Welcome to Books & Beyond, a podcast series that’s more than book recommendations (although there will be plenty of those)—it’s a space for extended conversations about reading. In Books & Beyond, I sit down with a different guest each episode to explore what’s on our reading minds. From the books we love to thoughts on publishing, reading goals, and the literary world at large, these conversations will go beyond the pages, providing a deeper dive into what it means to be a reader.
In today’s episode, I sat down with Lidija Hilje, author of Slanting Towards the Sea, a book I read and loved wayyy back in January and remains my top book of the year (so far).
*NO SPOILERS* I’ll share some highlights of our chat below, but do know, we do not share any spoilers, so even if you haven’t yet read the book, you can listen and enjoy our conversation. If you enjoy behind the scenes into an author’s writing and reading life, you’ll love this episode!
Highlights of Our Conversation
How & why Slanting isn’t a “love triangle” story
Lidija’s journey to becoming a writer
Life in Croatia
How our pasts impact our present
What makes a compelling character study
The incredible story behind that beautiful cover
The books that inspired Lidija to write her own love story
Lidija’s all time favorite fiction and memoir books
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Links To Books Mentioned
Thirst For Salt by Madeline Lucas
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (on my favorites shelf)
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (on my favorites shelf)
A Marriage At Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst - Renee’s rec for Lidija
Father of the Rain by Lily King - Renee’s rec for Lidija
Lidija’s Favorite Books
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Euphoria by Lily King
The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout - the entire series but this one is her top fav
Claire Lombardo’s books
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza (memoir) -- story of surviving Rwandan Genocide
3096 Days in Captivity by Natascha Kampusch (memoir) -- an Austrian girl, abducted at 8, escaping her abductor at 18
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (nonfiction) -- story of a US soldier surviving fall into the Pacific only to be 'rescued' by the Japanese and taken to camps
Connect with Lidija
Her Substack - For Love of Words
Her website
Her Instagram - @lidijahilge
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