Archive for the ‘Book Gang Podcast’ Category

The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives With Heart

Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

Kennedy Ryan discusses her rise to the NYT bestseller list as a Black romance writer with moving advocacy for autism representation in This Could Be Us.

The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives With Heart

There is a reason everyone wants to be a part of Kennedy Ryan’s story—her joy is infectious.

Today, we offer listeners a front-row seat to her romance Booktok fandom, sold-out book tours, and moving victory as a Black romance writer on the New York Times bestseller list. 

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Ryan openly discusses her connection to the autism community and the beauty and challenge of capturing that on a page for the reader in her latest novel.

Representing autism authentically meant the writer took surprising steps to ensure an accurate and respectful portrayal of family life in This Could Be Us

Reel by Kennedy Ryan

Readers will get a 2-for-1 conversation as we also discuss the rerelease of Reel and details on the upcoming books in the Hollywood Renaissance series.

We discuss what it means to be a hybrid author and her commitment to immersive research, ensuring her stories resonate authentically with readers no matter where you find her stories. 

Books With Autistic Characters for Autism Acceptance Month

Today’s BONUS book celebrates Autism Acceptance Month! I’ve featured 13 books with autistic characters filled with heartwarming love stories, mystery, and family drama.

The list features many #ownvoices books, including the authors’ diagnosis stories and the characters they developed to offer readers insights into their journeys. As a parent in the community, I hope I’ve crafted a list that will allow you to immerse yourself in these stories.

Kennedy Ryan Author

Meet Kennedy Ryan

USA Today’s bestselling author and Audie Award-winner, Kennedy Ryan, writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. The co-founder of Lift 4 Autism, an annual charitable book auction, she has a passion for raising Autism awareness. Kennedy is a wife to her “lifetime lover” and mother to an extraordinary son. 

The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives With Heart

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Browse This Week’s Book List Featuring #OwnVoices for Autism Acceptance Month

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

The Unseen World by Liz Moore

LOGAN Autism Center

The Autism Books by Autistic Authors Database

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Life 4 Autism 

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Reel by Kennedy Ryan

Connect With Us:

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Connect with Kennedy Ryan on Instagram, Tiktok, or her Website

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Trapped in a Time Loop Novel

Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Trapped in a Time Loop Novel

 In today’s podcast, escape in a time loop novel. We discuss Groundhog Day books and the comforting ways repeating time travel can charm us in our book stack.

When we say “time loop,” readers immediately react to this statement. Whether it is a no or a yes, Jessica and I have you covered in today’s podcast. 

We discuss why repeating cycles of events work for us or don’t and how some of the storytellers featured today nailed moving the time loop plot forward in new ways. 

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

Plus, I’m revealing a treasure trove of new time travel resources, including new time travel books, TV, and movies you can stream this weekend to explore a new world that won’t break the bank.

I hope it brings unlimited joy to your weekend, as was the intention of this creator who lovingly created these spaces for you.     

Time Loop Books for Readers Who Love Loops

Today’s BONUS book list celebrates the 14 time loop books to read now. This list includes new releases, thrillers, mysteries, YA, and holiday books.

But wait, there’s more!

Our incredible super-expansion pack of time travel adventures is linked to today’s show notes. These include a massive refresh on new time travel books, alternate realities, and parallel lives, and explorations of parallel worlds and the multiverse.

Meet Jessica Bearak

Jessica is a lifelong book lover who embarked on her literary journey at three, immersing herself in childhood classics like “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.”

Jessica actively participates in two in-person book clubs and many online discussions regularly. She has been an invaluable member of the MomAdvice Book Club and joins us as a regular contributing voice.

Trapped in a Time Loop Novel

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

NEW Resources for Readers (I did something I promised- gold star!!):

The Best Prime Reading Guide (10 FREE Books for March)

Time Loop Books Giant Book List (14 Book Ideas)

Books About Parallel Universes and Multiverse Book List (13 Book Ideas)

Books About Alternate Realities or Parallel Lives You Will Love (12 Book Ideas)

New Time Travel Books to Escape Real Life (20 Book Ideas)

Better Than the Movies Movie List (FREE PRINTABLE)

The Best Time Travel TV & Movies Streaming List (NEW)

Best Lynn Painter Books (The Ultimate Guide)

Other Show Mentions:

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

The Unseen World by Liz Moore

The Mindful Librarian Substack

The Couch With Mary Carver Podcast

Totally Killer on Prime

Quantum Leap (1989-1993)

Quantum Leap reboot

Sarah Adler’s Podcast Episode

11/22/63 by Stephen King

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

Blake Crouch

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

A Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen

Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen

Alex Awards

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

The Do Over by Lynn Painter

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch

Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch

Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter

The Deja Glitch by Holly James

Through the Snow Globe by Annie Rains

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas

The Possibilities by Yael Goldstein-Love

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

The Best Lessons From Time Travel Books

Connect With Us:

Get My Happy List Newsletter

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Connect With Jessica on Instagram

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

This post contains affiliate links.

This Book Cover Designer Reveals His Surprising Process

Thursday, February 29th, 2024

Discover emerging book cover trends and what this book cover designer from Faceout Studio has learned about the publishing process from concept to execution.

This Book Cover Designer Reveals His Surprising Process

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Faceout Studio book designer Elisha Zepeda as he takes us on a journey from working in a bookstore to navigating his first year in book cover design. 

Elisha navigates the challenges of cover rejection through a unique avenue- his TikTok account, where readers can discuss the rejected and accepted designs with him.

Today he shares what he sees as emerging trend in cover design and the struggles he’s faced with everything from font selection to breaking out of the “girl turning away” cover that we can’t seem to escape from as readers.  

If you are entertaining a self-publishing journey, Elisha shares valuable tips on communication, budgeting, and bringing your visions to life in your book covers. 

Here are examples of beautiful book cover designs from emerging designer Elisha Zepeda:

The Woman With a Purple Heart by Diane Hanks
Ain't No Promised Land by Tina Shelton
Cities of Women by Kathleen B. Jones

We couldn’t have him on the show and not discuss his recommendations for some standout covers that have captured his imagination and hear more about his process of honoring an author’s work through unique details that created reverence for the person who spent months or even years on their books. 

Elisha Zepeda- Book Cover Designer With Faceout Studio

Meet Elisha Zepeda 

Elisha is a book designer for Faceout Studio in Oregon. He documents his publishing journey on his Tiktok account, where readers can see how his book designs evolve from concept to final product.

When not designing books, he is writing/recording music, toying with a film camera, or defending the merits of decaf over regular coffee. You can view his portfolio on his website, where he curates his work. 

This Book Cover Designer Reveals His Surprising Process

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining Patreon provides valuable financial support to my show. You will also receive our FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, a 30-page monthly newsletter, and access to our monthly Zoom book club.

Join the Book Gang Patreon

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

The Unseen World by Liz Moore

The Mindful Librarian Substack

Faceout Studio

Browse Elisha’s Entire Portfolio

Dudley’s Bookshop

The Best Libby App Tips and Tricks

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Cities of Women by Kathleen B. Jones

The Woman with a Purple Heart by Diane Hanks

Bluff by Michael Kardos

Shake It Up, Baby! by Ken McNab

Criterion Collection Posters

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

Rodrigo Corral

Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss

Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

Bad Thoughts by Nada Alic

Connect With Us:

Connect With Elisha on His Website or Tiktok

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!

How Shark Heart Transformed Emily Habeck and Her Readers

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Emily Habeck discusses her widely imaginative debut novel, Shark Heart, and how this writing project transformed her life and the lives of her readers.

How Shark Heart Transformed Emily Habeck and Her Readers

It’s no secret that Shark Heart was my favorite debut of the year, and today’s meaningful author conversation only solidified this moving reading experience.

We discuss the unusual overlap to our love stories and the other surprising emotional connections readers have made to this imagined world.

Emily’s success in literary fiction was a surprise, but the reason for her jump from screenplay writing to a novel may surprise you with how she ended up here.

Drawing from her theatrical background, Habeck shares more about her unique story structure and how magical realism can still offer the reader a grounded experience.

The Best Magical Realism Books to Read Now

Discover today’s BONUS BOOK LIST with 29 magical realism books for your book stack this month.

Emily joins our patron space to discuss the Shark Heart ending with surprising candidness on some of this story’s more unusual paths she chose, but even more so, the ways she DIDN’T decide to go to get to this book’s ending.

You will receive this episode AND today’s book list as a thank you for supporting my show.

Emily Habeck Author of Shark Heart

Meet Emily Habeck

Emily Habeck has a BFA in Theater from Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts as well as master’s degrees from Vanderbilt Divinity School and Vanderbilt’s Peabody College.

Her debut novel Shark Heart was a Book of the Month selection, a New York Times book review editor’s choice, and the #1 Indie Next pick for August 2023.

She is from Ardmore, Oklahoma and currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

Discover Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

A shocking discovery unfolds in Lewis and Wren’s first year of marriage, a time that should be rooted in great happiness.  Lewis is diagnosed with a rare condition that gradually turns him into a shark in this story’s wildly imaginative plot.

As he struggles with his diagnosis and evolving transformation, Wren rises to meet these daily challenges in moving ways. She is no stranger to genetic mutations and how quickly her world can evolve and readers uncover a stunning backstory to Wren’s journey. 

But as Lewis’s new shark existence takes over, readers are taken on an equally meaningful adventure with an unlikely accomplice that the reader will never expect. 

How Shark Heart Transformed Emily Habeck and Her Readers

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Book Gang Patreon

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Banyan Moon by Thao Thai

The Best Debut Novels of 2023

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

The Candy House by Jennifer Egan

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

Connect With Us:

Subscribe to my FREE Happy List Newsletter

Connect With Emily on Instagram or her Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores

The Most Unique Only One Bed Moments in Romance (Podcast)

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Sarah Adler discusses writing her quirky debut novel Mrs. Nash’s Ashes and her favorite memorable “only one bed” moments in romance.

The Most Unique Only One Bed Moments in Romance Podcast

Sarah Adler didn’t know she was writing a romance book when she started her novel. She wasn’t even a romance reader. All of that changed, though, when she wrote Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, her debut romance novel. 

Today, Sarah Adler provides a behind-the-scenes look into her publishing journey, recounting the rollercoaster ride of rejections, what it is like to have a novel go to auction, and what this book taught her about identity that she was surprised to uncover through her characters.

Sarah’s “only one bed” scene I now count among my favorite romance moments, and we discuss her favorite books that uniquely capture this dilemma and why this has become such a beloved romance trope for readers. 

The Best One-Bed Trope Books for Romance Lovers

Don’t miss today’s BONUS BOOK LIST, which include The Best One Bed Trope Books for Romance Lovers.

Patrons of our show will receive a printable version of today’s book list as a thank you for your support!

Sarah Adler Author

Meet Sarah Adler

Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter and spends an inordinate amount of her time yelling at her mischievous cat to stop opening the kitchen cabinets.

The Most Unique Only One Bed Moments in Romance (Podcast)

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

You by Caroline Kepnes

Caroline Kepnes Interview with Amy

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

One’s Company by Ashley Hutson

Paint by Number Jesus Art

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes Playlist

The WAVES Program in World War II

New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind

A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

Comic Absurdity and Deep Emotion: PW Talks with Tessa Dare

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

Beth O’Leary | ‘I wrote almost all the book on the train…’

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Connect with Sarah on Instagram, on Substack, or on Her Website

Subscribe to my FREE Happy List Newsletter 

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

Let’s Head to Art School With These Amazing Books

Thursday, January 18th, 2024
Let's Head to Art School With These Amazing Books

Head to art school with debut novelist Antonia Angress today. We discuss the inspiration for her debut novel, Sirens & Muses, which was a best debut of 2023.

If you have ever dreamed of attending art school, you will want to tune in to today’s discussion and fictional art book stack.

Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

Today, we are joined by debut novelist Antonia Angress as she shares her inspiration for Sirens & Muses and how pursuing an MFA program allowed her the time and resources to finally pivot from a career in teaching to her dream of writing.

Angress shares the surprising discovery that her novel, set during the financial crisis of the 2010s, has been deeply meaningful for Gen Z readers as they also face their own uncertainty and disillusionment.

We also discuss how success in the art world is often influenced by class, making it inaccessible to marginalized groups, and what we can learn from adding characters from different wealth spectrums to her dialogue to showcase the scarcity of artistic resources for many students.

The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now

Check out this BONUS LIST of 27 book titles that include the best books about art and artists for your month.

Patrons receive a printable version of today’s checklist as a thank you!

Antonia Angress

Meet Antonia Angress

Antonia Angress is the author of the novel Sirens & Muses, which was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award and was named a Best Book of 2022 by Glamour, PopSugar, and Debutiful. She is a graduate of Brown University and received her MFA from the University of Minnesota, where she was a Winifred Fiction Fellow and a College of Liberal Arts Fellow.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Costa Rica, she currently lives in Minneapolis with her family.

Let’s Head to Art School With These Amazing Books

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including our monthly FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Bluff by Michael Kardos

The Best Fiction Books of 2023

The Best Debut Novels of 2023 to Not Miss

Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

Sirens & Muses Book Club Guide & Cocktail Recipe

Life Drawing by Robin Black

Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon

Zoe Kravitz & Thomas McKenzie to Lead Mona Fastvold’s Psychological Horror “Self-Portrait”

The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

“The Masterpiece:” NYC’s Grand Central as One of the Stars

The Fiona Davis Interview You Need to Hear

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Connect With Antonia Angress on Instagram or Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

The Best Fiction Books of 2023

Thursday, January 4th, 2024
The Best Fiction Books of 2023

Looking for your next page-turner? These are the best fiction books of 2023 we read, along with some of our favorite backlist books for your best reading year.

Happy New Year, friends! This reading recap has always been my favorite post of the year, and I’m so excited to share our favorite books from 2023 with you.

Storygraph Stats

This year, I devoured 102 books and over 35,000 pages. This number is less than the prior year, but I also made a goal to watch 52 films (or a TV season), which brought a beautiful balance into my reading life.

It was so fun to document that and share movie dates with the people I love in my life.

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

We ushered in our 2024 book club books, and I loved sharing almost every week with an author in conversation for the Book Gang podcast and MomAdvice Book Club.

Today, you can hear my incredible co-host Larry Hoffer and I discuss our top books of the year, including some excellent backlist books we just discovered.

The Best Fiction Books of 2023 Checklists

JOIN THE PATREON COMMUNITY TO UNLOCK THE PRINTABLE

We want to thank our patrons who have helped fund this space and given us a platform to share each year.

To say THANK YOU, you received a printable version of this checklist to document your reading with us. There is no better time to join than now- we will shower you in bookish gifts.

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

There is truly something for everyone on this year’s fiction list. This list of best nonfiction books offers my top recommendations and will be updated soon with some newer selections from this year.

I have a long list of books I can’t wait to get into, and these three buzy books may be on next year’s list!

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (I SNAGGED A SIGNED COPY!)

Heaven and Earth Grocery Story by James McBride

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

The Best Fictions Books of 2023

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

AMY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

Browse my favorite books of the year to snag your next favorite fiction book.

BEST HISTORICAL FICTION 2023

These historical fiction books were among my favorites read in 2023.

BEST LITERARY FICTION 2023

These 2023 literary fiction books were among my favorite books of the year.

BEST FANTASY BOOKS 2023

Craving a cozy fantasy or a fast-paced romantasy selection? These are my favorite fantasy books from 2023.

BACKLIST BOOKS

The majority of the books I read this year fall in the backlist books category as I was hosting a backlist book club year. A backlist book is a year older or more and likely available at your local library.

LARRY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

From today's transcript, here are a small portion of the best books of 2023 from Larry. We encourage readers to head to his blog, where he has documented even MORE books, including some of his honorable mentions this year.

Love this post? Be sure to check out these other great lists!

Best Books of 2022

Best Books of 2021

Best Books of 2020

Best Books of 2019

Best Books of 2018

Best Books of 2017

My Top Ten Books of 2016

My Top Ten Books of 2015

My Top Ten Books of 2014

My Top Ten Books of 2013

The Best Books Read in 2012

My Top Ten Books in 2011

TELL ME: What were YOUR favorite fiction books of 2023?

Meet Our New Book Gang

Thursday, January 4th, 2024
Meet Our New Book Gang Podcast

Meet my new book gang collaboration with Victoria from The Reader’s Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on a new journey.

I’m thrilled to bring you a special pop-up episode announcing a fabulous new collaboration for the upcoming year. I couldn’t be more excited to team up with my bookish friends, Victoria from The Reader’s Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on our own little book gang adventure.

These incredible hosts share my love for reading. Today we dive into how this love for reading began and take a behind-the-scenes look at how our communities started. 

You’ll also get a sneak peek at our favorite reads of the year and the upcoming releases we can’t wait to get our hands on.

Through this partnership, you can expect to hear us regularly on each other’s podcasts, discussing our favorite books and delving into all the reading-related fun that fuels our shows and passions. 

It is SO beautiful when women lift each other up, and I hope you feel that excitement today through this new collaboration effort.

Victoria Wood- The Reader's Couch Podcast

Meet Victoria Wood (The Reader’s Couch Podcast) 

Victoria Wood hosts The Reader’s Couch Podcast. She is a reading enthusiast who has successfully guided self-proclaimed “non-readers” into cultivating and sustaining reading habits and assisted readers in fostering more intentional and fulfilling reading lives. She hosts conversations with authors to learn more about their writing and reading lives. 

Cindy Burnett- Thoughts from a Page Podcast

Meet Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page Podcast)

Cindy Burnett hosts the Thoughts from a Page Podcast where she engages in compelling author interviews and discussions with industry professionals. Beyond her podcast, she actively promotes books through social media, writes columns for The Buzz Magazines, contributes monthly reviews to Bookreporter.com, and co-creates Conversations from a Page—an author event series in Houston.

Meet Our New Book Gang

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Bluff by Michael Kardos

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene

Trixie Belden The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Six Months to Live by Lurlene McDaniel

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Enid Blyton

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Turn of the Screw by Henry James

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos

Homecoming by Kate Morton

I Could Live Here Forever by Hannah Halperin

The Last Word by Taylor Adams

The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

The Dissonance by Shaun Hamill

A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill

A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

There There by Tommy Orange

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Northwoods by Amy Pease

The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Connect with Victoria Wood on The Reader’s Couch Podcast, Instagram, or Bibliolifestyle

Connect with Cindy Burnett on Thoughts from a Page Podcast, Instagram, or the Thoughts from a Page website.

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

The Magic of Belonging in Found Family Books

Thursday, December 14th, 2023
The Magic of Belonging in Found Family Books

Discover the magic of chosen bonds in our favorite found family books as we discuss heartwarming tales of belonging in this trope of love in unlikely places.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new contributor voice to the Book Gang podcast. Jessica Bearak is likely a familiar voice to you because she is such a loyal participant in so many book club spaces around the web. 

It was such a treat to meet her IN PERSON earlier this year, and after having the best time discussing our books together, I asked if she could picture herself sharing the microphone with me.  Learn more about Jessica’s reading life and the surprising destination I took her to when she visited that kickstarted our year together. 

We brainstormed many fun ideas for the days ahead but knew we needed to start things off with a magical hook.  What could be better to celebrate this occasion than a book stack filled with found family?  

Today, we will dive into the concept of the found family trope and its significance in literature and our lives, especially around the holidays. 

From insights from past guests to the trivia we discovered about some of our favorite beloved stories, there is something for everyone in today’s introductory episode. I hope you feel compelled to share this episode and support our new voice today. 

The Best Found Family Trope Books To Read Now

Check out these BONUS found family trope books that includes our favorite historical fiction, middle-grade novels, and even a dark psychological thriller with this theme. 

Jessica Bearak- Book Gang Contributor

Meet Jessica Bearak

Jessica is a lifelong book lover who embarked on her literary journey at three, immersing herself in childhood classics like “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.” 

Jessica actively participates in two in-person book clubs and many online discussions regularly. She has been an invaluable member of the MomAdvice Book Club and joins us as a regular contributing voice.

The Magic of Belonging in Found Family Books

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

The 2023 MomAdvice Book Club Books (thank you to EVERY AUTHOR who participated!)

The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Announced

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E.L Konigsburg

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints by Donald J Sobol (includes the story Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Fighter Kite)

Public Library of Saint Joseph County

What Chosen Family Means and How to Build Your Own

Matt Cain’s Publishing Journey: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

The Magic of Old Hollywood Books

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore

Best Books About Hollywood to Get Swept Away

Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

How to Use the Storygraph App For a Better Reading Life

2023 Summer Reading Guide

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

The Spectacular Life Lessons from Books About Road Trips

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

The Best Prime Reading Guide (FREE books, including The Second Life of Mirielle West)

Amy’s Interview with Nathaniel Ian Miller

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

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The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

Thursday, November 30th, 2023
The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

Explore the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club books for your best reading year! Join the online club for an immersive reading experience with these twelve selections. 

Friends, I am SO THRILLED to be announcing the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club selections! Cue the confetti!

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

I’m hosting my first backlist book club year in honor of my 20th year as an online creator, and I would be HONORED to have you join me on this journey.

What is a Backlist Book?

A backlist book refers to titles published over a year ago.

This year’s offerings include backlist books from 1979 up to 2022! Some of these are new favorites, while others are books I have wanted to discuss for years. 

Won’t it be so fun to revisit some of our favorite books over the years?

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

Why Should You Join This Book Club?

SHORTCUT TO JOIN NOW

First, I would love to meet you! We can hang out every single month!

This blog is run by a real person who genuinely would love nothing more than to share books with you.

Second, the goal of my book club is to sample a wide variety of books that I feel will offer dynamic discussions, give us a new viewpoint on the world (and the people in it), and introduce you to your new favorite author (that you may have never heard of before).

This year’s stack offers a diverse selection of family drama, crime fiction, thriller, dystopian, historical fiction, and horror (just to name a few!). There is something for everyone this year. 

Where Do Book Club Chats Happen?

Hosting this book club for free since 2014 has been a joy. Unfortunately, as a small business owner, I can no longer offer this for free due to my increasing overhead costs.  

Although I don’t have to justify this, hundreds of hours go into every book club year and dollars to edit materials and host each month.

We are doing everything possible to keep the website going through increasingly challenging times in the tech world. 

Funds that are collected cover all hosting services related to running a club of this size and payment for our special guests who will join us to celebrate this momentous occasion. 

Join my Book Gang

We are offering two tier levels for this year on Patreon.

For full details on each month’s benefits, you can view each month’s “Book Club Experience” outlined with each of the books below.

Please note that if you are a current subscriber, you are a Book Club Explorer- NO PRESSURE to do anything else!

Book Gang Patreon

Book Club Explorer

  • Full Access to the Book Club Benefits includes a recorded fireside chat with the author (or book adjacent guest), a monthly Zoom to discuss the book with me, and a music playlist based on the book’s themes.
  • Annual printable Book Club organizer for keeping track of meet-ups, reviews, and notes for our meetings
  • The FULLY BOOKED podcast book review show offering book reviews on the new buzzy books hosted with Larry Hoffer of @getbookedwithlarry
  • The FULLY BOOKED newsletter that includes book adaptation news and what is coming to store shelves each month (25-35 pages) 
  • Spoiler-filled episodes where authors discuss the ending of their books with you after our shows and why they made the choices they did
  • Printable Sumer Reading Guide & Fall Reading Guide
top secret file

Literary Conversationalist

  • All Book Club Explorer benefits
  • TOP SECRET FILES- A two-page secret mission to take with each book club book created and collaborated with each guest. This file will offer immersive experiences beyond the books, like book pairings, movies, and insider scoops to share at your next dinner party.  The file shown here is just the top page. I told you that it’s top secret- haha!

Fireside chats are recorded in high-definition video AND audio format so you can access whichever format is best for your reading month.

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

We are lucky to be joined by the authors of these books, authors discussing parallel themes between their books, and incredible people with real-life experiences on these book’s themes.

Even if you have read these books before, you will love our fresh take on these themes and the unique experiences offered.

Listen to Today’s Announcement on the Book Gang Podcast

You can listen to today’s Book Gang episode below to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on what I’m offering for your stack this year. 

If you are planning to join in on the fun, these episodes are essential to understand how our club works and why I have chosen these books, in particular, for you.

Listen to Part 1:

Listen to Part 2:

Now meet our 2024 book club line-up!

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Discover the MomAdvice Book Club selections, curated in honor of my 20th year as a content creator.

These twelve carefully curated selections of backlist books feature a diverse genre lineup to expand your reading life this year. I hope you'll join me on this literary adventure!

Please support our indie bookshop partner, Fables Books, for an incredible new and used book selection.

TELL ME: What book are YOU most excited to read together this year? Are there any surprises on this year’s list?

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here