Podcasts about this is how it always is

Welcome to the Summer 2025 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!   Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing from June through mid-August.   This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack! Highlights Catherine and Sarah share some big releases coming this summer (lightning-round style). Of Catherine's six book picks, 3 are about sisters and most are from repeat authors. Sarah's choices feature 3 debut authors, 2 repeat authors, and 1 new author. And, 5 of Sarah's six books are European novels. From literary picks to thrillers to romances, they've got a range of books for summer. Sarah has already read two of her picks — and they're on the 2025 Summer Reading Guide (be sure to check out the full list) Plus, their #1 picks for summer. Big Summer Releases Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:12] With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:18] Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:32] The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick (June 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:36] A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [2:45] The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (July 15) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:57] The View from Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:08] Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto (June 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:13] A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:17]  Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (June 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:27]  The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:29]  Don't Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine (June 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:32]  The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen (August 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:36]  Summer 2025 Book Preview [4:07] June Sarah's Pick The Compound by Aisling Rawle (June 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:19] Catherine's Picks The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward (June 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:40] King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:02] I'll Be Right Here by Amy Bloom (June 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:01] Other Books Mentioned  Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954) [10:01]  FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven (2016) [10:04]  The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1969) [20:29]  All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby  (2023) [20:55]  Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (2021) [21:00]  Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby (2020) [21:01]  White Houses by Amy Bloom (2018) [27:08]  This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (2017) [27:52]  The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (2019) [27:57]  The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (2024) [28:28]  July Sarah's Picks Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[15:36] Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [21:44] The Rabbit Club by Christopher J. Yates (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:48] Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke (July 15*) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:38](Updated release date following the recording of this episode.) August Lane by Regina Black (July 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:44] Catherine's Picks The Satisfaction Café by Kathy Wang (July 1) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:37]  Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon (July 8) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:32] Other Books Mentioned Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (2023) [18:12]  Writers and Lovers by Lily King (2020) [18:17]  The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) [25:06]  Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler (2023) [25:09]  Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates (2013) [28:57]  The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (2013) [31:13]  The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992) [31:15]  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008) [31:16]  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865) []  If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017) [32:37]  Imposter Syndrome by Kathy Wang (2021) [35:16]  Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (2023) [35:40]  Happiness Falls by Angie Kim (2023) [35:42]  The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz (2022) [35:45]  Girl A by Abigail Dean (2021) [38:21]  The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) [38:24]  Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka (2022) [38:28]  The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon (2023) [40:16]  The Art of Scandal by Regina Black (2023) [41:58]  Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner (2024) [43:30]  Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [43:41]  The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton (2021) [43:46]  Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019) [45:01]  August Catherine's Pick The Frequency of Living Things by Nick Fuller Googins (August 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:15] Other Books Mentioned She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb (1992) [48:08]  Other Links Sarah's Bookshelves | The Possibility of a Black Chalk Sequel: Guest Post by Christopher J. Yates 

In Ep. 194, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Sarah head back to the year 2017 in the book world with this second annual special retrospective episode!  They share big bookish highlights for that year, including book news, award winners, and what was going on in the world outside of reading. They also talk about how their own 2017 reading shook out, including their favorite 2017 releases.  Plus, a quick run-down of listener-submitted favorites!  This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR!   This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights The big news that was going on outside the book world. The book stories and trends that dominated 2017. How similar 2017 and 2025 are. The 2017 books that have had staying power.⁠ Was this as dismal a year in books as Sarah remembers? Sarah's and Catherine's personal 2017 reading stats.⁠ Listener-submitted favorites from 2017.⁠ Bookish Time Capsule (2017) [2:12] The World Beyond Books No books mentioned in this segment. The Book Industry Wonder by R. J. Palacio (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [9:59] Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:04] A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[10:40] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:44] Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:08] My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:18] The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:03] If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:13] We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:23] Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:46] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:48] The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:50] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [14:57] Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:03] James by Percival Everett (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:04] Bookish Headlines and Trends Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:41] A Promised Land by Barack Obama (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:43] The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama (2006) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:48] My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [23:04] The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:31] Big Books and Award Winners of 2017 A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:01] Beartown by Fredrik Backman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:06] The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:21] Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:27] The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:48] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:09] The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [28:39] Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:23] Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:40] Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:31] Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (2008) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:09] Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:51] Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:16] Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:41] Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:32] Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [34:38] Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:09] The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:52] What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:56] Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:21] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:45] Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [38:04] The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, 3) by N. K. Jemisin (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:30]  Our Top Books of 2017 The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:46] Beartown by Fredrik Backman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:20] Dead Letters by Caite Dolan-Leach (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:22] Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:02] If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:16] Quicksand by Malin Persson Giolitio (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:23] The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:36] This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:38] Trophy Son by Douglas Brunt (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:48] White Fur by Jardine Libaire (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [43:05] Final Girls by Riley Sager (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:38] Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:44] Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:46] Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:49] The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:10] Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (1995) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:15] Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:19] The Heirs by Susan Rieger (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:34] The Takedown by Corrie Wang (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:53] Feast of Sorrow by Crystal King (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:01] Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:09] Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org   [48:17] Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:28] The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:33] Listeners' Top Books of 2017 Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:33] Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:51] The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:03] The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[50:07] Beartown by Fredrik Backman (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:13] Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:15] The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:18] The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:24] This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:25] Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong (2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:27]

On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Meredith are discussing: Bookish Moments: Kindle samples and getting new indie bookstores Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: six star books to which we will take no criticism from anyone The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  1:01 - Ad For Ourselves 1:18 - Currently Reading Patreon 1:34 - An Unlikely Story 2:35 - @anunlikelystory on Instagram 3:37 - Our Bookish Moments Of The Week 6:48 - Literally, A Bookshop 7:54 - @Literallybookshop on Instagram 8:52 - Our Current Reads 9:23 - The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley (Meredith) 16:32 - All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim (Kaytee) 16:40 - Tucson Festival of Books 2025 19:52 - Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manasala 20:13 - This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (Meredith) 21:47 - A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab 23:20 - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab 23:49 - They Came for the Schools by Mike Hixenbaugh (Kaytee) 24:11 - Southlake Podcast 27:46 - Past Crimes by Jason Pinter (Meredith) 29:44 - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 31:06 - Recursion by Blake Crouch 31:40 - The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues by Beth Lincoln (Kaytee) 31:49 - The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln 35:11 - Our Six Star Reads 36:08 - The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 37:29 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 37:33 - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 40:17 - Happy Place by Emily Henry 42:32 - The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher 42:37 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 42:38 - In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden 42:41 - The Stand by Stephen King 42:43 - The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher 42:44 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer 44:44 - All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle 45:00 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 45:09 - Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge 45:13 - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 45:14 - Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 45:17 - Babel by R.F. Kuang 45:38 - Lobizona by Romina Garber Russell 45:43 - Cazadora by Romina Garber Russell 49:14 - The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman 49:49 - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 51:22 - Meet Us At The Fountain 51:43 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 51:53 - I want everyone to listen to episode 188 of Sarah's Bookshelves Live if you enjoy fantasy reading. (Meredith) 51:54 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live episode 188 53:09 - I wish for a book aggregator that would house all book covers of all books so we could compare easily and find the ones we want to purchase quickly without having to browse multiple sites. (Kaytee) 54:09 - Greenwood by Michael Christie Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. March's IPL comes to you from our tried and true partner, An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business.  All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Meredith are discussing: Bookish Moments: being the bookish person at work and discussing books in grocery stores Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: authors we would take a day off to mourn over The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  1:24 - Ad For Ourselves 1:28 - Currently Reading Patreon 1:59 - The Novel Neighbor 4:08 - Our Bookish Moments of the Week 4:38 - The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown 4:44 - Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara 6:50 - The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss 8:14 - Our Current Reads 8:29 - Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer (Meredith) 8:33 - CR Season 6: Episode 48 10:19 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer 14:19 - Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly (Kaytee) 14:25 - A Room of One's Own bookshop 17:12 - Interesting Facts about Space by Emily Austin 17:16 - An Unlikely Story 17:41 - Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley (Meredith) 17:52 - The Rook by Daniel O'Malley 24:57 - Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura (Kaytee) 28:15 - Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent (Meredith) 29:47 - Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent 33:08 - River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer (Kaytee) 36:58 - Authors We Would Mourn Over 46:03 - The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown 50:00 - Meet Us At The Fountain 50:09 - I wish I could sometimes read like my husband does. (Meredith) 51:33 - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller 53:36 - I wish to press This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (Kaytee) 53:37 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 53:57 - Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. October's IPL comes to us from our anchor store, The Novel Neighbor! Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business.  All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

‘The Help' by Kathryn Stockett. ‘Big Little Lies' by Liane Moriarty. ‘Let's Pretend This Never Happened' by Jenny Lawson. ‘American Dirt' by Jeanine Cummins. ‘This Is How It Always Is' by Laurie Frankel. ‘Listen for the Lie' by Amy Tintera. ‘We Begin At the End' by Chris Whittaker. ‘A Higher Loyalty' by James Comey. ‘The Book of Awesome' by Neil Pasricha.     What do these books have in common? The famed but invisible editor pulling the strings from behind the curtain: Amy Einhorn     Fifteen years ago my seven-month-old blog ‘1000 Awesome Things' was nominated for ‘Best Blog' from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. I was approached by literary agents and my new agent Erin Malone told me she wanted to auction my blog to publishers … next week. Suddenly I was in the foreign position of interviewing editors who were somehow clamoring to publish my book.     I signed with Amy Einhorn—a woman I'd never heard of, who had just started an eponymous imprint I'd never heard of, within Putnam Publishing, which I'd also never heard of. But I was immediately and magnetically attracted to her vision for the book. “It's a hardcover, Neil,” she said. “It's for moms. It's a gift book. You gotta lose the frat boy posts. No blowing your nose in the shower. And I need a lot more new content.”     I learned everything about editing from Amy in our passionate late night diatribe emails, our hot-potato-ing of 300-page Word docs back and forth with 100s of comments in red down the sides, and arguing—good arguing!—about every single element along the way. I'd sit in her office and she'd have a variety of ‘cases' laid out on her desk. “What do you think of 5” by 7”?” she'd say. “Too precious? Too cute?”     Amy is one of the most successful editors in the world today with the highest percentage of books edited hitting the New York Times bestseller list. According to a feature in The Observer, “New York editors and publishers speak of Amy Einhorn's success as the product of an almost mystical editorial instinct.” She has a knack for sniffing out voice, for knowing what will work and what won't and, as you can imagine, I've been begging her to come on 3 Books for six years to hear how it all works.     So I flew down to NYC to talk with the bright, brilliant, and beaming Amy Einhorn about what an editor does, how a book gets published, what helps a book sell, Amy's 3 most formative books, and much, much more.     Let's flip the page to Chapter 140 now…

You're planning a road trip — you've got snacks, you've got directions from Los Angeles to New York, and you've got a deep sense of curiosity and longing as the home you know fades quickly into your rearview mirror. For the forty-five year old artist at the heart of Miranda July's All Fours, the pull towards the unknown proves a little too tempting. She pulls off the highway a mere thirty minutes from home, but far enough away to dive headfirst into a journey of surprises, thrills, and the authentic absurdity of human connection. In her upcoming second novel, Miranda July spins her seasoned comedic skills with thoughtful nuance to craft an exploration of identity and desire in mid-life womanhood. What does our protagonist expect, and what is expected of her, and how much should she care about those expectations in the first place? All Fours is a quest for experiences as much as answers and July has plenty of pit stops planned for readers to stock up on discovery, sexy sparks, and personal reinvention. Miranda July is a director, filmmaker, artist, and author. Her works include the award-winning collection of short stories No One Belongs Here More Than You and New York Times bestselling novel The First Bad Man, as well as the films Me and You and Everyone We Know and Kajillionaire. Her writing has been featured in The Paris Review, Harper's, and the New Yorker. Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of five novels, including her new one, Family Family, as well as One Two Three and This Is How It Always Is. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Poets & Writers, Publisher's Weekly, and other publications. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award.   Buy the Book All Fours: A Novel Third Place Books

Happy Pride Month! In this episode, we dive into Laurie Frankel's This Is How It Always Is. Join us as we explore the novel's themes of love, acceptance, and the complexities of family dynamics. However, not everything about this book resonated with us. Tune in to hear our honest opinions, including what we loved and what we felt missed the mark. Also, wait until the end to see if your results the the quiz: What Should I Be When I Grow Up? was the same as any of the girls! Don't forget to follow us on tiktok and instagram for more fun content!

Welcome to Episode 210, where we have the pleasure of welcoming back Our Mystery Man, John Valeri! For those of you who are new to the Book Cougars, John is a frequent guest. He's a reader, professional reviewer, and interviewer extraordinaire (check out his BookTube channel, CENTRAL BOOKING). John joins us to not only recommend some hot new mystery/thrillers but also to share insights on the guiding principles of cozy mysteries, making this a conversation you won't want to miss! This episode is packed with a diverse range of books. We share our thoughts on THE AWAKENING: THE DRAGON HEART LEGACY, BOOK ONE by Nora Roberts, our second quarter readalong pick in our year of reading romance. We also delve into other intriguing reads such as THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS by Laurie Frankel, THE MYSTERY GUEST by Nita Prose, and LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE HAUNTED PLACES by Claire Kann. Emily also read two captivating short stories: “Lucky Girls” by Nell Freudenberger from LUCKY GIRLS: STORIES and “That of Which We Cannot Speak” by Alethea Black from I KNEW YOU'D BE LOVELY: STORIES. In Biblio Adventures, we recap an exciting Biblio Adventure to Hartford, CT, where we had the privilege of seeing Michael Harriot (BLACK AF HISTORY: THE UN-WHITEWASHED STORY OF AMERICA) in conversation with Percival Everett about his new novel, JAMES, thanks to the Mark Twain House. Chris attended CULTIVATING VOICES: LIVE POETRY hosted by Sandra Yannone via Facebook. Emily binged some PRESUMED INNOCENT movie/series adaptations. At the Book Barn in Niantic, CT, she found a copy of FELLOWSHIP POINT (which we're both reading this summer) and a fantastic gift for Chris. Of course, we also talk about what we're currently reading, want to read, and upcoming #biblioadventures. We hope you enjoy the episode and if so, please consider leaving a review wherever you listen, as it really does help others find us. Happy Listening & Happy Reading! https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2024/episode210

On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Mary are discussing: Bookish Moments: book recs that land with non readers and Kaytee meeting an octopus! Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: how we recommend books to readers outside our own wheelhouses The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  .  Season 6, Episode 45 1:27 - Our Bookish Moments of the Week 1:50 - Happy Place by Emily Henry 6:52 - Our Current Reads 6:59 -  Ready or Not by Cara Bastone (Mary) 10:41 - Secrets of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery (Kaytee) 10:50 - The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World by Matt Kracht (Fabled link, not available on Bookshop) 11:14 - Secrets of the Whales by Brian Skerry 11:16 - Secrets of the Elephants by Paula Kahumbu and Claudia Geib 11:33 - The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery 13:45 - Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh (Mary) 15:51 - Boswell Books 16:55 - Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart (Kaytee) 17:01 - The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart 17:13 - Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being In Love by isthisselfcare 22:25 - The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Mary) 25:51 - Drowning by T.J. Newman (Kaytee) 25:57 - Falling by T.J. Newman 26:02 - CR Season 5: Episode 41 30:12 - Deep Dive: How To Recommend Books Outside Your Wheelhouse 32:21 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 32:23 - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gayle Honeycutt 36:24 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 36:30 - The Guncle by Steven Rowley 36:44 - Starter Villain by John Scalzi 36:46 - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 36:52 - Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree 39:31 - What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty 39:55 - All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle 41:19 - Breathless by Amy McCulloch 41:43 - The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer 44:29 - Drowning by T.J. Newman 48:55 - Meet Us At The Fountain 48:59 - I wish people would give slow and steady reading a try. (Mary) 49:35 - Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon 51:30 - I wish everyone would keep a readerly profile. (Kaytee) Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. June's IPL comes to us from our anchor store Schuler Books in West Bloomfield, Michigan. All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the special insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Meredith are discussing: Bookish Moments: more efficient book signings and reading when we need to recharge Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: an unofficial deep dive into no prep episodes The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  .  :10 Bite Size Intro 1:49 - Currently Reading Patreon 5:10 - Our Bookish Moments of the Week 9:43 - Our Current Reads 12:19 - Cold by Drew Hayden Taylor (Meredith) 12:54 - From the Front Porch podcast 18:12 - Better the Blood by Michael Bennett 19:21 - Family Family by Laurie Frankel (Kaytee) 19:56 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 25:00 - One Two Three by Laurie Frankel 25:42 - Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf (Meredith) 27:15 - The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf 30:53 - CR Season 4: Episode 30 (about one-night stand books) 31:29 - Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (Kaytee) 31:54 - Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid 35:13 - libro.fm 37:38 - First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (Meredith) 44:02 - Evil Eye by Etaf Rum (Kaytee) 44:14 - A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum 51:58 - Deep Dive: Talking Through Our Off The Cuff Episode 56:37 - Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf 56:38 - First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston 59:15 - Meet Us At The Fountain 1:01:26 - I wish everyone would try doing summarizing thoughts immediately after reading a book in some way shape or form. (Meredith) 1:01:58 - I wish for a book recommendation on call service. (Kaytee) Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. April's IPL comes to us from A Room Of One's Own in Madison Wisconsin! Trope Thursday with Kaytee and Bunmi - a behind the scenes peek into the publishing industry All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the special insights of an independent bookseller The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

In today's episode, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and I circle back to the 16 books we featured in the Winter 2024 Book Preview. We'll be sharing our reading stats and thoughts on the books we've read (or attempted), to help you decide which ones to add to your reading list and which ones to skip. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Catherine and Sarah share their Winter 2024 reading stats and success rates. Despite some trouble in her reading early on, Catherine ended up with a successful winter. Sarah's reading had a mix of fiction and nonfiction with several debuts. We've got a total of 3 five-star books! Does a mythology retelling always work for Catherine? Was Sarah's wildcard pick a little too out there for her? Plus, don't miss their #1 picks for winter. Books We Read Before the Preview [3:44] Sarah's Picks Mercury by Amy Jo Burns (January 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:49] The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [6:30] Other Books Mentioned Shiner by Amy Jo Burns [3:54] Cinderland by Amy Jo Burns [5:30] The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [8:34] The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [8:35] Winter 2024 Circle Back [9:14] January Sarah's Picks River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure (January 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:00] Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson (January 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52] Catherine's Picks The Fury by Alex Michaelides (January 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:23] Family Family by Laurie Frankel (January 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:35] Other Books Mentioned The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides [11:32] This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel [22:42] One Two Three by Laurie Frankel [22:43] Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson [22:57] Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie [23:14] February Sarah's Picks Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:04]  Leaving by Roxana Robinson  (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [36:06] Catherine's Picks The Things We Didn't Know by Elba Iris Pérez (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:06]  Medea by Eilish Quin (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:17] Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa (February 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:29]  Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange (February 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:49] After Annie by Anna Quindlen (February 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:20] Other Books Mentioned Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer [33:13] There There by Tommy Orange [41:02] March Sarah's Picks Say Hello to My Little Friend by Jennine Capó Crucet  (March 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [43:23] Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel (March 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:55] Catherine's Pick James by Percival Everett (March 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [50:13] Other Books Mentioned My Time Among the Whites by Jennine Capó Crucet [45:10] The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe [48:26] Good for a Girl by Lauren Fleshman [49:52] Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain [50:29] Other Links Sara Hildreth (FictionMatters) on Substack | Reading in Public No. 32: Six things to know about Huck Finn before you read James About Catherine Gilmore Blog | Facebook | Instagram | X  (formerly Twitter) Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 10 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Seattle, WA.

Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of four novels, including her most recent, One Two Three, and This Is How It Always Is. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and been optioned for film and TV. Her new novel, Family Family, comes out in January 2024. She hopes you will love it. A former college professor, she now writes full-time in Seattle, Washington where she lives with her family and makes good soup. The Storytellers hosted by Grace Sammon focuses on individuals who choose to leave their mark on the world through the art of story. Each episode engages guests and listeners in the story behind the story of authors, artists, reporters, and others who leave a legacy of storytelling. Applying her years of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, author, and storyteller herself, Grace brings to listeners an intimate one-on-one experience with her guests. Visit Grace at her website www.gracesammon.net. Contact Grace about being a guest on the show, email her at grace@gracesammon.net Follow Grace: On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GraceSammonWrites/ On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GraceSammonWrites/ On Twitter https://www.twitter.com/GSammonWrites On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-sammon-84389153/ #TheStorytellers #Storyteller #Storytellers # Storytelling #AuhtorInterview #LetsTalkBooks #LeaveYourMark #AuthorLife #StorytellerLife #ArtofStory #AuthorTalkNetwork #BookishRoadTrip #AuthorTalkNetwork #AuthorsOnTheAirGlobalRadioNetwork #author #NYT #NYTbesteller #NewYorkTimeBestseller #family #transgender #transgenderyouth #understanding The Storytellers is a copyrighted work © of Grace Sammon and Authors on The Air Global Radio Network.

Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of four novels, including her most recent, One Two Three, and This Is How It Always Is. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and been optioned for film and TV. Her new novel, Family Family, comes out in January 2024. She hopes you will love it. A former college professor, she now writes full-time in Seattle, Washington where she lives with her family and makes good soup. The Storytellers hosted by Grace Sammon focuses on individuals who choose to leave their mark on the world through the art of story. Each episode engages guests and listeners in the story behind the story of authors, artists, reporters, and others who leave a legacy of storytelling. Applying her years of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, author, and storyteller herself, Grace brings to listeners an intimate one-on-one experience with her guests. Visit Grace at her website www.gracesammon.net. Contact Grace about being a guest on the show, email her at grace@gracesammon.net Follow Grace: On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GraceSammonWrites/ On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GraceSammonWrites/ On Twitter https://www.twitter.com/GSammonWrites On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-sammon-84389153/ #TheStorytellers #Storyteller #Storytellers # Storytelling #AuhtorInterview #LetsTalkBooks #LeaveYourMark #AuthorLife #StorytellerLife #ArtofStory #AuthorTalkNetwork #BookishRoadTrip #AuthorTalkNetwork #AuthorsOnTheAirGlobalRadioNetwork #author #NYT #NYTbesteller #NewYorkTimeBestseller #family #transgender #transgenderyouth #understanding The Storytellers is a copyrighted work © of Grace Sammon and Authors on The Air Global Radio Network.

Welcome to the Winter 2024 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!   In this episode, Catherine and I share 16 of our most anticipated books releasing January through March.   This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement One of the many benefits to joining our Patreon Community is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and I share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available to all patrons (Stars and Superstars) and sign up here! Highlights While Sarah and Catherine had some trouble with fall, winter is overflowing with potential winners. Sarah brings 2 sports fiction titles. Both Catherine and Sarah explore a mix of familiar authors and exciting debuts. It's time for another mythology retelling for Catherine! Sarah shares a 5-star book she's already read and loved. Sarah's wildcard pick might be a little out there — and hopefully, it pays off. Plus, don't miss their #1 picks for winter. Winter 2024 Book Preview [3:32] January Sarah's Picks Mercury by Amy Jo Burns (January 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:47] River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure (January 9) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:24] Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson (January 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:38] Catherine's Picks The Fury by Alex Michaelides (January 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:39] Family Family by Laurie Frankel (January 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [14:15] Other Books Mentioned Shiner by Amy Jo Burns [3:57] The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides [7:59] The Maidens by Alex Michaelides [8:05] The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald [9:30] This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel [14:21] Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson [16:53] And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie [17:21] Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie [17:27] February Sarah's Picks Dixon Descending by Karen Outen (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[23:08]  Leaving by Roxana Robinson  (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [28:35] The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [33:56] Catherine's Picks The Things We Didn't Know by Elba Iris Pérez (February 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:40]  Medea by Eilish Quin (February 13) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:57] Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa (February 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:04]  Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange (February 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:37] After Annie by Anna Quindlen (February 27*) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:45] Other Books Mentioned Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer [24:05] Breathless by Amy McCulloch [24:13] Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes [26:30] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller [30:21] Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner [30:45] The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo [30:49] The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin [31:25] The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [34:17] The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale [34:20] Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier [39:08] There There by Tommy Orange [39:44] Alternate Side by Anna Quindlen [48:37] March Sarah's Picks Say Hello to My Little Friend by Jennine Capó Crucet  (March 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:21] Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel (March 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [49:03] Catherine's Pick James by Percival Everett (March 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [51:15] Other Books Mentioned Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville [44:37] My Time Among the Whites by Jennine Capó Crucet [45:03] Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain [51:35] The Trees by Percival Everett [52:40] Other Links Golden Age of Detective Fiction | Knox's 10 Commandments *The book's publication date has been changed.

Do you delight in -- or maybe dread? -- all the focus on family holiday gatherings? Hear about five novels that offer various takes on families and family dynamics. Laurie Dreyer, Lansingburgh Branch Manager for Troy Public Library, recommends these four. "The Nest" (Sweeney, 2016) explores the divisions brought by squabbles over an inheritance. "The Cherry Robbers" (Walker, 2022) is a gothic feminist novel set in 1950's Connecticut. "This Is How It Always Is" (Frankel, 2017) tells of how a family accepts, but keeps secret, a five-year-old boy's desire to be a princess, but struggles years later when the secret explodes. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" (Klune, 2020) is a fantasy about a case worker in the department in charge of magical youth who creates an unexpected family with a group of children on an island. Laurie says this is the book to read for "all the warm fuzzies." Finally, "Hello Beautiful" (Napolitano, 2023) follows the tearjerker story of a college boy accepted by his girl friend's three younger sisters, with a later family rift that threatens to tear the family apart. For more details on books and activities, visit www.thetroylibrary.org. To find other libraries in New York State, see https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/#Find. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

One of the books I'm reading is This Is How It Always Is, by Laurie Frankel. It's about two parents—incredibly conscientious and loving parents—struggling with how to help their youngest child navigate an extremely difficult and confusing life circumstance.If you like to read, don't you love it when the title of a book is buried somewhere inside it and then unexpectedly appears in some line of dialogue and because of the context you suddenly realize what the book is really—I mean really—about? When that happened in This Is How It Always Is I have to say it hit a very tender spot in me. I had to put it down, close my eyes, the a minute and just breath. It's a good thing. I read stories to be moved by them. To get poked and prodded and learn things about myself along the way.It probably won't hit you the same way but I wanted to share that bit of dialogue with you because it meant so much to me. Edited so it makes sense, here are our two loving parents in a serious conversation about making impossible decisions for their kids, from This Is How It“It's is such a hard road … It's not easy … But I'm not sure easy is what I want for the kids. I mean, if we could have everything, sure. If we can have it all … I wish them easy, successful, fun-filled lives, crowned with good friends, attentive lovers, heaps of money, intellectual stimulation, and good views out the window. I wish them eternal beauty, international travel, and smart things to watch on TV. But if I can't have everything, if I only get a few, I'm not sure easy makes my wish list … Easy is nice, but it's not as good as getting to be who you are or stand up for what you believe in … Easy is nice, but I wonder how often it leads to fulfilling work or partnership or being … Easy probably rules out having children … or helping people, making art, inventing anything, leading the way, tackling the world's problems, or overcoming your own. … You'd think, if it were the right thing to do, wouldn't we know it? … But when was the last time something was bothering one of the kids or they were acting strange or not sleeping or doing well in math or sharing nicely … and we knew why? I mean absolutely knew what was wrong and what should be done to fix it and how to make that happen. Never. Not ever. Not once. You never know. You only guess. This is how it always is. You have to make these huge decisions on behalf of … this tiny human whose fate and future is entirely in your hands, who trusts you to know what's good and right and then be able to make that happen. You never have enough information. You don't get to see the future. And if you screw it up, if with your incomplete, contradictory information you make the wrong call, well, nothing less than your child's entire future and happiness is at stake. It's impossible. It's heartbreaking. It's maddening. But there's no alternative. This is how it always is.”That dialogue somehow stirred up all my fears about failing as a parent, and as a human in general. What I didn't expect was for it to somehow soothe those fears by making me face the heartbreaking, maddening, impossibility of it all. I mean, life, right? It's so much, too much, and you're never enough, but what are you gonna do? What are you going to do? This is how it always is. There's something strangely comforting about being reminded that of course life is more than you can handle. Of course there are mistakes. Of course it hurts. Of course you will have regrets. Of course it's all bigger than you. This is how it always is.Life is not a game to be won or lost. It's a gift—a wondrous, heartbreaking, impossible, maddening gift. You can't beat it. You won't beat it. You can only live it. So cut yourself some slack. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, take a moment, then get back out there. Do your best with what you've got. It's all you can do. And I'm pretty sure it's all you need to build yourself a beautiful life.

On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: historical figures and the best type of bookmark Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: we boss two TBRs from our bookish friends The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  .  1:41 - Our Bookish Moments of the Week 7:59 - Current Reads 8:08 - Nim's Island by Wendy Orr (Kaytee) 9:41 - The Twits by Roald Dahl 9:41 - Matilda by Roald Dahl 9:42 - The BFG by Roald Dahl 11:05 - The Trial by Rob Render (Meredith, amazon link, or purchase the book from Waterstones where Meredith found it!) 12:25 - Waterstones UK 12:38 - Thirteen by Steve Cavanaugh 14:22 - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 14:59 - The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (Kaytee) 15:08 - Babel by R.F. Kuang 18:27 - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros  19:33 - Burn the Negative by Josh Winning (Meredith) 21:00 - An Unlikely Story  21:07 - Mister Magic by Kiersten White 24:24 - The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz (Kaytee) 27:53 - A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers 28:57 - Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (Meredith) 30:52 - The Novel Neighbor 33:22 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 35:10 - Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition of Starling House 36:25 - Deep Dive: Boss My TBR 36:38 - Currently Reading Patreon From Natasha J. 38:07 - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 38:11 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 38:14 - A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab 38:18 - A Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter 38:21 - The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty From Jennifer R. 41:49 - The Push by Ashley Audrain 41:52 - Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune 41:54 - The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz 41:57 - Scythe by Neal Shusterman 42:01 - The Yoga Store Murder by Dan Morse - 43:56 - Burn the Negative by Josh Winning 44:30 - The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune 47:19 - Meet Us At The Fountain 47:27 - I wish everyone would follow Mychal Threets on Instagram 47:43 - @mychal3ts 50:11 - Barnes & Noble Sets Itself Free article 50:16 - Barnes & Noble 50:52 - Daunt Books 53:25 - Bookshelf Thomasville Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the independent bookstore of the month. October's IPL is curated by The Novel Neighbor. Visit them on Instagram Trope Thursday with Kaytee and Bunmi - a behind the scenes peek into the publishing industry All Things Murderful - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the special insights of an independent bookseller The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

In this week's episode, Elle discusses Laurie Frankel's 2017 book "This Is How It Always Is", now in its second printing from Flatiron Books. The book is a novel about a family with a trans young person, and the trials and travails they all go through navigating a transphobic heterosexist cissexist world. In the episode, Elle discusses some of her reflections on the book, the points that resonate with her own experience and that of her clients. She also talks a little about the pressure that trans people face from cis people to fit into a box, any box whatsoever. The show also explores the experience of validation, and how our human need to feel un-alone may unwittingly press people to self-identify in ways that are ultimately not productive. Finally, she discusses the challenges of parenting; and the ways in which it often ends up being a repeated leap of faith. . As always, please reach out to the producer/director/host/editor/marketer of Transgender Woman Talking at twatpodcasting@gmail.com

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 254 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. Click here.    This week's segments included:   Off the Needles On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins From the Armchair Crafty Adventures Some Years Later In my Travels KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes On a Happy Note Quote of the Week   Thanks to Riley, our special guest co-host this week!   Off the Needles   Winter Mint Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022) You can see more of the December 2022 Winter Mint themed packaged in my Vlogmas 2022: Day 2 video Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue   Riley recently finished a knitted tote from the Rheinpack Tote pattern available on Ravelry.     On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial Hook: F (3.75 mm) Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn Ravelry Project Page I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post 4 rounds per hexagon. 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300 Twin sized blanket is 60x80 inches. 17x22 hexis- 374. Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop. Bought 2 grab bags of minis from Legacy Fiber Artz and some yarn from Knit Picks with a gift card I got for my birthday. Minis from CT Sheep & Wool and Maryland S&W Thanks Nicole (ndoyle) for the care package for Riley that included a Crumbl cookie cutter and minis for Riley to make more hexis out of. You can check out our Crumbl taste test in this video.   Purple Spring Spin Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk. Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S This means when I'm spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise. Ravelry Project Page About the Fluffypuf braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink I purchased 4 oz of 100% Rambouillet from Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks at CT Sheep & Wool. I split it in two. 2 oz already spun. I will plan to do a 3 ply   Shock Star Hat Yarn: Spun Right Round Squish DK in the Shock Star colorway Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm) Pattern: none Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: cream base with small bits of neons + black. 92 sts. 2x2 rib with the US 5 needles. Switched to US 7 needles after the brim. Planning on a slouchy hat   Silver Spoon Socks Yarn: A Whimsical Wood Yarn Company Pixie Toes Socks in the Silver Spoon Up My A$$ colorway Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: peaches and pinks with gray/taupe. At my gauge it is striping (~2 rounds per color). I purchased this yarn at Yarncentric event in Maryland. Progress: Almost done with the first leg.   Scrappy Helical Socks Yarn: various fingering scraps Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) Ravelry Project Page I tried to weave in ends as I went and I wasn't loving the look of it. My friend Nicki suggested Cate's Clasp Weft Join after starting new yarn. I thought of it but talked myself out of it, thinking it wouldn't work well. It totally does! Let me know if you'd like to see a tutorial on it. Progress: just finished heel on second sock   Ninja Turtle Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022. About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green Progress: Turned second heel   Riley is knitting on her Riley Rose Cowl (pattern by me, named for her) out of Goosey Fibers Yarn. You can get this pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts. She is also practicing working flat in double crochet using Knit Picks Brava yarn.   From the Armchair   Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link. This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.   Riley is re-reading The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.   Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.   Crafty adventures This weekend, I had my first go at needle felting. It was a lot of fun!   Some Years Later Me Made May has me wearing my handknits and posting on Instagram. Day 1: Yorkshire Meadow Shawl- details on my website. Day 2: Grace & Frankie Shawl-  Day 3: Tan House Brook Shawl Day 4: World of Difference Shawl Day 5: Boxing Day Bonus (me) + Jean Marie Shawl (Mom) Day 6: Mas Vida Shawl (Coming soon) Day 7: Deschain Tee by Leila Raven Day 8: Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter Day 10: Riley Rose Shawl Day 13: Amma Top  by Maria Valles (me) + Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs (Riley)   In My Travels Riley & I attended Connecticut Sheep & Wool. Check out our vlog video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel. Mom & I spent Thursday through Monday in Maryland, attending Yarncentrick on Friday & Maryland Sheep & Wool on Saturday. Stay tuned for a 2 part vlog series on my YouTube Channel   KAL News   Splash Pad Party Registration opened May 1st. Sign up using this Google Form. To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here. The 8th Annual Splash Pad Party opens on Friday May 26th and runs through July 31st. Virtual Events to open the Splash Pad will be Friday 5/26 & Saturday 5/27. Check out this link for details. All times are in Eastern Time. Check out the Sponsor list here.     Events   Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)   Contest, News & Notes   My new shawl pattern, the Mas Vida Shawl is coming soon!!   Mas Vida is a simple sideways shawl that is written for 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn but can be knit up in any yarn you choose. There isn't a single purl in the project, and the eyelets are easy to work. Many of you will only need to reference the pattern occasionally once you understand the basic increases and increase repeats. I designed this to take along on a European vacation. I wanted something with a bit of interest, but that wouldn't be too large, wouldn't require too much brain space and that wouldn't work up too quickly (as smaller travel projects tend to do). - Note - This pattern has already been Tech Edited & Test Knit, so it should be smooth sailing!   On a Happy Note I went to see Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan with Megg, Tom & Matt. Seeing my 11 year old niece perform in Matilda. Zach's 1st birthday dinner. Riley got 2 awards in her last dance competition of the season!   Quote of the Week Do not look back. And do not dream about the future, either...Your duty, your reward—your destiny—are here and now.   –DAG HAMMARSKJOLD   ------ Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information: Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon! Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Instagram: BostonJen1 YouTube: Down Cellar Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel Knit Picks Affiliate Link Bookshop Affiliate Link Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/ Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.  

On this week's Roundabout Roundup, It's Terri's turn for an Instagram Minute: She's passing along a recommendation from her ENT (hi, Dr. Lee from Summit Health) for The Dumb Dads on Instagram. Nicole is taking manicures into her own hands with a gel nail polish kit, and Catherine suggests a book called This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.​Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music, which you hear on every episode.

This week Thomas, Chris, and Dusty discuss the book This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel and then Vice President Joe Biden declaring his support for Same Sex Marriage in 2015.

Be sure to connect and follow Aimee on Twitter - @princiPAL99 And here are all the books we talked about today! Aimee - No Ego, Dare To Lead, Atlas of the Heart, Going There, Greenlights, Promised Land, This Is How It Always Is, Crucial Conversations Adam - The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The War That Saved My Life, The War I Finally Won, Moneyball, Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man, What Great Principals Do Differently Book Adam for your next event! mradamwelcome.com/speaking Adam's Books: Kids Deserve It - amzn.to/3fGX6O5 Run Like a Pirate - amzn.to/3AkfK7K Teachers Deserve It - amzn.to/3AknWoq Empower Our Girls - amzn.to/3qLyyd1 Social Media: @mradawelcome

On this week's episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: an ASMR playlist + supporting indie bookstores Current Reads: climate fiction, romance, non-fiction, and murder Deep Dive: the books that we want to see on the large or small screen Book Presses: another cinematic pick and a quick option for non-fiction November As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!  New: we are now including transcripts of the episode (this link only works on the main site). These are generated by AI, so they may not be perfectly accurate, but we want to increase accessibility for our fans! *Please note that all book titles linked below are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*   . . . . 0:10 Bite Size Intro 2:18 - Your homework: Record a voice memo on your phone. Make sure your voice memo includes: your name, your location, the name of the indie bookstore you are referencing with its location, a book that was hand sold to you (either by the seller or a shelf talker, etc.) with the title and author, and all the reasons why you love the book and the bookstore!  Deadline -- DECEMBER 1 4:57 Bookish Moment of the Week 6:01 - Currently Reading Patreon 8:13 - The Worm bookstore in Sedona  11:52 Current Reads: 12:05 - Fabled Bookshop 12:18 - L.A. Weather by Maria Amparo Escandon (Meredith) 15:10 - The Dutch House by Ann Patchett 16:44 - Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell 17:18 - Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore (Kaytee) 17:37 - Season 3: Episode 33 of Currently Reading 22:02 - Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi (Meredith) 25:37 - Fast Pitch by Nic Stone (Kaytee) 26:52 - Clean Getaway by Nic Stone 28:25 - Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier (Meredith) 33:22 - No Bad Deed by Heather Chavez 33:23 - The Whisper Man by Alex North   33:33 - Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell (Kaytee) 33:57 - Feminist Book Club Subscription Box 37:41 Deep Dive - Cinematic Books We Want To See On the Screen 39:28 - Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant  40:24 - Scythe by Neal Shusterman 40:54 - Lobizona by Romina Garber Russell 40:59 - Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse 41:06 - The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune 41:41 - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 42:43 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer 43:34 - The Troop by Nick Cutter 43:40 - Lord of the Flies by William Golding 44:44 - Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven 44:21 - Devolution by Max Brooks 44:54 - Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano 45:21 - The One by John Marrs 45:27 - The Passengers by John Marrs 45:40 - One Two Three by Laurie Frankel 45:45 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 46:28 - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave 46:32 - Falling by T.J. Newman 46:40 - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 46:49 - Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend 47:06 - Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston 47:16 - Books We Want to Press Into Your Hands: 47:38 - The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino (Meredith) 49:37 - Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson (Kaytee) 50:37 - Starstruck by Neil DeGrasse Tyson Connect With Us: Meredith is @meredith.reads on Instagram Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram Mindy is @gratefulforgrace on Instagram Mary is @maryreadsandsips on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast.com @currentlyreadingpodcast on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com Support us at patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast

1:27 Bookish Moment of the Week 1:46 - Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent  1:52 - Bookends bookshop in Pagosa Springs Colorado 2:46 - All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle 4:05 - The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand 4:42 - My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton 4:43 - My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton 4:57 - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 5:19 - Marley by Jon Clinch 6:06 Current Reads: 6:12 - God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney (Kaytee) 6:32 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 9:43 - A Glimmer of Death by Valerie Wilson Wesley (Meredith) 9:52 - Book Drop subscription 13:32 - Let's Tell This Story Properly by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Kaytee) Note: In the UK, this collection is published as Manchester Happened 14:23 - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 16:10 - Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson (Meredith) 16:23 - White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson 16:36 - Novel Neighbor bookshop 22:03 - Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Kaytee) 23:23 - Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse 24:22 - Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake (Meredith) 25:55 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 25:56 - The Selection by Kiera Cass 25:58 - Furyborn by Claire Legrand 28:24 - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas  30:32 Deep Dive - What Makes a Good Book Club Book? 33:58 - Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam 34:42 - Bookend Homeschoolers Season 2: Episode 13 36:20 - A Good Neighborhood by Therese Ann Fowler 36:50 - Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan 38:12 - How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith 39:02 - The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix 40:49 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 41:45 - The Push by Ashley Audrain 41:48 - The Need by Helen Phillips 42:53 - Roar by Ceclia Ahern 43:15 - The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor 43:45 - You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld 44:43 - Books We Want to Press Into Your Hands: 45:05 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Kaytee) 47:26 - The Power by Naomi Alderman (Meredith) 49:20 - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

In this episode, Croatian bookstagrammer Ivana Bres Murk bring us "This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel. This book is a beautiful exploration in raising of a gender nonconforming child. It is sweet, poignant, charming, and at times heartbreaking. It is without question, a book that should be read and discussed globally. Our discussion in this episode centers on opening our minds to people and experiences that are different from our own. Acceptance, kindness, and willingness to discuss taboo topics make us better humans.Follow Ivana on IG: @books.with. tutus_and_sons

On this week’s episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: a warm, cozy glow and library lack Current Reads: no children were harmed in the selection of these books Deep Dive: it was a surprise! We are talking about hating a book your friend loves Book Presses: a middle grade March press and another book where scary things happen As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you’d like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don’t scroll down!  New: we are now including transcripts of the episode (to use this link you need to go to the main site). These are generated by AI, so they may not be perfectly accurate, but we want to increase accessibility for our fans! *Please note that all book titles linked below are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*   . . . . Bookish Moments: 1:34 - Become a Bookish Friend  1:54 - Fabled Bookshop 4:59 - Sorta Awesome Show 5:03 - Battery operated candles Current Reads: 8:46 - Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas (Kaytee) 8:57 - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas  11:43 - The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill (Meredith) 11:54 - The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill  15:39 - The Honest Enneagram: Know Your Type, Own Your Challenges, Embrace Your Growth by Sarajane Case (Kaytee) 15:46 - Sarajane Case on Instagram 16:13 - Libro.fm Audiobook Listening Copy Program 17:16 - Episode with Gretchen Rubin 18:40 - The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin (Meredith) 20:27 - The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin 23:21 - Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (Kaytee) 24:56 - Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix 26:16 - The Push by Audrey Audrain (Meredith) 26:25 - Sarah’s Bookshelves Live interview with Audrey Audrain Deep Dive - When You Hate A Book Your Friend Loves: 33:08 - The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbie Waxman 37:48 - Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell 38:36 - A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving 39:57 - The Guest List by Lucy Foley 42:36 - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 42:51 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling 43:04 - Greenwood by Michael  43:05 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kimmerer 43:32 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 43:57 - El Deafo by CeCe Bell 44:28 - Shadow of the Wind by Carl Ruiz Zafon 44:56 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Books We Want to Press Into Your Hands: 45:58 - Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (Kaytee) 48:05 - Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips (Meredith) Connect With Us: Meredith is @meredith.reads on Instagram Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram Mindy is @gratefulforgrace on Instagram Mary is @maryreadsandsips on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast.com @currentlyreadingpodcast on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com Support us at patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast

In this week’s episode: John gets a kick out of a character from the past, Mary gets a scare from a character in the neighborhood and we hope you enjoy our discussion of Hope!What’s getting us through the week:1. This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (available at your local bookstore)2. Grand Designs (available on Netflix)Suggested music pairings for this week’s topic:1. DMX “The Rain”2. Elton John “I’m Still Standing”Follow the Podcast Playlist on Spotify:Relevant Revelry https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ewq5QLKkPLH29S5GFR2xN?si=PvQXcUjXRCKlfi2kiZPX5gContact us with your comments or suggestions at: IrrelevantRevelationsPod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: @irrelevantrevelationspodLove each other. Love yourself.

Show Notes:Intro - On the Needles - Dami - ~NoneC.C. -~Surprise Socks for Rebecca on US1.5 (2.5mm), Pandia's Jewels Hand Dyed Yarn Super Sparkle in the Electric Pink colourwayProject bag from Nerd Bird Makery & Stitch Marker from Tilting Planet~Happy 7th Birthday Waylon! Slippers on US7 (4.5mm), Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted in the Caution, Tranquil, & Orange colourwaysProject bag from Lizzie Bags & Stitch Marker from Tilting PlanetFinished Projects - Dami - ~NoneC.C. -~Happy 9th Birthday Wyatt! Slippers on US7 (4.5mm), Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted in the Everglade Heather, Semolina, & Orange colourwaysProject bag from Lizzie Bags & Stitch Marker from Tilting Planet~2020 Preemie Hat #27 & #28 on US6 (4mm), Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted in the Everglade Heather, Peapod, Semolina, & Creme Brulee colourwaysStash Dash ~ 1,714m / 1,500mFlosstube - Begins at timestamp 16:26Dami - ~Rose bookmarkProject bag by Fat Cat CreatesNeedle Minder from SewHappyMailBristolSnipattie from cattycrosstitchesC.C. - ~My Christmas List by Silver Creek SamplersProject Bag from The 805 StitcherSnipattie from cattycrosstitches~Pusheen #3Notions Pouch by Purlgurl Buttons~Cats and Mandalas - February by Kitty and Me DesignsProject bag from Stitch ToolboxSnipattie from cattycrosstitchesNeedle Minder from Gecko RougeStash Dash ~ 6,569 / 13,000 sts~Edinburgh Castle by Terra Luna StitcheryNeedle Minder from TopKnotStitcherProject Bag from KnitRunDigGrime Guard from Crab Shack StitcherySnipattie from cattycrosstitchesUsing Pattern Keeper software on Kindle Fire 717,600 / 265,824 sts complete6.621% complete3 / 60 pages completeStash Dash ~ 10,200 / 18,000 sts~Semi-Sane StitchersYummies (our current favourite things) - ~Art print - Eowyn~Pride Face Masks~Library Fundraiser Shirt~Grazing Hills Fiber FestBag from bagabondDryer balls from Cedar Creek AlpacasBowl from Grammys Quilt ShopFace masks~GGK Crafty Photo A Day Challenge - #GGKCraftyPAD - details for July hereWhat We're Watching, Reading, + Listening To - Please be aware that we do discuss recent tv show episodes that have aired in the last week or so. This is your spoiler warning!Episode 404 Bookshop List~So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Dami is reading~The Glass Scientists (webcomic) by Sabrina Cotungo - Dami is readingJuly / August / September 2020 RAL - 15 minutes of reading daily challenge* 88-92 of 92 days - 1 or more giveaways for eBook, everyone gets $1.20 off any single pattern coupon code & 88+ days RAL virtual badge * 61-87 of 92 days - 1 or more giveaways for single pattern, everyone gets 61+ days RAL virtual badge* #GGKRAL202020 RAL Yearlong Challenge~July / August / September* 92 days - 10 entries* 88-91 days - 8 entries* 61-87 days - 5 entries~October / November / December* 92 days - 10 entries* 88-91 days - 8 entries* 61-87 days - 5 entries~Read All 366 days - 10 bonus entries~Complete the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge - 12 bonus entries [all or none] (we'll open a thread for you to post this in December 2020)~3 grand prize winners drawn from all the entries~Untamed by Glennon Doyle - C.C. finished reading & is rereading~More Myself: A Journey by Alicia Keys - C.C. is reading~Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5) - C.C. is rereading with Harry Potter & the Sacred Text podcast & Swish and Flick: An All Potter Podcast~The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert - C.C. finished reading~Lucy Kincaid Series by Allison Brennan - C.C. finished reading Book 6~The Light at the Bottom of the World (Light the Abyss #1) by London Shah - C.C. finished reading~This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel - C.C. finished reading~The Guild Codex: Spellbound Series by Annette Marie - C.C. finished reading Book 2~We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry - C.C. is reading~Movies - Hamilton | Independence Day~Paradox - finished watching mini-series~Zoo - finished watching Season 1 & watching Season 2 ~Warehouse 13 - finished rewatching Season 1 & rewatching Season 2~Psych - rewatching Season 2~Cabin Fever~The 100 - watching Season 7~Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - watching Season 7~Blindspot - watching Season 5~Good Witch - Season 6 finale~My Favourite Murder podcast~Unlocking Us With Brené Brown~Evolving Faith podcast~Cabin Pressure~Random Spotify PlaylistsJune / July / August Summertime & the Living is Easy AL -*Runs from 1-June through 31-August*Details - any project you knit/crochet/weave/spin/stitch/sew that you can convince us relates to summertime*No WIPS - Your project must be begun no earlier than 1-June and finished no later than 31-August*Each project that you knit/crochet/weave/spin must be at least 20yds/18.3m that you finish and post in the Ravelry FO Thread counts as 1 entry into the giveaways. If your project is not at least 20yds/18.3m, you need to group it in a single post with other projects that together total at least 20yds/18.3m. For stitching/sewing projects, we’ll leave it to your best judgment. If you wanted our official ruling, PM PM JavaPurl or Email us at ggkcspodcast@gmail.com*Feel free to poly-dip in other ALs as long as it fits in with other rules (including the great podcaster craft together)*Prizes: If you’d like to donate one, PM PM JavaPurl or Email us at gggkcspodcast@gmail.comHilde’s Strawberry Patch pattern by Bendy Stitchy Designs from Tyra (ravendiva)La Brebis Light Alpaca in the Dogwood Berry colourway - 2 skeins - 2 winners will each win 1 skeinKlart “I’m Flying” Cross Stitch Kit from Lori (Lavisa)Berroco Local Yarn Store Day 2019 Pattern BookletUru.Yarn by KnitCrate Silk DK in the Enlightened colourway - 2 skeins - 2 winners will each win 1 skeinModa Dea Sassy Stripes DK in the Stormy colourway - 2 skeins from Tricia (pazscott) - 1 winner will win both skeins*Must be a member of the our Ravelry group ~ GGKCS Podcast / FlossTube to participate*Social Media Hashtag: #GGKCSSummertime20*Thread will be locked the morning of 1-September and winner(s) drawn on the next podcast following that*For any and all giveaways, prizes, competitions, ALs, etc. that we host, the winner(s) have 30 days from the date of announcement (the date the podcast episode in which the winner was announced goes live) to contact us to claim their prize or it will be forfeited. If this occurs, the prize will be used for another giveaway at our discretion. Thanks for understanding!*There is a Chatter Thread on Ravelry so we can encourage each other along the way.Ask the Geeks - Celeste (celeste) from Minnesota asks:I envision your knitting/cross stitch/bookstore/coffeeshop being in a lovely setting with two tiny houses in the background for CC and Dr Hubs; and another for Dami (and family perhaps). What do y’all think about that? If you would love that idea, what would each of your spaces look like (have either of you fallen down that rabbit hole). For some reason when you talked about the rolling ladder at the bookstore it made me think of you getting to use that in your tiny home (also tiny homes do have the option for a downstairs bedroom). Also what would the outdoor space surrounding your homes and businesses look like in this scenario? Would you consider having space for additional tiny homes (van living, etc for your business workers, or just cool people who need a place to dock?) ?Misc. - ~Support the Podcast, Become A Patron~Want another way to help support our podcast? Throughout our website, links to books, tv shows, movies, etc. are Amazon Affiliate Links. We receive a portion of what you spend when you click through our website to shop on Amazon. What we receive helps us with the costs associated with producing this podcast as well as with prizes & shipping for giveaways. Thanks in advance for your support!If you are in the UK, please click this link, Amazon.co.uk, or the banner below to shop:If you are in Canada, please click this link, Amazon.ca or the banner below to shop:~For any and all giveaways, prizes, competitions, ALs, etc. that we host, the winner(s) have 30 days from the date of announcement (the date the podcast episode in which the winner was announced goes live) to contact us to claim their prize or it will be forfeited. If this occurs, the prize will be used for another giveaway at our discretion. Thanks for understanding!Find Us Online -C.C. -~ on Ravelry as JavaPurl~ on Fitbit as user 2F8K2V~ on Instagram as cc_almonDami - ~ on Ravelry as damisdoodles~ on Fitbit as user 2Y8TJC~ on Instagram as damisdoodlesPink Purl - ~on Instagram as pinkpurlalmonJavaPurl Designs~ C.C.'s Knitting Designs on Ravelry~ Dami's Knitting Designs on Ravelry~ JavaPurl Designs websiteGGKCS -~ our Ravelry group ~ GGKCS Podcast / FlossTube~ our Facebook page~ email us: ggkcspodcast@gmail.com~ on Apple Podcasts~ on YouTube~ Support the Podcast, Become a PatronUntil next time,

This month we have a special guest joining us to talk about all the great LGBTQ titles that have recently been published.  Join Amie, Tami and Taryn (Tami's daughter) as we discuss four great reads, The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel, Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett, and How to Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.  We'll also give lots of great LGBTQ recommendations.  

Ken chats with Darryl Uy, director of admission at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. In the episode Darryl illustrates the joys and advantages of being the director instead of the VP or dean, and how majoring in theater is the perfect prep for being an admission director.Rapid DescentWalkout song: Don't Give Up on Me by Andy Grammer and Broken & Beautiful by Kelly ClarksonBest recent read: The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman Eager to read next: This Is How It Always Is by Laurie FrankelFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Making room for his husband to make the best chicken and eggplant parmigiana in the world.What he uses to take and keep notes: If I'm out and about, Notes app on my phone, otherwise Google Docs. And there's a fountain pen he got from his parents for graduation that needs an ink refill.Memorable bit of advice: "Be proud of who you are. Be proud of where you came from. And always give people the respect they deserve by learning how to pronounce their name correctly."Bucket list: See every movie that has been nominated or has won the Oscar for Best Picture. He's done everything from the present back to 1989.Bonus rapid descent items (movie recommendations): Saving Face and The Half of It by Alice Wu

Julie Goler is a leading book group facilitator in Los Angeles and an educator of nearly three decades, in which capacity she designed and spearheads the common book program called The Hero Project for Beverly Hills Unified School District. She sits down with Ben to talk about how she structures book club meetings to build a sense of community (18:11), her suggestions for starting a book club that will last (33:25), how she fosters a love of reading in her students (37:16), and more! Current curiosities: Ben: Speed-reading Julie: Lena Waithe Books referenced in this episode (in order of mention): A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens; Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; Born a Crime by Trevor Noah; Know My Name by Chanel Miller, She Said by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey; Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout; A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara; Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon; This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Follow us! Julie Goler: http://juliesbookgroups.com/ ( http://juliesbookgroups.com/ ) How Do You Do? Podcast: @hdydpod ( https://www.instagram.com/hdydpod/ ) Ben: @benhannani ( https://www.instagram.com/benhannani/ ) Website: www.hdydpod.com ( https://www.hdydpod.com/ ) Our guests' jams can be found on the "HDYD Jams" playlist ( https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tBdUz3kXb1T5im2CzSBUV?si=PeSgvpujSZi5b1O_By7C_g ) on Spotify!

Kaytee and Meredith are back in your earbuds with strong opinions and bookish concoctions! You’ll hear a “bookish moment of the week” from each host, and we are TEASES this week. We both have books that we cannot wait to talk about… but we’re not telling you what they are! Next, we’ll remind you about our Bookshelf Thomasville coupon code for you: CURRENTLYLOVING will get you 10% off from our friends over there through the month of August! You’ve got just a few days left before this code expires, so get on it! Moving forward, we discuss our current reads for the week. We are mostly GLOWING about our books this week, and we have lots of words about each of them. We’ve got an update for you on our Slow But Steady reads as well, and we’ve loved having you chime in for what you’re reading for this challenge. Today, we’re also rethinking what Slow But Steady means in terms of content. For our deep dive, we are discussing book clubs. All the different kinds of book clubs there are. How we feel about them personally. What we enjoy about the idea of book clubs. And some other weird tangents. What are your thoughts on book clubs? Finally, this week, we finish the episode by Bellying Up to the Book Bar! Our drinking buddy this week is Angie Dawson, and we have LOTS of titles to throw her way. The show notes for this episode are bananas, friends. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you’d like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don’t scroll down!  . . . . . 5:39 - Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl 5:56 - Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl 9:50 - The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen Flynn 10:02 - Want to get in on the Patron action? Patreon! 15:04 - The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames 20:34 - The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker 20:39 - Reese Witherspoon Book Club 24:18 - The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan 24:36 - The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan 29:35 - Lock Every Door by Riley Sager 29:44 - Final Girls by Riley Sager 34:29 - Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry 35:03 - North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell 35:16 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 36:04 - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 36:05 - The Stand by Stephen King 36:20 - 11/22/63 by Stephen King 36:27 - War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells 36:49 - The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor 37:32 - Les Miserables by Victor Hugo 37:36 - War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 37:42 - Stamped From the Beginning: A Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibraham Kendi 38:33 - Middlemarch by George Eliot 38:36 - The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5) by Diana Gabaldon 40:35 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 43:13 - Silent Book Club 45:04 - Episode 14 with Amy Allen Clark 45:48 - Have opinions about a CR buddy read? Join the Patreon 47:19 - Us Against You by Fredrick Backman 47:33 - Red Rising by Pierce Brown 47:37 - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 47:39 - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 47:46 - Twilight by Stephanie Meyer 47:58 - Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 48:08 - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys 48:10 - Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah 48:23 - The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan 48:24 - The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang 48:25 - The Bride Test by Helen Hoang 48:26 - The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 48:27 - Joshilyn Jackson Books 48:38 - The Line That Held Us by David Joy 48:39 - The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir 48:41 - A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams 48:46 - We Were Liars by E. Lockhart 49:02 - Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert 49:03 - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 49:05 - The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 49:37 -This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 50:19 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman 50:54 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer 51:07 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 51:35 - The Paper Magician (series) by Charlie Holmberg 52:01 - The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen Flynn 52:09 - Scythe by Neal Schusterman 53:00 - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant 53:52 - A Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner 53:57 - The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor 54:05 - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 54:17 - Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly 54:18 - Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly 55:02 - Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston 55:17 - The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai 55:23 - Christina Lauren books 55:37 - Jasmine Guillory books 56:05 - Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson 56:30 - The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare 57:23 - Want some extra Belly Up to the Book Bar? Patreon! *Please note that all book titles linked above are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*  

Journalist Angela Garbes joins us to discuss her book Like A Mother: A Feminist Journey Through The Science And Culture Of Pregnancy. Then we chat with Laurie Frankel, author of This Is How It Always Is, Like Frankel, the mother in her novel is the supportive parent of a transgender child. Finally, we talk about some of our favorite fictional families and share some suggested reads.

In Episode 6, Tara from the blog Running N Reading and I talk about Tara’s job as a clinical chaplain, finding the right listening material for long runs, and a bit about The Bachelor…plus, book recommendations! Contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Tara’s job as a clinical chaplain influences what she reads. Her listening content of choice for long runs. Our issues with listening to fiction on audio while exercising. Tara’s Go-To Nonfiction Audiobooks to listen to while running. Tara’s simple method for deciding when to DNF a book. And, a bit of The Bachelor talk. Tara’s Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves Still Life by Louise Penny | Buy from Amazon [14:43] The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach | Buy from Amazon [16:36] Two NEW Books She Loves Our Homesick Songsby Emma Hooper | Buy from Amazon [19:11] The Deeper the Water the Uglier the Fish by Katya Apekina | Buy from Amazon [22:33] One Book She Didn’t Love Tin Man by Sarah Winman | Buy from Amazon [24:56] One Upcoming Release She’s Excited About Lost and Wanted by Nell Freudenberger (Release Date: April 2, 2019) | Buy from Amazon[27:01] Other Books Mentioned When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi | Buy from Amazon [5:19] Being Mortal by Atul Gawande | Buy from Amazon [5:45] Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler | Buy from Amazon [5:56] Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [6:52] Wild by Cheryl Strayed | Buy from Amazon [13:10] Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed | Buy from Amazon [13:26] Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [13:45] North by Scott Jurek | Buy from Amazon [13:48] Beartown by Fredrik Backman (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [16:53] The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [17:23] Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger | Buy from Amazon [18:53] This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [21:14] Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett | Buy from Amazon [24:16] Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee | Buy from Amazon [24:27] The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger | Buy from Amazon [24:27] The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [30:42] The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [30:42] Other Links Kate Bowler’s blog Author Anne Lamott People Magazine Books Amazon Best Books of the Month Oiselle (running apparel company) Author Brene Brown The Book on Publishing (Vanity Fair article about The Art of Fielding) The Bookshelf (Thomasville, GA) Shelf Subscription About Tara Blog | Instagram | Twitter  When she’s not working as a hospital chaplain, Tara is usually outside running, often with an audiobook, or reading with two dogs curled around her lap. Her favorite reads are usually literary fiction but she also enjoys engaging thrillers and nonfiction, with a few historical fiction and YA titles thrown in for an occasional break.  Support the Podcast Share - If you like the podcast, I’d love for you to share it with your reader friends…in real life and on social media (there’s easy share buttons at the bottom of this post!). Subscribe...wherever you listen to podcasts, so new episodes will appear in your feed as soon as they’re released. Rate and Review - Search for “Sarah’s Book Shelves” in Apple Podcasts…or wherever you listen to podcasts! Feedback - I want this podcast to fit what you’re looking for, so I truly do want your feedback! Please tell me (email me at sarahsbookshelves@gmail.com or DM me on social media) what you like, don’t like, want more of, want less of, etc. I’d also love to hear topics you’d like me to cover and guests you’d like to hear from.

Meredith is on a leadership retreat this week, so Kaytee is joined by her friend Morgan Tallman to chat books this week. You’ll hear a “bookish moment of the week” from each host: busting out of a reading slump (and some tips), and a bookish resolution from a young family member. Next, we discuss what we are currently reading, and this week includes some fantasy, a funny thriller (is that a thing?), and a few non-fiction picks. This week’s deep dive is a conversation with Morgan about re-reading. Since Meredith and Kaytee rarely re-read, we are chatting with someone who really loves to re-read books about what she gets from those re-reads. Morgan talks about the books she loves re-reading as well as the frequency of her re-reads. As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we’d like to press into every reader’s hands: a book to add depth to your Harry Potter love, and a sweeping historical novel with trigger warnings. As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you’d like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don’t scroll down!  .  .  .  .  .  3:04 - Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate 3:09 - The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 3:49 - Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 3:58 - Uprooted by Naomi Novik 6:48 - My Sister The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite 9:13 - Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 10:12 - Stardust by Neil Gaiman 10:13 - The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman 10:29 - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 10:31 - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman 11:24 - The Eternal Current by Aaron Niequist 13:44 - Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes 15:02 - By the Book Podcast 16:32 - Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns 17:33 - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 20:43 - Harry Potter Series 22:26 - Morgan counted up last year’s re-reads for me and found that she had had 55 re-reads of the 232 books she read in 2018 (including 3 re-reads of the Harry Potter series). 23:38 - Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank 23:44 - Books by Brene Brown 23:51 - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 24:26 - This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel 24:32 - Louise Penny Inspector Gamache Series 28:43 - Snape: A Definitive Reading by Lorrie Kim 34:48 - The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah 34:59 - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah *Please note that all book titles linked above are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*  

We take a look back at our reading life in 2018: our challenges, our wins, and our favorite books of the year. We’d love to hear your favorite books of the year!FictionSarah: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesAbby: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and This Is How It Always Is by Laurie FrankelNon-fictionSarah: Louise Penny’s Gamache series, Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Outdoor Design by Charles Montgomery and Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew DesmondAbby: Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of PregnancyMost enjoyableSarah: Crazy Rich Asians trilogy and From Twinkle With Love by Sandhya MenonThe Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang and Hamilton’s Battalion: A Trio of Romances by Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan, and Alyssa ColeMemoirSarah: Educated by Tara Westover, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown, and When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrice Khan-CullorsAbby: We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True by Gabrielle Union and Everything Happens For a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate BowlerOnes that missed the mark for usSarah: Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and the Darker Shade of Magic series by V. E. SchwabAbby: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John BoyneLooking forward to in 2019Sarah: Re-reading Harry PotterAbby: Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny, Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Too by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, and Simplicity Parenting by Kim John PayneLife latelySarah reports back on her cold weather camping adventure.Abby got to see Hamilton!Reading latelySarah read There, There by Tommy Orange and Abby read the follow-up to the All Souls Triology: Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness.Eating latelyAbby made a shepherd’s pie with her Thanksgiving leftovers.Sarah made these brownies after a cookie dough disaster.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In her new novel This is How it Always is (Flatiron Books, 2017), Laurie Frankel tells the story of the Walsh-Adams family and how they grapple with the youngest child, the fifth son, who announces at age three that he wants to be a girl. While his four older brothers revel in typical boy behavior, Claude, who decides her name is now Poppy, wears dresses and purses to school. Local homophobia pushes the Walsh-Adams family to leave their big old farmhouse in Madison, Wi. for a smaller home in Seattle. There, they decide to keep Poppy’s trans status a family secret. When Poppy is outed, her mother takes leave from her job and travels across the world to help her daughter figure out who she wants to be. Laurie Frankel is the author of the novels This Is How It Always Is, The Atlas of Love, and Goodbye for Now. She lives in Seattle with her family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her new novel This is How it Always is (Flatiron Books, 2017), Laurie Frankel tells the story of the Walsh-Adams family and how they grapple with the youngest child, the fifth son, who announces at age three that he wants to be a girl. While his four older brothers revel in typical boy behavior, Claude, who decides her name is now Poppy, wears dresses and purses to school. Local homophobia pushes the Walsh-Adams family to leave their big old farmhouse in Madison, Wi. for a smaller home in Seattle. There, they decide to keep Poppy’s trans status a family secret. When Poppy is outed, her mother takes leave from her job and travels across the world to help her daughter figure out who she wants to be. Laurie Frankel is the author of the novels This Is How It Always Is, The Atlas of Love, and Goodbye for Now. She lives in Seattle with her family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our fall book club we are discussing Laurie Frankel's novel This Is How It Always Is. In the book, parents Rosie and Penn, and their family of five children, must come to terms with the true identity of the youngest boy, Claude, who wants to be a girl. During the episode we also mention a book we discussed previously, The Heart's Invisible Furies.Connect with us on Instagram / @higirlsnextdoor and on Facebook.Sign up for our monthly newsletter and see show notes on our website: girlnextdoorpodcast.comWe love to get your emails: higirlsnextdoor@gmail.comYour reviews on Apple Podcasts make us smile - thank you! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode is sponsored by Epic! a digital subscription library for kids in preschool through age 12 that we both enjoyed using with our kids. Listeners can get a two month trial of Epic! for free by visiting www.getepic.com and using the promo code NEIGHBOR.We want to make sure you know that our next book club book will be This Is How It Always Is so grab a copy and join us for the next Girl Next Door Book Club in November!We chat all about those indispensable and distracting devices that we all now carry around: our phones! We wax nostalgically about the phones of our past and what we thought about texting when it first appeared. Then we talk about how we use our phones today and how healthy our habits are around phone use. Plus we share our favorite apps and the apps we wish someone would invent.Things we mention on the show:Society6 and Kelsey's wood grain phone caseThe joy of missing outA Beautiful Mess, Canva, and VSCO photo editing appsMy Fitness PalPocketcast podcast appGoogle KeepPepperplateT. Alan Wood Designs and the desk Kelsey bought (customized to be standing height) Connect with us on Instagram / @higirlsnextdoor and on Facebook.Sign up for our monthly newsletter and see show notes on our website: girlnextdoorpodcast.comWe love to get your emails: higirlsnextdoor@gmail.comYour reviews on Apple Podcasts really help the show - thank you so much! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There's a lot happening in the news lately, and it's hard to know where to turn sometimes when it seems like everyone has hard opinions and no one wants to give. We like being a cozy place for you, but that's honestly kind of difficult sometimes, especially when we're passionate about something. This week, Chris and Annie talk about that difficulty. Also, check your tire pressure. Mentioned this week: + This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel + We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin + Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty + Dumplin' by Julie Murphy + The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak + The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood + Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg + If I Lean In, Will Men Just Look Down My Blouse by Gina Barreca + You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein + Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit + Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay + Difficult Women by Roxane Gay + Shrill by Lindy West + This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins (on sale January 30) + Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer (on sale February 8) + Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo + Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

As he prepares to follow up his novels A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME and THIS DARK ROAD TO MERCY, Wiley Cash tells James how touring, independent booksellers, and sales reps worked together to make him a success. They talk about Southern fiction, writing about place, and the subject of his next book, due out Fall 2017. Then, past guests give recommendations for 2016.     Wiley and James discuss: The Odyssey Bookshop BEAUTIFUL RUINS by Jess Walter  BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK by Ben Fountain  BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH CHE GUEVARA by Ben Fountain  Thomas Wolfe  Charles Chesnutt  Nat Sobel (agent)  CRAB ORCHARD REVIEW  ELLEN FOSTER by Kaye Gibbons  TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee  I AM ONE OF YOU FOREVER by Fred Chappell  Ernest Gaines  Clyde Edgerton  Jill McCorkle  Woody Guthrie  Ella May Wiggins  Pete Seeger  James Fenimore Cooper  Frank Norris  - Sarah Domet Recommends:  SHOUTING WON'T HELP by Katherine Bouton  THE NIX by Nathan Hill  THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS by Laurie Frankel  - Gabrielle Lucille Fuentes Recommends:  QUEEN OF THE NIGHT by Alexander Chee  HERE COMES THE SUN by Nicole Dennis-Benn  THE WINTERLINGS by Cristina Sanchez-Andrade  LAND OF LOVE AND RUINS by Oddny Eir  MARGARET THE FIRST by Danielle Dutton  -  Jesse Donaldson Recommends:  THE FAR EMPTY by J. Todd Scott BUTCHER'S CROSSING by John Williams LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry  HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi BORN TO RUN by Bruce Springsteen  THE GIFT by Lewis Hyde  - Howard Axelrod Recommends:  MOBY DICK by Herman Melville  THE WEST WING (tv show)  - Laura van den Berg Recommends:  WHAT IS YOURS IS NOT YOURS by Helen Oyeyemi  WE SHOW WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED by Clare Beams  THE UNFINISHED WORLD by Amber Sparks  - Mona Awad Recommends:  HAGSEED by Margaret Atwood  IN-BETWEEN DAYS by Teva Harrison  THE VEGETARIAN by Han Kang  - Daniel Torday Recommends:  Rebecca Curtis's short stories including "The Christmas Miracle"  GET IN TROUBLE by Kelly Link  FOR THE TIME BEING by Annie Dillard  - http://tkpod.com / tkwithjs@gmail.com / Twitter: @JamesScottTK Instagram: tkwithjs / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tkwithjs/  

Laurie Frankel joins us via Skype from Seattle to discuss her work, her life, and her untold stories. Laurie is a writer, teacher and a parent. She’s on the board of Seattle7 Writers, a literary nonprofit based in the Pacific Northwest and her third novel THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS will be released by Flatiron Books next Winter. You may recognize the name of her second book, Goodbye For Now, which was released in May of 2013 and tells the story of love, loss, and dealing with grief in the digital age.  Produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices