[BOOK CLUB BONUS] Kerri Maher: “The Paris Bookseller”

It’s time for a good spring read–and what could be better than taking a literary trip to Paris in the spring? We are so excited to introduce you to Kerri Maher, the brilliant author of our latest book club pick, 'The Paris Bookseller.' Kerri is a rising star in the literary world, known for her captivating historical fiction that transports readers to different times and places. Kerri is the author of several critically acclaimed novels, including 'The Kennedy Debutante' and 'The Girl in White Gloves,' which have been praised for their historical detail and complex characters. In ‘The Paris Bookseller’, Kerri takes us to post-WWI Paris, where Maher brings to life Sylvia Beach, the founder of the bookstore Shakespeare and Company. 'The Paris Bookseller' is a tribute to the power of literature and the strength of women. Come be a part of the conversation here with us, and if you aren’t already a member of the Jen Hatmaker Book Club, jump on over to jenhatmakerbookclub.com after this episode to sign up!

Thought-Provoking Quotes:

“It's amazing how much I learned about writing fiction from writing the truth.” - Kerri Maher

“I spent a lot of time in the research stage of that novel feeling inadequate. Who am I to write about these people? I'm just some housewife with five unpublished novels in my attic. And two writer friends from very different parts of my writing life responded to that comment in almost exactly the same way. They were like, ‘but Kerri, this is your novel, isn't it? I was and that was very liberating to me.” - Kerri Maher

“I've really had to embrace representing real people and real time periods. Yes,I want to absolutely do right by them. I want to kind of represent the truth of their essence.. But I also have to cop to the fact and respect the fact that these are my versions of these people.” - Kerri Maher

Kerri’s Links

Books & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

The Kennedy Debutante book by Kerri Maher

The Girl in White Gloves book by Kerri Maher

All You Have to Do Is Call book by Kerri Maher
The Paris Wife book by Paula McClain

A Moveable Feast book by Ernest Hemingway

Ulysses book by James Joyce

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow book by Gabrielle Zevin