, the Richmond Fire of 1811, her stunning cover, how she chose who would tell the story, h...

Interview with Amulya Malladi - A DEATH IN DENMARK

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Amulya and I discuss A Death in Denmark, setting a book in Copenhagen, writing a mystery series, creating a character who fits the ...

Interview with Colleen Oakley - THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF TANNER AND LOUISE

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Colleen and I discuss The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, how her grandmother and "Thelma and Louise" inspired this story, ...

Interview with Jacqueline Winspear - THE WHITE LADY

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jacqueline and I discuss The White Lady, the woman who inspired Elinor, the emotional impact writing this book had on her, what sur...

Interview with Laura Spence-Ash - BEYOND THAT, THE SEA

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Laura and I discuss Beyond That, the Sea, exploring how someone moves forward when they can't quite figure out who they are and whe...

Interview with Jennifer Rosner - ONCE WE WERE HOME

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jennifer and I discuss Once We Were Home, exploring the nature of bonds and how they locate a person in a home, how her experience ...

Interview with Kristen Bird - I LOVE IT WHEN YOU LIE

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Kristen and I discuss I Love It When You Lie, writing a Southern story, mirroring her own family life, creating a mystery where the...

Interview with Balli Kaur Jaswal - NOW YOU SEE US

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Balli and I discuss Now You See Us, how she decided to write this story, having her book selected as Marie Claire's March Book Club...

Interview with Deanna Raybourn - A SINISTER REVENGE

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Deanna and I discuss A Sinister Revenge, her Veronica Speedwell title generator, Killers of a Certain Age and its success, weaving ...

Interview with Laura Cathcart Robbins - STASH

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Laura and I discuss Stash, why she decided to write this book, how tricky memory is, overcoming her addiction to Ambien, providing ...

Interview with Julie Carrick Dalton - THE LAST BEEKEEPER

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Julie and I discuss The Last Beekeeper, all of the world building she did for this book, why she chose bees, her own beekeeping exp...

Interview with Jessa Maxwell - THE GOLDEN SPOON

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jessa and I discuss The Golden Spoon, setting the book during a baking competition, the hardest part of writing the book, her stunn...

Interview with C.J. Box - STORM WATCH

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, C.J. and I discuss Storm Watch, weaving together two central mysteries into each book, how there is now more fiction focused on the...

Interview with Davina Morgan-Witts - Founder and Publisher, BookBrowse

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Davina and I chat about her role as Founder and Publisher of BookBrowse, how she came up with the idea to create ...

Interview with Shelley Read - GO AS A RIVER

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Shelley and I discuss Go as a River, the kernel of inspiration that sparked the story, her love of nature and wilderness, grief and...

Interview with William Kent Krueger- THE LEVEE

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Kent and I discuss The Levee, using Faulkner's novella The Old Man as a jumping off point, the booming audiobook market, writing an...

Interview with Cheryl A. Head - TIME'S UNDOING

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Cheryl and I discuss Time's Undoing, basing the story on her family history, setting Time's Undoing in Birmingham and Detroit and t...

Interview with Lynn Cullen - THE WOMAN WITH THE CURE

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Lynn and I discuss The Woman With the Cure, writing a book about the polio pandemic during another pandemic, how our culture is dic...

Interview with Amy Tector - THE FOULEST THINGS

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Amy and I discuss The Foulest Things, writing a series and mysteries as a pantser, why she created the fictional Dominion Archives,...

Interview with Sadeqa Johnson - THE HOUSE OF EVE

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Sadeqa and I discuss The House of Eve, how she was inspired by her family's history to write this story, colorism in the Black comm...

Interview with Christie Tate - B.F.F.: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Christie and I discuss B.F.F., all of the book's great pre-publication press, why friendships were so hard for her, social media's ...

Interview with Sally Page - THE KEEPER OF STORIES

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Sally and I discuss The Keeper of Stories, how she collected the stories for the book, why she started writing fiction, the importa...

Interview with Alison Wisdom - THE BURNING SEASON

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Alison and I discuss The Burning Season, her inspiration for this book, her fascination with cults as well as the wider world's fas...

Interview with Audrey Burges - THE MINUSCULE MANSION OF MYRA MALONE

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Audrey and I discuss The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone, how she came up with the idea for the story, the fascination with miniat...

Interview with Grady Hendrix - HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Grady and I discuss How to Sell a Haunted House, his decision to write about dolls and puppets, how he started writing horror, worl...

Interview with Erika Bolstad - WINDFALL

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Erika and I discuss Windfall, how she decided to write this book and the ways it changed over time, how everyone yearns to know whe...

Interview with Jenna Blum - THE KEY OF LOVE

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Jenna and I discuss her new serial audio drama The Key of Love, creating this story, how she approached writing it and how it diffe...

Interview with Sara Rosett - High Society Lady Detective series

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Sara and I discuss her High Society Lady Detective series, how she decided to write the series, how it has changed over time, why s...

Interview with Christopher Lin - Art Director, Dutton

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Christopher and I chat about his role as Art Director at Dutton and what it entails, how his department has chang...

Behind the Books

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Behind the Books episode, Kelly Hooker interviews me about the podcast and how it has evolved, my reading life, my literary salon, how...

Pam Lamp - Her Blog Plus Cookbook Recommendations (Originally Aired 8/27/21)

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pam and I chat about her blog Who I Met Today, how and why she started it, what she has learned from the blog, our shared love of reading and books, t...

Bonus Episode: Elise Hooper and Lynda Cohen Loigman Chat Books

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, authors Elise Hooper and Lynda Cohen Loigman recommend books about women with unusual careers. Elise's selections: Great Circl...

Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn - Their Winter 2023 Recommended Reads

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mary and Pamela join me to discuss their recommended reads for Winter 2023. Mary's Selections: Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor The Night Travelers by A...

Reminiscing about Some of My Favorite Episodes

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I reminisce about some of my favorite episodes: Gillian McAllister about Wrong Place Wrong Time Elena Armas about The Spanish Lov...

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of 2022

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books of 2022. Kelly’s selections: Best of the Year - No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib B...

Interview with Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman - THE THREAD COLLECTORS

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, we discuss The Thread Collectors, how Alyson and Shaunna met and decided to write this book together, what their writing process lo...

Amy E. Reichert - Holiday Traditions and Reads

03 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special holiday episode, Amy and I discuss her family's holiday traditions and her recommended holiday reads, what makes a good holiday rom-co...

Interview with Kevan Lyon - Literary Agent, Marshal Lyon Literary Agency

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Kevan and I chat about her role as a literary agent, forming her own agency, what she is looking for when is pitc...

Interview with Marcia Smart - DINNER IS DONE

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Marcia and I discuss Dinner Is Done, how she got started in the culinary world, the process for creating the cookbook, her focus o...

Elizabeth Barnhill - No Way It's Nonfiction! (originally aired 8/23/21)

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth and I discuss our favorite narrative nonfiction books, our auto-buy nonfiction authors, categorizing the genre, the categories we gravitate ...

Interview with Elly Griffiths - BLEEDING HEART YARD

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Elly and I discuss Bleeding Heart Yard, the inspiration for the story and title, how her writing process has changed over her caree...

Interview with Tori Whitaker - A MATTER OF HAPPINESS

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Tori and I discuss A Matter of Happiness, her personal interest in bourbon and craft cocktails, what the car in her book symbolizes...

Interview with Alice Henderson - A GHOST OF CARIBOU

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Alice and I discuss A Ghost of Caribou, the importance of old-growth trees for mountain caribous' existence, how the loss of one sp...

Interview with Joe Pompeo - BLOOD AND INK

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Joe and I discuss Blood and Ink, timing the publication of his book with the 100th year anniversary of the crime, the birth of tab...

Interview with Clare Mackintosh - THE LAST PARTY

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Clare and I discuss The Last Party, setting the book on the border between Wales and England, the increased importance and focus on...

Interview with Robert Crais - RACING THE LIGHT

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Robert and I discuss Racing the Light, how Elvis and Joe have evolved over time, incorporating current events into his novels, crea...

Interview with Robin Whitten - Founder/Editor of AudioFile Magazine

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Robin Whitten and I chat about how she created AudioFile Magazine and its role in the publishing industry, how th...

Interview with Kate Manning - GILDED MOUNTAIN

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Kate and I discuss Gilded Mountain, her inspiration for this story, the character she enjoyed writing the most, including Mother Jo...

Interview with Louise Kennedy - TRESPASSES

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Louise and I discuss Trespasses, living through The Troubles in the 1970s and setting her book during that time period, how a high ...

Interview with Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch - DECLASSIFIED

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Arianna and I discuss Declassified, her feelings about medieval music, the origin of the book's chapter titles, Mozart's obsession...

Elizabeth Barnhill - Our Favorite Books of Fall 2022

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Elizabeth and I chat about our favorite books that published in Fall 2022. Elizabeth’s top reads: Demon Copperhead by Barbara King...

Interview with Toya Wolfe - LAST SUMMER ON STATE STREET

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Toya and I discuss Last Summer on State Street, having her book selected by Steph Curry's Literati book club, how she ended up craf...

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of July-September 2022

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in July through September 2022. Kelly’s top 10 reads: The Displacements b...

Interview with Nora Zelevansky - COMPETITIVE GRIEVING

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Nora and I discuss Competitive Grieving, her own experience with competitive grieving, how writing the book was cathartic, the form...

Interview with Barbara Mujica - MISS DEL RIO

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Barbara and I discuss Miss Del Rio, telling Dolores Del Rio's story, weaving history into her story and all the details she couldn'...

Interview with Anne Bogel - Author, Blog Creator, and Podcaster

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Anne Bogel and I chat about the space she has carved out in the book world, how she originally got started with h...

Interview with Ann Davila Cardinal - THE STORYTELLER'S DEATH

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Ann and I discuss The Storyteller's Death, how the book is a love letter to Puerto Rico and her family there, the importance of inc...

Interview with Kristina McMorris - THE WAYS WE HIDE

02 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Kristina and I discuss The Ways We Hide, including MI-9 in her book and why people are so much less familiar with it, how the game ...

Interview with Elyssa Friedland - THE MOST LIKELY CLUB

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Elyssa and I discuss The Most Likely Club, her inspiration for this book, incorporating 90s nostalgia, how she tackled drafting fou...

Interview with Mark Pryor - DIE AROUND SUNDOWN

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Mark and I discuss Die Around Sundown, his fascination with World Wars 1 and 2, why he sets his books in Paris, his own experiences...

Interview with Angie Cruz - HOW NOT TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Angie and I discuss How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water, how humor can help a difficult situation, the importance of storytelling,...

Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn - Their Favorite Fall 2022 Reads

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mary and Pamela join me to discuss their recommended reads for Fall 2022. Mary's selections: Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta - ...

Interview with Deanna Raybourn - KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Deanna and I discuss Killers of a Certain Age, where the idea for this book originated, writing a contemporary story, how creating ...

Interview with Kerrie Hansler - Co-founder, Sweet Reads Box

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Kerrie and I chat about her company Sweet Reads Box, how and why she started the business, how Sweet Reads decides what books to se...

Interview with Brian Contine - Penguin Adult Field Rep

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Brian provides an inside look at working as a Penguin Adult Field Rep for Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, how he g...