Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me.

On today's episode, I am joined by Nicole M. Hewitt (@nicolefictionaddiction). Nicole is the debut author of The Song of Orphan's Garden, a middle grade fantasy written in verse.

In our conversation, we discuss Nicole's new book, her writing process, and where she is finding hope in this season.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Song of Orphan's Garden
• Megan E. Freeman
• The Selfish Giant
• The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay
• Accidental Demons
• As You Wish
• The Gray
• Alone
• Away

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Nicole M. Hewitt on Instagram @nicolefictionaddiction

https://nicolemhewitt.com/

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me.

On today's episode, I am joined by Afoma Umesi (@whatafomareads). Afoma is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and write book reviews for kids of all ages.

In our conversation, we discuss what Afoma looks for in a good book, how she selects titles for Reading Middle Grade, and where she is finding creativity and joy in this season.

Mentioned in this episode:

• NetGalley
• Edelweiss
• Mary Anne Saves The Day
• Sweet Valley
• Middle Grade March
• Fish in a Tree
• Coyote Sunrise
• Dream Count
• Hello Beautiful
• The God of the Woods
• Dani Shapiro
• Ann Patchett
• Wrong Way Home
• Across So Many Seas
• Everything We Never Had
• The First State of Being
• The Secret of Honeycake
• A Place to Hang the Moon
• Blood in the Water
• Where the Heart Should Be
• James Ponti

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Afoma on Instagram @whatafomareads

Subscribe to Reading Middle Grade on Youtube

Subscribe to Reading Middle Grade on Patreon

www.readingmiddlegrade.com

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me.

Today is Rare Disease Day. On this person episode, I am sharing more about how rare disease affects our family and how it has shaped me as a reader.

Mentioned in this episode:

• VLCAD Deficiency
• The Bookshelf
• Shelf Subscriptions
• Shannan Martin - Counterweights
• Ep 26: A Rare Reading Life with Faith

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

~~

Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me.

In today's episode, I am joined by Lydia Sohn (@lydia_sohn). Lydia is a minister, mother of three young children, and author of Here: A Spirituality of Staying in a Culture of Leaving.

In our conversation, we discuss Lydia's new book and what it means to stay and find beauty right where we're planted.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Here: A Spirituality of Staying in a Culture of Leaving
• Girl Meets God
• Big Magic
• The Artist's Way
• Dakota
• One Hundred Years of Solitude
• Martha's Vineyard - Isle of Dreams
• Daily Examen

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Lydia on Instagram @lydia_sohn

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

In today's episode, I am joined by Faith (@faithreadsfic). Faith is a mother of three, homemaker, and lifelong reader. Faith is also the parent and advocate of a child with Rett syndrome.

In our conversation, we discuss Faith's reading life, what it's like to parent children with rare disorders, and why having community is so important.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Magic Tree House
• Junie B. Jones
• Hank the Cowdog
• Little House on the Prairie
• And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
• The Giver
• The Great Alone
• The Book Thief
• Read Aloud Revival Podcast

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Faith on Instagram @faithreadsfic

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

In today's episode, I am joined by Megan E. Freeman (@megan_e_freeman_writer). Megan is the author of the NYT Bestseller, ALONE and today she joins me to discuss her new companion novel, AWAY.

In our conversation, we discuss Megan's writing process, her deep love of poetry, and how our creativity and passions can change the world.

Mentioned in this episode:

• AWAY
• ALONE
• YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL
• DEAR WRITER
• THE SONG OF ORPHAN'S GARDEN
• THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
• ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS
• OUT OF THE DUST
• OTHER WORDS FOR HOME
• BLOOD WATER PAINT
• EVERY THING IS POISON
• NAOMI SHIHAB NYE
• 24 SECONDS FROM NOW
• THE VANISHED ONES

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Megan E. Freeman on Instagram @megan_e_freeman_writer

www.meganefreeman.com

~~

Music credit: Clavin Clavier

On this bonus episode of Meg's Reading Room, Mommy Meg and a very special guest read Little Blue Truck's Valentine by Alice Schertle (illustrated by Jill McElmurry) Happy Valentine's Day from our family to yours!

NEW!: Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Welcome to my Reading Room! I'm so glad you're here with me.

In today's episode, I am joined by Leah (@family.book.nook). Leah is a stay-at-home mom of four boys and lifelong reader who shares her love for family read-alouds on Bookstagram - Family Book Nook.

In our conversation, we discuss Leah's reading life and how she utilizes her local library to nurture her boys' reading life. We also discuss our shared love for historical fiction (American Girl forever!) and how we are prioritizing presence in this season.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Read Aloud Revival / Sarah Mackenzie
• Lock Me Out App
• The Care and Keeping of You
• The Hair Book
• American Girl Historical Collection
• Meet Kirsten
• Through the Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Created Narnia
• Nancy Drew
• Mary-Kate and Ashley Books
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond
• Agatha Christie
• Dorothy L. Sayers
• Thursday Murder Club
• We Solve Murders
• The Four Winds
• Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales

NEW! Join Meg's Reading Room on Patreon!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Leah on Instagram @family.book.nook

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Welcome to my Reading Room! I'm so glad you're here with me.

In today's episode, I am joined by Bailey Gillespie (@baileygillespie). Bailey is a writer and podcast host living in Northern California. Bailey is a newlywed, a cat mom to Chef, and is currently working on her first book.

In our conversation, we discuss Bailey's writing process, how her health and faith affects her reading life, and how she is prioritizing rest and renewal in this season.

Bailey shares so beautifully about wonder and wellbeing and holds such thoughtful space for others to do the same. I am so inspired by all she shares with the world and I know you will be, too.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Meg on Listen to Your Life Podcast
• Frederick Buechner
• Little Women
• Anne of Green Gables
• How To Stay Married
• The Night is Normal
• The Dark Night of the Soul
• Reclaiming Quiet
• The Farmer's Wife
• Aggressively Happy
• Walking on Water
• Travels with Charley: In Search of America
• Book Girl

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Bailey on Instagram @baileygillespie @listentoyourlifepod

Subscribe to Listen To Your Life on Spotify

Subscribe to Bailey's Substack

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Welcome to my Reading Room! I'm so glad you're here with me.

In today's episode, I am joined by Lydia (@literaturewithlydia). Lydia lives and teaches in Kuwait and shares her love of all things bookish on her podcast, Literature with Lydia. She is also a cat mom to Cubby, a travel lover, and is currently working on her first book!

Spending time with Lydia is always an absolute delight. Her love for books and creativity is so contagious. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Meg on Literature with Lydia Podcast
• The Hunger Games
• The Giver
• People We Meet On Vacation
• Firefly Lane
• The Great Alone
• The Four Winds
• Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Reclaiming Quiet
• Sipsworth

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Lydia on Instagram @literaturewithlydia

Subscribe to Literature with Lydia

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier