Author Archives: heatherkauffmanpeters

Episode 105: Celebrate Middle Grade

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In this episode, the Mamas are in their happy place with a celebration of Middle Grade books. Middle Grade March has become a staple on the Two Lit Mamas podcast and the Mamas bring it once again with Middle Grade books (ages 8-12) set in other countries and ones that explore difficult times in our history as well as ones that honor our beloved National Parks. They even have a Middle Grade book for middle aged ladies! The 80s vibes are undeniable.

Book Chat:

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi 

We Built this City by Cat PatrickA Brush with Magic by Flora Ahn 

National Park Mystery Series by Aaron Johnson (book 2) 

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook for Kids by David Borgenicht and Justin Heimberg

Kid Musicians True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars by Robin Stevenson, illustrations by Allison Steinfeld

Book Update:

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

City Spies, London Calling by James Ponti

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Episode 104: Black Authors Rising

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The Mamas have consulted their star charts and found black authors rising! In celebration of black history month, Margie and Heather fangirl over three rollicking Middle Grade adventure books (for ages 8-12), one historical fiction and two fantasy novels that highlight the black experience while entertaining readers of all ages. Then Margie sets the Handmaids Tale aside to make room for another dystopian story that hits a little too close to home, The Parable of the Sower by the queen of sci-fi, Octavia Butler.

Book Chat:

Kwame Crushes the Underworld by Craig Kofi Farmer

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Episode 103: Escape into Books!

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The Mamas are encouraging everyone to show themselves some love this Valentine’s Day by escaping into books. Heather offers up two middle grade (ages 8-12) mystery books, one silly and one scary. While Margie highlights three grown up books for weirdos (her words) that examine motherhood from the bog to the grave and beyond. 

Book Chat :

Death! By Narhwal! By Alex T. Smith (Middle Grade)

It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie (Middle Grade)

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister (Grown Up Book)

The Forbidden Territory of a Terrifying Woman by Molly Lynch (Grown Up Book)

My Murder by Katie Williams (Grown Up Book)

Episode 102: Book Ban Prep

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In episode 102 of the Two Lit Mamas podcast, Heather reluctantly agrees to discuss book bans, again. Fortunately, Margie shares a grown up book that leaves both Mamas feeling hopeful. Book ban talk with a positive spin? No, the Mamas haven’t thrown in their lot with busy-body banners. Tune in to hear their sunshine-and-rainbow rants. Fingers crossed you’ll feel hopeful too. 

Book Chat:
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

Middle Grade:
Attack of the Black Rectangles by A.S. King  
Ban this Book by Alan Gratz

Episode 101: Sci-FI/Fantasy Short Stories

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The Mamas are back and easing listeners into the new year with short stories – just ignore the dystopian, sci-fi, murdery AI if you can. Don’t worry, the Mamas promise they won’t go too dark in 2025 (wink-wink). So, kick back and catch up with your two favorite Lit Mamas.  


Margie’s & Heather’s Book Gifts:

  • The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book, Real Recipes for Joke Burgers
  • The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
  • Tasting History by Max Miller
  • Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson
  • Death Comes at Christmas edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane


Short Stories:

  • The Wretched and the Beautiful by E. Lily Yu
  • Valedictorian by N.K. Jemisin
  • Examination Day by Henry Slesar
  • The Atrocious Fairytale by Daniel Errico


Other references:

  • The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov
  • A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
  • There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury

Episode 100: Celebrate Good Times

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The Mamas hit their 100th podcast episode! They are in full celebration mode, sharing their favorite memories from the past four years, including special episodes, favorite books and authors, and the many laughs. Listen in to hear what the Mamas are most grateful for during this season of Thanksgiving—spoiler alert, it’s naked pilgrims.  

Book Chat: 

The Mamas’ Favorite Books:

Middle Grade (ages 8-12) Books

  • We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey
  • Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
  • Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
  • Starfish by Lisa Fipps
  • Christmas Dinner of Souls by Ross Montgomery
  • Poisoned Water by Candy J Cooper and Mark Aronson (MG version & Adult version)
  • Forgotten City by Michael Ford 
  • 96 Miles by J.L. Esplin
  • The Creativity Project edited by Colby Sharp
  • The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkein
  • The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
  • Root Magic Eden Royce
  • The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Icefall by Matthew Kirby
  • Fenris & Mott by Greg Van Eekhout
  • International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies
  • Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim
  • A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
  • Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum
  • Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
  • Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos (YA)

Grown Up Books

  • Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
  • Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
  • Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
  • Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer

The Mamas’ Favorite Authors:

Middle Grade Authors

  • Margaret Peterson Haddix
  • James Ponti
  • Stacy McAnulty
  • Lynne Kelly
  • Lindsay Currie
  • Rajani LaRocca
  • Robin Stevens

Grown Up Book Authors

  • TJ Klune
  • Margaret Atwood
  • Christopher Moore
  • David Sedaris
  • Richard Osman
  • Jesse Q. Sutanto
  • Rachel Harrison
  • Alice Hoffman

Episode 99: 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

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The Mamas have made their list and checked it twice to ensure you have the perfect book gifts for all the readers in your life, from ages 2 to 107. Now, snuggle up with your favorite pup, open your bookshop app, and start your holiday shopping.

Picture Books:

  • If Animals Went to Work by Ann Whitford Paul, art by David Walker
  • Finnegan Fox by Katie Gilstrap, art by Lori Nichols
  • Penguin’s Egg by Anna Kemp and Alice Courtley

Middle Grade Books:

  • The Sherlock Society by James Ponti
  • Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
  • Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer 

Young Adult Books:

  • Sunderworld Vol 1, The Extraordinary Disappointment of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs
  • The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

Grown Up Books:

  • Sandwich by Catherine Newman  
  • Medea  by Elish Quinn
  • The Funeral Ladies of Ellery County by Claire Swinarski
  • We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
  • I Will Show You How It Was by Illia Ponomarenko
  • Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
  • Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
  • The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
  • Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Thurton
  • Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
  • Cackle by Rachel Hrarison

Episode 98: Love for Genre Faves

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The Mamas read new releases in their favorite genres for the 98th episode. Can you guess which genre each Mama picked? Yes, Heather was drawn to middle grade historical fiction, no surprise there. And, dark, dark Margie went for adult dystopian. After discussing how their reading interests have changed over the years, the Mamas gush over books that don’t disappoint even if they give them zero stars. It’s an enigma. 

Book Chat:

Middle Grade

The Bleckley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinken

Adult

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer 

Episode 97: Spook-tacular Middle Grade

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If you’d live in a town that celebrates Halloween everyday, then you’ll enjoy the latest book chat with the Mamas. They cover new Middle Grade books that will get you in the mood for spooky season with ghosts, haunted houses and towns named Samhain where kids only wear costumes. As always the Mamas have the perfect recs for gathering the family for a reading by the Jack-o’-lantern light, if you dare. 

Book Chat:

Middle Grade

The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga

A Bite Above the Rest by Christine Virnig

Grown Up

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Episode 96: Greek Monsters

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Witches, gorgons, and sea nymphs, oh my! The Mamas explore modern interpretations of ancient Greek myths in their 96th episode with books about Medea and Medusa. Are these characters the monsters we have always believed them to be? The Mamas say, “hard no,” but listen in and decide for yourselves.  

Book Chat:

Grown up book
Medea by Eilish Quin

Middle Grade books

Medusa from the Myths and Monsters series by Katherine Marsh

The Curse of Medusa, a Modern Graphic Greek Myth from Mythology Graphics