Meg's Reading Room

Meg's Reading Room
  • 4.9 (78)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Meg's Reading Room! I'm so glad you're here. On this podcast, I share personal and comforting conversations with writers and bookish friends as we reflect on our reading lives. We share the stories we're loving, but also the stories we're living. I hope this time together can be a soft place to land in the middle of your week. Welcome in!

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep 125: Celebrating 40 Years of American Girl with Valerie Tripp

    Welcome in, book friends! For my 125th episode, I’m SO EXCITED to share my conversation with one of my heroes in literature and life, Valerie Tripp! Valere is a prolific and beloved children’s book author – best known for her work with the American Girl book series. It’s very possible that she has shaped your childhood reading life through her incredible stories and characters – Felicity Merriman, Molly McIntire, Kit Kittredge, Josefina Montoya, Maryellen Larkin, and Samantha Parkington… just to name a few! In our conversation, we discuss how Valerie became the first voice trusted by Pleasant T. Rowland with Pleasant Company/American Girl, why Valerie and Pleasant were so inspired by books like Anne of Green Gables and Little Women where girls were the heroines and agents of change, how working with the artists, advisors, and product developers helped to bring the characters off the page, how the American Girls have walked with Valerie through the many eras and changes of her own life, what she thinks her characters would be standing and speaking up for today, and how she finds hope and courage through her love of history. Valerie also shares about her voracious reading life and why Eleanor Roosevelt became her lifelong mentor. This episode is a masterclass in storytelling and how the stories we love shape and sustain us through the many seasons of our lives. It’s also a celebration of Valerie’s legacy within an influential company, her devoted friendship and gratitude to Pleasant Rowland, and her treasured connection to her community of readers (her “alums”) who still hold onto the hope of her stories today. You may listen to this episode on Meg’s Reading Room (Ep. 125) wherever you listen to podcasts. I hope our conversation inspires you to celebrate the things that bring you joy, too.  Mentioned in this episode: American GirlPleasant T. RowlandAnne of Green GablesLittle WomenUnderstood BetsyThe Sherwood RingJanet ShawSusan AdlerChanges for MollyNellie's PromiseReally Truly Ruthie Very Funny, ElizabethBrave EmilyMy AntoniaDeath Comes for the ArchbishopElizabeth StroutHistory MattersNo Ordinary TimeCharlotte's WebEssays of E.B. White Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    1h 29m

  2. APR 10

    Ep 124: Slowing Down What We Can with Grace P. Pouch (SAVORING CHILDHOOD: Practical Wisdom for Slowing Down)

    On today's episode, I'm joined by author, Grace P. Pouch to discuss her beautiful new book, SAVORING CHILDHOOD: Practical Wisdom for Slowing Down. Mentioned in this episode: Savoring Childhood: Practical Wisdom for Slowing DownRenovaréLife: A Love StoryLittle WomenCatch Me & Kiss Me & Say It AgainMandie booksMy Side of the MountainJane EyreThe Great DivorceSign of the BeaverBridge to TerabithiaThe Fellowship of the RingThe HobbitTo Kill a MockingbirdThe Serviceberry Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with Grace on Instagram @grace.pate.pouch ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    50 min

  3. APR 8

    Ep 123: Writing a Tapestry of Place and Time with Bonnie Blaylock (THE WATER WOMEN)

    On today's episode, I'm joined by author, Bonnie Blaylock to discuss her newest historical fiction novel, THE WATER WOMEN. Mentioned in this episode: The Water WomenBees in June Ep 81: Elizabeth Bass ParmanLight to the HillsJust Ask Your Mom PodcastBody and SoulThe Whalebone TheatreIsolaThis Is Not About UsThe Black Stallion SeriesDune Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with Bonnie on Instagram @blaybon ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    31 min

  4. APR 3

    Ep 122: Writing Between Selves and Seasons with Tory Henwood Hoen (BEFORE I FORGET)

    Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me. On today's episode, I'm joined by author, Tory Henwood Hoen to discuss her bestselling novel, BEFORE I FORGET. Mentioned in this episode: Before I ForgetThe ArcDick Johnson is DeadThe Correspondent / AudiobookEp 46: Virginia Evans on Meg's Reading RoomLady Tremaine / AudiobookBroken Country / AudiobookThis Story Might Save Your Life / AudiobookAll Fours / AudiobookBefore I Forget / AudiobookBarrie KreinikCT Public Radio / Tory Henwood Hoen, Barrie KreinikBig Red BarnOwl BabiesCorduroyThe Story of FerdinandEloiseMatilda Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with Tory on Instagram @toryhenwoodhoen ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    39 min

  5. APR 1

    Ep 121: The Layers of Luck, Loss, and Love with Kelly Cervantes (THE LUCKIEST)

    This episode contains personal reflections on child loss, illness, grief, and marriage. Please listen with care. ~~ “We are all nesting dolls, carrying the earlier iterations of ourselves inside." - Maggie Smith On today's episode, I'm joined by USA Today Bestselling author and advocate, Kelly Cervantes, to discuss her powerful memoir, THE LUCKIEST: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self. Mentioned in this episode: The LuckiestMaggie Smith PoetNormal BrokenHamiltonCURE EpilepsyJoan Didion Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with Kelly on Instagram @kellygc411 ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    54 min

  6. MAR 25

    Ep 120: The Books That Keep Us Company with N. West Moss (BIRDY)

    Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me. On today's episode, I'm joined by author, N. West Moss to discuss her debut middle grade novel, BIRDY. Mentioned in this episode: BirdyThe OdysseyTillerman Cycle seriesHarriet the SpyThe Wizard of OzDavid CopperfieldZin! Zin! Zin! A ViolinThe Snow ChildSmall Things Like TheseManiac McGeeStar GirlThe Long WinterThe Serviceberry Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with West on Instagram @nwestmoss ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    53 min

  7. MAR 18

    Ep 119: The Beauty and Books That Save Us with Claire Swinarski (EACH AND EVERY SPARK)

    Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me. On today's episode, I'm joined by author, Claire Swinarski to discuss her newest middle grade (and first historical fiction!) novel, EACH AND EVERY SPARK. Mentioned in this episode: Each and Every SparkThe Brothers KaramazovWhat's Become of HerThis is Not About UsDracula / AudiobookThe Supper Club Saints Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with Claire on Instagram @claireswinarski ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    40 min

  8. MAR 11

    Ep 118: Celebrating a Debut with Cassie Miller (MEET ME UNDER THE LIGHTS)

    Welcome in! I'm so glad you're here with me. On today's episode, author and elementary librarian, Cassie Miller, returns to my Reading Room to celebrate her DEBUT YA contemporary romance, MEET ME UNDER THE LIGHTS. Mentioned in this episode: Meet Me Under the LightsThe NotebookOur TownTell Me Three ThingsWhere the Crawdads SingSafe HavenNicola YoonTo All the Boys I've Loved BeforeThe Summer I Turned PrettyThe Secret Book of Flora Lea / AudiobookThe Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson)Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane Support Meg's Reading Room buymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcast I always hope our time together can be a soft place to land when you need it most. By supporting Meg's Reading Room, you're helping to keep our show running and our episodes AD free. Thank you for believing in the work we're doing and helping us to connect to more listeners like you. Connect with me on Instagram @megsreadingroom Connect with Cassie on Instagram @cassiemillerwrites ~~ Music credit: Clavin Clavier

    50 min
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4.9
out of 5
78 Ratings

About

Welcome to Meg's Reading Room! I'm so glad you're here. On this podcast, I share personal and comforting conversations with writers and bookish friends as we reflect on our reading lives. We share the stories we're loving, but also the stories we're living. I hope this time together can be a soft place to land in the middle of your week. Welcome in!

Information

  • Creator
    Meg's Reading Room
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Meg's Reading Room

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