In this interview, I chat with Craig Thomas about That's Not How It Happened, having his book selected for Book of the Month, how he decided to write a book, weaving the craziness of Hollywood into his story, Darcy's character and how she is resonating with readers, casting the amazing audiobook, and much more.
Craig's recommended reads are:
- The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Election by Tom Perrotta
- A Heart That Works by Rob Dulaney
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 40 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this winter and spring - a number of books you will not see on other guides. I also include mystery series recommendations, backlist picks, and fiction and nonfiction pairings.
Purchase Kelly and my Shelf Ceremony here. We discuss tons more great read from 2025.
Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo.
Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2026? Check out our fifth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one!
Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month.
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Author
Craig Thomas is the co-creator of the Emmy-winning comedy series How I Met Your Mother. His prose has appeared in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, McSweeney's, and The Iowa Review. He is an Emmy-nominated songwriter who has written songs for Sesame Street, and is a founding member, drummer, and songwriter for The Solids. He recently launched a HIMYM rewatch podcast, How We Made Your Mother. He lives in New York City with his wife, Rebecca, his daughter, Celia, and his son, Elliot, whose unique journey has had a huge impact on his life and work. THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED is his first novel.
