Peter Orner, author of seven previous books and chair of the English and Creative Writing Department at Dartmouth College, has just published “The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter.” Orner will be appearing at Chevalier’s Books in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. on Sept. 3 in conversation with Edan Lepucki.

Q. Please tell readers about your new book.

“The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter” is about a friendship between two couples. After many decades, the friendship ends abruptly and irrevocably. Why?

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Q. Is there a book or books you always recommend to other readers?

I often recommend Gina Berriault’s collection of stories, “Women in Their Beds.” I have it right here on my desk. All I’ve got to do is open it and I

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