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Some books don’t just retell a classic — they hold your hand through a hard season. In this episode, I’m joined by Virginia Kantra to talk about Anne of a Different Island, a modern homage to Anne of Green Gables set in the shadow of COVID, nostalgia, and finding your way forward when life doesn’t follow the script.

We talk about why Anne Shirley still resonates more than a century later, how stories help us process collective trauma, and why comfort reads matter — especially for readers who came of age during the pandemic. This conversation is about resilience, imagination, chosen paths, and the quiet power of books to make us feel seen.

Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra — Contemporary women’s fiction | Romance elements

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood — Literary fiction | Found family

Far and Away by Amy Poeppel — Contemporary women’s fiction

The Last Letter from Rachel Allworth by Barbara O’Neal — Emotional women’s fiction

How Simi Got Her Groove Back by Sonali Dev — Contemporary romance

[00:00] Welcome + Virginia Kantra’s writing journey

[04:00] Why Anne of Green Gables still matters

[08:30] Why Anne of a Different Island is set on Mackinac Island

[16:45] Writing COVID into fiction — without retraumatizing readers

[24:00] Healthy relationships vs. romanticized toxicity

[33:00] Comfort reads, nostalgia, and emotional safety in books

[41:00] Book recommendations for hard seasons

[49:00] Classroom libraries, book bans, and why representation matters

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Bridgerton Season 4 Is Going Full Cinderella — Here’s What to Read While You Wait

Bridgerton Season 4 is officially heading into Cinderella territory, and I’m breaking down what that means — from class divide drama to why Benedict might finally be the Bridgerton brother we root for. Joined by returning guest Julia Diaz-Young, we talk book canon vs. show changes, why Sophie Beckett is such a compelling heroine, and which historical romances perfectly capture that upstairs-downstairs energy.

If you love Bridgerton but don’t want to wait around for Netflix release schedules, we’ve got you covered with cozy, library-friendly historical romance recs you can borrow right now — no ballgown required.

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn — Historical Romance | Cinderella trope

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare — Historical Romance | Marriage of convenience

Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke — Historical Romance | Class divide

A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James — Historical Romance | Fairy tale retelling

Marry Me at Midnight by Felicia Grossman — Historical Romance | Gender-swap Cinderella

[00:00] Bridgerton as a romance gateway & genre hopping

[00:02] Cozy mysteries, historical mysteries & reading moods

[00:05] Why Season 4 feels like “classic” Bridgerton

[00:07] Cinderella, class divide & Sophie’s story

[00:09] Netflix binge fatigue vs weekly releases

[00:11] Bridgerton music, pop covers & iconic scenes

[00:13] Benedict as a hero & Sophie’s strength

[00:14] Cinderella-inspired historical romance recs

[00:17] Where to find Julia & what she’s working on

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Some historical figures feel larger than life — until you finally meet the woman behind the myth.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lynn Cullen, an acclaimed historical fiction author who has spent decades uncovering the real people behind cultural legends. We dive into her latest novel about Marilyn Monroe, focusing on Marilyn’s deeply personal relationship with photographer Eve Arnold — the only woman Marilyn ever trusted to photograph her.

We talk about trauma, fame, the female gaze, and what happens when a woman known entirely through images finally gets to be seen as herself. If you love feminist historical fiction, celebrity history, or stories that reclaim women’s narratives from the male gaze, this conversation is for you.

When We Were Brilliant by Lynn Cullen — Historical Fiction | Women’s History

The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen — Historical Fiction | Medical History

Writers & Lovers by Lily King — Literary Fiction | Writers & Relationships

Euphoria by Lily King — Literary Fiction | Anthropology & Love

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell — Historical Fiction | Women’s Lives

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson — Literary Fiction | Time & History

[00:00] Lynn Cullen’s journey from children’s books to historical fiction

[02:00] Why history is never boring (and always connected)

[05:00] Why Marilyn Monroe still fascinates us

[07:00] Eve Arnold and the female gaze

[10:00] Trauma, fame, and Norma Jeane vs. Marilyn

[14:00] Sleep, self-doubt, and the cost of celebrity

[18:00] Women artists, recognition, and late success

[22:00] Literary fiction recommendations & influences

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