Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Empathy, Astrology, and Kinship with Candice Carty-Williams

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Empathy, Astrology, and Kinship with Candice Carty-Williams Ashley interviewed Candice Carty-Williams about her novel, “People Person”. Ashley asked about creating kinship within long-lost family, using social media for validation, and Candice’s thoughts on romantic relationships. Ashley and Candice also share their big 3 in astrology.  Book content warning: death, mention of blood, revenge porn Book […]

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Blog, Book Reviews, Podcast Shownotes

I’m Glad My Mom Died: A Discussion about Jennette McCurdy’s Memoir

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Ashley, Rah, Mariquita, and Alana Amore discuss the memoir, I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy. The conversation gets into thoughts about how Jennette wrote her experiences including her relationship with her siblings, going to therapy, and healing after her abusive relationship with her mother.  There are spoilers in this conversation. There are also

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Joy, Grief, and Chosen Family: A Discussion with Eleanor Brown

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Mariquita talks with Eleanor Brown about what we miss when we discuss adoption, the importance of vulnerability and community, and her new book, Any Other Family.  Books mentioned: The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown Support our guest and hosts: Follow Eleanor: Website

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Our contributors:

Podcast Shownotes

Brooklyn, Bookstagram, & Community

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Alana sits down with Trae of @blkbookswap and Fayola of @readingforblacklives to discuss the origin and work of their Brooklyn/Bookstagram based orgs. This conversation breaks down the importance of community, representation, and what it’s like incorporating white people into communal spaces while holding space for poc.  Bookstores Mentioned:   CafeConLibros: Website // Instagram Adanne: Website //

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Blog, Bookish Life, Podcast Shownotes

Romance & Publicity with Berkley Publicist Kristin Cipolla

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Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about working in the book industry world? Berkley Romance publicists, Kristin Cipolla, and host Jordy, discuss all things book publicity and the romance genre. If you are a book lover, this one’s for you.  Book Mentioned: First Book Recommendation: Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

The Magic of Feeling Seen + Deconstructing Happily Ever After: What We Lose When We Embrace Princess Tropes

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There’s a special magic in feeling seen in a book – feeling like it was written just for you, to help validate your identity and experience. Maybe you even hesitate to recommend it because you can’t imagine anyone else could love it as much as you. Sally shares a couple of recent reads that gave

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Podcast Shownotes, Social Justice

Social Stance vs. Social Bullying with Marsha Molinari

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Simha Haddad and Marsha Molinari discuss the power behind social media platforms and the serious repercussions that come with misusing that power. Citing a recent incident in which a prominent celebrity used her platform to propel a false narrative, they delve into both the harm and the good that can come from a simple social

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Life in Canada’s Oil Sands – Kate Beaton interview of her new graphic novel, Ducks

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Niba chats with Kate Beaton about her life and new novel, Ducks. After university, Kate Beaton leaves family behind to join Alberta’s oil rush, but as one of the few women among thousands of men, the culture shock is palpable. The harsh reality of life in the oil sands is that trauma is an everyday

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Ukrainian Identity & Russian Accountability with Iuliia Mendel, former Press Secretary of Ukraine

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Natalia takes a quick break from maternity leave to talk to the inimitable and delightful Iuliia Mendel, former Ukraine Press Secretary and author of The Fight for Our Lives: My Time with Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s Battle for Democracy, and What It Means for the World. They talk about Ukrainian identity, Russian accountability, and how (maybe?) millennials

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Author Interview, Blog, Book Reviews, Podcast Shownotes

Updating the Required Reading List with Piecing Me Together + The Ever Evolving Media with Iman Hariri-Kia

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The episodes begins with Mariquita reviewing one of her new favorite young adult books titled Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. Piecing me together is a beautiful coming of age novel about a young Black girl in North Portland. Then in the second segment, Ashley speaks with Iman Hariri-Kia about her debut novel, A Hundred

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Forbidden Love & Arranged Marriages with Mansi Choksi + The Red, White & Blues

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In this episode Niba interviews Mansi Choksi about her debut book, The Newlyweds: Rearranging Marriage in Modern India. The Newlyweds is a literary investigation into India as a society in transition through the lens of forbidden love, as three young couples reject arranged marriages and risk everything for love in the midst of social and

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Media and Activism in Women’s Sports + Designated POC: Tokenism in Film with Marin Lepore

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In the first half of this episode Annie and Ashley continue the conversation about women’s sports. This time, the conversation leads more into athletes admired for their activism, what speaking about mental health on a grand stage means, and double standards amidst sports. A quick apology about the barks of Annie’s dog, Tobin Keith! His

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