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Dystopian books may seem like a tough read at the moment but, as the Mamas point out, the good guys always win in MG and YA fiction, offering a nice break from reality. So if you need a moment of self-care and inspiration, join the Mamas as they chat about Dystopian books for resisters.   MG & YA Book Chat: The Legend of the Secret Library by Frank L. Cole (for 8-12 years) Outside by Jennifer Holm (for 8-12 years) All Better Now by Neal Shusterman (for 12-18 years) www.twolitmamas.com

The mamas rang in the new year by–shocker–reading new books. They distracted themselves from boring mom tasks and ignored their families to binge some winners. Even Margie loved the books she read, kicking off 2026 with sunshine vibes, something we all needed. Book Chat: Grown up book The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller Middle grade books Blood in the Water by Tiffany B. Jackson Candle Island by Lauren Wolk    Other books referenced: The Change by Kirsten Miller Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans  The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong      The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (MG)  www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas bring you mystery, mayhem and murder for the coziest of holidays! In their year-end party episode, the Mamas share holiday-themed books with (not-too) dark mysteries for adults and middle graders (ages 8-12). Get your hot cocoa and soft blanket and snuggle up for a cozy book chat with your favorite Gen-Xers. Happy Holidays and justice for Tupac! Book Chat: Middle Grade Books The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta Grown Up Books Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple (aka Katie Forrest) Book 1 in the Candy Cane Hollow Christmas Cozy Mystery Series www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas are back with opinions and hot takes in their annual holiday gift guide. Their book recs are for little ones, big kids, and picky older readers like themselves. Grab a cup of cheer and make your list! Happy Holidays! Heather’s Picture Book Recs (ages 3-5): On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug by Susan E. Goodman and Merrill RaineyWoodland Dreams by Karen Jameson Snuggle Season by Jaimie MacGibbon Margie’s Middle Grade Recs (ages 8-12): A Brush with Magic by Flora AhnThe Myth of Monsters series by Katherine MarshWe Built this City by Cat PatrickBlood City Rollers by V. P. AndersonWinston Chu vs. the Whimsies and Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey LeeKwami Crashes the Underworld by Craig Kofi Farmer Heather’s YA Recs (ages 13-18): Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray Hekate - The Witch by Nikita Gil Game Changers, Inspirational Sports Stories by Dan Gold Margie’s Murdery and Weird Grown Up Recs: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally CarterMurder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom (Golden Girls Murder series)The Impossible Fortune by Richard Ossman (Thursday Murder Club series) Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn (Killers of a Certain Age series)Finnlay Donnavan series by Elle CosimanoSirens and Weyward by Emilia HartAnita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl GonzalezThe Bog Wife by Kay ChronisterBook of Witching by CJ CookeRun for the Hills by Kevin WilsonSuburban Hell by Maureen KilmerBless Your Heart and Another Fine Mess by Lindy RyanColin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddel www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas get cozy with their favorite topic, murder. From just okay assistants to dysfunctional families, the Mamas dig into Middle Grade, YA, and Grown Up books full of cozy vibes and mysteries to solve.     Book Chat: The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder by Kate Emery ( Upper Middle Grade)The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer (YA)The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully (Grown Up)www.twolitmamas.com

Welcome to the Two Lit Mamas' Halloween episode, the episode in which the Mama's cast some spells, haunt some kids, and kill some vampires all through the medium of spooky books for grown ups and kids. (It's also the episode in which Heather forgot to hit the record button the first time around. Yikes!) Book Chat: Grown Up Book: The Late Night Witches by Auralee Wallace Middle Grade Books: Ghost of the Harvest by Lindsey Duga The Last Sleepover by RL Stine Masks by Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson, Beck Kubrick and Thomas Philipson www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas are cauldron deep in brand new spooky season reads. Margie has 2 grown up books and Heather has 2 middle grade books that will make your wicked little hearts happy.  Book Chat: Grown Up Books: Play Nice by Rachel Harrison Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan (Sequel to Bless Your Heart) Middle Grade Books (ages 8-12): Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman www.twolitmamas.com

Join the Mamas on a journey with books about road trips, climbing adventures and walking tours where the destination is not the point. Along the way, the Mamas share ridiculous details of their own journeys into old-lady-hood. You can’t unhear the details so be prepared! (Hint: kaftans are involved) Book Chat: Middle Grade Books Bewilderness by Gus Gordon (graphic novel) The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (verse) Grown Up Books Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (and Nothing to See Here) The Widows Guide series by Amanda Ashby (mentioned in intro) www.twolitmamas.com

We're baaaack! We hope our absence made your hearts grow fonder. Ours certainly did! We missed you. As we catch up, be prepared to be inundated with 2 Lit Mamas episodes, starting with a dog-themed book chat in honor of Margie's new puppy. (Recorded in August)  Book Chat: Graphic Novel series for kids:  Wagnificent series by Bethanie Murguia Mystery series for grown-pups Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas are here to help you pack for vacation with books for little ones, middle graders, young adults, grown ups and weirdos. They’ve got books about canoeing goats, Hawaiian folklore, mind-controlling orchids, sirens, witches and more—perfect for reading on the beach, in your backyard or in Bigfoot’s hut in the Pacific Northwest. Grab one of the Mamas' recommendations and escape reality for the summer. Heather and Margie will be right there with you. Book Chat Picture book:  Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans and illustrated by Julia Patton  Middle Grade Books: How to Tell a True Story by Tricia Springstubb The Invisible Wild by Nikki Van de Car Young Adult Books: Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer When the Bones Sing by Ginny Meyers Sain Grown Up Books: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna Eat the ones you love by Sarah Maria Griffin The Sirens and Weyward by Emilia Hart Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jess Squanto Culture Creep: Notes on the Pop Apocalypse by Alice Bolin www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas get cooking in episode 111, serving up fun ideas to keep you and your kiddos active over summer break. From gluing 3-D toys to grilling up your veggies, the book chat is filled with a variety of resources to help prevent brain drain while you’re on vacay. Book Chat: My First Town, a Building Block Book by Merrill RaineyTasting History by Max MillerDear Writer, Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie SmithThe Essential Cottage Cookbook: Simply Delicious Recipes for Cottages, Cabins, and Wherever Your Travels Take You by Andrea BuckettThe Dessert Course, the Hows and Whys of Baking by Benjamin Delwiche, aka Benjamin the BakerSebze: Vegetarian Recipes from My Turkish Kitchen by Ozlem WarrenCrocheting the National Parks: 20 Patterns for Accessories, Home Décor, Plushies, and More Inspired by Natural Wonders by Krista AnnCozy Crime Scene Coloring book by Mira Luna and Jojo WeirdoCanton Cover-up Coloring Bookwww.twolitmamas.com

Fan-girling over a debut Young Adult novel, the Mamas eagerly get lost in the wilderness with a sisterhood of feral girls in the latest book chat. The Mamas are swept away by the twisty, slippery, primeval magic of the life-wrecking (in a good way) book. Is it fantasy or tragedy? The Mamas can't agree but they are here for it.  Book Chat: The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas are once again surprised by the awesomeness of graphic novels, geeking out over middle grade (ages 8-12) and YA (ages 13-17) books that are so engaging they can’t stop gushing about them. If you’re looking for great fantasy, historical fiction, realistic fiction, informational text, and memoir graphic novels that make perfect gifts or additions to the classroom, the Mamas have several to add to your lists.    Book Chat: K is in Trouble by Gary Clement Visitations by Corey Egbert Coven by Soman Chainani and Joel Gennari The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas are celebrating National Poetry Month on the 108th episode. They aren't happy about it but they're doing it, that's now much they love literature and their listeners. Join the Mamas as they offer questionable reviews of middle grade books in verse. We wish we could say they're not that bad, but they probably are. On a light note, Heather embarrasses herself by geeking out over a picture book at the end. Feel free to make fun of her, Margie certainly does.  Book Chat: Louder Than Hunger by John Schu Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis And Then, Boom by Lisa Fipps Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees by Michelle Schaub and illustrator Anne Lambelet www.twolitmamas.com

Y.A. all day with the Two Lit Mamas! In this episode, they’ve got four new books for teens and young adults, including a novella, an historical fiction novel, and two mysteries. But first, the Mamas reminisce about YA in the 80s, sharing books they thought were gnarly and grody. Be there or be square.  Book Chat:      Errant Roots (novella) by Sondra Taylor Truth, Lies and the Questions in Between by L.M. Elliott Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley  Links: 10 Cult Books that Defined Teen Girlhood in the ‘80s by Heather Pierce https://jennymag.com/2024/11/18/nostalgia-cult-books-teen-girlhood-80s/ www.twolitmamas.com