Meagan's Book Club Podcast

Step inside the charm of Middleburg Books with shop owner Mary Beth Morell as we talk about the heart behind her beloved bookstore. From the “why” that inspired her to open its doors three years ago to the intentional, cozy atmosphere she dreamed of creating, Mary Beth shares what makes both her shop—and Middleburg, Virginia—so special.
We also reminisce about our unforgettable “book tasting” during the Luxury Reading Retreat (truly a highlight of the trip!) and chat about her hopes for the future of the store. This conversation felt every bit as magical as the shop itself.
Website: https://www.middleburgbooks.com/
IG: @middleburgbooks

In this episode, I’m joined by audiobook narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins for such a fun and insightful conversation about his journey into the world of narration. From his background in theater and television to narrating over 600 audiobooks, Sean shares how he found his voice—literally—in this unique space.
We talk about his deep love of reading (especially horror ), what it’s like to narrate alongside his wife and fellow narrator Patricia Santomasso, and the thoughtful process he goes through when approaching a new book. Sean also opens up about the responsibility he feels to honor an author’s voice and bring their story to life for listeners.
This was such a great conversation, and I think you’re really going to enjoy it.

The Things Sean Mentioned:
The Other by Annie Neugebauer
The Boatman by Alex Grecian
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
Narrator to seek out: Frank Muller
www.narratorsroadmap.com as a resource for new audiobook narrators
LISTEN! to audiobooks!
Try sitting with a book for 1-2 hours and read aloud. How does that feel? Can you then yourself sustaining for 6-8 hours?

April brought a mix of standout reads, unexpected favorites, and a few that missed the mark. In this episode, I’m sharing my full monthly wrap-up—diving into what worked, what didn’t, and the stories that stayed with me long after the final page. Whether you’re building your next reading list or just love hearing about books, this is a full recap of my April reading life.

Favorites
🎧 Start at the End ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Burning Side ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Good Joy, Bad Joy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Likes
🎧 Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Mercy Hill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Dark is When the Devil Comes ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Just Okays
🎧 The Name Game ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Go Gentle ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Mother-in-Law Book Club ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Yesteryear ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 You Can Tell Me ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Someone Else’s Husband ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Our Perfect Storm ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Meh
Nine Lives ⭐️⭐️💫

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by international bestselling indie and traditionally published romance author Brittanee Nicole—and this conversation was such a fun one!
We dive into her author journey, which began during the COVID years, and how that unexpected season sparked a whole new creative path. Brittanee shares why the indie author world is so important, the role Kindle Unlimited has played in connecting readers and writers, and how she eventually made the transition into traditional publishing.
We also talk about romance as a genre—why it resonates so deeply and, honestly, why it’s just good for us.
I’m so glad I discovered Brittanee and her books—this chat made me love her work even more. Her new book Darling Daffodils Farm is out now and the audiobook was an absolute blast.

Website: https://www.brittaneenicole.com/
IG: @authorbrittaneenicole

I’m joined again by my bookstagrammer friend Dennis (@scaredstraightreads) to talk about the thrillers we’re most excited for in the months ahead. We also dive into his recent reading highs and lows, making for a fun, honest, and always entertaining conversation. I always love chatting with Dennis, and this episode is no exception.
*If you are wanting to miss our quick chat about Yesteryear, the time frame is 6:53-10:45!

Six Books Dennis is Excited About:
1. The Season of Sinking by Daphne Woolsoncroft (7/7)
2. Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox (7/7)
3. Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead (7/14)
4. Marion by Leah Rowan (6/2)
5. Someone Else's Husband by Kimberly McCreight (6/16)
6. It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (6/23)

The Recent Wins:
1. The Better Mother by Jennifer van der Kleut
2. The Anniversary by Alex Finlay
3. Nine Lives by Catherine Steadman
4. Nothing Tastes a Good by Luke Dumas
The Recent Loses:
1. Serves Him Right by Lisa Unger
2. When I Kill You by BA Paris
3. The Girls Before by Kate Alice Marshall