81 episodes

A KidLit Podcast for Parents, Teachers and Writers created by two mommy blogger friends who discuss upper and lower middle grade books, children's books, chapter books, and picture books, as well as, topics such as parenting, homeschool, writing, teaching, cooking, holidays, and more.

Two Lit Mamas First Circle Press

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 14 Ratings

A KidLit Podcast for Parents, Teachers and Writers created by two mommy blogger friends who discuss upper and lower middle grade books, children's books, chapter books, and picture books, as well as, topics such as parenting, homeschool, writing, teaching, cooking, holidays, and more.

    Episode 80: Mystery & Mayhem for the Holidays

    Episode 80: Mystery & Mayhem for the Holidays

    The Mamas get festive for the last episode of 2023 with a holiday-themed short story collection for 8–12-year-olds filled with murder, mystery, and mayhem. If you enjoy a holiday haunted house, listen in as the Mama’s say good-bye to 2023 with a book chat about creepy funhouses, famous cat burglars, and conspiracies meant to silence the most benevolent among us. Happy Holidays!  
    Book Chat:
    The Very Merry Murder Club edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens
    www.twolitmamas.com

    • 36 min
    Episode 79: 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, Part 2

    Episode 79: 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, Part 2

    Stuff your mouth with turkey while the Mama’s share their opinions on funny, sexy, and murdery Grown Up books that made the top of their lists in 2023. Heather went for fantasies filled with dragons and angry gods, while Margie nabbed myths, space murders and, of course, zombies. 
    You can’t go wrong when a nerd and an outcast team up – that’s when the Two Lit Mamas are at their finest. Happy Thanksgiving! And, don’t forget to hit your local bookstores on Small Business Saturday or you’ll end up on the Mamas’ naughty list.


    The Mamas’ Top Just-for-Fun Reads
    Heather’s Faves:
    Circe by Madeline Miller 
    An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
    The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
    Margie’s Faves:
    Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
    The Push by Ashley Audrain
    Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

    Holiday Gift Guide Grown Up & YA Recs:
    Heather’s Picks:
    The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
    The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
    The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
    Accountable by Dashka Slater
    Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
    Fourth Wing  and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
    Margie’s Picks:
    Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos
    Into The Light  by Mark Oshiro
    The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie 
    Daughters of Sparta and The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
    Starter Villain by John Scalizi
    The Midsolar Murders by Mur Lafferty

    www.twolitmamas.com

    • 58 min
    Episode 78: Holiday Gift Guide, Part 1

    Episode 78: Holiday Gift Guide, Part 1

    The Mamas have once again donned their pointy hats and elf ears for another Holiday Gift Guide Extravaganza-ganza-ganza! As a special treat, they've also included an highlight reel for 2023. Get out your pen or open an app so you can make your list. Don't forget to check it 500 times. Happy Shopping!

    2023 Highlight Reel
    Heather's 2023 Faves:
     Area 51 Files by Julie BuxbaumGnome is Where Your Heart is by Casey LyallA Rover’s Story by Jasmine WargaFalling out of time by Margaret Peterson HaddixPurple Carrot by Rebecca MullinMargie's 2023 Faves: 
    Sinister Summer Series by Kiersten White, Wretched WaterparkHoller of the Fireflies by David Barclay MoorePie in the Sky Remy LaiDust and Grim by Chuck Wendig Super Puzzletastic Mysteries - edited by Chris GrabensteinOur Series Faves with New Books in 2023
    City  Spies, James Ponti, latest release  City of the Dead  (book 4)Show me a sign series - Ann Clare LeZotte, Sail Me Away HomeAmari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston,  Amari and the Great Game
    2023 Holiday Gift Guide 
    Margie's List:
    Wrecker by Carl HiaasenAlex Wise vs. the End of the World  by Terry J. Benton-WalkerEnlighten Me by  Minh Lê  (Author), Chan Chau  (Illustrator)The Labors of Hercules Beal by  Gary D. SchmidtField of Screams by Wendy Parris Heather’s List
    Dog Town by Katherine ApplegateWow in the Wow series by Guz Raz and Mindy ThomasThe Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamilloGrace and Box by Kim HowardThe Golden Glow by Benjamin FlouwHot Dog by Doug Salati

    bookopolis.com
    twolitmamas.com

    • 51 min
    Episode 77: Ghost Stories for Spooky Season

    Episode 77: Ghost Stories for Spooky Season

    Episode 77: Ghost Stories for Spooky Season


    It’s the Mamas’ favorite time of the year when they happily scare themselves silly with ghost stories that are not only bone-chilling but also life affirming. The Mamas start the book chat by chanting Bloody Mary’s name three times in the dark so watch out – she might be coming for you with a hearty Clamato drink garnished with chicken wings. You’re welcome. After the Mamas gush over middle grade ghosts, they dig into a sweet grown up ghost story with even more bone-chilling, life affirmations. Drink it down, just don’t spew it as your head slowly rotates 180 degrees. Happy Halloween!


    Middle Grade Book Chat:
    The Clackity and The Nighthouse Keeper by Lora Senf
    The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies


    Grown Up Book Chat:
    Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune


    www.twolitmamas.com

    • 41 min
    Episode 76: Game On!

    Episode 76: Game On!

    The Mamas want to help get your Middle Schoolers off screens with game-themed novels for 8-12 year olds! Join the book chat as the Mamas share two new fantasy/sci-fi novels that will appeal to gamers: one book is set in a haunted woods and includes three sixth-graders who play a game to save the town, and the other book is set in a floating fun park that is taken over by androids and only the owners’ son and friends realize it. Both books are sure to satisfy your little gamers as much as they did the Mamas. And, if you know a few adults who struggle with putting down the gaming controls, the Mamas have a grown-up, gaming-themed book that will give their screen-weary eyes a break too. Now, get out of that gaming chair, take your dog for a walk, and bring the Mamas along.
    Middle Grade Book Chat:
    The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien
    Futureland: Battle for the Park by H.D. Hunter
    Grown Up Book Chat:
    Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin


    www.twolitmamas.com

    • 43 min
    Episode 75: Middle Grade Mysteries

    Episode 75: Middle Grade Mysteries

    The Mamas shine in their diamond episode, geeking out over their favorite genre, mysteries. First, the Mamas fangirl about TV cozies, then they chat it up with two new mystery novels for kiddos, ages 8-12: one that Margie recommends for the classroom and one that Heather recommends for family car trips. At the end of the 75th episode, the Mamas discuss a new grown up murder mystery that honors three generations of strong women. Put on your sleuthing caps!       
    Middle Grade Book Chat:
    Linked by Gordan Korman
    No One Leaves the Castle by Christopher Healy
    Grown Up Book Chat:
    Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon


    www.twolitmamas.com

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

Linda M. Library Mama ,

Love this pod

I want to be on the Franzia list. I’m a middle school (public school) librarian that teaches a ton and always needs a way to keep up with the books that a “real” and good for kids…which are NOT always the award winners. I so look forward to Two Lit Mamas each month. And, I’m diggin’ the review of a grown up book now too. I read ‘Excuse Me While I Disappear’ on plane and disturbed fellow passengers with my laugh/snort. Now I’m on to Finley. Thanks, you two.

ked_hearts_nwd ,

Are you there Margie and Heather, it’s me Kendra.

Not only are these ladies so entertaining and wonderful, but they recommend AWESOME books. I’ve been bingeing this podcast and staying up way too late reading these middle grade books! Song for a Whale is my new favorite middle grade book and I’ve just starting reading Stand up, Yumi Chung to my first and third grader. Please never stop recording your podcast, drinking boxed wine and extolling the importance of diverse literary voices (and Angela Lansbury). Cheers to you both!

Floatinghomelife ,

The heart!

Thank you Margie and Heather for keeping it real! I love your straight talk and warmth and true love for reading and children’s books. This author thanks you for sharing your viewpoints. Makes me smile!

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