Episode 492

with Ashley C. Ford and John Green

In this "Best of Books" special, Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share conversations with two of Live Wire's favorite guests from 2021: writer Ashley C. Ford discusses her celebrated debut book Somebody's Daughter, which follows her experience growing up in Indiana with an incarcerated father; and bestselling author and vlogger John Green (The Fault in our Stars) discusses his new collection of essays, The Anthropocene Reviewed, which expands upon his podcast to review different aspects of our human-shaped world, from Diet Dr. Pepper to sunsets.

Ashley C. Ford
Writer

Ashley C. Ford is a writer, podcaster, and educator. Ford has written or guest-edited for the New York Times, ELLE, Slate, and Teen Vogue, among other publications, and has taught creative nonfiction writing at The New School and Catapult. Co. She is also a co-host of the HBO companion podcast Lovecraft Country Radio. In 2017, she was named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30 in Media”. Ford’s memoir, Somebody’s Daughter, was published by Flatiron Books in June 2021. In addition to being a bestseller, her memoir also made the New York Times’ “100 Notable Books of 2021”. She currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband—poet and fiction writer Kelly Stacy—and their chocolate lab, Astro Renegade Ford-Stacy. Website • Instagram

John Green
Writer

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of several books including Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, and Turtles All the Way Down. His most recent book, a collection of personal essays called The Anthropocene Reviewed, was released in May 2021. He is also the writer and host of a critically acclaimed podcast by the same name. Green’s books have received many accolades—including a Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and an Edgar Award—and have been published in more than 55 languages and sold over 24 million copies. He has twice been a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and was selected by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. With his brother, Hank, Green has co-created many online video projects, including Vlogbrothers and the educational channel Crash Course. Website • Instagram