Category Archives: Show Notes

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 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

Episode 95: Fall Vibes

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Get a peek behind the scenes as the Mamas fall straight into conversation before starting the show, then gear up  for happy fall vibes from Heather and surly vibes from You-Know-Who. The book chat includes a cornucopia of books that are perfect for fall reading, from stories for kids about acorns, bears, and popcorn to one for grown-ups about lazy bones. The Mamas will get you ready for leaf peeping season.

Book Chat:

Picture Books (3-5 year olds)

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Shaefer with the art by Frann Preston-Gannon

Sometimes We Fall by Randall de Seve and art by Kate Gardiner 

Middle Grade Book (8-12 year olds)

Popcorn by Rob Harrell

Grown Up Book

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Book Shop by Emmeline Duncan

Episode 94: Back to School Books

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The Mamas kick off the new school year with books set in the hallowed halls of academia. From Mrs. Z’s third grade class to boarding school Misfits and lunar mages, the Mamas review books for all age groups, including grown ups. They also hold a short coffee klatch on a new genre, dark academia. FYI, these teaching Mamas would like an apple for their efforts, unless it’s poisoned.

Book Chat:

Chapter Book

The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class series (book #1) Emma McKenna, Full Out by Kate Messner

Middle Grade Book

The Misfits a Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee

Young Adult Books

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

Grown Up Books

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian

Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes

Episode 93: Summer Reading

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The Mamas are back from break and ready to gab about what they read over the summer. They review several middle grade books and grown-up books as part of their “What Did You Do Over the Summer” sharing – teachers, you get it. And, at this point the Two Lit Mamas podcast wouldn’t be complete without sporty talk for some reason, so The Mamas give their takes on the Summer Olympics, covering highlights like hot Turkish sharp-shooting dads. Skip to minute 11, if you’re over the sports. We are!  

Summer Reading:

Middle Grade Books

Tree. Table. Book. By Lois Lowry

Olivetti by Allie Milligan

Grown-Up Books

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann and Amy Bojang

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Wait by Gabriella Burnham

The Pisces and Death Valley by Melissa Broder

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