Books, Beach, & Beyond

Elin Hilderbrand, Tim Talks Books, N Magazine

Join Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 30 titles and the “Queen of the Beach Reads,” and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of the popular Tim Talks Books, as they talk shop and host spirited discussions with special guests from bestselling and internationally recognized authors, to publishing industry insiders, to local island legends who feature prominently in Hilderbrand’s prolific Nantucket stories. From what it’s like to take a book to the screen to the intricacies and intimate details of an author’s writing process, Hilderbrand and Ehrenberg take listeners on an exciting (and amusing) journey each episode, bringing books to life in a brand-new way in this podcast presented by N Magazine. A special thank you to our Season 1 Premier Sponsors:Nantucket Book Partners, Marine Home Center, The Nantucket Hotel, Cartolina, and Nantucket Looms.

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Welcome to Books, Beach, & Beyond

Welcome to Books, Beach, & Beyond

Join Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 30 titles and the “Queen of the Beach Reads,” and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of the popular Tim Talks Books, as they talk shop and host spirited discussions with special guests from bestselling and internationally recognized authors, to publishing industry insiders, to local island legends who feature prominently in Hilderbrand’s prolific Nantucket stories. From what it’s like to take a book to the screen to the intricacies and intimate details of an author’s writing process, Hilderbrand and Ehrenberg take listeners on an exciting (and amusing) journey each episode, bringing books to life in a brand-new way in this podcast presented by N Magazine.

This episode features one of Elin and Tim’s favorite writers and friends, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Mad Honey, Wish You Were Here, and My Sister’s Keeper , Jodi Picoult! Jodi discusses writing from both perspectives of a controversial issue, her twist endings and intense research process, and co-writing with Samantha Van Leer and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Elin and Jodi dig into their decisions around narrative voice in their stories and their relationships and online interactions with readers, and the three discuss current book banning in America. It’s another chat where you feel like you’re having coffee with your three best friends!

September is still summer in our books, and there is still plenty of time to put a couple more "beach reads" in your beach bags. Our latest guest is Sunny Hostin, the 3x Emmy Award-winning co-host of ABC’s “The View” and the New York Times best-selling author of Summer on the Bluffs and Summer on Sag Harbor. Sunny discusses her memoir, I Am These Truths, and how writing it helped form her identity, as well as talking about her novels and how place acts as a character. Recommendations, events, and tips for visiting both Oak Bluffs and Sag Harbor are sprinkled throughout the episode, as well as Sunny's view on being famous before publishing books and whether or not she reads her online reviews.

CNN Anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper joins Elin Hilderbrand and Tim Ehrenberg to report on his new novel, All the Demons Are Here. They start by discussing growing up in the 80's in Philadelphia, Jake’s origin story as a journalist-turned-novelist, the turbulent year of 1977 (in which his newest thriller takes place), reporting on news today while writing about the past, and how music is used to set the scene in literature. Does Jake Tapper sing in this episode? You will have to listen to find out. Writing tips and reading recommendations punctuate this thrilling episode with one of the lead reporters of our time.

Episode 4 brings us the incredible writing talent that is Ann Patchett, an "auto-buy" author for our hosts and the 2023 National Humanities Medal recipient for "putting into words the beauty, pain and complexity of human nature." The three start their conversation by diving into Elin and Ann's respective years at the Iowa Writers' Workshop before exploring Ann's writing process, her friendship with Lucy Grealy, and her ability to nail human relationships on the page. They also discuss the release of Ann's latest novel Tom Lake, as well as Ann's favorite writers and what it's like owning Parnassus Books in Nashville.

Jenna Bush Hager

Jenna Bush Hager

Episode 3 brings us the incredible reading icon and passionate bookworm that is Jenna Bush Hager, author and the face of The Today Show’s Read with Jenna. The conversation is ripe with reading recommendations, and Elin and Tim ask all the insider questions of how Read with Jenna came about, how she chooses the titles each month, and some of her favorites over the last 4.5 years. They dive into raising children to be readers, Jenna’s writing life, and what she hopes people 200 years in the future will take away from the Read with Jenna selections. This episode is truly one for the books!

In this episode, Elin and Tim speak with the incomparable Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale, Firefly Lane, and The Four Winds. Kristin discusses her origin story (did you know she wrote a novel with her mom that will never be published?) and the three chat about crying while reading books, labels in literature, "blurbing" other authors’ books, characters pushed to the extremes, Hollywood adaptations, and more. It’s a real deep dive into this beloved writer’s world!

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Buckle up for an entertaining and profound talk with best-selling sensation Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Carrie Soto is Back. Elin, Tim, and Taylor discuss creating iconic characters, the price of celebrity as a writer, juggling family and career, and so much more. You don’t want to miss this one - it’s laugh out loud funny and full of heart!

Introducing... Books, Beach, & Beyond

Introducing... Books, Beach, & Beyond

Welcome to Books, Beach, & Beyond! In this introductory episode, Elin and Tim have a "five-star chat" with Elin’s agent, Michael Carlisle of Inkwell Management, and her editor, Judy Clain of Little, Brown. The four reflect on Elin’s career, the editing process, the book business, and Elin’s newly released 30th book, The Five-Star Weekend. Tune in for a real insider’s dive into the team behind Elin's literary life.

Welcome to Books, Beach, & Beyond

Welcome to Books, Beach, & Beyond

Join Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 30 titles and the “Queen of the Beach Reads,” and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of the popular Tim Talks Books, as they talk shop and host spirited discussions with special guests from bestselling and internationally recognized authors, to publishing industry insiders, to local island legends who feature prominently in Hilderbrand’s prolific Nantucket stories. From what it’s like to take a book to the screen to the intricacies and intimate details of an author’s writing process, Hilderbrand and Ehrenberg take listeners on an exciting (and amusing) journey each episode, bringing books to life in a brand-new way in this podcast presented by N Magazine.