We get into the recent TikTok book deal for the Australian guy, hot Sacramento summers and how that affects business, and kid literacy. As usual, Claire gives her bookseller view and Sierra views her author view on those issues.

Then we welcomed author Mara Williams, whose debut novel The Truth is in the Detours pubs in August 2025, and the surprising little secret about your work that editors may looking for.

Mara Williams drafted her first novel in third grade on a spiral notebook—a love story about a golden retriever and the stray dog who admired her from beyond the picket fence. Now she writes about strong, messy women finding their way in the world. Mara has a BA in English Literature from the University of California at Berkeley, takes creative writing from Stanford Continuing Studies, and actively engages in writing groups and critique circles. Mara’s novel The Second Chance Playlist was a winner of the 2024 Emily Contest. When not writing or reading, Mara can be found enjoying California’s beaches, redwoods, and trails with her husband, three kids, and disobedient dog.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Truth is in the Detours by Mara Williams
• The Epicenter of Forever by Mara Williams
• Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy
• Echoes by Maeve Binchy
• Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
• Before I let Go by Kennedy Ryan
• How to Solve your own murder by Kristen Perrin
• WaterMoon (again) by Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Lauren Parvizi is the author of Trust Me on This and La Vie, According to Rose, winner of the 2024 Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award in the Debut category. She worked for more than a decade as a digital editor and content writer, and earned an MFA from San Francisco State University. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and sons.

Books discussed in this episode:

• La Vie, According to Rose by Lauren Parvizi
• Trust Me on This by Lauren Parvizi
• An Island Strange and Wild by Lisa Amowitz
• Lula Deans Little Library of Banned Books (voicy!) by Kristin Miller
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven
• Big Chief by Jon Hickey
• My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende
• If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

We talked to Liz of My Secret Copy, who creates incredible, reader-centric book merch! We discuss what her inspiration was for starting the shop, challenges as a small business, and much more -- including TONS of book recs!

Shop stickers, bags, pins, bookmarks and more at https://mysecretcopy.com/

Books mentioned on this episode:

• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
• The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
• The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
• Lost and Lassoed by Lyla sage
• Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jiminez
• Great Big Beautiful Life by EmHen
• PS I Hate You by Lauren Holly
• Head Cases by John McMan
• The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
• Death in Bloom by Jess Dylan
• Passion Project by London Sperry
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
• The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

Author Maggie North joins us to talk about romances, second chance stories, Canadian wilderness, autism rep, and Sierra gushing over her.

Maggie writes deeply emotional, strangely hilarious novels about introverts at the end of their @#$% ropes, STEM, Canada, and other overlooked, underrated things you'd love to discover. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her spouse, The Kid, and a rotating cast of hypoallergenic aquarium friends.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North
• The Ripple Effect by Maggie North
• The Favorites by Layne Fargo
• Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
• You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
• The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
• August Lane by Regina Black
• On Freedom by Dr Timothy Snyder
• Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
• All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson (middle grade)
• The Celebrants by Stephen Rowley
• Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage
• Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Buy all of these here https://bookshop.org/shop/wildsistersbookco

We talked about the reach of libraries their programs, imposter syndrome and how it never goes away and, themes in books. Listen to the end for bookshelf hacks!

Terah is an author and former librarian, who now writes upmarket fiction with bittersweet endings. She is the author of One Summer in Savannah and Long After We Are Gone. Her books have been chosen as a Target Book Club pick, LibraryReads pick, Kobo Best Book, Together We Read pick, Publisher’s Marketplace Buzz Book, and a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for Best Debut. Terah was also named Target’s first Author of the Year. Her third book, Where the Wildflowers Grow, will be published in February 2026.

Books discussed in this episode:

• On Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris (buy here)
• Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris (buy here)

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• Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
• Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker

(buy all here)

Buy links support Wild Sisters Book Co on Bookshop.org.

Jordan Morris is the author of graphic novel Youth Group, and a comedy writer with experience working in TV, features, comics, podcasts, digital comedy and video games. He's written for shows on Max, Disney Plus, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network and YouTube Originals. He also created and co-wrote the 2x Eisner nominated graphic novel Bubble. He has also written stories for Marvel, IDW’s Godzilla and Archie: Chilling Adventures.

He co-hosts Jordan, Jesse, Go!, a podcast with Jesse Thorn (NPR) and Free With Ads, a movie recap show with comedians Emily Fleming & Matt Leib.

Books discussed on this episode:

• Youth Group by Jordan Morris
• Godzilla vs LA (comic) by Jordan Morris et al
• Earth Abides by George R. Stewart
• You Belong Here by Sarah Phoebe Miller
• Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
• WaterMoon (as per usual) by Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
• A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey

Find Jordan at Jordanmorris.net - a nice/good website. He’s signing at Things From Another World on May 3 in LA and Altadena Lit fest (Listfest in the Dena) on May 4, 2025.

Buy all books from

We talked to children’s book author Bea Birdsong about what it takes to get traditionally published and how to pivot in a writing career.

Bea Birdsong is the author of I Will Be Fierce!, Sam’s First Word, How to Spot a Best Friend, Boop!, Goat Is the G.O.A.T., How to Grow a Family Tree (2025), That Is Not a Dog! (2026), You Did It! (2026), Me Too! (2027), and other forthcoming books for children.

Bea is also a former teacher who believes in the awesome power of books to educate, entertain, and empower. She is represented by Melissa Edwards of Stonesong. Bea invites you to connect with her on social media @beabirdsong and to visit her online at beabirdsong.com.

• I Will Be Fierce by Bea Birdsong and Nidhi Chanani
• Sam's First Word by Bea Birdsong and Holly Hatam
• Boop by Bea Birdsong and Linzie Hunter
• How to Spot a Best Friend by Bea Birdsong and Lucy Fleming
• Goat Is the G.O.A.T. by Bea Birdsong and Kelly Murphy
• The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone
• There Might be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi and Laurel Molk
• The Mystery Beast of Ostergeest by Steven Kellog
• A Visit to William Blake’s Inn by Nancy Willard and Alice Provensen
• Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin
• Little rabbit’s loose tooth
• WaterMoon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Dear Genius the letters of Ursula Nordstrom
• The night ends with fire by KX Song

We talked 2025 book buying trends that Claire learned at ABA (American Booksellers Association). And we welcomed USA Today Bestselling author Xio Axelrod, who writes contemporary fiction and romance. Her award-winning novels have earned both critical acclaim and a passionate readership. Her Lillys series, including The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes and Girls with Bad Reputations, explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Xio actively connects with her readers through social media, fostering a dedicated and supportive community. Xio is a recording artist, a native of Philadelphia, and lives in complete denial of the last five minutes of Buffy with one very patient, full-time indoor husband and two part-time, supremely pampered outdoor cats.

Books discussed in this episode:

• The Girl With the Stars In her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
• Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod
• When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley
• Deep End by Ali Hazlewood
• No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel
• I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberley lemming
• August Lane by Regina Black
• Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

Buy all these through Bookshop.org supporting Wild Sisters. Every print or ebook you buy with Wild Sisters designated as your shop sends money directly to the store.

In this episode, we welcomed New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory to talk about donuts, farmers markets, and origins of contemporary romance.

Jasmine is the author of six romance novels including The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and While We Were Dating. Her work has appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, and Time. Her newest novel, Flirting Lessons, is out today (April 8, 2025)! She lives in Oakland, California.

Books discussed in this episode:

• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory
• By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
• Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
• First Time Caller by BK Morrison
• The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
• Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
• The Ghost Map by Stephen Johnson
• Stop me if you’ve heard this one by Kristin Arnett
• August Lane by Regina Black
• Audrey and Bash are just friends by Tia Williams

Buy these books here!

Claire and Sierra talk about what makes a good story, and whether a good story meets the hype. We talked about proven elements of a great story.

We also discuss the bookstore's space challenges as it relates to selling, and what happens at book industry events.

We discussed these books:

• Water Moon (again) by Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
• Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

Buy the books!