Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Did you see M.J. Rose's "The Witch of Painted Sorrows" in this week's People magazine. Now, you can hear what M.J. herself has to say about the book. WESB.com/listen . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Last week marked 20 years since the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. It was June 17, 1994, that the nation was captivated as Al Cowlings drove suspect OJ Simpson along the 405 highway to his home in what became known as the slow-speed chase. ~~~ October 3, 1995. The shocking outcome of the O.J. Simpson trial leaves a nation divided. July 5, 2011. Casey Anthony walks free despite being convicted by millions on cable news and social media. There are times when something as supposedly simple as a just verdict rises to the level of cultural touchstone. Often these moments hinge on logic that seems flawed and inexplicable—until now. In Acquittal, leading trial consultant Richard Gabriel explains how some of the most controversial verdicts in recent times came to be. You can hear my interview with Gabriel here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

If you've missed Sunday Book Talk, first of all I'd like to say, "Bless your heart!" Second, Sunday Book Talk is not gone really. It's new and improved with a new home and a new name: Besides author interviews, the new site includes book reviews by me, news about authors and their books and so much more. Feel free to comment and make suggestions. I welcome any input you may have. The site will also be updated more than one day a week because I have so many interviews with authors coming up. For example, next week alone I have Sue Monk Kidd and Robin Cook! So, join Anne's Book Club. Just like radio it's free and easy to use. Anne's Book Club And keep reading. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Because I have so many author interviews already this year I have decided to move and expand Book Talk to Anne's Book Club . Now it includes not only author interviews but reviews, special book offers and more. Tomorrow I will be adding an interview with Jim Pransky, a scout with the Tampa Bay Rays who has written a book about Josh Rabe and Port Allegany/Potter County's Josh Kinney. He'll be my guest on WESB's LiveLine and I'm looking forward to speaking with him. Also tomorrow I'll be speaking with Chang-rae Lee, author of "On Such a Full Sea." So, check out Anne's Book Club . It's free and easy to use, just like radio.

Fiction: Poison Pill by Glenn Kaplan Non-Fiction: Soul Proof by Dr. Mark Pitstick Book Review: Someone by Alice McDermott "Poison Pill" is one of those novels that has just about everything: mystery, intrigue, backstabbing, corporate greed, love ... and even a little teen angst. You can hear Glenn Kaplan talk about his book here . In this week's non-fiction selection, "Soul Proof," Dr. Mark Pitstick shows proof that there really is an afterlife. Listen to Dr. Pitstick here . This week's book review is for Alice McDermott's "Someone," which captures an ordinary person's life from childhood through old age in a way that makes her seem so much more than ordinary by the end of the book. Read the review here .

"Appointments: A Novel of Life in Our Nation's Capital" centers on an Alabama senator who relentlessly pursues his dream of becoming the South's first white Supreme Court Justice in decades. His quest takes us through the tangled web of Washington and national politics. Author David Carmell is a Washington lawyer whose varied career includes experience as a lobbyist, law professor, and political appointee in State and Federal governments. You can hear my conversation with David Carmell here . This week's non-fiction selection is "Let Hope In" by Pete Wilson. Pastor Wilson writes about four choices that will change your life forever. You can hear our conversation here This week's review is "The Silver Star" by Jeannette Walls. You can read it here . Remember you can go to the Bradford Area Public Library any time you need a new book to read. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Just in time for Halloween author Andrew Klavan talks about his book "Nightmare City." Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

This week's fiction book is "The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo" by Kerrelyn Sparks. Listen here: The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo This week's non-fiction book is "Letters to President Clinton" by Rabbi Menachem Genack, which chronicles the relationship the two men started before Bill Clinton was elected president and continues to this day. Listen here: Letters to President Clinton . This week's book review is "Doctor Sleep" by Stephen King. Read it here . Remember, you can find any book featured here -- or any book at all -- at the Bradford Area Public Library The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fiction: Love Rehab, A Novel in Twelve Steps Non-Fiction: Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks Book Review: Night Film Jo Piazza has written one of those rare novels -- the kind that make the reader laugh out loud. Anyone who has ever gone through a bad breakup will relate to Sophie, and probably be annoyed by her at first. But then she figures out a way to bring herself out of her funk. The entire process, though, will keeping you laughing and, more than likely, nodding your head as if to say, "Yeah, I know how ya feel, girlfriend." Listen to my talk with Jo Piazza here . This week's non-fiction selection is "Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks: One CEO's Quest for Meaning and Authenticity" by August Turak. Listen here . This week's book review is for "Night Film" by Marisha Pessl. Read here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fiction: Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye Non-Fiction: The Other Talk by Tim Prosch Book Review: The Aviator's Wife Sunday Book Talk returns with a couple of new features. First, in addition to a talk with a fiction author we'll be speaking with a non-fiction writer. We're also adding book reviews. We start the fall season with Lyndsay Faye's "Seven for a Secret", which takes readers back to the very beginning of the New York City Police Department. In the second installment of her "Gods of Gotham" series, Faye spins a tale about the "collaring" of runaway slaves. Listen: Seven for a Secret Our non-fiction selection is "The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with Your Adult Children About the Rest of Your Life." Listen: The Other Talk We've chosen "The Aviator's Wife" for our book review because it's this year's One Book Bradford selection. Book Browse.com . The news leader of the Twi...

I haven't done "Sunday Book Talk" for a few weeks, but that doesn't mean I haven't been interviewing authors. I thought today would be a good day to catch up. Although most schools celebrated Read Across America yesterday, the official Read Across America is today -- the birthday of Dr. Seuss. In recognition of that I'm giving you lots of choices. You can listen to my interviews with the authors by clicking the book title below the picture of the book. You can find more books to celebrate Read Across America by going to the Bradford Area Public Library . That Night on Thistle Lane ~~~ A Land More Kind Than Home ~~~ Performance Anomalies ~~~ The Burn Zone ~~~ Garden of Stones . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Robert Steven Williams talks about his book "My Year as a Clown." Listen here . The main character in the book is a singer/songwriter and you can see how that came about here: Remember you can go to the Bradford Area Public Library to find all kinds of books about clowns ;) -- or anything else in this book. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The author of "Girl With a Pearl Earring" discusses her latest book "The Last Runaway," which explores the Underground Railroad and the Quakers role in it. Listen here . You can find, or ask for, any of Tracy's books at the Bradford Area Public Library. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Catherine Hickem discusses her book "Heaven in Her Arms - Why God Chose Mary to Raise His Son and What it Means for You."

Author Judith Sanders brings us a story of a man who finds mostly forgotton Civil War-era law that would allow him to go to war in the 21st Century in place of his son. In His Stead by wesbnews1 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bestelling author and master of the medical thriller Robin Cook took time out of his schedule to speak with Anne Holliday today about his newest book, Nano. Robin Cook's Nano by wesbnews1 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Just in time for the holidays, bestselling author has a delightful new book -- "Merry Ex-Mas." Merry Ex-Mas by wesbnews1 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Andrew Valentine's "bitter consequence" is, indeed, a book about vampires, but it's not for young Twihards. Listen to Valenine talk about his sequel to "bitter things" here: bitter consequence by wesbnews1 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947