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Celebrate literary lessons found in books about mothers! Adele Griffin shares her riveting surrogacy story in her debut and how these characters shaped her story.

Adele Griffin knew something had been missing from her fiction for a long time. 

Although she knew it was missing, she admits that it took her years to process and refine this motherhood journey into her adult fiction debut, The Favor. 

In this moving conversation, we discuss her riveting surrogacy journey and what writers have gotten wrong when writing about this deeply personal partnership. It is a profound bond that can have lifelong impacts on all parties involved, but the author’s challenge was packaging it lightly for a reader like her. 

As a seasoned author of over thirty books, she describes her unique challenges and hurdles in writing adult voices and, ultimately, the literary mothers who shaped this story, and how she viewed motherhood. 

In one of the most eclectic stacks brought to our show, we will discover surprising trivia behind some well-known classics and contemporary literature that brings modern motherhood issues to light.

Bonus Books About Mothers Book List:

Today's BONUS BOOK LIST explores The Best Page Turners About Motherhood to Read Now. 

This book list includes Adele’s fiction, nonfiction, and memoir selections. I’ve rounded out this stack with the most compelling books I’ve read on motherhood. 

And if you want to dive into Adele's page-turning plot twists, you will love today's bonus. Patrons get an additional  SPOILER-FILLED episode with Adele, discussing three pivotal moments in her book's ending. 

Adele Griffin is the author of over thirty highly acclaimed books across various genres, including Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, both National Book Award finalists. 

The Favor is her adult fiction debut.

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! 

MomAdvice Fall Reading Guide

2023 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

True Biz by Sara Novic

The Favor by Adele Griffin

Adele’s Pinterest Board

The Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock

Vampire Island Series by Adele Griffin

Witch Twins Series by Adele Griffin

All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Meg Shaffer Interview (The Wishing Game)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

10 Fascinating Facts About Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women

Waiting for Daisy by Peggy Orenstein

Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott

Some Assembly Required by Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott, Who Wrote the ‘Operating Instructions’ on Motherhood Tackles the Sequel

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere Trailer

Guide to the Celeste Ng Books

Celeste Ng: The WD Interview

Hello Beautiful by Anne Napolitano

You’ll Never Guess What Anne Napolitano Was Doing When Oprah Called

The Celebrity Book Club Deep Dive Episode You Need

The Best Page Turners About Motherhood to Read Now

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Dreaming of writing a murder mystery book? Listen to the inspiring story of a mother and daughter who crafted their whodunit amidst a cancer diagnosis. Today Nina Simon discusses her debut novel, “Mother-Daughter Murder Night.”

How does a former NASA engineer make the shift to murder mystery writer?

 In this fascinating Book Gang episode, we sit down with the talented Nina Simon to uncover the remarkable journey behind her debut novel, Mother-Daughter Murder Night. 

When Nina's mother battled stage 4 cancer in late 2020, it prompted her to leave her CEO position and care for her. 

Amidst the challenges, Nina and her mother found solace in their shared love for murder mysteries, leading them to write a mystery book of their own to keep them busy during their long days in the hospital room.

Today, we explore the authenticity of mother-daughter relationships portrayed in the story and the intricate balance between land conservation and community tensions depicted in her novel’s narrative. 

We also discuss the therapeutic power of creativity, courage, and resilience that emerged through the act of storytelling bonding Nina and her mother during this challenging period. 

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL BONUS BOOK LIST- THE 2023 FALL READING GUIDE

Looking for the best new fall books? Don't miss the MomAdvice Fall Reading Guide with 37 new books for fall. Read the guide for free or join the paid community for the 26-page printable version. 

Patrons can follow Nina to our spoiler-filled bonus conversation to discuss the killer AND if a Mother-Daughter Murder Night sequel is in the works for the writer.  Don't miss the fun!

Nina Simon has donned numerous hats throughout her journey, from being a NASA engineer and slam poet to a mystery game designer, exhibit developer, museum director, and founder of a global nonprofit. 

Her career has predominantly unfolded within the realm of museums and cultural centers, earning her recognition as a "museum visionary" by Smithsonian Magazine due to her community-centered design approach. 

As an Ashoka fellow, she established OF/BY/FOR ALL, a worldwide nonprofit that crafts digital tools empowering civic and cultural entities to embrace inclusivity, relevance, and sustainability.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nina lives with her husband and daughter in an off-grid community in the Santa Cruz mountains. 

Mother-Daughter Murder Night is her debut novel. 

Joining the Patreon gives you access to the 2023 Fall Reading Guide printable and a bonus episode with Nina Simon. Get the September FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Magic Lessons Podcast

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

The Kayak Connection

S. A. Cosby

Don’t Know Tough by Eli Cranor

Louise Penny

Inspector Gamache Series

Three Pines

David Joy

Miss Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries

Nina’s Book Tour

2023 FALL READING GUIDE HERE

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:

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Join us as Fiona Davis, the acclaimed author of seven historical fiction novels, delves into her latest historical fiction book, "The Spectacular," which immerses readers into the world of the legendary Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in the 1950s.  

From surprising dance routines to the hidden life of the Rockettes, discover the secrets of this iconic dance troupe and how Fiona masterfully captures the essence of movement and history on the page.  

Plus, learn the inside scoop on Fiona's new book she is writing, and what iconic New York City landmark she has selected for her next book destination. 

Readers can access today  a BONUS FIONA DAVIS BOOK LIST to browse all the Fiona Davis books in order and my recommendations for your best book stack.  

BONUS PATREON SHOW:

Patreon Pals can access our bonus SPOILER episode that will delve deep into The Spectacular ending with the author. 

Fiona masterfully crafted an emotional punch that caught me off guard. in this bonus episode, I had the privilege of asking Fiona why she chose this ending. 

We also discuss why creatives must process things on paper and what she wants readers to learn from this protagonist's journey. 

Meet Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of seven historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Spectacular, The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her novels have been chosen as “One Book, One Community” reads and her articles have appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and O the Oprah magazine.  

She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages and she's based in New York City.

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

MomAdvice Reading Retreat

Rhonda Malkin

Vera-Ellen

Radio City Music Hall’s Secret Apartment

The Mad Bomber

Incendiary by Michael Cannell

The Novel Neighbor’s Looks as Books

The Favor by Adele Griffin

Blake Lively’s Met Gala dress

Sirens and Muses by Antonia Angress

The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

2023 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

Shop the above (Amazon) links or 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:

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Emily Lynn Paulson discusses her eye-opening memoir, Hey, Hun. Learn how rising to the top of an MLM led to her addiction and recovery in a pyramid scheme.

What is the most Googled fact about Emily Lynn Paulson?

At the time of this recording, roughly 125 people each month, likely after reading this memoir, ask this question- what MLM was Emily Paulson in?

Today we discuss why she chose a fictitious name for her beauty brand, and what she hopes it signals to the reader.

Join us in this eye-opening Book Gang episode with Emily Lynn Paulson, author of Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing. 

Pulled into a high-pressure sales routine, Emily joins the #girlboss community for an MLM beauty brand. 

Rising to the top of the MLM pyramid required Paulson never to take no for an answer and do anything to sit at the top.

As a result, Paulson achieves millionaire status, but it costs her the expense of loved ones, her sobriety, her health, and her moral compass. 

Emily unveils the darker side of multi-level marketing companies and cult-like ideologies through her well-researched memoir. We also discuss how her relationship with alcohol has changed since this time and the unexpected joy of being sober. 

If you want to dive deeper into the best books about addiction and recovery, we have you covered in the second part of our conversation. 

 Emily brings her favorite books, and discusses her best alcohol-free mocktails for your summer. We share our favorite sober memoir moments in today’s podcast conversation. 

Today's BONUS BOOK LIST includes The Best Books on Addiction and Recovery for our summer series that share the magic of a sober life.   This includes fiction, nonfiction, and memoir selections. 

Meet Emily Lynn Paulson

Emily Lynn Paulson is an accomplished author known for her books "Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life" and "Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing." Her impactful TEDx talks challenge parenting norms, alcohol use, and feminism. Featured in major publications like the Today Show, Tamron Hall Show, and the New York Times, Emily resides in Central Oregon with her husband and five children. 

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! 

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Veldez

Fables Books

Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson

De Soi Non-Alcoholic Aperitifs

Hoplark

Amy’s Favorite Copper Mugs

Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction by Elizabeth Vargas

Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety by Laura McKowen

We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen

Drinking Games by Sarah Levy

Cup of Jo

It’s Not About the Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind the Mommy Wine Culture by Celeste Yvonne

The Ultimate Mom Challenge

Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating and Hooking Up Without the Booze by Tawny Lara

2023 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

Shop the above (Amazon) links or 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 Emily on Instagram or her Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

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Molly Fader discusses her remarkable historical fiction novel, The Sunshine Girls, and collection of Old Hollywood books as captivating as the silver screen.

If you have a nurse in your family, this show is dedicated to you! In today's episode of Book Gang, we have the pleasure of hosting Molly Fader, an award-winning author who wrote one of my favorite historical fiction novels this year, The Sunshine Girls. 

The Sunshine Girls intricately weaves together the themes of three friends navigating nursing school, Hollywood adventures, and the Vietnam War in one delicious soapy escape. 

Inspired by Molly's mother's nursing career in the 1960s, we delve deeper into the charming friendship story that overlapped with her mother's, as well as how she wanted to capture the traditional yet sometimes sexist aspects of nursing school with the contrasting opportunities for independence it offered to women in these careers. 

Molly also addresses her unique writing experience under pen names, with over 50 romance novels published. If you are curious about series writing for Harlequin, she explains how this taught her to be a better writer while managing her larger-than-life role as a mom. 

If you want to dive deeper into the best Old Hollywood book stack, we have you covered in the second part of our conversation. Molly is a seasoned reader of the golden age of Hollywood. From real-life movie stars to science fiction explorations in the film industry, you will find more than a few movie stars to love in your book stack today. 

Today's BONUS BOOK LIST celebrates our favorite classic Hollywood moments in our fiction and nonfiction stacks, so don't miss this special list we have crafted for our summer series.  

Meet Molly Fader

Molly Fader is the author of The McAvoy Sister’s Book Of Secrets. As Molly O’Keefe, she is the USA Today Bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, with her husband, two kids, and a rescue dog.

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 Summer Reading Guide

GET THE BEST BOOKS ABOUT OLD HOLLYWOOD BONUS BOOK LIST

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

Elizabeth A. Allen

When I Die I’m Going to Heaven ‘Cause I’ve Spent My Time in Hell by Barbara Kautz

Home Before Morning by Lynda Van Devanter

Molly O’Keefe

M. O’Keefe

The Petticoat Kid

Stuntman! by Hal Needham

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts

The Greatest Showman

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Amy’s interview with Taylor Jenkins Reid

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid Writes Her Own Hollywood Success Story

Writing Nuanced Queer Protagonists: A Q&A with the Taylor Jenkins Reid

Tab Hunter

Tab Hunter Confidential by Tab Hunter

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Cleopatra

Interview: How Jess Walter Became a Bestselling Author

The Zero by Jess Walter

Citizen Vince by Jess Walter

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

Interview with an Author: Nghi Vo

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore

Shop the above (Amazon) links or 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:

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Wendy Heard discusses her con artist book of the summer, You Can Trust Me. Learn what it takes to write a thriller & get our best books on scammers and cons.

It's our first thriller discussion of the summer. Join me in an enthralling conversation with renowned thriller author Wendy Heard as we dive deep into the world of thriller writing with her new release, You Can Trust Me.

Summer, a skilled pickpocket, takes Leo, a young woman living on the streets, under her wing, embarking on a dangerous con that quickly spirals out of control. Their target? An enigmatic billionaire named Michael. 

But as they delve deeper, they uncover a startling revelation—Michael is not who he appears to be, putting both Summer and Leo in grave danger.

When Leo mysteriously disappears, Summer refuses to stand by idly. Determined to rescue her friend, she infiltrates Michael's private island, only to find herself trapped with no escape. As the suspense escalates, Summer realizes she may have met her match in this high-stakes page-turner.

Today we discuss why con artists are having a moment in pop culture on our screens and in our book stacks. In this absorbing interview, Wendy shares the art of crafting a riveting con artist sequence and why the four-act structure works so well in her writing process. We also discuss the challenges of juggling TWO book launches in one month and the differences between writing for a YA audience and adults.  

If you want to dive deeper into the best con artist book stack, we have you covered in the second part of our conversation. Wendy brings her favorite con artist queens and shares why you should add these to your book stack too.

Today's BONUS BOOK LIST offers the best books with grifters, scam artists, heists, and cons. This book list includes Wendy's top picks and all my favorite con artist moments in fiction and nonfiction. Don't miss it! 

Meet Wendy Heard

Wendy Heard is the author of suspense and thrillers for adults and teens, including We’ll Never Tell, The Kill Club, She's Too Pretty to Burn, and Dead End Girls. Her latest adult novel is You Can Trust Me. Heard has spent most of her life in Los Angeles, loves all things vintage, and has a collection of thrillers and adventure books from the ’80s.

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 Summer Reading Guide

Breathe and Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester

Fables Books

MomAdvice Book Club

Breathe and Count Back From Ten Book Chat

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

Scamanda Podcast

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard

Remember Me by Christopher Pike

The Best Plus-Size Romance Characters to Love with Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

We’ll Never Tell by Wendy Heard

Los Feliz Murder Mansion

The Hotel Cecil

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

The Arrangement by Robyn Harding

Pretty Things by Janelle Brown

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

20 Books About Con Artists We Recommend Bonus Book List

Shop the above (Amazon) links or 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 Wendy on Instagram or her Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Join the MomAdvice Book Club

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

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Thao Thai discusses her multigenerational debut novel, Banyan Moon, a Vietnamese tale that transports readers. We also discuss the best debut novels of 2023.

We are celebrating the best debut novels of 2023 (so far) with debut novelist Thao Thai, author of Banyan Moon, on Book Gang today. 

Set against the stunning backdrop of Vietnam and Florida, Banyan Moon will be one of your favorite reads this year. 

This emotional debut novel follows three generations of Vietnamese American women grappling with the death of their matriarch, Minh. As they begin clearing out the sprawling Banyan House, they unravel long-buried secrets about themselves and each other.  

In today’s interview, we discuss what elements of Thao's personal story made their way into this multigenerational legacy story that spans decades and generations, shedding light on the unique bonds of motherhood. 

Thao shares her family's intriguing history, from surprisingly sentimental heirlooms to the Vietnamese folk tales woven into this story's threads. We also discuss the complicated journey of writing mother-daughter relationships and what details were crucial in capturing the motherhood journey. 

I’m excited to share this Thao Thai interview with you and celebrate her beautiful publishing journey.

Since this was one of my favorite debuts of the year, Thao joins me in conversation about some of the best debuts published in 2023. I share some trivia about two of her favorite books and bring a couple of my favorites (so far) to round out this stack. 

We would also like to congratulate Thao Thai on being selected as the Read With Jenna Book Club July 2023 selection! 

BONUS BOOK LIST ALERT! 

Take advantage of today's bonus book list! I've compiled a complete list of all the best debuts I've read in 2023. It was a fun reading assignment, and I have so many to share with you today!  

Meet Thao Thai

Thao Thai lives in Ohio with her husband and daughter. Her work has been published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, WIRED, Sunday Long Read, Catapult, and other publications. She received her MFA from The Ohio State University and her MA from The University of Chicago. Banyan Moon is her first novel. 

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 Summer Reading Guide

MomAdvice Book Club

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle Book Chat

The Best Debuts of 2023 to Not Miss BONUS BOOK LIST

Banyan Moon by Thao Thai

Tanya Ho Design

The Ringling

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Cup of Jo

Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul

Exclusive Crystal Smith Paul Interview

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

The Best Life Lessons From Time Travel Books (Cesca Major podcast episode)

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

The Best Escapist Books Set on Islands (Meg Shaffer podcast episode)

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes

What Lies Behind the Postcard: Jasmin Iolani Hakes on the New Meaning of Summer Reading

Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen

Not So Pretty

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Emilia Hart: “If it doesn’t convince you as the writer, it won’t convince the reader."

BONUS LIST:  BEST DEBUTS OF 2023 

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

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Byron Lane joins the podcast to discuss his charming fictional wedding rom-com book, Big Gay Wedding, and top book recommendations for the wedding season.

In this delightful Book Gang podcast episode, the talented author, Byron Lane, of Big Gay Wedding and A Star is Bored, discusses his writing journey. 

In the novel Big Gay Wedding, Chrissy owns a Louisiana farm that combines manners and animal encounters for children in town. She's been content with her well-orchestrated and polite life until her son, Barnett, returns home with an unconventional request – to host a "big gay wedding" on her property. 

The problem is that Chrissy hasn't told anyone in town about her son and must now grapple with her expectations for his imagined future too. 

As you'll discover, this conversation takes a surprisingly personal turn; we discuss Byron's struggles and what he hopes this novel means for others in the LGBTQ community. With his heartfelt proposal to Steven Rowley immortalized in his book's acknowledgments, we explore whether any of their other moments made their way into the story.

Join us as we dive into the world of this charming new wedding rom-com, a perfect selection for Schitt's Creek fans!

That's not all, though; Byron brings his favorite books about weddings, including some hot new releases to check out from now from your local indie bookshop or library! We also discuss some little-known trivia around a wedding season classic!   

Meet Byron Lane

Byron Lane is the author of A Star Is Bored, hailed by the New York Times Book Review as “wildly funny and irreverent.” He’s a playwright, screenwriter, Emmy Award–winning journalist, and former assistant to actress Carrie Fisher. 

He’s originally from New Orleans and lives in Palm Springs, California, with his husband, author Steven Rowley, and their rescue dogs, Raindrop and Shirley. His newest novel Big Gay Wedding is on store shelves now from Henry Holt. 

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! 

Check out today's BONUS BOOK LIST with the BEST Books About Weddings! 

Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane

MomAdvice Book Club

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle Book Chat

A Star is Bored by Byron Lane

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Bridesmaids Best Friend Speech

Father of the Bride

The Editor by Steven Rowley

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

Book Soup

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

D’Vaughn and Kris Plan A Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

Harlequin Romance Carina Press

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett

Liar City by Allie Therin

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Q&A: Casey McQuiston, Author of Red, White & Royal Blue

The Royal We by Heather Cocks

Red, White & Royal Blue Movie

Best Men by Sidney Karger

Sidney Karger: On Applying Real Emotions to Fictional Characters

The Gay Best Friend by Nicholas DiDomizio

Burn it All Down by Nicholas DiDomizio

The Spectacular Life Lessons From Books About Road Trips

2023 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

Shop the above (Amazon) links or 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 Byron on his website or on Instagram

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Escape real life with the best island books. Learn why The Wishing Game is just the book escape you need with our interview with Meg Shaffer.

Let’s head to a fictional island with this Meg Shaffer interview as we discuss her magical debut, The Wishing Game.  

In this Willy Wonka-style adventure, we follow the story of Lucy Hart, a 26-year-old teacher's aide who has always found solace in the pages of the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. 

A public letter begins to go viral, sharing that a new book- A Wish for Clock Island- has been written and only one copy exists. Jack has plans to give it away to someone courageous, clever, and who knows how to make wishes. This invitation also says that you should check your mailbox if you know the answer to the riddle "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"  

And Lucy just so happens to know the answer to this mysterious package’s question, as do a few other longtime readers that have had beautiful interceptions throughout their lives with Jack. 

Based on the true story of a boy who ran away and showed up on the doorstep of his favorite fantasy author, we learn more about Meg’s writing process and why she wanted to write this love letter to our childhood reading. We also discuss a few other islands to escape when you need a literary vacation!

TODAY'S SPECIAL SHOW BONUS:

Don’t miss today’s bonus book list with 22 more books set on islands for the best armchair travel escapes. 

Meg Shaffer is a part-time creative writing instructor and a full-time MFA candidate in TV and Screenwriting at Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri. Find her online or at home, watching Hitchcock films and/or writing Star Trek fan fiction when she should be doing her homework.

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! 

2023 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Currently Reading Podcast

Magic Season Book Chat

The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock by Edward White

The Lodger

Joan Harrison

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Peter and the Wolf

This American Life: Just South of the Unicorns

Piers Anthony Xanth Series

Books & Books

Green Glass Door Game

Ray Bradbury Short Stories

Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith

Scribd

How to Use the Scribd App for Your Reading Life

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

We’ll Never Tell by Wendy Heard

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard

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 Meg on her site or Instagram

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

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!

Join me as we dive into our summer reading guide with my literary treasure trove of 37 handpicked book recommendations spanning multiple genres. This year's list includes romance, historical fiction, contemporary, nonfiction, thriller, and mystery, with some beautiful backlist book favorites.

Access the 2023 Summer Reading Guide here. 

Book Gang Really Needs Your Support

If you love the guide, supporting my small business will sustain this show. You can now contribute to our small business through our new one-time donation platform, Buy Me a Coffee. I would be so grateful for any support you can offer. Every contribution helps us continue creating valuable content and supporting the literary community.

Patreon pals, who commit to a monthly donation, receive access to a free printable guide and other bookish fun.

Happy reading, friends!

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