Thoughts from a Page Podcast

Chris discusses his latest mystery Never Turn Back, the personal family story that served as his inspiration, the challenges of writing a thriller, the incredible author community, the importance of independent book stores, and much more. Never Turn Back can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Chris’s 3 recommended reads are: Hard Cash Valley by Brian Panowich Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby Whe...

Natalie discusses her debut novel The Jane Austen Society, the long-lasting impact and continued relevance of Jane Austen’s books, the importance of independent book stores, launching a debut novel during the pandemic, and more. The Jane Austen Society can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Natalie’s 3 recommended reads are: Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight...

Hazel discusses When We Were Young & Brave, her inspiration for the story, writing about World War 2 in the Pacific, her extensive research for the book, exploring the human condition, her reading recommendations, and much more. When We Were Young & Brave can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Hazel’s 2 recommended reads are: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline Learn mo...

Joe discusses his new book American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, how he became interested in artisanal cheese, the role of Whole Foods in the American cheese renaissance, the role of cheese influencers, and much more. American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Joe’s 2 recommended reads are: Little...

Tori discusses her debut novel Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish, her inspiration for the story, creating a love letter to Cincinnati, the generational theme in the book, her advice for aspiring authors, and much more. Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Tori’s 3 recommended reads are: The Guest Book by Sarah Blake You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley Wench by Dolen Perki...

Jane discusses her debut novel Ties That Tether, writing about Nigerian culture and being an immigrant, exploring the themes of culture and identity, her vision for the cover of this book, participating in Pitch Wars, advice for aspiring authors, and more. Ties That Tether can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Jane’s 2 recommended reads are: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai Well-Behaved Indian Wom...

Pamela discusses her latest novel Older, writing a book that provides some humor during these troubling times, enjoying her novel Younger as a television show and having Sutton Foster cast in the show, writing about aging, and much more. Older can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Pamela’s 2 recommended reads are: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline Someone by Alice McDermott Learn more about yo...

John talks about his latest novel Old Abe, writing a fictional account of Lincoln’s life, conducting research on one of the most famous men in history, how he decided to tackle this subject, and much more. Old Abe can be purchased at Murder by the Book. John’s 2 recommended reads are: Metamorphoses by Ovid Collected Stories by Frank O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

Kristin talks about her latest novel the New York Times bestseller The Book of Lost Names, the research she did regarding the forgery of documents during World War 2, writing about ordinary people who rise up to do extraordinary things, the large number of Nazi-looted books that still have not been returned to their original owners, creating the Facebook group Friends and Fiction with four other a...

Signe and I discuss her latest novel The Forgotten Kingdom, researching people and events from the sixth century, telling stories previously lost to time and history, working as an acquisitions editor, and much more. The Forgotten Kingdom can be purchased at Murder by the Book.   Signe’s 2 recommended reads are: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss Learn...

Wendy discusses her new novel Don’t Look For Me, her personal inspiration for this story, the psychology of grief, creating a strong sense of place in this novel, the fight or flight impulse in humans, her recommended reads, and much more. Don’t Look For Me can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Wendy’s 4 recommended reads are: One By One by Ruth Ware Anxious People by Fredrik Backman The Lions o...

Asha discusses her debut novel Fifty Words for Rain, setting her novel in post-World War 2 Japan, her lifelong love of the country and its language, having her novel chosen as a Good Morning America book club selection, and much more. Fifty Words for Rain can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Asha’s 2 recommended reads are: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis A Thousand Splendid Suns by Kh...

Jason discusses his book My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me, his wife Amy’s viral essay and his response, processing grief, advice for writing a memoir, attending Burning Man, and much more. My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Jason’s 2 recommended reads are: Letters from Max: A Poet, a Teacher, a Friendship by Sarah Ruhl Timeless Flight: The Definitive...

Gill discusses her latest novel Jackie and Maria, the reader who gave her the inspiration for this story, Jackie and her sister Lee’s complex relationship, the rivalry between Jackie and Maria, her year-round love of swimming, and more. Jackie and Maria can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Gill’s 3 recommended reads are: 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak Coming Up For A...

David discusses his debut mystery Winter Counts, the inspiration for his story, Lakota traditions, maintaining racial identity and culture, life on the Rosebud Reservation, the Indigenous food revolution, and much more. Winter Counts can be purchased at Murder by the Book. David’s 2 recommended reads are: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger Hillbilly Hustle by Wesley Browne Learn more about y...

Stephanie discusses her new novel Lineage Most Lethal, her lifelong interest in genealogy, writing about World War 2 and spy craft, her favorite places to conduct research, and much more. Lineage Most Lethal can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Stephanie’s 3 recommended reads are: Without Sanction by Don Bentley All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Lauren Willig, Beatriz Williams, and Karen White Eg...

Kathleen discusses how she became a literary publicist and eventually started her own firm, a typical day as a publicist, her favorite part of the job, trends in the book industry, the effects of the pandemic on the book world, celebrity book clubs and much more. Kathleen’s 2 recommended reads are: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Sarah discusses her new novel The Quiet Girl, writing under the name S.F. Kosa, her background as a psychologist, switching genres, constructing a thriller plot, trying to understand the human psyche, and much more. The Quiet Girl can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Sarah’s 2 recommended reads are: The Girls by Emma Cline One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America by G...

Megan talks about her new novel Behind the Red Door, her fascination with memory repression, the importance of normalizing anxiety, creating terrible parents in her novels, and much more. Behind the Red Door can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Megan’s 2 recommended reads are: Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker He Started It by Samantha Downing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Alka speaks about her debut novel The Henna Artist, having Reese Witherspoon select her book for her May book club, honoring her mother, the importance of women telling their stories, and much more. The Henna Artist can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Alka’s 2 recommended reads are: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

Alex discusses his latest novel The Paris Hours, the challenge of writing a story that takes place over the course of one day, owning an independent bookstore, setting a book in Paris, and much more. The Paris Hours can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Alex’s 4 recommended reads are: Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by Anonymous Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy Luster by Raven Leilani Upstream by Ma...

Julie discusses her latest novel Louisiana Lucky, winning the lottery and what often happens next, her love of print journalism, which character she likes the most in this book, what makes someone lucky, and much more. Louisiana Lucky can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Julie’s 3 recommended reads are: Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews Becoming Mrs....

Bryn discusses her debut novel The Woman Before Wallis, Thelma Furness and her twin sister Gloria Vanderbilt, the characters she enjoyed writing the most in this book, her gorgeous cover, the research she did, and much more. The Woman Before Wallis can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Bryn’s 3 recommended reads are: Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi The Library of L...

Fiona speaks about her latest novel The Lions of Fifth Avenue, writing about iconic New York City buildings and how she conducts her research, the manner in which the title and cover influenced her storyline for this book, what she is working on next, and much more. The Lions of Fifth Avenue can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Fiona’s 4 recommended reads are: The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by...

Stephen and I discuss his latest novel Universe of Two and the story behind it, the building of the atomic bomb and life at Los Alamos, the moral qualms of those who worked on the bomb, finding redemption, and much more. Universe of Two can be purchased at Murder by the Book.    Stephen’s 3 recommended reads are: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis With or Without You by Caroline Leavitt The...