This week, we’re stepping outside the familiar world of Anne Shirley and into one of L.M. Montgomery’s lesser-known novels, The Blue Castle. We’re talking about Valancy Stirling, a quiet woman who has spent her life following everyone else’s rules—until a startling diagnosis inspires her to finally take control of her own story.

We’ll discuss Valancy’s transformation, the unexpected romance at the heart of the novel, Montgomery’s exploration of family expectations and societal conventions, and whether The Blue Castle deserves a place alongside her better-known works. Is this hidden gem as charming as we hoped?

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

What if the women history forgot were actually the women who changed everything?

In this episode we’re diving into the fascinating historical fiction of Marie Benedict. Known for bringing remarkable women from history out of the shadows, Benedict’s novels explore the lives, relationships, struggles, and accomplishments of women whose stories deserve a closer look.

We’ll talk about some of our favorite Marie Benedict books, the historical figures she brings to life, and what we love (and sometimes question!) about her approach to historical fiction. From famous names to lesser-known women, these stories give us plenty to discuss—and plenty of reasons to add another book to our reading lists!

So grab a cup of something cozy and join us as we explore the books of Marie Benedict.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

The Only One in the Room by Marie Benedict

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek By Kim Michele Richardson

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict

Queens Crime by Marie Benedict

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

Up Next:

Book Club Episode: `The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

What books made you fall in love with reading? In this episode, we’re taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting some of our favorite childhood reads! We’ll talk about the stories we loved, the characters we still remember, and what happens when we return to those beloved books years later. Do they still hold up? Do we see them differently as adults? And which childhood favorites have earned a permanent place on our bookshelves? Join us for a nostalgic conversation about the books that helped shape us as readers.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Superfudge byJudy Blume

Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer

Are You There Reader? It's Me, Judy by Nora Gallatin

Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Matilda by Roald Dahl

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

The BFG by Roald Dahl

The Twits by Roald Dahl

The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Pack your bags—but keep your feet up! In this episode we’re going on an armchair adventure through the pages of our favorite books. We’re talking about stories set in places we’d love to visit, from charming towns and historic cities to faraway destinations that make us want to book a ticket immediately.

Come along as we share the books that have fueled our travel dreams, the places they’ve brought to life for us, and why sometimes the best way to explore a new destination is from the comfort of your favorite reading chair. 📚✈️

Titles mentioned in this episode:

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery

Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes

What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

The Bungalow by Sarah Jio

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Molokai'i by Alan Brennert

Grandma for Christmas by Alta Halverson Seymour

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Running or Your Life by Lopez Lomong

Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Dept. Q:The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

Daughter of Egypty by Marie Benedict

The Italian Correspondet by Belinda Alexandra

Self-Help from the Middle Ages by Peter Jones

A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray

The Secret Lives of Murderers Wives by Elizabeth Arnott

A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

The Shippers by Kagtherine Center

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Land by Maggie O'Farrell

The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

The Lost Language of Oysters by Alexander McCall Smith

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer

Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

Someday This Will Be a Funny Story:The Quotable Norah Ephron by Norah Ephron

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Daughter of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See

The Mountains We Call Home by Kim Michele Richardson

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline

How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin

The Most Wonderful Terrible Person: A Memoir of Murder in the Golden State by Debra Miller

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

What if your favorite literary characters were all thrown into the same yearbook? In this episode, we're handing out "Most Likely To..." superlatives to some of our favorite characters from the books we've read. From the character most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse to the one most likely to hold a grudge forever, we're making the case for who deserves each title. Along the way, we'll revisit beloved (and not-so-beloved) characters, debate our picks, and celebrate the personalities that have made these stories unforgettable. Whether you're a fan of timeless classics or just love talking about memorable fictional people, this episode is full of literary laughs, spirited discussion, and plenty of bookish fun.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Eyre by Charlotee Bronte

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michalon

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikrey by Gabrielle Zevin

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Emma by Jane Austen

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Step into Victorian London with us as we discuss The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. In this episode, we chat about Emma's unforgettable voice, the wonderfully eccentric residents of St. Crispian's, and why this charming series has captured the hearts of so many readers. We share our favorite characters, memorable quotes, and which of the men in her life deserve to be "the one." Pour yourself a cup of tea and join our book club conversation!

Big stories don't always require big page counts. In this episode, we each chose a short book that made a lasting impression and shared what made it memorable. From powerful characters and thought-provoking themes to unforgettable storytelling, these books prove that a great read can come in a small package. Join us as we discuss the short books that packed the biggest punch and might just earn a spot on your reading list.Titles mentioned in this episode:

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Tuesday's With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth BrowerUp next: Book Club Episode Featuring The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 1-4

Summer reading season is here! In this episode of Our Ultimate Summer Book List 2026, we each share three books we think are perfect additions to your summer reading lineup. Whether you're looking for an engaging page-turner, a thought-provoking read, or simply something fun to enjoy by the pool, we've got recommendations for a variety of readers. We also reveal one book each that we're planning to tackle this summer, giving you a glimpse into our own reading goals. Join us for plenty of book talk, recommendations, and inspiration for your best summer reading season yet!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Educated by Tara Westover

Tress of The Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers

Playful Parenting by Lawrence J Cohen

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

Harry Potter by JK Rowling

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

The Forget Me Not Summer by Leila Howland

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

The Queen's Gambit by Beth Brower

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion Beth Brower

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jennie Han

It's Not Summer Without You by Jennie Han

We'll Always Have Summer by Jennie Han

The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge

It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn by Greta Eskridge

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The Killing Series by Bill O'Reilly

Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky

The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

The Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

The Astral Library Kate Quinn

In this episode, we set out to prove one thing: we don’t read science fiction. At least… that’s what we thought. Join us as we explore the sci-fi titles that pulled us out of our comfort zones—and maybe even changed our minds. Were these truly “science fiction,” or just great stories with a futuristic twist? Along the way, we share what surprised us, what challenged us, and whether we’re ready to embrace a genre we once avoided.

So… do we read science fiction? You might be surprised by the answer.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Dune by Frank Herbert

Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

1984 by George Orwell

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline