Hey Reader

Bookseller and high school English teacher Nicole Fincher pulls back the curtain on book bans, explaining how removing literature from school shelves only makes teens more curious—and how censorship can impact student access to stories that promote empathy and critical thinking.What Nicole’s currently reading:A Time of Witches by Madeline MartinThe Critic by L.L. KirchnerMeet Me in Paris by Kristin HarmelFalling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey Shop all books via our Bookshop affiliate link:https://bookshop.org/shop/TheGildedPageBookstoreConnect with Nicole on social media: @nicole_tobereadConnect with Julia on social media: @jbodwellwrites

L.L. Campbell, author of Hand-Fasting and Other Hazards and the Tricky Magic series, opens up about her writing process, what she’s currently working on, and how rereading her Tricky Magic series has helped her embrace the story and navigate imposter syndrome. L.L. Campbell is the author of the Tricky Magic series; home to your favorite shadow daddy and one seriously badass witch. And her newest book, Hand-Fasting and Other Hazards, a witchy romance set in Stars Hollow type town, except both main characters are witches who wake up accidentally married. She grew up in the spooky corners of Massachusetts and now lives in Florida with her forever fiancé, Chris, their land hippo Sasha, and the ghosts of their favorite furkids. A witch with too many stories and not enough time, she’s always daydreaming about new characters and the chaotic worlds they belong to. If she’s not writing, she’s probably reorganizing a playlist or pretending to be normal in public.Order L.L.’s books via our Bookshop affiliate link:https://bookshop.org/shop/TheGildedPageBookstoreConnect with L.L.: Instagram / @authorllcampbell TikTok / @authorllcampbellConnect with Julia:Instagram / @jbodwellwritesFollow Hey Reader:Instagram / @heyreaderpodcastYouTube / @heyreaderpodcastFacebook / @heyreader

Bookseller Kyrstie Atwood joins host Julia Bodwell for the inaugural episode of Hey Reader, where the pair discuss the books that shaped them into lifelong readers, the series that brought them back to their love of literature, and what books they’re currently reading and recommending. What Kyrstie’s reading:Death Meets Cute by J. PennerIce Planet Barbarian by Ruby DixonFossil Feud by Maggie NorthThe Kiss Thief by LJ ShenWhat Julia’s reading:Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza KnightUnderlake by Erin L. McCoyDevil Inside by Clay McLeod ChapmanThe Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt DinnimanShop all books via our Bookshop affiliate link.Connect with us social media:Kyrstie: https://www.instagram.com/kyrstie_readsJulia: https://www.instagram.com/jbodwellwritesFollow Hey Reader:Instagram / @heyreaderpodcastYouTube / @heyreaderpodcastFacebook / @heyreader