Literally Books

...Literally Wuthering Heights - Book Readers React

This week’s episode taught Magda and Lindsay a valuable lesson: a bad book can be made better by an even worse movie. That’s right, they’re discussing all things Wuthering Heights…and “Wuthering Heights.”
Okay, okay. So even though they may not have loved everything about Emily Brontë’s sole work, they definitely agree it has depth and is, in its own right, revolutionary. The movie…well, that’s another story….literally. 
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Maryr!“ by Kaveh Akbar
“Hope in the Dark“ by Rebecca Solnit
“The Tattered Cover“ by Ellery Adams
“The Gate of the Feral Gods“ by Matt Dinniman
“Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë
“Agnes Grey“ by Anne Brontë
“Jane Eyre“ by Charlotte Brontë
“Samantha: The Next Chapter“ by Fiona Davis 
“Deep Cuts“ by Holly Brickley
“Carrie“ by Stephen King
“Foundation“ by Isaac Asmiov
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
 
 

...Literally Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

As we learned with “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy is not an author you turn to for comfortable conversations. 
Her debut fiction book, “Half His Age,” amps up the squidginess 1,000% and has Magda and Lindsay squirming in their seats as they talk about the age gap tale, which is told from a 17-year-old’s perspective about her relationship with her 40-year-old teacher. 
One thing we can say is this episode is anything but boring. 
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“An Academic Affair“ by Jodi McAlister
“Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang
“Martyr!“ by Kaveh Akbar
“James“ by Percival Everett
“Trees“ by Percival Everett
“Adventures of Huckleberry Finn“ by Mark Twain
“Erasure“ by Percival Everett
“The Time Traveler’s Wife“ by Audrey Niffenegger
“Life Out of Order“ by Audrey Niffenegger
“Eragon“ by Christopher Paolini
“Half His Age“ by Jennette McCurdy 
“I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy 
“My Dark Vanessa“ by Kate Elizabeth Russell
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Swooning and Yearning: Romance Book Recommendations

We burn. We pine. We read. 
This week’s episode is all about the swoon. Magda and Lindsay recommend stories with some of the most heat-inducing moments they could think of. 
*Romantic partner not required. 
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Romeo and Juliet“ by William Shakespeare
“East of Eden“ by Johns Steinbeck
“Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë
“Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley
“The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook“ by Matt Dinniman
“The Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller
“Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid
“The Bodyguard“ by Katherine Center
“This Could Be Us “ by Kennedy Ryan
“Before I Let Go“ by Kennedy Ryan
“When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams
“Practice Makes Perfect“ by Sarah Adams
“Beach Read“ by Emily Henry
“Honestly, I’m Totally Faking It“ by Amanda Gambill
“First Lie Wins“ by Ashley Elston
“Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood
“Deep Cuts“ by Holly Brickley
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Reading Breadcrumbs with The Breadcrumb Effect Podcast!!

Welcome to the literary eras tour. This week, Magda and Lindsay are joined by Brittany and Dani of “The Breadcrumb Effect” podcast to discuss the literary breadcrumbs that led them from one moment in their lives to the next. 
Listen in to learn the books that formed the readers they’ve become, and all the lessons they learned along the way. 
You an follow The Breadcrumb Effect here!
 
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Books mentioned in the episode: 
“Half His Age“ by Jeanette McCurdy 
“I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy 
“In Your Dreams“ by Sarah Adams
“The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore
“Long Bright River“ by Liz Moore
“Villain Origin Story“ by Ruby Dixon
“Bull Moon Rising“ by Ruby Dixon
“Matilda“ by Roald Dahl
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom“ by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone“ by J.K. Rowling
“Throne of Glass“ by Sarah J. Maas
“The Babysitter’s Club“ by Ann M. Martin
“Nancy Drew“ by Carolyn Keene
“Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley
“Thirst“ by Scott Harrison
“Animal Vegetable Miracle“ by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp
“The Omnivore’s Dilemma“ by Michael Pollan
“Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking“ by Malcolm Gladwell
“Freakanomics“ by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt
“Green“ by Ted Dekker
“Red“ by Ted Dekker
“Wnite“ by Ted Dekker
“Untamed“ by Glennon Doyle
“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay“ by Michael Chabon
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians“ by Rick Riordan
“Twlight“ by Stephenie Meyer
“A Court of Thorns and Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab
“The Games Gods Play“ by Abigail Owens
“Vesselless“ by Cortney L. Winn 
“Save the Cat“ by Blake Snyder
“The Nightingale“ by Kristin Hannah
"All the Light We Cannot See“ by Anthony Doerr
“Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Daisy Jones and the Six“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
 
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally People We Meet on Vacation

We all have that platonic friend who is incredibly hot, that we spend a decade going on vacations with and definitely never have romantic feelings for, and does not create tension in our relationships, right? 
Okay, so maybe not. But WHO CARES? We need a little unrealistic love in our lives. This week, Magda and Lindsay talk all about the swoon-y, sweet, romantic “People We Meet on Vacation,” both the book by Emily Henry and the new Netflix adaptation. 
This week is all about Literally Books’ deep love and rom-coms, and where this story gets it right…and maybe sometimes a little wrong.  
 
Books mentioned in the episode:
“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
“Carl’s Doomsday Scenario“ by Matt Dinniman
“The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans
“People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry
“Funny Story“ by Emily Henry
“Beach Read“ by Emily Henry
“Great Big Beautiful Life“ by Emily Henry
“Soul Searching“ by Lyla Sage
“Free Falling“ by Lyla Sage
“A Court of Thorns and Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas
“Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros
“Wheel of Time“ by Robert Jordan
“Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid
“The Long Game“ by Rachel Reid
“Unrivaled“ by Rachel Reid
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally Book Recommendations for Every Astrological Sign

It’s time to get woo-woo, because this week, Literally Books is looking to the stars to recommend your next read. 
What will ignite the fire signs’ passion? Which stories will fill our water signs’ cups? What tales will our earth signs find most grounding? 
This week’s episode will chart your reading course. 
 
Books mentioned in the episode:
“People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry
“Funny Story“ by Emily Henry
“Hell Bent“ by Leigh Bardugo
“Ninth House “ by Leigh Bardugo
“Katabasis“ by R.F. Kuang
“Six of Crows“ by Leigh Bardugo
“The Familiar“ by Leigh Bardugo
“Shadow and Bone“ by Leigh Bardugo
“Violeta“ by Isabel Allende
“The Bell Witches“ by Lindsey Kelk
“Hello Beautiful“ by Ann Napolitano
“Forged by Blood“ by Ehigbor Okosun
“The Bewitching“ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“Mexican Gothic“ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“The Daughter of Doctor Moreau“ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“The Song of Achilles“ by Madeline Miller
“Recursion“ by Blake Crouch
“Tress of the Emerald Sea“ by Brandon Sanderson
“Educated“ by Tara Westover
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches“ by Sangu Mandanna
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping“ by Sangu Mandanna
“The Women“ by Kristin Hannah
“Iron Flame“ by Rebecca Yarros
“Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros
“The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore
“Variation“ by Rebecca Yarros
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally 2026 Reading Resolutions

It’s a new year, and Literally Books is back, baby! 
Magda and Lindsay catch up on everything they read during the break. Magda discusses reading all about feminine rage across various genres, and Lindsay delves into her journey through literary absurdity. 
Then the gals put dive deep into their woo-woo to discuss the resolutions they’re working toward this year and all they want to manifest. 
…and so it is. Season 3 of Literally Books begins!
 
Books mentioned in the episode:
“Best Offer Wins“ by Marisa Kashino
“Shield of Sparrows“ by Devney Perry 
“Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn
“The Unmaking of June Farrow“ by Adrienne Young
“Wild Dark Shore“ by Charlotte McConaghy
“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
“Know My Name“ by Chanel Miller 
“When Women Were Dragons“ by Kelly Barnhill
“Nightbitch“ by Rachel Yoder
“The Hounding“ by Xenobe Purvis
“The Housemaid“ by Freida McFadden
“Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“A Tale of Two Cities“ by Charles Dickens
“Moby Dick“ by Herman Melville
“East of Eden“ by Ernest Hemingway
“Sense and Sensibility“ by Jane Austen
“Wuthering Heights“ by Emily Brontë
“11/22/63“ by Stephen King
“Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid
“Frankenstein“ by Mary Shelley
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe
“Impossible Creatures“ by Katherine Rundell
“Dark Matter“ by Blake Crouch
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread

...Literally The Second Annual Thankful Awards!

Ladies and Gentlemen! Please be seated, because it is time for the second annual Thankful Awards! 
Bask in the gratitude as Magda and Lindsay award their favorites in various bookish categories, including: 
Character They’re Most Thankful to Have Met
Author They’re Most Thankful to Have Discovered
Adaptation They’re Most Thankful for (Released)
Book They’re Most Thankful to Have Finished
Book They’re Most Thankful to Have Listened to
Book They’re Most Thankful to Have Read
Podcast-Related Moment They’re Most Thankful For
No flash photography. No autographs. Nothing but love. 
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
 
Book mentioned in the episode: 
“The Mighty Red“ by Louise Erdrich
“The Perfect Marriage“ by Jeneva Rose
“Good Spirits“ by B.K. Borison
“First-Time Caller“ by B.K. Borison
“And Now, Back to You“ by B.K. Borison
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe
“Atmosphere“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Sivera
“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig
“Frozen River“ by Ariel Lawhon
“Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn
“Beg, Borrow, or Steal“ by Sarah Adams
“When in Rome“ by Sarah Adams
“We Have Reached the End of Our Show“ by Ali Gordon
“The Girls Who Grew Big“ by Leila Mottley
“Mickey7“ by Edward Ashton
“Everything is Tuberculosis“ by John Green
“The Perfect Divorce“ by Jeneva Rose
“Bunny“ by Mona Awad
“Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
“Letter to My Daughter“ by Maya Angelou
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings“ by Maya Angelou
“Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor
“The Trouble with Love and Coaches“ by Harriet Ashford
The Odyssey“ by Homer
The People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry
lesh“ by David Szalay
Eloise“ by Kay Thompson
Cry to Heaven“ by Anne Rice
Interview with a Vampire“ by Anne Rice

...Literally Texas Book Festival 2025!!

Dreams do come true! 
This week, Magda and Lindsay discuss their perfect weekend hanging out with incredible authors, creatives, and book people at this year’s Texas Book Festival. 
Listen in for recaps of their favorite sessions and book recs they came away with.  
*Also, please excuse Lindsay’s “potato quality” tech. Her camera was as tired as she was. 
 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
 
Books mentioned in the episode: 
“The Bodyguard “ by Katherine Center
“The Love Haters“ by Katherine Center
“Ruin “ by Gillian Eliza West
“Reckoning“ by Gillian Eliza West
“Until the Heart Stops“ by Gillian Eliza West
“The Shattering Peace“ by John Scalzi
“Murderbot“ by Martha Wells
“Queen Demon “ by Martha Wells
“When the Moon Hits Your Eye“ by John Scalzi
“Boom Town“ by Nic Stone
“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn
“They Both Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera
“The High Heaven“ by Joshua Wheeler
“Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor
“The Broken Blade Series“ by Mai Corland

...Literally "Innocence Road" with Laura Griffin!!!

In the pitch-black of night, a woman runs through the dry brush of the West Texas desert. She is out of breath. She is terrified. And she’s just turned to see the headlights of the car that’s chasing her. 
This is just the FIRST PAGE of this week’s book, “Innocence Road!” Join Magda and Lindsay as they chat with the author, Laura Griffin, about this heart-pounding mystery. 
Books mentioned in the episode:
“Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor
“The First to Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera
“The Survivor Wants to Die at the End“ by Adam Silvera
“Pet Sematary“ by Stephen King
“On Writing“ by Stephen King
“Sing the 50 United States“ by Dr. Seuss
“What Pet Should I Get?“ by Dr. Seuss
“Fonseca“ by Jessica Francis Kane
“A Guardian and a Thief“ by Megha Majumdar
“The Dream Hotel“ by Laila Lalami
“Anxious People“ by Fredrik Backman
“A Man Named Ove“ by Fredrik Backman 
“Bel Canto“ by Ann Patchet
“My Friends“ by Fredrik Backman 
 
Email us! 
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread