Literally Books

This week, Magda and Lindsay are recording LIVE from Georgetown’s very own Lark & Owl Booksellers to chat with the incredible Jess Cannon about her cozy mystery novel “Zoom with a View.” This conversation has EVERYTHING from South American television programming in the 90s to obscure snark subreddits to the insidious culture of online wellness gurus. Much like the book that spawned it, this ep...

This week, Magda and Lindsay sit down with Rachel Thorne, aka Denise Grover Swank, author of many a rom-com and mystery tale, to talk all about her book “The Substitute.”    “The Substitute” follows Megan Vandemeer, who has just recently dumped her cheating finance bro fiancé, Jay. There’s just one hitch: she hasn’t told her family the wedding’s off. While flying home to break the news to her upti...

Volunteering for a summer reading list?!  Uh, YES.  Magda and Lindsay are your favorite kind of teacher’s pets, though, because they’re going to walk through every kind of option for a perfect summer read. Memoir, romance, heist, magical realism…economics (?). These are all the books they’re reading and planning to read during their short summer break.  Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally...

Day 1,476 of our fascination…with Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.  Magda and Lindsay dive into this wonderful tale of love, community, unlikely friendships, and grief. Listen in as they compare the book and the movie and all the things that warmed their souls.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Remarkably Bright Creatures“ by Shelby Van Pelt “American Fantasy“ by Emma Straub “Carr...

This week, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince” schools Magda and Lindsay in some extremely important life lessons, most importantly, that being an adult is so overrated.  In honor of the book, they discuss all the essential things they felt with their hearts while reading this absolute classic.    Books mentioned in the episode: “The Little Prince“ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “The Girls...

A horror writer, YA writer, romance writer, sci-fi writer, mystery writer, and a team of thriller writers walk into a secluded Scottish mansion… This is the setup for this week’s deep dive, Evelyn Clarke’s “The Ending Writes Itself.”  Listen in as Magda and Lindsay discuss this mystery tale wrapped in a treatise on the publishing industry with a dash of commentary on genre stereotypes.    Books me...

ONE. HUNDRED. EPISODES!!!!!! Literally Books has officially reached its hundredth episode, so Magda and Lindsay spend this episode freaking out, crying, and wallowing in nostalgia and gratitude.  Listen in as they take listener questions, provide rapid-fire books recs (how many books CAN they recommend in 50 seconds?), revel in some of their favorite memories, and manifest what they want for the n...

BookCon! BookCon! BookCon! ’Tis the season for 35,000 of the country’s biggest introverts to converge together in NYC and talk about books. Magda and Lindsay discuss their favorite panels, their experience moderating author talks, and their favorite moments from this year’s BookCon, after its 6-year hiatus.    Books mentioned in the episode: “West of Wicked“ by Nikki St. Crowe “Big Girl Blitz“ by...

Now while Magda and Lindsay may be literary hoarders in all forms— digital, physical, audible— they understand (kind of) that not everyone may want heaps and piles of books. So in the spirit of cultivation, they’re pulling together their personal capsule bookshelf.  They’ll each recommend five books that will scratch whatever reading itch you may be having.  *Please note, while your hosts did thei...

This week, Magda and Lindsay have the absolute pleasure of talking to Rufi Thorpe, champion of misfits, believer in forgiveness, and, of course, author of "Margo's Got Money Troubles," among others. Listen in as she discusses her writing process, motherhood, professional wrestling, and the upcoming adaptation of her book. Books mentioned in the episode: "Margo's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe...

Dearest gentle reader, or maybe not reader? Maybe just watcher?  Whoever you are, if you’re into Bridgerton, you’ve come to the right place.  Magda and Lindsay review their definitive (until the next season is released, at least) rankings of each Bridgerton series, and then Magda gives a full rundown of which books to check out and which to skip.  Join us for this Regency era rager!    Books menti...

Magda and Lindsay have yet another love letter for their local bookstores. They recap this year's Austin Book Trail and all the great new stores they got to visit, each with its own vibe and special ambiance to offer. Special thanks to: Lioness Books Adventures in Ink The Secret Lantern Finney's Books   Email us!  Literally Books Website Literally Books Instagram Magda's Instagram Lindsay's Instag...

Sometimes you just need to feel something! This week, Magda and Lindsay bring you their five best recommendations for books that will make you cry and cleanse your soul. Listen in for stories that will crack open even the hardest of hearts.  Don’t worry, no one’s looking. Let those April showers of teardrops rain down.    Books mentioned in the episode: “And Now, Back to You“ by B.K. Borison “Firs...

He’s a monster!! And by that, we mean Victor Frankenstein, not his creation.  Listen this week as Magda and Lindsay break down Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its enduring legacy. They also delve into recent adaptations by Guillermo del Toro and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride.”    Books mentioned in the episode: “Hamnet“ by Maggie O’Farrell “Crying in H Mart“ by Michelle Zauner “Frankenstein“ by M...

This week’s comic book deep dive is aptly named, because Magda and Lindsay’s love for “Love Everlasting” is, indeed, everlasting.  Listen in as they discuss the surprising twists and turns of this genre-bending, mysterious graphic novel.  Books mentioned in the episode:  “Love Everlasting“ by Tom King & Elsa Charretier “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir “The Butcher’s Masquerade“ by Matt Dinnima...

Excite! Excite! In honor of the Project Hail Mary movie, premiering March 20, Magda and Lindsay are re-releasing a throwback episode of their deep dive into the book!   -------------- Fist my bump! This week Lindsay and Magda gush about Andy Weir's hilarious sci-fi book, Project Hail Mary. It's a feat for two liberal arts majors to dig into a science-heavy plot, but they brave the work, because th...

We read. You watch.  Today, Magda and Lindsay are talking all about Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary” in anticipation of the movie, releasing on March 20th.  Now, even though they’ve spent every day since finishing it talking to everyone they know, and even some they don’t know about how amazing it is, they realize that it may have been a while since some of you have read it. Don’t worry, our girls...

Is it just us, or has the journey from holiday time to springtime been 70 years? If you’re feeling the wintertime post-holiday blues, then Magda and Lindsay have got you covered with some book recs that’ll help you shake off the ennui.  They do say grief 6 times in this episode, but it’s happy, we swear!!    Books mentioned in the episode:  “It Happened One Summer“ by Tessa Bailey “Frankenstein“ b...

This week’s episode taught Magda and Lindsay a valuable lesson: a bad book can be made better by an even worse movie. That’s right, they’re discussing all things Wuthering Heights…and “Wuthering Heights.” Okay, okay. So even though they may not have loved everything about Emily Brontë’s sole work, they definitely agree it has depth and is, in its own right, revolutionary. The movie…well, that’s an...

As we learned with “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy is not an author you turn to for comfortable conversations.  Her debut fiction book, “Half His Age,” amps up the squidginess 1,000% and has Magda and Lindsay squirming in their seats as they talk about the age gap tale, which is told from a 17-year-old’s perspective about her relationship with her 40-year-old teacher.  One thing we can sa...

We burn. We pine. We read.  This week’s episode is all about the swoon. Magda and Lindsay recommend stories with some of the most heat-inducing moments they could think of.  *Romantic partner not required.    Books mentioned in the episode:  “Romeo and Juliet“ by William Shakespeare “East of Eden“ by Johns Steinbeck “Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë “Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley “The Dungeon An...

Welcome to the literary eras tour. This week, Magda and Lindsay are joined by Brittany and Dani of “The Breadcrumb Effect” podcast to discuss the literary breadcrumbs that led them from one moment in their lives to the next.  Listen in to learn the books that formed the readers they’ve become, and all the lessons they learned along the way.  You an follow The Breadcrumb Effect here !   Email us! ...

We all have that platonic friend who is incredibly hot, that we spend a decade going on vacations with and definitely never have romantic feelings for, and does not create tension in our relationships, right?  Okay, so maybe not. But WHO CARES? We need a little unrealistic love in our lives. This week, Magda and Lindsay talk all about the swoon-y, sweet, romantic “People We Meet on Vacation,” both...

It’s time to get woo-woo, because this week, Literally Books is looking to the stars to recommend your next read.  What will ignite the fire signs’ passion? Which stories will fill our water signs’ cups? What tales will our earth signs find most grounding?  This week’s episode will chart your reading course.    Books mentioned in the episode: “People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry “Funny Stor...

It’s a new year, and Literally Books is back, baby!  Magda and Lindsay catch up on everything they read during the break. Magda discusses reading all about feminine rage across various genres, and Lindsay delves into her journey through literary absurdity.  Then the gals put dive deep into their woo-woo to discuss the resolutions they’re working toward this year and all they want to manifest.  …an...