The Literary Lookbook for January-May 2025 is live! This is a comprehensive but not exhaustive collection of 584 upcoming 2025 releases curated by @kellyhook.readsbooks and @thoughtsfromapage. The Lookbook includes titles releasing January-May 2025 from a variety of genres and features cover designs organized by publication date. Click on this link to purchase it.

Historical Fiction Episodes

Dec. 29, 2020

Judithe Little - THE CHANEL SISTERS

Judithe discusses her novel The Chanel Sisters, why she chose Antoinette to tell the sisters’ story, how Coco Chanel’s early years influenced her designs and fabrics, the unique research Judithe conducted, and much more.

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Dec. 18, 2020

Marie Benedict - THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE

Marie discusses her latest novel The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, writing about the venerated Agatha Christie, telling the stories of women that history forgot, the event that changed the trajectory of Agatha Christie’s career, and much more.

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Dec. 15, 2020

Sarah McCraw Crow - THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN

Sarah discusses her debut novel The Wrong Kind of Woman, writing about women’s issues in the 1970s, how her story resonates in today’s world, incorporating the music and television of the era into her research, and more.

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Oct. 27, 2020

Fiona Davis & M.J. Rose - STORIES FROM SUFFRAGETTE CITY

Fiona and M.J. discuss Stories from Suffragette City, the inspiration for this compilation, the speed with which the project came together, honoring the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote, and how each author is reflected in their …

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Oct. 26, 2020

Rhys Bowen- THE LAST MRS. SUMMER

Rhys discusses her latest novel The Last Mrs. Summers, creating an homage to Rebecca, writing two books a year, reading historical fiction during these stressful times, advice for aspiring authors, and much more.The Last Mrs. Summers can be purchased at...

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Oct. 13, 2020

Natalie Jenner - THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY

Natalie discusses her debut novel The Jane Austen Society, the long-lasting impact and continued relevance of Jane Austen’s books, the importance of independent book stores, launching a debut novel during the pandemic, and more.The Jane Austen Society c...

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Oct. 6, 2020

Hazel Gaynor - WHEN WE WERE YOUNG & BRAVE

Hazel discusses When We Were Young & Brave, her inspiration for the story, writing about World War 2 in the Pacific, her extensive research for the book, exploring the human condition, her reading recommendations, and much more. When We Were …

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Oct. 2, 2020

Tori Whitaker - MILLICENT GLENN'S LAST WISH

Tori discusses her debut novel Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish, her inspiration for the story, creating a love letter to Cincinnati, the generational theme in the book, her advice for aspiring authors, and much more.Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish can be purcha...

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Sept. 22, 2020

John Cribb - OLD ABE

John talks about his latest novel Old Abe, writing a fictional account of Lincoln’s life, conducting research on one of the most famous men in history, how he decided to tackle this subject, and much more.Old Abe can be purchased …

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Sept. 18, 2020

Kristin Harmel - THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES

Kristin talks about her latest novel the New York Times bestseller The Book of Lost Names, the research she did regarding the forgery of documents during World War 2, writing about ordinary people who rise up to do extraordinary things, …

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Sept. 15, 2020

Signe Pike - THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM

Signe and I discuss her latest novel The Forgotten Kingdom, researching people and events from the sixth century, telling stories previously lost to time and history, working as an acquisitions editor, and much more. The Forgotten Kingdom can be purchas...

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Sept. 8, 2020

Asha Lemmie - FIFTY WORDS FOR RAIN

Asha discusses her debut novel Fifty Words for Rain, setting her novel in post-World War 2 Japan, her lifelong love of the country and its language, having her novel chosen as a Good Morning America book club selection, and much …

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Sept. 1, 2020

Gill Paul - JACKIE AND MARIA

Gill discusses her latest novel Jackie and Maria, the reader who gave her the inspiration for this story, Jackie and her sister Lee’s complex relationship, the rivalry between Jackie and Maria, her year-round love of swimming, and more.

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Aug. 13, 2020

Alka Joshi - THE HENNA ARTIST

Alka speaks about her debut novel The Henna Artist, having Reese Witherspoon select her book for her May book club, honoring her mother, the importance of women telling their stories, and much more.The Henna Artist can be purchased at Murder …

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Aug. 12, 2020

Alex George - THE PARIS HOURS

Alex discusses his latest novel The Paris Hours, the challenge of writing a story that takes place over the course of one day, owning an independent bookstore, setting a book in Paris, and much more.The Paris Hours can be purchased …

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