Book Gang
Amy Allen Clark
All episodes
Best episodes
Top 10 Book Gang Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Book Gang episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Book Gang for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Book Gang episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
04/19/24 • 57 min
Amy Lin discusses her emotional debut memoir Here After. We discuss her surprising revelations about the grief process and better steps to show up for grievers.
In our fear of saying the wrong thing, we often don't get to engage in essential conversations like the one we share today. Amy Lin, author of Here After, joins the Book Gang podcast to discuss her powerful memoir on grief and loss and what she wants you to understand about young widowhood.
Here After Book Summary
Lin never expected to find a love like the one she shared with her husband, Kurtis, a gifted young architect who pulls her toward joy, adventure, and greater self-acceptance. But thirty-two-year-old Kurtis unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind Amy, who struggled to navigate the loss while simultaneously confronting a life-threatening medical crisis.
This sparse memoir was handcrafted for grievers as Amy shares the painstaking process down to margin, white space, and book size to give readers both space and understanding of her grief experience.
More importantly, she offers life-altering advice on our falsehoods about grief, from the misconceptions around grief timelines to what we shouldn't say to those experiencing loss. After hearing Amy's sage advice today,I promise you will be a better friend, sister, daughter, or mother after listening to this conversation.
To accompany today's show, I have a Books On Grief and Loss book list with fiction and nonfiction selections for adult and young readers.
I've also gathered a curated collection of grief quotes from these books that speak to this universal experience in comforting ways to give words to this experience. I hope you feel both seen and loved today's series.
Meet Amy Lin
Amy Lin is a writer and educator who lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her work has been published in Ploughshares, and she has been awarded residencies from Yaddo and Casa Comala.Here After is her debut novel.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joining the Patreon helps this show remain independent and on air for $5 a month. You will gain access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!
Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Book
Books on Grief and Loss Book List
A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
Here After by Amy Lin
Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!
Connect With Us:
Connect with Amy Lin on Instagram, Substack, or her Website
Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice
06/07/24 • 33 min
Nicola Yoon discusses her provocative adult debut, One of Our Kind, and the surprising inspiration from The Stepford Wives that sparked her daring new story.
Writing inspiration can sometimes strike in the most unlikely places. Podcast listening in the shower electrified a story Nicola Yoon had never expected to write. Join us for an enlightening conversation with the bestselling young adult novelist as she discusses her provocative debut adult novel, One of Our Kind.
Today, she shares how The Stepford Wives inspired her thought-provoking thriller, and how she hopes to ignite book club conversation through her story’s pages.
Yoon also shares the mission behind her imprint, Joy Revolution Books, which she co-founded with her husband, David Yoon, to celebrate love stories by and about people of color. It’s a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes and a tribute to the couple’s dedication to these storytellers.
BONUS BOOK LIST: Take advantage of these 23 must-read social horror books for a summer immersion. You’ll love these thought-provoking book selections, from eerie dystopias to unsettling societal critiques.
Patrons can dive into the One of Our Kind ending through today’s spoiler chat, where we discuss Yoon’s motivations behind her characters, the book’s ending, and the connections she hopes the reader will make as they finish that last page.
Meet Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing, Everything, Everything, The Sun Is Also a Star, and a co-author of Blackout and Whiteout.
She is a National Book Award finalist, a Michael L. Printz Honor Book recipient, a Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner and the first Black woman to hit #1 on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list. Two of her novels have been made into major motion pictures.
She’s also the co-publisher of Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, the novelist David Yoon, and their daughter.
One of our Kind is her adult debut.
Mentioned in this episode:
BONUS SUMMER CONTENT:
Summer reading season is in full swing. Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like One of Our Kind. All purchases support this year’s programming.
NEW: The Best Social Horror Books To Read Now (23 Book Ideas)
Download Today's Podcast Transcript
Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club
BONUS LIST: These Social Horror Books Will Make You Think
Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club
One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
The Warehouse by Rob Hart
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Blackout by Nicola Yoon, Angie Thomas & more
Whiteout by Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton & more
06/21/24 • 35 min
Laura shares the painfully hilarious real-life inspiration behind her novel, discussing how personal experiences with negative feedback trickled into One-Star Romance.
The dark horse in my romance stack was Laura Hankin's debut novel, which pulled ahead as my summer favorite. After reading the author for years across genres, I'm honored to have Laura Hankin on the Book Gang podcast to discuss her writing pivot in One-Star Romance.
In a world of instant feedback, I was fascinated by Laura's hacks for processing reviewer feedback that still protects her creative process. These candid reflections offer valuable lessons for aspiring authors and a gentle reminder of the power of a one-liner scathing review that can haunt writers long after we've hit "post."
Patrons can dive into the One-Star Romance ending through today’s spoiler chat, where we discuss Hankin's surprising plot twists that take us to that swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Meet Laura Hankin
Laura Hankin is an accomplished author, screenwriter, and performer known for her captivating novels, perfect for beach reads and book club discussions. Her previous works include The Daydreams, Happy & You Know It, and A Special Place for Women.
One-Star Romance is her debut romance.
Mentioned in this episode:
TODAY'S GIANT BONUS SUMMER CONTENT:
Summer reading season is in full swing. Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like One-Star Romance. All purchases support this year's programming.
Download Today's Show Transcript
NEW: 26 Books About Books List
NEW: 32 Books About Authors and Publishing Book List
NEW: 23 Stunning Books About Bookstores Book List
NEW: 18 Books About Book Clubs Book List
NEW: 25 Books About Libraries Book List
Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club
One Star Romance by Laura Hankin
American Fever by Dur E Aziz Amna
Laura Hankin's Tiktok Viral Moment
The Daydreams by Laura Hankin
Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
Akwaeke Emezi Shares Strategy for Processing Reviews
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!
Connect With Us:
Connect with Laura Hankin on Instagram,
10/04/24 • 34 min
Rob Hart discusses his gripping novel, Assassins Anonymous, and the heartfelt storytelling approach that defines his work.
When Steven Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment, snaps up the rights to a book within 24 hours of acquisition, you know the book must be incredible.
Today, Rob Hart joins us to discuss his new novel Assassins Anonymous and the unique background he brings to crafting a great fight sequence. This thriller offers readers humor, heart, and loads of cinematic action, making it an absolute favorite from my reading year. We discuss his plans for continuing this book series for readers and how he continually pivots genres and projects in his writing career.
Readers should prepare for deliciously clever plot twists, which we discuss in our patron spoiler-filled episode about the shocking Assassins Anonymous ending Hart crafted!
BONUS BOOK LIST
Whether you're in the mood for twisty thrillers, laugh-out-loud moments, or heartwarming escapes, I've rounded up 17 of my favorite binge-worthy books that are perfect for breaking out of a reading slump.
Meet Rob Hart
Rob Hart is the author of Assassins Anonymous, The Paradox Hotel, The Warehouse, the Ash McKenna crime series, and the co-author of Scott Free with James Patterson. He's worked as a book publisher, a reporter, a political communications director, and a commissioner for the city of New York. Hart lives on Staten Island.
Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like Assasins Anonymous. All purchases support this year's programming.
Download Today's Show Transcript
BONUS BOOK LIST: Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump Book List (17 Book Ideas)
Join the October Book Club Chat (Severance by Ling Ma)
Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart
The Warehouse by Rob Hart
The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart
Blood in the Cut by Alejandro Nodarse
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!
Connect With Us:
Connect with Rob Hart on Instagram or his Website
Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice
04/12/24 • 31 min
This special crossover episode with Thoughts from a Page offers five new historical fiction books in 2024 to read now of compelling women throughout history.
Cindy Burnett, the host of the Thoughts from a Page podcast, joins our show in this special crossover episode to discuss her favorite new historical fiction books for 2024 that readers will love.
We discuss the most memorable books we read when we first began exploring this genre, the upcoming publishing trends for this year in historical fiction, and common misconceptions (and gripes) on what we feel is essential in a fantastic historical fiction book selection.
Cindy brings five incredible novels featuring powerful narratives exploring accounts of remarkable women throughout history. We know you will love reading these this Spring!
Meet Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page Podcast)
Cindy Burnett hosts the Thoughts from a Page Podcast where she engages in compelling author interviews and discussions with industry professionals. Beyond her podcast, she actively promotes books through social media, writes columns for The Buzz Magazines, contributes monthly reviews to Bookreporter.com, and co-creates Conversations from a Page—an author event series in Houston.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Miss Del Rio by Barbara Mujica
The Editor by Stephen Rowley
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
The Queen of Sugar Hill by Reshonda Tate
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader
The Magic of Old Hollywood Podcast Episode with Amy and Molly Fader
The Best Books About Old Hollywood to Get Swept Away
The Best New Historical Fiction of 2023 (In Case You Missed It)
Reel by Kennedy Ryan
Cindy’s episode with Reshonda Tate
This Book Cover Designer Reveals His Surprising Process Podcast
The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!
Connect With Us:
Connect with Cindy Burnett on Thoughts from a Page Podcast, Instagram, or the Thoughts from a Page website.
02/02/24 • 61 min
SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!
Sarah Adler discusses writing her quirky debut novel Mrs. Nash's Ashes and her favorite memorable "only one bed" moments in romance.
Sarah Adler didn’t know she was writing a romance book when she started her novel. She wasn’t even a romance reader. All of that changed, though, when she wrote Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, her debut romance novel.
Today, Sarah Adler provides a behind-the-scenes look into her publishing journey, recounting the rollercoaster ride of rejections, what it is like to have a novel go to auction, and what this book taught her about identity that she was surprised to uncover through her characters.
Sarah’s “only one bed” scene I now count among my favorite romance moments, and we discuss her favorite books that uniquely capture this dilemma and why this has become such a beloved romance trope for readers.
Don’t miss today's BONUS BOOK LIST, which includes The Best One Bed Trope Books for Romance Lovers. Patrons of our show will receive a printable version of today’s book list as a thank you for your support!
Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter and spends an inordinate amount of her time yelling at her mischievous cat to stop opening the kitchen cabinets.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!
Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler
You by Caroline Kepnes
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
One’s Company by Ashley Hutson
The WAVES Program in World War II
New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
Comic Absurdity and Deep Emotion: PW Talks with Tessa Dare
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Beth O'Leary | 'I wrote almost all the book on the train...'
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Happy Medium by Sarah Adler
Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.
Meet Our New Book Gang
Book Gang
01/04/24 • 54 min
SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!
Meet MY new book gang collaboration with Victoria from The Reader's Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on a new reading journey together.
I'm thrilled to bring you a special pop-up episode announcing a fabulous new collaboration for the upcoming year. I couldn't be more excited to team up with my bookish friends, Victoria from The Reader's Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on our own little book gang adventure.
These incredible hosts share my love for reading and authors. Today we dive into how this love for reading began and take a behind-the-scenes look at how our communities started.
You'll also get a sneak peek at our favorite reads of the year and the upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on.
Through this partnership, you can expect to hear us regularly on each other's podcasts, discussing our favorite books and delving into all the reading-related fun that fuels our shows and passions.
It is SO beautiful when women lift each other up, and I hope you feel that excitement today through this new collaboration effort.
Meet Victoria Wood (The Reader's Couch Podcast)
Victoria Wood hosts The Reader's Couch Podcast. She is a reading enthusiast who has successfully guided self-proclaimed "non-readers" into cultivating and sustaining reading habits and assisted readers in fostering more intentional and fulfilling reading lives. She hosts conversations with authors to learn more about their writing and reading lives.
Meet Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page Podcast)
Cindy Burnett hosts the Thoughts from a Page Podcast where she engages in compelling author interviews and discussions with industry professionals. Beyond her podcast, she actively promotes books through social media, writes columns for The Buzz Magazines, contributes monthly reviews to Bookreporter.com, and co-creates Conversations from a Page—an author event series in Houston.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!
Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books
Bluff by Michael Kardos
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene
Trixie Belden The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Six Months to Live by Lurlene McDaniel
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Turn of the Screw by Henry James
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos
12/15/23 • 52 min
SUPPORT MY WORK through Patreon!
I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new contributor voice to the Book Gang podcast. Jessica Bearak is likely a familiar voice to you because she is such a loyal participant in so many book club spaces around the web.
It was such a treat to meet her IN PERSON earlier this year, and after having the best time discussing our books together, I asked if she could picture herself sharing the microphone with me. Learn more about Jessica’s reading life and the surprising destination I took her to when she visited that kickstarted our year together.
We brainstormed many fun ideas for the days ahead but knew we needed to start things off with a magical hook. What could be better to celebrate this occasion than a book stack filled with found family?
Today, we will dive into the concept of the found family trope and its significance in literature and our lives, especially around the holidays.
From insights from past guests to the trivia we discovered about some of our favorite beloved stories, there is something for everyone in today’s introductory episode. I hope you feel compelled to share this episode and support our new voice today.
Check out our BONUS “found family” book list that includes our favorite historical fiction, middle-grade novels, and even a dark psychological thriller with this theme.
EDITOR'S NOTE- Thank you to Lynda Cohen Loigman for the gorgeous chat on The Matchmaker's Gift (accidentally missing from this morning's intro!!)
Meet Jessica Bearak
Jessica is a lifelong book lover who embarked on her literary journey at three, immersing herself in childhood classics like "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "The Phantom Tollbooth."
Jessica actively participates in two in-person book clubs and many online discussions regularly. She has been an invaluable member of the MomAdvice Book Club and joins us as a regular contributing voice.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!
The 2023 MomAdvice Book Club Books (thank you to EVERY AUTHOR who participated!)
The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller
The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Announced
Found Family Trope Books to Read Now (BONUS BOOK LIST)
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E.L Konigsburg
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints by Donald J Sobol (includes the story Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Fighter Kite)
Public Library of Saint Joseph County
What Chosen Family Means and How to Build Your Own
Matt Cain’s Publishing Journey: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
The Magic of Old Hollywood Books
The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader
The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore
07/08/22 • 55 min
Not everyone can say they published two books during the pandemic, but Ashley Winstead can. Today we discuss her romance debut Fool Me Once and how Winstead hopes to break the mold with her romance characters.
This week we continue our conversations with writers in our Summer Author Interview series. After our incredible kickoff with Jenny Pentland’s memoir (episode 34), we move into lighter fiction waters with Fool Me Once, written by Ashley Winstead.
I felt compelled to reach out to Ashley to hear about her surprising journey to full-time writing during the pandemic and what it was about this time that yielded such a fruitful creative time for her career. She shares how her previous job (as a communications director working in public policy) shaped the plot line for Lee Stone and the kickoff to her new romance series.
I also want to know what it looks like to compartmentalize work when you write in two genres. For example, Ashley alternates writing thrillers (like In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and the soon-to-be-released The Last Housewife) and romance- two VERY different worlds.
Are there two Ashleys? We need answers!
She speaks with surprising vulnerability about the challenges in the romance industry and with great confidence about the kind of success she plans to achieve with her writing. Don’t miss this episode.
Patreon friends can enjoy a bonus episode with Ashley in our fun Bookworm Challenge. Be sure to join Patreon to unlock this feature.
Be sure to check out this year’s Summer Reading Guide for the best beach read book recommendations.
Get to Know Ashley:
Ashley Winstead holds a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature from Southern Methodist University and a B.A. in English and Art History from Vanderbilt University. She lives in Houston with her husband, where she drinks red wine and dreams up novels. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram!
Mentioned in this episode:
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
Book Gang Episode: This Will Be Funny Later with Jenny Pentland
Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto
How the Hell Has Danielle Steel Managed to Write 179 Books?
Connect With Us:
Amy is @momadvice on Instagram
09/19/24 • 50 min
Discover the best Disability Pride Books curated by Cindy Otis from The Stacks Bookstore, who offers readers a virtual tour of her disability-inclusive space.
Cindy Otis's journey to opening The Stacks offers a vital and well-thought conversation about her own limitations in accessing bookshops and what was top of mind for her customers when designing an accessible and welcoming space for all, especially those with disabilities in Savannah, Georgia.
From ramps to fonts to her bookshop's tagline, Cindy's thoughtful design choices ensure every reader can enjoy the magic of books. Her small business journey will mesmerize you.
Get her top five book recommendations to celebrate Disability Pride Month all year long! But the best part is that you can support her shop through your purchases today in today's special Disability Pride Month book list. Let's shower Cindy's shop with some love this month.
Meet Cindy Otis
Cindy Otis is a writer and the author of the novel At the Speed of Lies, which is now out with Scholastic, and the critically acclaimed nonfiction book True or False, published by Macmillan.
Her other written work has appeared in publications such as USA Today, the New York Times, CNN, and Teen Vogue. She previously served as an intelligence analyst and manager at the CIA. She is not just a bookseller but a champion for inclusivity and accessibility in the literary world.
Mentioned in this episode:
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PURCHASES FROM TODAY'S SHOW SUPPORT THE STACKS BOOKSTORE
SHOP THE DISABILTY PRIDE BOOK LIST
At the Speed of Lies by Cindy L. Otis
True or False by Cindy L. Otis
The Stacks: How a Small Bookstore Plans to Make Big Waves on Waters Avenue
The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz
Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann
Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
True Biz by Sara Novic
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
The Kennedy Ryan Phenomenon: Inclusive Narratives with Heart
DOWNLOAD TODAY'S SHOW TRANSCRIPT
Connect With Us:
Follow The Stacks Bookstore on Instagram or Tiktok
Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Book Gang have?
Book Gang currently has 95 episodes available.
What topics does Book Gang cover?
The podcast is about Book Club, Podcasts, Books and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Book Gang?
The episode title 'Trapped in a Time Loop' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Book Gang?
The average episode length on Book Gang is 51 minutes.
How often are episodes of Book Gang released?
Episodes of Book Gang are typically released every 13 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of Book Gang?
The first episode of Book Gang was released on Sep 1, 2021.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ