Plans Are Booked

We have a special treat for you this week. Stephanie interviews Vanessa Lillie, author of Blood Sisters, The Bone Thief, Little Voices, and For the Best. She is also the coauthor of the Young Rich Widows series. Lillie shares the stories she treasured as a child - fairy tales, Greek mythology, The Boxcar Children, and anything by R.L. Stine, her love of historical fiction, and how moving to Rhode Island helped her unlock a deep sense of place in her writing. She shares her belief that telling indigenous stories and environmental stories can help readers find similarities in their own communities, why she decided to have a main character obsessed with the pursuit of justice, and how part of the repair work that needs to be done in present day includes the decolonization of belongings. She also explains the process for finalizing cover art, including her feedback vs. the vision of the publisher. In closing, Lillie shares her recommendations for books by other indigenous authors. To see that complete list, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're talking about a powerful and moving book by Woody Brown, an author who is non-verbal. This is the story of the clients, parents, and caregivers at a facility for adults with disabilities. Brown does an incredible job of sharing the inner monologues of individuals who cannot communicate with speech, and educating the reader on the common misconceptions surrounding this particular challenge. We think this book should be required reading and we hope you'll add it to your reading list. In our catch up, Steph shares about dog sitting in the snow storm and the new skating show on Netflix, Kaitlin celebrates the Patriots winning the AFC Championship, and Molly details her quest to buy Heated Rivalry merch at a local indie bookstore. In what we're reading this week, Molly is deep into the newest Ashley Poston, Steph follows a group of hot shots in Protect, and Kaitlin picks up a new-to-her Karin Slaughter mystery. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

Heated Rivalry fans, this week's episode is for you! We are breaking down our thoughts on the first three books in Rachel Reid's Game Changers series. We talk about her hockey universe, the complexity of her characters, the spice level, and our sincere belief that the Heated Rivalry page-to-screen adaptation may be the best in history. In our catch-up this week, Kaitlin gets the DNA test results for her rescue pup, Steph continues writing for her latest book project, and Molly gives a few TV & movie recommendations. In what we're reading this week, Steph is back with Shane and Ilya in The Long Game, Kaitlin is reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and Molly is beginning Heart the Lover by Lily King. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're under the spell of the beautiful and lyrical writing of Amy Jo Burns. We talk about her upcoming novel featuring two women trying to find their place in the world, and how they unexpectedly find "home" in each other. We praise Burns' creativity, character development, and unique ability to showcase love without the typical tropes. We also share ideas for who could play these characters in a film adaptation. In our catch up this week, we review two page-to-screen movies - The Housemaid and People We Meet on Vacation - and Steph updates us on her new book project. In what we're reading this week, Steph gets her hands on the ARC for Laura Taylor Namey's latest, and Molly devours The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center. We have an amazing book list this week; to follow along with all of our picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

We're in a hockey state of mind this week with Fake Skating by the queen of banter, Lynn Painter. We talk about her signature storytelling style, share about our favorite character (hello, Grandpa Mick), praise her use of the fake dating trope, and confess to the power of a flirtatious wink. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin visits local icon Town Spa Pizza, Steph deals with a pest problem and begins research for a new book, and Molly recounts her meal at Comfort Kitchen. In what we're reading this week, Steph is gripped by Upward Bound by Woody Brown, Kaitlin tries R.F. Kuang's Babel, and Molly finishes Cynthia Erivo's memoir. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we are toasting to 100 episodes and to our very own Stephanie, as we discuss her newest book, Golden Hour. We ask questions about her writing and editing process, spotlight the characters we adored, applaud the deep sense of place, and read aloud some of our favorite moments in the story. In our catch up this week, we reflect on 2025 and share some goals for the new year. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin enjoys Ali Hazelwood's Check & Mate, Molly falls in love with the lyrical prose of Wait for Me, and Steph gets her hands on the ARC of What Boys Learn. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

It's our final episode of 2025 and we have so much to share with you. Our featured book this week is Malala's new memoir. Kaitlin reminisces about teaching Malala's heroic story to her students and we discuss the many relatable moments Malala shares from parental pressure to first crushes to trying to fit in at college. We admire her vulnerability in sharing about her anxiety and PTSD, and talk about how she stays motivated to fight for women and girls in a world that is constantly trying to extinguish her passion. In our catch up this week, Steph updates us about the first week of Golden Hour being out in the world, Kaitlin hits a few winter holiday markets, and Molly admits to falling down the hockey romance/Heated Rivalry rabbit hole. In what we're reading this week, Steph got her hands on the new Callie Hart book, Molly is moved by the poet Kate Baer, and Kaitlin is giddy thanks to Lynn Painter's Fake Skating. We close by sharing how you can support Stephanie's book and our podcast this holiday season. Join us for all things books & besties on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're headed to Memoir Land, chatting about internet superstar and mental health advocate Elyse Myers. We discuss her vulnerability around her anxiety, rewriting conversations in our heads, her incredibly romantic love story, and her talents as both a content creator and illustrator. In our catch up this week, Molly recaps her week-long trip to North Carolina and Steph shares about her holiday with family, including her Nana's feedback on Golden Hour. In what we're reading this week, Steph dives into an ARC of Wait for Me and Molly manifests a Hanukkah meet-cute with Kissing Kosher. To follow along with all of our book picks or to order a Plans are Booked candle, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're talking about a mystery that took us by surprise. Author Karin Slaughter has written dozens of books, and this particular story stands out because it's deeply relationship driven. We talk about the suspects, the teenage girls at the center of the crimes, the unexpected second and third acts, and our hopes for this to become a television mini series. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin gets ready to put up her Christmas tree, Molly recaps meeting Heather Aimee O'Neill, and Steph shares putting the finishing touches on the Golden Hour cover. In what we're reading this week, Steph is revisiting a childhood classic, Molly finishes the memoir of a social media star, and Kaitlin relives memorable music moments with Cameron Crowe's memoir. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

Join us for our third annual holiday gift recommendation episode! This week we are sharing ideas for everyone on your list. We've got coffee table books, cookbooks, young adult novels, memoirs, poetry collections, and books that will instantly upgrade the look of your shelves. In our catch up this week, Molly raves about Friendsgiving, Steph finalizes the cover design for Golden Hour, and Kaitlin recaps her trip to Portland, Maine. In what we're reading this week, Steph races through Between Two Kings, Molly gushes about a restaurateur memoir, and Kaitlin falls down the rabbit hole with a new hockey romance series. You can find all of our book picks on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

We've got the giggles this week, reminiscing about past pop culture obsessions. In our catch up, Kaitlin reviews the page-to-screen adaptation of Regretting You, Steph is devouring the new episodes of Maxton Hall, and Molly admits to binge-watching the entire new season of Selling Sunset. Our book this week is E. Lockhart's We Fell Apart. We discuss the Massachusetts setting, the wildly eccentric characters, the fractured family relationships (her signature), read aloud a passage we think is her best writing yet, and reveal some of her real life author friends who are thanked in the acknowledgements. In what we're reading this week, Molly begins a Karin Slaughter murder mystery and Steph details Rebecca Yarros' The Last Letter. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're discussing Buckeye, a relationship-driven book about life in small town America across several decades. We talk about how the story follows both the characters and our country as they move through big changes, the ways in which the writing felt observational, and the themes of duty and repression. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin seeks overalls advice from Steph, Steph recaps her time dog sitting in Indiana, Molly attends a live podcast recording with Katie Sturino, and Kaitlin fills us in on her first Halloween party at her new house and the installation of her Little Free Library. In what we're reading this week, Steph enjoys Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score, Molly raves about the newest cowboy romance from Jessica Peterson, and Kaitlin starts Lightlark by Alex Aster. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we are transported to Long Island, literally and via the setting of this debut novel. We are talking about The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill, which was selected as the Jenna Reads Book Club pick for October 2025. We talk about the family drama genre (and Molly shouts out a few of her favorites), the uniqueness of siblings as narrators, the undercurrent of grief throughout this story, the role of religion in intergenerational dynamics, and our thoughts on a potential screen adaptation. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin recaps her trip to the North Fork of Long Island, and Molly shares about a visit to a new restaurant in the Fenway neighborhood. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin encounters the paranormal in the new Lyla Sage series, and Molly hits the jackpot with a popular thriller find in a Little Free Library. To follow along with all of the books that we mention, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're gushing about the first novel from an author we all adore: Rainbow Rowell. We reviewed Rowell's Slow Dance (Chapter 49) and were excited to go back in time to the book that started it all. We talk about the power of coming-of-age stories, this sweet relationship that blooms on the school bus, the potent mix of excitement and nervousness of a first crush, how this moment in time (the 1980s) differs from how we communicate today, and our resounding agreement that we will read anything this author puts out into the world. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin has a bestie in town and goes to her first headbanger concert, Steph has a great time dog sitting and admits her wing woman status at the bookstore, and Molly visits an unusual and delicious dessert cafe. In what we're reading this week, Molly picks up TV writer Monica Heisey's Really Good, Actually, Kaitlin makes an impulse purchase at an indie bookstore, and Steph continues to embrace hoa hoa hoa season with Ali Hazelwood's newest, Mate. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're talking about a very special book with a truly unusual narrator - Marcellus the octopus. We discuss how cover art influences our first impression of a story, emotion-driven vs. action-oriented plots, the beautiful relationship between Tova and Cameron, the moving way this book makes you think about the circle of life, and how it encourages readers to find joy in the small moments. We also share all the questions we wish we could ask the author and our excitement to see the film adaptation when it comes to Netflix. In our catch up this week, Steph asks, "is it perimenopause or is it a handsome man?" and reacts to the first draft of the cover art for her book. Molly raves about two recent dining experiences at Nebo and Sofra, noting her commitment to supporting female-owned businesses. In what we're reading this week, Steph embraces Hoa Hoa Hoa season with werewolf story Bitten, and Molly falls in love with the Lioness of Boston, sparking a heated discussion about whether or not Isabella Stewart Gardner was a Libra. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're praising the pride of Massachusetts, Taylor Jenkins Reid, as we celebrate her latest novel, Atmosphere. We talk about childhood fascination with the stars and space, our deepened appreciation for NASA's Mission Control, how this may be her most romantic story yet, and the 'butter moment' that left us swooning. In our catch up this week, Steph shares an interaction at the bookstore and updates us on her self-publishing journey, Kaitlin recaps her trip to the Oceans Calling music festival, and Molly gushes about her birthday celebrations. In what we're reading this week, Molly is reeled in by the first sentence of Patrick Ryan's Buckeye, Steph tears through the latest from E. Lockhart, and Kaitlin finds a gem at the Brookline Booksmith with a very unique premise. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at planarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're talking about a children's book that rustled up many childhood memories. Pax is the story of a boy and his pet fox, separated but determined to find their way back to each other. We talk about the parallels to Homeward Bound and Toy Story, how an animal as a central character reels in young readers, the importance of found family, and the meaning behind the name Pax. In our catch up this week, Stephanie introduces a new segment inspired by handsome visitors to the bookstore, Kaitlin shares the challenges of puppy training and her excitement for some upcoming outings, and Molly congratulates a friend of the pod on the upcoming opening of her indie bookstore. In what we're reading this week, Steph finishes Atmosphere and moves on to a racy story set in Boston, Molly is charmed by the octopus in Remarkably Bright Creatures, and Kaitlin is enjoying Angeline Boulley's latest release. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're discussing a very short book with a powerful punch. Address Unknown is an epistolary novel set in the 1930s that tells the story of two business partners whose relationship is dramatically impacted by Hitler's rise to power. We talk about the letter writing format, the erosion of the characters' friendship, parallels to changes we're seeing in the U.S. government today, and how we believe this should be required reading in every high school. In our catch up this week, Steph shares about some recent cuteness at the bookstore and her decision to self-publish Golden Hour, and Molly admits all the ways she is clinging to summer at the beach. In what we're reading this week, Steph is enjoying a family drama with an incredible title and Molly is happy to be reunited with Elissa Sussman's characters for her third book. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're transported to a remote island in the Southern Hemisphere. We are talking about the powerful and thought-provoking book Wild Dark Shore. We discuss the specificity of the location, the detailed descriptions of nature, the successful use of multiple narrators, the innocence delivered via a child as a main character, McConaghy's masterclass in brevity, and her gut punch of a first sentence. In our catch up this week, Steph shares a memorable meal at La Bodega, Molly reviews two page-to-screen adaptations, and Kaitlin recaps her trip to the U.S. Open. In what we're reading this week, Steph is inspired to start a sci-fi series, Molly heads to Texas with a cowboy romance, and Kaitlin devours her second Catherine Cowles title. To follow along with all of our top picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're chatting about a debut novel that surprised and delighted us. Hot Desk is contemporary fiction with multiple timelines, centered around a literary review in 1980s New York City. There's a workplace frenemies situation, a #MeToo revelation, powerful bonds between parents and children, a drunken scoundrel, and a highly coveted posthumous manuscript. We praise the author's ability to juggle so many story elements, read our favorite passages, and admit how much we laughed out loud. In our catch up this week, Molly gushes about a recent work trip and Steph updates on the home stretch at the renovation house. In what we're reading this week, Steph snagged a brand new copy of Pucking Strong and Molly reads Holly Jackson's latest murder mystery. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.