The Reader's Couch

Send me a text message Dive into a world of romance, nostalgia, and fantasy with this enchanting modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet.  In this episode,  author Evelyn Skye shares more about her debut adult novel, 'The Hundred Loves of Juliet.'  But that's not the only treat Evelyn brings us, as we also get a sneak peek into her crossover novel, 'Damsel,' which will soon b...

Send me a text message I'm thrilled (and a tad nervous) to share my new plans for the podcast moving forward.  I'm also extending an open invitation to readers to participate in the show moving forward.  So if you're interested in coming on and sharing some book recommendations with us or deep diving into a topic, genre, or theme you're interested in, please send me an email di...

Send me a text message Have you ever felt stuck in a loop of past traumas or haunted by unresolved emotions?  Our guest today, Melanie Smith, author of "Unfinished Business: 8 Steps to Heal Your Trauma, Transcend Your Past, and Transform Your Life," sheds light on how to break free from this cycle.  In this episode, Melanie unravels the complexities and concept of 'unfinished busine...

Send me a text message Four young women from different backgrounds are connected when they become a part of a book club in a quaint bookstore. You'll also discover how author Julia Bryan Thomas's personal experiences and love for books and bookshops played a pivotal role in shaping this novel.  Julia doesn't stop there! She also gives us an intriguing peek into her other books, For...

Send me a text message How does an author use poetry to explore her identity, culture, and ancestry?  In this episode, we delve deep into the poetic landscape with Melania Luisa Marte, author of the debut poetry collection, "Plantains and Our Becoming."  Melania shares her enthusiasm for poetry, the thought process behind her book, and the significance of cultural symbols in her work. BO...

Send me a text message Get insights into how the book translates to the Will Trent series on ABC, the development of the characters over the series, and confirmation that the latest book, "After That Night," and all the books in the series can be enjoyed as a standalone.  We also get a peek into Karen's writing process, influences, and how she stays mindful of the harsh reality when...

Send me a text message Ever wonder how you can restore your faith in humanity amidst disappointment?   Listen to this intimate and thought-provoking conversation with author Kai Cheng Thom about her transformative book, "Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls."  Through this conversation, Kai shares insights on finding empathy and hope amidst conflict and sheds ligh...

Send me a text message Are you intrigued by both campus novels and academia novels?  Join me as we talk about the distinctive traits of these novels, the similarities and differences, and the stories of identity, sexuality, class, and race that they often encapsulate.  In this episode, I'll also share nine captivating novels that provide a glimpse into campus and academic life, from The Secre...

Send me a text message If your spouse suggested you each sleep with other people one night a year for the next five years, would you agree?  Well, we get to see how that plays out in Hannah Sloane's debut novel, "The Freedom Clause."  In this episode, we explore the dynamics of Dominic and Daphne, the novel's main characters, who decide to embark on this unconventional arrangem...

Send me a text message Two best friends have been grifting their way through California's elite, but their next target is not who he seems to be; their scam goes awry and ends up putting their lives in danger.   Listen in as I chat with author Wendy Heard about her latest novel, You Can Trust Me. BOOK: You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard on Amazon or Bookshop . SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the...

Send me a text message Let's travel through time with a Chinese-British family of time travelers!  Listen in as I chat with author Pim Wangtechawat about her debut novel, The Moon Represents My Heart, which is soon to be a major Netflix series.  In the book,  two lovers are divided by time, and two siblings must piece together their family when their time-traveling parents go missing. BOOK: T...

Send me a text message Are you genuinely ambitious, or are you caught in a cycle of constantly trying to prove yourself?  Join us as we delve into the complexities of ambition with our insightful guest, Rainesford Stauffer, author of All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways We Strive. Join us as we examine the connections between ambition, self-worth, and identity. We navigate the tre...

Send me a text message Wellness retreat or a cult?  Brace yourselves as we meander through the life of Jane Dorner, a PR worker navigating a whirlwind of personal chaos and professional desperation.  We see as she plunges into a wellness retreat led by the enigmatic Cass in a desperate bid to save her job.  Join us as we discuss Jane's tumultuous life, her transformation from cynic to believe...

Send me a text message Are your negative emotions a party pooper, or could they be the life of the party?  Let's flip the script with our guest, author, and psychotherapist Chelsea Harvey Garner!  In her book, A Pity Party is Still a Party: A Feel-Good Guide to Feeling Bad, Chelsea presents a new perspective on how to embrace negative emotions and the unexpected benefits they can offer. In ou...

Send me a text message How does a self-published author transition to being picked up by a traditional publisher? Join us on this captivating journey with author B.K. Borison as she shares more about the books in The Lovelight Series, a four-book series that follows four friends in a small town as they each find love. BOOKS IN THE LOVELIGHT SERIES: Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison Amazon or Booksho...

Send me a text message Ready to expand your reading list?  Listen in as I share my top 13 personal favorite books of 2023 (so far!)  Ranging from Victorian-era literary fiction to twisty thrillers, I share a spoiler-free description of what you can expect and share why each book made the list and what makes them standout reads. SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the episode show notes and a list of a...

Send me a text message Are you a fan of celebrity romances?   Prepare to get the behind-the-scenes scoop with author Ava Wilder as we delve into her latest novel, Will They or Won't They.  Plus, we explore the complexities of her main characters, Lilah and Shane, and the real-life celebrity gossip that inspired this story.  From discussing her writing process to sharing her literary influence...

Send me a text message What does wellness mean to you?  Wellness advocate Chloé Pierre joins the podcast to discuss her new book Take Care.  Take Care centers Black women and their experiences and encourages them to take care of themselves in order to bring their best selves into the world.  Now while this book centers on the experiences of Black women, all readers, regardless of background, race,...

Send me a text message Ever wondered what kinds of books are actually "beach reads?"  Discover the history of beach reads and summer reading, which began in the early 1900s, and get six beach read recommendations to add to your TBR!  So whether you're lounging on the beach, sitting in a park, or simply chilling at home, you will find intrigue in this chat about beach reads. JOIN THE...

Send me a text message What happens when a woman seeking solace in a seductive new world finds herself questioning the intentions of her enigmatic hosts?  In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Night, The Herd, and We Were Never Here, to discuss her latest novel, The Spare Room.   Listen in as Andrea shares the thrillin...

Send me a text message What secrets do the French hold when it comes to living well and enjoying the simple pleasures of life?  Join us as we chat with Cathy Yandell, author of The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World. Discover how French culture values celebrating the senses, taking time, and making time.  Cathy shares her experiences attending a French wedding a...

Send me a text message Get practical tips for evaluating and resetting your reading life and goals as we reach the mid-year point.  If you're wondering whether you're on track or need a bit of a reset, this episode is perfect for you!  We discuss how to assess your current reading life and then offer ideas to help you reset, adjust, or even create new reading goals to ensure you're...

Send me a text message Have you ever wondered how a neuroscience professor and New York Times bestselling author combines romance and science in her novels? Join us as we sit down with Ali Hazelwood to discuss her latest book, Love Theoretically. We dive into the fake dating trope, unveiling the unique dynamic between the main characters, Elsie and Jack, who are on opposite sides of the science di...

Send me a text message Get ready to fill your summer TBR list with incredible reads!  In this episode, I'm sharing eight must-read books from The BiblioLifestyle 2023 Summer Reading Guide.  The books on this list cover a wide range of genres, from literary fiction to historical fiction, romance, and even a heartwarming memoir.  Listen in as I share an elevator pitch for each book and share so...

Send me a text message Meet Me at the Lake is a captivating love story that follows Fern and Will, who share a deep connection after spending 24 hours together in Toronto, only to be separated for nearly a decade.  Now that they’re back in each other’s lives, we see their second chance at love unfold. Carley shares the inspiration behind the story, the growth of the characters, and the importance...