Book Friends Forever Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 358: Nature vs Nurture! Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina talk about that age-old question of nature vs nurture and how much people's genes versus upbringing and environment affect their personalities and lives. Alvina has been particularly thinking about this topic because of all of the different children in her life that she's been interacting with recently, including the "bio-kids" of her husband, who is an identical twin, compared to their niece and nephews (the children of her husband's twin brother). There have been a lot of twin studies done for this debate, and they discuss some of these studies and what they reveal, including how aspects like one's religiosity are proven to be related to "nature". They talk about how talent is affected, as well as intelligence and personality. And, they also talk about parenting styles.

For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about the silliest things they've seen online recently that has made them laugh. And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

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Episode 357: Teen Book Reviews with Quade Kelley! Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina welcome special guest Quade Kelley, who is a teenager, still in high school, and is also a very active book reviewer (and much more!). Quade and Alvina both share about their experience at ALA, and then they discuss Quade's journey as a reader and a book reviewer, as well as his many projects, including the Robie Harris Youth Choice Award, the Reading Athlete, and his participation with Bank Street, School Library Journal's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery blog, and the Children's Book Committee. They talk about his relationship with author Lois Lowry, how he approaches reviewing books, and what his career goals are. And, they also talk about Quade's time management and how he juggles his school work, athletics, and his extra-curricular activities.

For the Fortune Cookie segment they discuss what they're all working on right now--Quade talks about co-writing a book with author Emily Barth Isler, Grace talks about working on her new middle grade project, and Alvina talks about the upcoming picture book THE PROMISE OF AMERICA by John Rocco. And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Find Quade here: https://whoisquade.com/

Episode 356: Vocation vs job and revisiting Old Worlds with guest co-host Laurel Snyder Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

While Alvina is on vacation, Grace welcomes guest co-host, author and poet Laurel Snyder to discuss the differences between a vocation and a job. They talk about some of the challenges of the idea of earning money from writing, and what retirement might look like as a creative. They discuss the definition of "vocation" and how they feel called to writing, and how that differs from writing to earn a living.

They also discuss revisiting the world of their previous books and how they set about writing new books in the same world. Laurel is revisiting the world of her book ORPHAN ISLAND, and Grace is revising the world of WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON.

And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Follow Laurel Snyder on her Substack: https://laurelsnyder.substack.com/

Book Friends Forever 337: WRITING TIPS! Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Writing Tips! In honor of author Jane Yolen who has recently passed away, Grace and Alvina share writing tips on how to get unstuck. The advice comes from many different authors, including Jane's daughter Heidi Stemple, as well as Shannon Hale, Renee Watson, Linda Sue Park, Lisa Yee, Jonathan Auxier, and more. Who suggested lying on the floor staring at the ceiling? And who suggested walking for 6 miles? And they share Jane Yolen's famous advice, BIC: Butt In Chair. Just sit down and write. For the Fortune Cookie segment, in honor of the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Grace and Alvina share their thoughts on what being Americans mean to them, and their thoughts on the U.S.A. in general. And they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

Episode 354: CHOP SUEY: Gossip, Song Lyrics, Advice, and Book Recs with Alison Morris! Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where they revisit the topic of gossip and how necessary and powerful it can be. Did you know that couples who gossip together tend to have better relationship satisfaction? Also, gossip is a way to examine society's morals.

For the second segment they talk about the song lyrics that have resonated with them over the years. One example for Grace was Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" and one example for Alvina was Alanis Morissette's "You Learn".

Then children's literature specialist Alison Morris joins and the three of them share the best and worse advice they've ever received. Some of the worst advice includes: "You always regret not buying things, but never regret buying things" and "Don't use photo references for your paintings" and some of the best advice includes: "Choose the bigger life," "Make an art of living" and "If it is to be, it is up to me."

And then Alison shares some book recommendations, which included NAVIGATING NIGHT by Julie Leung, illustrated by Angie Kang and Matthew Cordell's 102. And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

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Episode 353: Hidden Beliefs and Names! Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina discuss two topics that are linked--they talk about a recent Happiness Lab podcast episode about the hidden beliefs that shape us. They discuss their own hidden beliefs, both positive and negative, and the seven hidden beliefs that author Shawn Achor says to cultivate in order to live a better life. Some of the beliefs include gratititude, connection, believing that your work is meaningful, and believing that there is something greater than oneself.

They also talk about the hidden beliefs of names--how one's name has an impact on how you live your life. For example, Alvina was told that her parents chose her name because it meant "beloved by all" and the kind of pressure that put on her growing up. Grace's name is also a word, but she was more embarrased by how old-fashioned her name was growing up than the meaning of her name. They also talk about the struggle people who have perceived "foreign" names in the US and the disadvantages that has.

And then Alvina tells Grace about the book SONG FOR JUNETEENTH by Zetta Elliot, illustrated by Noa Denmon. And then, they end as they always do with what they're grateful for.

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

Episode 352: Publishing 101! Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina run through some basic terms in publishing, including what a publishing division vs a publishing imprint might mean. They talk about the different departments in a publishing house, including the differences between marketing and publicity, and some other different titles and departments, including the distinction between Production and Production Editorial. They talk about advances and royalties. and P&Ls, too!

For the Fortune Cookie segment, in honor of graduation season, they talk about what they might give a commencement speech about if ever given the opportunity. And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Episode 351: Our Superpowers! May 28, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina discuss their superpowers! That is, what qualities they possess that they feel most helped them get to where they are today in their careers. For both of them, cultivating connections and communities played a large role. They talk about what they think their own superpowers are, and what qualities they think are each other's superpowers are.

For the Fortune Cookie segment, they talk about a new spate of publishing scams, including by people using AI to impersonate authors and editors, and reporters. Then, Alvina tells Grace about the new book THEIR NAME IS ALEX by Paloma O'Toole, and they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Episode 350: CHOP SUEY: Asian American identities, Book Banning, Birthday Celebrations and Book Recs with Alison Morris! May 21, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where for AAPI or AANHPI Month they discuss their Asian American identities and how that's affected their careers. Then they discuss a recent report on book banning from Pen America, and then special guest Alison Morris joins to discuss celebrating birthdays, and then Alison gives some book recommendations! They end as always with what they're grateful for.

Episode 349: It's a Matter of Taste! May 15, 2026

Show notes

Grace and Alvina talk about taste in general, including the definition of taste, how people develop their tastes, what their own tastes in culture are and how their tastes developed. They talk about who gets to determine what (for example) is "crud" vs "good". They talk about how cultural differences factor into people's tastes, and how people's personal biases play into their taste. They talk about how subjective taste is, and the importance of having people with diverse taste in the gatekeeping role.

For the Fortune Cookie segment they discuss the question of what aspects of their lives now would their younger selves be surprised by? And, they end as always with what they're grateful for.

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