I had such a fantastic conversation with NYT bestselling author Kristan Higgins about her newest novel, The Me I Used to Be! We talked all about the complicated, messy, and beautiful nature of female friendships, what it means to pivot and reinvent yourself later in life, and how our ideas of who we thought we’d become don’t always match the lives we actually create.

Kristan also took me behind the scenes of her incredible author journey, how the publishing and writing landscape has changed throughout her career, and what it’s been like to evolve as a writer along the way. And, of course, we talked about what readers can expect next!

This was such a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about friendship, change, creativity, and giving yourself permission to become someone new. I think so many readers—especially those navigating their own “what now?” season—are going to love this one.

Website: https://www.kristanhiggins.com

IG: @kristan.higgins

New to Kristan Higgins? Start with her book "Now That You Mention It"

After taking most of 2026 off from our virtual monthly book clubs, I’m so excited to finally share that Meagan’s Book Club is coming back! In this episode, I’m giving you a little behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve been dreaming up, why I decided it was time to bring book club back, and what you can expect from this next chapter. If you’ve been missing our bookish conversations, I think you’re going to love what’s coming. Consider this your official little sneak peek… more details are coming very soon!

This week, I’m chatting with Australian author Anna Johnston about her newest book, When Lemons Give You Life!

Anna’s debut novel, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, became an international bestseller—and Netflix has even opted for the movie rights! We talk about Anna’s journey to becoming an author, why she’s passionate about writing stories centered around older characters, and how her own grandfather loosely inspired Frederick Fife.

We also dive into When Lemons Give You Life, what inspires Anna’s storytelling, and the magic of creating characters who feel so incredibly real.

This was such a fun conversation, and if you’re looking for a book (or two!) that is heartwarming, funny, beautifully written, and guaranteed to make you feel all the feelings, you absolutely need Anna Johnston on your TBR.

Website: https://www.annajohnstonauthor.com/

IG: @annajohnstonauthor

Books Anna mentioned:

• Don't Buy What I'm Selling by Lu Chekowsky
• Imogen in Waiting by Lindsay Bartels

August was a very solid reading month! I read 15 books, and while the majority landed in that very respectable 3–4 star range, I did have two standout favorites that really rose above the rest. I’m sharing all of my thoughts, the books I’d recommend, the ones that were just okay, and which ones didn’t quite work for me.

Plus, I’m talking about the September Book of the Month picks that were announced this week—and, spoiler alert… I have opinions. 😂 We’ll get into which picks caught my attention, which ones didn’t, and what I think about the lineup overall.

As always, I’ve listed all 15 books below so you can see what I read and add anything that catches your eye to your TBR!

Happy reading!

• 🎧 Promise Me Never ⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Best Offer Wins ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Holiday Honeymoon Switch ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Love Felt Like This ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Just a Highland Fling ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 Falling for Peachtree Bluff ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• As Luck Would Have It ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 The Pirate Queen ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 Lost and Found  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Unknown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Difference Between ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Three Graces of Pearl Street  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Amateur ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 The Me I Used to Be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you grew up in the ’90s, this episode is going to feel like a trip down memory lane! I had the BEST time chatting with the author Laura Marie Meyers of The MASH Up, a delightfully Millennial-coded rom-com that had us reminiscing about everything from ’90s pop culture to the things that shaped us growing up.

We talk about the inspiration behind The MASH Up, creating characters who feel incredibly relatable, and all the little nostalgic details that make this book so much fun. Plus, we play a little “This or That” and get to know the author beyond the book!

Website: https://www.lauramariemeyers.com/

IG: @lauramariemeyers

August’s What I’m Loving is here! This month I’m sharing what I’m watching, reading, cooking, doing more of, buying, and—of course—what I'm reading.

I’m talking about my excitement for Practical Magic 2 and the new season of Ted Lasso, what I’m currently reading (The Pirate Queen and The Witch of Cambridge), making more homemade meals, embracing a little fall shopping, and the other little things making life feel extra good right now.

You won't want to miss the announcement at the end of the episode! Eeeeek! Can't wait!

Sheet Pan Recipe: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/greek-sheet-pan-chicken/

This week, I’m joined by bestselling author Ilona Bannister, author of the psychological thriller Five, which became a sensation after its release in May. Ilona and I talk about the winding, often difficult journey to becoming a traditionally published author—including navigating the challenges of publishing during COVID and the unwavering support from her husband that helped her keep going.

We also dive into Five and what makes its characters so compelling. At the heart of the story is the way we judge people without ever really knowing what’s happening beneath the surface, and Ilona shares how she built characters who are complicated, flawed, challenging, and not always easy to like. And honestly, those are often the characters that make for the best stories.

It was such a joy getting to know Ilona and hear the story behind her success. She’s already working on her next book, and after this conversation, I absolutely cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

Website: www.ilonabannisterwrites.com

IG: @ilona.bannister

Books Recommended by Ilona:

• Honey by Imani Thompson

• What Boys Learn by Andromeda Romano-Lax

How is it already mid-August?! Honestly, this month has felt so long, but I’m checking in with a look at what I’ve been reading, what’s currently on my nightstand, and a couple of books I’m already excited about for 2027.

My reading has been pretty solid this month, but two books have definitely stood out from the rest—and I’m sharing why I think they’re worth adding to your TBR. I’m also chatting about the two books I’m currently reading and giving you a little sneak peek at two 2027 releases that I already have my eye on.

Basically, a little mid-month reading catch-up, some bookish favorites, and a peek at what’s ahead!

This week, I'm joined by author Paige Harbison to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Destination Funeral. Paige and I had an absolute blast chatting about her journey from writing YA novels to adult fiction, her creative process, and what it's been like narrating her own audiobooks—and now lending her voice to books by other authors as well.

Beyond the books, we connected over podcasting, social media, creativity, and the many unexpected paths a writing career can take. Paige is every bit as funny, thoughtful, and personable as you'd hope, making this one of those conversations that feels like sitting down with a friend. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering her work for the first time, I think you're going to love this conversation.

Website: https://www.paigeharbison.com/

IG: @pharbeaux

There are some weekends that feel a little bit magical, and this was absolutely one of them. ✨

Thirteen women, a beautiful weekend in Middleburg, Virginia, plenty of books, wine, good food, and so much laughter. From a wine tasting and book swap at Greenhill Winery to lounging by the pool at Salamander Resort, a book tasting at Middleburg Books, and ending the weekend with dinner and a Q&A with bestselling author Audrey Ingram, every moment felt special.

But more than anything, I left this weekend thinking about female friendship. How quickly you can connect with people when you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone. How much joy there is in gathering around something you love. And how important it is to make space for new friendships, new experiences, and a little bit of magic.

I’m recapping the whole weekend on the podcast today, and I hope it inspires you to say yes to something that might feel a little outside your comfort zone. You never know who you might meet.

For more info on the retreat, check out: https://luxuryreadingretreats.com/

Book Swap Books:

• The Elements by John Boyne 
• The Change by Kristin Miller
• Beyond the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash 
• Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin
• Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner 
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
• The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
• Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser 
• The irresistible urge to fall for your enemy by Brigette Knightly 
• Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie (I took home)
• We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
• An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton (I brought)
• Country People by Daniel Mason 

My Books from the Book Tasting:

• The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann

• Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves

• You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

• Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie

• The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark