Literally Books

Reporting live from Washington D.C., Magda and Lindsay literally traveled halfway across the country to our nation's capital to soak in all the beauty at the 2025 National Book Festival. 

Listen in as they walk through their favorite panels, from V.E. Schwab and Nnedi Okorafor to their gentle stalking of Tracy Deonn and a beautiful surprise YA panel with Erin Estrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia. 

Disclaimer: This episode was taped after 13 hours of walking with many pounds of books strapped to them, and thus the hosts of this podcast cannot be held responsible for any unhinged takes provided during the span of this recording. 

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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Books mentioned in the episode: 

“A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping“ by Sangu Mandanna

“The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches“ by Sangu Mandanna

“Well, Actually“ by Mazey Eddings

“Late Bloomer“ by Mazey Eddings

“Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab

“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab

“The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore

“All the Colors of the Dark“ by Chris Whitaker

“On Again, Awkward Again“ by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia

“Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn

“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn

This week, Magda and Lindsay talk with author Julia London about her novel, Everything is Probably Fine. 

This book follows Lorna Lott, a woman whose coworkers not-so-lovingly refer to as King Kong. Though overambitious and sometimes brash, Lorna is at her core a woman looking to shake off the weight of her past and find connection.  

Listen in as the gals of Literally Books chat through the deep ways in which they connected with this book, and then gush about it directly with the author!

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Books Mentioned in the Episode: 

"The Crescent Moon Tearoom" by Stacy Sivinski

"The Love of My Afterlife" by Kirsty Greenwood

"While It was Snowing" by Julia London

"The Last Heist" by Julia London

Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Nothing says fun like a detailed timeline and list of formal rules! 

This week, Magda and Lindsay discuss tips and tricks for hosting a book club. Listen in as they explore ways to select the book, who to invite, what to serve, and all their major taboos to avoid. 

First and foremost, IT’S NOT THAT SERIOUS! HAVE FUN! 

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Books Mentioned in the Episode: 

“Nightbitch“ by Rachel Yoder

“Welcome to Murder Week“ by Karen Dukess

“Kilt Trip“ by Alexandra Kiley

“Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros

“The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook“ by Kayla Ruhland

“A Feast of Thorns and Roses“ by Chelsea Cole

“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig

“Alice in Wonderland“ by Lewis Carroll

“Famous Last Words“ by Gillian McAllister

“The Hobbit“ by J.R.R. Tolkien 

"Bury my bones in the midnight soil, plant them shallow and water them deep, and in my place will grow a feral rose, soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth."

This week's conversation is anything but shallow. Listen in as Magda and Lindsay discuss V.E. Schwab's beautiful sapphic vampire tale, "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.”

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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Books Mentioned in the Episode: 

"Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" by V.E. Schwab

"Of Monsters and Mainframes" by Barbara Truelove

"Martyr" by Kaveh Akbar

"The Compound" by Aisling Rawle

Buckle up, sports fans! 

This week, Magda and Lindsay battle head-to-head, fighting it out to win best, most incredible, most powerful…manager of a totally fictional literary team of characters, tropes, and genres. 

Listen in as they draft their top 3 picks for female main character, male main character, sidekick, theme/trope/genre, and audiobook. Each day, they’ll post their matchups, and the audience will vote on their favorites. There’s a lot on the line (sort of), and they’ll leave it all out on the field/page. 

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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Book Mentioned in the Episode: 

“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab 

“Darker Shade of Magic“ by V.E. Schwab 

“A Gathering of Shadows“ by V.E. Schwab 

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab 

“The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins

“Pride and Prejudice“ by Jane Austen

“Little Women“ by Louisa May Alcott

“Tress of the Emerald Sea“ by Brandon Sanderson

“Throne of Glass“ by Sarah J. Maas

“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn

“Frozen River“ by Ariel Lawhon

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“Lessons in Chemistry“ by Bonnie Garmus

“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn

“A Court of Thorns & Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas

“Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weird

“To Kill a Mockingbird“ by Harper Lee

“Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood

“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig

“Mickey7“ by Edward Ashton

“Fourth Wing “ by Rebecca Yarros

“Lord of the Rings“ by J.R.R. Tolkien 

“Don Quixote“ by Miguel de Cervantes

“The Briar Club“ by Kate Quinn

“The Women“ by Kristin Hannah

“The Nightingale“ by Kristin Hannah

Iron Flame“ by Rebecca Yarros

The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins

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

The Compound“ by Aisling Rawle

Yellowface “ by R.F. Kuang

Beg, Borrow, or Steal“ by Sarah Adams

Beach Read“ by Emily Henry

The Three Lives of Cate Kay“ by Kate Fagan

A Wrinkle in Time“ by Madeleine L’Engle

Ramona Quimby“ by Beverly Cleary

Daisy Jones and the Six“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Listen for the Lie“ by Amy Tintera

World War Z“ by Max Brooks

Margo’s Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe

The Murderbot Diaries“ by Martha Wells

Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman

I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy

The Woman in Me“ by Britney Spears

This week, as Magda and Lindsay talk all about the book relationships they weren’t ready to end…so instead, they’re adding on their own theories on what happens after the last page. Listen in as they offer their thoughts on how their favorite characters are doing. 

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Books mentioned in the episode: 

“The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins

“The Orc at the Office“ by Kate Prior

“The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy“ by Brigitte Knightley

“Girl on Girl“ by Sophie Gilbert

“Bridgerton“ by Julia Quinn

“Bel Canto“ by Ann Patchett

“Great Big Beautiful Life“ by Emily Henry

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe

“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow“ by Gabrielle Zevin

“Demon Copperhead“b y Barbara Kingsolver

“Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir

“Foundation“ by Isaac Asimov

Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

…But like, literally, is the book community okay? 

Magda and Lindsay discuss the alarming number of controversies currently making their way through the book community. From Romance Con to plus-sized female main characters, it seems book fans are in an uproar. But it begs the question, do we really know what we’re mad about…or even what we want? 

Listen in as they discuss how to be a better literary citizen. 

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Books mentioned in the episode: 

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

“Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer

“Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins

“The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy” by Brigitte Knightley

“Alchemised” by SenLinYu

“Rose in Chains” by Julie Soto

“Sunny Side Up” by Katie Sturino

“Curvy Girl Summer” by Danielle Allen

Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

Join Literally Books for their very first LIVE SHOW!!!!

This week, Magda and Lindsay are joined by a group of their favorite Knights and Diviners at Lark and Owl Booksellers to discuss Rachel Gillig's "The Knight and the Moth." Take a seat and listen carefully, Bartholomew, to this chaotic and exciting discussion of love and friendship.

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Books Mentioned in the Episode:

"The Knight and the Moth" by Rachel Gillig

"The Briar Club" by Kate Quinn

"The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy" by Brigitte Knightley

"The Girls Who Grew Big" by Leila Mottley

"The Hunger Games" Suzanne Collins

"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman 

Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

This week’s episode is bloody delicious! Magda and Lindsay are joined by Kayla Ruhland, author of “The Unofficial Twilight Saga Cookbook.” 

Listen as they discuss the surprising significance of food in a book about vampires who don’t eat, and all of the wonderful recipes that celebrate our favorite sparkly heartthrob. 

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Books mentioned in the episode: 

“Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“Love Story” by Lindsey Kelk

“A Series of Unfortunate Events” by Lemony Snicket

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Why have pick just one genre, when you can read two? 

This week, Literally Books is joined by Michelle (@bibliovino), who typically spends her days pairing books and wine, but joins Lindsay and Magda to pair sci-fi with mystery. She recommends all her favorite reads that combine complex world-building with a mystery twist. 

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Books mentioned in the episode:

“Caught Up“ by Navessa Allen

“When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams

“The Compound“ by Aisling Rawle

“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig

“I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy

“You Deserve Each Other“ by Sarah Hogle

“Of Monsters and Mainframes“ by Barbara Truelove

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

“The Dream Hotel“ by Laila Lalami

“Angels and Demons“ by Dan Brown

“The Belial Sons“ by R.D. Brady

“Breakthrough Series“ by Michael C. Grumley

“Fluke“ by Christopher Moore

“A Master of Djinn“ by P. Djèlí Clark

“The Mimicking of Known Successes” by Malka Olde

“Foundation“by Isaac Asimov

“Murder by Memory“ by Olivia Waite

“In Death Series“ by J.D. Robb

“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman

“Even Though I Knew the End“ by C. L. Polk

“The City and the City“ by China Miéville

“When Gravity Fails“ by George Alec Effinger

“Station Eternity“ by Mur Lafferty

“Dark Matter“ by Blake Crouch

“The Murderbot Diaries“ by Martha Wells

“Wool“ by Hugh Howey

"The Book of Elsewhere“ by China Miéville

"Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir

"Persuasion“ by Jane Austen

"Lady Susan“ by Jane Austen

Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread