The Way We Word

This week we are tackling plagiarism. Sparked by the buzz of a recent court case where an author has accused her former agent of stealing her manuscript, Angela and Sarah discuss whether or not plagiarism can be proven and the ramifications on all sides.

Let us know your thoughts and opinions on this. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email to: [email protected]

Books Mentioned in This Epsiode:

https://readingrockbooks.bookstoreloyalty.com/collection/5156922?data=MU1wanBoaDFCUXVoWVZuenh6ZDhOandCS0RleWNEZ1IwZmd1bzBkQzNRaUQ1bFBhd1kwdTE2TlNDS1J4WlRmTkEvb1JSbEFtclh3PQ==

Adam Rosenbaum joins the show this week to talk about his book The Ghost Rules and how middle grade books teach us empathy and bridge the gap between children and parents.

Adam Rosenbaum has operated a sawmill in Kentucky, stocked groceries in Los Angeles, and was a student draftsman at his local power company growing up in the suburbs of Nashville, where he currently lives with his wife and kids.

When he's not writing things or reading things, you'll probably find him running down a trail or trying to find the perfect blueberry donut.

The Ghost Rules

Twelve-year-old Elwood McGee never asked to have "ghost-sight," and it involves a lot more drool-dodging than he expected. Ghosts are the WORST—and they're all over the place in this sharp-witted middle grade debut novel. Did you know that ghosts love coffee? They're not trying to be scary. They're just deprived of an appropriate amount of caffeine! They also bump into things by accident, are occasionally nosy, and get a little nervous when they're seen by the living. Elwood McGee knows these ghost facts because he's one of those rare people with the gift of ghost-sight. And it turns out ghosts are everywhere! Especially in the small Tennessee town where Elwood and his family had to move following the death of his big brother Noah, which Elwood thinks was his fault. Once Elwood figures out he can see ghosts, he becomes single-mindedly determined to use his powers to see Noah and talk to him once last time. With the help of two girls who live on his street, Elwood embarks on a journey through the surprisingly funny world of ghosts and faces the realities of letting go. At once hilarious and heart wrenching, Adam Rosenbaum makes his middle grade debut with a supernaturalish novel about grief that's perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Dan Gutman.

This week it's all about getting more eyes on your work. Angela and Sarah dive into the differences between alpha and beta readers, why we need them, and the value that multiple eyes and voices bring to our writing. We also talk about how to know which feedback to keep and how to trust your gut.

Have you used alpha or beta readers? We want to know your experiences! Getting feedback can be difficult. It can also help us grow and see things differently. Let us know your approach to beta readers and what you thought of the cast!

Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Or send an email to:

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Continuing the genre series, Angela and Sarah discuss audiobooks and their place in our world. Are there pros and cons to listening vs actually reading? What are the benefits of audiobooks? Join us for a deep dive into audio reading and hear some of our favorites to listen to.

Do you prefer audio, paper, or digital? Let us know on the socials or send us an email:

[email protected]

Happy New Year! We are so excited to be diving into a fresh new year of reading, writing, and bookselling. We hope 2025 is off to a fantastic start for all of you.

In this episode we talk about what we've read, what we plan to read, and reading goals. What are you reading goals for this year? How do they compare from last year's? No matter where you are or how many books you're reading, we are thrilled to be on this journey with you.

Here's to a terrific, word-filled year. Cheers!

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Books/Authors mentioned in this episode:

This week we continue our genre series with a look at middle grade fiction. Guest Heather Giese joins us to talk about the beautifully written and thought-provoking books she's been reading and why people of all ages will love them. We discuss trends in this genre, concerns, and some of our favorite books both past and present.

Enjoy this podcast? Let us know! Find us on Instagram and Facebook or send an email (we respond to every one) at:

[email protected]

Books mentioned in this episode:

https://readingrockbooks.bookstoreloyalty.com/collection/5139999?data=MU1wanBoaDFCUXVoWVZuenh6ZDhOb2RLM0hsYnVNZDYzTEUvZXVNZTVkcXlBc2cvcFZGNEIycm44eTBENWsvUzFBN2lFRHV2bnRDdVorYm1UNTl2R3c9PQ==

Happy holidays, everyone! Angela and Sarah are back from a Thanksgiving hiatus to catch up with a cozy chat and discuss the future of books in our every-changing world. Angela shares what's going on at the bookstore and Sarah talks about her current writing projects. We are so happy to have you all with us as we navigate the world of storytelling and its impact on the world.

We'd love to hear from you! Find us on the socials or send us an email:

[email protected]

Books mentioned in this epsiode:

Orris and Timble by Kate Dicamillo

The GIver by Lois Lowry

Have you ever DNF'd a book? Most of us have. Do you ever feel guilty for not finishing a book you were excited to read? In this episode we cover why we DNF books, things we can do to avoid picking books that will end up in that category, and how reading changes in the different seasons of life. Are you missing really good reads by putting them down too soon? Sarah and Angela tell stories of books they almost dropped and are so glad they didn't. They also talk about how sometimes putting a book aside may be beneficial.

Join the discussion! We want to know what you think. Are there books you quit and are glad you did? Are there books you stuck with and can't imagine not having read? Let us know on the socials or send us an email:

[email protected]

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Bachman

Orris and Timble by Kate DiCamillo

The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis

It is nothing new that authors are being tagged in negative reviews, but the practice of inviting an author into a conversation where their book is criticized harshly doesn't seem to be going away. We've seen so many posts addressing this online that we wanted to sit down and have a chat about it.

Should authors be tagged in negative reviews? Should authors be tagged in any review? What is the best use of our online bookish platforms and how can we cultivate an atmosphere that allows for all voices to be heard while being considerate of others? It all comes down to ettiquette and taking the time to ask ourselves a few questions before we post.

Chime in! Tell us what you think. Have you seen this happen online? How would you handle it? Find us on Instagram and Facebook, or send us an email:

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"To read a book in college, it helps to have read a book in high school." This quote, taken from an article in The Atlantic, fuels our discussion on why modern-day college students are struggling to keep up with their college reading assignments and what this means for our communities, our society, and the future of academics.

Have you read this article? Were these findings interesting? Do you think our education system is falling short in these categories? Weigh in and give us your thoughts via email or our socials. Please rate our podcast and share it with a friend.

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New Episodes every week!