This week on the KPL Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Andrew Kuhlman to talk about Austen’s Pride —the dazzling new musical now playing at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. In this imaginative reworking of Pride and Prejudice , Jane Austen herself takes center stage, embarking on a journey of self-discovery. As the iconic romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy unfolds in a fresh light, Austen uncovers surprising truths about her characters—and herself. Recommendations Sandstorm ...
Jul 25, 2025•29 min•Ep. 286
This week on the KPL Podcast: When the Blum family trades Brooklyn for a quiet Maine college town, they expect a fresh start—until a shocking event on Hazel’s first day of senior year shakes everything. Hazel Says No is a warm, witty debut about family, identity, and the ripple effects of change. A small-town story with big heart and unforgettable characters. Author Reads Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley The Compound by Aisling Rawle On Beauty by Zadie Smith Fellowship Point by Alice ...
Jul 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 285
In this week's KPL Podcast episode we dive into The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully. A sharp-tongued Boomer sleuth teams up with her eager Gen Z assistant to solve a suspicious death at a wealthy family's estate on Lake Champlain. What looks like suicide might be murder—and the deeper they dig, the messier it gets. Full of wit, twists, and intergenerational tension, this feel-good mystery proves even “just okay” assistants can surprise you. Author Reads Psych...
Jul 11, 2025•40 min•Ep. 284
This week on the KPL Podcast, we spoke with Maxie Dara about A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer. The story is a cozy mystery with a paranormal twist, following grim reaper Kathy Valence as she investigates a murder within her department. The story blends humor, heart, and a unique premise to explore themes of family, love, and personal growth. Dead and Breakfast by Kate Kingsbury A Rip Through Time by Kelly Armstrong...
Jul 04, 2025•30 min•Ep. 283
This week on the podcast we have Aaron John Curtis here to tell us about his debut novel. In Old School Indian , a sharp and tender novel, Abe Jacobs—facing a terminal diagnosis—returns to the Rez after decades away. As he reckons with his crumbling marriage, a skeptical healing ceremony, and his own past, Abe embarks on a moving journey of self-discovery, family, and cultural reconnection. Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou Big Chief by Jon Hickey A Council of Dolls by Susan Mona Power Stop Me ...
Jun 27, 2025•49 min•Ep. 282
In this week's KPL Podcast episode, Alicia Thompson brings us a swoony second-chance romance set on a cruise with a reunited band, Never Been Shipped. Micah is determined not to repeat past mistakes—no drama, no falling in love. But when her former bandmate (and best friend) John steps back into her life, the sparks are impossible to ignore. Listen to learn more. Author Reads All's Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer The Prospects by KT Hoffman The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley & A...
Jun 20, 2025•25 min•Ep. 281
In this episode, we dive into Don’t Sleep with the Dead by Nghi Vo—a haunting, magical companion to The Chosen and the Beautiful . Set in the late 1930s, Nick Carraway is still pretending—about his past, his identity, and his humanity—until a familiar figure from 1922 returns. Dead or not, Gatsby isn’t finished with him. A reimagining of The Great Gatsby like you’ve never heard before. Author Reads Looking for Hamlet by Marvin W. Hunt The Lies of Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi...
Jun 13, 2025•31 min•Ep. 280
This week on the KPL Podcast we have debut author Lucas Schaefer to tell us about his novel, The Slip . This is an American novel about a missing teenage boy, cases of fluid and mistaken identity, and the transformative power of boxing. This novel was named a Most Anticipated Book of 2025 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. Listen to learn more. Author Reads: White Teeth by Zadie Smith NW by Zadie Smith A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan Leg: the Story of Limb and the ...
Jun 06, 2025•51 min•Ep. 279
Welcome back to the KPL Podcast. This week we spoke with Jessie Rosen about her new novel, All The Signs . If you are into astrology than you'll enjoy this fun, light hearted novel about a doctor who's life is turned upside down with she learns she's out of alignment with her star chart. Listen to learn more. Author reads Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson...
May 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 278
This week on the KPL Podcast, we spoke with author Tom Lamont about his novel Going Home . This is a sweet, heartwarming story three men not suited to be fathers but step up to take charge of a toddler after an unexpected loss. Both parenting and friendship are examined in a whole new light. Listen to learn more. Author Reads Home by Marilynne Robinson Human Voices by Penelope Fitzgerald Hidden America: from coal miners to cowboys, an extraordinary exploration of the unseen people who make this ...
May 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 277
Welcome back to the KPL Podcast. This week we spoke with Annie Mare about her latest novel Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon. Two women meet when one accidentally texts the wrong number. They begin to chat back and forth and try to meet up in person but learn they are separated by five months. One of them is in May and other in October for the same year. Listen to learn more. Author reads A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry A/S/L by Jeanne Thorton War is a Love Song by Danica Nava The Invisible...
May 16, 2025•47 min•Ep. 276
Let's get sciency on the KPL Podcast. This week we spoke with author Jack Lohmann about his book White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus in Our Cells, in Our Food, and In Our World. This book takes us into the world of phosphorus mining, the environmental and socio economic impact, and food production. Author Reads Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell Animal's People by Indira Sinha Pilgrim of Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 275
We have a wonderful, delightful discussion about The Seven O' Clock Club with Amelia Ireland. Four strangers come together for grief counseling and get far more than they expected. Author Reads Butter: A Novel about Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki T omorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin...
May 02, 2025•31 min•Ep. 274
This week on KPL Podcast we have Julie Iromuanya and we discussed her new novel A Season of Light . This is a story about a tightly bound Nigerian family living in Florida and the wounds that get passed down from generation to generation after they survived the Nigerian Civil War. Author Reads The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez The Tradition by Jericho Brown...
Apr 25, 2025•28 min•Ep. 273
Welcome back to the KPL Podcast. This week we have bestselling author Molly Harper on the show to discuss, A Proposal to Die For. Her first foray into whodunit mysteries. If you're looking for a fun, escapist read then this book is for you. Author reads The Mysterious Case of Dr. Cream by Dean Jobb Death of a Unicorn by Peter Dickinson...
Apr 18, 2025•34 min•Ep. 272
This week on the KPL Podcast check out The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay. A fascinating book that examines implicit bias in the theater industry. A black playwright has difficulty getting her play accepted until she has her white male friend submit under his name. The play is accepted and wins awards. Listen to learn more. Author Reads American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid Drag Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk Mongrel by Hanako Footman...
Apr 11, 2025•38 min•Ep. 271
This week we are back with a fake relationship romance between a singer and a baseball player. The book is No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel. The story is wonderful with great characters from the hero/heroine to the secondary characters. Listen to learn more. You Got A Place Here Too, An Anthology of Black Love Stories by Ebony LaDelle Rose in Chains by Julie Soto Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt...
Apr 04, 2025•47 min•Ep. 270
KPL podcast is back with another fun episode. This week we spoke with Orlando Murrin about his culinary mystery, Knife Skills for Beginners . If you love food and mysteries then this book is for you. There's even recipes in the book. Also check out Orlando's amazing website...
Mar 28, 2025•58 min•Ep. 269
We are back again with another great book. This week we have the Holly Kennedy to discuss, The Sideways Life of Denny Voss. A neurodivergent man sets out to fight a murder charge and discovers unexpected truths about himself, his family, and the world at large. Author Reads Beartown by Fredrik Backman American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall...
Mar 21, 2025•58 min•Ep. 268
This week on the podcast we have an amazing new book, The Sexual Evolution, How 500 Million Years Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships. Author Nathan Lents spoke about new discoveries and interpretations in the science of sex, gender, and mating. Listen to learn more.
Mar 14, 2025•53 min•Ep. 267
This week on the KPL Podcast we have Deanna Raybourn to discuss her latest novel, Kills Well with Others . This book is the sequel to Killers of a Certain Age. The assassins are back, retirement was not what they expected and unresolved aspects of an old case pulls the ladies back together. Author reads 1. The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig 2. A Royal Experiment: The Private Life of King George III by Janice Hadlow...
Mar 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 266
KPL Podcast presents Clare Pooley and her latest novel, How to Age Disgracefully . When the town council decides to sell the beloved community center, a group of seniors band together to save the center. The novel is cleaver and laugh-out-loud funny. Listen to learn more. Author reads The Wedding People by Allison Espach Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe...
Feb 28, 2025•42 min•Ep. 265
We are back with another great author and book for the KPL Podcast. Pagan Kennedy spoke with us this week about The Secret History about the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story . This is a great interview, listen to learn more.
Feb 21, 2025•51 min•Ep. 264
Marie Benedict is back with another thrilling novel, titled The Queens of Crime . The story is set during the inter-war years as five famous mystery writer solve the murder of a young nurse. Each of women are successful writers from The Golden Age of Mysteries, Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Emma Orczy, and Margery Allingham. Author Reads Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers...
Feb 14, 2025•49 min•Ep. 263
Have you ever wanted to know more about your brain? This week on the podcast we spoke with authors Jorge Cham and Dwayne Godwin about their latest book, Out of Your Mind: The Biggest Mysteries of the Human Brain. The book takes a deep dive into the brain and how it functions, encompassing our emotions, consciousness, memory, and even AI.
Feb 07, 2025•39 min•Ep. 262
Another amazing episode is ready. This week we spoke with author Rufi Thorpe about her new novel, Margo's Got Money Troubles . This is a hilarious novels about the trials and and tribulations of single motherhood, addiction, family, and sex work. Listen to learn more. Author Reads 1. Vantage Point by Sara Sligar 2. This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter 3. Slough House by Mick Herron...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 261
We're are back with another great episode. This week we speak with law professor John Inazu about his book Learning to Disagree . This is a wonderful guide on the art of discourse. Listen to learn more.
Jan 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 260
This week on the KPL podcast, I have Kirkwood author, Linda Murphy Marshall. We had a wonderful discussion about Immersion, her latest novel about her work with the State Department as a multilinguist. Listen to learn more. Ivy Lodge: A Memoir of Translation and Discovery by Linda Murphy Marshall Immersion: A Linguist's Memoir by Linda Murphy Marshall...
Jan 17, 2025•38 min•Ep. 259
Happy New Year. Welcome back to the KPL podcast for 2025. This week we interviewed author Susan Barker about her new book, Old Soul. This novel is a horror novel but also a love story that explores the nature of evil. Author Reads You Like it Darker by Stephen King Question 7 by Richard Flanagan...
Jan 10, 2025•24 min•Ep. 258
This week on the KPL Podcast we provide and list of some of our favorite books of 2024. We tried to limit ourselves to 4 books apiece so 8 in total. 1. Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb episode 226 2. The Measure by Nikki Erlick 3. The Golem of Brooklyn by Adam Mansbach episode 256 4. The Cook's Book: recipes for keeps and essential techniques to master everyday cooking by Bri McKoy episode 221 5. The Talented Mrs Mandelbaum: This of rise and fall of...
Dec 27, 2024•17 min•Ep. 257
