Author Archives: heatherkauffmanpeters

Episode 92: Summer Sci-fi

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It’s Sci-fi week and the Mamas are going where no Mamas have gone before. After a deep dive into our AI overlords, the Mamas share some great dystopian, post-apocalyptic, Frankenstein-ish, cozy mysteries. And, that’s all in one book! Once again, the Mamas cover all ages with alien picture books, post-apocalyptic middle grade (ages 8-12) and dystopian grown up recommendations. Don’t worry, Margie talks about sports for only a few minutes. Feel free to fast forward. 

Book Chat:

Middle Grade

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera

Picture Books

Dalmartian by Lucy Ruth Cummins

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil

Grown Up

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

Episode 91: Love for Libraries

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The Mamas are headed to the library to kick off summer right with books set in their favorite public space. After fangirling over cherished library memories, the Mamas chat about Middle Grade books (for ages 8-12) where, in one school library, fictional villains jump out of books and, in another school library, books are banned until a secret library is created by kid heroes. Then Heather shares new picture books that will get little ones excited for summer library programs. And, of course, Margie has a grown up book set in a small town library where a serial killer is hiding out. It’s always murder with her (insert eye roll – wait, maybe don’t roll your eyes at Margie, might not be safe).

If you’re a fan of libraries and librarians, check out this episode!
(pun intended)

Book Chat:

Picture Books

Middle Grade Books

Grown Up Book

Episode 90: Dreaming of Summer

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School is almost out and the Mamas are dreaming of summer vacation. In the 90th episode, the Mamas hit the virtual beach with books set on Martha’s Vineyard, Greece, and a Texas summer camp. They chat about sportsball, endangered birds, boarding school brats and, of course, mysteries. The Mamas offer summer reads for any and all book lovers, from Middle Grade (ages 8-12) and Young Adult (ages 9-18) to grown ups. Get your sunnies and join the Mamas on the patio for a summer book chat.

Book Chat:

The Fury is Alex Michaelides

Liar’s Beach by Katie Cotugno

The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly

Episode 89: Back to the 90s

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The Mamas stroll down memory lane with historical fiction set in the 90s. Once they get past the uncomfortable fact that their young adulthood is considered vintage–plaid skirts and flannel shirts included, the Mamas gleefully dig into a variety of books for Middle Graders (ages 8-12), Young Adults (ages 13-18) and Grown Ups that are grounded in analog times and hit on Asian American dreams, Kosovo tragedies and… southern vampires? Oh, Margie, must you always put your own spin on a theme?

Book Chat:

The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks (MG)

Throwback by Maurene Goo (YA)

Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan (Grown Up)


Show Links:

Middle Grade Book data 2024: www.samsubity.com

www.twolitmamas.com

Episode 88: YA Short Stories

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The Mamas get dark, emotional, and angst-y with a collection of short stories for Young Adults (ages 14-18) that they may be too old to fully understand but fully enjoyed. Join the Mamas as they discuss the significance of collections, the struggles facing modern teens, and the power of weirdos.

Book Chat:

The Collectors, edited by A.S. King (winner of 2024 Printz Award Medal)

Other books the Mamas are currently reading:

The Funeral Ladies of Elerie County by Claire Swinarski (for grown-ups)

Lightlark by Alex Aster (young adult)

Episode 87: New MG Fantasy

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The total eclipse (of the sun not the heart) inspired the Mamas to explore gilded worlds and travel through time (and party like it’s 1999) with new Middle Grade fantasy books for ages 8-12. As you may have suspected, the Mamas were once just two farm girls waiting to be picked from obscurity for a special quest like all the best main characters of their favorite fantasies, towel capes and all.  

Book Chat:

No Ordinary Thing by G.Z. Schmidt

Sona and the Golden Beasts by Rajani LaRocca

Episode 86: March Mysteries

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In episode 86, the Mamas party like it’s 1999 with their favorite genre, mysteries. Heather brings you a new Middle Grade mystery and rebel Mama, Margie, shares  one of her favorite newer grown up series. The Mamas also explore the mystery of the Middle Grade slump and follow up the book chat with a list of new Middle Grade books with boy main characters that will hopefully put an end to Margie’s whining.

Book Chat:

The World-Famous Nine by Ben Guterson (MG)

Suburban Dicks and Self-Made Widow by Fabian Nicieza (Grown Up)

Pick 6: New MG books with boy MCs

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly  

Walkin’ the Dog by Chris Lynch

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz  

Olivetti by Allie Millington

Race to the Truth series

Show Links:

Post on fromthemixedupfiles.com

The Middle Grade Slump

Episode 85: Middle Grade March

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Happy Middle Grade March! The Mamas are in their element, celebrating new Middle Grade book releases that cover a roller coaster of categories from Emily Post’s etiquette tips and environmental activism to Dungeons & Dragons style quests and cryptid monsters from other dimensions. Margie follows up the MG book chat with six grown up March releases you won’t want to miss. 

Book Chat: MG New Releases

Emily Posts by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

The Doomsday Archives – the Wandering Hour by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos


Pick 6: Grown Up New Releases

  1. Finlay Donavan Rolls the Dice by  Elle Cosimano
  2. American Spirits by Russell Banks
  3. The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski
  4. How to Solve Your Own Murder by Krisitn Perrin
  5. Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women  by Victoria Smith
  6. The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

Episode 84: Spies & Heists

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In episode 84, the Mamas go full fangirl swooning over beloved spymaster James Ponti, author of the bestselling City Spies series and Crime Fighters series for middle grade (ages 8-12). The Mamas fell for Ponti back in 2020 with the first City Spies book and were eager to reinvestigate the series with the newest release while also snooping into Ponti’s previous series. Grab your grappling hooks, brush up on your Russian, and synchronize your watches, because the Mamas are taking you into the world of espionage. 

Book Chat: James Ponti

City Spies: Mission Manhattan

Crime Fighting Series: Framed, Vanished, and Trapped 

Episode 83: Hot Off the Presses

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The Mamas have burned their little mom fingers to bring you the hottest new books for 2024. From grown up books in the book chat to picture books in the Pick 6, the Mamas are sharing the latest books that grabbed them in a world with so many books and too little time. What do you think of their tastes? Too weird? According to Margie, that’s what the Mamas are here for! Heather can’t disagree. 

Book Chat: New Releases for Grown Ups

The Fetishist by Katherine Min

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins


Pick 6: New Picture Books

Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charlie Mylie

Not a Monster by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez illustrated by Laura Gonzalez

100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by by David LaRochelle illustrated by Lian Cho

Today is For You by Sally Lloyd-Jones illustrated by Kevin W’aldron

Habitats: a Journey with Nature by Hannah Pang, illustrated by Izobel Lundie 

Teeny-Weeny Unicorn by Shawn Harris 



Show links:

Nowhere Bookshop