The League of Extraordinary Readers

The League of Extraordinary Readers
  • 4.4 (18)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast focused on diversifying your reading and letting you in on our voice notes and banter. We'll interview your favorite authors/creators, connect pop culture to literature, and of course laugh.

  1. 7h ago

    Maybe We Need To Read More

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica recap their latest book events and author experiences while having an honest conversation about community, representation, and what it really means to engage with diverse literature.We get candid about gentrification, LGBTQ+ representation, hygiene at literary events, and the challenges of reading and reviewing books from different perspectives. From connecting with authors to navigating complicated conversations around culture and identity, this episode goes beyond the page.If you love Black literature, diverse books, book events, literary discussions, and honest conversations about the reading community, this episode is for you!🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation.🪩 Church Announcements:We are taking the month of October off!Books Mentioned:Sky Full Of LoveThe DisappearersGhalenBelovedDeyThe StreetThick The Fantasies of Future ThingsDidn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to CarlottaSong of SolomonSulaBroughtupsyGiovanni’s RoomAuthors Mentioned:TV:Moonlight💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers:📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com📱Follow us on socials:IG&Threads: @theleagueofreadersShelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonaeJess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

  2. Sep 29

    The Church Ladies Gon LOVE This One Ft. Deesha Philyaw

    🎉 Happy Pub Day to The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw! 📚 In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Readers, Shelbey Monae sits down with acclaimed author Deesha Philyaw to discuss her latest book, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. Together, they explore writing, faith, sexuality, identity, marriage, happiness, and the pressure of societal expectations—especially within the Black church. Deesha also shares insights into her creative process, character development, authentic self-expression, and the social issues woven throughout her work. This is a thoughtful conversation about Black womanhood, personal growth, religion, and what it means to live a life that feels true to yourself. If you love Black fiction, literary conversations, Black authors, diverse literature, and author interviews, this episode is for you! 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation! 🪩 Church Announcements: September: The Fantasies of Future Things ( https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fantasies-of-future-things-a-novel-doug-jones/4cb1057d64dc744c?ean=9781668016299&bkshp-astro=t) Books Mentioned: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman The Secret Lives of Church Ladies The Final Revival of Opal and Nev Kin The Fervant Whites The Seven Daughters of Dupree Desperate Bodies Soft Spots When It Gets Cold In The South Good God Authors Mentioned: TV: 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub  Deesha’s IG&Threads:@deeshaphilyaw

  3. Sep 22

    Maybe They Really Don't Know

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨ This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica dive into Sky Full of Elephants, exploring racial identity, systemic racism, injustice, and the ways society shapes our understanding of Black identity. We discuss the importance of perspective, challenging assumptions, and understanding how childhood, mental health, community, culture, and access to technology can shape our experiences. Plus, we talk about recent reads, re-reading and decolonizing narratives, and some of our favorite TV shows, including Silo and Green Lantern. If you love Black literature, diverse books, literary fiction, thoughtful book discussions, and conversations about race and culture, this episode is for you! 🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation. 🪩 Church Announcements: September: The Fantasies of Future Things ( https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fantasies-of-future-things-a-novel-doug-jones/4cb1057d64dc744c?ean=9781668016299&bkshp-astro=t) Books Mentioned: The Hospital At The End of The World  American Nightmare They Were Her Property Ghalen Sky Full of Elephants Authors Mentioned: TV: Silo Lanterns 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

  4. Sep 15

    We Are Really Doing HRCYED!

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨ This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica check in on their HRCYED reading challenge, sharing their progress, favorite diverse book selections, and strategies for tackling those tricky themed prompts. We also get into favorite books, author debates, upcoming reads, and how we’re planning our TBRs for the months ahead. Whether you’re participating in a reading challenge or simply looking for your next great read, this episode is packed with book recommendations, literary discussions, diverse literature, and plenty of reader talk. 🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation! Books Mentioned: Gumbo Black writer’s at work Uncle tom’s children Eight men 🪩 Church Announcements: September: The Fantasies of Future Things ( https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fantasies-of-future-things-a-novel-doug-jones/4cb1057d64dc744c?ean=9781668016299&bkshp-astro=t) TV: 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub  #TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryReaders #BookPodcast #ReadingChallenge #HRCYED #BlackReaders #AfricanAmericanReaders #BlackLiterature #BlackAuthors #DiverseBooks #BookRecommendations #ReadingCommunity #BookTube #LiteraryPodcast #BookDiscussion #ReadingGoals #TBR #DiverseLiterature #BooksToRead #LiteratureLovers #ReadersCommunity

  5. Sep 8

    Motherhood and Generational Tales w/ Sasha Bonet

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨ This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica dive into generational trauma, family dynamics, and the complicated portrayal of cults in contemporary literature. We also talk about the importance of supporting Black authors, book marketing, author recognition, and what it means to navigate the publishing world as a reader. Plus, we share personal reflections on our reading journeys and the books that continue to challenge, surprise, and shape us. If you love Black literature, diverse books, literary discussions, contemporary fiction, and thoughtful conversations about books and culture, this episode is for you! 🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation. 🪩 Church Announcements: September: The Fantasies of Future Things ( https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fantasies-of-future-things-a-novel-doug-jones/4cb1057d64dc744c?ean=9781668016299&bkshp-astro=t) Books Mentioned: The Waterbearers The Book of Chuck Breathe, Eyes, Memory Kin Song of Solomon Meet Me In The Garden Don’t Cry For Me Issac’s Song Sky Full of Elephants The Deep 99 Problems Finding The Ones  Authors Mentioned: Tayari Jones Kiese Laymon Honoree Jeffers Angela Flournoy Rachel Eliza Grifiths Addie Citchens Deesha Philyaw TV: 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub  Sasha’s IG: @sasha.bonet  Sasha’s website: sashabonet.com

  6. Sep 1

    LaToya Watkins Is The GOAT.

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨ This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica dive into generational trauma, family dynamics, and the complicated portrayal of cults in contemporary literature. We also talk about the importance of supporting Black authors, book marketing, author recognition, and what it means to navigate the publishing world as a reader. Plus, we share personal reflections on our reading journeys and the books that continue to challenge, surprise, and shape us. If you love Black literature, diverse books, literary discussions, contemporary fiction, and thoughtful conversations about books and culture, this episode is for you! 🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation. 🪩 Church Announcements: September: The Fantasies of Future Things ( https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fantasies-of-future-things-a-novel-doug-jones/4cb1057d64dc744c?ean=9781668016299&bkshp-astro=t) Books Mentioned: The Book of Chuck Kin Breathe Eyes Memory Zeal The Devil Three Times The Hanged Man Kindred Meet Me In The Garden  Authors Mentioned: TV: Furious 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

  7. Aug 25

    The Jazz Fest Without The Jazz

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨ This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica discuss new book releases, cultural identity, genre classification, and the power of storytelling. We unpack why context matters when reading diverse literature and how the stories we consume can shape the way we understand people, culture, and the world around us. If you love Black literature, diverse books, literary fiction, book discussions, and thoughtful cultural conversations, this episode is for you! 🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation. 🪩 Church Announcements: August: The Book of Chuck (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-chuck-a-novel-latoya-watkins/cc12158c8af94f74?ean=9780593854549&bkshp-astro=t) Books Mentioned: The Book of Chuck Holler, Child Perish Zeal The Seven Daughter of Dupree Vigil Falcon The Football Die For Me Study Guide Kin Song of Solomon Breath Eyes Memory Sula Krik Krak The Missed Connection The Coroner’s Silence Waterbearers Anna Karenina Ulyeses Authors Mentioned: Derek Walcott TV: Furious 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

  8. Aug 11

    Okay Chat, Lock IN!

    Welcome back to The League of Extraordinary Readers! 📚✨ This week, Shelbey Monae and Jessica get into culture, community, identity, and the generational disconnects shaping how we see the world. We discuss Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and Edwidge Danticat’s Breath, Eyes, Memory, while exploring cultural upbringing, mentorship, social media, true crime, AI in literature and art, and what it means to support Black authors and local bookstores. If you love Black literature, diverse books, literary discussions, cultural conversations, and reading podcasts, this episode is for you! 🎧 Subscribe, listen, and join the conversation. 🪩 Church Announcements: August: The Book of Chuck (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-chuck-a-novel-latoya-watkins/cc12158c8af94f74?ean=9780593854549&bkshp-astro=t) Books Mentioned: On Earth We’re Briefly Beautiful Breathe, Eyes, Memory  Song of Solomon Kin Vigil Die For Me The Waterbearers Authors Mentioned: TV: The Idaho Murders 💬 Follow The League of Extraordinary Readers: 📸 🎧 https://beacons.ai/tloer 📧Email Us: theleagueofreaderspod@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: IG&Threads: @theleagueofreaders Shelbey’s IG&Threads: @shelbeymonae Jess’s IG&Threads: @literaturenoirclub

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4.4
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

A podcast focused on diversifying your reading and letting you in on our voice notes and banter. We'll interview your favorite authors/creators, connect pop culture to literature, and of course laugh.

Information

  • Creator
    The League of Extraordinary Readers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The League of Extraordinary Readers
  • Show Website
    The League of Extraordinary Readers

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