My guest is Allegra Goodman, whose latest two books reveal the range of her abilities as a novelist and author of short fiction: “Isola: A Novel,” a masterful work of historical fiction; and “This is Not About Us,” a collection of linked short fiction about a fractured family. tinyurl.com/7pf62bhn

With all that's required to reach "dream destinations" these days, another option is to walk to your local public library instead — and pick up one of these new books out in June set across time and place. n.pr/4uQPjCi

On this episode, Andy Kroll, a DC-based reporter for ProPublica, discusses “The Shadow President,” his fascinating article about Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, and his book “A Death on W Street: The Murder of Seth Rich and the Age of Conspiracy.” tinyurl.com/4xnk7my5

"Crosby Stills & Nash" released on this date in 1969. Graham Nash discussed some of his songs on the album during his recent visit to Writers at Work. tinyurl.com/bdz5rdu3

On this episode , Andy Kroll, a DC-based reporter for ProPublica, discusses “The Shadow President,” his fascinating article about Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, and his book “A Death on W Street: The Murder of Seth Rich and the Age of Conspiracy.” tinyurl.com/4xnk7my5

From the Wall Street Journal archives: My Terrifyingly Gracious Meeting with Miles Davis, who would've turned 100 today. tinyurl.com/3f7sx85e

We're still fairly early in "The Boroughs" but much of it seems metaphoric. One such metaphor is "if you listen only to old music, you will die." (Agreed!) Thus far, the only reference to new music was a snarky comment about Phoebe Bridgers by a man trying out caskets. youtu.be/PsvUvqXoTpE?...

A gothic horror tale, a creepy science-fiction romp, a sweeping romance, an intergenerational saga, a book about birds — here are the fiction and nonfiction our critics are most looking forward to.

Where else were we to experience moments like this on U.S. late-night TV but on "Colbert"? The dumbing-down of American accelerates thanks to the Trump-appeasing Ellisons and their tarnished CBS. youtu.be/wXq58BbhCO4?...

The New York Times’s Summer Reading Bucket List www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/b...

Was a Story That Just Won a Literary Prize A.I.-Generated? www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/b...

From helping establish the country's first bookmobile, to collecting millions of books for American soldiers overseas, to launching a nationwide campaign to sign up every child for a library card, ALA history is American history. Now, you can see it in our new timeline. Check it out at ALA150.org

My guest is Graham Nash, singer, performer, band leader, photographer, activist and, for our purposes, songwriter. Known for pop songs familiar to several generations, Graham also wrote scores of tunes with an intimacy of a whisper to a lover or friend. We explore those here: tinyurl.com/bdz5rdu3

All praise for Alison Gaylin, Mary Anna Evans and Peter Blauner for their insightful comments on our panel on how to use music in fiction at CrimeCONN 2026 in Stamford CT.

With me on this episode is Jane Smiley, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction whose latest novel is “Lidie: The Further Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton,” a sequel to a similarly titled 1998 tale. The specter of Charles Dickens hovers over this delightful work. tinyurl.com/2safy8np

Prepping for Saturday's CrimeConn at the Ferguson Library in Stamford where I'll lead a panel on using music in fiction. Peter Blauner and Alison Gaylin, panelists along with Mary Anna Evans, each wrote terrific stories for this anthology. You can read stellar reviews here: tinyurl.com/5e3s7hcw

Stevie Wonder turns 76 today. Did you know we almost lost him in 1973. Read on… tinyurl.com/mryramvw

This Saturday...

Eat well and exercise. That's the classic advice for living a long, healthy life. A new study suggests another habit to add to the list: Let your creative juices flow. n.pr/4eJhSw6

My guest on this episode is Jane Smiley, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction whose latest novel is “Lidie: The Further Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton,” a sequel to a similarly titled 1998 tale. The specter of Charles Dickens hovers over this delightful work. tinyurl.com/2safy8np

This Bookstore Gets Good Mileage www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/b...

DOGE’s Termination of Humanities Grants Is Ruled Unconstitutional www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/a...

At this conference for mystery fans at the Ferguson Library on Saturday, May 16, in Stamford, CT, I'll moderatie a panel of award-winning authors who quite deftly use music to enrich their stories: Peter Blauner, Mary Anna Evans and Alison Gaylin. For more information visit tinyurl.com/32ze5yca

New York Times Wins 3 Pulitzer Prizes www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/b...

My guest on this episode is author Chris Grabenstein. If you don’t know Chris, I can assure you your kids and their kids do. With his many playful, puzzle-rich series, Chris has influenced thousands and thousands of young people to become enthusiastic readers. tinyurl.com/5jfh9e9n

Bad baseball, @mets.com. Ninth, down a run. The Mets needed a baserunner. Semien swings at ball three on a 2-0 count, Benge swings at a 2-0 pitch. Previous inning, Soto stranded in second after a lead off double. Not smart baseball. Opponents are scratching out runs. Not the Mets.

At the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, ALA predicted the future. "Library 21," ALA's premonition of an “automated” library of the future, would blend traditional library services with advancements in information technology. Read more and see photos from Library 21: https://bit.ly/48vb29C #ALA150

This is an astonishingly bad list, @nytimes.com “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Library joy can often be found in the pages of your favorite story. ALA fights to keep stories for every reader on library shelves. Support libraries for the next generation of readers by giving to ALA's 150th anniversary campaign. Donations thru 4/25 are matched 2:1. https://bit.ly/41OYypI

My guest on this episode is author Chris Grabenstein. If you don’t know Chris, I can assure you your kids and their kids do. With his many playful, puzzle-rich series, Chris has influenced thousands and thousands of young people to become enthusiastic readers. tinyurl.com/5jfh9e9n

Contrary to common narratives suggesting book challenges come from concerned parents, our data shows otherwise. ~92% of challenges to titles in 2025 came from pressure groups and gov't decision makers. 2.7% of challenges came from individual parents. We dig into the data: https://bit.ly/4cmgFWQ

Two authors featured on Writers at Work were honored at the LA Times Festival of Books Elizabeth Chamblee Burch, who wrote the genuinely shocking “The Pain Brokers.” tinyurl.com/4y2n59fv Addie E. CItchens. Her “Dominion” is warm and witty with a sense of dread on every page. tinyurl.com/4v6d9eek

It's #NationalLibraryWeek! Take time to discover what brings you joy at your library: browse the shelves, join a book club, attend a program, or get started on your next creative project in a makerspace. Be sure to visit your library or ilovelibraries.org and celebrate your library all week long!

It's Record Store Day. While you're out hunting for worthy vinyl, add the following to your haul. Words and music by me, vocals by Suzanna Spring backed by the Black Canyon City Band produced by Kirk Pasich and Colin Devlin for Blue Élan Records. Based on my novel "A Song for Katy Shayne."

Writers at Work returns with Alex Lin whose métier is the lives of “complex women and power while also working to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and pop culture.” Her plays “Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear" and "Chinese Republicans" recently premiered in NYC. tinyurl.com/2s3u5m3h

Two days hence from 10 a.m. til noon. Stop by and say hello, OK?

Published one year ago today. Thanks to all for your support and encouragement. What an amazing ride it's been.

If you’re in town, stop by. I’ll be happy to see you.

The Writers at Work hiatus is about to end, but I want to repost this episode with Johnny D. Boggs, a nine-time winner of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. I love Westerns but hadn't read a Western novel since "Lonesome Dove." Johnny changed all that. tinyurl.com/ytyx8ds9

I love McDonagh's writing. youtu.be/Haw_sznA5aQ?...