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

To celebrate my 39th birthday, I’m sharing 39 book recommendations—yes, all 39 made it into this episode! From thrillers and rom-coms to memoirs and comfort reads, I’ve got something for every kind of reader. I also kick things off with a quickfire round of fun “get to know me” questions! Grab a treat, press play, and come celebrate with me!

THE LIST

1. Every Beautiful Mile by Ashley Manley
2. 🎧 We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
3. Forever and Back by Ashley Manley
4. 🎧 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
5. 🎧 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerierrie
6. 🎧 The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick
7. 🎧 Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
8. It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
9. 🎧 The Corespondent by Virginia Evans
10. 🎧 The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
11. 🎧 The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel
12. 🎧 Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
13. 🎧 These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
14. 🎧 Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft
15. 🎧 The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
16. 🎧 Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey
17. 🎧 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman
18. 🎧 Here One Moment by Lianne Moriarty
19. 🎧 The Heart of Winter by Jonathan Evison
20. 🎧 Orbital by Samantha Harvey
21. 🎧 Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens
22. 🎧 The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
23. 🎧 If We Were Villians by ML Rio
24. 🎧 The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella
25. 🎧 The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
26. 🎧 The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr
27. 🎧 Real Americans by Rachel Khong
28. 🎧 Middletide by Sarah Crouch
29. 🎧 Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh
30. The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
31. 🎧 Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett
32. 🎧 Sylvia’s Second Act by Hilary Yablon
33. 🎧 While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger
34. 🎧 The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman
35. 🎧 Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
36. 🎧 Long Bright River by Liz Moore
37. 🎧 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
38. 🎧 The Measure by Nikki Erlick
39. 🎧 The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

Author Ellie Palmer is back! Her charming debut Four Weekends and a Funeral was a Book of the Month pick, and now she’s just released her second novel Anywhere With You. We chat all about her writing journey, her swoony new romance, and what it’s like to follow up a buzzy debut with another heartfelt hit. Thanks for listening!

Website: https://www.elliepalmerwrites.com/

IG: @elliepalmerwrites

July's book club discussion gets real, and a little vulnerable, as we dive into The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick, a novel that imagines a controversial grief treatment center where patients can choose to sleep through their heartbreak.

We talk about how the book made us think differently about grief: Would we ever choose to sleep off our pain? Why might we not? And what are the ways we can actually support others through real, raw loss?

It’s a powerful, emotional conversation about grief, healing, and human connection—and a reminder that sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply show up for each other. Thanks for listening!

July was a great month of reading! Shockingly, I only had two ⭐️⭐️ books which felt like a huge accomplishment. As we know, audiobooks are keeping me busy while walking and busy puzzling.  and hanging with my kids at the pool. I can’t believe August is looming! Any favorites from your July reading?

Loved

🎧 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Liked

🎧 A Court of Mist and Fury ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Everyone Is Lying To You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Far and Away ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Anywhere With You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The Lost Book of First Loves ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧 A Marriage at Sea ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

So Old. So Young ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧 Under the Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Just Okay

🎧 The View from Lake Como ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Wes and Addie Had Their Chance ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Sunburned ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Falling For You Again ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Killer Motive ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Let’s Make a Scene ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The Sweet Taste of Muscadines ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Meh

🎧 The Compound ⭐️⭐️💫

🎧 The Hunting Wives ⭐️⭐️

NYT bestselling author Miranda Cowley Heller, known for her debut novel The Paper Palace, joins me to talk about her beautiful new poetry collection What the Deep Water Knows. We dive into why poetry felt like the right next step, the themes that run through both books, and what it means to write from a place of emotional truth. It’s an insightful, tender conversation you won’t want to miss.

Get your copy today! Happy Listening!

This week I’m joined by my friend and fellow bookstagrammer Sara Hildreth from @fictionmatters! Sara is a former English teacher and lifelong book lover who brings such thoughtful insight to every bookish conversation. We chat about all kinds of readerly things—from reading by mood to the power of fiction to teach empathy and expand our worldview. If you love deep dives and meaningful convos about why we read, this one's for you!

Substack: https://fictionmatters.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fictionmatters

Three Books Sara Recommends:

The Last Samuari by Helen Dewitt

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Fox by Joyce Carol Oates

This week, I’m joined by Daphne Woolsoncroft—co-host of the hit true crime podcast Going West and debut author of the gripping thriller Night Watcher. Inspired by the real-life disappearance of her aunt in the 1980s, Daphne shares how her family’s story shaped both her podcast and her novel. We chat about her shift from true crime to fiction, the writing process, and the emotional journey behind the book. It was such a fun and fascinating conversation—I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Website: http://www.goingwestpod.com/

IG: @daphne.woolsoncroft and @goingwestpodcast