Plans Are Booked

Chapter 124: In Conversation with Jenny L. Howe 02.07.2026 51min

This week we are joined by author, educator, bookseller, dog mom and champion of plus-size protagonists Jenny L. Howe. Jenny shares how her passion for stories began at two years old with a wild imagination, that the horror genre was her first love, what it's really like being in the query trenches, and how she eventually landed on a path to traditional publishing via an idea spawned by her grad school experience. We also deep dive on the importance of plus-size representation in romance and YA, how book cover art comes to be, which of her characters was inspired by Channing Tatum in She's the Man, why she loves setting books in Massachusetts, and how she dreamed up the idea for her upcoming release: How Not to Renovate a Haunted House. To see the full list of books we mention, including what Jenny is enjoying reading right now, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 123: In Conversation with Kat Stoddard 25.06.2026 34min

This week we are pleased as punch to welcome debut author Kat Stoddard to the show. Kat shares about her childhood as a library kid and how Pride & Prejudice taught her what a great novel could be. We talk about a shared love for messy family dramas, Wasp's Nest being inspired by The Philadelphia story, Cape Cod as the predestined setting, why writing three points of view was a wild choice for a debut, what attracts Kat to telling stories about artists, casting the voice actors for the audiobook, and the possibility of a film adaptation in the future. To check out Kat's favorite books from growing up, as well as what she's loving right now, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 122: Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard 18.06.2026 39min

This week we're diving into a delicious family drama. Molly shares her Mount Rushmore of books in this genre, and we talk about the messiness of relationships, the haves vs. the have nots, a deep sense of place, the power of descriptive writing, the joy of short chapters, how easily we could see this as a stage play, and our hopes that it becomes a perfect, 90-minute film. In our catch up this week, Steph shouts out her supportive coworkers and gives us an update on querying, and Molly has a real life @hotdudesreading moment on Nantasket Beach. In what we're reading this week, Steph takes very good care of her friend's copy of Cowboy Casual and Molly falls in love with a hyper local beach read, Feels Like Summer. To see the full list of books we chatted about in this episode, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 121: Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden 04.06.2026 1h 1min

This week we're discussing a memoir that reads like fiction. We deep dive on Belle Burden's story of the dissolution of her marriage. We ask questions like - how would this have been different if they weren't affluent? How do her children feel about all of this being made public? Is her husband the world's biggest super villain? We also share our thoughts on Gwyneth Paltrow being cast in the upcoming screen adaptation. In our catch up this week, Steph shares a grievance about people returning books and tells us about her latest writing project, Kaitlin recaps her trip to Las Vegas, and Molly shares two epic restaurant meals she enjoyed. In what we're reading this week, Steph is immersed in Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, Molly has fallen down the Off Campus rabbit hole with The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, and Kaitlin is mystified by the plot of 200 Monas by Jan Saenz. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 120: In Conversation with Emma Brodie 28.05.2026 34min

We are absolutely tickled to have author and fandom queen Emma Brodie on the show this week! She shares how her love of story began at a young age, including acting out her favorites alongside her younger siblings. Steph notes the themes that resonated for her in both of Emma's books, they discuss their shared fandoms, and a crop top that nearly bankrupted Emma. Emma also touches on being surrounded and supported by wonderful women at both Thousand Voices imprint and Reese's Book Club, how the gorgeous Into the Blue cover came to be, and using ACOTAR as a coping mechanism. To see the list of all the books discussed, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 119: The Deal (Off Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy 21.05.2026 46min

This week we deep dive on the first book in Elle Kennedy's popular hockey romance series, which is now available to stream as an on-screen adaptation. Steph shares how she first got into the series and plots this story on the Beartown to Heated Rivalry scale. We talk about the instant appeal of the fake dating trope, Hannah's similarities with Laney Boggs from She's All That, the utopian world of respectful hockey players that Kennedy has created, and the sporty to steamy chart we want to create to categorize all hockey romance books. In our catch up this week, we review Devil Wears Prada 2, Kaitlin goes to a dog birthday at Park-9, Molly lists the highlights from her trip to Washington DC, Steph and Molly recap their day of fun including a stop into the Midnight Lunch pop-up shop. In what we're reading this week, Steph offers a glimpse into the new Lynn Painter book and Molly finds herself reading another F1 romance book. To see the full list of books we mentioned this episode, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 118: Into the Blue by Emma Brodie 14.05.2026 1h 1min

This week we're talking about a book that has taken the reading community by storm. We share how much we loved her first book - Songs in Ursa Major, the singular nature of this story rooted in improv and on-stage partnership, the main characters' cosmic connection, AJ's unique and powerful character arc, who we pictured as Noah, and how deeply this love story resonated. In our catch up this week, we praise the arrival of warmer temperatures and outdoor dining, Molly gets ready for mudslides at her favorite restaurant in Hull, and Kaitlin shares about her upcoming trip to Las Vegas. In what we're reading this week, Molly is halfway through Heartbreak is the National Anthem by Rob Sheffield and Kaitlin is fully immersed in Strangers by Belle Burden. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 117: In Conversation with Juliet Izon 07.05.2026 48min

This week we are delighted to welcome to the show veteran journalist and debut novelist Juliet Izon. We discuss her childhood love of writing, her dream to work at Vogue, the first kernel of her book idea, the original title for The Encore and its deep meaning, casting inspiration for a future screen adaptation, her advice for aspiring writers, and why she believes adults need to have creative hobbies. Juliet also shares books she's read recently and loved. To see that full list, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 116: The Hall of Fame for Sports Books 23.04.2026 45min

We have a thematic episode for you this week, as we share our favorite sports books. Spanning contemporary fiction, non-fiction, young adult, and middle grade, our top picks cover stories about baseball, football, surfing, track & field, and more. Our chat includes a lively discussion about the difference between being a fan of live sports vs. being endlessly curious about the behind-the-scenes realities of athlete lives. In our catch up this week, Steph recommends two TV shows, Kaitlin recaps her weekend hosting her college besties, and Molly gushes about a friend's birthday party that inspired her. In what we're reading this week, Steph reviews the new Riss M. Nielson book, Kaitlin plucks Stay True off her TBR pile, and Molly falls head over heels for Emma Brodie's Into the Blue. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 115: In Conversation with Elizabeth Skarpnes 16.04.2026 50min

This week we welcome To The Gallows author Elizabeth Skarpnes to the show. She discusses her childhood love of reading, choosing library time over recess, how her book was inspired by a TikTok video, writing the first line in a Taco Bell parking lot, deciding to describe the story as "Tangled meets The Princess Bride," transitioning from nursing to writing full-time, the importance of booksellers championing authors, and how she made all her merch dreams come true with her Kickstarter campaign. To see the full list of Elizabeth's recommended reads, join us on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 114: Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell 09.04.2026 52min

This week we're chatting about the upcoming novel from an author we all adore. We deep dive on Cherry Baby, discussing the reality of moving through the world in a plus-size body, the love triangle that progressed unexpectedly, Rowell's commitment to honesty and messiness in relationships, who we think really needs to read this book, and how each of us rated it and why. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin recaps the Lady Gaga concert, Hello Kitty night at Fenway Park, the scallion pancake / crab rangoon mashup at Dynasty, and seeing her former student star in Outsiders. Molly shares about her trip to Charleston, including hitting five indie bookstores and trying the Kevin McAllister pizza at Renzo. Steph returns from New York City, sharing all the great food spots she hit and the serious dose of Spring she experienced. In what we're reading this week, Steph introduces us to The Fall of Iris Henley, Molly finishes F1 romance Crash Test, and Kaitlin falls down the space exploration rabbit hole with Rocket Men. To check out all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 113: The Encore by Juliet Izon 02.04.2026 42min

This week we're discussing a debut novel that the author self-describes as "Daisy Jones & the Six meets Gossip Girl." We chat about receiving an early copy, meeting Juliet on her book tour, the cover art, how we pictured the three lead characters in our minds, the focus on music, the nostalgia of the college years, and our hopes for this to be adapted for the screen. In our catch up this week, Steph gives a recommendation for a TV show set in Boston and Molly recaps our evening at trivia night during the Bow Market Book Fair. In what we're reading this week, Steph finally gets her hands on Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and Molly shares her real-time reaction to finishing Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 112: In Conversation with Jessica Guerrieri 26.03.2026 1h 10min

This week we are joined by author and Heated Rivalry super fan, Jessica Guerrieri. We talk about what hooked us on the show, the beautiful combination of safety, consent, and vulnerability, the tunnel scene, Rose as the most beloved supporting character, freckle pens, and a shared love of Taylor Swift. Then, Jessica chats with us about her upcoming book, Both Can Be True. We discuss the category of "auto-fiction," the importance of hopeful stories, the complicated dynamic between sisters, addiction and recovery, and how women disappear in plain sight. To see the list of all the books we mentioned, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 111: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 19.03.2026 45min

This week we're discussing an epistolary novel that has taken the world by storm. We chat about the joy of reading letters, the fiery personality of the main character, the wide variety of topics covered - love, loss, grief, regret, romance, gardening, and gossip, the cover art design, and who we think will enjoy this book. In our catch up this week, Steph signs copies of Golden Hour at a bookstore, we have a day of fun seeing the page-to-screen adaptation of Reminders of Him, trying the St. Patrick's Day parfait at Dairy Queen, and starting the new murder mystery TV series 56 Days. In what we're reading this week, Steph finishes an ARC of Rainbow Rowell's Cherry Baby and Molly is 250 pages into Pictures of Him by Clare Leslie Hall. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 110: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson 12.03.2026 40min

This week we're solving a mystery with Holly Jackson's debut adult thriller. We discuss the expert pacing of the story, the interesting use of past and present tense, the endearing friendship between Jet and Billy, and our desire for this to become a TV miniseries. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin starts researching 55+ communities, and Molly admits her new obsession with her local "Buy Nothing" group. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin is devouring the ARC of Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri and Molly finishes The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. To follow along with all of the books we mentioned this week, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 109: Game Changers Series by Rachel Reid (Part II) 05.03.2026 1h 3min

Our "I'm coming to the cottage" candle is lit and we're talking about books 4 - 6 of the Game Changers series. We gush about the cherub of a person that is Harris, Ilya as a dog dad, the wedding scene we hope makes it to screen, the final book as a "love blimp," Kaitlin's desire for Kingfisher merch, and how the Heated Rivalry fandom rivals the Swiftie fandom for most dedicated. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin shares about her trip to Florida, hosting a baby shower, and a new restaurant that wowed her. Molly jumps for joy upon receiving her Girl Scout cookie delivery, gives her review of the Wuthering Heights movie, and we collectively sigh about the incoming snowstorm. In what we're reading this week, Molly is gripped by Holly Jackson's Not Quite Dead Yet and Kaitlin begins The Enemy of Time by Haley-Grace McCormick. To check out our full list of book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 108: Happy Place by Emily Henry 26.02.2026 43min

We've got all the feels like week after reading Emily Henry's homage to annual traditions. We talk about her gift for conjuring nostalgia, the way she creates intimacy without relying on the physical, the beauty with which she captures the evolution of friendship, and the setting details she chose for the state of Maine. In our catch up this week, we break down the Tell Me Lies series finale, share our winter Olympics highlights, and revisit our friendship origin story (from the night of the 2006 opening ceremony!). In what we're reading this week, Steph explains the popular Dungeon Crawler Carl, Molly gushes about the banter in a Christina Lauren romance, and we tease a book we'll cover in a future episode, The Encore by Juliet Izon. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 107: Heart the Lover by Lily King 19.02.2026 48min

This week we're talking about a deeply emotional book. Lily King is a Massachusetts native, now living in Portland, Maine, who has written a book about a love triangle that evolves over several decades. We praise the brevity of her writing, the way she trusts the reader to fill in the gaps, how expertly she handles two big time jumps, and the way she accurately captures life in your early twenties, stirring up all the feelings from that chapter of adulthood. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin heads to a sledding party, Molly recaps heavenly treats at a new bakery, and we collectively lament about Mother Nature's winter wrath. In what we're reading this week, Molly finished The Long Game and started Emily Henry's Happy Place, and Kaitlin picked up Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall ahead of its screen adaptation this spring. To check out all of this week's book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 106: Page-to-Screen Wishlist 12.02.2026 51min

It's a giggle fest this week as we explore one of our favorite topics: books we'd love to see become TV shows or movies. Each of us share our top picks for stories we'd love to see make it to the screen. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin reviews two restaurants in Cambridge, Molly recaps her trip to North Carolina, and Steph asks a Heated Rivalry question that leads to a lively debate. In what we're reading this week, Molly is on book five of the Game Changers series, Kaitlin starts a story about a marriage that fractures, and Steph is reeled in by Good Dirt. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.

Chapter 105: In Conversation with Vanessa Lillie 05.02.2026 56min

We have a special treat for you this week. Stephanie interviews Vanessa Lillie, author of Blood Sisters, The Bone Thief, Little Voices, and For the Best. She is also the coauthor of the Young Rich Widows series. Lillie shares the stories she treasured as a child - fairy tales, Greek mythology, The Boxcar Children, and anything by R.L. Stine, her love of historical fiction, and how moving to Rhode Island helped her unlock a deep sense of place in her writing. She shares her belief that telling indigenous stories and environmental stories can help readers find similarities in their own communities, why she decided to have a main character obsessed with the pursuit of justice, and how part of the repair work that needs to be done in present day includes the decolonization of belongings. She also explains the process for finalizing cover art, including her feedback vs. the vision of the publisher. In closing, Lillie shares her recommendations for books by other indigenous authors. To see that complete list, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.