Better World Books Podcast: John Perkins

Posted by Dana on 06.23.2009 at 6:23 am

John Perkins is the real deal.  A former economic hit man, he was actually part of the problem he describes in THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE.  But Perkins didn’t like what he saw happening and chose not to be a part of it anymore.  He literally risked his life to expose the game.

What’s great about Perkins’ books is they are written for real people like you and me who are not economists and who are not focused on this stuff on a daily basis.  Each region of the world is discussed not in mind-numbing detail but with just enough information to get you up to speed.  Read more…

 

 Interview with John Perkins: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

1 Comment » | Tagged Author Podcast, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, dana barrett, Empire Building, green festival, John Perkins, seattle, The Secret History of the American Empire

Better World Books Podcast: Matthew Pearl

Posted by Dana on 06.12.2009 at 7:16 am

Matthew Pearl barely looks old enough to have written one book, let alone three incredibly well researched national and international bestsellers.   But he has…and he got some impressive degrees while doing it.  A graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School, Matthew actually started writing his first novel, THE DANTE CLUB while he was still in school.  While most of us were rolling over and happily skipping our 8 o’clock classes, Matthew Pearl was writing.

And it has paid off.  His books are a unique combination of page turning mystery and well researched historical fiction.

As a book lover, I was especially excited to meet Matthew and chat about his latest book, THE LAST DICKENS when he was in Atlanta on tour recently.  I dug in to the book and got the details on what is fact and what is fiction, along with the acceptable nicknames for Matthew and a clue about what he is working on next. Read more…

 

 Dana Barrett interviews Matthew Pearl: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Have your say » | Tagged Author Podcast, Charles Dickens, dana barrett, Interview with Matthew Pearl, The Dante Club, The Last Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Better World Book Club: Ella Minnow Pea

Posted by Dana on 05.28.2009 at 10:54 am

Don’t forget to sign up for the Better World Book Club Newsletter.  Our monthly book club email includes a synopsis of the book, discussion questions and even a great recipe.  You can sign up by going to manage subscriptions now.

You can also catch the selections AND discuss the book here on the blog.

Our Latest Pick

ELLA MINNOW PEA by Mark Dunn

I actually read Mark Dunn’s Ella Minnow Pea several years ago for a book club I was part of and it stuck with me, so now I want to share it with you.  While clearly a literary exercise (as letters fall off a statue - they are removed from the written and spoken vocabulary of an island community by its totalitarian government), it is also a really good story and a thought provoking political statement.

I have read other books that felt like literary exercises to me.  Some work and some don’t.  The one that pops into my mind first is Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.    The book was very highly acclaimed but I found myself distracted by some of his literary devices, and for me that took something away for the book.  I felt like it was a project for a graduate level writing class.  It would get an A for sure, but I want to feel the emotion and discover the plot rather than be cleverly deviced to death.

Read more…

2 Comments » | Tagged Better World Book Club, Author Mark Dunn, Book Club Pick, book reviews, dana barrett, Ella Minnow Pea, Everything is Illuminated, jonathan safran foer, literary devices, literary works, Mark Dunn

Better World Books Podcast: Jodi Picoult

Posted by Dana on 05.20.2009 at 11:24 am

Jodi Picoult came by my office on a Wednesday afternoon while she was in Atlanta for her book tour.  And while I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing NY Times bestselling authors before, I’m definitely not as cool as I should be and  I was nervous.

I mean, after all Jodi Picoult is not just any author she’s the kind of author whose books jump to #1 on the list the minute they come out.  Everyone knows who she is.  If you’ve ever walked into a bookstore or even past one in an airport, you’d recognize the cover of a Jodi Picoult book.  And now her most famous book MY SISTER’S KEEPER is about to come out as a major motion picture as well.

So yes, I was nervous because of her fame but it was more than that.  I had just finished HANDLE WITH CARE the night before at about midnight and I was fired up about the ending. Read more…

 

 Interview with Jodi Picoult [14:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

6 Comments » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Podcast, Brittle Bone disease, dana barrett, Endings, Handle with Care, Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper Movie, Wrongful birth lawsuit

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 [19:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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 [24:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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?

Better World Book Club: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Posted by Dana on 04.20.2009 at 5:35 pm

Still not signed up for the Better World Book Club Newsletter?  Our monthly book club email includes a synopsis of the book, discussion questions and even a great recipe.  You can sign up by going to manage subscriptions now.

You can also catch the selections AND discuss the book here on the blog.

Our Latest Pick

HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford

As you can imagine, I love books and authors and love to do what I can to help promote them.  It’s not just my current and former life as a bookseller that makes me feel this way — I have always loved books.  So, when I come across a debut novel like this one, I am especially happy to be able to help get the word out.

Jamie Ford’s HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER & SWEET has officially become one of my new favorite books.  Ford paints a personal picture of race, culture, family, love and loyalty in the 1940s in America.  He shows us, through the eyes of children, a time we, as Americans, would rather forget; when Japanese Americans were rounded up and forced to live in internment camps.  It is a politically important story for sure, but it is the personal story that sweeps you up and makes you unable to stop turning pages.

I loved Henry, both as a child and as a man.  He is loyal, brave and young Henry seems wise beyond his years.  What did you think of his quiet disobedience of his father?  What about his father’s rule that he could only speak English at home when his parents only spoke Cantonese?  Keiko and her family were so very American and worldly and open.  Read more…

1 Comment » | Tagged Better World Book Club, Better World Book Club, book club, dana barrett, fiction, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford, Japanese internment camps, World War II

Better World Books Podcast: Summer Rayne Oakes

Posted by Dana on 04.14.2009 at 7:51 am

Ever hear of a bug loving, Cornell educated “Eco-Model”?  I hadn’t — not until I heard about Summer Rayne Oakes.  She’s the real deal - a talented, smart environmental activist who is also a fashion and beauty industry insider.  I had the chance to sit down with Summer Rayne to talk about her new book STYLE, NATURALLY where she details the best way to shop with sustainability in mind.

The book doesn’t choose a cause but gives you options whether you prefer fair trade, organic, all natural or buying local.  Read more…

 

 Interview with Summer Rayne Oakes [24:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

1 Comment » | Tagged Author Podcast, Dispatches from the Green House, Better World Books Podcast, dana barrett, Style Naturally, Summer Rayne Oakes, sustainable fashion

Better World Books Podcast: Stephen J. Cannell

Posted by Dana on 03.20.2009 at 4:56 am

I got a chance to talk to Stephen Cannell on the phone a couple of days before his visit to Atlanta on his book tour for ON THE GRIND.  It was a Saturday morning at about 9AM my time, meaning 6AM for him and he had already been up writing for several hours.

I was a bit nervous for the call, knowing that in addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Stephen (I think we’re on a first name basis now) is also this uber famous and connected TV producer but truth be told, he couldn’t have been nicer or more gracious.

We talked about Stephen’s backround, and about the character of Shane Scully, his origins and where he may be headed next.   And though I know you don’t always think of action packed detective stories as being about some of the today’s most pressing issues, this one certainly is. Read more…

 

 Interview with Stephen J. Cannell [21:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

1 Comment » | Tagged Author Podcast, Castle, dana barrett, james patterson, Margaret Mitchell House, On the Grind, Shane Scully, Stephen J. Cannell

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 [22:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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