This episode, we’re joined by author Miriam Wade to talk about her journey as a writer, the inspiration behind her stories and her upcoming release, The Ghosts of Bramblewood Bay, coming September 10!

We also dive into some big things happening in the book world including the continued rise of physical book sales, the newly revealed titles and cover designs for the next ACOTAR books and LitCircle, a new digital book platform currently in beta testing in Chicago.

And, of course, we talk books! From Dungeon Crawler Carl to foodie fiction and the endlessly fascinating world of Stephen King, there’s plenty to add to your TBR.

Another episode full of books, authors and plenty of bookish fun. Give it 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!

Follow on Instagram

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

We’re talking books, authors, reading obsessions and a whole lot of literary rabbit holes!

This week, we’re joined by author Craig Brown for a fun conversation about his literary journey and his upcoming book, Dignity, releasing September 1.

We also dive into: The Booker Prize Long List, why our brains convince us to buy more books than we could ever possibly read, the surprising influence of The Odyssey on poetry, Our thoughts on several recent reads, and plenty of bookish opinions and stories along the way!

Basically, it's a conversation about all the things we love about the bookish world.

So grab your TBR pile, your favorite reading drink, and come hang out with us!

#HappyReading

If your TBR wasn't already out of control... we're about to make it worse.

It's Book Club time, and the Book Club Girls are diving into Melissa Albert's The Children and breaking down the creepy vibes, the twists, and everything that had us questioning what was real.

Then we're talking all things Books in Cinema, including The Odyssey, the Hunger Games theater re-release (because yes, we're absolutely going back), and our reactions to the trailers for Other Mommy and The Love Hypothesis.

We're also reviewing The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers, Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood, and Poison in Pickensburg by Ron Peer.

Basically? If it's bookish, we're talking about it. New releases, adaptations, reviews, theories, and plenty of unhinged bookish chatter along the way. Grab your drink, press play, and come hang out with us!

#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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

CM Kuhtz joins the show to talk about their writing journey in the indie book world including their book imprint, which was just started. Their most recent book, Everything the Sun Touches, was also just released in March!

The show also covers topics such as:

• does reading make you more attractive
• book inspired traveling
• even more book to screen (of game) adaptations.

A few of the books discussed include Daggermouth by H.M Wolfe and Without a Hitch by Portia Macintosh.

We'll be back in July! #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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

Indie author Kelsey Painter joins the show to talk about her books, her current project and her writing journey. Check out her latest book, How Deep is the Ocean which just released in May.

This episode has a little bit of everything with no shortage of books to talk about. Some of the titles we take a look at include Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Correspondent, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Whalefall, and the Odyssey to name a few.

Plus, Holly shares an Indie focused 2026 Beach Reads list that includes titles from Jenn Bouchard, Ally Hollis, Becca Lopez, Jenny Kane, Tonya Kappes, Usher Evans and a few others. All cozy mysteries and fun foodie/beachy reads. It will definitely fill up your TBR.

Until next time.... #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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

Lis McDermott joins the show to talk about her writing process, and her books! Specially, the latest in her series, The Beaconsbury Forest, which has book 3, Kian, releasing on June 17.

What are your thoughts on the AI controversy? We discuss some current AI concerns and thoughts as well as Brandon Sanderson's latest adaptation announcement.

Additionally, some books discussed through out the episode include Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry.

Take a listen and enjoy!

#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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

We can't wait to talk about several authors who just announced new books. Plus, what happened at BookCon? There is quite a bit of book news to talk about before getting into the Book Club Discussion on McConaghy's Wild Dark Shores.

In this episode we also discuss Bromeliad House by Jessika Grewe Glover and Piranesi by Suzanna Clark.

Catch up on all the latest bookish news!

#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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

Indie author DW Brooks returns to the show to share everything she has been up to over the last 2 1/2 years since she first appear. We share in the delights of her newest release, The Match Game, which was released last month.

This show is also one for the tangent record books. But, how could we over look the historical mission of Artemis 11? Ok, the Titanic tangent may be a little unpredictable!

We do also discuss books! In this episode we discuss The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen and Hopeless by Elsie Silver, plus Remarkably Bright Creatures and the House on the Cerulean Sea. There are plenty of laughs as we share our love of 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!

Follow on Instagram

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

Author and Filmmaker Leon Mitchell joins the show to share is experience as a children's author and storyteller. His insightful thoughts on writing for children vs adults will make you want to pick up his most recent book, Felicity Fire and the Forever Key. And, if you are a fan of 80s movies, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Also in this jam packed episode, we discuss the Tucson Festival of Books, Harry Potter TV series trailer, a bookish t-shirt design contest and so much more!

Some of the books discussed include Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Bromelaid House by Jessika Grewe Glover, Gunslinger by Stephen King and The Beach House on Amelia Island by Hope Holloway.

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

Big literary news this week with new ACOTAR books in our future and World Book Day. There was quite a bit to chat about this epsiode. Fan of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow? We've got news for you.

Indie romance author, Hadley Grey also joins the show to talk about her experience as an indie author as well as her latest novel, Seducing the Scientist.

Until next time.... #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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

Nothing makes a podcast better than talking about a book focused on serial killers falling in love with each other and then having an either/or speed round that is just as disturbing, but that's what you get in the latest episode. All that and a lot of laughs.

We also talk about Game of Thrones and the new app "Upscrolled". But, once again, the book club girls go a little off the rails, although it's for all the best reasons. Check it out and share the laughter and the love of books.

Until next time.... #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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

J.A. Forde joins the show to discuss her Love Along the Way series, her journey as an Indie author, the upcoming Scottish bookish tour with Lumina Literary Tours and so much more.

Also in this episode, we discuss the decline of mass market books, Hamnet's big screen success, and some theories regarding trends on the New York Times Best Sellers List. There is always so much to talk about when we let the books talk for themselves!

#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

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

Join us as we well cozy heist caper author Sasha Preston to the show. She shares her insights on her Sweet Escape series and her writing process.

We also dive into conversations on the movies up for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars, Audiobooks in a Card, and the author who sold his 50 millionth book!!

Book discussions include The Storm by Rachel Hawkins, Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive, and several others!

Don't miss this latest 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!

Follow on Instagram

• @speakliterallypodcast
• @lizzieslittlebooknook
• @azdesert_bookworm

We're kicking 2026 off with an amazing Australian indie author! See what you are missing out on if you haven't read any of Bridget's books - including her newest release The Husband Wishlist.

This episode also takes a look at some of the 2025 book trends, genre bookstores, and a review of the Netflix adaption of Emily Henry's 'People We Meet on Vacation'. Specific books discussed include Upgrade by Blake Crouch, Blood of Bright Haven by ML Wang, and Quicksilver by Callie Hart.

#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

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Speaking LITerally #65: 2025 Year In Review

Every year seems to be full of more bookish goodness than the last, and 2025 was no exception. Join Holly and Liz can they take a trip down memory lane and reflect on their top books of the year and some of the books that are on their list for 2026.

Stick around for the 2026 season for more shenanigans and even more author interviews. It's going to be great!

Sending wishes for a wonderful and happy new year!

#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

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Speaking LITerally #64: Book Club Featuring The Most Wonderful Crime of The Year

The final episode of 2025 is here, and there is no better way to wrap up the year than with a book club episode! Jen and Steph join Holly and Liz to discuss Ally Carter's popular holiday mystery romance. Let's just say the book was a BIG hit!

Additional topics include the Goodread's Reader Choice Award winners, Audible's partnership with TikTok, the debate over teaching excerpts vs whole novels in schools, book adaption updates and, of course, some holiday reads!

As another year comes to an end, here is a huge, heart filled thank you for all the support of this little podcast. Have a wonderful, safe and relaxing holiday season.#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

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Australian Indie Author Sean Bobby Kerr joins the show to discuss his epic fantasy book. She shares some fun and interesting insight on his experience as an author and how he approaches his writing process.

It's the time of year where book awards are announced and holiday books are all the rage. We address both in this episode, as well as some recent and upcoming movie adaptations.

Not to spoil all the fun, but a few of the books discussed include The Will of Many, A Study In Drowning, and Three Pucking Words. Stephen King, Andy Weir, and Leigh Bardugo may also come up in conversation along with several others.

Don's miss another fun 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!

Follow on Instagram

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Natalia Williams joins the show to talk her book Taking the Cake and her Tango Series in our latest episode.

It's Halloween, so we discuss the season and how Darcy Coates has become a fixture in our spooky season library.

Other topics discussed include the Book of the Year candidates and the Indiverse Awards. To cover the international news of the recent Louvre robbery, heist books are also a big topic of discussion.

The fun never stops. 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

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Rabbit Moon author Jan D Payne joins the show to share her passion of writing and how her background with the Navajo Nation has shaped her storytelling.

Spooky season is here, so we would not be doing our job without discussing some of our picks for the season. Books covered include Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna, and October Forever by Katie Cawood. Stephen King and Darcy Coates may also have been pulled into the conversation!

We also make our final predictions on who will win this year's Booker Prize, and the questions remains - will Holly remain undefeated in her predictions!

Banned Book Week 2025 is discussed as well as the exciting return of Reading Rainbow with it's new host plus so much more!

#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

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm

Prepare yourself for an epic adventure in this episode. There are more off-the-rails moment than in any recent episodes making it one of the most fun ones yet!

The Book Club girls have quite a bit to share about this new horror book by Nat Cassidy that explores the concept of what happens when we have the power to manifest your fears into real, tangible entities.

What else is in store? Well, what do the Babysitter's Club and KPop Demon Hunters have in common? Who is the mysterious author Evelyn Clarke? And, since when is Wuthering Heights a dark romance? All questions answered in the latest episode.

Books discussed in this episode include: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightly and The Whalebone Theater by Joanna Quinn just to name a couple.

The real fun? The real fun in this episode comes in our Book Club Discussion and our notoriously crazy Speed-Round. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording.

Next Episode will drop on October 6 when we welcome author Jan Payne to the show.

#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

@speakliterallypodcast

@lizzieslittlebooknook

@azdesert_bookworm