Speaking LITerally

Speaking LITerally #57: The Long Awaited Dinner Party!

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The long awaited Dinner Party has arrived! So what does an author/character/podcast dinner party look like? What would a dinner at a swanky New York Italian restaurant look like with a group of fictional horror characters? What would their host gifts be? Take a listen and find out!

Also in this most recent episode, we discuss books including We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer and Funny Story by Emily Henry. Other topics include AI, Stephen King's upcoming retelling of Hansel and Gretel and the Salt Path Scandal.

Indie author Kat Neil will be joining the show to discuss her books and her love of books and writing. Next episode drops on August 4.

Happy Reading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #56: Book Club Featuring "On A Flight to Sydney"

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0000

With our 4th year anniversary show comes a first for us - a show trigger warning, please see ending note.

Book Club this month is JA Forde's "On a Flight to Sydney." According to a Steph during the show this is "one of my favorite romcoms!" Yep, this book is a perfect summer read, and it becomes one of our longer talks as while it is a sweet romance on the surface, there is so much more.

In this episode, we also discuss the decrease in reading and reading development in children 8-18 as well as doom-scrolling and Book Crawls.

Books discussed include:

"The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger
"Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb
"Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree
"Shield of Sparrows" by Devney Perry.

Take note that our book club discussion becomes a very personal conversation regarding topics of abuse, PTSD/Trauma and sexual assault. If these are triggers for you, please be aware.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #55 - Talking "BloodLily" with Indie author Jessika Grewe Glover

Mon, 19 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Dive into the world of books with us again this month as we discuss a wide variety of bookish things including thoughts on the cast for Sunrise on the Reaping and the July release of the Netflix adaptation of Remarkedly Bright Creatures.

Joining the show this month is return Indie author, Jessika Grewe Glover, who discusses her new release, BloodLily, a very spicy vampire romance!

Also discussed are the books Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle, Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley and more!

What are you doing on May 21? Have kids in your life? Join the millions of children around the world taking part in Australia's Simultaneous Storytime and read The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel

Don't miss another amazing episode!

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #54: Talking Tropes with Small Bookish Business Owner, Becca Lopez

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Becca Lopez, owner of Bookish Becca, Co., joins the show to discuss her shop - how she got started, her goals, and even the challenges of being a small business owner. Her online shop focuses primarily on candles, wax melts, lotions and soaps that are bookishly inspired.

Did you know that April 26 is Indie Bookstore Day? We share some information regarding this annual event, plus we provide updates on the UK beginning to feel some book banning pressure from the US. And, finally, what is your bedtime routine? It might not be listening to the audiobook of The Great Gatsby every night, but maybe it is.

Don't miss this fun epsiode where we also dive into book tropes. Specific books discussed include Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn and Bloodlily by Jessika Grewe Glover (who will be our guest on our next episode!)

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #53 - Author Interview with Jenn Bouchard

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Jenn Bouchard returns to the show to discuss her new book Considering Us, a fun story that won't leave you sad about a young private chef who takes on the role of Director of Dining at a New England boarding school after facing a scandal in Boston.

Not only do we get to welcome back a return author, but you also won't want to miss our discussions on several books and bookish topics including:

The Sunrise on the Reaping hype
Ali Hazelwood & Kimberly Lemming and the Tucson Festival of Books recap
The Outsiders by SE Hinton
And, not book related, but we do get the gruesome story of President James Garfield's assassination.

There is plenty more fun to be had. Just like with books, we don't want to give away all the spoilers! So relax and take a listen.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #52 - Book Club featuring "The Prison Healer" by Lynette Noni

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:34:36 +0000

What an episode this turned out to be! The moral and ethical roller coaster that our speed round takes us on was unexpected, but so, so good! And, all based off of ideas discussed throughout our book club chat on Noni's hit YA book, "The Prison Healer."

Besides an in-depth analysis of our March Book Club pick, there was much to discuss:

2025 Indieverse Award nominations are out - Speaking LITerally Podcast is up for THREE!
New UK Campaign - Make It Fair
Traveling Books
Preview of Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Other books that are addressed in this episode include, but aren't limited to:

Tell Me You Trust Me by Elle Owens
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Aurora Rising by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Considering Us by Jenn Bouchard

Next episode dropping on March 24 will feature guest Indie author Jenn Bouchard.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #51 - Jaqueline Snowe Author Interview

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Author Jaqueline Snowe joins the show to talk all things romance, specifically sports romance, and to discuss her debut thriller, Tell Me You Trust Me, that will be released on February 11 under the name Elle Owens.

Onyx Storm is all the rage right now, so there is a deep dive into the book, and thoughts and opinions are shared! Be aware there are spoilers on Onyx Storm that you may want to skip to avoid.

Other topics include, Author's Guild new "Human Authored" certification, book adaptations nominated for Academy Awards, and so much more.

The Book Club is reunited for the first time in 2025 in the next episode which drops March 3rd!

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #50 - Author Interview with Kevin Wolf!

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Hello episode 50! With the first official episode of 2025, the bookish duo rings in a new year with their 50th episode and a fantastic guest author!

Join them in welcoming award winning author Kevin Wolf to the show to talk about his contemporary western fiction mysteries.

Not only is Kevin a fantastic guest, but there are also many discussions revolving around the Tracy Wolff copyright infringement lawsuit, the release of Onyx Storm, and so much more.

Books discussed this episode include: Quicksilver, Orbital, The Heartless Hunter, Crave, and Trialridge just to name a few.

Thank you for coming back for episode 50, and here's to the next 50.

The next episode will drop in February with yet another amazing guest author - this time in the world of romance. You won't want to miss it.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #49: 2024 Year in Review

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Join Liz & Holly on Speaking LITerally #49 for a bookish look back at 2024!

2024 was another amazing book year! Join Holly and Liz as they reflect on the all the adventures shared over the past year. From Book Club discussions to amazing author interviews, 2024 has been a fun ride.

In this Year in Review, the bookish friends discuss their favorite reads and what they feel was the best book of the year. Liz also teaches Holly how to DNF a book. Nonfiction to romance to fantasy to thrillers are all discussed in this jam packed episode.

The duo will be back with their 50th episode on January 13 when they welcome their first guest author of the year, Kevin Wolf.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #48: Holiday Book ClLub!

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

'Tis the season for Book Awards and holiday reads! This month we have an exciting episode filled with talks of book award winners, Kindle news and a little bit of romance.

Holiday book discussions include thoughts on How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn and My December Darling by Lauren Asher before jumping into our Book Club discussion of the Victorian holiday novella, A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews.

While Matthews book is sweet and romantic, it is surprising how quickly the discussion turned to more spicy topics in romance books. What do spreadsheets have to do with spice? Well, you'll need to check out this episode to learn more.

We will be back in a couple weeks with one of our favorite episodes of the year - Year in Review! Until then, Happy Reading!

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #47: NaNoWriMo and author DW Brooks

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The holiday season is upon us. And as always, there is so much to talk about when it comes to the world of books! So, what will you get in this episode?

The Booker Prize challenge winner
Update on NaNoWriMo
Mini-Book Discussions
Engaging interview with Author DW Brooks

Plus a whole lot of fun and laughs! Don't miss it!

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

Follow on Instagram

Speaking LITerally #46: Witches & Werewolves, Ghosts & Ghouls...It's Spooky Season!

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's October - one of the best times of the year! Join us as we take on all the fun of the spooky season!

Besides our chat on upcoming book adaptations, a mention of a recent Disneyland trip and an upcoming Ireland trip, and NaNoWriMo goals, we discuss many books that might give you something to add to your end of the month reading list.

Just a small sampling of the books we discuss:

Slewfeet by Brom
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar
Dreamcatcher by Stephen King
Witchy Sour by Gina LaManna
Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
The Church Beneath the Roots by Felix Blackwell

What more would you want during October than witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies and all matters of things that go bump in the night? Well, if you are a Robin Cook fan you're in luck! We do a little dive into medical thrillers as well.

There is definitely something for everyone this month don't miss out. We will be back next month with a guest author!

Don't forget to vote for us beginning Nov. 1 for the Indieverse Awards!

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #45: Special Guest Madeleine Elizabeth

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

What's in store for you in the latest episode? More of what you have come to expect and love from Speaking LITerally! We give our respects to Dame Maggie Smith, discuss the end of Banned Books Week 2024, and make our formal Booker Prize predictions.

Sarah Chamberlain's new book, Slow Burn, and Hooked by Emily McIntire get some mini book discussion air time. And, this is all before we welcome Indie author, Madeleine Elizabeth to the show.

While Madeleine shares her thoughts and ideas on her debut novel, Castle Witch, she also discusses multiple Taylors, Maine lobsters, the importance of Finding Nemo, and the power of traditional literary elements.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #44: Book Club Discusses Darcy Coates' Gallows Hill

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's September, which means it's time to kick off spooky season. Nothing does that better than bringing together the Speaking LITerally Book Club girls for one of our best book discussions to date! What book? Darcy Coates' Gallows Hill! Get ready for a great time!

The Gilmore Girls and Hypnovels are also topics discussed in between book conversations which include The Host by Stephanie Myers, Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff and One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig.

It may be one of the longer episodes, but you won't regret sticking with it until the end. The speed round game this episode is definitely one for the books.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #43 - Bookstagram Made Me Do It!

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's not just Instagram and TikTok. Instead, it's been Bookstagram and Booktok for quite some time! Holly and Liz take on exploring the influence of social media in the literary world, more specifically, their own literary worlds.

The bookish duo are both feeling quite under the weather, but that doesn't keep them from having fun and discussing everything from the rise of book clubs and book events for Gen Z to the recent BookTok Awards and everything in between!

Books mentioned this month include: The God of Woods by Liz Moore, The Taking by Dean Koontz, The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward, You Like it Darker by Stephen King, 50 Shades of Grey by EL James, and so many more that.

The question remains, how has social media influenced your literary journey?

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #42 - Historical Fiction author Kimberly Burns

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

This is a great episode with not just one special guest, but two!

After sharing some of the latest bookish news, Holly's 15-year-old daughter Penelope joins the show to participate in a book talk on the newest book in the Inheritance Games series, The Grandest Game, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. She's quite opinionated, especially about Grayson.

Then author Kimberly Burns shares her passion for historical fiction and the women of the Old West. As an indie author, she talks about her experiences and the women whose stories she wants to tell, like Mattie Silks and "Baby Doe" Mrs. Tabor. Kim also describes some the Museums of Prostitution that were visited during her research!

As always, it's a fun and wild episode. The Book Club Ladies will all be back September 9, to kick off fall and spooky reading season with a discussion of Gallows Hill by Darcy Coates.

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #41: Indie author Bridget Van der Eyk

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Indie author Bridget Van der Eyk joins the show to talk about her two romance books, 10 Dates and 3000 Words. Bridget is one of the most bubbly, friendly and carefree people you will meet, and the interview was an absolute blast!

Bridget shares her story of self publishing, her inspiration for the story, snippets of her life and what it's like to be an Australian author writing books about the United States. Bridget is also a 2024 Indieverse Award nominee for Best Romance Novel, so don't miss this episode. We will definitely want to learn more about her and her books - not to mention her WIPs!

Also in this episode, Holly and Liz give a mid-year check in on books read and anticipated reads. Fabulosa Books in San Francisco gets a little shout out as well.

Some of the books mentioned and discussed in this episode include Butcher and Blackbird, Seeds of Deception, The Serpent & Wings of Night, and The 57 Bus. Also discussed are The Grandest Game and TJ Klune's TWO upcoming releases.

Author CT Ortega gets huge shout out as his newest stand alone, Death's Loving Embrace, gets some high marks.

July is a bonus episode month, so be on the lookout for the next episode to drop on July 29

#HappyReading

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #40: Jinx by Jessica Huntley in the Book Club!

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Join Holly & Liz as they celebrate 3 years of Speaking LITerally with a classic book club discussion!

This wouldn't be the three year anniversary show without without a little bit of fun and shenanigans.

Between the amazing book club discussion and the thought on the new Hunger Games books, there is a lot of talk about. Jinx by Jessica Huntley was a great book club choice. It it a deep and at times very emotional read.

Other books discussed include Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

It's a long one this one, so sit back and enjoy the books.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #39: It's Dark Academia Time

Mon, 27 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's Dark Academia time and the book duo couldn't be more excited. But there is so much to talk about in the book world. Author Jacqueline Wilson is bringing back the characters from her series "The Girls" 20 years later as adults. " Ransom Riggs is releasing a brand new Fantasy Series, his first since the "Miss Peregrine" series.

Plus conversations on books including Sweet Valley High, Mister Magic, Atlas Six, The Familiar, Babel, Ninth House, and several more.

This episode is not short on laughs, shenanigans, and lots of books. You won't want to miss it. The Book Club girls return June 17 for a discussion on Jinx by Indie Author, Jessica Huntley.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #38: Sarahlyn Bruck talks Light Of Fire + the Tucson Tome Gnome!

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Get ready for a jam packed episode! This month we are so excited to bring on multiple guests starting with Emily and Jody from Tucson Tome Gnome, a non-profit organization that brings books into the community every month in a Scavenger Hunt style. This is such an amazing organization created by three friends who have a passion of books. The origins of their partnership with author TJ Klune is a really cool story you won't want to miss.

We are also joined by Sarahlyn Bruck who discusses her new book Light of the Fire which is a great book focused on love, life, friendship, and the pressures of holding in a 20 year old secret.

AND, did you know that Holly Black is working on a strategy game? Well, we share what we know!

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #37: BOOK CLUB! Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's Book Club Month!

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson is the topic for this month's discussion, and there is a split opinion on it.

Before the deep dive into the book, the book duo discuss topics including influential women authors in honor of International Women's Month, Audible's new royalty program, and Leigh Bardugo's new mega publishing deal just to name a few.

Some books mentioned in this episode include The Watchers, Belladonna, Vampires of El Norte, Necessary Lies and Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #36: Author Katie Cawood

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Author Katie Cawood joins the show to discuss her book Lesson Learned and the upcoming sequel, Love Lessons, that will be released on March 29. Katie's series is a workplace romance surrounding teachers. We have a fun conversation, including what her 12 year old son thinks.

There are also some lively discussions surrounding Romance Exclusive bookshops, Generation Z's reading preferences, and M. Night Shyamalan's upcoming movie adaption of AM Shine's The Watchers which will hit theaters in June.

Some of the books that come up in conversation include The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, Belladonna and Unwind just to name a few.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #35: 2024 Reading Goals + Kristina Carmela & the 2024 Indieverse Awards

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000

We are starting 2024 with a bang! Did you set a goal for the year to read more of your TBR list? It's great to have our first episode be on a topic like TBR lists as readers can relate.

Join us as we discuss all things TBR, identify some of the books that have been hanging out on our lists and what we plan to do about it.

We welcome special guest Kristina Carmela to discuss the 2024 Indieverse Awards. This is such a cool opportunity and one that we will be discussing and monitoring throughout the year. She shares everything you need to know about how to participate!

There is also some great discussion about Instagram engagement groups, Goodreads, Zooniverse and a whole bunch of books.

You don't want to miss the fun, the laughs, or the tangents. Take a listen!

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #34: Reading Through 2023!

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2024, but before we can embrace the new year, we must close out 2023. This past year has been full of ups and downs, but it didn't fail in providing some amazing reads.

After discussing a bedbug issue in a London Library and a research study on reading comprehension impact between print and digital books, the bookish friends dive into all the memorable books of 2023.

They discuss topics from the strangest books read to their top genres. The year in review wouldn't be complete without identifying their top monthly reads as well as their favorite book of the year. Spoiler alert - for the first time in podcast history, they picked a different top book!

There are romance and thrillers. There are fantasies and historical fiction. With a combined total of 128 books read between the pair in 2023, there is a lot to talk about.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #33: Book Club featuring Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Speaking LITerally #33: Book Club featuring Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights

It's Book Club time! This month's conversation focuses on Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights. It is a collection of 12 short stories set to a Gothic tone. It was a very different read, but provided a lot of topics for discussion. There is also a bonus mini discussion on Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros that you won't want to miss (no spoilers for this one.)

This month other topics include the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards, 2023 Booker Prize winner, and the winner for the 2023 oddest book title. Beyond these, there is always so much fun bookish and non-bookish randomness to chat about. Have you heard of lebkuchen? Well, it's a brief topic of conversation.

As always, there are many laughs and so much fun to be had. So sit, back, relax, and take a listen. See you in 2024!

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #32: Author Jes Smyth & her novel Time For Once

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Author Jes Smyth joins the show to discuss her debut novel, Time for Once, and drops a little exclusive piece of information regarding the upcoming release of her second novel, Dream for a Second.

The shenanigans are in full effort throughout this month's show which creates laugh after laugh. Naturally, Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros is discussed (with no spoilers) because well, why would it not be discussed!? Additional topics this month include James Joyce, Shadow and Bone Season 3 update, Goodreads Book of the Year Voting, and music sensation Pink's partnership with PEN America.

Make sure to listen to the end, the show's traditional speed round is one to not be missed.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #31: Book Club - Colleen Hoover's Verity

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to another adventure into the bookish world.

Liz and Holly have finally read their first Colleen Hoover book, Verity, and have quite a lot to say about it with their pals Stephanie and Jennifer as part of the book club discussion.

It's also Spooky Season, so it would be irresponsible to not talk about books for the season. Books discussed in this episode include: The September House by Clarissa Orlando, Gerald's Game by Stephen King, The Grand Hotel by Scott Kenemore, All Hallows by Christophers Golden plus a few of our other favorites.

Besides scary books and the breakdown of Verity, Bookish topics include AI's impact on the book world, the Booker Prize Shortlist, and more.

When they're Speaking LITerally, it's bound to a good time with plenty of shenanigans.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

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Speaking LITerally #30: featuring Rain City Gothic author Peter D Baker!

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The book duo is back at it! This month they welcome author Peter D Baker to the show to discuss his novel, Rain City Gothic!

Additional book chat consists of Rachel Beanland's book talk debacle in Florida in regards to her new historical fiction book, The House is on Fire and our excitement over next month's release of Lessons In Chemistry on Apple TV.

Books discussed this month include:

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
Stars Like Gasoline by Jessika Grewe Glover
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynne Barnes
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
And several more

This episode goes from popcorn to politics., so be prepared!

Next month, they return with another Book Club episode focusing on Colleen Hoover's Verity. This will be the first Colleen Hoover book Holly and Liz have every read! You will definitely not want to miss it.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

Follow on Instagram

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Speaking LITerally #29: Book Club Featuring Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For this August bonus episode, Holly and Liz welcome back Steph and Jenn for a special Book Club focused on Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Spoilers, conspiracy theories, opinions, and predictions a plenty in this fun time for all.

Holly and Liz also share some information and their thoughts on Texas House Bill 900 and the idea that Stephen King books are YA. Not sure about that one! There are also plenty of other books mentioned and discussed besides Fourth Wing. Some of the books discussed in this episode include: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and several more.

The dynamic duo will return on September 18 with special guest, author Peter D. Baker.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

Follow on Instagram

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Speaking LITerally #28: Characters: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Who are some of your favorite characters? What is it that makes you love them so much? Join Holly and Liz as they discuss all things character related.

The duo also weighs in on the BookTok / Hockey controversary that seems to be making waves. Plus, there is plenty of books to discuss:

Final Girls Support Group
Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series
The House on the Cerulean Sea
From Blood and Ash & A Soul of Ash and Blood

Just to name a few of the books that come up in conversation! The book buddies will be back in two weeks on August 21 with their next Book Club episode featuring an in-depth review and analysis of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. You won't want to miss it.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

Follow on Instagram

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Speaking LITerally #27: Author Jenn Bouchard

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

This month, the book duo is joined by Jenn Bouchard, author of First Course and the soon to be released, Palms on the Cape. Jenn is a fun, laid back author who shares a lot of insight into her books, her process, and the literary world.

Holly and Liz also share some thoughts on upcoming adaptions including Wonka; Red, White and Royal Blue; and The Lunar Chronicles to name a few. Oh, and Adam Driver as Snape? In true fashion, there is a lot of laughter, fun and bookish nonsense. Listen to partake in the fun.

About Speaking LITerally

Resident bookworms Liz & Holly explore their favorite world--BOOKS--in this all new podcast focused around new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.

What are you reading? Find our their favorites and upcoming reads along with stories from authors and more on Speaking LITerally!

Follow on Instagram