Fall may be just around the corner, but there's still time to get some great summer reading in before the leaves begin to fall.
WXXI's Summer Book Week is back August 14-18, as guest hosts Scott Fybush and Jasmin Singer fill in for Evan Dawson. We take a break from the news of the day to spend a whole week immersed in the world of books, including extended interviews with local and national best-selling authors, plus panel discussions with local booksellers, publishers, poets and more!
Join us on the air and online and get a jump on your reading with our summer reading list below. And reach out to us to tell us what you're reading this summer.
Monday, August 14
Hour 1
The state of local bookselling
In a time when most retail is struggling, local booksellers appear to be on the rise. Some of those vendors join us live to discuss the state of local bookselling and what has been on their reading lists.
Our guests:
- Chris Doeblin, Book Culture
- Albert Wan, Bleak House Books
- Chad Ellis, Bookeater
- Pamela Bailie, Hipocampo Children’s Books
Hour 2
"The Undertow," by Jeff Sharlet
Subtitled "Scenes from a Slow Civil War," Sharlet's book is a travelogue of sort, sweeping across America as he traces some of the roots of today's deep political divisions. As described by publisher W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.: "An unmatched guide to the religious dimensions of American politics, Sharlet journeys into corners of our national psyche where others fear to tread. 'The Undertow' is both inquiry and meditation, an attempt to understand how, over the last decade, reaction has morphed into delusion, social division into distrust, distrust into paranoia, and hatred into fantasies—sometimes realities—of violence."
In this prerecorded hour, Sharlet talks about the book and about his own journey - and about some of the ways he sees America moving toward better definitions of "community."
Tuesday, August 15
Hour 1
Changing tides through the eyes of librarians
Since the dawn of the profession, librarians’ job descriptions have continuously evolved with changes in culture and technology. Perhaps now more than ever, librarians’ roles in the community as “experts in curation” are facing unparalleled scrutiny— riding a cultural wave of misinformation and changing tides with rapidly advancing technology. But a librarian’s job is much more than what’s reported in the headlines.
Our guests this hour will speak on the vast service provided by libraries and the dedicated staff that operate them, and how these institutions and professionals are positioning themselves to face yet another shift in the times.
Our guests:
- Patty Uttaro, director, Rochester Public Library and Monroe County Library System
- Sarah Lehman, branch manager, Lincoln Library
- Beth Larter, library media specialist, Gates Chili Central School District
Hour 2
“Deliver Me From Nowhere,” by Warren Zanes
In a catalog full of stadium anthems, Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" album represents a distinct break from his work with the E Street Band. Recorded solo in a rented bedroom in New Jersey, the 1982 release has come to be recognized as both a classic in its own right and as a harbinger of changes in recording technology. In his new book, Zanes (himself a musician in the Del Fuegos) unpacks the psychological break that led Springsteen to make the album and explores the way it led into "Born in the USA," Springsteen's massive commercial success two years later. Zanes talks with Scott Fybush in this pre-recorded hour.
Wednesday, August 16
Hour 1
Diving into the world of local short-form writing
Crafting an impactful short form literary piece can be no easy task, but the Rochester region is lucky to have a wealth of fantastic writers and poets. Three gifted local writers join us to discuss their latest works in short fiction and poetry, and dive into the world of local short form writing.
Our guests:
- Sarah Freligh, "A Brief Natural History of Women"
- Bart White, "close to home: poems & meditations"
- Kathryn Bratt-Pfotenhauer, "Bad Animal"
Hour 2
"The Rosewood Hunt," by Mackenzie M. Reed
When Mackenzie Reed was our guest in 2021, she'd built an online following for her writing, but she was still waiting for her big break. Now she's right on the verge of becoming a published author, having signed a two-book deal with HarperTeen that will see the October publication of her first novel, "The Rosewood Hunt."
From publisher HarperTeen: "Lily Rosewood dreams of taking over her family's company one day. Her grandmother, Rosewood Inc's current chair, has always encouraged her, and Lily can't wait for Gram to teach her everything she needs to know to run the business. But then Gram dies suddenly, and Lily's world is upended. When it's revealed that Gram's quarter of a billion dollar fortune is missing, Lily can't fathom what her future will hold now. Even in death, Gram has a few tricks up her couture sleeve. A last letter from her with a cryptic clue sends Lily and three other teens on a treasure hunt that could change their lives forever-if they can survive it. And if they pull it off, they may be rewarded with more than just money. But they're not the only ones hunting for Gram's treasure, and soon the hunt becomes more dangerous than they ever could have imagined."
Scott Fybush talks with Reed about all the hard work that goes into not just writing a novel but navigating the path to publication, and about the importance of social media (and especially TikTok) in building a following of readers long before a book appears in stores.
Thursday, August 17
Hour 1
Copy that! A conversation on local publishing
The press remains hot for local publishers Open Letter Press and BOA Editions, which are joined this hour by their friends at White Pine Press out of Buffalo. We get the inside scoop on the modern marketplace, the role of social media and other technologies, and forecasts for the future.
Our guests:
- Chad Post, Open Letter Press
- Peter Conners, BOA Editions
- Dennis Maloney, White Pine Press
Hour 2
"Black Sheep,” by Rachel Harrison
When we began asking local readers about their favorite local authors and books, Rachel Harrison's name shot to the top of the list. After best-selling success with her novels "The Return," "Cackle," and "Such Sharp Teeth," Harrison returns in September with the latest installment of her special brand of horror, "Black Sheep."
From the publisher, Penguin Random House: "Nobody has a “normal” family, but Vesper Wright’s is truly…something else. Vesper left home at eighteen and never looked back—mostly because she was told that leaving the staunchly religious community she grew up in meant she couldn’t return. But then an envelope arrives on her doorstep. Inside is an invitation to the wedding of Vesper’s beloved cousin Rosie. It’s to be hosted at the family farm. Have they made an exception to the rule? It wouldn’t be the first time Vesper’s been given special treatment. Is the invite a sweet gesture? An olive branch? A trap? Doesn’t matter. Something inside her insists she go to the wedding. Even if it means returning to the toxic environment she escaped. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror film star and forever ice queen. When Vesper’s homecoming exhumes a terrifying secret, she’s forced to reckon with her family’s beliefs and her own crisis of faith in this deliciously sinister novel that explores the way family ties can bind us as we struggle to find our place in the world."
Harrison joins us to talk about how writers promote their work in such a crowded landscape, about the process of launching a new book, and about her earlier thrillers, too.
Friday, August 18
Hour 1
Between the Lines: The Impact of YA Literature
Since the first “golden age” of young adult fiction — we’re looking at you, Judy Blume! — to modern-day books that refuse to sidestep the complex, dark issues that teenagers can face, the world of YA is both transformative and robust.
As literature continues to evolve, especially for young people just discovering how they fit into a rapidly changing society, join WXXI host Jasmin Singer for this pre-recorded hour, as she delves into YA with an expert panel that will knock your socks off.
Our guests:
- Natalia Sylvester, award-winning author of "Breathe and Count Back from Ten"
- E. Lockhart, award-winning author of "We Were Liars"
- Patrice Caldwell, literary director of New Leaf Literary and Media
Hour 2
A look inside children’s books dealing with anxiety
What happens when the many stressors of today’s often divisive world impact children? With the American Psychological Association reporting that an estimated 20.5 percent of youth worldwide now struggle with anxiety, how can we help them cope?
The answer may lie at least partly in children's books. During this discussion, we bring together authors and experts who are using the written word — and the illustrated graphic — to help kids deal with anxiety.
Join host (and fellow author) Jasmin Singer as she curates a thoughtful discussion on the impact on kids when they read about characters experiencing relatable feelings, how to introduce heavier topics gently to younger readers, and how illustrations can effectively convey emotions, especially complex feelings like anxiety.
We also delve into the authors’ motivations in creating these books, how adults can use these stories to initiate discussions about feelings and anxiety, and the benefits of bibliotherapy.
Our guests:
- Brian Yanish, author of the "Shark and Bot" series
- Margaret Dilloway, author of "Five Things About Ava Andrews"
