Book Gang

Corey Ann Haydu reflects on moving from YA to adult fiction and how motherhood shaped her deeply honest debut, Mothers and Other Strangers.
Perfectly pitched for fans of Claire Lombardo and J. Courtney Sullivan, debut adult novelist Corey Ann Haydu joins Book Gang to discuss her acclaimed Mothers and Other Strangers. The novel opens with two estranged friends reuniting, both about to become mothers, as they confront a decades-old betrayal that changed their families forever.
Corey shares how new motherhood and her years in children’s and YA writing shaped the emotional honesty of her adult debut—a project she wrote in secret, embracing the bravery it takes to reinvent yourself as a seasoned novelist.
In this week’s fascinating episode, we discuss:
📚Navigating the Publishing “In-Between”: Corey discusses how Mothers and Other Strangers found itself between literary and commercial fiction—a space that can be tricky for editors and publishers. She opens up about the challenges of selling a book that’s hard to categorize and what it means for writers and readers when a novel doesn’t fit neatly on the shelf.
📚 Genre-Shifting and Audience Overlap: Corey reflects on her move from children’s and YA books to adult fiction, and what it’s like to bring longtime readers along for a new kind of story. She shares insights on writing for different age groups, what remains the same, and the unique rewards and surprises of finding new audiences.
📚 The Search for Community and the Allure of MLMs: We explore how Corey’s novel compassionately examines the vulnerability of new motherhood, the hunger for connection, and the ways women are drawn into—and sometimes exploited by—multi-level marketing schemes.
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: This week’s bonus book list offers readers 14 Books & Films on MLMs, Scams, and the Art of the Con—the perfect companion for anyone fascinated by the world of multi-level marketing and the art of persuasion. Patrons will receive a printable list to take to their local library, plus a spoiler-filled chat with Corey Ann Haydu, where we dive deeper into the back half of Mothers and Other Strangers.
Meet Corey Ann Haydu
Author and educator Corey Ann Haydu has been publishing critically acclaimed books in the young adult and children’s space since 2013, including OCD Love Story, Eventown, Lawless Spaces, The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene, and more. Currently, she is on faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in their Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA program.
Her debut adult novel, Mothers and Other Strangers, came out in March 2026 and was the April 2026 Barnes and Noble Book Club pick, a People Magazine Book of the Week, and a Publisher’s Marketplace BuzzBook.
Corey’s books have been Edgar Award nominees, Amazon Books of the Month, RISE Honorees, Junior Library Guild Selections, Kirkus, PW, and SLJ Best Books of the Year, BCCB Blue Ribbon Honorees, Brooklyn Public Library and Chicago Public Library Books of the Year, and more. A former theatre kid with a BFA in theatre and an MFA in writing, Corey lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.
You can find Corey on her Substack, Books and Bangs, and as cohost of the podcast Still Writing.
Mentioned in this episode:
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2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections)
October Book Club Episode: One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST:14 Books & Films on MLMs, Scams, and the Art of the Con
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR OUR 2027 BOOK CLUB PICKS
Mothers and Other Strangers by Corey Ann Haydu
Jessica Bearak Instagram
Isola by Allegra Goodman
Allegra Goodman - Isola podcast episode
Meg Wolitzer
Claire Lombardo
Invasive Species by Ellery Adams
OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu
The Dream podcast
LuLaRich
Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson
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Debuting with Thousand Voices, Anna McCallie shares how mentorship and fresh perspectives shaped Abby Offsides—a heartfelt romance about reinvention and belonging.
Debut author Anna McCallie joins Book Gang to celebrate her sparkling debut, Abby Offsides—a contemporary romance set amid the camaraderie and chaos of UK football—and to introduce listeners to Thousand Voices, Jenna Bush Hager's new imprint dedicated to uplifting debut and early-career authors.
Drawing on her own leap from Boston to London, Anna shares how she wove personal experiences of reinvention, vulnerability, and found family into Abby’s journey from outsider to insider—and learned the rules of romance writing along the way!
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
📚Launching with Thousand Voices: Anna discusses being among the first wave of debut authors published by Jenna Bush Hager’s new imprint, Thousand Voices, and shares how this supportive publishing model and hands-on mentorship shaped Abby Offsides from manuscript to publication.
📚 The Power of Found Family: We explore the vibrant, lived-in world of Mersey Football Club, the camaraderie among athletes, and how McCallie crafts cozy, relatable moments—on and off the field—that capture the heart of sports and romance fans alike.
📚 Navigating Romance Reader Expectations: Anna talks candidly about the specific tastes and strong opinions within the romance community, how she approached sensitive topics like infidelity and “messy” relationships in Abby Offsides, and what she’s learned from reader feedback as a debut novelist in the genre.
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: 12 Books From Thousand Voices to Watch For
This week’s bonus book list spotlights the standout debuts and upcoming releases from Thousand Voices, Jenna Bush Hager’s new imprint. Patrons will receive a printable list to take to their local library, plus a bonus spoiler chat with Anna McCallie, where we dive deeper into Abby Offsides and how she created her unforgettable happily-ever-after moments.
Meet Anna McCallie
Anna McCallie was born in Boston and moved to the small town of Stilwell, Kansas, as a child. She has a B.A. in Arabic from Harvard University and an M.A. in international environmental policy from the Fletcher School, yet has never managed to have a job related to either of those subjects. She lives in London, and when she’s not writing, she can be found solving crossword puzzles, badgering her friends to go to pub quizzes, and watching a tremendous amount of football. Abby Offsides is her first novel and available on store shelves now.
Mentioned in this episode:
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Make a One-Time Donation in ANY AMOUNT- buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast
2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections)
October Book Club Episode: One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: 12 Books From Thousand Voices to Watch For
Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Two Weeks Notice
Mia Hutchinson Shaw
Into The Blue by Emma Brodie
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Author Ellery Adams discusses her genre-blending novel Invasive Species, the power of public reviewing, and why honesty and horror make the best book club fodder.
This week on Book Gang, we’re joined by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ellery Adams, whose genre-blending new release, Invasive Species, is a darkly funny, horror-tinged romp set in 1980s suburbia. With more than forty novels to her name—including beloved series like The Secret, Book, & Scone Society—Ellery shares how she’s redefining what cozy, horror, and women’s fiction can be.
In this episode, we dive into Ellery’s journey from cozy mysteries to genre-blending horror and satire, the art of honest book reviews (even as an author), and what it takes to build a world readers want to revisit again and again.
In this week’s juicy episode, we discuss:
📚 Honest Reviews & Reader Connection: Ellery is famous for her candid book reviews—even as a working author—and her willingness to engage in tough conversations on Goodreads. We explore the etiquette (and emotional toll) of public feedback, how she handles criticism, and why she believes honest dialogue between writers and readers makes the book world stronger.
📚Reinventing a Writing Life: Ellery Adams’s journey from cozy mysteries to genre-blending horror is anything but linear. We discuss her bold leap from beloved series writer to risk-taking genre bender, how she navigated industry upheaval and shifting contracts, and what it means to trust your instincts even when readers expect you to "stay in your lane."
📚 Monsters, Myth, and Suburban Drama: Invasive Species is more than a monster tale. We unpack Ellery’s sharp satire of 1980s suburbia, the real-life and mythological inspirations behind Mrs. Smith, and why the monstrous can be both literal and metaphorical. Plus, how horror (even cozy horror!) reflects our deepest anxieties about ambition, community, and what it means to be an outsider.
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: This week’s bonus book list features 11 Creature Feature Books that every reader should try for spooky season! Patrons of the show will receive a printable list to take to their local library and a bonus spoiler chat with Ellery Adams, where we dig deeper into the monstrous twists in Invasive Species.
Meet Ellery Adams
Ellery Adams is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels. A native New Yorker, she now resides in central North Carolina. Her acclaimed series include the Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington), Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington), Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).
In addition to her cozy and traditional mysteries, Ellery writes genre-blending fiction focused on women and their inner monsters. Her latest, Invasive Species (2026, HarperCollins), marks an exciting new direction—one that’s already winning over fans of dark, witty, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Friends in Dark Places will follow in 2027.
Mentioned in this episode:
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Make a One-Time Donation in ANY AMOUNT- buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast
NEW BOOK LIST: 11 Creature Feature Books to Try This Spooky Season
2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections)
October Book Club Episode: One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
Cancer Made Me Do It by Melissa Fuoss
Invasive Species by Ellery Adams (Available on Kindle Unlimited)
The Secret Book & Scone Society
Book Retreat Mysteries
Pie Shoppe Series
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Jennifer Saint
Madeline Miller
Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
Shark Heart podcast episode
Ellery’s Book Rx
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller
The Change by Kirsten Miller
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Obsession
Weapons
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Connect With Us:
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Leigh Radford joins our October Book Club to discuss One Yellow Eye, a haunting novel that explores love, grief, and survival in the aftermath of a pandemic.
This week on Book Gang, we’re joined by Leigh Radford, whose haunting debut One Yellow Eye is our October pick for the MomAdvice Book Club. In this genre-bending debut, Radford weaves her personal journey of loss into a haunting story of a scientist, Kesta, whose devotion to her husband pushes the boundaries of science, ethics, and the human heart.
We explore how horror fiction can expose the hidden costs of caregiving, the complexities of grief, and the fierce hope that keeps us moving forward—even when the world feels unrecognizable. Join us for a gorgeous conversation that goes beyond scares and excavates the messy, unbreakable bonds that make us human.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
📚Blurring Boundaries: Genre, Publishing, and the Art of Defying Labels: Leigh shares the real-world complexities of bringing a genre-bending novel to market. From conflicting advice on editing and cover design to the challenges of positioning a book that sits between literary fiction and horror, we discuss how One Yellow Eye’s unique identity created both obstacles and opportunities—from the UK to the US—and what it’s like to navigate a publishing landscape that often resists stories that don’t fit neatly into a single box.
📚 Writing, Caregiving, and the Birth of a Novel in Crisis: Leigh opens up about how caring for her terminally ill father during the pandemic didn’t just inspire her horror novel—it transformed it into an intimate meditation on love and the unseen burdens of caretaking. We explore how Leigh’s personal grief and resilience, coupled with her desire to honor her father’s memory, became the emotional core of this engrossing debut.
📚 The Humanity in Horror: Turning Fear into Connection: Leigh examines how horror, at its best, can be a mirror for our deepest vulnerabilities, allowing us to explore the messy realities of love, loss, and ethical choice. We discuss why discomfort on the page can spark empathy, how horror reveals the hidden costs of survival and devotion, and why stories that unsettle us are sometimes the ones that linger.
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: This week’s bonus book list features 16 Zombie Books to Try This Spooky Season that play with those blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity. Patrons of the show will receive a printable list to take to their local library and a bonus spoiler chat with Leigh Radford, where we dig deeper into the ethical and emotional questions at the heart of One Yellow Eye.
Meet Leigh Radford
Leigh Radford trained as a broadcast journalist before producing and presenting arts and entertainment content for commercial radio, Time Out, The Times, and The Sun. She has made documentaries for the BBC, including Rilke’s Women for Radio 4. A former book publicist, she is a 2023 graduate of Faber Academy and the founder of Kenosha Kickers, her film and television production company. One Yellow Eye is her debut novel, available now wherever books are sold.
Mentioned in this episode:
Gratitude to Our Show Patrons: This week's episode is open to all listeners thanks to generous donations made through Buy Me a Coffee and your community memberships. If you'd like to keep the conversation going, you're invited to join our Patreon Book Club chat on October 29th at 8 PM ET, where we'll dive deeper into spoilers, themes, and reader reactions. Membership is $5 a month, or you can prepay for the year and save 10%.
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Make a One-Time Donation in ANY AMOUNT- buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast
2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections)
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: 16 Zombie Books to Try This Spooky Season
One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
Carrie by Stephen King
Misery by Stephen King
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Mrs March by Virginia Feito
Shaun of the Dead
Lucy Steeds
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
Leigh’s Youtube interview
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Can love survive if only one person remembers? Evann Normandin joins Book Gang to share how The Good Parts explores memory, healing, and the cost of letting go.
What if you could forget your greatest heartache—would you do it? Today we’re joined by Evann Normandin, whose debut, The Good Parts, is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on memory, trauma, and a love story that refuses to be erased.
When Rose takes a pill to erase her most painful memories, she loses not only her grief but every trace of the love she once shared with Landon. As Landon tries to rekindle their connection, they both discover that love and memory are never so easily erased. Evann draws from her studies in traumatic memory—and a real-life love letter—to ask one unforgettable question: Can love survive if only one person remembers it?
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
📚 Writing, Rejection, and the Road to Publication: Evann shares the long journey behind her “overnight success”—from trunk novels to querying, agent switches, and finally, a book deal that went to auction. We’ll talk about the resilience every writer needs, and why every story—even the ones that don’t sell—matters.
📚NetGalley Insights: How early reader feedback shaped the marketing and genre positioning of The Good Parts, and what Evann learned from reader expectations, especially when penning a love story.
📚 Memory, Trauma, and Healing: Evann reveals how her academic fascination with traumatic memory shaped the speculative premise of The Good Parts, and why she believes stories can help us bear witness to each other’s pain and joy—even when the truth is fragmented or rewritten.
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST: This week’s bonus book list features18 Books Where Memory Shapes the Story. From forgetting pills and amnesia to the complex world of dementia, memory takes readers on some mind-bending adventures! Patrons of the show will receive a printable book list to take to their local library and a bonus spoiler episode with Evann Normandin as we discuss The Good Parts ending.
Meet Evann Normandin
Evann Normandin is a writer with a career in educational publishing. She studied English and Theatre at Middlebury College, then earned her MSc in modern and postmodern literature at the University of Edinburgh. After a stint as a theatre critic for BroadwayWorld in Washington, DC, she moved to Massachusetts, where she lives in a small, quirky town that inspires her daily. When she’s not working or writing, she’s exploring New England with her husband and son. The Good Parts is now available on store shelves.
Mentioned in this episode:
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Join the Book Gang- patreon.com/momadvice
SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Make a One-Time Donation in ANY AMOUNT- buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast
2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections)
BOOK CLUB PODCAST FOR SEPTEMBER: DAVID JOY INTERVIEW (THOSE WE THOUGHT WE KNEW)
FREE BONUS BOOK LIST:18 Books Where Memory Shapes the Story
Book Talk, etc: Appalachian Authors Episode
The Good Parts by Evann Normandin
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown
The Last Five Years
Severance
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind
Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie
Assassin’s Anonymous by Rob Hart
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Cathy Caruth
Grand Central’s Book Club Guide
Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.
Connect With Us:
Join the Book Gang Patreon
Connect with Evann Normandin on Instagram or Her Website
Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice
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