Frequent guest, Penguin Random House sales rep and former Books on the Nightstand host, Michael Kindness is back to share some of his favorite reads just in time for your summer vacation!

Roxanne says Michael “…has a special place in my heart and R.J. Julia’s and has not only a wide range of reading interests but he’s particularly adept at describing books in a way that makes you want to read them.”

Get even more book talk from Michael Kindness by listening to to Ep 9, Ep 20, Ep 32 & Ep 46 of Just the Right Book Podcast.

To purchase any of the books in this episode, please visit RJ Julia Booksellers

Bonfire: A Novel by Krysten Ritter

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha

The Gunners: A Novel by Rebecca Kaufman

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Real Friends by Shannon Hale

The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry by David L. Carlson and Landis Blair

Stitches: A Memoir by David Small

Providence: A Novel by Caroline Kepnes

You:  A Novel by Caroline Kepnes

Everyone has a story to tell. Whether it’s lunch with your co-workers, conversations with friends and family or a romantic date, telling stories helps us be honest with ourselves as well as make a deeper connection with others.

Internationally bestselling author, storyteller, podcaster, and 36-time Moth StorySLAM champion, Matthew Dicks recently stopped by our studios to share his numerous tips and tools to help us all become storytellers with his new book “Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling.”

The elementary school teacher also recounts the first time he took the Moth stage, how he later turned a traumatic event into a cathartic storytelling experience, and even gives us some pointers on how to organize our time better, which is the focus of his next non-fiction book.

Pick up a copy of Storyworthy!

Listen to Matthew’s podcast Speak Up here!

Click here to check out Matthew’s official site!

Wondering what to read while the sun is out and the days are long? Roxanne has you covered with twenty-two hand-picked reads from biographies and self-help books to deliciously disturbing novels, beach reads and more!

To purchase any of the books in this episode, just go to R.J. Julia

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World by Jeff Goodell

Grant by Ron Chernow

How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson

Dot Journaling?A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together by Rachel Wilkerson Miller

Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman

Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giodarno

Real Friends by Shannon Hale

How to Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life by Frank M.D. Lipman

Tangerine: A Novel by Christine Mangan

The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations by John McCain and Mark Salter

Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Educated by Tara Westover

The Female Persuasion: A Novel by Meg Wolitzer

Calypso by David Sedaris

Abridged Classics: Brief Summaries of Books You Were Supposed to Read but Probably Didn’t by John Atkinson

I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O’Farrell

Making Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead- My Life Story by Cecile Richards

Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America by James Forman

We’re more willing to talk about sex than money.  New York Times correspondent John Schwartz discusses our discomfort with financial planning in his new book, “This is the Year I put My Financial Life in Order.”

Schwartz (who didn’t have a will until age 58) covers everything from wills and retirement to investments, and more, making this book a must-read for anyone who has put off managing money or establishing a financial future.  As Roxanne notes, “John’s willingness to share his family’s financial foibles and his path through financial planning is a gift to the rest of us.”

To purchase any of the books in this episode, just go to R.J. Julia.

This is the Year I Put My Financial Life in Order by John Schwartz

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The World Book Encyclopedia

Allison Pearson’s latest book, “How Hard Can It Be” has already been optioned for TV by the producer of HBO’s hit series “Big Little Lies.”

The book’s prequel, “I Don’t Know How She Does It” sold over 4 million copies and inspired a film starring Sarah Jessica Parker.

Roxanne recently sat down with the bestselling author to discuss her hilarious new book, raising children, and how stay-at-home moms can transition back into the work place.

To purchase any of the books in this episode, just go to R.J. Julia.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Pippi Longstalking by Astrid Lindgren

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Pulitzer prize-winning, best-selling author Michael Chabon joined us for a conversation about his new book of essays called Pop’s: Fatherhood in Pieces.

Roxanne says “there is no shortage of books exploring the world of motherhood, the good, the bad, and the ugly, but there aren’t enough books exploring the world of fatherhood. Along comes Michael Chabon with seven essays that beautifully explore the meaning, the magic, and the mysteries of fatherhood.”

Also, in this episode, we hear some of our listeners’ book recommendations.

To purchase any of the books in this episode, just go to R.J. Julia.

Pop’s: Fatherhood in Pieces by Michael Chabon

The Sherlock Holmes Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan

The Cuckoo’s Calling by J.K. Rowling

Stiff by Mary Roach

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Hellhound on his Trail by Hampton Sides

11/22/63 by Stephen King

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

In Harms Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors by Doug Stanton

Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks