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Author News & Interviews

Interview: Diane Setterfield, author of Once Upon a River

Dec 4, 2018

Diane Setterfield is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE THIRTEENTH TALE and BELLMAN & BLACK. Her third novel, ONCE UPON A RIVER, is about the wrenching disappearance of three little girls and the wide-reaching effect it has on their small town. In this interview, conducted by The Book Report Network’s Rebecca Munro, Setterfield explains her inspiration for this richly imagined storyline; the role that the river Thames plays as a plot driver, the effects of which are felt by each and every character; and the research she conducted that allowed her to immerse herself in the time period in which the book is set (towards the end of the 19th century) and what she learned during the process that surprised her.

Author Talk: Michelle Obama, author of Becoming

Nov 28, 2018

In her memoir, BECOMING, Michelle Obama describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it --- in her own words and on her own terms. In this interview, the former First Lady discusses her inspiration for writing the book and what she hoped to accomplish; offers advice to people who are unsure about their path in life and who need some help figuring out their passion; and explains how she has dealt with self-doubt, those moments in your life when you question whether or not you’re good enough.

Author Talk: Susan Orlean, author of The Library Book

Nov 1, 2018

In her latest work of nonfiction, THE LIBRARY BOOK, journalist and author Susan Orlean turns her keen powers of observation and narrative gifts to the overlooked, underreported saga of the 1986 fire that ravaged the Los Angeles Public Library. In this interview, Orlean talks about how the book evolved as she researched and wrote it, and what drew her to this story in the first place; explains how technology complements a library; expresses her surprise and amazement when she learned about some of the day-to-day situations that librarians face these days; and ponders the future of the local library and its changing role in the community.

Author Talk: Hal Malchow, author of No Popes in Heaven

Aug 8, 2018

Hal Malchow has over 35 years of experience in politics, having worked for four Democratic presidential nominees and a long list of Senate, congressional and gubernatorial candidates. His pivotal role in introducing data science to American political campaigns and measuring the impact of voter communications tactics changed the way campaigns are run. In his latest novel, NO POPES IN HEAVEN, Malchow draws upon his experience to highlight the absurdities of our political system and the negative consequences of well-meaning reforms for our democracy.

Interview: Benjamin Ludwig, author of Ginny Moon

Jan 4, 2018

Shortly after Benjamin Ludwig and his wife married, they became foster parents and adopted a teenager with autism.His debut novel, GINNY MOON, which is now available in paperback, was inspired in part by his conversations with other parents at his daughter’s Special Olympics basketball practices. In this interview conducted by Carol Fitzgerald, the president and co-founder of The Book Report Network, Ludwig reflects on his conversations with book groups and the questions they ask him most frequently, the elements of praise for GINNY MOON that made him particularly proud to have written this story, and what he hopes readers will take away from the book.