Lit with Lara Ashley

In this cozy fall episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley brings together two of the best parts of the season: spooky middle grade books and classic Halloween candy. From magical pumpkin-filled adventures to eerie ghost stories, Lara curates six middle grade reads that capture the spirit of Halloween, pairing each one with a nostalgic candy that perfectly matches its vibe. Featuring books li...

This week on Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara dives into an early review of Fortune and Glass by John Mutter: a historical literary novel blending espionage, political unrest, and a layered love story set during the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. In this episode, Lara discusses: 1.  The emotional and political themes woven throughout the novel 2.  Sarah and Rudi’s morally complex relation...

In this deeply reflective episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley discusses one of the most intense and unforgettable books she’s read this year: Tweak by Nic Sheff. Recommended by her husband, this raw and unfiltered memoir pulled Lara into a world she had little personal exposure to growing up: drug addiction, relapse, survival, and the emotional destruction that comes with substance abuse...

In this special, vibe-filled episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley pairs books with music to create the ultimate reading experience, where every story has a soundtrack. From soft, emotional longing to bold confidence and self-discovery, this episode explores how the right song can transform the way you connect with a book. Featuring pairings like: “missin u” by Tori Kelly with Open Water “...

In this August reset episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley shares a curated list of self-help and personal growth books designed to help you get back into your routine, realign your mindset, and step into the version of yourself you’ve been envisioning. From building confidence and discipline with You Are a Badass to gaining control of your finances with Rich AF, this episode explores prac...

In this summer-inspired episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley leans into softness, joy, and the beauty of romance, sharing a curated list of books that invite you to feel, connect, and enjoy reading without pressure. From the emotional complexity of Happy Place to the fun, escapist energy of The Paradise Problem and the nostalgic pull of Same Time Next Summer, this episode explores the man...

In this summer-inspired episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley shares a curated list of books that will transport you; whether you’re boarding a flight or just dreaming of your next getaway. From the emotional, reflective journey of One Italian Summer to the fun, chemistry-filled energy of Just for the Summer, this episode explores stories that feel like travel, escape, and summer in book f...

In this deeply personal Juneteenth episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley reflects on the meaning of Juneteent through the lens of her great-grandmother’s life. While Juneteenth marks the delayed announcement of freedom for enslaved Black Americans, this episode explores what freedom looked like in the generations that followed, and how systems of labor, control, and survival continued to s...

This week on Lit with Lara Ashley , I’m joined by author Allie Samberts to discuss her novel Not a Strong Enough Word: a story that goes far beyond romance. Together, we discuss burnout, creativity, publishing pressure, women’s friendship, emotional healing, and what it means to return to yourself after life quietly breaks you apart. We also dive into: Scarlett’s emotional journey throughout the n...

In this deeply personal episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley steps into a new chapter; not just as a reader, but as a writer. Inspired by the life and love story of her grandmother, Lara shares why she decided to begin writing a loosely based romance novel rooted in memory, legacy, and emotional truth. She reflects on the process of turning personal history into storytelling, the vulnerab...

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley explores the quiet weight of perfectionism: how it shows up in our daily lives, why it’s so hard to release, and what it looks like to choose peace instead. Through personal reflection and insights inspired by Nedra Glover Tawwab and her work in Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this episode unpacks the connection betwee...

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode, Lara Ashley reflects on burnout: what it looks like today, how it affects us emotionally and physically, and how we begin to recover. Through personal reflection and insights from Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, this episode explores the importance of rest, boundaries, and redefining productivity. Lara also shares accessible mental health resourc...

In this special episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley takes you inside the world of BookCon; one of the most exciting events in the book community where readers, authors, and publishers come together. Whether you’re planning to attend or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode breaks down everything you need to know: from author panels and book signings to navigatin...

Spring is a season of becoming, and in this episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley dives into The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham, a story filled with secrets, shifting friendships, and the quiet pressure to belong. Set in an elite boarding school, The Academy explores what it means to enter new spaces and navigate identity, ambition, and social dynamics while trying to st...

It’s time for a different kind of spring cleaning. In this cozy, reflective episode, Lara Ashley takes you inside her home library, shelf by shelf: sharing the stories behind her collection, what she’s loving, what she needs to read next, and where she’s learning to slow down. From a romance shelf that’s almost full (and a reminder to read before buying more), to banned books, graphic novels like...

For Fat Tuesday, Lara Ashley dives into Park Avenue; a novel steeped in wealth, ambition, romance & the quiet cost of success.  In this Mardi Gras-themed episode, Lara Ashley explores how power operates behind polished facades, why ambition can both intoxicating and exhausting, & what it means to take off the masks we wear in our careers & relationships. She reflects on how the book’s...

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Lara Ashley switches things up with Lights Out; a dark, spicy romance that’s addictive, chaotic, & impossible to put down. In this episode, Lara Ashley unpacks why stories like  Lights Out  work so well as escapism, the appeal of morally gray characters, & why it’s okay to enjoy red flags in fiction while still wanting healthy love in real life. Grab your...

In the first official episode, Lara Ashley dives into The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. A beautifully written fantasy inspired by Korean mythology. Lara Ashley shares how this book found her at the end of 2025, why it felt like the perfect story to open the podcast with, & what made Mina such a compelling and unforgettable heroine. Together, we explore themes of sacrifice, quiet br...

Welcome to  Lit with Lara Ashley- your passport to all things bookish, one indie shelf at a time. In this soft launch episode, I’m stepping bending the mic to finally start something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. No guests, no scripts; just me, sharing why this podcast exists, what will explore, & what finally pushed me to stop planning and start recording. Whether you’ve been wait...