In this episode of The First Fifty Pages, Kelsey and Jenn talk with rising star Emilia Hart about her latest novel, The Sirens—a story of two sets of sisters separated by time and connected by the power of the sea. We chat about compelling female characters, how the past informs our present, and why meeting readers is such a rewarding experience. Dangerous temptations await!

In this episode, Kelsey and Jenn talk with best-selling author Tim Johnston about his latest novel, Distant Sons—the All Iowa Reads selection for Adult Fiction for 2025. Random acts of misfortune, themes of masculinity and shame, and a small town haunted by great tragedy. It may surprise you or it could devastate you, but at the very least, be prepared to feel all the feels!

Nickolas Butler was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Wisconsin, and educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop. His first novel was the internationally best-selling and prize-winning Shotgun Lovesongs, which has been optioned for film development and has been translated into over ten languages. Beneath the Bonfire, a collection of short stories, followed a year later. In 2017, he published The Hearts of Men which was short-listed for two of France’s most prestigious literary prizes even before its American publishing. In 2019, his fourth book, Little Faith was published to critical acclaim. Butler published Godspeed in 2021, a literary thriller set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming that was longlisted for the Reading the West Book Award. His latest, A Forty Year Kiss is a small-town love-story set in Chippewa Falls, WI.

In this episode, Jenn and Kelsey talk with bestselling author Nickolas Butler about his latest novel, A Forty-Year Kiss. Listen to hear what in-real-life overheard conversation sparked the inspiration for this life-affirming love story, how he crafts the sublime from the ordinary, and why second chances are so compelling.

Chris Bohjalian is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books. His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies (Midwives, Secrets of Eden, and Past the Bleachers) and an Emmy-winning TV series (The Flight Attendant).  He has two other novels in development for TV series as well.

In this episode, Jenn and Kelsey talk with blockbuster author Chris Bohjalian about his latest novel, The Jackal’s Mistress, a heart-stopping story of two people navigating the boundaries of love and humanity in a landscape of brutal violence. Listen in and discover why Chris Bohjalian is truly one of our greatest storytellers.

Liane Moriarty is the Australian author of nine internationally best-selling novels, including the number one New York Times bestsellers: The Husband’s Secret, Big Little Lies, Truly Madly Guilty and Apples Never Fall. Her books have been translated into over forty languages and sold more than 20 million copies.

In this episode of the First Fifty Pages, Jenn and Kelsey chat with best-selling author Liane Moriarty about her new book, Here One Moment. We talk psychic encounters, free will and the unique experience of readers. We predict this is a book you’re going to want to read!

Growing up in Osakis, Minnesota, Leif Enger worked for Minnesota Public Radio before writing his best selling debut novel, Peace Like a River, which won the book sense Award for Fiction and was named one of the year’s best books by Time Magazine and the Los Angeles Times for 2001.

In this episode of The First Fifty Pages, Kelsey and Jenn talk with Leif Enger to chat about his latest book, I Cheerfully Refuse. Part romance, part nautical adventure, part love letter to stories, this sweetly hopeful piece of dystopian fiction has it all! You’ll cheerfully refuse to put this one down!

Stuart Turton is author of The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, The Devil and the Dark Water, and The Last Murder at the End of the World. His books have appeared on the Sunday Times and USA Today bestseller lists and are known for fusing locked-room mysteries with literary fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Stuart’s books have been translated into forty languages and have sold over a million copies.

In this episode of the First Fifty Pages, Jenn and Kelsey chat with Stuart Turton about his latest book, The Last Murder at the End of the World–an ‘almost accidental’ science fiction mystery. AI, Agatha Christie, and existential issues…the voice in your head is telling you not to miss this episode!

The newest episode of the Library’s podcast features the one-and-only Jodi Picoult – the number one New York Times bestselling author of 29 novels. Her works have been translated into 34 languages and there are over 40 million copies of her books in print. She has also narrated audiobooks and written five issues of DC Comics’ Wonder Woman.

Jodi Picoult joins Kelsey and Jenn to discuss her new book, By Any Other Name. We dive into hidden histories, the dangers of book banning, and the things that keep us up at night.

CLICK HERE to view Jodi Picoult’s books and audiobooks in the Library’s catalog.

The newest episode of the Library’s podcast features Ruth Ware, number one bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, The Death of Mrs. Westaway, The Turn of the Key, One by One, The It Girl, and Zero Days. Her books have sold more than 9 million copies, been published in more than 40 languages, and have been optioned for both film and TV.

Ruth Ware joins Kelsey and Jenn to talk about her newest book – One Perfect Couple. Intriguing characters, reality TV, a tropical paradise, murder and so many moral dilemmas! You’ll be hooked!

CLICK HERE to view Ruth Ware’s books and audiobooks in the Library’s catalog.

The newest episode of the Library’s podcast features Katherine Center, who BookPage calls “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She is the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, The Bodyguard, Hello Stranger, and her newest – The Rom-Commers.

Katherine Center joins Kelsey and Jenn to talk about how stories are uniquely able to change our lives, the aggressively misunderstood happy ending, and why love stories matter. Let the banter begin!

CLICK HERE to view Katherine Center’s books and audiobooks in the Library’s catalog.