Book Club Appetizer

Ambi Kavanagh is a Reiki master, astrologer, sound healer, life coach, and host of the podcast "Alchemy with Ambi." With a unique focus on using astrological cycles and the seasons as a form of coaching, she considers herself a modern-day alchemist who serves as a catalyst for positive change in people’s lives. Her book CHAKRAS AND SELF-CARE is an inspiring journey through the energetic centers of the body with meditation, rituals, and daily self-care. Now let's join Pat Stango in conversation with author Ambi Kavanagh.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed speculative novels GODS OF JADE AND SHADOW, and the crime novel UNTAMED SHORE. Her new novel MEXICAN GOTHIC is a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror set in glamorous 1950s Mexico. Now let's join Tricia Narwani, the editorial director at Del Rey, in conversation with author Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Brit Bennett is the author of the New York Times best seller THE MOTHERS. Her latest work is THE VANISHING HALF, a stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds—one black and one white. Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once riveting, emotional, and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Let's now join Riverhead Marketing Director Ashley Sutton in conversation with author Brit Bennett. Follow on Social: Brit Bennett Ashley Sutton Riverhead Books

Janice Kaplan is the author or coauthor of fourteen books, including the New York Times bestsellers THE GRATITUDE DIARIES and I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN. In her latest book THE GENIUS OF WOMEN, Janice asks the question why do 90 percent of Americans believe that geniuses are almost always men? She explores the powerful forces that have rigged the system—and celebrates the women geniuses, past and present, who have triumphed anyway. Now let's join author Janice Kaplan in conversation with her editor Jill Schwartzman.

Wendy Benchley is a marine and environmental conservation advocate, and former councilwoman from New Jersey. Her husband Peter Benchley was the famed author of JAWS, the classic suspense novel of shark versus man, which was made into the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie. The Jaws phenomenon changed popular culture and continues to inspire a growing interest in sharks and the oceans today. Today Wendy Benchley joins our producer Pat Stango to discuss the legacy of JAWS, how its story still resonates in the events of today, and why ocean conservation is something she still fights for.

Rory Power is the New York Times best-selling author of WILDER GIRLS. In her latest thriller BURN YOUR BODIES DOWN, a young woman is haunted by her family's past. The book has been called a deliriously creepy tale that will keep your nightmares up at night. Now let's join our own Caitlin Whalen in conversation with author Rory Power.

Kate Reed Petty is an essayist, filmmaker, and co-author of the middle-grade graphic novel CHASMA KNIGHTS. Her debut novel TRUE STORY is part psychological thriller, part fever dream, and part timely comment on sexual assault, power, and the very nature of truth. Ingeniously constructed and full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final pages, it marks the debut of a singular and daring new voice in fiction. Now let's join author Kate Reed Petty in conversation with her editor Lindsey Schwoeri.

Dr. Gina Senarighi is an author, teacher, sexuality counselor, and certified relationship coach. She’s been supporting clean fights and dirty sex in happy, healthy relationships as an educator, coach, consultant, and couples therapist for over 10 years. In LOVE MORE, FIGHT LESS she has authored a relationship workbook for couples who want to learn new skills and build a solid foundation for working through conflicts, and move forward in ways that strengthen their bonds. Let's join our producer Pat Stango in conversation with Dr. Gina Senarighi.

Born in Trinidad, Ingrid Persaud won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2017 and the BBC Short Story Award in 2018. Her new novel LOVE AFTER LOVE has been praised as a Best Book of the Summer by Time, The Guardian, Goop, and Lithub. In vibrant, addictive Trinidadian prose, LOVE AFTER LOVE questions who and how we love, the obligations of family, and the consequences of choices made in desperation. Let's join One World editor Nicole Counts in conversation with author Ingrid Persaud.

Riley Sager’s first novel, Final Girls, was a national and international bestseller that has been published in more than two dozen countries. In his latest novel HOME BEFORE DARK, a woman returns to the house made famous by her father’s bestselling horror memoir. Is the place really haunted by evil forces, as her father claimed? Or are there more earthbound—and dangerous—secrets hidden within its walls? Let's join Penguin editor Maya Ziv in conversation with author Riley Sager

Rob Hart has worked as a book publisher, political reporter, and author of the ASH MCKENNA crime series. His acclaimed novel THE WAREHOUSE is a near-future thriller set in a giant tech company, and shows what happens when Big Brother meets Big Business–and who will pay the ultimate price. Today Rob is in conversation with fellow author Alex Segura, who wrote the new Star Wars book POE DAMERON: FREE FALL. Join Alex Segura and Rob Hart as they discuss, among other things, just how close we might be to the dystopia of THE WAREHOUSE.

The youngest of her parents’ combined twenty-one children, Sarah Frey grew up on a struggling farm in southern Illinois, dreaming of running away to the big city. But at only seventeen, when the family farm faced inevitable foreclosure, Frey took over the farm and created her own produce company. Today, her family-operated company Frey Farms has become one of America’s largest fresh produce growers and shippers, with farmland spread across seven states. Her new book THE GROWING SEASON tells the inspiring story of how a scrappy rural childhood gave Frey the grit and resiliency to take risks that paid off in unexpected ways. Let's join author Sarah Frey in conversation with her editor Susanna Porter.

Jennie Fields is the author of THE AGE OF DESIRE and her latest novel ATOMIC LOVE. Delia Owens, author of WHERE THE CRAWDADS LIVE, raves that ATOMIC LOVE is "Riveting. A highly-charged love story that reveals the dangerous energy at the heart of every real connection." Let's join Putnam Executive Editor Tara Carlson in conversation with author Jennie Fields.

Diksha Basu is the author of THE WINDFALL and her latest novel DESTINATION WEDDING. Infused with warmth and charm, DESTINATION WEDDING grapples with the nuances of family, careers, belonging, and how we find the people who make a place feel like home. Terry McMillan raves that DESTINATION WEDDING is "A witty and romantic novel perfect for all readers." Now let's join Random House's Taylor Noel in conversation with author Diksha Basu.

Kathleen Rooney is the author of the novel LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK, and is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press and a founding member of Poems While You Wait. Her latest novel CHER AMI AND MAJOR WHITTLESEY, which Booklist raves is "Imaginative and audacious. A celebration of animal intelligence, and tribute to altruism and courage." Let's join Penguin editor Margaux Weisman in conversation with author Kathleen Rooney.

Karen Dionne is the USA Today and #1 internationally bestselling author of the award-winning psychological suspense novel THE MARSH KING'S DAUGHTER. Her latest is THE WICKED SISTER, a startling novel of psychological suspense as two generations of sisters try to unravel their tangled relationships between nature and nurture, guilt and betrayal, love and evil. On today's episode, Putnam's Executive Editor Mark Tavani converses with author Karen Dionne about her latest book and her writing process.

Kim Johnson held leadership positions in social justice organizations as a teen. She’s now a college administrator who maintains civic engagement throughout the community while also mentoring Black student activists and leaders. Her debut novel THIS IS MY AMERICA explores racial injustice against innocent Black men who are criminally sentenced, and the families left behind to pick up the pieces. Nic Stone, bestselling author of DEAR MARTIN, raves that THIS IS MY AMERICA is "incredible and searing." Now let's join our own Caitlin Whalen in conversation with author Kim Johnson.

Lindsey Daly is a middle school social studies teacher and the author of WOULD YOU RATHER?, which is a book that allows children to confront philosophical questions such as "Would you rather kiss a fish swimming in a radioactive pond, or roll down a hill hugging a porcupine?" On today's very special episode, our producer Pat Stango talks to Lindsey about how she created the book, and together they play through some of the most intriguing WOULD YOU RATHER scenarios. This one gets very weird. Enjoy!

Christine Feehan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Carpathian series, the GhostWalker series, the Leopard series, the Shadow Riders series, and the Sea Haven novels, including the Drake Sisters series and the Sisters of the Heart series. Her latest book DESOLATION ROAD is a thrilling romance novel set within a motorcycle club, and in her upcoming passionate novel DARK SONG two Carpathians find hope in the bond that ties their souls. Let's join Berkley's Editorial Director Cindy Hwang in conversation with author Christine Feehan.

Wes Moore is the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, one of the largest antipoverty organizations in the country. He is the author of the bestsellers THE OTHER WES MOORE and THE WORK, and his latest book FIVE DAYS is an illuminating portrait of Baltimore in the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray. This account of five days in the life of a city on the edge is told through eight characters on the front lines of the uprising that overtook Baltimore and riveted the world. Now let's join Chris Jackson, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of One World, in conversation with author Wes Moore.