#bookstagram influencer, reviewer, and writer Milena Gonzalez (aka Diary of a Book Babe) returns to speak to me about hanging out with Jeneva Rose and Penny Zang, her latest five-star finds, and her top book pick of 2025.

Milena Gonzalez graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a double major in Literary Journalism and English. She spent eight years as owner, designer, and screen printer of a small business, Lady & Little. 

Milena is a Southern California mom to three kids. She is currently working on her third novel, a psychological suburban thriller. Learn more about her at diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram.

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In this file Milena Gonzalez and I discussed:

Diving deeper down the Doll Parts rabbit hole

Our future chat with #1 New York Times-bestselling author of We Were Liars, E. Lockhart

Emily Henry’s Netflix adaptation

The importance of finding other voices and your writing community

Adam Skolnick’s return to the podcast

My rapid-fire AMA with Milena

A few gratuitous F-bombs

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer

The Writer Files x Diary of a Book Babe: Vol. 1

Doll Parts: A Playlist by Penny Zang (Spotify)

How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Penny Zang Writes

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jeneva Rose Writes

How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Jinwoo Park Writes

diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram

Kelton Reid Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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