On this bonus episode of Meg's Reading Room, Mommy Meg and a very special guest read Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown.~~Music credit

Welcome in, friends. On today's episode, I'm joined by my husband and favorite public librarian, Alex to discuss his favorite books of the year (so far!) and how he's reading through burnout.Mentioned in this episode:Heart of DarknessVigilVigil / AudiobookLincoln in the Bardo / AudiobookFootballAngel Down Sacred and Terrible AirThomas PynchonAll We SayCountry PeopleNorth WoodsMore of Alex on Meg's Reading Room:Ep 2: Interviewed by a LibrarianEp 21: New Year, Same ReaderEp 40: For the Love of LibrariesSupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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.~~Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Welcome in, friends. On today's episode, I'm joined by children's book author and Newbery Honor winner, Margi Preus to discuss her newest middle grade novel (and mystery series!), THE SHREW DETECTIVE: THE CASE OF THE PILFERED PEARLS.Mentioned in this episode:The Shrew Detective: The Case of the Pilfered PearlsHarriet the SpyPippi LongstockingIsland of the Blue DolphinsThe CorrespondentThe Bell in the LakeThis is HappinessMary OliverSupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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 @megsreadingroomConnect with Margi on Instagram @margipreus~~Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Let's take a moment to breathe together this Maycember.Support Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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

Welcome in, friends. On today's episode, I'm joined by some of my favorite mothers to honor and celebrate the experience of motherhood through their beautiful poetry. Mentioned in this episode:Elysse Wagner @writtenbyelysseShows Up Late With CoffeeMegan Minutillo Weiner @meganminutilloJennifer Shoop @magpiebyjenshoopMagpie by Jen ShoopSmall WondersKaren McMillan @mother_truthsMother Truths : Poems on Early MotherhoodKatie Lowe @katielowewordsNicole Zwolinski @nicolezwritesMotherheadKaylin Weir @kaylinwritesAllison Mei-Li @writtenbyallisonA History of Holding: Poems on MotherhoodEp 115: Sharing What We're HoldingKate Aasa @kate_aasa_writesReese Landry @reeselandrypoetryHope, Love, and the Lack ThereofJillian Stacia @jillianstaciaSet the BoneHannah Rosenberg @hannahrowritesSameEp 20: Your Life is PoetryEp 99: Catching Up with Hannah RosenbergRachel Beachy @rachelbeachywritesTiny UniverseEp 47: The Poetry of MotherhoodEp 89: Living in the Mess and WonderSupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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

Welcome in, book friends! On today's episode, I'm joined by photographer, at-home cook, and devoted reader, Holly from @bookcooklook.Mentioned in this episode:Cutting for StoneThis is Not About UsAnastasia KrupnikLois LowryThe GuncleThe CorrespondentMeg's Reading Room Ep: 46 Virginia EvansRaising HareVilla CocoDolly All The TimeSupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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 @megsreadingroomConnect with Holly on Instagram @bookcooklook~~Music credit: Clavin Clavier

Happy National Library Week, book friends!On today's episode, I'm joined by librarian and Top Shelf podcast host, Carol Ann Tack.Mentioned in this episode:Top Shelf podcastDaunt BooksHalf MagicThe Library ProsLessons in ChemistryHammered: The Fight of My LifeA Tender AgeLibbyHooplaLibro.fmThe DoormanGood NeighborsCoyotelandWhistlerLandMan OverboardThe Shampoo EffectKinThe Bullet SwallowerSwift RiverThe Ballad of Jacquotte DelahayeSeascraperSupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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 @megsreadingroomConnect with Carol Ann on Instagram @carolanntack~~Music credit: Clavin Clavier

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 Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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

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 ServiceberrySupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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 @megsreadingroomConnect with Grace on Instagram @grace.pate.pouch~~Music credit: Clavin Clavier

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 SeriesDuneSupport Meg's Reading Roombuymeacoffee.com/megsreadingroompodcastI 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 @megsreadingroomConnect with Bonnie on Instagram @blaybon~~Music credit: Clavin Clavier