Meg's Reading Room

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

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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

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

I have a treat for you this week!

In today's episode, I am joined by Alex. Alex is a librarian, father of two, and my husband! He is also an avid reader, gamer, and movie buff. Alex created and hosts a podcast for his library and graciously also edits mine.

In our conversation, we discuss Alex's reading life and how he's found his rhythm and how he's sticking with it! I'm so inspired by Alex's clarity and consistency and I think you will be, too.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Hobbit
• James
• They Came for the Schools
• Southlake
• Sipsworth
• These Strange New Minds
• Mark Twain
• The Antidote
• Crossroads
• The History of Sound
• The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien
• Thomas Pynchon
• Marmee
• Little Women

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

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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 Hannah Rosenberg (@hannahrowrites). Hannah is a wife, mom, and poet living outside Philadelphia, PA.

You probably already know and love Hannah's poetry. Her work has been shared by thousands on Instagram and continues to touch hearts every day. I was honored to spend time with Hannah and learn more about her creative process, her love of memoirs, and what it's been like to share such personal poetry online.

I know you will be inspired by Hannah's story -- especially if you have your own creative project that you're longing to share.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Amy Tangerine with Cathy Heller
• The Glass Castle
• Elin Hilderbrand
• Kate Baer
• You Could Make This Place Beautiful
• Tell Me Everything : A Memoir
• Did I Ever Tell You? : A Memoir
• Crying in H Mart

Hannah's poetry mentioned in this episode:

• Same.
• I Shared Because You Shared
• Marriage of Friends
• Poem for a messy home
• Tuesday is a spark of light

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Hannah on Instagram @hannahrowrites

www.hannahrowrites.com

Follow Hannah on 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 Jess (@jessdp_reads). Jess is a wife, toddler mom, and public school dance teacher living in New Jersey. She is also a devoted reader focusing on "quality over quantity" during this very busy season of life.

I resonate deeply with Jess and I know so many other readers will, too. I hope that our conversation will help you to enter your new reading year with less pressure and more presence.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The One and Only Ivan
• Harry Potter
• The Hunger Games
• All The Colors of the Dark
• Margo's Got Money Troubles
• Shark Heart
• Coyote Lost and Found

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Jess on Instagram @jessdp_reads

Follow Jess on Substack

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier

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

In this special wrap up episode, my dear friend Jeannie returns to help me close out this very exciting year. I share about my reading life, my favorite recommendations, and how the podcast has changed so much for me.

Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community!

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Jeannie on Instagram @reidallday

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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 Simon Van Booy. Simon is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than a dozen books for adults and children, including The Illusion of Separateness, The Presence of Absence, and his most recent novel, Sipsworth. Simon is also the editor of three volumes of philosophy and has written for The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, and the BBC. His books have been translated into many languages and optioned for film. Raised in rural North Wales, he currently lives in New York where he is also a book editor and a volunteer E.M.T. crew chief.

In our conversation, we discuss Sipsworth and Simon's writing process but mostly we just talk about life, parenting, and mice. It was an absolute thrill to spend time with the author who wrote my most memorable read of the year.

Order SIPSWORTH here

Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom

Connect with Simon on Instagram @simonvanbooy

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Music credit: Clavin Clavier