Send me a text message Are you a fan of celebrity romances? Prepare to get the behind-the-scenes scoop with author Ava Wilder as we delve into her latest novel, Will They or Won't They. Plus, we explore the complexities of her main characters, Lilah and Shane, and the real-life celebrity gossip that inspired this story. From discussing her writing process to sharing her literary influences and current reading recommendations, Ava offers an exclusive insight into her creative world. BOOK: Will Th...
Jul 03, 2023•32 min•Ep. 125
Send me a text message What does wellness mean to you? Wellness advocate Chloé Pierre joins the podcast to discuss her new book Take Care. Take Care centers Black women and their experiences and encourages them to take care of themselves in order to bring their best selves into the world. Now while this book centers on the experiences of Black women, all readers, regardless of background, race, gender, or identity, can relate to and benefit from reading it. Chloé and I discuss the various aspect...
Jun 29, 2023•35 min•Ep. 124
Send me a text message Ever wondered what kinds of books are actually "beach reads?" Discover the history of beach reads and summer reading, which began in the early 1900s, and get six beach read recommendations to add to your TBR! So whether you're lounging on the beach, sitting in a park, or simply chilling at home, you will find intrigue in this chat about beach reads. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club for a fun, online book club ...
Jun 28, 2023•24 min•Ep. 123
Send me a text message What happens when a woman seeking solace in a seductive new world finds herself questioning the intentions of her enigmatic hosts? In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Night, The Herd, and We Were Never Here, to discuss her latest novel, The Spare Room. Listen in as Andrea shares the thrilling tale of Kelly, a woman entangled in a captivating love triangle that takes a dark turn. BOOK: The Spa...
Jun 27, 2023•45 min•Ep. 122
Send me a text message What secrets do the French hold when it comes to living well and enjoying the simple pleasures of life? Join us as we chat with Cathy Yandell, author of The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World. Discover how French culture values celebrating the senses, taking time, and making time. Cathy shares her experiences attending a French wedding and the atmosphere in Paris during the 2018 World Cup, both of which highlight the importance of conver...
Jun 22, 2023•31 min•Ep. 121
Send me a text message Get practical tips for evaluating and resetting your reading life and goals as we reach the mid-year point. If you're wondering whether you're on track or need a bit of a reset, this episode is perfect for you! We discuss how to assess your current reading life and then offer ideas to help you reset, adjust, or even create new reading goals to ensure you're still aligned with what you want to achieve. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Y...
Jun 21, 2023•21 min•Ep. 120
Send me a text message Have you ever wondered how a neuroscience professor and New York Times bestselling author combines romance and science in her novels? Join us as we sit down with Ali Hazelwood to discuss her latest book, Love Theoretically. We dive into the fake dating trope, unveiling the unique dynamic between the main characters, Elsie and Jack, who are on opposite sides of the science divide. We also discuss Ali’s experiences in academia, her love for dark academia, the similarities an...
Jun 19, 2023•41 min•Ep. 119
Send me a text message Get ready to fill your summer TBR list with incredible reads! In this episode, I'm sharing eight must-read books from The BiblioLifestyle 2023 Summer Reading Guide. The books on this list cover a wide range of genres, from literary fiction to historical fiction, romance, and even a heartwarming memoir. Listen in as I share an elevator pitch for each book and share some books that they are similar to. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Yo...
Jun 14, 2023•26 min•Ep. 118
Send me a text message Meet Me at the Lake is a captivating love story that follows Fern and Will, who share a deep connection after spending 24 hours together in Toronto, only to be separated for nearly a decade. Now that they’re back in each other’s lives, we see their second chance at love unfold. Carley shares the inspiration behind the story, the growth of the characters, and the importance of second chances in love, life, and career. The episode also explores fun summer activities at the l...
Jun 12, 2023•40 min•Ep. 117
Send me a text message Do you find hosting dinner parties intimidating or stressful? Let Natasha Feldman, cooking show host, private chef, producer, and food stylist, change your mind in this delightful conversation about her new book, The Dinner Party Project. We chat about how her book serves as your culinary best friend, breaking down all the reasons people think they can't throw a dinner party and helping you find the perfect party style that meets you where you're at. We also explore the im...
Jun 08, 2023•46 min•Ep. 116
Send me a text message Discover a space where we're reading and living better together! In today's episode, I talk all about the BiblioLifestyle Community and our signature program; the Bring Your Own Book Club (BYOB Club) . Listen in as I explain how this space is designed to bring together avid and aspiring readers alike, allowing you to share your latest reads, discover new titles, and make lasting friendships along the way. Our online community offers a variety of programs and events like se...
Jun 07, 2023•25 min•Ep. 115
Send me a text message What happens when a young Black woman faces casual racism in her workplace and dares to challenge it? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Tembe Denton-Hurst to discuss her compelling debut novel, Homebodies. In the book, we navigate the experiences of her main character Mickey, the personal cost of speaking truth to power in today's media landscape, and her journey of self-discovery in an industry that she loves but one that doesn’t love her back. BOOK: Homebodi...
Jun 05, 2023•35 min•Ep. 114
Send me a text message Did you know that flowers have their own secret language? Listen in as I chat with the incredibly talented artist and author Karen Azoulay about her captivating book Flowers and Their Meanings. Together, we'll explore the rich history and symbolism behind flowers, the 19th-century fascination with flower dictionaries, and the hidden messages in Edith Wharton's works and the blooms in the wedding bouquet of Diana, Princess of Wales. As we dive into flower symbolism, Karen a...
Jun 02, 2023•42 min•Ep. 113
Send me a text message I'm thrilled to share the fourth annual BiblioLifestyle Summer Reading Guide, a labor of love I've put together to help you find the perfect books for the season. Listen in as I share the fun and campy theme for this year's guide cover and the process behind how it all comes together, starting back in October. I also give a sneak peek into some of the fantastic book recommendations you'll find in the guide, covering genres like Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Nonfict...
May 31, 2023•25 min•Ep. 112
Send me a text message What would you do if your two favorite people, your partner, and your best friend, hated each other? Discover the captivating dynamics between characters in Ore Agbaje-Williams' debut novel, The Three of Us. Ore shares her insights on the characters, along with discussing the origin of the story from a real-life conversation with her best friend. THE 2023 SUMMER READING GUIDE The BiblioLifestyle 2023 Summer Reading Guide features 48 new books, organized across eight catego...
May 29, 2023•32 min•Ep. 111
Send me a text message Ready to spice up your summer reading and make the most of the sunny season? I'm inviting you to join The BiblioLifestyle 2023 Summer Reading Challenge ! With a theme of "Reading S'more This Summer," you'll have fun with our five prompts to help you explore new books and genres from June 1st to August 31st. But that's not all! We're also offering a free, downloadable pdf Summer Reading Guide packed with book recommendations, reading and lifestyle tips, recipes, and more to...
May 24, 2023•10 min•Ep. 110
Send me a text message Ever wondered what would happen if The Little Mermaid took a darker turn? Join my conversation with award-winning game writer and scriptwriter Cassandra Khaw about their latest novel; The Salt Grows Heavy, where we explore a unique retelling of this classic tale with a sinister twist. Cassandra and I dive into the book's intriguing characters, including a carnivorous mermaid and a mysterious plague doctor, as well as themes of mortality, immortality, and facing our own fea...
May 22, 2023•32 min•Ep. 109
Send me a text message Ready to bake beautiful cakes without all the stress and overwhelm? I had the pleasure of chatting with Mandy Merriman, the Baking with Blondie blogger and author of I'll Bring the Cake. An accessible and go-to resource for crowd-pleasing seasonal cake recipes that are accessible to bakers of all skill levels. Mandy's passion for baking shines as she provides valuable cake-baking tips and tricks, from perfecting buttercream to alternative methods for testing cake doneness ...
May 18, 2023•40 min•Ep. 108
Send me a text message Get ready to embrace summer's beauty, uncover the magic of seasonal living, and discover how it can help us connect with nature, simplify our lives, and be more present in every moment. I'll be sharing my personal experiences and answering some common questions about this lifestyle that's perfect no matter where you live. EPIGRAPH LITERARY FESTIVAL REPLAYS: If you missed the festival or want to relive the highlights visit epigraphlitfest.com and select replays. Your TBR wi...
May 17, 2023•14 min•Ep. 107
Send me a text message Join this conversation with Lisa Harding, author of the powerful novel Cloud Girls, which brings awareness to the multi-billion dollar industry of sex trafficking. Lisa shares her journey from working on the Stop Sex Trafficking campaign to reworking her original book, Harvesting, into the newly released Cloud Girls. Listen in as she discusses the importance of empathy and the note of hope in this compelling story about two young girls who form a friendship amidst horrifyi...
May 15, 2023•38 min•Ep. 106
Send me a text message What's the driving force behind your deepest desires? How can we uncover our true selves and lead more joyful lives? Author and psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Webber shared her insights on this topic and more, which can be found in her new book, Tell Me What You Want, in which she reveals the 12 universal desires we all share. In her book, Charlotte dives deep into our innate needs, some of which include love, power, understanding, creativity, belonging, victory, connection...
May 11, 2023•34 min•Ep. 105
Send me a text message Ever found yourself searching for the perfect classic novel to immerse yourself in during the summer months? Look no further! I share three summer classics that are even better when read during the long summer days in this episode. So get ready to spice up your summer reading list with three iconic classics. Plus, I'll share my recommendations and insight on why these timeless masterpieces are perfect for your next beach day or cozy afternoon at home. EPIGRAPH LITERARY FES...
May 10, 2023•19 min•Ep. 104
Send me a text message Get ready to embark on a literary adventure in this conversation with NYT's bestselling author and former writer/producer for Law & Order, Lorenzo Carcaterra. Join us as we explore Lorenzo's enchanting world of Nonna Maria and the island of Ischia, and discover the inspiration behind his latest novel and series. In Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace, we see 70-year-old widow Nonna Maria dealing with two mysteries. The first is the murder of an unidentified...
May 08, 2023•50 min•Ep. 103
Send me a text message Looking to decorate your home without breaking the bank? I had the pleasure of chatting with Alexandra Gater, DIY YouTuber and author of Own Your Space. Listen in as Alexandra shares her journey from working in publishing to becoming a go-to expert in interior design. Alexandra reveals invaluable tips and tricks to create stylish, personalized spaces for any budget. Whether you're a renter or homeowner, it's essential to make your space your own, and Alexandra's advice emp...
May 04, 2023•36 min•Ep. 102
Send me a text message Are you ready to break free from burnout, overwhelm and never-ending to-do lists and embrace a simpler, more fulfilling existence? In this episode, I share my journey towards simple living, the life-changing benefits it has brought me, and how you can apply the same principles to your life. EPIGRAPH LITERARY FESTIVAL REPLAYS: If you missed the festival or want to relive the highlights visit epigraphlitfest.com and select replays. Your TBR will explode, you’ll learn a thing...
May 03, 2023•16 min•Ep. 101
Send me a text message In Small Joys, we see how an unexpected friendship saves a young man's life. Our main character Harley suffers from anxiety and depression. His attempt on his own life is interrupted by his new flatmate, Muddy, who, unlike Harley, has an “enthusiasm for life” and finds joy in the small things around him. Though this novel starts in a dark place, it’s incredibly hopeful and prioritizes kindness, compassion, and love. It’s a novel about chosen family, the winding road to hap...
May 01, 2023•36 min•Ep. 100
Send me a text message In today's episode, I'm thrilled (and a tad nervous) to announce our summer 2023 podcast programming. This year has been experimental for me and the podcast, but I hope you enjoy what I have in store for us this summer. SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the episode show notes and a list of all the books mentioned here . MORE RESOURCES: Visit bibliolifestyle.com for more information and resources to help you in your reading journey....
Apr 27, 2023•8 min•Ep. 99
Send me a text message The House Is On Fire is based on the true story of the December 1811 Richmond theater fire, and the novel follows four characters who survived the disastrous fire and how they and the community are forever changed. Today on the couch, I'm pleased to welcome author Rachel Beanland. We talk about her sophomore novel; The House Is on Fire, and her debut novel; Florence Adler Swims Forever. Rachel also gives us book and bookstore recommendations, reading tips, plus lots more. ...
Apr 24, 2023•36 min•Ep. 98
Send me a text message I'll be answering popular questions, sharing the calendar of events, and talking about our new option to watch festival replays and snag some festival merch! So join us from April 27th - 29th, 2023. If you're looking to discover new authors or hear about the latest books from your favorites, learn something new at one of our lifestyle sessions, or you want to have a grand time bantering about the books you loved and the ones you didn't care for too much, then stay tuned to...
Apr 20, 2023•22 min•Ep. 97
Send me a text message In Hijab Butch Blues, we see Lamya navigate their identity and life between their religion and culture and how she compares their experiences with some of the most famous stories in the Quran. Today on the couch, I'm pleased to welcome author Lamya H. We talk about religion being a way to live more intentionally, social justice, Lamya’s choice to write under a pseudonym, and using a silhouette for their author photo. Lamya also gives us book and bookstore recommendations, ...
Apr 17, 2023•34 min•Ep. 96
