Shows
Wichita's Early EditionTuesday, August 19, 2025When author Janice Graham set out to write a spy novel, she turned to her own past experience for inspiration. KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Graham about her novel, "Red Lily." Plus we have news from Wichita and around the state.
2025-08-1914 min
MarginaliaJanice Graham on her new spy novel, 'Red Lily'Janice Graham's new novel, Red Lily, begins when her main character discovers that he's inherited an estate from his aunt's who just died. One problem, he thought she was already dead. And another problem, she's not dead at all. KMUW's Beth Golay spoke with Graham about her novel set in the world of espionage.
2025-08-1923 minWichita's Early EditionTuesday, August 12, 2025What do you get when you combine a power couple in a college creative writing program, an unfortunate affair and a student's infatuation? Emily Adrian's new novel, "Seduction Theory." KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Adrian, plus news from Wichita and around the state.
2025-08-1213 minMarginaliaAmy McCulloch on her new novel, 'Runner 13'When writing thrillers, author Amy McCulloch likes to write about what she knows, whether it's climbing one of the world's tallest mountains, exploring Antartica, or the adventure that inspired her latest book, running an ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert. McCulloch recently spoke with KMUW's Beth Golay about the thriller, "Runner 13."
2025-07-0116 minMarginaliaAndrew Porter on his new novel, 'The Imagined Life'How much do we really want to know about our parents' past lives? Author Andrew Porter recently told KMUW's Beth Golay that this is just one question addressed in his novel, "The Imagined Life."
2025-04-1514 minMarginaliaEric Puchner on his new novel, 'Dream State'In his new novel, author Eric Puchner's "Dream State" explores the effects of climate change through a multi-generational saga. As he tells KMUW's Beth Golay, it begins when two people fall in love.
2025-02-1817 minMarginaliaMischa Berlinski on Shakespeare, actors and 'Mona Acts Out'"Mona Acts Out" by Mischa Berlinski is a novel set in the world of theatre in New York City, specifically, Shakespearean theatre. KMUW's Beth Golay visited with Berlinski about his novel, and how the #MeToo movement affected his characters and his plot.
2025-02-0523 minMarginaliaLola Kirke on her new book, 'Wild West Village'Lola Kirke grew up feeling like an outsider in her larger-than-life family of creatives. In her new book titled "Wild West Village," she details some of the memories of growing up in that family, and, as she told KMUW's Beth Golay, how the experience influenced who she is today - an actress and country music singer.
2025-01-2913 min
En RouteThe end of the lineIn our first episode of The Range, we included a segment called En Route. Once a month Beth Golay and Hugo Phan would ride the many routes of Wichita Transit to bring us stories of “the people who live here.” On this final edition of the segment, Beth Golay recalls some of the people we met along the way.
2025-01-1703 minMarginaliaAdam Ross on his new novel, 'Playworld'In his new coming-of-age novel, Playworld, author Adam Ross writes about a child actor who must also deal with school, young crushes, adults behaving badly, and the many challenges that come with being a teenage. As he told KMUW's Beth Golay, this fictional account rhymes with his own life.
2025-01-1432 minMarginaliaLily Tuck on her new book, 'The Rest is Memory'National Book Award-winner Lily Tuck has a new novel out that's a haunting blend of fact with fiction. KMUW's Beth Golay recently spoke with Tuck about the piece of history that served as inspiration for her book.
2024-12-1810 minMarginaliaJuhea Kim on her sophomore novel, 'City of Night Birds'KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Juhea Kim about her sophomore novel, City of Night Birds, set in the complex world of the Russian ballet.
2024-11-2625 minMarginaliaMelanie Cheng on her novel 'The Burrow'KMUW's Beth Golay visits with author Melanie Cheng about her novel, 'The Burrow,' a beautiful look at a family dealing with grief.
2024-11-1525 minMarginaliaColm Tóibín on his new book of essays, 'On James Baldwin'On what would have been James Baldwin's 100th birthday, KMUW's Beth Golay spoke with Colm Tóibín about his new collection of essays, "On James Baldwin."
2024-09-0429 minMarginaliaCoco Mellors on her new novel, 'Blue Sisters'KMUW's Beth Golay speaks with author Coco Mellors about family, grief and addiction in her novel 'Blue Sisters'.
2024-09-0322 minMarginaliaJessica Anthony on her new novel, 'The Most'At first glance, Jessica Anthony’s novel, The Most, takes place on a single unseasonably hot day in November 1957. But as she tells KMUW’s Beth Golay, Anthony uses memory and perspective to explore the history of a marriage.
2024-07-3029 min
Books & WhatnotAh... the books of summerBeth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk recent reads and visit with Lisa Baudoin, owner of Books & Company.
2024-07-0145 minMarginaliaCatherine Newman on her new novel, 'Sandwich'Beth Golay recently spoke with "Sandwich" author, Catherine Newman.
2024-06-2516 minMarginaliaClaire Lombardo on her sophomore novel, 'Same As It Ever Was'Beth Golay recently spoke with "Same As It Ever Was" author, Claire Lombardo about capturing Julia’s voice throughout the decades and the challenges of writing a second novel following the success of her debut, "The Most Fun We Ever Had."
2024-06-1821 minMarginaliaNicola Yoon on her new adult novel, 'One of Our Kind'Beth Golay recently spoke with "One of Our Kind' author, Nicola Yoon about Jasmyn’s complicated view of the world, the real-world issues discussed in the novel, and more.
2024-06-1118 minMarginaliaSarah Gilmartin on her novel 'Service'Beth Golay spoke with "Service" author, Sarah Gilmartin about the rise of the Me Too movement in Ireland, writing from uncommon perspectives, and more.
2024-06-0427 minBooks & WhatnotWe're back and we're not sorry | Books & WhatnotKMUW's Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez are back after a 3 month unintentional break, and they're joined by the folks at Exile in Bookville to talk about books coming out in June.
2024-06-0154 minMarginaliaYael van der Wouden on her debut novel, 'The Safekeep'Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Safekeep" author, Yael van der Wouden about Isabel’s relationship with her brothers, how the post World War II setting shapes the book, and more.
2024-05-2829 minMarginaliaJaclyn Goldis on 'The Main Character'Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Main Character" author, Jaclyn Goldis about her love of mysteries, how she plots her stories, and her background in economics and law.
2024-05-2115 minBooks & WhatnotAt long last...In this episode of Books & Whatnot, book reviewer Suzanne Perez and Marginalia host Beth Golay discuss their recent reads... and a lot of whatnot.
2024-05-2139 minMarginaliaNicholson Baker on 'Finding a Likeness: How I Got Somewhat Better at Art'Beth Golay recently spoke with Nicholson Baker about his new novel, "Finding a Likeness: How I Got Somewhat Better at Art."
2024-05-1748 minMarginaliaKimberly King Parsons on her debut novel, 'We Were the Universe'Beth Golay recently spoke with Kimberly King Parsons about how real life inspired her debut novel, "We Were the Universe."
2024-05-1419 minMarginaliaFerdia Lennon on his debut novel 'Glorious Exploits'Beth Golay recently spoke with "Glorious Exploits" author, Ferdia Lennon about his love of the classics, the power of art and drama, and narrating his own audiobook.
2024-04-3018 minMarginaliaSarah Braunstein on her novel, 'Bad Animals'Beth Golay recently spoke with Sarah Braunstein about "Bad Animals," how perspective shapes a novel, and more.
2024-04-2314 minMarginaliaDouglas Westerbeke on 'A Short Walk Through a Wide World'Beth Golay recently spoke with Douglas Westerbeke about his literary inspirations, epic adventure literature, and more.
2024-04-1724 minMarginaliaNell Freudenberger on her new novel, 'The Limits'Nell Freudenberger's new novel, "The Limits," *tests* limits, of distance, of relationships, as she told KMUW's Beth Golay, the limits imposed by the COVID lockdown.
2024-04-0923 minMarginaliaHolly Gramazio on her debut novel, 'The Husbands'Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Husbands" author, Holly Gramazio about her debut.
2024-04-0319 minMarginaliaGina Chung on her short story collection, 'Green Frog'Beth Golay recently spoke with Gina Chung about the themes in "Green Frog," her writing style, and how her characters continue to live on beyond the story.
2024-03-1233 minMarginaliaScott Guild on his debut novel, 'Plastic'Beth Golay visits with musician and author, Scott Guild, about his debut novel.
2024-03-0522 minMarginaliaTommy Orange on 'Wandering Stars'Beth Golay recently spoke with Tommy Orange about his new novel Wandering Stars, which revisits the characters first brought to life in There There.
2024-02-2718 minMarginaliaEmily Ballesteros on 'The Cure for Burnout'Beth Golay recently spoke with Emily Ballesteros about her practical tips for diving into different habits, managing time, and much more.
2024-02-2021 minMarginaliaKelly Link on her debut novel, 'The Book of Love'Beth Golay recently spoke with Kelly Link about a slew of subjects, from balance to the magic of music, oh... and her debut novel.
2024-02-1328 minMarginaliaMargot Livesey on her new novel, 'The Road from Belhaven'Beth Golay recently spoke with Margot Livesey about the trials Lizzie endured as part of her gift and as part of the setting, as well as her own experience as the author of 10 novels and teacher at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
2024-02-0613 minMarginaliaPoet Andrés N. Ordorica on his debut novel, 'How We Named the Stars'Beth Golay recently spoke with Andrés N. Ordorica about writing from the perspectives of multiple queer characters, the importance of seeing yourself reflected in literature, and more.
2024-01-3033 minBooks & WhatnotCrossover Episode 2024 #ReadICT EditionOn January 4 at the Advanced Learning Library Books & Whatnot's Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez joined the Wichita's Public Library's podcast Read. Return. Repeat's Sara Dixon and Daniel Pewewardy to discuss this year's #ReadICT challenge categories.
2024-01-261h 14MarginaliaPaul Harding on his novel 'This Other Eden'Beth Golay recently spoke to Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Paul Harding about how artifacts like photographs set off his imagination, some of the history behind the eugenics movement, and how he aims to write books that are meant to be reread.
2024-01-2435 minMarginaliaPoet Kaveh Akbar on his debut novel, 'Martyr!'Beth Golay recently spoke with Kaveh Akbar about inserting aspects of himself into "Martyr!" - from character traits to his love of literature - what it means to write a book about martyrs as an Iranian-American, and much more.
2024-01-2332 minMarginaliaLea Carpenter on her novel 'Ilium'Beth Golay recently spoke with Lea Carpenter about her new book "Ilium" and her inspiration for the novel.
2024-01-1625 minMarginaliaKayla Min Andrews on finishing her mother's novel, 'The Fetishist'Beth Golay recently spoke with Kayla Min Andrews about how she worked with editor Sally Kim to publish her mother’s final work of fiction, and about her mother’s impact as a trailblazing writer.
2024-01-0922 minMarginaliaTara Karr Roberts on her 'Moby-Dick'-inspired novel, 'Wild and Distant Seas'Beth Golay recently spoke with 'Wild and Distant Seas' author Tara Karr Roberts about her debut novel.
2024-01-0218 minBooks & WhatnotCue the orchestral music...On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about their latest reads, the #ReadICT Challenge and their 2024 reading goals.
2023-12-2837 minMarginaliaNational Book Award winner Sigrid Nunez on 'The Vulnerables'Beth Golay recently spoke with "The Vulnerables" author Sigrid Nunez about the autobiographical aspects that emerge in her novels, her extensive literary references, and more.
2023-12-1422 minMarginaliaAuthor Charlotte Vassell on 'The Other Half'Beth Golay visits with Charlotte Vassell about her new novel, 'The Other Half.'
2023-12-1317 minBooks & WhatnotOnce again, it's the most wonderful time of the yearBeth Golay & Suzanne Perez speak with NPR's Andrew Limbong about this year's Books We Love.
2023-11-2141 minMarginaliaJonathan Evison on the many lives in 'Again and Again'Beth Golay talks with Jonathan Evison about his new book "Again and Again."
2023-11-1732 minMarginaliaPulitzer Prize–winner Michael Cunningham on his new novel, 'Day'Beth Golay recently spoke with the Pulitzer Prize–winner about his new novel, "Day."
2023-11-1427 minBooks & WhatnotThe *best* season to read (for Suzanne)Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about how they approach fall reading season, and the atmospheric books they’re looking forward to this year.
2023-10-3145 minMarginaliaIsabel Cañas on blending genres in 'Vampires of El Norte'Beth Golay talks with Isabel Cañas about blending together genres, and how history served as the inspiration for "Vampires of El Norte".
2023-10-3121 minMarginaliaTan Twan Eng on reverse engineering W. Somerset Maugham’s work in 'The House of Doors'Beth Golay recently spoke with "The House of Doors" author Tan Twan Eng about W. Somerset Maugham’s private nature, capturing multiple perspectives on the page, and how he injected some imagination into the historic writer.
2023-10-2419 minMarginaliaChristine Coulson on the unique narrative structure in 'One Woman Show'Beth Golay spoke with Christine Coulson about the unique narrative structure in "One Woman Show," how her own career working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art inspired the book, and more.
2023-10-1725 minMarginaliaBryan Washington on grief and how relationships evolve in 'Family Meal'Beth Golay talks with Bryan Washington about the ways he captures three distinct voices on the page, how his characters navigate their queer identities, and much more.
2023-10-1027 minMarginaliaSteve Inskeep on 'Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America'Beth Golay spoke with Steve Inskeep about 'Differ We Must," Lincoln’s challenge to unite a divided country.
2023-10-0313 minBooks & WhatnotRevisiting our summer reading goalsIn this episode of Books & Whatnot Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay give us an update on their summer reading goals — some of which were met on their reading retreat.
2023-09-1535 minMarginaliaJosh Barkan on his journey of self-discovery and love in 'Wonder Travels'Beth Golay spoke with Josh Barkan about what he learned through his first marriage to his first wife, about his healing journey, and how his journey of self-discovery took him half-way around the world to meet the man who had come between his marriage.
2023-09-1231 minMarginalia'Wifedom' brings focus to George Orwell’s first wifeBeth Golay talks with Anna Funder about Eileen O’Shaughnessy’s influence on George Orwell, how women have been written out of history, and more.
2023-08-2530 minMarginaliaJay Fitger returns in Julie Schumacher's new novel, 'The English Experience'Beth Golay visits with Julie Schumacher third work featuring Professor Jay Fitger.
2023-08-1523 minMarginaliaJames McBride on 'The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store'Beth Golay visits with award-winning James McBride about his latest novel.
2023-08-0825 minMarginaliaKatherine Heiny on her collection of 'Games and Rituals'Beth Golay visits with author Katherine Heiny on her new collection of stories.
2023-07-2522 minMarginaliaEliza Minot's single day 'In the Orchard'Beth Golay visits with author Eliza Minot about her latest work of fiction, "In the Orchard."
2023-07-1819 minMarginaliaFrieda Hughes on her book, 'George: A Magpie Memoir'Beth Golay recently spoke with Frieda Hughes about her book, "George: A Magpie Memoir."
2023-07-0430 minMarginaliaCaroline O’Donoghue on her American debut, 'The Rachel Incident'Beth Golay recently spoke with Caroline O’Donoghue about her novel, "The Rachel Incident," a look at coming-of-age in a socially conservative Ireland.
2023-06-2730 minMarginaliaAuthor Clémence Michallon on her thriller 'The Quiet Tenant'Beth Golay recently spoke with Clémence Michallon about her interest in serial killers, the complexities of her narrative point of view and structure, and how her journalism experience helped with her writing process.
2023-06-2028 minMarginaliaBookTok sensation Ali Hazelwood on 'Love, Theoretically'Beth Golay recently spoke with Ali Hazelwood about her experience as a neuroscientist, writing smart romances, and much more.
2023-06-1324 minMarginaliaAuthor Katie Williams on 'My Murder' and the fascination with true crimeKatie Williams spoke with Beth Golay about this fictional not so distant future, society’s fascination with true crime, and the complexities of writing from the perspective of a clone.
2023-06-0615 minMarginaliaEmily Henry is back at it again with 'Happy Place'Beth Golay recently spoke with "Happy Place" author, Emily Henry about her vivid settings, snappy dialogue and her appreciation of the writing community.
2023-05-3022 minBooks & Whatnot'Summer of Saunders' and other goals for this reading seasonIt's summer reading season! In this episode of Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about their current reads and summertime TBRs.
2023-05-2649 minMarginaliaBonnie Garmus on the continued success of 'Lessons in Chemistry'Beth Golay recently spoke with Bonnie Garmus about "Lessons in Chemistry," its themes and more.
2023-05-2320 minEn RouteRiding Route 14 with a woman who wants to make people smileBeth Golay and Hugo Phan talked to Jessica Brewer on Route 14 for this month’s En Route.
2023-05-1903 minBooks & WhatnotBooks & Whatnot: The waiting is the hardest partIn this month's Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about poetry, book clubs, and listener-submitted shelfies!
2023-05-1843 minMarginaliaCurtis Sittenfeld on her 'SNL'-inspired novel, 'Romantic Comedy'Beth Golay recently spoke with Curtis Sittenfeld about her behind the scenes knowledge of Saturday Night Live, writing romance between characters who are slightly older than most romance protagonists, and how Romantic Comedy was a joyful escape during the uncertainty of the covid pandemic.
2023-05-1615 minEn RouteA bus rider who just feels like dancingOn this month's En Route Beth Golay waits for the bus with a dancer.
2023-04-2103 minEn RouteHelping refugees use Wichita transitThis month on Route 28, Beth Golay met a group of case workers from the International Rescue Committee who ride the bus in order to teach refugees how to use public transit.
2023-03-1703 minBooks & WhatnotTop o' the book stack to ya! Celebrating Irish authors & whatnotIn this month's Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay and Suzanne Perez talk about the 2023 NEA Big Read, the books they've recently read and Irish authors.
2023-03-0245 minEn RouteWhat a system redesign might look like for Wichita TransitFor this month’s En Route, Beth Golay sat down with Wichita Transit director, Mike Tann to find out the system redesign means for Wichita and its transit riders.
2023-02-1704 minBooks & WhatnotWe can make *anything* a book thingBeth Golay & Suzanne Perez share their January reads, explore the Tournament of Books bracket, and share some super (bowl) reading goals.
2023-02-0233 minEn RouteEn Route with a preacher who’s spreading a message of loveToday Beth Golay rides Route 13 with street preacher, Ricky Todd Jr.
2023-01-2003 minBooks & WhatnotReadICT 2023 Kickoff: Live with WPL's 'Read. Return. Repeat.'In this episode recorded before a live audience at the Wichita Public Library's beautiful Advanced Learning Library, co-hosts Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez join Sara Dixon and Daniel Pewewardy, co-hosts of the Wichita Public Library's 'Read. Return. Repeat." podcast to celebrate the 2023 kickoff of the #ReadICT challenge.
2023-01-131h 11Books & WhatnotBooks & Whatnot behind the stacks (because we're behind on everything else)On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay talk about some of their favorite recent reads, Beth shares some news about NPR's Books We Love, and Suzanne introduces Beth to Jólabókaflód. (Gesundheit.)
2022-12-2935 minEn RouteEn Route with Nikhil ChilakaToday Beth Golay waits for Route 12 with WSU international student, Nikhil Chilaka.
2022-12-1603 min2022-11-1803 min
En RouteWhat the Veterans Ride Free program means to one transit rider in WichitaToday Beth Golay rides Route 26 with Kansas Air National Guard veteran Tracy Daniel.
2022-10-2103 minBooks & WhatnotPowering through a reading slump (Suzanne... not Beth)On this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay talk about their latest reads, reflect upon their reading year so far, and discuss how to power through a reading slump.
2022-08-0242 minEn RouteWaiting to escape the heat by going en routeFor her En Route series, Beth Golay normally shares conversations she records while riding Wichita Transit. This month, the conversation took place at the downtown Transit Center, where riders were waiting for buses to arrive ... and trying to escape the heat.
2022-07-1503 minEn RouteEn Route with Van WilliamsBeth Golay rides the bus with an old college friend and long-time neighbor on Route 21, which passes through Wichita State’s campus.
2022-06-1703 minBooks & WhatnotSummertime reading has arrivedOn this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay discuss their latest reads, IndieNext books, and revisit the idea of "reading" audio books.
2022-06-0250 minEn RouteEn Route with Bobby Purify (again)Beth Golay meets a stranger on the bus who, as it turns out, isn’t really a stranger.
2022-05-1303 minBooks & WhatnotIt's springtime and we're tickled pinkOn this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay tackle a new crop of spring books.
2022-05-0640 minEn RouteEn route 21 with Edwin Leroy CooperBeth Golay has ridden the bus for more than two years, recording conversations with fellow riders. They’ve talked about everything from love to music to life to the weather. In this month's En Route, Beth discovers that sometimes the best conversations require a good listener.
2022-04-2203 minBooks & WhatnotThe rating system reviewedOn this episode of Books & Whatnot, Suzanne Perez offers the criteria behind her book rating system, and Beth Golay explains why she wants no part of it. Plus, books about food, literary coincidences, and the latest books that are epic—in scope if nothing else.
2022-02-2841 minEn RouteEn Route: Behind the wheel with Eleaser EwansEleaser Ewans is a fairly new driver with Wichita Transit. But a bus isn’t the biggest thing she’s driven. Beth Golay talked with Ewans about her transition from trucker to bus driver for this month’s En Route.
2022-02-1803 minBooks & WhatnotChallenges, goals & #ReadICTThis is the time of year for reading challenges. Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay discuss their current reads and future challenges.
2022-02-0747 minEn Route'There will never be another Cowboy' like Ronald FlemingBeth Golay has captured conversations on the bus for more than two years. Some riders she sees during her regular commute .. others are chance encounters. In this month’s En Route, Beth recalls one of the “chance encounters,” when she waited for Route 26 with Ronald Fleming.
2022-01-2102 minBooks & WhatnotLiterary affiliations... and whatnotWhether it's a short story group, a book club, or a literary affiliation... reading with others is fun. In this episode of Books & Whatnot, Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez report on their reading accomplishments and take a deep dive on the benefits of reading with others.
2021-10-1241 minBooks & WhatnotOpening Lines That Make You Go ‘Whaaaaaat?!’ | Books & WhatnotBeth Golay & Suzanne Perez are back with more book chatter.
2021-08-3031 minBooks & WhatnotIs This Thing On? | Books & WhatnotAfter creating 5 pilot episodes that will never be released, we've decided to launch this thing. In this inaugural episode, Beth Golay & Suzanne Perez talk about books... and whatnot.
2021-07-2934 min