New York Times bestselling author Amanda Eyre Ward joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Arrivals and Departures, while sharing the books she’s recommending readers add to their summer reading lists.
Ward is celebrating a major milestone after Arrivals and Departures was selected as the July pick for the Texas Book Club, a collaboration between Texas Monthly and the Texas Book Festival. While she’s had previous book club honors, she said this recognition feels especially meaningful after calling Texas home for 25 years.
New York Times bestselling author Amanda Eyre Ward joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Arrivals and Departures, while sharing the books she’s recommending readers add to their summer reading lists.
“It’s called the Texas Book Club, and it’s Texas Monthly and Texas Book Festival together… I’m so honored,” Ward said.
Her newest novel follows a family navigating complicated relationships across two unforgettable settings. The story begins in Savannah before taking readers to Athens, where one character becomes entangled in an online romance that may not be what it seems.
Her newest novel follows a family navigating complicated relationships across two unforgettable settings.
The story begins in Savannah before taking readers to Athens ( where Amanda lived for a year after college), where one character becomes entangled in an online romance that may not be what it seems.
“It’s a family with issues… one of the characters who’s moved to Athens, Greece, falls in love with a man that she meets on the internet… and she disappears. Her sister has to go figure out who this internet romance scammer is,” Ward explained.
The destinations featured throughout the novel come from places that have shaped her own life. Her family has deep roots in Savannah, while she spent a year after college teaching English in Athens, experiences she says naturally found their way into the story.
The destinations featured throughout the novel come from places that have shaped her own life. Her family has deep roots in Savannah, while she spent a year after college teaching English in Athens, experiences she says naturally found their way into the story.
“My mom lives there and my family is from Savannah, so I love setting things there,” she said. “It’s this historic, beautiful city with a lot of ghosts… a lot of secrets.”
Ward also shared that travel continues to inspire nearly every story she writes.
“I just always want to be traveling,” she said. “I write best on overnight airline flights… you’re in between worlds and nobody needs you, so I can just go crazy.”
She even admitted that people-watching at airports has sparked plenty of story ideas, including unusual encounters that eventually made their way into Arrivals and Departures.
Beyond her newest release, Ward also shared several books she believes deserve a spot in every beach bag this summer!
Beyond her newest release, Ward also shared several books she believes deserve a spot in every beach bag this summer!
-Last Night Was Killer by Amanda Lamb
-Nine Lives by Catherine Steadman
-Mudlark by Mary Helen Specht
-Last Night Was Killer by Amanda Lamb
-Nine Lives by Catherine Steadman
-Mudlark by Mary Helen Specht
-Her own Austin-set thriller, The Lifeguards!
-Her own Austin-set thriller, The Lifeguards!
Her newest novel follows a family navigating complicated relationships across two unforgettable settings. The story begins in Savannah before taking readers to Athens, where one character becomes entangled in an online romance that may not be what it seems.
Reflecting on her creative process, Ward shared one piece of advice that’s stayed with her throughout her career.
“I was told early on by a teacher to act like a tourist, even at your home,” she said. “So you’re always thinking, ‘That’s strange… what’s that?'”
Arrivals and Departures is available now wherever books are sold, making it the perfect addition to any summer reading list! Make sure to keep up with Amanda at amandaward.com!
Arrivals and Departures is available now wherever books are sold, making it the perfect addition to any summer reading list! Make sure to keep up with Amanda at amandaward.com!