Welcome to episode 2 of the Harper Perennial Podcast, a show about the life of books.
In this episode, we feature two historical books, with two very different approaches to history:
Holy Skirts, by Rene Steinke -- a novel based on the life of Baroness Elsa von Freitag-Loringhoven. The Baroness was an outrageous and legendary figure in art and poetry circles in the early 1900's. A woman unafraid to sew tinfoil to her clothing, shave her head, and paint it purple -- long, long before punk rock culture existed. Marcel Duchamp once said of this woman, "She is not a futurist. She is the future."
The Children's Blizzard, by David Laskin -- a narrative account of a sweeping disaster: the massive blizzard of January 12, 1888. This book intertwines the stories of dozens of American prairie families who stood against the storm, and a fascinating account of how a blizzard of this magnitude forms. Although this is a tragic story in many ways, it's also an inspiring narrative of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary events.
Welcome to episode 24 of the Harper Perennial Podcast, a show about the life of books.
We're speaking with Diana Spechler in this podcast, about her first novel, Who by Fire.
Who by Fire is a story of family ties in complicated situations. Bits Kellerman and her brother Ash lost their younger sister Alena to kidnapping, an incident which ruptured their family deeply. As young adults, Ash copes by running away to a yeshiva in Israel. Bits sets out to find him, and save what remains of her family.
Who by Fire is available now at bookstores and online retailers.
Also, be sure to visit HarperPerennial.com, the Harper Perennial blog, OliveReader.com, and the Harper Perennial MySpace page.
All content copyright HarperCollins Publishers. Music created with Garage Band.
Welcome to episode 23 of the Harper Perennial Podcast, a show about the life of books.
This time, we talk with Warren Ellis, who has a huge following in the graphic novel world. His first prose novel, Crooked Little Vein, is just out in paperback. It's part detective story, and part grand tour through the cultural underbelly of America.
Crooked Little Vein is available now at bookstores and online retailers. Visit the author's website, warrenellis.com
Also, be sure to visit HarperPerennial.com, the Harper Perennial blog, OliveReader.com, and the Harper Perennial MySpace page.
All content copyright HarperCollins Publishers. Music created with Garage Band.
Welcome to episode 22 of the Harper Perennial Podcast, a show about the life of books.
Ross Raisin joins us this time, to talk about his debut novel, Out Backward. This character study of Sam Marsdyke, a lonely, disturbed young man living in an English farming community is immersive and thought-provoking. Sam's haunted past, and his skewed perceptions of the people and events around him, slowly build to a page-turning climax.
Out Backward is available now at bookstores and online retailers.
Also, be sure to visit HarperPerennial.com, the Harper Perennial blog, OliveReader.com, and the Harper Perennial MySpace page.
All content copyright HarperCollins Publishers. Music created with Garage Band.
Welcome to episode 21 of the Harper Perennial Podcast, a show about the life of books.
In this episode, we talk with Jessica Anya Blau about her new novel, The Summer of Naked Swim Parties. It's the story of fourteen-year old Jamie, who faces normal teenage anxieties which are sometimes compounded by her parents. When your house is known as "the party house," and your parents swim naked and refuse to give you a curfew, what can you count on for safety?
The Summer of Naked Swim Parties is available now at bookstores and online retailers.
Also, be sure to visit HarperPerennial.com, the Harper Perennial blog, OliveReader.com, and the Harper Perennial MySpace page.
All content copyright HarperCollins Publishers. Music created with Garage Band.
Welcome to episode 20 of the Harper Perennial Podcast, a show about the life of books.
Singer-Songwriter and Author Willy Vlautin returns to the podcast to discuss his new novel, Northline, and its accompanying soundtrack CD.
Northline is the story of Allison Johnson, a troubled young woman struggling to leave an abusive relationship behind as she starts a new life in Reno. Her imaginary conversations with Paul Newman are perhaps her only comfort.
Northline is available now at bookstores and online retailers.
Visit the official Northline website.
Listen to our podcast about Willy Vlautin's first novel, The Motel Life.
Also, be sure to visit HarperPerennial.com, the Harper Perennial blog, OliveReader.com, and the Harper Perennial MySpace page.
All content copyright HarperCollins Publishers. All music in this podcast is copyright Willy Vlautin, used with permission.
