Author On The Bookcase

Author On the Bookcase
Laura Morowitz

I'm thrilled to speak to Laura Morowitz, co-author with Laurie Lico Albanese, of The Miracles of Prato. Art in a book -- love these historical novels centered around real-live artists and their lifes! It helps me learn about past artists and the history and politics that surrounded them.

The Miracles of Prato brings to life glorious Italy in the era of the Medici —as it tells the story of an illicit love affair between the renowned painter Fra Filippo Lippi and his muse, a beautiful convent novitiate named Lucrezia Buti. Lippi, the chaplain for Convent Santa Margherita sees in Lucrezia's flawless face inspiration for countless Madonnas and he brings the her to his studio to serve as his model.

Author On the Bookcase
Mitchell James Kaplan  

History and religion and politics -- oh my!

I'm pleased to welcome Mitchell James Kaplan, author of the debut novel, By Fire, By Water. Mitchell's book tells the heartbreaking story of Luis de Santangel, the courtier who convinced Queen Isabella to sponsor Christopher Columbus’s voyage of discovery in 1492.

Author On the Bookcase
Michelle Hoover

Michelle Hoover, welcome to On the Bookcase! Michelle's book, The Quickening, is the story of two women stuggling to make a living in the upper Midwest in the early 1900s. For one, their hardscrabble life comes easily, while the other longs for the excitement of the city. Though they depend on one another for survival and companionship, their friendship proves as rugged as the land they farm.

Author On the Bookcase
Cathy Lamb

I'm excited to welcome Cathy Lamb, author of Such A Pretty Face. Her book tells the story of Stevie, who two years and 170 pounds ago, was wheeled into an operating room for surgery that most likely saved her life. At thirty-five, Stevie is the one thing she never thought she'd be: thin.

Stevie realizes the most important part of her transformation may not be what she's lost, but the courage and confidence she's gathering, day by day. What fascinating reading-group topics -- identity, family, friendships.

Today, Cathy chats about her writing process. What do toilets, electricity, carpet and a chimmey have to do with her writing?

Author On the Bookcase

Emily Gray Tedrowe

With pleasure, I welcome Emily Gray Tedrowe, author of Commuters. Emily's novel traces a year in the life of two families thrown together by the sudden marriage of their oldest members. Commuters is a tale of love, family dynamics, money, and surprising alliances. And food! Emily writes about her character Avery's obsession with food, how it  guides his some of his decisions, and how memorable meals can define one's life. 

Author On the Bookcase

Eloisa James
(Mary Bly Vettori) 

I'm thrilled to welcome Eloisa James to On the Bookcase.

Author On the Bookcase

Ayelet Waldman

Ayelet Waldman, author of a new book Red Hook Road, writes about questions that readers asks of authors.  And, the one answer she is too embarrassed to tell.  

"There comes a moment at every literary event, a moment every author dreads, when the lights go up and the Q&A starts. The vast majority of the Q is fine (I can’t speak for the A, you’ll have to be the judge). What book am I reading now, when did I first want to become a writer, how do my children feel about the title of my last book. I like those Qs. I like especially the Qs that haven’t been asked before, the ones that give me a chance to depart from my practiced answers.

Author On the Bookcase

Heather Barbieri

I'm thrilled to welcome Heather Barbieri, author of The Lace Makers of Glenmara. to On the Bookcase. Heather tells the story of her grandmother, Esther, and her mother, Michelle, and the joy of reading they shared with her. As a result, Heather's childhood was filled with books as Heather read from "quiet corners—behind the Christmas tree (the lights were particularly magical to read by) or the sofa (not on the sofa, behind it, right by the heat register)"

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Heather!

"Who instilled a love of reading in you? A teacher? A parent?

Do you remember the best summer of your life?

Marjorie Hart's book, Summer at Tiffany, is a charming and fun memoir about Marjorie's summer of 1945, working at Tiffany & Co in New York City. She and her roommate would become the first women to work on the sales floor at Tiffany & Co. How excitingI I would love to work there -- jewels galore! Marjorie chats about her amazing summer and how amazing about book clubs are (we know that!) Welcome, Marjorie, to On the Bookcase.

Marriage and the new British political alliance?