For Margie March, the Mamas planned to read weird books in Margie’s honor, but they failed the assignment. Instead, the Mamas discuss two beautiful Young Adult books so gorgeous you’ll want the hardcovers, and one slightly weird grown up book that wouldn’t scare your grandmother.
Book Chat:
The Secret Astronomers by Jessica Walker, YA book in notes
Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff, Grown-up cozy horror
The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin, YA fantasy romance
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
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)
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
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)
The Mamas are here to help you pack for vacation with books for little ones, middle graders, young adults, grown ups and weirdos. They’ve got books about canoeing goats, Hawaiian folklore, mind-controlling orchids, sirens, witches and more—perfect for reading on the beach, in your backyard or in Bigfoot’s hut in the Pacific Northwest. Grab one of the Mamas recommendations and escape reality for the summer. Margie and Heather will be right there with you.
Book Chat
Picture Book:
Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans and illustrated by Julia Patton
Middle Grade Books:
How to Tell a True Story by Tricia Springstubb
The Invisible Wild by Nikki Van de Car
Young Adult Books:
Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer
When the Bones Sing by Ginny Meyers Sain
Grown Up Books:
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
Eat the ones you love by Sarah Maria Griffin
The Sirens and Weyward by Emilia Hart
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jess Squanto
Culture Creep: Notes on the Pop Apocalypse by Alice Bolin
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)
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
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
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: