An unlikely production of Euripides in a prison quarry, set in ancient Greece with a contemporary Irish accent. As funny as it is moving, the novel is an ode to the power of art in a time of war and brotherhood in a time of enmity.Rachel Barenbaum

Based on (mostly) true events, "The Bullet Swallower" is a magical realism western about violence and revenge, a story that asks who pays for the sins of our ancestors, and whether it is possible to be better than our forebears.Rachel Barenbaum

In this historical fantasy novel, a group of passengers set out on the Trans-Siberian Express train, in a journey across a magical landscape known as “the Wastelands.” Can they trust each other even as the rules seem to be changing?Rachel Barenbaum

The third season of in-depth author interviews continues with Essie Chambers, author of "Swift River." Longlisted for The Center for Fiction 2024 First Novel Prize, there’s a lot to unpack in this novel. Sixteen year old Diamond is the only Black person in the town of Swift River, stuck in a town she hates it as much as it hates her. Her mother is …

Set around Maine’s Penobscot Reservation, a novel about one man’s family, divided, like the river that separates him from his childhood home. The novel is about belonging, the shifting nature of memory - and bloodlines. Shortlisted for The Center for Fiction 2024 First Novel Prize.Rachel Barenbaum

A heartfelt epic about friendship, betrayal, and redemption during three transformative decades in Iran.Rachel Barenbaum

Kaliane Bradley's debut is a time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy and a testament to what we owe each other in a changing world.Rachel Barenbaum

In Andrew Boryga's debut "Victim," the protagonist is a hustler from a family of hustlers. He learns to talk about his background in just the right way to open doors to an elite college and writing gigs. The novel asks: What does real diversity look like?Rachel Barenbaum

“Blank” by Zibby Owens follows the story of Pippa Jones, a fortyish former literary sensation who fears she will be a one-hit wonder. Her solution to writer's block is an idea her 12-year old son came up with as a joke.Rachel Barenbaum

"The Extinction of Irena Rey" is the new novel by famed translator Jennifer Croft. Eight translators arrive at a house in a primeval Polish forest on the border of Belarus. It belongs to the world-renowned author Irena Rey, and they are there to translate her magnum opus, Gray Eminence. But within days of their arrival, Irena disappears without a t…

Inci Atrek brings readers a seductive and lyrical debut novel. “Holiday Country" follows a young woman’s dangerous summer romance during an idyllic vacation on the Aegean coast.Rachel Barenbaum

Set against the backdrop of developing modern China, Aube Rey Lescure’s “River East, River West” is part coming-of-age tale and part family and social drama. It follows two generations searching for belonging and opportunity in a rapidly changing world.Rachel Barenbaum

Rachel Barenbaum interviews author Leo Vardiashvili’s about his debut novel“Hard By a Great Forest” – a story about a man who fled the Republic of Georgia in the midst of war. It’s a unique tale about the traumas of war and the lasting effects of those families driven not just to survive, but to remember, love and live.…

Rachel Barenbaum interviews author Maura Cheeks who talks about her new novel Acts of Forgiveness. Set in a speculative America, readers navigate a world where the government has approved reparation payments for black Americans – but only if they can prove they are descended from slaves.Rachel Barenbaum

Vauhini Vara's story collection, THIS IS SALVAGED, has been named by The New Yorker, Publisher’s Weekly, Vox, and the New York Public Library as one of the best books of the year.Rachel Barenbaum

Host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with her colleagues from the Howe Library in Hanover, New Hampshire to discuss their favorite reads from 2023.Rachel Barenbaum

This week on Check This Out, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Emma Törzs, author of "Ink Blood Sister Scribe." Törzs' debut novel will soon be available in 13 languages. It's a fast paced, magical book about two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's library of magical books. They work together along with a stranger, a magic…

Episode 109. You may know Ayana Mathis from her debut novel, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. Published 11 years ago, the excitement and noise around that debut took up all the space and energy Mathis had to write fiction. Her new second novel is called The Unsettled. It’s a mother-daughter-son story that braids two narratives - one from the south and …

John Manuel Arias is a queer Costa Rican-American poet and writer who has lived in the U.S. and in Costa Rica where, as he reports, he shared a house with his grandmother and four ghosts. His debut novel, Where There Was Fire, burst onto the scene in August 2023. Set in Costa Rica, this story follows several generations of women in one family — mot…

This week, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Angie Kim, author of the novel "Miracle Creek." Kim was named a finalist for the New American Voices Award. Her latest work, "Happiness Falls" follows the story of family in crisis, after a father goes missing — and the only person who knows what happened to him is the family's non-verbal 14 year old …

This week, host Rachel Barenbaum sits down with Tania James, author of the novels "The Tusk That Did the Damage" and "Atlas of Unknowns." Her latest work, "Loot," has been named to the longlist of the 2023 National Book Award in fiction. In this conversation, Tania James shares her inspiration for "Loot," which gives readers a front-row seat to 18t…

Episode 105. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah on the launch of his phenomenal debut CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS. Do not miss this book of this author!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 104. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Claire Jimenez on the launch of her debut, WHAT HAPPENED TO RUTHIE RAMIREZ?Rachel Barenbaum

Rachel Barenbaum interviews Priya Guns on the launch of her debut novel, YOUR DRIVER IS WAITING.Rachel Barenbaum

Rachel Barenbaum interviews debut author Jenny Jackson on the launch of her Instant New York Times Best Seller PINEAPPLE STREET.Rachel Barenbaum

Rachel Barenbaum interviews Patricia Park on the launch of her debut YA novel IMPOSTER SYNDROME.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 100. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Ruben Degollado on the launch of his debut novel, THE FAMILY IZQUIERDO. Don't miss this interview of this amazing book!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 99. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Elena Armas on the launch of her new novel THE AMERICAN ROOMMATE EXPERIMENT. Elena is a brilliant writer who started by self publishing - and grew into a TikTok sensation. After exploding sales, she was picked up by a big publisher and both of her books have been NYTimes instant bestsellers. Don't miss this b…

Episode 98. Rachel Barenbaum interviews debut author Belinda Huijuan Tang about her novel A MAP FOR THE MISSING. Don't miss this amazing book!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 97. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Kelly J. Ford on the release of her new novel REAL BAD THINGS. This interview is a part of the new literary series CHECK THIS OUT at the Howe Library.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 96. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Jonathan Escoffery on the launch of his debut IF I SURVIVE YOU. This book is already nominated for the National Book Award. Do not miss the book or this interview!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 95 Rachel Barenbaum interviews E.B. Bartels on the launch of her debut GOOD GRIEF. Don't miss this amazing author or interview!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 94. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Felicia Berliner on the launch of her debut, SHMUTZ. Don't miss it!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 93. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Zibby Owens on the launch of her debut memoir, BOOKENDS. Do not miss this amazing author or her memoir!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 92. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Katie Gutierrez on the launch of her debut MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW. This book is fantastic. Don't miss it or this amazing author.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 91. Rachel Barenbaum interviews John Vercher on the launch of his second novel, AFTER THE LIGHTS GO OUT. Don't miss this amazing book or interview.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 90. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Vauhini Vara on the launch of her debut novel THE IMMORTAL KING RAO. This book was unbelievable!! Do not miss this interview.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 89. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Karen Winn on the launch of her debut novel OUR LITTLE WORLD. Don't miss it!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 88. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Courtney Maum on the launch of her debut memoir THE YEAR OF THE HORSES. The book is heartbreaking and uplifting - brilliant. Don't miss this interview.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 87. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Boris Dralyuk on the launch of his debut poetry collection, MY HOLLYWOOD. Don't miss this amazing interview or collection.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 86. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Kate Quinn on the launch of her new novel THE DIAMOND EYE. This author and this novel are incredible. Do not miss them!!Rachel Barenbaum

Special Episode: Caroline Leavitt interviews Rachel Barenbaum on the launch of Rachel's second novel, ATOMIC ANNA.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 85. Author Spotlight. Don't miss this episode!! Rachel Barenbaum interviews Ellen Alpsten on the launch of her second book THE TSARINA'S Daughter, book two in the trilogy.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 84. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Alex Segura on the launch of his novel SECRET IDENTITY. Don't miss this interview!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 83. Author spotlight. Jennifer Haigh discusses her latest, MERCY STREET, with Rachel Barenbaum. This book is INCREDIBLE. Do not miss it. And don't miss the bonus - writing advice and tips from Jennifer.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 82. Debut author Renee Branum talks about her amazing debut DEFENESTRATE with Rachel Barenbaum.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 81. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Destiny O. Birdsong on the launch of her debut NOBODY'S MAGIC. Don't miss this interview or this amazing book!!Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 80. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Sequoia Nagamatsu on the launch of his debut HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK. Don't miss it.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 79 Gwen E. Kirby talks to Rachel Barenbaum about her debut short story collection: SHIT CASSANDRA SAW. This collection and this author are amazing! Don't miss it.Rachel Barenbaum

Episode 78. Rachel Barenbaum interviews Clare Chambers on the launch of her eight novel: SMALL PLEASURES. This amazing book was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Don't miss it!!Rachel Barenbaum