Meagan's Book Club Podcast

I had the best time chatting with Danielle (@foreverbookedup) — we’ve been book friends for years, so this conversation felt less like an interview and more like catching up with an old friend. We talked about how our reading lives have changed, the joy (and nerves!) of starting something new, and her journey launching a mobile bookstore last year.One of my favorite parts was hearing about the community she’s built in her area through hosting book events — the kind that bring readers together and make books feel like a shared experience, not just a solitary one. It was such a warm, thoughtful, genuinely fun conversation, and I’m so excited to share it with you.Danielle's IG: @foreverbookedupMobile Bookstore: @rollingchaptersThe book Danielle recommended: The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Sadeqa Johnson to talk about her stunning new novel, Keeper of Lost Children. Sadeqa shares her journey from indie publishing to traditional publishing, what it’s been like releasing her sixth book, and the moment she felt called to shift from women’s fiction into historical fiction.We dive into the deep responsibility and beauty of telling stories that have long gone unheard, and why Keeper of Lost Children felt like a story she had to write. This conversation is honest, inspiring, and rooted in purpose—about trusting the call, honoring the past, and writing stories that matter. This is one you won’t want to miss.Find Sadeqa on her book tour: https://www.sadeqa.net/

Surprise episode! I’m joined by my fairly newly established bestie book club—Corine, Kelsi, and Julia—for a full-spoiler discussion of The One by John Marrs. And yes, we mean full spoilers, so if you haven’t read it yet… consider this your sign to stop everything, read the book, and come back immediately.We dive into every character, every questionable decision, and every “oh no they did NOT” moment. We unpack the impact of finding your perfect match, whether the science is a gift or a curse, and how love, loyalty, ambition, and fear collide once the results are revealed. From shocking outcomes to moral gray areas, we ask the big questions: Would you take the test? It’s thoughtful, dramatic, occasionally unhinged, and exactly what happens when four best friends overanalyze a book that refuses to let you look away. Thanks for listening!Next month, we will be reading Heart the Lover by Lily King.

January was a very three-star kind of reading month. I read a lot of books that were fine, enjoyable, and easy to turn the pages on—but not many that fully took my breath away. In this episode, I’m breaking down what worked, what didn’t quite hit, and why a three-star read isn’t a bad thing at all. *I forgot to mention A Good Animal which I really enjoyed! Plus, I’m sharing the few standouts that really rose to the top and are easy recommendations if you’re looking to start your year strong.Loved🎧 The One ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Liked🎧 Warning Signs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 A Good Animal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The One Day You Were My Husband ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 Keeper of Lost Children ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Dolly All the Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 Wreck ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫🎧 The List of Suspicious Things ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫🎧 The Midnight Taxi ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Worse Than Strangers ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫🎧 This is Not About Us ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Just Okay🎧 The Future Saints ⭐️⭐️⭐️The One and Only Vivian Stone ⭐️⭐️⭐️Summer State of Mind ⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 Everyone in This Bank is a Thief ⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 The Fourth Princess ⭐️⭐️⭐️The Women in White ⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 Anatomy of an Alibi ⭐️⭐️⭐️Meh🎧 The Lost Ticket ⭐️⭐️💫

I am so excited about this episode because I’m joined by bestselling author Maurene Goo to celebrate her debut adult romcom, One and Only, out Today—and truly, this conversation was the best kind of fun. 💕 Maurene first made her mark writing YA, and we talk all about what she loved most about that space: staying true to teen voices, language, and experiences, and honoring how real those moments feel. From there, we dive into her pivot to adult fiction—what sparked the shift, what felt different creatively, and why romcoms felt like the right next step. Maurene is thoughtful, hilarious, and endlessly fascinating, and our chat felt like catching up with a friend. And yes… she also shared some very exciting news early with me—One and Only is the Read with Jenna February pick, and I could not be more thrilled for her. Happy reading and listening!*Maurene also dropped the nugget that her husband's movie might be nominated for the Oscars and very casually told us he co-directed KPop Demon Hunters. You couldn't see my jaw on the floor, but yes- it was dead ass on the floor. Substack: https://maurenegoo.substack.com/For Tour Dates: @maurenegoo

In this episode, I’m talking all about love books — the cute ones, the devastating ones, and the ones where love gets a little… dangerous. From laugh-out-loud romcoms to rip-your-heart-out romances to thrillers fueled by obsession and secrets, I’m breaking down three types of love stories and sharing the books I can’t stop recommending. Whether you want to swoon, sob, or side-eye every character, there’s a love book here for you. Thanks for listening! Thriller Romance:Verity by Colleen HooverThe One by John MarrsThe Last Mrs Parrish by Liv ConstantineCross My Heart by Megan CollinsRebecca by Daphne Du MaurierThe Unraveling by Vi KeelandRip Your Heart Out:Someday, Maybe by Oyni NwabineliThe Heart of Winter by Jonathan EvisonHamnet by Maggie O'FarrellThe Nature of Fragile Things by Susan MeissnerThe Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley HellerWhat the Wind Knows by Amy HarmonRomcoms:The Bodyguard by Katherine CenterThe Flatshare by Beth O'LearyEvery Beautiful Mile by Ashley ManleyThe Burnout by Sophie KinsellaThe Love of my Afterlife by Kirsty GreenwoodThe Good Part by Sophie Cousens

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Barrie Kreinik—an award-winning audiobook narrator whose voice you’ve likely heard in some of your favorite listens. Barrie has narrated titles for Penguin Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, Harper, Podium, Blackstone, Brilliance, Audible, Tantor, and more, and her mastery of accents and dialects (especially across the British Isles) is nothing short of remarkable.Our conversation was absolutely fascinating. Barrie walks me through her path into voice training, how she approaches character work, what goes into building authentic dialects, and the artistry behind making an audiobook truly come alive. She’s generous, insightful, and endlessly talented—and I learned so much from her.If you’re curious about the magic behind audiobooks or you simply love hearing from people who are exceptional at what they do, you won’t want to miss this episode.What Barrie Recommends:-Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen-Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon-Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto UrreaAudio Drama written and performed by Barrie!-The Queen of 14th StreetSeries Books Barrie has Narrated:-Because I Could Not Stop for Death- An Emily Dickinson Mystery series by Amanda Flowers-A Rose Gallagher Mystery book series by Erin Lindsey

I’m trying something new this year and making this a monthly segment — a little check-in where I share what I’ve been loving, enjoying, and doing lately. Think books, shows, and the small things that are making this month feel like this month. The line up this month is:What I'm LovingWhat I'm WatchingWhat I'm ReadingWhat I'm CookingWhat I'm Doing More OfWhat I'm BuyingWhat I'm Looking Forward toHappy Listening!

I’m so excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney to the podcast! With eight books under her belt and a brand-new release, My Husband’s Wife, Alice opens up about her writing process, how she stays grounded when writing dark scenes, and the magic behind the audiobook versions of her novels. We also talk about His and Hers being adapted into a TV series, what that journey has been like, and what she’s working on next. Alice is charming, funny, and incredibly down to earth, making this such a fun and insightful conversation.Her website and tour dates: https://www.alicefeeney.com/IG: @alicewriterland

Book lovers, this one’s for you! I’m back with my recurring book chat segment alongside my Bookstagram friend Hannah (@booksandbitesroc), and we’re breaking down the Q1 books you need on your radar. From titles we’ve already devoured to the releases we’re counting down to, this episode is packed with honest reactions, excitement, and plenty of reader-to-reader recommendations. It’s a long, cozy conversation—perfect for walks, commutes, or curling up with your favorite drink.January:The Storm by Rachel Hawkins, The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, Skylark by Paula McLain, Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven, The Briars bySarah Crouch, Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey, Scavengers by Kathleen Boland, Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston, Woman Down by Colleen Hoover, A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James, My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney, The Room in the Attic by T.M. Logan, The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead, Dead in the Water by John Marrs, All the Little Houses by May Cobb, The Fair Weather Friend by Jessie Garcia, Sunk in Love by Heather McBreenFebruary:Blade by Wendy Walker, This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page, One and Only by Maurene Goo, It's Not Her by Mary Kubica, What Tomorrow Will Be by Julianne MacLean, This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman, Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson, Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra, The Jills by Karen Parkman, When I Kill You by BA Paris, Murder at 30,000 Feet by Susan Walter, Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams, The Astral Library by Kate Quinn, The Girls Before by Kate Alice Marshall, And Now, Back To You by BK BorisonMarchWait For Me by Amy Jo Burns, A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman, No Matter What by Cara Bastone, Toe to Toe by Falon Ballard, This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum, Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano, How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh, Once and Again by Rebecca Serle, Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson, Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh, Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict, The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

This week I’m joined by longtime content creator Kate Bryan, the force behind Small Things. I’ve been following Kate since her early hair-tutorial days, and it was such a joy to finally sit down with someone who has been educating, inspiring, and entertaining her audience since 2011.We talk about how she’s kept content fun and fresh for over a decade, her journey into reading more since 2020, and the books that have shaped her reading life. Of course, we couldn’t resist swapping recommendations—both in the beauty world and in the book world. Kate also shares her biggest hits and misses of the year.It was such an easy, energizing conversation, and I can’t wait for you to listen. We had the best chat! You can find Kate on Instagram @k8_smallthings and her website: www.thesmallthingsblog.comKate's Recommendations:Conditioner- Pureology Hydrate Brushing hair before showers Wide tooth comb to brush hair after the shower Spend the money on the base layer for your skin ie concealer, foundationBooks RecsWe Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter One True Loves by TJRCarrie Soto is Back by TJRThis Tender Land by William Kent Krueger Book MissesThe Favorites by Layne FargoAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerThe Silent Patient by Alex MichaelidesGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

This episode is basically a cozy, tell-all chat. I asked you for questions and you delivered—life stuff, bookish favorites, church, relationships, all of it. I’m sharing honestly about where I’m at right now, things I hope to focus on as I approach 40, and what’s on my heart as we head into a new year. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Jennifer Niven to talk all about her newest novel, Meet the Newmans, out now. Set in the 1960s, the book is inspired by Jennifer’s lifelong love of the era and her fascination with characters who hide behind carefully crafted masks. And what better lens for that than a picture-perfect TV family? We dive into the inspiration behind the story, the allure of mid-century America, and Jennifer’s incredible author journey across nonfiction, historical fiction, YA, and now adult fiction. She was an absolute delight to chat with, and I loved every minute of this conversation. EXTRA CONTENT: there is a 5 minute audiobook sample at the end of our chat, so make sure to tune in and hear Marin Ireland narrate Meet the Newmans. Find Jennifer: https://www.jenniferniven.com/IG: @jennifernivenUS Tour Dates:1/7- The Strand, NY,NY1/8- Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC1/12- St Charles City-County Library, St Charles, MO1/13- Books and Books, Coral Gables, FL1/14- BookPeople, Austin, TX1/16- The Grove Barnes & Noble, Los Angeles, CA

This final episode of the year feels especially meaningful. I’m reflecting on a year of reading that brought comfort, challenge, and so many moments of connection. These books met me in different seasons of the year, and looking back on them now feels like revisiting who I was while reading them. I’ve included the full list in the show notes so you can easily explore each title and reflect on your own year of reading, too.As I wrap up the final episode of the year, I want to take a moment to say thank you for supporting me and this podcast. Every listen, every kind message, every recommendation you’ve shared has meant more than I can put into words. This year of the podcast wouldn’t have been what it was without you.My Top 25 of 2025🎧 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans🎧 Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall🎧 Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell🎧 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy🎧 The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano 🎧 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir🎧 Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson🎧 The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony🎧 The Bright Years by Sarah DamoffForever and Back by Ashley Manley Every Beautiful Mile by Ashley Manley🎧 The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Harnett🎧 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri🎧 How to Read a Book by Monica Wood🎧 The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin HarmelThe Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion SERIES🎧 These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLeanIt’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan🎧 Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey🎧 Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman🎧 The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick🎧 Buckeye by Patrick Ryan🎧 Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven🎧 Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid🎧 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Hot takes incoming. This episode is all about my least favorite books of 2025—the overhyped, the underwhelming, and the ones I truly wish I’d DNF’d sooner. If you love honest book talk and a little spice, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening! Here are the Least Favs of 2025:🎧 The Crash ⭐️🎧 Her One Regret ⭐️🎧 PS I Hate You ⭐️⭐️The Love Haters ⭐️⭐️🎧 Count My Lies ⭐️⭐️Promise Me Sunshine ⭐️⭐️🎧 Swept Away ⭐️⭐️Say You’ll Remember Me ⭐️⭐️🎧 Betting On You ⭐️⭐️🎧 My Lovely Wife ⭐️⭐️A Beautiful Family ⭐️⭐️Don’t Open Your Eyes ⭐️⭐️Remain ⭐️⭐️🎧 Not Quite Dead Yet ⭐️⭐️And Then There Was You ⭐️⭐️🎧 Please Don’t Lie ⭐️⭐️Once and Again ⭐️⭐️🎧The Three Lives of Cate Kay ⭐️⭐️🎧 Gone Before Goodbye ⭐️⭐️🎧 What Kind of Paradise ⭐️⭐️💫🎧 Annie Bot ⭐️⭐️💫🎧 The Compound ⭐️⭐️💫The Reservation ⭐️⭐️💫Don’t Let Him In ⭐️⭐️💫🎧 Kill Your Darlings ⭐️⭐️💫

In this final book club episode of the year, we dive into How to Read a Book by Monica Wood—a tender, layered novel about second chances, chosen family, and the stories that shape us. We unpack the themes, characters, and the moments that linger long after the last page.We also take a moment to look back on our entire 2025 reading year and the 10 books we tackled together. From emotional highs to unexpected favorites, it’s a warm recap of everything this community has explored.And because this marks the end of an era, I close with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of book club over the years. Your insights, messages, and enthusiasm have made this space something truly special. I’m so grateful we got to read together. Make sure to follow along for our new January challenge: A New-to-You Author Start the year with someone you’ve never read before

This week, I’m joined by acclaimed audiobook narrator Karissa Vacker, whose voice has brought to life some of today’s most gripping and emotional stories. We talk about the craft of narration, how she builds character through voice, and what really happens behind the mic. Whether you’re an audiobook lover or just curious about the art of storytelling, this is such a fun and fascinating conversation. Thanks for listening!A few books narrated by Karissa: Good Spirits by BK Borison, Shark Heart by Emily Habeck, When in Rome by Sarah Adams, PS I hate You by Lauren Connolly, Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly, The New Year's Party by Jenna Satterthwaite, Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow

November came and went in a flash! I had two trips back to back and didn’t get the amount of reading I was hoping for, but even with a busy schedule, I was still able to read some books that were on my list. Highs? Being caught up on Emma M Lion. Lows? Reading Reese Witherspoon’s book and hating it every second. How was your November? Any standouts?Loved▪️🎧 Every Beautiful Mile ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reread to do the new audio!) ▪️🎧 The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion #8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫▪️More Than Enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Liked▪️🎧 Love and Saffron ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▪️ Handle With Care ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Just okay▪️🎧 An Academic Affair ⭐️⭐️⭐️▪️🎧 A Merry Little Lie ⭐️⭐️⭐️The Flops▪️The Reservation ⭐️⭐️💫▪️🎧 Gone Before Goodbye ⭐️⭐️▪️🎧 Her One Regret ⭐️DNF▪️Some Kind of Famous▪️Overdue▪️The Wilderness▪️The Mating Game▪️The Sunshine Man▪️Charlie Quinn Lets Go

In this episode, I sit down with author Tory Henwood Hoen to talk about her beautifully written new novel, Before I Forget. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and tender coming-of-age story about a woman returning home to care for her father, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Set against the backdrop of a beloved Adirondack lake house, it explores memory, loss, and rediscovery—with touches of whimsy and humor woven throughout. Tory and I chat about the inspiration behind the story, writing about family and identity, and how memory shapes who we are and who we become.Website: https://toryhenwoodhoen.com/IG: @toryhenwoodhoenBooks Tory Recommends:God of the Woods by Liz Moore, The Friend by Sigrid Nunez, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Bestselling author Matthew Norman joins me to chat all about his charming new novel, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. We dive into how this festive story came to life, what it was like to write a holiday-focused book for the first time, and his thoughts on male authors writing female characters with authenticity and heart. Matthew also shares his perspective on evolving as a writer through the years and finding new creative challenges along the way.Tune in for a thoughtful, funny, and festive conversation with one of today’s most insightful voices in contemporary fiction. Thanks for listening!Website: https://www.thenormannation.com/IG: @thenormannation