Episodes
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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 heritage, and the cozy, familial settings that pepper her book. She also gives a sneak peek into her next book, and discusses the importance of fanfiction in her writing journey.
Tune in to a world where magic feels as cozy as a warm blanket, and the characters remind us that a little laughter and whimsy are exactly what we need sometimes!
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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 conversation about books, writing, and everything in between!
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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 engaging discussion about magic, sisterhood, and the joy of writing!
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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!
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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.
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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 about societal issues, and we get some great book recommendations.
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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 science, along with insights into future books in the Love in Galway series. Ivy hopes her novel brings optimism and understanding to readers dealing with loss.
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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 the influence of these authors on his writing and provides some of his favorite book recommendations.
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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,' and hints at her upcoming book. The episode emphasizes the atmospheric settings and richly layered plots that Carol is known for.
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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 of thrill, fun, and relatability.
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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, and a glimpse into her current project focused on motherhood. They also touch on favorite reads and the charm of indie bookstores. The episode wraps up by encouraging readers to reflect on their own life choices and to be content with their journey.
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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 Tell Me Who You Are, also contrasts this book with her previous Alice Vega series and shares insights into her writing process and favorite books.
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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 on modern society despite her tragic early death.
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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 that love doesn't exist. Their dynamic shifts when a groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, revealing that his fiancée is Max's ex, forcing both to confront their feelings for each other.
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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 her second year, grappling with her feelings for a colleague, David, and headmistress, Veronica, confronting a past secret. In book three, 'Lessons at the School by the Sea,' scandal hits the school, and we see Maggie's growing feelings for David jeopardize her engagement, plus the students face their own challenges after summer break. Book four, 'Studies at the School by the Sea,' sees Maggie questioning her future at Downey House, caught between her love of teaching and the pull of her Scottish hometown, while we see the students prepare for graduation. During the episode, Jenny also hints at an upcoming fifth book where readers can look forward to more of these evolving tales. So tune in to discover how Jenny's books aim to offer cozy comfort with every page.
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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 cultures. In this episode, I chat with Yume about her novel, The Stardust Grail, and discuss the themes, characters, and ethical dilemmas they face. The conversation also touches on Yume’s previous book, The Deep Sky, and her favorite authors and books.
BOOK:
Get a copy of The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei on Amazon or Bookshop.
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.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club for a fun, online book club experience! Come and share books you've read, get inspiration for what to read next, make friends, and encourage each other along the way. Learn more and join the community: bibliolifestyle.com/community. -
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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 episode, I chat with authors Lauren Mechling and Rachel Dodes about their novel The Memo and its themes of ambition, regret, pressures on women, and what it means to live a fulfilling life. The authors also share personal anecdotes about time travel and their creative process and reflect on life choices they'd alter with a magic memo.
BOOK:
Get a copy of The Memo by Lauren Mechling and Rachel Dodes on Amazon or Bookshop.
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.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club for a fun, online book club experience! Come and share books you've read, get inspiration for what to read next, make friends, and encourage each other along the way. Learn more and join the community: bibliolifestyle.com/community. -
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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 grappling with the socio-political climate of 1966 Baltimore. Through parallel storytelling, the episode highlights their struggles and the dramatic events that unfold.
RATING:
How would you rate episode one of Lady in the Lake?
WATCH RECAPS:
Episode 1 : https://youtube.com/live/IpuCwETBzfo
Episode 2 : https://youtube.com/live/jo1rvyhkGC8
Episode 3 : https://youtube.com/live/i6mfEbj8m5k
Join me every MONDAY at 2 pm ET for a detailed recap of the twists, turns, and key moments in each episode of this drama-thriller miniseries.
MORE RESOURCES:
Visit bibliolifestyle.com for more information and resources to help you in your reading journey.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club for a fun, online book club experience! Come and share books you've read, get inspiration for what to read next, make friends, and encourage each other along the way. Learn more and join the community: bibliolifestyle.com/community. -
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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 talks about her writing journey, favorite memoirs, and future fiction projects.
BOOK:
Get a copy of Woman of Interest by Tracy O'Neill on Amazon or Bookshop.
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.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club for a fun, online book club experience! Come and share books you've read, get inspiration for what to read next, make friends, and encourage each other along the way. Learn more and join the community: bibliolifestyle.com/community. -
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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 lighter themes, and future projects. We then round things out by discussing favorite reads and indie bookstores.
BOOK:
Get a copy of The Breakup Artists by Adriana Mather on Amazon or Bookshop.
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.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
Join the BiblioLifestyle Community & the Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Club for a fun, online book club experience! Come and share books you've read, get inspiration for what to read next, make friends, and encourage each other along the way. Learn more and join the community: bibliolifestyle.com/community. - Show more
