This Is The Author

In this episode, meet co-founder of The Home Edit Clea Shearer, writer Mary Roach, and historian Mark Mazower. Discover what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and find out who they would cast to narrate if they hadn’t read their audiobooks themselves. Cancer is Complicated by Clea Shearer https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746020/cancer-is-complicated-by-clea-shearer/9798217163946/ Replaceable You by Mary Roach https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807111/replaceable-you-by-mary-roach/9798217281527/ On Antisemitism by Mark Mazower https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768066/on-antisemitism-by-mark-mazower/9798217163618/

In this episode, meet writer Sasha Bonét, poet Rickey Laurentiis, and chef Samin Nosrat. Learn why recording her audiobook made Sasha Bonét feel like a musician, how the title of Rickey Laurentiis’s poetry collection acted as a premonition, and how Samin Nosrat turned her journey to reconnecting with food and cooking into her new book. The Waterbearers by Sasha Bonét: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717223/the-waterbearers-by-sasha-bonet/audio Death of the First Idea by Rickey Laurentiis: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753987/death-of-the-first-idea-by-rickey-laurentiis/audio Good Things by Samin Nosrat: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622646/good-things-by-samin-nosrat/audio

If you find yourself in need of a few moments of beauty, a breeze of empathy, and the warmth of a shared quiet space, this special episode of This Is the Author is for you. We’re celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month (all September long) by hearing from authors on their favorite library memories. Listen to clips from interviews with Naomi Watts, Glory Edim, Griffin Dunne, and so many more of your favorite authors to learn how libraries have impacted their lives and their communities. And don't be shy about letting a happy tear fall; this is truly lovely stuff. Episode features interview clips from the following authors: Naomi Watts, Glory Edim, Daniel Stone, Whitney Hanson, Tao Leigh Goffe, Joy McCullough, Susan Minot, Lydia Yuknavitch, Griffin Dunne, Haley Mlotek, Jefferson Fisher, Mikaela Loach, Antwan Eady, Manny Arango, Tourmaline, Mark Kriegel, Jennifer Pastiloff, David Gate, Jessa Crispin, Kaila Yu, Alishia McCullough, Vaunda Nelson, Suzanne Scanlon, Kevin Barry

In this episode, meet clinical psychologist Dr. Ingrid Clayton, writer Carla Ciccone, and writer Sam Sussman. Tune in to hear about the personal experiences that inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what it was like to record their audiobooks. Plus, learn how sneakily difficult it is to pronounce the word “onions.” Fawning by Dr. Ingrid Clayton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/9798217160617/ Nowhere Girl by Carla Ciccone https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735723/nowhere-girl-by-carla-ciccone/9780593950074/ Boy From the North Country by Sam Sussman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776752/boy-from-the-north-country-by-sam-sussman/9798217163625/

In this episode, meet primatologist Christine Webb, writer and poet Jim Reese, and writer and Emmy-nominated producer, Reza Aslan. Hear Christine Webb on the dangers of human exceptionalism and what we can do about them, Jim Reese on the intensity of the audiobook studio, and Reza Aslan on what he’s most excited for listeners to hear in this 20th anniversary edition of his book. The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717436/the-arrogant-ape-by-christine-webb/audio/ Coming to a Neighborhood Near You by Jim Reese: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/796877/coming-to-a-neighborhood-near-you-by-jim-reese/audio No god but God by Reza Aslan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/5837/no-god-but-god-by-reza-aslan/audio/

In this episode, meet author and speaker Austin Channing Brown, author of Full of Myself, and historian James Delbourgo, author of A Noble Madness. Learn what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. Full of Myself by Austin Channing Brown https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742511/full-of-myself-by-austin-channing-brown/audio/ A Noble Madness by James Delbourgo https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798395/a-noble-madness-by-james-delbourgo/

In this episode, meet authors Johnathan Walton, Angus Fletcher, and Dr. Vonda Wright. Discover how Johnathan Walton went from being the victim of a con artist to teaching others how to defend against scammers, hear Angus Fletcher on surprise pronunciation lessons in the studio, and listen to Dr. Vonda Wright on confronting the realities of aging for women, and the audiobook that changed her life. Anatomy of a Con Artist by Jonathan Walton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/745592/anatomy-of-a-con-artist-by-johnathan-walton/9798217075898/ Primal Intelligence by Angus Fletcher https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740110/primal-intelligence-by-angus-fletcher/9798217076987/ Unbreakable by Dr. Vonda Wright https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777365/unbreakable-by-vonda-wright-md/9780593736586/

In this episode, meet Thomas Chatterton Williams, author of Summer of Our Discontent, Robert B. Reich, author of Coming Up Short, and Kaila Yu, author of Fetishized. Hear Thomas Chatterton Williams on the pivotal and complex meaning of the summer of 2020, Robert Reich on what he would most like listeners to understand, and Kaila Yu both on what inspired her to write her memoir, and how she would describe her recording experience. Summer of Our Discontent by Thomas Chatterton Williams: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704632/summer-of-our-discontent-by-thomas-chatterton-williams/audio Coming Up Short by Robert B. Reich: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763803/coming-up-short-by-robert-b-reich/audio Fetishized by Kaila Yu: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738645/fetishized-by-kaila-yu/audio

In this episode, meet authors Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, Anne Waldman, and Fannie Flagg. Hear Zadie Smith and Nick Laird on writing a book for their children and working together in the studio, discover why poet Anne Waldman describes recording her audiobook as a “sonic investigation,” and learn what Fannie Flagg is most excited for listeners to hear. In the Wild by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777195/in-the-wild-by-zadie-smith-and-nick-laird-illustrated-by-magenta-fox/audio/ Mesopotopia by Anne Waldman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690646/mesopotopia-by-anne-waldman/audio/ Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/767921/something-to-look-forward-to-by-fannie-flagg/9798217159581/

In this episode, meet comedian and content creator Sarah Hartshorne, Slate staff writer and president of AMEJA Aymann Ismail, and writer Tre Johnson. Hear Sarah Hartshorne on being her own dream narrator, Aymann Ismail on the cinematic scene he’s most excited for listeners to hear, and Tre Johnson on the difference between recording an audiobook and reading one’s work in person. You Wanna Be on Top? by Sarah Hartshorne: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/750064/you-wanna-be-on-top-by-sarah-hartshorne/audio Becoming Baba by Aymann Ismail: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/719995/becoming-baba-by-aymann-ismail/audio Black Genius by Tre Johnson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690733/black-genius-by-tre-johnson/audio

In this episode, meet poet David Gate, author and public speaker Jennifer Pastiloff, and poet Whitney Hanson. Hear David Gate on why he’s excited for listeners to hear poems on audio, Jennifer Pastiloff on why now was the time to write Proof of Life, and Whitney Hanson on what made recording her audiobook a reflective experience. Plus, find out which author prepared for their day in the studio by binge watching Severance. A Rebellion of Care by David Gate https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768719/a-rebellion-of-care-by-david-gate/9798217075997/ Proof of Life by Jennifer Pastiloff https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734285/proof-of-life-by-jennifer-pastiloff/9798217012015/ Climate by Whitney Hanson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776365/climate-by-whitney-hanson/9798217071678/

In this episode, meet actress and comedian Jo Firestone, writer and speaker Talia Pollock, and historian Scott Ellsworth. Hear how Jo Firestone’s book was born from the “unstoppable urge to combine” two of her most-loved interests, Talia Pollock on appreciating the power of word choice and language in the recording booth, and Scott Ellsworth on the personal and cultural importance of libraries. Murder on Sex Island by Jo Firestone: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/789705/murder-on-sex-island-by-jo-firestone/audio The Problem with Being a Person by Talia Pollock: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690816/the-problem-with-being-a-person-by-talia-pollock/audio/ Midnight on the Potomac by Scott Ellsworth: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743267/midnight-on-the-potomac-by-scott-ellsworth/audio

In this episode, meet Wall Street Journal reporter-turned-professional bodybuilder Anne Marie Chaker, linguist and “Etymology Nerd” creator Adam Aleksic, and host of the Money with Katie podcast Katie Gatti Tassin. Hear Anne Marie Chaker on the power of weightlifting and exploding the myth of the “skinny ideal,” Adam Aleksic on how recording his audiobook was a “vocal marathon,” and Katie Gatti Tassin on how she prepared for recording her audiobook, and what she’s most excited for listeners to hear. Lift by Anne Marie Chaker https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/709922/lift-by-anne-marie-chaker/9798217077014/ Algospeak by Adam Aleksic https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/9798217078066/ Rich Girl Nation by Katie Gatti Tassin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/749103/rich-girl-nation-by-katie-gatti-tassin/9798217016174/

In this episode, meet author of the bestselling Magic Tree House children’s book series Mary Pope Osborne, and clinical social worker and founder of Fathers’ UpLift, Charles C. Daniels Jr. Hear Mary Pope Osborne on adding an element of surprise to the process of narration, and Charles C. Daniels Jr. on how he prepared for recording and what he’s most excited for listeners to hear. Sea Otter Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729719/sea-otter-sunrise-by-mary-pope-osborne-illustrated-by-ag-ford/audio Present by Charles C. Daniels Jr., Ph.D.: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/767629/present-by-charles-c-daniels-jr-phd/audio/

In this episode, meet critic and editor-in-chief of Bookslut Jessa Crispin, ESPN boxing analyst Mark Kriegel, and culture writer and Every Single Album podcast host Nora Princiotti. Hear Jessa on what it was like to record the Basic Instinct chapter of her book, Mark Kriegel on covering the life and career of Mike Tyson for over 30 years, and Nora Princiotti on what she’s most excited for listeners of her audiobook to hear. What Is Wrong with Men by Jessa Crispin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717467/what-is-wrong-with-men-by-jessa-crispin/9798217076383/ Baddest Man by Mark Kriegel https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/552034/baddest-man-by-mark-kriegel/9798217072392/ Hit Girls by Nora Princiotti https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738884/hit-girls-by-nora-princiotti/9798217020379/

In this episode, meet journalist and Fast Politics podcast host Molly Jong-Fast, writer Anelise Chen, and writer and editor Jonathan Gluck. Hear Molly Jong-Fast on surviving a year in which everything went wrong, Anelise Chen on finding profound meaning in an auspicious typo, and Jonathan Gluck on the “unique universe” of those living with cancer. How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738849/how-to-lose-your-mother-by-molly-jong-fast/audio Clam Down by Anelise Chen: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599888/clam-down-by-anelise-chen/audio An Exercise in Uncertainty by Jonathan Gluck: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760582/an-exercise-in-uncertainty-by-jonathan-gluck/audio

In this episode, meet clinician, speaker, and trauma specialist Britt Frank, leadership coach and host of the Big Asian Energy podcast John Wang, and Professor of Psychology and Language Sciences Maryellen MacDonald. Hear what made the audiobook recording experience fun for John Wang, and what inspired Britt Frank and Maryellen MacDonald to write their books. Align Your Mind by Britt Frank https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761142/align-your-mind-by-britt-frank-lscsw/9798217073054/ Big Asian Energy by John Wang https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742831/big-asian-energy-by-john-wang/9798217076819/ More Than Words by Maryellen MacDonald https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724046/more-than-words-by-maryellen-macdonald-phd/9798217077007/

In this episode, meet award-winning author Richard Russo, artist and activist Tourmaline, and anthropologist and former wildland firefighter Jordan Thomas. Hear Richard Russo on the performance aspect of narration, discover Tourmaline’s favorite recording moment, and hear what Jordan Thomas is most excited for listeners to learn about the people who fight wildfires. Life and Art by Richard Russo: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/748741/life-and-art-by-richard-russo/audio Marsha by Tourmaline: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/677583/marsha-by-tourmaline/audio One Day in June by Tourmaline: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/703746/one-day-in-june-by-tourmaline-illustrated-by-charlot-kristensen/audio When It All Burns by Jordan Thomas: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722364/when-it-all-burns-by-jordan-thomas/audio

In this episode, meet award-winning journalists Amy Larocca, Karen Hao, and Amanda Hess. Each of these seasoned reporters have taken deep dives into major new developments in the worlds of culture and technology, and their audiobooks are nothing short of illuminating. Hear Amy Larocca on how the wellness trend has eclipsed fashion as the “it” commodity, Karen Hao on what’s missing from the public discussion of AI, and Amanda Hess on having a child in the digital age, and what was most “confrontational” about recording her audiobook. How to Be Well by Amy Larocca https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599403/how-to-be-well-by-amy-larocca/9798217013388/ Empire of AI by Karen Hao https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743569/empire-of-ai-by-karen-hao/9798217072453/ Second Life by Amanda Hess https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721361/second-life-by-amanda-hess/9798217066155/

In this episode, meet self-described “bible nerd” Manny Arango, clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt, and retired four-star United States Army general General Stanley McChrystal. Hear Manny Arango on addressing modern anxieties through bible study, Dr. Emily Anhalt on what it means to do “emotional push-ups,” and General Stanley McChrystal on how recording his audiobook spurred new reflections on the writing process. Crushing Chaos by Manny Arango https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760932/crushing-chaos-by-manny-arango/9780593950357/ Flex Your Feelings by Dr. Emily Anhalt https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743602/flex-your-feelings-by-dr-emily-anhalt/9798217019496/ On Character by General Stanley McChrystal https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/767689/on-character-by-general-stanley-mcchrystal/9798217080403/