In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle sit down with Paul Warren, founder of Margins, on the same day the app was named Apple’s App of the Day. Margins is a book tracking and discovery app designed around how people actually read, and this conversation digs into why that philosophy is resonating so deeply with readers.

Paul shares what it is like to see a passion project land on Apple’s front page, how Margins is rethinking book tracking, discovery, and reading goals, and why features like Search by Vibes, half-star ratings, and DNF support matter more than rigid metrics. The trio also talk BookTok culture, why most readers are women, how spicy romance became Paul’s unexpected research lane, and why quitting a book can be the healthiest reading habit of all.

From reading streak guilt to the future of social reading apps, this episode is a cozy but insightful look at where book culture is heading next and how thoughtful design can actually help us read more.

In this bonus episode, Sara and Noelle sit down with debut author Heather Colley to talk about her dark, emotionally rich campus novel The Gilded Butterfly Effect. They dive into the Shakespeare-inspired title, the messy realities behind the “cool girl” trope, and why Stella and Penny function as two sides of the same messy, brilliant coin.

Heather breaks down real dark academia vs the TikTok aesthetic version, how Greek life shapes the power dynamics in the book, and why she chose to write some chapters like a play. She also shares what it’s really like to publish a first novel in 2025 while juggling a PhD at Oxford — the patience required, the surprises, and the soft-life moments that make the process worth it.

If you love a BookTok podcast that blends dark academia vibes with career advice for millennials, this conversation is going to be your new favorite.

#paperbackspod

Season 2 kicks off with real talk on fresh starts at work and on the page. Sara lands a new role with AI-assisted resume magic while Noelle opens up about layoffs, networking, and rebuilding. From smart interview prep to comforting reads like The Wedding People and The Gunkle, this episode is your compassionate, bookish pep talk for new beginnings. #paperbackspod

Join us: Comment with your own “new beginnings” and tag #paperbackspod so we can shout you out next episode.

booktok podcast, career advice for millennials, spicy fantasy books, feminine book podcast, soft life corner.