Show #1 December 1 & 2
A departure from snowflakes, gingerbread and holiday fuss, Elaine mixes it up with mayhem of a different sort: a show all about mobsters - factual and fictional.
Interviews:
Dennis Lehane, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Mafia Son: The Scarpa Mob Family, The FBI, and a Story of Betrayal" by Sandra Harmon
"Live by Night" by Dennis Lehane
"Mad River" by John Sandford
"The Power of the Dog" by Don Winslow
"Mickey Cohen: The Life and Times of L.A.'s Most Notorious Mobster" by Tere Tereba
"Gangster Squad: Covert Cops, the Mob, and the Battle for Los Angeles" by Paul Lieberman
"Original Gangster: The Real Life Story of One of America's Most Notorious Drug Lords" by Frank Lucas with Aliya S. King
"The Racketeer" by John Grisham
Show #2 December 8 & 9
A look at authors who've "crossed the line." Elaine spotlights folks who've made their fame writing for Young Adults, and are now offering titles for adults....and vice versa.
Interviews:
Harlan Coben, Author
Sharon Creech, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Risk Agent" by Ridley Pearson
"Peter and the Sword of Mercy: The Starcatchers, Book 4" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
"Seconds Away" by Harlan Coben
"Live Wire" by Harlan Coben
"The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling
"The Great Unexpected" by Sharon Creech
"Red Rain: A Novel" by R. L. Stine
"The Devil Went Down to Austin: A Tres Navarre Mystery, Book 4" by Rick Riordan
Show #3 December 15 & 16
A helpful guide to last minute holiday shopping with "under-the-tree" worthy books for your diverse group of family and friends.
Interviews:
Stacy London, Author and TV Host
Lisa Lillien, Author and TV Host
Audio Books Previewed:
"Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story" by Debbie Macomber
"The Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom
"Hungry Girl: The Official Survival Guides: Tips & Tricks for Guilt-Free Eating" by Lisa Lillien
"Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel" by Robin Sloan
"Back to Blood: A Novel" by Tom Wolfe
"The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World’s Most Elegant Woman" by Karen Karbo
"A Christmas Blizzard" by Garrison Keillor
Show #4 December 22 & 23
A special Edition of the Book Report explores the wide world of Holiday-themed books. We'll preview new titles, and some well-loved Christmas classics.
Interviews:
James Patterson, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"A Christmas Garland" by Anne Perry
"Merry Christmas, Alex Cross" by James Patterson
"Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham
"The Christmas Kid: And Other Brooklyn Stories" by Pete Hamill
"Holidays on Ice" by David Sedaris
"The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci
"The Shepherd, The Angel and Walter the Christmas Dog" by Dave Barry
"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" a special performance by Alan Sklar
Show #5 December 29 & 30
Elaine takes a first look at the Top Ten Lists for the books of 2012, and finds an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction titles.
Interviews:
Junot Diaz, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Round House: A Novel" by Louise Erdrich
"The Yellow Birds" by Kevin Powers
"This is How You Lose Her" by Junot Diaz
"The End of Your Life Book Club" by Will Schwalbe
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
"A Hologram for the King" by Dave Eggers
"Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis" by Timothy Egan
"Lionel Asbo: State of England" by Martin Amis
Show #1 November 3 & 4
With the Election just days away, The Book Report's agenda is purely political. Great titles top our party's platform.
Interviews:
Victor Cahn, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
Featured Books Previewed
"The Price of Politics" by Bob Woodward
"Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot" by Bill O'Reilly
"Demonic: How the Liberal Mob is Endangering America" by Ann Coulter
"America, You Sexy Bitch: A Love Letter to Freedom" by Michael Ian Black and Meghan McCain
"Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 1" by Robert A. Caro
"The Reagan I Knew" by William F Buckley, Jr
"Don't Know Much About the American Presidents" by Kenneth Davis
Show #2 November 10 & 11
A salute to Veteran's Day - with books written, in many cases, by those who've served with distinction in our Armed Forces.
Interviews:
Karna Bodman, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King - The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea" by Walter Borneman
"Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10" by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson
"Ike's Bluff: President Eisenhower's Secret Battle to Save the World " by Evan Thomas
"Castle Bravo" by Karna Small Bodman
"The Lions of Iwo Jima: The Story of Combat Team 28 and the Bloodiest Battle in Marine Corps History " by Ret. Major General Fred Haynes with James Warren
"Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan" by Sean Parnell with John Bruning
"The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows" by Brian Castner
"The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal and the Real Count of Monte Cristo" by Tom Reiss
"Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History" by Antonio Mendez with Matt Baglio
Show #3 November 17 & 18
A look at the bountiful new crop of celebrity memoirs - Elaine selects her top picks - all read by the author.
Interviews:
Jule Selbo, Screenwriter
Audio Books Previewed:
"My Mother Was Nuts: A Memoir" by Penny Marshall
"My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir" by Garry Marshall
"Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll" by Ann and Nancy Wilson
"Who I Am" by Pete Townshend
"The Longest Way Home: One Man's Quest for the Courage to Settle Down" by Andrew McCarthy
"I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High" by Tony Danza
"Dropped Names: Famous Men and Women As I Knew Them " by Frank Langella
Show #4 November 24 & 25
Elaine's strategy for keeping you OUT of the Mall this holiday season. Get a first look at books that make welcome gifts.
Interviews:
Norman Van Aiken, Chef and Author
Chef Norman Van Aken is one of the founders of New World Cuisine. He and son Justin have just come out with "My Key West Kitchen" recipes and stories from the famous Key.
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Beautiful Mystery" by Louise Penny
"Joseph Anton" by Salmon Rushdie
"Yes, Chef" by Marcus Samuelsson
"Hitch-22" by Christopher Hitchens
"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
"A Father First" by Dwayne Wade
"Tune In Tokyo" by Tim Anderson
Show #1 October 5 & 6
A thorough examination of medical thrillers, so top of mind in this election season where Universal Health Care is a prime topic of debate.
Interviews:
Tess Gerritsen, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Death Benefit" by Robin Cook
"Last to Die" by Tess Gerritsen
"Bones are Forever" by Kathy Reichs
"The Patient" by Michael Palmer
"The Apothecary's Daughter" by Charlotte Betts
"Body Farm" by Patricia Cornwell
"Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach
Show #2 October 13 & 14
A fascinating focus on the historical novel, plus non-fiction titles that put a whole new spin on events we thought we knew.
Interviews:
Ken Follett, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Kingmaker's Daughter" by Philippa Gregory
"Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett
"Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies" by Ben Macintyre
"Operation Snow: How a Soviet Mole in FDR's White House Triggered Pearl Harbor" by John Koster
"The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
"No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden" by Mark Owen and Kevin Maurer
"L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City" by John Buntin
Show #3 October 20 & 21
A whimsical trip to the City of Light, with titles about history, sport and food of Paris, and a look at some famous folks who've made France their home.
Interviews:
Jamie Cat Callan, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child" by Bob Spitz
"Paris: A Memoir" by Kati Marton
"Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)" by Amy Thomas
"The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France - Doping, Cover-ups and Winning At All Costs" by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle
"The Arch of Triumph" by Erich Maria Remarque
"Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King" by Antonia Fraser
"The House in France" by Gully Wells
"The Sweet Life in Paris" by David Lebovitz
Show #4 October 27 & 28
A Halloween show full of tricks and literary treats. There's a ghoulish selection of classics by horror's headliners and new, scary tales.
Interviews:
Irwin Yablans, Author and Executive Producer of the classic horror film "Halloween"
Erin Morgenstern, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Something Wicked This Way Comes & A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury
"Skeletons" by Al Sarrontonio
"The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson
"The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill
"The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break: A Novel" by Steven Sherrill
"Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman
"Halloween Party" by Agatha Christie
Show #1 September 1 & 2
An homage to New England's remarkable writers with a mix of classic and new authors and titles.
Interviews:
Andre Dubus III, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian
"In One Person" by John Irving
"Townie" by Andre Dubus III
"The Widower's Tale" by Julia Glass
"Rough Weather" by Robert Brown Parker
"It" by Stephen King
"The Family Man" by Elinor Lipman
"Gone, Baby Gone" by Dennis Lehane
Show #2 September 8 & 9
A trip to the American South to see which titles - some classics, some new - have made it onto the list of the top Southern novels of all times.
Interviews:
Robert Goolrick, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Salvage the Bones" by Jesmyn Ward
"Heading Out to Wonderful" by Robert Goolrick
"The Moviegoer" by Walker Percy
"Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
"Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen
"Thirteen Moons" by Charles Frazier
"My Reading Life" by Pat Conroy
"A Grown Up Kind of Pretty" by Joshilyn Jackson
Show #3 September 15 & 16
Get comic relief for September's frantic pace. You'll find audio titles for everyone's sense of humor - from the South, to neurotic New Yorkers, the Gen Xers and the classics.
Interviews:
Gina Barreca, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"I Hate Everyone, Starting With Me" by Joan Rivers
"Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" by Maria Semple
"The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce
"Me of Little Faith" by Lewis Black
"Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult's Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development" by Jen Lancaster
"Fat is the New 30" by Jill Conner Browne
"Monty Python's Tunisian Holiday, My Life with Brian" by Kim Howard Johnson
Show #3 September 22 & 23
The Centennial Edition of The Book Report, a show that plays it by the numbers. We spotlight recent books with numbers in their titles, plus look at several entertaining Top 100 book lists.
Interviews:
Joseph Finder, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"And One Last Thing" by Molly Harper
"Buried Secrets” Book Two of the Nick Heller Series by Joseph Finder
"The Other Wes Moore, One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
"Redshirts: A Novel With Three Codas" by John Scalzi
"Four Fires" by Bryce Courtenay
"Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman " by Sam Wasson
"A History of the World in Six Glasses" by Tom Standage
"14" by Peter Clines
Show #4 September 29 & 30
A celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Banned Books Week. September 30 to October 6, 2012. You'll be amazed at the authors and books recently challenged with censorship. Find out how you can get involved.
Interviews:
Laura Moriarty, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Perks of Being A Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
"My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult
"The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty
"Bless Me, Ultima" by Rodolfo Anaya
"Kaffir Boy" by Mark Mathabane
"Tar Baby" by Toni Morrison
"Christine" by Stephen King
"Slaughterhouse 5" by Kurt Vonnegut
Show #1 August 4 & August 5
A salute to the London Olympics with books from the wide world of sports. We'll explore titles on great athletes from yesteryear, and stories of men and women using sport to turn their lives around.
Interviews:
Donna Seaman, Editor and Book Critic
Audio Books Previewed:
"Running With the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth" by Adharanand Finn
"Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men and Discovering Myself" by Richard Roll
"Road to Valor: A True Story of World War 2 Italy, the Nazis and the Cyclist Who Inspired a Nation" by Aili and Andres McConnon
"As They See 'Em" by Bruce Weber
"Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness" by Scott Jurek and Steve Friedman
"Wonder Girl: The Magnificent Sport Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias" by Don Van Natta, Jr.
"The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring" by Sugar Ray Leonard with Michael Arkush
"The Secret Olympian: The Inside Story of Olympic Excellence" by Anonymous, A Former Olympian
Show #2 August 11 & August 12
A spotlight on best-selling series to finish out your summer reading. Elaine brings you up to date on adventures of well-loved fictionalized heroes, and introduces you to new characters you'll want to start following.
Interviews:
Daniel Silva, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Criminal" by Karin Slaughter
"The Fallen Angel" by Daniel Silva
"Bring Up The Bodies" by Hilary Mantel
"All Together Dead" by Charlaine Harris
"Stolen Prey" by John Sandford
"Creole Bell" by James Lee Burke
"Breathing Water" by Timothy Hallinan
"The Affair" by Lee Child
Show #3 August 18 & August 19
A journey around America's writing landscape as Elaine salutes the incredible wealth and diversity of our literature. You'll meet a patchwork quilt of characters, colors and content from beloved authors, and some writers you've not met before.
Interviews:
Leonard Pitts, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Saving the World" by Julia Alvarez
"The Devil's Highway: A True Story" by Luis Alberto Urrea
"Home" by Toni Morrison
"Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok
"The Blood of Flowers" by Anita Amirrezvani
"The Painted Drum" by Louise Erdich
"The Angel Esmeralda" by Don DeLillo
Show #4 August 25 & August 26
A spotlight on our neighbors to the north, as Elaine focuses on the rich literary landscape of Canada.
Interviews:
Richard Ford, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Fifth Business" by Robertson Davies
"The Cellist of Sarajevo" by Steven Galloway
"Canada" by Richard Ford
"Beatrice and Virgil" by Yann Martel
"Someone Knows My Name" by Lawrence Hill
"View from Castle Rock" by Alice Munro
"Bury Your Dead" by Louise Penny
Show #1 July 7 & July 8
Summer's slower pace doesn't mean your brain needs to turn to mush. To get all your synapses firing, Elaine presents a list of nonfiction titles to keep you current on history, politics, science and more.
Interview:
Bruce Berkhardt, Manager of Powell's City of Books
Audio Books Previewed:
"Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937 to 1948" by Madeline Albright
"Imagine: How Creativity Works" by Jonah Lehrer
"The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson" by Robert A Caro
"The President's Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity" by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy
"Midnight in Peking: How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China" by Paul French
"Imperfect: An Improbable Life" by Jim Abbott
"My Cross to Bear" by Gregg Allman
"Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection" by A.J. Jacobs
Show #2 July 14 & July 15
Here's a rollickin' round-up of page-turning suspense sizzlers, perfect for your beach bag.
Interview:
Steve Berry, Author
Steve Berry is a New York Times best-selling author with more than 14 million books in print. As David Baldacci says about him, "As always with Steve Berry, you're educated about significant things while your knuckles are turning white and the pages are flying by."
Audio Books Previewed:
"11th Hour" by James Patterson with Maxine Paetro
"Rules of Prey" by John Sandford
"The Cold Dish" by Craig Johnson
"Split Second" by Catherine Coulter
"The Columbus Affair" by Steve Berry
"The Innocent" by David Baldacci
"The Witness" by Nora Roberts
Show #3 July 21 & July 22
The 2012 Audie Awards have been announced...recognizing distinction in audio books and spoken word entertainment. They're the Oscars for Audio Book lovers, and this week, we spotlight the winners.
Interview:
Robin Whitten, Editor
Audio Books Previewed:
"Prime Time: Love, Health, Sex, Fitness, Spirit - Making the Most of All of Your Life" by Jane Fonda
"The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide to Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom" by Carrie Wilkerson
"The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices From the Titanic" by Allan Wolf
"1861: The Civil War Awakening" by Adam Goodheart
"The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" by Charles Dickens
"The Winter Sea" by Susanna Kearsley
"New York to Dallas: In Death" by J.D. Robb
Show #4 July 28 & July 29
A multi-hued show of titles illuminating art history, artists and art-centric novels.
Interview:
Peter Silverman, Author
Kitty Pilgrim, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Hare With the Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss" by Edmund de Waal
"Claude and Camille: A Novel of Monet" by Stephanie Cowell
"Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art" by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo
"Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Susan Vreeland
"The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds and Finds, and the Search for Lost Treasures" by Philip Mould
“De Kooning's Bicycle: Artists and Writers in the Hamptons” by Robert Long
Show #1 June 2 & 3
Since Summer usually means more time in the car, we're focusing on the best listening you can experience...with superstar narrators and authors performing their own works.
Interview:
Don Katz, Founder and CEO of Audible
Founder and CEO of Audible, the internet's mecca for audio books. He guided the incredible growth of the company, offering listeners access to the best audio entertainment, information and education.
Audio Books Previewed:
"A Rage in Harlem" by Chester Himes
"The Member of the Wedding" by Carson McCullers
"Therese Raquin" by Emile Zola
"Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News" by Dan Rather
"Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson
"My Extraordinary Ordinary Life" by Sissy Spacek
"You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death and Other Humiliations" by Michael Ian Black
Show#2 June 8 & 9
School's out for summer! This week, we've got a great selection of family-friendly books, perfect for entertaining a carload of kids, or travelling solo.
Interview:
Robin Whitten, Editor
Robin Whitten, editor of Audio File Magazine, reports on the summer's best family-friendly reads.
Audio Books Previewed:
"Peter and the Starcatchers" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
"Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
"The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children " by Ransom Riggs
"Four Mark Twain Stories" by Mark Twain
Show#3 June 16 & 17
While planning your summer travels, check out these titles on exotic destinations and familiar favorites.
Interview:
Peter Behrens, Author
Peter Behrens follows his bestselling "The Law of Dreams" with his new novel, The O'Briens.
Audio Books Previewed:
"Country Driving: A Journey Through China From Farm to Factory" by Peter Hessler
"Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth" by James Tabor
"Whatever You Do, Don't Run" by Peter Allison
"The O'Briens" by Peter Behrens
"Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time" by Mark Adams
"Paris in Love: A Memoir" by Eloisa James
"Into the Arena" by Alexander Fiske-Harrison
"To A Mountain In Tibet" by Colin Thubron narrated by Steven Crossley
Show#4 June 23 & 24
Since summer vacation has been our topic, we spotlight India and delve into the titles that get to the heart of the sub-continent.
Interview:
Mike Charzuk, Executive Producer, Audible.com
Mike Charzuk is an award winning producer, audio engineer and musician. He is now the Executive Producer for Audible.com, the leading producer of spoken word entertainment.
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Elephanta Suite" by Paul Theroux
"Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity" by Katherine Boo
"India: A Portrait" by Patrick French
"Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts
"Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India" by Joseph Lelyveld
"The Taj Mahal: Passion and Genius at the Heart of the Moghul Empire" by Diana and Michael Preston
"The Shadow Lines" by Amitav Ghosh
"Between the Assassinations: A Novel in Stories" by Aravind Adiga
Show #5 June 30 & July 1
Stars, stripes and wonderful snapshots of American culture are spotlighted in this patriotic parade of books.
Interview:
Mark Shriver, Author
Mark Shriver's "A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver" is a stirring portrait of a man and the incredible impact he's had on our country.
Audio Books Previewed:
"It Worked for Me" by Colin Powell
"A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver" by Mark Shriver
"Service: A Navy Seal at War" by Marcus Luttrell
"Drift" by Rachel Maddow
"Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne
"Mad Women: The Other Side of Life on Madison Ave in the 60's and Beyond" by Jane Maas
"Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars" by Paul Ingrassia
"Superman: The High Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero" by Larry Tye
Show #1 May 4 & 5
With a preponderance of memoirs out in time for summer reading, Elaine travels down "memory lane" and previews titles from the world of politics, entertainment, sports and more.
Interview:
Peter Ford, Author and Actor
Audio Books Previewed:
"Mrs. Kennedy and Me: An Intimate Memoir" by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin
"A Natural Woman" by Carole King
"Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music" by Judy Collins
"Driving Mr. Yogi: Yogi Berra, Ron Guidry and Baseball's Greatest Gift" by Harvey Araton
"Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed
"Fairy Tale Interrupted: A Memoir of Life, Love and Loss" by RoseMarie Terenzio
"George F. Kennan" by John Lewis Gaddis
Show#2 May 12 & 13
A Show dedicated to Moms....with titles sure to interest the guys, too. Tune in for a selection from the world of entertainment, parenting, business....and yes, romance.
Interview:
Brad Meltzer, Author
Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Author and Entrepreneur
Audio Books Previewed:
"Fifty Shades of Grey " by E.L. James
"Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting" by Pamela Druckerman
"Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake" by Anna Quindlen
"Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain
"It's Not About the Pom Poms: How a 40-Year Old Mom Became the NFL's Oldest Cheerleader"" by Laura Vikmanis
"The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection" by Alexander McCall Smith
"Girl Walks Into a Bar: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters & a Midlife Miracle" Rachel Dratch
Show #3 May 19 & 20
With Memorial Day just ahead, Elaine kicks off her Summer Reads series with a spotlight on those captivating "Who Dun Its?" You'll find a mix of debut works, and new titles from the biggest names in the book biz.
Interview:
Jens Lapidus, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Mr. Churchill's Secretary" by Susan Elia MacNeal
"Dorchester Terrace" by Anne Perry
"Defending Jacob" by William Landay
"Sacre Bleu" by Christopher Moore
"The Lost Years" by Mary Higgins Clark
"Stay Close" by Harlan Coben
"Capitol Murder" by Phillip M. Margolin
"Back of Beyond" by CJ Box
Show #4 May 26 & 27
With Memorial Day barbecues and picnics on the agenda, food is our focus. We've got tempting titles on culinary superstars and world cuisines.
Interview:
Steven Raichlen, Author
Steven Raichlen is an award winning author, journalist and TV host who has reinvented the art of grilling. Now, Steven is out with his first novel.
Annia Ciezadlo, Author
Annia Ciezadlo has been a special correspondent for The New York Times, The Washington Post and more. Her book, "A Day of Honey: A Memoir of Food, Love and War" serves up the tale of her life in the Middle East through its cookbooks, coffeehouses and foods of its many regions.
Audio Books Previewed:
"Ferran: The Inside Story of El Bulli and the Man Who Reinvented Food" by Colman Andrews
"Julia Child: A Life" by Laura Shapiro
"The House of Mondavi" by Julia Flynn Siler
"The Table Comes First: Family, France and the Meaning of Food" by Adam Gopnik
"Restaurant Man" by Joe Bastianich
"What Einstein Told His Cook" by Robert Wolke
"French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew" by Peter Mayle
Show #1 March 31 & April 1
A salute to Women's History Month, with a spotlight on women across time and across the globe.
Interview:
Robin Whitten, Editor
Audio Books Previewed:
"Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement" by Sally McMillen
"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written By Herself" by Harriet Ann Jacobs
"Rosie's War" by Rosemary Say with Noel Holland
"A Strange Stirring: The Feminine Mystique and American Women at the Dawn of the 1960's" by Stephanie Coontz
"Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile" by Julia Fox
"Once Upon A Secret: My Affair with President John F Kennedy and its Aftermath" by Mimi Alford
"Behind Closed Doors" by Hugo Vickers
"Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family's Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom" by Yangzom Brauen
Show #2 April 7 & 8
The content is comedy...with books that offer relief to listeners slogging through the drudgery of tax time.
Interview:
Dave Barry, Author
Sarah Colonna, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"How To Be Black" by Baratunde Thurston
"Lunatics" by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel
"The New New Rules" by Bill Maher
"Zombie Spaceship Wasteland" by Patton Oswalt
"Don't Vote - It Just Encourages The Bastards" by P.J. O'Rourke
"Half Empty" by David Rakoff
"I Know I Am, But What Are You?" by Samantha Bee
Show#3 April 14 & 15
With most of 2011 finances behind you, it's time to look ahead and investigate titles to help make 2012 brighter....financially speaking. We look back at events that shaped and curdled our economy, check in with favorite business authors and focus on books with money on the mind.
Interview:
Robin Whitten, Editor, AudioFile Magazine
Audio Books Previewed:
"No One Would Listen, A True Financial Thriller" by Harry Markopoulous
"The Little Book That Still Beats the Market" by Joel Greenblatt
"The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg
"The Deal From Hell: How Moguls and Wall Street Plundered Great American Newspapers" by James O'Shea
"We Are All Weird" by Seth Godin
"Superfreakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
"28 Business Thinkers Who Changed the World" by Rhymer Rigby
"Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny" by Suze Orman
"Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World" by Michael Lewis
Show#4 April 21 & 22
Quantum mechanics, physics and brain waves....for host Elaine Charles's liberal arts brain, it's a brave new world. The Book Report puts new science titles under the microscope - and finds some rollicking good reads.
Interview:
Dianne Collins, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Brain Trust: 93 Top Scientists Reveal Lab Tested Secrets to Surfing, Dating, Dieting, Gambling, Growing Man-Eating Plants & More" by Garth Sundem
"Connectome: How the Brain's Wiring Makes Us Who We Are" by Sebastian Seung
"Quantum: Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate About the Nature of Reality" by Manjit Kumar
"Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science" by Lawrence M. Krauss
"The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Mystic of the Atom" by Graham Farmelo
"Da Vinci's Ghost: Genius, Obsession and How Leonardo Created the World in His Own Image" by Toby Lester
"Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100" by Michio Kaku
"Who's in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain" by Michael S. Gazzaniga
Show#5 April 28 & 29
We're traveling to a new dimension - science fiction - finding recent titles in the category, plus rediscovering classics from giants in the genre.
Interview:
Frank Fiore, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline
"The War of the Worlds" by H G Wells
"Triggers" by Robert J Sawyer
"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
"Into the Black: Odyssey One" by Evan Currie
"Pathfinder: Book 1" by Orson Scott Card
"A Princess of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
"Foundation" by Isaac Asimov
"The Stand" by Stephen King
Show #1 March 3 & 4
This week's mission is an investigation into a genre so many of us love: spies. We'll "uncover" a new crop of titles on intelligence and intrigue
Interview:
Stephen Hunter, Author
Thomas Caplan, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Company We Keep: A Husband and Wife True Life Spy Story" by Robert and Dayna Baer
"Soft Target" by Stephen Hunter
"Zero Day" by Davi Baldacci
"The Secrets of the FBI" by Ronald Kessler
"DC Dead" by Stuart Woods
"Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden, From The Soviet Invasion to Sept. 10, 2001" by Steve Coll
"Agent 6" by Tom Rob Smith
Show #2 March 10 & 11
Private investigators, inspectors and police detectives are the usual suspects for books we adore. From Scotland Yard to the LAPD, get ready for twists, turns and tempting titles.
Interview:
Sara Paretsky, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Vigilante" by Stephen Cannell
"Breakdown" by Sara Paretsky
"Believing the Lie" by Elizabeth George
"The Confession" by Charles Todd
"Love You More" by Lisa Gardner
"The Lewis Man" by Peter May
"Birthdays for the Dead" by Stuart MacBride
"Raylan" by Elmore Leonard
Show #3 March 17 & 18
With the Ides of March on our minds, The Book Report comes not to bury the Bard, but to praise him! The plays are things, plus books on his life, the controversies and more.
Interview:
Eleanor Brown, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Scenes From Shakespeare" by William Shakespeare
"The Weird Sisters" by Eleanor Brown
"Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?" by James Shapiro
"Becoming Shakespeare" by Jack Lynch
"Coriolanus" by William Shakespeare
"The Tudors" by G.J. Meyer
"The Lady in The Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn" by Alison Weir
"An Utterly Impartial History of Britain" by John O'Farrell
Show #4 March 24 & 25
Here's a winning roster of sports books, in honor of March Madness. The games and personalities are a perfect pairing of passion and backstory.
Interview:
Michelle Kaufman, Journalist
Audio Books Previewed:
"Branch Rickey" by Jimmy Breslin
"Through My Eyes" by Tim Tebow
"Those Guys Have All The Fun" by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
"When The Game Was Ours" by Larry Byrd and Earvin Johnson
"Sweetness" by Jeff Pearlman
"The Best Game Ever: Colts vs. Giants, 1958 and The Birth of the Modern NFL" by Mark Bowden
"One-On-One: Behind the Scenes with the Greats of the Game" by John Feinstein
"Sports From Hell: My Search for the World's Dumbest Competition" by Rick Reilly
Show #1 February 4 & 5
During the dark days of winter, Elaine comes down with a serious case of wanderlust. Solution? A literary global trek. You'll hear from noted author Peter Godwin, plus Elaine introduces a new monthly segment with AudioFile Magazine editor, Robin Whitten.
Interview:
Peter Godwin, Author
Robin Whitten, Editor
Audio Books Previewed:
"Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch" by Sally Bedell Smith
"The Fear" by Peter Godwin
"Moscow: December 25, 1991" by Conor O'Clery
"Jerusalem: The Biography" by Simon Sebag Montefiore
"The Redbreast" by Jo Nesbo
"Last Man in Tower" by Aravind Adiga
"Moscow, December 25,1991: The Last Day of the Soviet Union" by Conor O'Clery, Narrated by Don Hagen
Show #2 February 11 & 12
With Valentine's Day just ahead, Elaine prowls lists of love and literature for titles worthy of your heart... and your mind.
Interview:
Jeffrey Zaslow, Author
Audio Books Previewed:"A Jane Austen Education" by William Deresiewicz
"What French Women Know About Love, Sex and Other Matters of the Heart and Mind" by Debra Ollivier
"Adverbs" by Daniel Handler
"The Magic Room" by Jeffrey Zaslow
"Love Is A Mix Tape, Life and Love, One Song at a Time" by Rob Sheffield
"The Splendor of Silence" by Indu Sundaresan
"The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists" by Neil Strauss
Show #3 February 18 & 19
Elaine presents a salute to two important events: African-American History Month and President's Day. The editor of AudioFile Magazine stops by to give us an insider's look into key titles this month.
Interview:
Robin Whitten, Editor
Audio Books Previewed:
"Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock" by David Margolick
"Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of FDR" by H.W. Brands
"Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose
"Grant's Final Victory" by Charles Flood
"Heart and Soul" by Kadir Nelson
"The Brilliant Disaster: JFK, Castro and America's Doomed Invasion of Cuba" by Jim Rasenberger
"Harlem is Nowhere" by Sharifa Rhodes Pitts
"Speeches and Writings of Abraham Lincoln" by Abraham Lincoln
Show #4 February 25 & 26
The Oscar Edition looks at books on which many of this year's contenders are based. Plus, we preview some great titles about the movie biz.
Interview:
John Sayles, Author and Filmmaker
Chantelle Osman, Screenwriter
Audio Books Previewed:
"My Week With Marilyn: The Prince, The Show Girl and Me" by Colin Clark
"Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game" by Michael Lewis
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" by John LeCarre
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick
"Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of a New Hollywood" by Mark Harris
"The Descendants" by Kaui Hart Hemmings
"Paul and Me: 53 Years of Adventures and Misadventures with My Pal Paul Newman" by A.E. Hotchner
Show #1 December 31 2011 & January 1 2012
Elaine takes a first look back at 2011, spotlighting powerful women authors. It's an amazing list with many titles you'll want to read. Keeping women in the forefront, Elaine speaks with two great ladies with new books on women in the arts.
Interview:
Julie Saloman, Author
Rosalind Brackenbury, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Unaccustomed Earth" by Jhumpa Lahiri
"Turn of Mind" by Alice LaPlante
"Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Laini Taylor
"A Trick of the Light" by Louise Penny
"Sister" by Rosamund Lupton
"V is for Vengeance" by Sue Grafton.
Show #2 January 7 & 8
Elaine takes one last look at 2011 with a spotlight on the Top 20 books of the year. And, you'll hear author Jeffrey Eugenides speak about his chart-topping book, "The Marriage Plot."
Interview:
Jeffrey Eugenides, Author
Michael Ondaajte, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach
"1Q84" by Haruki Murakami
"The Marriage Plot" by Jeffrey Eugenides
"Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson
"We The Animals" by Justin Torres
"Lover's Dictionary" by David Levithan
Show #3 January 14 & 15
To fight the post-holiday blues, Elaine reviews the newest thrillers...guaranteed to provide much-needed diversion. Patricia Cornwell speaks about her latest, "Red Mist," and Richard Preston talks about finishing Michael Crichton's last book.
Interview:
Patricia Cornwell, Author
Richard Preston, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"The Leopard" by Jo Nesbo
"Red Mist" by Patricia Cornwell
"Locked On" by Tom Clancy
"The Drop" by Michael Connelly
"Micro" by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston
"The Litigators" by John Grisham
"Explosive 18" by Janet Evanovich
"The Cat's Table" by Michael Ondaajte
Show #4 January 21 & 22
With political primaries gathering national attention, Elaine presents an issue not open for debate: the new crop of political titles are riveting - and worth a read. Show guests, Jim Lehrer and Bob Edwards talk about their new books, and their unique perspective on elections.
Interview:
Jim Lehrer, Author
Bob Edwards, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Game Change" by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
"Tension City" by Jim Lehrer
"Being George Washington" by Glenn Beck
"Back to Work" by President Bill Clinton
"Five Chiefs: A Supreme Court Memoir" by Justice John Paul Stevens
"Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their President" by Eli Saslow.
Show #5 January 28 & 29 Elaine explores a merry mix of germs and genius with new non-fiction titles on medicine, plus medical thrillers from top authors in the genre.
Interview:
Robin Cook, Author
Dr. Marc Agronin, Author
Audio Books Previewed:
"Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman
"Cure" by Robin Cook
"Germs, Genes and Civilization: How Epidemics Shaped Who We Are Today'" by David P. Clark
"The Silent Girl" by Tess Gerritsen
"In The Viral Storm: The Dawn of a New Pandemic Age" by Nathan Wolfe
"Mortal Remains" by Kathy Reichs
