Book Gang

Nicola Yoon discusses her provocative adult debut, One of Our Kind, and the surprising inspiration from The Stepford Wives that sparked her daring new story. Writing inspiration can sometimes strike in the most unlikely places. Podcast listening in the shower electrified a story Nicola Yoon had never expected to write. Join us for an enlightening conversation with the bestselling young adult novel...

L.M. Chilton reveals his surprising dating history that inspired his debut thriller, Swiped.  After nearly a decade and 212 failed dates, L.M. Chilton channeled his dating frustrations into  Swiped , a fresh debut murder mystery exploring the darker side of online dating cleverly crafted for the millennial reader. Today, we discuss his personal story and journalism efforts to uncover the truth beh...

The 2024 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide includes 35 titles, offering upcoming releases, new releases, and backlist gems. Grab your favorite summer beverage and settle in for this year's summer reading guide, which includes 35 beautiful book selections for your summer.  After carefully reviewing eighty books for this season, I've tried to offer some expected and unexpected picks, from the campy to...

This special crossover episode with The Reader's Couch offers five backlist books for your summer and what it takes to nail a great summer reading guide. Today's episode features Victoria Wood from  The Reader's Couch  podcast. I asked Victoria to bring her best backlist book treasures from her past summer reading guides that deserve far more attention. From historical mysteries to a heartwarming...

Jeff Zentner discusses the inspiration for his emotional adult debut romance novel Colton Gentry's Third Act, which celebrates food, music, and second chances. Celebrated young adult novelist Jeff Zentner returns to our space to discuss his transition from writing young adult books to his surprising new release—a romance debut for adults called Colton Gentry's Third Act.  We discuss the critical d...

Amy Lin discusses her emotional debut memoir Here After. We discuss her surprising revelations about the grief process and better steps to show up for grievers. In our fear of saying the wrong thing, we often don't get to engage in essential conversations like the one we share today. Amy Lin, author of Here After, joins the Book Gang podcast to discuss her powerful memoir on grief and loss and wha...

This special crossover episode with Thoughts from a Page offers five new historical fiction books in 2024 to read now of compelling women throughout history. Cindy Burnett, the host of the Thoughts from a Page podcast, joins our show in this special crossover episode to discuss her favorite new historical fiction books for 2024 that readers will love.  We discuss the most memorable books we read w...

Kennedy Ryan discusses her rise to the NYT bestseller list as a Black romance writer with moving advocacy for autism representation in This Could Be Us. There is a reason everyone wants to be a part of Kennedy Ryan’s story—her joy is infectious. Today, we offer listeners a front-row seat to her romance Booktok fandom, sold-out book tours, and moving victory as a Black romance writer on the  New Yo...

In today's podcast, escape in a time loop novel. We discuss Groundhog Day books and the comforting ways repeating time travel can charm us in our book stack. When we say "time loop," readers immediately react to this statement. Whether it is a no or a yes, Jessica and I have you covered in today's podcast.  We discuss why repeating cycles of events work for us or don't and how some of the storytel...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Faceout Studio book designer Elisha Zepeda as he takes us on a journey from working in a bookstore to navigating his first year in book cover design.  Elisha navigates the challenges of cover rejection through a unique avenue- his TikTok account, where readers can discuss the rejected and accepted designs with him. Today he shares what he sees as emerging...

Emily Habeck discusses her widely imaginative debut novel, Shark Heart, and how this writing project transformed her life and the lives of her readers. It's no secret that Shark Heart was my favorite debut of the year, and today's meaningful author conversation only solidified this moving reading experience. We discuss the unusual overlap to our love stories and the other surprising emotional conn...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Sarah Adler discusses writing her quirky debut novel Mrs. Nash's Ashes and her favorite memorable "only one bed" moments in romance. Sarah Adler didn’t know she was writing a romance book when she started her novel. She wasn’t even a romance reader. All of that changed, though, when she wrote Mrs. Nash’s Ashes , her debut romance novel.  Today, Sarah Adler provides...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Head to art school with debut novelist Antonia Angress today. We discuss the inspiration for her debut novel, Sirens & Muses, which one of our best debuts of 2023. If you have ever dreamed of attending art school, you will want to tune in to today's discussion and fictional art book stack. Today, we are joined by debut novelist Antonia Angress as she shares her ins...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Cue the confetti! This week's episode shares the top fifteen books we have read this year after screening HUNDREDS of books. This discussion includes the best fiction books of 2023 and some of our favorite backlist books we were thrilled to discover this year. There is TRULY something for everyone. We invite you to browse today's bonus book list featuring our favor...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Meet MY new book gang collaboration with Victoria from The Reader's Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on a new reading journey together.  I'm thrilled to bring you a special pop-up episode announcing a fabulous new collaboration for the upcoming year. I couldn't be more excited to team up with my bookish friends, Victoria from ...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new contributor voice to the Book Gang podcast. Jessica Bearak is likely a familiar voice to you because she is such a loyal participant in so many book club spaces around the web.  It was such a treat to meet her IN PERSON earlier this year, and after having the best time discussing our books together, I asked if she could pict...

Join us in Part 2 of the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club as we unveil the second half of our carefully curated book selections and how to join! Cue the confetti! I'm hosting my first backlist book club year in honor of my 20th year as an online creator, and I would be HONORED to have you join me on this journey. This year's offerings include backlist books from 1979 up to 2022! Some of these are new favo...

Join us in Part 1 of the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club as we unveil the first half of our carefully curated book selections and how to join! Cue the confetti! I'm hosting my first backlist book club year in honor of my 20th year as an online creator, and I would be HONORED to have you join me on this journey. This year's offerings include backlist books from 1979 up to 2022! Some of these are new favor...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Chronic pain shouldn't stop you from living your best reading life. A registered osteopath shares her surprising tips for a cozy winter reading season.  Does the perfect reading chair exist? How do I maintain a good reading posture? And what book format is best for someone who has chronic pain problems? The answers might surprise you in this special winter reading...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Celebrate the feel-good moments and literary achievements of the Second Chance Book Club for inmates and their tireless leader, Jennifer Williams.  Join us for a heartwarming Book Gang podcast episode as we meet Jennifer, the "book lady" of Danville, VA, changing incarcerated women's lives through the Second Chance Book Club .  Today, we explore the logistics and c...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Matt Cain discusses the challenging history in publishing for LGBTQ History Month. Discover the inspiration for his book, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. We are giving listeners a peek behind the paywall to share one of my favorite interviews of 2023 in honor of LGBTQ History Month.  Join us as we delve into the captivating world of renowned author Matt Cain,...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Debut novelist and senior advisor to the Library of Congress, Jeffrey Dale Lofton, discusses identity and self-discovery for LGBTQ History Month in October. Jeffrey Dale Lofton is one of the most intriguing voices I've read this year, and  I count his debut among my favorites of 2023.  Join us on an inspiring journey as we sit down with Jeffrey Dale Lofton, the tal...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Celebrate literary lessons found in books about mothers! Adele Griffin shares her riveting surrogacy story in her debut and how these characters shaped her story. Adele Griffin knew something had been missing from her fiction for a long time.  Although she knew it was missing, she admits that it took her years to process and refine this motherhood journey into her...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Dreaming of writing a murder mystery book? Listen to the inspiring story of a mother and daughter who crafted their whodunit amidst a cancer diagnosis. Today Nina Simon discusses her debut novel, “Mother-Daughter Murder Night.” How does a former NASA engineer make the shift to murder mystery writer?  In this fascinating Book Gang episode, we sit down with the talen...

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon! Join us as Fiona Davis, the acclaimed author of seven historical fiction novels, delves into her latest historical fiction book, "The Spectacular," which immerses readers into the world of the legendary Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in the 1950s.   From surprising dance routines to the hidden life of the Rockettes, discover the secrets of this iconic dance tro...