Karen Tucker’s novel, Bewilderness , is a powerful read. Set in rural North Carolina, the book explores drug addiction through the story of Irene and her friend Lucille, or Luce. Irene leads the reader through their world: through her present, through her memories, and even through her Reddit conversations. The book isn’t so much a wild ride as it is a consciousness-inducing downward spiral.

Marginalia

Marginalia: Karen Tucker On 'Bewilderness'

When writing her novel, Songs in Ursa Major , Emma Brodie was inspired when she learned about the relationship between Joni Mitchell and James Taylor.

Marginalia: Emma Brodie On 'Songs In Ursa Major'

The merger between Manhattan & Queens County in 1898 was known as The Great Mistake. It’s also the title of a new novel by Jonathan Lee. This work of historical fiction focuses on the life of Andrew Haswell Green, mastermind behind The Great Mistake of 1898, but also Central Park, the New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and so much more.

Marginalia: Jonathan Lee On 'The Great Mistake'

Freddy Otash is in Purgatory. Literally… literarily. In James Ellroy’s novel, Widespread Panic , the corrupt cop turned sleazy private eye is in Purgatory expiating his sins when he is offered a fast-track to Heaven. All he has to do is write a tell-all.

Marginalia: James Ellroy On 'Widespread Panic'

258 weeks. That number has probably changed since I spoke with author Jennifer Weiner, but at the time of this interview, 258 weeks was the amount of time that her books have been on the New York Times Bestseller list. That makes up nearly a quarter of her entire career that began 20 years ago with her debut, Good In Bed . Her latest book is That Summer , the second book in what she’s calling her “beach trilogy.” It’s a beach read, but not in the traditional sense, as it tackles sexual assault and the #MeToo movement. I recently spoke with Jennifer Weiner about all the things. Here’s our conversation. That Summer by Jennifer Weiner was published by Atria Books. Marginalia was produced at KMUW Wichita. If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Engineers: Mark Statzer and Torin Andersen Editor: Lu Anne Stephens Producer: Haley Crowson Follow Beth Golay on Twitter @BethGolay .

Marginalia: Jennifer Weiner On 'That Summer'

After Ross Benes left Nebraska for New York, he saw with greater clarity the rural-urban divide overtaking the national conversation. I recently spoke with Benes about his book, Rural Rebellion , in which he explores Nebraska’s shifting political landscape to better understand what’s plaguing America while coming to terms with his own past and present.

Marginalia: Ross Benes on 'Rural Rebellion'

Zakiya Dalila Harris has written a thriller set in the publishing industry. I know, words you never expect to hear in the same sentence. But her novel, The Other Black Girl , is just that.

Marginalia: Zakiya Dalila Harris On 'The Other Black Girl'

Who Is Maud Dixon? is a tale of literary identity theft. And that’s about all I can tell you. When I spoke with Alexandra Andrews about her novel, I assured her we would avoid plot spoilers. But that didn’t stop us from talking about some of the characters, identity, her editing process, and the fact that Who Is Maud Dixon? is Hollywood bound.

Marginalia: Alexandra Andrews on 'Who Is Maud Dixon?'

When you hear the name “John Green” you might think of him as a Vlogbrother, with his brother Hank. Or you might recall that he wrote the book, The Fault in Our Stars , which was made into a movie.

Marginalia: John Green on 'The Anthropocene Reviewed'

Joan Silber is the author of nine works of fiction, including Improvement , which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. Silber is known for her composite fiction, or novels that are linked stories. Her latest, Secrets of Happiness, is no exception.

Marginalia: Joan Silber On 'Secrets of Happiness'

Maggie Shipstead’s novel Great Circle tells the story of two women who lived nearly a century apart—a daredevil aviator and a recently shamed Hollywood actor.

Marginalia: Maggie Shipstead On 'Great Circle'

Renee Rosen’s books have taken place in Chicago in the 1950s, New York City in the 1960s, at Chess Records during the Civil Rights Movement, and in Chicago during prohibition. In her newest novel, The Social Grace s, we’re back to New York City, and Newport, and Paris… and wherever else Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astor wish to travel as they vie for control of New York society during the gilded age.

Marginalia: Renee Rosen on 'The Social Graces'

Early Morning Riser is a novel about a woman who moves to a small town in Michigan to teach school and ends up falling in love with the local playboy.

Marginalia: Katherine Heiny On 'Early Morning Riser'

In her timely novel, Kirstin Valdez Quade introduces readers to a family in a small New Mexico town. Beginning and ending in Holy Week, The Five Wounds spans a year in which 33-year-old Amadeo tries to redeem himself, his martyr-ish mother, Yolanda, hides an illness, and his 15-year-old daughter, Angel, becomes an unwed mother who out-matures all characters combined.

Marginalia: Kirstin Valdez Quade On 'The Five Wounds'

There is a blurb from Mat Johnson on the back of How I Learned to Hate in Ohio that reads: “David Stuart MacLean is a writer who can break your heart, terrify you, and make you laugh, all on the same page.” I’m typically not a blurb reader, but this was such a good description of MacLean’s writing that I had to include it.

Marginalia: David Stuart MacLean On How We Learn To Hate

Marginalia is an on-air commentary and podcast hosted by KMUW's Beth Golay. Each episode features author interviews, editorial commentary and other marginalia to enhance the reading experience.

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