Marginalia: Recent Episodes
KMUW
Marginalia is a weekly podcast hosted by KMUW's Beth Golay. Episodes feature author interviews, editorial commentary and other marginalia to enhance the reading experience.Several of Beth's interviews are included each year in NPR's Book Concierge. And you can see the list of what Beth has read since she started keeping track in 2003.Listen to the episodes at kmuw.org or subscribe to the Marginalia podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Melanie Cheng about her novel, 'The Burrow,' a beautiful look at a family dealing with grief.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Sy Montgomery about what we should know about the world’s most familiar bird, and what the bird actually knows.
Holly Wilson will be at the Ulrich Museum on Wednesday, October 30, beginning at 5:30 pm for the Writing Now Reading Now program.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Anna Montague about her debut novel "How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Ecklund?" and the complexities of grief, friendship, and self-discovery explored through the lens of a therapist.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Charles Baxter about comedic writing and some of the real world businesses that predict our future actions in order to make money.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin about "The Bletchley Riddle," their first collaboration with each other.
Beth Golay recently spoke with "Scaffolding" author, Lauren Elkin, about exploring grief, desire, love and fidelity.
Beth Golay recently spoke with "Shame on You" author Melissa Petro about her experience with shame and the unique ways women experience different forms of shame in her book.
On what would have been James Baldwin's 100th birthday, KMUW's Beth Golay spoke with Colm Tóibín about his new collection of essays, "On James Baldwin."
KMUW's Beth Golay speaks with author Coco Mellors about family, grief and addiction in her novel 'Blue Sisters'.
When school librarian, Amanda Jones, spoke out against censorship at a public library board meeting in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, she had no idea she would later see her own image in a targeted attack on social media.
Beth Golay recently spoke with "Black Butterflies" author, Priscilla Morris, about the impact of art during conflict, the challenges faced during the Siege of Sarajevo, the humanizing portrayal of war refugees in the novel, and more.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Kristopher Jansma about the hardship and lasting effects of generational trauma in "Our Narrow Hiding Places."
At first glance, Jessica Anthony’s novel, The Most, takes place on a single unseasonably hot day in November 1957. But as she tells KMUW’s Beth Golay, Anthony uses memory and perspective to explore the history of a marriage.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Juliet Grapes about her new novel, "The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia." The book is a mystery packed with intricate family secrets, interconnected family trees, danger, and vivid country-Italian culture.
In Kevin Barry's The Heart in Winter, an Irish immigrant living in Butte, Montana, falls in love with another man’s mail order bride.
Beth Golay recently spoke with author Ben Shattuck about the quality of audiobooks, his story being adapted into a movie and more.
Beth Golay visits with Hampton Sides about his new book, "The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook".
Beth Golay recently spoke with author Liz Moore about her new novel, "The God of the Woods."
Beth Golay recently spoke with "Same As It Ever Was" author, Claire Lombardo about capturing Julia’s voice throughout the decades and the challenges of writing a second novel following the success of her debut, "The Most Fun We Ever Had."
Beth Golay recently spoke with "One of Our Kind' author, Nicola Yoon about Jasmyn’s complicated view of the world, the real-world issues discussed in the novel, and more.
Beth Golay spoke with "Service" author, Sarah Gilmartin about the rise of the Me Too movement in Ireland, writing from uncommon perspectives, and more.
Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Safekeep" author, Yael van der Wouden about Isabel’s relationship with her brothers, how the post World War II setting shapes the book, and more.
Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Main Character" author, Jaclyn Goldis about her love of mysteries, how she plots her stories, and her background in economics and law.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Nicholson Baker about his new novel, "Finding a Likeness: How I Got Somewhat Better at Art."
Beth Golay recently spoke with Kimberly King Parsons about how real life inspired her debut novel, "We Were the Universe."
Beth Golay recently spoke with "Glorious Exploits" author, Ferdia Lennon about his love of the classics, the power of art and drama, and narrating his own audiobook.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Sarah Braunstein about "Bad Animals," how perspective shapes a novel, and more.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Douglas Westerbeke about his literary inspirations, epic adventure literature, and more.
Nell Freudenberger's new novel, "The Limits," tests limits, of distance, of relationships, as she told KMUW's Beth Golay, the limits imposed by the COVID lockdown.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Gina Chung about the themes in "Green Frog," her writing style, and how her characters continue to live on beyond the story.
Brian Turner is the visiting author at Wichita State University. He will give a book reading for "My Life as a Foreign Country" on February 29 at 5:30 pm at the Ulrich Museum of Art at WSU.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Tommy Orange about his new novel Wandering Stars, which revisits the characters first brought to life in There There.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Emily Ballesteros about her practical tips for diving into different habits, managing time, and much more.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Kelly Link about a slew of subjects, from balance to the magic of music, oh... and her debut novel.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Margot Livesey about the trials Lizzie endured as part of her gift and as part of the setting, as well as her own experience as the author of 10 novels and teacher at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Andrés N. Ordorica about writing from the perspectives of multiple queer characters, the importance of seeing yourself reflected in literature, and more.
Beth Golay recently spoke to Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Paul Harding about how artifacts like photographs set off his imagination, some of the history behind the eugenics movement, and how he aims to write books that are meant to be reread.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Kaveh Akbar about inserting aspects of himself into "Martyr!" - from character traits to his love of literature - what it means to write a book about martyrs as an Iranian-American, and much more.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Lea Carpenter about her new book "Ilium" and her inspiration for the novel.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Kayla Min Andrews about how she worked with editor Sally Kim to publish her mother’s final work of fiction, and about her mother’s impact as a trailblazing writer.
Beth Golay recently spoke with 'Wild and Distant Seas' author Tara Karr Roberts about her debut novel.
Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Vulnerables" author Sigrid Nunez about the autobiographical aspects that emerge in her novels, her extensive literary references, and more.
Beth Golay talks with Isabel Cañas about blending together genres, and how history served as the inspiration for "Vampires of El Norte".
Beth Golay recently spoke with "The House of Doors" author Tan Twan Eng about W. Somerset Maugham’s private nature, capturing multiple perspectives on the page, and how he injected some imagination into the historic writer.
Beth Golay spoke with Christine Coulson about the unique narrative structure in "One Woman Show," how her own career working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art inspired the book, and more.
Beth recently spoke with Nghiem Tran about the challenges of cultural assimilation for both himself and his characters in "We're Safe When We're Alone" and much more.
Beth Golay talks with Bryan Washington about the ways he captures three distinct voices on the page, how his characters navigate their queer identities, and much more.
Beth Golay spoke with Steve Inskeep about 'Differ We Must," Lincoln’s challenge to unite a divided country.
Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Habel are husband and wife. She is a poet, and he's a novelist. So they each have their own independent writing careers. But during the pandemic lock-down, they teamed up to co-author this novel titled Dayswork.
Beth Golay spoke with Josh Barkan about what he learned through his first marriage to his first wife, about his healing journey, and how his journey of self-discovery took him half-way around the world to meet the man who had come between his marriage.
Beth Golay talks with Anna Funder about Eileen O’Shaughnessy’s influence on George Orwell, how women have been written out of history, and more.
In "My Name Is Iris," novelist Brando Skyhorse explores a world where America get to choose who its citizens.
Beth Golay visits with author Eliza Minot about her latest work of fiction, "In the Orchard."
A new book from a familiar name. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly has a new book, a memoir. "It. Goes. So. Fast." looks at the three acts of life.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Caroline O’Donoghue about her novel, "The Rachel Incident," a look at coming-of-age in a socially conservative Ireland.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Clémence Michallon about her interest in serial killers, the complexities of her narrative point of view and structure, and how her journalism experience helped with her writing process.
Katie Williams spoke with Beth Golay about this fictional not so distant future, society’s fascination with true crime, and the complexities of writing from the perspective of a clone.
By his own admission, Brendan Slocumb wants to be the "Stephen King of musical thrillers." He's well on his way.
Beth Golay recently spoke with Bonnie Garmus about "Lessons in Chemistry," its themes and more.
Abraham Verghese spoke with Beth Golay about crafting "The Covenant of Water," the partnership between writer and reader, and more.
Beth Golay spoke with Rainn Wilson about his new book, "SoulBoom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution," the roots of his own spirituality and why he has hope for a better world.
Beth Golay recently visited with the author of "Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club", J. Ryan Stradal about his love of the midwest, what exactly a supper club is, the burden of family pressures that parents pass on to their children, and more.
Beth Golay had the opportunity to speak with Roz Chast ahead of her appearance in Wichita, about her relationship with her parents through their final years, her role as a caregiver, and her hope for readers.
I recently spoke with Jane Roper about the impact of internet movements, mother-daughter relationships and more.
In 2016, Beth Golay visited with Idea Novey about her novel Ways to Disappear. This time they spoke about her newest novel, titled Take What You Need.
Jenny Jackson is vice president and executive editor at Knopf. Now, she is tackling a new gig - authoring fiction of her own.
You might know him as a Tony Award–winner, a playwright, or perhaps as the singer/songwriter "Escape"... better known as the "piña colada" song. But as we discover in this episode of Marginalia, Rupert Holmes is also an author, and his new fictional world is so intricate, it's been 12 years in the making.
Rebecca Makkai talks about her newest novel, "I Have Some Questions for You", a literary mystery with a feminist take.
Patricia Engel’s new short story collection is titled The Faraway World, a phrase that holds a personal and touching connection to her family history.
In this episode of Marginalia, KMUW’s Beth Golay with De’Shawn Charles Winslow about the fictional town, some of the surprises he found when writing Decent People, and how readers might recognize some of their own biases.
In this episode of Marginalia, KMUW’s Beth Golay speaks with author Oindrila Mukherjee about her debut novel, The Dream Builders, and its diverse cast of characters.
Beth Golay talks with V.V. Ganeshananthan about the importance of care in militarized environments, how writing affects her teaching and vice versa, and much more.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay talks to Sonali Dev about breaking stereotypes at every age, how Bollywood films influenced her, and how she crafted some laugh-out-loud moments.
Brendan Slocumb talks about The Violin Conspiracy, the impact of racism, his writing process, and how his rigorous musical training prepared him for publishing.
On this episode of Marginalia, playwright Julia May Jonas explains how the pandemic forced a pivot from writing for the stage to prose, resulting in her debut novel, "Vladimir."
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay talks with author Michelle Huneven about her novel, "Search," which follows a church search committee’s year-long quest to find a new minister.
Nina Totenberg is a name—and voice—heard often on public radio. As NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent, she has been breaking down the news of the Supreme Court for listeners since 1975. Early in her career, a phone call to a source began as a law lesson, and ended with a near 50-year friendship... with Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Nina Totenberg spoke with KMUW's Beth Golay this week about her book, Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with a teacher who wants his book to leave a lasting impact.
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay speaks with Jennifer Egan about her newest book... companion to her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Visit from the Goon Squad.
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay speaks with Louise Kennedy about her own experience growing up during the Troubles and how setting can shape dialogue.
On this episode of Marginalia, the author of The Silver Linings Playbook, Matthew Quick, talks with Beth Golay about his new novel, We Are the Light.
Beth Golay talks to sister & brother team and co-host's "You're Saying It Wrong," Kathy and Ross Petras about their new novel.
On this episode of Marginalia, an author describes her new novel, which features barely-parented children in a crumbling English manor.
Beth Golay's conversation with Ainsley Hogarth about the multiple perspectives of motherhood, the efforts women make to protect their families, and why the horror genre shouldn’t be overlooked.
On this episode of Marginalia, an author identifies the inspiration behind her genre-blending novel.
Kwame Alexander is a Caldecott and Newbery Award–winning author of books for young readers. His newest book, the first in a trilogy, is available beginning today and Alexander recently spoke with KMUW's Beth Golay about the new release.
It's been more than a decade since A.M. Homes published her last novel. On this episode of Marginalia, Homes explains the timeliness of her newest work, despite being set in 2008.
In this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author James Kennedy about his novel, "Dare to Know," a work of science fiction in which those who can afford the high price tag can discover their death date, if they dare.
In this episode of Marginalia, Caldecott-winner David Shannon on illustrating his own books and more.
Beth Golay talks to Nobel Prize in Literature winner Abdulrazak Gurnah about his latest book, Afterlives.
Tomi Obaro traditional Nigerian culture and the evolving nature of friendship in Dele Weds Destiny.
"Thrust" author Lidia Yuknavitch talks about her love of repetition, the changing nature of language, and more.
"Exit West" author Mohsin Hamid returns to Marginalia with a new novel inspired by post-9/11 events.
On this episode of Marginalia, a look at an interactive workbook for those overwhelmed by racial injustice.
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay talks with an author about her follow-up thriller.
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay visits with Eleanor Brown about the complex dynamics of family, no matter how you define it.
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay visits with Kansas Native, Kate Williams, about the inspiration for her new book for young adults.
Beth Golay visits with author Lisa Taddeo about her short story collection, "Ghost Lovers," the final installment is critics call her literary trifecta,
On this episode of Marginalia, a Pulitzer Prize–winning author , Geraldine Brooks, on her latest novel, "Horse."
In this episode of Marginalia, Emily Henry talks about the tropes that inspired her latest novel.
In this episode of Marginalia, Emma Straub explores the truths of her real life through science fiction.
Candice Millard will be in conversation with Dr. Robin Henry at the Advanced Learning Library on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Beth Golay speaks with author Colleen Hubbard about how she was inspired by Shakespeare when writing her novel, "Housebreaking" ... but not in the way one would expect.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay speaks with author Dolen Perkins-Valdez about her historical novel, "Take My Hand."
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Brian Morton about his efforts to write both fiction and non-fiction about his parents.
When he's not working as an orthodontist, Grant Snider is typically drawing comics. His work has appeared in national newspapers and magazines, and several of his collections have been published as books. He recently spoke with Beth Golay about his latest book for this week's Marginalia.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW’s Beth Golay discovers how an author learns the tricks of her characters’ trades.
Described as a “queer social media pioneer,” Jill Gutowitz has shifted from publishing her thoughts on Twitter to a new book of her essays titled "Girls Can Kiss Now." On this week's Marginalia, Gutowitz describes the collection and who might benefit from reading it.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Lee Cole about his debut novel, "Groundskeeping," which also doubled as a homecoming of sorts for the author.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Marlon James about the second installment of his Dark Star trilogy, 'Moon Witch, Spider Queen.'
On this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay visits with author Kim Fay about "Love & Saffron," a balm for Fay as she wrote it, and a balm for those who read it.
Hannah Lillith Assadi's new book, "The Stars Are Not Yet Bells," is told from the perspective of a woman suffering from a dementia-like disease. On this episode of Marginalia, Assadi spoke with KMUW's Beth Golay about the limits and freedoms involved when one's narrator is unreliable.
On this episode of Marginalia, author Jonathan Evison explains his thought process behind his latest book, "Small World," which was his attempt at writing the Great American Novel.
On this episode of Marginalia, author Antoine Wilson describes his novel "Mouth to Mouth" to KMUW's Beth Golay, and shows that sometimes fact is stranger than fiction.
On this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Jean Chen Ho about her new story collection, "Fiona and Jane," which moves in and out of the lives of its title characters.
A short section of this interview aired on KMUW News prior to Amor Towles visit to Wichita in October. Here's the full conversation.
In this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author James Kennedy about his novel, "Dare to Know," a work of science fiction in which those who can afford the high price tag can discover their death date, if they dare.
Beth Golay talks to an author/illustrator couple about their new book which reintroduces readers to a beloved—and award-winning—character.
Max Greenfield is taking on a new role... as an author. The actor recently published an illustrated book for kids, titled “I Don’t Want to Read This Book.” KMUW’s Beth Golay recently spoke with Greenfield about his book, which, for the record, she did want to read. Here’s their conversation on this week's Marginalia.
Author Ken Follett has a new international thriller out. "Never" explores the ever-threatening possibility of nuclear war. KMUW's Beth Golay visited with Follett last week about the book. Here's their conversation.
In this special Veterans Day episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with National Book Award winner Phil Klay about his work with the 'American Veteran' podcast.
Nathaniel Ian Miller's 'Stockholm Sven' is 1% real, 99% fiction, and 100% entertaining.
For this week's Marginalia, Beth Golay got some help from KMUW's resident Marvel expert, Hugo Phan. The two of them spoke with author Douglas Wolk about his book, "All the Marvels," for which Wolk read all of the Marvel superhero comics—more than 27,000 of them.
Beth Golay speaks with Amy Koppelman about "A Mouthful of Air." First published 17 years ago, the book was re-released in anticipation of the movie, which was written and directed by Koppelman.
In her book, Go Far, Jennifer Strong McConachie mined her experience as an endurance athlete to write about four tenets she says are applicable in a race or in life. And she recently explained to Beth Golay, her desire for adventure around the world began at home... with books.
Take a look at Susan Orlean's contributors page at newyorker.com and you'll see that the topics of her essays—more than any other subject—have been about animals. A collection of those essays is available in a new book, aptly titled On Animals. KMUW's Beth Golay recently spoke with Orlean about the collection for this week's Marginalia.
Dorothy Wickenden's latest book, "The Agitators," explores the relationship between Harriet Tubman, Martha Coffin Wright, and Frances Seward as they advocated for the abolition of slavery and for women's rights. On this week's Marginalia, Beth Golay welcomes guest host, Hindsight's Dr. Robin Henry, as they visit with Dorothy Wickenden about this history.
Beth Golay visits with author Zoraida Códova about magical realism, and how her writing for young people differs from what she writes for adults.
Readers will recognize author Paula Hawkins by her global phenomenon, The Girl on the Train. In this episode of Marginalia, Beth Golay visits with Hawkins about crafting her newest thriller, A Slow Fire Burning.
In this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Jo Hamya about how her novel, Three Rooms, was inspired by Virginia Woolf.
In this episode of Marginalia, KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Sarah Zachrich Jeng about her debut novel, The Other Me, and the complexities involved in writing speculative fiction.