Rob Hart discusses his gripping novel, Assassins Anonymous, and the heartfelt storytelling approach that defines his work.

When Steven Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment, snaps up the rights to a book within 24 hours of acquisition, you know the book must be incredible.

Today, Rob Hart joins us to discuss his new novel Assassins Anonymous and the unique background he brings to crafting a great fight sequence. This thriller offers readers humor, heart, and loads of cinematic action, making it an absolute favorite from my reading year. We discuss his plans for continuing this book series for readers and how he continually pivots genres and projects in his writing career.

 Readers should prepare for deliciously clever plot twists, which we discuss in our patron spoiler-filled episode about the shocking Assassins Anonymous ending Hart crafted!

BONUS BOOK LIST

Whether you're in the mood for twisty thrillers, laugh-out-loud moments, or heartwarming escapes, I've rounded up 17 of my favorite binge-worthy books that are perfect for breaking out of a reading slump.

Rob Hart is the author of Assassins Anonymous, The Paradox Hotel, The Warehouse, the Ash McKenna crime series, and the co-author of Scott Free with James Patterson. He's worked as a book publisher, a reporter, a political communications director, and a commissioner for the city of New York. Hart lives on Staten Island. 

Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like Assasins Anonymous. All purchases support this year's programming.  

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BONUS BOOK LIST: Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump Book List (17 Book Ideas)

Join the October Book Club Chat (Severance by Ling Ma)

Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart 

The Warehouse by Rob Hart 

The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart 

Blood in the Cut by Alejandro Nodarse 

Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett 

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Discover the best Disability Pride Books curated by Cindy Otis from The Stacks Bookstore, who offers readers a virtual tour of her disability-inclusive space.

Cindy Otis's journey to opening The Stacks offers a vital and well-thought conversation about her own limitations in accessing bookshops and what was top of mind for her customers when designing an accessible and welcoming space for all, especially those with disabilities in Savannah, Georgia. 

From ramps to fonts to her bookshop's tagline, Cindy's thoughtful design choices ensure every reader can enjoy the magic of books. Her small business journey will mesmerize you.

Get her top five book recommendations to celebrate Disability Pride Month all year long!  But the best part is that you can support her shop through your purchases today in today's special Disability Pride Month book list. Let's shower Cindy's  shop with some love this month. 

Cindy Otis is a writer and the author of the novel At the Speed of Lies, which is now out with Scholastic, and the critically acclaimed nonfiction book True or False, published by Macmillan.

Her other written work has appeared in publications such as USA Today, the New York Times, CNN, and Teen Vogue. She previously served as an intelligence analyst and manager at the CIA. She is not just a bookseller but a champion for inclusivity and accessibility in the literary world.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL PURCHASES FROM TODAY'S SHOW SUPPORT THE STACKS BOOKSTORE 

SHOP THE DISABILTY PRIDE BOOK LIST

At the Speed of Lies by Cindy L. Otis

True or False by Cindy L. Otis

Cindy’s TikTok

The Stacks: How a Small Bookstore Plans to Make Big Waves on Waters Avenue

The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz

Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann

Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

True Biz by Sara Novic

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives with Heart

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Laura shares the painfully hilarious real-life inspiration behind her novel, discussing how personal experiences with negative feedback trickled into One-Star Romance.

The dark horse in my romance stack was Laura Hankin's debut novel, which pulled ahead as my summer favorite. After reading the author for years across genres, I'm honored to have Laura Hankin on the Book Gang podcast to discuss her writing pivot in One-Star Romance.

In a world of instant feedback, I was fascinated by Laura's hacks for processing reviewer feedback that still protects her creative process. These candid reflections offer valuable lessons for aspiring authors and a gentle reminder of the power of a one-liner scathing review that can haunt writers long after we've hit "post."

Patrons can dive into the One-Star Romance ending through today’s spoiler chat, where we discuss Hankin's surprising plot twists that take us to that swoon-worthy happily ever after. 

Laura Hankin is an accomplished author, screenwriter, and performer known for her captivating novels, perfect for beach reads and book club discussions. Her previous works include The Daydreams, Happy & You Know It, and A Special Place for Women.

One-Star Romance is her debut romance.

TODAY'S GIANT BONUS SUMMER CONTENT:

Summer reading season is in full swing. Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like One-Star Romance. All purchases support this year's programming.  

Download Today's Show Transcript

NEW: 26 Books About Books List

NEW: 32 Books About Authors and Publishing Book List

NEW: 23 Stunning Books About Bookstores Book List

NEW: 18 Books About Book Clubs Book List

NEW:  25 Books About Libraries Book List

Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club

One Star Romance by Laura Hankin

American Fever by Dur E Aziz Amna

Laura Hankin's Tiktok Viral Moment

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin

Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin

A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

The Last Word by Taylor Adams

Akwaeke Emezi Shares Strategy for Processing Reviews

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

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Nicola Yoon discusses her provocative adult debut, One of Our Kind, and the surprising inspiration from The Stepford Wives that sparked her daring new story.

Writing inspiration can sometimes strike in the most unlikely places. Podcast listening in the shower electrified a story Nicola Yoon had never expected to write. Join us for an enlightening conversation with the bestselling young adult novelist as she discusses her provocative debut adult novel, One of Our Kind.

Today, she shares how The Stepford Wives inspired her thought-provoking thriller, and how she hopes to ignite book club conversation through her story’s pages.  

Yoon also shares the mission behind her imprint, Joy Revolution Books, which she co-founded with her husband, David Yoon, to celebrate love stories by and about people of color. It’s a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes and a tribute to the couple’s dedication to these storytellers.

BONUS BOOK LIST: Take advantage of these 23 must-read social horror books for a summer immersion. You’ll love these thought-provoking book selections, from eerie dystopias to unsettling societal critiques.

Patrons can dive into the One of Our Kind ending through today’s spoiler chat, where we discuss Yoon’s motivations behind her characters, the book’s ending, and the connections she hopes the reader will make as they finish that last page.

Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing, Everything, Everything, The Sun Is Also a Star, and a co-author of Blackout and Whiteout.

She is a National Book Award finalist, a Michael L. Printz Honor Book recipient, a Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner and the first Black woman to hit #1 on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list. Two of her novels have been made into major motion pictures.

She’s also the co-publisher of Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, the novelist David Yoon, and their daughter.

One of our Kind is her adult debut.

BONUS SUMMER CONTENT:

Summer reading season is in full swing. Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like One of Our Kind. All purchases support this year’s programming. 

NEW: The Best Social Horror Books To Read Now (23 Book Ideas)

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Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club

BONUS LIST: These Social Horror Books Will Make You Think

Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club

One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

The Warehouse by Rob Hart

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Blackout by Nicola Yoon, Angie Thomas & more

Whiteout by Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton & more

Joy Revolution Books

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

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L.M. Chilton reveals his surprising dating history that inspired his debut thriller, Swiped. 

After nearly a decade and 212 failed dates, L.M. Chilton channeled his dating frustrations into Swiped, a fresh debut murder mystery exploring the darker side of online dating cleverly crafted for the millennial reader. Today, we discuss his personal story and journalism efforts to uncover the truth behind the algorithms.

But his book isn't the only thing with plot twists. His decision to go on one last date revealed a real-life plot twist you'll love discovering. 

Patrons can dive into a bonus spoiler episode with the Swiped  ending, where Chilton discusses his favorite red herrings and killer reveal. 

BONUS BOOK LIST: I've partnered with Larry on this week's book list, which offers 30 Fictional Serial Killer Books to Read Now! Whether you crave compelling psychological thrillers or enjoy a touch of the campy and macabre, there's a perfect book for you.

L.M. Chilton has been a journalist for 15 years, working for TV shows like This Morning, The One Show, and Loose Women, as well as magazines and newspapers such as The Times, The Mirror, Metro, New!, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour.

He started his journalism career writing for 'real life' magazines, interviewing people worldwide about the terrifying, hilarious, and heart-breaking things that had happened to them. And also funny things their pets had done.

He works from home in London, thinking of twists for murder mysteries and practicing the banjo instead of writing (much to the annoyance of his neighbors).

BONUS SUMMER CONTENT:

Summer reading season is in full swing. Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like Swiped. All purchases support this year's programming. 

Swiped by L.M. Chilton

BONUS SERIAL KILLER BOOK LIST

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Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Swiped by L.M. Chilton

Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

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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. 

Connect With Me:

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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

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Connect With Us:

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

Get My Happy List Newsletter

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

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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

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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

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