PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Calling all authors and book lovers! On this episode of Beyond the Next Chapter, we’re joined by a Valley woman who’s planning a convention for book lovers and authors in 2025. It’s called Readers of the Valley and will be in Glendale, Arizona on January 18 and 19th. The convention is being organized by Rebecca Lopez. She’s a local author who also owns Sunrise Bookworm Co., a business she runs with her husband featuring book-themed goodies. Rebecca talks about what it’s like being a small-business owner, why she wanted to bring a convention like this to the Phoenix-area, and of course she gives us some book recommendations!
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PRIOR EPISODES
What it’s like traveling to the deepest part of the ocean with Dr. Dawn Wright: This episode of Beyond the Next Chapter is truly living up to its name! We’re joined by Dr. Dawn Wright, who’s the first Black person to reach the bottom of the ocean. Wright is out with a new book called “Mapping the Deep: Innovation, Exploration, and the Dive of a Lifetime.” Back in 2022, she visited the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean. At more than 35,000 feet, it’s the deepest and most unexplored place on planet Earth. Her book details her dive, her path in life and how she became a professor. She now works at a company called the Environmental Systems Research Institute, or ESRI. Wright talks about what she saw at the bottom of the ocean and why mapping the deepest parts of the ocean is so important for all of us.
How a Valley boy is raising books for kids in need: While many 8-year-old’s love reading, not many start non-profits to comfort others! This week’s episode of Beyond the Next Chapter features Anaik Sachdev, the Valley boy who started the organization “The Loving Library.” He’s also joined by his mom and younger brother who serves as an ambassador. The group donates books to kids who are in the hospital and they now have chapters across the country, even in the UK. Anaik got the idea after his grandma was hospitalized with COVID-19 and she was lonely. Since then, more than 15,000 books have been donated! They talk about how you can give back, their favorite books for kids, how the non-profit has been able to grow and the plans for the future!
Laura Dave on ‘The Night We Lost Him’: After the death of their father, estranged siblings discover their dad may have been keeping a secret for more than 50 years. While his death was ruled accidental, the siblings are afraid something more sinister is at play. It’s a slow-burn mystery and family drama and Laura Dave joins the podcast to talk about “The Night We Lost Him.” Dave is a #1 New York Times best-selling author who most recently wrote “The Last Thing He Told Me.” That book is also hit series on Apple TV starring Jennfier Garner. Dave talks to our host Whitney Clark about the real event that inspired “The Night We Lost Him,” her own fears, what it’s like working with Garner, and the plans for her next book (a sequel to “The Last Thing He Told Me.”).
How to improve literacy rates in Arizona: Only 41% of third-grade students in Arizona are reading at grade level. That’s according to the most recent statistics from the Education Progress meter. Findings were released earlier this year by the non-profit, Center for the Future of Arizona. In this episode, our host Whitney Clark focuses on how we can improve literacy rates among kids, how we got here, why it’s a skill that’s so important, and what you can do to help. She’s joined by Terri Clark, the Arizona Literacy Director for Read On Arizona, and Jennifer Deibel, who’s an author and teacher in the Deer Valley Unified School District.
How to solo travel on a budget with Jen on a Jet Plane: In this episode we’re taking you around the world, but on a budget! Our host Whitney Clarks to Jen Ruiz, the author of “12 Trips in 12 Months.” The year before her 30th birthday, Ruiz decided to take a a challenge: Go on 12 trips in 12 months. Her book unpacks her travel journey around the world, how she was able to go from an attorney to a full-time travel blogger, and Jen shares some of her secrets to getting cheap flights. She even flew from the U.S. to New Zealand for $38! Ruiz also shares the magic of solo travel and her advice for women who may be at a crossroads in life and are looking for a change.
Arizona native T.J. Newman on her third book “Worst Case Scenario”: From a Changing Hands bookseller, to a flight attendant to a New York Times bestselling author, Valley native T.J. Newman is getting ready for the release of her third book “Worst Case Scenario.” Our host Whitney Clark talks to her about the latest thriller. After an airline pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner crashes into a nuclear power plant and the race is on to prevent a total meltdown. Newman talks to Whitney about what it’s like to return home as an author, her pet peeves as a former flight attendant, and what it’s like to see her other books adapted for the big screen!
Kate Quinn on her new book “The Briar Club”: Author Kate Quinn is out with her new book “The Briar Club.” If you like historical fiction, you will love this book! “The Briar Club” is set in a boardinghouse in Washington D.C. during the McCarthy era. There’s an element of murder mystery and it’s told from the perspective of multiple women, all facing different challenges of the time. Our host, Whitney Clark, talks to Kate about the research that went into this book, what inspired her to write it, the power of female friendships, and she gives us a sneak peek of what she’s working on next.
Ruth Ware on her book “One Perfect Couple”: On this week’s episode, our host Whitney Clark chats with Ruth Ware. She’s known for her psychological thrillers and is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author. Her new book “One Perfect Couple” is out now. Whitney talks to Ruth about what inspires her work, what kind of research went into this book and how it compares to reality shows.
Ashley Poston on her new book “A Novel Love Story”: In this episode of “Beyond the Next Chapter,” our host Whitney Clark chats with author Ashley Poston about her new book. “A Novel Love Story” is out today! Ashley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of “The Dead Romantics” and “The Seven Year Slip.” Ashley talks to Whitney about her favorite romance novels, how friendships grow and change as you get older, and the pros and cons of TikTok as an author.
The most highly anticipated books of the summer: If you’re going on a trip this summer and you’re looking for a good book, we’ve got you covered! In this episode of “Beyond the Next Chapter,” our host Whitney Clark talks to the folks at the Phoenix Library about the most highly anticipated books of the summer. She’s joined by Anna Chenoweth, the library collections manager, and Maria Lopez, the community relations manager.
Combating trauma in the workplace: In this episode of Beyond the Next Chapter, our host Whitney Clark talks to an author and psychologist about overcoming trauma associated with work. Gretchen Schmelzer is a longtime psychologist and author. She’s writing a book about the topic now. She also has a book called “Journey Through Trauma” which was released in 2018. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Gretchen noticed that employers were becoming concerned with the mental health with their employees. She travels the country working with doctors, firefighters and even journalists. Gretchen shares tips with Whitney on how to address trauma, how to notice it and how employers can work with their employees.
Steven Rowley on his new book “The Guncle Abroad”: In a bonus episode of “Beyond the Next Chapter,” our host Whitney Clark talks to author Steven Rowley about his newest book “The Guncle Abroad.” It’s the sequel to his hit novel “The Guncle” which was released in 2021. The sequel follows Patrick and his niece and nephew as their father gets married in Italy. Whitney talks to Stephen about how he mixes humor and heart, his own love story, and what it’s like to be an uncle in his real-life!
Abby Jimenez on her new book ‘Just for the Summer’: Summer is just around the corner, and on this episode of “Beyond the Next Chapter” host Whitney Clark talks to the author of “Just for the Summer.” Abby Jimenez is known for her quick dialogue and romance novels that have depth and cover issues like trauma and toxic parents. Her latest book came out in April and was an instant No. 1 New York Times bestseller. Whitney talks to Abby about her writing process, her bakery business “Nadia Cakes,” and Abby gives us a sneak peek of her next book that will be out in 2025!
Why an Arizona mom and author wrote a children’s book about camping: For the first time on Beyond the Next Chapter, our host Whitney Clark is chatting with a children’s book author—and she’s local! Lindsay Gonzales lives in the Valley and is the author of a series of books about a young girl named E.D. Camps. The main character is based off of Lindsay’s daughter, Elena. Lindsay loves camping and when she and her husband started taking their young daughters, she couldn’t find any books about camping. So she wrote one! Lindsay talks to Whitney about how she became a published author, her favorite books, why she loves camping with her family, and her favorite camping spots in Arizona!
Allison Winn Scotch on her new book, Taylor Swift, and 90′s romcoms: Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! If you’re looking for a good beach read, Allison Winn Scotch’s new book “Take Two, Birdie Maxwell” may be the one! Our host Whitney Clark got to talk to Allison about how Julia Roberts inspired the main character, Birdie. Allison is a fan of 90′s romcoms and wanted to create the same types of love stories in her books. She’s also a big fan of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce and weighs in on why she thinks so many are rooting for (and sometimes against) the couple. Allison regularly gives shout outs to other female authors and shares why that is so important in the publishing world.
Christina Estes on her new book “Off the Air”: For the first time, the podcast is featuring an Arizona author! Christina Estes is out with her debut novel “Off the Air.” It’s a murder mystery set in Phoenix (and it features more than 15 local businesses and neighborhoods). It stars Jolene Garcia, a competitive local TV reporter who wants tell important stories in her community. The book was inspired by Estes’ own career. She has spent more than 20 years reporting in Phoenix and currently works for NPR. Estes tells Whitney she hopes people are entertained, they have a better understanding of how local news works, and a better appreciation for Phoenix. “Off the Air” also won the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in the Southwest.
Rebecca Serle on her new book “Expiration Dates”: What if every time you met a man, you would know how long you would spend with him? That’s the premise of Rebecca Serle’s new book “Expiration Dates.” Our host Whitney Clark got a chance to talk to Serle about her latest project and the story of Daphne Bell. In this podcast episode, Whitney and Rebecca dive into faith versus free will, the significance of female relationships and how they change throughout your 30′s, and Rebecca’s secrets to a successful book club! Serle is known for incorporating magical realism into her stories and “Expiration Dates” is no different. She’s a New York Times best selling author who also wrote “One Italian Summer” and “In Five Years.”
Where you can go to book fairs for grown-ups in the Valley: Whitney Clark takes us on a trip down memory lane! Her guest this week is Laura Sharp, the owner of a Gilbert-based pop-up bookstore. Literally, A Bookshop is a children’s bookstore that also hosts events for grown-ups! Think the Scholastic Book Fair, but instead of your school gymnasium, events for adults are hosted at wine bars and breweries across the Valley. You can buy a book while drinking a beer or a glass of wine, while also connecting with your fellow readers. Laura shares why she started the events for adults, what it’s like owning an independent bookstore, and the magic of introducing kids to books.
What is a silent book club?: Whitney introduces us to silent book clubs. What is a silent book club? Think of it as a flash mob, but for readers! You show up with a book and meet other readers. It’s less pressure than a traditional book club and is growing in popularity. Whitney talks to the organizers of the Phoenix and East Valley Silent Book Club chapters who say they now have two meetings a month.
Kristin Hannah on her new book “The Women”: Whitney talks to the #1 New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Hannah. If you don’t immediately recognize her name, you likely have seen her books! Hannah has written more than 20 novels including “The Nightingale,” “The Four Winds,” and “The Great Alone.” Hollywood has also taken note. Her book “Firefly Lane” was the #1 series on Netflix around the world the week it came out and Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group has already preemptively acquired the rights to “The Women.” Hannah’s newest book, “The Women,” is the fictionalized story of the brave nurses who served during the Vietnam War. Hannah grew up during that time period and it cast a big shadow over her life. Fans of Hannah’s work will see familiar themes in “The Women,” including the power of female friendships. “The Women” is out now wherever you buy your books.
Whitney’s reading origin story & how to raise a reader: In the first episode of “Beyond the Next Chapter,” we’ll introduce you to our host, Whitney Clark, and dive into her reading origin story. Some of her earliest memories include her dad reading to her and taking her to the library or the bookstore. Whitney is joined by her dad and Samantha Mears with the Maricopa County Library District, who is raising a young reader herself! Samantha shares how you can encourage your kids to read through the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program.
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