The Reader's Couch

Send me a text message Do you find hosting dinner parties intimidating or stressful?  Let Natasha Feldman, cooking show host, private chef, producer, and food stylist, change your mind in this delightful conversation about her new book, The Dinner Party Project.  We chat about how her book serves as your culinary best friend, breaking down all the reasons people think they can't throw a dinne...

Send me a text message Discover a space where we're reading and living better together!  In today's episode, I talk all about the BiblioLifestyle Community and our signature program; the Bring Your Own Book Club (BYOB Club) .  Listen in as I explain how this space is designed to bring together avid and aspiring readers alike, allowing you to share your latest reads, discover new titles,...

Send me a text message What happens when a young Black woman faces casual racism in her workplace and dares to challenge it?  In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Tembe Denton-Hurst to discuss her compelling debut novel, Homebodies.  In the book, we navigate the experiences of her main character Mickey, the personal cost of speaking truth to power in today's media landscape,  and he...

Send me a text message Did you know that flowers have their own secret language?  Listen in as I chat with the incredibly talented artist and author Karen Azoulay about her captivating book Flowers and Their Meanings.  Together, we'll explore the rich history and symbolism behind flowers, the 19th-century fascination with flower dictionaries, and the hidden messages in Edith Wharton's wo...

Send me a text message I'm thrilled to share the fourth annual BiblioLifestyle Summer Reading Guide, a labor of love I've put together to help you find the perfect books for the season.  Listen in as I share the fun and campy theme for this year's guide cover and the process behind how it all comes together, starting back in October. I also give a sneak peek into some of the fantast...

Send me a text message What would you do if your two favorite people, your partner, and your best friend, hated each other?  Discover the captivating dynamics between characters in Ore Agbaje-Williams' debut novel, The Three of Us.  Ore shares her insights on the characters, along with discussing the origin of the story from a real-life conversation with her best friend. THE 2023 SUMMER READI...

Send me a text message Ready to spice up your summer reading and make the most of the sunny season?  I'm inviting you to join The BiblioLifestyle 2023 Summer Reading Challenge !   With a theme of "Reading S'more This Summer," you'll have fun with our five prompts to help you explore new books and genres from June 1st to August 31st. But that's not all!  We're als...

Send me a text message Ever wondered what would happen if The Little Mermaid took a darker turn?  Join my conversation with award-winning game writer and scriptwriter Cassandra Khaw about their latest novel; The Salt Grows Heavy, where we explore a unique retelling of this classic tale with a sinister twist. Cassandra and I dive into the book's intriguing characters, including a carnivorous m...

Send me a text message Ready to bake beautiful cakes without all the stress and overwhelm?  I had the pleasure of chatting with Mandy Merriman, the Baking with Blondie blogger and author of I'll Bring the Cake.  An accessible and go-to resource for crowd-pleasing seasonal cake recipes that are accessible to bakers of all skill levels. Mandy's passion for baking shines as she provides val...

Send me a text message Get ready to embrace summer's beauty, uncover the magic of seasonal living, and discover how it can help us connect with nature, simplify our lives, and be more present in every moment. I'll be sharing my personal experiences and answering some common questions about this lifestyle that's perfect no matter where you live. EPIGRAPH LITERARY FESTIVAL REPLAYS: If...

Send me a text message Join this conversation with Lisa Harding, author of the powerful novel Cloud Girls, which brings awareness to the multi-billion dollar industry of sex trafficking.  Lisa shares her journey from working on the Stop Sex Trafficking campaign to reworking her original book, Harvesting, into the newly released Cloud Girls.  Listen in as she discusses the importance of empathy and...

Send me a text message What's the driving force behind your deepest desires?  How can we uncover our true selves and lead more joyful lives?  Author and psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Webber shared her insights on this topic and more, which can be found in her new book, Tell Me What You Want, in which she reveals the 12 universal desires we all share. In her book, Charlotte dives deep into our...

Send me a text message Ever found yourself searching for the perfect classic novel to immerse yourself in during the summer months?  Look no further!  I share three summer classics that are even better when read during the long summer days in this episode.  So get ready to spice up your summer reading list with three iconic classics.  Plus, I'll share my recommendations and insight on why the...

Send me a text message Get ready to embark on a literary adventure in this conversation with NYT's bestselling author and former writer/producer for Law & Order, Lorenzo Carcaterra.  Join us as we explore Lorenzo's enchanting world of Nonna Maria and the island of Ischia, and discover the inspiration behind his latest novel and series. In Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Neckla...

Send me a text message Looking to decorate your home without breaking the bank?  I had the pleasure of chatting with Alexandra Gater, DIY YouTuber and author of Own Your Space.  Listen in as Alexandra shares her journey from working in publishing to becoming a go-to expert in interior design.  Alexandra reveals invaluable tips and tricks to create stylish, personalized spaces for any budget. Wheth...

Send me a text message Are you ready to break free from burnout, overwhelm and never-ending to-do lists and embrace a simpler, more fulfilling existence?  In this episode, I share my journey towards simple living, the life-changing benefits it has brought me, and how you can apply the same principles to your life. EPIGRAPH LITERARY FESTIVAL REPLAYS: If you missed the festival or want to relive the...

Send me a text message In Small Joys, we see how an unexpected friendship saves a young man's life.  Our main character Harley suffers from anxiety and depression.  His attempt on his own life is interrupted by his new flatmate, Muddy, who, unlike Harley, has an “enthusiasm for life” and finds joy in the small things around him. Though this novel starts in a dark place, it’s incredibly hopefu...

Send me a text message In today's episode, I'm thrilled (and a tad nervous) to announce our summer 2023 podcast programming. This year has been experimental for me and the podcast, but I hope you enjoy what I have in store for us this summer. SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST: Find the episode show notes and a list of all the books mentioned here . MORE RESOURCES: Visit bibliolifestyle.com for m...

Send me a text message The House Is On Fire is based on the true story of the December 1811 Richmond theater fire, and the novel follows four characters who survived the disastrous fire and how they and the community are forever changed. Today on the couch, I'm pleased to welcome author Rachel Beanland.  We talk about her sophomore novel; The House Is on Fire, and her debut novel; Florence Ad...

Send me a text message I'll be answering popular questions, sharing the calendar of events, and talking about our new option to watch festival replays and snag some festival merch!  So join us from April 27th - 29th, 2023. If you're looking to discover new authors or hear about the latest books from your favorites, learn something new at one of our lifestyle sessions, or you want to have...

Send me a text message In Hijab Butch Blues, we see Lamya navigate their identity and life between their religion and culture and how she compares their experiences with some of the most famous stories in the Quran. Today on the couch, I'm pleased to welcome author Lamya H.  We talk about religion being a way to live more intentionally, social justice, Lamya’s choice to write under a pseudony...

Send me a text message It’s Throwback Thursday, and in today's episode, I’m sharing the audio from four authors who shared their books at the inaugural Epigraph Literary Festival in April 2022.  These authors had books that have all the chills and thrills and lots of plot twists. So if you love reading mysteries, suspense, and thriller novels, stay tuned. Register to attend the Epigraph Liter...

Send me a text message Each of these timeless tales offers a unique perspective on life and the human experience, making them ideal for cozying up with as the weather warms and the days grow longer. Register to attend the Epigraph Literary Festival and join us from Thursday, April 27th through to Saturday, April 29th, 2023.  Early birds get first dibs on even swag when they register at epigraphlit...

Send me a text message A woman must relive the same day over and over again, keep her family and work life from imploding and attempt to spare her husband from an unfortunate fate. Today on the couch, I'm pleased to welcome author Cesca Major.  First, we talk about her new novel, Maybe Next Time; then, we get into her writing and reading life.  Cesca also shares reading tips and gives us book...

Send me a text message It’s Throwback Thursday, and in today's episode, I’m sharing the audio from four authors who shared their books at the inaugural Epigraph Literary Festival in April 2022.  Three authors had books with character-driven novels, and one author with a page-turning memoir. So if you love reading literary fiction and memoirs, stay tuned. Register to attend the Epigraph Litera...