Learn how to critique books without letting your feelings take over — and whether authors should ever be in review spaces. Join us as we share what we’re reading and break down the real rules of book criticism, literary boundaries, and honest reviewing. A must-watch for readers, reviewers, and anyone who loves smart, nuanced book discussions.
In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we break down everything we’ve been reading (or starting!) over the past week — and dive into a deeper conversation on how to critique books, why it matters to separate personal feelings from reviews, and whether authors should participate in review spaces.
We explore literary analysis, boundaries in the book community, and how thoughtful critique strengthens reading culture. If you love honest book discussions and conversations rooted in Black literary perspectives and diverse reading, this episode is for you.
📚 Books & Topics Mentioned:
Frankenstein
The Love Songs of WEB DuBois
The Waterbearers
The WIlderness
Cursed Daughters
Successful Failures
Jackal
The Weight of Blood
Monday’s Not Coming
The Scammer
What Storm What Thunder
No Kingdom For TOmorrow
Wold Hustle
The Farming of Bones
The Three Mothers
Sleepless in Alton
Hamnet
Trinity
Red CLay
All We Were Promised
107 Days
Make Your Way Home
The Girls Who Grew Big
Adonis
A Small Place
No Sense In Wishing
Rage of Dragons
Sky Full of Elephants
Morning Glory Milking Farm
Before I Let Go
Sula
Dominion
Caul Baby
Reckless Forever
Heart of a Goon
💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🪩 Church Announcements:
November Book Club Pick: Successful Failure by KevOnStage (https://bookshop.org/p/books/successful-failure-lessons-learned-flat-on-my-face-kevin-fredericks/3eed0a2ca051558b)
#TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryReaders #BookPodcast #BlackLiterature #DiverseReaders #BookReviews
Join The League of Extraordinary Readers as we share the books we’ve been reading this week and unpack the rise of AI in creativity and reading culture. Can AI change how we read and create? Tune in for a candid conversation about books, technology, and Black storytelling that will make you think.
In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we’re catching up on everything we’ve been reading (and starting!) this week. From new books on our shelves to our latest reading goals, we dive into the dangers of AI, why people still use it, and how we plan to enhance our reading and book content in this digital age.
If you love thoughtful book chats, literary discussions, and conversations that blend technology, creativity, and reading culture — this episode is for you.
📚 Books & Topics Mentioned:
The Between
Cappadonna 3.5
10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace
Don Caseli
Cursed Daughters
Jacket
The Love Songs of WEB DuBois
Careless People
The WIlderness
Psychopomp and Circumstance
Hamnet
Sky Full of Elephants
The Waterbearers
Three Mothers
Pride and Prejudice
Caul Baby
💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🪩 Church Announcements:
November Book Club Pick: Successful Failure by KevOnStage (https://bookshop.org/p/books/successful-failure-lessons-learned-flat-on-my-face-kevin-fredericks/3eed0a2ca051558b)
#TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryReaders #BlackLiterature #BookPodcast #DiverseBooks
Dive into The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat with The League of Extraordinary Readers. We unpack themes of anti-intellectualism, literacy, and book culture through the lens of Black literature and community.
In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we dive into The Farming of Bonesby Edwidge Danticat. What starts as a literary discussion unfolds into a conversation about anti-intellectualism, literacy, and the modern state of book clubs.
We explore how Danticat’s storytelling captures history, identity, and the complexities of the Black diaspora. If you love thought-provoking reads and conversations that challenge how we think about literature, this episode is for you.
📚 Books & Topics Mentioned:
The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat
The Scammer
The Between
A Guardian and a Thief
Trinity
Happy Land
The American Queen
The Reformatory
The NIckel Boys
There’s Always This Year
The Cursed Daughters
Brown Girl in the Ring
The Great Mann
No Better Time
It’s Me They Follow
Don’t Run
The Wishing Pool
Careless People
Pride and Prejudice
The Wilderness
They Were Her Property
Caste
A Woman of Endurance
The Message
The Book of Night Women
No Heaven for Good Boys
Anti-intellectualism & literacy in reading culture
The role of book clubs in modern reading
💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🪩 Church Announcements:
November Book Club Pick: Successful Failure by KevOnStage (https://bookshop.org/p/books/successful-failure-lessons-learned-flat-on-my-face-kevin-fredericks/3eed0a2ca051558b)
#TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryReaders #EdwidgeDanticat #TheFarmingOfBones #BlackLiterature #BookPodcast #DiverseBooks
n this episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we chat with Kyra Davis Lurie, author of The Great Mann. We dive into classical literature, the power of retellings, and the perspectives on Black life that are often left untold.
If you love thoughtful book discussions, Black storytelling, and diverse reads, you’ll love this conversation.
📚 Books & Topics Mentioned:
The Great Gatsby
The Great Mann
Cappadonna 2.5
The Scammer
Black Cherokee
The Farming of Bones
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Suder
There are Rivers in the Sky
The Girls Who Grew Big
Paranormal Love From an Immortal Thug
It’s Me They Follow
Coleman Hill
House of Mirth
Girl, Woman, Other
The Wrong End of the Telescope
Sharp Teeth
The White Boy Shuffle
Butter Cream
Morning Glory Milking Farm
💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🪩 Church Announcements:
October Book Pick: The Farming of Bones By Edwidge Danticat: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-farming-of-bones-edwidge-danticat/ef4cef29e8146547
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
Brunchin’ With The Author Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunchin-with-the-author-tananarive-due-tickets-1750904044129
Sintober Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinners-readers-soiree-tickets-1750919991829
This week on The League of Extraordinary Readers, we’re talking about feelings vs. comprehension, series killers, and our current reads. Shelbey is in a reading slump while Jessica is flying through her TBR — together we explore how emotions, comprehension, and motivation all shape our reading lives.
If you’re a reader who loves discovering new books and wants to read more diversely, this episode is for you.
🪶 New episodes drop every Tuesday.
📢Church Announcements:
October Book Pick: The Farming of Bones By Edwidge Danticat: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-farming-of-bones-edwidge-danticat/ef4cef29e8146547
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
Brunchin’ With The Author Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunchin-with-the-author-tananarive-due-tickets-1750904044129
Sintober Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinners-readers-soiree-tickets-1750919991829
👇🏾 Books Mentioned:
Waiting To Exhale
The Must Die
Careless People
Seven Days In June
Cappadonna 2.5
The Devil Three Times
Homegoing
Perish
This Is Love
Black Cherokee
The Scammer
The Crownless King
Beings
Dawn
The Known World
The Unsettled
Miracle At St. Anna
The Devil In Silver
Evil Eye
A Woman Is No Man
TV Shows:
Monsters: Ed Gein
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer
In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we’re talking about all the books we’ve read lately, our reading goals for the rest of the year, and our thoughts on Love Is Blind.
We’re a literary podcast that celebrates reading, storytelling, and pop culture through the lens of Black and BIPOC readers. Whether you’re looking for new book recommendations or love hearing thoughtful conversations about books and life, you’ll love this episode.
✨ Topics this week:
– Recent reads
– End-of-year reading goals
– Love Is Blind and pop culture moments
– Diverse stories worth adding to your TBR
Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers wherever you listen to podcasts, and join the community of readers who love books, Black literature, and good conversation.
📢Church Announcements:
October Book Pick: The Farming of Bones By Edwidge Danticat: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-farming-of-bones-edwidge-danticat/ef4cef29e8146547
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
Brunchin’ With The Author Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunchin-with-the-author-tananarive-due-tickets-1750904044129
Sintober Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinners-readers-soiree-tickets-1750919991829
Books Mentioned:
Cappadonna 1.5
John Crow’s Devil
The Devil Three Times
Black Cherokee
Waiting To Exhale
The King Must Die
Breathless
Simply More
The Scammer
Loyalty, Lust, Love
The Macabre
Tv Shows:
Love is Blind
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer
#BlackAuthors #BookPodcast #DiverseReading #booktube #literarypodcasts #blackpodcasts
🎙️ In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we’re talking about what we’ve been reading, the book events we’ve been loving, and a deep dive into Nightcrawling by Leila Motley — a searing debut novel everyone’s talking about.
If you’re a Black woman who reads, writes, or just loves discovering powerful books by Black and Brown authors, this podcast is your space. Join us for laughs, insight, and real talk about the literary world from our perspective.
🎧 Available everywhere you get your podcasts. Subscribe and follow for weekly episodes that celebrate diverse voices in literature.
📢Church Announcements:
October Book Pick: The Farming of Bones By Edwidge Danticat: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-farming-of-bones-edwidge-danticat/ef4cef29e8146547
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
Brunchin’ With The Author Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunchin-with-the-author-tananarive-due-tickets-1750904044129
Sintober Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinners-readers-soiree-tickets-1750919991829
Books Mentioned:
The Great Mann
The Wilderness
Nightcrawling
The House of Mango Street
Katabasis
Happy Land
The American Queen
A Mastery of Monsters
Amitty
Push
A Piece of Cake
The Girls Grew Big
My Train Leaves At Three
John Crows Devil
Brown Girl In The Ring
Dawn
Birth of a Dynasty
The Grand Paloma Resort
The Farming of Bones
Tv Shows:
Love is Blind
Silent Hill f
Ghosts of Yotei
The Man in the Basement
The Assessment
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer
#BlackAuthors #BookPodcast #DiverseReading #booktube #literarypodcasts #blackpodcasts
👥 Join the conversation in the comments! What are you reading this week?
In this week’s episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we talk about our weeks, the books we’ve been reading, and dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang—plus more reflections on literature, culture, and community.
📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crime
Nightcrawling
Amitty
Suleem& Yahzi D-Ville Projects
Katabais
My Jim
Black Genius
Birth of a Dynasty
August Lane
Krist&Moanie
Permission
Bricked Up
Happy Land
Angels&Demons
The Good House
📺 TV Shows & Pop Culture Discussed:
Beauty in Black
Beauty and the Bester
Jujutsu Kaisen
📢Church Announcements:
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
🎧 Listen to more episodes of The League of Extraordinary Readers here: https://beacons.ai/tloer
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for updates, book recs, and more. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your fellow book lovers!
The League of Extraordinary Readers presents a powerful conversation with debut author Addie Citchens about her novel Dominion. In this episode, we explore what inspired her to write the story, the themes she wanted to highlight, and how Dominion connects to larger conversations about history, family, and identity.
Perfect for readers, book clubs, and anyone looking for fresh perspectives from Black and BIPOC authors.
👉 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers every Tuesday for new episodes featuring author interviews, book reviews, and conversations connecting literature to culture.
📢Church Announcements:
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
Addie Citchens IG: https://www.instagram.com/addie_citchens?igsh=dHN2dDZianltZ3Z5
Dominion: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dominion-addie-e-citchens/21862550
👇🏾 👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Dominion
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Song of Solomon
The American Daughters
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
The Last Summer on State Street
King of Ashes
The Grand Paloma Resort
My Sister The Serial Killer
The Death of Vivek Oji
You Made A Fool of Death with your Beauty
Cutthroat
Sky Full of Elephants
James
✒️ Authors Mentioned:
James McBride
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
SA Cosby
📺 TV Shows Mentioned:
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
This week on The League of Extraordinary Readers, we interview Nathan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Sweetness of Water—an Oprah Book Club pick. Harris returns with his new novel Amity, and we dive into its themes, the craft of historical fiction, and the role of literature in shaping new perspectives.
Perfect for readers, book clubs, and fans of Black literature, this episode connects stories to culture and conversation.
Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers every Tuesday for book reviews, author interviews, and the latest literary news.
📢Church Announcements:
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/nightcrawling-leila-mottley/17502470
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
Shelbey’s Merch:
Nathan Harris’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/nathanharrisauthor?igsh=Y2N2aW54Y3AxdWZ0
Amitty: https://bookshop.org/p/books/amity-nathan-harris/22381394
👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Sweetness of Water
Amitty
Let Us Descend
Black Leopard Red Wolf
Moon Witch Spider King
Book of Night Women
Topaz
Dominion
James
The Great Mann
Indigo
Annie John
The Catch
Cappadonna
Birth of a Dynasty
Plus Size Player
Sugar
Sula
Katabasis
Capone
Sing, Unburied, Sing
Good Lord Bird
Lone Women
✒️ Authors Mentioned:
Walter Mosley
Akwaeke Emezi
Beverly Jenkins
James McBride
Jesmyn Ward
Jamaica Kincaid
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
This week on The League of Extraordinary Readers, we dive into memoirs and review Firstborn Girls by Bernice L. McFadden. We share our weekly updates, book hauls, and talk about how literature and pop culture connect.
Perfect for readers, Black women, Black authors, BIPOC readers, and anyone who loves thoughtful book discussions.
New episodes every Tuesday—join our community of extraordinary readers!
👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Careless People
Dominion
Putting Myself Together
Birth of a Dynasty
The Catch
Plus Size Player
A Devil Went Down To Georgia
Make Your Way Home
Cursed Daughters
Firstborn Girls
Titus
Destry
Midnight Rooms
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery
Cappadonna
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
The Color of Water
Mainline Mama
Men We Reaped
Katabasis
Babel
Yellowface
In Search of Satisfaction
Positive Obsession
The Weight
✒️ Authors Mentioned:
Alexis Henderson
Safiya Sinclair
J California Cooper
Octavia Butler
📺 TV Shows Mentioned:
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
Welcome to The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast!
In this week’s episode, we recap the book events we attended, share what we’ve been reading lately, and dive into the Cardi B vs Samyra debate 👀📚.
🎙️ The League of Extraordinary Readers is a literary podcast where two Black women discuss books, culture, and everything in between—bridging the gap between literature and pop culture. If you love books, BIPOC authors, and conversations that mix intellect with entertainment, this podcast is for you.
✨ New episodes every Tuesday—don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an update!
📖 Topics in This Episode:
• Book events we attended 📚
• What we’ve been reading lately
• Cardi B vs Samyra debate
• Bridging literature & pop culture
📢Church Announcements:
August’s Book Pick: Firstborn Girls by Bernice L McFadden: https://bookshop.org/p/books/firstborn-girls-a-memoir-bernice-l-mcfadden/21611301
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Jess’s Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiteratureNoir?ref=dashboard-header
👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Black Genius
My Government Means To Kill Me
People Like Us
Dread Nation
The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery
Hell of a Book
Cappadonna
Make Your Way Home
Holler, Child!
Secret Lives of Church Ladies
Everything Inside
Dear Born
Neighbors and other stories
Red Clay
A Virgin Surrogate& A Underboss
Cursed Daughters
Midnight Rooms
The Grand Paloma Resort
Neruda on the Park
The Catch
Firstborn Girls
Coleman Hill
The Warmth of Other Sons
The Witness
If Beale Street Could Talk
Go Tell It On The Mountain
✒️ Authors Mentioned:
Rasheed Newsom
Charles Deshawn Winslow
Jesmyn Ward
Edwidge Danticat
Maisy Card
Kim Coleman Foote
Angela Flournoy
Roxann Gay
📺 TV Shows Mentioned:
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
#booktube #literarypodcasts #blackpodcasts
Welcome to The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast!
In this episode, we dive into the latest Center for Fiction Longlist and the Booker Prize Longlist— sharing our thoughts, must-reads, and books that have us most excited. We also take a fun detour to talk about getting older, life changes, and how our reading tastes evolve over time.
Whether you’re a reader, a fan of Black authors, or just looking for your next great read, this episode is full of bookish banter, literary awards chatter, and diverse reading recommendations you won’t want to miss.
✨ What We Cover in This Episode:
• The Center for Fiction 2025 Longlist highlights 📖
• The Booker Prize 2025 Longlist picks 🏆
• Reflections on aging and how it changes our reading lives
• Book recommendations for every kind of reader
🎧 Listen, relax, and join our growing community of extraordinary readers!
👇 Books Mentioned:
Washington Black
I Am Not Sidney Poitier
Summer’s Echo
Blood Slaves
Harlem Rhapsody
Pan
If The Dead Belong Here
Mayra
Loca
Awake in the Floating City
Fantasies of Future Things
Natch
This Here is Love
📲 Follow Us & Join the Conversation:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
#Books #BlackBookTube #BookerPrize #CenterForFiction #BlackAuthors #BookRecommendations #ReadingLife
Reading The Weight by Jeff Boyd + August Goals & Weekly Reads
In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, we dive deep into The Weight by Jeff Boyd—a thought-provoking contemporary novel exploring mental health, masculinity, and identity. We share our personal reading experiences, favorite moments, and reflections.
Plus, we chat about our August reading goals and everything we’ve been reading this past week—from romance to literary fiction, and more!
If you’re into bookish convos, literary analysis, and discovering powerful Black and BIPOC stories, this is the podcast for you.
📢Church Announcements:
August’s Book Pick: Firstborn Girls by Bernice L McFadden: https://bookshop.org/p/books/firstborn-girls-a-memoir-bernice-l-mcfadden/21611301
Firstborn Gir
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
👇🏾 Books Mentioned in This Episode
The Weight
Zami
Such A Fun Age
Blood Slaves
First Born Girls
The Friend Contract
The Alpha Affair
Boom Town
Bones At The Crossroads
The Great Mann
August Lane
The Art of Scandal
This Here is Love
Washington Black
No Sense In Wishing
People Like Us
Cappadonna
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery
A Perfect Party
107 Days
People Like Us
The Great Gatsby
House of Eve
Take My Hand
Homecoming
Harlem Rhapsody
Trinity
The Last Thing You Surrender
Black Genius
The Catch
Conjuring of America
📝Authors Mentioned:
Robbi Renee
Beverly Jenkins
Brenda Jackson
📺TV Shows/Movie:
👇🏾 Connect With Us & Support the Show
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
💬 Drop a comment or review to let us know your August TBR!
#ReadingBlack #BookPodcast #TheLeagueofExtraordinaryReaders
📚 The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast | Episode: Black Women in Books, Media & Love Island
Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers — a literary podcast where stories meet culture. In this episode, we’re catching up on our week, the books we’ve been reading, shows we’ve been watching, and diving into a much-needed conversation about how Black women are represented in media.
From book characters to reality TV, including the latest season of Love Island, we unpack the good, the bad, and the messy. We also talk about the importance of how Black women show up in fiction and real life, and why representation still matters.
🎧 Tune in if you’re into:
• Black literary podcasts
• Real convos about Black women in books and reality TV
• Diverse book recommendations
• Smart, funny, unfiltered reading talk
👇 Drop your favorite book or show featuring Black women in the comments!
📚 Books Mentioned:
Mexican Gothic
The Bewitching
Lot
Memorial
Palaver
The Great Mann
People Like Us
Capone
Cappadonna
Biggie
Washington Black
Boom Town
Surrender To Me
Harmattan Season
Perish
Only For The Week
Sinful Restraint
📺 Shows Discussed:
Love Island
Smoke
💬 Stay Connected:
Subscribe + turn on notifications so you never miss a bookish episode.
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
📢Church Announcements:
July’s Book Pick: The Weight by Jeff Boyd https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-weight-jeff-boyd/18667844b
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
📣 Join the convo:
#BlackReaders #BookCommunity #LoveIslandTalk
🎙️ About The League of Extraordinary Readers:
We’re here to spotlight books, build community, and center Black and BIPOC voices in every chapter, genre, and medium.
The League of Extraordinary Readers Podcast | Summer Reading & Book Chat
Welcome to another episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, your favorite literary podcast centering Black and BIPOC readers! In this episode, we’re joined by a fellow book lover to talk all things summer reading — from the genres we gravitate toward in the heat to the books we’re recommending this season.
We also chat about what we’ve been reading lately and the shows we’re currently obsessed with. If you’re looking for your next read, a new literary podcast to follow, or want to vibe with a Black bookish community — you’re in the right place.
🖤 Tap in, subscribe, and join the conversation
📌 Support the Show & Stay Connected:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
Charisse’s IG&Threads: rissiereadsalot
Charisse’s podcast: https://www.instagram.com/menace2booksociety?igsh=MWhtNnU0ZDZ4NXJ0cw==
📢Church Announcements:
July’s Book Pick: The Weight by Jeff Boyd https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-weight-jeff-boyd/18667844b
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
📖Books Mentioned:
King of Ashes
Between Lovers and Friends
Harmattan Season
Capone
Cappadonna
Don Caseli
Capri
The Danger Series
Hostile Takeover
The DeSantis Cartel
The Great Mann
The Rage of Dragons
The Will of Many
The Fifth Season
The Broken Earth Trilogy
Black Sun
You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty
Biggie
Boom Town
Make Your Way Home
Can’t Get Enough
Crime and Punishment
24 Seconds From Now…
Curvy Girl Summer
Plus Size Player
Mastery Of Monster
Delicious Monsters
Fire on High
How to Love a Jamaican
How to say Babylon
The Reformatory
This Poison Heart
The Butterfly Garden
The Easy Rawlins Series
📝Authors Mentioned:
KC Mills
Monaye Paris
John Conyers III
Walter Mosley
Bernice L McFadden
📺TV Shows/Movie:
Love Island
The Sandman
Shrinking
The League of Extraordinary Readers | We’re Back! Summer Reads, Real-Life Romance Recs & More
We’re back from our summer break with a brand-new episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers! In this episode, we catch up on everything we’ve been reading and watching—from powerful books by Black authors to thought-provoking documentaries. Plus, we share real-life romance recommendations that go beyond the page. Whether you’re deep into your reading era or just looking for a new Black book community to vibe with, this is the episode for you!
🎧 What We Cover in This Episode:
• Books we read over the summer 📖
• Documentaries that made us think 🎬
• Romance recommendations with real-life flavor ❤️
• Why we love storytelling that centers Black lives and joy
✨ Join the League:
If you’re a reader who loves diverse stories, literary analysis, and a space that uplifts Black voices—welcome home.
👇🏾 Drop your favorite summer reads in the comments!
📌 Support the Show & Stay Connected:
📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
📱Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
📢Church Announcements:
July’s Book Pick: The Weight by Jeff Boyd https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-weight-jeff-boyd/18667844b
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
📖Books Mentioned:
The Weight
Blood at the Root
Bones at the Crossroads
Soundtrack
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery
You Made A Fool of Death with Your Beauty
Tar Baby
Great Black Hope
Make Your Way Home
No Sense In Wishing
A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl
24 Seconds from Now…
Great Black Hope
Capone
Washington Black
Harmattan Season
Somadina
Pet
Bitter
Emergence and Ascendance
Only For The Week
Meant To Love You
Implied Consent
I Fucked Somebody’s Wife
Freaked Out: This Is Single
The Weekend Omnibus
Cutthroat
Violent Little Thing
For His Pleasure
Where Love Blooms
📝Authors Mentioned:
Victor LaValle
Deesha Philyaw
Kiese Laymon
Dawnie Walton
Carrie R. Moore
Lawrence Burney
Hanif Abdurraqib
Irvin Weathersby Jr.
📺TV Shows/Movie:
Love Island
The Sandman
The Poop Cruise
American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden
Titan: The Oceangate Disaster
Land of Bad
Gold & Greed: The Hunt For Fenn’s Treasure
It’s Summer Break! Life is happening so we are going on break early but you can catch up on old episodes and follow our personal pages! Jess and I talk about the woes of being a woman, books, and more!
Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
Church Announcements:
Parable of the Talents Book Club&Discussion: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blk-events-la-friends-parable-of-the-talents-book-club-discussion-tickets-1328521606889?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
Subscribe to YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@leagueofextraordinaryreaders?si=5hiDShVMf84UIPTe
Jess’s Pango Shop: Check it out!
Books Mentioned:
In Search of Good Pussy
Jazz
In Search of Satisfaction
Beloved
Paradise
Song of Solomon
Sula
Love
Another Word for Love
Can’t Get Enough
Curvy Girl Summer
Plus Size Player
My Darkest Prayer
Razorblade Tears
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
All We Were Promised
Fearless and Free
Ring Shout
Lone Women
Authors Mentioned:
Tina McElroy Ansa
J. California Cooper
Walter Mosley
Richard Wright
TV Shows/Movie:
The Last of Us
The Handmaid’s Tale
This week Jess & Shelbey talk current reads, chat books and writing with Emely Rumble and More!
Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com
Follow us on socials:
IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders
Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae
Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub
Emely’s IG&Threads: literapy_NYC
Church Announcements:
Parable of the Talents Book Club&Discussion: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blk-events-la-friends-parable-of-the-talents-book-club-discussion-tickets-1328521606889?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
Subscribe to YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@leagueofextraordinaryreaders?si=5hiDShVMf84UIPTe
Books Mentioned:
Harriet Tubman Live In Concert
Bibliotherapy in the Bronx
Fearless and Free
American Marriage
The Day God Saw Me As Black
The Road is Good
The Blueprint
The Bluest Eye
Their Eyes Were Watching God
All We Were Promised
The Wildest Sun
TV Shows/Movie:
The Residence
The Pitt
Castlevania
The Last of Us
The Handmaid’s Tale