Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only thing worth celebratingthis season! Fall is packed with bookish goodness! In this episode, I’m breaking down the buzziest new releases that will keep you turning pages long after the sun goes down.

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

Wild Reverance by Rebecca Ross (9/2)

A Land So Wide by Erin A Craig (9/9)

All This Could be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan (9/9)

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards (9/16)

We Met Like This by Kasie West (9/16)

Alchemised by SenLinYu (9/23)

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden (9/30)

Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose (10/1)

Mate by Ali Hazelwood (10/7)

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben (10/14)

Today I’m joined by Michelle and Laura, the delightful duo behind the bookstagram @dontbotheruswerereading. We chat all about their personal reading journeys, the joy (and challenge) of raising kids who love books, and what inspired them to launch their shared account. You’ll also hear about the titles they just can’t stop recommending, the communities they’ve found through books, and plenty of laughs in between.

Whether you’re a parent hoping to spark a love of reading at home, a fellow bookstagrammer, or simply on the hunt for your next great read, you’ll love this warm and inspiring conversation.

Laura's Recs: The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

Michelle's Recs: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon

August! You came and went in a flash and somehow I kept reading even with back to school, sickness, and limited time to focus. My standout favorite is easily The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony. I can’t stop talking about it! Runner up favorites were Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe and The Matchmaker’s Gift. Did you have any favorites in August?

🎧 The Women on Platform Two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The Wishing Game ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 I’ll Come to You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bookstore Keepers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The Matchmaker’s Gift ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 A History of Wild Places ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Deal with the Bossy Devil ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧 The Dirty Version ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧 The Sirens ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Full Bloom ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Play Nice ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 84, Charing Cross Road ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Not Quite Dead Yet ⭐️⭐️

Remain ⭐️⭐️

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Anthony, author of The Women on Platform Two, a moving and powerful novel inspired by a true story of women in 1970s Dublin who risked everything to fight for reproductive rights. We chat about Laura’s many pseudonyms (and why she writes under them!), her favorite things about living in Ireland, and what’s next for her writing.

The Women on Platform Two weaves together past and present: in 1969, Maura and Bernie face devastating choices in a country where contraception is forbidden; in 2023, Saoirse begins to uncover just how hard-won today’s freedoms truly are. It’s an unforgettable story of courage, resilience, and the women who dared to change history.

IG: @lauraanthonybooks

Books that Laura Recommends:

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall and PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (not the movie haha)

Books to Try:

The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris

Under Lying by Janelle Harris

Our August book club pick brought something extra special—author Virginia Evans herself joined us! We had the gift of listening as she shared the story behind The Correspondent, what it took to bring this novel to life, and even a glimpse at what’s next for her. It was such a beautiful, memorable night of conversation and connection.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert: This episode does contain spoilers, so be sure to finish the book before you listen!

This week I’m joined by 5 time author Amy Poeppel, whose brand new novel Far and Away takes us on a laugh-filled adventure of a house swap between families in Texas and Germany. Amy shares the personal connection she has with Germany, the quirky cultural nuances she loved weaving into the story, and the humor that makes her books such a delight. We also chat about what’s next for her writing—and she leaves us with five fantastic book recommendations you won’t want to miss!

Website: https://www.amypoeppel.com/

IG: @amypoeppel

Books Amy Recommends:

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman, The Island Club by Nicola Harrison (April 2026), The Weekend Crashers by Jamie Brenner (Nov 2025)

This week my husband joins me on the mic for such a fun conversation! Ryan's sharing the last 10 books he’s read, how he finally found his way into fiction, and what surprised him along the way. We laughed a lot, swapped reading stories, and I think you’ll love hearing his perspective as a newer fiction reader.

The Books We Talked About:

Dragon Teeth - Michael Crichton, The Terminal List - Jack Carr, Dark Matter - Blake Crouch, Wolf Trap - Connor Sullivan , The River We Remember - William Kent Krueger , The Breach - Patrick Lee, True Believer - Jack Carr, Middle of the Night - Riley Sager, The Butcher - Jennifer Hillier , Upgrade - Blake Crouch 

This week, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Lynda Cohen Loigman, author of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern and three other beautiful novels. Lynda’s last two books have woven in just a touch of magic—something we definitely dive into during our chat. We talk about her writing journey, her decision to add a dash of the mystical to otherwise grounded stories, and what life looks like both on and off the page these days. If you love stories that blend heart, humor, and a little enchantment, this episode’s for you.

Her recommended books: Far and Away by Amy Poeppel, The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche

Website: https://lyndacohenloigman.com/

IG: @lloigman

This week, I’m sharing a mid-month check-in that’s close to my heart...the joy of a surprise birthday trip with my sisters and the reminder of how special it is to reconnect. I also give you a peek into my recent reads, current reads, and the stories that have been keeping me company. It’s a mix of heartwarming moments and bookish chatter — the perfect blend for a cozy listen. Thanks for being here.

Internationally bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with a killer new book—literally. Too Old For This stars an elderly woman who just happens to be a serial killer, and let’s just say… she’s not slowing down anytime soon. We had such a fun chat about twisted characters, dark humor, and why murder might just be the ultimate retirement plan.

Website: https://www.samanthadowning.com/

IG: @smariedowning