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Grab your broomsticks and settle in for a literary look at witches, witch trials, and the stories that have kept these fascinating figures alive in our imaginations. In this episode, we’re talking about books that explore everything from historical witch trials and the real women caught up in them to fictional witches, superstition, fear, and the complicated line between magic and reality. We’ll discuss the stories that captivated us, the history behind them, and why witches continue to cast such a spell over readers today. Titles mentioned in this episode: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty Killing the Witches by Bill O'Reilly The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd Weyward by Emilia Hart The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman The Witches of Ambridge by Alice Hoffman Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian The Crucible by Arthur Miller

This week, we’re stepping outside the familiar world of Anne Shirley and into one of L.M. Montgomery’s lesser-known novels, The Blue Castle. We’re talking about Valancy Stirling, a quiet woman who has spent her life following everyone else’s rules—until a startling diagnosis inspires her to finally take control of her own story. We’ll discuss Valancy’s transformation, the unexpected romance at the heart of the novel, Montgomery’s exploration of family expectations and societal conventions, and whether The Blue Castle deserves a place alongside her better-known works. Is this hidden gem as charming as we hoped? Titles mentioned in this episode: Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

What if the women history forgot were actually the women who changed everything? In this episode we’re diving into the fascinating historical fiction of Marie Benedict. Known for bringing remarkable women from history out of the shadows, Benedict’s novels explore the lives, relationships, struggles, and accomplishments of women whose stories deserve a closer look. We’ll talk about some of our favorite Marie Benedict books, the historical figures she brings to life, and what we love (and sometimes question!) about her approach to historical fiction. From famous names to lesser-known women, these stories give us plenty to discuss—and plenty of reasons to add another book to our reading lists! So grab a cup of something cozy and join us as we explore the books of Marie Benedict. Titles mentioned in this episode: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict The Only One in the Room by Marie Benedict The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek By Kim Michele Richardson The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson The First Ladies by Marie Benedict Queens Crime by Marie Benedict The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery Up Next: Book Club Episode: `The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

What books made you fall in love with reading? In this episode, we’re taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting some of our favorite childhood reads! We’ll talk about the stories we loved, the characters we still remember, and what happens when we return to those beloved books years later. Do they still hold up? Do we see them differently as adults? And which childhood favorites have earned a permanent place on our bookshelves? Join us for a nostalgic conversation about the books that helped shape us as readers. Titles mentioned in this episode: Superfudge byJudy Blume Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer Are You There Reader? It's Me, Judy by Nora Gallatin Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great by Judy Blume Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray Charlotte's Web by E. B. White Matilda by Roald Dahl James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl The BFG by Roald Dahl The Twits by Roald Dahl The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Pack your bags—but keep your feet up! In this episode we’re going on an armchair adventure through the pages of our favorite books. We’re talking about stories set in places we’d love to visit, from charming towns and historic cities to faraway destinations that make us want to book a ticket immediately. Come along as we share the books that have fueled our travel dreams, the places they’ve brought to life for us, and why sometimes the best way to explore a new destination is from the comfort of your favorite reading chair. 📚✈️ Titles mentioned in this episode: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon The Bungalow by Sarah Jio The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Molokai'i by Alan Brennert Grandma for Christmas by Alta Halverson Seymour The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Running or Your Life by Lopez Lomong Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

Titles mentioned in this episode: Dept. Q:The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett Daughter of Egypty by Marie Benedict The Italian Correspondet by Belinda Alexandra Self-Help from the Middle Ages by Peter Jones A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray The Secret Lives of Murderers Wives by Elizabeth Arnott A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan The Shippers by Kagtherine Center The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center Hello Stranger by Katherine Center Land by Maggie O'Farrell The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray The Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews The Lost Language of Oysters by Alexander McCall Smith The Island Club by Nicola Harrison The Women by Kristin Hannah Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh Someday This Will Be a Funny Story:The Quotable Norah Ephron by Norah Ephron The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke The Astral Library by Kate Quinn Daughter of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See The Mountains We Call Home by Kim Michele Richardson The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin The Most Wonderful Terrible Person: A Memoir of Murder in the Golden State by Debra Miller Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

What if your favorite literary characters were all thrown into the same yearbook? In this episode, we're handing out "Most Likely To..." superlatives to some of our favorite characters from the books we've read. From the character most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse to the one most likely to hold a grudge forever, we're making the case for who deserves each title. Along the way, we'll revisit beloved (and not-so-beloved) characters, debate our picks, and celebrate the personalities that have made these stories unforgettable. Whether you're a fan of timeless classics or just love talking about memorable fictional people, this episode is full of literary laughs, spirited discussion, and plenty of bookish fun. Titles mentioned in this episode: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Jane Eyre by Charlotee Bronte Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michalon Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe East of Eden by John Steinbeck To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom The Storied Life of A. J. Fikrey by Gabrielle Zevin The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Persuasion by Jane Austen Emma by Jane Austen The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers Les Miserables by Victor Hugo Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Macbeth by William Shakespeare The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Step into Victorian London with us as we discuss The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. In this episode, we chat about Emma's unforgettable voice, the wonderfully eccentric residents of St. Crispian's, and why this charming series has captured the hearts of so many readers. We share our favorite characters, memorable quotes, and which of the men in her life deserve to be "the one." Pour yourself a cup of tea and join our book club conversation!

Big stories don't always require big page counts. In this episode, we each chose a short book that made a lasting impression and shared what made it memorable. From powerful characters and thought-provoking themes to unforgettable storytelling, these books prove that a great read can come in a small package. Join us as we discuss the short books that packed the biggest punch and might just earn a spot on your reading list.Titles mentioned in this episode: And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman My Friends by Fredrik Backman A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Tuesday's With Morrie by Mitch Albom Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth BrowerUp next: Book Club Episode Featuring The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 1-4

Summer reading season is here! In this episode of Our Ultimate Summer Book List 2026, we each share three books we think are perfect additions to your summer reading lineup. Whether you're looking for an engaging page-turner, a thought-provoking read, or simply something fun to enjoy by the pool, we've got recommendations for a variety of readers. We also reveal one book each that we're planning to tackle this summer, giving you a glimpse into our own reading goals. Join us for plenty of book talk, recommendations, and inspiration for your best summer reading season yet! Titles mentioned in this episode: The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Educated by Tara Westover Tress of The Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson The Princess Bride by William Goldman Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers Playful Parenting by Lawrence J Cohen Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel Harry Potter by JK Rowling The Wild Robot by Peter Brown The Forget Me Not Summer by Leila Howland The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson The Queen's Gambit by Beth Brower The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion Beth Brower The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jennie Han It's Not Summer Without You by Jennie Han We'll Always Have Summer by Jennie Han The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn by Greta Eskridge The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson The Killing Series by Bill O'Reilly Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty The Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon The Astral Library Kate Quinn

In this episode, we set out to prove one thing: we don’t read science fiction. At least… that’s what we thought. Join us as we explore the sci-fi titles that pulled us out of our comfort zones—and maybe even changed our minds. Were these truly “science fiction,” or just great stories with a futuristic twist? Along the way, we share what surprised us, what challenged us, and whether we’re ready to embrace a genre we once avoided. So… do we read science fiction? You might be surprised by the answer. Books mentioned in this episode: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Dune by Frank Herbert Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 1984 by George Orwell The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Divergent by Veronica Roth Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The 2026 Newbery Medal winners are here, and we have thoughts. In this episode, we each spotlight a different honored title and break down what makes it award-worthy (or not!). From unforgettable characters to powerful themes, we’re sharing our honest reactions, favorite moments, and a few surprises along the way. Come chat books with us! Titles mentioned in this episode: The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamilo Little House on The Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil by E. Frankweiler The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly Smokey The Cow Horse by Will James On The Bank of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri Refugee by Alan Gratz Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser The Vanderbeekers Series by Karina Yan Glaser All The Blues in The Sky by Renée Watson A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila Pax by Sara Pennypacker Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Divergent by Veronica Roth Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

In this episode, we dive into I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel, a heartfelt celebration of the reading life. Each of us chose a different chapter to explore, sharing personal takeaways and favorite moments along the way. From the joy of getting lost in a good book to the habits and quirks that make readers unique, this conversation highlights why reading matters and how it shapes who we are. Whether you’re an avid reader or just getting back into books, there’s something here for you. Books mentioned in this episode: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner A Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Wonder by R.J. Palacio The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne Kingdom of Wrenley Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes LIttle House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Cannery Row by John Steinbeck East of Eden b John Steinbeck Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Erasure by Percival Everett James by Percival Everett Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl The Sugar Queen by Sarah Allen Bear Town by Fredrik Backman My Friends by Fredrik Backman

This week we are talking about banned and challenged books! What that actually means, why certain books get challenged, and whether those concerns feel fair or like an overreaction. Each of us picked a banned or challenged book to break down. We're discussing what it's about, why it was questioned, and where we personally land on it.  We also dive into bigger questions about age appropriateness, school vs. parent choice, and whether banning books really protects readers or just limits conversations. Titles mentioned in this episode: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Lord of The Flies by William Golding All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck East of Eden by John Steinbeck Erasure by Percival Everett Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Educated by Tara Westover Ashes by Frank McCourt The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner The House of My Mother by Shari Franke Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe Charlotte's Web by E.B. White Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

On this week's episode, we each chose a different title from Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 Book Club list and asked if they were worth the hype? We share star ratings, potential triggers, break down what worked (and what didn't), and help you decide whether these picks deserve a spot on your TBR! Titles mentioned: The Names by Florence Snap Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Heartwood by Amity Gaige Midnight Library by Matt Haig Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Little Women by Louisa May Alcott A Family Matter by Claire Lynch This Is A Love Story by Jessica Soffer The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill