Episodes

😎 4 Fiction Recs for Your Neurodivergent Awakening — with Bailey Lang

OMG we've got our first guest — Bailey Lang of The Writing Desk! Bailey is a late-diagnosed neurodivergent writer, editor, and coach. Through her company, The Writing Desk, she helps businesses and authors tell stories that matter. Bailey has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember, and her favorite thing to do is talk about books and writing. Bailey reached out to me at the end of last year, asking if we could do an episode together. She proposed that she could share a list of fiction reads with great neurodivergent representation… and I said YES PLEASE! So in this episode, we’ll hear from Bailey as she shares a few of her fave books with implicit and explicit representation of autistic or neurodivergent characters. We love to see/hear it! 😎 Bailey’s Book Recs: The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale All Systems Red by Martha Wells “Vaster Than Empires and More Slow” by Ursula K. Le Guin PLUS! This whole list of neurodivergence-related books that Bailey recommends

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🌱 7 Recent Poetry Collections that Make Me Feel Alive

Poetry is perfect for liminal seasons. And I find myself craving poetic wisdom as winter drags on and slowly turns to spring. So in this episode, I’m recommending seven recent poetry collections (released in 2023, 2024 or 2025) that are helping me feel alive right now! These books take on a wide range of themes, tones, and poetic forms, so there’s something here for everyone. Enjoy! 📜 Recommended Books 3:00 Two Open Doors in a Field by Sophie Klahr 5:00 Instructions for Traveling West by Joy Sullivan 6:00 Gemini Gospel by Bianca Alyssa Pérez 8:30 recurring characters by evan chelsee 11:45 Amouroboros by Amelia K. 14:45 Big Money Porno Mommy by Catherine Weiss 18:00 Survival Takes a Wild Imagination by Fariha Róisín

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🎓 6 Dark Academia Recs [YA standalone edition]

February is the shortest, darkest month. So why not go back to the most ominous place I can imagine... high school? ☠️ In this episode, I'm recommending six dark academia books that all take place in high school and are written for a YA audience.  Tune in to hear how these academic adventures take on the more unsavory aspects of our society — addressing racism, sexism, and classism within the ivory tower and beyond. Then grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase your own copies!   🎓 YA Dark Academia Recs: How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavasky Their Vicious Games by Joelle Washington Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee    

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💘 5-Star Romance: My All Time Faves, Unconventional Picks & TBR

Happy Valentine's season, my lovely readers/listeners! In this episode, I'm celebrating the month of ~~love~~ by sharing a curated list of 5-star romances including my all time faves, a few unexpected picks, and my February romance TBR. We're talking about 17 romantic books in this episode — including all your fave tropes like enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, second chance and more. Tune in to inspire your own heartwarming reading list. Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo   💘 ALL TIME FAVE ROMANCE RECS Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle In Five Years by Rebecca Serle Role Playing by Cathy Yardley The Pairing by Casey McQuiston Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston Beach Read by Emily Henry Book Lovers by Emily Henry Seven Days in June by Tia Williams 🖤 UNEXPECTED ROMANCE PICKS The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk Bride by Ali Hazelwood You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi 💓 MY CURRENT ROMANCE TBR Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake Forget Me Not by Julie Soto This Time it’s Real by Ann Liang

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⏱️ Dragons, Dancers & Time Travel — 60-Second Reviews of All 15 Books I Read in January

I read 15 books in January. Some I loved, some I...didn't, and others I barely remember! 🙃 So let's try out a monthly reading recap. In this episode, I'm sharing 60 second reviews of everything I read this month from romance to fantasy to extreme horror. Dragons, dancers, and time travel, oh my! I hope you enjoy!   Books mentioned in this episode: Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle Even Though I Knew the End by C. L. Polk All Systems Red by Martha Wells Second Night Stand by Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Seven Days in June by Tia Williams Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy Bluejay by Megan Stockton Dead Girls Talking by Megan Cooley Peterson Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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🧊 3 Winter Thrillers to Chill Your Bones

My favorite winter activity is cozying up with a good book. And when I *really* want to embrace the dark vibes of the season, I turn to a creepy, cold-weather thriller. So in this episode, I'm recommending three snow-drenched thrillers that I recently enjoyed reading — all of which feature blizzards, bad relationships, and twists that I never saw coming. I hope you enjoy!   Books recommended in this episode: ⛪️ Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney ✍️ The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz ❄️ Night Watching by Tracy Sierra

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🌟 My 2025 5-Star TBR

My intention for 2025 is to read fewer books and to read better books. Basically, I *really* want more 5-star reads this year, and I think I have to change up my reading habits to make that happen! So to kick off my year in reading, I've collected 25 books I already own that I think will be 5-star reads for me. I'm calling this MY FIVE-STAR TBR (yes, that's all-caps), and in this episode I'm introducing all 25 books to you and explaining why I think they might be 5-star reads! Tune in to hear the list, or head straight to my bookshop to find them all at your convenience.

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🏆 2024 Reading Faves & Flops

Today I'm wrapping up our year in reading by sharing my four favorite books of 2024 and my four biggest flops — not the books I hated but the reading habits and routines that really did not work for me this year. Tune in to hear why I loved the books I loved best and what went ... horribly wrong on my TBR over the past twelve months.   My Fave Reads of 2024: 🛣️ Instructions for Traveling West by Joy Sullivan 🍋 Body Work by Melissa Febos 🍷 The Pairing by Casey McQuiston 👹 Come Closer by Sarah Gran  

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⏱️ 30-Second Reviews of All 150 Books I Read This Year

Somehow I managed to read 150 books this year (?!) and in honor of this wildly unrealistic accomplishment, I decided to record a mega-episode reviewing every single one of them!   Tune in to hear my 30-second recap + review of all these books, featuring lots of popular romance, thriller, horror and literary fiction. 📚 And click here for a list of every single book I mentioned in this episode!  

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🎄 3 Christmas Romances I Actually Like

As an avid holiday romance reader, I've experienced the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the genre. 🙃 So in this episode, I'm curating the three books that I think actually live up to the Christmas romance hype!   Tune in to learn why these three are my faves and to hear about a few honorable mentions that I recommend for certain kinds of readers. And be sure to click the (affiliate) links to gift yourself or your fave friends a copy.    Books recommended in this episode: ❄️ THE CLASSIC ROMANTIC ONE — One Day in December by Josie Silver 🎁 THE BRAND NEW ONE — Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake 🌶️ THE SEXY SERIES — A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone 🎄 HONORABLE MENTIONS — Set the Record Straight by Hannah Bonam-Young, Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle, The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling, Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot

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🎓 5 Dark Academia Recs [adult fantasy edition]

We’re heading back to school this week with five magical dark academia reads. ☠️ Each of these books features a clever cast of students facing out-of-this-world challenges — and the educational settings range from southern gothic mansions to murderous-monster-schools, including Yale University, a dragon-wielding war college and the mythical Library of Alexandria. Tune in to hear about these eclectic, intellectual fantasies, and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase your own copies!   🎓 Dark Academia Recs: An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros   📓 Also mentioned: The Secret History by Donna Tartt If We Were Villians by M.L. Rio   🎬 Youtube videos to watch: The Book Leo on Dark Academia This Story Ain’t Over on Race in Dark Academia  

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🔑 7 Memoirs & Self-Help Books by People I Adore

Today we dive into other peoples’ lives with this list of seven memoirs and self-help books by people I adore! Tune in to hear how these amazing folks and their books have changed my life for the better. Then find the (affiliate) links below to purchase. These all make great gifts!   🔑 Memoir Joy Enough by Sarah McColl Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig How to Be Alone to Nicole Antoinette Rust Belt Femme by Raechel Ann Jolie   🔑 Self-Help You Belong by Sebene Selassie Feel Something, Make Something by Caitlin Metz Inner Workout by Taylor Elyse Morrison

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🍱 My Top 8 Nonfiction Reads for Foodies

This week, I’m sharing my Top 8 nonfiction reads for foodies — which includes a wide range of nonfiction genres from memoirs to essay collections to cookbooks and more! Tune in to hear about a few delicious reads, and find the (affiliate) links below to purchase. These all make great gifts! 🍴Top 8 Nonfiction Reads for Foodies An Everlasting Meal & An Everlasting Cookbook by Tamar Adler Burn the Place by Iliana Regan Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner No Meat Required by Alicia Kennedy Eat & Flourish by Mary Beth Albright Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat What Goes with What by Julia Turshen Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

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💀 13 Creature Features for the Girlies [with Spooky & Not-Spooky Recs]

This week, I’m sharing 13 (!!) books featuring monstrous creatures of all kinds. And I'm calling it creature features *for the girlies* because these books are all authored by non-cis-white-male writers, and they feature a diverse cast of main characters human and not-so-human. Tune in to hear about a few fantastical reads, and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase! 💀 Spooky Recs The Return by Rachel Harrison Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo Night’s Edge by Liz Kerin Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder   👻 Not Spooky Recs The Deep by Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes Bride by Ali Hazelwood So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Roberts   🖤 Next Up TBR Chlorine by Jade Song Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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🎀 My Pink Horror TBR + a Fun Audio Romance

This week, I’m sharing five books on my Pink Horror TBR AKA five horror reads for the gworls that all have pink covers. 💄 I also tell you a bit about my new fave audiobook by nerdy romance queen Ali Hazelwood herself. 👾 Tune in to hear about a few fun reads and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase!   🎀 My Pink Horror TBR: Pink Slime by Fernanda Trías [05:50] Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson [07:55] The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir [09:55] youthjuice by e.k.sathue [12:50] The White Guy Dies First edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker [15:15]   

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♟️ Sally Rooney Ranked

This week, I’m talking about Irish author Sally Rooney and ranking her popular novels from my least to most favorite.  I also share why I think she may not be for everyone... but she absolutely is for me! Tune in to hear about a few fun reads, then grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase.    ♟️ Sally Rooney chronologically: Conversations with Friends (2017) Normal People (2018) Beautiful World, Where Are You? (2021) Intermezzo (2024)     

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💖 7 Magical Series for Romantic Witches

This week, I’m sharing seven witchy romance series for a rose-colored spooky season. 🌹  There are four series I've read and love, and three I've got on my TBR. I rate the ones I've read based on general witchy-ness, magical romance, spicyness & spoookiness!  🧙‍♀️ ❤️‍🔥 🌶️ 👻 Tune in to hear about a few fun reads and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase!    💖 Witchy Romance Series I Recommend: Witches of Thistlegrove by Lana Harper (5 books, completed): Payback's a Witch, From Bad to Cursed, Back in a Spell, In Charm's Way, Rise and Divine  Witchlore by Hazel Beck (3 books so far): Small Town, Big Magic; Big Little Spells; Truly, Madly, Magically The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (3 books, completed): The Ex Hex, The Kiss Curse, The Wedding Witch Supernatural Singles by April Asher (3 books, completed): Not the Witch You Wed, Not Your Ex's Hexes, Not Your Crush's Cauldron   💖 My Witchy Romance Series TBR: The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman   

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👒 10 Books about #Girlboss Influencers

Welcome to the first episode of pleasure reading! On this podcast, we explore the pleasure of reading through curated book lists, author rankings, and tiny chats with book-ish friends. This week, I’m sharing my top ten recs for books about #girlboss influencers — think CEOs, social media celebrities, The-Wing-totebag-toting women, and more! Tune in for a few fun reads to add to your TBR or to find some camaraderie around books you’ve already read. And make sure to peep the chapters to skip to a specific title, and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase!   👒 #Girlboss fiction I recommend: [3:00] Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks [5:30] A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin [7:35] Followers by Megan Angelo [9:35] Self Care by Leigh Stein   👒 #Girlboss nonfiction I recommend: [11:10] Swipe Up for More!: Inside the Unfiltered Lives of Influencers by Stephanie McNeal [12:50] Glossy: Ambition, Beauty & the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier by Marisa Meltzer   👒 My #Girlboss TBR: [15:10] People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd [16:00] A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia [16:45] City of Likes by Jenny Mollen [17:30] Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

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📖 Welcome to Pleasure Reading

This is a podcast about the pleasure of reading. Tune in for curated book lists, short & sweet reviews, author rankings, guest faves & more. If you, too, take pleasure in reading, please subscribe and share the show with a friend. Here's to your next best book xo

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