Sarah Miller presents the incredible life of pioneering journalist Lorena ‘Hick’ Hickok.

On this episode of Fully Booked, Sarah Miller joins us to discuss Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart (Random House Studio, May 27), which Kirkus calls “a thorough account of the life of Lorena ‘Hick’ Hickok, an intrepid journalist best known today for her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt.”

Miller is the author of biographies and historical fiction for teen readers, including Hanged! Mary Surratt and the Plot To Assassinate Abraham Lincoln, Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville’s Famous Conjoined Twins, and The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets. She lives in Michigan.

Here’s a bit more from our review of Hick:“Hickok was born in 1893. Her childhood was marked by loss—her mother died suddenly when she was 13, and a year later her abusive father announced his engagement to the housekeeper; he split the siblings up, leaving Lorena to fend for herself. She studied journalism, difficult for women at the time, and then worked for newspapers, often as the only woman reporter. Her compelling journalistic voice and dogged persistence were the keys to her success. Hickok rose to prominence at the Associated Press and covered Eleanor Roosevelt’s public appearances during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 presidential campaign. Eleanor and Hick’s romantic relationship grew from friendship; by 1933, their correspondence was affectionate, and Hick had given Eleanor a ring that she wore on her pinky, a ‘secret code’ among committed Sapphic couples at the time. Hick, realizing her conflict of interest was unsustainable, left reporting for other pursuits, and the two remained romantically involved until Eleanor’s death in 1962…. Miller’s prose is clear, thoroughly researched, and highly detailed…. A substantial biography of a noteworthy figure.”

Miller and I delve into Hick’s early life, her journalistic career, and her relationship with Eleanor, highlighting the challenges they faced as high-profile women in love. We talk about some of Hick’s biggest stories, including her coverage of President Harding’s funeral and her work for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) during the Great Depression. Miller talks about the types of stories that draw her interest, her profound love of archival research, and much more.

Then editors Laura Simeon, Mahnaz Dar, John McMurtrie, and Laurie Muchnick share their top picks in books for the week.

EDITORS’ PICKS:

Solo by Gráinne O’Brien (Little Island)

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illus. by Cátia Chien (Clarion/HarperCollins)

Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie

by Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty (Random House)

All the Mothers by Domenica Ruta (Random House)

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

A Moon in All Things by Jennifer Comeau

For Our Friends the Animals by Robert Echols

Making Up Stories by Susan Myhre Hayes

Doing the Right Thing by Debbie C. Miller

Fully Booked is produced by Cabel Adkins Audio and Megan Labrise.