Book Club Appetizer

Kate Stayman-London is a novelist, screenwriter, and political strategist. She served as lead digital writer for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has written for notable figures ranging from President Obama to Cher. In her delightful, razor-sharp debut novel ONE TO WATCH, a plus-size bachelorette brings a fresh look to a reality dating show. Let's join editor Emma Caruso in conversation with author Kate Stayman-London.

Josh Malerman is a New York Times bestselling author and one of two singer/ songwriters for the rock band The High Strung. His debut novel, BIRDBOX, is the inspiration for the hit Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock. His latest MALORIE is a thrilling sequel to BIRDBOX, in which our hero has a harrowing choice to make: to live by the rules of survival that have served her so well, or to venture into the darkness and reach for hope once more. Now let's join editor Tricia Narwani in conversation with author Josh Malerman. This interview appears courtesy of our sister podcast DEL REYDIO. If you're a fan of sci-fi/fantasy, please check out DEL REYDIO.

On this special episode we're celebrating poetry with an all-star panel. Enjoy readings from Fatimah Asghar (author of IF THEY COME FOR US), Billy Collins (author of WHALE DAY), Olivia Gatwood (author of LIFE OF THE PARTY), Nate Marshall (author of FINNA), Jana Prikryl (author of NO MATTER), Jenny Zhang (author of SOUR HEART), and moderator Samantha Leach, who is the Culture Editor at Bustle. This event was produced by Random House and Bustle for National Poetry Month. And now please enjoy an episode filled with some of our favorite poets.

Megha Majumdar was born and raised in Kolkata, India, and moved to the United States to attend college at Harvard University, where she was a Traub Scholar. In her debut novel A BURNING she writes with dazzling assurance at a breakneck pace on complex themes such as class, fate, corruption, justice, and what it feels like to face profound obstacles and yet nurture big dreams in a country spinning toward extremism. Let's join Megha Majumdar in conversation with her editor Jordan Pavlin.

Today's guest is Simran Jeet Singh, author of FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the true story of Fauja Singh, who broke world records to become the first one hundred-year-old to run a marathon. The book shares valuable lessons on the source of his grit, determination to overcome obstacles, and commitment to positive representation of the Sikh community. Now let's join Namrata Tripathi, the VP and Publisher of Kokila, in conversation with author Simran Jeet Singh.

Today's guest is Andrea Bartz, a Brooklyn-based journalist and author of the suspense thrillers THE LOST NIGHT and THE HERD. Oprah Magazine raves that “Andrea Bartz breathes new life into the psychological thriller by setting her novels in bitingly modern settings. Her first book, THE LOST NIGHT, is set in Williamsburg’s party scene. THE HERD is a biting satire of a women’s workspace like the Wing, and the darkness that may lurk behind that perfectly coiffed sitting room.” Let's join Random House's Taylor Noel in conversation with author Andrea Bartz.

Today's guest is Ruth Reichl, the bestselling author of MY KITCHEN YEAR, DELICIOUS, and her latest memoir SAVE ME THE PLUMS which chronicles her groundbreaking tenure as editor in chief of Gourmet. Complete with recipes, SAVE ME THE PLUMS is a personal journey of a woman coming to terms with being in charge and making a mark, following a passion and holding on to her dreams—even when she ends up in a place she never expected to be. Now let's join Random House's Taylor Noel in conversation with author Ruth Reichl. SAVE ME THE PLUMS: “Poignant and hilarious . . . simply delicious . . . Each serving of magazine folklore is worth savoring. In fact, Reichl’s story is juicier than a Peter Luger porterhouse. Dig in.”—The New York Times Book Review “In this smart, touching, and dishy memoir . . . Ruth Reichl recalls her years at the helm of Gourmet magazine with clear eyes, a sense of humor, and some very appealing recipes.”—Town & Country “If you haven’t picked up food writing queen Ruth Reichl’s new book, Save

Today's guest is Lauren Ho, author of the debut novel LAST TANG STANDING. This funny romance has been described as CRAZY RICH ASIANS meets BRIDGET JONES' DIARY, and is about the pursuit of happiness, surviving one’s thirties intact, and opening oneself up to love. This story asks the question: In the endless tug-of-war between pleasing others and pleasing herself, is there room for everyone to win? In this interview which also aired on the romance novel podcast LEARNING THE TROPES, Erin Leafe talks to Lauren Ho about her life, her writing, and everything romance.

Today we have a conversation between authors J. Kelly Hoey and Maxie McCoy. J. KELLY HOEY is a writer, investor, connector, networking expert, and author of the book BUILD YOUR DREAM NETWORK. In both the book and her podcast of the same name, Hoey presents innovative strategies for forming strong relationships—the genuine, mutually beneficial, long-lasting kind—using all of the social tools at your disposal. Maxie McCoy is a writer and speaker obsessed with giving women the tools they need to believe in themselves. Her book YOU'RE NOT LOST is the manifesto for a generation of women who don’t have the self-confidence to trust their instincts and go for it. Let's join J. Kelly Hoey and Maxie McCoy as they discuss networking, business, and just how to maximize your own potential.

On today's show we have a conversation between Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown, authors of WE ARE EVERYWHERE: PROTEST, POWER, AND PRIDE IN THE HISTORY OF QUEER LIBERATION. This book is a a rich and sweeping photographic history of the Queer Liberation Movement from the creators and curators of the massively popular Instagram account @lgbt_history, and traces queer activism from its roots in late-nineteenth-century Europe–long before the pivotal Stonewall Riots of 1969–to the gender warriors leading the charge today. The New York Times calls WE ARE EVERYWHERE “An impassioned photographic tour of an ever-changing, increasingly vocal and insistently resilient LGBTQ community and culture, from nineteenth century ideology to contemporary conversations around intersectionality.” Please join Matthew and Leighton for a fascinating conversation about LGBTQ history, intersectionality, and activism.

On today's show Max Brooks, the author of World War Z, The Zombie Survival Guide, and Minecraft: The Island, talks with his editor Sarah Peed about his writing process, survival, and his newest book, DEVOLUTION. Part survival narrative, part bloody horror tale, and part scientific journey into the boundaries between truth and fiction, DEVOLUTION is a Bigfoot story as only Max Brooks could chronicle it. This interview originally premiered on Del Reydio---that's D-E-L R-E-Y-D-I-O, the dedicated podcast for Random House's Del Rey imprint. Del Rey is one of the world's foremost publishers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, as well as media and pop culture titles. And now, here's our conversation with Max Brooks.

On today's show we have author Chanel Cleeton, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA. Her latest book LAST TRAIN TO KEY WEST is about three women in 1925 whose lives are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys. OprahMag.com says "Cleeton’s beach reads are often lit by the sun of places like Florida and Cuba, and her latest doesn’t disappoint." Now let's join internationally renowned book blogger Vilma Iris Gonzalez in conversation with Chanel Cleeton.

Today's guest is Dustin Lance Black: an author, filmmaker and social activist known for writing the Academy Award–winning screenplay of the Harvey Milk biopic MILK, and for his part in overturning California’s discriminatory Proposition 8. His heartfelt, deeply personal memoir MAMA'S BOY explores how a mother and son built bridges across great cultural divides—and how our stories hold the power to heal. Now please join book editor Anna Kaufman in conversation with Dustin Lance Black. Praise for MAMA'S BOY: Mama’s Boy is a beautifully written, utterly compelling account of growing up poor and gay with a thrice married, physically disabled, deeply religious Mormon mother, and the imprint this irrepressible woman made on the character of Dustin Lance Black. Their extraordinary bond left me exhilarated—it actually gave me hope for the future of the republic, which is no mean feat, given the dark mood of our current moment.” —Jon Krakauer, author of Missoula and Under the Banner of Heaven “A fast read with witty o

On today's show we have authors Nic Stone and Jodi Picoult discussing topics such as white fragility, the differences in expectations for black women and white women, the problematic nature of colorblindness, and what to do to be a better white advocate. Nic Stone is the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of DEAR MARTIN, CLEAN GETAWAY and her latest DEAR JUSTYCE. Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five novels, including SMALL GREAT THINGS and THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS. This originally aired on Nic Stone's Instagram channel, as part of a series of conversations that she is having about race. Other books discussed in this episode include WHITE FRAGILITY by Robin DiAngelo and HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST by Ibram X. Kendi.

Today's episode is a discussion between authors Abbi Waxman and Kristan Higgins. Abbi Waxman is the USA Today bestselling author of OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES, THE GARDEN OF SMALL BEGINNINGS, and her latest I WAS TOLD IT WOULD GET EASIER, which follows mother-daughter duo Jessica and Emily Burnstein as their carefully mapped-out college tour devolve into a series of off-roading misadventures. Kristan Higgins is the New York Times bestselling author of nearly twenty novels, including LIFE AND OTHER INCONVENIENCES and her latest ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW, which examines a family at the breaking point in all its messy, difficult, wonderful complexity. Let's join Abbi Waxman and Kristan Higgins in conversation.

Today we have a conversation between authors Roselle Lim and Soniah Kamal. Roselle Lim is a Filipino Chinese writer who came to Canada from the Philippines as a young teen, and penned the novels Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, and her latest "Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop". Book Riot says that "similar to the sweet fabulist-romcom style of Lim’s debut, this new book follows a young woman’s culinary and magical adventures.” Soniah Kamal’s debut novel, An Isolated Incident, was a finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction. Her new book UNMARRIAGEABLE is a charming update on Jane Austen’s beloved PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE, and an exhilarating exploration of love, marriage, class, and sisterhood. Here are Soniah Kamal and Roselle Lim in conversation with Penguin Random House's Senior Campaigns Director Christine Hung. Praise for VANESSA YU'S MAGICAL PARIS TEA SHOP: “…similar to the sweet fabulist-romcom style of Lim’s debut, this new book follows a young woman’s culinary and magical adven

Elizabeth Gilbert is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic, Eat Pray Love, and several other internationally bestselling books of fiction and nonfiction. Her latest entitled CITY OF GIRLS is a unique love story set in the New York City theater world during the 1940s. A novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, it's about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person. Here is our own Amy Brinker in conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert. Praise for CITY OF GIRLS: “A spellbinding novel about love, freedom, and finding your own happiness.” – PopSugar “Intimate and richly sensual, razzle-dazzle with a hint of danger.” –USA Today “Pairs well with a cocktail…or two.” –TheSkimm

Today's guest is Jonathan Karl, the Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News and president of the White House Correspondents' Association. Over his long and award-winning career, he has reported from the White House under four presidents and more than a dozen press secretaries and has covered every major beat in Washington. His New York Times bestselling book is [FRONT ROW AT THE TRUMP SHOW][1], which is an account like no other from the White House reporter who has known President Donald Trump for more than 25 years. Joining him is Allison Dobson, who is President of the Penguin Publishing Group and oversees Penguin’s adult publishing business in the U.S. Prior to her time in publishing, Allison spent several years on Capitol Hill and on political campaigns. And now let's join Allison Dobson in conversation with author Jonathan Karl. Included in this episode is an excerpt from the audiobook, courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio. Praise for [FRONT ROW AT THE TRUMP SHOW][2]: “No reporter has covered Don

Curtis Sittenfeld is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Prep, American Wife, Sisterland, and Eligible. Her latest is the much anticipated RODHAM, a novel that imagines a deeply compelling what-might-have-been: What if Hillary Rodham hadn’t married Bill Clinton? Brilliantly weaving a riveting fictional tale into actual historical events, RODHAM delivers an uncannily astute and witty story for our times. So now let's join READ IT FORWARD's Abbe Wright in conversation with Curtis Sittenfeld. This episode is brought to you by the new podcast THE ADAPTABLES from Read It Forward.

Today's guest is Nic Stone, the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of titles such as DEAR MARTIN, JACKPOT, CLEAN GETAWAY and her latest DEAR JUSTYCE. Angie Thomas, author of THE HATE U GIVE, called Dear Martin "a must-read", while THE FAULT IN OUR STARS author John Green described it as "Powerful and wrenching." Here's Nic Stone in conversation with her friend, Random House Digital Director Elizabeth Ward. About DEAR JUSTYCE: The stunning sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. Incarcerated teen Quan writes letters to Justyce about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas. Praise for DEAR MARTIN: “Vivid and powerful.” -Booklist, Starred Review “A visceral portrait of a young man reckoning with the ugly, persistent violence of social injustice.” -Publishers Weekly “Powerful, wrenching.” –JOHN GREEN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down “Raw and gripping.” –