Friends & Fiction

Latest Episodes:

Friends & Fiction with Jean Kwok Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

On tonight’s LIVE episode of our web show, we sit down with the incredible Jean Kwok.

Jean Kwok is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Girl in Translation, Mambo in Chinatown, and the instant New York Times bestseller and Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club pick Searching for Sylvie Lee. Her work has been published in twenty countries and is taught in universities, colleges, and high schools across the world. She has been selected for numerous honors, including the American Library Association Alex Award and the Chinese American Librarians Association Best Book Award. With a bachelor's from Harvard and an MFA from Columbia, Jean is fluent in Chinese, Dutch, and English. She joins us to discuss her highly-anticipated, brand-new novel THE LEFTOVER WOMAN (William Morrow, Oct 10) which was named to most-anticipated lists by The New York Times, Elle, TIME, People and many more.

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WB_S3E11 What You Do to Me with Rochelle Weinstein Oct 13, 2023

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WRITERS' BLOCK What do you do when a song gets stuck in your head and you want to figure out the backstory of the lyrics? Why, write a book imagining how real life influenced the song. Rochelle Weinstein is captivating talking to Kristy Woodson Harvey and Ron Block about how she created a powerful and emotional novel based on "Hey There Delilah" by the Plain White T's who also gave Rochelle their blessing. Such a great conversation!

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Friends & Fiction with Thrity Umrigar Oct 12, 2023

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On tonight’s live episode, we are excited to talk to Thrity Umrigar about her highly anticipated new novel, THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES.

Thrity is the award-winning and bestselling author of nine previous novels, including HONOR, which was a Reese's Book Club Pick, as well as three picture books and a memoir. Her books have been published in more than 15 countries and in several languages. A former journalist, she has contributed to the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the New York Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She joins us from her home in Cleveland to tell us all about her compelling family drama THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES, which Algonquin Books published on Sept. 26th.

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WB_S3E40 Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead Oct 06, 2023

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WRITERS' BLOCK Ashley Winstead is the guest on this week's episode, discussing her departure thriller, Midnight is the Darkest Hour. She joins Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block for a deep discussion about how this Louisiana Swamp set tale explores the effect a fundamentalist focus can have on it's small town gothic town. The murder mystery begins with Ruth, whose world was changed when she discovered life in the pages of Twilight, who may have had a hand in the discivery of a skull in the swamp setting off a manhunt for killers in the town. Ashley talks about how religious fervor and greed can affect everyone in the town. She talks openly about her own background, the inspiration for this personal story and why she wanted to tell this particular tale about control, escape and ultimately good vs. evil. All wrapped in a pulse pounding thriller! A fantastic episode!

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Friends & Fiction with Jessica Knoll Oct 05, 2023

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On this episode, we introduce you to Jessica Knoll and her incredible new book, BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN.

Jessica Knoll is the New York Times bestselling author of LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE and THE FAVORITE SISTER. She also adapted and executive produced the film Luckiest Girl Alive, starring Mila Kunis, which was released on Netflix in 2022. A former editor at SELF and Cosmopolitan, Jessica’s books have been published in more than forty languages. She joins us from her home in Los Angeles to discuss her third novel, BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN—the instant New York Times bestseller with starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Kirkus—which was published by Simon & Schuster / Marysue Rucci Books on September 19th.

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WB_S3E39 The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch Sep 29, 2023

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WRITERS' BLOCK Revisiting a classic with a twist! Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey are joined for a fabulous conversation with Melinda Taub about her new book that honors Pride and Prejudice (with a twist) in her new book, The Scanadalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch. Melinda talks about creating a new angle on the classic Bennet sisters story, infusing it with magic and insight into the elusive sister, Lydia. Melinda talks about her work as former Head Writer and Excecutive Producer of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and how it influenced her writing. The book is a unique and absorbing triumph and you absolutely don't want to miss this chat about this emerging author and book!

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Friends & Fiction Launch Celebration for Mary Kay Andrews's BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS Sep 28, 2023

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This episode of our Wed night web show is the launch celebration for our own Mary Kay Andrews’s BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS!

Who’s ready to join in the reindeer games? Put on your Santa (er, thinking) caps and get ready for some holiday themed trivia! We’ve got lots of cheer and merriment in store as emcee Meg and referee Ron oversee the Fab Four in a rousing Christmas-themed game show. We follow that with an insightful interview with MKA about her fifth Christmas novel, which is hot off the presses and in stores everywhere now, ready for your early holiday shopping.

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WB_S3E38 A Right Worthy Woman with Ruth Watson Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

WRITERS' BLOCK Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block have an inspiring and touching conversation with Author Ruth Watson about her recent historical fiction novel, A Right Worthy Woman, which tells the story of Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman to establish and preside over an American Bank (which still exists today!). Ruth's journey to get this story told is fascinating and showcases her persistance and determination to bring untold but necessary stories to light in fiction. This episode is certain to touch our listeners' hearts.

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Friends & Fiction with Sarah Pekkanen & Etaf Rum Sep 21, 2023

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On tonight’s LIVE episode of our Wednesday night web show, we are excited to host two incredible bestselling authors, Sarah Pekkanen and Etaf Rum!

Sarah Pekkanen is the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of four novels of suspense including THE GOLDEN COUPLE and THE WIFE BETWEEN US. A passionate volunteer for rescue animals, she serves as an Ambassador for RRSA India, and works hands-on in India to heal and vaccinate street dogs. She joins us from her home outside of Washington, D.C. to discuss her new novel, GONE TONIGHT (St. Martin’s Press, Aug 1), which Harlan Coben calls “a wild ride.”

The daughter of Palestinian immigrants, born and raised in Brooklyn, Etaf Rum is an undergraduate literature professor in North Carolina. She runs the Instagram account @booksandbeans, and is a Book of the Month Club Ambassador, showcasing her favorite selections each month. We first met Etaf in F&F’s tech-challenged early days when she came on the show to discuss her acclaimed New York Times bestselling debut novel, A WOMAN IS NO MAN. She joins us to discuss her highly-anticipated new novel, EVIL EYE (Harper, Sept 5).

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WB_S3E37 Mother Daughter Murder Night with Nina Simon Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey knew there was somethng special about Mother Daughter Murder Night by debut author, Nina Simon. This sparkling, lively and heartwarming conversation will give listeners a glimpse into why this book was named the September 2023 Reese's Book Club pick! From the origin story, to the natual setting and the relationships between the grandmother, Lana, her estranged daughter Beth, and Jack the grandaughter, each page illuminates this compelling murder mystery that combines with the multi-generational sleuths to give readers a highly satisfying read. What a great story and author! Don't miss this one.

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