Meagan's Book Club Podcast

It's time for a little bookish life update! In this episode, I'm catching you up on what I'm currently reading, sharing an exciting update on our built in bookshelves (yes, it's finally happening!), and reflecting on the books I've read this year that have stayed with me long after turning the final page.

I'm also looking ahead to the end of the year and sharing two books I hope to squeeze in before January arrives.

Think of this as a little catch up between friends, with plenty of book talk and a peek at what's happening in my reading life lately.

In this episode:

•

What I'm reading right now

•

The latest on our built in bookshelves!

•

Books I've read this year that are still living rent free in my mind

•

Two books on my must read before the end of the year list

Grab your current read, settle in, and let's catch up!

Want to watch the full video episode? Catch the full recording here!

October's What I’m Loving is here! This month I’m sharing what I’m watching, reading, cooking, doing more of, buying, and—of course—what I'm reading.

I'm talking about what we've been up to in October and what we have left for the rest of the month, what has been on my tv lately - spoiler, it's a lot of sports, the book to screen adaptation I don't plan on watching anytime soon, playing Mahjong with new friends, and of course the books I'm currently reading. I end the episode with a super personal update about what's going on in our ex-mormon journey.

If you want more information regarding the Book Club on Patreon, ⁠click here⁠!

I can’t believe we’re already talking about Q4 books! I’m joined by my friend Hannah from @booksandbitesroc to chat through the books we’re most excited about for the rest of the year. Our list may be a little shorter than in past episodes, but there are still plenty of books to talk about!

We’re also sharing our top five favorite reads of the year so far, so there are quite a few books to add to your TBR.

You’ll find all of the books we mention listed below!

And don’t worry, we’ll be back in mid-December to talk all things Q1 2027. Keep an eye out for that episode!

Hannah's Favs

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton

Good People by Patmeena Sabit

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Five by Ilona Bannister

Meagan's Favs

The One by John Marrs

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Ware

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

Still Life by Sarah Winman

October Books

• Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger
• Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
• Peck and Peck by Bonnie Garmus
• Look What the Cat Dragged In by Jason Rekulak
• Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane
• The Betrayal of Cora Wexford by Bethany Joy Lenz
• The Brightness by Chad Harbach

November Books

• Birth of a Witch by Nora Roberts
• Murmuration by TJ Klune
• All the Little Secrets by May Cobb

December Books

• The Lost Ones by Mia Sheridan
• The Bridge by Colm Toibin
• Rabbit Rabbit by Jennifer E Smith

Holiday Books

• Do You See What I See? by Peter Swanson
• Counting Down to You by Emily Stone
• Mistletoe All the Way by Lauren Blakely
• Cozy Little Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne
• It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter
• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano and Hannah Morrissey
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts
• A Married Little Christmas by Abby Jimenez

I've never interviewed two authors at once and this was one of the most fun I've ever had! We had an absolute blast chatting all about the inspiration behind Home for the Homicides and the start of a new holiday murder mystery series! Hannah and Elle were so down to earth and complimentary towards each other and the collaborative effort it was to bring this book to readers! The book is out October 13! To catch the full interview on video, click here!

I had an absolute BLAST chatting with bestselling authors Hannah Morrissey and Elle Cosimano about their new Christmas murder mystery rom-com, Home for the Homicides, out October 13!

This book is for anyone who loves a good Hallmark Christmas movie but maybe wants to turn up the volume a little. Think small-town Christmas charm, a murder to solve, two detectives with a complicated history, and just enough romance and spice to keep things interesting.

And the audiobook?! SO well done. If you’re an audiobook listener, definitely add this one to your list! Fun fact, the narrators Patti Murin and Colin Donnell are married IRL! They're so adorable.

Hannah and Elle were just as much fun to talk to as their book was to read, and we got into everything from writing together to creating the perfect Christmas mystery and, of course, a little Christmas this-or-that.

Books they recommend:

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

Websites:

https://ellecosimano.com/

https://www.hannahmorrissey.com/

IG:

@ellecosimano

@hannahmorrisseywriter

You love these episodes with my thriller expert book friend Dennis @scaredstraightreads! He is the expert in the genre and we share our favorites and books were excited about. To catch the full interview on video, click here!

The thriller expert is back for another episode to chat about upcoming books that we're excited about! I have loved having Dennis @scaredstraightreads on the podcast and his expertise in this genre is always astounding to me. He reads a ton and knows his books! He's a great follow and is recommending books left and right so if the thriller/mystery/horror genre is your thing, go check out his instagram!

Dennis Recommends

• Wildwood by Ashley Woo

• Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier
• The Crying Killer by Jess Lourey

Meagan Recommends

• The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian
• The Unknown by Riley Sager
• Heather by Caitlin Mullen

The No's

• The Women of the House by Kate Mooney

• Promise Me Never by Liv Constantine

Books We're Excited About

• All the Little Secrets by May Cobb
• When They Find Me by Carter Wilson
• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano and Hannah Morrissey
• Do You See What I See by Peter Swanson

I don't know about but you September came and went in a blink of an eye!~ How is it October already? It was such a fun episode to record because I love reflecting on the books I was able to read and the ones I can recommend to you. My TBR for the rest of the year is kind of up in the air so if there is a book that I MUST READ by the end of 2026, please let me know!

My Sept Books (least favorite to most favorite!)

• Only One Island ⭐️⭐️💫
• Based on a Love Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Longtime Listener ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Cozy Little Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Bad Words ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Grim Tidings ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 The Witch of Cambridge ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 A Time of Witches ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 A Year of Marvelous Ways ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Home for the Homicides ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Good People ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 Hollow Bones ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Still Life ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such an insightful conversation! Bestselling author Elizabeth Wellington Rollins brings us into the inspiration behind her new novel The Three Graces of Pearl Street. To catch the full interview on video, click here!

I had the BEST conversation with debut author Elizabeth Wellington Rollins about her beautiful new book, The Three Graces of Pearl Street. Set in New York City, this multigenerational story follows three women, all named Grace, and explores family dynamics, the comfort of food, and the complicated ways we love the people who know us best.

Liz and I also talked about her journey to becoming a published author, the highs and lows of the publishing process, why family was such an important story for her to tell, and how being a lifelong reader helped shape her path to publication.

This was such a fun conversation about books, family, publishing, and the long road to becoming an author. I think you'll love getting to know Liz and the story behind The Three Graces of Pearl Street.

Website: https://www.elizabethwellingtonrollins.com

IG: @elizabethwellingtonrollins

Books Liz Recommends:

1. Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen

2. Sea Wife by Amity Gaige

3. Wildwood by Ashley Woo

September's What I’m Loving is here! This month I’m sharing what I’m watching, reading, cooking, doing more of, buying, and—of course—what I'm reading.

I’m talking about my excitement for the new season of Traitors and my thoughts on watching Practical Magic 2 earlier this month, what I’m currently reading (Longtime Listener and Hollow Bones), making soups going into the cozy season, shopping for my teenage daughter's October birthdays, and what we're doing for fall break in a few weeks!

If you want more information regarding the Book Club on Patreon, click here!

This was such an insightful conversation! Bestselling author Caitlin Mullen brings us into the inspiration behind her new novel Heather. To catch the full interview on video,click here!

I had such a fascinating conversation with author Caitlin Mullen, whose second novel, Heather, has just been released in June and is already a USA Today bestseller! Caitlin’s debut, Please See Us, came out in March 2020—quite literally at the start of the global pandemic—and we talked about what it was like to try to launch a writing career during such an unprecedented time, the challenges of publishing during those early pandemic years, and how that experience shaped her as an author.

We also dive into Heather, a gripping cold-case mystery set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens that explores mothers and daughters, the secrets we keep, and the far-reaching consequences of our choices. Caitlin shares what drew her to this story and how her own writing has evolved since her Edgar Award–winning debut.

If you love atmospheric mysteries, complicated female characters, and books that stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page, you’ll want to add Heather to your list—and you’ll definitely want to listen to this conversation with Caitlin!

Website: www.caitlinmullen.com

IG: @caitlin_e_mullen

Sometimes you meet someone and the friendship just…clicks!

In this episode, I’m chatting with my new friend Shannon, who I met at my very first reading retreat earlier this year. We quickly discovered the term “firefly friendship,” and realized it perfectly described the feeling of meeting someone new and instantly knowing there’s a connection worth holding onto.

Shannon and I talk about her reading life, the books she’s loved over the years, starting her own Bookstagram account, how books have shaped her friendships and life, and all the little things that make being a reader so much fun. It’s a conversation about books, friendship, finding your people, and the unexpected connections that can come from simply showing up somewhere with a stack of books.

Give her a follow! @regularmomreads

Books Shannon Recommends:

1. Anything from Sarah Adams but more specifically, When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect

2. Night by Elie Wiesel

3. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt

4. A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage by MK Oliver

5. Dolly all the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Shannon's Currently Reading

1. Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty

2. The Shippers by Katherine Center

Books She's Excited About

1. Grim Tidings by BK Borison

2. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter

3. Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

I had such a fantastic conversation with NYT bestselling author Kristan Higgins about her newest novel, The Me I Used to Be! We talked all about the complicated, messy, and beautiful nature of female friendships, what it means to pivot and reinvent yourself later in life, and how our ideas of who we thought we’d become don’t always match the lives we actually create.

Kristan also took me behind the scenes of her incredible author journey, how the publishing and writing landscape has changed throughout her career, and what it’s been like to evolve as a writer along the way. And, of course, we talked about what readers can expect next!

This was such a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about friendship, change, creativity, and giving yourself permission to become someone new. I think so many readers—especially those navigating their own “what now?” season—are going to love this one.

Website: https://www.kristanhiggins.com

IG: @kristan.higgins

New to Kristan Higgins? Start with her book "Now That You Mention It"

After taking most of 2026 off from our virtual monthly book clubs, I’m so excited to finally share that Meagan’s Book Club is coming back! In this episode, I’m giving you a little behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve been dreaming up, why I decided it was time to bring book club back, and what you can expect from this next chapter. If you’ve been missing our bookish conversations, I think you’re going to love what’s coming. Consider this your official little sneak peek… more details are coming very soon!

This week, I’m chatting with Australian author Anna Johnston about her newest book, When Lemons Give You Life!

Anna’s debut novel, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, became an international bestseller—and Netflix has even opted for the movie rights! We talk about Anna’s journey to becoming an author, why she’s passionate about writing stories centered around older characters, and how her own grandfather loosely inspired Frederick Fife.

We also dive into When Lemons Give You Life, what inspires Anna’s storytelling, and the magic of creating characters who feel so incredibly real.

This was such a fun conversation, and if you’re looking for a book (or two!) that is heartwarming, funny, beautifully written, and guaranteed to make you feel all the feelings, you absolutely need Anna Johnston on your TBR.

Website: https://www.annajohnstonauthor.com/

IG: @annajohnstonauthor

Books Anna mentioned:

• Don't Buy What I'm Selling by Lu Chekowsky
• Imogen in Waiting by Lindsay Bartels

August was a very solid reading month! I read 15 books, and while the majority landed in that very respectable 3–4 star range, I did have two standout favorites that really rose above the rest. I’m sharing all of my thoughts, the books I’d recommend, the ones that were just okay, and which ones didn’t quite work for me.

Plus, I’m talking about the September Book of the Month picks that were announced this week—and, spoiler alert… I have opinions. 😂 We’ll get into which picks caught my attention, which ones didn’t, and what I think about the lineup overall.

As always, I’ve listed all 15 books below so you can see what I read and add anything that catches your eye to your TBR!

Happy reading!

• 🎧 Promise Me Never ⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Best Offer Wins ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Holiday Honeymoon Switch ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Love Felt Like This ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Just a Highland Fling ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 Falling for Peachtree Bluff ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• As Luck Would Have It ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 The Pirate Queen ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 Lost and Found ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Unknown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Difference Between ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Three Graces of Pearl Street ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 🎧 The Amateur ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
• 🎧 The Me I Used to Be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you grew up in the ’90s, this episode is going to feel like a trip down memory lane! I had the BEST time chatting with the author Laura Marie Meyers of The MASH Up, a delightfully Millennial-coded rom-com that had us reminiscing about everything from ’90s pop culture to the things that shaped us growing up.

We talk about the inspiration behind The MASH Up, creating characters who feel incredibly relatable, and all the little nostalgic details that make this book so much fun. Plus, we play a little “This or That” and get to know the author beyond the book!

Website: https://www.lauramariemeyers.com/

IG: @lauramariemeyers