WYPL Book Talk

Susan Gray talks to Linda Weeks, one-half of the writing duo M.L. Rose, about a young country songwriter in Nashville, in the novel The Road To Eden's Ridge. Download the podcast today, or tomorrow, or whenever you're ready. No pressure. :)

Download Stephen Usery's interview of Helen Hemphill about her new book for younger readers, The Adventurous Deeds of Deadwood Jones, which follows a pair of young former slaves as they make their way from Tennessee to the Wild West. (Also, Helen will be at Davis-Kidd on Saturday December 6th at 1 p.m. to sign copies of the book. Drop by and tell her that you heard her on Book Talk!)

Stephen Usery interviews Grammy-award winning writer Tom Piazza. City of Refuge is a heart-rending tale following two families from New Orleans as they deal with Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath. Tom also discusses the political inaction during the real-world recovery process. Very strong stuff, download it today.

 

Download Stephen Usery's one-hour interview with Clyde Edgerton. This North Carolina native known for his novels Raney and Lunch at the Picadilly, discusses The Bible Salesman, his latest tale filled with car thieves, cats (of talking and dead varieties), family woes and of course our titular salesman.

Linda Lloyd talks to Red Hat Club author Haywood Smith about her latest novel, Wedding Belles. Listen to the podcast and learn about this funny and poignant book, oh, and rabid raccoons.

Stephen Usery shifts gears and talks to the car care coach, Lauren Fix about her newest how-to book, Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car. Learn about getting your car ready for winter weather and enjoy a radio show, all at the same time!

Stephen Usery interviews Memphis's own Cary Holladay about her new, award-winning novella, A Fight in the Doctor's Office. After the end of the broadcast segment, Stephen talks about the socio-political symbolism he found in book, and Cary humors him as best she can. She was a terrific and patient guest. Enjoy the podcast!

Haven Kimmel was on hand to talk about her new novel, Iodine, which follows a young woman's descent into madness. As a bonus, we have Haven's two previous appearances available as podcasts, as well. From 2007, we talked about "The Used World" and in 2004 "Something Rising: Light and Swift".

(A note about the Iodine podcast: I began the interview with a joke about David Foster Wallace's tendency to use footnotes. The interview was recorded on September 9, 2008, three days prior to his untimely death. The comment was redacted form the broadcast version of Book Talk, but is included in the podcast. I feel that deleting it from the podcast wouldn't be appropriate. It wasn't a mean-spirited comment and omitting it would do a disservice to his memory. He was an incredible writer and advocate for literature, and his passing is a huge loss to American letters. Please accept the joke in the spirit in which it was made.-Stephen Usery)

Strange and terrifying things are afoot on Book Talk. Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell kick off the first installment of their grisly chapter book series with Barnaby Grimes : Curse of the Night Wolf. Host Stephen Usery stopped hiding under the desk long enough to interview the Englishmen. There is also 10 mintues of extra material on the podcast. (Also, since our Sept. 12th interview, Gordon Brown's popularity has skyrocketed in Britain due to his handling of the financial crisis.)

 

 

 

Ghoul things come to those who wait. Enjoy...if you dare.

Host Carolyn Gibson talks with Carol Goodman about her latest novel, The Night Villa, which looks parallel mysteries; one is set in modern day Austin, Texas, the other during the days of the Roman Empire, in the shadow of the threatening Mt. Vesuvius. Download the podcast today!

Stephen Usery interviews Porter Shreve about his new novel set in an alternative school during Washington DC's Bicentennial celebration, When the White House Was Ours. Enjoy!

Download a special one hour interview with Charles Martin. Host Linda Lloyd talks to the Jacksonville, Florida native about his giving up the corporate career track and taking a huge risk in writing full-time. The gamble paid off and they will talk about his recent New York Times best-selling novel Where the River Ends. Enjoy!

Bill Wilson talks to Rhodes College professors John Kaltner and Steven McKenzie about their humorous and insightful look into modern biblical interpretation entitled, The Uncensored Bible: The Bawdy and Naughty Bits of the Good Book. Thou shalt downloadeth the podcast, verily I say unto thee.

Stephen Usery's interview of bestselling author E. Lynn Harris about his new novel set in the world of college football, Just Too Good to Be True is now available for download. Enjoy!

Stephen Usery talks to children's book author and illustrator Tony Diterlizzi about his chapter book Kenny & the Dragon. Good times, good times...

Much to the relief of our fans in Ireland, Stephen Usery's interview of Karin Slaughter about her latest best seller, Fractured is available as a podcast.

Stephen Usery interviews Laurie Notaro about her latest collection of hilarious personal essays, The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death. Download the podcast and giggle till you break all your furniture.

Terri Murphy interviews J.M. Kearns about his self-help dating guide, Why Mr. Right Can't Find You. Also, J.M. Kearns will be at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Memphis on Saturday, September 27. Tell him that you heard him on Book Talk! Download the podcast now!

Host Susan Gray talks to Lesley Kagen about her newest novel, Land of a Hundred Wonders. They also discuss Ms. Kagen's transition from a career in radio to that of a novelist. Enjoy!