The League of Extraordinary Readers

Latest Episodes:

Life Is Crumbling: Nightcrawling Review And More Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we’re talking about what we’ve been reading, the book events we’ve been loving, and a deep dive into Nightcrawling by Leila Motley — a searing debut novel everyone’s talking about.

If you’re a Black woman who reads, writes, or just loves discovering powerful books by Black and Brown authors, this podcast is your space. Join us for laughs, insight, and real talk about the literary world from our perspective.

🎧 Available everywhere you get your podcasts. Subscribe and follow for weekly episodes that celebrate diverse voices in literature.

📢Church Announcements:

October Book Pick: The Farming of Bones By Edwidge Danticat: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-farming-of-bones-edwidge-danticat/ef4cef29e8146547

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header

Brunchin’ With The Author Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunchin-with-the-author-tananarive-due-tickets-1750904044129

Sintober Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinners-readers-soiree-tickets-1750919991829

Books Mentioned:

The Great Mann

The Wilderness

Nightcrawling

The House of Mango Street

Katabasis

Happy Land

The American Queen

A Mastery of Monsters

Amitty

Push

A Piece of Cake

The Girls Grew Big

My Train Leaves At Three

John Crows Devil

Brown Girl In The Ring

Dawn

Birth of a Dynasty

The Grand Paloma Resort

The Farming of Bones

Tv Shows:

Love is Blind

Silent Hill f

Ghosts of Yotei

The Man in the Basement

The Assessment

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸🎧https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer

#BlackAuthors #BookPodcast #DiverseReading #booktube #literarypodcasts #blackpodcasts

👥 Join the conversation in the comments! What are you reading this week?

Catch Up with The League Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we talk about our weeks, the books we’ve been reading, and dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang—plus more reflections on literature, culture, and community.

📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crime

Nightcrawling

Amitty

Suleem& Yahzi D-Ville Projects

Katabais

My Jim

Black Genius

Birth of a Dynasty

August Lane

Krist&Moanie

Permission

Bricked Up

Happy Land

Angels&Demons

The Good House

📺 TV Shows & Pop Culture Discussed:

Beauty in Black

Beauty and the Bester

Jujutsu Kaisen

📢Church Announcements:

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for updates, book recs, and more. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your fellow book lovers!

Addie Citchens on Her Novel Dominion | The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

The League of Extraordinary Readers presents a powerful conversation with debut author Addie Citchens about her novel Dominion. In this episode, we explore what inspired her to write the story, the themes she wanted to highlight, and how Dominion connects to larger conversations about history, family, and identity.

Perfect for readers, book clubs, and anyone looking for fresh perspectives from Black and BIPOC authors.

👉 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers every Tuesday for new episodes featuring author interviews, book reviews, and conversations connecting literature to culture.

📢Church Announcements:

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header

Addie Citchens IG: https://www.instagram.com/addie_citchens?igsh=dHN2dDZianltZ3Z5

Dominion: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dominion-addie-e-citchens/21862550

👇🏾 👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Dominion

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Song of Solomon

The American Daughters

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

The Last Summer on State Street

King of Ashes

The Grand Paloma Resort

My Sister The Serial Killer

The Death of Vivek Oji

You Made A Fool of Death with your Beauty

Cutthroat

Sky Full of Elephants

James

✒️ Authors Mentioned:

James McBride

Maurice Carlos Ruffin

SA Cosby

📺 TV Shows Mentioned:

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

Tre Johnson Talks Black Genius | The League of Readers Podcast Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

This week on The League of Extraordinary Readers, we sit down with Tre Johnson to talk about his powerful debut book *Black Genius*. We dive into what it means to define genius, how it shapes Black culture, the role of family history, and why this conversation matters today. If you’re looking for thought-provoking nonfiction, Black authors, and diverse stories that expand how we think about literature and culture—this episode is for you. ✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews, reviews, and conversations about books, Black literature, and culture. 📢Church Announcements:Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-headerTre Johnson’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/tre_john_son?igsh=bG01dTg4enE2YWF4Black Genius: https://bookshop.org/p/books/black-genius-essays-on-an-american-legacy-tre-johnson/c4eab476066b6ae9 👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:The VulnerablesThe White AlbumTomorrow, Tomorrow, TomorrowAnnie JohnSulaSomadinaSon of the MorningKatabasis You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty Dante’s Inferno Metamorphosis ✒️ Authors Mentioned:Carrie R. MooreKiese LaymonArundhati RoySigrid NunezJoan Didion📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com📱Follow us on socials:IG&Threads: @theleagueofreadersShelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonaeJess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub 🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer#BlackAuthors #BookPodcast #DiverseReading #TreJohnson #BlackGenius

Nathan Harris, NYT Bestselling Author Talks Amity | The League of Extraordinary Readers Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

This week on The League of Extraordinary Readers, we interview Nathan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Sweetness of Water—an Oprah Book Club pick. Harris returns with his new novel Amity, and we dive into its themes, the craft of historical fiction, and the role of literature in shaping new perspectives.

Perfect for readers, book clubs, and fans of Black literature, this episode connects stories to culture and conversation.

Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers every Tuesday for book reviews, author interviews, and the latest literary news.

📢Church Announcements:

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header

Shelbey’s Merch:

Nathan Harris’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/nathanharrisauthor?igsh=Y2N2aW54Y3AxdWZ0

Amitty: https://bookshop.org/p/books/amity-nathan-harris/22381394

👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Sweetness of Water

Amitty

Let Us Descend

Black Leopard Red Wolf

Moon Witch Spider King

Book of Night Women

Topaz

Dominion

James

The Great Mann

Indigo

Annie John

The Catch

Cappadonna

Birth of a Dynasty

Plus Size Player

Sugar

Sula

Katabasis

Capone

Sing, Unburied, Sing

Good Lord Bird

Lone Women

✒️ Authors Mentioned:

Walter Mosley

Akwaeke Emezi

Beverly Jenkins

James McBride

Jesmyn Ward

Jamaica Kincaid

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸🎧https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

Would You Write A Memoir ft. ‘Firstborn Girls’ by Bernice L. McFadden Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

This week on The League of Extraordinary Readers, we dive into memoirs and review Firstborn Girls by Bernice L. McFadden. We share our weekly updates, book hauls, and talk about how literature and pop culture connect.

Perfect for readers, Black women, Black authors, BIPOC readers, and anyone who loves thoughtful book discussions.

New episodes every Tuesday—join our community of extraordinary readers!

👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Careless People

Dominion

Putting Myself Together

Birth of a Dynasty

The Catch

Plus Size Player

A Devil Went Down To Georgia

Make Your Way Home

Cursed Daughters

Firstborn Girls

Titus

Destry

Midnight Rooms

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery

Cappadonna

What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted

The Color of Water

Mainline Mama

Men We Reaped

Katabasis

Babel

Yellowface

In Search of Satisfaction

Positive Obsession

The Weight

✒️ Authors Mentioned:

Alexis Henderson

Safiya Sinclair

J California Cooper

Octavia Butler

📺 TV Shows Mentioned:

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

Facts, Feels, And Fat Phobia! Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast!

In this week’s episode, we recap the book events we attended, share what we’ve been reading lately, and dive into the Cardi B vs Samyra debate 👀📚.

🎙️ The League of Extraordinary Readers is a literary podcast where two Black women discuss books, culture, and everything in between—bridging the gap between literature and pop culture. If you love books, BIPOC authors, and conversations that mix intellect with entertainment, this podcast is for you.

✨ New episodes every Tuesday—don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an update!

📖 Topics in This Episode:

• Book events we attended 📚

• What we’ve been reading lately

• Cardi B vs Samyra debate

• Bridging literature & pop culture

📢Church Announcements:

August’s Book Pick: Firstborn Girls by Bernice L McFadden: https://bookshop.org/p/books/firstborn-girls-a-memoir-bernice-l-mcfadden/21611301

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header

👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Black Genius

My Government Means To Kill Me

People Like Us

Dread Nation

The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery

Hell of a Book

Cappadonna

Make Your Way Home

Holler, Child!

Secret Lives of Church Ladies

Everything Inside

Dear Born

Neighbors and other stories

Red Clay

A Virgin Surrogate& A Underboss

Cursed Daughters

Midnight Rooms

The Grand Paloma Resort

Neruda on the Park

The Catch

Firstborn Girls

Coleman Hill

The Warmth of Other Sons

The Witness

If Beale Street Could Talk

Go Tell It On The Mountain

✒️ Authors Mentioned:

Rasheed Newsom

Charles Deshawn Winslow

Jesmyn Ward

Edwidge Danticat

Maisy Card

Kim Coleman Foote

Angela Flournoy

Roxann Gay

📺 TV Shows Mentioned:

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

#booktube #literarypodcasts #blackpodcasts

We Are The Elders In The Room Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast!

In this episode, we dive into the latest Center for Fiction Longlist and the Booker Prize Longlist— sharing our thoughts, must-reads, and books that have us most excited. We also take a fun detour to talk about getting older, life changes, and how our reading tastes evolve over time.

Whether you’re a reader, a fan of Black authors, or just looking for your next great read, this episode is full of bookish banter, literary awards chatter, and diverse reading recommendations you won’t want to miss.

✨ What We Cover in This Episode:

• The Center for Fiction 2025 Longlist highlights 📖

• The Booker Prize 2025 Longlist picks 🏆

• Reflections on aging and how it changes our reading lives

• Book recommendations for every kind of reader

🎧 Listen, relax, and join our growing community of extraordinary readers!

👇 Books Mentioned:

Washington Black

I Am Not Sidney Poitier

Summer’s Echo

Blood Slaves

Harlem Rhapsody

Pan

If The Dead Belong Here

Mayra

Loca

Awake in the Floating City

Fantasies of Future Things

Natch

This Here is Love

📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:

📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

#Books #BlackBookTube #BookerPrize #CenterForFiction #BlackAuthors #BookRecommendations #ReadingLife

Where Is Jeff?! Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Reading The Weight by Jeff Boyd + August Goals & Weekly Reads

In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we dive deep into The Weight by Jeff Boyd—a thought-provoking contemporary novel exploring mental health, masculinity, and identity. We share our personal reading experiences, favorite moments, and reflections.

Plus, we chat about our August reading goals and everything we’ve been reading this past week—from romance to literary fiction, and more!

If you’re into bookish convos, literary analysis, and discovering powerful Black and BIPOC stories, this is the podcast for you.

📢Church Announcements:

August’s Book Pick: Firstborn Girls by Bernice L McFadden: https://bookshop.org/p/books/firstborn-girls-a-memoir-bernice-l-mcfadden/21611301

Firstborn Gir

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode

The Weight

Zami

Such A Fun Age

Blood Slaves

First Born Girls

The Friend Contract

The Alpha Affair

Boom Town

Bones At The Crossroads

The Great Mann

August Lane

The Art of Scandal

This Here is Love

Washington Black

No Sense In Wishing

People Like Us

Cappadonna

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery

A Perfect Party

107 Days

People Like Us

The Great Gatsby

House of Eve

Take My Hand

Homecoming

Harlem Rhapsody

Trinity

The Last Thing You Surrender

Black Genius

The Catch

Conjuring of America

📝Authors Mentioned:

Robbi Renee

Beverly Jenkins

Brenda Jackson

📺TV Shows/Movie:

👇🏾 Connect With Us & Support the Show

📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

💬 Drop a comment or review to let us know your August TBR!

#ReadingBlack #BookPodcast #TheLeagueofExtraordinaryReaders

The Miseducation of Black Women In Media Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

📚 The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast | Episode: Black Women in Books, Media & Love Island

Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers — a literary podcast where stories meet culture. In this episode, we’re catching up on our week, the books we’ve been reading, shows we’ve been watching, and diving into a much-needed conversation about how Black women are represented in media.

From book characters to reality TV, including the latest season of Love Island, we unpack the good, the bad, and the messy. We also talk about the importance of how Black women show up in fiction and real life, and why representation still matters.

🎧 Tune in if you’re into:

• Black literary podcasts

• Real convos about Black women in books and reality TV

• Diverse book recommendations

• Smart, funny, unfiltered reading talk

👇 Drop your favorite book or show featuring Black women in the comments!

📚 Books Mentioned:

Mexican Gothic

The Bewitching

Lot

Memorial

Palaver

The Great Mann

People Like Us

Capone

Cappadonna

Biggie

Washington Black

Boom Town

Surrender To Me

Harmattan Season

Perish

Only For The Week

Sinful Restraint

📺 Shows Discussed:

Love Island

Smoke

💬 Stay Connected:

Subscribe + turn on notifications so you never miss a bookish episode.

🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer

📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials:

IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders

Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae

Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

📢Church Announcements:

July’s Book Pick: The Weight by Jeff Boyd https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-weight-jeff-boyd/18667844b

Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!

📣 Join the convo:

#BlackReaders #BookCommunity #LoveIslandTalk

🎙️ About The League of Extraordinary Readers:

We’re here to spotlight books, build community, and center Black and BIPOC voices in every chapter, genre, and medium.

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