Beyond the Next Chapter with Whitney Clark

Latest Episodes:

Erika Krouse, "Tell Me Everything" Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

Erika Krouse is a writer of both fiction and nonfiction, who joins the podcast to discuss her book, TELL ME EVERYTHING: THE STORY OF A PRIVATE INVESTIGATION. This is a memoir focused on a tale of true crime which parallels the narrator's personal history. This is a moving, painful story of power, powerlessness, and the way lives are left shattered when the system doesn't protect those who need it.

In her book, Erika describes herself as simultaneously "forgettable" and "familiar," but ultimately she's the kind of person others will share their secrets with. This quality, paired with her own scars and knowledge as an abuse survivor, make her a unique voice to tell the story of efforts to hold a Colorado university legally responsible for creating a toxic environment that leads to sexual assault and abuse.

Erika talks with Olivia about the choices she made in writing this book- including efforts to balance honesty with protecting the victims, the skills she's developed to manipulate others, and the implications of sharing her personal story of abuse.

TELL ME EVERYTHING is published by Flatiron Books, March 15,2022.

For more on the author visit http://www.erikakrousewriter.com/

This week Olivia's joined by Hannah Makela, a Tucson-based book blogger and host of Brunch Babes Reads book club, Hannah recommends Sydney Blondell's book of poetry MONARCH (which her will discuss on April 30th) and Erin A. Craig's SMALL FAVORS. Olivia and Hannah get hungry discussing tasty brunch favorites, and Olivia mentions a recent read: LIGHT FROM UNCOMMON STARS by Ryka Aoki.

Hannah can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at @thepaperbackbruncher or follow/join the club @brunchbabesreads

Sally Hepworth, "The Younger Wife" Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

A wedding ceremony is pierced by a scream, that sets the scene for Sally Hepworth's latest suspenseful thriller, THE YOUNGER WIFE, told by alternating narrators.

Full of the twists and unreliable family memories and histories Hepworth is famous for, her new novel focuses on two sisters, Tully and Rachel, and how their lives change when they meet their seemingly perfect father's new fiancée, Heather. Sally returns to the podcast to discuss the book, post-pandemic life, and the challenges (and joys) of reading books, in addition to writing them.

In A Moment With Margaret, Margaret and Olivia discusses the Australian narrators of THE YOUNGER WIFE audiobook, true crime stories like Paul Holes' UNMASKED: MY LIFE SOLVING AMERICA'S COLD CASES, Erika Krouse's TELL ME EVERYTHING, and themes that are touched on similarly to TALKING TO STRANGERS by Malcolm Gladwell. Recommending two works of fiction for those who like to read true crime: Liz Moore's LONG BRIGHT RIVER and Paula McLain's WHEN THE STARS GO DARK.

THE YOUNGER WIFE is released by St. Martin's Press on April 5, 2022.

THE GOOD SISTER is now available in paperback.

Peng Shepherd, "The Cartographers" Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

"The process of writing felt very much like a scavenger hunt. I would have one clue, then I as the writer also didn't know, like the reader, where it led," says Peng Shepherd of her new novel, THE CARTOGRAPHERS, when in-studio for the podcast.

Peng shares her interest in cartography, her lifelong passion for stories, and how she approached the follow up to her highly successful 2019 debut, THE BOOK OF M.

Olivia and Peng were joined by her mother, Lin Sue Flood, a former longtime Phoenix news anchor and full-time proud parent. Lin Sue talked about how she encouraged her daughter's success, always said yes to her requests of new books, and encouraged her earliest efforts at storytelling.

An avid reader herself, Lin Sue recommended two books she recently enjoyed: Matt Haig's THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY, and Celest Ng's LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE.

Peng Shepherd will meet her readers at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale on Wednesday, March 30 at 7pm. Information: https://poisonedpen.com/

THE CARTOGRAPHERS is published by William Morrow. THE BOOK OF M is now available in paperback.

Wanda M. Morris, "All Her Little Secrets" Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

Ellice Littlejohn has succeeded as corporate attorney in Atlanta -in spite of her many secrets. A secret affair, a secret hidden crime, a childhood full of chaos and poverty she'd like to keep secret from colleagues and even friends. Secrets come to the service when her boss is killed, and Ellice responds in the only way she knows how: with more secrets.

Wanda M. Morris joins the podcast to talk about her debut novel, ALL HER LITTLE SECRETS. Morris is a corporate attorney who aspired to write a book for years, starting and stopping this one multiple times before its November 2021 release from William Morrow.

Wanda shares her reaction to her debut, from accolades and buzz out of Entertainment Weekly, Marie Clair, LA Times, to being the #1 Top Pick for "Library Reads" by librarians across the country.

Wanda shares with Olivia how reading a disappointing book was important to her own new career, how themes of racism, sexism, workplace tension and discrimination are central to the book, and why she needed to represent a middle-aged Black woman as her protagonist in the pages, and on the cover of her book.

In a Moment With Margaret, Olivia and Margaret talk about Margaret's big life changes (new job, new industry, new schedule, new hair!) and how this will shake up her reading habits.

Sharing from the recent reading lists in the spirit of ALL HER LITTLE SECRETS: Margaret recommends a different sort of workplace drama, WIDOW FALLS by Kiersten Modglin, another book full of twists and surprises.

Maggie Smith, "Truth and Other Lies" Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Maggie Smith's debut novel, TRUTH AND OTHER LIES, is the fascinating story of three women and the secrets and lies that connect them, shape them, and threaten them. A journalist, psychologist, podcast host and business owner, Maggie joins the podcast to talk about what inspired the book. Maggie talks about using her own life experience writing the relationship Megan and her mother, the political candidate. The book tackles politics, family dynamics, professional identity, and what happens when you look deeper beyond the facades of those you admire, and those you resent.

Margaret and Olivia discuss sharing a name with another person (Maggie Smith the author is not Maggie Smith the actress) with Margaret occasionally receiving emails for THE Martha Stewart, and the show INDEFENSIBLE.

Margaret recommends other new books released this week: THE BOOK OF COLD CASES by Simone St. James and Harlan Coben's THE MATCH, NINE LIVES by Peter Swanson. Olivia recommends I'M SO EFFIN' TIRED by Dr. Amy Shah, a previous podcast guest, now in paperback.

TRUTH AND OTHER LIES is published by Ten16Press, released March 8, 2022.

Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen, "The Golden Couple" Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

"The Golden Couple" is the latest thriller from bestselling writing duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Their latest page-turner focuses on therapist Avery Chambers' unorthodox 10 session treatment program, and her clients, Marissa and Matthew Bishop. Gorgeous and glamorous, the Bishops' marriage is plagued by secrets and lies that are about to be brought to the surface by Avery.

Greer & Sarah talked with Olivia on the podcast about the book, the perks of writing as a team, and share advice for aspiring writers.

A Moment With Margaret: Olivia & Margaret discuss other new releases this week that Margaret is interested in, "The Sweet Spot" by Trish Doller, "The Book of Souls" by Kevin Moore, "Smile and Look Pretty" by Amanda Pellegrino, and why we love the TV show "Ghosts."

Rebecca Serle, "One Italian Summer" Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

Rebecca Serle is taking readers to Positano, Italy in her latest novel, "One Italian Summer." The story follows Katy, who, in the depths of grief after her mother's death, goes alone on a planned mother-daughter trip to the Amalfi Coast. Rebecca joins the podcast this week to talk about writing the emotional novel about a daughter's love for her mother, the inevitable future of defining yourself after you lose your parents and her fears of losing her own parents. She talks about curiosities surrounding your parent's life before yours, "memory is fiction," she says. Rebecca shares an incredible memory of her own of a trip to Rome with her mother, that even involved meeting a man her mom had dated! Olivia and Rebecca discuss her other works, and the magic that is "The Gilmore Girls" and audiobook narrator, Lauren Graham.

"One Italian Summer" is available now from Atria Books.

Eve Rodsky, "Find Your Unicorn Space" Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

When Eve Rodsky applied her expertise in organizational management to making her own household and partnership become more manageable and equitable, she sparked a movement among readers of her first book "Fair Play."

Now, Eve is back to chat with Olivia about her new book, "Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World." Here, Eve uses this podcast as an example of what a unicorn space can be, involving creativity, connection, and a sense of completion. She talks about the pandemic's impact on personal space, and the challenge most of us face when claiming time for activities that bring joy. Eve shares why we may want to swap a gratitude journal for a "guilt journal" and strategies when seeking support from others when you're seeking your unicorn space.

"Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World" is available in hardcover now from G.P. Putnam's Sons. Eve also hosts "Time Out: A Fair Play Podcast" for iHeart.

https://www.everodsky.com/

A 'Bromance' With Romance Novels Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

Valentine's Day vibes on this week's podcast, with Tim Xayasomloth, bookseller at Changing Hands Bookstore. Tim has become known as "The Romance Guy" at the store ever since he challenged himself to read genres outside his fantasy and science fiction favorites, and found he loved the contemporary romance! Comparing a romance novel to a tasty margarita that "goes down easy," Tim explains to Olivia why he believes men can benefit from reading romance to understand how to be a better guy and better partner.

Tim talks about the book that started him off: "The Bromance Book Club" by Lyssa Kay Adams, and why some of the romance tropes like enemies to lovers are so enjoyable. Tim also recommends "The Right Swipe" by Alisha Rai, "The Kiss Quotient" by Helen Hoang, and Rachel Lynn Solomon's "The Ex Talk."

This podcast episode is dedicated to Elizabeth Stewart, Margaret's sister, who shared her love for books not only with her little sister, but through her career as a librarian.

To check out more book recommendations from Tim and his colleagues at Changing Hands, visit: https://www.changinghands.com/page/staffpicks

Lisa Harding, "Bright Burning Things" Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Irish writer Lisa Harding makes her American literary debut with the highly acclaimed novel, "Bright Burning Things." Harding writes an emotionally powerful story of Sonya, an actress and single mother who is spiraling out of control, battling alcoholism and trauma. Her four-year-old son, Tommy, is simultaneously Sonya's lifeline and her prison as the pressures of motherhood push her to her limits. The child is heartbreakingly saddled with playing the role of adult, adoring his mother, and anxiously navigating his unstable environment. Lisa joined the podcast from Dublin to talk about this emotionally raw story: her desire to tell a story of addiction authentically, her reaction to both the success of the book and reader reaction who found it too difficult. Formerly a professional actress, Lisa also tells Olivia about her experience recording the audiobook and what fueled the most stunning moments of her performance.

After the author interview, Olivia and Margaret discuss "Crying In H Mart" by Michelle Zauner and Rebecca Serle's "One Italian Summer."

"Bright Burning Things" is available in hardcover from HarperVia.