In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Jennifer Niven to talk all about her newest novel, Meet the Newmans, out now. Set in the 1960s, the book is inspired by Jennifer’s lifelong love of the era and her fascination with characters who hide behind carefully crafted masks. And what better lens for that than a picture-perfect TV family? We dive into the inspiration behind the story, the allure of mid-century America, and Jennifer’s incredible author journey across nonfiction, historical fiction, YA, and now adult fiction. She was an absolute delight to chat with, and I loved every minute of this conversation.
EXTRA CONTENT: there is a 5 minute audiobook sample at the end of our chat, so make sure to tune in and hear Marin Ireland narrate Meet the Newmans.
Find Jennifer:
https://www.jenniferniven.com/
IG: @jenniferniven
US Tour Dates:
1/7- The Strand, NY,NY
1/8- Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
1/12- St Charles City-County Library, St Charles, MO
1/13- Books and Books, Coral Gables, FL
1/14- BookPeople, Austin, TX
1/16- The Grove Barnes & Noble, Los Angeles, CA
This final episode of the year feels especially meaningful. I’m reflecting on a year of reading that brought comfort, challenge, and so many moments of connection. These books met me in different seasons of the year, and looking back on them now feels like revisiting who I was while reading them. I’ve included the full list in the show notes so you can easily explore each title and reflect on your own year of reading, too.
As I wrap up the final episode of the year, I want to take a moment to say thank you for supporting me and this podcast. Every listen, every kind message, every recommendation you’ve shared has meant more than I can put into words. This year of the podcast wouldn’t have been what it was without you.
My Top 25 of 2025
Hot takes incoming. This episode is all about my least favorite books of 2025—the overhyped, the underwhelming, and the ones I truly wish I’d DNF’d sooner. If you love honest book talk and a little spice, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening!
Here are the Least Favs of 2025:
In this final book club episode of the year, we dive into How to Read a Book by Monica Wood—a tender, layered novel about second chances, chosen family, and the stories that shape us. We unpack the themes, characters, and the moments that linger long after the last page.
We also take a moment to look back on our entire 2025 reading year and the 10 books we tackled together. From emotional highs to unexpected favorites, it’s a warm recap of everything this community has explored.
And because this marks the end of an era, I close with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of book club over the years. Your insights, messages, and enthusiasm have made this space something truly special. I’m so grateful we got to read together.
Make sure to follow along for our new January challenge: A New-to-You Author Start the year with someone you’ve never read before
This week, I’m joined by acclaimed audiobook narrator Karissa Vacker, whose voice has brought to life some of today’s most gripping and emotional stories. We talk about the craft of narration, how she builds character through voice, and what really happens behind the mic. Whether you’re an audiobook lover or just curious about the art of storytelling, this is such a fun and fascinating conversation. Thanks for listening!
A few books narrated by Karissa: Good Spirits by BK Borison, Shark Heart by Emily Habeck, When in Rome by Sarah Adams, PS I hate You by Lauren Connolly, Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly, The New Year's Party by Jenna Satterthwaite, Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow
November came and went in a flash! I had two trips back to back and didn’t get the amount of reading I was hoping for, but even with a busy schedule, I was still able to read some books that were on my list. Highs? Being caught up on Emma M Lion. Lows? Reading Reese Witherspoon’s book and hating it every second. How was your November? Any standouts?
Loved
▪️🎧 Every Beautiful Mile ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reread to do the new audio!)
▪️🎧 The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion #8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
▪️More Than Enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Liked
▪️🎧 Love and Saffron ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
▪️ Handle With Care ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Just okay
▪️🎧 An Academic Affair ⭐️⭐️⭐️
▪️🎧 A Merry Little Lie ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Flops
▪️The Reservation ⭐️⭐️💫
▪️🎧 Gone Before Goodbye ⭐️⭐️
▪️🎧 Her One Regret ⭐️
DNF
▪️Some Kind of Famous
▪️Overdue
▪️The Wilderness
▪️The Mating Game
▪️The Sunshine Man
▪️Charlie Quinn Lets Go
In this episode, I sit down with author Tory Henwood Hoen to talk about her beautifully written new novel, Before I Forget. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and tender coming-of-age story about a woman returning home to care for her father, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Set against the backdrop of a beloved Adirondack lake house, it explores memory, loss, and rediscovery—with touches of whimsy and humor woven throughout. Tory and I chat about the inspiration behind the story, writing about family and identity, and how memory shapes who we are and who we become.
Website: https://toryhenwoodhoen.com/
IG: @toryhenwoodhoen
Books Tory Recommends:
God of the Woods by Liz Moore, The Friend by Sigrid Nunez, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Bestselling author Matthew Norman joins me to chat all about his charming new novel, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. We dive into how this festive story came to life, what it was like to write a holiday-focused book for the first time, and his thoughts on male authors writing female characters with authenticity and heart. Matthew also shares his perspective on evolving as a writer through the years and finding new creative challenges along the way.
Tune in for a thoughtful, funny, and festive conversation with one of today’s most insightful voices in contemporary fiction. Thanks for listening!
Website: https://www.thenormannation.com/
IG: @thenormannation
In this special holiday episode, I’m diving into a festive holiday this-or-that—and along the way sharing some of the traditions and memories that shaped my childhood, plus the new ones I’m building with my own little family. It’s warm, nostalgic, a little reflective, and full of the cozy-season energy we all need right now.
I wrap things up with 15 holiday book recommendations to carry you through the season—everything from heartwarming reads to wintry escapes. You’ll find the full list waiting in the show notes!
Grab a blanket, light a candle, and settle in for some bookish holiday cheer.
Holiday TBR
1. Grace and Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman 2. Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne 3. My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely 4. Good Spirits by BK Borison 5. The Key to my Heart by Lia Louis 6. A Little Christmas Spirit by Sheila Roberts 7. Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry 8. Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis 9. A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh 10. One Last Gift by Emily Stone 11. A Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore 12. One Day in December by Emily Stone 13. Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber 14. Merry Ex-Mas by Courtney Walsh 15. A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
Author Ashley Manley is back — and she’s my very first second-time guest on the podcast! We had so much to catch up on since her debut, including the exciting news that her beloved book Every Beautiful Mile is being pitched to Netflix (and is now available as an audiobook!). Ashley also shares the inspiration behind her brand-new Christmas novella The Holiday Club, plus her honest thoughts on choosing to stay indie for now. She’s as down-to-earth and genuine as ever, and it’s always such a joy to chat with her.
Grab her books here: https://www.ashleymanleywrites.com/
Get ready to build your 2026 TBR! In this episode, I’m sharing fifteen books coming out in the first half of the year that have already caught my eye. From anticipated debuts to big-name releases and a few hidden gems, we’re diving into all the upcoming titles I can’t wait to get my hands on.
The Line Up:
This week, I’m joined by Julie Olivia, author of If It Makes You Happy—a cozy, small-town romance set in 1997 Vermont that’s full of flannel, baked goods, and second chances. We talk about her path from self-publishing to traditional publishing and what makes a romance feel like home. Thanks for listening!
Website: https://julieoliviaauthor.com/
IG: @julieoliviaauthor
This week, I’m joined by the wonderful bestselling author Monica Wood to chat all about her heartfelt new novel, How to Read a Book. It’s a story that beautifully explores forgiveness, second chances, and the quiet ways books can change our lives.
We talk about what inspired Violet, Harriet, and Frank’s intersecting stories, the real-life inspiration behind the prison book club at the heart of the novel, and how reading can help us find connection and healing when we least expect it.
If you love stories that remind you of the goodness still left in the world, this is one you won’t want to miss. How to Read a Book is tender, hopeful, and so fitting for book clubs — and my conversation with Monica felt like sitting down with an old friend who just really gets why we love stories.
Website: https://www.monicawood.com/
The Book Monica Recommends: Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel
October turned out to be one of my best reading months yet! I read 16 books—13 of them on audio—including three from the charming Emma M. Lion series. I also found several standout favorites that weren’t even on my original TBR (sometimes the best reads are the unexpected ones!). Tune in for all the highlights and surprises from a truly great month of reading.
Loved
🎧 Yellow Wife ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 The Book of Magic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Buckeye ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🎧 The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion #5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion #6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Liked
🎧 The Guncle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 My Favorite Holidate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Good Spirits ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One and Only ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Before I Forget ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion #7 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just okay, maybe skip
This Book Made Me Think of You ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🎧Date Night in December ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Soul Searching ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Bride ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Once and Again ⭐️⭐️
Bestselling author B.K. Borison joins the podcast to talk about why romance deserves a seat at the literary table. *(cue fan girl moment for me!)* We talk about the importance of taking romance novels seriously, the joy of writing love stories that matter, and her enchanting new holiday book Good Spirits — a magical, heart-tugging romance that might just make you believe in the Ghost of Christmas Past. Thanks for listening!
Website: https://bkborison.com/
IG: @authorbkborison
WARNING: There will be spoilers about the Book!
Our October book club discussion is here! This month we dove into Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell — a breathtaking, emotional novel that reimagines the life and loss of Shakespeare’s only son. We chat all about O’Farrell’s exquisite writing, the portrait of Agnes as a wife and mother, and the ways grief and love can shape art. It’s a rich, heartfelt conversation that explores both the history behind the book and the emotional layers within it. Thanks for tuning in and being part of book club.
In this episode, I sit down with Laurie Gilmore, New York Times bestselling author of The Gingerbread Bakery. We dive into her journey from aspiring writer to bestselling author, the craft of writing small-town romance, and the magic of creating characters readers root for. Plus, Laurie gives us a peek at what’s coming next in her cozy, romantic universe. Thanks for listening!
Website: https://www.thelauriegilmore.com/
IG: @lauriegilmore_author
Curl up with your favorite fall drink and join me as I share 10 things I’m absolutely loving this season — from the coziest candle to the perfect fall playlist. Think of this episode as a warm hug in audio form. Thanks for listening!
This episode is such a treat—I got to sit down with Kirsten Miller! You might know her from her YA books or her adult hits like The Change, and now she’s back with her third adult novel The Women of Wild Hill. This book is full of wit, magic, and yes, some seriously satisfying female rage. We talked about everything from writing across age categories to what makes a strong heroine to why stories of women fighting back resonate so much right now. Thanks for listening!
Books Kirsten Recommends:
A Land so Wide by Erin A Craig
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
Website: www.kirstenmillerbooks.com
IG: @kirstenmillerbooks
This week I had the absolute joy of chatting with bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne about her brand-new Christmas novel, Snow Kissed. With more than 70 books to her name, RaeAnne is truly an OG in the romance world, and we dive into her incredible publishing journey, how the industry has shifted over the years, and what continues to inspire her beloved heartwarming stories.
I also got to fangirl a bit over her Haven Point series (a longtime favorite of mine!) before wrapping things up with a festive rapid-fire Q&A—think Christmas traditions, cozy favorites, and her author must-haves.
This was such a fun and festive conversation, and I can’t wait for you to listen!
Website: https://www.raeannethayne.com/
IG: @raeannethayne