Podcasts about kill you

This week, Magda and Lindsay are recording LIVE from Georgetown's very own Lark & Owl Booksellers to chat with the incredible Jess Cannon about her cozy mystery novel “Zoom with a View.” This conversation has EVERYTHING from South American television programming in the 90s to obscure snark subreddits to the insidious culture of online wellness gurus. Much like the book that spawned it, this episode a fun and wild ride. Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok #cozymystery #livepodcast #bookpodcast #summerreads #authorinterview #jesscannon #bookrecs #booktok #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #podcast #indiebookstore #atx #redditstories   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Story Submissions: Letsnotmeetstories@gmail.comStories in this episode:Night Visitors | MysteriousMovie (0:42)Something Was Very Wrong With That Man | Ellis (9:17) The Gentleman of Barron Falls | 4labaster (17:26) Stalked in Rural Washington | tu8ular (24:00) "I'm Not Going to Kill You" | throw-away-20255 (30:59) Weird Stuff Happens in the Mountains | StevenEveral (35:23) He Told Me to Keep it a Secret | Effective-Dealer7572 (39:23) Customer Left Me a Weird Note | s (43:59) He Made Us Leave Our Campsite | tireddoglady (47:36) Extended Patreon Content:The Customer Who Thought We Were Biblically Fated | AnonymousTwenty Years Later, I Saw Him Again | Neely87My Daily Walk Came With a Stalker | HeatherI Think The Neighborhood Watch Was Watching Me | Lauren C.Due to periodic changes in ad placement, time stamps are estimates and are not always accurate. Want Bonus Weekly Stories? Hate Ads? Join our Patreon for only $5 a month for over 100 hours of bonus content, and it's all ad-free! Join the Discord:https://discord.gg/84WXQud4gEFollow LNM:- Twitch - https://twitch.tv/crypticcounty- Website - https://letsnotmeetpodcast.com/- Patreon - https://patreon.com/letsnotmeetpodcast- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/letsnotmeetcast/ To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to MintMobile.com/MEET. Head to Mood.com, find the functional gummy that matches exactly what you're looking for, and use promo code MEET at checkout to save 20% on your first order. All of the stories you've heard this week were narrated and produced with the permission of their respective authors. Let's Not Meet: A True Horror Podcast is not associated with Reddit or any other message boards online. The stories shared on this podcast are told from the perspective of the authors. Their accounts and opinions are personal and do not reflect the stance of the production team. 

This week, Magda and Lindsay sit down with Rachel Thorne, aka Denise Grover Swank, author of many a rom-com and mystery tale, to talk all about her book “The Substitute.”    “The Substitute” follows Megan Vandemeer, who has just recently dumped her cheating finance bro fiancé, Jay. There's just one hitch: she hasn't told her family the wedding's off. While flying home to break the news to her uptight mother, Megan chats up her handsome seatmate in first class, Josh. After some Dramamine, a glass of champagne, and a gentlemanly attempt to get a semi-conscious Megan from the plane to her family, Josh winds up posing as Megan's fiancé. Determined to stage a breakup and avoid a family disaster, Megan and Josh embark on a week of wedding festivities, with their closest friends and family in tow.  Listen in for this fun, wild ride of a chat.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Volunteering for a summer reading list?!  Uh, YES.  Magda and Lindsay are your favorite kind of teacher's pets, though, because they're going to walk through every kind of option for a perfect summer read. Memoir, romance, heist, magical realism…economics (?). These are all the books they're reading and planning to read during their short summer break.  Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   #mustreadbooks #bookpodcast #summerreads #summerreadinglist

Day 1,476 of our fascination…with Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures.  Magda and Lindsay dive into this wonderful tale of love, community, unlikely friendships, and grief. Listen in as they compare the book and the movie and all the things that warmed their souls.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Remarkably Bright Creatures“ by Shelby Van Pelt “American Fantasy“ by Emma Straub “Carrie Soto is Back“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “It Ends With Us“ by Colleen Hoover “Angel Down“ by Daniel Kraus “Liberation“ by Bess Wohl “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution“ by Jill Lepore “Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution“ by Amanda Vaill “Things in Nature Merely Grow“ by Yiyun Li “Ars Poetica“ by Juliana Spahr “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America“ by Brian Goldstone “Bad Feminist“ by Roxane Gay “Animorphs“ by K.A. Applegate “Off Campus“ by Elle Kennedy “The Last Sunrise“ by Anna Todd “The Love Hypothesis“ by Ali Hazelwood “Beach Read“ by Emily Henry “Perfecto Mentirosos“ by Alex Mírez   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube   #bookadaptations #bookpodcast #remarkablybrightcreatures    Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

This week, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's “The Little Prince” schools Magda and Lindsay in some extremely important life lessons, most importantly, that being an adult is so overrated.  In honor of the book, they discuss all the essential things they felt with their hearts while reading this absolute classic.    Books mentioned in the episode: “The Little Prince“ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “The Girls Who Grew Big“ by Leila Mottley “Half His Age“ by Jeanette McCurdy  “The Ending Writes Itself“ by Evelyn Clarke “The Little Prince“ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “James and the Giant Peach“ by Roald Dahl   “Parable of the Sower“ by Octavia Butler “The House in the Cerulean Sea“ by TJ Klune “Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About“ by Isabel Klee “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   #childrensbooks #thelittleprince #selfhelpbooks #bookpodcast 

A horror writer, YA writer, romance writer, sci-fi writer, mystery writer, and a team of thriller writers walk into a secluded Scottish mansion… This is the setup for this week's deep dive, Evelyn Clarke's “The Ending Writes Itself.”  Listen in as Magda and Lindsay discuss this mystery tale wrapped in a treatise on the publishing industry with a dash of commentary on genre stereotypes.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “The Ending Writes Itself“ by Evelyn Clarke “Huntsman“ by Naima Simone “Ember“ by Naima Simone “West of Wicked“ by Nikki St. Crowe “Big Girl Blitz“ by Danielle Allen “First and Forever“ by Lynn Painter “The Prospects“ by KT Hoffman “Crash Course“ by Piper Lawson “On Thin Ice“ by Olivia Belle “Divergent“ by Veronica Roth “Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman “Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   #mysteryreads #bookpodcast #bookrecommendations #veschwab #publishingindustrytalk

ONE. HUNDRED. EPISODES!!!!!! Literally Books has officially reached its hundredth episode, so Magda and Lindsay spend this episode freaking out, crying, and wallowing in nostalgia and gratitude.  Listen in as they take listener questions, provide rapid-fire books recs (how many books CAN they recommend in 50 seconds?), revel in some of their favorite memories, and manifest what they want for the next 100 episodes.  LASTLY,  THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!   Books mentioned in the episode:  “Reel“ by Kennedy Ryan “Score“ by Kennedy Ryan “The Knockout Queen“ by Rufi Thorpe “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone“ by J.K. Rowling “El Renacuajo Paseador“ by Rafael Pombo “James and the Giant Peach“ by Roald Dahl “The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans “Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn “People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir “The Shadow of the Wind“ by Carlos Ruiz Zafón “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer“ by Mark Twain “The Lord of the Rings“ by J.R.R. Tolkien “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë “Bullet in the Brain“ by Tobias Wolff “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay“ by Michael Chabon “This Could Be Us“ by Kennedy Ryan “Station Eleven“ by Emily St. John Mandel “An Untamed State“ by Roxane Gay “Saga“ by Brian K. Vaughan “All the Women in My Brain“ by Betty Gilpin “The Poppy War“ by R.F. Kuang “I Shouldn't Be Telling You This“ by Chelsea Devantez “All Systems Red“ by Martha Wells “Bull Moon Rising“ by Ruby Dixon “Alias Emma“ by Ava Glass “Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood “Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert“ by Bob the Drag Queen “My Lady Jane“ by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows “Clytemnestra“ by Costanza Casati “Mickey7“ by Edward Ashton “Butcher and Blackbird“ by Brynne Weaver “I Shouldn't Be Telling You This“ by Chelsea Devantez “Lady Tan's Circle of Women“ by Lisa See “Nice Work,  Nora November“ by Julia London “Everything is Probably Fine“ by Julia London “Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn “They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “The Trouble with Love and Ink“ by Harriet Ashford “The Trouble with Love and Coaches“ by Harriet Ashford   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

BookCon! BookCon! BookCon! 'Tis the season for 35,000 of the country's biggest introverts to converge together in NYC and talk about books. Magda and Lindsay discuss their favorite panels, their experience moderating author talks, and their favorite moments from this year's BookCon, after its 6-year hiatus.    Books mentioned in the episode: “West of Wicked“ by Nikki St. Crowe “Big Girl Blitz“ by Danielle Allen “Huntsmen“ by Naima Simone “Ember“ by Naima Simone “First and Forever“ by Lynn Painter “The Prospects“ by KT Hoffman “On Thin Ice“ by Olivia Belle “Crash Course“ by Piper Lawson “Margo's Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe “The A.I. Who Loved Me“ by Alyssa Cole “The Hunting Wives“ by May Cobb “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weird “Station Eleven“ by Emily St. John Mandel “The Idea of You“ by Robinne Lee     Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Now while Magda and Lindsay may be literary hoarders in all forms— digital, physical, audible— they understand (kind of) that not everyone may want heaps and piles of books. So in the spirit of cultivation, they're pulling together their personal capsule bookshelf.  They'll each recommend five books that will scratch whatever reading itch you may be having.  *Please note, while your hosts did their best to cull the very best titles, these are subject to change at any moment because people can GROW and CHANGE, okay? Now, onto the show.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Margo's Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe “Right by My Side“ by David Haynes “Catcher in the Rye“ by J.D. Salinger “Finlay Donovan is Killing It“ by Elle Cosimano "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" by Maria Semple “The Favorites“ by Layne Fargo “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë “The Count of Monte Cristo“ by Alexandre Dumas “Adult Braces“ by Lindy West “Shrill“ by Lindy West “His Dark Materials“ by Phillip Pullman “Pride and Prejudice“ by Jane Austen “The People's History of the Unites States“ by Howard Zinn “I Who Have Never Known Men“ by Jacqueline Harpman “Cat's Cradle“ by Kurt Vonnegut “Slaughterhouse-Five“ by Kurt Vonnegut “The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans “Jane Eyre“ by Charlotte Brontë “First Lie Wins“ by Ashley Elston “Margo's Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe “Twlight“ by Stephenie Meyer   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

This week, Magda and Lindsay have the absolute pleasure of talking to Rufi Thorpe, champion of misfits, believer in forgiveness, and, of course, author of "Margo's Got Money Troubles," among others. Listen in as she discusses her writing process, motherhood, professional wrestling, and the upcoming adaptation of her book. Books mentioned in the episode: "Margo's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Dearest gentle reader, or maybe not reader? Maybe just watcher?  Whoever you are, if you're into Bridgerton, you've come to the right place.  Magda and Lindsay review their definitive (until the next season is released, at least) rankings of each Bridgerton series, and then Magda gives a full rundown of which books to check out and which to skip.  Join us for this Regency era rager!    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Reel“ by Kennedy Ryan “This Could Be Us“ by Kennedy Ryan “Can't Get Enough“ by Kennedy Ryan “Before I Let Go“ by Kennedy Ryan “We Are Legion“ by Dennis E. Taylor “The Games Gods Play“ by Abigail Owen “Shy Girl“ by Mia Ballard “The Housemaid“ by Freida McFadden “The Housemaid's Secret“ by Freida McFadden “The Lord of the Rings“ by J.R.R. Tolkien “The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook“ by Kayla Ruhland “Romancing Mister Bridgerton“ by Julia Quinn “On the Way to the Wedding“ by Julia Quinn “To Sir Phillip, With Love“ by Julia Quinn “The Duke and I“ by Julia Quinn “An Offer From a Gentleman“ by Julia Quinn “It's in His Kiss“ by Julia Quinn “The Viscount Who Loved Me“ by Julia Quinn “When He Was Wicked“ by Julia Quinn   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Magda and Lindsay have yet another love letter for their local bookstores. They recap this year's Austin Book Trail and all the great new stores they got to visit, each with its own vibe and special ambiance to offer. Special thanks to: Lioness Books Adventures in Ink The Secret Lantern Finney's Books   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Sometimes you just need to feel something! This week, Magda and Lindsay bring you their five best recommendations for books that will make you cry and cleanse your soul. Listen in for stories that will crack open even the hardest of hearts.  Don't worry, no one's looking. Let those April showers of teardrops rain down.    Books mentioned in the episode: “And Now, Back to You“ by B.K. Borison “First-Time Caller“ by B.K. Borison “Good Spirits“ by B.K. Borison “Lincoln in the Bardo“ by George Saunders “The Midnight Library“ by Matt Haig “The Midnight Train“ by Matt Haig “Kindred“ by Octavia Butler “Pride and Prejudice“ by Jane Austen “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow“ by Gabrielle Zevin “The Jungle Book“ by Rudyard Kipling “They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “The First to Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “The Survivor Wants to Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “We Have Reached the End of Our Show“ by Ali Gordon “The Nightingale“ by Kristin Hannah “Mama Day“ by Gloria Naylor “Crying in H Mart“ by Michelle Zauner “The Little Prince“ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Clifton, a coach specializing in faith deconstruction, purity culture trauma, and chronic illness support. Nicole shares her personal journey navigating chronic pain for nearly 20 years while growing up in evangelical Christianity. We explore the often-overlooked connection between purity culture and chronic health conditions, discussing how high-control religious environments create constant hypervigilance and stress that can manifest as long-term physical symptoms. Nicole explains how messages about ignoring bodily signals, maintaining perfectionism, and living in perpetual fear of making mistakes kept her disconnected from her body's wisdom for years.The conversation dives into practical healing approaches for those dealing with both religious trauma and chronic illness. Nicole emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, body neutrality (rather than toxic positivity), and learning to tune into bodily signals without judgment. We discuss how shame operates as both an emotional and physiological state, the value of acceptance-based approaches for chronic pain, and why rebuilding trust with your body is essential after years of being taught it's dangerous or sinful. Nicole offers hope through her own transformation—from viewing her body as "defective" and a "liability" to recognizing it as resilient and deserving of care and compassion.Website: CTRR BioSocial Media: @nicoleclifton_inyourcornerAnything else (e.g. book title and link) Resources discussed in this episode: What Doesn't Kill You by Tessa MillerThis podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrew_kerbsFollow Andrew's post-SDA account @lifeafteradventismFollow Andrew's account on neurodivergence and high control religion @divergent.faith Join Andrew's Substack (Kerb Your Enthusiasm) www.andrewkerbs.substack.com To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call hereFollow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com Join Laura's Substack (Therapy in the Headlines) www.drlauraeanderson.substack.com To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so hereHosts: Laura Anderson and A

He's a monster!! And by that, we mean Victor Frankenstein, not his creation.  Listen this week as Magda and Lindsay break down Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and its enduring legacy. They also delve into recent adaptations by Guillermo del Toro and Maggie Gyllenhaal's “The Bride.”    Books mentioned in the episode: “Hamnet“ by Maggie O'Farrell “Crying in H Mart“ by Michelle Zauner “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “First-Time Caller“ by B.K. Borison “The Bell Jar“ by Sylvia Plath “Judy Blume: A Life“ by Mark Oppenheimer   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

This week's comic book deep dive is aptly named, because Magda and Lindsay's love for “Love Everlasting” is, indeed, everlasting.  Listen in as they discuss the surprising twists and turns of this genre-bending, mysterious graphic novel.  Books mentioned in the episode:  “Love Everlasting“ by Tom King & Elsa Charretier “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir “The Butcher's Masquerade“ by Matt Dinniman “The Untamed“ by Sebastian A. Jones “The Ministry of Time“ by Kaliane Bradley “Jane Eyre“ by Charlotte Brontë “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread Find us at literallybooks.com

Excite! Excite! In honor of the Project Hail Mary movie, premiering March 20, Magda and Lindsay are re-releasing a throwback episode of their deep dive into the book!   -------------- Fist my bump! This week Lindsay and Magda gush about Andy Weir's hilarious sci-fi book, Project Hail Mary. It's a feat for two liberal arts majors to dig into a science-heavy plot, but they brave the work, because the book is that good. Join the journey, you'll love it...   Literally Books Website Literally Books, The Podcast Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

They can KILL YOU!!!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We read. You watch.  Today, Magda and Lindsay are talking all about Andy Weir's “Project Hail Mary” in anticipation of the movie, releasing on March 20th.  Now, even though they've spent every day since finishing it talking to everyone they know, and even some they don't know about how amazing it is, they realize that it may have been a while since some of you have read it. Don't worry, our girls got you. They'll discuss the things you need to remember from the book and all the things they're dying to see in the movie. #projecthailmary #projecthailmarymovie #andyweir #bookadaptations #bookrecs    Books mentioned in the episode: “Boom Town“ by Nic Stone “So Old, So Young“ by Grant Ginder “The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir “The Martian“ by Andy Weir “Emma of 83rd Street“ by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding “Elizabeth of East Hampton“ by Audrey Bellezza “Beach Read“ by Emily Henry “People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry “The Women“ by Kristin Hannah “The Great Alone“ by Kristin Hannah “Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “Sky Full of Elephants“ by Cebo Campbell “Listen for the Lie“ by Amy Tintera “Bride“ by Ali Hazelwood “Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Is it just us, or has the journey from holiday time to springtime been 70 years? If you're feeling the wintertime post-holiday blues, then Magda and Lindsay have got you covered with some book recs that'll help you shake off the ennui.  They do say grief 6 times in this episode, but it's happy, we swear!!    Books mentioned in the episode:  “It Happened One Summer“ by Tessa Bailey “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “The Deal“ by Elle Kennedy “Save Me“ by Mona Kasten “The Love Hypothesis“ by Ali Hazelwood “Remain“ by M. Night Shayamalan and Nicholas Sparks “The Seven Year Slip“ by Ashley Poston “Remarkably Bright Creatures“ by Shelby Van Pelt “Nice Work,  Nora November“ by Julia London “Girl Waits with Gun“ by Amy Stewart  “Everything is Tuberculosis“ by John Green “The Wreckage of My Presence “ by Casey Wilson   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

This week's episode taught Magda and Lindsay a valuable lesson: a bad book can be made better by an even worse movie. That's right, they're discussing all things Wuthering Heights…and “Wuthering Heights.” Okay, okay. So even though they may not have loved everything about Emily Brontë's sole work, they definitely agree it has depth and is, in its own right, revolutionary. The movie…well, that's another story….literally.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Maryr!“ by Kaveh Akbar “Hope in the Dark“ by Rebecca Solnit “The Tattered Cover“ by Ellery Adams “The Gate of the Feral Gods“ by Matt Dinniman “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë “Agnes Grey“ by Anne Brontë “Jane Eyre“ by Charlotte Brontë “Samantha: The Next Chapter“ by Fiona Davis  “Deep Cuts“ by Holly Brickley “Carrie“ by Stephen King “Foundation“ by Isaac Asmiov   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread    

Topics discussed on today's show: National Drink Wine Day, Olympic Medal Count, Logan Paul Sells, Texts, The Sounds of Danger, History Quiz, Keeping Something that can Kill You, Foreign Seal Pups, and Apologies.

As we learned with “I'm Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy is not an author you turn to for comfortable conversations.  Her debut fiction book, “Half His Age,” amps up the squidginess 1,000% and has Magda and Lindsay squirming in their seats as they talk about the age gap tale, which is told from a 17-year-old's perspective about her relationship with her 40-year-old teacher.  One thing we can say is this episode is anything but boring.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “An Academic Affair“ by Jodi McAlister “Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang “Martyr!“ by Kaveh Akbar “James“ by Percival Everett “Trees“ by Percival Everett “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn“ by Mark Twain “Erasure“ by Percival Everett “The Time Traveler's Wife“ by Audrey Niffenegger “Life Out of Order“ by Audrey Niffenegger “Eragon“ by Christopher Paolini “Half His Age“ by Jennette McCurdy  “I'm Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy  “My Dark Vanessa“ by Kate Elizabeth Russell   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

We burn. We pine. We read.  This week's episode is all about the swoon. Magda and Lindsay recommend stories with some of the most heat-inducing moments they could think of.  *Romantic partner not required.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Romeo and Juliet“ by William Shakespeare “East of Eden“ by Johns Steinbeck “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook“ by Matt Dinniman “The Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller “Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid “The Bodyguard“ by Katherine Center “This Could Be Us “ by Kennedy Ryan “Before I Let Go“ by Kennedy Ryan “When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams “Practice Makes Perfect“ by Sarah Adams “Beach Read“ by Emily Henry “Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It“ by Amanda Gambill “First Lie Wins“ by Ashley Elston “Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood “Deep Cuts“ by Holly Brickley   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Welcome to the literary eras tour. This week, Magda and Lindsay are joined by Brittany and Dani of “The Breadcrumb Effect” podcast to discuss the literary breadcrumbs that led them from one moment in their lives to the next.  Listen in to learn the books that formed the readers they've become, and all the lessons they learned along the way.  You an follow The Breadcrumb Effect here!   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube   Books mentioned in the episode:  “Half His Age“ by Jeanette McCurdy  “I'm Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy  “In Your Dreams“ by Sarah Adams “The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore “Long Bright River“ by Liz Moore “Villain Origin Story“ by Ruby Dixon “Bull Moon Rising“ by Ruby Dixon “Matilda“ by Roald Dahl “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom“ by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone“ by J.K. Rowling “Throne of Glass“ by Sarah J. Maas “The Babysitter's Club“ by Ann M. Martin “Nancy Drew“ by Carolyn Keene “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “Thirst“ by Scott Harrison “Animal Vegetable Miracle“ by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp “The Omnivore's Dilemma“ by Michael Pollan “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking“ by Malcolm Gladwell “Freakanomics“ by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt “Green“ by Ted Dekker “Red“ by Ted Dekker “Wnite“ by Ted Dekker “Untamed“ by Glennon Doyle “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay“ by Michael Chabon “Percy Jackson and the Olympians“ by Rick Riordan “Twlight“ by Stephenie Meyer “A Court of Thorns and Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab “The Games Gods Play“ by Abigail Owens “Vesselless“ by Cortney L. Winn  “Save the Cat“ by Blake Snyder “The Nightingale“ by Kristin Hannah "All the Light We Cannot See“ by Anthony Doerr “Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “Daisy Jones and the Six“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

We all have that platonic friend who is incredibly hot, that we spend a decade going on vacations with and definitely never have romantic feelings for, and does not create tension in our relationships, right?  Okay, so maybe not. But WHO CARES? We need a little unrealistic love in our lives. This week, Magda and Lindsay talk all about the swoon-y, sweet, romantic “People We Meet on Vacation,” both the book by Emily Henry and the new Netflix adaptation.  This week is all about Literally Books' deep love and rom-coms, and where this story gets it right…and maybe sometimes a little wrong.     Books mentioned in the episode: “Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman “Carl's Doomsday Scenario“ by Matt Dinniman “The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans “People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry “Funny Story“ by Emily Henry “Beach Read“ by Emily Henry “Great Big Beautiful Life“ by Emily Henry “Soul Searching“ by Lyla Sage “Free Falling“ by Lyla Sage “A Court of Thorns and Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas “Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros “Wheel of Time“ by Robert Jordan “Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid “The Long Game“ by Rachel Reid “Unrivaled“ by Rachel Reid   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

It's time to get woo-woo, because this week, Literally Books is looking to the stars to recommend your next read.  What will ignite the fire signs' passion? Which stories will fill our water signs' cups? What tales will our earth signs find most grounding?  This week's episode will chart your reading course.    Books mentioned in the episode: “People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry “Funny Story“ by Emily Henry “Hell Bent“ by Leigh Bardugo “Ninth House “ by Leigh Bardugo “Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang “Six of Crows“ by Leigh Bardugo “The Familiar“ by Leigh Bardugo “Shadow and Bone“ by Leigh Bardugo “Violeta“ by Isabel Allende “The Bell Witches“ by Lindsey Kelk “Hello Beautiful“ by Ann Napolitano “Forged by Blood“ by Ehigbor Okosun “The Bewitching“ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia “Mexican Gothic“ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia “The Daughter of Doctor Moreau“ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia “The Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller “Recursion“ by Blake Crouch “Tress of the Emerald Sea“ by Brandon Sanderson “Educated“ by Tara Westover The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches“ by Sangu Mandanna A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping“ by Sangu Mandanna “The Women“ by Kristin Hannah “Iron Flame“ by Rebecca Yarros “Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros “The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore “Variation“ by Rebecca Yarros   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

It's a new year, and Literally Books is back, baby!  Magda and Lindsay catch up on everything they read during the break. Magda discusses reading all about feminine rage across various genres, and Lindsay delves into her journey through literary absurdity.  Then the gals put dive deep into their woo-woo to discuss the resolutions they're working toward this year and all they want to manifest.  …and so it is. Season 3 of Literally Books begins!   Books mentioned in the episode: “Best Offer Wins“ by Marisa Kashino “Shield of Sparrows“ by Devney Perry  “Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn “The Unmaking of June Farrow“ by Adrienne Young “Wild Dark Shore“ by Charlotte McConaghy “Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman “Know My Name“ by Chanel Miller  “When Women Were Dragons“ by Kelly Barnhill “Nightbitch“ by Rachel Yoder “The Hounding“ by Xenobe Purvis “The Housemaid“ by Freida McFadden “Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “A Tale of Two Cities“ by Charles Dickens “Moby Dick“ by Herman Melville “East of Eden“ by Ernest Hemingway “Sense and Sensibility“ by Jane Austen “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë “11/22/63“ by Stephen King “Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “Margo's Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe “Impossible Creatures“ by Katherine Rundell “Dark Matter“ by Blake Crouch   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Catching up (01:47)Doomsday Trailers (06:22) Blade dead…again (12:35)Death of Robin Hood trailer (17:39)Undertone trailer (21:20) They will Kill You trailer (25:21)Home Alone star gets caught??? (28:52)Godzilla Minus Zero release date (31:46)Street Fighter 6 Alex (40:12)Ken Shiro in Fatal Fury?! (44:39)Ending (48:15)

Mike reacts to Jimmy Kimmel holding up a shirt on national TV reading “Donald J. Trump Is Going to Kill You,” calling it reckless rhetoric in the aftermath of a deadly anti-ICE confrontation. He argues the joke fuels anti-law-enforcement hostility and puts both federal officers and the president at risk. The episode breaks down how media figures and politicians escalate chaos while dismissing the real consequences of their words. Mike warns this moment shows how entertainment, activism, and violence are colliding in dangerous ways.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Story 1: Artificial Intelligence is without a doubt one of the most impactful inventions to emerge in the past few decades, but some have raised concerns about such an invention's effects on the economy, and humanity as a whole. One of those individuals is the CEO of Impact Theory and Co-Founder of Quest Nutrition Tom Bilyeu, who joins Will to explain his theory that AI will destroy our economy within 900 days.Story 2: Will and The Crew share their thoughts on the discussion with Tom Bilyeu, before diving into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's (D-MN) threats to deploy the Minnesota National Guard against ICE after a woman was shot while using her vehicle to impede an ICE operation. Plus, Will reacts to Jimmy Kimmel's new slogan: “Donald Trump is Going to Kill You.” Subscribe to ‘Will Cain Country' on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Will Cain Country!⁠⁠⁠Follow ‘Will Cain Country' on X (⁠⁠⁠@willcainshow⁠⁠⁠), Instagram (⁠⁠⁠@willcainshow⁠⁠⁠), TikTok (⁠⁠⁠@willcainshow⁠⁠⁠), and Facebook (⁠⁠⁠@willcainnews⁠⁠⁠)Follow Will on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WillCain⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Table of Contents: PRAYER TO NEUTRALIZE OCCULT RITUALS Top Headlines Regarding Venezuela “We Are Entering the Real WWIII”: Famous Russian Philosopher Alexander Dugin Warns World–Trump Puts Targets On Colombia, Mexico and Cuba “Fortress America”: Trump Threatens to TAKE Greenland & Cuba to Keep Control of Western Hemisphere The Truth About Venezuela They DON'T WANT YOU TO HEAR! Michael Yon Reporting — The Wolf Moon – Venezuela Situation Trump Signs Presidential Memorandum Directing The Government To Fast Track 6G Development For AI, Robotics And Human Implantable Technologies Listener Question–Confused about what to do regarding: Charlie Kirk & Trump Praise by His Pastor Friend—Scott Johnson's Response With Bible Verses 1/3 of Gen Z has already passed away due to all the millions of abortions taking place every year! “I Was Sent Here to Kill You” – Tim Tebow Tells His Missionary's Father’s Machete Story Jesuit Preterist Origins of Satan’s Little Season Theory — How Preterism and Tartaria Are Linked Revelation 20 KJV–‘Satan's Little Season' is clearly in reference to Satan being released for “a little season” near the end of the 1000-year millennial reign of Christ–You have to do a ton of heretical mental gymnastics to twist this any other way, as this could not be clearer as to what this is in reference to. See Scott Johnson's Studies: True Salvation Emergency Freedom Alerts: 5-24-21-Part 2 By Dr. Scott Johnson | Table of Contents: WARNING: Chuck Baldwin Now Teaches Replacement Theology & Preterism—And he Does Not Believe in Regathered Israel–Plus a Bible Study–The Heresy of Replacement Theology / Supersessionism ?–Bible Study: Is God done with the Jews?–Chuck Baldwin is a False Teacher–Preterism Debunked & Warning PDF: Emergency Freedom Alerts 1-5-26 Click Here To Play The Part 1 Audio Source

Welcome to the sixth series in the annual podcast programme from Academic Archers, bringing you papers from our 2025 conference.This episode brings together the Saturday morning sessions exploring climate, infrastructure, and risk in rural life. Across four papers, speakers consider how Ambridge understands climate change, measures carbon, adapts to new technologies, and navigates everyday dangers in the countryside.Ambridge Talks Climate Claire AstburyDrawing on the Britain Talks Climate research by Climate Outreach and More in Common, this paper applies national climate engagement typologies to Ambridge residents. Characters such as Mia, Lynda and Ed are mapped onto segments including Progressive Activists, Civic Pragmatists and Disengaged Battlers.The paper explores how different approaches could motivate climate action in the village, including tailored messaging and the role of trusted messengers.About the speaker Claire Astbury has been an Archers listener for over 20 years. With a background in housing policy, she has presented at Academic Archers since 2018 on topics including rural housing, fan cultures, mental health, and social mobility. She is an active member of the Saturday Ambridge Study Society and a regular caller-innerer to the DumTeeDum podcast.Carbon Baseline: Where Is Ambridge Now and What Needs to Change in the Future? Victoria GrattidgeThis paper considers Ambridge's carbon footprint and asks whether rural villages could do better than national efforts on climate change. It examines emissions from homes, businesses and residents, compares these with national data, and explores barriers to change.The paper also reviews local initiatives and considers what further action might realistically be possible in a village like Ambridge.About the speaker Victoria Grattidge is a Chartered Civil Engineer specialising in the nuclear industry, with experience across operations, decommissioning and new build. A long-term Archers listener, she now catches up by podcast before joining the Saturday group.The Effect of Charging Stations in Rural Communities Lucy BuftonThis paper explores the impact of electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas, using real-world examples to assess what Ambridge's new charging station might mean for the village.It considers effects on footfall, traffic, infrastructure, economic activity, employment, retail opportunities, and digital literacy, drawing on case studies from Gloucestershire, Cumbria and Devon.About the speaker Lucy Bufton is a data analyst with an interest in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. She began listening to The Archers at university in 2005 and has followed the Ambridge charging station storyline with particular interest.Is Everything in the Countryside Trying to Kill You? Sue LeeThis presentation looks at dangerous goods in farming and rural life, highlighting the risks that exist in everyday countryside settings. Drawing on professional experience, it explores how hazardous materials are used, stored, and often underestimated on farms and in rural homes.About the speaker Sue Lee has over 30 years' experience shipping dangerous goods and more than 25 years training others to do so safely. She is qualified across air, road and sea transport and works as a dangerous goods safety advisor. She has listened to The Archers for around 60 years and remains convinced that, in the countryside, almost everything is out to get you.

Jags Insider from ESPN Radio Mia O'Brien joins Game On. Jags Punter Logan Cooke told Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut "I'll Kill You" how did Mia feel about those comments? Has Mia noticed any growth in Trevor Lawrence? The Jags Haven't beat the Colts since Blake Bortles what is the problem?

Ladies and Gentlemen! Please be seated, because it is time for the second annual Thankful Awards!  Bask in the gratitude as Magda and Lindsay award their favorites in various bookish categories, including:  Character They're Most Thankful to Have Met Author They're Most Thankful to Have Discovered Adaptation They're Most Thankful for (Released) Book They're Most Thankful to Have Finished Book They're Most Thankful to Have Listened to Book They're Most Thankful to Have Read Podcast-Related Moment They're Most Thankful For No flash photography. No autographs. Nothing but love.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   Book mentioned in the episode:  “The Mighty Red“ by Louise Erdrich “The Perfect Marriage“ by Jeneva Rose “Good Spirits“ by B.K. Borison “First-Time Caller“ by B.K. Borison “And Now, Back to You“ by B.K. Borison “Margo's Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe “Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Sivera “The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig “Frozen River“ by Ariel Lawhon “Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn “Beg, Borrow, or Steal“ by Sarah Adams “When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams “We Have Reached the End of Our Show“ by Ali Gordon “The Girls Who Grew Big“ by Leila Mottley “Mickey7“ by Edward Ashton “Everything is Tuberculosis“ by John Green “The Perfect Divorce“ by Jeneva Rose “Bunny“ by Mona Awad “Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman “Letter to My Daughter“ by Maya Angelou “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings“ by Maya Angelou “Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor “The Trouble with Love and Coaches“ by Harriet Ashford The Odyssey“ by Homer The People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry lesh“ by David Szalay Eloise“ by Kay Thompson Cry to Heaven“ by Anne Rice Interview with a Vampire“ by Anne Rice

Call it the Zakaria paradox. We live in revolutionary times, the CNN host and Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria explains, and yet it's the reactionary MAGA politics of resentment that is currently ascendant. It's this paradox that laces Zakaria's 2024 book, Age of Revolutions (just out in paperback), a narrative that traces the history of liberalism from the 17th century revolutionary Dutch Republic to today's reactionary age of populist strongmen. The Trump playbook is clear, Zakaria notes: “the Chinese Are Taking Your Factories, the Mexicans Are Taking Your Jobs, the Muslims Are Trying to Kill You.” So how should progressive liberals, in our age of TikTok and OpenAI, respond with a more optimistic, forward thinking message about our revolutionary times? What is Fareed Zakaria's escape from the Zakaria Paradox?1. Trump's Genius Was Sensing the New Republican Base Trump was the only candidate in 2016 who abandoned the Reagan formula (free trade, balanced budgets, interventionist foreign policy) and recognized that the Republican base had become white working class voters deeply resentful of globalization, immigration, and cultural change.2. We're Living Through a Long Backlash, Not a Moment Zakaria argues that massive technological and economic transformations—from industrialization to today's AI revolution—always trigger prolonged cultural and political backlashes. Trump's re-election confirms we're in this for decades, not years.3. The Dutch Revolution Invented Modern Individualism Painters like Vermeer and Rembrandt revolutionized Western art by depicting ordinary people and daily life rather than religious subjects—marking the birth of individualism that defines modern liberalism. To understand revolution, look at art, not just politics.4. TikTok Is Enlightenment Liberalism on Steroids Our fragmented, personalized media landscape represents the logical conclusion of individual autonomy and choice. But this creates a “hole in the heart”—people miss the certainty of faith, tradition, and community that pre-modern life provided.5. Liberalism's Biggest Threat Comes From Both Sides Zakaria warns that illiberalism threatens from the reactionary right (Deneen-style restrictions on women's rights, immigration) AND from the progressive left (DEI ideology, extreme socialism). True liberals must hold the center and resist sacrificing liberal values to achieve political goals.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Dreams do come true!  This week, Magda and Lindsay discuss their perfect weekend hanging out with incredible authors, creatives, and book people at this year's Texas Book Festival.  Listen in for recaps of their favorite sessions and book recs they came away with.   *Also, please excuse Lindsay's “potato quality” tech. Her camera was as tired as she was.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   Books mentioned in the episode:  “The Bodyguard “ by Katherine Center “The Love Haters“ by Katherine Center “Ruin “ by Gillian Eliza West “Reckoning“ by Gillian Eliza West “Until the Heart Stops“ by Gillian Eliza West “The Shattering Peace“ by John Scalzi “Murderbot“ by Martha Wells “Queen Demon “ by Martha Wells “When the Moon Hits Your Eye“ by John Scalzi “Boom Town“ by Nic Stone “Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn “They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “The High Heaven“ by Joshua Wheeler “Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor “The Broken Blade Series“ by Mai Corland

In the pitch-black of night, a woman runs through the dry brush of the West Texas desert. She is out of breath. She is terrified. And she's just turned to see the headlights of the car that's chasing her.  This is just the FIRST PAGE of this week's book, “Innocence Road!” Join Magda and Lindsay as they chat with the author, Laura Griffin, about this heart-pounding mystery.  Books mentioned in the episode: “Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor “The First to Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “The Survivor Wants to Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “Pet Sematary“ by Stephen King “On Writing“ by Stephen King “Sing the 50 United States“ by Dr. Seuss “What Pet Should I Get?“ by Dr. Seuss “Fonseca“ by Jessica Francis Kane “A Guardian and a Thief“ by Megha Majumdar “The Dream Hotel“ by Laila Lalami “Anxious People“ by Fredrik Backman “A Man Named Ove“ by Fredrik Backman  “Bel Canto“ by Ann Patchet “My Friends“ by Fredrik Backman    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread  

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Everything is fine here.  And that's because Magda and Lindsay have your reading recipe for cozy season! Listen in as they recommend relaxing reads for every kind of person.  Aching for a crime procedural? No need to investigate recs. Looking for a little love in your life? Snuggle up! Need the comfort of a classic? They've got your literary cardigan.  This is a no-muss, no-fuss episode guide to relaxing.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Five Broken Blades“ by Mai Corland “Four Ruined Realms“ by Mai Corland “Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn “They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera “The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year“ by Ally Carter “Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies“ by Heather Fawcett “Emily WIlde's Map of the Otherworlds“ by Heather Fawcett “Emily WIlde's Compendium of Lost Tales“ by Heather Fawcett “Station Eleven“ by Emily St. John Mandel “House on the Cerulean Sea“ by TJ Klune “Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “Daisy Jones and the Six“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “Pride and Prejudice“ by Jane Austen “The Work of Art“ by Mimi Matthews “The Trouble with Love and Coaches“ by Harriet Ashford “Little Women“ by Louisa May Alcott “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “Great Expectations“ by Charles Dickens “Percy Jackson and the Olympians“ by Rick Riordan “The Book of Doors“ by Gareth Brown  “The Glass Hotel“ by Emily St. John Mandel “Exit Party“ by Emily St. John Mandel “Last Night in Montreal“ by Emily St. John Mandel “The Thrashers“ by Julie Soto “Rose in Chains“ by Julie Soto “Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “My Friends“ by Fredrik Backman “The Land of Sweet Forever“ by Harper Lee “The Secret of Secrets“ by Dan Brown “King of Ashes“ by S.A. Crosby “Alchemised“ by SenLinYu “Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab “The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Originally Aired October 28, 2025: Entertainer C. Willi Myles. Pesky Canadians. Everything you wanna know about how a night light can KILL YOU! Listen & subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music. For more, visit https://www.93x.com/half-assed-morning-show/Follow the Half-Assed Morning Show:Twitter/X: @93XHAMSFacebook: @93XHAMSInstagram: @93XHAMSEmail the show: HAMS93X@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of Ali Hazelwood's sequel to this wonderful tale of hot werewolves and vampires, "Mate", we are re-releasing our "Bride" episode, so you can get a quick refresher.  Tune in next week for our brand-new episode covering "Mate!”   ...Literally an hour of Magda and Lindsay gushing about their love of Ali Hazelwood's "Bride." Before diving into the world of Misery Lark and friends, Magda discusses her newfound obsession with tv procedurals, and Lindsay reluctantly admits she may or may not be becoming a full-fledged romance reader...     Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok     Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

They are Trying to Kill You! Society has made it so that talking about the mRNA Covid injection is a taboo subject, but we know this information needs to be out there for people to make informed decisions. From the 33% higher miscarriage rate to the 510% increase in myocarditis, there are risks to this jab that aren't being talked about. Most people are not aware that this mRNA spike protein crosses the placenta and can be transmitted from mother to child. What is talked about even less is that it can pass from FATHER to child (even if the mother was NOT vaccinated). We talk about this and more as well as encourage you to do your own research. You need to hear all sides before you make decisions for yourself or your family.  Record High Dead Babies Email Sponsors: American Gold Exchange Our dealer for precious metals & the exclusive dealer of Real Power Family silver rounds (which we finally got in!!!). Get your first, or next bullion order from American Gold Exchange like we do. Tell them the Real Power Family sent you! Click on this link to get a FREE Starters Guide. Or Click Here to order our new Real Power Family silver rounds. 1 Troy Oz 99.99% Fine Silver Abolish Property Taxes in Ohio: www.AxOHTax.com  Get more information about abolishing all property taxes in Ohio. Our Links: www.RealPowerFamily.com Info@ClearSkyTrainer.com 833-Be-Do-Have (833-233-6428)

Get in losers, we're going to hell.  This week Magda and Lindsay descend into R.F. Kuang's journey through the underworld in a discussion all about Katabasis.  *Note: This episode contains spoilers for the book.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Books mentioned in the episode:  “Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang “Automatic Noodle“ by Annalee Newitz “Bunny“ by Mona Awad “We Love You, Bunny“ by Mona Awad “Thank You For Listening“ by Julia Whelan “Yellowface “ by R.F. Kuang “Book Lovers“ by Emily Henry “Beach Read“ by Emily Henry   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

The trouble with recording a podcast is that sometimes you just need more friends to chime in on the conversation. Which is exactly why this week, Magda and Lindsay built their own Team Trouble to discuss Harriet Ashford's wonderful rom-com “The Trouble with Love and Coaches.”   Listen to this LIVE book club at Books by the Bay as they chat all about the book with Harriet herself and the AMAZING voice narrators for the upcoming audiobook, Marie Mitchell and Gabriel Michael.    See what our guests are up to below! Harriet Ashford Marie Mitchell Gabriel Michael Books by the Bay     Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok     Books mentioned in the episode: “The Trouble with Love and Coaches“ by Harriet Ashford “The Butcher“ by Jennifer Hillier “A Flair for Trouble“ by Kristen Bahls “Lord of the Rings“ by  J.R.R. Tolkien “The Compound“ by Aisling Rawle “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir “The Expanse“ by James S.A. Corey “Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros “Great Expectations“ by Charles Dickens “Hamlet“ by William Shakespeare     Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

This week, Magda and Lindsay have the absolute pleasure of talking to Ali Gordon about her debut novel, “We Have Reached the End of Our Show.”   Part road trip story, part sci-fi story, part coming-of-age story, and most importantly, a love story, this book had their hearts exploding.    You can find out more about Ali and find where to order her book on her website https://www.whatdoesaligordondo.com, as well as on her Instagram @msalicenutting.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Books mentioned in the episode: “The Hounding“ by Xenobe Purvis “Nightbitch“ by Rachel Yoder “Bull Moon Rising“ by Ruby Dixon “Jane Eyre“ by Charlotte Brontë “Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang “1984“ by George Orwell “Rememberings“ by Sinead O'Connor “Foundation“ by Isaac Asimov “Starship Troopers“ by Robert A. Heinlein “Famous“ by Blake Crouch “Dark Matter“ by Blake Crouch   “What Dan Read” at the Columbus Metropolitan Library   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread  

Magda and Lindsay are joined this week by author Anna Binder Reardon to discuss her debut novel, Wethersfield Road.  This book is the story of Amelia Glickman, a person who seems, on paper, to live a dream life. However, beneath her shiny surface is a legacy of traumas that has led Amelia to  a relationship with addiction. Love addiction. Drug addiction. Alcohol addiction. Food issues. After an accident during a riding competition injures Amelia's horse, she begins to question her current path. The novel follows her evolution from a young woman to a sober adult.   Listen in as they discuss the story and interview Anna all about her writing process.   You can find out more about Anna and pre-order her book on her website https://www.anna-writes.com, as well as on her Instagram @millenialauthoranna.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Books mentioned in the episode: “Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang “The Bell Witches“ by Lindsey Kelk “Charlotte's Web“ by E.B. White “Catcher in the Rye“ by J.D. Salinger “Red, White, and Royal Blue“ by Casey McQuiston “Dry “ by Augusten Burroughs “Alchemised“ by SenLinYu  “Shot Ready“ by Steph Curry “The Ending Writes Itself“ by Evelyn Clark “After the End: A Dystopian Romance Collection“ by Various   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Reporting live from Washington D.C., Magda and Lindsay literally traveled halfway across the country to our nation's capital to soak in all the beauty at the 2025 National Book Festival.    Listen in as they walk through their favorite panels, from V.E. Schwab and Nnedi Okorafor to their gentle stalking of Tracy Deonn and a beautiful surprise YA panel with Erin Estrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia.    Disclaimer: This episode was taped after 13 hours of walking with many pounds of books strapped to them, and thus the hosts of this podcast cannot be held responsible for any unhinged takes provided during the span of this recording.    Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instagram Literally Books YouTube Literally Books TikTok   Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread   Books mentioned in the episode:  “A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping“ by Sangu Mandanna “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches“ by Sangu Mandanna “Well, Actually“ by Mazey Eddings “Late Bloomer“ by Mazey Eddings “Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab “The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore “All the Colors of the Dark“ by Chris Whitaker “On Again, Awkward Again“ by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia “Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn “Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn

Ally Carter's novels are infused with excitement and Mr. and Mrs. Smith level romantic intrigue. Crafting them is not as easy as some might assume. Ally peels back the curtain and shares unvarnished accountings of the heartache that comes with creating electric jaunts for her characters. Ally is the bestselling author of novels that have epitomized action-adventure YA romance for more than a decade. From the spy-centric humor of I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You to the globe-trotting glamour of Heist Society, Embassy Row, and Not If I Save You First, the name Ally Carter is synonymous with hilarious action and heart-pounding romance. She is also the author of The Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor and The Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery for younger readers. Her first original screenplay, A Castle for Christmas, was recently #1 on Netflix. Ally lives within an easy drive of her home farm in Oklahoma and encourages you to follow her online if you love bad pictures and typo-filled tweets that she sends out when she really should be writing. Today, we'll chat about her latest, THE BLONDE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD. Learn more at allycarter.com Special thanks to Net Galley for a preview of Ally's latest novel. Intro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table:On Twitter/X: @writingtablepcEverywhere else: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

How dare you? That's the first question KJ asked Ally Carter, whose name is “synonymous with hilarious action and heart-pounding romance” (TRUE). Is KJ outraged? Hell no. It's a legit question. Ally's books are so so much fun, with wild action scenes befitting a Bond movie (or a Jason Bourne, OBVIOUSLY) and plots that trot the globe while dancing backwards in high heels and KJ really wants to know—how did Ally give herself permission to just go there? To write the dreamy, wild, sure it could happen but also we don't even care because we're so in it story that scares many of us (especially ex-journo KJ, who wastes far far too much time on such non dramatic questions as “but how would someone with that job pay for health insurance? and “technically, how much snow could that unit make in one night?). Also asked: how did you learn to write action so well? Do you take all kinds of crazy self defense classes? Or dissect movie fight scenes in slo-mo? Are you fun to watch a spy movie with, or terrible?I would have asked her if she used to BE a spy…but then she would have had to kill me.LINKSNational Spy MuseumThe Blonde Who Came In from the ColdThe Most Wonderful Crime of the YearThe Blonde IdentityAlly CarterAlly's rec: Netflix: The ResidenceInstagram @theallycarter The newsletterHey everyone, it's Jenny Nash. This episode happens to feature an Author Accelerator book coach. Author Accelerator is the company I founded more than 10 years ago to lead the emerging book coaching industry. If you've been curious about what it takes to become a successful book coach, which is to say, someone who makes money, meaning, and joy out of serving writers, I've just created a bunch of great content to help you learn more. You can access it all by going to bookcoaches.com/waitlist. We'll be enrolling a new cohort of students in our certification program in October, so now's a perfect time to learn more and start making plans for a whole new career.Transcript below!EPISODE 460 - TRANSCRIPTJennie NashHey everyone, it's Jennie Nash, founder and CEO of Author Accelerator, the company I started more than 10 years ago to lead the emerging book coaching industry. In October, we'll be enrolling a new cohort of certification students who will be going through programs in either fiction, nonfiction, or memoir, and learning the editorial, emotional and entrepreneurial skills that you need to be a successful book coach. If you've been curious about book coaching and thinking that it might be something you want to do for your next career move, I'd love to teach you more about it, you can go to bookcoaches.com/waitlist to check out a free training I have—that's bookcoaches.com/waitlist. The training is all about how to make money, meaning and joy out of serving writers. Fall is always a great time to start something new. So if you're feeling called to do this, go check out our training and see if this might be right for you. We'd love to have you join us.Multiple SpeakersIs it recording? Now it's recording. Yay! Go ahead. This is the part where I stare blankly at the microphone. Try to remember what I'm supposed to be doing. All right, let's start over. Awkward pause. I'm going to rustle some papers. Okay. Now, one, two, three.KJ Dell'AntoniaHey, I'm KJ Dell'Antonia, and this is Hashtag AmWriting the weekly podcast about writing all the things—short things, long things, pitches, proposals, fiction, nonfiction. We're the podcast about getting things done. And I'm going to be solo this week because I am interviewing, and I'm so excited to interview one Ally Carter, whose name, I'm stealing this from her bio, because it was such a great line—is synonymous with hilarious action and heart-pounding romance. And as someone who's read much of it, I can vouch kids. So Ally's most recent big book that you've probably seen around was The Blonde Identity . Her current book that you're going to want to go straight out and grab is The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold, and her other book that she wrote just for me—because it was like exactly what I needed in a book in that moment and I really appreciate it. I'm glad other people got to read it, but it was really, for me— The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year those are her adult books. She's got a ton of young-adult books, also with heart pounding action and hilarious...wait, heart-pounding romance, hilarious action. I feel those are exchangeable. And even some middle grade if you've got some kids who might be reading in those lines. So Ally does all the things, and we're going to find out how, and immediately be able to do it ourselves. Ha! Ally, thanks for coming.Ally CarterThank you so much for having me, KJ. I appreciate it.KJ Dell'AntoniaWe are super excited.Ally CarterI also wrote The Most Wonderful Crime [The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year] just for me, because it's— that's like, I love a mystery, and I pick them up, and I'm like, this would be great. Where's the romance? And then I love a romance, and I pick it up, and I'm like, where's the mystery? And so that's, that's how Most Wonderful Crime [The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year ] came to be. It is two great genres better together.KJ Dell'AntoniaAlso, it's writers in a—like writers in a mansion, with secrets and surprise identities, and things people can do that no one knows they can do, which is my jam. Yeah, really enjoyed it.Ally CarterThank you.KJ Dell'AntoniaThank you for that. Not that I didn't I love The Blonde Identity. My daughter has it right now, and she's super excited, because I can give her The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold, early, because I might have gotten an early copy. So she'll be reading that on the beach next week after she finishes the first one.Ally CarterThat is some good cool mom points right there.KJ Dell'AntoniaWell, it is, yeah, and they're rare. But that is a great thing about your—I mean, my daughters are 21 and 19, so they're older, but I would have given the blonde books and The Most Wonderful Crime to, you know, a 16... ?... like, they're not—not that I don't actually give some pretty steamy stuff to my kids, but if you're not somebody who does that, they're steamy, but they're not—anyway...Ally CarterYeah, there are books that, like, grandma and mom and daughter can all read togetherKJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, I was just going to say I would give them to my mom too. Yeah. I mean, they're just super fun. Because sometimes the better test is not “Would I give it to my daughter?” It's “Would I give it to my mom?”Ally CarterYou're exactly right. Agreed, agreed.KJ Dell'AntoniaSo my first question is this: how dare you?! Okay, and now you're like, wait, what?! No, seriously, like, your books are—the plots are so out there, and glorious, and outrageous, and the action scenes are wild, and they're sort of everything you fantasize about in a spy romance novel. And as a former journalist, I spend a lot of time sitting around staring at my plot thinking things like, yes, but how would this person have health insurance? And I feel like you've transcended that. So can you talk to me and all of us about how you've, you know, embraced this world of the wild, glorious, fun, and outrageous in your plotting?Ally CarterYou know, that's a—thank you. First of all, that's a lovely compliment. I really credit it toward, you know, how most things are in my life and my career—it was total accident and sheer dumb luck. So 20 years ago—I realized not long ago—like, literally 20 years ago this spring, I saw it. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. And I was, you know, big dumb kid, didn't know what I was doing, sheer dumb luck, had this amazing idea. And most of all, I had an amazing idea at a time when the YA [young adult] genre was just expanding exponentially—like the shelves of shelf space at Barnes and Noble was getting bigger and bigger and bigger. And so it was a big tent, and there was room for everybody. And so I was lucky in that I got in there. I was especially lucky because I had a brilliant editor named Donna Bray. And Donna could see, like the shift coming—like, she could see Twilight and the, like, the move to paranormal, and the move to, you know, moving away from contemporary fiction to genre fiction. And she was like, we have to get this out fast. And so we crashed it. And so I sold it in, like, April or May of 2005, and then I had to go to copy editing in October, and I had—I had 32 pages.KJ Dell'AntoniaSorry, (laughing)Ally CarterAnd a day job!KJ Dell'AntoniaOh, my goodness!Ally CarterSo I had the summer of absolute deadline. I would come home from my day job, I would eat a fast dinner, and I would write till midnight. But this was also back, like, before we really had smartphones in our pockets all the time—definitely pre, like, social media—and so that's what you did. And I'm like, man, if I did that every day, think about how much writing I would get done today.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterBut because I was so fast, the turnaround there was so fast, I didn't have time to, like, go down a rabbit hole of, well, exactly what type of nylon cord would they use to rappel into such and such—you know, I just got—I made it up, and I got away with it. And so I realized that, you know, I would—I did do a lot of research on actual tradecraft.KJ Dell'AntoniaRight.Ally CarterSo the things like the girl—there's a scene where the girls have to go through the boy's garbage. And there's this—you know, there are scenes where they're, you know, planting bugs and those types of things. Those—I watched documentaries, I read a lot of, like, actual decommissioned, sort of old CIA handbooks and things.. The International Spy Museum has a wonderful reference section, and you can actually order...KJ Dell'AntoniaOh, that's cool.Ally CarterOld, like, World War Two training manuals and things. It's really greatKJ Dell'AntoniaI did not know that.Ally CarterSo I did do that. What I did not do was I didn't worry about, like, the brand name of what you might call it. So as a general rule, I tell my readers, like, the more specific something is in the book, the more likely it is I made it up. So when I'm like, well, then she did the one death ski maneuver—and, like, I don't know what the one death ski maneuver is, but they don't either—I made it up. But the actual sort of bones of what the school would teach and how they would teach, it was very accurate.KJ Dell'AntoniaWell, it must have come in handy because you have another school in the current book.Ally CarterYeah. And it's—it was a little harder, because it is, you know, it's not for kids, and so it has to have a little bit more of an air of sophistication. And I wanted to base it off of the actual CIA training facility, “The Farm,” which is at Camp Peary—which is in the book, what I couldn't figure out were things like, do they sleep in apartments? Do they have a dorm? Is there a are there barracks? Are there, you know, is there, like, a big cafeteria? Are they?KJ Dell'AntoniaVery few people will know what's real, and they can't tell you, right?Ally CarterThey can't tell me. And so I actually, when I was on tour for The Blonde Identity, I was in D.C., and I did a wonderful event, had hundreds of readers there, and they were like my Gallagher Girls who had grown up and now they all are spies. I mean, they like, literally work for the CIA. They're literally with, you know, "I'm with Homeland Security." You know, several of them were like, I can't actually tell you where I work, but you were very popular there and so, and I actually did a like, show of hands, like, if you can say so, how many of you have been to The Farm and, like, multiple hands went up.KJ Dell'AntoniaOh, wow!Ally CarterAnd I'm like we're talking when this is finished. So I got a little bit, but not very much, you know. And I guess the thing also with “The Farm” is, you know, they bring in, like, their actual undercover operatives to train there, but there are a lot of different groups that also use that facility. So, for example, I think I'm not dreaming this. I think this is true. Like, if you are an ambassador or an ambassador's family, and you and you are going, maybe not like the ambassador to London, but if you're going to, like, you know, someplace that could be a little bit dangerous, they'll send you there for, like, evasive driving training and things like that. So you get a little bit of training. So it's not just spies who train at Camp Peary, it's multiple groups.KJ Dell'AntoniaI have a new life goal now, which is to never need evasive driving training.Ally CarterRight?! And see, I kind of want to learn how to do it. I don't want to need it…KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah no, no but no, it's not to need it. I don't want to need it.Ally CarterI want to know how to do it.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah. Well, yeah, you could, you could use it. Yeah, I just—it. I miss—your books inspire the writer in me to remember, like you said, that very few people care what brand of nylon rope you would use to repel, and from there, it's a pretty short step to, you know, whether or not you can really stop a cable car halfway.Ally CarterYeah.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, we're and we're not going to but.. It's just...Ally CarterAnd the way I see it is, if you are the person who knows what brand of rope it is... even if i get the rope right, i could get everything else wrong.KJ Dell'AntoniaYou're either not reading this, or you don't care.Ally CarterYeah. There... This is, this is not for them, probably.KJ Dell'AntoniaOr if it is, it they've they're there, like...Ally CarterThey're there.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat's fine.Ally CarterYou either buying in or you're out. And that's fine. And I—and nothing but respect to the people who do know that? Because now, I grew up on a farm, and so I can't read, like, cowboy books, because I'm like, oh gosh, geez Louise, of course, your barn burned down. You put that hay in there way too soon—you are you really baling green hay?KJ Dell'AntoniaThey're literally haying in my field right now.Ally CarterRight. You know, I'm like, seriously, seriously. This is, you know, you're, you're, you're not. You didn't do a semen test on your bull? Like—you know?"KJ Dell'Antonia"You are not milking that cow. I know how you're supposed to hold your hands."Ally CarterExactly!KJ Dell'AntoniaSee I did.Ally CarterYeah, I'm, I'm not, I'm not here for and so I'm, like, this is the same thing. Like spies have no reason be reading me. I have no reason reading the things that I do know about. Because it's, you know, it's, it's just, you're also, it's not exciting to me. And so I'm sure most spies, you know, there's a line in...KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah it's not a fantasy.Ally CarterYeah, so…KJ Dell'AntoniaIt can't be a fantasy, because you're too stuck on, you know, the...Ally CarterExactly, and so...KJ Dell'AntoniaThe reality that our hay baling chute is broken, and therefore we will need multiple people tomorrow to go around and pick up each individual bale…Ally CarterYeah.KJ Dell'AntoniaAnd put it on a flatbed truck, and drive to the barn, and take each individual bale off the flatbed truck, and then stack them in the barn. Y'all are missing my arm gestures, but Ally knows of which I speak.Ally CarterI know, I know those gestures. You got to buck it up with your knee. It's a whole—it's—it is not easy work. It is very hard work. And so…KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, I'm hoping not to go out there, but I know I will.Ally CarterOh no, you don't want to do that, and you will itch for days.KJ Dell'AntoniaI've done it. I've done it for years and I know I'm going to end up there. It's my birthday tomorrow too.Ally CarterOh no, that's not the…Yeah, so it's the reality. I think it's very easy—also, when reading, as a reader—I hate it when it's very clear that an author has done a ton of research and they're not going to let it go to waste. Yeah. And so there's like, you know, they'll introduce the thing, and then they'll have, like, a paragraph explaining all of the things that they have learned. I'm like, this serves no purpose whatsoever.KJ Dell'AntoniaI also thank my editor for my leaving out the entire history of Prohibition-era alcohol rules between Kansas and Missouri in The Chicken Sisters.Ally CarterYep. See, if you, if you want to write that, the nonfiction is right there, you can— you've got it. So I like to do enough research to inform the story. And, you know, there are definitely things, you know, scenes and lines and wonderful things that have come from the research. But I never do research just so I know, like, what kind of rope it is.KJ Dell'AntoniaRight.Ally CarterI—you know, that's that I think then, then, then also, are you doing research, or are you procrastinating?KJ Dell'AntoniaWell...Ally CarterBecause I think most people are just procrastinating.KJ Dell'AntoniaWe all know the answer to that. So how about the action scenes? You write such great action scenes, but I am also not a reader who's like picturing, well, clearly at this point, he's upside down and her hand. You know, that's not how I read anything. I just kind of go (shwoop) through that. So how do you handle writing them? Are you like slowing down action films so you can dissect the movies?Ally CarterNo, I really don't like writing action scenes. They are hard, and it feels like I've done everything, like they're okay. Well, hey, here we are. We're doing that again, but there. They are. They come with the job. And so I think most of all, you just have to remember, sort of the blocking of it. Like, okay, who is where? The other hard thing that that comes and, you know, movies have it so much easier. Like, you don't need a name for the for the six bad guys, that black Willow...KJ Dell'AntoniaRight,, the one on the right, and the one behind... Yeah, yeah, no.Ally CarterAnd so I'm like, Okay, but how is the reader keeping these different so, you know, like, well, one of them has a has glasses, and the other one has a goatee. Okay, well, then from that point forward, I the author just call them glasses...KJ Dell'AntoniaGlasses and goatee. Right.Ally CarterAnd so you have to remember, like, okay, glasses is down. Goatees still at large, you know, or whatever.KJ Dell'AntoniaIs there a special copy editor for that?Ally CarterThey're not special, but that is definitely can fall into a copy editor's purview, especially things like during that fight sequence. Okay, well, it was 100 pages ago, but it was also yesterday that your heroine got shocked. Is she really fighting at full strength? Oh, ouch, you know. So that type of thing, because, again, reader wise, that's, that was, I've, that was the midpoint. I'm to the climax now. But timeline wise, no, that was yesterday.KJ Dell'AntoniaRight.Ally CarterAnd so the...KJ Dell'AntoniaAnd probably with some readers, reader wise, that was an hour ago.Ally CarterYeah! So...KJ Dell'AntoniaI mean you know, we're eating this up.Ally CarterExactly.KJ Dell'AntoniaSo much faster to read than to write.Ally CarterSo you have to think about those types of things. Like I wrote that two months ago, but nope, it's still right there.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterSo that's the kind of thing that, you know, again, you can't really worry about in a first draft. Like, let that. That's future-use problem.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah. Now, in contrast to, you know, the wild plotting and the crazy, enjoyable, delicious action, your people feel, you know super, super real. They have, ah, big reasons for being the way that they are, but the feelings feel real. I think that is an amazing um, contrast. Do you start with the, do you start with, like, you know, the person's flaw, or what it would there's some term of art for this which I have forgotten. Or do you start with, I need a person who, or does it vary book by book?Ally CarterThank you. I, you know, it's I spend a lot of time with that.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat's why they work.Ally CarterThank you.KJ Dell'AntoniaNo, seriously, no one. I mean, The Blonde Identity would maybe be fun if it wasn't also, like, you really want her to figure out who she is, and you really want to know why is this happening, and what is up with and like, you want all that for the character you believe in, in her.Ally CarterAnd that's always I find as much about tone as anything, this particular sub- genre, it can go wacky or kooky really fast, like it's very easy. You know, I like to say that spy movies exist on a spectrum that range from get smart to Zero Dark Thirty.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterAnything along that spectrum is a spy movie. But those could not be more different. And so are we? Are we doing like James Bond, like he's cool and suave, but he also has gadgets, or are we doing like he's, you know, kind of bumbling with gadgets? Or are we doing it's very realistic?KJ Dell'AntoniaWell are we doing Roger Moore James Bond, or are we doing … um…guy who now models for…Ally CarterDaniel Craig?KJ Dell'AntoniaThank you—oy vey—Daniel Craig, which are very different. James Bonds really…Ally CarterVery different James Bonds, because I've heard people the James Bond people talk about the Daniel Craig, James Bond doesn't exist without Jason Bourne.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterThat's who they looked at and so all of these things, you know. And so when I'm trying to figure it out, and I think that's one of the hardest things about genre bending romance, whether you're bending fantasy and romance or horror and romance, or romance and mystery or romance and action, or whatever, you could only really write in the Venn diagram space, where there's overlap. And so I couldn't, you know, the realistic version of this is not something where people are falling in love, like it's, you know, it's too dark. And it's definitely not a comedy, definitely not a comedy. So you're, you have to find the place where, no, they're in real, actual peril. This is really terrible. This is... they really might dieKJ Dell'AntoniaAnd they understand that.Ally CarterAnd they understand that they get that and also, but they still have time to, you know, okay, well, now I'm going to, you know, now we're going to slow dance, you know, you still have to find those times. And the other thing is, you know, you have to figure out just where on the spectrum you want to be and lean into that. Like, if you want to write, like, the kooky, sort of Agent Cody Banks of it all, then you have to do that. But then you have to realize the other parts of the spy kind of world that you can't touch. And so it's—you're just—you're always threading needles. It's, it is a, it is a task of, of absolutely threading needles all the time.KJ Dell'AntoniaI think that, yeah, when it comes to tone, where on the spectrum do you want to be, is like, like maybe one of the greatest questions that I have heard. And it's just one that, you know, I think we all wrestle with.Ally CarterWell, and I've had people that really don't—people who should get it—who don't get it. So, you know, I was in a meeting one time with some Hollywood producers who were looking at some of my stuff, and I said, “Well, tonally, where do you want it to be?” And they were like, “What do you mean?” I said, “Well, do you want it to be like, you know, Mr. and Mrs. Smith or Bourne Identity?” And they said, “Well, those are the same thing.” And I was like…KJ Dell'AntoniaNo, no, no, no!Ally Carter“This meeting is over. Thank you very much”.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterIt's... I don't understand how people don't get that, but to me, I spend 90% of my time worried about it. Oh, I remember now what I was going to say earlier. I got my start—and I'm never going to be, like, a full-time or big-time of this—but I've done some screenwriting. . And so there's a screenwriting podcast [Scriptnotes] by two guys who are very big, very dominant—dominant—screenwriter. One of them did, like, the Charlie's Angels movies and the Aladdin remake and all those. The other one does The Last of Us and a bunch of big, like, HBO shows. And, um, they always talk about "the Want song". So in every Disney musical, the first—the first song—sets up the world. It's "Belle," you know, like, you know, wandering through town. The second song is the "whatever she wants." And so, you know Moana, you know, "See the line where the sky and the sea meet, it calls me"—like, Moana wants to travel. She wants adventure. And so I spend a lot of time, when I'm setting up these characters, thinking about what their "Want song" would be. And so, like, for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, her "Want song" is, "I want to be Eleanor."KJ Dell'AntoniaRight.Ally CarterYou know she wants to be Eleanor Ashley [from The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year], who is my, like, fake off-brand Agatha Christie, and so that's, that's what you have to think about a lot like, you know, what Alex [from The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold] wants is to sort of be free like she wants, she wants to be enough. She wants to pay her—you know? She has paid her debt for—you know, sort of having been born strong and healthy, where her identical twin has been born very, very sick. And so she, she wants—and she wants to never lay eyes on Michael Kingsley [also from The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold], ever again, who was her, you know, on again, off again, partner, slash love interest. And so that's—you know, that I always start with that, what is their wound? What is the thing that hurt them in the past that they're trying to get over? And what is their want?KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterAnd almost always, what would they realize over the course of the book is that the thing that they want is not the thing that they need.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Ally CarterAnd so that's, that's an Ally Carter book. That's an Ally Carter character progress.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat's it. Now everyone can do it.Ally CarterYeah.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah. Oh, but if it were that easy, everyone would do it, right? Um, no, this... this is amazing and delightful. I hope really helpful for people. I got distracted by taking some notes on what you just said. So, people—for me, for the Post-its on my computer, as well as, oh my gosh, so many Post-its, so many Post-its—let's talk just a little bit about the difference between YA [young adult] and adult when you're—fundamentally—I mean, some people sort of switch genres entirely. You were writing very similarly toned books for different audiences. How? How do you think of that evolution?Ally CarterThat's—in a way—yes, I did switch audiences. In another way, they're the exact same readers. And so that's—that's an interesting and weird thing about YA is, about every three years, you have to make all new readers because they have grown up and they've aged out of you. And even if they haven't aged out of you, they have what I call "cooled out of you."KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, yeah.Ally CarterAnd they're like, I liked those books when I was a little kid, and so current me can't possibly like those books, because those are little kid books. And so I was on the phone during the pandemic with my friend Rachel Hawkins and Rachel had written YA for a long time, and then she switched to adult. And I was talking about... do I...? What do I...? I need to sell something. Do I sell another middle grade? Do I sell a YA [young adult]? Like, what do I sell? And she says, you sell an adult. You sell an adult book that appeals to your Gallagher Girl readers. And I, I said, oh, Rachel, I've spent, you know, 15 years building a career in YA, I've got, you know... And she said, your readers aren't there anymore. They are the girls who read you when they were 12, ten years ago, and are 22 now. And I'm like, oh, that's right, they are. They've grown up. And so I—and I had the idea for “the spy twins” and had tried to do it as YA, and then at one point I even tried to do it as middle grade, and I could never make it work. And the problem wasn't, one of the twins wakes up with amnesia and somebody's trying to kill her—that I could pull off. The problem was, how and why is her identical twin on the run? And what does she have? And, like, you know, she...KJ Dell'AntoniaShe needs a longer history than you can have as a teenager.Ally CarterYeah, exactly. Like, is she actually working for the CIA, like, because then again, we get into Agent Cody Banks territory, then it's, you know, well, we've got a super-secret branch of the CIA who recruits kids. I'm like, no, you don't that's stupid. Like so...KJ Dell'AntoniaAnd she's been there since she was 10, and now she's on the lam.Ally CarterExactly.KJ Dell'AntoniaYou know, and then at age 12, she went rogue.Ally CarterYeah. And then you've got, like, well, no, you know, it's a Parent Trap situation, and one of them was raised by a spy and one of them was raised by ordinary people. I'm like, oh, maybe... I don't know, but, you know, I just couldn't quite make it work. And so I was talking to Rachel, and I said, what am I supposed to do? Just dust off that old spy twin idea, except now, instead of a super-secret organization, she's just on the run from the CIA? And then I was like, wait a second.KJ Dell'AntoniaWell yes!Ally CarterIf she's 30... she can—so every single problem and logic challenge that I had with that premise went away once those characters became 30. And so I just—and it was the easiest writing I've ever done. I feel almost guilty about how easy that book was to write; because I'd been, I'd been working at it and hammering at that idea for so long. And so it was almost like, instead of starting it at the beginning, I started it at the end of the writing process, where you have that one, like, little linchpin thing that you think, oh, but what if I do this? And then the whole plot just...KJ Dell'AntoniaRight.Ally CarterSo I started it there. I started at the...KJ Dell'AntoniaWow!Ally CarterDomino moment. And I'm spoiled, because it'll never be that easy again. But that's, that's how the transition went. And, you know, it's been great because my readers, they're so excited to see me. It's like, they're, I hear from readers all the time, they're like, you know, it feels like you wrote this just for me. I grew up with you, and now you're writing books for me again, and that has been very full circle and very, very fulfilling.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat, that's great. Well, you're writing them for me too. So, love that, and I think for a lot of our listeners—who I really think are going to enjoy this episode.Ally CarterThank you.KJ Dell'AntoniaSo before I let you go, can I ask you what you have read and loved lately?Ally CarterOh, sweet mercy. I have been so underwater, on a—on a book, and it's been the kind of—it's been the kind of deadline and the kind of book... You know how the old adage is so true that you never learn how to write a book—you just learn how to write the book you're writing right now. And so this one has just... and when I get that way, I don't enjoy reading because my inner critic can't turn off. But I will share a show that I loved, and I—they just announced that they're not doing a season two, and I'm heartbroken over it. And that is, on Netflix, there's a Shonda Rhimes show called The Residence, and it's a murder mystery set at the White House. You know, somebody drops dead during a state dinner. And it's got kind of a kooky detective and a wonderful, colorful cast, and it's very, very funny, but it also—it threads that tonal needle, where, like, no, no, there was a murder. This is still serious, but, oh, by the way, I'm going to go look at the body, but first I saw a bird I want to check out, you know. And so it's just—tonally and voice-wise—it does really amazing things. And so if any of your listeners are looking for a really great, like, eight-episode series, it's great. I could not recommend it more—The Residence on Netflix.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat sounds super fun. Well, I am in the midst of The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold. So, you know, I don't normally recommend a book until I know if the writer is going to stick a landing. But I feel quite confident in this one, and have enjoyed—as you can obviously hear from the podcast—the rest of Ally's work. So I am going to just push all of you listeners to, you know, head out there, grab the new one, grab the old one, and have a good time with them.Ally CarterAww, thank you.KJ Dell'AntoniaYou're welcome. Thanks so much for being here. Oh, should people follow you on social media? Do you do anything fun? Are you...?Ally CarterI do nothing fun. I'm not fun at all. I'm mostly on Instagram; I guess at this point I'm the Ally Carter over there. I have a couple of kind of defunct Facebook pages that I update occasionally. I just updated it for the first time, evidently, in two years. So that was fun. I'm on Threads very seldom. I used to be on Twitter and I still have that account I don't update it very often. Um, but yeah—and of course, my newsletter, like the newsletter is—I think we need to come back. We all need to get back to the newsletter, because it will deliver the news directly to your inbox. And so if you want to make sure you don't miss any like, you know, tour events, which, by the way, I'm coming to Boston on tour in a couple of weeks. So looking forward to that a lot. I think its Lovestruck Books? Is that Boston?KJ Dell'AntoniaProbably yeah.Ally CarterYeah.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat's the new romance bookstore there. I've been with Sarina a couple of times, and yeah, it's a great—it is a beautiful store. Like, every detail. Their bathrooms are phenomenal. That's how wonderful this store is. So, very cool. All right, I will link up the newsletter in the show notes, and yeah, about, you know, once every week, I decide to just cancel all the rest of my social media and only do my AmReading email. And then I imagine what my agent would say. And yeah, I don't do it, but...Ally CarterIt's, you know, and I feel like I'm such a broken record, like, oh, you know, go buy my book. Oh, go, you know, I'm going to be here on tour. Oh, this is how you get signed books. But—and I just say over and over and over again—and then inevitably, and this really happened to me one time, I was sitting at the LAX Airport waiting on a flight home, and I got an irate message from a reader that I never come to LA. And I was like, I did an event here last night—like, I was at the Barnes and Noble at The Grove or wherever—last night. And so we said, we—it feels like we are just beating a dead horse letting people know about these things, but it's so easy for things to get lost. And so...KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah! Jess tells the story—that's one of my other co-hosts—about, you know, someone who had come up to her, really one of her biggest fans, “Good new book.” And, “I get your idea, I love this, and I love that you wrote, like, knew a lot.” And then she said, “Oh, well, did you enjoy my latest book?” And they're like, “You have a new book?!”Ally CarterIt happens every time. And so, you know, it's—it's just part of the business at this point.KJ Dell'AntoniaYou've got to do it—it's just part of the business. All right. Well, thank you again...Ally CarterThank you.KJ Dell'AntoniaAnd as always, listeners until next week keep your butt in the chair and your head in the game.Jess LaheyThe Hashtag AmWriting Podcast is produced by Andrew Perella. Our intro music, aptly titled Unemployed Monday, was written and played by Max Cohen. Andrew and Max were paid for their time and their creative output, because everyone deserves to be paid for their work. This is a public episode. 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