What to read after Stieg Larsson | Books on the Nightstand

Jul 27

BOTNS Books Podcast #88: Not just Ikea and meatballs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:41 — 17.0MB)

Have you ever run into a favorite author “in the wild”? Did you have the nerve to approach them? We hear two stories from listeners. Next, we talk about what to read after you’ve finished all of the Stieg Larsson books but still have a craving for Sweden. Lastly, two books we can’t wait for you to read: Revolver by Matt Kindt, and Star Island by Carl Hiaasen.

Author encounters of the cool kind:

We start today’s episode with a wonderful voicemail from Jarrod in Alabama, who tells of his brief encounter with Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird. I think Jarrod is a far braver person than I would be in those same circumstances, and I’m thrilled that we had just a tiny bit to do with Jarrod having the opportunity to meet such an esteemed author. Melissa Klug, whom you met in BOTNS #73, emailed to tell us about her chance encounter with author Neil Gaiman — and the Dead Sea Scrolls. You’ll just have to listen to the podcast to hear the whole story.

Have you ever encountered an author “in the wild”? Tell us your story in the comments, or call our voicemail line: (209) 867-7323.

What to read after you’ve finished The Girl Who… (08:55)

As we’ve traveled through New England visiting bookstores this week, we saw so many displays of Scandinavian mysteries. Inspired by the oft-asked question, “I’ve read all of the Stieg Larsson books, what should I read next?”, bookstores have put together creative assortments of titles that will appeal to those who like their crime novels set in Sweden. Some of the authors we spotted:

Mind’s Eye by Hakan Nesser

Woman with Birthmark by Hakan Nesser

The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson

The Water’s Edge by Karin Fossum

Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Henning Mankell’s Wallander series, which starts with Faceless Killers

And the pair that may have started it all, Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo. Beginning with Roseanna in 1965, the Swedish couple wrote a series of 10 police procedurals featuring detective Martin Beck. These books were the precursors to the modern-day crime thriller, and there are many similarities between them and the Stieg Larsson books. Sarah Weinman has more information on the pair in her Daily Beast article.

Two books we can’t wait for you to read: (15:44)

Revolver Star Island

Michael raves about Revolver, an original graphic novel (never before in comic book form) by Matt Kindt. It’s the story of Sam, who has a dead-end job and a materialistic girlfriend, but one day finds himself splitting his time between his ordinary world, and a world where there has been a major terrorist attack. Ann talks about Star Island by Carl Hiaasen, a quirky crime novel starring a drug-addled young celebrity and her body-double stand-in who has been kidnapped by a crazed papparazo fan.

http://matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks

The reverse of the “author in the wild” question is also true.

Three times I have seen people reading SOMETHING MISSING, twice at the gym and once in a train station, and I wasn’t sure what to do each time. Should I walk up to the reader and say, “Hey! I wrote that?” Or perhaps ask, “Are you enjoying that book?” If the answer is yes, proceed to say who I am, and if the answer is no, glumly walk away? I want to let a reader know who I am without coming across as intrusive or a braggart.

As an author, I say yes. Approach and converse. If I am busy, I will tell you that I can’t chat and will invite you to email later on. But it would be an honor to meet a reader in the wild, and 99% of the time, I am certain that I would make time for him or her.
http://matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks

The reverse of the “author in the wild” question is also true.

Three times I have seen people reading SOMETHING MISSING, twice at the gym and once in a train station, and I wasn’t sure what to do each time. Should I walk up to the reader and say, “Hey! I wrote that?” Or perhaps ask, “Are you enjoying that book?” If the answer is yes, proceed to say who I am, and if the answer is no, glumly walk away? I want to let a reader know who I am without coming across as intrusive or a braggart.

As an author, I say yes. Approach and converse. If I am busy, I will tell you that I can’t chat and will invite you to email later on. But it would be an honor to meet a reader in the wild, and 99% of the time, I am certain that I would make time for him or her.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Ooh, I never thought of it from the author perspective. Thanks for bringing it up!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Ooh, I never thought of it from the author perspective. Thanks for bringing it up!
Patricia Snyder

I’m surprised that Jarrod was the only one in the room who recognized and approached Harper Lee. Afterall, her reclusiveness has made her more of a legend than her book.

I’m never reluctant to chat with authors when I encounter them “in the wild.” I’ve bumped into local writers Laurie R King, Tobias Wolff, Maxine Hong Kingston among others. They are folks like the rest of us going to the grocery store, restaurants, cultural events.
Patricia Snyder

I’m surprised that Jarrod was the only one in the room who recognized and approached Harper Lee. Afterall, her reclusiveness has made her more of a legend than her book.

I’m never reluctant to chat with authors when I encounter them “in the wild.” I’ve bumped into local writers Laurie R King, Tobias Wolff, Maxine Hong Kingston among others. They are folks like the rest of us going to the grocery store, restaurants, cultural events.
http://bibliosue.blogspot.com Suzanne

I’ve never met an author “in the wild”, but I did get a book signed by Margaret Atwood after one of her readings and I was so not worthy of being in her presence. I think I was too much in awe to have said anything understandable.
http://bibliosue.blogspot.com Suzanne

I’ve never met an author “in the wild”, but I did get a book signed by Margaret Atwood after one of her readings and I was so not worthy of being in her presence. I think I was too much in awe to have said anything understandable.
http://silentsgirl.wordpress.com/ Graceann Macleod

I saw Bill Bryson having lunch in the front window of a chain cafe in Piccadilly – I didn’t approach him but, pretending to photograph the lovely architecture, I took his picture. He was too sharp for that, and I now have in my possession a photo of a mildly annoyed man. I beat a hasty retreat.

I’ve met most of the authors I’ve been blessed to encounter either through my personal friendships with them, or at signings. That is an enormous list of very interesting folks, but none of them were encountered out in the world, just doing their thing. I *have* however, seen Ann’s favourite author out in the wild. My husband said “do you know who just walked past us?” When I replied in the negative, he said “it was Ian McEwan!” My very first thought was “I must admit I wouldn’t recognize him if I tripped over him, but I know of someone who would have been very, very excited about this….”
http://silentsgirl.wordpress.com/ Graceann Macleod

I saw Bill Bryson having lunch in the front window of a chain cafe in Piccadilly – I didn’t approach him but, pretending to photograph the lovely architecture, I took his picture. He was too sharp for that, and I now have in my possession a photo of a mildly annoyed man. I beat a hasty retreat.

I’ve met most of the authors I’ve been blessed to encounter either through my personal friendships with them, or at signings. That is an enormous list of very interesting folks, but none of them were encountered out in the world, just doing their thing. I *have* however, seen Ann’s favourite author out in the wild. My husband said “do you know who just walked past us?” When I replied in the negative, he said “it was Ian McEwan!” My very first thought was “I must admit I wouldn’t recognize him if I tripped over him, but I know of someone who would have been very, very excited about this….”
Cindy Litzinger

I have not read your books, but after your comment, I will be sure to buy it. I amlooking forward to it.
Cindy Litzinger

I have not read your books, but after your comment, I will be sure to buy it. I amlooking forward to it.
http://matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks

Thanks, Cindy. Hope you enjoy! My second book, UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO, comes out on Tuesday!
http://matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks

Thanks, Cindy. Hope you enjoy! My second book, UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO, comes out on Tuesday!
http://www.joyceadrian.com J. D. Adrian

I concur with author Matthew Dicks in that it is a distinct honor and thrill when someone comes up to you to comment on your book. I am a new author, and I love it when someone wants to meet me. I like to know when someone likes the book, or even when they don’t. One day someone actually came to my door to tell me how much she loves my book. Imagine that! I don’t think I want that to happen very often, but it was sweet of her to care that much.
http://www.joyceadrian.com J. D. Adrian

I concur with author Matthew Dicks in that it is a distinct honor and thrill when someone comes up to you to comment on your book. I am a new author, and I love it when someone wants to meet me. I like to know when someone likes the book, or even when they don’t. One day someone actually came to my door to tell me how much she loves my book. Imagine that! I don’t think I want that to happen very often, but it was sweet of her to care that much.
Amanda Bergeron

I am reading:

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar (fiction) is a story set in modern India & and

Half the Sky by Kristof & WuDunn (nonfiction) describes women abd girl’s plights in many areas of the developing world.
Amanda Bergeron

I am reading:

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar (fiction) is a story set in modern India & and

Half the Sky by Kristof & WuDunn (nonfiction) describes women abd girl’s plights in many areas of the developing world.
http://www.ikeareviews.com/ Seymour Stach

Seriously outstanding post, I appreciated looking through it. It had a few fantastic facts. I am bookmarking this web page.
http://www.ikeareviews.com/ Seymour Stach

Seriously outstanding post, I appreciated looking through it. It had a few fantastic facts. I am bookmarking this web page.
Persis

Thankou Matthew for writing here, because I just looked up the reviews for your book “Something Missing” and found it really good ! Just ordered it!

Persis.(Canada)