Welcome to the Two Lit Mamas Blog!

This is where you can find individual episodes, show notes, and transcripts, as well as recommended reading lists and other kid-lit related topics that support the Two Lit Mamas Podcast.

Please keep in mind that the book recommendations and commentary on the blog and podcast are solely the opinions of the hosts. Although Heather and Margie believe their opinions to be supreme, it’s perfectly fine to disagree. They’d love to hear from you as long as you’re not mean-spirited.

The mamas hope you enjoy reading and listening to kid-lit content as much as they love creating it! Thank you for visiting the Two Lit Mamas blog.

Episode 123: Genies, Tramps & Thieves

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The Mamas crossed the pond to bring listeners 2 rollicking middle grade (ages 8-12) adventure books by British authors. As a bonus, Margie shares a grown-up book with similar vibes for the adventurous parent, teacher or writer.

Book Chat:

Middle Grade Books

Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter by Joseph Coelho

The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle

Grown Up Book

Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines

Episode 122: Books on Writing

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The Mamas show love for their craft by reading informational books on the art of writing. They share the best tips and advice that worked for them, like how to start with action and how to keep the joy going during the long writing and editing process. If you’ve ever considered putting your heart on paper, this episode is for you.

Book Chat:

The Magic Words, Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl B. Klein

The Happy Writer by Marissa Meyer

Episode 121: Books for the Resistance

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Dystopian books may seem like a tough read at the moment but, as the Mamas point out, the good guys always win in MG and YA fiction, offering a nice break from reality. So if you need a moment of self-care and inspiration, join the Mamas as they chat about Dystopian books for resisters.

MG & YA Book Chat:

The Legend of the Secret Library by Frank L. Cole (for 8-12 years)

Outside by Jennifer Holm (for 8-12 years)

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman (for 12-18 years)

Episode 120: New Year, New TBR

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The mamas rang in the new year by–shocker–reading new books. They distracted themselves from boring mom tasks and ignored their families to binge some winners. Even Margie loved the books she read, kicking off 2026 with sunshine vibes, something we all needed.

Book Chat:

Grown up book

The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller

Middle grade books

Blood in the Water by Tiffany B. Jackson

Candle Island by Lauren Wolk

Other books referenced:

The Change by Kirsten Miller

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

The 2LMCorrespondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (MG)

Episode 119: Happy Cozy Holidays!

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The Mamas bring you mystery, mayhem and murder for the coziest of holidays! In their year-end party episode, the Mamas share holiday-themed books with (not-too) dark mysteries for adults and middle graders (ages 8-12). Get your hot cocoa and soft blanket and snuggle up for a cozy book chat with your favorite Gen-Xers. Happy Holidays and justice for Tupac!

Book Chat:

Middle Grade Books

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher

North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta

Grown Up Books

Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple (aka Katie Forrest)

Book 1 in the Candy Cane Hollow Christmas Cozy Mystery Series

Episode 118: 2025 Gift Guide

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The Mamas are back with opinions and hot takes in their annual holiday gift guide. Their book recs are for little ones, big kids, and picky older readers like themselves. Grab a cup of cheer and make your list! Happy Holidays!

Heather’s Picture Book Recs (ages 3-5):

On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug by Susan E. Goodman and Merrill Rainey
Woodland Dreams by Karen Jameson
Snuggle Season by Jaimie MacGibbon

Margie’s Middle Grade Recs (ages 8-12):

A Brush with Magic by Flora Ahn
The Myth of Monsters series by Katherine Marsh
We Built this City by Cat Patrick
Blood City Rollers by V. P. Anderson
Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies and Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee
Kwami Crashes the Underworld by Craig Kofi Farmer

Heather’s YA Recs (ages 13-18):

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
Hekate – The Witch by Nikita Gil
Game Changers, Inspirational Sports Stories by Dan Gold

Margie’s Murdery and Weird Grown Up Recs:

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom (Golden Girls Murder series)
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Ossman (Thursday Murder Club series)
Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn (Killers of a Certain Age series)
Finnlay Donnavan series by Elle Cosimano
Sirens and Weyward by Emilia Hart
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
Book of Witching by CJ Cooke
Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer
Bless Your Heart and Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan
Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddel

www.twolitmamas.com

Episode 117: Let’s Get Cozy

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The Mamas get cozy with their favorite topic, murder. From just okay assistants to dysfunctional families, the Mamas dig into Middle Grade, YA, and Grown Up books full of cozy vibes and mysteries to solve.

Book Chat:

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder by Kate Emery ( Upper Middle Grade)

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer (YA)

The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully (Grown Up)

www.twolitmamas.com

Episode 116: Happy Halloween!

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Welcome to the Two Lit Mamas’ Halloween episode, the episode in which the Mama’s cast some spells, haunt some kids, and kill some vampires all through the medium of spooky books for grown ups and kids. (It’s also the episode in which Heather forgot to hit the record button the first time around. Yikes!)

Book Chat:

Grown Up Book:

The Late Night Witches by Auralee Wallace

Middle Grade Books:

Ghost of the Harvest by Lindsey Duga

The Last Sleepover by RL Stine

Masks by Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson, Beck Kubrick and Thomas Philipson

Episode 115: Spooky New Releases

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The Mamas are cauldron deep in brand new spooky season reads. Margie has 2 grown up books and Heather has 2 middle grade books that will make your wicked little hearts happy.

Book Chat:

Grown Up Books:

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison

Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan (Sequel to Bless Your Heart)

Middle Grade Books (ages 8-12):

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

Episode 114: The Journey is the Story

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Join the Mamas on a journey with books about road trips, climbing adventures and walking tours where the destination is not the point. Along the way, the Mamas share ridiculous details of their own journeys into old-lady-hood. You can’t unhear the details so be prepared! (Hint: kaftans are involved)

Book Chat:

Middle Grade Books

Bewilderness by Gus Gordon (graphic novel)

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (verse)

Grown Up Books

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (and Nothing to See Here)

The Widows Guide series by Amanda Ashby (mentioned in intro)