What better way to kick off the month of love than with the queen of historical romance, Julia Quinn. The Bridgerton author chats all about how her series became a global phenomenon, the unexpected ways Bridgerton has reshaped the genre, and why historical romance deserves its moment in the spotlight again. And can you believe Julia almost became a doctor instead of a novelist? She’s sharing some behind-the-scenes insights for season 4 of Bridgerton and reminding us why we should still believe in happy endings.

BOOKS MENTIONED

In Her Defense by Phillipa Malicka

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

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Returning Reese’s Book Club author, Laura Dave, gives us all the earnest insights on her newest release, “The First Time I Saw Him.” Laura talks with our host, Danielle Robay, about the quotes that inspire her, the two books every aspiring writer must read, and how much (or rather, how little) she knows about the story as she’s writing it. We also get a glimpse behind the curtain into the second season of the Apple TV series, based on the book.

BOOKS MENTIONED

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

How About Now by Kate Baer

London is the Best City in America by Laura Dave

On Writing by Stephen King

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelide

Defending Jacob by William Landay

The Land of Men by Adrienne Miller

Heartburn by Norah Ephron

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

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This week, Danielle sits down to discuss the adaptation of Hamnet for the screen with director Chloé Zhao, author Maggie O’Farrell, and actor Paul Mescal. When Hamnet hit the shelves in 2020, it left everyone obsessed — and devastated. Now that the story is on the silver screen, audiences are crying and cheering all over again. Together on Bookmarked, Chloé, Maggie, and Paul discuss the synchronicities that allowed the film to develop, the freedom of telling the story of a real life icon we know little about, and crafting the perfect tear-jerker ending.

Books mentioned in the episode:

• Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
• Normal People by Sally Rooney
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare
• House of Light by Mary Oliver
• The Underground by Seamus Heaney
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare

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