Episode 25: Romance Author Taylor Lunsford + Our Favorite Books on Writing

RAD Reading Podcast

Episode #25 

Episode Title: Romance Author Taylor Lunsford + Our Favorite Books on Writing

Release Date: June 10, 2022

Episode Summary:

Today we welcome romance author Taylor Lunsford, who is sharing some of her favorite romantic books with us, and then we’re doing a special segment for those of you who may want to try writing your own book this summer. Join us as we get a little nerdy and share our favorite books on writing!

Listen above or in your favorite podcast app:

• Apple podcasts

• Audible

• Spotify

• Or add to your favorite podcast app with their “Add by URL” feature and paste this link there: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/rad-reading

Highlights: 

• We welcome Taylor Lunsford, author of the upcoming romance You’ve Got Matches

• Fan-fiction as an entrance ramp to writing

• The joys and pitfalls of online dating

• Roni’s own You’ve Got Mail moment

• Love at the DMV

• Roni’s dog is post-surgical, in a vest, and not happy about it

• Taylor’s recommendations

• Thoughts on illustrated covers in romance & author input on covers

• Roni is slightly obsessed with books on writing

• The Newsies and New Kids on the Block fanfiction in our pasts

• Dawn was already asking for book reviews in elementary school

• NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month - and Camp NaNoWriMo

• Roni’s accidental Twilight marathon and breaking news: she has changed Edward vs. Jacob “teams”

• Our favorite books on writing

• Books if you’re brand new to writing

• Where our ideas come from

• What we’re reading now

• Rereading vs. rewatching

• Our RAD Recs of the Week

***EPISODE SPOILERS AHEAD

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*Note: all book links are affiliate links which means the podcast makes a small commission if you make a purchase, but there is no extra cost to you!

Books recommended by Roni:

• Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

• Story Trumps Structure by Steven James

• The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

• Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

• The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell

• Goal Motivation Conflict by Debra Dixon

• On Writing by Stephen King

• Light the Dark essays edited by Joe Fassler

• Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott

Books recommended by Dawn:

• Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

• Super Structure by James Scott Bell

• How I Write by Janet Evanovitch

• Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot by Jane Cleland

• The Now Write! Series, specifically Now Write! Mysteries edited by Sherry Ellis and Laurie Lamson

• Free Fall by Sara Cate

Books recommended by Taylor:

• The Gown by Jennifer Robson

• The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

• How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole

• Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

RAD Reading Recs of the Week: 

• Tinder Box by Rachel Grant (Dawn’s rec)

• I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott (Roni’s rec)

Other books mentioned:

• Pride and Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

• For You & No One Else by Roni Loren

• Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

• Now Write! Screenwriting edited by by Sherry Ellis and Laurie Lamson

• Now Write! Fiction Writing Exercises edited by Sherry Ellis

• Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror edited by Laurie Lamson

• Gravity by Sara Cate

• The Emma Project by Sonali Dev

• The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Other things mentioned:

• KISS app

• Roni’s writing classes at Fearless Romance Writing

• Scrivener writing program

• One Stop for Writers

• Dawn’s class on conflict

• Smart Bitches Trashy Books reading spreadsheet

• Along for the Ride movie (Netflix)

Find our guest Taylor and her books online:

• Taylor’s website

• You’ve Got Matches

• Fair Game

• Love Set Match

Find us online:

RAD Reading on Instagram

RAD Reading Facebook Page

RAD Reading Website

Connect with Roni on her website or @roniloren on Instagram

Connect with Dawn on her website or @dawnalexanderbooks on Instagram

Another note: Because we are both in the publishing industry, sometimes the books we recommend might be by an author we know personally, an author who shares a publisher, editor, or agent with Roni, or an author whom Dawn has edited. Publishing is a small world, so that will happen from time to time. However, we guarantee that we only recommend books we love. We have not been asked to promote any of these books and none are paid ads. However, some books we review may be ARCs (advanced reading copies provided by publishers to reviewers for honest reviews.)

Episode 22: Freaky Friday - We've switched reading tastes!

RAD Reading Podcast
Episode #22 

Episode Title: Freaky Friday - We’ve swapped reading tastes this week!

Release Date: April 29, 20222

Episode Summary: 

It’s a Freaky Friday! Dawn and Roni have accidentally swapped reading tastes this week. Roni is recommending suspense novels, true crime books, and true-crime documentaries. Dawn has all the romantic picks–including a subgenre she never reads. Also, we have some more library tips to share!

Listen above or in your favorite podcast app:

• Apple podcasts

• Audible

• Spotify

• Or add to your favorite podcast app with their “Add by URL” feature and paste this link there: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/rad-reading

Highlights:

• We had a library adventure and Dawn is now the proud owner of a non-resident library card

• Roni is officially hoarding library cards

• Ways to get extra library cards in totally legal ways

• Our reading tastes have flip-flopped this week

• The importance of chasing reading whims, especially as a writer

• A book recommended by a favorite author that totally worked for Roni 

• Roni gets nerdy about writing craft

• Dawn is late-night clicking and not remembering how books ended up on her e-reader

• Roni learns an important DNF (did not finish) lesson

• The books we added to our library stacks

• A little lesson on “high concept” reads

• Recommending books to your library

• The true crime documentaries Roni’s been watching

• What Dawn’s been watching (and has been getting nightmares from)

• Our movie outing and unrealistic book launch parties

• A RAD Reading announcement!

• Our RAD Recs of the week

**episode spoilers ahead**

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*Note: all book links are affiliate links which means the podcast makes a small commission if you make a purchase, but there is no extra cost to you!

Books recommended by Roni:

• Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Books added to Roni’s TBR:

• The Sorority Murder by Allison Brennan

• The Chase by Candice Fox

• The Yoga Store Murder by Dan Morse

• The Appeal by Janice Hallett

• The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

• Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule

Books recommended by Dawn:

• Praise by Sara Kate

• How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James

Books added to Dawn’s TBR:

• Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

• My American Duchess by Eloisa James

• The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

• Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin

• The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

• What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

RAD Reading Recs of the Week: 

• A Rival’s Kiss by Maya Hughes (Dawn’s rec)

• The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green (Roni’s Rec)

• Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes (Roni’s other rec)

Other books mentioned:

• Columbine by Dave Cullen

• The Ones Who Got Away series by Roni Loren

• 56 Days and The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard

• Where They Wait by Scott Carson

• Fire Heart by Emma Hamm 

• The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

• The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Other things mentioned:

• Library extension add-on

• Sarah’s Bookshelves Live podcast - episode with Catherine Ryan Howard

• Meredith’s recs on Currently Reading podcast

• Laura Tremaine’s newsletter

Roni’s True Crime Doc Recs

• Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer (Amazon Prime)

• 20/20 - “Taken” Season 43, episode 20 

• The Murder of Gabby Petito: Truth, Lies, and Social Media (Peacock)

• True Crime Obsessed podcast

What Dawn’s Watching

• Moon Knight

• Outer Range (Amazon Prime)

• The Lost City

Find us online:

RAD Reading on Instagram

RAD Reading Facebook Page

RAD Reading Website

Connect with Roni on her website or @roniloren on Instagram

Connect with Dawn on her website or @dawnalexanderbooks on Instagram

Another note: Because we are both in the publishing industry, sometimes the books we recommend might be by an author we know personally, an author who shares a publisher, editor, or agent with Roni, or an author whom Dawn has edited. Publishing is a small world, so that will happen from time to time. However, we guarantee that we only recommend books we love. We have not been asked to promote any of these books and none are paid ads. However, some books we review may be ARCs (advanced reading copies provided by publishers to reviewers for honest reviews.)

Episode 10: What-to-Read Decision Fatigue + the Secret to Reading Reviews

RAD Reading Podcast
Episode #10 

Episode Title: What to Read Decision Fatigue + the Secret to Reading Reviews

Release Date: 12/3/21

Episode Summary: 

The What to Read decision fatigue is real, y’all. Join us today as we talk about some practical (and some bonkers!) ways to pick your next book, how to deal with choosing if you’re a mood reader, and what to do if you keep picking up books you don’t like. Also, we’re giving you insider tips on how to read those Amazon and Goodreads reviews because all is not as it seems at first glance. Oh, and there’s an incident with an umbrella. 

Listen above or in your favorite podcast app:

• Apple podcasts

• Audible

• Spotify

• Acast  

• Or add to your favorite podcast app with their “Add by URL” feature and paste this link there: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/rad-reading

Highlights:

• The decision fuel tank and Roni melting down over a Christmas tree

• The teetering TBR and the Why did I buy that again? brain fog

• Roni loves a spreadsheet as long as there is no math (and you can download a blank copy of her TBR spreadsheet for yourself!)

• Your taste and how books go stale

• Dawn and The Umbrella, you’ll just have to listen to understand

• Reading challenges and our opposing views

• Using “best of” book lists for inspiration

• Strange Facebook recommendation groups

• Some bonkers options for picking your next book

• Wrapping books? Um, what?

• Mood reading struggles

• Contagious bookish excitement and where to find it

• Book monogamy not required

• What to do when you keep picking up books you don’t enjoy

• Deciphering the gold in book reviews

• When  “adorable” and “hilarious” are bad words

• No, Roni doesn’t have a chip on her shoulder about reviews, shut up

• “Weird sex” reviews

• Our RAD Reading Recs of the week

Book selection spoilers ahead

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RAD Reading Recs of the Week: 

• Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart (Dawn rec)

• It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas and Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas (Roni rec -- yes, she cheated with two.)

Other books mentioned:

The Third Best Thing by Maya Hughes

No Exit by Taylor Adams

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

Joyland by Stephen King

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score

Breath of Deceit by Selena Laurence

Other things mentioned:

Roni’s TBR/Book Rec spreadsheet - you can access a blank version here

Roni’s Read Wide Challenge

Help Name That Book facebook group

The umbrella photo

Book Darts, Dice Rolls, and Other Creative Ways to Pick Your TBR on Book Riot

Fated Mates podcast with Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop

Storygraph

Find us online:

RAD Reading on Instagram

RAD Reading Facebook Page

RAD Recs page

Connect with Roni on her website or @roniloren on Instagram

Connect with Dawn on her website or @dawnalexanderbooks on Instagram

*Note: all book links are affiliate links which means the podcast makes a small commission if you make a purchase, but there is no extra cost to you!

Another note: Because we are both in the publishing industry, sometimes the books we recommend might be by an author we know personally, an author who shares a publisher, editor, or agent with Roni, or an author whom Dawn has edited. Publishing is a small world, so that will happen from time to time. However, we guarantee that we only recommend books we love. We have not been asked to promote any of these books and none are paid ads. However, some books we review may be ARCs (advanced reading copies provided by publishers to reviewers for honest reviews.)

Episode 9: November's Read/Watch/Listen Recommendations

RAD Reading Podcast
Episode # 9- Read/Watch/Listen

Episode Title: Read/Watch/Listen for November

Release Date: 11/26/21 

Episode Summary:

It’s time for our November round-up of all the great things we’ve been reading, watching, or listening to this month. 

Listen above or in your favorite podcast app:

• Apple podcasts

• Audible

• Spotify

• Acast  

• Or add to your favorite podcast app with their “Add by URL” feature and paste this link there: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/rad-reading

Highlights:

• We took a used bookstore fieldtrip and ended up in very different aisles

• Roni reads a book Dawn recommended on the podcast and Dawn reads one of Roni’s recs

• Roni feels slightly betrayed 

• Trigger warnings involving spiders who wear top hats

• A movie that gives a character a perfect goal to strive for

• A TV show about a writer

• Roni needs a hotter Darkling

• A scarier than expected kids movie

• Roni’s Romantic Movie Marathon

• Dawn’s cozy watch

• Cooking without recipes

• Fabio hunting

• Roni remembers she’s part of the Rhythm Nation

• Our RAD Reading recs of the week

*Note: all book links are affiliate links which means the podcast makes a small commission if you make a purchase, but there is no extra cost to you!

Spoiler alert: our picks are below

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Recommendations

Books recommended by Roni:

• Vicious by V. E. Schwab

• Cackle by Rachel Harrison

Books recommended by Dawn:

• No Exit by Taylor Adams

• Hidden by Laura Griffin

• An Adventurer’s Manifesto by Megan Rho

What Roni’s watching:

• Zombieland (movie)

• Shadow & Bone (Netflix show)

• Love Hard (Netflix movie)

• Magnolia Kitchen (cooking show on Discovery+)

What Dawn’s watching:

• Castle (TV)

• Jungle Cruise (movie)

• The Great British Baking Show (TV show)

What Roni’s been listening to:

• Janet Jackson’s greatest hits

• Red (Taylor’s version) by Taylor Swift

What Dawn’s been listening to:

• The Manning Cast on Monday nights

RAD Reading Recs of the Week: 

• Breath of Deceit by Serena Laurence (Dawn rec)

• Perfect by Judith McNaught (Roni rec)

Other books mentioned:

• Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

• Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Other things mentioned:

• Wheel of Time (TV series on Prime)

• Roni’s Romantic Movie Marathon in her Happy for Now newsletter

Find us online:

RAD Reading on Instagram

RAD Reading Facebook Page

RAD Reading Website

Connect with Roni on her website or @roniloren on Instagram

Connect with Dawn on her website or @dawnalexanderbooks on Instagram

Another note: Because we are both in the publishing industry, sometimes the books we recommend might be by an author we know personally, an author who shares a publisher, editor, or agent with Roni, or an author whom Dawn has edited. Publishing is a small world, so that will happen from time to time. However, we guarantee that we only recommend books we love. We have not been asked to promote any of these books and none are paid ads. However, some books we review may be ARCs (advanced reading copies provided by publishers to reviewers for honest reviews.)

Episode 5: They All Float - Our Best Halloween Recs

Episode # 5

Episode Title: They All Float: Our Best Halloween Recs

Release Date: October 29, 2021

Listen above or in your favorite podcast app:

• Apple podcasts

• Audible

• Spotify

• Acast  

• Or add to your favorite podcast app with their “Add by URL” feature and paste this link there: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/rad-reading

Episode Summary/Highlights: 

Happy Halloween! This week Roni freaks out Dawn with her scary book and movie picks (and episode title) and Dawn offers recommendations for those who prefer their Halloween on the gentler side. It’s a long one, y’all! We’ve got a pile of recs for you, including suspense, horror, true crime, and paranormal romance. Grab a bag of Halloween candy and join us! 

Highlights:

• The controversial episode title

• Our suspense recs

• We can’t pronounce author names

• Roni’s crush on a loveable (fictional) serial killer

• Our paranormal recs

• Dawn’s trauma from The Exorcist

• Roni realizes she still has a thing for hot vampires

• Stephen King and peer pressure

• Roni tries to sell us on a lizard hero

• Our true crime recs

• The “Scooby-Doo” recs for those who don’t like horror

• Roni’s scary movie recs

• The Lost Boys and why Dawn would happily get lost with any of them

• The movie Roni won’t watch alone

• Our Halloween TV recs

• Podcast recs for the horror and true crime lover

• Our RAD Reading Recs of the week

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Books recommended by Roni:

• No Exit by Taylor Adams

• YOU series by Caroline Kepnes

• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

• Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

• The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons

• Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

• “Sour Candy” by Kealan Patrick Burke

• “Sometimes They Come Back” in Night Shift by Stephen King

• The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith (my more extensive review I mentioned)

• Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix

• We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper

• Evil Has a Name by Paul Holes and Jim Clemente

• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

• Halfway to the Grave by Jeannine Frost

• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Books recommended by Dawn:

• The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

• That Last Weekend by Laura DiSilverio

• Ten by Gretchen McNeil (Scary book trailer)

• The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

• The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

• Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

• Who Killed My Daughter by Lois Duncan

• What If You & Me by Roni Loren (obviously the most fantastic book on this list ;) )

• Ghosts, Pies, & Alibis by Amanda Reid

• Her Halloween Treat by Tiffany Reisz

Other books mentioned:

• Final Girls by Riley Sager

• Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Roni’s Movie/TV Recs:

• Happy Death Day

• The Strangers

• It Follows

• The Babadook

• Classics mentioned: Halloween, Scream, Poltergeist, The Shining, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, IT (the 90s miniseries), Alien, The Lost Boys, The Ring

• True Blood

• Scream Queens

• YOU

Dawn’s Movie/TV Recs:

• Stranger Things

• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

• Community Halloween episodes

Podcast recommendations:

• Books in the Freezer

• The Horror Virgin

• Serial

• Obsessed with Disappeared

• True Crime Obsessed

Other things mentioned:

Shudder streaming channel

RAD Reading Recs of the Week: 

• Standoff by Sandra Brown (Dawn rec)

• Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips (Roni rec)

Check out all of our previous RAD Reading Recs on the RAD Rec page!

Find us online:

RAD Reading Facebook Page

Connect with Roni on her website or @roniloren on Instagram

Connect with Dawn on her website or @dawnalexanderbooks on Instagram

Note: all book links are affiliate links which means the podcast makes a small commission if you make a purchase, but there is no extra cost to you!

Another note: Because we are both in the publishing industry, sometimes the books we recommend might be by an author we know personally, an author who shares a publisher, editor, or agent with Roni, or an author whom Dawn has edited. Publishing is a small world, so that will happen from time to time. However, we guarantee that we only recommend books we love. We have not been asked to promote any of these books and none are paid ads. However, some books we review may be ARCs (advanced reading copies provided by publishers to reviewers for honest reviews.)