Plans Are Booked
Plans Are Booked is a podcast for readers hosted by three friends who love to read, swap books, and anticipate film and TV adaptations of their favorite stories. They share book recommendations and discuss upcoming adaptations. Follow them on Instagram @plansarebooked.
Episodes
Chapter 124: In Conversation with Jenny L. Howe
This week we are joined by author, educator, bookseller, dog mom and champion of plus-size protagonists Jenny L. Howe. Jenny shares how her passion for stories began at two years old with a wild imagination, that the horror genre was her first love, what it's really like being in the query trenches, and how she eventually landed on a path to traditional publishing via an idea spawned by h
Chapter 123: In Conversation with Kat Stoddard
This week we are pleased as punch to welcome debut author Kat Stoddard to the show. Kat shares about her childhood as a library kid and how Pride & Prejudice taught her what a great novel could be. We talk about a shared love for messy family dramas, Wasp's Nest being inspired by The Philadelphia story, Cape Cod as the predestined setting, why writing three points of view was a wild c
Chapter 122: Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard
This week we're diving into a delicious family drama. Molly shares her Mount Rushmore of books in this genre, and we talk about the messiness of relationships, the haves vs. the have nots, a deep sense of place, the power of descriptive writing, the joy of short chapters, how easily we could see this as a stage play, and our hopes that it becomes a perfect, 90-minute film. In our catch up
Chapter 121: Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
This week we're discussing a memoir that reads like fiction. We deep dive on Belle Burden's story of the dissolution of her marriage. We ask questions like - how would this have been different if they weren't affluent? How do her children feel about all of this being made public? Is her husband the world's biggest super villain? We also share our thoughts on Gwyneth Paltrow being cast in
Chapter 120: In Conversation with Emma Brodie
We are absolutely tickled to have author and fandom queen Emma Brodie on the show this week! She shares how her love of story began at a young age, including acting out her favorites alongside her younger siblings. Steph notes the themes that resonated for her in both of Emma's books, they discuss their shared fandoms, and a crop top that nearly bankrupted Emma. Emma also touches on being
Chapter 119: The Deal (Off Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy
This week we deep dive on the first book in Elle Kennedy's popular hockey romance series, which is now available to stream as an on-screen adaptation. Steph shares how she first got into the series and plots this story on the Beartown to Heated Rivalry scale. We talk about the instant appeal of the fake dating trope, Hannah's similarities with Laney Boggs from She's All That, the utopian
Chapter 118: Into the Blue by Emma Brodie
This week we're talking about a book that has taken the reading community by storm. We share how much we loved her first book - Songs in Ursa Major, the singular nature of this story rooted in improv and on-stage partnership, the main characters' cosmic connection, AJ's unique and powerful character arc, who we pictured as Noah, and how deeply this love story resonated. In our catch up th
Chapter 117: In Conversation with Juliet Izon
This week we are delighted to welcome to the show veteran journalist and debut novelist Juliet Izon. We discuss her childhood love of writing, her dream to work at Vogue, the first kernel of her book idea, the original title for The Encore and its deep meaning, casting inspiration for a future screen adaptation, her advice for aspiring writers, and why she believes adults need to have cre
Chapter 116: The Hall of Fame for Sports Books
We have a thematic episode for you this week, as we share our favorite sports books. Spanning contemporary fiction, non-fiction, young adult, and middle grade, our top picks cover stories about baseball, football, surfing, track & field, and more. Our chat includes a lively discussion about the difference between being a fan of live sports vs. being endlessly curious about the behind-
Chapter 115: In Conversation with Elizabeth Skarpnes
This week we welcome To The Gallows author Elizabeth Skarpnes to the show. She discusses her childhood love of reading, choosing library time over recess, how her book was inspired by a TikTok video, writing the first line in a Taco Bell parking lot, deciding to describe the story as "Tangled meets The Princess Bride," transitioning from nursing to writing full-time, the importance of boo
Chapter 114: Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell
This week we're chatting about the upcoming novel from an author we all adore. We deep dive on Cherry Baby, discussing the reality of moving through the world in a plus-size body, the love triangle that progressed unexpectedly, Rowell's commitment to honesty and messiness in relationships, who we think really needs to read this book, and how each of us rated it and why. In our catch up th
Chapter 113: The Encore by Juliet Izon
This week we're discussing a debut novel that the author self-describes as "Daisy Jones & the Six meets Gossip Girl." We chat about receiving an early copy, meeting Juliet on her book tour, the cover art, how we pictured the three lead characters in our minds, the focus on music, the nostalgia of the college years, and our hopes for this to be adapted for the screen. In our catch up t
Chapter 112: In Conversation with Jessica Guerrieri
This week we are joined by author and Heated Rivalry super fan, Jessica Guerrieri. We talk about what hooked us on the show, the beautiful combination of safety, consent, and vulnerability, the tunnel scene, Rose as the most beloved supporting character, freckle pens, and a shared love of Taylor Swift. Then, Jessica chats with us about her upcoming book, Both Can Be True. We discuss the c
Chapter 111: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
This week we're discussing an epistolary novel that has taken the world by storm. We chat about the joy of reading letters, the fiery personality of the main character, the wide variety of topics covered - love, loss, grief, regret, romance, gardening, and gossip, the cover art design, and who we think will enjoy this book. In our catch up this week, Steph signs copies of Golden Hour at a
Chapter 110: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
This week we're solving a mystery with Holly Jackson's debut adult thriller. We discuss the expert pacing of the story, the interesting use of past and present tense, the endearing friendship between Jet and Billy, and our desire for this to become a TV miniseries. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin starts researching 55+ communities, and Molly admits her new obsession with her local "Buy
Chapter 109: Game Changers Series by Rachel Reid (Part II)
Our "I'm coming to the cottage" candle is lit and we're talking about books 4 - 6 of the Game Changers series. We gush about the cherub of a person that is Harris, Ilya as a dog dad, the wedding scene we hope makes it to screen, the final book as a "love blimp," Kaitlin's desire for Kingfisher merch, and how the Heated Rivalry fandom rivals the Swiftie fandom for most dedicated. In our ca
Chapter 108: Happy Place by Emily Henry
We've got all the feels like week after reading Emily Henry's homage to annual traditions. We talk about her gift for conjuring nostalgia, the way she creates intimacy without relying on the physical, the beauty with which she captures the evolution of friendship, and the setting details she chose for the state of Maine. In our catch up this week, we break down the Tell Me Lies series fin
Chapter 107: Heart the Lover by Lily King
This week we're talking about a deeply emotional book. Lily King is a Massachusetts native, now living in Portland, Maine, who has written a book about a love triangle that evolves over several decades. We praise the brevity of her writing, the way she trusts the reader to fill in the gaps, how expertly she handles two big time jumps, and the way she accurately captures life in your early
Chapter 106: Page-to-Screen Wishlist
It's a giggle fest this week as we explore one of our favorite topics: books we'd love to see become TV shows or movies. Each of us share our top picks for stories we'd love to see make it to the screen. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin reviews two restaurants in Cambridge, Molly recaps her trip to North Carolina, and Steph asks a Heated Rivalry question that leads to a lively debate. I
Chapter 105: In Conversation with Vanessa Lillie
We have a special treat for you this week. Stephanie interviews Vanessa Lillie, author of Blood Sisters, The Bone Thief, Little Voices, and For the Best. She is also the coauthor of the Young Rich Widows series. Lillie shares the stories she treasured as a child - fairy tales, Greek mythology, The Boxcar Children, and anything by R.L. Stine, her love of historical fiction, and how moving
Chapter 104: Upward Bound by Woody Brown
This week we're talking about a powerful and moving book by Woody Brown, an author who is non-verbal. This is the story of the clients, parents, and caregivers at a facility for adults with disabilities. Brown does an incredible job of sharing the inner monologues of individuals who cannot communicate with speech, and educating the reader on the common misconceptions surrounding this part
Chapter 103: Game Changers Series by Rachel Reid (Part I)
Heated Rivalry fans, this week's episode is for you! We are breaking down our thoughts on the first three books in Rachel Reid's Game Changers series. We talk about her hockey universe, the complexity of her characters, the spice level, and our sincere belief that the Heated Rivalry page-to-screen adaptation may be the best in history. In our catch-up this week, Kaitlin gets the DNA test
Chapter 102: Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns
This week we're under the spell of the beautiful and lyrical writing of Amy Jo Burns. We talk about her upcoming novel featuring two women trying to find their place in the world, and how they unexpectedly find "home" in each other. We praise Burns' creativity, character development, and unique ability to showcase love without the typical tropes. We also share ideas for who could play the
Chapter 101: Fake Skating by Lynn Painter
We're in a hockey state of mind this week with Fake Skating by the queen of banter, Lynn Painter. We talk about her signature storytelling style, share about our favorite character (hello, Grandpa Mick), praise her use of the fake dating trope, and confess to the power of a flirtatious wink. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin visits local icon Town Spa Pizza, Steph deals with a pest probl
Chapter 100: Golden Hour by Stephanie Blackburn
This week we are toasting to 100 episodes and to our very own Stephanie, as we discuss her newest book, Golden Hour. We ask questions about her writing and editing process, spotlight the characters we adored, applaud the deep sense of place, and read aloud some of our favorite moments in the story. In our catch up this week, we reflect on 2025 and share some goals for the new year. In wha
Chapter 99: Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai
It's our final episode of 2025 and we have so much to share with you. Our featured book this week is Malala's new memoir. Kaitlin reminisces about teaching Malala's heroic story to her students and we discuss the many relatable moments Malala shares from parental pressure to first crushes to trying to fit in at college. We admire her vulnerability in sharing about her anxiety and PTSD, an
Chapter 98: That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers
This week we're headed to Memoir Land, chatting about internet superstar and mental health advocate Elyse Myers. We discuss her vulnerability around her anxiety, rewriting conversations in our heads, her incredibly romantic love story, and her talents as both a content creator and illustrator. In our catch up this week, Molly recaps her week-long trip to North Carolina and Steph shares ab
Chapter 97: We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter
This week we're talking about a mystery that took us by surprise. Author Karin Slaughter has written dozens of books, and this particular story stands out because it's deeply relationship driven. We talk about the suspects, the teenage girls at the center of the crimes, the unexpected second and third acts, and our hopes for this to become a television mini series. In our catch up this we
Chapter 96: Books We Love to Gift
Join us for our third annual holiday gift recommendation episode! This week we are sharing ideas for everyone on your list. We've got coffee table books, cookbooks, young adult novels, memoirs, poetry collections, and books that will instantly upgrade the look of your shelves. In our catch up this week, Molly raves about Friendsgiving, Steph finalizes the cover design for Golden Hour, and
Chapter 95: We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart
We've got the giggles this week, reminiscing about past pop culture obsessions. In our catch up, Kaitlin reviews the page-to-screen adaptation of Regretting You, Steph is devouring the new episodes of Maxton Hall, and Molly admits to binge-watching the entire new season of Selling Sunset. Our book this week is E. Lockhart's We Fell Apart. We discuss the Massachusetts setting, the wildly e
Chapter 94: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
This week we're discussing Buckeye, a relationship-driven book about life in small town America across several decades. We talk about how the story follows both the characters and our country as they move through big changes, the ways in which the writing felt observational, and the themes of duty and repression. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin seeks overalls advice from Steph, Steph r
Chapter 93: The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill
This week we are transported to Long Island, literally and via the setting of this debut novel. We are talking about The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill, which was selected as the Jenna Reads Book Club pick for October 2025. We talk about the family drama genre (and Molly shouts out a few of her favorites), the uniqueness of siblings as narrators, the undercurrent of grief througho
Chapter 92: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
This week we're gushing about the first novel from an author we all adore: Rainbow Rowell. We reviewed Rowell's Slow Dance (Chapter 49) and were excited to go back in time to the book that started it all. We talk about the power of coming-of-age stories, this sweet relationship that blooms on the school bus, the potent mix of excitement and nervousness of a first crush, how this moment in
Chapter 91: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
This week we're talking about a very special book with a truly unusual narrator - Marcellus the octopus. We discuss how cover art influences our first impression of a story, emotion-driven vs. action-oriented plots, the beautiful relationship between Tova and Cameron, the moving way this book makes you think about the circle of life, and how it encourages readers to find joy in the small
Chapter 90: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This week we're praising the pride of Massachusetts, Taylor Jenkins Reid, as we celebrate her latest novel, Atmosphere. We talk about childhood fascination with the stars and space, our deepened appreciation for NASA's Mission Control, how this may be her most romantic story yet, and the 'butter moment' that left us swooning. In our catch up this week, Steph shares an interaction at the b
Chapter 89: Pax by Sara Pennypacker
This week we're talking about a children's book that rustled up many childhood memories. Pax is the story of a boy and his pet fox, separated but determined to find their way back to each other. We talk about the parallels to Homeward Bound and Toy Story, how an animal as a central character reels in young readers, the importance of found family, and the meaning behind the name Pax. In ou
Chapter 88: Address Unknown by Katherine Kressman Taylor
This week we're discussing a very short book with a powerful punch. Address Unknown is an epistolary novel set in the 1930s that tells the story of two business partners whose relationship is dramatically impacted by Hitler's rise to power. We talk about the letter writing format, the erosion of the characters' friendship, parallels to changes we're seeing in the U.S. government today, an
Chapter 87: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
This week we're transported to a remote island in the Southern Hemisphere. We are talking about the powerful and thought-provoking book Wild Dark Shore. We discuss the specificity of the location, the detailed descriptions of nature, the successful use of multiple narrators, the innocence delivered via a child as a main character, McConaghy's masterclass in brevity, and her gut punch of a
Chapter 86: Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman
This week we're chatting about a debut novel that surprised and delighted us. Hot Desk is contemporary fiction with multiple timelines, centered around a literary review in 1980s New York City. There's a workplace frenemies situation, a #MeToo revelation, powerful bonds between parents and children, a drunken scoundrel, and a highly coveted posthumous manuscript. We praise the author's ab
Chapter 85: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Have you ever been captivated by a viral court case? This week we're talking about a book that centers around a fictional true crime podcast and its subject, a young woman named Lucy who is accused of murdering her best friend. We discuss the podcast transcript format as a way to share a high volume of information, how an unreliable narrator keeps readers on their toes, our appreciation f
Chapter 84: Books That Changed Us
This week we're sharing a list of titles that expanded our thinking, piqued our interest in new topics, shaped how we write, and reimagined how we analyze books. Our selections cover children's books, contemporary fiction, essay collections, non-fiction, and memoir. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin adopts an adorable pup, Molly recaps her lake and beach time with her cousins, and Steph
Chapter 83: It's Only Drowning by David Litt
This week we deep dive on a memoir that surprised us. We talk about trying something new in your forties, finding common ground via shared hobbies, the hilarity of observational humor, and why this book makes such a great gift. In our catch up this week, Molly reports live from her lake week in New Hampshire, and Kaitlin decorates her back deck and becomes a regular at the Greek restauran
Chapter 82: Summer Reading List
We have a special treat for you this week; we're sharing our top picks for summer reading. Our list is a mix of books that take place in the summer, are set in beach towns, or give us that carefree and joyful feeling that is synonymous with the season. We have titles across genres - young adult, commercial fiction, romance, and more. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin recaps her holiday w
Chapter 81: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
This week we're transported to the English countryside, discussing a now and then story about first love, the complexity of marriage, and the devastation of loss. We praise the concise and compelling writing, the have vs. have-not set up, a surprise reveal in the final few pages, and the emotional depth that sparked deep empathy for these characters. We also share our hopes for a screen a
Chapter 80: We Were Liars (Pilot Recap)
Fueled by wine, brie, and gummy worms, we're sharing all of our thoughts on the first episode of the page-to-screen adaptation of We Were Liars. We begin by sharing our admiration for Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec, the women who fought to bring this story to TV. We praise their impeccable choices for set design, music selection, and cinematography that activates all of the senses t
Chapter 79: Silver Elite by Dani Francis
This week we're discussing a book shrouded in mystery. Written under a pen name, Silver Elite straddles the line between a dystopian tale of resistance and a sizzling romantasy. We talk about what a military setting brings to a story, including Kaitlin's devotion to group projects and Molly's love for a training montage. We praise the strength of the male / female friendships in this book
Chapter 78: Mothers and Other Fictional Characters by Nicole Graev Lipson
This week we're discussing an essay collection by a local author. We chat about this format and how it allows you to read as you feel called to, Lipson's honest and vulnerable reflections on womanhood, her piercing accuracy about body image and self-esteem, and how she deeply understands the complexities of all types of relationships between women. If you have a mother or you are a mother
Chapter 77: The Colleen Hoover Controversy
You know her from BookTok and the legal drama surrounding the screen adaptation of her novel It Ends With Us - this week we're discussing the phenomenon that is Colleen Hoover. We talk about her meteoric rise, the immersive quality of her writing, her expert pacing, how she moves between genres, and which of her books you should start with if you're a first timer. Then, we get into Remind
Chapter 76: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
We reunite with the queen of summer reads this week, as we dive into her latest novel. We head back to Barry's Bay, home of the flirtatious Charlie Florek, who we'd like to nominate for the Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame. We discuss Carley's mastery of the genre, her gift for the nostalgic, the joy of a lovable grandparent character, and a pickling scene that had our hearts melting. In our c
Chapter 75: We Were Liars + Family of Liars by E. Lockhart
This week we are in a summer state of mind. We've transported to Beechwood Island off of Martha's Vineyard to analyze the suspicious behavior of the Sinclair family. We're sharing our thoughts on both of E. Lockhart's stories about this mega rich family with generations of dark secrets. We talk about how this book sits at the center of a Venn diagram of YA, contemporary fiction and myster
Chapter 74: The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei
This week we're discussing a debut novel from a beautiful writer. We dissect this singular story, delving into family dynamics and obligations, point of view decisions, unlikable narrators, and the magic of strong prose, even when you aren't rooting for a single character. After reading Wei's first book, we're eagerly anticipating what she creates next. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin
Chapter 73: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
This week we're discussing a story about found family, set in Portland, Maine. We hypothesize that chapter one may have started out as a short story, we applaud Wood's beautiful writing and intentional word choice, how the shifting verb tenses deepened our immersion with each character, the way this tale stayed with us for many days after we finished reading, and our hopes for it to becom
Chapter 72: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
This week we head to non-fiction land to read a book that is part exposé and part personal reflection. Sarah bravely shares about her experience working for Facebook and the disturbing truths of being inside a company with no moral compass. We talk about the parallels between Facebook's leadership team and our current administration, the hypocrisy of Sheryl Sandberg and her Lean In moveme
Chapter 71: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
This week we're discussing an author we adore and deep diving (pun intended) on her newest romance novel. We talk about Ali's unique background - her PhD in neuroscience, her love for fan fiction, and our complete awe that English is not her first language. We praise her foray into sports romance, set among the swimming and diving teams at Stanford, adding a competitiveness that upped the
Chapter 70: Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
This week we discuss a story about resistance. Bray's novel includes three timelines and three character duos, each trying to make sense of the political environments they're living in. We discuss how YA often tackles hard topics, how strange it is to read about the pandemic, the power of first love, the themes of not being complicit and remaining hopeful, and how deeply relevant this boo
Chapter 69: The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Ever wondered what it's like to listen to three figure skating super fans geek out on a book about ice dancing? This week's episode is for you. We chat about growing up in the land of Nancy Kerrigan, the competitive nature of the sport, and who we were picturing as the main characters. We also deep dive on Layne Fargo's acknowledgement for author Taylor Jenkins Reid, and how the book's st
Chapter 68: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
We've got a wonderfully packed episode for you this week. We recap our trip to New York City to celebrate Kaitlin's 40th birthday, Steph tells us about her new flip house project, and we deep dive on the story of Addie LaRue. We discuss the fantasy genre, Schwab's beautiful writing, timeline hopping, and unexpectedly rooting for a Shadow Daddy. We also explore questions like - what are yo
Chapter 67: The Chain by Adrian McKinty
This week we're talking about a suspenseful story that had us gripped. We talk about our favorite characters, the pacing, the parts that made us panic, the dangers of social media, and our shared opinion that this is a stellar airplane read. In our catch up this week, we recap our group outing to the Titanic exhibit, Molly reflects on a client that has her back in the restaurant world, an
Chapter 66: Books to Fall Into
We’ve got a very fun, thematic episode for you this week. Inspired by Ashley Poston’s book, A Novel Love Story, we’re talking about stories, settings and characters we’d like to visit. We each select a book we’d like to vacation in and one we’d consider living in. We didn’t share our picks with each other in advance, leading to a surprising, revealing, and hilarious conversation. In our c
Chapter 65: Spare by Prince Harry
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are back in the spotlight with the release of Meghan's new Netflix show, making it the perfect time for us to share our thoughts on Prince Harry's revealing memoir, Spare. We talk about growing up in the age of Princess Diana, learning the harsh realities of the royal family's internal dynamics, the long-time bitterness between Prince Harry and Prince Willia
Chapter 64: Back After This by Linda Holmes
Is there anything more thrilling than winning a giveaway? This week we had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Linda Holmes' newest book, which is packed with witty and charming banter. We talk about how fun it was to read someone else's perspective on the podcast recording and editing process, the clever way she exposes the truth behind advertising and influencer deals, the humor
Chapter 63: Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
This week we're talking about a book that we all feel should be required reading. We chat about how the idea emerged, the co-author writing process, the intricacy of writing from multiple perspectives across lengthy timelines, the authenticity of how the trans experience is described, the flaws in the U.S. justice system, and much more. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin reunites with her
Chapter 62: Cher, The Memoir (Part One) by Cher
Join us as we get to know a new side of Cher, the global icon. We talk about Cher's traumatic childhood, her complicated relationship with her mother, her romantic patterns, her rise to fame, the abuse she suffered, and our enormous admiration for the human rights champion she has become. We also draw parallels between her story and the many other memoirs we've read by women in the entert
Chapter 61: Monsters, A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer
This week we discuss an essay collection that asks really hard questions. What do you do when you learn an artist you adore has done something deplorable? What is your duty as a fan? Should you separate the work from the person? Can you? Claire Dederer's commentary is brilliant, compelling, and will stay with you long after you finish the book. We share personal stories about the monsters
Chapter 60: We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida
This week we're headed back to high school. We're talking about coming of age, social hierarchy, queen bees, teenage gossip, and much more. We even get to hear some war stories from Ms. Mattison's classroom. We Run the Tides is one of those great books that straddles the line between adult fiction and YA. In our catch up, Steph dreams of a meet cute at Target, Kaitlin and Molly are giddy
Chapter 59: Romancing Rebecca Yarros
You know Rebecca Yarros from Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and the newly released Onyx Storm, but did you know she has dozens of other fiction books? This week we explore the full Rebecca Yarros book list, calling out favorites like Variation, Full Measures and Great and Precious Things. We talk about her talent for world building, her preference for small towns and all their quirky locals, her
Chapter 58: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Join us this week as we chat about family dynamics, sisterhood, masking, addiction, grief and forgiveness, all inspired by Blue Sisters. This is a story about three women, each at a critical inflection point. We talk about the authenticity of the characters, the questions we were left with, and our hopes for an eventual screen adaptation. Fun fact: all three of us read this book on vacati
Chapter 57: Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
This week we're reunited with an author we all admire. We're discussing the fiction novel debut of Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, who wrote The Undocumented Americans. This new work, Catalina, is about a young woman attending Harvard while juggling the many stressors and anxieties that come with being undocumented. We applaud Villavicencio's sharp writing in which every single word packs a
Chapter 56: All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley
This week we're talking about a memoir that took all of us by surprise. Patrick Bringley leaves a prestigious job at The New Yorker to become a security guard at the MET. His story not only brings readers behind the scenes of one of the most influential centers of art in the world, but it's a powerful testimony about loss, grief, love and hope. We talk about the passages that made us cry,
Chapter 55: All Fours by Miranda July
Join us as we deep dive on a story that left us with so many questions. This week we discuss All Fours, a book that felt truly singular. Molly shares what compelled her to purchase it, then we opine about unlikeable narrators, a break dancing scene we can't get out of our heads, the taboo topic of menopause, and where we think this title may have come from. In our catch up this week, Step
Chapter 54: From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
We're back in Memoir Land this week, talking about the life of Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie Presley. The book is told from two perspectives, Lisa Marie and her daughter Riley. We talk about Elvis' super stardom, growing up in the shadow of fame, celebrity marriages, and more. All of us were moved by Riley's description of grief and we had a new appreciation for her portrayal of Daisy Jones.
Chapter 53: Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
This week we are transported to Tree Hill, North Carolina thanks to Bethany Joy Lenz's memoir. The actress, best known for her role as Haley on One Tree Hill, has written a vulnerable and honest account of her time in a religious cult. We talk about the power of high control groups, how to recognize gaslighting, and how her story shed new light on her role on a fan favorite show. We discu
Chapter 52: Books We Love to Gift
Our annual tradition is back! Ahead of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, we're sharing our favorite books to gift. This year, we're strongly encouraging you to prioritize banned books to ensure some of the most important and powerful stories get into the hands of new readers. We have recommendations across literary fiction, memoir, romance, YA, graphic novels, childr
Chapter 51: The Maid by Nita Prose
Welcome to a tale of two covers. Two key holes, two maids, two murder mysteries. This week we're talking about The Maid by Nita Prose (and The Housemaid by Freida McFadden). We just finished Prose's story about a maid named Molly who works at a luxury hotel. We talk about narrators who are on the spectrum and how challenging it is to read about people being taken advantage of. In our catc
Chapter 50: Cheers to One Year
This is a very special week. We're celebrating 50 episodes - one year of Plans are Booked! We kick off by sharing all the details of our four days in the Big Apple, including crushing on Kit Connor in Romeo + Juliet on Broadway, channeling The Bear at Michelin star restaurant Eleven Madison Park, enjoying the finer things in Soho, falling in love with The Strand Bookstore, catching up wit
Chapter 49: Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
This week we're talking about a second chance love story that surprised us. Rainbow Rowell has written two honest and vulnerable leads, Shiloh and Cary, who move through friendship, distance, and romance over two decades. We talk about the resonance of flawed characters, the levity delivered via a spunky little kid, and make comparisons to movies with similar vibes. In our catch up, Steph
Chapter 48: Modern Romance with Casey McQuiston
This week we shine a light on an author we all adore, Casey McQuiston (they / them). Steph shares how she was first introduced to Casey's writing and how quickly all of us became super fans. Kaitlin and Molly recap seeing Casey in person with the Brookline Booksmith and how that deepened our fandom. We cover Casey's gift for writing banter-fueled love stories, vivid descriptions of food a
Chapter 47: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
This week we marvel at author Chris Whitaker's talent and share our thoughts on the story of Patch and Saint. We chat about the importance of well rounded side characters, our love for short chapters with poignant closing sentences, parallels to Forrest Gump, and the text Kaitlin found so powerful she's considering for her next tattoo. We also continue our fascination with how books are c
Chapter 46: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
This week we have something extra special for you. We're debuting a line of Plans are Booked romance trope candles! We light a candle each time we record and we want to share that ritual with you. We can't wait for you to smell them, enjoy them in your home, or gift them to your reader bestie. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin recaps a wonderful wedding she went to in Connecticut, Molly
Chapter 45: Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
It's Molly's birthday week and the Libra season energy is in full effect. We kick off with Molly sharing two book-themed gifts she's unwrapped, including one that Steph and Molly's mom conspired together to procure and secretly have delivered. Steph catches us up on the very special pup she took care of over the weekend. We close out the catch up by sharing two brand new TV shows we're lo
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Dad V Girls After Hours
Saints‘ Hill Church Podcast
The Arab Film Club Podcast
AI Fire Daily
The Fifteenth Page Show | AI Systems, Marketing Tips, andContent Marketing Strategy for Busy Teams
Intrigue Outloud
