The Currently Reading Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 44: Bookish Serendipity + the Debut of a New Segment: "Belly Up to the Book Bar" Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

Meredith and Kaytee are back in your earbuds this week to chat about all sorts of bookish goodness!

Continuing Important announcement: we have a great discount code to share with you from The Bookshelf Thomasville! For a few final days (through June 30th), you can get anything on their website for 10% off using the code CURRENTLYREADING (wow!!!) This would be a great time to pick up a Shelf Subscription for yourself or others!

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: a book devouring, and validating your summer reading choices

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. We're all over the place in genre, age range, and opinions this week, so get out those library cards!

For our deep dive this week, we are teasing our new segment for Season 2! Belly Up to the Book Bar will b in our regular rotation next season, and we cannot wait to share it with you, listeners! Thanks to Megan Goodell for being our guinea pig "test customer".

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This week's pick include some historical fiction about the Spanish flu and a murder mystery from a master.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

2:28 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

3:10 - Minisode with Brigid Kemmerer

6:31 - The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth

9:36 - The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

9:54 - Currently Reading 2019 Reading Challenge

9:59 - Six Stories by Matt Weselowski

12:06 - Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

12:20 - Episode 16 of Sarah's Bookshelves Live

12:22 - Episode 189 of Sorta Awesome

15:12 - The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dion

16:53 - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

18:05 - Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge

18:09 - Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis

20:39 - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

22:53 - Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink

24:39 - What Should I Read Next episode 186 about bookish serendipity

25:32 - The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

25:39 - The Giver by Lois Lowry

28:07 - A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

29:58 - The Penderwicks by Jennie Birdsall

Belly Up to the Book Bar! - Megan Goodell

33:51 - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

34:25 - I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

35:36 - Prey by Michael Crichton

36:04 - The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

36:20 - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

36:27 - Circe by Madeline Miller

37:02 - The Physician by Noah Gordon

37:28 - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

37:35 - Beartown by Fredrick Backman

37:36 - Us Against You by Fredrick Backman

38:26 - Class Mom by Laurie Gelman

38:49 - The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

38:59 - The Yoga Store Murder by Dan Morse

39:10 - I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

39:43 - The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

39:49 - All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage

39:55 - Haunted Ground by Erin Hart

40:10 - Cinder by Marissa Meyer

40:19 - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

40:27 - Christina Henry fairytale retellings - Lost Boy, Alice, Red Queen, Girl in Red

40:43 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

40:53 - A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

41:17 - What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

41:25 - Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge

41:46 - The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

41:56 - Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

If you want to Belly Up to the Book Bar, send us an email: currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com

44:04 - As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

46:31 - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

46:40 - The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

48:58 - The House of Silk (Sherlock Holmes) by Anthony Horowitz

*Please note that all book titles linked above are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*

Episode 43: A Hopeful Android Story: The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels with Guest Host Amanda Espinoza Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

Meredith and Kaytee had to call in the big guns this week, so they invited Amanda Espinosa to join them for this special episode of Currently Reading!

Continuing Important announcement: we have a great discount code to share with you from The Bookshelf Thomasville! Now through June 30th, you can get anything on their website for 10% off using the code CURRENTLYREADING (wow!!!) This would be a great time to pick up a Shelf Subscription for yourself or others!

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each host: a perfectly bookish gift for a Labyrinth fan, a fun reading tracking idea, and a local bookstore visit.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. We are each sharing two recent reads, and there are some really big opinions in this episode, so get ready!

For our deep dive this week, Amanda has done some amazing prep work to fill up your Currently Reading Challenge worksheet in the Science Fiction and Fantasy slot. She's created a number of book flights for each genre, and, in an unusual twist, there are even MORE titles in show notes than there are in the episode!

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. A magical realist novel, a humorous collection of stories centered on childhood, and a fantasy novel that will totally transport you and you might wish was real (with a TRIPLE COSIGN!)

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

2:24 - Jim Henson's Labyrinth: The Novelization by A.C.H. Smith

2:38 - Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation Vol. 1 by Simon Spurrier

3:24 - What Should I Read Next episode 187: Traveling the World Without Leaving Your Hometown

5:12 - Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe, NM

6:51 - The Gown by Jennifer Robson

8:09 - Episode 32 with Mindy Brouse

9:11 - The Murmur of Bees by Sophia Segovia

11:00 - Books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

12:51 - Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka

14:30 - El Deafo by Cece Bell

15:44 - The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

17:36 - Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy

18:28 - Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips

19:05- Sarah's Bookshelves Live

20:58 - The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

24:41 - Currently Reading 2019 Reading Challenge!

24:55 - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

24:56 - 11/22/63 by Stephen King

24:58 - The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

24:59 - Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas

25:00 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

25:02 - A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

27:11 - Flight 1: Sci-Fi in Space

27:17 - (1) The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

28:11 - (2) Redshirts by Jon Scalzi

28:52 - (3) Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey

30:04 - (4) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

30:12 - (5) The Martian by Andy Weir

30:47 - Flight 2: Sci-Fi on Earth

30:56 - (1) Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson

31:32 - Reamde by Neal Stephenson

31:47 - (2) Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Nueval

32:23 - (3) Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

33:19 - (4) Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick

33:32 - (5) 11/22/63 by Stephen King

33:55 - Flight 3: YA Sci-Fi

34:00 - (1) Red Rising by Pierce Brown

34:37 - (2) The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

35:46 - (3) The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

(4) Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

(5) An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

36:07 - Flight 4: Fantasy

36:11 - (1) Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

36:16 - Uprooted by Naomi Novik

36:49 - (2) The Princess Bride by William Golding

(3) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

(4) The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

(5) The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Flight 5: Epic Fantasy

37:09 - (1) The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

38:16 - (2) Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

38:42 - Alcatraz Vs. The Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

(3) The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

40:40 - Caraval by Stephanie Garber

41:28 - (4) His Majesty's Dragon by Noami Novik

(5) Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Flight 6: YA Fantasy

(1) Caraval by Stephanie Garber

(2) Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

(3) My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

(4) Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland

(5) The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

42:23 - Sourdough by Robin Sloan

42:25 - Calypso by David Sedaris

43:34 - Naked by David Sedaris

43:35 - Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

43:49 - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

44:51 - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

45:38- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

45:43 - Scythe by Neal Schusterman

Find Amanda:

Twitter: @AmandaEspi and @LoungeCuriosity

Instagram: @LoungeCuriosity

Website: https://curiositylounge.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AmandaEspi

Episode 42: Audiobooks for your Summer Road Trip + The Reading Life of Guest Host Heather Chollar Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

Kaytee has a special guest co-host joining her this week, and I can't wait to share her with you. You've heard me mention "my Heather" many times on the podcast, and today she's recording with me to bring you a very special episode.

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: a trip to a favorite indie bookstore and library cards for very excited kiddos.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. Heather prepared like a boss and brings you a perfect audiobook listen no matter who you are road tripping with this summer. Kaytee has some non-fiction and a (perhaps overly?) hyped sequel to discuss.

For our deep dive this week, I'm talking to Heather about her reading life, including some of the things that you listeners have been wondering about our (M&K's reading life) in relation to motherhood, and finding time to read with kids around.

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. We've got a children's classic that should be read by readers of every age and a memoir that will make you cry and laugh so hard you may pee yourself.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

2:05 - Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, CO

4:40 - The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Mary Rose Wood

7:28 - The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

7:33 - The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

10:44 - Everybody Always by Bob Goff

12:38 - Love Does by Bob Goff

13:17 - Just Open the Door by Jen Schmidt

13:30 - May 21st Episode of Sorta Awesome with Heather Chollar talking about Introverted Hospitality

13:53 - The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schmidt

13:55 - The Art of Neighboring by Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak

16:24 - Circe by Madeline Miller

16:32 - Meredith discusses in Episode 10 at 44:08

19:06 - @howjessreads on Instagram

19:13 - Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright

20:18 - Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

22:24 - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

25:04 - Heather's display bookshelf

29:27 - Gift From the Sea by Ann Morrow Lindburgh

31:00 - The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

32:05 - Audiobook narration of The Phantom Tollbooth by Raine Wilson

34:02 - Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

34:14 - Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

34:55 - momastery.com

36:53 - @heatherchollar on Instagram

Episode 41: Murderous Mysteries + Our Bookish Mentors Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

Meredith and Kaytee are excited to be chatting this week about all things bookish and books!

Important announcement this week: we have a great discount code to share with you from The Bookshelf Thomasville! Now through June 30th, you can get anything on their website for 10% off using the code CURRENTLYREADING (wow!!!) This would be a great time to pick up a Shelf Subscription for yourself or others!

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: an fun online printable for summer reading and a new Etsy store find.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. We've got some great mysteries for you Penny pushers, and some other fun fiction for you and your kids.

For our deep dive this week, we are chatting about our reading mentors: the women (and a few men) who shaped our reading lives and what they taught us about books and reading.

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This weeks's "presses" are a classic perfect for spring/summer reading and a non-fiction pick that every woman should read.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

2:30 - @everydayreading on Instagram

2:56 - Summer Reading Chart from Everyday Reading

4:04 - Summer Reading Guide from Everyday Reading

4:29 - Keen Bee Studio on Etsy

5:31 - The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

5:37 - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

8:16 - No Man's Nightingale by Ruth Rundell

8:37 - Three Pines Series by Louise Penny

8:44 - Books by Agatha Christie

8:51 - From Doon With Death by Ruth Rundell

12:46 - Wishes and Wellingtons by Julie Berry

14:16 - Aladdin from The Arabian Nights (classic collection) - this is the best-reviewed version I found!

15:39 - The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

19:41 - Six Stories by Matt Weselowski

19:48 - The Currently Reading 2019 Reading Challenge

25:49 - The Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton

25:58 - E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton

41:04 - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

43:40 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

44:18 - Minisode with Brigid Kemmerer

44:25 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

44:48 - The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

45:13 - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Episode 40: Books that Saved Our Lives May 27, 2019

Show notes

Kaytee and Meredith are back on track with another episode, recorded just a day after the last one. You'll never guess it though!

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: a re-read experience of a favorite novel and bookish unpacking wins.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. Quite a few non-fiction titles again this week, as well as some readalikes and great books for your kiddos.

For our deep dive this week, we are getting a little deeper into the deepness and sharing about times that a book saved our lives. These stories are a bit vulnerable, a bit emotional, and a lot bookish.

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This week we've got two historical fiction novels: one centering on the plague and one in the back of beyond of Australia.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

2:45 - The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

6:07 - The Yoga Store Murder by Dan Morse

9:24 - I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott

10:06 - Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan

10:13 - Of Mess And Moxie by Jen Hatmaker

10:18 - Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

11:42 - The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

14:56 - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

15:28 - Emma by Jane Austen

15:59 - Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

16:34 - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

20:02 - Stick Dog by Tom Watson

20:05 - Stick Cat by Tom Watson

22:04 - Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

22:10 - Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

22:58 - Maid by Stephanie Land

29:13 - Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon

29:15 - Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon

29:17 - The Other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon

33:10 - Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

37:12 - Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

39:12 - Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet

39:41 - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

Episode 39: Spicy Opinions + Best Gifts for Bookworms May 20, 2019

Show notes

Meredith and Kaytee are happily chatting this week about the books we've been reading and the bookish gifts we have been buying or want to buy!

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: a "there's a book for every reader" realization and a well-curated bookish shopping trip.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. There are some seriously strong opinions about the books we've been reading lately. Lots of punching, for some reason!

For our deep dive this week, we are shopping for the book lovers in our lives and have each decided to tackle different types of readers. We are hopeful that this will help you in your own gift-giving endeavors!

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This week we are talking about a YA novel full of sweetness and fun emails, and a regency mystery series that ended too soon.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

3:12 - Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

3:25 - Orange is the New Black Cookbook by Jenji Kohan

4:22 - Breakfast Sandwich Maker Cookbook by Jennifer Williams

6:53 - Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman

7:05 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

7:08 - Beartown by Fredrik Backman

7:09 - Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

9:09 - Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

11:17 - The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile

11:24 - The Enneagram Journey podcast with Suzanne Stabile

11:29 - The Road Back to You by Suzanne Stabile and Ian Morgan Cron

13:27 - The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

15:51 - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

15:58 - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

15:59 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

16:07 - The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

18:05 - Good and Mad by Rebecca Traister

21:06 - Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts

21:43 - The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

25:58 - The Coffee- or Tea-Lover

26:17 - Old Barrell Tea Company

26:25 - Atlas Coffee Club

26:26 - Book Lovers Coffee

26:34 - inginuiTEA loose leaf tea maker

26:36 - French press coffee maker

27:08 - a great bookish mug

27:22 - Bird Box by Josh Malerman

27:25 - I Let You Go by Claire Mackintosh

28:05 - The Cozy/Hygge Bookworm

28:50 - Aunt Dimity Series

28:53 - Agatha Raisin Series

28:55 - Goldy Bear series

28:59 - Ellery Adams books

29:10 - Agatha Christie books

29:18 - a great throw

29:19 - a lovely candle

29:33 - The Foodie

29:46 - a cookbook holder (for books OR cookbooks!)

30:26 - my favorite earbuds -OR- Apple AirPods

30:47 - Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

31:08 - Every Day is Saturday by Sarah Copeland

32:15 - A Dad

32:26 - I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

32:32 - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

32:44 - Dollar Shave Club starter kit

32:57 - his favorite beverage

33:23 - The Adventurer

33:33 - a Kindle paperwhite

33:57 - a great totebag (one from Out of Print and the new one from Book of the Month)

34:20 - again with the earbuds or AirPods

34:32 - Audible subscription

34:33 - Libro.fm subscription

35:01 - At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider

35:09 - I'm A Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson

35:11 - Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson

35:35 - The Lovestruck Teenage Girl

35:42 - To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

35:48 - bath bombs from Lush Cosmetics

36:14 - The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

36:34 - a notebook from Erin Condren

37:10 - The Book Devourer

37:40 - shirts, blankets or scarves from Out of Print or Litographs.com

38:09 - a gift card to Thriftbooks.com or your local indie or amazon.com

38:19 - a subscription to Book of the Month

38:25 - a shelf subscription to Bookshelf Thomasville (use code CURRENTLYREADING for 10% off!)

38:35 - Bibliophile by Jane Mount

39:07 - The Hamilton Fan

39:19 - Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda

39:29 - Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

39:42 - My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray

39:45 - The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

39:57 - the Hamilton Broadway store

41:06 - A Million Books I Haven't Read t-shirt

41:51 - Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

43:16 - What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

44:21 - Cut to the Quick by Kate Ross (the Julian Kestrel series)

Minisode: An Interview with "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" Author Brigid Kemmerer May 17, 2019

Show notes

In today's spoiler-free mini-episode, you get to hear from author Brigid Kemmerer, who wrote "A Curse So Dark and Lonely", a book that Meredith fell in love with as soon as she read it and raved around in Episode 38.

In this "minisode", Meredith and Brigid talk about the evolution of the idea for this beautiful Beauty and the Beast re-telling, why she decided to have one of her main characters have cerebral palsy and some nuggets of info on the upcoming follow up book.

And, as always, we'll end with a book she wants to press into your hands, readers!

Minisode shownotes are not timestamped, but linked titles are below for you to peruse.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

Brigid's website (with links to all her social media!)

Episode 38: Five-Star Novels + Our Bookish Demerits May 13, 2019

Show notes

Kaytee and Meredith are back in your earbuds this week to bring you Episode 38, including a few literary confessions or demerits.

We have a few important announcements right at the top of the show, one of which requires your help, listeners! Send us your Ask Us Anything questions via email, Direct Message, or as a comment on show notes, and we'll feature them in a future episode! If we use your question, we'll send you a coveted Currently Reading bookmark (and our everlasting thanks, of course).

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: an indie bookstore day recap and a bookish "retirement" gift.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. We both read quite a few books that we REALLY loved this week, so don't hesitate to use those show notes below!

For our deep dive this week, we have decided to give ourselves bookish "demerits" a la Gretchen Rubin's Happier podcast. These are places in our reading lives where we think we could improve. Sometimes we commiserate with each other and sometimes we chide each other!

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This week we are talking about a fantastic mystery/police procedural, and a multi-generational family saga.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

5:23 - Thriftbooks.com my favorite used book website!

6:02 - A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

9:43 - Harry's Trees by Jon Cohen

11:07 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

11:24 - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

14:18 - Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson

15:22 - Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

15:23 - The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

15:25 - Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

16:49 - My Name is Venus Black by Heather Lloyd

17:15 - The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms

21:18 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

21:42 - Beauty by Robin McKinley

25:16 -Uprooted by Naomi Novik

25:17 - Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

26:48 - Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

27:05 - Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat by Patricia Williams

27:47 - The Elephant in the Room by Tommy Tomlinson

28:38 - The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

30:45 - Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

30:47 - The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

31:01 - Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

31:02 - Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

32:30 - Robert Galbraith series

32:45 - Three Pines series by Louise Penny

32:47 - HP Series by JK Rowling

33:02 - Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

33:02 - Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

33:34 - Scythe by Neal Shusterman

42:01 - A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

42:09 - Tana French books

43:25 - Distant Echo by Val McDermid

43:51 - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Episode 37: Books That Surprised Us + Where to Get Great Recs from Librarians, Booksellers and Podcasters May 06, 2019

Show notes

Meredith and Kaytee are happy to be recording again, and can't believe we are already up to Episode 37!

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: each of them this week centers on reading with the kiddos.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. We have an eclectic mix of titles from middle grade to adult, fiction and non-, humor and serious. A bit of everything!

For our deep dive this week, we are chatting about the fifth category in our 2019 Reading Challenge: a book pressed into your hands by a librarian, bookseller, or podcaster. And we've got a trove of resources for you if you're stuck on this one!

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This week has us pressing favorites that we've loved for a long time but were out of sight/out of mind until someone brought them back to our attention.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

3:18 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

4:20 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

7:00 - A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

7:37 - The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupéry

9:17 - Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

10:43 - Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View by Ramin Setoodeh

12:55 - Most Talkative by Andy Cohen

13:09 - From Scratch: Inside the Food Network by Allen Salkin

14:20 - First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

16:42 - Scythe by Neal Schusterman

16:43 - Ghost Whisperer (TV series)

17:13 - Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

19:44 - Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty

20:50 - Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

21:41 - Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

21:42 - Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

23:55 - The Elephant in the Room: One Fat Man's Quest to Get Smaller in a Growing America by Tommy Tomlinson

27:00 - The Currently Reading 2019 Reading Challenge

27:27 - I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

28:30 - libraryreads.org

29:30 - Indie Next List from indiebound.org

30:42 - All the Books podcast

31:08 - Liberty Hardy @franzencomesalive

31:27 - Anne Bogel on What Should I Read Next

31:37 - Anne Bogel on One Great Book (and Patron feed)

31:59 - Annie Jones on From the Front Porch podcast

32:23 - Book Drop subscription box

32:26 - Shelf Subscription from Bookshelf Thomasville

32:31 - Reading Bug Box

33:04 - Sorta Awesome podcast

33:14 - Jamie Golden (and Knox) on The Popcast or at @jamiebgolden

33:08 - Laura Tremaine @laura.tremaine on Instagram

33:45 - Gretchen Rubin on the Happier podcast and her FB page

34:17 - Read Aloud Revival with Sarah McKenzie

34:27 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast

34:38 - The Librarian is In by the NY Public Library

34:56 - Reading Women podcast

35:05 - @parnassusbooks on Instagram

35:06 - @powellsbooks on Instagram

35:56 - @bookshelftville on Instagram

36:20 - Book of the Month subscription

37:05 - A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

37:21 - Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness

37:31 - Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

37:32 - The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

39:29 - What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

40:39 - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Episode 36: Our Favorite Books for Babies + A Bookish Baby Shower for (Return) Guest Mary Heim Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

We've got another "first" for the podcast this week! We are talking to our first return guest! You met Mary Heim in Episode 24 when she recorded with Meredith. Now, she's back to chat with both of us and we're so excited. Again. ;-)

You'll hear a "bookish moment of the week" from each of us: an upcoming bookish holiday (now just past), finishing the second book in a series, and an audiobook binge.

Next, we discuss our current reads for the week. We've got two current reads from each host and Meredith and Mary seem to almost coordinate their picks (we never discuss beforehand, so this is all coincidental), while Kaytee takes each round off to left field.

For our deep dive this week, we surprise Mary with a virtual bookish baby shower. This deep dive focuses in on the board books and other titles for ages 0-2 and is the first in a series. We'll do subsequent chats about favorite books for 2-4 year olds and 5-8 year olds as well. So many great titles in this section!

As always, we finish up with A Book (yep, capitalized) that we'd like to press into every reader's hands. This week Meredith and Kaytee are pressing more picture books, while Mary chooses a lovely essay collection she goes back to again and again.

As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!

3:17 - Still Life by Louise Penny

4:29 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

9:42 - Great With Child by Beth Ann Fennelly

9:48 - Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly

13:08 - I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott

16:09 - Morgan Tallman on Episode 22 of Currently Reading

16:20 - Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

20:48 - Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (releases June 4th!)

20:58 - The Magicians by Lev Grossman

21:00 - Tana French books

23:37 - Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

24:22 - The Club by Takis Wurger