Professional Book Nerds

On today's episode, Adam interviews Emily St. John Mandel about her new book The Glass Hotel. The briefly discuss Station Eleven, her massively popular title based around a pandemic but, as this interview was recorded in January, the current Covid-19 pandemic isn't discussed. They get into why she was fascinated by Ponzi schemes a bunch more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam and Jill interview Michael McCreary, comedian and author of Funny, You Don't Look Autistic. Michael's book was chosen as the next Big Library Read title. From March 30th through April 13th you can borrow it on the reading app Libby without any wait lists or holds.  Be sure to join the global discussion at biglibraryread.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is an interview Jill did with Sharon Cameron about her new book The Light in Hidden Places. This historical fiction novel tells the remarkable story of Stefania Podgórska, who hid several Jews in her Nazi-occupied home. For the interview, Sharon and Jill were joined by Stefania's son, Ed.  To learn more about the Stefi Foundation visit https://thestefifoundation.org/ Interview was recorded in person at 2020 PLA in Nashville, TN, in February 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam interviews Stephanie Wrobel, debut author of Darling Rose Gold, a thrilling family mystery about Munchausen By Proxy that is equal parts dark and haunting. Adam and Stephanie talk about why this subject interested her, the psychology of the illness, and playing with timelines in writing.  Today's episode is sponsored by Literati. Visit https://literati.com/probooknerds/ to get 20% off your first two orders.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey nerds. It's a scary time right now We're all feeling it. If you're looking for some books to read in the next week, try one of today's recommendations from our co-workers Emma and Kristin. Books mentioned in today's episode Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Love Walked in by Marisa de los Santos The Institute by Stephen King Go To sleep (I miss You) by Lucy Knisley The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald Cribsheet by Emily Oster Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda & Valynne E. Maetani Hound Won't Go by Lisa Jean Rogers I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt Beard Necessities by Penny Reid     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, we have National Book Award-winning author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Dr. Kendi and Jason have collaborated on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, & You a remixed version of Dr. Kendio's NBA-winning Stamped from the Beginning. This book is perfect for young adults, students and readers of all ages to better understand the history of racism in America. Adam interviews Dr. Kendi first about his original work and then Jason at about the 25-minute mark. These are both exceptional conversations. Special Thanks to Clark-Pleasant Middle School for hosting the chat with Jason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise! We have a Saturday episode for you because we just had to share this conversation with Colum McCann. Adam sat down with Colum for a live event at Cuyahoga County Public Library where they discussed his new book Apeirogon, cultural appropriation vs. cultural celebration, his nonprofit Narrative 4, and why sharing stories is so important. His book is a masterpiece and you'll love this conversation.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Robin Whitten from AudioFIle joins Adam to dive into all the major Audie Award winners for the best audiobooks of 2019! They talk about the Audie Award gala and how the awards are selected before breaking down some of the biggest categories. Audie Award winners mentioned in this episode Audiobook of the year - The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff Audio Drama - Angels in America by Tony Kushner Female Narrator -Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson Male Narrator - Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny Fantasy - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Fiction - City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert Nonfiction - Grace Will Lead Us Home by Jennifer Berry Hawes History/Biography - American Moonshot by Douglas Brinkley Mystery - The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup Short Story Collection -Full Throttle by Joe Hill Thriller - The Institute by Stephen King   Other audiobooks discussed: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Becoming by Michelle Ob

On today's episode, Adam interviews YA Queen Cassandra Clare! They discuss her new Shadowhunter novel Chain of Gold, her research into Edwardian England, and they have a long conversation about tattoos. Her friend (and previous PBN guest) Holly Black naturally comes up as well. Today’s episode is sponsored by Grove Collaborative. Visit grove.co/pbn to get a free five piece cleaning set from Mrs. Meyer and Grove as part of your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring has... just kidding, it's dark and dreary here in Nerd land but thankfully March is jampacked with a ton of amazing new books to keep us company while we wait for the sun to come out. Listen in to hear the new books coming out this month that we're most excited about. Books mentioned in this episode The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby Stamped--Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk New Waves by Kevin Nguyen The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card Untamed by Glennon Doyle The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu The Deep by Alma Katsu The Body Double by Emily Beyda Deacon King Kong by James McBride The Sea of Lost Girls by Carol Goodman   D

On today's episode, Adam interviews mystery author Elizabeth Little in Philadelphia about her new novel Pretty as a Picture. They breakdown the storytelling aspects of writing a murder mystery, surprising herself as a writer, and they have a lengthy discussion about their favorite films.  Donate to help us support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/noh/cle20/pbooknerds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Jill and Adam dish out some recommendations for the first of the Professional Book Nerds 2020 Reading Challenge... Microhistories! Books mentioned in this episode: Timekeepers by Simon Garfield The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck Tree by David Suzuki & Wayne Grady Bourbon Empire by Reid Mitenbuler Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson Drink by Iain Gately Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz Semicolon by Cecelia Watson Milk! by Mark Kurlansky   Donate to our Leukemia & Lymphoma Society pages and help us find a cure for blood cancer! Jill – https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/noh/cle20/jgrunenwal Adam – https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/noh/cle20/adamico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam interviews Layla Saad, bestselling author, podcaster, and influencer in the world of social change, race, identity, and leadership. Layla's Instagram challenge #MeAndWhiteSupremacy became a global phenomenon and then a workbook before becoming an instant New York Times bestseller. They dive into how this novel came to be, communicating about race and so much more. Books mentioned in this episode White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo Highfire by Eoin Colfer  Followers by Megan Angelo   Donate to our Leukemia & Lymphoma Society pages and help us find a cure for blood cancer! Jill - https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/noh/cle20/jgrunenwal  Adam - https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/noh/cle20/adamico  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam interviews Pat Simmons, the Together We Read digital book club selected author about her latest novel, Lean on Me. Pat has written 30+ novels and her latest is available to U.S. library cardholders with no waitlists or holds on Libby.  Adam and Pat talk about the life of a caregiver, trying to care for parents who are sick, and take a deep dive into genealogy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam chats with debut YA author Phil Stamper! They discuss his brand new novel, The Gravity of Us, writing aspects of himself into his characters, his Twitter friendship with other YA authors, working in publishing, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Without Clementine Churchill the history of Winston Churchill and the history of the world would have been a very different story." We've lost count of how many times we've nerded out with Marie Benedict but it doesn't matter because each time is something new and amazing. Today, we're discussing her latest work, Lady Clementine!    Books mentioned in this episode Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi   Link to the tweet of favorite January books from our listeners: https://twitter.com/ProBookNerds/status/1223360321580040193 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam interviews debut author Adalyn Grace! They discuss her amazing young adult fantasy, All the Stars and Teeth, how she wrote this story so quickly, her internship at Nickelodeon, and so much more. Before the interview, Adam is joined by Andrea to offer up some additional reading recommendations.  Books mentioned in this episode All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace Save the Date by Morgen Matson Long Bright River by Liz Moore The God Game by Danny Tobey A Letter to Jo by Joseph Sieracki & Kelly Williams The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas     Today's episode is sponsored by Grove Collaborative. Visit grove.co/pbn to get a free five piece cleaning set from Mrs. Meyer and Grove as part of your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February is almost here, which means it's time for Jill and Adam to share the books they are most looking forward to this month. (BONUS it's a Leap Year which means you have an entire extra day to read!) Books mentioned in this episode: Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah The Resisters by Gish Jen Something That May Shock and Discredit You by Daniel Mallory Ortberg Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin Real Life by Brandon Taylor Weather by Jenny Offill The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace Apeirogon by Colum McCann 18 Tiny Deaths by Bruce Goldfarb Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare Amnesty by Aravind Adiga Belle Revolte by Linsey Miller The King at the Edge of the World by Arthur Phillips A Perfect Explanation by Eleanor Anstruther Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara A Delayed Life by Dita Kraus Greenwood by Michael Christie Music: Provided royalty fre

On today's episode, Adam sits down with Ryan La Sala in Philadelphia to discuss his sprawling fantasy novel Reverie, the vividness of his dreams, and how Ryan became the best person on Twitter. This was a BLAST. Today's episode is sponsored by INDEED.COM. Post your job today at Indeed.com slash BOOKNERDS and get a free sponsored job upgrade on your first posting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever had a moment in time that felt like a dream even while it was happening? That's how we felt getting to interview Lois Lowry for a full hour. We chat AT LENGTH about the stories behind The Giver, Number the Stars, and her stunning upcoming book On the Horizon as well as several of her favorite stories from a lifetime of literature. I don't know what else to say... she's a living legend.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices