Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring Purgatoire byLiz Prato
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and thecourage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
CONNECT WITH LIT ILLUMINATED:
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/lit-illuminated/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/author_rebeccabeardsall
Also check out: Nothing is Wrong with You Book Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookPodcasters
Subscribe for literary deep dives where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring The Queen of Swords by Jazmina Berrera
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and the courage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
CONNECT WITHLIT ILLUMINATED:
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/lit-illuminated/
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also check out: Nothing is Wrong with You Book Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookPodcasters
Subscribe for weekly literary deep dives where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature!
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and the courage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
BOOK FEATURED:
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.comInstagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring E=mc2: A Story of Infertility, Miscarriage & Love by Colleen Clemens -- as part of a conversation with Colleen and the world of publishing a memoir.
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and the courage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
E=mc2: A Story of Infertility, Miscarriage & Love by Colleen Clemens
Welcome to LitIlluminated! Today we're exploring Queen MacBeth by Val McDermid
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and thecourage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
BOOK FEATURED:
Also mentioned:
Books from the Darkland Tales Series
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring The Book of I by David Greig
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and the courage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
BOOK FEATURED:
CONNECT WITH LIT ILLUMINATED:
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/lit-illuminated/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/author_rebeccabeardsall
Also check out: Nothing is Wrong with You Book Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookPodcasters
Subscribe for literary deep dives where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature!
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring the Spiral of Time and the Connection to Books.
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and thecourage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
BOOKS FEATURED:
Remembering Our Intimacies by JamaicaHeolimeleikalani Osorio
The Healers by Kimo Armitage
Pele and Hi’iaka by Nathanial B. Emerson
Special shout out to Basically Books in Hilo
Socials website | https://rebeccabeardsall.comInstagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring All ThatWe Know by Shilo Kino. Where is dive into the way literature is here for us to understand ourselves. It is also here for us to see the world in a different way.
There is a reflection. It is a mirror. It allows us to delve deep into self in this space.
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and the courage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
BOOK FEATURED:
All That We Know by Shilo Kino
Need help witha memoir or want to dive deeper into the way books can be a mirror – check out my coaching options
Last course of 2025 is in October, learn more here: https://rebeccabeardsall.com/product/studies-in-creative-nonfiction-how-they-tell-their-stories/
Connect with me and learn more about LIT ILLUMINATED:
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/lit-illuminated/
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also check out: Nothing is Wrong with You Book Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookPodcasters
Welcome to Lit Illuminated! Today we're exploring Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson
Join me as I pull this delightful book off the shelf and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you're a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this episode celebrates honesty, humor, and the courage to be vulnerable in our storytelling.
BOOK FEATURED:
Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson
We are the Ocean by Epeli Hau’ofa
The Forgotten Coast by Richard Shaw
The Unfurling Frond by Rebecca Beardsall
A links from bookshop.org – please support local, independent bookstores when you can.
Hamster bookmark by Bellinghamsters
CONNECT WITHLIT ILLUMINATED:
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com/lit-illuminated/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/author_rebeccabeardsall
Also check out: Nothing is Wrong with You Book Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookPodcasters
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest withYou by Miranda Hart
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Sad Tiger by Neige Sinno
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir byTessa Hulls
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Gabriële by Anne Berest and Claire Berest
A book with a message for me about the arts and being an illuminator as well as the important work of understanding the stories of our great-grandmothers.
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Summer by Ali Smith
A book that delves into time that I just love. Swoon:
"Time is dimensional. Robert Greenlaw has just demonstrated not just the curve and dimensionality of time, but also its multiple nature and given himself a total high by affixing, irremovably, a piece of curved and dimensional time into the curved and dimension of a mortal hand."
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, I am sharing with you a range of books that I readduring my time in Aotearoa. You can find the list of books mentioned here:
Tightrope by Selina Tusitala Marsh
All Sorts of Lives by Claire Harman
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, I wanted to change course a little to talk to you about how I see this podcast as a space to help us heal, grow, and share our stories. And at the heart of that is building the muscle memory.
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Black Woods Blue Sky byEowyn Ivey
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Reading the Waves by LidiaYuknavitch
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off theshelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in theworld of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at From Under the Truck by Josh Brolin
Socials
website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com
Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: BookPodcast on YouTube
Welcome to Lit Illuminated. Join me as I pull a book off the shelf of my library and share my study of patterns and insights with you. Whether you’re a bibliophile, a casual reader, or someone who simply loves a good story, this podcast takes you on an enlightening journey through the pages of classics and contemporary gems.
As a fellow book lover, I know the joy of being lost in the world of books. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey with Lit Illuminated, where we celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading and exploring literature.
Today, we are looking at Kataraina by Becky Manawatu
Throughout the novel, we glimpse moments that are layering and creating a story a moment at a time. This layering makes Kataraina a marvelous work of fiction, bringing together multiple lives into a single storyline. The First-Person ,Plural point of view is a brilliant way for Manawatu to weave time and
generations within a single novel.
Book blurb:
In Auē eight-year-old Ārama was taken by his brother, Taukiri, to live with Kat and Stu at the farm in Kaikōura, setting in train the tragedy that unfolded. Ārama’s aunty Kat was at the centre of events, but silenced by abuse her voice was absent from the story.
In Kataraina, Kat and her whānau take over the telling. As one, they return to her childhood and the time when she first began to feel the greenness of the swamp in her veins – the swamp that holds her tears and the tears of her tīpuna, the swamp on the land owned by Stu that has been growing since the girl shot the man.
Becky Manawatu’s new novel is the much-awaited sequel to award-winning bestseller Auē and is unflinching in its portrayal of the destructive ways people love one another and the ancestral whenua on which they stand.
New Zealand book retailer that ships to the US - https://www.mightyape.co.nz/mn/buy/mighty-ape-kataraina-38920778/
Looks like it comes out September 2025 in the USA, and you can pre-order it on Bookshop.org
Note: Kataraina is a sequel to Becky Manawatu’s Auē
Other books quoted:
John Gardner The Art of Fiction
James Wood How Fiction Works
Robert Boswell The Half-Known World on Writing Fiction
Also, check out the podcast Nothing is Wrong with You: Book Podcast on YouTube
Socials website | https://rebeccabeardsall.com Instagram | @author_rebeccabeardsall