Club Calvi en CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Portions Recorded Mary Calvi hosts the book club where you pick what we read next. Club Calvi chooses three new fiction titles. Readers vote to decide the winner and then can engage with the author by asking their most burning questions in a monthly meetup. Every week, Mary talks with authors about their research, writing process, the journey to being published, and with book lovers about their favorite reads. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/5c72bd8c-1eee-11f1-b4f2-8befb8395502/image/17fbef9b192ac520bc5e9991b5e9ab31.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Club Calvi episodic CBS News NY Mary Calvi hosts the book club where you pick what we read next. Club Calvi chooses three new fiction titles. Readers vote to decide the winner and then can engage with the author by asking their most burning questions in a monthly meetup. Every week, Mary talks with authors about their research, writing process, the journey to being published, and with book lovers about their favorite reads. Mary Calvi hosts the book club where you pick what we read next. Club Calvi chooses three new fiction titles. Readers vote to decide the winner and then can engage with the author by asking their most burning questions in a monthly meetup. Every week, Mary talks with authors about their research, writing process, the journey to being published, and with book lovers about their favorite reads.

]]> CBS News NY saige.gipson@cbsnews.com Chris Bohjalian on "The Amateur" & putting the personal in the plot Mary Calvi talks to Chris Bohjalian about his new novel "The Amateur," which became an instant New York Times bestseller. The book opens with golf prodigy Mira Winston hitting a shot that kills a young caddie on a golf course in Westchester County. Her life unravels after the tragedy. Bohjalian told Mary that he uses elements of his personal life in his characters, and he shared the surprising ones he included in writing about Mira and the teen who died. In fact, Bohjalian says he didn't intend for the book to be about Mira, but two sentences changed his mind. Bohjalian has written more than two dozen books, and he says he never outlines his stories. Instead, there's one activity that helps him figure out what happens next. ⁠clubcalvi.com⁠ Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE AMATEUR by Chris Bohjalian, read by Melora Hardin. Chris Bohjalian ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 19 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Mary Calvi talks to Chris Bohjalian about his new novel "The Amateur," which became an instant New York Times bestseller. The book opens with golf prodigy Mira Winston hitting a shot that kills a young caddie on a golf course in Westchester County. Her life unravels after the tragedy. Bohjalian told Mary that he uses elements of his personal life in his characters, and he shared the surprising ones he included in writing about Mira and the teen who died. In fact, Bohjalian says he didn't intend for the book to be about Mira, but two sentences changed his mind. Bohjalian has written more than two dozen books, and he says he never outlines his stories. Instead, there's one activity that helps him figure out what happens next. ⁠clubcalvi.com⁠ Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE AMATEUR by Chris Bohjalian, read by Melora Hardin. Chris Bohjalian ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mary Calvi talks to Chris Bohjalian about his new novel "The Amateur," which became an instant New York Times bestseller. The book opens with golf prodigy Mira Winston hitting a shot that kills a young caddie on a golf course in Westchester County. Her life unravels after the tragedy.

Bohjalian told Mary that he uses elements of his personal life in his characters, and he shared the surprising ones he included in writing about Mira and the teen who died. In fact, Bohjalian says he didn't intend for the book to be about Mira, but two sentences changed his mind. Bohjalian has written more than two dozen books, and he says he never outlines his stories. Instead, there's one activity that helps him figure out what happens next.

⁠clubcalvi.com⁠

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE AMATEUR by Chris Bohjalian, read by Melora Hardin. Chris Bohjalian ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.


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]]> 2034 no Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray on "A Pair of Aces" and their writing partnership Bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray talk with Mary Calvi and answer questions from readers about their latest novel "A Pair of Aces." It was voted a Readers' Choice for Club Calvi, and was Benedict and Murray's third book together and third bestseller. Their previous novels were "The Personal Librarian" and "The First Ladies." In "A Pair of Aces," Benedict and Murray reimagine the story of how Eunice Carter, New York's first female Black prosecutor, came up with the strategy to bring down the powerful mob boss Lucky Luciano in the 1930s. In the book, she teams up with the infamous madam Polly Adler. Mary talked with Benedict and Murray about how they discovered the story, how they split the research and writing, and whether one has veto power over the other. ClubCalvi.com Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from A PAIR OF ACES by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, excerpt read by Barrie Kreinik. Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 12 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray talk with Mary Calvi and answer questions from readers about their latest novel "A Pair of Aces." It was voted a Readers' Choice for Club Calvi, and was Benedict and Murray's third book together and third bestseller. Their previous novels were "The Personal Librarian" and "The First Ladies." In "A Pair of Aces," Benedict and Murray reimagine the story of how Eunice Carter, New York's first female Black prosecutor, came up with the strategy to bring down the powerful mob boss Lucky Luciano in the 1930s. In the book, she teams up with the infamous madam Polly Adler. Mary talked with Benedict and Murray about how they discovered the story, how they split the research and writing, and whether one has veto power over the other. ClubCalvi.com Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from A PAIR OF ACES by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, excerpt read by Barrie Kreinik. Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray talk with Mary Calvi and answer questions from readers about their latest novel "A Pair of Aces." It was voted a Readers' Choice for Club Calvi, and was Benedict and Murray's third book together and third bestseller. Their previous novels were "The Personal Librarian" and "The First Ladies."

In "A Pair of Aces," Benedict and Murray reimagine the story of how Eunice Carter, New York's first female Black prosecutor, came up with the strategy to bring down the powerful mob boss Lucky Luciano in the 1930s. In the book, she teams up with the infamous madam Polly Adler.

Mary talked with Benedict and Murray about how they discovered the story, how they split the research and writing, and whether one has veto power over the other.

ClubCalvi.com

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from A PAIR OF ACES by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, excerpt read by Barrie Kreinik. Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.

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]]> 1878 no John Searles on "Single Girls," Helen Gurley Brown, and Cosmopolitan magazine's early years John Searles is known as a bestselling author of suspenseful thrillers, but he told Mary Calvi that his new novel of dramatic fiction is one that he's wanted to write for years. In the 1990s, Searles was hired by legendary magazine Editor-In-Chief Helen Gurley Brown to work at Cosmopolitan magazine. He stayed there for more than 20 years and became a top editor. His new book, "Single Girls," reimagines Brown in the 1960s, fresh off the success of her book "Sex and the Single Girl," and tasked with turning around the failing Cosmopolitan. She and her female team produced a daring publication, with shocking stories for the times, that challenged society's norms for women and changed culture. Searles told Mary that "Single Girls" is his love letter to Brown and women's magazines. He also shared the harsh note that he accidentally received after an early book was rejected, and how it propelled his writing career. ClubCalvi.com Audio From SINGLE GIRLS by John Searles. Copyright © 2026 by John Searles. Reprinted by permission of Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY John Searles is known as a bestselling author of suspenseful thrillers, but he told Mary Calvi that his new novel of dramatic fiction is one that he's wanted to write for years. In the 1990s, Searles was hired by legendary magazine Editor-In-Chief Helen Gurley Brown to work at Cosmopolitan magazine. He stayed there for more than 20 years and became a top editor. His new book, "Single Girls," reimagines Brown in the 1960s, fresh off the success of her book "Sex and the Single Girl," and tasked with turning around the failing Cosmopolitan. She and her female team produced a daring publication, with shocking stories for the times, that challenged society's norms for women and changed culture. Searles told Mary that "Single Girls" is his love letter to Brown and women's magazines. He also shared the harsh note that he accidentally received after an early book was rejected, and how it propelled his writing career. ClubCalvi.com Audio From SINGLE GIRLS by John Searles. Copyright © 2026 by John Searles. Reprinted by permission of Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices John Searles is known as a bestselling author of suspenseful thrillers, but he told Mary Calvi that his new novel of dramatic fiction is one that he's wanted to write for years.

In the 1990s, Searles was hired by legendary magazine Editor-In-Chief Helen Gurley Brown to work at Cosmopolitan magazine. He stayed there for more than 20 years and became a top editor.

His new book, "Single Girls," reimagines Brown in the 1960s, fresh off the success of her book "Sex and the Single Girl," and tasked with turning around the failing Cosmopolitan. She and her female team produced a daring publication, with shocking stories for the times, that challenged society's norms for women and changed culture.

Searles told Mary that "Single Girls" is his love letter to Brown and women's magazines. He also shared the harsh note that he accidentally received after an early book was rejected, and how it propelled his writing career.

ClubCalvi.com

Audio From SINGLE GIRLS by John Searles. Copyright © 2026 by John Searles. Reprinted by permission of Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers


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]]> 1891 no Abigail Savitch-Lew on "Livonia Chow Mein"  & place as a character Abigail Savitch-Lew took a long, deep dive researching the history of her family and the history of a community in Brooklyn to write her debut novel "Livonia Chow Mein." She spent a decade crafting the story of a Chinese family who owns a restaurant in Brownsville and the restaurant's impact on Black and Jewish residents over the course of 100 years. The novel explores how the changing times impact each generation of the family and the wellbeing of the neighborhood. "Livonia Chow Mein" received starred reviews and it was voted a Club Calvi Readers' Choice. Savitch-Lew talked with Mary and answered questions from readers about what she learned about relations among people from different cultures, prejudice, and how residents and other writers were crucial to her storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Abigail Savitch-Lew took a long, deep dive researching the history of her family and the history of a community in Brooklyn to write her debut novel "Livonia Chow Mein." She spent a decade crafting the story of a Chinese family who owns a restaurant in Brownsville and the restaurant's impact on Black and Jewish residents over the course of 100 years. The novel explores how the changing times impact each generation of the family and the wellbeing of the neighborhood. "Livonia Chow Mein" received starred reviews and it was voted a Club Calvi Readers' Choice. Savitch-Lew talked with Mary and answered questions from readers about what she learned about relations among people from different cultures, prejudice, and how residents and other writers were crucial to her storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Abigail Savitch-Lew took a long, deep dive researching the history of her family and the history of a community in Brooklyn to write her debut novel "Livonia Chow Mein." She spent a decade crafting the story of a Chinese family who owns a restaurant in Brownsville and the restaurant's impact on Black and Jewish residents over the course of 100 years.

The novel explores how the changing times impact each generation of the family and the wellbeing of the neighborhood. "Livonia Chow Mein" received starred reviews and it was voted a Club Calvi Readers' Choice.

Savitch-Lew talked with Mary and answered questions from readers about what she learned about relations among people from different cultures, prejudice, and how residents and other writers were crucial to her storytelling.

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]]> 1786 no Daniel Silva on Gabriel Allon, "Ransom," writing, and failing privately Daniel Silva is on a publishing streak that most authors can only dream about: all of his novels have been New York Times and international bestsellers. He talked to Mary Calvi about his latest book, "Ransom," his 29th novel and the 26th featuring Gabriel Allon, the art restorer and master spy who is pulled back into the life he thought he left behind. In Allon, Silva created one of the most popular characters in contemporary fiction. But Silva told Mary that as he's writing, he keeps his stories secret from everyone but his wife. "Ransom" centers on the disappearance of the wife of a British billionaire, melding kidnapping and global intrigue with security threats facing the world today. Silva talked with Mary about his rigorous writing habits to publish a new book every July and how he treasures meeting readers on his book tours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Daniel Silva is on a publishing streak that most authors can only dream about: all of his novels have been New York Times and international bestsellers. He talked to Mary Calvi about his latest book, "Ransom," his 29th novel and the 26th featuring Gabriel Allon, the art restorer and master spy who is pulled back into the life he thought he left behind. In Allon, Silva created one of the most popular characters in contemporary fiction. But Silva told Mary that as he's writing, he keeps his stories secret from everyone but his wife. "Ransom" centers on the disappearance of the wife of a British billionaire, melding kidnapping and global intrigue with security threats facing the world today. Silva talked with Mary about his rigorous writing habits to publish a new book every July and how he treasures meeting readers on his book tours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Daniel Silva is on a publishing streak that most authors can only dream about: all of his novels have been New York Times and international bestsellers.

He talked to Mary Calvi about his latest book, "Ransom," his 29th novel and the 26th featuring Gabriel Allon, the art restorer and master spy who is pulled back into the life he thought he left behind.

In Allon, Silva created one of the most popular characters in contemporary fiction. But Silva told Mary that as he's writing, he keeps his stories secret from everyone but his wife.

"Ransom" centers on the disappearance of the wife of a British billionaire, melding kidnapping and global intrigue with security threats facing the world today. Silva talked with Mary about his rigorous writing habits to publish a new book every July and how he treasures meeting readers on his book tours.

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]]> 1886 no Jo Piazza on "The Parisian Heist" and the woman who created the legend of Vincent Van Gogh One year before thieves in 2025 staged a brazen robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, Jo Piazza had already finished the final draft of her latest novel "The Parisian Heist." Piazza told Mary that the book was born from her love of art, her discovery of the largely forgotten woman who created the legacy of Vincent van Gogh after his death, and her love of heist movies. Piazza is known for her books including "Everyone is Lying to You," "The Sicilian Inheritance," and "We are Not Like Them." In "The Parisian Heist," she crafts a dual-timeline mystery: one story involves an art student in Paris who works as a housekeeper for a billionaire family of art dealers; the other story is 100 years early involving Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law, Jo, who, after the deaths of her husband and brother-in-law, is destitute, with hundreds of Vincent's paintings that art buyers consider worthless. Jo van Gogh shaped the legend of Vincent's life to save her family and elevate his art. Jo Piazza told Mary how her love for van Gogh's paintings led to her discovery of Jo van Gogh, and how she wanted to bring Jo van Gogh's legacy out of the shadows. ClubCalvi.com: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/book-club/ Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE PARISIAN HEIST by Jo Piazza, excerpt read by Brittany Pressley. Jo Piazza ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY One year before thieves in 2025 staged a brazen robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, Jo Piazza had already finished the final draft of her latest novel "The Parisian Heist." Piazza told Mary that the book was born from her love of art, her discovery of the largely forgotten woman who created the legacy of Vincent van Gogh after his death, and her love of heist movies. Piazza is known for her books including "Everyone is Lying to You," "The Sicilian Inheritance," and "We are Not Like Them." In "The Parisian Heist," she crafts a dual-timeline mystery: one story involves an art student in Paris who works as a housekeeper for a billionaire family of art dealers; the other story is 100 years early involving Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law, Jo, who, after the deaths of her husband and brother-in-law, is destitute, with hundreds of Vincent's paintings that art buyers consider worthless. Jo van Gogh shaped the legend of Vincent's life to save her family and elevate his art. Jo Piazza told Mary how her love for van Gogh's paintings led to her discovery of Jo van Gogh, and how she wanted to bring Jo van Gogh's legacy out of the shadows. ClubCalvi.com: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/book-club/ Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE PARISIAN HEIST by Jo Piazza, excerpt read by Brittany Pressley. Jo Piazza ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices One year before thieves in 2025 staged a brazen robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, Jo Piazza had already finished the final draft of her latest novel "The Parisian Heist." Piazza told Mary that the book was born from her love of art, her discovery of the largely forgotten woman who created the legacy of Vincent van Gogh after his death, and her love of heist movies.

Piazza is known for her books including "Everyone is Lying to You," "The Sicilian Inheritance," and "We are Not Like Them." In "The Parisian Heist," she crafts a dual-timeline mystery: one story involves an art student in Paris who works as a housekeeper for a billionaire family of art dealers; the other story is 100 years early involving Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law, Jo, who, after the deaths of her husband and brother-in-law, is destitute, with hundreds of Vincent's paintings that art buyers consider worthless.

Jo van Gogh shaped the legend of Vincent's life to save her family and elevate his art. Jo Piazza told Mary how her love for van Gogh's paintings led to her discovery of Jo van Gogh, and how she wanted to bring Jo van Gogh's legacy out of the shadows.

ClubCalvi.com: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/book-club/

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE PARISIAN HEIST by Jo Piazza, excerpt read by Brittany Pressley. Jo Piazza ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.


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]]> 1876 no Emily Giffin on "Love You More" and the seduction of second chances Emily Giffin's novels are usually among the most popular books of summer, and her new book will have readers talking. "Love You More" asks the question: if you could have a "do-over" when it comes to love, would you take it? The book is about a woman in New York City who seems to be living her perfect life, with a dream job and dream fiancé. But then she gets a phone call from her first love, and her world is turned upside down. Giffin talked with Mary about crossroads in life that force people to ask if they are living the life they chose, or the life that chose them. Giffin said she believes in true love and that circumstances change. She shared that circumstances in her own life are undergoing big changes as well. Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from LOVE YOU MORE by Emily Giffin, read by Jessica Luza. © 2026 Emily Giffin, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Emily Giffin's novels are usually among the most popular books of summer, and her new book will have readers talking. "Love You More" asks the question: if you could have a "do-over" when it comes to love, would you take it? The book is about a woman in New York City who seems to be living her perfect life, with a dream job and dream fiancé. But then she gets a phone call from her first love, and her world is turned upside down. Giffin talked with Mary about crossroads in life that force people to ask if they are living the life they chose, or the life that chose them. Giffin said she believes in true love and that circumstances change. She shared that circumstances in her own life are undergoing big changes as well. Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from LOVE YOU MORE by Emily Giffin, read by Jessica Luza. © 2026 Emily Giffin, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Emily Giffin's novels are usually among the most popular books of summer, and her new book will have readers talking. "Love You More" asks the question: if you could have a "do-over" when it comes to love, would you take it? The book is about a woman in New York City who seems to be living her perfect life, with a dream job and dream fiancé. But then she gets a phone call from her first love, and her world is turned upside down.

Giffin talked with Mary about crossroads in life that force people to ask if they are living the life they chose, or the life that chose them. Giffin said she believes in true love and that circumstances change. She shared that circumstances in her own life are undergoing big changes as well.

Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from LOVE YOU MORE by Emily Giffin, read by Jessica Luza. © 2026 Emily Giffin, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.




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]]> 1584 no "A Founding Mother" with Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie As the U.S. celebrates its 250th year of independence and its founding fathers, a new book celebrates a founding mother. Authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie talked with Mary about "A Founding Mother," their novel based on the life of Abigail Adams. She was the wife of one American president and the mother of another. As an important advisor to both men, Adams has a unique place in American history. During most of the American Revolution, Adams was alone with her children on the front lines of the war in Massachusetts. She managed the Adams farm, while also defending it. Adams was a prolific correspondent and Dray and Kamoie told Mary how they used her letters in their manuscript to allow her to speak for herself. The authors said Adams's directness surprised them. Dray and Kamoie have co-authored historical fiction novels about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, and Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter. Kamoie says Adams is a contrast to her contemporaries who are not as forthright and opinionated as Adams and that was a delight to write. Audio Excerpt from "A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams," by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. William Morrow, 2026. ClubCalvi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY As the U.S. celebrates its 250th year of independence and its founding fathers, a new book celebrates a founding mother. Authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie talked with Mary about "A Founding Mother," their novel based on the life of Abigail Adams. She was the wife of one American president and the mother of another. As an important advisor to both men, Adams has a unique place in American history. During most of the American Revolution, Adams was alone with her children on the front lines of the war in Massachusetts. She managed the Adams farm, while also defending it. Adams was a prolific correspondent and Dray and Kamoie told Mary how they used her letters in their manuscript to allow her to speak for herself. The authors said Adams's directness surprised them. Dray and Kamoie have co-authored historical fiction novels about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, and Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter. Kamoie says Adams is a contrast to her contemporaries who are not as forthright and opinionated as Adams and that was a delight to write. Audio Excerpt from "A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams," by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. William Morrow, 2026. ClubCalvi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices As the U.S. celebrates its 250th year of independence and its founding fathers, a new book celebrates a founding mother. Authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie talked with Mary about "A Founding Mother," their novel based on the life of Abigail Adams. She was the wife of one American president and the mother of another. As an important advisor to both men, Adams has a unique place in American history.

During most of the American Revolution, Adams was alone with her children on the front lines of the war in Massachusetts. She managed the Adams farm, while also defending it. Adams was a prolific correspondent and Dray and Kamoie told Mary how they used her letters in their manuscript to allow her to speak for herself. The authors said Adams's directness surprised them.

Dray and Kamoie have co-authored historical fiction novels about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, and Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter. Kamoie says Adams is a contrast to her contemporaries who are not as forthright and opinionated as Adams and that was a delight to write.


Audio Excerpt from "A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams," by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. William Morrow, 2026.


ClubCalvi.com

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]]> 1573 no Kimberly McCreight on "Someone Else's Husband" Author Kimberly McCreight is back with a thriller that takes readers inside the marriage of a wealthy couple caught in a deadly love triangle, and to an expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro that ends in tragedy. McCreight's previous book, "Like Mother, Like Daughter," was a Club Calvi Readers' Choice in 2024. She talked to Mary about her new novel "Someone Else's Husband." It is a "most anticipated book of the summer" for many publications. McCreight told Mary how her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, where she was the only woman on the expedition, inspired the book and one of the characters. McCreight also wanted to create a story that focuses on how women, specifically how 'the wife' and 'the other woman," are viewed in society. McCreight says they are often stereotyped, and she wanted to write a book where the stereotypes were not true. She did it while crafting a compelling murder mystery. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from SOMEONE ELSE'S HUSBAND by Kimberly McCreight, excerpt read by Kristen DiMercurio. Kimberly McCreight ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Author Kimberly McCreight is back with a thriller that takes readers inside the marriage of a wealthy couple caught in a deadly love triangle, and to an expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro that ends in tragedy. McCreight's previous book, "Like Mother, Like Daughter," was a Club Calvi Readers' Choice in 2024. She talked to Mary about her new novel "Someone Else's Husband." It is a "most anticipated book of the summer" for many publications. McCreight told Mary how her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, where she was the only woman on the expedition, inspired the book and one of the characters. McCreight also wanted to create a story that focuses on how women, specifically how 'the wife' and 'the other woman," are viewed in society. McCreight says they are often stereotyped, and she wanted to write a book where the stereotypes were not true. She did it while crafting a compelling murder mystery. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from SOMEONE ELSE'S HUSBAND by Kimberly McCreight, excerpt read by Kristen DiMercurio. Kimberly McCreight ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Author Kimberly McCreight is back with a thriller that takes readers inside the marriage of a wealthy couple caught in a deadly love triangle, and to an expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro that ends in tragedy.

McCreight's previous book, "Like Mother, Like Daughter," was a Club Calvi Readers' Choice in 2024. She talked to Mary about her new novel "Someone Else's Husband." It is a "most anticipated book of the summer" for many publications.

McCreight told Mary how her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, where she was the only woman on the expedition, inspired the book and one of the characters. McCreight also wanted to create a story that focuses on how women, specifically how 'the wife' and 'the other woman," are viewed in society. McCreight says they are often stereotyped, and she wanted to write a book where the stereotypes were not true. She did it while crafting a compelling murder mystery.

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from SOMEONE ELSE'S HUSBAND by Kimberly McCreight, excerpt read by Kristen DiMercurio. Kimberly McCreight ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.

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]]> 1540 no Emma Straub on "American Fantasy" and finding joy after heartache Emma Straub turned her love for a boy band into her latest New York Times bestselling book "American Fantasy." It's about a 50-year-old woman who is recently divorced, empty-nested, and having problems at work, and who travels solo on a boy-band cruise. As Straub told Mary, the character discovers "transcendence." Straub wrote the book after she went on a similar cruise to bring her joy as she healed after the death of her father, author Peter Straub. Emma Straub talks about her love of New Kids on the Block, finding bravery moving through middle age, and her love of books. Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub, read by Marin Ireland. © 2026 Emma Straub, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Emma Straub turned her love for a boy band into her latest New York Times bestselling book "American Fantasy." It's about a 50-year-old woman who is recently divorced, empty-nested, and having problems at work, and who travels solo on a boy-band cruise. As Straub told Mary, the character discovers "transcendence." Straub wrote the book after she went on a similar cruise to bring her joy as she healed after the death of her father, author Peter Straub. Emma Straub talks about her love of New Kids on the Block, finding bravery moving through middle age, and her love of books. Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub, read by Marin Ireland. © 2026 Emma Straub, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Emma Straub turned her love for a boy band into her latest New York Times bestselling book "American Fantasy." It's about a 50-year-old woman who is recently divorced, empty-nested, and having problems at work, and who travels solo on a boy-band cruise. As Straub told Mary, the character discovers "transcendence."

Straub wrote the book after she went on a similar cruise to bring her joy as she healed after the death of her father, author Peter Straub. Emma Straub talks about her love of New Kids on the Block, finding bravery moving through middle age, and her love of books.

Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub, read by Marin Ireland. © 2026 Emma Straub, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.

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]]> 1578 no Mary Kay Andrews on "Road Trip" and the power of reinvention New York Times Bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews says her books are about women reclaiming their power, discovering who they are, and who they can become. Her latest novel, "Road Trip" takes readers on a journey with two sisters, both broke, who haven't spoken in years and who are now forced together after their mother's death. A painting in their mother's home might be worth millions, and they take a trip to Ireland to solve the mystery. Andrews told Mary how she used her family history and the true-crime story of stolen paintings from a grand estate in Ireland as springboards for the book. Andrews also sprinkled in "some kissing and some killing."  She also shared that even after 34 published novels she still suffers from imposter-syndrome, believing that she will fail every time. She has trick a to overcome the self-doubt. Audio excerpt from ROAD TRIP Trip by Mary Kay Andrews Copyright © 2026 by the author and excerpted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY New York Times Bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews says her books are about women reclaiming their power, discovering who they are, and who they can become. Her latest novel, "Road Trip" takes readers on a journey with two sisters, both broke, who haven't spoken in years and who are now forced together after their mother's death. A painting in their mother's home might be worth millions, and they take a trip to Ireland to solve the mystery. Andrews told Mary how she used her family history and the true-crime story of stolen paintings from a grand estate in Ireland as springboards for the book. Andrews also sprinkled in "some kissing and some killing."  She also shared that even after 34 published novels she still suffers from imposter-syndrome, believing that she will fail every time. She has trick a to overcome the self-doubt. Audio excerpt from ROAD TRIP Trip by Mary Kay Andrews Copyright © 2026 by the author and excerpted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices New York Times Bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews says her books are about women reclaiming their power, discovering who they are, and who they can become.

Her latest novel, "Road Trip" takes readers on a journey with two sisters, both broke, who haven't spoken in years and who are now forced together after their mother's death. A painting in their mother's home might be worth millions, and they take a trip to Ireland to solve the mystery.

Andrews told Mary how she used her family history and the true-crime story of stolen paintings from a grand estate in Ireland as springboards for the book. Andrews also sprinkled in "some kissing and some killing." 

She also shared that even after 34 published novels she still suffers from imposter-syndrome, believing that she will fail every time. She has trick a to overcome the self-doubt. Audio excerpt from ROAD TRIP Trip by Mary Kay Andrews Copyright © 2026 by the author and excerpted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group

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]]> 1587 no Fiona Davis on the Met Gala, Ancient Egypt, and "The Stolen Queen" (February 2025) Fiona Davis brings the forgotten histories and dramatic stories of iconic New York City buildings to life in her historical fiction novels. Among her books, she's written about Radio City Music hall in "The Spectacular," the Frick mansion in "The Magnolia Palace," and the New York Public Library in "The Lions of Fifth Avenue." Her latest book "The Stolen Queen," a dual timeline set in the Metropolitan Museum as it readies for a Met Gala in the 1970s, and in Egypt in the 1930s, was a 2025 Club Calvi Readers' Choice. Now, the New York Times bestseller is out in paperback. Mary talked to Davis about her road to becoming a published author, with stops along the way working as an actress and a journalist, and why New York City is an enduring inspiration. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis, read by Linda Jones. © Fiona Davis ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Fiona Davis brings the forgotten histories and dramatic stories of iconic New York City buildings to life in her historical fiction novels. Among her books, she's written about Radio City Music hall in "The Spectacular," the Frick mansion in "The Magnolia Palace," and the New York Public Library in "The Lions of Fifth Avenue." Her latest book "The Stolen Queen," a dual timeline set in the Metropolitan Museum as it readies for a Met Gala in the 1970s, and in Egypt in the 1930s, was a 2025 Club Calvi Readers' Choice. Now, the New York Times bestseller is out in paperback. Mary talked to Davis about her road to becoming a published author, with stops along the way working as an actress and a journalist, and why New York City is an enduring inspiration. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis, read by Linda Jones. © Fiona Davis ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fiona Davis brings the forgotten histories and dramatic stories of iconic New York City buildings to life in her historical fiction novels. Among her books, she's written about Radio City Music hall in "The Spectacular," the Frick mansion in "The Magnolia Palace," and the New York Public Library in "The Lions of Fifth Avenue."

Her latest book "The Stolen Queen," a dual timeline set in the Metropolitan Museum as it readies for a Met Gala in the 1970s, and in Egypt in the 1930s, was a 2025 Club Calvi Readers' Choice. Now, the New York Times bestseller is out in paperback.

Mary talked to Davis about her road to becoming a published author, with stops along the way working as an actress and a journalist, and why New York City is an enduring inspiration.

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis, read by Linda Jones. © Fiona Davis ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC.

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]]> 1186 no Eloisa James on romance, revisions, and "The Last Lady B" Eloisa James has been called a "Reigning Queen of Romance," and she certainly has had one of the most interesting day jobs in the industry. James is the author of dozens of historical romances, many of them hitting bestseller lists. She told Mary that she wrote her books on the weekends because on weekdays she was a professor teaching Shakespeare at Fordham University in New York City. James talked to Mary about tough sessions with her editor, the romances she likes to read, and why her latest book, "The Last Lady B," is a big change from her previous works.  Copyright © 2026 by Eloisa James, Inc.. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook The Last Lady B, read by Mary Jane Wells, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Eloisa James has been called a "Reigning Queen of Romance," and she certainly has had one of the most interesting day jobs in the industry. James is the author of dozens of historical romances, many of them hitting bestseller lists. She told Mary that she wrote her books on the weekends because on weekdays she was a professor teaching Shakespeare at Fordham University in New York City. James talked to Mary about tough sessions with her editor, the romances she likes to read, and why her latest book, "The Last Lady B," is a big change from her previous works.  Copyright © 2026 by Eloisa James, Inc.. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook The Last Lady B, read by Mary Jane Wells, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Eloisa James has been called a "Reigning Queen of Romance," and she certainly has had one of the most interesting day jobs in the industry. James is the author of dozens of historical romances, many of them hitting bestseller lists. She told Mary that she wrote her books on the weekends because on weekdays she was a professor teaching Shakespeare at Fordham University in New York City.

James talked to Mary about tough sessions with her editor, the romances she likes to read, and why her latest book, "The Last Lady B," is a big change from her previous works. 


Copyright © 2026 by Eloisa James, Inc.. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook The Last Lady B, read by Mary Jane Wells, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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]]> 1676 no Lisa Unger on "Served Him Right" & advice for aspiring authors Bestselling author Lisa Unger has an opinion about authors and social media that she admits might generate pushback. She has a rare background for a published author. Before her first book contract, Unger spent years working in publishing, in publicity, helping authors spread the word about their books. She shared with Mary her advice for aspiring authors, how she discovers her characters as she's writing them on the page, being an introvert, and the inspiration for her latest book, the instant bestseller, "Served Him Right." Audiobook excerpted from "Served Him Right" by Lisa Unger, Copyright © 2026 by Lisa Unger Published by Park Row Books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Bestselling author Lisa Unger has an opinion about authors and social media that she admits might generate pushback. She has a rare background for a published author. Before her first book contract, Unger spent years working in publishing, in publicity, helping authors spread the word about their books. She shared with Mary her advice for aspiring authors, how she discovers her characters as she's writing them on the page, being an introvert, and the inspiration for her latest book, the instant bestseller, "Served Him Right." Audiobook excerpted from "Served Him Right" by Lisa Unger, Copyright © 2026 by Lisa Unger Published by Park Row Books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Bestselling author Lisa Unger has an opinion about authors and social media that she admits might generate pushback. She has a rare background for a published author.

Before her first book contract, Unger spent years working in publishing, in publicity, helping authors spread the word about their books. She shared with Mary her advice for aspiring authors, how she discovers her characters as she's writing them on the page, being an introvert, and the inspiration for her latest book, the instant bestseller, "Served Him Right." Audiobook excerpted from "Served Him Right" by Lisa Unger, Copyright © 2026 by Lisa Unger Published by Park Row Books.

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]]> 1408 no Daria Lavelle on her debut novel "Aftertaste" (July 2025) Daria Lavelle's debut novel "Aftertaste," a Club Calvi Readers' Choice in the summer of 2025, is a haunting story of a New York City chef whose foods can bring ghosts back from the afterlife for one last meal with their loved ones. The chef opens a restaurant serving closure, but it causes chaos. If you missed reading the book in hardcover, it's now out in paperback. Daria talked to Mary about how her Ukrainian heritage is sprinkled throughout the book and how she landed her book contract. Audio excerpt Copyright © 2025 by Daria Lavelle. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook Aftertaste: A Novel by Daria Lavelle, read by Ari Fliakos, Tessa Albertson, André Santana, and Kristen Sieh published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Daria Lavelle's debut novel "Aftertaste," a Club Calvi Readers' Choice in the summer of 2025, is a haunting story of a New York City chef whose foods can bring ghosts back from the afterlife for one last meal with their loved ones. The chef opens a restaurant serving closure, but it causes chaos. If you missed reading the book in hardcover, it's now out in paperback. Daria talked to Mary about how her Ukrainian heritage is sprinkled throughout the book and how she landed her book contract. Audio excerpt Copyright © 2025 by Daria Lavelle. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook Aftertaste: A Novel by Daria Lavelle, read by Ari Fliakos, Tessa Albertson, André Santana, and Kristen Sieh published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Daria Lavelle's debut novel "Aftertaste," a Club Calvi Readers' Choice in the summer of 2025, is a haunting story of a New York City chef whose foods can bring ghosts back from the afterlife for one last meal with their loved ones. The chef opens a restaurant serving closure, but it causes chaos.

If you missed reading the book in hardcover, it's now out in paperback. Daria talked to Mary about how her Ukrainian heritage is sprinkled throughout the book and how she landed her book contract.

Audio excerpt Copyright © 2025 by Daria Lavelle. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook Aftertaste: A Novel by Daria Lavelle, read by Ari Fliakos, Tessa Albertson, André Santana, and Kristen Sieh published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.


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]]> 863 no Laurie Gilmore on "The Daisy Chain Flower Shop" & Dream Harbor New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore says she never dreamed of becoming an author. The first thought of writing a story came to her while she was pushing her children on a swing. While that story was not published, Gilmore's first book in her small-town Dream Harbor series, "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe," became a social media sensation. Gilmore talked to Mary about the latest book in the series "The Daisy Chain Flower Shop," and how behind the sweet and cozy covers of her books she sprinkles spice in the pages. Audio excerpt from THE DAISY CHAIN FLOWER SHOP by Laurie Gilmore. Copyright 2026. Published by HarperCollinsPublishers. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore says she never dreamed of becoming an author. The first thought of writing a story came to her while she was pushing her children on a swing. While that story was not published, Gilmore's first book in her small-town Dream Harbor series, "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe," became a social media sensation. Gilmore talked to Mary about the latest book in the series "The Daisy Chain Flower Shop," and how behind the sweet and cozy covers of her books she sprinkles spice in the pages. Audio excerpt from THE DAISY CHAIN FLOWER SHOP by Laurie Gilmore. Copyright 2026. Published by HarperCollinsPublishers. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore says she never dreamed of becoming an author. The first thought of writing a story came to her while she was pushing her children on a swing. While that story was not published, Gilmore's first book in her small-town Dream Harbor series, "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe," became a social media sensation.

Gilmore talked to Mary about the latest book in the series "The Daisy Chain Flower Shop," and how behind the sweet and cozy covers of her books she sprinkles spice in the pages.
Audio excerpt from THE DAISY CHAIN FLOWER SHOP by Laurie Gilmore. Copyright 2026. Published by HarperCollinsPublishers. All rights reserved.

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]]> 1298 no Tiffany L. Warren on "A Harlem Wedding" Tiffany L. Warren is bringing to light the little-known story of love, scandal, and coming of age for the woman who was the most famous Black debutante of the Harlem Renaissance in a new novel "A Harlem Wedding." As the daughter of civil rights icon W.E.B. Du Bois, Yolande Du Bois was at the top of Harlem's elite. The local newspapers tracked her movements. Her father dictated every aspect of her life, but they clashed about her love life. While Yolande loved one man, she married the man her father chose for her. Warren told Mary that while Yolande's wedding to famous poet Countee Cullen was a social event of the year, the marriage was doomed from the start. Warren also talked about the surprising finds in her research. Audio excerpt courtesy of William Morrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Tiffany L. Warren is bringing to light the little-known story of love, scandal, and coming of age for the woman who was the most famous Black debutante of the Harlem Renaissance in a new novel "A Harlem Wedding." As the daughter of civil rights icon W.E.B. Du Bois, Yolande Du Bois was at the top of Harlem's elite. The local newspapers tracked her movements. Her father dictated every aspect of her life, but they clashed about her love life. While Yolande loved one man, she married the man her father chose for her. Warren told Mary that while Yolande's wedding to famous poet Countee Cullen was a social event of the year, the marriage was doomed from the start. Warren also talked about the surprising finds in her research. Audio excerpt courtesy of William Morrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tiffany L. Warren is bringing to light the little-known story of love, scandal, and coming of age for the woman who was the most famous Black debutante of the Harlem Renaissance in a new novel "A Harlem Wedding." As the daughter of civil rights icon W.E.B. Du Bois, Yolande Du Bois was at the top of Harlem's elite. The local newspapers tracked her movements. Her father dictated every aspect of her life, but they clashed about her love life. While Yolande loved one man, she married the man her father chose for her.

Warren told Mary that while Yolande's wedding to famous poet Countee Cullen was a social event of the year, the marriage was doomed from the start. Warren also talked about the surprising finds in her research.

Audio excerpt courtesy of William Morrow.

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]]> 664 no  Adriana Trigiani on "The View from Lake Como" (Aug. 2025) Club Calvi is celebrating the paperback publication of "The View from Lake Como" by Adriana Trigiani, a Club Calvi 2025 Readers' Choice. The hardcover edition was an instant New York Times bestseller. The novel is about Giuseppina, a dutiful daughter in Lake Como, New Jersey, who is recently divorced and living in her parents' basement. When her family suffers an unexpected loss, she moves to Italy to carve a new life and possible love for herself. Mary and Adriana met up at Patsy's Italian Restaurant, a New York culinary institution, to talk about their shared experiences growing up in an Italian family, and how Giuseppina came to life on the pages of the book. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO by Adriana Trigiani, read by Mira Sorvino. © Adriana Trigiani ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Club Calvi is celebrating the paperback publication of "The View from Lake Como" by Adriana Trigiani, a Club Calvi 2025 Readers' Choice. The hardcover edition was an instant New York Times bestseller. The novel is about Giuseppina, a dutiful daughter in Lake Como, New Jersey, who is recently divorced and living in her parents' basement. When her family suffers an unexpected loss, she moves to Italy to carve a new life and possible love for herself. Mary and Adriana met up at Patsy's Italian Restaurant, a New York culinary institution, to talk about their shared experiences growing up in an Italian family, and how Giuseppina came to life on the pages of the book. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO by Adriana Trigiani, read by Mira Sorvino. © Adriana Trigiani ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Club Calvi is celebrating the paperback publication of "The View from Lake Como" by Adriana Trigiani, a Club Calvi 2025 Readers' Choice.

The hardcover edition was an instant New York Times bestseller. The novel is about Giuseppina, a dutiful daughter in Lake Como, New Jersey, who is recently divorced and living in her parents' basement. When her family suffers an unexpected loss, she moves to Italy to carve a new life and possible love for herself.

Mary and Adriana met up at Patsy's Italian Restaurant, a New York culinary institution, to talk about their shared experiences growing up in an Italian family, and how Giuseppina came to life on the pages of the book.

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO by Adriana Trigiani, read by Mira Sorvino. © Adriana Trigiani ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.

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]]> 1414 no Susan & James Patterson on "The Mother-Daughter Book Club" James Patterson is perhaps the most popular author of our time with more than 300 million books sold worldwide. He includes Dolly Parton and Viola Davis among his co-authors, but Susan Patterson holds a special place. After nearly 30 years of marriage, James and Susan have released their new novel "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." It's about the reunion of four friends and their daughters in Italy to talk about books, life, and secrets. Susan told Mary how she and James came up with the story, and their trip to Lake Como to live the experiences in the book. James shared the motto that's been driving him for the last few years and how writing with his wife is a beautiful thing. Audiobook used with permission from James and Susan Patterson and Hachette Audio, all rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY James Patterson is perhaps the most popular author of our time with more than 300 million books sold worldwide. He includes Dolly Parton and Viola Davis among his co-authors, but Susan Patterson holds a special place. After nearly 30 years of marriage, James and Susan have released their new novel "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." It's about the reunion of four friends and their daughters in Italy to talk about books, life, and secrets. Susan told Mary how she and James came up with the story, and their trip to Lake Como to live the experiences in the book. James shared the motto that's been driving him for the last few years and how writing with his wife is a beautiful thing. Audiobook used with permission from James and Susan Patterson and Hachette Audio, all rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices James Patterson is perhaps the most popular author of our time with more than 300 million books sold worldwide. He includes Dolly Parton and Viola Davis among his co-authors, but Susan Patterson holds a special place.

After nearly 30 years of marriage, James and Susan have released their new novel "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." It's about the reunion of four friends and their daughters in Italy to talk about books, life, and secrets.

Susan told Mary how she and James came up with the story, and their trip to Lake Como to live the experiences in the book. James shared the motto that's been driving him for the last few years and how writing with his wife is a beautiful thing.

Audiobook used with permission from James and Susan Patterson and Hachette Audio, all rights reserved.


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]]> 1467 no Marie Benedict on fierce women, forgotten legacies Bestselling author Marie Benedict has traveled the world for her research into women who have left behind crucial legacies, but their stories have largely been forgotten. Her latest book "Daughter of Egypt," a New York Times bestseller, uses two timelines and two points of view to reimagine the lives of two women: Lady Evelyn Herbert, who was crucial in discovery of King Tut's tomb, and Hatshepsut, who was a powerful female Pharoah of ancient Egypt. Benedict told Mary that these women, and all the women she brings to light in her books, share three qualities. Audiobook Credit: Macmillan Audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Bestselling author Marie Benedict has traveled the world for her research into women who have left behind crucial legacies, but their stories have largely been forgotten. Her latest book "Daughter of Egypt," a New York Times bestseller, uses two timelines and two points of view to reimagine the lives of two women: Lady Evelyn Herbert, who was crucial in discovery of King Tut's tomb, and Hatshepsut, who was a powerful female Pharoah of ancient Egypt. Benedict told Mary that these women, and all the women she brings to light in her books, share three qualities. Audiobook Credit: Macmillan Audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Bestselling author Marie Benedict has traveled the world for her research into women who have left behind crucial legacies, but their stories have largely been forgotten.

Her latest book "Daughter of Egypt," a New York Times bestseller, uses two timelines and two points of view to reimagine the lives of two women: Lady Evelyn Herbert, who was crucial in discovery of King Tut's tomb, and Hatshepsut, who was a powerful female Pharoah of ancient Egypt.

Benedict told Mary that these women, and all the women she brings to light in her books, share three qualities.

Audiobook Credit: Macmillan Audio



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]]> 1964 no Terri-Lynne DeFino on "Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" (June 2025) To mark the paperback publication of "Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" Club Calvi is sharing its meetup with author Terri-Lynne DeFino from June 2025 when she talked to Mary Calvi and answered readers' questions. "Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" is a story of second chances and redemption. It's about a woman who was once a celebrity chef and reigned over the culinary world until she lost everything and vanished from public life. She meets a young cook and takes him under her wing. They share a love of food and troubled pasts. DeFino talked about how her love of cooking shows, and her son's battle with addiction, inspired the book. Audiobook Credit: William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY To mark the paperback publication of "Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" Club Calvi is sharing its meetup with author Terri-Lynne DeFino from June 2025 when she talked to Mary Calvi and answered readers' questions. "Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" is a story of second chances and redemption. It's about a woman who was once a celebrity chef and reigned over the culinary world until she lost everything and vanished from public life. She meets a young cook and takes him under her wing. They share a love of food and troubled pasts. DeFino talked about how her love of cooking shows, and her son's battle with addiction, inspired the book. Audiobook Credit: William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices To mark the paperback publication of "Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" Club Calvi is sharing its meetup with author Terri-Lynne DeFino from June 2025 when she talked to Mary Calvi and answered readers' questions.

"Didn't You Use to be Queenie B?" is a story of second chances and redemption. It's about a woman who was once a celebrity chef and reigned over the culinary world until she lost everything and vanished from public life. She meets a young cook and takes him under her wing. They share a love of food and troubled pasts.

DeFino talked about how her love of cooking shows, and her son's battle with addiction, inspired the book. Audiobook Credit: William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

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]]> 967 no Sadeqa Johnson on "Keeper of Lost Children" Sadeqa Johnson's historical fiction novels have shared the emotional stories of Black women navigating love and motherhood in the 1950s with the book "The House of Eve," and the story of an enslaved young woman trapped in a notorious jail in Richmond, Virginia in the 1800s in "Yellow Wife." Mary Calvi talked to Johnson about her latest book "Keeper of Lost Children," which is based on the woman who found homes for abandoned mixed-race children of Black American GIs and German women during World War II. Johnson and Mary discussed the reasons why these children were left in orphanages, and why Johnson believes their story found her. Copyright © 2026 by Sadeqa Johnson. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, read by Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton, Adam Lazarre-White, and Sadeqa Johnson, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Sadeqa Johnson's historical fiction novels have shared the emotional stories of Black women navigating love and motherhood in the 1950s with the book "The House of Eve," and the story of an enslaved young woman trapped in a notorious jail in Richmond, Virginia in the 1800s in "Yellow Wife." Mary Calvi talked to Johnson about her latest book "Keeper of Lost Children," which is based on the woman who found homes for abandoned mixed-race children of Black American GIs and German women during World War II. Johnson and Mary discussed the reasons why these children were left in orphanages, and why Johnson believes their story found her. Copyright © 2026 by Sadeqa Johnson. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, read by Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton, Adam Lazarre-White, and Sadeqa Johnson, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sadeqa Johnson's historical fiction novels have shared the emotional stories of Black women navigating love and motherhood in the 1950s with the book "The House of Eve," and the story of an enslaved young woman trapped in a notorious jail in Richmond, Virginia in the 1800s in "Yellow Wife."

Mary Calvi talked to Johnson about her latest book "Keeper of Lost Children," which is based on the woman who found homes for abandoned mixed-race children of Black American GIs and German women during World War II.

Johnson and Mary discussed the reasons why these children were left in orphanages, and why Johnson believes their story found her.

Copyright © 2026 by Sadeqa Johnson. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, read by Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton, Adam Lazarre-White, and Sadeqa Johnson, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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]]> 601 no Wade Rouse on "That's What Friends Are For" Wade Rouse is known to readers for the 13 books he wrote under his pen name Viola Shipman, which honors the legacy of his grandmother. "That's What Friends Are For" is his first novel under his own name, and he told Mary it's his most personal novel yet. The book, based on the classic TV show "The Golden Girls," is about four gay men of a certain age who share Zsa Zsa Gabor's mansion in Palm Springs, but not all their secrets. Wade told Mary that the history of these men, and others over the age of 60, is relevant today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Wade Rouse is known to readers for the 13 books he wrote under his pen name Viola Shipman, which honors the legacy of his grandmother. "That's What Friends Are For" is his first novel under his own name, and he told Mary it's his most personal novel yet. The book, based on the classic TV show "The Golden Girls," is about four gay men of a certain age who share Zsa Zsa Gabor's mansion in Palm Springs, but not all their secrets. Wade told Mary that the history of these men, and others over the age of 60, is relevant today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wade Rouse is known to readers for the 13 books he wrote under his pen name Viola Shipman, which honors the legacy of his grandmother. "That's What Friends Are For" is his first novel under his own name, and he told Mary it's his most personal novel yet.

The book, based on the classic TV show "The Golden Girls," is about four gay men of a certain age who share Zsa Zsa Gabor's mansion in Palm Springs, but not all their secrets. Wade told Mary that the history of these men, and others over the age of 60, is relevant today.


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]]> 590 no Allison Pataki on "It Girl," fame, and scandal Allison Pataki is known for historical fiction focused on women. Her latest novel, "It Girl," reimagines the life of perhaps the most famous woman at the turn of the 20th century. Evelyn Nesbit was discovered when she was barely a teenager. She became a celebrity, with women wanting to be her and men wanting to be with her. She soon found herself at the center of "The Crime of the Century" murder trial. Pataki says she was haunted by her research, discovering a woman exploited for her beauty who was also resilient. You can read an excerpt from "It Girl" and get the book at ClubCalvi.com Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from It Girl by Allison Pataki, read by Barrie Kreinik. © 2026 Allison Pataki, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY Allison Pataki is known for historical fiction focused on women. Her latest novel, "It Girl," reimagines the life of perhaps the most famous woman at the turn of the 20th century. Evelyn Nesbit was discovered when she was barely a teenager. She became a celebrity, with women wanting to be her and men wanting to be with her. She soon found herself at the center of "The Crime of the Century" murder trial. Pataki says she was haunted by her research, discovering a woman exploited for her beauty who was also resilient. You can read an excerpt from "It Girl" and get the book at ClubCalvi.com Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from It Girl by Allison Pataki, read by Barrie Kreinik. © 2026 Allison Pataki, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Allison Pataki is known for historical fiction focused on women. Her latest novel, "It Girl," reimagines the life of perhaps the most famous woman at the turn of the 20th century. Evelyn Nesbit was discovered when she was barely a teenager. She became a celebrity, with women wanting to be her and men wanting to be with her. She soon found herself at the center of "The Crime of the Century" murder trial. Pataki says she was haunted by her research, discovering a woman exploited for her beauty who was also resilient. You can read an excerpt from "It Girl" and get the book at ClubCalvi.com

Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from It Girl by Allison Pataki, read by Barrie Kreinik. © 2026 Allison Pataki, ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.


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]]> 957 no J.R. Ward on romantasy & ghosts After 20 years of the bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series, J.R. Ward is taking a detour from vampires falling in love and fighting evil in upstate New York with her first romantasy. "Crown of War and Shadow" became an instant New York Times bestseller. Ward told Mary that she came up with the idea for the book, as a backup for the Black Dagger Brotherhood, two decades ago. She dives into her process, which she doesn't call writing, her commitment to her readers, and how the hero of "Crown of War and Shadow" appeared to her in a vision, big, brooding, and ready for battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full CBS News NY After 20 years of the bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series, J.R. Ward is taking a detour from vampires falling in love and fighting evil in upstate New York with her first romantasy. "Crown of War and Shadow" became an instant New York Times bestseller. Ward told Mary that she came up with the idea for the book, as a backup for the Black Dagger Brotherhood, two decades ago. She dives into her process, which she doesn't call writing, her commitment to her readers, and how the hero of "Crown of War and Shadow" appeared to her in a vision, big, brooding, and ready for battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices After 20 years of the bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series, J.R. Ward is taking a detour from vampires falling in love and fighting evil in upstate New York with her first romantasy. "Crown of War and Shadow" became an instant New York Times bestseller. Ward told Mary that she came up with the idea for the book, as a backup for the Black Dagger Brotherhood, two decades ago. She dives into her process, which she doesn't call writing, her commitment to her readers, and how the hero of "Crown of War and Shadow" appeared to her in a vision, big, brooding, and ready for battle.

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]]> 1184 no Introducing: Club Calvi CBS New York Welcome to Club Calvi, a new series from the book club where you get to choose which book we read next. Each week, host Mary Calvi talks to authors who are established and those we think should be on your radar. The conversations explore writing inspirations, rituals, and routines, achievements and challenges to becoming published, and advice for aspiring authors. Book lovers also share their favorite reads. Join Mary and Club Calvi to discover your next reading adventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0000 trailer CBS News NY Welcome to Club Calvi, a new series from the book club where you get to choose which book we read next. Each week, host Mary Calvi talks to authors who are established and those we think should be on your radar. The conversations explore writing inspirations, rituals, and routines, achievements and challenges to becoming published, and advice for aspiring authors. Book lovers also share their favorite reads. Join Mary and Club Calvi to discover your next reading adventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Welcome to Club Calvi, a new series from the book club where you get to choose which book we read next. Each week, host Mary Calvi talks to authors who are established and those we think should be on your radar. The conversations explore writing inspirations, rituals, and routines, achievements and challenges to becoming published, and advice for aspiring authors. Book lovers also share their favorite reads. Join Mary and Club Calvi to discover your next reading adventure.

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