The LitJoy Podcast with Kelly and Alix

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-GarciaAuthor BioChelsea Abdullah is the award-winning author of The Sandsea Trilogy, an epic fantasy series that begins with The Stardust Thief. An American-Kuwaiti writer born and raised in Kuwait, she grew up listening to stories about mysterious desert creatures and wily (only sometimes likable) heroes.Consumed by wanderlust, she has put down roots in various states. After earning her MA in English at Duquesne University, she moved to the East Coast, where she currently lives. When not immersed in her own fictional worlds, she spends her free time playing video games, doodling characters, and hoarding books she doesn’t have the shelf space for.What's New at LitJoyIntroducing our intricately designed and truly stunning We Hunt the Flame Special Edition Box Set!We deeply appreciate your support in creating a community around stories! Make sure to RATE & REVIEW us!Subscribe to our email list at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-email Follow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 at litjoycrate.com/podcast for a 10% off discount!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix interview The Stardust Thief author Chelsea Abdullah.Special OfferVisit 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 Life[32:16] Writing the First Draft[35:50] Chelsea's Writing Ritual[38:13] Fictional World to Visit[41:14] Fictional Character to Meet[48:30] Chelsea's TBR[50:20] Final QuestionsAuthor BioChelsea Abdullah is the award-winning author of The Sandsea Trilogy, an epic fantasy series that begins with The Stardust Thief. An American-Kuwaiti writer born and raised in Kuwait, she grew up listening to stories about mysterious desert creatures and wily (only sometimes likable) heroes.Consumed by wanderlust, she has put down roots in various states. After earning her MA in English at Duquesne University, she moved to the East Coast, where she currently lives. When not immersed in her own fictional worlds, she spends her free time playing video games, doodling characters, and hoarding books she doesn’t have the shelf space for.Other Resources MentionedThe Starless Sea by Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus by Erin MorgensternGideon the Ninth by Tamsyn MuirStrange the Dreamer by Laini TaylorThe Dividing Sky by Jill TewThis Ends in Embers by Kamilah ColeThe Princess Bride by William GoldmanWhat's New at LitJoy?You asked—we delivered...our coveted Throne of Glass Bookshelf Alley is BACK, but only for a limited time! Take home this iconic moment before this opportunity disappears into the forest like the Lord of the North. Follow LitJoy!Join our Lunacorns private membership group at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-lunacornsFollow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 for a 10% off discount!

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 anything Stephen King, in a tattoo chair, or bingeing a new true crime documentary. Topics Discussed:[2:12] Becoming a Writer[7:54] Writing Style[13:11] Writing Process[20:59] Horror Influence[31:08] The Lies We Steal by Monty Jay[42:11] Monty's Favorite Morally Grey Characters[52:20] Wrath of an Exile by Monty Jay[54:09] Final QuestionsOther Resources MentionedGoosebumps Series by R.L. StineFrankenstein by Mary ShelleyDracula by Bram StokerFahrenheit 451 by Ray BradburyIt by Stephen KingJay Kristoff InterviewEmpire of the Vampire by Jay KristoffWuthering Heights by Emily BronteAmerican Psycho by Bret Easton EllisBromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon JamesWhat's New at LitJoy?Frankenstein & Phantom of the Opera Special EditionsFollow MontyThe Fury SeriesThe Hollow BoysInstagramNewsletterFollow LitJoy!Join our private membership group at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-lunacornsFollow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 for a 10% discount!

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 Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James BrownWhat's New at LitJoy?LitJoy Special Edition: Rise of the Evening Star Cinderella Fairytale NotebookFollow LitJoy!We deeply appreciate your support in creating a community around stories!Make sure to RATE & REVIEW The LitJoy Podcast wherever you listen.Subscribe to our email list at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-emailJoin our Lunacorns private membership group at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-lunacornsFollow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateCheck out LitJoy's officially licensed author collections!Use the code PODCAST10 for a 10% off discount!Find all episode show notes on The LitJoy Podcast homepage!

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 cosplaying from Fantasy, Marvel, Disney, and Game of Thrones. When she isn't cosplaying, she enjoys playing the Sims, doing yoga, thrifting, and playing with her rescued mixed poodles, Bilbo and Basil.Michael with a self-taught cosplayer and sewist with 9 years creating costumes and fashion pieces that inspire him. Audience Choice winner of the Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, Michael has a passion for education and showing the "behind the seams" process of his builds to help others create their own art as. He cosplays from Marvel, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Disney, Star Wars, and much more. Topics Discussed[0:45] My Life in France by Julia Child[2:50] Game of Thrones: The Costumes, the official book from Season 1 to Season 8 by Michele Clapton[4:22] A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin[5:58] Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb[8:02] The Harry Potter Series by J.K. RowlingOther Books MentionedLord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. TolkienGame of Thrones Series by George R.R. MartinTwilight Saga by Stephenie MeyerACOTAR series by Sarah J. MaasFollow Michael and HayleyMichael's InstagramHayley's InstagramHayley's TikTok Michael & Hayley's YouTube ChannelWe deeply appreciate your support in creating a community around stories! Make sure to RATE & REVIEW us!Subscribe to our email list at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-email Follow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 at litjoycrate.com/podcast for a 10% off discount!

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 husband and young daughters. Catherine Doyle lives in the West of Ireland with her husband Jack, and their dog, Cali. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Publishing. Her award-winning and bestselling work, which includes middle grade and young adult fiction, has been published in over 25 languages.Topics Discussed:[0:29] Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo[1:14] The Princess Bride by William Goldman[2:55] Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas[5:29] A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle[6:29] Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce[6:47] Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini TaylorOther Books MentionedThe Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. LewisLord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienOutlander by Diana GabaldonTwin Crowns series by Katherine Webber and Catherine DoyleWhat's New at LitJoy?The Darkest Part of the Forest Annotated Special EditionFollow LitJoy!Make sure to RATE & REVIEW The LitJoy Podcast wherever you listen.Join our Lunacorns private membership group at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-lunacornsFollow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateCheck out LitJoy's officially licensed author collections!Use the code PODCAST10 for a 10% off discount!

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 tattoo chair, or bingeing a new true crime documentary. Topics Discussed[0:39] Lord of the Flies by William Golding[1:24] Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede[2:58] Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King[6:12] The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller[9:37] The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.Other Books MentionedBill Hodges Trilogy by Stephen KingMisery by Stephen KingThe Iliad by HomerThe Odyssey by HomerCirce by Madeline MillerMonty JayThe Fury SeriesThe Hollow BoysInstagramNewsletterWe deeply appreciate your support in creating a community around stories! Make sure to RATE & REVIEW us!Subscribe to our email list at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-email Follow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 at litjoycrate.com/podcast for a 10% off discount!

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 eleven children, and three mischievous cats. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.Topics Discussed[0:45] The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis[1:15] The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien[2:47] The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling[4:03] Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card[4:52] Dune by Frank Herbert[6:47] Bonus BooksOther Books Brandon LovesThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. SalingerWatership Down by Richard AdamsLitJoy + Brandon MullWatch Brandon's full-episode interview here!Fablehaven Special Edition Book CollectionBrandon Mull's WebsiteWe deeply appreciate your support in creating a community around stories! Make sure to RATE & REVIEW us!Subscribe to our email list at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-email Follow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 at litjoycrate.com/podcast for a 10% off discount!