Wild Precious Life

Mathey Girls with Melody Chu

Melody Chu is a writer and attorney. The daughter of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan, she graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School and has practiced as an attorney in Hong Kong, Beijing and the United States. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Melody discuss her debut novel Mathey Girls. They also talk about independent publishing and the power of female friendships across distance, time, and grief.  Episode Sponsors: Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Mac’s Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your new favorite book and shop online at macsbacks.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Mathey Girls, by Melody Chu Kundun (1997) Official Trailer The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Official Trailer Follow Melody Chu: Facebook: @MelodyChu Instagram: @MelodyChu_author Threads: @melodygchu melodychuauthor.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Photo Credit: Melissa Lipnick, Life Unscripted Photography Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Friend to This House with Natalie Haynes

Natalie Haynes is a writer, broadcaster and “rock star mythologist.” Her retelling of the Trojan War, A Thousand Ships, was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction and has been translated around the globe. She’s out now with No Friend to This House, a reimagining of the story of Medea. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Natalie poke fun at Perseus, demystify Greek myths, and discuss the relevance of classic literature in our modern world.  Episode Sponsors: Pocket Books – An independent, queer, feminist bookstore committed to the idea that bookstores are places for communities to share knowledge, wisdom, resources, and connections. We stock an intentional and eclectic selection of books that we hope will help you feel safe exploring something new. Pocket Books is a place of discovery where readers find support for their ideas and new interests. Stop by one of our Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations or shop online at pocketbooksshop.com. Books Are Magic⁠ – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at ⁠booksaremagic.net⁠. Titles by Natalie Haynes:  No Friend to This House A Thousand Ships The Children of Jocasta Stone Blind Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode  The Overstory, Playground, and Bewilderment, all by Richard Powers O Brother, Where Art Thou? Official Trailer Clash of the Titans (1981) Official Trailer Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics Follow Natalie Haynes: Facebook: @nataliehaynesstandupclassicist Twitter/X: @officialnhaynes Instagram: @NatalieHaynesAuthor Threads: @nataliehaynesauthor Bluesky: @NatalieHaynes nataliehaynes.com **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us!Photo Credit: James Betts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Irish Goodbye with Beth Ann Fennelly

Beth Ann Fennelly is the former poet laureate of Mississippi and the author of seven books, including Heating and Cooling and The Titled World. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Beth Ann discuss her latest book, The Irish Goodbye: Micro-Memoirs, and what we can learn from everyday moments observed with extraordinary clarity and humor. Episode Sponsors: Square Books – A general independent bookstore on the historic town square of Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi and many great writers, including William Faulkner, Barry Hannah, Larry Brown, and, for a time, both Willie Morris and John Grisham. Square Books is known for its strong selection of literary fiction, books on the American South and by Southern writers, and its emphasis on books for children. The store hosts the popular Thacker Mountain radio show and over 150 author events a year. Stop by our Oxford location or shop online at squarebooks.com. Fountain Bookstore – An independent, general, full-service bookstore serving the Metro Richmond area and the world! Fountain hosts more author programming than any other entity in the state of Virginia. We also ship autographed copies worldwide. Come check us out! You’ll find enthusiastic booksellers happy to talk about their favorite titles. Or find us online at fountainbookstore.com. Titles by Beth Ann Fennelly  Open House Tender Hooks Unmentionables Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother The Tilted World, coauthored with Tom Franklin Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs  The Irish Goodbye: Micro-Memoirs Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode  House of Smoke, by John T. Edge Me vs. Slugs: Pandemic Edition, by Beth Ann Fennelly Outtakes from the Highlight Reel, by Beth Ann Fennelly Follow Beth Ann Fennelly: Facebook: @BethAnnFennelly Instagram: @bethannfennelly Threads: @bethannfennelly Substack: The BethAnnigan bethannfennelly.com **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Photo Credit: Paul Gandy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeper of Lost Children with Sadeqa Johnson

Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times Bestselling author of six award-winning novels, including Yellow Wife and The House of Eve. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Sadeqa discuss her latest novel, Keeper of Lost Children, and how one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany changed the course of countless lives. Episode Sponsors: Fountain Bookstore – An independent, general, full-service bookstore serving the Metro Richmond area and the world! Fountain hosts more author programming than any other entity in the state of Virginia. We also ship autographed copies worldwide. Come check us out! You’ll find enthusiastic booksellers happy to talk about their favorite titles. Or find us online at fountainbookstore.com. Politics and Prose – DC’s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub. At Politics and Prose, we’re devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas. And we’re committed to exceptional customer service and to the values of independence, inclusion, and diversity. Stop by one of our Washington, DC locations or shop online at politics-prose.com. Titles by Sadeqa Johson  Keeper of Lost Children Yellow Wife The House of Eve Second House from the Corner And Then There Was Me Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode  Broken Country, by Clare Leslie Hall Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray Follow Sadeqa Johnson: Facebook: @SadeqaJohnson Instagram: @sadeqasays TikTok: @sadeqasays www.sadeqa.net **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in a memoir writing class, you can sign up here. And if you’re looking to write and learn with Sadeqa, she’s hosting a writing retreat in Arcachon, France this April. You can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with Annmarie is leading a writing workshop in Paris this June. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Opera Wars with Caitlin Vincent

Caitlin Vincent is an award-winning librettist, trained vocalist, opera company director and arts commentator. Her librettos have won all three of America’s top opera prizes, her vocal work is featured on the Grammy Award-nominated album 40@40, and her latest book, OPERA WARS, is out now. In today’s episode, Caitlin and Annmarie discuss the riotous world of opera and the battle for its future. Episode Sponsors: Rizzoli Bookstore – For over 60 years, Rizzoli has been recognized as one of America’s premier independent booksellers. Known for its curated selection of illustrated books on architecture, interior design, fashion, photography, cookery, and the fine and decorative arts, as well as literature and foreign language titles, Rizzoli remains a literary landmark of New York City and a destination for distinguished authors and book lovers from around the world. Stop by our Broadway location, or shop online at rizzolibookstore.com. Politics and Prose – DC’s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub. At Politics and Prose, we’re devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas. And we’re committed to exceptional customer service and to the values of independence, inclusion, and diversity. Stop by one of our Washington, DC locations or shop online at politics-prose.com. Title Mentioned in This Episode  Opera Wars: Inside the World of Opera and the Battles for Its Future   Follow Caitlin Vincent: Facebook: @Caitlin.Vincent Instagram: @CaitlinCVincent LinkedIn: @CaitlinVincent Photo Credit: Ruth Schwarzenholz Photography **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in an online Saturday late morning writing circle, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is leading a writing workshop in Paris this June. Reservations open soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices