The Watchung Booksellers Podcast

In this week's episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, our neighbors Charles, Alice, and Hannah Liu—three published authors in the same family—discuss their love of education, writing, and our community. Charles Liu is a professor of astrophysics at the City University of New York’s College of Staten Island and an associate with the Hayden Planetarium and Department of Astrophysics at th...

In this week's episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast , authors Judith Lindbergh and Stephanie Cowell discuss their decades long writers' group, the importance of writing with other writers, and how to find your own writing community. Judith Lindbergh ’s award-winning new novel, Akmaral , about a nomad woman warrior on the ancient Central Asian steppes, was called “crackling” by Pub...

In this episode, we feature an event with Colm Tóibín in conversation with Garth Risk Hallberg, held at the Montclair Literary Festival for the launch of Toibin's latest book, The News from Dublin. Colm Tóibín is the author of eleven novels, including Long Island, an Oprah’s Book Club Pick; The Magician, winner of the Rathbones Folio Prize; The Master, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Pri...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Alice Elliot Dark and Dagmara Domińczyk reunite to lead a discussion of The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante. Recorded live from The Kids' Room, the two dive into the book as well as the Academy Award-nominated film adaptation, which featured an amazing performance by Dagmara. Alice Elliott Dark is the author of the novels Fellowship...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we opened the mic to our wonderful customers to read haikus on Independent Bookstore Day! Some read published works and some came up with their own on the spot! Enjoy this short episode from these loyal independent bookstore fans!  Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here . Register for Upcoming Eve...

In this repeat episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Tom Perrotta and Warren Zanes discuss the process of adapting their books into film and television.  Tom Perrotta is the author of eleven works of fiction, including Election and Little Children , both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films , and The Leftovers and Mrs. Fletcher , which were adapted into acclaimed HBO series...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we are sharing last year's live book club recording with authors Alice Elliott Dark and Dagmara Domińczyk, who led a discussion of Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt with a group of avid readers. It was a fantastic evening and we hope you'll join us for another live event with Alice and Dag to discuss The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante on...

In this week's episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast , author and book doctor Arielle Eckstut talks with debut author and life-long educator Dan Gill about developing his story No More Chairs from a one-minute pitch to a beautiful children's book. Arielle Eckstut is co-founder of The Book Doctors. She is the author of nine books including The Secret Language of Color: The Science,...

This week on the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, four of our booksellers/book club hosts, Asia, Aubrey, Caroline, and Marni, discuss their clubs and what makes a great club an essential part of a book-lover’s community. Asia Jannah has been a bookseller/gift buyer for 11 years and is the host of the Thought Daughter book club, which features undiscovered books under 300 pages. Aubrey Cece is the Kid...

In this week's episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast , we replay an event we hosted in January with authors Ian Frazier ( The Snakes That Ate Florida ) and Jamaica Kincaid ( Putting Myself Together ), who discuss their latest collections of writing and 50+ years of friendship. Ian Frazier 's books, all published by FSG, include Paradise Bronx , Great Plains, Travels in Siberia, Dat...

In this week's episode, authors Kim Coleman Foote and Toni Ann Johnson talk about fictionalizing their families' difficult and messy history to create dark, heartfelt, and sometimes funny novels. Kim Coleman Foote is the author of the acclaimed novel, Coleman Hill , which blends fact and fiction about her family’s Great Migration journey to suburban New Jersey, where Kim grew up. The nov...

In this episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, author Cleyvis Natera and author/photographer/translator Erika Morillo discuss writing in English and Spanish and the process of translation from one to the other.  Cleyvis Natera is the author of Neruda on the Park and The Grand Paloma Resort. She was born in the Dominican Republic, migrated to the United States at ten years old, and grew up in...

Welcome back to the Watchung Booksellers Podcast! We're starting Season 4 next week, but listen here for a quick preview of what's new. We'll see you next week! Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here . Register for Upcoming Events . The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Wa...

In this episode of The Watchung Booksellers podcast, our customers tell us what their favorite reads of 2025 were. Memoir, fiction, manga, YA and more ... these rave reviews will help you find a perfect book for someone on your list.  Resources: Libby (Audiobooks through your library) Libro.fm ( Audio books through your indie bookstore)  Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in thi...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, our buyers and booksellers give you recommendations for getting your holiday shopping done early! Nicole, Caroline, Asia, and Susie offer a slew of great ideas for gifts for everyone on your list. Listen to their suggestions (you can see them listed here ), then come in store on Festivus Friday ready to shop! Nicole Ban is a lifelong New Jersey...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we feature author Mona Awad, author of the bestselling novel Bunny , for the release of its sequel, We Love You, Bunny. She talked with Laura Sims about coming back to the dark and hilarious characters in Bunny, her love of fairy tales, and what's next in the Bunny-verse.  Mona Awad is the bestselling author of the novels Rouge, All’s Well,...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Henry Neff and Cyndie Spiegel return to talk about how they stay creative during stressful times. From being soulful to joining a kinetic "kommunity," they share some great tips (and laughs) on how to ignite your creativity when life is hard.   Henry Neff is the author and illustrator of seven fantasy novels, including the 5-bo...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Tom Perrotta and Warren Zanes discuss the process of adapting their books into film and television.  Tom Perrotta is the author of eleven works of fiction, including Election and Little Children , both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films , and The Leftovers and Mrs. Fletcher , which were adapted into acclaimed HBO series. His n...

Go back in time and listen to this conversation about Historical Fiction from Season 2! In this episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Laurie Lico Albanese and Anastasia Rubis discuss reading and writing historical fiction. Laurie Lico Albanese is a historical novelist, most recently of the acclaimed novel Hester,  which gives voice to Hester Prynne in a retelling of The Scarlet Lett...

In honor of spooky season, enjoy this repeat episode from Season 1! In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, authors Laura Sims and Hillary Frank discuss thrillers--how we define them, why we are drawn to them, and how they compare in different mediums: print, audio, film, and television. Laura Sims is the author of How Can I Help You , a New York Times , Publishers Weekly, Book Riot,...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, food writer Marissa Rothkopf Bates and bookseller Nicole Ban talk about the joy of cooking and cookbook reading.  Marissa Rothkopf Bates is the creator and host of The Secret Life of Cookies podcast. A professionally trained chef and journalist, she writes for The New York Times , Newsweek , Food52 , and Publishers Weekly . Her first cookbook Th...

In this episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, our customers, authors, and booksellers read excerpts from their favorite banned books.  Banned Books Week Books: A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here . Register for Upcoming Events . The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Bookselle...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, writers Ian Frazier and Cora Frazier discuss the art of writing humor and the family stories they mine for comedy.  Ian Frazier is the author of Travels in Siberia , Great Plains , On the Rez , Lamentations of the Father and Coyote V. Acme , among other works, all published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. His latest work, Paradise Bronx: The Life...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we feature the launch event for Bobbi Brown's memoir Still Bobbi . In this lively and heartwarming conversation, Bobbi discussed her book, her businesses, and her life in Montclair with business leader Carolyn Everson. Bobbi Brown is a renowned makeup artist and entrepreneur, best-selling author, sought after speaker, beauty industry icon,...

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, our events team discusses how we select and host author events. Aubrey Cece, manager of The Kids' Room and Margot Sage-EL, owner emeritus talk with podcast co-producer Kathryn Counsell, who is also the store's Director of Author Events. Aubrey Cece is the Kids’ Room manager, children’s book and gift buyer, and children’s author event p...