Books, Beach, & Beyond

• Catherine Newman

  Next on Books, Beach, & Beyond is Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich, We All Want Impossible Things, and Wreck, (forthcoming from HarperCollins in October 2025.) Elin and Tim begin by gushing about Catherine’s writing and how much they love her books. Catherine takes us back to her first writing projects, and then her pivot into writing auto-fiction with her three novels. They talk about family summer vacations, what keeps them up at night, health scares, grief, food in her books, her beloved characters, family dynamics, and all the themes and layers upon layers in Catherine’s novels. Don't miss this episode and make sure to pre-order Wreck coming out this fall.A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:CartolinaNantucket Meat & FishCatherine Newman Reading List:We All Want Impossible ThingsSandwichWreck (coming October 28, 2026. Pre-order now!)What else are we reading in this episode?The Beans of Egypt, Maine by Carolyn ChuteSmall Rain by Garth GreenwellStation Eleven by Emily St. John MandelThe Road by Cormac McCarthyLittle House on the Prairie by Laura Ingall’s WilderBlack Hearts in Battersea by Joan AikenThe Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan AikenThe Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla BarnesReal Americans by Rachel KhongLoved and Missed by Susie BoytThe Girls in Queens by Christine Kandic TorresHeartwood by Amity GaigeCassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy BakerBridge of Sighs by Richard RussoStraight Man by Richard RussoThe Risk Pool by Richard RussoThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyondHappy Reading!

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• Curtis Sittenfeld

  Elin and Tim welcome to the podcast Curtis Sittenfeld, the author of Prep, American Wife, and Show, Don’t Tell. They start with Curtis’s favorite books, her time at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where Elin and her compare stories, and then segue into her debut novel, “the boarding school book of boarding school books”, Prep. They discuss how much of it was inspired by Curtis’s own boarding school experience and compare and contrast it to Elin’s upcoming boarding school novel, The Academy, as well as chat about their favorite campus novels. The three move on to Curtis’s novels inspired by First Ladies, American Wife and Rodham, and they laugh about their favorite SNL skits. This episode is rich with reading recommendations so don’t miss it!A Special Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:The Nantucket HotelNantucket Historical AssociationCurtis Sittenfeld’s Reading List:PrepAmerican WifeEligibleRomantic ComedyRodhamShow Don’t TellWhat Else Are We Reading in this Episode:Charlotte’s Web by E.B WhiteStuart Little by E.B. WhiteThe Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Secret History by Donna TarttFoster Dade Explores the Cosmos by Nash JenkinsSarah Phillips by Andrea LeeGentlemen and Players by Joanne HarrisI am Charlotte Simmons by Thomas WolfeThe Islanders by Lewis RobinsonGirlfriending by Susanna DanielMy Own Devices by DessaAnimal Instinct by Amy ShearnFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyondHappy Reading!

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• Wally Lamb

  This bonus episode features the live conversation with your host, Tim Ehrenberg of Tim Talks Books, at the Nantucket Book Festival with one of his favorite novelists, Wally Lamb. Wally is the author of seven New York Times best-sellers, three of them selections for Oprah’s Book Club, She’s Come Undone, I Know This Much is True, and most recently, The River is Waiting. The two discuss many of Wally’s books, one of Tim’s favorites of all time, I Know This Much is True, and the newest novel, The River is Waiting. They examine its themes, our prison system, addiction, the act of forgiveness, emotional intelligence, and the transformative power of fiction.A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsor:J.CrewWally Lamb Reading List:She’s Come UndoneI Know this Much is TrueThe Hour I First BelievedCouldn’t Keep it To MyselfI’ll Fly AwayWe Are WaterWishin’ and Hopin’The River is WaitingWhat else are we reading in this episode?Flannery Conner, Anny Tyler, Raymond Carver, John UpdikeGreat Expectations by Charles DickensFlannery O’Conner Collected StoriesRaymond Carver Collected StoriesThe Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph CampbellBird by Bird by Ann LamottPaper Girl by Beth MacyFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyondHappy Reading!

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• Adam Ross

  This bonus episode features the live conversation with your host, Elin Hilderbrand, at the Nantucket Book Festival with Adam Ross, author of Playworld. Playworld is one of Elin’s favorite books she has read in a decade. Adam is the acclaimed author of Mr. Peanut and renowned editor of the Sewanee Review.  Sure to be a conversation to remember, these two masters of their craft have much to discuss about contemporary fiction, the publishing industry, and the art of storytelling.A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsor:J.CrewAdam Ross Reading List:Mr. PeanutPlayworldLadies and Gentleman: Stories What else are we reading in this episode?The Adventures of Augie March by Saul BellowsFollow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyondHappy Reading!

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• Carl Hiaasen

  Books, Beach, & Beyond’s first LIVE podcast recording was June 14th at the Nantucket Book Festival where Elin and Tim were in conversation with best-selling author Carl Hiaasen, author of Fever Beach. The three talk about Carl’s career as a journalist turned novelist, setting his novels in the state of Florida, writing satire, his outrageous characters, and writing for both adults and children. Carl discusses how publishing has changed in his long career, engaging in politics, the exuberant writing and humor in his novels, his advice to graduates, and his take on Hollywood adaptations. The audience at the Nantucket Book Festival was in stitches and you will be, too.A Special Thank You To Our Episode Sponsors:CartolinaNantucket LoomsCarl Hiaasen Books:Double WhammyTourist SeasonFever BeachAssume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You’ll Never HearHootOther Books Mentioned:The Hardy Boys by Franklin W DixonNancy Drew by Carolyn KeeneDavy Barry booksKaren Russell booksErik Larson booksMartin Amos booksChristopher Moore books Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyondHappy Reading!

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