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 hanging with a couple of my girlfriends over a glass of wine.  Of course instead of wine, we had microphones, but you get the idea.  And I have to admit something else here too:  this interview has been in post-production for a long time.  Long enough for the title of Susan’s new book to actually change!  You’ll have to listen to the interview to hear what the title was originally going to be.

So, without further ado… enjoy the interview!  I know I did.

– Dana Barrett, Podcast Host

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

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

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.

I met Byron at the Atlanta Press Club luncheon several weeks ago as he came through town on his book tour and had the chance to chat with him about the book, his journey and his new role with our partner, the National Center for Family Literacy.

Take a minute to listen to my interview with Byron – and get your copy here on BetterWorldBooks.com where we are giving all of the proceeds from the sale of the book directly to NCFL.

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast!

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. 

I sat down with Susan shortly after the launch party to talk about the three main characters, the Big Weaner, and to find out what the heck buttered Saltines are all about. 

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast page!

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).  Did you ever stop to think you might be living in the wrong place to meet your soul mate?   Wonder what Oprah’s personality type is?  How ’bout Barack Obama?

The answers to these questions and more are right in this podcast (which was really one of the most fun interviews I’ve done).  And of course even more answers and the quiz itself are in the book!

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast page!

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.

As a parent, I related to what David was going through.  These are smart, successful parents with smart and talented kids.  I’m sure, like most of us, they never thought it could happen to them.  Nic could have been my kid or yours.  That’s the scary part.

Reading Nic’s story takes you away from the headlines and the statistics and gives a face and a humanity to the addiction.  By turns I was angry at him, but then wanted to hug him and protect him just they way I know his father does.

I hope you will enjoy the interview and will get great meaning out of both of these incredible books.

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast!

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.

I was able to chat with Dr. Taylor on the phone just a couple hours after the historic inauguration of Barack Obama.  It seemed a perfect time to talk to her about her book and her message of peace.

If you’re as fascinated with Dr. Taylor’s story as I am, of course you’ll want to listen to the podcast and you might also want to check out her famous TED talk.

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast!

I met Benyamin here at the Better World Books offices to chat about the book and the fact that his dad thinks Ben Stiller would be perfect for the part of Benyamin should there ever be a movie!

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast!