In this week's episode, More Than a Book Club Podcast hosts Leyna and LJ discuss two books they recently read...and wish they hadn't! We're talking about Mate and Not Quite Dead Yet and why these books just weren't for us.

Remember - this is our last episode of 2025. We'll be back in January with new episodes!

More Than a Book Club hosts Leyna and LJ travelled to Austin, TX to go to the Texas Book Festival! Over the course of two days, they saw listened to several authors talk about their books. Come along as they recap their weekend at the Texas Book Festival!

It's our one year anniversary! Join More Than A Book Club hosts Leyna and LJ as we delve into all the books we've been reading lately. We've got thriller, true crime, romantasy, mystery generes covered. We also have a few ARC book reviews that you'll want to put on your TBR!

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More Than a Book Club Podcast hosts Leyna and LJ are kicking off the holiday season with our 2025 Bookish Gift Guide! Looking for a gift for your book loving friend or family member? Trying to figure out what to add to your holiday wish list? Then this episode is for you! Don't forget, you can always share this episode with those shopping for you!

• Romance Book

• Mix of Bookish items by TheBookishCraftHouse

• Personalized by CraftedByHannahMarie

• TBR Cards by LuckyAndRoseCo

  
  

• Group of books by FancifulCraftbyBri

• Single Books by GemjJewels

  
  

• Custom Alphabet Initial Book Lover Miniature Bookshelf so many on etsy
• Crafted Love Stories
• Nerd Lady Draws
• Odd Pieces Puzzles
• Plot Twist Scratch Offs
• Kindle Clicker
• Heritage Candle Shop Candles
• Bath and Body Works Candles
• Libro.fm Gift Card

Summary

In this episode of the More Than a Book Club podcast, hosts Leyna and LJ dive into their continued discussion of Gilmore Girls, focusing on episodes 8 - 14. They share personal literary updates, including recent reads and bookstore adventures, while also exploring themes of family dynamics, teenage relationships, and the impact of friendships. The conversation highlights the hosts' excitement for spooky reads and true crime narratives, as well as celebrating Leyna's impressive reading milestone this year. In this episode, the hosts delve into the complexities of relationships, family dynamics, and teenage struggles as depicted in 'Gilmore Girls'. They explore themes of forgiveness during a Christmas party, the challenges of teenage romance, and the awkwardness of double dates. The conversation also touches on parental expectations and the importance of choice in feminism, culminating in a humorous take on the Donna Reed experiment and its implications for Lorelai and Luke's relationship.

In this episode of the More Than a Book Club podcast, hosts Leyna and LJ welcome back Chris Wellert, a repeat guest and author, to discuss her recent travels, upcoming writing projects, and her latest book, Beach Club Bloodshed. The conversation flows from travel tales in Italy to the intricacies of writing cozy mysteries, touching on themes of animal safety in literature and the emotional impact of books and movies. The hosts share their preferences for genres, discuss scary movies, and explore the importance of outlining in the writing process. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore a variety of themes including emotional movies, fall activities, favorite flavors, nature observations, fears, supernatural experiences, and psychic readings. They share personal anecdotes and insights, creating a warm and relatable atmosphere that resonates with listeners.

In this episode of the More Than a Book Club podcast, hosts Leyna and LJ dive into the world of scary movies as October kicks off. They discuss their recent literary adventures, particularly focusing on the works of Sarah J. Maas, and share their thoughts on various horror films, including Poltergeist 2 and classic horror comedies. The conversation flows from book recommendations to nostalgic movie experiences, creating a lively discussion about the intersection of literature and film during the spooky season. In this engaging conversation, the hosts delve into their favorite childhood horror movies, exploring the nostalgia and impact these films have had on their lives. They discuss a range of topics from classic horror films of the 60s and 70s, the evolution of horror with iconic films like The Exorcist and Friday the 13th, to the comedic elements found in movies like Arsenic and Old Lace. The conversation also touches on the Scream franchise and the legacy of Michael Myers in Halloween, highlighting how these films have shaped the horror genre and their personal experiences with them.

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In this episode of the More Than a Book Club podcast, hosts Leyna and LJ discuss their favorite and least favorite books from the third quarter of the year, including insights on their reading habits, current reads, and the challenges of balancing multiple books. They share their excitement for upcoming releases and reflect on the importance of accurate representation in literature. The conversation also touches on personal reading goals and the subjective nature of book enjoyment. In this episode, the hosts delve into their recent reading experiences, discussing both disappointing books and exciting upcoming releases. They explore themes of crime and passion, share their thoughts on various authors, and reflect on their reading habits influenced by seasonal changes. The conversation wraps up with a look ahead to future episodes and events, including their one-year anniversary and the Texas Book Festival.

In this episode of the More Than a Book Club podcast, hosts Leyna and LJ dive into a discussion about Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility.' They explore their personal reading experiences, the characters and themes of the book, and the movie adaptation. The conversation touches on literary updates, character relationships, and the cultural context of the story, while also reflecting on their own preferences for reading and watching adaptations. The hosts share insights on the emotional growth of characters and the significance of money and marriage in the narrative, concluding with thoughts on the lasting impact of Austen's work.

Want to support More Than A Book Club Podcast? Help us travel to the Texas Book Festival, buy more books, and bring you fun more content! Go to Buy Me a Coffee to support us with a financial contribution (no amount is too small!) buymeacoffee.com/morethanabookclubpod

Want to learn more about the Texas Book Festival? Visit https://texasbookfestival.org/

In this episode of 'More Than a Book Club,' hosts Leyna and LJ share personal updates, including Leyna's daughter's recent health scare and their experiences with family challenges. They dive into their recent literary adventures, discussing various books they've read and their excitement for upcoming literary events, particularly the Texas Book Festival. The conversation flows through different genres, authors, and the joy of discovering new literature, all while reflecting on their personal stories and connections through reading. In this engaging conversation, Leyna and LJ explore a variety of literary themes, from middle grade literature to true crime and historical narratives. They discuss the importance of making history engaging for younger audiences, delve into the complexities of war and its aftermath, and reflect on the ongoing issues faced by Native Americans. The excitement builds as they anticipate the upcoming Texas Book Festival, sharing their thoughts on various authors and books they are eager to explore. Their discussion highlights the joy of reading and the connections it fosters among people.