Archive for the ‘Book Gang Podcast’ Category

The Spectacular Life Lessons from Books About Road Trips

Friday, April 14th, 2023
The Spectacular Life Lessons from Books About Road Trips


Hit the open road with these books about road trips. Hop in the getaway car and learn what it takes to write a great Thelma & Louise story with Colleen Oakley.

Do you love road trip books? We will go on a wildly entertaining road trip with a college dropout and an eighty-four-year-old woman on the run from the law in today’s show.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley

Today’s Book Gang podcast features an interview with Colleen Oakley discussing her feisty new novel, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, which pays tribute to the iconic movie Thelma & Louise

Colleen shares how she aimed to capture various aspects of the film in her story and how her research on police work and investigations informed the development of the missing person case and jewelry heist in the book. 

We also discuss what it takes to write about two very different generations and why she included Tanner’s struggles with chronic pain in her story. 

Don’t miss Colleen’s favorite books in today’s bonus book list with books about road trips for the perfect escape!

Colleen Oakley

Meet Colleen Oakley  

Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch, Before I Go, and The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise. Colleen’s novels have been longlisted for the Southern Book Prize twice, and Close Enough to Touch won the French Reader’s Prize. Her books have been translated into more than 21 languages.

The Spectacular Life Lessons from Books About Road Trips 

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 author interviews and curated book lists. And if you’re a fan of the show, sharing it with just one friend, leaving a like, or leaving a review can go a long way in helping the podcast reach new listeners. 

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

Normal Family by Chrysta Bilton

MomAdvice Book Club

Normal Family Book Chat

Fables Books

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley

Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley

Before I Go by Colleen Oakley

Thelma and Louise

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Stardew Valley

The Last Of Us 

Rose the Prude – Golden Girls

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes


The Long Way Back by Nicole Baart

Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale

Rebecca’s Book Reviews

Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale

A Day in the Life of a Book Publicist

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Connect With Us:

Connect with Colleen Oakley on her Website or Instagram

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

This post contains affiliate links.

The Best Book Club Books to Spark Conversation

Friday, March 31st, 2023

Looking for the best book club books for a thought-provoking chat? These book club picks are page-turners curated by historical fiction writer Meagan Church.  

The Best Book Club Books to Spark Conversation

Mark Twain once said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Meagan Church is here to explore those exact rhythms in her stunning debut,  The Last Carolina Girl, published by Sourcebooks this week. 

This captivating coming-of-age story set in 1935 North Carolina follows the story of Leah, an orphan sent to live with the wealthy Griffin family, where she experiences mistreatment and hardship.

Against the backdrop of North Carolina’s eugenics board, the novel delves into themes of poverty, power, and body autonomy. It’s a must-read for historical fiction fans looking for a book that will leave them thinking long after they’ve turned the last page.

Meagan’s heart-wrenching novel was inspired by the real-life story of her great-aunt, who was forcibly sterilized in Indiana.

Through her book, Meagan shares the research she uncovered into the United States’ history with eugenics, shedding light on a complex and difficult topic with a rich history in North Carolina.

Reading this book will be incredibly eye-opening for many readers- it certainly was for me.

In addition to discussing her writing process, Meagan shares her top book club picks for the best conversation starters on the podcast.

Thanks to the support of Patreon members, listeners have access to a bonus curated list of 13 of the best books to spark a great conversation with the titles she highly recommends for impactful conversations. 

We discuss what makes a good book for discussion and curate the perfect book club selections, including our favorite books from many voices in literary fiction, nonfiction, and historical fiction. 

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including author interviews and curated book lists. And if you’re a fan of the show, sharing it with just one friend, leaving a like, or leaving a review can go a long way in helping the podcast reach new listeners. 

Meagan Church speaks with MomAdvice about her novel, The Carolina Girl and other great book club books

Meet Meagan Church 

Meagan Church is a writer passionate about uncovering overlooked stories and bringing unheard voices to light. Her writing reflects her desire to explore the nuances of who we are and to chronicle the plight and fight of those silenced by history. She received a B.A. in English from Indiana University and has built a successful career as a storyteller and freelance writer for brands, blogs, and organizations. She currently lives in North Carolina with her family.

The Best Book Club Books to Spark Conversation

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Last Carolina Girl by Meagan Church

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary

Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

The Stuff of Lasting Friendship: The Millions Interviews Jessica Francis Kane

A Semi-Radical Plan to Maintain Friendships in Your 30s, 40s and Beyond on Slate

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

The Celebrity Book Club Deep Dive Episode You Need

Brit Bennett on Publishing The Vanishing Half During the George Floyd Protests on Vox

Radium Girls by Kate Moore

The Poisoner’s Handbook on PBS

The Poisoner’s Handbook on Hoopla

The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum

The Woman They Could not Silence by Kate Moore

The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

11 Facts About Judy Blume’s ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ on Mental Floss

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Connect With Us:

Connect with Meagan on Instagram or her website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

Join the Book Gang Patreon (for our exclusive FULLY BOOKED  book review show & more!

The Best Life Lessons From Time Travel Books

Friday, March 17th, 2023

Explore the process of writing time travel books on our podcast with debut author Cesca Major. Writing an endless time loop love story isn’t easy- learn why.

The Best Life Lessons from Time Travel Books

In today’s Book Gang episode, Cesca Major, award-nominated novelist, and screenwriter, as she discusses her US debut novel, Maybe Next Time

Today we discuss one of the trickiest literary time machine genres to write- the Groundhog Day story.  With these repetitive sequences, how do you prevent a lag in your story or keep a reader from skimming the pages? 

Cesca Major had to be mindful of the repetitive nature of this experience for the reader. However, she overcame this challenge and created a story that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

In Maybe Next Time, Emma is trapped in a never-ending Monday, reliving the same day repeatedly as she tries to save her husband and keep her family and work life from falling apart. 

On the first Monday of our story, Emma is wrapping up another harried day of obligations and comes home to an angry husband. Dan has lovingly prepared an anniversary dinner and wrote the annual letter they will give each other on this special day. 

The problem is that Emma has entirely forgotten the day’s celebration and many previous celebration days, along with this symbolic letter of their year together. After this fight, Dan takes the dog for a walk and gets hit by a car. 

When Emma goes to bed, Dan is dead and gone. But when she wakes up, he is alive. 

This cycle repeats as Emma tries to keep Dan alive or tune into what the Universe is trying to tell her on this never-ending Monday. 

This novel now sits on my all-time favorite time travel stories shelves. Don’t miss today’s bonus post of time loop books. This book list includes new release books, thrillers, mystery, young adult, and holiday books.

We also expand this list with a few of my favorite lesser-known backlist selections that I’ve loved over the years.

Meet Cesca Major

Cesca Major is an accomplished author and screenwriter with an impressive track record. With 13 novels published under different pen names, her books have been widely distributed across more than 10 countries. Her writing prowess has earned her nominations for the RNA’s Romantic Comedy Award and the CWA Gold Dagger Award, a testament to her exceptional storytelling skills.

Cesca is working on an original TV series with the BBC, a new addition to her impressive portfolio. Cesca Major’s adult debut is available on store shelves now, published by HarperCollins.

Maybe Next Time marks Cesca Major’s US debut and this jump across the pond represents a new opportunity for the author, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for her.

Cesca lives in Berkshire with her husband, son, and twin girls. You can find out more about Cesca over on her website.

The Best Life Lessons from Time Travel Books

Listen to the Show:

Listen to Book Gang below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Book Gang listeners, if you love our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting me on Patreon! As a patron, you’ll receive a monthly “FULLY BOOKED” show, featuring the latest in buzzy books reviews in newsletter and podcast format, co-hosted with @getbookedwithlarry.  You’ll also get an exclusive monthly author interview and a book club music playlist for the MomAdvice Book Club. Membership is just $5 per month, or you can pre-pay to save 10%. 

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella

A Quiet Life Book Chat with MomAdvice Book Club

Mug Warmer

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pukka Fired Up Matte

Connect With Us:

Connect with Cesca Major on Instagram or her website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

Join the Book Gang Patreon (for our exclusive FULLY BOOKED  book review show & more!

This post contains affiliate links.

The Celebrity Book Club Deep Dive Episode You Need (Podcast)

Friday, March 3rd, 2023
The Celebrity Book Club Deep Dive Episode You Need (Podcast)

Take a deep dive into the world of celebrity book clubs! Explore how Hollywood and literature collide with Oprah, Reese, and Jenna impacting publishing.

Do your favorite books come from a favorite celebrity? Josh (@tellthebeees on TikTok) brings his expertise on books and culture news to discuss how celebrity selection has impacted our reading experience. 

This discussion starts with the announcement, from Oprah Winfrey’s first selection to Reese Witherspoon’s Hollywood- adaptation strategy (Hello Sunshine) and Jenna Bush Hager’s surprising influence on our lives. 

A surprising number of celebrities also joined the literary scene, including Florence Welch, Emma Watson, Emma Roberts, and even a collab with Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen (that quickly fizzled). 

One name you might not be familiar with is our discovery of the Noname Book Club, which already had me joining their paid community to help. You’ll want to join in when you see the book picks. 

Whether you are old enough to remember the earliest days of Oprah’s Book Club, a millennial joining in the reading fun with Reese’s Book Club,  a Read with Jenna connoisseur, or happen to align with a micro-influencer taste, we want to facilitate that conversation with you today. 

Josh and I share similar taste in books and offer our shared shelf experience with the best book club picks we’ve experienced from these three influencers. 

That’s not all, though, we also want to talk to YOU about your favorite book club books. Don’t miss this month’s Town Hall, where we share who has had the biggest influence on YOUR reading life. 

My Celebrity Book Club Picks (How to Join)

Don’t miss today’s bonus article with my top five celebrity book club recommendations from these three amazing clubs we have featured today in today’s bonus book list! 

The Celebrity Book Club Deep Dive Episode You Need

Listen to the Show:

Listen to Book Gang below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Book Gang listeners, if you love our commercial-free podcast, please considersupporting me on Patreon! As a patron, you’ll receive a monthly “FULLY BOOKED” show, featuring the latest in buzzy books reviews in newsletter and podcast format, co-hosted with@getbookedwithlarry.  You’ll also get an exclusive monthly author interview and a book club music playlist for the MomAdvice Book Club. Membership is just $5 per month, or you can pre-pay to save 10%. 

MomAdvice Book Club

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella

Fables Books

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Passions

A Little Life Tee

Girls

Roxane Gay’s Book Club

Malala’s Book Club

Oprah’s Book Club

Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Reese Witherspoon and the Boom in Celebrity Book Clubs on The Guardian 

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Reese’s Book Club Hello Sunshine

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl

Wild

Big Little Lies

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

The Island of the Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Amy’s Interview with Celeste Ng

Amy’s Interview with Jessica Knoll

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

L.A. Weather by Maria Amparo Escandon

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing

Carolina by Taylor Swift

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Reese Witherspoon: Women Want Quality Content, Not ‘Mommy Blogs And 14 Ways To Cook A Turkey’ on Huffpost

No Name Book Club

Noname: Tiny Desk Concert

Noname’s Interview on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

How Noname is Reimagining Fame (and Everything Else) on Rolling Stone

Noname Book Club Patreon Account

Black bookstore list from Noname

Read with Jenna Book Club

Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl

Jenna Bush Hager, Progeny of Presidents, Is Now a Publishing Kingmaker on The New York Times

The Feather Thief by Kirk W. Johnson

Jenna Bush Hager Adds Page to Book Club with Universal Studio Production Deal on Variety

A Little Hope by Ethan Joella

Lessons for Writing Your First Book with Ethan Joella (Book Gang Podcast)

Remarkable Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Dear Edward

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour

Connect With Us:

Connect with Josh (TellTheBeees on Tiktok

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirtsto support the show

Join the Book Gang Patreon (for our exclusive FULLY BOOKED  book review show & more!

More Asian American Authors to Read Now

Friday, February 17th, 2023

Expand your library with new Asian American authors. Celebrate fresh AAPI voices with debut novelist Kristen Mei Chase on today’s podcast.

In today’s Book Gang episode, Kristen Mei Chase discusses her book “A Thousand Miles to Graceland” and highlights some of her favorite Asian American and Pacific Islander authors in literature.

This sparkling debut imagines a road trip for a mother and daughter bonded together over the surprising power of ELVIS. We also discuss how it trickled into her own relationship with her mother, and other Asian American voices that helped her find her own. 

She discusses her unique publishing process and how her decade-long manuscript finally got published through an unlikely avenue for refinement.

Today’s discussion also explores a backlist favorite from Celeste Ng and a brand-new debut favorite that presents an American family story from a bi-racial perspective. For Kristen, the significance of writing (and reading) about bi-racial Chinese-American characters is an impactful one.

Don’t miss today’s BONUS post featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, including Kristen’s book and several upcoming titles. This is a great starting point for reading more books with AAPI voices.

Meet Kristen Mei Chase

Kristen Mei Chase is an author, web entrepreneur and media personality.  She co-founded Cool Mom Picks, one of the most influential parenting networks on the web, reaching millions of parents each month with the best gear, gifts, advice, and tips. As a bi-racial Asian American, Kristen writes to share the little stories of bi- and multi-racial Americans in a big way. She lives in the Philly suburbs with her four kids and an extensive collection of vintage Elvis t-shirts. 

More Asian American Authors to Read Now

Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one.

Mentioned in this episode:

Book Gang listeners, if you love our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting me on Patreon! As a patron, you’ll receive a monthly “FULLY BOOKED” show, featuring the latest in buzzy books reviews in newsletter and podcast format, co-hosted with @getbookedwithlarry.  You’ll also get an exclusive monthly author interview and a book club music playlist for the MomAdvice Book Club. Membership is just $5 per month, or you can pre-pay to save 10%. 

Please note that HarperCollins has reached an agreement with their strike! This was recorded prior to the contract agreement. You can read more here

A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase

A Home for Asian American Authors by Publishers Weekly

Third State Books

Phenomenal Media

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen

The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

HarperCollins Union on TikTok

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Amy’s interview with Celeste Ng

Banyan Moon by Thao Thai

Cup of Jo

Connect With Us:

Connect with Kristen Mei Chase on her website, Instagram, or Twitter 

Connect with Amy on Instagram or on MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

Join the Book Gang Patreon (for our exclusive FULLY BOOKED  book review show & more!

The Best Coming of Age Books (Podcast)

Friday, February 3rd, 2023

You’ll feel like a kid again with this stack of coming-of-age novels. These stories celebrate the growing pains of young adult life in big and beautiful ways.

Get ready to relive those coming-of-age moments and feel like a kid again on today’s show.  What’s better than being transported back to our youth through our fictional life. This discussion is filled with trivia on your favorite backlist books and a short but powerful new release selection I know you’ll love. 

Don’t miss this dynamic chat and get our list of essential reads that would be perfect for a buddy read or book club with friends. 

Kristin Rider joins me as our special guest and shares the ways she navigates reading with chronic pain.  You won’t want to miss this section with our favorite gadgets and apps that help us navigate this challenge with holding books. 

13 Coming of Age Stories Any Adult Will Love from MomAdvice.com

If you want MORE suggestions, be sure to check today’s book list with 13 coming-of-age stories that any adult will love.

The Best Coming of Age Books (Podcast)

Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one.

Mentioned in this episode:

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

One’s Company by Ashley Hutson

Fables Books

Amy on Hometown Living

LEVO book stand

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The People we Keep by Allison Larkin

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnson

The Clan of the Cave Bar by Jean M. Auel

What the World’s Top Authors Say You Should be Reading

Sundays With Writers: Love With a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

Life by Keith Richards

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

The Girl With the Louding Voice Book Chat

Best-selling novel exposes life of children in Nigeria on Reuters

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane

The Walking People by Mary Beth Keane

Fever by Mary Beth Keane

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevado

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Harper Collins Strike

HCPUnion on TikTok

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

Connect With Us:

Connect with Kristin on Instagram

Connect with Amy on Instagram or on MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

Join the Book Gang Patreon (for our exclusive FULLY BOOKED  book review show & more!

The Galentine’s Day Entertainment Recommendations You Need Now (podcast)

Friday, January 20th, 2023

Don’t miss these movies, tv, and books celebrating fictional female friendship. Celebrate Galentine’s Day because ladies celebrating ladies is ALWAYS good.

Mary Carver, from The Couch podcast, joins us to share her favorite movie & tv friendships while I bring my stack of fictional female friendships that will inspire your next holiday.

What is Galentine’s Day?

This holiday was inspired by Amy Poehler’s fictional celebration highlighted in Season 2, Episode 16. Parks and Recreation.

As the ladies toast to this occasion, she shares these sentiments, “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast style,” she explains. “Ladies celebrating ladies.”

Following this advice, we encourage you to celebrate this joyous occasion on February 13th with a few fun ideas we have gathered today.

How Do I Host Galentine’s Day?

For Galentine’s Day, gifts are NOT NECESSARY because that is not the goal of this holiday. This is about celebrating those bonds in simple ways that get us off social media and back to connecting in person.

Try these four celebration ideas:

Host a book club brunch:

Invite your friends for a delicious brunch and pair it with a great friendship story!

The Galentine's Day Books to Not Miss (13 Friendship Stories You'll Love)

This post shares 13 books about friendship you’ll love for Galentine’s Day that include historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction reads all around the bonds of female empowerment and weathering the happy & hard seasons together. I believe they are the best picks for a dynamic book club discussion.

 If you are looking for some great brunch recipes for a crowd, this sausage and vegetable frittata, a side of these roasted potatoes,  and my homemade granola with yogurt would be a really easy menu to execute. If you want to try it Leslie Knope-style, these overnight yeast waffles couldn’t be easier or fluffier.

Host a manicure date: Offer the nail polish and tools (or have friends bring their own) and make it a point to catch up on each other’s lives. Olive & June is our family’s go-to favorite for pretty manicures at home & you can use this link for twenty percent off your kits & polishes.  

If you provide polish, keep things budget-friendly with coffee, tea, and some treats from a favorite bakery. 

Host a Jigsaw Puzzle Date: Embrace the TV and movie suggestions from today’s podcast and pair them with a jigsaw puzzle for a fun way to gather.

If you need a fresh jigsaw puzzle recommendation, these are our top picks for unique jigsaw puzzles for adults. Better yet, use this gathering as an opportunity to start a puzzle swap so you have “new” puzzles all year long.

Volunteer together: If you haven’t volunteered with your friends, you are missing out on the most wonderful Galentine’s experience of them all.

Not only do you have the joy of being together, but it is combined with the high of doing something so good for your community.

The Galentine’s Day Entertainment Recommendations You Need Now (podcast)

Looking for other ways to celebrate? We have many fun ideas for celebrating through books, movies, and tv on our podcast this week.  Mary Carver is a regular contributor on MomAdvice and the host of The Couch With Mary Carver. Her podcast is for you if you love TV, movies, music, and books.

Mary Carver joined the Book Gang podcast to discuss her favorite fictional friendship stories in our celebration episode. 

Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one. Today’s show notes are below.

This episode offers tips and tricks for celebrating, as well as some insight into how to love your friends well ALL YEAR LONG .

On the Blog:

Don’t miss today’s SPECIAL BONUS ARTICLE with 13 Friendship Stories You’ll Love for Galentine’s Day!  This extends today’s book selections with a fantastic idea for a nonfiction pick as well as  a collection of classic friendship stories that would be great to revive for a backlist book club. 

Mary also catches us up on New Family Movies from 2022 to Watch Now! Don’t miss this bonus with ideas for streaming this weekend. 

Mentioned in this episode:

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

This Boy We Made by Taylor Harris

The Boy We Made Book Chat

Get the Most Out of the Libby App

Parks and Recreation Valentine’s Episode

Enneagram Test

Poms

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

Drop Dead Gorgeous

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

Miranda

Call the Midwife 

BritBox

Spare by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Playing House

The Best Libby App Tips and Tricks

Access Kanopy through Libby

Hey Ladies! by Michelle Markowitz and Caroline Moss

Gee Thanks I Just Bought It Podcast

This Book Spoofs All Those Group Emails With Your Girlfriend & It’s Painfully Relatable on Bustle

Never Have I Ever

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Firefly Lane

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

Something Like Happy by Eva Woods

Interview with Author Eva Woods on Something Like Happy on HuffPost

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

Connect With Us:

Connect with Mary on MaryCarver.com or The Couch Podcast or Mary’s Instagram

Connect with Amy on Instagram or on MomAdvice.com

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

Join the Book Gang Patreon (for our exclusive FULLY BOOKED  book review show & more!

Best Books To Read From 2022 (Podcast)

Friday, January 6th, 2023

The BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR is here! We read a combined 481 books and tell you our top book recommendations! Listen to today’s podcast to discover what books we loved in 2022. 

We are so lucky to have Larry Hoffer (@getbookedwithlarry) back because he read 372 books this year and share his favorites today.

Combined, we have read a total of 481 books that include all of your favorite categories- historical fiction, young adult, science fiction, literary fiction, contemporary fiction, and ONE outstanding thriller. If you are on the hunt for your next debut novel, this stack is filled with them because there is nothing better than celebrating new authors.

As readers that love to make discoveries, we were surprised by how many many big blockbuster books ended up making our top ten lists. I guess the New York Times bestseller list wasn’t so bad this year.

The best part is that Larry and I share many a top pick for the first time. We made some space to reflect on our end of the year reading and how we plan to better shape our goals for a happier and healthier new year of reading in 2023. I also appreciate the personal experiences that we bring to this years book and I think you will too.

If these new books for your stack aren’t enough, we are offering a part two of this episode in the Patreon community. Along with this bonus episode is a 20-page reading guide AND printable checklists with our top 25 books so you can take these to your next library day.

We can’t wait to hear if a few of your favorite books of the year made the cut.

Best Books To Read From 2022 (Podcast)

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon (download our top 25 lists AND unlock 189 bookish bonuses INSTANTLY)

Helpful Articles Mentioned Today:

Best Books of 2022 To Read Now (BLOG POST- Full list & Reviews)

Tutorial on How to Use the Storygraph App

Tutorial on How to Use the Scribd App

Books & Authors Mentioned:

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

The One Hundred Years of Lenni & Margot by Marianne Cronin

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

Fire Keeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas

The Lady’s Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness by Sarah Ramey

A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

This Boy We Made by Taylor Harris

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

When You Call My Name by Tucker Shaw

The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour with David Levithan

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

Look Closer by David Ellis

Connect With Us:

Amy’s Website- MomAdvice.com

Amy is @momadvice on Instagram

Larry is @getbookedwithlarry on Instagram

Book Gang T-Shirts and Merchandise

Join the Book Gang Patreon

This post contains affiliate links.

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

Get the Most Out of the Libby App (Podcast)

Friday, December 16th, 2022
Get the Most Out of the Libby App Podcast from MomAdvice.com

The Libby team is HERE to help us transition from Overdrive to Libby. Learn what makes this public library app so great and how to borrow and enjoy ebooks and audiobooks with your library card.

Are you struggling to make the switch from Overdrive to Libby? As many of you know our time with Overdrive will come to an end in 2023. As I make the switch myself, I thought it would be fun to bring you along on this journey and learn how to load up our Kindle in new ways.

Today I am honored to share an episode with the Libby team on our show.

The Professional Book Nerds (Joe, Emma, and Jill) are this week’s tour guide You may recognize their from their own podcast where work as staff librarians and offer book recommendations.

They love discussing books with their listeners and sharing what you can check out from your local public libraries and school systems, AND they love talking about what makes the Libby app so unique.

Today’s episode walks you through navigating this reading app, the best way to transition our reading history from Overdrive, and what updates are in progress.

Today’s episode includes listener questions that were submitted before taping.

Libby answers these questions (and more) in today’s episode:

  • How to use their new tagging system and some clever tagging categories you might not have explored.
  • Learn the new features for listening to audiobooks and how to download them (without taking up all your phone storage)
  • Discover the accessibility features they offer for ebook readers to make reading easier for ALL readers.

Check out Today’s Tutorial for the Libby App & Switch from Overdrive- Don’t Miss This Reading Guide

Meet our Libby Guests:

Joe Skelley is one of the co-hosts of the Professional Book Nerds podcast and has been at Overdrive for five years. He is part of the digital book mobile team which is a truck that goes across the US and Canada that does free stops at libraries and schools and helps people get started with their library.

Emma Dwyer is also one of the co-hosts of OverDrive’s Professional Book Nerds podcast and an avid user of the Libby app. She has been at Overdrive for eight years now in varying roles, and is currently as a product trainer on the Overdrive training team, training our library partners and their staff on how to use Libby and other Overdrive products and services. 

Jill Grunenwald is the creator and the third co-host of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. She works on OverDrive’s marketing team as a Marketing and Communications Specialist for the North American public library. Her role is to communicate with  library partners to let them know about all the fun new services and features that Libby has to offer. 

Get the Most Out of the Libby App (Podcast)

Listen to Book Gang below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Book Gang listeners, if you love our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting me on Patreon! As a patron, you’ll receive a monthly “FULLY BOOKED” show, featuring the latest in buzzy books reviews in newsletter and podcast format, co-hosted with @getbookedwithlarry.  You’ll also get an exclusive monthly author interview and a book club music playlist for the MomAdvice Book Club. Membership is just $5 per month, or you can pre-pay to save 10%.

How to Use the Storygraph Tutorial (Written Guide)

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

2023 MomAdvice Book Club Announcement Podcast Episode

Check Out the 2023 MomAdvice Book Club List

This Boy We Made by Taylor Harris

Winter Atmospheric Reads- My Guest Spot on the Professional Book Nerds Podcast

Professional Book Nerds Libby Podcast Episode

You can find Libby Help directly in the app or visit this help link.

You can register for the monthly Getting Started sessions

You can find steps for sideloading Libby on your Kindle Fire

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire LaGrand

The Secret History by Donna Tart

Wicked Little Things by Justin Arnold

Connect With Us:

Amy’s Website- MomAdvice.com

Amy is @momadvice on Instagram

The Professional Book Nerds Website

Professional Book Nerds on Instagram

Book Gang T-Shirts and Merchandise

Join the Book Gang Patreon

This post contains affiliate links.

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

Looking for more great reading resources? Don’t miss these posts!

Join the 2023 MomAdvice Book Club

How to Use Storygraph For a Better Reading Life

Learn how to use The StoryGraph App to Track Your Reading

What is Amazon First Reads?

Learn how to get free books through the Kindle First Reads program

Take a Reading Challenge for a Better Reading Year

Friday, November 18th, 2022
Take a Reading Challenge for a Better Reading Year

Improve your reading habits by committing to reading in your first reading challenge this year. Book Girls’ Guide share what they’ve learned from creating their challenge prompts and what advice they would give if you want to DIY a challenge of your own.

Today we discuss their book lists and how they can help you have a more diverse reading experience. These great challenges can not only teach you about the world, but also help you read more books a week.

Get their reader’s favorite books for reading around the world and through the decades.

Book lovers, let’s read more books this year with these reading lists and advice from Melissa and Angela.

Take a Reading Challenge for a Better Reading Year

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

Book Gang on Facebook

November Book Discussion

Intelligent Change Journal

Okay Fine, I’m Grateful Journal

The Book Girls’ Guide

The Book Girls’ Guide Facebook Group

Email Sign Up

A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea by Melissa Fleming

The Secret Life of Albert Enwhistle by Matt Cain

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich

Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Connect With Us:

Amy’s Website- MomAdvice.com

Amy is @momadvice on Instagram

The Book Girls’ Guide

The Book Girls’ Guide Facebook Group

Email Sign Up

Book Gang T-Shirts and Merchandise

Join the Book Gang Patreon

This post contains affiliate links.

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

This post contains affiliate links.

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