Literally Books

When you fall in love with a story, it can feel like a breakup when you finish it and are forced to leave the world that was built. 
Magda and Lindsay know this feeling well. They also know that sometimes you’re too tired to read a book. Or maybe you’re sick of staring at a screen. That’s why this week, they’re not only going to cure your plot hangovers by recommending some stories they think pair well together, but they’re going to do it across mediums!
Listen in as they discuss their favorite book and tv/movie pairings!
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Into the Blue“ by Emma Brodie
“Left of Forever“ by Tarah Dewitt
“Funny Feelings“ by Tarah Dewitt
“Fruit Fly“ by Josh Silver
“Yellowface“ by R.F. Kuang
“If It Bleeds“ by Stephen King
“We Have Reached the End of Our Show“ by Ali Gordon
“Cleopatra and Frankenstein“ by Coco Mellors
“Stiff“ by Mary Roach
“Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor
“The Dead Romantics“ by Ashley Poston
“The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches“ by Sangu Mandanna
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread

This week, Magda and Lindsay are keeping it classy. They’ve got your mental health covered as they chat all about Jennette McCurdy’s forthcoming guided journal, “The Examined Year.”
They’ll also keep you cultured with updates on President Obama’s new book podcast and the latest drama around Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”. And, of course, what would a classy discussion be without including a little smut in the form of “Deep End” adaptation news? 
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“The Examined Year“ by Jennette McCurdy 
“Song of Solomon“ by Toni Morrison
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy“ by John Le Carré
“Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood
“The Love Hypothesis“ by Ali Hazelwood
“Love, Theoretically“ by Ali Hazelwood
“The Odyssey“ by Homer
 
Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread
 
0:00 New McCurdy
1:50 Obama Book Pod
3:39 Deep End Adaptation
7:24 Odyssey Drama

A whole new world…of book recommendations. 
Now, Magda and Lindsay firmly believe that everyone is a princess, and that all readers should rule their own literary kingdom. But for this week’s episode, they asked themselves, “What would our Disney Princess sisters put on their TBR?” 
Listen in as they make their recommendations for which stories they think Snow White, Ariel, Belle, Tiana, Cinderella, and Jasmine would trade their magical kingdoms for. 
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Sky Daddy“ by Kate Folk
“Every Version of You“ by Natalie Messier
“I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jennette McCurdy 
“Mommie Dearest“ by Christina Crawford
“The Prose Edda“ by Snorri Sturluson
“Circe“ by Madeline Miller
“When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams
“Nightbitch“ by Rachel Yoder
“Bull Moon Rising“ by Ruby Dixon
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread

Okay, all, strap in because Literally Books is CHOCK FULL of book news this week. Magda and Lindsay have an absolute avalanche of adaptation news, including their deep thoughts on the upcoming movie, “Wicker” (swoon). 
Then, they discuss their faves from Obama’s summer reading list, audiobook news about the Queen, Julia Whelan, and a $28,000 library fee. 
 
Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread
 
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0:00 Adaptation-palooza
6:35 Obama’s Summer Reads
8:17 Hollywood Ending audiobook
9:17 150 Overdue Library Book
 

Are you a romantasy fan who’s looking for a story that feels fresh and new? Or maybe you’re a sci-fi connoisseur who’s thought, “I could use a dash more romance.” Gillian Eliza West’s book “When the Universe Sings” has you covered. 
Listen in this week as Magda and Lindsay talk with Eliza herself all about the creation of her quiet baddie, Juniper, and the worlds she traverses in this tale.  
 
Find out more about Gillian at:
https://www.gillianelizawest.com
Instagram: @gillianeliza 
 
“When the Universe Sings” out now! 
The sequel, “A Song without End” out Feb 11, 2026
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“When the Universe Sings“ by Gillian Eliza West
“Good Dirt“ by Charmaine Wilkerson
“Homebound“ by Portia Elan
“The Vampire Lestat“ by Anne Rice
“Interview with the Vampire“ by Anne Rice
“Memnoch the Devil “ by Anne Rice
“Until the Heart Stops“ by Gillian Eliza West
“A Song without End“ by Gillian Eliza West
“Until the Melody Ends“ by Gillian Eliza West
“The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins
 
Email us! 
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Magda's Instagram
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread
 
0:00 Intro
6:47 Interview with Gillian
 

This week is packed with book news. Magda and Lindsay discuss the upcoming audio adaptation for Bram Stoker's "Dracula," featuring Jonathan Bailey and his sl*tty lil' glasses.
 We also have other adaptation updates for "I'm Glad My Mom Died," "Peculiar Stars," and the "When in Rome" series. 
And of course, we have auction news, featuring the man, the myth, the legend, Erling Haaland. 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread

This week, Magda and Lindsay are joined by Jiyoung Han to talk about her stunning debut novel, "Honey in the Wound." 
Listen in as they discuss this wholly compelling tale of family, magical realism, and the horrors of war. 
 
Find out more about Jiyoung at: 
https://www.hanjiyoung.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/han_g0_/?hl=en
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Honey in the Wound“ by Jiyoung Han
“Clytemnestra“ by Costanza Casati
“When the Universe Sings“ by Gillian Eliza West
“Sky Daddy“ by Kate Folk
“Whale “ by Cheon Myeong-kwan
 
Email us! 
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread

This week Magda and Lindsay are coming to you live from Lark and Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, TX to talk with Julia London about her book, “Rules for Aging and Larceny!”
If you’ve ever watched Ocean’s Eleven and thought, “I wish there were more ladies in this.” Or maybe you’ve been watching the Golden Girls and wondered, “Could these gals pull off a casino heist?” If so, then this show will answer all of your heart’s desires. 
Special thanks to the hilarious and brilliant Julia London and the wonderful Lark and Owl! 
 
Find out more about Julia at: 
https://www.julialondon.com
Explore all the amazing events at Lark and Owl at: https://www.larkandowlbooksellers.com/collections/events
 
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#livepodcast #bookpodcast #heiststories #julialondon 
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Soldier Thread

In book news this week, Magda and Lindsay discuss the bestseller thus far in 2026, some sad stats on readership, an AI book award bombshell, the revival of the Texas Monthly publishing arm, and what the heck is going on with "Children of Blood and Bone."Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Theo of Golden“ by Allen Levi
“Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir 
“The Let Them Theory“ by Mel Robbins
“The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans
“Oh, the Places You'll Go!“ by Dr. Seuss
“The Housemaid“ by Freida McFadden
“Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid
“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
“Yesteryear“ by Claire Caro Burke
“The Serpent in the Grove“ by Jamir Nazir
“The Children of Blood and Bone“ by Tomi Adeyemi
“Of Blood and Bone“ by Nora Roberts
“It Ends With Us“ by Colleen Hoover
“Station Eleven“ by Emily St. John Mandel
 
 

The trouble with Harriet Ashford is that Literally Books can’t stop talking about her, and this week is no exception!
Listen in as Magda and Lindsay chat with Harriet about the third book in the “Trouble” series, “The Trouble with Love and Exposure.” They talk about birding, bathroom art, and the allure of NSFW cross-stitch. 
 
Books mentioned in the episode 
“The Trouble with Love and Exposure“ by Harriet Ashford
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe“ by C.S. Lewis
“The Magician’s Nephew“ by C.S. Lewis
“Honey in the Wound“ by Jiyoung Han
“Pachinko“ by Min Jin Lee
“Once Upon a Marigold“ by Jean Ferris
“Tiger Eyes“ by Judy Blume
“Big Magic“ by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Twilight“ by Stephenie Meyer
“The Trouble with Love and Ink“ by Harriet Ashford
“Daggermouth“ by H.M. Wolfe 
“The Trouble with Love and Coaches“ by Harriet Ashford