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  • The Half Life Takes Readers on a Steamy Awakening Abroad

    The Half Life Takes Readers on a Steamy Awakening Abroad
    2026/08/07
    Author Rachel Beanland discusses The Half Life on Book Gang—a juicy Italian-set novel exploring early marriage and finding oneself in the 1970s. I’m thrilled to welcome Rachel Beanland to Book Gang for an intimate conversation about her newest novel, The Half Life. Rachel brings her trademark honesty and warmth as she shares the personal stories and creative risks behind this lush Mediterranean tale. Together, we dive into her childhood memories, the challenges of writing from a single perspective, and the complex blend of history and self-discovery that makes this novel so unforgettable. The Half Life follows Eileen, a young newlywed, who moves to the remote Italian island of La Maddalena in the 1970s after marrying a Navy officer. As Eileen adjusts to the insular world of military life abroad, she finds herself navigating cultural divides, the expectations of marriage, and an unexpected awakening. Against the lush Italian landscape and under the shadow of Cold War politics, Eileen’s journey becomes one of self-discovery and new identity in a place where the past and present collide. In this week’s absorbing episode, we discuss: 📚 Writing from Personal History: Rachel shares how returning to La Maddalena, Italy, where she lived as a child, inspired the setting and emotional core of The Half Life. Her visit brought up powerful feelings, especially as she witnessed the American military presence and reflected on memories of her father. 📚 Point of View & Character Voice: For the first time, Rachel wrote a novel entirely from a single, first-person perspective. She discusses the unique challenges and rewards of embodying Eileen’s voice—a young woman navigating grief and self-discovery—and how her background influenced her approach to creating authentic, intimate narration. 📚 American Exceptionalism & Environmental Reckoning: Rachel and Amy dive into how The Half Life confronts the myth of American exceptionalism through the eyes of Eileen, a young military wife navigating the realities of living abroad. They discuss the hidden environmental costs of Cold War military bases, the erasure of American presence from the Sardinian landscape, and how these forces shape Eileen’s awakening to her own agency and the complex legacy she inherits. BONUS BOOK LIST: Take 10 Unexpected Italian Escapes in your book stack this month. You can browse this list for free. Patrons receive a printable version and a bonus spoiler chat with Rachel as a thank you. us behind the paywall for a printable book list and a bonus spoiler episode with Rachel Beanland! Meet Rachel Beanland Rachel Beanland is the author of the novels, The House Is On Fire, Florence Adler Swims Forever, and The Half Life. Beanland attended the University of South Carolina and earned her MFA in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has taught at the College of William & Mary, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Richmond. Beanland lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her family. The Half Life is available on store shelves now. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: 10 Unexpected Italian Escapes (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Half Life by Rachel Beanland Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland Christina Baker Kline - The Foursome podcast A Crash Course in Gothic Fiction with Erin Crosby Eckstine 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 Patreon Connect with Rachel Beanland on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    54 分
  • The Seekers of Deer Creek: When the Story Matters More Than the Hook

    The Seekers of Deer Creek: When the Story Matters More Than the Hook
    2026/07/31
    Thao Thai returns to Book Gang with The Seekers of Deer Creek—a lush, moving novel about sisters, art, and the inherited secrets that bind and break families. I’m delighted to welcome Thao Thai back to Book Gang as she takes us behind the scenes of The Seekers of Deer Creek. Thao’s work is immersive, atmospheric, and deeply tender, and her newest novel is a testament to the power of art and family history. Today, we explore Thao’s writing process, the evolution from Banyan Moon to this new work, and her approach to language, research, and the changing landscape of literary fiction. The Seekers of Deer Creek tells the story of two estranged sisters, Calla and Vivi, reunited by their father's passing and an inheritance that could reshape their futures. Their journey is sparked by a mysterious sketch and a journal entry, launching them into a search for family truth that spans Wisconsin, France, and Vietnam. Thao unpacks generational secrets, Vietnamese artistic legacy, and the longing to be seen and understood—inviting us to revisit the stories we inherit and the ones we choose to live. In this week’s fascinating episode, we discuss: 📚 The Writing Journey: Thao reveals how her creative process transformed from debut to sophomore novel—the struggles, surprises, and the freedom she found when she stopped chasing trends and let the story lead her. We talk about patience, perseverance, and learning to trust your instincts (and your editors) when the book wants to become something new. 📚 Art, Inheritance & Storytelling: Discover how emotion and ancestral secrets shape Thao’s fiction, the inspiration behind her art-infused storytelling, and why she believes every object and artifact in a novel must earn its place on the page. We also explore Vietnamese history, generational longing, and the power of art to connect us across time and place. 📚 Restoration & Sisterhood: Step into the delicate, invisible work of art conservation and the equally complex labor of repairing a sister bond. Thao shares why she resists easy villains, how she crafts flawed but deeply lovable characters, and what it means to find beauty in the light that relationship 'lace' lets through. BONUS BOOK LIST: My Top Books of the Year (So Far) – I’m sharing the fifteen books that have wowed me after reading sixty-eight titles through June! Patrons receive a printable list and a sneak peek at two book club picks for our 2027 book club year. Join us behind the paywall for a printable book list and a bonus spoiler episode with Thao Thao! Meet Thao Thai Thao Thai is the author of Banyan Moon, the July 2023 Read with Jenna title, Barnes & Noble Discover Pick, and Book of the Month selection. Banyan Moon was also selected by booksellers as an IndieNext pick and longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. She was the recipient of the 2024 Ohio Arts Council’s Individual Excellence Award, and her work has been published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, WIRED, Elle, Lit Hub, and other publications. She lives in central Ohio with her husband and daughter. The Seekers of Deer Creek publishes August 4th. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: My Top Books of 2026 (So Far) Book List (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) The Half Life by Rachel Beanland People Magazine: I Was Raised as an Only Child and Discovered I Had a Sister When I Was 22 The Seekers of Deer Creek by Thao Thai The Best Debut Novels of 2023 podcast with Thao Thai Madonna’s Met outfit Dorothea Tanning Composition With Figures on a Terrace Banyan Moon by Thao Thai Read with Jenna Service95 Book Club (Dua’s Monthly Reads) Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave Claire Keegan Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Sweet Valley High Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary Quyen Ngo 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 Patreon Connect with Thao Thai on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    1 時間 8 分
  • If I Ruled the World and the Wild Ride of 90s Magazine Life

    If I Ruled the World and the Wild Ride of 90s Magazine Life
    2026/07/24
    Amy DuBois Barnett draws on her editorial career for If I Ruled the World—a vibrant novel of magazine publishing, ambition, and reinvention in 1990s media. I’m honored to warmly welcome Amy DuBois Barnett to Book Gang as she shares the story behind her debut novel, If I Ruled the World. Drawing on her groundbreaking career in magazine publishing, Amy brings us a vibrant, sometimes gritty, and always honest exploration of ambition, identity, and reinvention in 1990s print media. Today we explore Amy’s decades-in-the-making fiction journey, what inspired her to finally tell this story, and how her editorial background influenced her process as a novelist. If I Ruled the World follows Nikki, a thirty-something woman navigating the cutthroat world of late-90s print media after bravely reporting a powerful colleague’s misconduct. As she hustles to revive a struggling hip hop magazine, Nikki’s journey is marked by career chaos, personal missteps, and a search for her true voice amid shifting alliances and expectations. With wit and candor, Amy unpacks the complexities of identity, representation, and legacy as she crafts a story that is both an insider’s look at magazine publishing and a deeply personal tale of transformation. In this week’s fascinating episode, we discuss: 📚 The Writing Journey: Amy shares how she made history as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine and how decades in editorial shaped her fiction. We discuss why writing this debut novel in her fifties was the perfect moment, and celebrating that long-awaited “yes.” 📚 Representation & Identity: We talk about Amy’s trailblazing career and how this experience shaped her leadership, and what she borrowed from her own life to bring Nikki’s biggest triumphs and trials to life in this story. 📚 Building a Magazine: Step inside the electric world of 1990s magazine publishing—where iconic covers were gambles, backstage drama was real, and Nikki’s story was born from Amy’s lived experience. Amy shares a high-stakes celebrity cover story that blurred the lines between art and life, plus her perspective on the reckoning in hip hop she witnessed firsthand in this #metoo moment. FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: 13 Books About Magazines to Light Up Your Analog Heart— This curated list dives into the page-turning, messy, and fascinating world of magazines, both real and fictional. Patrons will receive a printable book list and an exclusive spoiler-filled episode with Amy DuBois Barnett! Meet Amy DuBois Barnett Amy DuBois Barnett is an award-winning media executive and author who earned national acclaim as editor in chief of Honey, Ebony, and Teen People—where she made history as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine—and as deputy editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar. She has held senior leadership roles at Paramount, Hearst, Disney, Time Inc., and several independently owned brands. Barnett has a BA from Brown University and an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. She resides in Los Angeles. If I Ruled the World is her debut novel and is available on store shelves now. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: 13 Books About Magazines to Light Up Your Analog Heart (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung Inside the Creation of Daughters of Shandong with Eve J. Chung (Book Gang Podcast) If I Ruled the World Playlist If I Ruled the World by Amy DuBois Barnett The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams 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 Patreon Connect with Amy DuBois Barnett on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    53 分
  • With Friends Like You Is This Year’s Must-Read Thriller

    With Friends Like You Is This Year’s Must-Read Thriller
    2026/07/17
    Amy Chozick discusses her debut, With Friends Like You—a twisty thriller set in New York that explores friendship, motherhood, and reinvention. Editor’s Note: Today’s episode is marked as explicit. We’re kicking off a truly special Book Gang episode with Amy Chozick, who brings both warmth and wit to the conversation around her fiction debut thriller, With Friends Like You. This intimate story is set in New York City’s hidden corners—a story of friendship, motherhood, and the reinvention that comes after everything changes. Today we explore Amy’s transition from political reporting to penning a propulsive, confessional thriller about the high-wire act of modern motherhood and the secrets that shape our closest friendships. In With Friends Like You, Emily is still reeling from a harrowing birth experience and struggling to find solid ground as a new mother in Manhattan. Missing the woman she was before, she is drawn into a search for her enigmatic former roommate, Daisy. When Daisy reappears with plans for an exclusive wellness center, old wounds are reopened, and the cracks in their friendship threaten to unravel Emily’s fragile world. Together, they create a space for New York moms—complete with IV vitamin infusions, nap rooms, and communal childcare—as they navigate secrets, betrayals, and the longing for connection. With raw honesty and a fiercely contemporary lens, Amy unpacks her real-life inspiration, the transition from journalism to fiction, and the emotional terrain of motherhood, friendship, and ambition. In this juicy conversation, we discuss: 📚 The Writing Journey: Amy shares how the Hollywood Writers Strike became an unusual catalyst for finding the time and headspace to write fiction. We discuss the questions that drove her from political reporting to fiction, the early premise, her path from outline to final draft, and what it’s like to land her first fiction book deal. 📚 Reporting as Inspiration: Amy discloses how many of her journalistic pieces ended up becoming important elements in her story, from the high-rise setting to reporting on Stormy Daniels, which gave her a firsthand look at secrets, power, and reinvention that now pulse through the novel. 📚 New Motherhood and Pelvic Floor Therapy: We delve into the realities of new motherhood and the absence of villages and third space for mothers, why pelvic floor therapy is a crucially under-discussed part of postpartum recovery, and how Amy’s fiction sheds light on the emotional and physical challenges faced by new mothers—topics that deserve more open conversation in both literature and life. BONUS BOOK LIST: My Top Books of the Year (So Far) – I’m sharing the fifteen books that have wowed me after reading sixty-eight titles through June! Patrons receive a printable list and a sneak peek at two book club picks for our 2027 book club year. Meet Amy Chozick Amy Chozick is a bestselling author, screenwriter, and award-winning journalist who has covered the biggest stories in politics, business, and media for The New York Times. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Chasing Hillary, which was adapted into the HBO Max series The Girls on the Bus. Her writing has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and more. Amy is currently adapting With Friends Like You into a major motion picture with Fifth Season and Academy Award-winning producer Brad Weston. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: My Top Books of 2026 (So Far) Book List (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung Inside the Creation of Daughters of Shandong with Eve J. Chung (Book Gang Podcast) With Friends Like You by Amy Chozick This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley David Carr Chasing Hillary by Amy Chozick The Girls on the Bus Shark Heart by Emily Habeck Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe Margo’s Got Money Troubles Towers of Secrecy Rosemary’s Baby Somewhere The Big, Controversial Business of The Wing, Explained Panera Sips Club The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Pagebound How the Pagebound App Reinvents Social Reading (Podcast) 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 Patreon Connect with Amy Chozick on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    53 分
  • Lady X is the 1970s Vigilante Story You Need

    Lady X is the 1970s Vigilante Story You Need
    2026/07/10
    Molly Fader joins us to discuss Lady X, her soapy and subversive 1970s historical novel blending female-driven mystery, revenge, and legacy. This week on Book Gang, I’m thrilled to welcome returning guest Molly Fader, an acclaimed voice in historical fiction and romance, for a deep-dive conversation about her latest soapy novel, Lady X. It blends the revenge vibes of The Change with the emotional punch of Husbands & Lovers. Readers meet Margot, whose husband’s humiliating scandal sends her back to her childhood home just as her mother’s memory fades. An attic discovery—a photo linking her mother to the infamous 1970s vigilante group Lady X—launches Margot and her daughter into a cross-generational mystery that’s as much about rage and legacy as it is about revenge. With wicked graffiti, oodles of secrets, and a freshly fierce examination of what women inherit when they stop apologizing, we unbox Molly’s real-life inspiration, reading life, and the demands of a mixed-media reading experience. In this thought-provoking conversation, we discuss: 📚 Inspiration & Crafting Mythic Narratives: Molly discusses the mythic question at the heart of Lady X: What if the woman your family dismissed was once the most feared vigilante in New York? She shares how the story’s seeds were planted, the journey from idea to page, and the creative decisions behind her use of mixed media—such as newspaper clippings—to build a larger-than-life legend. 📚 Why the 1970s Was the Perfect Era: Molly reflects on the research behind her 1970s timeline, the echoes of contemporary issues, and the need for solidarity when systems fail to protect women. We gossip about what other books have gotten right or wrong about capturing this era, and the current publishing trends exploring it. 📚 Revenge, Righteous Anger, and Nuance: We explore how Lady X balances the satisfaction of revenge fiction with the nuanced portrayal of both women and men, the real-life heroes who inspired the story, and the conversations Molly hopes book clubs will have about the ongoing fight for women’s voices. BONUS BOOK LIST: 12 “Good For Her” Books- Admittedly, this is a subgenre of my own creation, as we celebrate stories where women unapologetically take up space, seize their power, and, when necessary, deliver a well-deserved comeuppance. A variety pack of fun is available to browse for free today. Patrons will receive a printable book list and a bonus spoiler conversation with Molly today. Meet Molly Fader Molly Fader is the author of The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets, The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season and The Sunshine Girls. The Sunshine Girls is one of Library Reads and Amazon Editor's Ten Best Books of December. Under the name Molly O'Keefe she is the award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. Lady X hits store shelves on July 14th and is available to pre-order now. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: 12 “Good For Her” Books- Flip some tables with me through these stories that center female revenge, joy, and autonomy in one delicious stack (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung Inside the Creation of Daughters of Shandong with Eve J. Chung (Book Gang Podcast) The Change by Kirsten Miller Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams Lady X by Molly Fader The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader The Magic of Old Hollywood Books with Molly Fader (Book Gang Podcast) Day Drinking with Authors Joshilyn Jackson, Missing Sisters & The Meadowlyn Day Drinking with Joshilyn Jackson Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson Vigilante Shit The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawn Walton Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins The Villa by Rachel Hawkins Helen Laser The Wedding People by Alison Espach Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty Bad Sisters by Rebecca Chance The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon The Seekers of Deer Creek by Thao Thai One’s Company by Ashley Hutson Inside One’s Company: Obsession, Isolation and Talking with Ashley Hutson (Podcast) Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman The Women by Kristin Hannah The Half Life by Rachel Beanland A Hymn to Life by Giséle Pelicot AOC Tarana Burke 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 Patreon Connect with Molly Fader on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    55 分
  • July Book Club: Daughters of Shandong

    July Book Club: Daughters of Shandong
    2026/07/03
    Eve J. Chung joins our July Book Club to discuss Daughters of Shandong, a gripping historical novel of survival, resilience, and family during wartime China. This week on Book Gang, Eve J. Chung—acclaimed human rights lawyer, debut novelist, and storyteller inspired by her family's extraordinary past—joins us for a riveting conversation about her powerful historical novel, Daughters of Shandong. Eve brings a deep personal history to the page, exploring the cost of survival during China's 1948 Communist Revolution. In this episode, we’ll talk about turning family history into fiction, the ethical challenges of writing about trauma, and how Eve researched and structured a sweeping historical novel that moves with the urgency of a thriller. Eve reveals how her experience as a human rights lawyer challenged her writing process, the unique struggles of portraying women who both resist and uphold patriarchy, and the responsibility of illuminating lesser-known history for the next generation of readers. In this thought-provoking conversation, we discuss: 📚 Transforming Family History Into Fiction: Eve shares the moment her grandmother’s story took hold of her imagination, how she balanced fact and invention, and the research process that brought 1948 China to life. She discusses the challenges and responsibilities of fictionalizing family trauma and how she honored her relatives’ experiences while protecting their privacy. 📚 Writing Women, Power, and Patriarchy: Eve explores her approach to portraying women who both reinforce and resist patriarchal systems, including complex characters like Hai’s grandmother. She explains the importance of showing both oppression and agency within one household, and how her background in human rights law shaped her understanding of these dynamics. 📚 Illuminating Hidden History: Eve discusses the little-known historical events that inspired Daughters of Shandong, her strategies for bringing lesser-documented moments to life, and the balance between emotional intensity and reader accessibility—especially in the book’s most harrowing scenes. 📚 FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: To celebrate Eve's book, I have created a companion book list with a rather unique subgenre that I love: 21 Books About Walks. I have gathered books where the journey on foot is the story's engine, including my all-time favorites and a few new releases I can't wait to read. You can browse the full list for free on Patreon! Patrons will receive weekly printable checklists, five hidden gem titles, and a bonus spoiler episode with Eve. Meet Eve J. Chung Eve J. Chung is a Taiwanese American lawyer and women’s human rights specialist. She has worked on a range of issues, including torture, sexual violence, contemporary forms of slavery, and discriminatory legislation. Her writing is inspired by social justice movements and the continued struggle for equality and fundamental freedoms worldwide. She currently lives in New York with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Daughters of Shandong is her debut novel and is available on store shelves now. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST:: 21 Incredible Books About Walks- Take a long walk through fiction and nonfiction today! (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 SUPPORT OUR FAMILY: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung Daughters of Shandong with Eve Chung on Reflecting History 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 Patreon Connect with Eve J. Chung on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    56 分
  • Skin Contact: Crafting an Interconnected Story Structure with Elisa Faison

    Skin Contact: Crafting an Interconnected Story Structure with Elisa Faison
    2026/06/19
    Elisa Faison joins Book Gang to discuss Skin Contact, her debut exploring the impact of an open marriage on a couple and their circle. This week on Book Gang, Elisa Faison—acclaimed short story writer, debut novelist, and someone living openly in a nontraditional marriage—joins us for an unflinching conversation about her novel, Skin Contact. Elisa brings rare firsthand insight to the page, drawing from her own experience to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about open marriage that have long been absent in our fiction stacks. In this episode, we’ll talk about writing from the inside of creative work and what it means to craft intimacy and connection in this refreshing story that hits all the romance story beats. Elisa reveals how she built the intricate structure of Skin Contact, her approach to nontraditional relationships on the page, and the craft of weaving multiple storylines into a resonant whole. In this rich conversation, we discuss: 📚 The Writing Journey & Literary Beginnings: Elisa shares her roots as a bookseller and editor, the winding path from her initial idea for Skin Contact to securing her agent and book deal, and what surprised her most about the debut journey. She reflects on outlining, the evolution of the novel’s interconnected structure, and the pivotal moments that shaped the sale of her book, including the role book scouts play in her international sales. 📚 Love, Marriage, and Literary Complexity: Elisa discusses nontraditional relationship structures, including her own experience in an open marriage and what many stories get wrong about these dynamics. She shares the craft of writing intimacy and connection, the delicate dance between genre expectations and literary ambitions, and her perspective on how literature can challenge assumptions about love and commitment. 📚 Story Structure & Creative Identity: We dive deep into Frances’s job as a ghostwriter—how invisibility, credit, and creative ownership shape her story—and what drew Elisa to this lens. Elisa discusses the challenge of writing unresolved grief and how her own experiences informed Frances’s emotional journey. 📚 FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: 17 Literary Love Stories That Linger—Discover 17 unforgettable stories that explore connection and longing, curated as the perfect companion to Skin Contact in this week’s book list. Patrons receive a printable book list, five bonus book ideas, and a bonus spoiler chat with Elisa in their inbox today. Meet Elisa Faison Elisa Faison is a writer and freelance editor living in Carrboro, North Carolina with her partner and two-year-old twins. She has published stories in The Missouri Review, Electric Literature, Smokelong Quarterly, and more. Her story “Motherlove” was the recipient of the 2024 Peden Prize, awarded by The Missouri Review and judged by Rachel Yoder. Her story “Group Sex” was the third most-read story of 2023 in Electric Literature. Formerly, Elisa worked as a bookseller at Flyleaf Books and as the book reviews editor at The Carolina Quarterly. She holds a PhD in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Skin Contact, this week’s featured selection, arrives June 23rd from Cardinal Press. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: 17 Literary Love Stories That Linger (FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) NEW: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations): http://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Skin Contact by Elisa Faison Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason Thirst Trap by Gráinne O’Hare Moderation by Elaine Castillo Love is an Algorithm by Laura Brooke Robson A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan Vladimir by Julia May Jonas Vladimir Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff The Bright Years with Sarah Damoff (Podcast Interview) The Burning Side with Sarah Damoff (Podcast Interview) The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje Slanting Towards the Sea with Lidija Hilje(Podcast Interview) Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff The Best Plus Size Romance Characters to Love with Julia Murphy & Sierra Simone (Podcast Interview) 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 Patreon Connect with Elisa Faison on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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    51 分
  • Next of Kin: Mastering Tension in Legal Thrillers with Kia Abdullah

    Next of Kin: Mastering Tension in Legal Thrillers with Kia Abdullah
    2026/06/12
    Kia Abdullah joins Book Gang to discuss Next of Kin, her gripping backlist thriller about sisterhood laced with a high-stakes courtroom drama you won’t forget. This week on Book Gang, we’re joined by Kia Abdullah, award-winning novelist and founder of Asian Booklist, for a deeply engaging conversation about her acclaimed thriller Next of Kin. We’ll dig into Kia’s unique journey from a career in tech to her bold work as a full-time author, and explore how her advocacy is changing the landscape for British-Asian writers in publishing. Kia share more behind the art of writing high-stakes suspense, the impact of BookTok on the thriller genre, and the real-life inspirations behind Next of Kin’s unforgettable courtroom drama. Discover the secrets to building authentic tension, crafting twisty plots, and what she hopes readers will take away from her exploration of sisterhood, responsibility, and the complexities of motherhood. In this informative conversation, we discuss: 📚 The Writing Journey & Bold Storytelling: From a background in computer science and tech to full-time novelist, Kia shares what gave her the courage to pursue writing and how she built a career tackling controversial themes. Her reflections on confidence, resilience, and the impact of BookTok on her work offer deep insight into her evolution as a thriller writer. 📚 Crafting High-Stakes Suspense (Spoiler-Free): Kia discusses how she uses backstory, emotional stakes, and authentic courtroom drama to build suspense in Next of Kin. From the novel’s powerful opening to its exploration of sisterhood, motherhood, and responsibility, she shares her approach to writing tension-filled, thought-provoking crime fiction. 📚 Amplifying British-Asian Voices: Kia Abdullah founded Asian Booklist to spotlight British-Asian authors who are often underrepresented in publishing. Through this initiative, she’s opening doors for new and established writers, creating a much-needed space for authentic stories and diverse perspectives to reach wider audiences. 📚 BONUS FREE WEEKLY BOOK LIST: 16 Legal Thriller Books to Read Now Discover 16 Books 16 Legal Thrillers to add to your book stack. Prepare for high-stakes courtroom drama, fascinating true crime, and the kind of page-turning suspense that keeps you up way past your bedtime. Patrons receive a printable book list, five bonus book ideas, and a bonus spoiler chat with Kia in their inbox today. Meet Kia Abdullah Kia Abdullah is an author and journalist from London. Her novels include Take It Back (a Guardian and Telegraph thriller of the year), Truth Be Told (shortlisted for a Diverse Book Award), Next of Kin (longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award) and Those People Next Door (a Times Bestseller and Waterstones Thriller of the Month). Her new novel, What Happens in the Dark, is out now. Kia has won a Diverse Book Award (2022) and a JB Priestley Award for Writers of Promise (2020). She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Times, and the BBC, among others. Next of Kin, this week’s featured selection, is on store shelves now. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK LIST: 16 Legal Thriller Books to Read Now FREE TO BROWSE ON PATREON THIS WEEK) NEW: Download the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (57-Pages of Bookish Fun With 70 Tried-and-True Recommendations) 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah Take It Back by Kia Abdullah Asian Booklist Substack Brick Lane by Monica Ali Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine Zubs Uncovered Truth Be Told by Kia Abdullah Books with Good Plot Twists That Will Make Your Jaw Drop The Chain by Adrian McKinty Stealing Hollywood by Alexandra Sokoloff The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr What Happens in the Dark by Kia Abdullah The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas Elizabeth Day Royal Society of Literature 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 Patreon Connect with Kia Abdullah on Instagram or Her Website Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Get My Happy List Newsletter Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter
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