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The book that Lane Moore could never find on a shelf is the very one she decided to write. How to Be Alone, her collection of personal essays, explores through candor and humor the fallout from her childhood trauma and how she's learning to make peace with the chaos. Moore is also a comedian and the host/creator of Tinder Live and fronts the band It Was Romance. Visit Lane Moore online: https://www.lanemoore.org https://mobile.twitter.com/hellolanemoore https://www.instagram.com/hellolanemoore Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

When they go low, Ross Mathews goes funny. In his second book, Name Drop, Matthews shares thirteen non-mean-spirited brushes with celebrities. Name Drop is a hilarious collection of his encounters with the rich and famous: including Mathews making a difference in Lady Gaga's life and then there was that time he secretly stalked Liza Minnelli. This follow-up to Mathews 2013 Man-Up memoir also features original cocktails and his very own ROSSipes that accompany each star-struck tale. Mathews is also a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race and the host of the podcast, Straight Talk. Visit Ross Mathews online: https://www.helloross.com https://www.instagram.com/helloross https://twitter.com/helloross Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

The beauty of The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care by Anna Borges is how it proves self-care is a such personal act. The A-Z format of the book allows you to dip in and choose from dozens of suggestions that strike your fancy. If sitting silent for five minutes sounds like sheer torture, you can always doodle or maybe count sheep under a weighted blanket. Borges is also the senior health editor at SELF and the podcast host of We Are YA. Visit Anna Borges online:                                                           https://www.instagram.com/annabroges                   https://twitter.com/annabroges Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

Only a select few can claim they've spent hours in the presence of Tina Turner. Deborah Davis is in that rarefied club. As the co-author (along with Dominik Wichmann) of Ms. Turner’s second memoir, My Love Story, she held witness to the triumphant life and career of the Queen of Rock and her story of resilience. Davis has also written books on Truman Capote, Andy Warhol and Oprah Winfrey. Visit Deborah Davis online: https://www.instagram.com/therealdeborahdavis Visit Tina Turner online: http://www.tinaturnerofficial.com https://www.instagram.com/tinaturner Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

André Aciman’s 2007 novel Call Me by Your Name captivated readers with the relationship between Elio and Oliver. Ten years later, Luca Guadagnino’s film adaption further expanded the adoration fans felt for the characters. Find Me, the follow-up, is a less a sequel and more of an unexpected view into the lives of Oliver, Elio and his father. Visit André Aciman online: www.findmenovel.com www.twitter.com/aaciman www.instagram.com/acimanandre www.facebook.com/AcimanAndre Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

It's a good thing when Adam Mansbach’s name appears on the cover of a book. Especially when it's two books of humor in the same year. His co-authored title with Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel, A Field Guide to the Jewish People: Who They Are, Where They Come From, What to Feed Them…and Much More. Maybe Too Much More (Flatiron Books) released in September 2019. A few weeks later Adam returned with the third volume of his children’s picture books for adults, F**k, Now There Are Two of You. It's the follow-up to 2011’s surprise hit Go the F**k to Sleep and the 2014 sequel You Have to F**king Eat, all available from Akashic Books. Adam pinned the bestseller Angry Black White Boy, and you can see his screenwriting work on Netflix's Original Movie, Barry. Purchase A Field Guide to the Jewish People Purchase F**k, Now There Are Two of You Visit Adam Mansbach online: http://adammansbach.com Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

Coming from a rural California background, Ryan O’Callaghan intuited at an early age that hiding he was gay was his only option. Whether it was personally or in his six-year career as an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots then the Kansas City Chiefs, Ryan’s life in the closet took its toll in numerous ways. In his memoir, My Life on the Line (co-written with Cyd Zeigler), Ryan details his years of depression, threats of suicide and an opioid addiction spurred by multiple football-related injuries. My Life on the Line isn't only about the cost of living a lie, it's ultimately about Ryan deciding to lead an open and honest life as a gay man. My Life on the Line is published by Edge of Sports, an imprint of Akashic Books. Purchase My Life on the Line Visit Ryan O’Callaghan online: https://www.instagram.com/ocallaghanryan Visit the Ryan O’Callaghan Foundation online. All of Ryan’s book proceeds will help provide LGBTQ athletes with scholarships: https://rofdn.org Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.  

Elissa Altman’s memoir, Motherland: A Memoir of Love, Loathing, and Longing (Ballantine Books), spins our idea of the maternal instinct right on its archetypal head. Look elsewhere if you're expecting warm and cuddly tales of mother/daughter bonding because Elissa’s mother, Rita, shares life’s stage with no one and that includes her daughter. Motherland is Elissa’s more bitter, than sweet journey of a life spent living for her mother and how she learned to live for herself. Elissa is also the author of the previous books, Treyf: My Life as an Unorthodox Outlaw and Poor Man’s Feast: A Love Story of Comfort, Desire and the Art of Simple Cooking. Poor Man’s Feast is also the name of her James Beard Award-winning narrative blog. Visit Elissa Altman online: https://elissaaltman.com http://www.poormansfeast.com https://www.instagram.com/elissa_altman Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice Visit Strand Book Store online: https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.   Books mentioned in this episode: Elissa Altman, Motherland Mary Gordon, The Shadow Man Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety Terry Tempest Williams, When Women Were Birds Alice Waters, The Art of Simple Food

Although his books can be enjoyed anytime of the year, October can definitely be referred to as R.L. Stine Season! For over 30 years, Stine has been the undisputed king of horror fiction for children and YA readers. Adults love him, too. With hundreds of titles to his credit, including the Goosebumps and Fear Street series of books, Stine continues to thrill fans by adding graphic novels and the forthcoming Fear Street movies to his résumé. It's no wonder R.L. Stine remains an inspiration for anyone who's ever read one of his books. Visit R.L. Stine online: http://rlstine.com https://m.facebook.com/rlstine https://twitter.com/rl_stine Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice Visit Strand Book Store online: https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.   Books mentioned in this episode: Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine Erle Stanley Gardner, The Case of the Velvet Claws

Lauren Wilkinson doesn't have much of a problem with your distilling American Spy, her debut novel, into a book about a “black female spy”. Although technically accurate, Lauren’s debut is far more expansive than those three words might suggest. Set during the Cold War, FBI agent Marie Mitchell is assigned with taking down Thomas Sankara, a beloved communist leader in Burkina Faso. Based on the real-life president who was referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara”, Marie develops feelings that fall outside of her duties. As with most novels of intrigue, no one is quite who they appear. Born and bred in New York, Lauren graduated from Columbia University with a MFA in fiction and literary translation. American Spy originated as a short story class assignment. This episode also features Book News from Eirini Karoutsos and Sofia Nehlawi. Visit Lauren Wilkinson online: www.lauren-wilkinson.com www.instagram.com/thrillkinson   Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online:  https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.   Books mentioned in this episode: American Spy, Lauren Wilkinson A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle The Giver, Lois Lowry Roots, Alex Haley Harriet the Spy, Louise Fitzhugh Jelly Belly, Robert Kimmel Smith Wayside School, Louis Sachar Marlena, Julie Buntin Heavy, Kiese Laymon Convenience Store Woman, Sayaka Murata Neverworld Wake, Marisha Pessl You, Caroline Kepnes                                              

According to yoga teacher Eddie Stern, we could all use a little more space for happiness. In his book, One Simple Thing: A New Look at the Science of Yoga and How It Can Transform Your Life, he gives us a road map to unearthing our best selves. For Eddie, the journey began in his mid-teens at a yoga camp. He's been sharing his knowledge and expertise ever since through Urban Yogis (a gun and harm-reduction program), his Ashtanga yoga classes, and co-founding the Breathing app, along with Moby and Deepak Chopra (who also wrote One Simple Thing’s foreword). One Simple Thing continues Eddie’s mission by providing the reader with the myriad benefits of both meditation and yoga practice. Plus, he was Madonna’s instructor for ten years! This episode also features Book News from Eirini Karoutsos and Sofia Nehlawi. Visit Eddie Stern online: www.eddiestern.com/ www.instagram.com/eddiestern   Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online: www.strandbooks.com   Books mentioned in this episode:  One Simple Thing by Eddie Stern                                 

In the case of James Oseland’s memoir, Jimmy Neurosis, we should totally judge a book by its cover. Replete in a slicked-back coif (think Bowie’s Thin White Duke period), ironic bank clerk-clothes and an insouciant expression; it's James at a time when he thought knew everything. Page after page might debunk this notion, but it's a ride through the late 70s with teenage James hanging out on/in the San Francisco punk scene. Jimmy Neurosis, James's alter ego, shines in the concentrated tale (1977-1980) of a young gay guy discovering himself through music, high school bullying, drugs and chic friends named Blackie O. It’s all narrated without a whiff of self-pity. If you’re a foodie who loved James from his judging stints on Top Chef Masters, Jimmy Neurosis will be your insiders look into a youth that was alternately harrowing and hilarious. Visit James Oseland online: www.jamesoseland.com www.twitter.com/jamesoseland   Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online: https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.    Books mentioned in this episode: Jimmy Neurosis: A Memoir, James Oseland Browse other books by James Oseland Every Heart a Doorway, Seanan McGuire The Raven Cycle, Maggie Stiefvater Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo     

How do you turn an Instagram account on books into a New York Times profile in just three years? Ask Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a book club for black women and fiction centered on their lives. In scant time, Glory has taken Well-Read Black Girl from a handful of Instagram followers to an annual book festival and a book deal consisting of 2018’s bestselling Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves and a forthcoming memoir. What earnestly started as an online community has become a representation of both the joys and traumas of black women. Glory believes these life stories are for anyone who wants to learn about worlds outside their own. Stories of hope and triumph will always transcend. Visit Glory Edim online: www.wellreadblackgirl.com www.instagram.com/wellreadblackgirl Visit host boice-Terrel Allen online: www.talkmusictalk.com www.instagram.com/thisisboice   Visit Strand Book Store online: https://www.strandbooks.com/strandcast or join the newsletter.    Books mentioned in this episode: Well Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim The Light of the World: A Memoir by Elizabeth Alexander  Becoming by Michelle Obama My Love Story: A Memoir by Tina Turner We Real Cool by bell hooks Beloved by Toni Morrison The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother's Life in The Detroit Numbers by Bridgette M. Davis Looking of Lorraine by Imani Perry The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory