Episodes

490
Dec. 9, 2024

Kelly Hooker - Our Top Reads of 2024

In this episode, Kelly Hooker and I discuss our top reads of 2024. Our Top Shared Reads:First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston We Used to Life Here by Marcus Kliewer Kelly’s Remaining Selections: Mercury by Amy Jo Burns Everyone but Myself by Julie Chavez Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Trafficking by Jason De Leon How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley Same ...
489
Dec. 3, 2024

Jayda Justus - Book Recommendations for Holiday Gift Giving

Jayda Justus recommends books for gift giving this holiday. Her recommendations: Favorite Fiction: Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran What the Mountains Remember by Joy Callaway Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear Evelyne Redfern series by Julia Kelly Shogun by James Clavell The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill London or New York by Edward Rutherfurd A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner Presidential ...
Guest: Jayda Justus
489
Dec. 3, 2024

Jayda Justus - Book Recommendations for Holiday Gift Giving

Jayda Justus recommends books for gift giving this holiday. Her recommendations:Favorite Fiction:Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran What the Mountains Remember by Joy Callaway Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear Evelyne Redfern series by Julia Kelly Shogun by James Clavell The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill London or New York by Edward Rutherfurd A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner Presidential or First Lady history buf...
488
Nov. 26, 2024

Marybeth Mayhew Whalen - EVERY MOMENT SINCE

In this interview, I chat with Marybeth about Every Moment Since, the inspiration for this book, her book dedication, society's current obsession with true crime, changing agents due to writing this book, how she chose who would tell the story, pouring her heart and soul into this one, her title and cover, and much more. Marybeth's recommended reads are: The Devil at His Elbow by Valerie Bauerlein What in the World?! by Leanne Morgan Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - ...
488
Nov. 26, 2024

Marybeth Mayhew Whalen - EVERY MOMENT SINCE

In this interview, I chat with Marybeth about Every Moment Since, the inspiration for this book, her book dedication, society's current obsession with true crime, changing agents due to writing this book, how she chose who would tell the story, pouring her heart and soul into this one, her title and cover, and much more. Marybeth's recommended reads are: The Devil at His Elbow by Valerie Bauerlein What in the World?! by Leanne Morgan Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - ...
487
Nov. 22, 2024

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of July - October 2024

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in July through early October 2024. Our shared top reads: The Wedding People by Alison Espach We Solve Murders by Richard Osman The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman Kelly’s remaining top reads: The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne The Best Lies by David Ellis Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey The Bor...
487
Nov. 22, 2024

Kelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of July - October 2024

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in July through early October 2024. Our shared top reads:The Wedding People by Alison Espach We Solve Murders by Richard Osman The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman Kelly’s remaining top reads:The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne The Best Lies by David Ellis Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey The Borrowed...
486
Nov. 19, 2024

Elly Griffiths - THE MAN IN BLACK

In this interview, I chat with Elly Griffiths about The Man in Black, how this group of short stories came into being, her favorite story in the collection, what surprised her the most when writing them, how the stories are ordered, her covers in the U.K. and the U.S., her work in translation, and much more. Elly's recommended reads are: One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French Babel by R. F. Kuang Want to know which new titles are publ...
486
Nov. 19, 2024

Elly Griffiths - THE MAN IN BLACK

In this interview, I chat with Elly Griffiths about The Man in Black, how this group of short stories came into being, her favorite story in the collection, what surprised her the most when writing them, how the stories are ordered, her covers in the U.K. and the U.S., her work in translation, and much more. Elly's recommended reads are: One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French Babel by R. F. Kuang Want to know which new titles are publishing in Janu...
485
Nov. 18, 2024

Kelly Hooker - November's Real Time Reading

Kelly Hooker joins me for the November's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads. Kelly’s Selections: Last: The Favorites by Layne Fargo A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison Now: The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan Next: The Fisherman’s Gift by Julia R. Kelly The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens DNFs or Didn't Like: The Garden by Nick Newman The Family Inside by Katie Garner Tilt by Emma Pate Book Mail Highlight...
485
Nov. 18, 2024

Kelly Hooker - November's Real Time Reading

Kelly Hooker joins me for the November's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads. Kelly’s Selections:Last: The Favorites by Layne Fargo A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison Now: The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan Next: The Fisherman’s Gift by Julia R. Kelly The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens DNFs or Didn't Like: The Garden by Nick Newman The Family Inside by Katie Garner Tilt by Emma Pate Book Mail Highlights:...
484
Nov. 12, 2024

Sy Montgomery - WHAT THE CHICKEN KNOWS

In this interview, I chat with Sy Montgomery about What the Chicken Knows, her title and cover, why she loves chickens so much, what she wants her readers to take away from this book, how each flock has its own vibe, and much more. Sy's recommended reads are: Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death by Susana Monso Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2025? Check out our third Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehe...
Guest: Sy Montgomery
484
Nov. 12, 2024

Sy Montgomery - WHAT THE CHICKEN KNOWS

In this interview, I chat with Sy Montgomery about What the Chicken Knows, her title and cover, why she loves chickens so much, what she wants her readers to take away from this book, how each flock has its own vibe, and much more. Sy's recommended reads are: Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death by Susana Monso Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2025? Check out our third Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but no...
483
Nov. 11, 2024

Marissa Stapley - THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES

In this interview, I chat with Marissa Stapley about The Lightning Bottles, her musical muses for Jane and Elijah, including a road trip component in her story, how she approached writing about the drug use of the era, determining who tells the story and why she chose who she did, and much more. Marissa's recommended reads are: Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2025? Check out our thi...
483
Nov. 11, 2024

Marissa Stapley - THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES

In this interview, I chat with Marissa Stapley about The Lightning Bottles, her musical muses for Jane and Elijah, including a road trip component in her story, how she approached writing about the drug use of the era, determining who tells the story and why she chose who she did, and much more. Marissa's recommended reads are: Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2025? Check out our thi...
482
Oct. 30, 2024

Podcast Takeover - Chapters and Chats with Chris Whitaker

For today’s episode, I am running a Chapters and Chats conversation with Chris Whitaker about All the Colors of the Dark. Chapters and Chats is run by Kelly of @kellyhook.readsbooks and Ivana of @beachesbooksnbubbles. You can contact either one of them to be added to their list for a particular chat. Check out their Instagram accounts to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
482
Oct. 30, 2024

Podcast Takeover - Chapters and Chats with Chris Whitaker

For today’s episode, I am running a Chapters and Chats conversation with Chris Whitaker about All the Colors of the Dark. Chapters and Chats is run by Kelly of @kellyhook.readsbooks and Ivana of @beachesbooksnbubbles. You can contact either one of them to be added to their list for a particular chat. Check out their Instagram accounts to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at htt...
481
Oct. 22, 2024

Kirsty Greenwood - THE LOVE OF MY AFTERLIFE

In this interview, I chat with Kirsty Greenwood about The Love of My Afterlife, how popular the romance genre currently is, romance tropes and including them in her book, her favorite trope, her U.S. and U.K. covers, being selected as the GMA July pick, the screen adaptation, and much more. Kirsty's recommended reads are: Under Your Spell by Laura Wood How to End a Love Story by Yulia Huang Join my Patreon to support the production of my podcast. Other ways to support the podcast can be found...
481
Oct. 22, 2024

Kirsty Greenwood - THE LOVE OF MY AFTERLIFE

In this interview, I chat with Kirsty Greenwood about The Love of My Afterlife, how popular the romance genre currently is, romance tropes and including them in her book, her favorite trope, her U.S. and U.K. covers, being selected as the GMA July pick, the screen adaptation, and much more. Kirsty's recommended reads are: Under Your Spell by Laura Wood How to End a Love Story by Yulia Huang Join my Patreon to support the production of my podcast. Other ways to support the podcast can be found...
480
Oct. 15, 2024

Lynda Cohen Loigman - THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN

In this interview, I chat with Lynda Cohen Loigman about The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, the familial inspirations for this book, her title and stunning cover, including humor into the narrative, how hard she worked to get her characters' voices right, the research she conducted, The Thursday Authors, and much more. Lynda's recommended reads are: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo The Wedding People by Alison Espach Four Squares by Bobby Finger Join my Patreon to support the production of my p...
480
Oct. 15, 2024

Lynda Cohen Loigman - THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN

In this interview, I chat with Lynda Cohen Loigman about The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, the familial inspirations for this book, her title and stunning cover, including humor into the narrative, how hard she worked to get her characters' voices right, the research she conducted, The Thursday Authors, and much more. Lynda's recommended reads are: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo The Wedding People by Alison Espach Four Squares by Bobby Finger Join my Patreon to support the production of my p...
479
Oct. 14, 2024

Kelly Hooker - October's Real Time Reading

Kelly Hooker joins me for the October's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads. Kelly’s Selections: Last: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister Now: Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon Next: The Family Inside by Katie Garner One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter DNFs or Didn't Like: Isola by Allagra Goodman Clever Little Thing by Helena Es...
Guest: Kelly Hooker
479
Oct. 14, 2024

Kelly Hooker - October's Real Time Reading

Kelly Hooker joins me for the October's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads. Kelly’s Selections:Last: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister Now: Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon Next: The Family Inside by Katie Garner One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter DNFs or Didn't Like: Isola by Allagra Goodman Clever Little Thing by Helena Eschlin Book Mail...
478
Oct. 2, 2024

Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger Horn - Fall 2024 Recommended Reads

Mary Webbey O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn join me to recommend their favorites reads of Fall 2024. Mary's selections: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte Eden Undone by Abbott Kahler The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Loigman Remember You Will Die by Eden Robbins American Rapture by CJ Leede Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong Life's Short, Talk Fastbby Ann Hood The Serviceberry by Robin Kimmermer The Hidden Life of...