The Everygirl Book Club

Lauren and Garri wrap up summer reading for The Everygirl Book Club, share their favorite books, and talk about fall vibes, reading slumps, and why they increasingly prefer Kindles over physical books. They discuss book pop culture, including ACOTAR’s influence on romantasy, evolving genre labels and sexism in categorization, and how fandom theory culture can diminish simple enjoyment. They answer a reader “slump-ender” prompt with fall recommendations spanning cozy rom-coms, witchy/cozy fantasy, and dark academia, then announce upcoming book club picks—It’s Different This Time (Sept), And He Shall Appear (Oct), Conform (Nov), and Understory (Dec).02:21 Favorite Summer Reads07:21 Kindle Versus Physical Books12:04 ACOTAR Chat22:35 Summer Hits And Misses29:45 Fall Releases To Watch31:59 More ACOTAR Release Buzz40:27 Parasocial Fandoms48:00 Cozy Fall Romcoms50:07 Fantasy Girl Fall Picks52:28 Dark Academia Thrillers56:46 Book Club Lineup01:02:15 Wrap Up And GoodbyeBooks MentionedRetro by Jessica M. Goldstein The Good Parts by Evann NormandinGirls’ Girl by Sonja FeldmanInto the Blue by Emma Brodie The Second Death of Locke by V. L. BovalinoThe Thief and the Traitor Bride by V. L. BovalinoYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeDaggermouth by H.M. WolfeLand by Maggie O'FarrellWhistler by Ann Patchett Tom Lake by Ann PatchettTheo of Golden by Allen LeviThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansHamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Understory by Chloe Benjamin The Gnave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig The Knight and the Moth by Rachel GilligIf It Makes You Happy by Julie OliviaBelladonna by Adalyn GraceRewitched by Lucy Jane WoodThe Likeness by Tana FrenchKatabasis by R.F. KuangBabel by R.F. KuangIf We Were Villains by M. L. RioThe Secret History by Donna TarttIt's Different This Time by Joss Richard — September pickAnd He Shall Appear — October pick Conform by Ariel Sullivan — November pickJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsSeptember 24: It’s Different This TimeRSVP hereUse code ‘EGSept26’ for 15% off on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off on Libro.fmEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

#10 Kirsten King: Unlikable Heroines, Downward Spirals, and the Perils of Modern DatingThe Everygirl Book Club interviews Kirsten King, author of the summer bonus pick A Good Person, about Lillian’s provocative downward spiral after the death of her situationship, Henry. King discusses embracing polarized reactions to an intentionally unlikable protagonist, her current reads and recommendations for “messy women” books, and how her background in journalism and screenwriting (including using Save the Cat) shaped her debut novel while feeling more creatively exposed than in collaborative film work. She explains writing the book during the 2023 WGA strike, building side characters to reveal Lillian’s flawed POV, and choosing not to give Lillian redemption. The conversation covers modern dating, virtue signaling, therapy-speak, female friendship breakups, LA spirituality, and the Daisy Edgar-Jones/Working Title adaptation. King also previews a 2027 dark-comedy novel about a breakup, AI chatbot companionship, and a self-help podcaster chatbot.01:26 Unlikable Heroine Talk03:04 Read Receipts07:10 BuzzFeed Millennial Era09:02 From Screen To Novel12:12 Handling Criticism16:56 Creating Lillian28:49 Morally Gray Influences36:44 Reader Prescriptions46:35 Building Side Characters48:47 Etsy Witch Culture52:11 Modern Dating Morality55:05 Adaptation Update56:38 Kirsten's Next Book59:50 Ranking Morally Grey Characters01:01:51 LITigationBooks MentionedA Good Person by Kirsten KingI Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman200 Monas by Jan SaenzShe's a Lamb by Meredith HambrookSalomé by Leslie BairdSky Daddy by Kate FolkFamesick by Lena DunhamFruit Fly by Josh SilverGone Girl by Gillian FlynnBad Marie by Marcy DermanskyThe Guest by Emma ClineBest Offer Wins by Marisa KashinoYellowface by R. F. KuangBig Swiss by Jen BeaginMy Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteConversations with Friends by Sally RooneyBeautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally RooneyEmpire of AI by Karen HaoJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsSeptember 24: It’s Different This TimeRSVP hereUse code ‘EGSept26’ for 15% off on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off on Libro.fmEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

The Everygirl Book Club interviews September pick author Joss Richard about It’s Different This Time, a second-chance romance in which former roommates reconnect after inheriting a New York City brownstone, and her second novel, Let’s Kiss and Tell, about sex columnist Lucy and reporter Marsh entering a fake relationship that turns real. Richard shares recent reads, how she went from childhood fan fiction to drafting her debut in the Notes app during the pandemic, and landing an agent and a fast traditional deal. She discusses imposter syndrome, leaving a TV/marketing job with her husband’s support, writing on deadline, LA dating culture, tropes and miscommunication, answers reader dating dilemmas, and teases a third coastal romance.00:00 Everygirl Book Club Intro00:22 Meet Joss Richard02:06 Read Receipts 06:58 Curl Routine09:04 From Fanfic To Notes App16:55 Romance Shipper Origins20:56 Publishing Whirlwind28:21 Writing Book Two33:33 Reader Advice53:20 Why Older Romance Leads56:37 Realistic Romance Ingredients59:05 Miscommunication Trope Debate01:03:32 Building LA Media World01:09:54 Next Book Tease01:10:54 Litigation01:14:05 Goodbyes and Book Club Updates01:14:55 Podcast Sign OffBooks MentionedEvery Version of You by Natalie MessierFull Throttle by J.K. MacLarenLeave and Come Back by Lavanya LakshmiYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeEveryone is Lying to You by Jo PiazzaShop Let's Kiss and TellBuy on Bookshop.orgBuy on AmazonJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsSeptember 3: A Good PersonRSVP hereUse code ‘EGBonus26’ for 15% off your copy on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off your copy on Libro.fmSeptember 24: It’s Different This TimeRSVP hereUse code ‘EGSept26’ for 15% off on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off on Libro.fmEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

Jessica Guerrieri: Motherhood, Writing the Hard Stuff, and Depicting AddictionThe Everygirl Book Club hosts Garri and Lauren interview Jessica Guerrieri, author of Both Can Be True, the August pick, about her novel of estranged sisters Mer and Frankie reunited after a local woman, Brie, goes missing, exploring family secrets and “the many ways women can disappear in plain sight.” They share current reads, recent five-star books, and TBRs, and discuss algorithm-driven recommendations versus browsing bookstores. Guerrieri recounts her roots in a family of English majors, an influential high school teacher, and authors she admires, including Lily King and Barbara Kingsolver. She reflects on publishing, defining success, her sobriety journey, AA community, relapse portrayal, and themes of motherhood, neurodiversity, sisterhood, and identity. She previews her completed book three, The Inheritance of Worry, and book four, which she describes as The Wedding People meet Remarkable Creatures.00:00 Welcome to Book Club01:05 Read Receipts 16:51 Author Origin Story 22:20 Authors She Admires26:45 What Publishing is Really Like33:25 Taking Risks38:12 Defining Success40:19 Why This Book Hit41:50 Building Both Can Be True’s Atmosphere49:16 Motherhood In Many Forms01:01:16 Sisterhood And Identity01:08:57 Recovery And Relapse Truths01:22:41 What's Next for Jessica 01:27:31 Farewell and Book Club AnnouncementsBooks mentioned:Both Can Be True by Jessica GuerrieriBetween the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica GuerrieriIt's Different This Time by Joss RichardThe Inheritance of Worry by Jessica GuerrieriUnderstory by Chloe BenjaminThe Bee Sting by Paul MurrayWind Weaver by Julie JohnsonLet's Kiss and Tell by Joss RichardBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertA Good Person by Kirsten KingBad Words by Rioghnach RobinsonProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirThe Knave and the Moon by Rachel GilligThe Bluest Eye by Toni MorrisonDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverA Hymn to Life by Gisèle PelicotJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsAugust 27: Both Can Be TrueRSVP hereUse code ‘EGAug26’ for 15% off your copy on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off your copy on Libro.fmSeptember 3: A Good PersonRSVP hereUse code ‘EGBonus26’ for 15% off your copy on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off your copy on Libro.fmEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

The Everygirl Book Club hosts are back with summer reading updates, five-star book reviews, and the latest bookish news. They share why Habits of the Sea and The Good Parts earned perfect ratings, give their first impressions of Bad Words, and explain why Broken Dove didn't live up to the hype after loving Silver Elite. Plus, they check in on their Summer Reading Challenge progress, swap recommendations for the perfect late-summer reads, discuss exciting updates from the Fourth Wing universe and Taylor Jenkins Reid, and finally reveal September's Everygirl Book Club pick.00:00 Everygirl Book Club Intro00:35 Read Receipts23:17 Summer Reading Challenge Rules24:33 Challenge Progress and Picks25:52 Girls Girl Coming of Age Rec30:43 More Summer Reads32:42 Fourth Wing Updates37:20 TJR New Release39:28 Reader Prescriptions45:17 September Pick Reveal47:41 Litigation Book of Summer DebateBooks mentioned:Habits of the Sea by Shay EarnshawThe Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne YoungThe Good Parts by Evann NormandinInto the Blue by Emma BrodieBad Words by Rioghnach RobinsonSilver Elite by Dani FrancisBroken Dove (follow-up to Silver Elite) by Dani FrancisLove By The Book by Jessica GeorgeConform by Ariel SullivanBeneath (Conform prequel) by Ariel SullivanCore (unreleased sequel to Conform)Girl's Girl by Sonia FeldmanLet's Not Go Overboard Here by Erica HendryJune Baby by Shannon GarveyEveryone Is Lying To You by Jo PiazzaThe Mash-Up by Laura Marie MeyersFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosThreshing Day by Rebecca YarrosA Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. MaasThe Last Days of Viv and Coco by Taylor Jenkins ReidAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon by Beth BrowerThe Guest by Emma ClineAnimal by Lisa TaddeoA Good Person by Kirsten KingBoth Can Be True by Jessica GuerrieriIt's Different This Time by Joss RichardLet's Kiss and Tell by Joss RichardYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeThe Shampoo Effect by Jenny JacksonThrone of Glass by Sarah J. MaasJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsAugust 27: Both Can Be TrueRSVP hereUse code ‘EGAug26’ for 15% off your copy on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off your copy on Libro.fmSeptember 3: A Good PersonRSVP hereUse code ‘EGBonus26’ for 15% off your copy on Bookshop.orgUse code ‘TEGBookClub’ for 30% off your copy on Libro.fmEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

The Everygirl Book Club hosts an interview with Andy Hunter, founder and CEO of Bookshop.org and publisher of Literary Hub, Bookmarks, and CrimeReads. Andy shares his current reads and recommendations, how books helped him navigate a challenging upbringing, and the formative titles that shaped his life. He discusses the creation of Bookshop.org and its mission to support independent bookstores in the face of Amazon’s dominance, early skepticism from investors, the platform’s rapid pandemic-era growth, and the impact of BookTok on book sales and niche bookstores. Andy also dives into Bookshop’s goals for the future, including improving bookstore technology and expanding independent bookstore access to e-books.00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:42 Vacation Reads and ARCs06:10 How Books Shaped Andy07:41 Childhood Favorites and Classics13:03 Raising Readers at Home15:12 Building Bookshop Against Amazon20:06 BookTok and Indie Bookstore Boom26:09 Opening a Bookstore Advice27:41 Boldness and Embracing Failure29:46 Anti-Acquisition Guardrails42:10 Affordable Ethical Reading45:56 Finding Better Book Recs49:30 Impact And Future Plans59:29 Final Thanks And Sign OffBooks mentioned:Dodge City by Patrick deWittFrench Exit by Patrick deWittThe Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWittA Real Animal by Emeline AtwoodFamous Men by Julie BuntinI Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline HarpmanOn the Road by Jack KerouacFear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. ThompsonWatership Down by Richard AdamsThe Tin Drum by Gunter GrassThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisBridge to Terabithia by Katherine PatersonCharlotte's Web by E.B. WhiteThe Mixed-Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. KonigsburgThe Dark is Rising series by Susan CooperAnne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud MontgomeryEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

#4: The Power of Fandoms, Magical Realism, and Negative ReviewsThe Everygirl Book Club hosts interview New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston about her novel The Someday Garden, in which Sophie, the new head gardener at Lilymoor, discovers a secret garden and a mysterious man trapped inside. Poston explains how growing up in fandom and writing fanfic shaped her voice and led to her magical realism romances. She shares her craft process: using fanfic-style scenarios to test character chemistry, then ensuring the magic serves character growth. Poston reflects on The Seven-Year Slip’s personal origins, its reader-driven “long tail” success, coping with grief while writing it, handling reviews (including a harsh Kirkus line as motivation), researching gardens despite having a “brown thumb,” drafting The Someday Garden’s time-based magic through multiple versions, and teases a forthcoming romantasy duology.0:00 – Introduction2:03 – The Dead Romantics & Discovering Romance6:27 – Fandom, Fanfic & Reylo12:47 – Characters, Magic & Writing Process15:35 – The Seven-Year Slip's Success28:20 – On Reviews, Ratings & Reader Taste35:20 – The Someday Garden & The Secret Garden41:12 – Sophie, Grief & the Garden's Magic47:10 – The Challenge of Writing Time Travel51:52 – About Time & Character Inspirations57:23 – Easter Eggs & the Ashley Poston Universe58:20 – The End of an Era & What's Next1:00:59 – Book Recommendations & ClosingBooks mentioned:The Someday Garden – Ashley PostonThe Dead Romantics – Ashley PostonThe Seven-Year Slip – Ashley PostonHeart of Iron – Ashley PostonGeekerella (Once Upon a Con trilogy) – Ashley PostonNovel Love Story – Ashley PostonBishop Takes King (Hawkeye) – Ashley PostonPriory of the Orange Tree – Samantha ShannonHowl's Moving Castle – Diana Wynne JonesThe Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson BurnettA Little Princess – Frances Hodgson BurnettFourth Wing – Rebecca YarrosDearly Departed – Chip PondsThe House of Now and Then – Edward UnderhillThe Summer Girlfriend – Kristina ForestRomantic Hero – Kirsty GreenwoodMovies/TV shows mentioned:Star Wars (franchise, plus Ashley's upcoming Star Wars novel)Avatar: The Last AirbenderAbout TimeFairy TaleDimension 20 / Dropout (TV series)Enjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.

Jessica M. Goldstein: The Absurdity of Office Culture, Nostalgia, and Tech BillionairesThe Everygirl Book Club hosts an interview with debut novelist and journalist Jessica M. Goldstein about her novel Retro—a speculative time-travel novel that kept us hooked from the moment we first read the synopsis—discussing “the sickening pain of nostalgia,” escapism, and why female friendships and platonic love are undervalued. Goldstein shares formative childhood reads and describes her affinity for vintage media and film craftsmanship. She explains building Retro’s grounded speculative world—an office-run time-travel agency using a Metro-like system—while setting clear limits, blending satire with serious themes of debt, corporate power, moral responsibility, modern dating, and the need to stay present. Goldstein also reflects on moving from journalism and McSweeney’s satire to speculative fiction, and on crafting an emotionally open ending meant to spark debate.Chapters00:26 Why Retro hooked us01:15 The books that shaped Jessica as a writer04:12 Developing her love of vintage media10:37 Nostalgia and escapism15:42 Building Retro's world21:46 Offices are actually so weird32:19 Moving from Journalism to Fiction36:35 Laughing at reality44:59 The nostalgia trap46:58 Choosing hope amid uncertainty53:57 Friendship as a lifeline01:02:36 Balancing humor and heart01:08:12 On the importance of staying presentBooks MentionedRetroAlice in WonderlandThe Wizard of OzThe Phantom TollboothPeter PanElena Ferrante's Neapolitan NovelsYesteryearMovies MentionedDog Day AfternoonThe Red ShoesBefore SunsetCluelessIndependence DayArgoForrest GumpCocoYou've Got MailWhen Harry Met SallySinnersOne Battle After AnotherLa ChimeraThe Wolf of Wall StreetTV Shows MentionedEuphoriaSeveranceParty DownEnjoy the episode? Like and follow The Everygirl Book Club Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a fellow reader. Then, join the conversation on Instagram @theeverygirlbookclub for monthly book picks, book recommendations, reading challenges, and more. Fill out this form to submit your own reader prescriptions or request specific discussion topics.