Book Gang

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

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.

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! 

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! 

The Best Books About Art & Artists to Read Now

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 Antonia Angress on Instagram or Website

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Cue the confetti! This week's episode shares the top fifteen books we have read this year after screening HUNDREDS of books.

This discussion includes the best fiction books of 2023 and some of our favorite backlist books we were thrilled to discover this year. There is TRULY something for everyone.

We invite you to browse today's bonus book list featuring our favorites. Larry also offers an incredible expanded list for your reading life. Patrons will receive a printable checklist with today's book titles and some of our honorable mentions. 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Connect with Larry on Instagram

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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 reading journey together. 

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 and authors. 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 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 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! 

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.

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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. 

Check out our BONUS “found family” book list that includes our favorite historical fiction, middle-grade novels, and even a dark psychological thriller with this theme. 

EDITOR'S NOTE- Thank you to Lynda Cohen Loigman for the gorgeous chat on The Matchmaker's Gift (accidentally missing from this morning's intro!!)

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! 

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

Found Family Trope Books to Read Now (BONUS BOOK LIST)

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
 

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:

Get My Happy List Newsletter

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Connect With Jessica on Instagram

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

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Join us in Part 2 of the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club as we unveil the second half of our carefully curated book selections and how to join!

Cue the confetti! 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.

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?

Please visit the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Guide to access today's selections with full descriptions of each book and how to join. 

Connect With Me:

JOIN THE 2024 MomAdvice Book Club

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Get My Happy List Newsletter

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

Join us in Part 1 of the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club as we unveil the first half of our carefully curated book selections and how to join!

Cue the confetti! 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.

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?

Please visit the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Guide to access today's selections with full descriptions of each book and how to join. 

Connect With Me:

JOIN THE 2024 MomAdvice Book Club

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Get My Happy List Newsletter

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

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

Chronic pain shouldn't stop you from living your best reading life. A registered osteopath shares her surprising tips for a cozy winter reading season. 

Does the perfect reading chair exist? How do I maintain a good reading posture? And what book format is best for someone who has chronic pain problems?

The answers might surprise you in this special winter reading episode dedicated to anyone navigating chronic pain challenges.

Today's podcast will help you create the perfect cozy reading space while acknowledging the additional challenges you might face, especially during winter.

This week's remarkable guest is Alexandra Orfanides, a registered osteopath,  the creative mind behind Hypermobility HQ on TikTok, and the host of Help! I’m Hypermobile Podcast.  

With her wealth of experience in the medical space, Alex shares insights on the best ways to give your body TRUE rest when reading. 

As a bonus, Alex shares a touching personal connection to literature and discusses her recent challenges with connecting to books. To kick start her reading life up again, I'm providing three book recommendations to reignite her passion for literature.

BONUS COZY READING GUIDE

Check out our bonus Cozy Reading Guide featuring all the products recommended by Alex and essential items that have personally helped me navigate my health challenges while reading.

Alexandra Orfanides brings her expertise as an osteopath with a Master's degree in Osteopathy and a Bachelor's degree in English language and literature. This unique combination couldn’t have been more perfect for today’s show. 

Alex offers in-person and virtual consultations to patients. She hosts the new podcast "Help! I'm Hypermobile," and uses her various platforms to raise awareness about hypermobility to help her community navigate daily challenges. 

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! 

2023 MomAdvice Fall Reading Guide

Cozy Reading With Chronic Pain Guide (links to all the products featured)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Breathe and Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester

Watch Alex's Towel Trick on TikTok

Dysautonomia

Animation tablet

Penguin upright mouse

Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

The Ladies Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness by Sarah Ramey

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers - solar punk

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstances by Ruth Emmie Lange

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:

Get My Happy List Newsletter

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Connect With Alex on Instagram, Tiktok, her Podcast, or Website

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

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

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

Celebrate the feel-good moments and literary achievements of the Second Chance Book Club for inmates and their tireless leader, Jennifer Williams. 

Join us for a heartwarming Book Gang podcast episode as we meet Jennifer, the "book lady" of Danville, VA, changing incarcerated women's lives through the Second Chance Book Club. 

Today, we explore the logistics and challenges of running an incarcerated book club and the incredible rewards that Jennifer has witnessed in their participants. 

Plus, Jennifer shares three of her favorite backlist book club books. Get book recommendations and learn how you can help support this incredible initiative. 

If you would love to be a part of her literary legacy, head to her holiday gift registry to donate books for their prison book club. The inmates get to keep the books they read, and Jennifer highlights the incredible ways reading helps as they move on to their next chapter in life. 

BONUS BOOK CLUB BOOK LIST: 

Thanks to the support of Patreon members, listeners have access to a bonus curated list of the best book club books to discuss now created by historical fiction writer Meagan Church. 

It was such a fantastic book list that we have updated this with Jennifer's book club books she recommends for impactful conversations. 

Jennifer Williams, the "book lady" of Danville, Virginia, is on a mission to donate 1 million books to local children. A dedicated teacher, she is working two jobs to fund her initiative. 

Jennifer's commitment extends to running a women's book club at the Danville Jail, where members have become avid readers. 

Her work has garnered community support and recognition for its positive influence in her town. We are proud to support this literary hero on the podcast today.

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! 

Second Chance Book Club Gift Registry- PLEASE Donate a Book

2023 MomAdvice Fall Reading Guide

The Best Book Club Books to Discuss Now (BONUS BOOK LIST)

Meet the ‘Book Lady’. She’s determined to donation 1 million books to Virginia kids

Jennifer on the Today Show 

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit

If the Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss

All the Little Hopes by Leah Weiss

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens

Murphy’s Boy by Torey Hayden

Trapped in Silence

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 Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Connect with the Second Chance Book Club on Facebook

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

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

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

Matt Cain discusses the challenging history in publishing for LGBTQ History Month. Discover the inspiration for his book, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle.

We are giving listeners a peek behind the paywall to share one of my favorite interviews of 2023 in honor of LGBTQ History Month. 

Join us as we delve into the captivating world of renowned author Matt Cain, as we celebrate his charming novel, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle.

Beyond discussing his book, Matt opens up about the immense publishing challenges he faced, most notably with The Madonna of Bolton, a novel rejected more than 30 times for being deemed 'too gay.' 

Discover how it evolved into one of the fastest crowdfunded projects on Unbound after Matt courageously unveiled his rejection letters to the world, and how he views the publishing world now. 

We'll also explore the genre of UpLit, its key markers, and what to expect in UpLit books. The answer might surprise you!

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! 

2023 MomAdvice Fall Reading Guide

The Best Books for LGBTQ History Month (BONUS BOOK LIST- UPDATED!)

Celebrate LGBTQ History With This Curated Stack- Jeffrey Dale Lofton Interview

The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

What is Uplit?

Madonna of Bolton by Matt Cain

Becoming Ted by Matt Cain

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Attitude Magazine

Attitude Heroes Podcast

The Albert Kennedy Trust

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

Eleanor Elephant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

POV: Albert's First Night Out Playlist

Becoming Ted Playlist

Shirley Valentine

Magic Season by Wade Rouse

Amy’s interview with Wade Rouse

My Policeman by Bethan Roberts

Matt’s Graham Norton interview

The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Amy’s Interview with Lynda Cohen Loigman

Matzah Book Soup Book Club

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 Matt Cain on Instagram or on his Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

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

SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!

Debut novelist and senior advisor to the Library of Congress, Jeffrey Dale Lofton, discusses identity and self-discovery for LGBTQ History Month in October.

Jeffrey Dale Lofton is one of the most intriguing voices I've read this year, and  I count his debut among my favorites of 2023. 

Join us on an inspiring journey as we sit down with Jeffrey Dale Lofton, the talented debut author behind Red Clay Suzie a fictional memoir that delves into the depths of identity, self-discovery, and the journey of growing up as a gay boy in the Deep South. 

In this intimate conversation, Lofton shares his personal experiences that shaped this remarkable narrative, the challenges of navigating his own identity, and the power of storytelling to bridge understanding, especially in the LGBTQ community.  

As a senior advisor to the Library of Congress, Lofton brings a unique perspective to literature and history. Be sure to tune in to the second half of our conversation to discover his top book recommendations for LGBTQ History Month. 

Don’t miss this week’s bonus book list-  The Best Books for LGBTQ History Month! 

This list includes fiction and nonfiction books on queer history. 

Jeffrey Dale Lofton transitioned from a career in acting to pursue post-graduate studies, earning Master's degrees in Public Administration & Library and Information Science. 

Currently, he serves as a senior advisor at the Library of Congress, indulging in his love for books.

Originally from Warm Springs, Georgia, the author now resides in Washington, DC. 

Red Clay Suzie is his debut novel and was longlisted for The Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize.

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! 

2023 MomAdvice Fall Reading Guide

The Best Books for LGBTQ History Month (BONUS BOOK LIST)

Red Clay Suzie by Jeffrey Dale Lofton

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

And I Do Not Forgive You by Amber Sparks

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

The Best Libby App Tips & Tricks

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Pete Cross, Audio Book Narrator

The Born This Way Foundation

The Trevor Project

LGBTQ History Month

How to Survive A Plague by David France

My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson

Rasheed Newson’t Debut Novel Retells the Early Years of AIDS in New York City

The Other Pandemic by Lynn Curlee

Short Film Starring My Beloved’s Red Bronco by K. Iver

Who is This Grief For?

The Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize Longlist

This post contains affiliate links. 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 Jeffrey on Instagram or his Website

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Join the MomAdvice Book Club

Shop Our Bookish Shirts to support the show

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