Griffin Hurt’s character is at once charming in his naivete, heartbreaking in his vulnerability, and winsome in his earnestness. He is sincere but lacks agency. In short, he has not yet discovered who he is and what he wants to be. But some of the adults in his life are more than willing to take over – directing, manipulating, and controlling his life. Listen to my conversation with author Adam Ross about his astonishing new novel.

Listen to my conversation with Loretta Ellsworth about her newest novel, The French Winemaker’s Daughter, the story of two women — one, the daughter of a Jewish winemaker in France, and the other, a 21st century American pilot — and a rare bottle of wine hidden from the Nazi’s under a fake label.

If you could take a blood test that would predict your future behavior — would you? Listen to my conversation with Charles Baxter about the quagmire such an “opportunity” might create.

Having lived in Paris for much of his life, Scott Dominic Carpenter shares insights on love and loss in the most romantic city in the world.

A mysterious woman suddenly appears at a home for unwed women shortly before she is murdered. Who is responsible?

After the genocide in El Salvador during the El Gran Pendejo regime, two sisters escape, fleeing across the globe. Listen to my conversation with Gina about this layered story, mystical and ghostly, in which we hear from the dead.

Listen to my interview with J. Courtney Sullivan about the inspiration for her newest novel, THE CLIFFS.

I devoured this book, NYT Bestselling novelist Claire Lombardo’s newest. This novel has everything I love: complicated families, an endearing yet confused protagonist, and thought-provoking reflection. Can we rise above the past or are we destined to repeat it?

My conversation with Elizabeth O’Connor about her debut novel, WHALE FALL, was a delight. Listen to it here.

What happens when someone from outside of a culture and community tries to interpret it for the outside world? For Manod and the residents of this small Welch island, it becomes a betrayal.

I adored Leif Enger’s newest novel, I CHEERFULLY REFUSE. His best yet!

Listen to my conversation with Lindsay Starck about her suspenseful literary novel, MONSTERS WE HAVE MADE. Our discussion ranges from social media influence on youth to the invisible victims of crime to her TBR pile.

In this latest episode, Sue Leaf talks about her book Impermanence. Our discussion includes the geology and history of the South Shore, the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes, and what it’s like to pilot a ship through the Soo Locks.

What a privilege to interview Kaveh Akbar about his debut novel, MARTYR! We discussed his transition from writing poetry (award winning) to fiction, fiction as thought experiment, and the laughing worm (yes, we did.) A lovely, heartbreaking work that ultimately speaks to resilience and hope.

Listen to my conversation with Ariel Lawhon about her fascinating book, The Frozen River, a novel based upon the life of real-life 1700’s midwife, Martha Ballard. A spell-binding read!

In this episode Kate St. Vincent Vogl and I discuss the pioneering women motorcycle riders of the 1930’s and 40’s who broke convention and formed their own all woman motorcycle association. It’s a wild ride — hope you’ll listen in!