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What Ya Reading? (Jay Braggs)

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
17 Jun 202428. Reading From Monthly TBR Lists + Creating Bookish Playlists01:16:21

In today's episode, Jay is chatting with fellow Bookstagrammer Tori from @readnoted. They're talking about the inspiration behind Tori's monthly themed TBR (to be read) list, how she selects books to focus on, and her self-proclaimed title as a Literary Hype Girl.

They also discuss the intention behind Tori's monthly newsletter, which includes reading recommendations and book-themed playlists.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro + housekeeping 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 2:33
  • Planning monthly TBR lists 20:58
  • Curating monthly bookish playlists 30:44
  • Listening to music as you read 33:29
  • Favorite reading playlists 37:57
  • Go to reading genre 42:24
  • Being a literary hype girl 48:31
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:00:26
  • Final Thoughts 1:09:37

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

  • Listen to the Read+Noted playlists on Spotify
  • Listen to the Read+Noted playlists on Apple

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

12 Aug 202432. Reading Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De La Rosa00:41:13

In today's episode, you'll be listening to a buddy-read discussion on Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De La Rosa.

Tune in to hear Jay and the other book club members chat about their thoughts on this book, what they learned, and the impression it left on them.

Please keep in mind that this episode will contain spoilers.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Reading Historical Romance 2:04
  • The French Occupation in Mexico 3:10
  • Liana De La Rosa's writing 4:18
  • Historical references + feminism themes 8:29
  • Thoughts on the characters + overall story 13:35
  • Listing to the story on audio + the next books 30:36
  • Final thoughts and ratings 39:05

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Shop Cover Snob:

Final Thoughts: 

05 Aug 202431. Writing Graphic Novels & Being a Weirdo With Author Tony Weaver Jr.00:54:21

In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with author Tony Weaver Jr. to talk about his new graphic novel, Weirdo, which tackles bullying and mental health themes.

Tune in to hear them chat about Tony's journey to becoming an author and the inspiration behind Weirdo. They also discuss Tony's writing process, the importance of representation in literature, and the impact of storytelling for young readers.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro 1:50
  • Current reads and shows 6:24
  • The intention behind Weirdo 14:33
  • Writing mental health representation for young readers 19:50
  • Finding your weird community 25:41
  • Writing a Graphic Novel 28:23
  • The illustration process 39:56
  • How to support the release of Weirdo 46:28
  • Importance of pre-orders 50:20
  • Final Thoughts 52:35

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Shop Cover Snob:

Final Thoughts: 

18 Mar 202417. Reading BIPOC Stories + Getting Comfortable With The Uncomfortable01:02:23

In today's episode, Jay is chatting with a friend and fellow book club member Rissa about reading from BIPOC narratives and how it has impacted their worldview.

Tune in to hear them chat about how they've had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable when reading certain stories. They also talk about how they lean on books to expose them to different narratives and how Rissia uses books to teach her children about racial injustices. 

What we talked about: 

  • Rissia's recent reads
  • Finding impactful and educational narratives to read
  • Reading stories even when they are uncomfortable
  • Finding books that also portray joy 
  • Utilizing the book community to help process as we read
  • Educating kids on racial injustices and having tough conversations

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

08 Apr 202420. Reading Books That You Enjoy & How To Find Them00:50:57

Do you ever feel like you're on a never-ending quest for the perfect read? And that "popular" books don't always live up to the hype? We know that feeling all too well.

Today Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Kina to talk about how to discover your unique reading taste. Tune in to hear them discuss their reading preferences and share tips to help you find new books that you'll love.

What we talked about: 

  • About today's episode 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 2:38
  • Finding your reading taste 7:21
  • Sharing negative book reviews 20:17
  • Utilizing the library 23:03
  • Kina's reading style 25:21
  • Books that surprised Kina 32:39
  • Tips for figuring out your reading taste 38:38
  • Book recommendations from Kina 44:22
  • Lightning Round - There's A Book For That 45:49

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

24 Jun 202429. Reading Celebrity Books & Memoirs + What We Love About Them01:17:57

In today's episode, Jay is joined by her book bestie Brittany to discuss their shared love of reading celebrity books and memoirs. Tune in to hear them chat about what elements they look for in these stories and how they go about rating and recommending them. 

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 2:06
  • Reading Celebrity Memoirs 11:27
  • Should we always expect dramatic stories 16:50
  • Rating celebrity memoirs 24:24
  • Listening to memoirs on audio 38:56
  • Favorite memoirs 42:28
  • Reflection on Obama's books 58:06
  • Final thoughts and book recommendations 1:03:40
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:14:52

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

19 Aug 202433. Reading Dark Romance and Books With Spice01:22:53

In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer and dark romance lover, Yaniris. They are chatting about reading romance books with dark and spicy themes.

Tune in to hear them talk about how to identify potentially triggering content and books they suggest for all types of readers.

Due to the subject matter, this episode is intended for mature audiences (18+). The subjects, books, and themes mentioned in this episode could be potentially triggering for some listeners. 

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Episode content warning 0:55
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:59
  • Being a mood reader vs. planned reader 8:10
  • Thoughts on what dark romance 10:53
  • Reading why-choose romances 17:51
  • Genre favorites 28:37
  • Balancing trigger warnings 31:11
  • Exploring the term "dark romance" 34:07
  • Are all dark romances full of smut? 43:14
  • Reading retellings, paranormal, and monster romances 48:15
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:12:40
  • Final Thoughts 1:21:04

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Connect with today's guest: 

Shop Cover Snob:

Final Thoughts: 

26 Feb 202414. Reading Atomic Habits + Finding Fun Fiction Books01:03:22

Atomic Habits by James Clear has been one of the most influential personal development books over the last few years. And for good reason!

In today's episode, Jay is chatting with Penelope, a fellow reader and online business owner, about how transformative this book has been for both of them. They discuss the concept of habit stacking and the importance of building small habits to achieve larger goals.

They also discuss Penelope's desire to incorporate more fiction novels into her reading life and a few books that Jay suggests she begins with.

 

What we talked about: 

  • What we look for in personal development books.
  • Finding books that challenge our beliefs and way of thinking.
  • The concept of habit stacking.
  • How to implement what we learned from Atomic Habits into our lives.
  • Finding new fiction books to read.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

Connect with Penelope on Instagram @penelope.connects

 

Final Thoughts: 

11 Mar 202416. Reading With Full Schedules + Finding The Best Busy-Season Books00:31:19

Finding the time to read in busy seasons can be difficult. We can't always plan for the busy moments but as we learn about our reading style we can find ways to adapt to those seasons.

This week on the podcast, your host Jay is joined by fellow bookworm Brittany, to chat about making reading adjustments during life's busy chapters. They talk about how they identified their reading preferences and give the listeners suggestions for finding the best books to pick up when they're short on time.

What we talked about: 

  • Reading when you have a full schedule. 
  • Using books to break up your day.
  • Picking books that are enjoyable and easy to comprehend.
  • Implementing audiobooks into your routine.
  • Building a reading habit and finding books for your busy seasons. 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

01 Jul 2024Summer Break + Special Announcement00:04:37

It's time for our summer podcast break. Don't fear, new epsides will resume in a few weeks.

Today, Jay also shares a quick and exciting announcement with you so make sure you listen to full audio clip.

Wishing everyone a wonderful reading adventure until we meet again!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Final Thoughts: 

29 Apr 202422. Reading & Collecting Special Editions + Book Aesthetics01:22:53

In today's episode, Jay is joined by fellow Bookstagrammer Amber and they're chatting about the joy of collecting special edition books.

Tune in to learn how Amber started building her collection and tips on how you can start adding copies of your favorite books to your personal library.

Also - There is an exciting announcement coming soon. Be sure to join the email list to be the first to hear the news.

What we talked about: 

  • Intro and announcement 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:35
  • Taking aesthetically pleasing book photos 10:37
  • Collecting special editions + styling your shelves 15:43
  • Special edition book boxes 22:45
  • The lack of diversity in the industry 28:34
  • Finding special editions online 37:12
  • How to get started with collecting special editions 43:51
  • Book journaling 54:19
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 01:08:57

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

18 Dec 20234. Reading to Support Our Mental Health & Self Exploration Journey00:43:27

Reading to support our mental health journey is important. But, it can be difficult to find helpful and relatable options.

Our guest Arienne works closely with mental health professionals and is here to share her thoughts about the evolving nature of "self help" books. Tune in to hear about what we look for in supportive mental health materials and the reads that have helped us on our self-exploration journey.

 

What we talked about: 

  • Mindset shifts around finances and creating wealth.

  • What we consider a mental health book.

  • Figuring out what we need from materials that support our wellness journey.

  • The shift in the self-help and mental wellness space.

  • Thoughts around the terms self-exploration and discovery.

  • The stigma around self-help books.

  • Tips for finding supportive mental wellness books.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

Some book links above may be affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

  1. Living Single episode with Jasmine Guy (Season 3 - Episode 19)

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

  1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

  2. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

  3. For inquiries please email info@jaybraggs.com

  4. Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. 

08 Jan 20247. Reading Big Magic + Books That Spark Creativity01:01:32

We all have creative dreams. But sometimes we struggle taking action on those ideas. In today's episode, I sat down with my guest Shanell to explore the mindset shifts that she learned from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. She reveals how this book helped her in her life, her business, and on her creative journey. We also talked about other books that ignite creativity and spark our imagination when we need it most.  

 

What we talked about: 

  • Our thoughts on Big Magic.

  • Learning what we need from the books we pick up.

  • How Big Magic suggests we deal with fear.

  • The concept of "feeling the fear, and doing it anyway".

  • Understating failure and success when it comes to doing something that you are passionate about.

  • 4 core principles in Big Magic - Courage, Enchantment, Permission, and Persistence

  • What you will not get from reading this book and how that could be beneficial.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

  1. Shop Jay's Pango page

 

Connect with today's guest: 

  1. Connect with Shanell on Instagram @shanelltyus

  2. Visit Shanell's website www.talentamplifyher.com

  3. Learn more about the Strength to Strategy Collab

  4. Grab Shanell's affirmation cards HERE.

 

Final Thoughts: 

  1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

  2. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

  3. For inquiries please email info@jaybraggs.com

  4. Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. 

29 Jan 202410. Reading African Mythology + Children of Blood & Bone00:55:26

African mythology has always been a major influence on literature. In today's episode, Jay sits down with fellow book club member Taylore to talk about some of their favorite books that draw upon African Mythology and Folklore.

Tune in to hear them chat about the books they believe embody the theme of Black Girl Magic and their thoughts on seeing African Mythology represented more in mainstream books.

What we talked about: 

  • Exploring the term Black Girl Magic

  • Finding African Mythology novels

  • The role of women in African Mythology

  • The concept of the divine feminine

  • African-American Folklore

  • Writing similarities between N. K. Jemisin and Toni Morrison

  • Mermaids in current books

  • Should African Mythology be considered classical literature

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

06 May 202423. Reading Books Over 500 Pages + Long Series Recommendations01:20:00

Around here we like thick books (books over 500 pages). But if you aren't used to reading books of that size, they can be a little intimidating.

In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with Bookstagrammer Stephany to chat about reading books with large page counts. Tune in to hear them talk about why they love thick books, how they approach reading them, and books they'd suggest picking up.

Also - There is an exciting announcement coming soon. Be sure to join the email list to be the first to hear the news.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:10
  • Wanting to see older and diverse protagonists in books 8:10
  • Reading books with large page counts 13:07
  • What is considered a thick book 30:38
  • Thick books and series 36:24
  • The Shadowhunter Series by Cassandra Clare 49:39
  • Other book recommendations 53:40
  • Annotating and our reading styles 57:24
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 01:08:59
  • Final Thoughts 01:15:44

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

01 Jan 20245. Reading Wrap Up - My Top 10 of 202300:27:17

It's time to wrap up my reading from 2023. In today's episode, I'm breaking down my reading stats and my top books. Tune in to hear what made my top 10 and how I feel about my overall reading from 2023.

What I talked about: 

  • My reading stats.

  • My top 10 books of 2023.

  • My honorable mentions.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

  1. Storygraph for book tracking

  2. Episode #3 - Reading Biting The Hand

  3. Pages of Hayley on YouTube

 

Final Thoughts: 

  1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

  2. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

  3. For inquiries please email info@jaybraggs.com

  4. Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. 

15 Apr 202421. Reading Hood Feminism + Our Thoughts On The Movement00:53:35

In today's episode, you'll be listening to a buddy-read discussion on Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. This book addresses the blind spots within the feminist movement.

Tune in to hear Jay and the other book club members chat about their thoughts on this book, what they learned, and the impression it left on them.

What we talked about: 

  • Intro 00:00 
  • First impressions of the book 1:31
  • Our thoughts on feminism and the book 4:14
  • Where we think feminism is today 13:32
  • The importance of knowing history 24:08
  • Discussion about history and what we felt the book lacked 28:35
  • Discussion on what our parents taught us about race and history 40:41
  • Our star rating 49:31

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Final Thoughts: 

04 Mar 202415. Reading Romances by Kennedy Ryan + This Could Be Us (Spoiler-Free)00:56:26

Kennedy Ryan is known for crafting captivating and empowering romances with strong female leads. In this episode, Jay is joined by fellow Bookstagrammer, Tristen, for a deep dive into what makes Ryan's books so irresistible.

Tune in to hear them chat about their favorite books from her catalog and how they admire her female characters who overcome challenges to claim their happily ever afters. They also have a spoiler-free discussion about Ryan's new book, This Could Be Us.

 

What we talked about: 

  • Jump right to the episode discussion - 7:31
  • Why Kennedy Ryan is one of our favorite romance authors.
  • What we look for in romance novels.
  • Our appreciation of Black Romances.
  • Thoughts on the Kennedy Ryan books we've read.
  • Non-spoiler discussion on This Could Be Us.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

29 Jul 202430. Reading Checkin + Mid-Year Freakout00:57:22

The podcast is back! After a few weeks off, we're back and excited to bring you new episodes every Monday.

In today's episode, Jay is chatting with her sister Janette to do a mid-year check-in on their reading goals. Tune in to hear them discuss the books they've loved and what they hope their reading life will look like for the remainder of the year.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 3:55
  • General thoughts on our reading so far 5:56
  • Being introduced to new authors and content creators 8:30
  • Recapping on our reading goals 14:07
  • Reading nonfiction 21:34
  • Janette's new Booksatagram account 24:18
  • Other thoughts on nonfiction books 27:09
  • Books we hope to read soon 34:55
  • Lightning Round - Mid-Year Freakout 39:03
  • Final Thoughts 55:43

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Shop Cover Snob:

Final Thoughts: 

05 Feb 202411. Reading Recommendations for Black History Month00:28:53

In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to share some reading suggestions. Tune in to hear recommendations from a variety of genres, including romance, historical fiction, thriller, horror, fantasy, and non-fiction. I also share some recommendations from a few of my bookish friends. 

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

Romance Recommendations 

 

Other Book Recommendations 

 

Non-Fiction Recommendations 

 

Recommendations From Bookish Friends

 

Books On My February TBR

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Final Thoughts: 

11 Dec 20233. Reading Biting the Hand by Julia Lee00:34:04

In today's episode, you'll listen to a buddy read discussion on Biting the Hand by Julia Lee. In this memoir, Julia shares her experience growing up Asian in a black-and-white America.

Tune in to hear Jay and the other book club members chat about their thoughts on this book and the impression it left on them.

*Some of the contents discussed in this episode could be considered a spoiler.

 

What we talked about: 

  • Our first impressions of the book.

  • Julia's parent's immigration story.

  • Dealing with the emotional trauma of our ancestors.

  • The stereotypes of "the angry Asian Woman" and "the angry Black Women".

  • Have we become overly sensitive when it comes to race?

  • The LA riots.

  • The killing of Latasha Harlins in LA.

  • Our final ratings and thoughts on the book.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Final Thoughts: 

 

12 Feb 202412. Reading For Personal Development + Time Management00:56:51

Time management is a skill that we could all improve on. In today's episode, Jay and her guest Erica dive into the world of productivity and the books that can help us create more effective practices.

Tune in as they chat about the reads that can support our goals of mastering our time, prioritizing  tasks, and carving out space for self-care. This episode is especially for those who are multi-passionate and who are juggling content creation, business building, and/or chasing their dreams.

 

What we talked about: 

  • What we look for in personal development books
  • Why we should care about learning to manage our time better
  • Creating time and space for the things we want to do
  • Learning to create structure and routines that work for us
  • Learning to be flexible as content creators

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Connect with today’s guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

13 May 202424. Reading From New Authors + Exploring Indie Books01:08:55

In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Bianca to chat about exploring new and indie authors. Tune in to hear how Bianca has discovered new favorite books and her passion for sharing works from indie authors.

 

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:59
  • Our reading taste 8:51
  • Exploring the library 15:58
  • Exploring different types of authors and reading ARCs 17:52
  • Finding similar and indie authors 26:36
  • Reading epic fantasies 34:36
  • Bianca's reason for starting a Bookstagram 42:13
  • New favorite authors 48:22
  • Final book recommendations 51:49
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 54:06
  • Final Thoughts 01:06:28

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

15 Jan 20248. Reading Sustainably + Overconsumption In The Bookish Space00:59:57

Living a more sustainable lifestyle may not sound very attainable, especially for a book lover. Our book collections bring us joy. But maybe there is a way that we can be more sustainable when adding to our collections.

Today, I'm sitting down with my friend Tyler to chat about what sustainability may look like for a book lover. We also discuss overconsumption, how it may apply to the book industry, and potential ways to be more eco-conscious. 

 

What we talked about: 

  • What is sustainable living 

  • What happens to the books that we send to thrift stores

  • Is overconsumption an issue in the book industry

  • Exploring alternative ways to own books

  • Remembering to shop in alignment with our values

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

19 Feb 202413. Reading The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray00:52:31

In today's episode, you'll be listening to a buddy-read discussion of The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray.

Tune in to hear Jay and the other book club members chat about their thoughts on this book and the impression it left on them.

*Some of the contents discussed in this episode could be considered a spoiler. 

 

What we talked about: 

  • Our first impressions of the book.
  • Belle as a confident and powerful female figure.
  • The dangers of passing.
  • The mental toll of passing.
  • Our thoughts on Belle's life with her family.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Final Thoughts: 

05 Jan 20246. Reading Goals for the New Year00:53:23

2024 is gearing up to be an amzing reading year. At least, that's what it feels like.

 

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a special guest: my little sister! We sat down over the holidays to chat about our general reflections on our 2023 reads and unveil our goals for 2024.

 

Tune in to hear us discuss our thoughts on bookish trends on social media and the adjustments we're eager to implement in our reading lives.

 

What we talked about: 

  • General thoughts about our 2023 reading.

  • Our reading goals for 2024.

  • Book trends on social media.

  • What we do and don't want to see in books in 2024.

  • Changes we want to make to our reading life.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

2024 releases we are excited for:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

  1. Storygraph

  2. The Ripped Bodice

 

Connect with today's guest: 

  1. Follow Janette on Instagram @janettebraggs

 

Final Thoughts: 

  1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

  2. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

  3. For inquiries please email info@jaybraggs.com

  4. Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. 

26 Aug 202434. Reading with Buddies + Fantasy Favs01:18:46

In today's episode Jay is sitting down with fellow Booksagrammer Shonna to chat about the joy of buddy reading. Shonna is an avid reader with the preferred genres of fantasy, romance, and dark academia and participates in several buddy reads monthly.

Tune in to hear their thoughts on how buddy reading and getting different perspectives enhances the reader experience. Shonna also gives fantasy book recommendations for all types of readers.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro 0:58
  • Reading from your TBR 8:37
  • Current reads 16:16
  • Reading with others 21:41
  • Budding reading Lore of the Wilds 38:18
  • Giving authors second chances 42:29
  • Fantasy favorites and recommendations 50:41
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:07:45
  • Final Thoughts 1:16:51

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Connect with today's guest: 

Shop Cover Snob:

Final Thoughts: 

03 Jun 202426. Reading LGBTQ+ and Diverse Stories01:16:06

Happy Pride Month!

In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Ann Marie to talk about LGBTQ+ books, representation, and reading diverse stories. Tune in to hear them chat about Ann Marie's favorite books, authors, and her passion for highlighting these stories on her platform.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:47
  • Books that Ann Marie is excited about 20:12
  • Being a champion for queer stories 25:02
  • Reading different types of LGBTQ+ stories 29:47
  • "Reading diversity is a joy, it's not a chore" 34:21
  • Finding exciting stories to read 36:11
  • Utilizing our libraries and requesting diverse stories 41:24
  • Thoughts on diversifying your shelf 43:46
  • Discussion on tropes and contemporary romance 53:59
  • Book recommendations 01:00:42
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 01:09:21

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

25 Mar 202418. Reading for Spiritual & Mental Growth01:04:08

Sometimes a book makes you feel seen. In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with her friend Leah to talk about The Garden Within by Anita Phillips; a book that connects nature, science, and spirituality.

Tune in to hear them chat about their main takeaways from the book and how it made them both feel seen. They also talk about the concept of being the "strong woman" and the pressure to continue to "just keep moving forward".

 

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro - 00:00
  • Guest and topic intro - 1:56
  • Book setup - 10:10
  • First impression of the book - 20:20
  • The practice of "just keep moving forward" - 25:43
  • The integration of science, nature, and spirituality - 41:26
  • The struggle of being the "strong woman" - 42:02
  • Lighting round game - There's A Book For That - 55:45

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

20 May 202425. Reading Romance + Why We LOVE Love Stories01:05:37

If you are a lover of romance, or looking to read more from the genre, then this episode is for you. Today Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Niah to chat about their shared love of romance books. Tune in to hear them discuss what attracted them to the genre, their favorite books, and what authors they can't get enough of!

What we talked about: 

Episode intro 00:00

Guest intro and current reads 1:28

Requesting and reading ARCs 8:00

Books that sparked Niah's love of romance 12:14

Reading young adult romances 13:39

Romance elements that we love 21:28

Discussion on tropes 31:37

Reading based on your mood and vibes 39:10

BIPOC romance authors 41:36

Romance book recommendations 46:24

Niah's Etsy store 54:54

Lightning round - There's a book for that 58:56

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Something Borrowed Movie 

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

22 Jan 20249. Reading The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks + Dealing with Self-Sabotage00:24:01

On today's episode, Jay sits down with MJ, a multi-passionate influencer and online creator. They talk about The Big Leap by Gay Hendrix, which focuses on conquering hidden fears and taking life to the next level.

Tune in to hear them chat about how this book helped them explore the concept of self-sabotage with the hopes of overcoming it.

 

What we talked about: 

  • Being a multi-passionate person

  • Overcoming hidden fears

  • Understanding our upper limit

  • Recognizing moments of self-sabotage

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

Books links above may be affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

10 Jun 202427. Reading Books That Evoke Strong Emotions01:10:57

In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagrammer Bri from @briisbooked to chat about reading books that evoke strong emotions. Tune in to listen to them chat about the books that have given them a range of emotions and how those emotions enhance their reading experience.

What we talked about: 

  • Episode intro 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:18
  • Exploring new genres 5:06
  • Books that make us emotional 17:06
  • What makes a 5 star read 19:30
  • Having strong reactions to books 24:51
  • Reading historical stories from the Black perspective 27:16
  • Our favorite emotional books + recommendations 36:20
  • Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:00:02
  • Final thoughts 1:07:45

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

05 Dec 20232. Reading Winter Books00:59:06

In today's episode, Jay sits down with her book bestie Brittany to chat about their winter reading. Tune in to hear the books they'd recommend to other readers and what they have on their TBR list this winter and holiday season.

 

What we talked about: 

  • Introducing you to one of my book besties.

  • What we look for in our winter reading.

  • The struggle of finding good holiday books.

  • Winter books we suggest.

  • Winter books we're excited to read.

 

Books mentioned in this epsiode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Final Thoughts: 

01 Apr 202419. Reading Black Thriller & Horror Novels01:11:09

This week on What Ya Reading? we're jumping into the exciting and sometimes tense world of Black horror and thriller novels. Jay sat down fellow Bookstagrammer Chanel to chat about some of the books they've been loving in this genre.

They also chat about what attracts them to the horror and thriller genre and the elements they look for when picking up these books.

What we talked about: 

  • About today's episode 00:00
  • Guest intro and current reads 1:37
  • What attracts us to Black horror and thriller novels 6:25
  • Recent Black thriller and horror reads 9:59
  • The connection between dark academia and thrillers 20:50
  • Going into books blind (without reading the synopsis) 28:56
  • Other Black thrillers and horror recommendations 31:52
  • Reading gothic books 37:11
  • Other BIPOC book thriller recommendations 44:36
  • Our desire to share diverse book options online 48:15
  • Lighting Round - There's A Book For That 57:49

Books mentioned in this episode:

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with today's guest: 

Final Thoughts: 

13 Jan 20247. BONUS - Reading Big Magic + Books That Spark Creativity00:29:10

When I sat down to record Episode 7 with Shanell, we had no idea that the conversation would take us in so many different directions. While the main content can be found in the original episode, I also wanted to share some of the other things we talked about.

 

This conversation is what happens when I sit down with girlfriends to chat about a book and then up talking about life. This bonus content is a more personal episode.

 

Quick warning that some of the topics covered are about grief and struggles with Christianity. If that could potentially be triggering to you, please look at the timestamps below to skip over those sections.

 

What we talked about: 

  • 0:00 - Introduction

  • 1:38 - Big Magic & Flowers in the Attic

  • 3:12 - Remembering the challenges of adolescence

  • 4:54 - The importance of empathy for children

  • 6:20 - Exploring the book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way + shifting away from “the church”

  • 7:16 - Reading with the Women’s Ministry

  • 9:11 - Passing of Shanell’s mother and grief

  • 16:26 - Writing a book

  • 20:34 - Closing chapters and pivoting

  • 24:39 - A book that Shanell wouldn’t want to read

  • 27:47 - Outo

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

 

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

 

Connect with today's guest: 

 

Final Thoughts: 

04 Dec 2023What Ya Reading? (Trailer)00:01:18

Description: 

Welcome to What Ya Reading?, a new podcast where I'll connect with fellow book enthusiasts to chat about our latest reads, the topics that fuel our book obsession, and all the things that keep us glued to those pages.

What Ya Reading? premiers on Monday, December 4, 2023, with new episodes releasing weekly.

Connect with Jay: 

  1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

  2. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

  3. Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. 

04 Dec 20231. Reading More: Tips to Increase Your Reading Volume00:33:18

It's the first episode of the podcast!

Today Jay is sitting down for a solo episode to chat about her top tips for increasing your reading volume.

If you are looking to get back into the habit of reading, or if you want to improve your reading journey, tune in to hear Jay discuss the five things that have helped her read more books each year.

 

What I talked about: 

  1. My reading background.

  2. Building a strong reading habit.

  3. How reading has helped me relax.

  4. 5 tips on how to increase your reading volume.

  5. Accepting that I'm a slower reader.

  6. Exploring your local library.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

  1. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

  2. A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

  3. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

  4. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

  5. Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

  6. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

  7. Long Shot (Hoops Series) by Kennedy Ryan

  8. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

  9. How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith

  10. The Meaning of Mariah Carey

  11. Yellow Face by R. F. Kuang

  12. Falling by T. J. Newman

  13. Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast will earn a small commission. 

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

  1. The Libby App

  2. The Storygraph

  3. Sabaa Tahir on Instagram

 

Today’s Host: 

  1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

 

Final Thoughts: 

  1. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray. Our virtual meet-up will be on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

  2. For inquiries, please email Jay at info@jaybraggs.com . 

  3. Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. 

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