The Women Books & More’s Podcast

Paula McLain, author of the NYT bestseller The Paris Wife, talks about Skylark (her newest book) and her favorite Paris haunts.

Many of us have read and enjoyed The Paris Wife, a fictionalized account of Ernest Hemingway’s marriage to the first of his four wives, Hadley Richardson. It was a New York Times bestseller. Now, Paula has written Skylark, another Paris-based book—two parallel stories, one taking place in 1664 and the other in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris. It is an uplifting book about the strength and resistance of the human spirit—and a page-turner and a really good read. It is Good Morning America’s Book Club pick for January 2026.

More about Paula McLain: paulamclain.com

Some of Paula’s favorite spots in Paris:

• The Closerie des Lilas where Hemingway often wrote. Amazing profiteroles, and one of the best gin and tonics I’ve ever had.
• Musee de Cluny “I’m obsessed with the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and the Roman-Gallo baths.”
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Sainte-Geneviève Library “Amazing history, and incredibly beautiful. Right near the Pantheon and not far from the Wall of Philip Phillip II Augustus.”

A bit more about the geology and history of the Paris Catacombs

A bit more about the Gobelins Manufactory

A bit more about the the River Bièvre

Modern West is a new book that celebrates homes with contemporary style and regional authenticity in the American West…and the people who live in them

The American West is a geographical location—thick forests of pine and aspen, snowy mountains, alpine lakes, and sweeping vistas. But there is also the almost-mythical version of the American West—a vision of wide-open spaces where the “call of the wild” has resonated for centuries. This passion for living in the west is as strong ever.

Chase Reynolds Ewald (writer) and Audrey Hall (photographer) have collaborated on seven books—including American Rustic and Cabin Style. www.gibbs-smith.com

As they researched Modern West, their newest book, they noticed something interesting. “The nature of the ‘western dream’ is different than it was even 20 years ago,” says Hall. “We are seeing a shift not only in the architecture and design of modern western homes…but also in the people who are building and living in them.”

The book features 15 gorgeous homes. We step inside two of them—a rescued grain elevator and a 1950s ranch reimagined by the president of French fabric brand Maison Pierre Frey.

To purchase MODERN WEST:

https://www.amazon.com/Modern-West-Chase-Reynolds-Ewald/dp/1423667662

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Modern-West/Chase-Reynolds-Ewald/9781423667667 

 

Chase Reynolds Ewald

Website and to sign up for newsletter: chasereynoldsewald.com

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/chasereynoldsewald/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-reynolds-ewald-819a0551

Instagram: @chasereynoldsewald

 

Audrey Hall

Website and to sign up for newsletter: audreyhall.com

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/audreyhallphoto/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreyhallphotography/

Instagram: @audreyhall

Marisa Churchill talks Secrets, Spells and Chocolate

Here’s the story: The culinary world imagined by Churchill is full of closely guarded recipes and secrets that can create powerful spells. We are taken inside the Brindille School of Culinary Arts and Magic where we are enchanted by magic, mystery…and recipes.

About the author: Marisa Churchill (an award-winning pastry chef) was a contestant on Top Chef (Season 2), constructed the city of San Francisco out of Rice Krispies and chocolate for the Food Network’s Edible Cities Challenge, and hosted her own cooking show in Greece. marisachurchill.com

Good Fortune Cookies: marisachurchill.com/good-fortune-cookies/

The Edible Cities Challenge: https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2025/12/10/where-recipe-meets-magic-a-guest-post-by-marisa-churchill/

Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie: cmpatisserie.com/en

and facebook.com/CoupeMondePatisserie/videos/1807091213369633/

Churchill will be at Tattered Cover Tattered in Denver on February 1^st.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marisa-churchill-with-allison-wagner-live-at-tattered-cover-colfax-tickets-1979361734230

 

Request from Irene Rawlings: If you enjoyed this podcast, please tell your friends. And send me an email. I’d love to hear from you. womenbooksandmore@gmail.com

WD-40, Gorilla Glue and a book about leadership by Garry Ridge

I don’t normally interview business leaders. There are plenty of podcasts that do.

But…

I was introduced to Garry Ridge by a mutual friend who said I’d love reading his new book—Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It. I was intrigued, read the book and could hardly wait to talk with Garry.

It did not hurt that Garry had served as CEO of the WD-40 Company for 25 and made it a household brand. I mean everyone knows WD-40 now. I also learned that he served on the board of Gorilla Glue.

Why am I so impressed by this?

I think you all know that I’m a member of Sisters on the Fly, the largest women’s group in the U.S. and Canada focusing on camping, fishing, riding horses, buying vintage trailers, and other outdoor activities. There are more than 26,000 members. And NONE of us (truly) leaves home without a good supply of WD-40, Gorilla Glue and bailing wire.

Forbes says: The book is part leadership playbook, part personal reflection, and all heart.  And I agree. Totally.

For more about Garry’s book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Garry-Ridge/

Or look on Amazon

For more about The Learning Moment:  https://thelearningmoment.net/

For more on Ken Blanchard: https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/kens-bio/

 

Award-winning writer and photographer, Jackie Caradonio talks about The Inn Crowd

The Inn Crowd: Artistic Getaways and The Modern Innkeepers who Crafted Them is a gorgeous coffee table book—written and photographed by the incomparable Jackie Caradonio. Each of the images gives us a privileged peek into more than 20 unique and stylish inns. The accompanying stories describe each of the innkeepers, every one passionate about creating memorable experiences in a beautiful setting—from quaint escapes to luxurious retreats.

For more about The Inn Crowd: phaidon.com

For more about Jackie Caradonio: jackiecaradonio.com

 

A Child’s Christmas in Wales

As dusk descends on Christmas Eve, my family gathers to hear a recording of Dylan Thomas reading, A Child’s Christmas in Wales. His baritone transports us—though time and across distance—to his childhood Christmases in Swansea, Wales.

It gives me great pleasure to share my story with you.

Thank you for listening and supporting my podcast.

I wish you an abundance of peace and joy in 2026.

You can see photos and read more of my story at Everett Potter’s Travel Report

https://www.everettpotter.com/2024/12/a-childs-christmas-in-wales/

More information about Swansea: visitswanseabay.com

More information about Dylan Thomas’ birthplace: dylanthomasbirthplace.com

More information about Laugharne: visitwales.com

To hear Dylan Thomas read: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFSs2IdDmuU

Traveling and travel writing with the legendary Don George

I am thrilled to talk with Don George. National Geographic calls him “a legendary travel writer and editor.” And he certainly is. He’s also the author of How to Be a Travel Writer and the founder of the annual (in August) Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference held in Corte Madera, California. It is a great conference for beginning travel writers to meet editors and for veteran travel writers to catch up with old friends.

Here are links for more information about topics we talked about in the podcast.

 

Geographic Expeditions trips lead by Don George:

Journey Through Ancient Japan (Kyoto and Shikoku): https://www.geoex.com/trips/japan-ancient-journey

Unexplored Japan: https://www.geoex.com/trips/japan-unexplored

Unexplored Greece: https://www.geoex.com/trips/unexplored-greece

 

Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference: https://www.bookpassage.com/travel

 

Lonely Planet's How to Be a Travel Writer: https://www.amazon.com/How-Travel-Writer-Lonely-Planet/dp/1786578662

 

The Way of Wanderlust: The Best Travel Writing of Don George!

 https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wanderlust-Travel-Writing-Travelers/dp/1609521056

 

Don George’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/don.george.travels/

 

For questions about travel, travel writing, Don George’s Paris Writing Workshops and anything else:don.george@sbcglobal.net

The festive season has begun. Ice and Snow, Carols and Gingerbread, Letters to Santa

It all happens at Gaylord Rockies Resort—now through January 2, 2026. The sugarplum dreams of childhood rolled into one.

Andrea Lawley, Public Relations Manager at the Gaylord Rockies Resort—joins us to talk about Christmas at Gaylord Rockies. Always magical. Always fun.

ICE! Christmas is an immersive experience…much anticipated every year. The resort’s signature 17,000-square-foot attraction carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice by 30 master artisans from Harbin, China. Hand-carved icy scenes from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! complete with interactive slides, tunnels, and the iconic moment when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes. The event also features a life-sized gingerbread cabin, Candy Cane Mountain snow tubing, the Gumdrop Gliders Ice-Puck Challenge, and the popular Mistletoe Village.

For more information: ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com

Discounts for AAA/CAA members, seniors, teachers, first responders, and Colorado residents.