Better World Books Podcast: Sisters Lauren Myracle & Susan Rebecca White

Posted by Dana on 07.22.2010 at 10:16 am

You know how you and your sister talk to each other in a way that is completely different from the way you talk to  anyone else?  Well guess what… that would still be true if you were both famous, successful authors!  Meet sisters and authors Lauren Myracle and Susan Rebecca White.

Lauren, the just slightly older sister is known for her hugely popular YA books TTYL and TTFN and her new series for younger readers that starts with LUV YA BUNCHES.  And Susan, whose second book A SOFT PLACE TO LAND was recently released, is well on her way to being a favorite among book clubs and critics alike.  You may remember my earlier interview with Susan about her first book, BOUND SOUTH.

A while back, I had a chance to sit down with the sisters in their first ever joint interview and they were not shy!  We talked about what it was like growing up together and how their relationship has shaped their writing.

This was actually one of my favorite interviews to record.  It was like Read more…

Interview with Lauren Myracle and Susan Rebecca White [ 26:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (852)

1 Comment » | Tagged Author Podcast, A Soft Place to Land, Author Interview, Bound South, Lauren Myracle, Luv Ya Bunches, Sisters, Susan Rebecca White, TTFN, TTYL

Better World Books Podcast: Holly LeCraw

Posted by Dana on 05.12.2010 at 4:00 pm

Holly LeCraw is the real life hero of book nerds everywhere.  Her dad founded Oxford Books in Atlanta and she grew up with her nose in a book.  Now she’s a writer herself and her brand new book THE SWIMMING POOL is really making waves (pun fully intended).

Though it may look like a beach book, it’s really much more than that.  THE SWIMMING POOL is at the surface (yup – I’m punning again) about a young man who falls in love with a woman who was once his late father’s mistress.  But the book also includes an unsolved murder, postpartum depression, and a pivotal cocktail party around (you guessed it) a swimming pool.  Alas, that still doesn’t cover it entirely.  After talking with Holly in depth (ha ha ha), I’d say the book is really about the choices we make either because of or in spite of the people we care deeply about.

When Holly and I sat down to chat we hit it off right away.  It turns out we have a few things in common and got to laughing pretty easily.  You’ll appreciate Holly’s insight into her work and her totally cringe-worthy pun towards the end!

Like this interview?  Subscribe today!

Want more of the Better World Books Podcast now?  Click here to check out the rest of the great authors who stopped by or called in for a chat!

Comments or questions about the podcast?  Feel free to comment here on the blog, or email me at podcast@betterworldbooks.com.

– Dana Barrett, Podcast Host

Interview with Holly LeCraw [ 22:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3391)

Have your say » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Interview, Holly LeCraw, Oxford Books, The Swimming Pool

Better World Books Podcast: Byron Pitts

Posted by Dana on 11.03.2009 at 4:01 pm

Byron Pitts is a gifted broadcast journalist, an engaging and talented speaker, a published author and force for good. But that wasn’t always the case.  As his book STEP OUT ON NOTHING details, Byron started out a skinny kid with the nickname “Pickle” who didn’t talk much and was often bullied.  But worse than that, Byron was hiding and working hard to keep his secrets.  He couldn’t read and had a debilitating stutter.

If it wasn’t for his faith and the people who “stepped out on nothing” for him, Byron doesn’t believe he would have made it to the place he is today.  When his mother was told he was “stupid” she wouldn’t accept it.  When his best friend in college noticed his limited vocabulary he stepped in to help.  And a when a professor he had never met before found him dejected an about to drop out, she believed in him. Read more…

Interview with Byron Pitts [ 17:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1658)

Have your say » | Tagged Author Podcast, Our Partners, 60 Minutes, Author Interview, Byron Pitts, CBS, dana barrett, National Center Family Literacy, podcast, Step Out on Nothing

Better World Books Podcast: Susan Rebecca White

Posted by Dana on 05.14.2009 at 12:10 pm

Susan Rebecca White packed the house for the BOUND SOUTH launch party back in February.  She did a talk and signing at the Margaret Mitchell House here in Atlanta, which is of course, where all the big name authors go when they are here in town.  So now you’re thinking — big name?? — I never heard of Susan Rebecca White.

Trust me.  You will.  Susan is a fresh new voice in Southern Literary Fiction and her debut novel is fantastic.  The characters are rich and while you do feel the story is complete at the end, you find yourself wanting to know what happens to these characters next.

The book is the story of three Southern women — a proper Atlanta matron, her rebellious teenage daughter, and their housekeeper’s young daughter and the intersection of their lives.  While Susan tackles some complex issues like religion and gender identity, she does it with humor.  Read more…

Interview with Susan Rebecca White [ 19:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (996)

Have your say » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Interview, Bound South, dana barrett, debut fiction, Debut novel, Margaret Mitchell House, Southern Fiction, Susan Rebecca White

Better World Books Podcast: Dr. Helen Fisher

Posted by Dana on 04.24.2009 at 7:46 am

Why do you fall in love with one person rather than another? In her new book Dr. Helen Fisher identifies four biological personality styles generated by brain chemistry; then using her study of 28,000 people, she shows who is naturally drawn to whom.

Dr. Fisher is the chief scientific advisor for CHEMISTRY.COM and her personality type test has already been taken by millions!  She has been seen on 20/20, The Early Show on CBS and even The Colbert Report, so I was especially excited that she was able to take the time to sit down with me.

Once you read this book (and listen to the podcast!) you’ll never look at people (or more importantly, yourself) the same way.

Do you know what it means if your ring finger is longer than your pointer finger?  How ’bout who should pay for dinner and why?  (Scientifically speaking, of course).  Read more…

Interview with Dr. Helen Fisher [ 24:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3153)

2 Comments » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Interview, Author Podcast, better world books, Chemistry.com, dana barrett, Dr. Helen Fisher, Helen Fisher book, Helen Fisher interview, personality test, soul mate, Why Him? Why Her?

Paging Authors Podcast: David Sheff & Nic Sheff

Posted by Dana on 03.11.2009 at 2:02 pm

I got a hold of Beautiful Boy and Tweak less than 24 hours before I had the chance to meet and interview David Sheff and his son Nic.  And what an interesting 24 hours it was.  I spent that time totally immersed in their story and felt like I was seeing old friends when they arrived at the office.

Although their books feel completely different and are geared to completely different audiences, they share the same story; Nic’s terrifying cycle of drug addiction, recovery and relapse. Read more…

Interview with David & Nic Sheff [ 22:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1889)

2 Comments » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Interview, Beautiful Boy, dana barrett, David Sheff, Memoir, Meth Addiction, Nic Sheff, Tweak

Paging Authors Podcast: Jill Bolte Taylor

Posted by Dana on 02.12.2009 at 9:36 am

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor might be the only person you’ll meet who wouldn’t take back the massive stroke she suffered at age 37.  In her book, My Stroke of Insight, she says the feelings of bliss and connection to the universe she experienced while her left brain shut down has taught her to appreciate life in the present moment more than ever.

In preparing to interview Dr. Taylor, I watched her 4 part special on Oprah’s Soul Series.  Oprah referred to Jill as not a stroke survivor but a “stroke triumphant” and she truly is.

As a Harvard trained brain scientist, Dr. Taylor was able to observe and later write about the actual experience of having a stroke and the ensuing recovery.  The book is her personal story along with the science behind stroke.  She also gives us some incredible insight into her mind, the medical profession and ways we can all work to quiet the non-stop chatter in our left brains.

Read more…

Standard Podcast [ 27:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1137)

Have your say » | Tagged Author Podcast, Add new tag, Author Interview, dana barrett, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight, Oprah, Soul Series

Paging Authors Podcast: Benyamin Cohen

Posted by Dana on 01.30.2009 at 9:00 am

Benyamin Cohen is a funny guy.  He’s a funny guy that tackles the serious subject of reconnecting with his faith and spirituality in his memoir My Jesus Year.    Benyamin is the son of an Orthodox rabbi who grew up practicing his Judaism while thinking that the grass looked greener at the church across the street.  As he grew up he felt that he saw in Christians a passion for their religion that he was missing.  So in an attempt to reconnect to his Judaism, he decided to spend a year with Christians. Read more…

Standard Podcast [ 21:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1005)

Have your say » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Interview, Benyamin Cohen, dana barrett, Memoir, My Jesus Year, Religion