In Episode 97, Christine Pride and Jo Piazza share how their co-authored novel (We Are Not Like Them) explores how hard it is to have conversations about difficult topics even between dear friends.  We discuss why they decided to write a book with a lifelong, interracial friendship at its core, and how they handled collaborating on a book with a plot revolving around a fraught topic.   This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How they met and began their professional relationship. Who had the initial idea for We Are Not Like Them. How they decided to go from an editor/writer relationship to co-writing and what that looked like for them. Why it was important to work collaboratively on both main characters, rather than each taking one. Christine’s and Jo’s own challenges while working on this novel. How they handled any “creative friction” that came up. How the discussions around character development really opened up how they had to consider race on the page. How their own personal experiences and perspectives really informed both characters They share some key thoughts to having these important conversations. The surprising but similar reaction from both Black and white readers. They also share a little teaser about the next book they are writing together. Christine’s and Jo’s Book Recommendations [32:55] Two OLD Books They Love Christine: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [33:23] Jo: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [36:21] Two NEW Books They Love Christine: No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [38:05] Jo: Matrix by Lauren Groff | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org[40:42] Other Books Mentioned: Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler [38:13] Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff [42:01] Bonus Pick: Three Girls from Bronzeville by Dawn Turner [42:42] Two Books They DIDN’T LOVE Christine: The Push by Ashley Audrain | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [44:26] Jo: Her thoughts on sharing books she doesn’t like. [48:47] Other Books Mentioned: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller [48:18] Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl [48:20] Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens [49:53] Two NEW RELEASES They’re Excited About Christine: I Hope This Finds You Well by Kate Baer (November 9, 2021) | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [50:14] Jo: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult (November 30, 2021) | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [53:16] Other Books Mentioned: 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard [53:51] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow [54:02] Last 5 Star Books They Read Christine: Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [54:43] Jo: Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [54:54] Other Book Mentioned Marriage Vacation by Pauline Brooks [5:09]