Behind The Stack

Brett sits down with Chad Harbach to discuss his sophomore novel, 'The Brightness'. They talk revisiting characters from, 'The Art Of Fielding' and why go back, writing a book about female friendship and feminism, a favorite and hardest character to write, and the status of the adaption of his first book.  n+1 magazine: https://www.nplusonemag.com/ If you like what you're...

Brett sits down with Mary Beth Keane to discuss her latest novel and Good Morning America Book Club Pick, 'Whale Harbor" They talk all things Irish: extended large families, including her own, the rural setting, Catholic School and rebellion, emotional stoicism, and where that whale came from.  Mary Beth's website: https://marybethkeane.com/ Mary Beth's instagram: https://www.i...

Brett sits down with author Will Maclean to discuss his American debut, 'Solace House'. They talk about reading snobbery, his past writing in comedy, horror narratives, writing sympathetic characters in the genre, The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke, the artist Richard Dadd, visual writing and Stephen King.  Will's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willmacwriting/?hl=en The Fai...

In his 100th episode, Brett sits down with Bonnie Garmus to discuss her new book, 'Peck & Peck'. They have a 'Lessons in Chemistry' check in, they talk poets as oracles, the downside to AI, the need for artists, and an unlikely friend in Essex.  Bonnie's website: https://www.bonniegarmus.com/ Bonnie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnie_garmus_author/ If you like...

Brett sits down with author T. Geronimo Johnson to discuss his latest book, 'The Occidental Book of the Dead'. They talk race, how narratives define our reality, the slow march of progress, writing this in first and third person, writing for constituents, and how he manages to stay optimistic.  T. Geronimo's website: https://geronimo1.com/ and check out 'Manifest Destiny Jesus&...

Brett sits down with Meg Mason to discuss her new book Sophie, Standing There. They talk discovering reading, parasocial relationships, reading correctly and what that even means, the downside to social media, and whether or not you should meet your heroes.  Meg's website: https://www.megmason.com/ If you like what you're hearing on this podcast please subscribe so you never miss an epis...

Brett and Renee from @itsbooktalk on instagram and substack talk third quarter favs, and add a book we're looking forward to in the last quarter of the year. Books discussed include: Storytelling: A Writing Life by Isabel Allende  Land by Maggie O'Farrell Love Story by Erich Segal Switzy by Emma Cline Renee's Substack: https://substack.com/@itsbooktalk?utm_source=global-search Renee...

Brett sits down with Jordan Tannahill to discuss his latest book, 'The Living Realm'. They talk about London and latex, the books setting of Lake Teufelssee in Berlin and the forest around it. Aging and AIDS, boars, book inspiration, cruising and creation, and what art form he enjoys the most.  Jordan's Website: https://www.jordantannahill.com/ Jordan's instagram: https://www.i...

Brett sits down with Chloe Benjamin to discuss Under Story. They talk mushrooms and multiverses, the inspiration, and the sheer construction of the novel, which character was inspired by someone in her life, the natural world, and then we dive into spoiler territory which I promise is clearly announced before we launch in. I had to, there's too much to unpack! Chloe's website: https://ww...

Brett sits down with Emil Wilson to discuss his debut novel, 'The Nightingales'. They talk art school and graphic novels, autobiographical fiction and what differed from real life.  AIDS and his own experience working with someone who had the disease, remembering the past struggles, and two Pomeranians named Henny and Penny.  Emil's website: https://emilwilsonart.com/ Emil's in...

Brett sits down with Téa Obreht to discuss her latest novel, Sunrise. They talk early years and learning English, the mythology of heroes, good samaritans, some advice for writers, and a fantastic book rec.  Téa's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teaobreht/?hl=en Téa's website: http://www.teaobreht.com/#:~:text=Home,Tea%20Obreht.%20All%20rights%20reserved. If you like what you'r...

Brett sits down with author Josh Silver to talk about his debut adult novel, Fruit Fly. They talk his previous acting career, working as a mental health nurse, appropriation, intention, gay identity what's acceptable or not, the ways we present ourselves, and the exhaustion to try and be the best, and being okay with just being. Josh's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshsilverautho...

Brett sits down with writer Ben Reeves to discuss his debut novel, Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurts. They talk about death obviously, but also his ideas for what death should look like and the rules involved in the story. They talk children, and grief, and growing up, and survival, and taking the time to notice the life happening around you, while you still have the chance.  Ben's w...

Brett sits down with author Julie Buntin to discuss her novel Famous Men. They talk small towns and leaving them for big cities, coming of age and what comes with the transition from young girl to young woman, consent, writing workshops and creative spaces, and a literary dinner party. Julie's Website: https://www.juliebuntin.com/ Julie's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliebuntin/...

Brett sits down with writer/director and oncologist (you read that right!) Roshan Sethi to discuss his debut novel, The Simp. He unpacks his rise from medicine to the arts, and his drive behind all of it. Diversity, race, sexuality, 'The White Lotus', 'A Nice Indian Boy,' and Hollywood assistants. Is it satire or real life? Roshan's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ros...

Brett sits down with Renee from @itsbooktalk to talk about our favs from quarter two. A total of ten books including:  -Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin -In the Days of My Youth, I Was Told What It Means To Be a Man by Tom Junod -Smile or You're Doing It Wrong by Andy Glaze -Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer -Wonderland by Jennifer Hiller -Fruit Fly by Josh Silver -Kingfisher by Rosie Kelly -Tran...

Brett sits down with debut author Meg Charlton to discuss her timely book, Voyagers. They talk about childhood friends and the life events that bond us, choosing character perspective, the human capacity to normalize extraordinary events, writing an ambiguous ending, an alien named Allen, and perhaps the most unique (?) self help book you'll ever hear. Meg's website:  https://megcharlton...

Brett talks with author Rasheed Newson about his latest book, 'There's Only One Sin In Hollywood.' They discuss dreamers in Hollywood and what it takes to succeed, Diahann Carroll and Sydney Poitier, and writing real life icons into stories, stars and privacy, oppression and creating safe spaces, mixing politics with celebrity, and the double standards that still exist in the indust...

Brett talks with Claire Fuller about her new novel, 'Hunger & Thirst'. They discuss writing without a plot, being drawn to dark stories, horror movies, book lists, and find out who became a character in the book.  The book anthology Claire talks about: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Unquiet-Guests-by-Dan-Coxon-editor/9781917792073 Claire's instagram: https://www.insta...

Brett talks with writer Natalie Adler about her debut novel, 'Waiting On A Friend'. They discuss the inspiration for the book, belief in the paranormal, the AIDS crisis, getting married, caretaking lesbians, and a magical creature named Chester. Natalie's website: https://www.natalie-adler.com Natalie's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie.and.chester/ If you like what...

Brett sits down with author John Glynn to discuss his fiction debut, 'The Lost Book Of Lancelot'. They talk about his work as an editor, the massive source material behind this book, queering a legend, staying true to a time period while keeping in mind a modern audience, and the difficulty in writing a love scene.  John's website: http://johnglynn.net/ John's instagram: https:...

Brett sits down with writer Djamel White to discuss his debut novel, 'All Them Dogs'. They talk about early reading and Roddy Doyle's Fighting Words, gangster inspiration, toxic masculinity and feeling like an outsider. Tattoos, gender roles, and the explosive collision of desire and fear.  Djamel's Website: https://djamelwhite.com/ Djamel's instagram: https://www.instagra...

Brett sits down with Douglas Stuart for his latest book, 'John of John'. They discuss his transition from designer to writer, what brought him to the books location, the Hebrides, the liberation of writing fathers and sons, living in a place with religious conservatism, queerness in a masculine environment, and returning as an adult to the home you grew up in.  Douglas' website: htt...

Brett sits down with Tim Ehrenberg of @Timtalksbooks who is also the  cohost of the popular book podcast, Books, Beach & Beyond with Elin Hilderbrand, and the President of the Nantucket Book Foundation which produces the Nantucket Book Festival. They discuss his own bookish origin story, his podcast and friendship with Elin as well as the hugely acclaimed book festival. Tim then shares six sum...

Brett sits down with author TJ Klune to discuss his latest book 'We Burned So Bright'. They talk books from when they were younger, and find more than one in common. They touch on the Heated Rivalry zeitgeist, where the idea for the book came from, centering a story on older protagonists, age and maintaining curiosity, and the ultimate belief in the goodness of people. TJ's website:...