In *Piranesi*, the protagonist lives in a world called the House, a labyrinthine structure filled with thousands of statues, tides that surge through staircases, and clouds in the upper halls. Through his meticulous journals, Piranesi reconstructs the story of his arrival and explores the House, only to discover messages indicating the presence of another person. As he delves deeper, he uncovers secrets and confronts the possibility of a world beyond his known reality.
Good Morning, Midnight is a 1939 novel by Jean Rhys, following Sasha Jansen, a middle-aged English woman, as she navigates her past and present in Paris. The novel explores themes of loneliness, depression, and the societal pressures faced by women. It is known for its experimental design and poignant portrayal of human vulnerability.
This book, written by Michael Shurtleff, provides comprehensive advice on auditioning techniques. Drawing from his extensive experience in casting over 200 Broadway shows and various film and television productions, Shurtleff offers practical guidance for actors. The book includes his famous '12 Guideposts' for monologue and scene work, such as 'Relationships – how to create them onstage' and 'Conflict – what are you fighting for?' It covers every aspect of auditioning, from basic acting techniques to handling distractions and risks, and is applicable not only to actors but also to other areas of life where 'auditions' occur[2][5][6].
Description:
The April 2025 JHBC selection, The Light Pirate, is a haunting, lyrical, and original story that takes place in the near future, set against the backdrop of climate-ravaged Florida, with parts of the state going underwater and being abandoned by those who used to call it home. The story follows Wanda—a luminous child born out of a devastating hurricane—as she navigates a rapidly changing world. With elements of literary fiction, speculative realism, and subtle magical undertones, The Light Pirate is a meditation on grief, transformation, resilience, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. It’s both a warning and a whisper of hope—a reminder that even in the face of collapse, there is still beauty, connection, and light.
In this discussion with The Light Pirate author, Lily Brooks-Dalton, she and Jen discuss:
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How the simple practice of journaling helped Lily evolve her craft and find her own unique voice as a writer
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The ways in which Lily weaves unexpected, real-life texture into her work by marrying her passions in other hobbies and subjects
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The evolving demands on a modern author
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And Lily talks about her next book project titled 'Ruins' that explores the fascinating field of archaeology
Thought-provoking Quotes:
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“I always wanted to be a writer. And it was just a matter of figuring out that that was a goal worth working toward.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
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“I always had a journal. I was so much better at figuring out what I felt through writing it down, as opposed to even thinking or talking out loud. It was just like my medium.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
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“That moment of preparation really stuck with me for a long time. And I couldn't get it out of my head. I was just thinking about all the different ways that a human being could react to that kind of energy, that kind of dread and fear and excitement.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
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“This is the conundrum of living in places that aren’t for us, places that aren't accommodating to us anymore in the way that maybe they used to be. It's so easy to be tucked into your safe home and be like, just move, just go somewhere else. But, I think you are able to put yourself in those shoes and realize these are people's homes. They invest their whole lives in these spaces. And it's no small thing to just move somewhere a little easier.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
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“I didn’t become a writer to be seen. It's not my comfort zone, so it's been a little bit scary at times and also really exciting.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Guest’s Links:
Website - https://www.lilybrooksdalton.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lilybrooksdalton
Connect with Jen!Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/
Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/
Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker
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For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast 
