We're back from a brief summer hiatus! We're joined in studio by award-winning artist Jeff Frost to talk about his career, his passion for fire, and how he's managed to stay creative when stuck at home.

Open Book @ Home with writer Tom Zoellner

Jun 28th, 2020 52m 21s

We're back after a brief vacation to sit down with writer Tom Zoellner, whose new book, Island on Fire: The Revolt That Ended Slavery in the British Empire, was released to rave reviews in May. Plus, we fill you in on all the cool stuff we've b

Open Book @ Home with writer Michael Scott Moore

Jun 2nd, 2020 46m 51s

This week we're joined again by writer Michael Scott Moore, author of the Desert and the Sea, about his 977 held captive by Somalian pirates. But this time, he's telling us strategies for long term confinement...something that seems more and mo

Open Book @ Home with novelist Ivy Pochoda

May 24th, 2020 46m 22s

This week we're joined by the novelist Ivy Pochoda to talk about her acclaimed new book These Women...but also, we talk a lot about the weird food she's cooking during quarantine, because Maggie and Tod can't keep on topic.

Open Book @ Home with memoirist Maggie Downs

May 18th, 2020 58m 56s

In this very special episode, recorded in front of a live audience on Zoom, Tod & Maggie are joined by...well, this is awkward...Maggie! It's release day for Maggie's memoir BRAVER THAN YOU THINK, which you've heard all about over these last fe

Open Book @ Home with author John Martin Fischer

May 13th, 2020 1h 12m

In this very special show, we're joined by John Martin Fischer to talk about his book Death, Immortality and Meaning in Life...in front a of a live on-line audience.

Open Book @ Home with writer Kathryn McGee

May 3rd, 2020 46m 7s

Writer Kathryn McGee runs the popular horror book club at the Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, so we sat down to discuss how those things we love in real life can be replicated online, while we're all in our pajamas 24/7...

Open Book @ Home with teacher & writer Rob Bowman

Apr 26th, 2020 54m 7s

This week we veer a little off the path to talk with writer and teacher Rob Bowman about what life in a virtual high school classroom is like here in the Coachella Valley. It's a must listen to understand the broad challenges facing high school

Open Book @ Home with memoirist Erin Khar

Apr 18th, 2020 49m 51s

This week, Open Book @ Home brings Erin Khar to your earbuds! Erin is the author of the new memoir Strung Out: One Last Hit and Other Lies that Nearly Killed Me, which the NY Times raved about: "There is an honesty here that can only come from,

Open Book @ Home with Edan Lepucki

Apr 11th, 2020 46m 38s

In our second edition from our living rooms, we're joined by novelist Edan Lepucki to talk about her new book, Mothers Before: Stories and Portraits of Our Mothers as We Never Saw Them, which she adapted from her popular Instagram page. Plus, w

Open Book @ Home: Liska Jacobs

Apr 6th, 2020 43m 2s

We're on lockdown...but we're still here! So Maggie & Tod invited their pal Liska Jacobs over to talk about the books that might make YOU feel less alone, too...in an adult way. Recorded from our homes!

Open Book with novelist Courtney Maum

Mar 7th, 2020 56m 23s

We're joined this week by novelist Courtney Maum, whose new book is a how-to guide for writers at the precipice of publication/emotional breakdown!

Open Book with Bombay Beach Lit Week founder Gina Frangello

Feb 29th, 2020 56m 1s

This week we're joined by author Gina Frangello, part of the brain-trust behind Bombay Beach Lit Week, which runs from March 23-29th.

Open Book with novelist Susan Straight

Feb 21st, 2020 56m 1s

We're joined in the studio by National Book Award finalist Susan Straight to talk about her new memoir In The Country of Women. And Tod and Maggie are in a fight.

Open Book Academy Award Spectacular!

Feb 5th, 2020 55m 51s

We're joined this week by Zack Solomon from the Palm Springs International Film Festival, who will make his picks for the Big 8 Oscar categories. Also, Maggie talks about the only movie she saw all year, Little Women.

Open Book with Juliana Hatfield

Jan 31st, 2020 52m 57s

This week on the show we're joined by singer-songwriter-author Juliana Hatfield! Her new record is Juliana Hatfield Sings the Police. You should go buy it.

Open Book with author Lee Goldberg

Jan 16th, 2020 56m 33s

This week we're joined by NYT #1 bestselling author Lee Goldberg to talk about his new book, LOST HILLS. Lee also happens to be Tod's brother, so send your prayers to Maggie.

Open Book's Best of the Decade

Nov 26th, 2019 58m 10s

Maggie & Tod close out the decade by picking the most important books they read, year by year. They may not be the best...but they made the biggest impression on our hosts.

Open Book with novelist JD Horn

Nov 19th, 2019 56m 1s

This week, we're joined by novelist JD Horn to talk about his life and his books, including his latest release The Final Days of Magic...plus, we get into some politics, since JD had a very special guest at his house this week...

Open Book with medium Patrick Harrington

Nov 2nd, 2019 58m 40s

In celebration of Halloween, we're joined by someone who talks to the dead, medium Patrick Harrington. Bonus: Tod and Maggie get their auras read!

Open Book with author Michael Scott Moore

Oct 17th, 2019 56m 55s

This week we're joined by author and journalist Michael Scott Moore to discuss his book The Desert & The Sea, his harrowing account of being kidnapped by Somali pirates.

Open Book with novelist & journalist Adam Popescu

Oct 4th, 2019 56m 53s

This week we're joined by the novelist and journalist Adam Popescu to talk about his debut novel NIMA, his path to publication, and, what we hope will be a part of all future episodes, Dog the Bounty Hunter.

Open Book with Melissa Chadburn

Sep 24th, 2019 1h

Literary frauds are all the rage, so we sat down with Melissa Chadburn, who uncovered the Anna March fiasco last year, to discuss how and why this keeps happening.

Open Book with writer Brian Blueskye

Sep 13th, 2019 57m 52s

This week on the show, we're joined by Desert Sun Arts & Culture writer Brian Blueskye to talk about his life and career in advance of his appearance at Coachella Valley Storytellers.

Open Book with musician Josh Heinz

Aug 30th, 2019 1h

This week we're joined by Josh Heinz, lead singer of Blasting Echo and guitarist for 5th Town, to talk about his upcoming benefit concert, the 12th annual Concert for Autism. We also talk about Josh's own artistic process. For more info about t