Literally Books

...Literally Sci-fi for Mystery Lovers

Why have pick just one genre, when you can read two? 
This week, Literally Books is joined by Michelle (@bibliovino), who typically spends her days pairing books and wine, but joins Lindsay and Magda to pair sci-fi with mystery. She recommends all her favorite reads that combine complex world-building with a mystery twist. 
 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
 
Books mentioned in the episode:
“Caught Up“ by Navessa Allen
“When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams
“The Compound“ by Aisling Rawle
“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig
“I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy
“You Deserve Each Other“ by Sarah Hogle
“Of Monsters and Mainframes“ by Barbara Truelove
“Chain Gang All-Stars“ by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
“The Dream Hotel“ by Laila Lalami
“Angels and Demons“ by Dan Brown
“The Belial Sons“ by R.D. Brady
“Breakthrough Series“ by Michael C. Grumley
“Fluke“ by Christopher Moore
“A Master of Djinn“ by P. Djèlí Clark
“The Mimicking of Known Successes” by Malka Olde
“Foundation“by Isaac Asimov
“Murder by Memory“ by Olivia Waite
“In Death Series“ by J.D. Robb
“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
“Even Though I Knew the End“ by C. L. Polk
“The City and the City“ by China Miéville
“When Gravity Fails“ by George Alec Effinger
“Station Eternity“ by Mur Lafferty
“Dark Matter“ by Blake Crouch
“The Murderbot Diaries“ by Martha Wells
“Wool“ by Hugh Howey
"The Book of Elsewhere“ by China Miéville
"Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir
"Persuasion“ by Jane Austen
"Lady Susan“ by Jane Austen
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
 
 

...Literally Mid Year Review 2025

ROI! Synergies! Satisfaction! 
The bookish business baddies of Literally Books are doing their mid year review for 2025. Listen this week as they discuss their highest ROI reads, books going on their improvement plan, and next steps in the Literally Books world. 
 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Twilight“ by Stephanie Meyer
“The Romance Rivalry” by Susan Lee
“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
“Fluke“ by Christopher Moore
“All Superheroes Need PR“ by Elizabeth Stephens
“Love on the Brain“ by Ali Hazelwood
“Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood
“Problematic Summer Romance“ by Ali Hazelwood
“The Ninth House“ by Leigh Bardugo
“Six of Crows“ by Leigh Bardugo
“The Familiar“ by Leigh Bardugo
“The Unwedding“ by Ally Condie
“The Wedding People“ by Alison Espach
“Babel“ by R.F. Kuang
“Master of Me“ by Keke Palmer
“The Memory Police“ by Yoko Ogawa
“Mickey7“ by Edward Ashton
“The Poppy War“ by R.F. Kuang
“Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang
“Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller
“Letter to My Daughter“ by Maya Angelou
“This Could Be Us“by Kennedy Ryan
The Nightingale“by Kristin Hannah
The Four Winds“by Kristin Hannah
The Women“by Kristin Hannah
Legendborn“by Tracy Deonn
Funny Story“by Emily Henry
A Feast of Thorns and Roses“by Chelsea Cole
The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig
“Alchemised“ by SenLinYu 
“Mate“by Ali Hazelwood
The Things Gods Break“by Abigail Owen
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Re-Release: Blood at the Root

In honor of the upcoming release of book two of the Blood at the Root Series, "Bones at the Crossroads," Literally Books is re-releasing their deep dive on the first book of LaDarrion Williams' series. 
 
Magda and Lindsay literally lose their minds trying to capture the unique wonder that is LaDarrion Williams' "Blood at the Root." In this episode, our hosts humbly attempt to analyze the magic, the history, and the complex character development of the book,  whose elevator pitch is, "What if Harry Potter attended an HBCU," but that ultimately gives its reader so much more. 
 
...Literally Books YouTube Channel
Literally Books, The Podcast Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram

...Literally A Brief History of Smut Reads

Magda and Lindsay are on the mic this week to convince you that smut is not a dirty word!
They discuss the history of smut and romance literature through the ages and its deep roots in art. And, of course, to keep things spicy, they add in some recommendations in the genre.
Tune in (with headphones).
*content warning: This week’s episode includes discussions of sexuality and is not suitable for younger ears.
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
Books Mentioned in the Episode:
“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab“Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid“Daisy Jones and the Six“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid“The Love Haters“ by Katherine Center“Problematic Summer Romance“ by Ali Hazelwood“Six of Crows“ by Leigh Bardugo“The Familiar“ by Leigh Bardugo“The Decameron “ by Giovanni Boccaccio“Fantomina“ by Eliza Haywood“Fanny Hill“ by John Cleland“Lady Chatterly’s Lover“ by D.H. Lawrence“The Never King“ by Nikki St. Crow“Not in Love“ by Ali Hazelwood“Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood“Done and Dusted“ by Lyla Sage“A Court of Mist and Fury“ by Sarah J. Maas“Beg, Borrow, or Steal“ by Sarah Adams“Interview with a Vampire“ by Anne Rice“The King of Sins“ by Ana Huang
 

...Literally How to Pick Your Perfect Summer Read

Summertime, and the reading’s easy…
 
What makes a good summer read? Good covers? Spicy content? Fun plots? All of the above! Listen this week as Magda and Lindsay dive into their recipe for a perfect summer read, complete with recommendations.
 
Books Mentioned in the episode: 
"The Poppy War" R.F. Kuang"Yellowface"  R.F. Kuang"Babel" R.F. Kuang"The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband" Julia Quinn"The Perfect Divorce" Jeneva Rose"The Perfect Marriage" Jeneva Rose
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" Gabriel García Márquez"Listen for the Lie" Amy Tintera"First Lie Wins" Ashley Elston"Never Lie" Freida McFadden"Beach Read" Emily Henry"The Bodyguard" Katherine Center"Practice Makes Perfect" Sarah Adams"You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty"  Akwaeke Emezi
"The House on the Cerulean Sea" T.J. Klune"Margo’s Got Money Troubles" Rufi Thorpe "Yellowface"  R.F. Kuang"The Midnight Feast" Lucy Foley"The Guest List" Lucy Foley"The Shadow of the Wind" Carlos Ruiz Zafón
 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally: Re-release - Self Help

On the heels of Literally Books' deep dive of Keke Palmer's self-help/memoir "Master of Me," Magda and Lindsay thought it was a good time to dig into the archives. 
This week Magda and Lindsay ask themselves the question, what is a self help book, and does it actually make us better? Magda gives a rundown of the genre's history and evolution over time. Then, our hosts discuss their personal experiences with self improvement books, including what they've loved, hated, and even some that don't fit the mold, but have enriched their lives nonetheless. It's literally self care just to listen to them talk about it...
 
Literally Books, The Podcast Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
 
Intro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative by Keke Palmer

This week Magda and Lindsay attempt to master a delicate conversation about a book they had deeply ambivalent feelings about. Can you separate art from artist? This week the answer is, we must. 
 
Listen in as they discuss Keke Palmer's, memoir (?)...self help book (?), "Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative." 
 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally A Feast of Thorns and Roses with Chelsea Cole

This week Magda and Lindsay feast their eyes, ears, stomachs, and minds on the culinary delights of Chelsea Cole’s new book, “A Feast of Thorns and Roses.” 
Inspired by Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR series, Chelsea talks all about her recipe inspirations, her love of all things fantasy and historical fiction, and how to build the ACOTAR dinner party of your Calanmai dreams (complete with faerie wine). 
 
Books mentioned in the episode:
“A Feast of Thorns and Roses” by Chelsea Cole
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
“Dungeon Crawler Carl” by Matt Dinniman
“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams
“All Systems Red” by Martha Wells
“Wool” by Hugh Howey
 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Great Big Beautiful Life

It's literally great big beautiful book review time and, ooph, it..is...a...doozy. Listen in as they debate the attractiveness of a toxic men and the true definition of a romance book. This week, Magda and Lindsay chat all about Emily Henry's latest book, "Great Big Beautiful Life."
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Little Women“ by  Louisa May Alcott
“The Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller
“Done and Dusted“ by Lyla Sage
“First Time Caller“ by BK Borison
“Clytemnestra“ by Costanza Cosati
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Best & Worst Literary Moms

In honor of Mother's Day, Magda and Lindsay discuss the peak and valleys of literary moms. Who earns their flowers, and who is leaving some parental scars on their fictional (and sometimes nonfictional) children? 
 
Listen in and find out on this week's Literally Books. 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
 
Books Mentioned in the Episode: 
“The Lost Bookshop“ by Evie Woods
“A Great Big Beautiful Life“ by Emily Henry
“Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller
“Business Casual“ by BK Borison
“First Time Caller“ by BK Borison
“Letter to My Daughter“ by Maya Angelou
“The Work of Art“ by Mimi Matthews
“The Savage Detectives“ by Roberto Bolano
“Babel“ by R.F. Kuang
“Anna Karenina“ by Leo Tolstoy
“Listen for the Lie“ by Amy Tintera
“The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins
“A Court of Thorns & Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas 
“With Teeth“ by Kristen Arnett
“We Need to Talk About Kevin“ by Lionel Shriver
“Mostly Dead Things“ by Kristen Arnett
“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
“The Golden Compass“ by Philip Pullman
“I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette
“Great Expectations“ by Charles Dickens
“First Time Caller“ by BK Borison
“Little Women“ by Louisa May Alcott
“Lessons in Chemistry“ by Bonnie Garmus
“A Wrinkle in Time“ by Madeleine L’Engle
“Frozen River“ by Ariel Lawhon
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread