A Bookish Affair

Episode 47: Steamy Lit Con Recap, Part 1: Let's Be Awkward Together

Greetings, all you shy billionaires and hopeless-romantic producers! In this episode, we'll begin to recap our epic road trip to the first annual Steamy Lit romance conference. We'll discuss thrilling author interactions, the pros and cons of traveling with a Prius full of books, and the multi-state search for the perfect gluten-free burger! For readalikes and book lists, to learn more about attending a virtual book club meeting, if you know a non-terrible free transcription software or a great gluten-free burger joint in the Portland Metro area, or just to chat, find us here [https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/online-bookish-affair] or email us directly at ssedell@lakeoswego.city (Shannon) or sdickinson@lakeoswego.city (Shandy). We're also (sometimes) on Instagram at @theknitterlybookworm (Shannon) and @shandybeereads (Shandy). Our next book club meeting is Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. PST. We'll be discussing An Island Princess Starts A Scandal by Adriana Herrera, and we would love to have you join us! You don't need a library card -- or even to live in our time zone -- to join. For a transcript of this episode, please email Shandy at sdickinson@lakeoswego.city. Books and series mentioned in this episode: All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins Role Playing by Cathy Yardley Never Cross A Highlander by Lisa Rayne Blind Date With A Book Boyfriend by Lucy Eden Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana de la Rosa A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot Checking You Out by Ann Whynot Green Valley Library series (multiple authors) Decades series (multiple authors) Love and Other Flight Delays by Denise Williams Marriage Bargain With Her Brazilian Boss by Tara Pammi West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras The Karma Map by Nisha Sharma The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan An Island Princess Starts A Scandal by Adriana Herrera

Episode 46: Celebrating Disability Pride Month in Romance and Beyond

Hello, all you toilet paper magnates and shipbuilding sweethearts! In our first episode in over a year, we share our favorite anti-ableist romances and authors in honor of Disability Pride Month. We'll discuss ABA beloveds Talia Hibbert, Chloe Liese, and Xan West, new favorites Evie Mitchell and A.J. Demas, and many more authors and books. It's a long one. You might need snacks. Be sure to check the links below for book lists or to learn more about Disability Pride and combating ableism! For more information about the club or podcast, or to join a virtual meeting, email sdickinson@lakeoswego.city or ssedell@lakeoswego.city. We'll be discussing Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik via Zoom on Sunday, July 9 at 11:00 a.m. PST. We'd love to have you join us!  For the first time ever, we've transcribed! If you'd like a transcript of Episode 46, send us an email. Links: ADA.gov [https://www.ada.gov/] Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities [https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-crpd] (from the United Nations) Observing Disability Pride Month This July [https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/observing-disability-pride-month-july] (from Human Rights Watch) What Is Disability Pride Month? [https://www.them.us/story/what-is-disability-pride-month-ableism-disability-allyship] (from Them) Have You Seen the New Disability Pride Flag? [https://www.respectability.org/2022/07/disability-pride-flag/] (from RespectAbility) ⁠Anti-Oppression Guides: Anti-Ableism⁠ [https://simmons.libguides.com/anti-oppression/anti-ableism] (from Simmons University Library) How To Be A Good Ally To Disabled People [https://wid.org/how-to-be-a-good-ally-to-disabled-people/] (from World Institute on Disability) Alternatives to Ableist Language [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sam-lacovara-kennedy_ableist-language-is-one-of-many-microaggressions-activity-6958115131004260352-dMJy] (from Mindr) Fave Romances With Queer Disabled MCs [https://coreysbookcorner.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/fave-romances-with-queer-disabled-mcs/] (from Corey Alexander's blog, Corey's Book Corner) Disability Rep in Romance [https://bookshop.org/lists/disability-rep-in-romance] (from Meet Cute Bookshop/bookshop.org) 5 Romance Books to Read for Disability Pride Month [https://culturess.com/2022/07/20/5-romance-books-read-disability-pride-month/] (from Culturess) Archetype: Character With a Disability [https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/archetype/character-disability/] (from SBTB) Highly Recommended Romance Novels With Disability Rep [https://www.romancerehab.com/blog/highly-recommended-romance-novels-with-disability-rep] (from Romance Rehab) [https://blog.harlequin.com/2022/07/6-great-romance-books-for-disability-pride-month/] 6 Great Romance Books for Disability Pride Month [https://blog.harlequin.com/2022/07/6-great-romance-books-for-disability-pride-month/] (from Harlequin) Disability Pride Megathread 2021 [https://www.reddit.com/r/romancelandia/comments/ou229c/disability_pride_megathread_2021/] (from Reddit, r/romancelandia) Disabled Characters [https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/t75te0/disabled_characters/] (from Reddit, r/RomanceBooks) Disabled Rep in FMC or MMC [https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/stiqj8/disabled_rep_in_fmc_or_mmc/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf](from Reddit, r/RomanceBooks) Let's Chat With Evie Mitchell [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6rNwe1uCMk] (from In Love & Words) Books mentioned in this episode: The Future Is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes, and Mourning Songs by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha Ravenswood series by Talia Hibbert Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert Nine of Swords, Reversed by Xan West Their Troublesome Crush by Xan West Sword Dance trilogy by A.J. Demas A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie by Jennifer Ashley It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots by Cat Sebastian Two Rogues Make A Right by Cat Sebastian Always Only You by Chloe Liese If Only You by Chloe Liese Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Love Flushed by Evie Mitchell The X-List by Evie Mitchell Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole Reel by Kennedy Ryan Beard in Mind by Penny Reid The Love Con by Seressia Glass Game On by Seressia Glass Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Charish Reid

Episode 45: Looking Forward, Looking Back

Greetings, all you energetic harpies and lovelorn Cupids! In our longest episode yet (and that's really saying something, isn't it?), we'll take a look back at our favorite reads of 2021 and get excited for our most-anticipated books of 2022. We'll be taking a bit of a hiatus after this episode, but we'd still love to hear from you, or even see you at a book club meeting! We'll be discussing Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade on Sunday, February 13 at 11:00 a.m. PST. Email us at sdickinson@lakeoswego.city (Shandy) or ssedell@lakeoswego.city (Shannon) for the Zoom link, or for more information. You can check out our 2022 book club lineup here [https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/online-bookish-affair].  Links: Get your Big Harpy Energy shirt here [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLindaLineStudio?ref=nla_listing_details].  Books mentioned in this episode:  The Companion by E.E. Ottoman The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews The Way of the Househusband by Kousuke Oono Redeemed by His New York Cinderella by Jadesola James All the Feels by Olivia Dade Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade The Love Con by Seressia Glass D’Vaughn and Kris Plan A Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron Battle Royal by Lucy Parker Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson Reel by Kennedy Ryan Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan A Fatal Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum by Emma Southon Bombshell by Sarah MacLean Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon Seven Days in June by Tia Williams One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James Nestor The Eye of Revelation by Peter Kelder A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera Compromised Into a Scandalous Marriage by Lydia San Andres Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean The Royal Baby He Must Claim by Jadesola James The Princess He Must Marry by Jadesola James Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall The Secret She Kept in Bollywood by Tara Pammi Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly Black Love Matters by Jessica Pryde Ramon and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes Becoming the One: Heal Your Past, Transform Your Relationship Patterns, and Come Home to Yourself by Sheleana Aiyana I Crumble For You by Clare D.

Episode 44: Faint Hearts Never Won Fair Ladies

Hello all you capable estate managers and independent heiresses! It's better late than never as we feature a heaping helping of holiday romance. We'll talk rom-coms, historical novellas, free online reads, and anthologies featuring Diwali, Hogmanay, Hanukkah, Nochebuena, and many more holidays throughout the year.  For readalikes, book lists, and antiracism resources, to learn more about attending a virtual book club meeting, or just to chat, find us here [https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/online-bookish-affair] or email us directly at ssedell@lakeoswego.city (Shannon) or sdickinson@lakeoswego.city (Shandy). Our next meeting is Sunday, February 13 at 11:00 a.m. PST. We'll be discussing Confessions in B-Flat by Donna Hill, and we would love to have you join us! Books mentioned in this episode: The Christmas Chevalier by Meg Mardell A Highland Hogmanay by Meg Mardell A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli Second Chance Under the Stars by Tara Pammi ( [https://www.harlequin.com/shop/articles/488_second-chance-under-the-stars.html]Harlequin Online Reads story) Redeemed by His New York Cinderella by Jadesola James Discretion and Desire by Jadesola James [https://www.harlequin.com/shop/articles/494_discretion-and-desire.html](Harlequin Online Reads story) Silent Nights by Penny Aimes [https://www.harlequin.com/shop/articles/491_silent-nights.html](Harlequin Online Reads story) For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes The Deputy’s Chanukah Miracle by Shelly Bell [https://www.harlequin.com/shop/articles/493_the-deputy-s-chanukah-miracle.html] (Harlequin Online Reads story) Miracles and Menorahs by Stacey Agdern Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson Love All Year: A Holidays Anthology Love and Latkes by Stacey Agdern The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese Always Only You by Chloe Liese Her Pretend Christmas Date by Jackie Lau A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas by Jackie Lau One Bed for Christmas by Jackie Lau Wrapped Up In You by Talia Hibbert Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews Studmuffin Santa by Tawna Fenske The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert Mistletoe Christmas: An Anthology by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor, and Erica Ridley Amor Actually by Adriana Herrera, Priscilla Oliveras, Alexis Daria, Mia Sosa, Zoey Castile, Sabrina Sol, and Diana Munoz Stewart Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday Love All Year 2021 by Soumi Roy, Kosoko Jackson, KD Casey, Jasmine Luck, Hudson Lin, October Rhea, and Elsie Marrone Kwanzaa Angel by Shirley Hailstock A Mistletoe Affair by Farrah Rochon

Episode 43: Indigenous Voices in Romance

Greetings, all you efficient community organizers and laid-back band managers! In this episode, we'll recap our book club discussion of Heartbeat Braves and share our recent and upcoming reads by Indigenous romance authors. This is the first episode we've ever recorded from the same room, and it was a blast -- we hope you enjoy it, too.  For readalikes, book lists, and antiracism resources, to learn more about attending a virtual book club meeting, or just to chat, find us here [https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/online-bookish-affair] or email us directly at ssedell@lakeoswego.city (Shannon) or sdickinson@lakeoswego.city (Shandy). Our next meeting is Sunday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m. PST. We'll be discussing Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory, and we would love to have you join us! Links: 8 Fantastic Romance Novels by Indigenous Authors [https://bookriot.com/romance-novels-by-indigenous-authors/](Book Riot) Indigenous Romance Twitter Thread started by Beverly Jenkins! [https://twitter.com/authormsbev/status/1273366308835467264] Books mentioned in this episode: Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder Night Song by Beverly Jenkins The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang A Yellow Raft on Blue Water by Michael Dorris The Grass Dancer by Susan Power The Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow The Sentence by Louise Erdrich Lovesick Braves and Sweetheart Braves by Pamela Sanderson Just Like This by Cole McCade Taking on the Billionaire by Robin Covington Seducing His Secret Wife by Robin Covington Where the Snowy Owl Sleeps by Mimi Milan Dueling the Desperado by Mimi Milan Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time : an Indigenous LGBT sci-fi anthology, edited by Hope Nicholson, with stories by Cherie Dimaline, Richard Van Camp, Darcie Little Badger, Mari Kurisato, and more Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction edited by Joshua Whitehead, with stories by Mari Kurisato Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith Fearless in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell Thanks To You by Maggie Blackbird Because of You by Maggie Blackbird Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James Nestor The Murderbot Diaries (series) by Martha Wells Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory