Bubbles and Books

Today, Ellyn and Amanda are joined by our newest book club host Alex Kretzinger. We're so excited to learn more about Alex's new book club and hear which books he's recommending.

Cultural expectations around masculinity pose many challenges for boys and men as they struggle to find belonging and healthy connections in relationships, family roles, education, and the workforce. The BetterMENt Book Club aims to explore those challenges through works of nonfiction and fiction, creating a community for participants to discuss how boys and men can better connect in their relationships and their communities and find the motivation to become forces for good in the world.

Check out what the BetterMENt book club is reading HERE

Ellyn's Currently Reading | One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Amanda's Currently Reading | Country People by Daniel Mason

Alex's Currently Reading | There's Nothing Like This by Kevin Evers

Show Notes:

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

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Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

Please note: This episode was recorded on Friday, January 23 2026.

Recently, Dog-Eared Books shared a reading list designed to help deepen our understanding of fascism, full of titles we believe are essential for thoughtful learning. We paired that list with a quote from George Orwell's 1984 as part of a window display at the store, and the response was overwhelming. Comments poured in from across the country and around the world. Today, we're taking a closer look at that reading list of both fiction and nonfiction books, and reflecting on why their ideas remain so urgent and important.

Ellyn's Currently Reading | The Typewriter and the Guillotine by Mark Braude

Amanda's Currently Reading | Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie & We the Women by Norah O'Donnell

Where to Donate to Support Minnesota: 

Community Aid Network MN to provide food, diapers and essential supplies. @communityaidnetworkmn or @CANMN on Venmo.

MIRAC – MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee, responding to ICE threats and providing resources to immigrants. Miracmn.com.

Immigrant law center of Minnesota – free immigration legal representation

Books for Learning About Fascism:

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

The Project by David A. Graham

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley

Fiction as Windows and Mirrors:

1984 by George Orwell

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Books About What to Do:

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During this Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade

Giving Up Is Unforgivable by Joyce Vance

How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa

The Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang

Reading for Joy in Challenging Times:

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” -George Orwell, 1984

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

We've turned the page into a new year, and we're looking ahead to a few books we are excited about this year. This list is unbeatable in our opinions. Discussing books that are coming out between now and June of this year. Listen along, and don't forget if you pre-order with us you'll receive 10% off your order. 

Ellyn's Currently Reading | Why Fascists Fear Teachers by Randi Weingarten, The Typewriter and the Guillotine by Mark Braude & Night Theater by Vikram Paralkar

Amanda's Currently Reading | Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery, Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet, & We the Women by Norah O'Donnell

Show Notes:

Sorry, Rachel couldn't find the margarita recipe.

Books Amanda and Ellyn are looking forward to:

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy - Jan. 20

Whidbey by T Kira Madden - Mar. 10

Everyone in this Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson - Mar. 17

The Keeper by Tana French - Mar. 31

American Fantasy by Emma Straub - April 7

Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein - April 14

Go Gentle by Maria Semple - April 14

How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin- April 28

Canon by Paige Lewis - May 19

Whistler by Ann Patchett – June 2

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

We're joined today by romance favorites Denise Williams, Julie Murphy, and Sierra Simone! We're talking about their upcoming romance novels, the strength of the romance community, how romance authors show up for fellow romance authors, and so much more. Listen, enjoy, and don't forget to pre-order The Re-Do List by Denise Williams and The Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone. 

Don't miss seeing Denise, Julie, and Sierra in person at Prairie Moon Winery on Tuesday, January 27, at 7 PM to celebrate the release of The Re-Do List by Denise Williams! Tickets available now. Get yours HERE

Ellyn's Currently Reading | The Cove by LJ Ross

Katie's Currently Reading | Rein Me In by Kayla Grosse & The Long Game by Rachel Reid

Denise Williams' Currently Reading | The Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone, Love and Sportsball by Meka James, Only on Gameday by Kristen Callihan & The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

Sierra Simone's Currently Reading | Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi

Julie Murphy's Currently Reading | The Long Game by Rachel Reid

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

2025 is coming to a close, and we're reflecting on our reading goals for the year. We're looking at what we set out to accomplish, what we actually achieved, and how we each approach goal-setting in our reading lives. Members of the Dog-Eared team shared what goal-setting looks like for them, how they measure their reading successes, and what matters most when it comes to making reading a meaningful part of their year.

Ellyn's Currently Reading | American Werewolves by Emily Jane & Evil Genius by Claire Oshetsky

Amanda's Currently Reading | Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery & Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

By now, many of us have seen our Spotify Wrapped... but now it's time for the bookish edition. In today's episode, we're diving into a year's work of bookstore data to reveal our most-read genres, best-sellers, biggest surprises, and interesting trends. It's our official Bookstore Wrapped. Listen along, and let us know if anything of these stats surprised you!

Plus, listen to see what our #1 selling book of 2025 is. Hint: This author has an event with us in January 2026!

Ellyn's Currently Reading | Imposter by LJ Ross

Amanda's Currently Reading | Invasive Species by Ellery Adams

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

When Amanda traveled to Australia earlier this year, she was introduced to her new favorite mystery series. As soon as she came home she handed her copy to Ellyn and said that we had to carry "The Bookshop Detectives" at Dog-Eared Books. We are so lucky to be joined on today's episode of Bubbles & Books by the authors and fellow indie bookstore owners Gareth and Louise Ward. Trust us, you're going to want to start on this delightful new series.

SHOW NOTES:

Follow Wardini Books on Instagram: @wardinibooks

Order The Bookshop Detectives Dead Girl Gone from Dog-Eared Books: HERE

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

Today’s Poppin' Off episode of Bubbles & Books is an absolute delight and reminds us why we love what we do. We are beyond thrilled to welcome debut author Lovell Holder, who joins us to chat about his thoroughly entertaining new novel, The Book of Luke.

Whether you're a reality TV addict or not, you're going to be swept away by this bingeworthy book and its main character, Luke. And after listening to this podcast, we think you're going to love the author as much as we do. This episode if full of the best reality TV gossip, Iowa connections, and a discussion that reminds you how magical it is to discover a really good book.

Lovell Holder is an accomplished filmmaker and producer and we're sure a soon-to-be best-selling author. We also hope he's our new best friend. The Book of Luke releases today, and you can snag a signed edition at Dog-Eared Books online or in-store, or you can listen to the audiobook on Libro.fm!

SHOW NOTES:

Follow Lovell on Instagram: @lovell.holder

Order The Book of Luke from Dog-Eared Books: HERE

Listen to The Book of Luke on Libro.FM: HERE

Read the e-book of The Book of Luke on Bookshop.org: HERE

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

Small Business Saturday is the perfect time to show love to our local businesses on Main Street and in our community. In today's episode we're highlighting a few new and familiar voices from Downtown Ames. We hope you'll stop by and shop all of these wonderful stores, as well as the many others that make Downtown Ames such a special place to visit, this holiday season.

SHOW NOTES:

Browse the Dog-Eared Books 2025 Holiday Gift Guide HERE.

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com

We recently launched our holiday gift guide, and we're going through the books our booksellers submitted as their favorite reads of 2025. Each bookseller sent in a short clip about why they loved their pick, and the mix of genres amongst everyone is fantastic. We know there is something for everyone, and we hope you enjoy listening.

Don't forget to browse our Holiday Gift Guide and find something perfect for yourself or someone in your life. 

SHOW NOTES:

Browse the Dog-Eared Books 2025 Holiday Gift Guide HERE.

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Make sure to subscribe and rate the Bubbles & Books Podcast. And don't forget to share it with your friends.

Follow us on Instagram: @bubblesandbookspodcast

Follow Dog-Eared Books on Instagram: @dogearedbooksames

Shop Dog-Eared Books and pick up your books in store or have shipped HERE.

Interested in audiobooks? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Interested in e-books? Listen while supporting Dog-Eared Books HERE.

Learn more about a Dog-Eared Books book subscription HERE.

Visit us! www.dogearedbooksames.com