Episode SummaryIn this episode, Kelly and Alix interview bestselling author Sabaa Tahir upon the release of her new fantasy novel, Heir. Author BioSabaa Tahir is a former newspaper editor who grew up in California's Mojave Desert at her family's eighteen-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, listening to thunderous indie rock, and playing guitar and piano badly. Her #1 New York Times bestselling An Ember in the Ashes series has been translated into more than...

Episode SummaryIn this Fun Friday Book Recommendations, Alix and Kelly ask author Chelsea Abdullah which books had the biggest impact on her life. Topics Discussed[0:29] The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern [1:04] Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir [2:01] She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan [3:06] A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark [4:14] Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Author BioChelsea Abdullah is the award-winning author of The Sandsea Trilogy, an epic fantasy...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix interview The Stardust Thief author Chelsea Abdullah. Special Offer Visit litjoycrate.com/chelsea to get 15% off Chelsea's collection using the code "LOULIE". Only valid within 48 hours of the airing of this episode! Topics Discussed:[1:20] The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah https://amzn.to/47eJcfT[3:41] Becoming an Author and Publishing The Stardust Thief[12:53] The Sandsea Trilogy[14:45] Writing Characters[22:54] Bringing a Character to...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix interview dark romance author Monty Jay about their writing, influences, and love of morally grey characters! Author Bio Monty Jay is a dark romance author with titles published in multiple countries. Their books are for hopeless romantics with wicked hearts looking for their next morally grey hero. They call the Appalachian mountains home, along with their two furry friends, Poe and Maeve. When they aren’t writing you can find them reading...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix continue sharing their favorite book-to-movie adaptions. Topics Discussed:[2:25] The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne [11:01] Dune by Frank Herbert [17:44] Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead [26:07] Silo by Hugh Howey [31:32] Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine [36:12] Austenland by Shannon Hale [39:58] A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens [42:00] Les Miserables by Victor Hugo [46:37] It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover Correction: Rebecca...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix continue sharing their recommendations for nonfiction books that are not focused on self-help. Topics Discussed:[0:44] Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know by Malcolm Gladwell[4:43] Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe[7:45] Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson[10:10] Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover[12:36] The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for...

Episode SummaryIn this "Fun Friday Book Recommendations", Alix and Kelly ask cosplaying couple, Michael and Hayley Burson, which books impacted their lives. Guest BiosHayley Burson is a full time public librarian and part time cosplayer. She began cosplaying with her husband, Michael, in 2016, and the two of them have shared many adventures with their love of creating together. Hayley specializes in hand embroidery and beading, wig styling, and creating silly videos. She especially loves...

Episode Summary: In this Fun Friday episode, Kelly and Alix get reading recommendations from Twin Crown authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber. Author BiosKatherine Webber is from Southern California and spent much of her childhood in the Palm Springs desert. She is the author of Only Love Can Break Your Heart and The Revelry. For younger readers, she cowrites the Sam Wu Is Not Afraid and Dragon Realm series with her husband, Kevin Tsang. She is currently based in London with her...

Episode SummaryIn this "Fun Friday Book Recommendations", Alix and Kelly ask author Monty Jay which books had an impact on their life. Author BioMonty Jay is a dark romance author with titles published in multiple countries. Their books are for hopeless romantics with wicked hearts looking for their next morally grey hero. They call the Appalachian Mountains home, along with their two furry friends, Poe and Maeve. When they aren’t writing you can find them reading anything Stephen King, in a...

Episode SummaryIn this "Fun Friday Book Recommendations", Alix and Kelly talk with author Brandon Mull about which books have most greatly impacted on his life. Author BioBrandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife, Erlyn, their...

Happy Summer Listeners!While we take a break from posting full episodes this summer, check out our Fun Fridays Reading Recommendations for books to add to your summer TBR! We'll be sharing Fun Fridays throughout the summer. Season three of the LitJoy podcast premieres this September, we'll be returning with exclusive interviews, themed reading lists, and more! Use the code PODCAST10 for a 10% off discount! What's New at LitJoyLitJoy + Holly Black Darkest Part of the Forest Special...

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Alix and Kelly interview content creator Cherry Wallis and discuss her entrance into content creation, creating community in a virtual space, her new brick and mortar store, a very witchy collaboration we have coming up, and more! Topics Discussed[0:00] Introduction to Cherry Wallis[0:37] About Cherry's Channel[2:11] Starting YouTube as a Hobby[5:04] What Led Cherry to Art & Design[7:13] Cherry and LitJoy Connect[8:05] Creating Community[12:06] The Lost...

Episode Summary:In this episode, Kelly and Alix interview Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber. Author BiosCatherine Doyle and Katherine Webber are both bestselling and award-winning writers of YA and children’s books. In addition to cowriting the Twin Crowns series, they are sisters-in-law.  Katherine Webber is from Southern California and spent much of her childhood in the Palm Springs desert. She is the author of Only Love Can Break Your Heart and The Revelry. For younger readers, she...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix interview cosplay enthusiasts Michael and Hayley Burson. They talk fandoms, favorites, and all the fun that comes with taking part in the cosplay community! Guest Bios:Hayley Burson is a full time public librarian and part time cosplayer. She began cosplaying with her husband, Michael, in 2016, and the two of them have shared many adventures with their love of creating together. Hayley specializes in hand embroidery and beading, wig styling,...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix continue sharing their most influential self-help books, this time diving into Human Design and honing in on how to show courage and be unapologetically ourselves. Topics Discussed:[1:23] Human Design: The Revolutionary System that Shows You Who You Came Here to Be by Jenna Zoe[18:41] Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown[22:09] Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, &...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix interview Brandon Mull, author of the beloved Fablehaven series. Listen in as they discuss inspirations, characters, writing, and more! Topics Discussed:[0:58] Origin Story of Becoming an Author[4:46] Inspiration for Fablehaven[6:21] Daydreams Create Stories[10:52] Writer's Block[15:01] Harness the Crazy[15:57] Becoming a Better Writer[19:11] Inspiration from Life[21:24] Creating Characters[26:57] Relatable Characters[30:12] Writing Other...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix discuss some of their most influential self-help books. From sexuality and the sleep cycle, to stress and then science of breathing, they take a look at books that have had an impact on the way they live their lives. Topics Discussed:[2:46] The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile[14:01] The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills[21:12] The Untethered Soul: the Journey Beyond...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix talk with Natalie Sue about five books that have impacted her life. Author BioNatalie Sue is a Canadian author of Iranian and British descent. She spent her formative years moving around western Canada with a brief stint in Scotland, where she discovered her passion for storytelling and the comfort of reading. She’s served her country in the Tim Hortons drive-through, been a bartender and an assistant, and worked in criminal justice, but...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix share all the hot new beach reads releasing this spring and summer to add to your TBR! Prepare for a summer filled with romance, humor, and a bit of fantasy, too. Topics Discussed:[3:18] Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey[5:13] Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez[7:09] The Rule Book by Sarah Adams[9:14] Funny Story by Emily Henry[13:09] The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren[18:07] Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth[22:08] The Wren in the...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix take us on a romp through absurd, witty, nonsensical, and funny books that will add a delightful touch of comedic relief to your life. Topics Discussed:[2:45] Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams[8:25] Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett[14:52] Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare[18:48] Bossypants by Tina Fey[26:38] The Princess Bride by William Goldman[33:02] My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix delve deeper into the Sarah J. Maas phenomenon and share books like ACOTAR to help remedy your bookish hangover! Check out all the LitJoy Special Edition Books Topics Discussed:[2:11] Books to Read if You Have a "Maas-ive" Book Hangover[7:10] Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout[17:21] Crescent City Series by Sarah J. Maas[26:25] The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent[30:29] Stacey McEwan Creates Fantasy in...

Episode Summary: Kelly and Alix dive into conversation on book to movie adaptations, sharing thoughts about whimsical recreations of beloved classics. They delve into the wonder of recreating well-known works, as well as handling more problematic aspects. Topics Discussed:[3:15] Little Women by Louisa May Alcott[11:08] Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl[25:38] Peter Pan by JM Barrie[22:25] Changing and Anticipating Cultural Sensitivities[35:45] Back to Peter Pan! Other Books...

Episode SummaryIn this "Fun Friday Book Recommendations", Alix and Kelly discuss various non-fiction books. From aliens to, "Alright, alright, alright," this TBR list is sure to make an impact on your reading. Join our Lunacorns private membership group at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-lunacorns [3:05] UFO of God: the Extraordinary True Story of Chris Bledsoe by Chris Bledsoe [6:39] Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey [7:43] The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix delve into the Sarah J. Maas phenomenon and share books they recommend reading if you loved Throne of Glass. Check out the LitJoy + Sarah J Maas Collection at litjoycrate.com/collections/sarah-j-maas Topics Discussed:[0:57] Sarah J Maas is Taking Over the World[16:24] Books to read if you loved Throne of Glass[18:53] An Ember in the Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir[22:40] Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black[28:40] Lunar Chronicles Series by...