Book Gang

The 2024 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide includes 35 titles, offering upcoming releases, new releases, and backlist gems.

Grab your favorite summer beverage and settle in for this year's summer reading guide, which includes 35 beautiful book selections for your summer. 

After carefully reviewing eighty books for this season, I've tried to offer some expected and unexpected picks, from the campy to the compelling. Today, I'm sharing more about this year's summer author series and a few of my favorite novels I've included.

Browse the 2024 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide (with ads) or receive the 27-page printable guide ($7) to support our show. If you are a show patron, check your inbox for your copy as part of your member benefits- thank you for supporting my small business!  

Editor's Note: We have switched from Bookshop.org to direct sales with each bookshop featured today to ensure they keep every penny of the profit. 

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This special crossover episode with The Reader's Couch offers five backlist books for your summer and what it takes to nail a great summer reading guide.

Today's episode features Victoria Wood from The Reader's Couch podcast. I asked Victoria to bring her best backlist book treasures from her past summer reading guides that deserve far more attention. From historical mysteries to a heartwarming culinary memoir to stories of found family- this stack should elevate your summer reading experience and, likely, be available on your library shelves now. 

As we plan to release our 2024 summer reading guides next week, we discuss insights into crafting the ultimate summer reading guide year after year, how a book qualifies to be featured, and the most significant challenges and rewards of executing seasonal guides for readers. 

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. 

Joining the Patreon helps this show remain independent and on air for $5 a month. You will gain access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!

Download Today's Show Transcript

Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Book

Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha

Sign-Up for Victoria's Summer Reading Guide

Browse the 2023 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

Browse the 2022 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

Get Victoria's 2024 Summer Reading Guide

Get Amy's 2024 Summer Reading Guide (be sure you are signed up for my email list to get this sent to your inbox!)

James by Percival Everett

One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon

@getbookedwithlarry

The Great Mistake by Jonathan Lee

The Layers of Adult Friendships Podcast (Victoria & Amy in Conversation)

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

Matt Cain's Publishing Journey

The Lost Boys of Montauk by Amanda M. Fairbanks

Morningside Heights by Joshua Henkin

Home Made by Liz Hauck

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

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Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

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

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Jeff Zentner discusses the inspiration for his emotional adult debut romance novel Colton Gentry's Third Act, which celebrates food, music, and second chances.

Celebrated young adult novelist Jeff Zentner returns to our space to discuss his transition from writing young adult books to his surprising new release—a romance debut for adults called Colton Gentry's Third Act. 

We discuss the critical differences between writing for adults and young adults, the romantic book that inspired Jeff's plot, and the feedback Emily Henry provided to shape his romance scenes. 

Jeff also talks about the emotional impact of his writing on Gen-Z readers and the connection he has found through his school tours across the country. 

Be sure to stick around to the end to get Jeff's second chance love story recommendations! 

To accompany today’s show, I have a Second Chance Romance Novels book list to celebrate 19 beautiful new beginnings and second chances.

Meet Jeff Zentner

Jeff Zentner is the author of New York Times Notable Books The Serpent King and In the Wild Light, as well as Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, and his forthcoming debut for the adult market, Colton Gentry's Third Act and a YA novel in verse, Sunrise Nights, coauthored with Brittany Cavallaro.

Among other honors, he has won the ALA’s William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award twice, the Muriel Becker Award, the International Literacy Association Award, and been longlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal.

He’s a two-time Southern Book Prize finalist; and was a finalist for the Indies Choice Award. He was selected as a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and an Indies Introduce pick. His books have been translated into fifteen languages. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville.  

Colton Gentry's Third Act is his adult debut romance.

Joining the Patreon helps this show remain independent and on air for $5 a month. You will gain access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Download Today's Transcript

Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Book

19 Second Chance Romance Books for Summer (NEW BOOK LIST)

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives with Heart

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

Serpent King tattoo

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Normal People

One Day by David Nicholls

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

Before Sunrise Trilogy

Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallaro

Hello Girls by Emily Henry and Brittany Cavallaro

The Best Jeff Zentner Books

Connect with Jeff Zentner on his Website or Instagram

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

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Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter

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Amy Lin discusses her emotional debut memoir Here After. We discuss her surprising revelations about the grief process and better steps to show up for grievers.

In our fear of saying the wrong thing, we often don't get to engage in essential conversations like the one we share today. Amy Lin, author of Here After, joins the Book Gang podcast to discuss her powerful memoir on grief and loss and what she wants you to understand about young widowhood.

Here After Book Summary

Lin never expected to find a love like the one she shared with her husband, Kurtis, a gifted young architect who pulls her toward joy, adventure, and greater self-acceptance. But thirty-two-year-old Kurtis unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind Amy, who struggled to navigate the loss while simultaneously confronting a life-threatening medical crisis. 

This sparse memoir was handcrafted for grievers as Amy shares the painstaking process down to margin, white space, and book size to give readers both space and understanding of her grief experience. 

More importantly, she offers life-altering advice on our falsehoods about grief, from the misconceptions around grief timelines to what we shouldn't say to those experiencing loss. After hearing Amy's sage advice today,I promise you will be a better friend, sister, daughter, or mother after listening to this conversation. 

To accompany today's show, I have a Books On Grief and Loss book list with fiction and nonfiction selections for adult and young readers.

I've also gathered a curated collection of grief quotes from these books that speak to this universal experience in comforting ways to give words to this experience. I hope you feel both seen and loved today's series.

Amy Lin is a writer and educator who lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her work has been published in Ploughshares, and she has been awarded residencies from Yaddo and Casa Comala.Here After is her debut novel.

Joining the Patreon helps this show remain independent and on air for $5 a month. You will gain access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Download Today's Transcript

Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Book

Books on Grief and Loss Book List

Grief Quotes From Books

A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney

Here After by Amy Lin

Zibby Books

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

Connect With Us:

Connect with Amy Lin on Instagram, Substack, or her Website

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This special crossover episode with Thoughts from a Page offers five new historical fiction books in 2024 to read now of compelling women throughout history.

Cindy Burnett, the host of the Thoughts from a Page podcast, joins our show in this special crossover episode to discuss her favorite new historical fiction books for 2024 that readers will love. 

We discuss the most memorable books we read when we first began exploring this genre, the upcoming publishing trends for this year in historical fiction,  and common misconceptions (and gripes) on what we feel is essential in a fantastic historical fiction book selection. 

Cindy brings five incredible novels featuring powerful narratives exploring accounts of remarkable women throughout history. We know you will love reading these this Spring! 

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.

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 Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Meet Our New Book Gang

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Miss Del Rio by Barbara Mujica

The Editor by Stephen Rowley

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

The Queen of Sugar Hill by Reshonda Tate

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

The Magic of Old Hollywood Podcast Episode with Amy and Molly Fader

The Best Books About Old Hollywood to Get Swept Away

The Best New Historical Fiction of 2023 (In Case You Missed It)

Reel by Kennedy Ryan

Cindy’s episode with Reshonda Tate

This Book Cover Designer Reveals His Surprising Process Podcast

The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Firefly Lane TV Series

The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

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

Connect With Us:

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

Get My Happy List Newsletter

Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Learn 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. 

Bonus Book List:

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.

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. 

Joining the Patreon helps this show remain independent and on air for $5 a month. You will gain 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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Get the Kindle Daily Deals Newsletter

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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. 

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. 

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, parallel lives, and explorations of parallel worlds and the multiverse. 

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

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.

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 Reading Resources: (AS PROMISED!):

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

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

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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. 

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 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. 

Join the Book Gang Patreon-This 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.

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

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

Subscribe to my FREE Happy List Newsletter

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)

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

Discover today's BONUS BOOK LIST with 29 of the best 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.

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

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!

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

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

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. 

Don’t miss today's BONUS BOOK LIST, which includes 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 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.

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

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 Sarah on Instagram, on Substack, or on Her Website

Subscribe to my FREE Happy List Newsletter

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