The Nurturing Librarian

This is a choose-your-own-adventure summer, and Nicole is here to tell you how to get the most out of it. The bad news is there is no big blockbuster we are all reading this summer, but the good news is that you can read whatever you want and maybe even get those non-reading friends to join you. Go check out a bookstore that does paint-by-numbers or book wreath crafting, go on a blind date with a...

Are you craving adventure? Want to escape the realities of adulting for a while? In this episode, Nicole recommends middle-grade adventure stories to get you back in touch with that inner child of yours that still believes in the possibility of magic, that has resilience in the face of trauma, and yearns to go on a good old-fashioned quest again.

On this episode, Nicole updates us on her writing journey and gives recs for Midsummer that include Summerween, Midsommar vibes, and Juneteenth. And in theme for this summer, more ideas on how to read on the cheap, including swapping books with neighbors and friends, and checking out library book sales and local yard and garage sales.

Continuing the theme of reading on a dime this summer, Nicole pitches a resource where you can get your hands on real, physical copies of books for free-the Little Free Library. These amazing structures not only offer free books (take one, leave one, or not) but also provide a wonderful way to tour your local town or city and connect with the reading community around you. Can you take on the chall...

Making the case for libraries as valuable summer resources, this episode presents a unique take on summer reading lists, steering clear of new, expensive releases. Nicole introduces a variety of older but equally engaging and diverse reads available freely in libraries. By sharing strategies such as library waitlist hacks and focusing on forgotten treasures, listeners can have a summer full of rea...

In this episode, listeners are taken on a journey through the world of audiobooks, exploring their versatility and convenience. From utilizing library services to experimenting with different genres, the episode offers a guide to making the most out of audiobooks. Whether it’s for a long road trip or a short walk, the discussion underscores the role of audiobooks in enriching and enhancing the eve...

Are readers too sensitive nowadays? Nicole explores trigger warnings in books, noting their rise after the COVID-19 pandemic amid increasing awareness of mental health issues, particularly in Gen Z. These warnings serve as alerts for potentially distressing content, aiming to prevent exacerbating readers' anxieties. The episode discusses if these warnings are necessary while acknowledging their in...

This podcast episode of the Nurturing Librarian is a deep dive into what happens after the excitement of finishing a manuscript fades. Navigating the next steps, Nicole goes through the importance of receiving critiques and understanding the writing community's role. The podcast guides new authors on managing feedback, drawing from personal anecdotes and established authors' advice. Nicole offers...

Venturing through her birthday book haul, Nicole contemplates current reading trends. As she grapples with her manuscript revisions, she also shares insights from her writing journey, particularly her struggles with point of view and character interiority. This episode captures a period of self-reflection, balancing the joy of new books and the challenges of refining her craft, as she aims to step...

Nicole is watching books she has previously read including Margo's Got Money Troubles which just debuted as a streaming series. What is the benefit of book adaptations? What are the cons? Some hit and some don't but they always lead back to books. ****Resources Alyssa Matesic YouTuber/Editor Just a Girl and her Tropes FB group for romance readers and writers run by me! Connect with me on Insta, Bl...

The episode explores the controversy surrounding 'Shy Girl,' a book canceled by Hachette due to claims it was partially AI-generated. Originally an independent success, the book faced scrutiny after an editing process alleged to involve AI altered its content. This situation sparked a broader conversation about AI's growing role in publishing, raising important questions about authorship, creativi...

Nicole has some hot takes on the newly released book Just Friends from YouTube book influencer Haley Pham and the blockbuster bestseller The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. She uses her writer's eye to discuss the way these books are perfect for comparing and contrasting writing and book publishing in 2026. What does it take to become a great writer? If your first manuscript is accepted for publi...

This is the first of a special series chronicling Nicole's journey to write her first novel. She discusses the pivot to writing after prior careers, the decision to learn the craft on her own rather than through programs like an MFA, and joining writing communities in person and online. She also describes the overwhelming questions of what to do once you have written the first draft of a manuscrip...

Nicole talks about series she's reading, finished or DNF'd, and how the definition of series has changed from multiple books to duologies, trilogies, novellas, and short stories. There's big news on a beloved series continuing this fall and a sequel to one of Nicole's favorite books being released ten years later. Just a Girl and her Tropes FB group for romance readers and writers run by me! Conne...

Nicole discusses the evolution of the fantasy genre from epic adventures written often by authors in one lane to a breadth of choices that offer new takes on worlds welcoming and featuring those most underrepresented in the canon. From urban to cozy, high to romantasy, Nicole advocates that there is a fantasy for everyone, which is critical, but fantasies not only offer us escape, they offer us ho...

Join Nicole as she recounts a recent author event that she attended with great reviews of the author B. K. Borison, but mixed of the experience itself. What should the expectations of a live author event be? Intimate setting with questions? An interview by another author? A Phot Op? Nicole weighs in. Just a Girl and her Tropes FB group for romance readers and writers run by me! Connect with me on...

Book adaptations are always a gamble. Emerald Fennel's adaptation of Wuthering Heights is definitely causing a stir. Nicole has seen it and gives her take on this adaptation specifically and the idea of them in general. Just a Girl and her Tropes FB group for romance readers and writers run by me! Connect with me on Insta, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Storygraph at The Nurturing Librarian

Nicole explores the evolving concept of the 'To Be Read' (TBR) list, highlighting its transformation from a manageable list of a few books to an expansive array of reading possibilities. Let's discuss the joy and pressure of navigating these vast TBRs, emphasizing that it's perfectly fine not to finish everything. The focus is on mood-driven reading and selecting books that 'feel right' in the mom...

Nicole discusses how "publish or perish" affects fiction writers these days in both trad and indie worlds. Is pushing out novels quickly good for the reader, the author, or both? And guess who's writing her own romance novel? Just a Girl and her Tropes FB group for romance readers and writers run by Nicole! Anita Faulkner, Author Kelsey Humphries, Author Connect with me on Insta, Blue Sky, LinkedI...

Nicole talks about the Romance genre explosion of the past few years. It's not your grandmother's romance choices. The genre has come a long way and so has the industry. There is romance out there for everyone. The Rose Romance Bookstore Connect with me on Insta, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Storygraph at The Nurturing Librarian

Nicole describes what to think about when curating your home library and discusses whether book box subscriptions are worth it. Hear about the subscriptions out there and a hack for getting a beautiful edition of a book without a membership. Decluttering Joshua Becker OwlCrate Illumicrate Fairlyloot The Strand Bookstore Parnassus Bookstore Connect with me on Insta, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Storygraph a...

Nicole is back with the first episode of 2026. Let's catch up. It's been a minute. We're talking reading journals, reading books that serve us and thoughts on the reading landscape of the coming year.

In this episode of the Nurturing Librarian Podcast, Nicole reflects on the podcast's first season and discusses the significance of summer reading. She shares various perspectives on what summer reading represents, from mandatory school assignments to enjoyable public library programs. Importantly, the focus is on personalizing summer reading to individual preferences, whether that means light bea...

In this episode of the Nurturing Librarian Podcast, the focus is on the practice of 'unhauling' — the process of decluttering books. Nicole discusses how spring cleaning isn't just about reorganizing physical spaces, but also reassessing personal libraries. By allowing books that no longer serve you to find new homes, whether through donation or sale, you create room for new literary experiences....

The Nurturing Librarian Podcast explores the concept of healing fiction, a genre gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in unsettling times. Originating largely from Japan and Korea, these books offer readers a comforting yet profound experience, often featuring magical realism and whimsical elements like cats. These novels are not just cozy reads—allowing readers to wrap themselves in comfort...