42. Reading Holiday Novels + End of the Year Vibes
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay sits down with Bookstagrammer Mysia from BlackGirlBuJos to chat about holiday reading. Tune in to hear them discuss books they are excited to read this holiday season and some of their end-of-year- reading hopes. Mysia also shares her journey to content creation, gives tips on how to connect with book tours, and book suggestions for different types of readers. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 00:44 Immersion reading 5:28 Mysia's content journey 7:04 Reading YA novels 10:05 Creating diverse reading list suggestions 13:37...
info_outline
41. Writing Perfectly Candid with Author J.S. Jasper
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with author J.S. Jasper to discuss her journey from a reader to a published author. They also talk about Jasper's latest novel, Perfectly Candid. Tune in to hear how Jasper approaches the writing process, where she draws inspiration, and what we can expect from her next. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 1:03 Author journey 6:29 The writing process 10:25 The editing process 20:56 About Perfectly Candid 26:24 Favorite scene 36:39 The books cover 39:53 What's next - Spring Awakening 42:14 Lightning Round -...
info_outline
40. Reading That Brings Joy + Creating Fun Bookish Content
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Bridget to chat about her thoughts on finding joy in reading. Tune in to hear them discuss how Bridget creates a joyful reading experience and her unique approach to content creation. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 00:41 The joy of reading 12:09 Reading routines 17:00 Balancing heavy reads 23:30 Book expectations 28:59 Thoughts on tropes 32:36 Intention behind content 43:35 Book clubs and buddy reads 47:27 Final recommendations 50:46 Lightning Round - There's a book for that 54:31...
info_outline
39. Reading Romance Series + Authors We Love
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay sits down with fellow content creator Schae Love to chat about romance series and their appreciation for the authors who write them. Tune in to hear them talk about the series that has captivated their hearts and share tips for using rating systems. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 00:43 Thoughts on popular books 19:57 Changes in reading habits 24:51 Introduction to romance reading 28:56 Series and interconnected standalones 41:07 Buddy reading 48:25 Star rating systems 50:32 Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:02:22...
info_outline
38. Writing A Fate of Onyx & Ivory with Author O'Junea Brown
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with debut author O'Junea Brown. They are chatting about her journey to becoming an author and what inspired her first novel, A Fate of Onyx & Ivory. They also discuss O'Junea's writing process and the joys and challenges of self-publishing. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 00:44 Author journey 5:21 Dealing with imposter syndrome 10:05 Authors writing process 14:06 Being a published author 22:39 About A Fate of Onyx & Ivory 24:03 The next books in the series 41:44 Lightning Round - There's a book for...
info_outline
37. Reading The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein (Part 1)
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, you'll be listening to a buddy-read discussion on The Color of Law. This book explores the historical laws and policies that enforced racial segregation in America. Tune in to hear Jay and the other book club members chat about their personal experiences with these types of zoning laws, white flight, and gentrification. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:40 Knowledge and experience with housing segregation 01:53 White Flight 12:02 Proximity to whiteness 20:40 Zoning of Black neighborhoods 23:45 Freeway and transportation segregation 27:12 Housing segregation and...
info_outline
36. Reading and Exploring YA Novels + Books That Left a Mark
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Bree to chat about exploring the different genres of YA novels. Tune in to hear them discuss their thoughts on representation in this category. They also touch on how best to approach reading YA novels and the books that have left a lasting impression on them. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 00:43 Memorable YA reads 12:00 Having empathy for YA characters 15:24 YA author appreciation 25:41 Thoughts on representation in YA novels today 29:52 Bree's favorite YA books 36:17 Annotating...
info_outline
35. Reading After a Hiatus + Exploring New Genres
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagramer Aleka from to talk about the journey of getting back into reading after taking a hiatus. Tune in to hear them discuss the books that reignited Aleka's love of reading and the challenges of finding new authors and genres to explore. They also chat about the inspiration behind her new bookish Instagram account. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro and current reads 2:51 Dyslexia and Aleka's reading journey 19:05 Exploring different genres 24:03 Thriller book suggestions 27:32 Setting reading goals...
info_outline
34. Reading with Buddies + Fantasy Favs
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode Jay is sitting down with fellow Booksagrammer Shonna to chat about the joy of buddy reading. Shonna is an avid reader with the preferred genres of fantasy, romance, and dark academia and participates in several buddy reads monthly. Tune in to hear their thoughts on how buddy reading and getting different perspectives enhances the reader experience. Shonna also gives fantasy book recommendations for all types of readers. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Guest intro 0:58 Reading from your TBR 8:37 Current reads 16:16 Reading with others 21:41 Budding reading...
info_outline
33. Reading Dark Romance and Books With Spice
What Ya Reading?
In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer and dark romance lover, Yaniris. They are chatting about reading romance books with dark and spicy themes. Tune in to hear them talk about how to identify potentially triggering content and books they suggest for all types of readers. Due to the subject matter, this episode is intended for mature audiences (18+). The subjects, books, and themes mentioned in this episode could be potentially triggering for some listeners. What we talked about: Episode intro 00:00 Episode content warning 0:55 Guest intro and current...
info_outlineIn today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagramer Aleka from @actbookshelf to talk about the journey of getting back into reading after taking a hiatus. Tune in to hear them discuss the books that reignited Aleka's love of reading and the challenges of finding new authors and genres to explore. They also chat about the inspiration behind her new bookish Instagram account.
What we talked about:
- Episode intro 00:00
- Guest intro and current reads 2:51
- Dyslexia and Aleka's reading journey 19:05
- Exploring different genres 24:03
- Thriller book suggestions 27:32
- Setting reading goals 35:37
- Tracking the books you read 41:47
- Historical fiction books 45:16
- Reading with book clubs 49:08
- Starting a Bookstagram 53:43
- Final book recommendations 58:16
- Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:04:53
- Final thoughts 1:09:26
Books mentioned in this episode:
- Author Eric Jerome Dickey
- Author Sister Souljah
- Author Zane
- Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
- Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan
- The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
- Power Moves by Sarah Jakes Roberts
- The Power of Moments by Dan Heath and Chip Heath
- You Are Always Mine by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
- We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
- Zora Books Her Happy Ever After by Taj McCoy
- Author Christina Lauren
- The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
- Women Evolve Sarah Jakes Roberts
- Do The New You by Steven Furtick
- The Good Ones Are Taken by Taj McCoy
- Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy
- Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
- Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
- The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson
- White Smoke by Tiffany D Jackson
- When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
- 101 Essays That Will Change Your Life by Brianna Wiest
- Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop
- The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
- The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
- Transcendent Kingdom Yaa Gyasi
- Hood Feminist by Mikki Kendall
- Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
- Seven Days In June by Tia Williams
- Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
- A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
- Do The New You by Steven Furtick
- Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
- Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes
- This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
- Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? by Jay Ellis
- The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin
- Fighting for Our Friendships by Danielle Jackson
All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission.
Other links mentioned in this episode:
Connect with today's guest:
- Aleka's Bookish Instagram account - @actbookshelf
- Aleka's Instagram account - @naturallyact
Shop Cover Snob:
Final Thoughts:
- Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs
- Join us on the Geneva App for our September buddy read of Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin.
- For inquiries please email [email protected] .
- Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.