Send me a text message If you love classic horror movies and 90’s nostalgia then you’re in for a treat because Emily Ruth Verona joins me on the couch to talk about her debut horror thriller "Midnight on Beacon Street." In the novel, we follow a babysitter named Amy who is hired to watch two children while their mom goes on a date. But Amy's world is turned upside down when a group of obnoxious teens arrives for a party, supernatural occurrences start happening, a mysterious caller hangs up as s...
Feb 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 185
Send me a text message Set in pre-Civil War New Orleans, we follow Ady, an enslaved girl who joins a secret resistance movement run by women who are fighting against slavery and sabotaging the Confederacy. That's what you can expect in "The American Daughters" by Maurice Carlos Ruffin. So in this episode, Maurice shares insights into "The American Daughters" and our conversation unravels the layered relationships between Ady and her mother, Sanite, and Lenore, a free Black woman and owner of the...
Feb 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 184
Send me a text message How do you prepare loved ones for your inevitable disappearance? We unravel all this plus more in Joma West's novel, "Twice Lived." In the novel, we follow a troubled teen, torn between two families and lives, while also navigating the challenges of shifting between parallel worlds. As Canna and Lily face their final shift, they must prepare both families for their inevitable disappearance. "Twice Lived" is a coming-of-age fantasy that explores themes of family, friendship...
Feb 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 183
Send me a text message From talking about friends old and new, how to meet new friends, and rekindle old friendships that have fallen by the wayside, this is a heartfelt chat on the significance of friendships in adulthood. Amy and I unravel the complex yet rewarding nature of friendships by sharing our experiences over the years. Plus, Amy shares a treasure trove of book recommendations! So whether you're seeking to revive a past company or yearn for new kindred spirits, this episode is a heart...
Feb 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 182
Send me a text message This is a makeover reality television show and behind-the-scenes romance mash-up, where the lines between performance and authenticity blur. Today on the couch, I'm joined by Jenny L. Howe, whose charm, laughter, and candid banter are as delightful as her romantic comedy "On the Plus Side." In the novel, we meet Everly Winters, our lovable protagonist who prefers to blend into the background. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she's secretly nominated for her ...
Feb 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 181
Send me a text message As I flipped through the pages of my journals, I gained so much perspective on life. I had the opportunity to relive memories and experiences, and I have a tried and true place where I can work through the ups and downs. In today's episode, I invite you into the intimate world of journaling, an endeavor that has shaped my life. I talk about both personal and reading journals, types of journals, journaling techniques, benefits of journaling, and simple tips to help you get ...
Feb 01, 2024•25 min•Ep. 180
Send me a text message Family and social media can be loving and bring us together, but they can get complicated and messy fast. In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Laurie Frankel, whose novel "Family Family" unravels the layers of family, specifically an adoptive family, as seen through the eyes of her protagonist, India Allwood, her adoptive daughter Fig and the daughter she gave up for adoption Rebecca. Laurie's journey as an adoptive mother lends authenticity to the narrative, hig...
Jan 29, 2024•40 min•Ep. 179
Send me a text message From literary fiction to thrillers, horror, historical fiction, and more, this episode is a treasure trove for any bibliophile seeking a glimpse into some of the fantastic books we can look forward to in 2024. SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the episode show notes and a list of all the books mentioned here . LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: - Full List of My Most Anticipated Books of 2024 - Get The BiblioLifestyle 2024 Winter Reading Guide - Get The Shortlist of books under...
Jan 27, 2024•25 min•Ep. 178
Send me a text message What happens when a murder is linked to a group of mothers you're friends with? In The Other Mothers, a young journalist finds herself in the middle of a wealthy London community of mothers, but as she investigates mysterious deaths, she starts questioning her new friends' intentions. In this episode, Katherine Faulkner shares her insights on crafting a suspenseful narrative set amidst the dark underpinnings of a local nanny's mysterious death. She also offers a fascinatin...
Jan 24, 2024•36 min•Ep. 177
Send me a text message In this episode, I open up and share my top five priorities and goals for 2024. I share where my head is, what I think and feel, and what I'm working towards. My main pillars are community, collaboration, confidence, boundaries, and being present, all of which support my mindful and intentional approach to life. 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 ...
Jan 22, 2024•25 min•Ep. 176
Send me a text message There's something undeniably magical about reconnecting with a past love, especially when that journey intertwines with a rediscovery of your own roots. That's the spellbinding ride Raquel Vasquez Gilliland takes us on with her enchanting paranormal romance, "Witch of Wild Things." In this episode we unravel the tale of Sage Flores, a woman whose life is as interwoven with the natural world as it is haunted by old flames. We talk about the intricacies of Sage's gift for pl...
Jan 15, 2024•25 min•Ep. 175
Send me a text message Listen in as I turn the pages of The BiblioLifestyle 2024 Winter Reading Guide and share six page-turners that are the perfect companions for the cold winter months. You'll also get insights into the guide's cover design, the shortlist of books I read, loved, and had under consideration for the guide, book-like recommendations, and more. So listen to this episode for insights into the guide and spoiler-free book recommendations! SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the episode ...
Jan 10, 2024•34 min•Ep. 174
Send me a text message What would you do if you won the lottery? We discuss that plus more as we unravel how a lottery win turns into a deadly curse in Gilly Macmillan's novel, "The Manor House." In the novel, we meet childhood sweethearts Nicole and Tom, and we see how their lives are transformed overnight after winning the lottery. But when Tom is found dead, Nicole's world crumbles and she quickly discovers that with big money comes big problems and even threats. So, in this episode, Gilly an...
Jan 08, 2024•27 min•Ep. 173
Send me a text message This episode is a get-to-know-us chat trio edition! Joining me on the couch is Cindy Burnett from the Thoughts from a Page Podcast and Amy Allen Clark, who runs the momadvice.com blog and the Book Gang Podcast . In this episode, you'll get to know us more, from childhood reading experiences to our present-day relationship with books and reading, how we started sharing content online, and much more. You can also expect some book recommendations, books we're looking forward ...
Jan 04, 2024•55 min•Ep. 172
Send me a text message Ever wished you could fast-forward to the best parts of your life? That's what Lucy Young did in Sophie's Cousens's latest novel, "The Good Part." In "The Good Part," Lucy stumbles upon a wishing machine and wishes to skip to the "good part" of her life: where she has a career she's proud of, she isn't broke, and she has met her soulmate. The following day, she realizes the machine was real, and she has skipped to sixteen years in the future and is now in the good part of ...
Jan 01, 2024•36 min•Ep. 171
Send me a text message Craft your own reading life for a more meaningful literary year ahead! Join me on the couch as I share five tips to help you create reading goals that align with your life and passions. Learn how to reflect on past reading habits, tailor goals to your current lifestyle, and curate a list of must-reads. Also, discover the joy of setting realistic reading aspirations and how joining a book club can enhance your journey. So whether you're a voracious reader looking for inspir...
Dec 30, 2023•21 min•Ep. 170
Send me a text message Eating key lime pie and paper-thin Santas with a side of palm trees are some very Floridian Christmas traditions, and in this episode, we're embracing a sunny twist on all things holidays! I had the pleasure of sitting on the couch with the delightful TJ Alexander to talk about their holiday rom-com, "Second Chances in New Port Stephen." In "Second Chances in New Port Stephen," a trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames. He...
Dec 25, 2023•45 min•Ep. 169
Send me a text message Ready to expand your reading list? Listen in as I share my top 13 personal favorite books of 2023! I think each book on this list is a winner, and I share a spoiler-free description of what you can expect, why each book made the list, and what makes them stand out. You can expect stories brimming with intrigue and emotion, stories that provide vivid explorations of the human condition, plus capturing the essence of connection, the sting of betrayal, and the search for hope...
Dec 23, 2023•43 min•Ep. 168
Send me a text message Ever wondered what it's like to keep alive the legacy of a legendary author like Agatha Christie? Sophie Hannah spills the beans on her journey writing new Poirot novels authorized by the Christie estate, and we talk about her latest novel "Hercule Poirot's Silent Night." Not just that, Sophie shines in coming up with a gripping murder mystery on the spot in our game called "Youdunnit." We talked about her murder mystery musical movie "The Mystery of Mr E," which started a...
Dec 18, 2023•42 min•Ep. 167
Send me a text message Have you ever rushed into the New Year without pausing to reflect on the past 365 days? Well, I've been there, and it's a whirlwind, and I don't recommend it. So today, I invite you to join me on the couch as we halt the clock, breathe, and make a plan to take stock of the year gone by. This practice I've been doing enables me to slow down, celebrate my progress, learn from my challenges, and set realistic, intentional goals for the coming year. This way, I can start the n...
Dec 13, 2023•18 min•Ep. 166
Send me a text message We're spreading holiday cheer in today's episode! Author Jean Meltzer joins me on the couch to talk about her fantastic romance novels (The Matzah Ball, Mr. Perfect on Paper, Kissing Kosher) and to share all things holidays, family traditions, and Hanukkah! From the miracle of the oil and the delightful fried foods that mark the celebrations, this chat will leave you feeling the warmth of the holiday season and the love embedded in Jean's books. So dive into this festive l...
Dec 11, 2023•31 min•Ep. 165
Send me a text message From timeless classics to new fiction and even fun children's books, these six enchanting holiday-themed books promise to transport you to a world filled with love, laughter, and holiday cheer and perhaps teach you a thing or two about the holiday customs of different cultures. 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 r...
Dec 06, 2023•25 min•Ep. 164
Send me a text message Get transported to the wintery town of Larch Haven, Vermont, where chocolatier Becca Ransom finds herself in the middle of a baking competition turned murder investigation, and she must unravel the truth before she becomes the next target. In this episode, author Sarah Fox and I talk about her book "Baking Spirits Bright," we talk about all things holidays and traditions, plus we play a fun game about what holiday treats we would bake! BOOK: Baking Spirits Bright by Sarah ...
Dec 04, 2023•22 min•Ep. 163
Send me a text message I'm sharing my personal experiences, practical tips, and self-care ideas that have worked for me and hopefully will help you navigate the busy holiday season. I talk about why self-care is vital during the holidays even more than ever, share ten tips to help you prioritize self-care, some practical self-care ideas, ideas for solo self-care ideas, family-friendly self-care ideas, and how you can give back and show gratitude during the holidays. So, tune in for insights and ...
Nov 29, 2023•32 min•Ep. 162
Send me a text message What is traditional English cuisine? With all the influences from former colonies, cultural influences, and the rise of imported food, this is the question our protagonist, Stella, seeks to answer. Listen to this fun conversation with author Caroline Scott, the author of "Good Taste,” a historical culinary travelogue about food, Englishness, and a woman's journey in a society with limited opportunities. We also had so much fun creating a quintessential English menu that we...
Nov 27, 2023•32 min•Ep. 161
Send me a text message From heartwarming to dysfunctional family stories, one of the best ways to capture the spirit of the holidays is by reading books that celebrate family, gratitude, and giving thanks. So, if you're looking for some recommendations to read this season as you gather with family and friends or decide to go at it solo, I have some recommendations for you. SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the episode show notes and a list of all the books mentioned here . MORE RESOURCES: Visit bi...
Nov 22, 2023•21 min•Ep. 160
Send me a text message There is no shortage of true crime or Alex Murdaugh content, but have you ever wondered about the realities and unseen challenges investigative journalists face as they expose the dark underbelly of power and corruption? In this compelling episode, Mandy Matney joins us on the couch to talk about her book "Blood on Their Hands: Murder, Corruption, and the Fall of the Murdaugh Dynasty." In this episode, Mandy shares the challenges she faced as a young journalist, starting a...
Nov 20, 2023•37 min•Ep. 159
Send me a text message Have you ever found yourself struggling to choose the perfect book as a gift? In this episode, you'll get tips and tricks on how to select the perfect book for every bookworm in your life. We touch on some gift-giving etiquette, and I walk you through The BiblioLifestyle 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, an excellent resource for your book lovers gift search. I'll share the sixteen main categories and various subcategories that cater to a spectrum of interests - from debut fiction ...
Nov 09, 2023•28 min•Ep. 158
Send me a text message Ever wondered about the mysterious world of puzzles and the mind of a master puzzle-maker? In this episode, I chat with author Danielle Trussoni about her latest novel, "The Puzzle Master." We explore the intricate life of the book's protagonist, Mike Brink, a world-renowned puzzle maker with a rare medical condition who stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy. Alongside this, Danielle gives us a sneak peek into the next Mike Brink book, shares valuable insights into her rese...
Nov 06, 2023•33 min•Ep. 157
Send me a text message Ever feel like you're in the midst of a whirlwind during the holiday season, barely finding time to breathe, let alone read? This episode is about carving out quality time to enjoy your favorite books during the holiday hustle and bustle. While it may seem impossible, with a little bit of planning and prioritization, it's achievable. So, let me share some practical tips that have helped me maintain my reading habit amidst the holiday chaos. FOR MORE ON END-OF-YEAR READING ...
Nov 01, 2023•17 min•Ep. 156
