The Book Case

Have you ever noticed that when it comes to great writers, Ireland seems to have had more than its fair share? Maybe it’s the difficult history, or the never ending pride for their beautiful island, but Ireland seems to be a country rife with storytellers. This week we have an Irish writer who has been nominated for the Booker Prize more than once…Sebastian Barry! His latest, Old God’s Time, is a lyrical and sprawling tale of Ireland and one man’s desperate struggle to make peace with the past. Pull up a chair by the fire and talk literature with a truly great Irish author, you will be glad you did.Books mentioned in this week's episode: Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry On Canaan’s Side by Sebastian Barry Days Without End by Sebastian Barry A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry Thousand Moons by Sebastian Barry The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty by Sebastian Barry Annie Dunne by Sebastian Barry The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry The Temporary Gentleman by Sebastian Barry The Poems of Catallus by Catallus The Odyssey by Homer The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett Nostromo by Joseph Conrad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We don't want to pigeon hole William Kent Krueger as a mystery writer. He writes terrific mysteries that will keep you guessing, sure, but what will keep you coming back is his talent! His sweeping descriptions of Minnesota landscapes, his unforgettable characters and his roots in cultural anthropology will keep you coming back. His new novel, The River We Remember, is a terrific "who done it" that beautifully weaves in themes of PTSD, the cultures of tribal bands in Minnesota, and the joys and perils of small town living. Our bookstore this week is Page 158 in Wake Forest, NC. Why is that their name? Tune in and find out!Books mentioned in this week's podcast: The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger The devil’s bed by William Kent Krueger Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger Copper River by William Kent Krueger Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger Red Knife: A Cork O’Connor Mystery by William Kent Krueger Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger Trickster's Point by William Kent Krueger Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger Windigo Island by William Kent Krueger Manitou Canyon by William Kent Krueger Sulfur Springs by William Kent Krueger Destination Mountain by William Kent Krueger Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger Fox Creek by William Kent Krueger The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"James McBride Masters Historical Fiction" features guest James McBride, a master of storytelling and author of "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store." The podcast explores McBride's examination of the intersections of race and religion in his novels, his unique writing style punctuated with humor, and the challenge of crafting mysteries. It also discusses the importance of defending the freedom to read and supporting librarians. Ultimately, it offers insights into McBride's writing process and gratitude towards booksellers.

Andrew Ridker, author of the novel Hope, joins the podcast to discuss his depiction of a Jewish suburban family living near Boston. The book explores the struggles and pulls of family, with a touch of humor. The hosts also mention the captivating cover of the book and recommend RJ Julia Booksellers as the perfect bookstore to pair with Ridker's novel.

We have three horror shows left. But we are not sure Jennifer McMahon fits within the genre so neatly. If you are dipping your toe into the genre...start with the Children on the Hill, her latest. It's suspenseful, compelling, chilling and the ghoulish gore is at a bare minimum. We talk to her about why she keeps coming back to what scares her. We then talk to horror academic (yes, you heard us) Michael Arnzen, an accomplished writer in his own right. Books mentioned in this week's podcast: Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon The Invited by Jennifer McMahon Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Lord of the Flies by William Golding The Road by Cormac McCarthy Geek Love by Katherine Dunn Beloved by Toni Morrison Amityville Horror by Jay Anson Jaws by Peter Benchley Grave Markings by Michael A. Arnzen Play Dead by Michael A. Arnzen Dying (With No Apologies to Martha Stewart) by Michael A. Arnzen Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction by Michael A. Arnzen and Heidi Ruby Miller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talked to the renowned bilingual author Esmeralda Santiago a few months about her incredible trilogy of memoirs. So when she sent us her new novel, Las Madres, we couldn’t wait. Turns out she is just as good of a fiction writer as she is a memoirist. This is a searing, funny and fascinating portrait of mothers and daughters, the connection Puerto Ricans feel to their island, whether we are made up of more than our memories….and so much more. It sounds like a lot, but she does it all and she does it all well. We also talk to Lynne Phillips of Wordsworth Books, one of the plaintiffs in the case against Arkansas Act 372. She will give us her recommendations and talk about why her fight is so important.Books mentioned in this week's podcast: Las Madres by Esmeralda Santiago Conquistadora by Esmeralda Santiago America’s Dream by Esmeralda Santiago When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago Almost a Woman by Esmeralda Santiago The Turkish Lover by Esmeralda Santiago Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck The Firm by John Grisham The Art Thief by Michael Finkel The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann Tom Lake by Ann Patchett A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PATCHETT PUBLISHES!! That should be big news in the literary world. Ann Patchett has a new book out as of August 1st.  Tom Lake is the title - a novel influenced by COVID as three daughters come home to be with their mother during the pandemic. What do they want to talk about? Her past. And she has a past - having had a romance with a man who went on to become a famous actor. How much do you tell your kids? “I want them to think I was better than I was, and I want to tell them the truth…those two desires do not neatly co-exist.” Ann Patchett is a wonderful writer - one of America’s best! She’s also a wonderful and amusing talker! And she owns an independent bookstore - Parnassus Books in Nashville. That makes her a perfect guest, we think, for The Book Case.Books mentioned in the podcast:Tom Lake by Ann PatchettThe Magician’s Assistant by Ann PatchettThe Dutch House by Ann PatchettCommonwealth by Ann PatchettThese Precious Days by Ann PatchettBel Canto by Ann PatchettState of Wonder by Ann PatchettRun by Ann PatchettTruth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann PatchettThis Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann PatchettThe Patron Saint of Liars by Ann PatchettThe Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir about Writing and Life by Ann PatchettOur Town by Thornton WilderAbsolution by Alice McDermottDo Tell by Lindsay Lynch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we take you back in time to a book that is so good it’s ageless. Charlie interviewed author Markus Zusak about his phenomenal novel The Book Thief many, many years ago, and it has been a discovery and an interview that has stayed with him ever since. This week, we interview Markus about the phenomenon of his book and ask him how he came to write such a remarkable modern classic. If you haven’t read The Book Thief, run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore! If you already love it then you are in for a treat as we take a deep dive into the making of one of the great books of our time.Books mentioned in the podcast:The Book Thief by Markus ZusakBridge of Clay by Markus ZusakThe Messenger by Markus ZusakFighting Ruben Wolfe by Markus ZusakUnderdogs by Markus ZusakWhen Dogs Cry by Markus ZusakA River Runs Through It by Norman MacleanThe Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John BoyneCloudstreet by Tim WintonBreath by Tim Winton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Historical fiction is the genre this week, and it centers around a lesser WWII phenomenon. During the Blitz, many British families sent their children abroad to live with families in Canada or the United States to keep them safe until the war was over. Beyond That, the Sea by debut novelist Laura Spence-Ash, beautifully weaves the tale of one of these children. Sent abroad by parents torn apart by their decision, Bea lives with an affluent family with whom she falls in love. She spends the rest of her life reckoning with that love how it shapes her sense of self. Our bookstore this week is a Las Vegas Gem (yes, we said Vegas) called The Writer’s Block. We hope you will join us. The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC News.Books mentioned in the podcast:Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-AshThe Waves by Virginia WoolfFools of Fortune by William TrevorJane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëThe Magician by Colm TóibínBrooklyn by Colm TóibínA Guest at the Feast by Colm TóibínThe Guest by Emma Cline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The History of a Difficult Child is a beautiful and sprawling family story set in Ethiopia during the Socialist Revolution. It is narrated by a young girl born into a family fighting against the system for their Christian beliefs, while being systematically relieved of their wealth and livelihood due to the oppressive incoming regime. It’s riveting, ambitious, and utterly compelling. And you know what else? It’s funny. Really funny! Take a journey with debut novelist Mihret Sibhat into The History of a Difficult Child, you will be so glad you did.Books mentioned in this podcast:The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret SibhatThe White Tiger by Aravind AdigaThe Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DíazGo as a River by Shelley ReadFamily Lexicon by Natalia GinzburgFamily Sayings by Natalia GinzburgAll our Yesterdays by Natalia GinzburgA Small Place by Jamaica KincaidMy Garden (Book) by Jamaica Kincaid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices