The Everygirl Book Club

The Everygirl Book Club welcomes author, podcaster, and bookseller Jo Piazza to discuss her career and latest novel Parisian Heist, plus what everyone is reading and anticipating. Piazza talks about DNFing without guilt, packed fall releases (including Exit Party, Understory, and Switzy), and her upcoming projects: a middle grade multiverse dinosaur series and an adult retelling of The Sound of Music’s Baroness Schraeder. She reflects on industry changes—market crowding, overworked publishers, lighter editing, and social-media attention demands—while praising in-person reader community. She explains becoming a “tradwife” fiction expert after Everyone Is Lying To You and argues fiction channels cultural rage and empathy. 00:00 Welcome to Book Club00:16 Meet Jo Piazza01:10 Read Receipts11:12 DNF Without Guilt12:57 Fall Books Excitement16:56 Jo’s Writing Projects22:53 Publishing Industry Shifts26:08 BookTok Attention Economy37:48 The Tradwife Moment Explained46:39 Parisian Heist Origins52:04 Reader Prescriptions59:42 LITigation01:02:31 Wrap Up And Sign OffMore reading12 Yearning Men Author Amanda Gayle Can’t Stop Thinking About19 Dark Academia Books That Will Suck You In From the First Page21 Witchy Books to Add to Your TBR This FallBooks Mentioned1. Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult2. Fruit Fly by Josh Silver3. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman 4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson5. Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel6. Understory by Chloe Benjamin7. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin8. Switzy by Emma Cline9. American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee10. Hollywood Ending by John Green11. Partita by Barbara Kingsolver 13. Once in a Timeline by Iman Hariri-Kia14. Fossil Feud by Maggie North15. The Good Parts by Evann Normandin16. Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer17. Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza18. The Parisian Heist by Jo PiazzaJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsOctober 25: And He Shall AppearRSVP hereDecember 3: ConformRSVP hereJanuary 7: Under StoryRSVP hereEnjoy 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren and Garri kick off The Everygirl Book Club’s October solo episode by discussing current reads, including the October pick And He Shall Appear, and disappointment with the Fourth Wing short-story collection Threshing Day. They note recent four-star reads, share ambitious October TBRs, then review The Love Hypothesis movie adaptation. They reveal a fall reading challenge with themed categories, debate cozy vs. scary fall tastes, create the perfect fall TBR, and close with LITigation on TBR pressure and whether readers must read other Sarah J. Maas series before the next ACOTAR release.00:00 Intro01:24 Read Receipts06:10 Threshing Day14:23 Lauren October TBR18:18 Garri October TBR25:39 The Love Hypothesis Movie Review31:14 Adaptation Thoughts36:17 Fall Reading Challenge 38:38 Cozy vs. Spooky Tastes42:29 Building The Perfect Fall TBR54:48 LITigationMore readingUh-Oh: The Love Hypothesis Movie Isn’t GoodIs the perfect adaptation even possible?Everything You Need to Know Before the Next ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ Book Comes OutBooks MentionedAnd He Shall Appear by Kate van der BorghFallow by Sarah AndersonFruit Fly by Josh SilverTwig's Traveling Tomes by Gryffin MurphyThreshing Day by Rebecca YarrosUnderstory by Chloe Benjamin by Emma BrodieBad Words by Rioghnach RobinsonThe Knave and the Moon by Rachel GilligThe Knight and the Moth by Rachel GilligOne Dark Window by Rachel GilligThe Thief and the Traitor Bride by V. L. BovalinoThe Second Death of Locke by V. L. BovalinoPlay Nice by Rachel HarrisonWitches of Cambridge by Alice HoffmanExit Party by Emily St. John MandelSwitzy by Emma ClineGrim Tidings by B.K. BorisonGood Spirits by B.K. BorisonLove Felt Like This by Julie OliviaIf It Makes You Happy by Julie OliviaTradwife by Saratoga SchaeferMain Characters by Bobby PalmerIf Not You by Elena O’CloveNinth House by Leigh BardugoRewitched by Lucy Jane WoodThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaA Short Stay in Hell by Stephen L. PeckThe Ex Hex by Rachel HawkinsThe Love Hypothesis by Ali HazelwoodNormal People by Sally RooneyEast of Eden by John SteinbeckSense and Sensibility by Jane AustenThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeA Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. MaasCrescent City series by Sarah J. MaasThrone of Glass series by Sarah J. MaasJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsOctober 25: And He Shall AppearRSVP hereDecember 3: ConformRSVP hereJanuary 7: Under StoryRSVP hereEnjoy 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Everygirl Book Club interviews best-selling author V.L. Bovalino about The Second Death of Locke and her new novel, The Thief and the Traitor Bride, which follows Nore Gordon, a spy forced onto a mission with her estranged husband. In “Read Receipts,” Bovalino shares her current reads, recent 5-star reads, and upcoming books she's excited for. She discusses formative influences like Kristin Cashore’s Fire, inspirations ranging from Game of Thrones to The Queen’s Thief, and how her PhD on secondary-world worldbuilding shaped her approach to storytelling. Bovalino recounts her publishing journey, explains the “year of the lady knight,” recommends immersive romance-forward fantasy and historical romance, and talks craft choices including Nore’s non-warrior strengths, shifting perspectives on Grey and Keir, and queer-normative worldbuilding.00:53 Surreal Success Stories02:27 Read Receipts Segment02:43 Current Read Gothic Fantasy08:59 Formative YA Fantasy13:09 Influences and Romantasy Roots16:24 PhD Worldbuilding Deep Dive21:31 Early Drafts and Evolution23:00 Publishing Journey Highs and Lows28:57 Lady Knights 32:53 Reader Prescriptions44:24 Nore As Unusual Heroine51:03 Grey And Keir Reframed55:21 Queer Normative World01:02:31 Tropes With Fantasy Twist01:05:37 Building Politics And Magic01:15:39 Book Three Tease And Stakes01:18:49 Crafting Romances With Yearning01:22:49 Subgenre Debate And FarewellBooks MentionedThe Second Death of Locke by V. L. BovalinoThe Thief and the Traitor Bride by V. L. BovalinoThe Knave and the Moon by Rachel GilligThe Knight and the Moth by Rachel GilligOnce Was Willem by M. R. CareyA Deadly Education by Naomi NovikNinth House by Leigh BardugoHell Bent by Leigh BardugoThe Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra ChandrasekeraRakesfall by Vajra ChandrasekeraThis Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneFire by Kristin CashoreGraceling by Kristin CashoreBitterblue by Kristin CashoreWinterkeep by Kristin CashoreSeasparrow by Kristin CashoreThe Selection by Kiera CassMatched by Ally CondieThe Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen TurnerRed, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonShadow and Bone by Leigh BardugoKing of Scars by Leigh BardugoRule of Wolves by Leigh BardugoUprooted by Naomi NovikThe Winternight Trilogy by Katherine ArdenNatasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia by Orlando FigesWar and Peace by Leo TolstoyFor My Lady's Heart by Laura KinsaleThe Raven Scholar by Antonia HodgsonEmpire of Sand by Tasha SuriRealm of Ash by Tasha SuriSix Wild Crowns by Holly RaceThe Beheading Game by Rebecca LehmannThe Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa GregoryThe Paradise Problem by Christina LaurenThe Everlasting by Alix E. HarrowThe Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha SuriThe Princess Knight by Cait JacobsHeated Rivalry by Rachel ReidTwilight by Stephenie MeyerThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsPercy Jackson series by Rick RiordanBridgerton series by Julia QuinnJoin The Everygirl Book Club meetingsSeptember 24: It’s Different This TimeRSVP hereOctober 25: And He Shall AppearRSVP hereDecember 3: ConformRSVP hereJanuary 7: Under StoryRSVP hereEnjoy 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.