Book of the Month Live

What happened to riddles and fun islands? Tune in to hear Meg Shaffer, the author of The Wishing Game, speak about how Willy Wonka inspired her story, how books provide escapism, and the importance of supporting people's dreams. The Wishing Game follows Lucy Hart, a 26-year-old teacher's aid, desperate to adopt her orphan student Christopher Lamb. Without the proper funds and stability, Lucy needs a miracle to make her dream come true. But when her favorite author invites her to a competition on his private island, she may finally have a chance. Get The Wishing Game at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

Dust off your dancing shoes because we sit down with Fiona Davis to discuss her new book The Spectacular! We talk about what inspired her to write about the Rockettes and Fiona's journey from actor to journalist to writer. Plus, she tells a beautiful story about what the BOTM blue box means to her, which had everyone teary-eyed. In 1956 New York City, 19-year-old Marion is selected to be one of the Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall's glamorous dancing troupes–until a bomb explodes in the theater. It's only the latest in a string of explosions orchestrated by the "Big Apple Bomber." With the public in an uproar over the lack of leads, the police turn to psychological profiling. As Marion finds herself pulled deeper into the investigation, she may be forced to sacrifice everything she's worked for. Get The Spectacular at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Meet Ashley Audrain, a repeat Book of the Month author! We sit down with Ashley to discuss her new book, The Whispers, how wealth impacts motherhood, and why people in the suburbs are not okay. We also play a challenging round of 'Would You Rather: Kid's Party or Adult Party.' On Harlow Street, everything is fabulous until Whitney's son falls from his bedside window in the middle of the night. The Whispers spins out over the course of one week, in the alternating voices of the women in the neighborhood: Blair, Whitney's best friend; Rebecca, the ER doctor helping Whitney's son; and Mara, the older woman next door. The Whispers explores the quiet sacrifices of motherhood and the dangerous impulse to compare oneself to other parents. Get The Whispers at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

She might come from a family of bartenders, but believe it or not, Mary Beth Keane did *not* base her character off any kin in particular. On this week's episode, we discuss her new book, The Half Moon, long-term relationships, love for small towns, and her aversion to rum drinks. The Half Moon follows Malcolm and Jess over the course of one week when a blizzard hits the town of Gillam, trapping everyone in place. Malcolm has always dreamed of owning a bar and transforming it into a bigger success—leading him to drown in debt. Jess grapples with her infertility and her evaporating dreams of motherhood. The Half Moon explores the intimacy of small-town living and what it means to be a family. Get The Half Moon at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Meet our latest Virtual Book Tour guest: Susie Luo! We sat down to discuss her debut novel Paper Names, her experience immigrating to the United States as a child, and the best things about NYC. And if you need some advice on what gift to bring to your next event, Susie Luo can help in our game "Bearing Gifts" (hint: it's usually wine). Paper Names is set in New York and China over three decades from three different perspectives. Tony is a Chinese-born engineer turned Manhattan doorman; Tammy is Tony's daughter who we follow through adulthood; and Oliver is a white lawyer who lives in the building where Tony works. An unexpected act of violence causes their lives to intertwine in this propulsive story of family, identity, and the American experience. Get Paper Names at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Repeat novelist and all-star baker Abby Jimenez joined us on Virtual Book Tour to discuss her newest novel, Yours Truly, the sweetest romance filled with love letters and very real life challenges. We talk about revenge and fake dating, finding love when you least expect it, and her questionable search history. Dr. Briana Ortiz's life is seriously flatlining; her divorce is about to be finalized and her brother is running out of time to find a kidney donor, but everything changes when Dr. Jacob Maddox sends Briana a letter. Suddenly they are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates, and Jacob gives Briana a fun distraction by inviting her to be his fake date for his brother's wedding. Yours Truly is a novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match. Get Yours Truly at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Rivers, legends, and sisters: Patti Callahan Henry's new novel is all of her favorite things in one! We're sitting down to discuss The Secret Book of Flora Lea, fairy tales, and the historic moments that inspired her new book. We also play a game called "The Cost is Correct: Rare Book Edition." The Secret Book of Flora Lea follows two sisters in 1939 England, where Hazel and Flora are seeking shelter from the war. When the unthinkable happens and Flora Lea disappears, Hazel carries that guilt into adulthood as a burden she feels she deserves. Twenty years later, and Flora has still not been found, but Hazel discovers a rare book that has a connection to her past only her sister would have known. Get The Secret Book of Flora Lea at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com

Prepare to shed a couple tears for this moving, inspirational story about a death doula learning not to fear living. We sat down with debut author Mikki Bramer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover, to discuss her profound thoughts on death, grief, and last words. What's the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can't give yourself a beautiful life? After Clover's beloved grandfather dies, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process. But as she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants and if she'll have the courage to go after it. The Collected Regrets of Clover turns the normally taboo subject of death into a reason to celebrate life. Get The Collected Regrets of Clover at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

Hollywood: From the '50s to today. Meet Crystal Smith Paul and hear all about her debut novel, Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? We discuss the beauty of mother-daughter relationships, diversity in Hollywood, and her journey to becoming a published author. When white silver screen icon Kitty Karr dies, she bequeaths her multimillion-dollar estate to the three Black St. John sisters - prompting questions for all around. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? explores the celebrity machine, the burdens of being Black, the privileges gained by fading to white, and the power that family secrets have to erode and complicate the lives of future generations. Get Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.

Love a locked-door mystery? Megan Miranda joins us on Virtual Book Tour to discuss her new book, The Only Survivors, luck versus fate, and the washed-up phone that inspired the novel. Plus, we make Megan choose once and for all which is worse: being an adult or going back to high school. The Only Survivors: Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remain. A decade ago, two vans filled with high school students crashed into a ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The survivors of the crash made a pact to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night. On their tenth anniversary, there is an impending storm, and they face the threat of surging water again. As they promised long ago, each survivor will do whatever they can do to save another. Won't they? Get The Only Survivors at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout. Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.