Vick Mickunas has been interviewing authors on WYSO Public Radio in Yellow Springs since 1994. Initially, these interviews were live for the first decade before transitioning to pre-recorded formats. An archive of nearly 1,200 interviews is available at www.wyso.org, allowing listeners to access the programs at their convenience.
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Here are the top ten podcasts from the program in 2025:
1. **“Hollywood Tough” by Stephen J. Cannell (2003)** - This episode, featuring the creator of popular TV shows including “The Rockford Files,” garnered hundreds of downloads this year. Cannell discussed his transition from television to writing crime novels before his passing in 2010.
2. **“Murder Takes a Vacation” by Laura Lippman (2025)** - Lippman’s first “cozy” mystery was well-received and is a standout work of the year.
3. **“The Mailman” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (2025)** - This crime novel from the Columbus author proved to be another popular choice among listeners in 2025.
4. **“Feast of Roses” by Indu Sundaresan (2003)** - This past interview from 22 years ago found renewed interest, partly due to online searches for the book, the second in Sundaresan’s Taj trilogy.
5. **“Cipher” by Jeremy Jones (2025)** - This book, featuring a coded diary from one of the author's ancestors, captivated listeners. The narrative's complexity contributed to its popularity.
6. **“El Dorado Drive” by Megan Abbott (2025)** - A significant entry in the crime genre, Abbott’s book ranks among her best work to date.
7. **“Paper Girl” by Beth Macy (2025)** - Macy, a journalist from Urbana, reflects on her childhood and the changing opportunities for young people in the Midwest Rust Belt.
8. **“Normandy Farms - the Land and Legacy of Richard H. Grant, Sr.” (2002)** - The late Bob Moore’s interview about his local history book still resonates with listeners, showing sustained interest in regional topics.
9. **“Child of Earth and Starry Heaven” by L. Annette Binder (2025)** - Binder’s memoir about her mother's cognitive decline deserves more recognition and has successfully drawn an audience this year.
10. **“The Curious Case of the Cleveland Indians” by Philip King (2025)** - King’s quirky novel completes the list, appealing to listeners with its unique perspective.
Mickunas hosts interviews every Saturday at 7 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WYSO-FM (91.3). More details can be found at wyso.org/programs/book-nook, and he can be contacted at [email protected].