Podcast appearances and mentions of ramona blue

Have you ever imagined what your favorite Disney princess would be like if her story was written in the present day? You no longer need to wonder! Julie Murphy, author and a New York Times bestseller, and I sat down to chat about her newly released book, If The Shoe Fits. Julie is the author and mind behind, If The Shoe Fits, a Meant to Be novel. It is the modern day tale of Cinderella from @DisneyBooks. About the Guest: Author, Julie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cats who tolerate her. After several wonderful years in the library world, Julie now writes full-time. When she's not writing or reliving her reference desk glory days, she can be found watching made-forTV movies, hunting for the perfect slice of cheese pizza, and planning her next great travel adventure. She is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels for young people including Dumplin' (now a film on Netflix), Puddin', Ramona Blue, Faith Taking Flight, Side Effects May Vary, and Dear Sweet Pea. IF THE SHOE FITS is the first title in the new adult series, Meant To Be. Books designed to reimagine some of Disney's best-known narrative works by publishing new versions written by diverse talent. http://www.imjuliemurphy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/andimjulie/ https://twitter.com/andimJULIE https://www.pinterest.com/andimjulie/ https://www.facebook.com/juliemurphywrites About the Host: Following the crumbs in the chaos is a full time job. As a busy mom of three, a wife to a traveling hubby, and keeping it weird in Austin, Texas, it's safe to say that my life is never boring. In addition to running my coaching business as C'N'C's CEO, I'm a certified coach for a premier virtual fitness and nutrition program helping others feel better while sustaining a healthy lifestyle. My mom and dad are thrilled that I'm putting my Exercise Science degree to good use. Along with my experience training pro athletes, S.W.A.T. members, and a high school football team, I gained 10+ years experience as the Director of Marketing building multiple court reporting companies. Lastly, I am a published writer, Content Coordinator, and Account Executive for a publication by Best Version Media. They even gave me a monthly “How to” column where I teach others how to be more self-sufficient with common household tasks. Every woman should know how their home functions and what to do if something malfunctions, man or no man. With my husband on the road, searching “How To” on the internet has transformed me into a “Mommy MacGyver”. “I don't know how you have the time.” “You're like a Supermom!” These are common things that people say, but the truth is that life hasn't always been easy or pretty. Even with the bumps, I always try to find the humor in everything because laughter is good for the soul and you should never take life too seriously….where's the fun in that? www.chaosncookies.com https://www.instagram.com/heathersteinker https://www.facebook.com/heathersteinker https://linktr.ee/hsteinker https://chaosncookies.com/shop Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

The Badass Ladies Club is happy and grateful to bring you our conversation with the amazing Julie Murphy, who is the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Dumplin’, Ramona Blue, Puddin’, and her new novel If the Shoe Fits which is due to release August 3rd. All professional success and accolades aside, Julie is a focused and committed advocate for the plus size and LGBTQ communities, and we are inspired by her passion and ability to bring awareness to some of today’s most misunderstood and discriminated against communities.

This week Julie has a great book recommendation for our Teen Summer Reading Club: Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy. Set in coastal Mississippi a few years after Hurricane Katrina, this novel tells the story of Ramona Blue and her family and friends as they navigate issues of poverty, race, sexual orientation and growing up. It's an uplifting tale about regular people overcoming difficult challenges.

Amanda and Jenn discuss books about female sociopaths, horror, romance picks, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by TBR, Flatiron Books, and Quantum by international bestselling author Patricia Cornwell. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. FEEDBACK An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green QUESTIONS 1. Hello Jenn and Amanda! Thank you so much for all of your recommendations. I find myself looking forward to hearing a new episode all week! I’ve always wanted to travel to Ireland, but haven’t been able to make it there yet. I was wondering if you could recommend for me a book that will teach me some of the regional history of Ireland, bonus for a multigenerational family saga where someone emigrates to America. Some books I’ve loved with a similar feel to what I’m looking for are: The Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherford, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, Mexico or Texas by James Michener and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. I enjoy fantasy, police procedurals, steampunk, YA, cozy mysteries and historical fiction, but I’ll read anything you recommend! Extra bonus points for a great audiobook option. Thanks so much! -Jennie 2. Hi guys! Thanks so much for this podcast, I love it! So, I’ve only just recently started reading and watching horror. When I was a kid I was frightened very easily and stayed away from horror entirely, and up until this year I was under the impression I was still easily spooked. Turns out not so much! I have watched so much horror that other people have assured me is the scariest thing they’ve ever seen and I’m just like… uh??? No??? What’s scary??? I watched and read Haunting of Hill House recently and loved both but didn’t so much as feel vaguely unsettled when reading/watching it even in the dead of night. Same goes for It and the other Stephen King books I’ve read, the Quiet Place, and bunch of other horror movies. I really like Pan’s Labyrinth and all of Del Toro’s films (though again, wasn’t scared), as well as It, and The Haunting of Hill House. I just haven’t been scared. Do you guys know of any books that will just scare the living hell out of me? I’m really only interested in horror books with some sort of supernatural element by the way, I don’t have much interest in horror rooted in reality. Also, please don’t recommend Bird Box. I haven’t seen or read it, but to be perfectly honest the premise just does not interest me in the slightest. -Katharine 3. Hello Ladies! I find myself really wanting to read some sort of romance, but just can’t find the right thing. I really loved Heartless by Marissa Meyer and Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. I enjoyed Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. And I tried When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon, Upside of Unrequited, and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, which were okay. I also read The Selection which I did not like. I’ve read several mediocre adult romances (mostly stuff that I got for free, which may be where I’ve gone wrong) and do have Ramona Blue, Song of Achilles, Kiss Quotient, and The Wedding Date on my list (taken from previous recommendations here and on other Book Riot podcasts). I seem to do best when I stick with YA, but would definitely be open things more in the adult realm. Audiobook is a plus. No sexual violence please, I’m okay with passing mention, but nothing explicit on the page. Thank you! Love the show! -April 4. Hi ladies! I’ve recently started to dabble in some dark thriller reading, the book that set me on this path was Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. I loved the darkness of the kidnapping and the imprisonment, and the things she forced upon her prisoner (no judgement guys!) and the twists and innerworkings of the antagonist. Also enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, where the bad guy got what she wanted and ultimately deserved all at the same time. I think I’m leaning more towards the bad guy winning. After years of reading fluffy, happy romances I’m really enjoying delving into this dark side of books. Not too much into the mystery/detective work aspect but more into reading something that is just so unthinkable and messed up and leaving me shocked due to the unspeakable acts these characters do. I’ve tried the Death of Mrs. Westaway and while it had some aspects I liked, it missed the mark for me. Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall was an interesting read but kind of fell flat, would’ve liked a bit more action. Also liked The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham. I have the Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena & The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks on my to-read list. Thanks! -Andrea 5. I just finished The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles after having it on my tbr for a long while (from get booked maybe?) and loved it. I think I have also realized a favorite relationship trope and would love some other romance recommendations that feature: a straight laced, discreet, or serious character who “gets in over their head” with a livelier partner who distracts them from work, compels them to be honest, and/or otherwise coaxes them into opening up or stretching boundaries. (In this book the partner is quite assertive in doing this – A-OK, A+ – but a flirt might do this more subtly as well.) I’ll certainly be looking into this author further and other examples include Bound with Honor by Megan Mulry. The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastien is also on my radar. I like historical settings obviously, but contemporary might be interesting for a change too. (Don’t know yet if they qualify but The Hating Game and Fight or Flight are also on my radar.) LGBT or straight is fine but I would prefer a light tone and no trigger warnings. Thank you! -Jessica 6. Hi! I’m looking for some funny, witty, dry humor and sarcastic audio books. I have read Heartburn, a gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue, and where’d you go Bernadette. Each of these had me laughing out loud as I walked through the grocery store. I love fiction and would like to stay with that. The more back list the better. I borrow my audio books from the library. Newer books either aren’t available or have a long wait list. I dropped my goodreads list but I’m terrible at tracking with that. I track with your journal but I threw a few of some of my recent books on there. Thanks so much!! -Jessica 7. Dark. Creepy. Surreal, but written in plain, clear prose. I love a Southern Gothic. I loved Night Film, Murakami’s After Dark. Also loved The Woman in the Window and all of Gillian Flynn. I don’t mind a dark tale, but prefer to avoid graphic depictions of violence toward women/children/animals. -Gina BOOKS Milkman by Anna Burns Brooklyn by Colm Toibin The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher (rec’d by Jess Woodbury) Wallbanger by Alice Clayton Odd One Out by Nic Stone An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten, translation by Marlaine Delargy Tampa by Alissa Nutting (tw: child abuse) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade Chang Ghost Summer by Tananarive Due The Man in My Basement by Walter Mosley

We announce the books that were chosen for us and discuss what we liked about them, if there were things we didn't like, and (if applicable) whether or not we'll continue the series. Erin's book: 738 Days by Stacey Kade (chosen by Jaime) Kassiah's book: Plus One by Elizabeth Fama (chosen by Erin) Jaime's book: Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (chosen by Meg) Meg's book: The Cerulean by Amy Ewing (chosen by Kassiah) Then we reveal October's Assigned Reading: Kassiah's homework: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth (chosen by Meg) Erin's homework: Poison's Kiss by Breeana Shields (chosen by Kassiah) Jaime's homework: The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins (chosen by Erin) Meg's homework: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (chosen by Jaime)  

We announce the books that were chosen for us and discuss what we liked about them, if there were things we didn't like, and (if applicable) whether or not we'll continue the series. Erin's book: The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen (chosen by Meg) Kassiah's book: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (chosen by Jaime) Jaime's book: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (chosen by Kassiah) Meg's book: Furyborn by Claire Legrand (chosen by Erin) Then we reveal September's Assigned Reading: Jaime's homework: Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (chosen by Meg) Meg's homework: The Cerulean by Amy Ewing (chosen by Kassiah) Kassiah's homework: Plus One by Elizabeth Fama (chosen by Erin) Erin's homework: 738 Days by Stacey Kade (chosen by Jaime)  

The second half of our Ramona Blue episode has us playing lesbian bingo and doing a lot of shipping and pitching some fanfics. We also solve the Bi Problem in under 20 minutes. 

In this episode, Usual Bitches Erin and Adam are joined by Special Bisexual Consultant Mk to discuss 'Ramona Blue' by Julie Murphy. In part one, Erin decides she's dating one of the characters in her head, Mk can't remember which characters are in or out of the closet, and Adam had a very strong opinion about our protagonist's sister. 

A contemporary book, on THIS podcast? Who would have guessed!!! Join Haley, Kayla, and their SPECIAL GUEST Kara for a deep dive into Eulogy, Mississippi with the one and only 6 foot 3 Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy Notes: twitter.com/wemajoredineng instagram.com/wemajoredinenglishforthis patreon.com/WMiEFT twitter.com/kjane0696 instagram.com/kjane0696 twitter.com/srrym0m instagram.com/srrym0mtwitter.com/kelizham instagram.com/kelizham

Amanda and Jenn discuss gothic novels, short stories, LGBTQ+ YA, and more in this week's episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Lit Chat, Second Acts by Teri Emory, and A Poison Dark and Drowning by Jessica Cluess.   Questions   1. Hi Amanda & Jenn I wanted to say I love your podcast. You guys are awesome. I'm going on vacation to Rome this fall and I was hoping to read some novels between then and now to give me a feel for the city. I'm looking for fiction, historical or not (just not Ancient Rome), where the city plays a prominent role. I'm not really into mysteries or really super dark, heavy stuff ie The Vegetarian. (Although I did enjoy that one, but I'm good on dark for a while) Other than that, I'm open to whatever you can recommend. Thanks. --Denise   2. Hello! Ideally I'd like these books before Oct. 2017 so I can read for Halloween, but that isn't super critical. When I was in middle school, I went through a phase of loving ghost stories. You know the ones--plucky middle school kid moves into a creepy old house on the East Coast, meets a benevolent ghost, solves the mystery of their murder so they can move into the Great Beyond. I especially loved Mary Downing Hahn. I was also inspired by the recent (as of 7/12/17) post about Bruce Coville's series to load up some books on my Thrift Books wishlist, but I'm interested in the same style of story aimed at adults. Nothing horrifying, but a bit of a thrill is ok. I'm not necessarily looking for the same formula, just the same atmosphere and ghost-iness. Any thoughts? Thanks so much! --Samantha   3. Hello, I am hoping to give my sister a book of short stories for Christmas. She is new to reading for pleasure and she asks me if I can recommend her something but it’s difficult when she and I are not sure what she likes. I know she doesn't like zombie/horror (like) stories/books. Is there something with different genres, maybe this will help her find what she does or doesn't like. Thank you so much, you guys have a great day :) --Paola   4. I'm taking a train trip from San Diego to Portland in October to visit Powell's as part of my 30th birthday celebration (I turned 30 in July, but I bought the trip as a gift to myself). Since this is a special trip, I'd love to pick up a few new books that I can cherish as well. I'd love for these to be the type of books that become favorites. I'm mostly into Fantasy and Science Fiction, and I really enjoy YA. I love a good story based in mythology or a good fairy tale retelling. I've also been getting into mystery/suspense/thriller and horror lately and would love a good terrifying horror story (apparently I'm hard to scare on the page). I do enjoy the occasional contemporary/literary fiction as well. I could do without love/romance (as long as it doesn't take over the story or the story has other strong elements or is just really good). I would also love to include diversity in my picks. Books I love or have really enjoyed include: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, American Gods, A Head Full of Ghosts, The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Book Thief, Queens of Geek, The Library of Fates, Ready Player One, Ramona Blue, and The Mermaid's Sister. --Jessica   5. Hey Y'all! My name is Sabrina and the last few years of my life have been pretty rough. To make a long, traumatic story short, I had been going through an ongoing custody battle with my son's father, had an extremely difficult pregnancy that ended with my sweet baby in NICU (she's healthy and happy now), dealt with other family issues as well as my own internal ones. Nevertheless, I received my Bachelor's degree in English and Women's Studies and am now in grad school. Although things have gotten better, I still have this overwhelming feeling of exhaustion and anxiety but above all, I feel inadequate. I'm a brown woman, the first in my family to graduate with a bachelors, let alone get into grad school. I have 3 kiddos whom I adore and I just really want to read something that will help me to believe everything will get better. That someone else has been through the things I have and that I am worthy of my place in grad school. I am worthy of my place in the world. I read Tiny Beautiful Things and loved it. I would love any recommendations of books with a woman of color main character and something not toooooo long because grad school. Bonus if the main character is a mom/writer herself. --Sabrina   6. Hi! I’m trying to complete the 2017 Read Harder Challenge, and I’m having trouble finding books for some of the categories. One in particular has me stumped: read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+. I actually love YA, so you would think this would be easy for me, but I’m having trouble figuring out which authors identify as LGBTQ+ (Sexual orientation isn’t always printed on the “About the Author” page, or even the author’s website, so how would I find this info?). Some YA books I’ve liked recently are: When Dimple Met Rishi, Saints and Misfits, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and Something In Between Thanks for your help! --Jess   7. Dear Amanda and Jenn, Thank you for continuing to give new and specialized recs week after week! I'm searching for suggestions to send to my friend who is in the US Marine Corps and deployed to the Middle East for an extended period. He doesn't get a lot of down time, but likes to read and obviously didn't get to bring many books along. The book/books need to be short-ish, since I'll be sending it/them via air mail. He enjoys Kerouac and Hemingway. Maybe something with a sense of humor? Any good, intriguing story/memoir/essay collection that will lift his spirits but not be too heavy. Nothing political, but it could be fiction or non-fiction. He is super into all kinds of music (he used to be a DJ) so bonus points if you can think of something related to that. He also loves to travel and studies several languages... it seemed like a broad request at first so I'm trying to give you a sense of his interests to help you narrow down your picks :) Thanks so much for your help! --Haley   Books An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz That Awful Mess on the Via Merulana by Carlo Emilio Gadda, trans William Weaver Angels & Demons by Dan Brown Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling by Ross King Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love by Sarah Vaughn and Lan Medina The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield In the Country by Mia Alvar Best American Short Stories 2016 The Hum and the Shiver by Alex Bledsoe Tender by Sofia Samatar The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore Dreadnought by April Daniels Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks Let’s Talk About Love (33 ⅓) by Carl Wilson

Amanda, Jenn, and guest expert Kelly Jensen discuss all things YA in this week's episode of Get Booked! This episode is sponsored by Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller and Book of the Month.   Questions   1. I just finished Honesty by Seth King. It was intense, heavy and unlike any other literary experience I've had to date -- I was stuck inside the brain of Cole Furman and I couldn't get out for 291 pages not matter how uncomfortable, intense, exciting, lonely or heartbreaking it was! It's a story of young love. It's is also a story of fear and pain. Cole and Nick are falling in love and they are also both closeted LGBTQ nineteen-year- old's with everything to lose in the South. King acknowledged the need for more books featuring more diverse couples that don't live deep in the romance genre. Until now it's something I never thought twice about. THE QUEST: I want to read more stories of diverse couples that lives closer to the YA genre and maybe even one with a happy ending, but not required. Love the podcast! Shout out to Fiona for introducing me to Book Riot! --Jenna   2. Do you have recommendations for YA books that don't include romance? My almost 13 year old daughter is a somewhat reluctant reader, but likes books with strong female characters and prefers no icky love stuff :) She recently read the Divergent Series and enjoyed it, but could have done without the romantic relationships. Thanks! --Julie   3. I've just read The Selection and Cinder and am looking for more YA dystopian Cinderella stories. Any suggestions? --Shaina   4. Hi! I love listening to your podcast and adding tons of books to my TBR list. I read a book last summer called Fiercombe Manor by Kate Riordan and loved it. I would call it a romance/mystery/ghost story. Can you recommend some similar books for my summer reading list? I love YA, so am open to that as well! Thanks! --Rebecca   5. I used to read YA books all the time when I was little, but once I started high school I decided in all my teenage snobbishness that YA was beneath me, and I'd only be reading the classics... and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (obviously). Now I'm in my 20s working on my doctorate in classics, and no longer want to or feel the need to be so snobby. I've recently discovered bookstagram, and I'm constantly seeing all these beautiful covers of YA novels. The only thing is what to read? I tried reading The Raven Cycle, but I found the characters to be so shallowly written. And the whole extreme/unrealistic wealth and privilege just seemed so far fetched. I thought I might have better luck with fantasy YA but there is so much and I have no idea how to sort the good from the bad. --Keira   6. First, let me tell you I love your podcast! Second, I would love your recommendations (obvs). My son and I just read a great YA book called Away Running by David Wright and Luc Bouchard. It resonated with my son who is sports-obsessed because it's about football but it is deeper than most kids' sports books because it takes place in Paris amid racial tensions and immigrations issues. It's deep. I'd love more books like this to engage my son...some sports but more than just sports. Bonus if there are diverse characters (as there are in Away Running) because my son is biracial and seeing himself reflected in the characters allows for us to have even better conversations after reading. Thank you so much! --Cathy   Books It's Not Like It’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura No Is Not Enough by Naomi Klein Genuine Fraud by E Lockhart Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour 100 Must-Read YA Books With Little Or No Romance Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer Ash by Malinda Lo Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell “Glass” in Roses and Bones by Francesca Lia Block A Spy in the House by YS Lee The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma Absent by Katie Williams Saints and Misfits by SK Ali (trigger warning: sexual assault) Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt De la Pena (trigger warning: self-harm) See No Color by Shannon Gibney Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen (trigger warning: sexual assault)

This week, Liberty and Rebecca discuss Lives of the Monster Dogs, Ramona Blue, Binti, and more books. This episode was sponsored by Talenti, ThirdLove, Woman No. 17, and Grand Central Publishing's instant book club sweepstakes. Find a list of the titles discussed on this episode in the shownotes. Subscribe to Book Riot Insiders here.

Epigraph On this episode we discuss ALL THE ROMANCE BOOKS with Bea & Leah Koch, owners of The Ripped Bodice—America’s only Romance bookstore. The Ripped Bodice is celebrating their one year anniversary this month!     This episode is sponsored by Books & Whatnot, the newsletter dedicated to books, bookselling, and bookish folk; check out the newsletter archive here. Follow Books & Whatnot on Twitter at @booksandwhatnot. We now have an email newsletter! If you want to get our show notes delivered directly to your inbox—with all the books mentioned on the podcast and links back to the bookstore we’re interviewing PLUS GIFs—sign up HERE. Introduction In which we feel real fancy, learn more about geography, and can’t stop asking for recommendations. We’re drinking French 75s and feeling classy as fuck. We’re Reading Bea is reading Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose (out June 27). And she recently finished An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which she thinks will be a great gateway romance (out March 28) about a female spy posing as a slave. Fun fact, Alyssa Cole lives in Martinique, and Kim and Emma’s geography lessons continue. Leah is reading Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham and Flirting with Disaster by Victoria Dahl. Emma is reading Hot Dog Taste Test by Lisa Hanawalt—a graphic foodie memoir that is weird and delicious. She also just started Kim & Kim by Magdalene Visaggio, which is a comic about punk rock bounty hunters in space. Kim is reading Love Is Love a graphic anthology written in response to the Orlando shooting curated by Marc Andreyko; an important, but difficult read. All proceeds for the book go to the victims, survivors, and families affected by the Orlando Pulse shooting. Which is to say, everyone should buy this book. She’s also reading The Book of Joan by Lidia Yuknavitch (out April 18) a futuristic space Joan of Arc story, which hits weirdly close to home in its political content. We’re Excited About: Bea and Leah have so many frontlist romance novels to tell you about: An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole (more than worth a second mention and out March 28) Full Mountie (#3 in the Frisky Beavers series) by Ainsley Booth & Sadie Haller (out April 4) First in the Frisky Beavers series is Prime Minister “and is basically about if Justin Trudeau weren’t married and liked kinky sex.” Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (author of Dumplin’; out May 9) The Thing About Love by Julie James (out April18)  Julie James will be making an appearance at Ripped Bodice on her author tour! The Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas (#3 in The Ravenels series, with the kids of characters from her Wallflowers series) Emma is excited for Tender by Sofia Samatar (writer of A Stranger in Olondria and out April 11 from Small Beer Press) and Next Year, for Sure by Zoey Leigh Peterson, which is the only book about polyamory she has read so she asked for more recs... SIDETRACK: Polyamory Recommendations Laid Bare by Lauren Dane (#1 in the Brown Family series) Maya Banks Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai Back to frontlist... Kim is looking forward to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Whereas: Poems by Layli Long Soldier The Mother of All Questions by Rebecca Solnit Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chapter I [19:00] In which we discuss Bea & Leah’s Romance Origin Story, Talk Vaginal-Looking Covers, and Get ALL THE ROMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS Bea loved historical fiction (and historical fashion) and introduced Leah to The Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn (which is great for people who want to test the waters of regency romance) First in the series is The Duke and I Leah ultimately came to love contemporary romances and became a hardcore romance fan with the help of Nora Roberts—The Bride Quartet series is one of her favorites First in the series is Vision in White Also mentioned: Julie James, whose newest book is The Thing About Love (mentioned earlier and out April 18) and Susan Elizabeth Phillips whose newest book is First Star I See Tonight Where to Start with Contemporary: First, what level of heat are you looking for? Super graphic and dirty? Or cloaked in metaphor? Not Quite As Dirty Nora Roberts It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars #1) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. You know, the one with the boobs on the cover: Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn (for geek fandom readers) Really Dirty Recs Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Series #1) by Christina Lauren Vampire Romance Recommendations (because we love Buffy) Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward (super dirty) Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs (Jane Jameson #1) by Molly Harper (funnier romance) The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires (Half Moon Hollow #1) by Molly Harper Famous people make appearances as vampires—people like Dick Cheney Witchbian Romances (because we love Willow) Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Vampire Sorority Sisters #1) (lesbian vampire sorority) Dance Upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts Dark Witch (Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts Lunatic Fringe by Allison Moon (Kim rec: werewolf lesbian feminist) Two Sexy Nonfic Picks Girl Sex 101 by Allison Moon Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski Side note: Send us a pic of your favorite vaginal cover (via email or Twitter)! Like this: Non-Paranormal Queer/Diverse Recs Rebekah Weatherspoon (also has non-vampire lesbian romances) For Real by Alexis Hall (author of some gorgeous MM romances) Damon Suede writes super hot romances, which are frequently about firemen; his newest title is Lickety Split (out March 17) The Prince’s Psalm by Eric Shaw Quinn (a Biblical gay romance) First Position by Melissa Brayden (lesbian ballerinas) I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (MM YA) Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown (FF YA) The Soldier’s Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian (gay regency) K.J. Charles (also writes gay regency, but they’re not all dukes) Wanted, A Gentleman is one of her newer titles The Spare and the Heir (Lords of Time #5) by Jenn LeBlanc (gay victorian) LeBlanc is also a photographer and illustrates many of her romances with super hot photos. Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai (mentioned earlier as poly rec) Trade Me by Courtney Milan (Cyclone #1) (contemporary romance with POC characters) The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister #3) by Courtney Milan Beverly Jenkins writes African American historicals Breathless (Old West #2) is her newest release Daughters of a Nation by Alyssa Cole, Piper Huguley, Lena Hart & more (an anthology of stories about black suffragettes) Silk, Swords, and Surrender by Jeannie Lin The Tang Dynasty series by Jeannie Lin (about the ancient Chinese Tang dynasty & recommended if you liked the Netflix show Marco Polo. This series is even better with intrigue and sword fighting) Butterfly Swords is the first in the series Originally posted by l231 Chapter II [36:50] In which we chat about The Ripped Bodice, the romance community, and what it means to be feminist. -Fifty Shades of Gray, why they don’t sell it (it’s not a good representation of BDSM), and how they help customers find their next read after Fifty Shades -Ripped Bodice looks like a very fancy lingerie dressing room (yes, they have a fainting couch). The store is separated into 5 Zones, which are decorated to reflect their genre: Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Erotica, and Everything Else -Sidelines: bookish things, but also things that will appeal to romance readers like stuff about feminism. Solid rec for Juniper & Ivy’s nerdy wood laser cut pieces.  “Part of being a romance bookstore is being unapologetically feminist and sex positive” Chapter III [48:35] In which Bea goes hardcore practical for her Station Eleven pick, people are kinda boring (in a good way), and we talk sexy nonfiction. Bea’s Station Eleven pick is Robert’s Rules of Order by Henry Robert. Leah is bringing “the most comprehensive survival guide [she] can find.” Originally posted by batesmotel On a desert island, Leah is bringing Happy Ever After Nora Roberts (#4 in the Bride Quartet) and Bea is bringing A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare. On their Wild adventure, Bea would bring one of Alison Weir’s “crazy tudor histories” and Leah would bring The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg Anne Boleyn, a King’s Obsession (one of Weir’s newest books out May 16) Bookseller Confession: “Your tawdry thing that you think is super scandalous is really boring...” The Dirtiest Romance You’ve Read Olivia Cunning’s Sinners on Tour series First in the series: Backstage Pass J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series First in the series: Dark Lover Impossible Handsell Self-published titles with god-awful covers and non-fiction i.e. Come As Your Are by Emily Nagoski and Playing Well with Others: Your Field Guide to Discovering, Exploring, and Navigating the Kink, Leather, and BDSM Communities by Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams The Romance Books Every Bookseller Should Recommend Daughters of a Nation by Alyssa Cole Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan Also, have more than two romances and don’t laugh (or sneer) at your customers who are buying romance novels. Come on. Originally posted by yourreactiongifs Favorite Bookstores LA Bookstore: Diesel Childhood Bookstore: Women & Children First Not-Yet-Open Bookstores: The Queens Bookshop and Books Are Magic European Bookstores: Persephone Books (London) and Shakespeare & Co. (Paris) Favorite Literary Media The romance/life blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and their podcast Smart Podcast, Trashy Books Book Riot Girls at Library Heroes and Heartbreakers Romance Twitter—follow all your favorite authors on Twitter Epilogue [1:02:20] The Ripped Bodice can be found so many places on the internet the store’s website Instagram Twitter Facebook You can also sign up for the Ripped Bodice newsletter on their website—they’ve got events, recommendations, and a thing called Fitzwilliam’s Corner (that’s Fitzwilliam Waffles; he’s their dog, he is awesome, and he has his own Instagram).   You can find us on Twitter at @drunkbookseller and everywhere else as DrunkBooksellers (plural). Emma tweets @thebibliot and writes bookish things for Book Riot. Kim tweets occasionally from @finaleofseem, but don’t expect too much. BONUS CONTENT We always have more content than we can fit into one hour and this time said content was extra interesting. So for all the people who read our show notes and/or subscribe to our newsletter, here are a few more recommendations from Bea & Leah Romances That Are Library/Bookstore-Adjacent Broken Resolutions (Lovestruck Librarians #1) by Olivia Dade Taking the Heat by Victoria Dahl (Girls Night Out #4) Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh (Rock Kiss #1) (librarian falls in love with a rockstar) Romances About Publishing/Writing  The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (publishing romance) Temptations of a Wallflower by Eva Leigh (#4 Wicked Quills of London) (historical where the woman writes erotica) How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries (#3 Hellions of Halstead Hall) (main character writes gothics)  

Joey King talks about working with Selena Gomez in the new film, Ramona and Beezus. Find out about the fun they had on the set along with what Joey is up to these days.