Meagan's Book Club Podcast

This week I’m joined by longtime content creator Kate Bryan, the force behind Small Things. I’ve been following Kate since her early hair-tutorial days, and it was such a joy to finally sit down with someone who has been educating, inspiring, and entertaining her audience since 2011. We talk about how she’s kept content fun and fresh for over a decade, her journey into reading more since 2020, and...

This episode is basically a cozy, tell-all chat. I asked you for questions and you delivered—life stuff, bookish favorites, church, relationships, all of it. I’m sharing honestly about where I’m at right now, things I hope to focus on as I approach 40, and what’s on my heart as we head into a new year. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Jennifer Niven to talk all about her newest novel, Meet the Newmans , out now. Set in the 1960s, the book is inspired by Jennifer’s lifelong love of the era and her fascination with characters who hide behind carefully crafted masks. And what better lens for that than a picture-perfect TV family? We dive into the inspiration behind the story, the a...

This final episode of the year feels especially meaningful. I’m reflecting on a year of reading that brought comfort, challenge, and so many moments of connection. These books met me in different seasons of the year, and looking back on them now feels like revisiting who I was while reading them. I’ve included the full list in the show notes so you can easily explore each title and reflect on your...

Hot takes incoming. This episode is all about my least favorite books of 2025—the overhyped, the underwhelming, and the ones I truly wish I’d DNF’d sooner. If you love honest book talk and a little spice, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening! Here are the Least Favs of 2025: 🎧 The Crash ⭐️ 🎧 Her One Regret ⭐️ 🎧 PS I Hate You ⭐️⭐️ The Love Haters ⭐️⭐️ 🎧 Count My Lies ⭐️⭐️ Promise Me...

In this final book club episode of the year, we dive into How to Read a Book by Monica Wood—a tender, layered novel about second chances, chosen family, and the stories that shape us. We unpack the themes, characters, and the moments that linger long after the last page. We also take a moment to look back on our entire 2025 reading year and the 10 books we tackled together. From emotional highs to...

This week, I’m joined by acclaimed audiobook narrator Karissa Vacker, whose voice has brought to life some of today’s most gripping and emotional stories. We talk about the craft of narration, how she builds character through voice, and what really happens behind the mic. Whether you’re an audiobook lover or just curious about the art of storytelling, this is such a fun and fascinating conversatio...

November came and went in a flash! I had two trips back to back and didn’t get the amount of reading I was hoping for, but even with a busy schedule, I was still able to read some books that were on my list. Highs? Being caught up on Emma M Lion. Lows? Reading Reese Witherspoon’s book and hating it every second. How was your November? Any standouts? Loved ▪️🎧 Every Beautiful Mile ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...

In this episode, I sit down with author Tory Henwood Hoen to talk about her beautifully written new novel, Before I Forget . It’s a heartfelt, funny, and tender coming-of-age story about a woman returning home to care for her father, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Set against the backdrop of a beloved Adirondack lake house, it explores memory, loss, and rediscovery—with touches of whimsy a...

Bestselling author Matthew Norman joins me to chat all about his charming new novel, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon . We dive into how this festive story came to life, what it was like to write a holiday-focused book for the first time, and his thoughts on male authors writing female characters with authenticity and heart. Matthew also shares his perspective on evolving as a writer throu...

In this special holiday episode, I’m diving into a festive holiday this-or-that —and along the way sharing some of the traditions and memories that shaped my childhood, plus the new ones I’m building with my own little family. It’s warm, nostalgic, a little reflective, and full of the cozy-season energy we all need right now. I wrap things up with 15 holiday book recommendations to carry you throu...

Author Ashley Manley is back — and she’s my very first second-time guest on the podcast! We had so much to catch up on since her debut, including the exciting news that her beloved book Every Beautiful Mile is being pitched to Netflix (and is now available as an audiobook!). Ashley also shares the inspiration behind her brand-new Christmas novella The Holiday Club , plus her honest thoughts on cho...

Get ready to build your 2026 TBR! In this episode, I’m sharing fifteen books coming out in the first half of the year that have already caught my eye. From anticipated debuts to big-name releases and a few hidden gems, we’re diving into all the upcoming titles I can’t wait to get my hands on. The Line Up: Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven (1/6) The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski (1/20) Warni...

This week, I’m joined by Julie Olivia , author of If It Makes You Happy —a cozy, small-town romance set in 1997 Vermont that’s full of flannel, baked goods, and second chances. We talk about her path from self-publishing to traditional publishing and what makes a romance feel like home. Thanks for listening! Website: https://julieoliviaauthor.com/ IG: @julieoliviaauthor

This week, I’m joined by the wonderful bestselling author Monica Wood to chat all about her heartfelt new novel, How to Read a Book . It’s a story that beautifully explores forgiveness, second chances, and the quiet ways books can change our lives. We talk about what inspired Violet, Harriet, and Frank’s intersecting stories, the real-life inspiration behind the prison book club at the heart of th...

October turned out to be one of my best reading months yet! I read 16 books—13 of them on audio—including three from the charming Emma M. Lion series. I also found several standout favorites that weren’t even on my original TBR (sometimes the best reads are the unexpected ones!). Tune in for all the highlights and surprises from a truly great month of reading. Loved 🎧 Yellow Wife ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...

Bestselling author B.K. Borison joins the podcast to talk about why romance deserves a seat at the literary table. *(cue fan girl moment for me!)* We talk about the importance of taking romance novels seriously, the joy of writing love stories that matter, and her enchanting new holiday book Good Spirits — a magical, heart-tugging romance that might just make you believe in the Ghost of Christmas...

WARNING: There will be spoilers about the Book! Our October book club discussion is here! This month we dove into Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell — a breathtaking, emotional novel that reimagines the life and loss of Shakespeare’s only son. We chat all about O’Farrell’s exquisite writing, the portrait of Agnes as a wife and mother, and the ways grief and love can shape art. It’s a rich, heartfelt conve...

In this episode, I sit down with Laurie Gilmore , New York Times bestselling author of The Gingerbread Bakery . We dive into her journey from aspiring writer to bestselling author, the craft of writing small-town romance, and the magic of creating characters readers root for. Plus, Laurie gives us a peek at what’s coming next in her cozy, romantic universe. Thanks for listening! Website: https://w...

Curl up with your favorite fall drink and join me as I share 10 things I’m absolutely loving this season — from the coziest candle to the perfect fall playlist. Think of this episode as a warm hug in audio form. Thanks for listening!

This episode is such a treat—I got to sit down with Kirsten Miller! You might know her from her YA books or her adult hits like The Change , and now she’s back with her third adult novel The Women of Wild Hill . This book is full of wit, magic, and yes, some seriously satisfying female rage. We talked about everything from writing across age categories to what makes a strong heroine to why stories...

This week I had the absolute joy of chatting with bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne about her brand-new Christmas novel, Snow Kissed . With more than 70 books to her name, RaeAnne is truly an OG in the romance world, and we dive into her incredible publishing journey, how the industry has shifted over the years, and what continues to inspire her beloved heartwarming stories. I also got to fangirl...

It’s time for our Quarter 4 catch-up! I’m joined by my friend Hannah from @booksandbitesroc , and we spend an hour talking about what we’re currently reading and the new releases we’re excited for in the last stretch of 2025. Spoiler: November and December are a little light on publishing, but we still found plenty of books worth adding to your TBR. Books We Discussed: Dating After the End of the...

This week I’m joined by Andrea Catalano to chat all about her debut novel The First Witch of Boston —a gripping story inspired by the true history of Margaret Jones, the first woman found guilty of witchcraft in 17th-century Massachusetts. We dive into Andrea’s background with this fascinating time period, her research process, and what drew her to bring this overlooked piece of history to life. A...

September! What a month. Lots of favorites which makes me so happy! Hope you had a great reading month and you had some winners. Happy listening! Favorites 🎧 Hamnet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧 The First Witch of Boston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧 How to Read a Book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Holiday Club ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧 Project Hail Mary ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧 Tourist Season ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 🎧 If It Makes You Happy ⭐️⭐️...