Better World Books Podcast: Jodi Picoult

05/20/09 • 14 min

Jodi Picoult came by my office on a Wednesday afternoon while she was in Atlanta for her book tour. And while I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing NY Times bestselling authors before, I’m definitely not as cool as I should be and I was nervous.

I mean, after all Jodi Picoult is not just any author she’s the kind of author whose books jump to #1 on the list the minute they come out. Everyone knows who she is. If you’ve ever walked into a bookstore or even past one in an airport, you’d recognize the cover of a Jodi Picoult book. And now her most famous book MY SISTER’S KEEPER is about to come out as a major motion picture as well.

So yes, I was nervous because of her fame but it was more than that. I had just finished HANDLE WITH CARE the night before at about midnight and I was fired up about the ending. Among other things, I was hoping I could politely ask why she chose to end her books with the shocking and upsetting twists and turns she is famous for.

The book is about Willow, a child born with brittle bone disease and her mother Charlotte’s ensuing wrongful birth lawsuit. As with all her books, HANDLE WITH CARE will keep you turning pages, caring about the characters and asking yourself what you would do if you found yourself in this situation.

We talked about the characters, the disease, the research that went into the book and yes, the shocking ending as well. And of course I had to ask about the upcoming movie release of MY SISTER’S KEEPER (June 2009 – starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin).

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast page!

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast page!

Previous Episode

Better World Books Podcast: Dr. Helen Fisher

Why do you fall in love with one person rather than another? In her new book Dr. Helen Fisher identifies four biological personality styles generated by brain chemistry; then using her study of 28,000 people, she shows who is naturally drawn to whom.

Dr. Fisher is the chief scientific advisor for CHEMISTRY.COM and her personality type test has already been taken by millions! She has been seen on 20/20, The Early Show on CBS and even The Colbert Report, so I was especially excited that she was able to take the time to sit down with me.

Once you read this book (and listen to the podcast!) you’ll never look at people (or more importantly, yourself) the same way.

Do you know what it means if your ring finger is longer than your pointer finger? How ’bout who should pay for dinner and why? (Scientifically speaking, of course). Did you ever stop to think you might be living in the wrong place to meet your soul mate? Wonder what Oprah’s personality type is? How ’bout Barack Obama?

The answers to these questions and more are right in this podcast (which was really one of the most fun interviews I’ve done). And of course even more answers and the quiz itself are in the book!

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast page!

Next Episode

Better World Books Podcast: Laura Lippman

Atlanta traffic almost got in the way of my interview with Laura Lippman about her new book LIFE SENTENCES. She was scheduled to be at my office at 5PM, but had to be across town for a signing event at 7Pm that same day. When she saw the traffic, she didn’t think it would work and was on the brink of cancelling or rescheduling at least.

But I was determined to meet her. I had been reading Laura’s books since long before I ever had a bookstore or began working for Better World Books. I just had to meet her – and share her work with you.

So, I jumped in my car with all of my equipment and drove across town to meet her. Laura was gracious enough to wait for me and also allow me to interview her in her hotel room, since we couldn’t find another spot.

I loved the Tess Monaghan series (which starts with Baltimore Blues) mostly for the plot, if I remember correctly. But the new book not only works from a plot standpoint, but is incredibly well thought out with characters that are incredibly human, unique and believable.

Just so you know,LIFE SENTENCES is not about the death penalty or life in prison. Instead the title works on many levels. You’ll have read the book and come to your own conclusions there, or listen to the interview and get it straight from the author!

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast page!