Off The Shelf with Morgann Book

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with content creator Simona Stallone to talk about all things BookTok, reading habits, and building a real-life book community. From overhyped books and underrated favourites to fanfiction, audiobook speeds, and “reading based on vibes,” they get honest about what they’re actually reaching for lately. Plus, Simona shares how Book Girls Toronto turned into a space where readers can show up, connect, and make friends through books.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:10 - 1 Year Anniversary of Off The Shelf2:10 - Overhyped and Underhyped Booktok Books7:05 - What Simona is Reading Right Now13:10 - The Book Girls Toronto24:35 - Rachel Reid Showing Up at Heated Rivalry Trivia28:35 - 24 Hour Read-A-Thon32:25 - Out of Shape OlympicsFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Simona Stallone:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotherstallone/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theotherstallonedailyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theotherstalloneOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with BookTok creator Cassie to talk about her journey from posting her first TikTok to building a dedicated reading community online. They also dive into Cassie’s reader personality: her love of romantasy, favourite tropes like second-chance romance, and auto-buy authors including Abby Jimenez and Mariana Zapata. Plus, the two play Buy It, Borrow It or Skip It featuring viral BookTok titles like Fourth Wing, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Throne of Glass, and more.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:20 - Starting Out On TikTok4:00 - Rapid Fire Reader Questions5:30 - Buy It, Borrow It, or Skip It36:50 - Read It, Watch It or Miss It50:00 - What Are You Reading and Watching Next?FOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook CassiesBookTok:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassiesbookss/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassiesbooktokYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassiesbooksOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with award-winning audiobook narrator Ray Porter, best known for narrating Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. With more than 500 audiobooks under his belt, Ray shares how he approaches storytelling, creates distinct character voices, and what it was like bringing Project Hail Mary to life.They also talk about the emotional impact of the book, the science behind the story, and the upcoming film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Acting to Narrating Audiobooks2:10 - Process From First Audiobook to Now3:55 - How He Got Project Hail Mary4:55 - Creating The Characters8:05 - Hardest Thing to Narrate in PHM10:00 - Do You Take Away The Same Thing as Readers?11:35 - What to Listen to After Project Hail Mary12:13 - Ryan GoslingFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Ray PorterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.ray.porter/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealrayporterOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with editor turned author Emily Ohanjanians to talk about her leap from shaping stories to writing her own. Emily shares what life as an editor taught her about storytelling, how her debut character Ana first came to her, and the moment she finally decided to chase the idea that became The Book Tour.They chat about drafting versus editing, writing bold women who take up space, and the support system that helped Emily bring her first novel into the world. She also drops her top book recs and gives us a glimpse of what she’s working on next.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:45 - A Day In The Life of an Editor5:35 - What Are You Reading Right Now?6:15 - What’s A Common Mistake You See Authors Make? 7:10 - How Did You Decide To Write Your Own Novel?9:15 - How Did Your Degree in Literature & Linguistics Shape Your Career?11:20 - The Book Tour12:50 - What Inspired The Characters?19:10 - Explaining The Acknowledgements 26:45 - Book Recommendations37:10 - 2026 Reading List39:00 - What’s Next?  FOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Emily OhanjaniansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.ohanjanians/Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-book-tour-a-novel/9781039013407.htmlFind her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-tour-emily-ohanjanians/1147531644Off The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Ellie K Wilde and dives into the world of the Oakwood Bay series to explore the pop culture moments, tropes and real life sparks that shaped the beloved trilogy. We talk about how the series found its voice through character driven storytelling and slow burn tension. We also chat about reading recs, writing routines, reality TV and what Ellie is writing next.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:00 - 2025 Reading List2:20 - The Start of the Oakwood Bay Series8:54 - If Only You Knew16:10 - Ellie’s Writing Cave19:15 - What The Character’s Taught Her21:06 - 5 Out of Context Things That Inspired If Only We Knew28:45 - The Slow Burn30:00 - Blind Ranking Reality TV 35:55 - Biggest Lesson Learned as an Author37:02 - What’s NextFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Ellie K. WildeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliekwildeauthorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliekwildeauthor/Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/ellie-k-wilde/Find her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Ellie%20K%20Wilde%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchallOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with E. Lockhart to talk all things We Were Liars and the evolution of the Liars universe. She shares how the book found a whole new life on BookTok, what it was like expanding the story into Family of Liars and We Fell Apart, and how she crafted THE shocking twist. We also dive into writing bold characters, trusting your creative instincts, and what she’s working on next.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction0:55 - Plot Twists that E. Lockhart loves2:18 - We Were Liars Universe5:35 - How E. Lockhart Crafted the Twist in We Were Liars6:52 - *SPOILERS AHEAD WARNING*9:50 - Next Steps in Writing the Book11:34 - Why Are They Called the Liars13:20 - Easter Eggs in the Book15:28 - Family of Liars20:55 - What’s Next for the We Were Liars Universe21:55 - What Kind of Role Do You Play in the Adaptation?24:15 - Season 2 of We Were Liars24:35 - Genuine Fraud25:50 - What’s NextFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook E. LockhartTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elockhartbooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elockhartbooksFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/e-lockhart/Find her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/contributor/e-lockhart/_/N-2xr8Off The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jennifer Iacopelli, the author of Finding Her Edge, about how the book began, how her life as a school librarian shaped her writing, and the spark that led to its sports romance world. Jennifer shares the inspiration behind the story, the challenges she faced along the way, and how the book eventually became a Netflix adaptation. She also takes us behind the scenes of casting, set visits, and the moments she was most excited to see on screen.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:40 - Jennifer’s Childhood3:35 - Working as a Librarian 9:30 - How Jennifer Got Into Writing Her First Book12:40 - Why Jennifer Wrote About Sports18:35 - Setbacks and Rejections20:20 - Finding Her Edge27:55 - The Adaptation47:10 - Game, Set, Match49:35 - Difference Between YA, New Adult, YA Plus54:15 - What’s NextFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Jennifer IacopelliTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennifercarolyn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercarolyn Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/jennifer-iacopelli/ Find her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Jennifer%20Iacopelli%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall Off The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcastHosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with fantasy author Imani Erriu to talk folklore, fairytales, and the creation of her celestial universe. Imani shares how growing up in the English countryside shaped her imagination, the moment Heavenly Bodies first formed, and how TikTok helped launch her story to a wider audience.We chat about her shift from indie to traditional publishing, the evolution of her writing process, the collaborative work behind her maps and covers, and what readers can expect from Holy Monsters and the expanding five-book saga.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction2:07 - Early life & Growing Up6:04 - How Imani Started Writing Heavenly Bodies10:40 - How Imani Came Up With The Names of the Characters12:32 - How Mythology Influenced Her Writing14:50 - Creating The Map16:05 - Indie Publishing to Traditional Publishing18:23 - Imani’s TikTok Account25:32 - Writing Career Timeline20:20 - Olivia Rose Darling32:25 - Book Covers34:21 - Knowing It Was Going To Be A Series38:18 - Imani’s Day to Day Life42:20 - Holy Monsters45:45 - What’s NextFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Imani ErriuTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorimanierriu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorimanierriuFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/imani-erriu/Find her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Imani%20Erriu%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall Off The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with the cast of Bridgerton. We hear from Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Daniel Francis, Hannah Dodd & Luke Newton.  From the books they would read again for the first time to what they’re most excited for in Bridgerton Season 4, the cast shares their favourite reads, behind-the-scenes insights, and what stories truly have their hearts.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:12 - Yerin Ha & Luke Thompson 6:45 - Hannah Dodd & Luke Newton10:47 - Golda Rosheuvel & Adjoa Andoh16:06 - Ruth Gemmel & Daniel FrancisFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Off The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiEdited by: Ricki Biramontes