Podcasts about Bookish

What if the life you've always wanted begins with a single decision to step outside your comfort zone? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Kevin Ladd on his new book GBOGFY: The Earnest Pursuit of Personal Growth.Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.com Kevin Ladd grew up in a small town in Maine, where a love of drawing, listening to and playing music, and hands-on work took root early—long before he ever imagined writing a book. After years of carpentry, cooking, and seven-day work weeks, he moved to Chicago, where he eventually helped build Scholarships.com and built a life on his own somewhat unconventional terms. Kevin is driven by curiosity, creativity, and the belief that life is best lived through doing.  https://gbogfy.comOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/05EvF2zf  Discover inspiring conversations with today's leading authors, celebrities, thought leaders, and change makers. To learn more about the Moments with Marianne Radio Show, explore guest interview opportunities, connect with Marianne, and follow her on social media, visit https://www.mariannepestana.com Explore the Moments with Marianne Book Club and find your next great read: https://www.mariannepestana.com/book-club/  Listen to the Moments with Marianne Radio Show on KMET 1490AM & 98.1FM, an ABC News Radio Affiliate, weekdays at 8:06 AM PT / 11:06 AM ET and Sundays at 10:06 AM PT / 1:06 PM ET. Learn more at: https://www.kmet1490am.com/moments-with-marianne 

Send us Fan MailToday we're bringing you an entirely spoiler free fun bestie chat with the Queen of bookish comedy: Jess @thelostbooksofjess and the host of the podcast  ⁨@fantasyfanreadspod⁩ ! Jess's hilarious reels, polls, and character boards introduced us to her bookstagram years ago, and here we are today yapping about unpopular bookish opinions and pet peeves, ready to get the people goin'! Get to know Jess, the person behind the bookish account and podcast. How did she get started? What are the books that made her? We ask her all about her favorite reads so far this year, her most anticipated release of the fall, what she thinks is the most underrated book series, and what her favorite content to create is. The answers might surprise you! Then we move into the unpopular opinions section with ideas like: “romance doesn't need to have a happily ever after,” and “yes, you CAN like the movie better than the book!” And just when you thought you were safe, we bring you our bookish pet peeves, making it known to the community that we just can't stand more than one epilogue at the end of a book, and useless dust jackets with no summary are the worst! Stick around for even more unpopular opinions and pet peeves we'll have all of you vote on, plus an on-the-spot eff, marry,

Want to know what kind of reader you are? TAKE OUR QUIZ: https://www.currentlyreadingpodcast.com/quiz   This week we have a very special episode for you. Every year, hosts Kaytee and Meredith bring in all the co-hosts to play a fun bookish game. This year, they are joined by Elizabeth Barnhill, Mary Heim and Roxanna Kasam Kara. The game is called Consensus or Chaos, where each host brings a bookish opinion, and they score and discuss whether they agree or not. Let us know on our socials which opinions you agree or disagree with!    Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). 00:00 Welcome to Currently Reading 01:41 Bookish Opinions 04:37 Audiobook Reading Is Just as Good as Paper Book Reading 12:50 What Do You Need a Bookmark For? 19:52 Murder Mysteries Should Be Murdery, Not Cutesy or Cozy 26:08 Deckled Edges and French Flaps 30:06 Why Does the Author's Name Have to Be Larger Than the Title? 33:08 It's Still a Book Club If It Happens Over Text 36:09 Most Books Don't Need to Be More Than 350 Pages 49:24 I'm Tired of Reading Books Written by Men 58:35 You Should Not Narrate Your Own Audiobook 01:04:22 Wrap-Up #books #reading #currentlyreading #podcast #currentreads ❤️ Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend on Patreon | https://patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast  Grab Some Merch on Zazzle | http://www.zazzle.com/store/currentlyreading Shop Bookshop dot org | https://bookshop.org/shop/currentlyreading Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. July's IPL is brought to you by our new anchor store, Booktenders in Barboursville, West Virginia. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show:  Instagram | https://instagram.com/currentlyreadingpodcast Website | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.com/ Email | hello@currentlyreadingpodcast.com Substack | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.substack.com/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@currentlyreadingpodcast Threads | https://www.threads.net/@currentlyreadingpodcast The Hosts and Regulars:  Meredith | https://instagram.com/meredithmondayschwartz Kaytee | https://instagram.com/notesonbookmarks Mary | https://instagram.com/maryreadsandsips Roxanna | https://instagram.com/roxannathereader Elizabeth | https://instagram.com/wacoreads Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans | https://instagram.com/mostofmegansreads

Grab a drink and settle in with Jade and Nate! We're kicking off this episode with some massive news: Nate has officially left the saw shop for a brand-new office role, and he's raising a glass of 14-year-old Glenfiddich single malt scotch to celebrate. Once the congratulations are out of the way, we're diving straight into the absolute chaos of Chapter 60 of Soul of the Fire.In Fairfield, Richard, Kahlan, and D watch from the shadows as a massive candlelit rally quickly turns into a highly scripted propaganda show. Coached kids are put on stage to paint Richard as a monster, and a speaker named Privet drags his name through the mud with some wild personal attacks about his "boundless lust" and secret pregnant wives.But before the crowd can get any rowdier, things go from bad to worse when the terrifying magic of the Chimes strikes, setting people ablaze in the middle of the square. A sudden downpour puts out thousands of candles, but it can't extinguish the unnatural fire burning the victims. With the panicked mob blaming Richard for the horror, the group is forced to make a run for their horses—leaving Richard more determined than ever to break into the library and stop this magical mess once and for all.Plus, Kahlan spots a midwife sign on the way out, a cheeky reminder that both she and D have some very pregnant implications to face soon!Connect with us!Write in your journey books to podcastatt@gmail.comFind us on any of our social meads!Facebook.com/PodcastATTInstagram.com/PodcastATTPatreon - Support the podcast directly and hear exclusive content at Patreon.com/PodcastATT, where every tier is a happy tear!See ya real soon!

Die New Adult-Autorin Isabelle Herzog rechnet in ihrer aktuellen Buchreihe „Bookish“ mit der Szene ab. Das Genre, das vor allem eine junge, weibliche Zielgruppe anspricht, lebt besonders vom Marketing auf Social Media. Auf Booktok, der leseaffinen Community auf der Plattform Tiktok, tauschen sich Tausende über Bücher aus, bewerten diese, sprechen über neue Trends. Das kann eine schöne Gemeinschaft sein, bedeutet für viele Autorinnen aber auch Druck, ständig präsent zu sein und liefern zu müssen.Im Gespräch mit Julia Hercka erzählt die gebürtige Hildesheimerin über den Druck als New-Adult-Autorin und warum sie ihre Kritik trotzdem in einer New-Adult-Reihe verarbeiten wollte.

Jess and Lauren are enjoying a summer break, so instead for the month of August they'll be sharing old summer episodes, in case you missed them!In celebration of National Writing Day on 24th June, we've been given a unique code providing you with 40% off all of BBC Maestro's writing courses.Use code BOOKRECCOS40 from now until 25th July for 40% off ALL BBC Maestro courses. Whether you're an aspiring writer, looking to expand your business skills, learn a new hobby or work on self-development, this discount gives you a MASSIVE saving! Head to www.https://www.bbcmaestro.com for more info!Book Reccos Website, Shop & newsletter: Don't forget to check out our website and checkout the Book Reccos shop to purchase your very own Book Reccos Reading Journal! And whilst you're there sign up to our newsletter to receive a monthly email from us to fill you in on our favourite reccos of the month. Head to www.bookreccos.com Get in Touch: Instagram: @bookreccos Email: hello@bookreccos.comWebsite: www.bookreccos.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Our last episode of Season 4!  What better way to say until next time than with the film 27 Dresses?! Our faces were hurting for days following this recording for all the laughter. On this episode you will hear strong opinions on the bouquet toss, analog living, and a particularly important safe word. We hope you have enjoyed Season 4 of the Tongue In Cheek Podcast.Head over to our socials and let us know what you would like to hear during Season 5.  August is just a short 6 weeks away. Until next time....Send us Fan MailSupport the showConnect with usInstagram: https://bit.ly/ourIGpageTikTok: https://bit.ly/ourTiktokpageIntro and Outro music, Sexy Fashion Beat from Coma-Media 

Can leadership, purpose, and mentorship help a generation overcome anxiety, uncertainty, and disconnection? Tune in for an inspiring discussion for Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey on his new children's book The Heart of a Leader.  Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.com  Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey is a board-certified Emergency Physician, U.S. Air Force Reserve officer, award-winning author, and leadership advocate dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders. As the author of The Heart of a Leader, he helps children discover the values of character, courage, service, and responsibility through engaging storytelling. A four-time Telly Award winner and founder of the Be the Weight Behind the Spear Foundation, Dr. McConkey has spent his career leading in medicine, the military, and his community. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Elsa, and their three children, where he continues his mission of inspiring young people to become leaders who make a positive difference in the world. https://www.weightbehindthespear.com Order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07KgNx9nDiscover inspiring conversations with today's leading authors, celebrities, thought leaders, and change makers. To learn more about the Moments with Marianne Radio Show, explore guest interview opportunities, connect with Marianne, and follow her on social media, visit https://www.mariannepestana.comExplore the Moments with Marianne Book Club and find your next great read: https://www.mariannepestana.com/book-club/Listen to the Moments with Marianne Radio Show on KMET 1490AM & 98.1FM, an ABC News Radio Affiliate, weekdays at 8:06 AM PT / 11:06 AM ET and Sundays at 10:06 AM PT / 1:06 PM ET. Learn more at: https://www.kmet1490am.com/moments-with-marianne

What if the key to healing, resilience, and fulfillment in the age of AI isn't more technology, but reconnecting with your body's inner wisdom? Tune in for a soul-inspiring discussion with Master Mingtong Gu on his new book Coming Home to Embodied Awakening: Reclaim Your Body, Power, and Purpose in an Age of AI.Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comMaster Mingtong Gu is the Founder & Visionary of The Chi Center & Southwest Sanctuary for Embodied Wisdom, a Global Movement Leader empowering 100,000+ seekers globally, and a Master Teacher of Wisdom Healing Qigong, a 5,000-year tradition, helping others to reclaim power, presence, and fulfillment in the age of AI and disruption.https://mingtonggu.com/https://mingtonggu.com/embodied-awakening-book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingtong-gu-60125119/ https://www.instagram.com/chicenter/ https://www.facebook.com/wisdomhealingqigong/ Order at Amazon: https://a.co/d/01oJDPeu Discover inspiring conversations with today's leading authors, celebrities, thought leaders, and changemakers. To learn more about the Moments with Marianne Radio Show, explore guest interview opportunities, connect with Marianne, and follow her on social media, visit https://www.mariannepestana.com Explore the Moments with Marianne Book Club and find your next great read: https://www.mariannepestana.com/book-club/ Listen to the Moments with Marianne Radio Show on KMET 1490AM & 98.1FM, an ABC News Radio Affiliate, weekdays at 8:06 AM PT / 11:06 AM ET and Sundays at 10:06 AM PT / 1:06 PM ET. Learn more at: https://www.kmet1490am.com/moments-with-marianne 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you're the kind of reader who wants heartfelt book recs and a peek behind the curtain of building a reading life worth writing about, this one's for you.Audry Fryer of the Bookish AF Substack joins us to talk about the books she can't stop recommending — from Fredrik Backman's quietly devastating My Friends to the winter read she's still thinking about, The Frozen River. We also get into the joys of audiobooks as genuine self-care, how to ease into romantasy without the overwhelm, and why "millennial mysteries" might be exactly the cozy-but-not-too-cozy genre you've been looking for.

Erica came up with a hypothesis... fantasy romance villains are kinda terrible? But seriously, can you think of any good ones? This week the Betches dive into this thought theory and decide what exactly is making fantasy romance less desirable these days! Find all of our video episodes on YouTube!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are incredibly fortunate to have author Sheila Masterson join us on the podcast to discuss her latest romantasy novel The Poison Daughter.  This book has it all. Arranged marriage, wedding rituals that illustrate the importance of communication "show me", and let us not forget...the ability to still speak your safe word when tiny undergarments are in your mouth.Sheila has written a story that speaks to deep realities we face in relationships. Whether it is the family we are born into or one we create. Everyone lies.  The body and mind can withstand more than it ever should have to for one person.The story of Harlow invites you to explore surviving at any cost. Sheila gives us insights into her own journey of suffering with migraines. The power of women righting others wrongs...even if it is with a deadly kiss. We could not be more grateful for the time spent in conversation with a talented author such as Sheila Masterson.*spoilers aheadSend us Fan MailSupport the showConnect with usInstagram: https://bit.ly/ourIGpageTikTok: https://bit.ly/ourTiktokpageIntro and Outro music, Sexy Fashion Beat from Coma-Media 

What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and the life you want isn't the storm around you, but the fear, stress, and self-doubt within? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Dr. Debra Atkisson on her new book Master Your Storm: Insights from a Psychiatrist and Coach.Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.com Debra Atkisson, M.D., PCC, is a nationally recognized psychiatrist, executive coach, and leadership speaker who brings more than 35 years of expertise in mental health, organizational culture, and physician development. She is the author of Master Your Storm: Insights of a Psychiatrist and Coach, a practical and inspiring guide that equips individuals and teams with tools to navigate adversity, strengthen resilience, and move forward with clarity and purpose. Dr. Atkisson currently serves as Senior Vice President of Blended Health, where she integrates clinical insight, strategic leadership, and coaching methodology to advance mental health outcomes across diverse systems. She has previously served as a Physician Development Coach and Professor of Medical Education at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. https://achievecoachingrx.com/ Order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0giuAXeo To learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

Hello and welcome back to Books on the Brain! On this week's episode, Danielle and Deirdre are going astrological! Are you a Romance Sun? Perhaps a Horror Moon? A Lit Fic Rising? We are breaking down our latest genre system and giving each other recommendations we think are written in the stars!Want your voice heard in any of these conversations? You can send us a DM or comment on our Instagram @booksonthebrainpodcast! You can also send us an email at booksonthebrainpod@gmail.com We upload weekly on Wednesdays, and you can find us individually Deirdre (she/her) @deirdresdigitaldiary on Instagram & TikTok & and YouTube @deirdrerosemorgan and Danielle (she/her) @d.j.books on Instagram & TikTok and Threads

Join us for a delightful conversation about book covers, their ability to draw people in, and what is going on with the good ones! A riveting debate you cannot miss!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You asked and we have delivered. Today we are discussing the romantasy standalone The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson. This book has poisonous lips, sisters, and Emily's favorite...a bratty FMC. Harlow Carrenwell enters into an arranged marriage (Lizzy's favorite) where the wedding rituals are essentially various levels of vulnerability: physical, mental, and emotional. We share which would be the hardest of the three to perform. Emily shares what her limited capacity for physical touch would be. Author pintrest boards, trust no one, and taking the dog. Did we mention the worlds worst parents? There is an abundance to choose from. Send us Fan MailSupport the showConnect with usInstagram: https://bit.ly/ourIGpageTikTok: https://bit.ly/ourTiktokpageIntro and Outro music, Sexy Fashion Beat from Coma-Media 

Want to know what kind of reader you are? TAKE OUR QUIZ: https://www.currentlyreadingpodcast.com/quiz   In this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Meredith discuss their bookish moments of the week, and then tell you about three current reads each. For this week's episode, our current reads cover a wide range of topics from children's classics to cannibalism. For our Deep Dive, we discuss books that we either need to revisit or books we have already re-read and formed a new opinion. We'll always end with our Before We Go segment, where we shout out a Bookish Friend of the week or talk about a specific small piece of our reading lives that we want to share with you. Today, Meredith shouts out the entire bookish friends group as a whole and Kaytee tells us about a book that she DNFd and why. Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). 0:00 — Welcome to Currently Reading 3:21 — Bookish Moments of the Week 8:04 — Current Reads 8:18 — A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780312367541 12:05 — Brother by Ania Ahlborn (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781476783734  18:26 — Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780593734193  22:26 — Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780063376915  28:30 — The Hunger by Alma Katsu (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780735212534  33:01 — Five by Ilona Bannister (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9798217088027 40:21 — Deep Dive: Books We Want to Give a Second Chance 54:38 — Before We Go 63:11 — Wrap-Up #books #reading #currentlyreading #podcast #currentreads ❤️ Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend on Patreon | https://patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast  Grab Some Merch on Zazzle | http://www.zazzle.com/store/currentlyreading Shop Bookshop dot org | https://bookshop.org/shop/currentlyreading Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. June's IPL is brought to you by one of our beloved repeat stores, Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show:  Instagram | https://instagram.com/currentlyreadingpodcast Website | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.com/ Email | hello@currentlyreadingpodcast.com Substack | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.substack.com/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@currentlyreadingpodcast Threads | https://www.threads.net/@currentlyreadingpodcast The Hosts and Regulars:  Meredith | https://instagram.com/meredithmondayschwartz Kaytee | https://instagram.com/notesonbookmarks Mary | https://instagram.com/maryreadsandsips Roxanna | https://instagram.com/roxannathereader Production and Editing:  Megan Phouthavong Evans | https://instagram.com/mostofmegansreads/

This week the Betches read a wild Shrek retelling! Kristin has no idea, Erica is turned off by the green, Maria is giving it way too many stars. An absolute chaos episode, but we're on the adventure together! Find out more of what we're up to by following us on our social media and join our Discord!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want to know what kind of reader you are? TAKE OUR QUIZ: https://www.currentlyreadingpodcast.com/quiz   In this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Meredith discuss their bookish moments of the week, and then tell you about three current reads each. For this week's episode, our current reads span the years from 1963 to 2026, ranging from murdery goodness to literary fiction to non-fiction about our bodies. For our Deep Dive, we discuss what it means to us to go into a book with no prior knowledge whatsoever. We'll always end with our Before We Go segment, where we shout out a Bookish Friend of the week or talk about a specific small piece of our reading lives that we want to share with you. Today, Kaytee tells us about stocking our summer TBRs, and Meredith enters "fragrance corner" but makes it bookish.   00:00 Welcome to Currently Reading 01:34 Bookish Moments of the Week 2:25 Funlenry Bath Lamp https://a.co/d/0eAYfrXE 06:38 Current Reads 06:46 Missing by E.A. Jackson (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781668079805 12:28 Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781668061978 16:33 The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780063444614 22:10 Replaceable You by Mary Roach (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781324050629 26:21 The Wall by Marlen Haushofer (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780811231947 36:32 Honey Bee Mine by Sarah T. Dubb (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781668037874 40:29 Deep Dive: Going Into a Book "Blind" 53:59 Before We Go 01:04:38 Wrap-Up 1:01:25 Ode to Perfume https://www.odetoperfume.com/  #books #reading #currentlyreading #podcast #currentreads ❤️ Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend on Patreon | https://patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast  Grab Some Merch on Zazzle | http://www.zazzle.com/store/currentlyreading Shop Bookshop dot org | https://bookshop.org/shop/currentlyreading Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. June's IPL is brought to you by one of our beloved repeat stores, Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | https://instagram.com/currentlyreadingpodcast Website | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.com/ Email | hello@currentlyreadingpodcast.com Substack | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.substack.com/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@currentlyreadingpodcast Threads | https://www.threads.net/@currentlyreadingpodcast The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | https://instagram.com/meredithmondayschwartz Kaytee | https://instagram.com/notesonbookmarks Mary | https://instagram.com/maryreadsandsips Roxanna | https://instagram.com/roxannathereader Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans | https://instagram.com/mostofmegansreads/

This week the Betches read an actually cool book about Norse mythology and Ragnarok! Kristin has no idea what she asked the girls to read, but we're on the adventure together! Find out more of what we're up to by following us on our social media and join our Discord!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on The Write Place Podcast, I'm joined by actress, podcaster and author Sonya Walger.Many listeners will know Sonya from her roles in Lost, For All Mankind, FlashForward, The Catch and many more, but she is also the author of the acclaimed debut novel Lion and her latest book, Wifehouse.In our conversation, Sonya talks about the idea behind Wifehouse, a novel about a woman who leaves her family, and why she wanted to explore that story without judgement. We discuss marriage, motherhood, identity, multiple points of view, and the difficult creative challenge of writing a character readers may not approve of but can still understand. We also talk about Sonya's move from acting into fiction, how years of inhabiting other characters have shaped her as a novelist, and why she finds writing so liberating after a career spent waiting for permission to play a part.Along the way, Sonya shares her thoughts on rejection, creative fear, handwriting first drafts, journalling, writing on planes, and why reading is one of the most important ways we practise empathy.And of course, we cover the usual Write Place favourites, including the Book That Saved Your Life, where Sonya chooses The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.A thoughtful, generous and wide-ranging conversation about writing, performance, creativity and the need to keep feeding the artist in you.LinksSonya's website: https://sonya-walger.com/ Sonya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyawalgerofficial/ Bookish with Sonya Walger: https://bookishwithsonyawalger.com/ Buy Wifehouse: https://www.waterstones.com/book/wifehouse/sonya-walger/9781786586384 My book, Real Writers Never Quit: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/

As a child, Lucy Mangan was reading all the time, using books to navigate the challenges and complexities of this world and many others. As an adult, she uses her new relationship with literature to seize upon the most important question: (How) do books prepare us for life?Bookish vividly tells the story of a reader's life from the cusp of teenagerhood, when everything—including the way we read—undergoes a not-so-subtle transformation. Lucy vividly recounts her metamorphosis from young bookworm to bookish adult, from the way school curricula impact our relationship with literature, to the growing pains of swapping the pleasures of re-reading for those of book-hoarding.Revisiting the books of all genres that ferried her through each important stage of life—falling in love, finding a job, becoming a mother, and navigating grief—Bookish is a coming-of-age story told through books.Chapters[00:00] Introduction.[01:34] How books have a unique way to hold us as readers. [04:30] How books stand alone from other forms of more recent media. [07:52] The human experience of reading and connecting with others through books. [15:16] How characters in books influence our relationship with the real world. [21:10] On relationships with non-bookish people and balancing solitude with connection. [34:35] Returning to books later in life. [41:12] How the digital age affects our understanding of stories and the world around us. [46:05] Reflecting on how being bookish changes your life.Original air date: May 30, 2026

As a child, Lucy Mangan was reading all the time, using books to navigate the challenges and complexities of this world and many others. As an adult, she uses her new relationship with literature to seize upon the most important question: (How) do books prepare us for life?Bookish vividly tells the story of a reader's life from the cusp of teenagerhood, when everything—including the way we read—undergoes a not-so-subtle transformation. Lucy vividly recounts her metamorphosis from young bookworm to bookish adult, from the way school curricula impact our relationship with literature, to the growing pains of swapping the pleasures of re-reading for those of book-hoarding.Revisiting the books of all genres that ferried her through each important stage of life—falling in love, finding a job, becoming a mother, and navigating grief—Bookish is a coming-of-age story told through books.Chapters[00:00] Introduction.[01:34] How books have a unique way to hold us as readers. [04:30] How books stand alone from other forms of more recent media. [07:52] The human experience of reading and connecting with others through books. [15:16] How characters in books influence our relationship with the real world. [21:10] On relationships with non-bookish people and balancing solitude with connection. [34:35] Returning to books later in life. [41:12] How the digital age affects our understanding of stories and the world around us. [46:05] Reflecting on how being bookish changes your life.Original air date: May 30, 2026

Let's talk about… my love for women, dating again, romanticising the past when you absolutely shouldn't, and whether it's a red flag if your new man makes your skin crawl every time he opens his mouth… or if that's just love? At least in BookTok terms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The hottest book of the year? The hottest show of the year? The hottest actors of the year? What did we actually think of both the book and the show?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Surprise, you're getting a VPR Takeover bonus episode this week and this one is packed with romance books, chaotic energy, Disney tangents, hockey romance, and alien otter research.This week we're hanging out with romance author Jenn Chipman, she writes heroes who fall first, fall hard, and fully spiral over their women, aka exactly what we live for around here.If you love: Romance books  Romance author interviews  Bookish podcasts  Hockey romance  Workplace romance  Enemies to lovers  Friends with benefits  Heroes who fall first  Interconnected standalone series  Chaos-filled book discussions  Unhinged reader conversations …then welcome home, bestie. Follow Jenn Chipman on InstagramBuy Jenn Chipman BooksJenn Chipman Website..Apply to be a Guest on our showSign up for our Substack Newsletter..Support Our Show (May Include Affiliate Links)Amazon Product Links (Books, Shows, Products mentioned)Sponsorship or Ad Affiliate InquiriesWell Read Candle Company - WhatTheSmut10 saves you $$Audible Free TrialKindle Unlimited Free Trial..Where to Find UsWe are the most active on InstagramWhatTheSmutPodcastCortneyMarySend us a DM, because we would love to hear from YOU!Send us a voice noteWell Read Candle Co10% Off WHATTHESMUT10 Support the show

We thought Chuck Tingle books were more popular than they are... so we read one and my golly... A short 40 pages later and we're not sure what we read. A hilarious episode of us discussing this absolutely out of bound novella, "Pounded In The Butt By My Handsome Sentient Library Card Who Seems Otherworldly But In Reality Is Just A Natural Part Of The Priceless Resources Our Library System Provides" by Chuck Tingle.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back, Book Nerds! This week we're bringing the chaos straight to Nashville because we're talking all things Smutmas in the Smokies 2026 — the romance author signing event happening July 17-18 in Nashville, TN… and yes, What the Smut will officially be there as a vendor!We're joined by our Booksta bestie Jess from @thebookishclaus, the mastermind behind Smutmas in the Smokies, and y'all… this episode is packed with romance books, author event chaos, unhinged thoughts, and all the bookish shenanigans you expect from us.We dive into: The lineup of romance authors, narrators, and vendors coming to Smutmas Sports romance, forced proximity, fake dating, and favorite romance tropes Why Hallmark movies are elite comfort viewing Parenting feral children while surviving on caffeine and delusion Why people driving slow in the left lane should absolutely move over immediatelyJess also shares behind-the-scenes details about building a first-year romance book signing event, supporting indie romance authors, and creating a space where readers can discover new-to-them authors, narrators, and vendors.If you love: Romance books Bookish podcasts Indie romance authors Sports romance Forced proximity & one bed tropes Bookstagram chaos Christmas in July vibes…then this episode was made for you.Smutmas in the Smokies Details:

A very hot debate, about 3 months too late. The Betches chat through the different moral arguments for and against stripping down a piece of fan fiction to its bones then publishing it in a traditional publishing world. What should be the future of publishing? Do we adapt to the times or do we do what we always have, which is lay out and do nothing as technology advances?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is all spoiler free and fun vibes filled with unpopular opinions, hot takes, and even a bookish AITA! We're doing our first book influencer interview and collab episode with none other than bestie of the pod: Kat over @littleblondebooks! We're sure that you know her from her excellent book recommendations, impeccable taste in music, and her vegan advocacy over @littleblondevegan! Grab an Alani and join the party!Today she's here to talk a little bit about herself, the book community she's built, and her favorite books and authors, but we think the best way to get to know someone is just by inviting them to a hang and chill sesh, so that's what we did. And guys… turns out Kat has now been hired as our third cohost because we couldn't stop the yapping! (We joke… but honestly, if we did want a third cohost (or to start a band), Kat, you'd be her.

Surprise, you're getting a BONUS episode this week!  Because we're bringing back a fan-favorite author interview that mysteriously disappeared into the void (RIP old hosting platform

We're back after a very long season away and some time off. We wanted to give you some context and updates on why we were away for so long and what's going on with us!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the patterns in your life didn't begin here, but in a past life? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Michelle Brock on her new book Who Do You Think You Are?: An Interactive Journey Through Your Past Lives and into Your Best Future. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comMichelle Brock is a New York City–based spiritual development life coach who specializes in past-life regression. Her work has been featured on Inside Amy Schumer, and her clients include celebrities, CEOs, writers, artists, and academics. She has been featured in publication including Well+Good, MindBodyGreen, Bustle, Elephant Journal, and YourTango. https://michelle-brock.comOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gERxHNETo learn more about interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

How did one woman's voice shape the fate of a nation? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Debra Yates on her new book Woman Of Many Names. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comDebra Yates hails from Ohio but now resides in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Although she began her writing later in life, she did so with great passion. Being of Cherokee descent and having had stories passed down from generation to generation, Debra found herself drawn to family history, to the point of enlisting a genealogist to verify her conclusions. Traveling to relevant destinations along the East Coast and in the Midwest, she brought her findings back to the peace, calm, and tranquility that she feels God has provided to her in the Sunshine State. With the release of Woman of Many Names, she now puts her sights on a followup to document the next stage of her seventh-greatgrandmother's historic life. https://www.facebook.com/WomanOfManyNamesOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aJVk559  

What if the future isn't happening to you but through you, and it's full of more possibility than you could even imagine? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Steven Kotler on his new book We Are as Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comSteven Kotler  is an American journalist, award-winning NYT best-selling author, and entrepreneur, recognized globally for his work in human performance, neuroscience, and the science of flow states. He holds a degree in English and creative writing from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Beyond writing, Kotler is the founder and executive director of Flow Research Collective — a leading organization researching peak performance, creativity, and human potential. His journalistic work has appeared in major publications like Wired, The New York Times Magazine, TIME, and others. https://www.stevenkotler.comOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0e0QVGntTo learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

What hidden truths about compassion and bravery might these ancient Tibetan tales reveal for our lives today? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Laura Burges on her new children's book Wisdom Stories of Tibet: Tales of Magic, Adventure, and Bravery. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comLaura Burges (Ryuko Eitai) is a Soto Zen teacher who received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. She teaches at San Francisco Zen Center and other practice centers in Northern California. Her book Buddhist Stories for Kids won Gold in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. Her children's books have been translated into several languages. To learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

GCU sat down with bookish content creators and influencers: Tales Between the Sheets, LexxSavage, Leekas Bookish Behavior, and Ms Rese Alisa for bookish community talk. It was real fun, real talk, and real tea on life as a content creator. Tune In! Follow us @getcaughtuppodcast Subscribe anchor.fm/getcaughtupMerch getcaughtuppodcast.carrd.coDonate Cash App $UP2016

Going back ten years to 2016, Sarah and Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide) dive into the annual Bookish Time Capsule episode and revisit the book world from that year. They cover big bookish highlights — from the buzziest books of the year to the award winners — along with what was happening in the wider world at the time. They also look back at their own reading from 2016, including their favorite releases, and share a quick round-up of listener-submitted favorites. This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR!   This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights The big news that was going on outside the book world Book stories and trends that dominated 2016 The 2016 books that have had staying power Big books and award winners for the year Reading in the blog years before the Rock Your Reading Tracker Sarah's and Catherine's personal 2016 reading stats Listener-submitted favorites from 2016 2016 Bookish Time Capsule [1:45] The World Beyond Books Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (2018)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:09]  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [4:59]  My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [5:11] Ferrante's true identity has never been confirmed, despite multiple attempts by journalists and various theories pointing to different people. Book Industry Sales and Trends Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:02] The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:10] Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:21] A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:36] Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:40]  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:45]  All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:57]  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:12]  Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:16]  StrengthsFinder 2.0 from Gallup (2007) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:20]  When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:30] The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:33] After You by Jojo Moyes (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:49] The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:52] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:59] Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter (2016)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:36] Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:49] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:04]  Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:05] The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (English Translation, 2015) | Amazon| Bookshop.org  [13:32] My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman (English Translation, 2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:39] In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:51]  Big Books of 2016 It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:47] A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) by Sarah J. Maas (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [16:28]   Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [17:25] Pines (Wayward Pines, 1) by Blake Crouch (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:57] Recursion by Blake Crouch (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:17] A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[18:34] Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:58] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:29] James by Percival Everett (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:42] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:51]  Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:10] When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:28] Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:46] Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [23:19] Award Winners of 2016 The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:54] The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:06] Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:35] The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:51] Let Me Die In His Footsteps by Lori Roy (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:50] Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [25:56] All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:05] Catherine's Top Books Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [27:46]  A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:11] The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [28:35]  The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:03]  Before the Wind by Jim Lynch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:57] Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:57] Miss Jane by Brad Watson (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:48]   Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:57] Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:08]  Adnan's Story by Rabia Chaudry (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:40]  Sarah's Top Books Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:45] Shelter by Jung Yun (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:58]   All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:06]  The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:16]  My Name Is Lucy Barton (Amgash, 1) by Elizabeth Strout (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:22] Oh William! (Amgash, 3) by Elizabeth Strout (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:38] Tell Me Everything (Amgash, 5) by Elizabeth Strout (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:47]   Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:05]  Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:30] Tender by Belinda McKeon (US Release, 2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:44] The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:03]  When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[42:05] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:31]  Listeners' Top Books A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[44:14] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:19] A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) by Sarah J. Maas (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:35]   Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:47] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:01]  Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:24] Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:30] Beartown by Fredrik Backman (English Translation, 2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:32] Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:40]  The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:45] Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:58] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:00] The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:16] 

Robert Cecil, the younger but highly prodigious son of William Cecil, chief advisor to Elizabeth I, was one of the most complex but intriguing figures of the late 16th and early 17th century. Bookish, awkward and at times rather cold, he was nonetheless a supremely skilled politician who would play a huge role in the succession from the world of the Tudors to the Stuarts. To discuss Robert Cecil with me, I am pleased to welcome author Richard Woulfe onto the podcast for the first time. Richard's book, Master Secretary, Robert Cecil, A Life in Fiction, is as the name suggests, a piece of historical fiction, but the discussion today is all about the real man himself, so settle in to discover all about the man who all but placed the crown of England on the head of a Scotsman

Why do high-achieving women struggle to own their success? Tune in for an inspiring discussion Darby Bonomi, PhD, on her new book Unshrinkable: Why Strong Women Secretly Criticize, Diminish, and Thwart Themselves…and How to Stop. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comDarby Bonomi, PhD, is a sport and performance psychologist who has facilitated transformations in hundreds of high-achieving individuals. After two decades as a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and faculty member at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, she shifted her focus to performance coaching in 2016. She works with competitive equestrians, entrepreneurs, and professionals globally—primarily women determined not to shrink under self-criticism or others' expectations. Dr. Bonomi is an actively competing equestrian herself and has delivered sport psychology clinics nationwide. Her writing has been featured in Practical Horseman, USHJA In Stride, The Chronicle of the Horse, The Plaid Horse, Evening Nation, and Psychology Today.  https://www.darbybonomi.comOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0eIkwcw4 To learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

We are Traci and Ellie, two bookish friends who read in any spare minute that we have. This week we are blending two worlds… Taylor Swift and reading! To shop the books listed in this episode, visit our shop at bookshop.org.   Care to join us on Patreon with even more content? We would love to have you join us at From the Bookstacks of Literally Reading! Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Shumacher Betting on You by Lynn Painter Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Orphans of Race Point by Patry Francis Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han Good Material by Dolly Alderton I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy The Wedding People by Alison Espach  

Join Danelle and I as we run through some of the biggest bookish news (or lack thereof…) from the last few weeks. From release dates to new adaptations to some questionable choices in the bookish world, we've got the updates for you!

I've had so many incredible episodes these past few months, and this one is truly something special. I was thrilled to welcome Kara McDowell to Books Are Chic to celebrate her adult romance debut, The Write Off. We are fully in our romance era and let's be honest, our books-about-books era too. Bookish stories are having a moment, and we are here for it.Kara and I chatted about her transition from YA to adult fiction, our shared love of the literary world, balancing writing and motherhood, and so much more. And let's talk about Mars and West - if you're a Bravo fan, that name will definitely ring a bell. They're the kind of couple you can't help but root for from the very first page.

On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: Project Hail Mary and a bookish guest bedroom Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: all about our book budgets Before We Go: our new segment featuring bookish friend posts and a something Kaytee is curious about Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). . . .   :10 - Bite Size Intro 1:50 - Currently Reading Patreon 2:42 - Fabled Bookshop 2:44 - Book Lover Weekend 4:43 - Bookish Moments of the Week 5:01 - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 6:13 - @sciencewhizliz on Instagram 9:33 - "You've Been Poisoned" teacup 10:35 - Your Guide To Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson 11:52 - Current Reads 12:03 - Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson (Kaytee) 12:40 - White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson 12:41 - Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson 16:22 - The Deep by Nick Cutter (Meredith) 19:38 - Sphere by Michael Crichton 20:35 - The Troop by Nick Cutter 21:06 - Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant 21:26 - In the Shadow of the Mountain by Sylvia Vasquez-Lovado (Kaytee) 21:57 - CR Season 6: Episode 48 25:16 - The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie (Meredith) 29:56 - North is the Night by Emily Rath (Kaytee) 34:24 - Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Meredith) 35:49 - An Unlikely Story  42:03 - Deep Dive: Our Book Budgets 43:01 - @deadendbooks_rva 50:12 - Book of the Month 50:20 - Goldsboro Book Subscriptions 51:17 - Libro.fm 51:25 - Storygraph 51:47 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live Patreon 51:58 - Shelf Respect by the Popcast 52:30 - Aardvark Book Club 52:33 - Satisfiction 52:35 - Fairyloot 53:19 - Sleuth Box w/Fabled 55:48 - Before We Go Meredith highlights a bookish friend post 56:22 - Fairyloot Epic Fantasy subscription Kaytee brings something she is curious about 57:33 - Inside Literary Prize 57:58 - Canada Reads 58:20 - South to America by Imani Perry 58:27 - Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 58:39 - 2026 Inside Literary Prize Shortlist   Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. April's IPL is brought to us from a new to us bookstore, Two Friends Books in Bentonville, Arkansas Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads | Substack | Youtube The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

Nick Offerman is known to many as Ron Swanson on the TV series ‘Parks and Recreation' and has done a ton of other work including last year where he was the announcer for the Academy Awards. He is also a writer, humorist, and master woodworker who runs the Los Angeles based Offerman Woodshop. He has written several bestselling books celebrating craftsmanship, storytelling, and the pleasures of working with one's hands. Now he is bringing those passions to the stage with ‘Big Woodchuck: An Evening of Comedy with Woodworking and Bookish Mirth.' It is a live show blending standup, reflection of craft and literary humor, and the tour stops at The Palace Theatre in Albany, NY on 4/11.

We welcome global gallivant and raging bibliophile Eve Harlow on 3 Books! Born in Russia, raised in Israel, living in Canada and the U.S., Eve Harlow is a talented actress best known for roles in The 100, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Night Agent, and her current star turn as Dr. Ingrid Derian in Watson, the medical-mystery thriller inspired by stories of Sherlock Holmes. Somehow between her busy acting schedule, Eve finds time to read a book a week. She's a library junkie, a reading phenom, and posts stacks of her latest reads @eveharlow between red carpet shots and behind-the-scenes clips from her shows.  This is a conversation for all of us who aspire to grow our love of reading books amidst the digital deluge. We live in worlds designed to tease our brains into shallow skimming. So how does Eve do it? What systems does she use? How does she think about her reading life? And (of course!) which 3 books shaped her more than any others?  We talk about reading habits, magic realism, identity in a politically robust and privacy-eroded world, deliberate daydreaming, building resilience, and much, much more.  Pull up a chair and join us in this bookish conversation. Let's flip the page to Chapter 159 now...

Once again, Danelle and Madi have teamed up to bully me. Prepare for a full breakdown of the diabolical plot that Danelle hatched with Madi's help. We also breakdown our experience at the Fourth Wing Night hosted by the Charlotte Hornets. Finally, we got through the random bookish news from the past week or so. By the way, still need to preorder ACOTAR 6 and 7? You should order with a local, indie bookstore! Some of our favs are below! Drop your favs in the comments below!

This is a special episode of Strong Sense of Place in which we announce that we're doing it again — we're taking a group of readers back to Trevor Hall. In October 2025, we took over Trevor Hall — a Georgian manor house in Llangollen, Wales — with forty members of the Strong Sense of Place community. It was the best book club ever. We took walks in the countryside, talked about (so many) books, enjoyed ridiculously delicious meals, and told spooky stories by candlelight. And we made lifelong friends. We're doing it again — and you're invited to join us! Together, we'll make ourselves at home in this historic mansion surrounded by the picturesque North Wales countryside. We'll have a book club, share gourmet meals in the Great Hall, play parlor games, ramble in the hills, and stomp our feet at a Celtic ceilidh. Our weekend begins in Manchester, England — a UNESCO City of Literature. We'll check into our rooms at a design hotel and enjoy our first IRL meetup in a historic library. After a good night's sleep, we're off to Elizabeth Gaskell's House for a private tour of the Victorian villa where she wrote ‘North and South' (and entertained literary friends like Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens). After a restorative tea-and-cake break, we'll ride together via private motor coach through the rugged countryside to Llangollen, a charming town on the River Dee in North Wales. Our destination: Trevor Hall. The Hall sits on a wooded hilltop overlooking green slopes dotted with sheep and horses. After a tour of the house and gardens, we'll ease into country living in the Hall's luxurious (and tastefully eclectic) rooms. With bookish activities, entertainment, and surprises planned throughout the weekend, you're sure to be delighted — and have plenty of time to connect with old and new bookish friends. DatesThis is a five-day, four-night trip: Thursday through Monday. It will be held on two consecutive weekends; each weekend is limited to 19 guests. Weekend 1: Thursday, November 5 through Monday, November 9 Weekend 2: Thursday, November 12 through Monday, November 16 Also! Click here for the complete details about the weekend and to enjoy the pretty photos For early access to tickets, join our Patreon. To be notified the minute tickets go on sale, join our free Substack newsletter. If you're curious about last year's trip, listen to our podcast episode That Time We Rented a Manor House in Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices