Thoughts from a Page Podcast
Thoughts from a Page is hosted by me, Cindy Burnett, a voracious reader and book columnist who provides you with casual author conversations and insider information on all of the newest releases that I have read and personally recommend. With so many books coming out weekly, it can be hard to decide what to read so I find the best ones and share them with you. Listen to find your next great book.
Ethan Joella - THE TOP OF THE WORLD
In this interview, I chat with Ethan Joella about The Top of the World, how this story came about, setting a book in the 1970s, handing Chip's death, his research, the stellar cover, Bookstagram, writing this book and how much it changed over the years, our love for nostalgia, and much more.
Ethan's recommended reads are:
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout Heart the Lover by Lily King When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa RidzenLooking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card...
Kelly Hooker - June's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for June's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
Whistler by Ann Patchett
Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel
Now:
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
The Under Story by Chloe Benjamin
Next:
No Exit by Taylor Adams
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult
DNFs:
Land by Maggie O’Farrell
Book Mail highlights:
Sunlight Finds You by Liane Moriarty
...Jessica M. Goldstein - RETRO
In this interview, I chat with Jessica Goldstein about Retro, why readers are fascinated by time travel stories, what inspired her to write this novel, the sense of foreboding she creates on the page, choosing the time periods her characters would travel to, our love for nostalgia, and much more.
Jessica's recommended reads are:
The Children by Melissa Alpert Books by Robert Caro The Fountain by Casey ScieszkaLooking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are comin...
Portia Elan - HOMEBOUND
In this interview, I chat with Portia Elan about Homebound, her publishing journey, having Homebound selected as Scribner's Lead Read for spring, marketing in the publishing world, her research, what the editing process was like and how it changed the story, and much more.
Portia's recommended read is Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett.
Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide.
Thanks s...
Lauren Oliver - THE GIRL IN THE LAKE
In this interview, I chat with Lauren Oliver about The Girl in the Lake, UVA's Division of Perceptual Studies, her research, incorporating reincarnation into the story, creating a strong sense of place, what the rest of the series will look like, what surprised her the most when writing this one, and much more.
Lauren's recommended reads are:
God of the Woods by Liz Moore The Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French The Anniversary by Alex FinlayLooking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card...
Kelly Hooker - May's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for May's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri
The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh
Now:
Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie
The Forgotten Midwife by Laura Anthony
Next:
The Gulf of Lions by Caitlin Shetterly
Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
DNFs:
The Au Pair by Teddy Wayne
Book Mail high...
Christina Baker Kline - THE FOURSOME
In this interview, I chat with Christina Baker Kline about The Foursome, her personal connection to this story, her research and trying to learn more about the sisters who marry Cheng and Eng, having Sarah narrate the story, telling the tale without sensationalizing it, drawing on today's divisions to inform the past, The Foursome's publishing journey, and much more.
Christina's recommended read is The Original by Priya Parmar.
Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 17-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous...
Annabel Monaghan - DOLLY ALL THE TIME
In this interview, I chat with Annabel Monaghan about Dolly All the Time, choosing Rhode Island as the setting for the book, why she invented a fictional town, her favorite male love interest that she has created, serving as a caregiver and honoring that role, designing a suitable breakup, and much more.
Annabel's recommended reads are:
The Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh Down With the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi Fossil Feud by Maggie NorthLooking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 17...
Sarah Damoff - THE BURNING SIDE
In this interview, I chat with Sarah Damoff about The Burning Side, exploring family dynamics, memory, and the early years of motherhood, how she decided who would tell the story, her writing process, the beautiful cover, and much more.
Sarah's recommended reads are:
Everything is Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves Start at the End by Emma Grey Land by Maggie O'Farrell (and all of her backlist)Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter and spring - a number of books you will not see on oth...
Kelly Hooker - April's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for April's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
Make Nice by Ryan Effgen
Ms. Mebel Goes to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q Sutanto
Now:
The Good Parts by Evann Normandin
Not a Word by Linwood Barclay
Next:
Mother Tongue by Sara Novic
Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri
DNFs:
Helpless by Jessica Knoll
Book Mail highlights:
The Truth...
Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Reads of January through March 2026
In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in January through March 2026.
Our shared top reads:
Good People by Patmeena Sabit
Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams
Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
Upward Bound by Woody Brown
Kelly’s remaining top reads:
Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Phil...
Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn - Second Quarter 2026 Recommended Reads
Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn join me to recommend their favorites reads of the second quarter of 2026.
Mary’s Titles:
April
Everything has Happened by T. Greenwood
Love & Other Monsters by Emily Franklin
Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson
The Drop by SR Masters
Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
May
Homebound by Portia Elan
American Rambler by Isaac Fitzgerald
The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline
Take Me Wit...
Craig Thomas - THAT'S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED
In this interview, I chat with Craig Thomas about That's Not How It Happened, having his book selected for Book of the Month, how he decided to write a book, weaving the craziness of Hollywood into his story, Darcy's character and how she is resonating with readers, casting the amazing audiobook, and much more.
Craig's recommended reads are:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride Wonder by R.J. Palacio Election by Tom Perrotta A Heart That Works by Rob Dulaney The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon...
Kelly Hooker - March's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for March's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
Start at the End by Emma Grey
The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews
Now:
Keep Them Close by David Ellis
Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshminarayan
Next:
City of Widows by Nadia Hashimi
Time to Burn by Ellery Lloyd
DNFs:
None
Book Mail highlights:
The Brunswick by Callie Mur...
Ross Montgomery - MURDER AT WORLD'S END
In this interview, I chat with Ross Montgomery about Murder at World's End, weaving Halley's Comet into his story, the late Edwardian period, conspiracy theories and how they have always existed, how hard it was to write a locked room mystery, creating a strong sense of place and time, and much more.
Ross's recommended read is Strange Houses by Uketsu.
Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter and spring - a number of books you will not see on other guides. I also include myste...
Amy Jo Burns - WAIT FOR ME
In this interview, I chat with Amy Jo Burns about Wait for Me, her inspiration for this book and for Elle Harlow, the world of 1960s and 1970s country music and its strong women, drafting lyrics for the novel, her writing process and writing group, selecting the mandolin as Elle's instrument of choice, her beautiful cover, and much more.
Amy Jo's recommended reads are:
Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty The Seekers of Deer Creek by Thao ThaiLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here...
Rachel Hochhauser - LADY TREMAINE
In this interview, I chat with Rachel Hochhauser about Lady Tremaine, writing an untelling versus a retelling of a classic fairy tale, tackling such a well-known character, wanting her book to read like historical fiction, how she decided to write this book, her beautiful cover, and much more.
Rachel's recommended reads are:
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard Scavengers by Kathleen Boland One Bad Mother by Ej DicksonLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via c...
Devon Mihesuah - BLOOD RELAY
In this interview, I chat with Devon Mihesuah about Blood Relay, her desire to depict strong native women, avoiding a trauma story, dispelling myths about native women, her stellar cover, Indian horse relay racing, and much more.
Devon's recommended reads are:
Mountain Man by Keith C. Blackmore Hell Divers by Nicholas Sansbury Smith Books by Nelson DeMille Cry Havoc by Jack Carr Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley Cash Blackbear series by Marcie R. RendonLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card...
Kelly Hooker - February's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for February's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
So, I Met This Guy by Alexandra Potter
Now:
Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Bramer
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
Next:
Liberty Street by Heather Marshall
Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim
Didn't Work/DNFs:
Love by the Book by Jessica George
Book Mail highlights:
Everyth...
Saara El-Arifi - CLEOPATRA
In this interview, I chat with Saara El-Arifi about Cleopatra, researching Cleopatra and the time period, how daunting it was to write about Cleopatra and wanting to give her her dignity and her voice back, the stunning cover and her requests for it, deciding what to include and what to leave out, and much more.
Saara's recommended read is The Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint.
Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter and spring - a number...
Elizabeth Heider - CHILDREN OF THE SAVAGE CITY
In this interview, I chat with Elizabeth Heider about Children of the Savage City, her main character's interesting job, the inspiration for Nikki, setting her books in Naples, her stunning covers, why she focused on systemic corruption, her view on friendships, and much more.
Elizabeth's recommended reads are:
A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purcell The Spy and the Traitor by Ben MacintyreLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter and spring - a number of...
Taylor Adams - HER LAST BREATH
In this interview, I chat with Taylor Adams about Her Last Breath, choosing a cave for the setting, creating a claustrophobic setting, his research for the novel including the police procedural aspects of the story, drafting twists and turns, his title and cover, and much more.
Taylor's recommended reads are:
King Sorrow by Joe Hill A Simple Plan by Scott SmithLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter and spring - a number of books you wil...
Tory Henwood Hoen - BEFORE I FORGET
In this interview, I chat with Tory Henwood Hoen about Before I Forget, tackling Alzheimer's in fiction, making Arthur an oracle, deciding who would tell the story, writing in first person, how the audiobook narrator was selected, having her book selected as a December Book of the Month pick, her title and cover, and much more.
Tory's recommended reads are:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Heart the Lover by Lily King My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell Good Material by Dolly AldertonLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Readin...
Libby Page - THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU
In this interview, I chat with Libby Page about This Book Made Me Think of You, her inspiration for the book, selecting the books she wanted to include, creating the letters from Joe, the title and cover, stories about finding community, and much more.
Libby's recommended reads are:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Lovelight Farms series by B.K. Borison The Morning Gift by Eva IbbotsonLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great ente...
Kelly Hooker - January's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for January's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
Upward Bound by Woody Brown
That’s Not How it Happened by Craig Thomas
Now:
Love by the Book by Jessica George
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Next:
Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
DNFs:
The Survivor by Andrew Reid
Book Mail highlights:
The One Day You...
ReShonda Tate - WITH LOVE FROM HARLEM
In this interview, I chat with ReShonda Tate about With Love From Harlem, why she decided to write about Hazel Scott, her research and why she stays away from the internet for it, Billie Holiday, her writing process, the title and cover, writing biographical fiction, the setting, and much more.
ReShonda's recommended reads are:
Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharma The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton King of Ashes by SA Cosby A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher MurrayLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printa...
Gary J. Walters - WHITE HOUSE MEMORIES 1970-2007
In this interview, I chat with Gary J. Walters about White House Memories: 1970-2007, his role as chief usher and what that role entails, planning for inauguration day and evening, his background, his impressions of the various administrations, behind-the-scenes glimpses into life at the White House, reliving his memories at the White House, and much more.
Gary's recommended reads are:
Books by Michel Connally Books by John Sandford A White House of Stone by William SealeLooking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price he...
Kelly Hooker - December's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for December's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
Good People by Patmeena Sabit
Now:
How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson
Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven
Next:
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
American Han by Lisa Lee
DNFs:
None
Book Mail highlights:
This Book Makes Me Think of You by Li...
Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn - First Quarter 2026 Recommended Reads
Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn join me to recommend their favorites reads of the first quarter of 2026.
Mary’s titles
January:
All The Little Houses by May Cobb
Skylark by Paula McLain
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
February:
Imposter by LJ Ross
Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise
More than Enough by Anna Quindlen
So Old So Young by Grant Ginder
It's Not Her by Mary Kubica
March :
Wait For Me by Amy Jo Burns
Lady Tremaine by Ra...
Kelly Hooker - Our Top Reads of 2025
In this episode, Kelly Hooker and I discuss our top reads of 2025.
Our Top Shared Reads:
Dead Money by Jacob Kerr
This American Woman by Zarna Garg
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar
Kelly’s Remaining Selections:
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
Fi...
Matthew Norman - GRACE & HENRY'S HOLIDAY MOVIE MARATHON
In this interview, I chat with Matthew Norman about Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon, writing a holiday romance, choosing which movies to incorporate into the story and the movie that didn't end up in the book, exploring the many faces of grief, holidays as universal experiences, naming the dog Harry Styles, and much more.
Matthew's recommended reads are:
The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu The Holiday Season by Michael KnightThanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo.
Check out this list of all the great books I loved in 2025.
Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2026? Check out ou...
Beck Dorey-Stein - SPECTACULAR THINGS
In this interview, I chat with Beck Dorey-Stein about Spectacular Things, having her book selected as a Reese's Book Club pick, writing about sacrifice and grief, tackling the sister relationship in fiction, writing about soccer, the hardest character for her to write, her title and cover, and much more.
Beck's recommended reads are:
Heart the Lover by Lily King Wreck by Catherine NewmanThanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo.
Check out this list of all the great books I loved in 2025.
Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2026? Check out our fifth ...
Jayda Justus - Gift Giving for the Holidays 2025
Jayda Justus of The History Mom recommends books for gift giving this holiday.
Favorite Fiction:
● Nostalgic reading - The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway
● Old favorites made new - The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson Wheeler, The Worlds of Jane Austen: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Novels by Helena Kelly, and Jane Austen’s Fashion Bible by Ros Ballaster
● Old favorite/new favorite pairing - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian.
● Vacation reading - The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman
...
Kelly Hooker - November's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for November's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
One & Only by Maureen Goo
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Now:
The Whisper Man by Alex North
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees
Next:
Kin by Tayari Jones
Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
DNFs:
None
Book Mail highlights:
Enormous Wings by Laurie Fr...
Kelly Hooker - Our Top Reads of 2024 (originally aired 12/9/24)
In this episode, Kelly Hooker and I discuss our top reads of 2024.
Our Top Shared Reads:
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
We Used to Life Here by Marcus Kliewer
Kelly’s Remaining Selections:
Mercury by Amy Jo Burns
Everyone but Myself by Julie Chavez
Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Trafficking by Jaso...
Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding - ANNE OF AVENUE A
In this interview, I chat with Emily Harding and Audrey Bellezza about Anne of Avenue A, modernizing Persuasion, the publishing process, co-writing books, setting the book in New York City, and much more.
Audrey's recommended reads are:
The Good Part by Sophie Cousens The Wedding People by Alison EspachEmily's recommended reads are:
Backslide by Nora Dahlia This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneThanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo.
Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2025? Check out our fourth ...
Kelly Hooker - October's Real Time Reading
Kelly joins me for October's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads.
Kelly's Selections:
Last:
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
Now:
Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns
Bone Valley by Gilbert King
Next:
Good People by Patmeena Sabit
Scavengers by Katherine Boland
DNFs:
Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra
Book Mail highlights:
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
Ruins by Lil...
Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Reads of July through September 2025
In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in July through September 2025.
Our shared top reads:
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild Culpability by Bruce Holsinger Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey The Killer Question by Janice HallettKelly’s remaining top reads:
Guess Again by Charlie Donlea The Grand Paloma Resort by Cleyvis Natura Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza Dominion by Addie E. Citchens The Mad Wife by Meagan ChurchCindy’s remaini...
Noelle Ihli - ASK FOR ANDREA
In this interview, I chat with Noelle Ihli about Ask For Andrea , her inspiration for writing this one, BookTok, her prequel to Ask for Andrea, her ghostwriting career, the publishing process, the various covers for this one, and much more.
Noelle's recommended reads are:
Too Close to Home by Serafina Nova Glass We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter Dark Roads by Chevy StevensThanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo.
Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2025? Check out our fourth Literary Lookbook ...
Pamela Lamp - DO THE NEXT NEW THING
In this interview, I chat with Pamela Lamp about Do the Next New Thing, how she came up with the ideas for her book, writing a book, how hard it can be to make friends as an adult, her blog Who I Met Today, and much more.
Pam's recommended reads are:
Let's Call Her Barbie by Renee Rosen One Golden Summer by Carley FortuneThanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo.
Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2025? Check out our fourth Literary Lookbook ...