This week we are delighted to welcome to the show veteran journalist and debut novelist Juliet Izon. We discuss her childhood love of writing, her dream to work at Vogue, the first kernel of her book idea, the original title for The Encore and its deep meaning, casting inspiration for a future screen adaptation, her advice for aspiring writers, and why she believes adults need to have creative hobbies. Juliet also shares books she's read recently and loved. To see that full list, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

We have a thematic episode for you this week, as we share our favorite sports books. Spanning contemporary fiction, non-fiction, young adult, and middle grade, our top picks cover stories about baseball, football, surfing, track & field, and more. Our chat includes a lively discussion about the difference between being a fan of live sports vs. being endlessly curious about the behind-the-scenes realities of athlete lives. In our catch up this week, Steph recommends two TV shows, Kaitlin recaps her weekend hosting her college besties, and Molly gushes about a friend's birthday party that inspired her. In what we're reading this week, Steph reviews the new Riss M. Nielson book, Kaitlin plucks Stay True off her TBR pile, and Molly falls head over heels for Emma Brodie's Into the Blue. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

This week we welcome To The Gallows author Elizabeth Skarpnes to the show. She discusses her childhood love of reading, choosing library time over recess, how her book was inspired by a TikTok video, writing the first line in a Taco Bell parking lot, deciding to describe the story as "Tangled meets The Princess Bride," transitioning from nursing to writing full-time, the importance of booksellers championing authors, and how she made all her merch dreams come true with her Kickstarter campaign. To see the full list of Elizabeth's recommended reads, join us on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.