Books & Looks: Real Books for Real Readers was started as a literary podcast to supplement Blaine Desantis’ website, ViewsOnBooks.com, and expand into audio and video interviews with authors.
With Books & Looks, Blaine’s goal is to focus on real books that real people will read. At least half of the books he reviews are either new authors or unknown authors that many in the general public are unaware of. After a segment reviewing books or interviewing authors, Blaine ends each episode with a discussion of the movies and TV shows he is currently watching.
Learn more about BookTrib’s partner and Blaine at ViewsOnBooks.com.
This Week’s Episode
Discover how seemingly ordinary annual updates reveal extraordinary stories in “A Perfect Year” by Ruth Foster. In this Books and Looks interview, author Ruth Foster joins Blaine DeSantis to discuss her unique novel structured entirely through annual family Christmas newsletters spanning three decades. Learn about the book’s origin, inspired by real newsletters, and the iterative process of writing it. Dive into the lives of the three main families: the status-obsessed Wrights, the chaotic librarian Alison and Chilean artist Antonio, and the genuine Robert caring for his family. Explore their interconnected lives in the traditional British commuter town of Upley Rising, home to the ancient and evolving Wellspring Festival.
Ruth shares insights into developing these characters through their distinct voices, highlighting social dynamics, neighbor conflicts over things like kitchen extensions and a hilarious Royal Visit, and balancing comedy with poignant moments. Discover how the book weaves in national and international events through the lens of personal experience, from Princess Diana’s death to 9/11 and even the weather. Learn about the significant role of the children as they grow up and the dramatic element of the “murder house”. Ruth also discusses the complex character of Antonio, an artist whose past is expressed through his work, and the understated strength of Robert.
Find out why the book concludes in 2007. This conversation reveals the vulnerabilities behind public personas and the rich tapestry of suburban life captured in these annual updates.
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