Book of the Month Live

For the first time in VBT history, we are welcoming not one, but TWO authors: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Tune into this week's episode to learn more about The First Ladies, how this co-author-duo met, and what they learned about each other in the process. The First Ladies is about the extraordinary friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights Activist Mary McLeod Bethune. When FDR is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, and Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness on Civil Rights. When she receives threats, it only fuels the two women's desires to fight for justice and equality. Get The First Ladies at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

If you received a gigantic bouquet of daisies from a potential suitor, what would you do? Tune into Lisa See's episode of Virtual Book Tour to hear what she would do! We also discuss her new novel Lady Tan's Circle of Women, the real history behind this extraordinary woman, and the importance of female friendships. Lady Tan's Circle of Women is a tale about female friendship and leadership in 15th-century China, challenging a woman's place in society. From a young age, Tan Yunxian learns about women's illnesses, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and mutual purpose, and vow to be forever friends. When Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, she must learn to break free of these traditions and lead a life of treating women. Get Lady Tan's Circle of Women at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

We're talking to Emma Törzs on Virtual Book Tour about her new book Ink Blood Sister Scribe! Listen in to learn how her sister inspired the story, her love for fairy tale tropes, and the vibes of dark academia. Ink Blood Sister Scribe follows two estranged sisters bearing the responsibility to protect their magical family library. When Esther and Joanna's father dies while reading one of the magical books, the sisters must reunite to preserve the family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined. Get Ink Blood Sister Scribe at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

What happened to riddles and fun islands? Tune in to hear Meg Shaffer, the author of The Wishing Game, speak about how Willy Wonka inspired her story, how books provide escapism, and the importance of supporting people's dreams. The Wishing Game follows Lucy Hart, a 26-year-old teacher's aid, desperate to adopt her orphan student Christopher Lamb. Without the proper funds and stability, Lucy needs a miracle to make her dream come true. But when her favorite author invites her to a competition on his private island, she may finally have a chance. Get The Wishing Game at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

Dust off your dancing shoes because we sit down with Fiona Davis to discuss her new book The Spectacular! We talk about what inspired her to write about the Rockettes and Fiona's journey from actor to journalist to writer. Plus, she tells a beautiful story about what the BOTM blue box means to her, which had everyone teary-eyed. In 1956 New York City, 19-year-old Marion is selected to be one of the Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall's glamorous dancing troupes–until a bomb explodes in the theater. It's only the latest in a string of explosions orchestrated by the "Big Apple Bomber." With the public in an uproar over the lack of leads, the police turn to psychological profiling. As Marion finds herself pulled deeper into the investigation, she may be forced to sacrifice everything she's worked for. Get The Spectacular at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Meet Ashley Audrain, a repeat Book of the Month author! We sit down with Ashley to discuss her new book, The Whispers, how wealth impacts motherhood, and why people in the suburbs are not okay. We also play a challenging round of 'Would You Rather: Kid's Party or Adult Party.' On Harlow Street, everything is fabulous until Whitney's son falls from his bedside window in the middle of the night. The Whispers spins out over the course of one week, in the alternating voices of the women in the neighborhood: Blair, Whitney's best friend; Rebecca, the ER doctor helping Whitney's son; and Mara, the older woman next door. The Whispers explores the quiet sacrifices of motherhood and the dangerous impulse to compare oneself to other parents. Get The Whispers at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

She might come from a family of bartenders, but believe it or not, Mary Beth Keane did *not* base her character off any kin in particular. On this week's episode, we discuss her new book, The Half Moon, long-term relationships, love for small towns, and her aversion to rum drinks. The Half Moon follows Malcolm and Jess over the course of one week when a blizzard hits the town of Gillam, trapping everyone in place. Malcolm has always dreamed of owning a bar and transforming it into a bigger success—leading him to drown in debt. Jess grapples with her infertility and her evaporating dreams of motherhood. The Half Moon explores the intimacy of small-town living and what it means to be a family. Get The Half Moon at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Meet our latest Virtual Book Tour guest: Susie Luo! We sat down to discuss her debut novel Paper Names, her experience immigrating to the United States as a child, and the best things about NYC. And if you need some advice on what gift to bring to your next event, Susie Luo can help in our game "Bearing Gifts" (hint: it's usually wine). Paper Names is set in New York and China over three decades from three different perspectives. Tony is a Chinese-born engineer turned Manhattan doorman; Tammy is Tony's daughter who we follow through adulthood; and Oliver is a white lawyer who lives in the building where Tony works. An unexpected act of violence causes their lives to intertwine in this propulsive story of family, identity, and the American experience. Get Paper Names at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Repeat novelist and all-star baker Abby Jimenez joined us on Virtual Book Tour to discuss her newest novel, Yours Truly, the sweetest romance filled with love letters and very real life challenges. We talk about revenge and fake dating, finding love when you least expect it, and her questionable search history. Dr. Briana Ortiz's life is seriously flatlining; her divorce is about to be finalized and her brother is running out of time to find a kidney donor, but everything changes when Dr. Jacob Maddox sends Briana a letter. Suddenly they are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates, and Jacob gives Briana a fun distraction by inviting her to be his fake date for his brother's wedding. Yours Truly is a novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match. Get Yours Truly at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Rivers, legends, and sisters: Patti Callahan Henry's new novel is all of her favorite things in one! We're sitting down to discuss The Secret Book of Flora Lea, fairy tales, and the historic moments that inspired her new book. We also play a game called "The Cost is Correct: Rare Book Edition." The Secret Book of Flora Lea follows two sisters in 1939 England, where Hazel and Flora are seeking shelter from the war. When the unthinkable happens and Flora Lea disappears, Hazel carries that guilt into adulthood as a burden she feels she deserves. Twenty years later, and Flora has still not been found, but Hazel discovers a rare book that has a connection to her past only her sister would have known. Get The Secret Book of Flora Lea at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com