This episode I chat with children's book editor Alex Messina-Schultheis about some of the books that are most important to her. We cover the sweetest birthday books ever, a myriad of literary crushes, and pulling her first reading all nighter.

You can follow Alex on Instagram @commasandcarbs. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com.

If you’re subscribed to the podcast, you may have noticed a lengthy hiatus — putting together a podcast takes a lot of time and with 2020 being what it was, I needed that break. But I’m excited to be back with a new episode and hope to keep new episodes coming in 2021. However, I’m taking a relaxed approach to producing and publishing the podcast, so staying subscribed in your podcast app of choice is the best way to know when a new episode is out!

Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

While I have long been familiar with The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, I had never heard of Ende’s book Momo until my guest Tabby Pawlitzki brought it to my attention. Tabby first encountered the book as a child growing up in Germany, and it has been a favorite ever since. We discuss becoming a kid detective, reading in translation, and the many life lessons to be learned from a tortoise.

You can follow Tabby on Instagram @tabbypawlitzki and keep up with her podcast at https://www.modernlifepodcast.com. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is one of those books that sticks in your imagination. Such was the case for writer and scholar Dr. Trinna S. Frever who counts A Wrinkle in Time as a lifelong favorite. We chat about the joy of being read to, hideaway reading nooks, and the wonderful appeal of books with a touch of magic. Dr. Frever also tells me more about her latest project, Your L. M. Montgomery Story.

You can follow Dr. Frever on Instagram @trinna_writes and keep up with all of her projects at www.trinnafrever.com. You can learn more and participate in the Your L. M. Montgomery Story project at www.yourlmmstory.com. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith has long been a favorite book of my guest, writer Katharine Schellman. We talk about growing up in a family of readers, devouring books in a series, and the difficulties and complexities of growing up, even if you do happen to live in a castle. We also chat about Katharine's new novel, The Body in the Garden.

You can follow Katharine on Instagram @katharinewrites and keep up with all of her literary adventures at www.katharineschellman.com. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton might not be familiar to you unless you grew up in the U.K., but my guest Elizabeth Bornstein fell in love with them while growing up in Alaska, starting with the first book Five on a Treasure Island. Elizabeth and I chat about the most adorable mother-daughter book club, reading just about every childhood mystery series, and the fun of discovering the real life inspiration behind the settings of our favorite books.

You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @asuitcasefullofbooks and read more about her literary travel adventures at www.asuitcasefullofbooks.com. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

If you've only read one Jane Austen novel, chances are it's Pride and Prejudice. This novel is beloved for many reasons, and my guest Megan Cregge is more than happy to take you through the full list. We discuss why Wishbone was the greatest show ever, Megan's original childhood Goodreads challenge, and she tells me what first drew her to Pride and Prejudice and the parts that still make her swoon. Also, shout out to Miss Wilson, wherever you may be!

You can follow Megan on Instagram @glitterandplato. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is one of those childhood classics that many of us have a deep attachment to, and my guest Cat Gray counts it as a lifelong favorite. We chat about growing up in Scotland, inheriting book collections, and the wonder and anticipation of discovering secret gardens - even if only in our imaginations.

You can follow Cat on Instagram @wellreadcat. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

Lisa Klein's book Ophelia takes on the character from Hamlet and reimagines her life and the ending that Shakespeare originally gave us. This book had a huge impact on my guest Kara Harte, and it's one that she has continued to turn to as an adult. We discuss getting dressed up for story time, reading as a potential fire hazard, and the power of finding a character that you immediately connect with.

You can follow Kara on all social media platforms @kattitudereads and find her blog at https://kattitudereads.wordpress.com. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

Judy Blume loomed large in many a childhood, and this was certainly true for teacher and podcaster Carrie Vittitoe who connected deeply with Blume's book, Then Again, Maybe I Won't. Carrie and I chat about old-timey systems of news delivery (except not THAT old-timey), traveling to pony book homelands, and the ways that books can continue to inform our lives, years after that initial reading.

You can follow Carrie's podcast on Instagram @perksofbeingabookloverpod and find her blog at https://mooddisorderedmama.blogspot.com. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq

Published in 1935, Little House on the Prairie and the rest of the Little House series were all childhood favorites of my guest, Rose Miller. We talk about exploring treasure filled attics, sisterly dynamics, and the difficulties of selecting books for a long journey.

You can follow Rose on Instagram @shire.library and find her etsy store at www.etsy.com/shop/shirelibrary. You can follow both me and the podcast on Instagram @shapedbystoriesdiane. Show notes and links to subscribe and download the podcast can be found on the show's website www.shapedbystories.com. Music by Kevin MacLeod: https://bit.ly/2HFHGJq