Episode 77: Ghost Stories for Spooky Season

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It’s the Mamas’ favorite time of the year when they happily scare themselves silly with ghost stories that are not only bone-chilling but also life affirming. The Mamas start the book chat by chanting Bloody Mary’s name three times in the dark so watch out – she might be coming for you with a hearty Clamato drink garnished with chicken wings. You’re welcome. After the Mamas gush over middle grade ghosts, they dig into a sweet grown up ghost story with even more bone-chilling life affirmations. Drink it down, just don’t spew it as your head slowly rotates 180 degrees. Happy Halloween!

Middle Grade Book Chat:

The Clackity and The Nighthouse Keeper by Lora Senf

The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies

Grown Up Book Chat:

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Episode 76: Game On!

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The Mamas want to help get your Middle Schoolers off screens with game-themed novels for 8-12 year olds! Join the book chat as the Mamas share two new fantasy/sci-fi novels that will appeal to gamers: one book is set in a haunted woods and includes three sixth-graders who play a game to save the town, and the other book is set in a floating fun park that is taken over by androids and only the owners’ son and friends realize it. Both books are sure to satisfy your little gamers as much as they did the Mamas. And, if you know a few adults who struggle with putting down the gaming controls, the Mamas have a grown-up, gaming-themed book that will give their screen-weary eyes a break too. Now, get out of that gaming chair, take your dog for a walk, and bring the Mamas along.

Middle Grade Book Chat:

The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

Futureland: Battle for the Park by H.D. Hunter

Grown Up Book Chat:

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Episode 75: Middle Grade Mysteries

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The Mamas shine in their diamond episode, geeking out over their favorite genre, mysteries. First, the Mamas fangirl about TV cozies, then they chat it up with two new mystery novels for kiddos, ages 8-12: one that Margie recommends for the classroom and one that Heather recommends for family car trips. At the end of the 75th episode, the Mamas discuss a new grown up murder mystery that honors three generations of strong women. Put on your sleuthing caps!

Middle Grade Book Chat:

Linked by Gordan Korman

No One Leaves the Castle by Christopher Healy

Grown Up Book Chat:

Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

Episode 74: This Magic MG Moment

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It’s a magical moment indeed when Margie realizes a book can have too many fart jokes. Heather didn’t even use her witch wand to open Margie’s eyes. Shocking! In the latest episode of the Two Lit Mamas podcast, the Mamas sprinkle fairy dust on their Middle Grade book chat to spin stories filled with the magic of Gullah conjurers and Norse gods – stories that have the Mamas wishing for broomstick guardians and talking alligators. The Mamas then compel you to listen until the end when they share their latest grown-up book pick, a very twisty turny non-magical mystery that will make you laugh and yell, “girlllllll, don’t do it!”

Middle Grade Book Chat:
Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell
Conjure Island by Eden Royce

Grown Up Book Chat:
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Episode 73: Blast Off to Space

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The Mamas boldly and happily leave Earth for an hour to stowaway with space pirates and explore mars with a sentient rover in the 73rd episode of the Two Lit Mamas Podcast. If your Middle Schoolers would rather blast into space than go back to school, then listen in for books that will help them escape. A special bonus for midlife Earthlings includes The Mamas first official grown up book chat about aging GenXers, there’s nothing more punk than that. Grab your moon boots, you’ll need them.

Middle Grade Book Chat:
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
Stowaway by John David Anderson

Grown Up Book Chat:
Excuse Me While I Disappear by Laurie Notaro

Episode 72: Falling Out of Summer

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The Mamas are back from summer hiatus and fangirling hard for MPH’s newest book Falling Out of Time, a companion piece to Running Out of Time (for kids aged 8-12). They have a lot to say about the two Middle Grade novels but not until they get caught up after a month off. Hear how the Mamas got kicked out of puppy school and went on wildly inappropriate back-to-school shopping sprees. Stick around to the end, the Mama’s are mixing things up and hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Book Chat:

Falling Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

None of this Would Have Happened if Prince Were Alive by Carolyn Prusa

Episode 71: MG Books for Foodies

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The Mamas revisit their favorite topic, food! Gather the kid foodies in your life and share these fun summer reads for ages 8-12 that focus on diversity, overcoming adversity, friendship, family and most importantly delicious foods. The Mamas will wet your appetite for fiction, fusion food and cake! If you can stave off hunger, hang on to the end of the episode for recommendations from the Mamas for six new books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes in honor of PRIDE month.

Book Chat:

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

The Takeout by Tracy Badua

Pick 6: LGBTQIA+ Books for Middle Grade

Ellie Engle Save Herself by Leah Johnson

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros

Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton

The Song of Us by Kate Fussner

Episode 70: Hidden Folk in Middle Grade

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The Mamas go in search of fairies, gnomes, and magical folk in Middle Grade novels (for 7-12 year olds) to kick off summer! Well, let’s be honest, Heather went in search of them and Margie stomped along begrudgingly but that didn’t keep them from bringing you two winners along with a fun round of 2 Book and a Fake. Can you spot the fake?

Book Chat:

Dust and Grim by Chuck Wendig
Gnome is Where Your Heart Is by Casey Lyall

Show Links:
Thirteenth Circle by MarcyKate Conolley and Catherine Holmes
Last Summer in Outer Space by Joshua Levy
I Have a Bad Feeling by Jeff Strand
The Video Game Stole My Sister by Justin Stone

Episode 69: YA! YA

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In this episode, the Mamas ditch Middle Grade books (although their humor remains squarely in Middle School – don’t worry) for Young Adult reads to provide the sweet, stinky teens in your life with recs for fun summer fiction and the perfect high school graduation gift. Then, the Mamas share new Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult recs to add to your TBR pile in preparation for beach or pond-side reading. Enjoy!

Book Chat:

Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly DeVoss

First-Year Orientation, short story collection edited by Lauren Gibaldi and Eric Smith

Pick 6: Six Books the Mamas Want to Read this Summer

Bea and the New Deal Horse by L.M. Elliot (MG)

Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas (MG)

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley (YA)

Fat Girl on a Plane by Kelly DeVoss (YA)

The Pisces by Melissa Broder (Adult)

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (Adult)

Show Links:

Mobile Bookstore: www.blackworldschoolers.com

Episode 68: Judy Blume FanMamas

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The Mamas revisit their own middle school trials, traumas, and triumphs through a book chat around Judy Blume’s famous 1970 children’s book, Are You There, God, It’s Me Margaret and the new movie of the same title. If that isn’t enough, they also dig into the Amazon documentary Forever Judy Blume for a full-scale Judy Blume love fest. Grab your BFF and join the Mamas’ secret club. They won’t make you increase your bust, but you will need a code name. (Lit Mama One and Lit Mama Two are taken)

Book Chat:

Are You There, God, It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Pick 6:

Authors who also wrote for kids and adults

Show Links:

NYT article about Margaret movie