Jane Austen's books are getting a new controversial modern makeover with the Penguin First Impression Editions, published under their Puffin imprint. These books are targeting a younger audience with modern, neon-colored covers of Jane Austen's major novels. The series features introductions by popular contemporary romance authors like Tessa Bailey, Krystal Marquis, and Ali Hazelwood. I share the pros and cons of this approach, discussing its potential to attract new readers while possibly alien...
Feb 10, 2025•9 min•Ep. 245
Today, my friends Francesca and Laura joined me in chatting about a wide range of topics. First, we announce our new weekly and bi-weekly showtimes for their live show and gossip sessions. Then we get into the controversy surrounding an author who left their ChatGPT prompt in their published book and all things AI in literature. We also discuss the TikTok ban and where book content creators and consumers might migrate next. We also shared what we're reading and watching, including The Real House...
Jan 31, 2025•46 min•Ep. 244
Looking for the perfect books to cozy up with this winter? In this episode, I’m sharing six standout new releases from my 2025 Winter Reading Guide, handpicked from the minimalist reading list. These selections span a range of genres, ensuring there’s something for every reader: Literary Fiction Historical Fiction Dystopian Fiction Family & Friendship Mystery & Thriller Romance Each book brings its own unique flair, from heartfelt love stories to gripping thrillers and thought-provoking ...
Jan 29, 2025•7 min•Ep. 243
It’s not too late to make your winter reading season magical! The 2025 Winter Reading Guide is here, and it’s brimming with bookish inspiration to keep you cozy. This guide features 24 standout new releases across seven categories, a minimalist reading list for those seeking simplicity, and a robust shortlist of 78 books with personalized recommendations to help you find your next favorite read. Whether you’re a minimalist reader, a voracious book lover, or somewhere in between, this guide has s...
Jan 27, 2025•7 min•Ep. 242
This story is as sweet as a warm batch of cookies fresh from the oven! In this episode, Eliza Evans joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, The Christmas Cookie Wars. We talk about her heartwarming story about a widowed mom, Melody, and her twin boys who try to keep their Christmas spirit alive through a school cookie contest. And how Melody's clash with the principal, Jonathan, adds a fun dynamic. We also talk about Eliza's inspiration from a real town's cookie festival, the importanc...
Nov 28, 2024•24 min•Ep. 241
Get all the nostalgia of a classic holiday romance with a heartfelt touch! In this episode, Jenny Bayliss joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, Kiss Me at Christmas. We talk about our protagonist, Harriet, an almost-empty-nester dealing with her daughter's extended holiday trip, a drunken one-night stand, and a rundown theater where she organizes a Christmas play with her students to appease a clever theater owner. Bayliss shares insights into her characters, the inspiration behind h...
Nov 25, 2024•22 min•Ep. 240
For anyone longing for a sense of home or wanting to be reminded, this story feels like coming in from the cold to a place that feels just right. In this episode, Taylor Hahn joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, A Home for the Holidays. Taylor shares more about the book's premise, which involves a wedding singer named Mel dealing with her mother's unexpected death before Christmas and uncovering past secrets. The conversation covers grief, complicated mother-daughter relationships, ...
Nov 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 239
For those drawn to mysteries with a hint of nostalgia! In the novel, we meet Alfred Smettle and his old college friends, who gather in his Hitchcock-themed hotel to resolve past conflicts. Stephanie shares how each character was developed based on one of the Seven Deadly Sins and how psychological thriller elements merge with a classic murder mystery to keep readers engaged. Stephanie also touches upon her previous novels, Darling Rose Gold and This Might Hurt , and hints at her next project. Th...
Nov 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 238
Escape into a fantasy that weaves together mystery, self-discovery, and the thrill of finding a place where you truly belong. In this episode, Alexis Henderson joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, An Academy for Liars. We talk about how the setting of Savannah, Georgia, influences the story, the complex character of Lennon, and her interactions with Dante. Alexis also shares insights on her previous books like 'House of Hunger' and 'The Year of Witching,' and discusses her love for ...
Nov 14, 2024•25 min•Ep. 237
This is for those days when you need a little magic to remind you of life’s joys! In this episode, Nadia El-Fassi joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, Best Hex Ever. Set in London, the story features Dina, a kitchen witch cursed to harm anyone who loves her, and Scott, a museum curator fresh off a breakup. They are thrown together as a bridesmaid and best man in the same wedding, leading to magical, romantic escapades. Nadia shares the inspiration behind the characters, her mixed he...
Nov 11, 2024•21 min•Ep. 236
Get wrapped up in the comfort of small-town charm with a touch of the supernatural. In this episode, C.M. Waggoner joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, The Village Library Demon Hunting Society. Caitlin shares her inspiration behind the novel, citing influences like 'Murder, She Wrote' during the pandemic. We talk about our protagonist, Sherry, her possessed cat, Lord Thomas Cromwell, and how her boyfriend's death propels her deeper into mystery-solving. Tune in for a fun, engaging ...
Nov 07, 2024•19 min•Ep. 235
What if you discovered you were a witch on your birthday? In this episode, Heather Akumiah joins me on the couch to talk about her new book Bad Witches. We discuss the novel's plot involving three black girls in New York who find out they're witches and that the witch universe is in crisis. Heather shares her inspiration behind the story and her journey from wanting to create a web series to writing a novel. They also touch on her favorite characters and what readers can expect. Tune in for an e...
Nov 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 234
When a reality TV homemaker over show meets ghost hunting and hauntings! In this episode, Sarah Pinsker joins me on the couch to talk about her new book, Haunt Sweet Home. Discover how she blends house makeovers and ghost hunting in this unique story, her thoughts on reality TV, and the inspiration behind her novel. If you're looking for a quick, atmospheric read for fall, this episode is a must-listen!
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 233
Nightmare of a Trip follows the Somerset family’s haunted road trip from Milwaukee to a theme park in Orlando. Maureen shares more about the book, and her own family road trips and all the enduring memories formed through such journeys. She also discusses her previous works, 'Suburban Hell' and 'Hex Education,' highlighting the mix of suburban life and supernatural elements.
Oct 29, 2024•22 min•Ep. 232
What do you do when the ghosts you're running from become your only hope? Del Sandeen joins me on the couch to discuss her debut novel, 'This Cursed House.' This Cursed House is set in the 1960s, and it follows Gemma Barker, a schoolteacher who moves to New Orleans for a fresh start. While there, she finds herself forced to confront her ability to see ghosts while helping a cursed family. We talk more about the book, while sharing insights on the importance of tackling difficult conversations ab...
Oct 17, 2024•22 min•Ep. 231
What happens when romance meets mortality in the most unexpected way? Ivy Fairbanks joins me on the couch to talk about her debut novel, 'Morbidly Yours.' Morbidly Yours tells the story of an unlikely friendship and romance between a bubbly Texan and a shy Irish mortician in Galway, Ireland, as they navigate personal struggles and challenges. In our conversation we talk about the novel and what readers can expect, Ivy’s inspiration from her own experiences with grief and interest in mortuary sci...
Oct 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 230
Send me a text message A Talent for Murder follows Martha, a newly married librarian who suspects her husband Alan, a traveling salesman, might be involved in a series of murders. Martha enlists the help of her old friend Lily to investigate Alan's activities, which uncovers other mysterious individuals tracking him. In this episode, we also discuss some of Peter Swanson's other works and classic mystery authors, such as Patricia Highsmith and Agatha Christie. Peter also shares insights about th...
Sep 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 229
Send me a text message The Blackhouse unfolds on a remote Scottish island, and it integrates two narratives: a man grappling with past actions and a bipolar woman investigating a historical murder. The novel combines supernatural elements, suspense, and deep character studies. Carol shares insights on the eerie setting of the Outer Hebrides, her inspirations, and the process of writing complex, multi-faceted characters. She also touches on her journey as an author, her past work, 'Mirrorland,' a...
Sep 16, 2024•35 min•Ep. 228
Send me a text message Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell centers on Hannah, a young woman obsessed with a true-crime case in Atlanta after a breakup, who starts writing to the suspect, leading to an unexpected romance. The discussion also touches on the phenomenon of women falling in love with real-life serial killers and explores themes of modern dating and millennial struggles. Additionally, Tasha shares her reading preferences and inspirations for the book, giving readers a mix...
Sep 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 227
Send me a text message Begin Again follows Frankie McKenzie, who, after a freak accident, finds herself in an otherworldly Station where she can revisit key moments in her past to explore alternate life paths. Victoria and Heli discuss the book's themes, the inspiration behind the Station, and the idea of life's pivotal crossroads. They also play a fun time travel game and delve into Heli's previous works, 'The Shelf' and 'The Couple.' Heli shares her writing journey, advice for her younger self...
Sep 02, 2024•31 min•Ep. 226
Send me a text message Tell Me Who You Are is a gripping psychological thriller where Brooklyn psychiatrist Dr. Caroline Strange's life unravels after a patient, Nelson Schack, confesses plans to kill someone and claims to know her true identity. When detectives investigate a missing woman, Dr. Caroline becomes the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, she pursues Nelson, confronting a past she's long tried to escape. Louisa Luna joins me on the couch to talk more about her novel Tel...
Aug 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 225
Send me a text message Finding Margaret Fuller is a fictionalized account of 19th-century feminist Margaret Fuller's life, including her influential relationships, work in women's rights, and role as the first female foreign correspondent for the New York Tribune. Despite being a mentor to significant figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Louisa May Alcott, Fuller remains an unsung heroine. Alison shares the process of discovering and writing about Fuller, and they discuss her profound impact ...
Aug 22, 2024•31 min•Ep. 224
Send me a text message Wedding objections are a thing! In this episode, I'm joined by author Lynn Painter to talk about her novel "Happily Never After." The story follows Sophie Steinbeck, a bride-to-be who hires a professional wedding objector named Max Parks to call off her wedding after discovering her fiancé's infidelity. We then see Sophie getting interested in Max's job, and they team up to disrupt nuptials. But Sophie and Max have a bond and share undeniable chemistry despite their belief...
Aug 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 223
Send me a text message This semester, let's go to a quaint English boarding school by the sea! Author Jenny Colgan joins me to talk about her series "The School by the Sea" which explores life at Downey House, an English boarding school. Book one, 'Welcome to the School by the Sea,' introduces new teacher Maggie and her journey from Glasgow to the posh Downey House, as well as her interactions with students Fliss, Alice, and Simone. Book two, 'Rules at the School by the Sea,' follows Maggie into...
Aug 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 222
Send me a text message Can a retired art thief help her alien friend Auncle's dwindling race? The Stardust Grail follows Maya, a Princeton graduate student who uncovers a clue to an ancient grail that could save her alien friend Uncle's race. Despite a disastrous previous heist, Maya joins Uncle on an interstellar adventure, racing against Earth's military and other groups to secure the grail. Along the way, they navigate complex moral and cultural dilemmas while exploring diverse worlds and cul...
Aug 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 221
Send me a text message Have you ever felt like everyone else got "the memo" but you? Well, that's precisely how 35-year-old Jenny Green feels, and as a result, she's not looking forward to her upcoming college reunion. She reluctantly attends, and while there, she sees an old career counselor who provides her with a magical memo. This memo offers Jenny the chance to travel back to crucial moments in her life, allowing her to alter her past decisions and potentially change her future. In this epi...
Aug 05, 2024•25 min•Ep. 220
Send me a text message Get a detailed recap of this book-to-screen adaptation! Apple TV+'s new series "Lady in the Lake" is an adaptation of Laura Lippman's 2019 novel. The series, set in 1966 Baltimore, stars Natalie Portman as Maddie and Moses Ingram as Cleo. The story begins with a young Jewish girl, Tessie, going missing while also following the converging lives of two women: Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife turned investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson, a Black single mother grapplin...
Aug 03, 2024•57 min•Ep. 219
Send me a text message A memoir that reads like a mystery novel, that's my pitch for Woman of Interest by Tracy O'Neill. The book details Tracy's life as a Korean adoptee raised in New England and her emotional journey to find her biological mother. From filing a missing person's report to trying to hire a private investigator and then eventually traveling to Korea to meet her mother, this memoir mixes the intensity of a mystery novel with personal, vulnerable moments. In the episode, Tracy also...
Jul 31, 2024•30 min•Ep. 218
Send me a text message Ready to go undercover? Teen entrepreneurs August and Valentine run a business that ends problematic relationships by going undercover and discreetly persuading couples to break up. They think they have mastered their gig, but challenges arise when August falls for their new target, and Valentine starts questioning her feelings for a neighbor. In the episode, Adriana also discusses her transition from writing dark mysteries to rom-coms, her pandemic-inspired shift to light...
Jul 29, 2024•32 min•Ep. 217
Send me a text message Set against the backdrop of the Olympic Games, the story follows Olivia, who lands her dream job at the Olympics, and Ezekiel, a sprinter participating in the Olympic Games, aiming for gold. We see them navigate personal and professional challenges while forming a genuine connection. The discussion delves into the author's inspiration, the layered storytelling, and the excitement of the Olympic setting. Get book recommendations, hear about Rufaro's plan to attend the 2024 ...
Jul 27, 2024•27 min•Ep. 216
