What's Next on The Book Squad

Look who's hanging out with us on The Book Squad tomorrow...

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive's Alexander McCall Smith has written more than sixty books ranging from reference works to children’s titles, as well as his much loved series of gentle detective novels set in Botswana: The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. In 2007 McCall Smith was awarded a CBE for his services to literature.

D.C.-area author Connie Briscoe (Can't Get Enough, etc. ) has collaborated with Michael Cunningham (Crowns) to pen the photographic masterpiece that is Jewels: 50 Phenomenal Black Women Over 50. Per Booklist, "Each striking black-and-white portrait accompanies a personal essay as the women often recall the people who came before them, inspiring them to achieve and admonishing them not to allow themselves to be defeated by the limitations they faced."

Slate Magazine senior writer Timothy Noah talks about The Woman at the Washington Zoo: Writings on Politics, Family, and Fate, his collaborative effort with his wife, the late Marjorie Williams. Tim is also local to D.C., living in the area and having contributed to The Washington Monthly and the Washington beat of the Wall Street Journal.

So come hang out with us Friday at noon on wmet1160.com. We'll have sparkling conversation and dry wit on the menu for you...

April 20, 2007: "Today, we are all Hokies..."

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has declared today -- Friday, April 20, 2007 -- a statewide day of mourning for the victims of the April 16th tragedy on the Blacksburg campus Virginia Tech.


To us at The Book Squad, this is a local travesty, as we are residents of DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We join with the world in hoping that in these trying times, we will all find the strength to go on and to find meaning in the senselessness of thirty-three deaths.

What's Next on The Book Squad

The Book Squad gets a jump on commemorating Earth Day, which falls on April 22nd this year.

First up, Kim McKay, co-founder and deputy chairwoman of Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World, discusses True Green: 100 Everyday Ways You Can Contribute to a Healthier Planet, the book she co-wrote with fellow conservationist Jenny Bonnin.

Next up, Essence bestselling author and avid recycler Lori Bryant-Woolridge, graces us with her presence to tell us about her latest effort, Weapons of Mass Seduction.

Ocean of Emotions' Phaedra Ridley joins us in the Author Spotlight.

So, listen to us Friday at noon on www.wmet1160.com while you're in your hybrid car, or as you separate out your paper, plastic, and cans...

What's Next on The Book Squad

Tax day is APRIL 16TH, PEOPLE!

Just in time for that monumentous -- or frightening, depending on your outlook -- day, The Book Squad has two authors on to share the secrets of how to banish debt from your life, how to acquire money, and how to invest it and make it work for you.

Erlend Peterson, the author of Rich By Choice, advises people on how to manage their income and invest their money; when they need insurance and how much to buy; how to reduce their taxes; how to plan their retirement; and how to get the whole family involved so that when they pass on, their money is not wasted.

Debt is Slavery author Michael Mihalik describes how he triumphed over a paralyzing amount of debt. Michael uses his personal experiences to illustrate ten lessons about money that will change the way you think about money so you too can pay off your debt and reclaim your freedom and your life.

But first, to take our mind off the Tax Man, poet extraordinaire and best friend of The Book Squad, Kwame Alexander, regales us with poetry from his latest, Crush. He'll be reading from Crush at its launch party at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Potomac Yards, Alexandria on Friday, April 13, 6:30 pm.

Spiritual Shackles scribe Okeyo A. Jumal is in the Author Spotlight.

See you tomorrow. We won't even charge admission...

What's Next on the Book Squad

April 6 is YA Day on The Book Squad... with a twist.

First up, Teen People entertainment editor turned author Jen Calonita dishes about having interviewed who's who in Young Hollywood and tells us about her latest, Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location, which drops this month.

Paula Chase is next in the hot seat. She discusses her novel So Not the Drama: A Del Rio Bay Clique Novel. She also talks about the increase of YA literature for black readers, and about how parents can monitor young readers without imposing censorship.

And now, the twist -- a deviation from the YA theme. Texas author Jo Barrett's new book The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom has been optioned by CBS and Paramount Studios! Jo enlightens us about the whole option deal; after all, Hugh Jackman's production company's is involved. She shares with us how to say "bathroom" in many languages and discusses the inevitable comparison of her work to that of author Candace Bushnell (of Sex and the City fame).

So join us Friday at noon on wmet1160.com. We're leaving the light on for you...