Advertise on podcast: Game of Books

On this week’s "POV - Time Management" episode, Cathi give Christie a mini masterclass in goal planning, achieving the goals through time management, and remaining accountable. This inspiring chat comes at just the right time as we head into 2024. We especially love the twelve week year idea! Episode Highlights02:00 - Times Square New Years?04:00 - Identify your natural instincts05:22 - Time blocking07:18 - Edit daily09:55 - Time suck - email and text14:38 - There is a season for everything15:10 - The execution16:20 - Shout out to Hank Phillippe Ryan17:30 - Hard things first19:39 - Twelve Week Year23:17 - Accountability - Fail?26:40 - The magical part of the plan  

On this week’s Corks & Conversation III with Lisa Unger episode, Christie & Cathi meet up again with the Master of Suspense, Lisa Unger, for an fun and inspiring chat.  She again delights us with her humorous and insightful answers to all our questions. We also recommend Lisa's new novella, Christmas Presents, as a perfect gift for the thriller lover in the family.  Episode Highlights02:30 - The Season for writing04:44 - The edgy side of Christmas06:20 - Comfort food authors07:40 -  Evoking reader joy08:55 -  Omnivorous reader11:20 - Classic rereads14:10 - Best piece of writing advice19:10 - Pivotal events22:00 - Always about the writing23:55 - Sleuthfest Guest of Honor  

On this week’s  Holiday Mix episode, Christie & Cathi ask fun holiday questions  and get answers from these amazing crime fiction authors: Michael Farris Smith, Lisa Unger, Alan Orloff, and Peg Tyre. Laugh your way through this little diversion from the holiday stress. You might even get some ideas!

On this week’s Corks & Conversation with Peg Tyre episode, Christie & Cathi talk with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and crime writer, Peg Tyre, about her novel, Strangers in the Night, reissued on it's 30th anniversary. We also delve into harrowing crime reporting, working as a woman in a male dominated career in the 80s and today, and Peg's philanthropic work on education. Oh and the strangest things we've eaten ... do we even know?

On this week’s "POV - Minimalist Gifting" episode, Christie & Cathi discuss what to get the minimalist for gifts during the holidays.  We like consumable and experience gifts! Hear our ideas!

On this week’s Corks & Conversation with Michael Farris Smith episode, Christie & Cathi have an inspiring chat with this author who the New York Times calls an “intoxicating literary stylist.” Michael writes darkly poetic novels and screenplays set in his native Mississippi. He shares everything from his perfect Manhattan recipe to his take on a dystopian "reality" found is his novel, Salvage This World, which is also our GOBRecs Book of the Month. Episode Highlights03:55 - Michael's Manhattan recipe05:40 - Origin Story08:55 - Dystopian - fiction and reality11:50 -  Being part of the solution12:45 -  Distance for perspective15:00 - Novels to Screenplay16:56 - Best piece of writing advice18:52 - Question in a Bottle22:00 - Success comes from routine27:22 - Writing isn't romantic28:58 - Mississippi Renaissance 33:10 - Intoxicated Literary Stylist!   

On this week’s More November GOBRecs! episode, Christie & Cathi share some of the best books we've recently read! We've got new recommendations on what you might want to read next, then add them to your gift list! Bonus ... send in questions for Lisa Unger that we can ask on a future episode! Episode Highlights02:05- Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger04:55 - Prom Mom by Laura Lippman07:08 - The Exchange by John Grisham  

On this week’s "POV - All About Journaling" episode, Christie & Cathi chat about different ways of journaling to improve mental health. We each have our own approaches as well as insight into ways to get started. We share and laugh, as always! And we introduce our December GOBRec Book of the Month - Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger. Read it then journal about it using our READ HAPPY: The Ultimate Reading Journal. Episode Highlights02:50- Morning Pages04:00 - Type your journal?07:40 - Letter Journaling09:00 - Gratitude Journaling10:30 - Photo Journaling12:45 - Audio Note Journaling14:00 - READ HAPPY Journal15:00 - Upcoming GOBRecs News   https://journalhappy.com/  

On this week’s Read and Gift These GOBRecs! episode, Christie & Cathi share some of the best books we've recently read! Listen to this short but sweet list of our recommendations on what you might want to read next, then add them to your gift list! Bonus ... send in questions for the authors that we can ask on future episodes! Episode Highlights03:30- Sanctuary Motel by Alan Orloff05:10 - Salvage This World by Michael Farris Smith07:00 - All The Dirty Secrets by Aggie Blum Thompson   https://gameofbookspodcast.com/

On this week’s Corks & Conversation with Erin Flanagan episode, Christie & Cathi have a glorious time chatting about toxic female friendships of our youth, the hours to write and edit a book, Hallmark vs. Horror, Margaret Atwood, psychopathic readers, and our GOBRecs Book of the Month, Come With Me. Episode Highlights02:48 - Question from Rosie G - Come With Me origins04:53 - Writers retreats07:00 - Nicola's five rules make the book structure07:53 - Working with an editor you know and trust09:31 - affirmations vs. justifications12:48 - Erin's mantra14:25 -  Question in the bottle16:08 -  What scares Cathy?17:20 - Question from David B19:08 - Margaret Atwood quote20:01 - Answering Amanda's question -  360 hours to write the book!27:20 - Surprising path to an Edgar!29:53 - Writing acknowledgements - Erin's process33:10 - Some readers are psychopaths!

On this week’s "POV - NaNoWriMo is coming, are you ready?" episode, Christie & Cathi dive into all things NaNoWriMo, also known as National Novel Writing Month, which happens in November.  They talk prep and plans! PrepTober baby! And then during November, join them for some write-ins. Episode Highlights01:29- What is it?03:34 - PrepTober06:16 - Plotter prep06:36 - Pantster prep07:40 - The Important Stuff09:13 - 12 week year explained10:14 - Stephen King On Writing11:00 - SK Movies

On this week’s POV - Best Books We’ve Just Read! episode, Christie & Cathi share some of the best books they've recently read! Check out the list for tips on what you might want to read next. Add them to the list with our October GOBRecs Book of the Month:  Come With Me by Erin Flanagan. Hear and laugh along with then as they talk about reading in bed. Episode Highlights04:40- For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes06:45 - After That Night by Karin Slaughter09:28 - The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker12:00 - Come With Me by Erin Flanagan - October GOBRecs Book!12:55 - The Collector by Daniel Silva13:00 - The Buddha and the Badass by Vishan Lakhiani - Nonfiction!