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  • Your 2026 TBR Jumpstart With Backlist Picks

    Your 2026 TBR Jumpstart With Backlist Picks
    2025/12/12
    Get ahead of 2026’s biggest releases this year. We highlight ten must-read backlist books from authors with upcoming titles, so you have your best library day.What could be better than a discussion on 2026’s biggest releases? We wanted to do something fun (and genuinely helpful) to help you plan next year's TBR. Today, Jessica Bearak is back, and she’s bringing her idea to pair readers with books we don’t want slipping through the cracks. We’ve gathered ten brilliant backlist titles from authors with major books arriving next year, so you can reserve your library holds, fill your Kindle, and feel delightfully ahead of the curve before celebrating their next book. Think of it as your literary pre-game for the year ahead.In this fun conversation, we discuss:📚 A literary pre-game you can actually use: Jessica and I kick things off with the ten major 2026 releases we’ve got our eyes on—so you can start plotting your reading year long before the hype machine starts spinning.📚 Backlist gems to read while you wait: We pair each upcoming title with a backlist book you can grab right now at your library or favorite bookstore, giving you something delicious to dive into while you count down to release day.📚What the buzzy lists missed: We close by chatting about the standout books we think deserved more end-of-year attention—because great reads don’t always make the roundups, and we’re here to fix that.📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Don't miss this week's new book guide! 47 Fresh 2026 Book Releases to Reserve Now. Patrons will receive printable checklists for their next visit to the library!Meet Jessica BearakJessica is a lifelong book lover who embarked on her literary journey at three, immersing herself in childhood classics like “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Jessica actively participates in two in-person book clubs and regularly engages in many online discussions. She has been an invaluable member of the MomAdvice Book Club.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptBuy Me a Coffee - I'm grateful for your support this year!Join the December Book Club TONIGHT at 8 PM ET (James by Percival Everett)NEW BOOK LIST: 47 Fresh 2026 Book Releases to Reserve NowOnce and Again by Rebecca Serle Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle Friends Are For by Wade Rouse Magic Season by Wade Rouse A Day in the Life of a Book Publicist (Kathleen Carter Episode)Off the Record by Sara Goodman-Confino Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman-Confino Score by Kennedy Ryan Reel by Kennedy Ryan The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives with Heart (Kennedy Ryan Episode)Orson Welles Voodoo MacbethDog Person by Camille Pagán The Spectacular Life Lessons from Books About Road Trips with Colleen Oakley (Podcast with Colleen Oakley)A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce CameronStunning Books About Bookstores (Book List)Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagán Meg Shaffer Interview (The Wishing Game)The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer How Braving a Literary Seminar Shaped The Last Story with Meg Shaffer (Interview with Meg Shaffer)The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer Cozy Fantasy Books to Lower Your Stress Levels (Book List)Five by Ilona Bannister All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker When I Ran Away by Ilona Bannister Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline A Piece of the World by Christine Baker Kline 35 Books About Twins That Double the Drama (Book List)Christina’s World paintingLiberty Street by Heather Marshall Looking for Jane by Heather MarshallThe Jane Collective All You Have To Do Is Call by Kerri Maher Ask for JaneThe JanesEleanor of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier With Love From Harlem by ReShonda Tate The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff Sarah Damoff - The Bright Years Podcast InterviewThe Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect With Jessica on InstagramConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    1 時間 2 分
  • Meet the 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books

    Meet the 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books
    2025/12/01

    Join the 2026 MomAdvice Book Club to explore 12 handpicked novels, enjoy lively author chats, and celebrate a year of stories that inspire and delight.

    Get ready to kick off another unforgettable reading year with the 2026 MomAdvice Book Club. In this episode, I’m unveiling my twelve handpicked selections—an extraordinary lineup of novels that challenge perspective and remind us what it means to live bravely and wholeheartedly.

    I read widely and intentionally all year so that every MomAdvice pick feels worthy of your time, your library holds, your gift lists, and your precious reading hours. Announcing the selections early means you can gather copies however is easiest for you. Shop the library, used shops, holiday gifting, or straight from your favorite indie bookshop this year.

    To discover this year's selections, you can head to today's post, which includes all the details, including the recommended format, the reading mood of the novel, and pacing information. Each description also offers the accompanying reader experience for each book.

    I've also uploaded a podcast that goes through each of these books for those of you who prefer an audio experience with some behind-the-scenes details. Please join me on this reading adventure!

    This year, your participation in the book club directly supports the podcast and sustains a space where readers can connect deeply over stories that genuinely matter. Thank you for choosing this space to invest in. I never take it for granted!

    Connect With Us:

    Join the 2026 Book Club

    Make a One-Time Donation to My Show (SO, SO GRATEFUL THIS YEAR!!)

    Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

    Get My Happy List Newsletter

    Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    44 分
  • How Marisa Kashino Landed the Deal for Best Offer Wins

    How Marisa Kashino Landed the Deal for Best Offer Wins
    2025/11/21
    Marisa Kashino turns being new to publishing into a superpower, revealing her surprising journey from first draft to the darkly funny thriller, Best Offer Wins.Being brand-new to publishing turned out to be this author's secret weapon in landing her book deal. This week on Book Gang, we’re stepping into the ruthless, dream-chasing world of real estate with Marisa Kashino, journalist and author of Best Offer Wins. She shares how the freedom from expectations fueled her thriller's creativity and story structure, how her query journey unfolded with unexpected serendipity, and why stepping into fiction opened doors she never imagined… including an adaptation already in the works.In this heartwarming and hilarious conversation, we discuss:📚 From Reporting to Satire – Marisa shares how years of covering bidding wars, desperate buyers, and high-stakes real estate inspired her darkly funny take on ambition. Writing as Margo allowed Marisa to channel humor, frustration, and sharp social commentary she could never express out loud through Margot's antics.📚 Subtle Social Commentary – Margot's Asian American identity informs elements of this story, and Marisa shares personal experiences that have shaped these plot elements that informed Margo’s choices, her humor, and the unexpected ways readers may connect with her story.📚 A Secret Project Turns Big – Marisa kept her novel under wraps until she secured an agent, and now it’s heading toward an adaptation with 20th TV, Hulu, and Greta Lee attached. She talks about the thrill of sharing this milestone, how her family reacted, and the joy of seeing a private creative project reach the world.📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Don't miss this week's companion book list: 23 Dark Comedy Books That Embrace the Absurd. Patrons will receive printable checklists to take on their next visit to the library!Meet Marisa KashinoMarisa Kashino spent 17 years as a journalist, most recently at The Washington Post, and wrote long-form features and oversaw home design coverage at Washingtonian Magazine. She grew up near Seattle and earned her degree in journalism and political science from the University of Washington. Marisa lives in the DC area with her husband, two dogs, and two cats. Best Offer Wins is her first novel.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptBuy Me a Coffee - I'm grateful for your support this year!Join the November Book Club TONIGHT at 8 PM ET (Weyward by Emilia Hart)NEW BOOK LIST: 23 Dark Comedy Books That Embrace The AbsurdBest Offer Wins by Marisa KashinoThe Writer’s CenterThe Shit No One Tells You About WritingYellowface by R. F. KuangBad Summer People by Emma RosenblumBeefAustin Taylor - Notes on Infinity Podcast InterviewLean In by Sheryl SandburgGreta LeeAllegra Goodman - Isola Podcast InterviewBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Marisa Kashino on InstagramConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    47 分
  • Emma Pattee’s ADHD Trick That Brought Tilt to Life

    Emma Pattee’s ADHD Trick That Brought Tilt to Life
    2025/11/14
    Discover the writing hack that Emma Pattee uncovered with a creativity coach, which helped her debut novel, Tilt, transition from her Google Drive to publication.Emma Pattee, climate journalist and fiction writer, joins the Book Gang podcast to discuss her heartpounding debut novel, Tilt. In Tilt, we follow a pregnant woman through a single, intense day as an earthquake hits Portland, where Pattee blends the chaos of the city with the intimate messiness of her marriage and motherhood journey.In our virtual walk with Emma through Portland, we explore:📚 How ADHD and journalism shaped her craft– Emma discusses how a creativity coach helped unlock a new writing system that helped her finally move a project off her Google Drive into a finished book. We discuss the heavy and rarely discussed weight of unfinished projects as creatives.📚 Reporting meets fiction – As a climate journalist, Emma discusses her research-heavy novel that involved interviews with geologists, seismic engineers, and first responders, worked off real destruction maps and city-planning data, then translated it into the book we hold in our hands now.📚 Survival, motherhood & climate anxiety intertwined – Tilt uses the impending "Big One" earthquake as a metaphor for Annie's journey to motherhood, where Emma discusses her stream-of-consciousness voice that keeps the reader inside one woman's daylong survival trek and how it intertwines with Emma's personal fears and discoveries.📚 Bonus Book List – These 23 eco fiction books will have you looking at the world in a whole new way. Marvel at our remarkable connection to nature through this incredible stack. Patrons will receive a printable checklist to take on your next library trip.Meet Emma PatteeEmma Pattee is a climate journalist and fiction writer whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and more. In 2021, she coined the term "Climate Shadow" to describe an individual's potential impact on climate change. Her debut novel, Tilt, is a National Bestseller, NYT Editor's Choice, and recognized by NPR, Time, Vogue, and Bustle as one of the best books of the year. She lives in Portland, Oregon.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptBuy Me a Coffee - I'm grateful for your support this year!Join the November Book Club 11/21 at 8 PM ET (Weyward by Emilia Hart)NEW BOOK LIST: 23 Eco Fiction Books You'll LoveNEW: 32-Page November Reading Guide & FULLY BOOKED Patron ShowTilt by Emma PatteeHillary RettigAlison Larkin - Home of the American Circus Podcast EpisodeDucks, Newburyport by Lucy EllmannThe Truth About Portland’s Brick Schools Is Scarier Than FictionDr. Katherine HayhoeBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Emma Pattee on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    48 分
  • How the Pagebound App Reinvents Social Reading

    How the Pagebound App Reinvents Social Reading
    2025/11/07
    Discover Pagebound, the social reading app by Lucy Zhao & Jennifer Dobak. Learn how to gamify your reading life from quests to forums in today's beginner chat.Ever wish Goodreads had a heart or deeply desired a buddy read for every book in your book stack? It exists. This week, we're stepping inside Pagebound, the new social reading app built by readers for readers, with co-founders Lucy Zhao and Jennifer Dobak.This week's "building block" podcast episode is designed to deepen your reading life and provide a behind-the-scenes look at tools you can use to enhance it. Discover how these two women built a no-AI, reader-first platform that's reimagining how we connect through stories online.In this enlightening conversation, we discuss:📚 The Origin Story: Learn how Lucy Zhao and Jennifer Dobak transformed their shared love of reading into a bold tech venture built from scratch. From late-night coding sessions to their first "scrappy" testers, they share what it really takes to launch a reader-first social platform in an industry long dominated by giants.📚 A Human-Centered Platform: Learn how Pagebound's no-AI promise and book-by-book forum model create genuine connections instead of algorithmic noise. The founders explain why every title deserves its own conversation and how thoughtful design shaped the community from day one.📚 Gamifying the Reading Life: Explore how Pagebound is transforming the way we engage with our books through clever, joy-filled features like reading quests and milestone interactions that encourage active community membership, bringing a sense of adventure back to your reading life.Meet the GuestsLucy Zhao grew up as a cheeky kid, always carrying a book. She studied creative writing and business at the University of Michigan and has spent the last decade leading tech startups and launching products. Her favorite authors include James McBride, Maggie Nelson, and Jonathan Franzen. She lives with her toy aussiedoodle, Libby, and loves ice-cold watermelon slices.Jennifer Dobak studied Economics, French, and Italian at the University of Notre Dame before becoming a software engineer. When she's not coding, she's hanging out at her local indie bookstore. Her favorite authors include Lauren Groff, Mona Awad, and V.E. Schwab. She's a lifelong writer herself and is currently chasing her dream of finishing her own novel.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptBuy Me a Coffee - I'm grateful for your support this year!Join the November Book Club 11/21 at 8 PM ET (Weyward by Emilia Hart)NEW: 32-Page November Reading Guide & FULLY BOOKED Patron ShowPageboundFollow Book Gang on Pagebound (let's be friends!)Building Block Episode ICYMI: How the Storygraph App Can EnhanceBuilding Block Episode ICYMI: Get the Most Out of the Libby App (Podcast With the Libby Team)Building Block Episode ICYMI: Improve Your Reading Focus & Memory (Hacks for Readers With ADHD)Building Block Episode ICYMI: The Best Reading Hacks for Chronic PainPhantasma by Kaylie SmithEnchantra by Kaylie SmithThe Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett1984 by George OrwellA Crash Course in Gothic Fiction with Erin Crosby EckstineBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Pagebound on Instagram or their WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    52 分
  • A Crash Course in Gothic Fiction With Erin Crosby Eckstine

    A Crash Course in Gothic Fiction With Erin Crosby Eckstine
    2025/10/31
    Take a crash course in Gothic fiction with Junie author Erin Crosby Eckstine as we trace the genre's origins, evolution, and enduring allure.Erin returns to Book Gang to share what surprised her most about debut life and what she's learned about balancing writing, book promotion, and an ever-growing TikTok community. Then, we dive deep into the eerie, elegant world of Gothic literature — where decaying mansions, stormy moors, and family secrets reflect the darkness within.If you've ever wondered what makes a book Gothic, how the genre evolved from the 18th century to the present day, or how writers can utilize Gothic techniques to explore contemporary fears, this episode is your guided tour through the creeping shadows, courtesy of a former English teacher.In this illuminating conversation, we discuss:📚 Debut Surprises: What Erin learned from releasing Junie and how this political moment is impacting visibility, sales, and future book deals for BIPOC authors like her.📚 A Gothic 101 Deep Dive: Erin breaks down the key elements of Gothic fiction, from its origins in 18th-century England to how modern writers are reimagining it today.📚 Erin's Top 5 Gothic Fiction Recommendations: Erin shares her top five picks for your books that include modern Gothic fiction that continue to illuminate today's anxieties — about identity, race, power, and belonging — through atmosphere and suspense.Meet Erin Crosby EckstineErin Crosby Eckstine is an author of speculative historical fiction. Her debut novel, Junie, was selected for the Good Morning America book club. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Eckstine grew up between the South and Los Angeles before moving to New York City to attend Barnard College. She earned a master's in secondary English education from Stanford University and taught high school English for six years. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and their cats. 📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Don't miss this week's TWO companion reading guides to continue your Gothic education: 11 Classic Gothic Novels That Started It All and 30 Modern Gothic Novels That Keep the Candle Burning. Patrons will receive printable checklists to take on their next visit to the library!Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptJoin the November Book Club 11/21 at 8 PM ET (Weyward by Emilia Hart)NEW BOOK LIST: 11 Classic Gothic Novels That Started It AllNEW BOOK LIST: 30 Modern Gothic Novels That Keep the Candle BurningJunie by Erin Crosby EckstineHow Family History & Legacy Shaped Junie (Erin Crosby Eckstine's First Episode on Book Gang)Jane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëThe Secret History by Donna TarttThe Odyssey by HomerWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëThe Lives of the BrontësTo Walk Invisible The Brontë SistersKanopy appShirley by Charlotte BrontëVilette by Charlotte BrontëThe Lilac People by Milo ToddBrickBeloved by Toni MorrisonWilliam FaulknerMexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarciaThe Hacienda by Isabel CañasThe House of the Spirits by Isabel AllendeWhy Is The New "Wuthering Heights" Movie Stirring Controversy?SaltburnWe Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley JacksonOur Share of the Night by Mariana EnriquezBleak House by Charles Dickens Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Erin Crosby Eckstine on Instagram or their WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    1 時間 8 分
  • Inside Bindery Books with CEO Matt Kaye

    Inside Bindery Books with CEO Matt Kaye
    2025/10/24
    Go behind the scenes with Bindery Books to discover their innovative publishing process, where tastemakers reshape how diverse books are made and sold.In this week's episode, we sit down with Matt Kaye, cofounder and CEO of Bindery Books, to explore how his multifaceted career—from traditional publishing to Amazon to Patreon—shaped a bold new model for the book world.Matt shares how the company identifies and empowers their carefully selected Tastemakers who curate, acquire, and co-develop books, offering listeners a rare, inside look at how these partnerships work from manuscript to marketing. Discover how the company tackles its small business challenges and the heartwarming pride that infuses many of its published works, including a project that's even captured the attention of celebrities.In this enlightening conversation, we discuss:📚 From Publishing to Patreon: Matt Kaye shares his unique publishing background and how he merged the best of all his past work experiences in tech and publishing to inspire Bindery's distinctive hybrid model that leverages influencers into the role of tastemakers.📚 The Tastemaker Model: Discover how Bindery curates its diverse lineup of Tastemakers, their roles in involving fans in the publishing process, and the commissions available for each book sale.📚 A New Author Experience: Matt discusses why writers are thriving under this partnership model, from fairer royalties to hands-on creative collaboration and nimble, audience-first publicity cycles.📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Instead of our usual companion list, I'm pointing you directly to Bindery Books this week as a thank you for their participation on today's show! Browse their catalog of offerings and meet the incredible tastemakers shaping each story.Meet Matt KayeMatt started his career as a book marketer in publishing (Avalon, Wiley, FSG). After earning a Columbia Business School MBA, he joined the Amazon Books team, where he held several tech roles, including VP of Growth at the seed-stage startup Inkshares, Head of Growth and Engagement at Trulia, and, most recently, Head of Product, Design, and Research at Patreon. Matt now serves as cofounder and CEO of Bindery Books.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptHow the Storygraph App Can Enhance Your Reading Life (Podcast With the CEO)Get the Most Out of the Libby App (Podcast With the Libby Team)Join the October Book Club TONIGHT at 8 PM ET (Diavola by Jennifer Thorne)Bindery BooksHolly Kennedy - The Sideways Life of Denny Vos episodeThe Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly KennedyAudiobraryThe Unmapping by Denise S. RobbinsOf Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara TrueloveBindery's PitchfestThis is Not a Test by Courtney SummersRecipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Deston J MundenMeg's TearoomDeston MundenBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Bindery Books on Instagram or their WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    53 分
  • How Olivia Muenter Went From "Recovering Influencer" to Bestseller

    How Olivia Muenter Went From "Recovering Influencer" to Bestseller
    2025/10/17
    Debut novelist Olivia Muenter joins Book Gang to discuss her hit debut, Such a Bad Influence, and the dark side of online fame in her real and imagined worlds.What happens when your child becomes famous? In Such a Bad Influence, Olivia Muenter pulls back the curtain on the innocent early days of a fictional family's online moment that went viral, to later reveal the insidious nature of the influencer era when fame and fortune find them.A self-described "recovering influencer," Olivia shares how her debut became a sharp, emotional page-turner and the ways her work as an influencer tied into her more complicated truths in this mixed media thriller.In this revealing conversation, we discuss:📚 Unlearning the Influencer Mindset – Olivia shares what it really means to be a "recovering influencer," the habits that were hardest to break, and how her social media past shaped her storytelling voice.📚 Choosing an Independent Path with Quirk Books – Olivia shares why partnering with a boutique publisher was the right fit for her debut, from the creative freedom it offered to the close-knit collaboration that helped Such a Bad Influence find its perfect audience.📚 The Hidden Cost of Kid Influencing – Olivia discusses the unsettling realities of children growing up online to create family content and explores how she used her unsent newsletters to craft a mixed media experience for readers, illustrating the struggles long after the cameras stop rolling.📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Don't miss this week's fun companion book, 18 influencer books that are as unputdownable as your favorite feed. Patrons will also receive today's printable checklist to take on their next visit to the library.Meet Olivia MuenterOlivia Muenter is a writer, reader, and the co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast. Her first novel, Such A Bad Influence was an instant USA Today Best Seller. Her second novel, Little One, will be published in 2026.A former fashion & beauty editor and freelance writer, Olivia's work has been published in Glamour, Byrdie, Bustle, Brides, Health.com, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. You can find her most personal writing via her weekly newsletter, where she shares about her life, her work, and everything in between.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptNEW BOOK LIST: 18 Page-Turning Influencer BooksJoin the October Book Club on 10/24 at 8 PM ET (Diavola by Jennifer Thorne)Such a Bad Influence by Olivia MuenterBad On Paper PodcastLittle One by Olivia MuenterShark Heart by Emily HabeckHow Shark Heart Transformed Emily Habeck and Her ReadersBad InfluenceImprove Your Reading Memory and FocusI'm Glad My Mom Died by Jenette McCurdyBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Olivia Muenter on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    58 分