Reporting live from Washington D.C., Magda and Lindsay literally traveled halfway across the country to our nation's capital to soak in all the beauty at the 2025 National Book Festival.
Listen in as they walk through their favorite panels, from V.E. Schwab and Nnedi Okorafor to their gentle stalking of Tracy Deonn and a beautiful surprise YA panel with Erin Estrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia.
Disclaimer: This episode was taped after 13 hours of walking with many pounds of books strapped to them, and thus the hosts of this podcast cannot be held responsible for any unhinged takes provided during the span of this recording.
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Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
Books mentioned in the episode:
“A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping“ by Sangu Mandanna
“The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches“ by Sangu Mandanna
“Well, Actually“ by Mazey Eddings
“Late Bloomer“ by Mazey Eddings
“Death of the Author“ by Nnedi Okorafor
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab
“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab
“The God of the Woods“ by Liz Moore
“All the Colors of the Dark“ by Chris Whitaker
“On Again, Awkward Again“ by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia
“Oathbound“ by Tracy Deonn
“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn
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1:01:40
...Literally Everything is Probably Fine with Julia London!
This week, Magda and Lindsay talk with author Julia London about her novel, Everything is Probably Fine.
This book follows Lorna Lott, a woman whose coworkers not-so-lovingly refer to as King Kong. Though overambitious and sometimes brash, Lorna is at her core a woman looking to shake off the weight of her past and find connection.
Listen in as the gals of Literally Books chat through the deep ways in which they connected with this book, and then gush about it directly with the author!
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Books Mentioned in the Episode:
"The Crescent Moon Tearoom" by Stacy Sivinski
"The Love of My Afterlife" by Kirsty Greenwood
"While It was Snowing" by Julia London
"The Last Heist" by Julia London
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
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1:11:48
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1:11:48
...Literally How to Host a Book Club
Nothing says fun like a detailed timeline and list of formal rules!
This week, Magda and Lindsay discuss tips and tricks for hosting a book club. Listen in as they explore ways to select the book, who to invite, what to serve, and all their major taboos to avoid.
First and foremost, IT’S NOT THAT SERIOUS! HAVE FUN!
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Literally Books Website
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Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
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Books Mentioned in the Episode:
“Nightbitch“ by Rachel Yoder
“Welcome to Murder Week“ by Karen Dukess
“Kilt Trip“ by Alexandra Kiley
“Fourth Wing“ by Rebecca Yarros
“The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook“ by Kayla Ruhland
“A Feast of Thorns and Roses“ by Chelsea Cole
“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig
“Alice in Wonderland“ by Lewis Carroll
“Famous Last Words“ by Gillian McAllister
“The Hobbit“ by J.R.R. Tolkien
“People We Meet on Vacation“ by Emily Henry
“ACOTAR“ by Sarah J. Maas
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians“ by Rick Riordan
“The Trees“ by Percival Everett
“James“ by Percival Everett
“Suder“ by Percival Everett
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...Literally Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
"Bury my bones in the midnight soil, plant them shallow and water them deep, and in my place will grow a feral rose, soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth."
This week's conversation is anything but shallow. Listen in as Magda and Lindsay discuss V.E. Schwab's beautiful sapphic vampire tale, "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.”
Email us!
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
Books Mentioned in the Episode:
"Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" by V.E. Schwab
"Of Monsters and Mainframes" by Barbara Truelove
"Martyr" by Kaveh Akbar
"The Compound" by Aisling Rawle
"The Wedding People" by Alison Espach
"Real Americans" by Rachel Khong
"Wuthering Heights" by Emile Bronte
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1:02:46
...Literally Literary Fantasy Draft!
Buckle up, sports fans!
This week, Magda and Lindsay battle head-to-head, fighting it out to win best, most incredible, most powerful…manager of a totally fictional literary team of characters, tropes, and genres.
Listen in as they draft their top 3 picks for female main character, male main character, sidekick, theme/trope/genre, and audiobook. Each day, they’ll post their matchups, and the audience will vote on their favorites. There’s a lot on the line (sort of), and they’ll leave it all out on the field/page.
Email us!
Literally Books Website
Literally Books Instagram
Magda's Instagram
Lindsay's Instagram
Literally Books YouTube
Literally Books TikTok
Intro & Outro Song: "Would it Kill You," courtesy of The Solder Thread
Book Mentioned in the Episode:
“Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil“ by V.E. Schwab
“Darker Shade of Magic“ by V.E. Schwab
“A Gathering of Shadows“ by V.E. Schwab
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue“ by V.E. Schwab
“The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins
“Pride and Prejudice“ by Jane Austen
“Little Women“ by Louisa May Alcott
“Tress of the Emerald Sea“ by Brandon Sanderson
“Throne of Glass“ by Sarah J. Maas
“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn
“Frozen River“ by Ariel Lawhon
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Lessons in Chemistry“ by Bonnie Garmus
“Legendborn“ by Tracy Deonn
“A Court of Thorns & Roses“ by Sarah J. Maas
“Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weird
“To Kill a Mockingbird“ by Harper Lee
“Deep End“ by Ali Hazelwood
“The Knight and the Moth“ by Rachel Gillig
“Mickey7“ by Edward Ashton
“Fourth Wing “ by Rebecca Yarros
“Lord of the Rings“ by J.R.R. Tolkien
“Don Quixote“ by Miguel de Cervantes
“The Briar Club“ by Kate Quinn
“The Women“ by Kristin Hannah
“The Nightingale“ by Kristin Hannah
Iron Flame“ by Rebecca Yarros
The Hunger Games“ by Suzanne Collins
Chain Gang All-Stars“ by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
The Compound“ by Aisling Rawle
Yellowface “ by R.F. Kuang
Beg, Borrow, or Steal“ by Sarah Adams
Beach Read“ by Emily Henry
The Three Lives of Cate Kay“ by Kate Fagan
A Wrinkle in Time“ by Madeleine L’Engle
Ramona Quimby“ by Beverly Cleary
Daisy Jones and the Six“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Listen for the Lie“ by Amy Tintera
World War Z“ by Max Brooks
Margo’s Got Money Troubles“ by Rufi Thorpe
The Murderbot Diaries“ by Martha Wells
Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman
I’m Glad My Mom Died“ by Jeanette McCurdy
The Woman in Me“ by Britney Spears
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