Bibliophage: Noun, One who devours books, a book worm, an avid reader.
Hosted by NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Gwenna Laithland and her long-suffering assistant, Jennifer Nance, Bibliophage is on a mission to grow more bookworms, one family at a time. Each week we'll select a theme and explore books that fit that theme across genres, styles, cultures, and, especially ages. From board books to heavy-hitting dramatic audios, we believe that families that read together, lead together.
(That was awful, cliche, and Gwenna apologizes for writing that.)
((Jennifer made me type this bit. I thought it was clever.))
From time to time authors, booksellers, librarians, and other massive bookworms will join us to discuss their favorite books to devour. From weddings to witches, mysteries to mastodons, there's no such thing as a person who can't love reading - just people who haven't sampled the right books yet. We've got a little something to add your menu on Bibliophage.
Becoming an artist is a journey that looks as unique as each artist. No two pathways to creating are the same just as no two works of art are the same. Bibliophage is pleased to welcome Scott C. Sava on the podcast to discuss his book Becoming An Artist. This was a double episode recorded in conjunction with Childproof, one of our sister podcasts on the Airwave Media network. Not only do we have Scott chat about his book but we have Tori Phantom returning to the podcast for this episode!
Get Scott's book, Becoming an Artist, anywhere you find your favorite books or order it here from our Bookshop.org Shop!
And while you're book shopping, Gwenna's new book Thinky Thoughts hit shelves in April and you can pre-order it now!
Be sure to check out the full note for this episode on BibliophageBooks.com and don't miss all the rest of the great podcasts from Airwave Media.
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6 Jan 2026
The Goaliest Goal | New Year Reading Goals
Ah the new year. Previous years have taught us to approach with caution. And we will. Except for books. This episode covers our reading goals, how we're approaching sifting through our TBRs (spoiler alert, we're both so mean to our To Be Read lists but we are at least sorry about that), and reading slump busters we're excited to try when those slumps inevitably hit.
If you'd like your own TBR Scratch Off tickets, here's our affiliate link.
Bibliophage is an Airwave Media podcast. To advertise on this podcast please email advertising@airwavemedia.com.
Don't forget to pre-order Gwenna's new book Thinky Thoughts out in April.
And finally the expanded show notes are available on BibliophageBooks.com.
If you'd like to purchase any of the books mentioned on this podcast, consider using our Bookshop.org Shop. Every purchase you make there helps the authors, this podcast, and independent book stores.
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30 Dec 2025
New Year, New TBR | Bibliophage Book Club
Welcome to the official announcement of the first ever Bibliophage Book Club. We've created a list of books to read and discuss together! We tried to create a list of twelve books to read together but Jennifer and Gwenna couldn't actually agree on a dozen titles. Instead, they each picked six they get to force the other to read and you're invited to the petty party.
And since we devour books for the whole family on Bibliophage, of course we couldn't let the young reader recs out. The companion Middle Grade list is included in this episode while the matching Read To Me/Read With Me list is over on our website, bibliophagebooks.com.
If you'd like to purchase the books we're reading for Bibliophage Book Club, please consider using our Bookshop.Org shop link. Purchases made from this link support the author, this podcast, and independently owned bookstores.
For the full list and expanded show notes visit Bibliophagebooks.com.
Bibliophage is an Airwave Media podcast. To advertise on this show please reach out to advertising@airwavemedia.com.
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23 Dec 2025
A Visit From St Nicholas | The Holiday Special
This is our little holiday gift from Bibliophage to our listeners. A reading of everyone's favorite (or at least most recognized) holiday poems. We all call it Twas the Night Before Christmas. But it's given name is A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore as performed by Gwenna Laithland.
Enjoy this reading and your holiday and we'll see you back with a full episode next week!
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16 Dec 2025
Cramped Christmases & Krampus | Untangled
Alright. Fine. We'll talk about Christmas and winter holiday books. But we'll cover some less than traditional Christmas tales while doing it. From creepy Christmas creatures to stories of folks only barely surviving the holidays (and sometimes not surviving at all). From talking foxes at midwinter to Victorian orphans fighting evil toys, there's a cramped Christmas book for everyone.
Be sure to check out our brand new website BibliophageBooks.com for full show notes and bonus content (when available.)
Gwenna's newest book, Thinky Thoughts come out in April and you can pre-order that everywhere you buy your favorite books.
Bibliophage is proud to be an Airwave Media podcast. To advertise on Bibliophile please email advertising@airwavemedia.com.
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9 Dec 2025
Family Matters | Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone
It's the seaon of holiday merrymaking and avoiding family drama. Or perhaps walking straight into it, spoon in hand, ready to stir the pot. Ahead of one of the ripest time for family drama to unfold, Gwenna and Jennifer are discussing their favorite family drama and murderous mayhem. From Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone In My Family Has Killed Somone to a family of pschizophrenic siblings in Robert Keller's Hidden Valley Road, use this books to read about some wild family dynamics and maybe feel just a little better about your wonky family tree.
Be sure to check out the all-new website, Bibliophagebooks.com for detailed show notes including the Accelerated Readers levels and point values when available. There will be bonus content and additional recommendations there from time to time as well.
If you'd like to purchase any of the books we discussed on this episode, please consider using our Bookshop.Org link. Purchases made through this link support the author, this podcast, and an independent bookstore.
Don't forget to preorder Gwenna's new book, Thinky Thoughts, everyone you buy your favorite books.
Bibliophage is proud to be an Airwave Media podcast. To advertise on Bibliophile please email advertising@airwavemedia.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 Nov 2025
National Native American Heritage Month | Love is a War Song
It's almost Thanksgiving in the States and this week we give thanks for National Native American Heritage month and the natives that saved those settlers. If it weren't for natives, the American experiment probably would have failed. This week we discuss Love is a War Song by Danica Nava as well as other titles by Native & First Nations authors and stories that celebrate the legacy and cultural heritage of Native Americans.
For the complete show notes visit BibliophageBooks.com.
If you'd like to purchase any of the books mentioned on this episode consider visiting our Bookshop.Org Shop. Every purchase you make with our link supports the author, this podcast, and an independent bookstore.
Thinky Thoughts is available for pre-order pretty much everywhere you find your favorite books.
Childproof is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast
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11 Nov 2025
Goal-Oriented Reading | Pack the List
It's that time of year when everything both goes faster and slower all at once. Hurry, hurry, rush, rush, we have to go wait somewhere. Tis the season to also realize you've set an ambitious reading goal and you're a little off the pace. That's fine. That's what this episode is for. Short, easy, approachable reads that will help you get just a little closer to that reading goal for the year.
And your kids are probably cramming those AR points into the end of this semester. Jennifer is coming in clutch with some high point honey pots for the AR readers and we discuss how series help littles read more.
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28 Oct 2025
It's Always Earl's Hammer | Don Martin
It's almost Halloween so Gwenna and Jennifer cozy up with some witchy reads discussing titles from Paula Brackston, Breanne Randall, Sangu Mandanna, and Deborah Harkness.
This week our Family Reading lists includes Roald Dahl and RL Stein. And we sit down and chat Found Family, Queer Love, and the glory and ghosts of Appalachia with author of Verity Vox and the Curse of Fox Fire, Don Martin.
To find Don and all his books check out his website:
https://bydonmartin.com
Check out the books we discussed on this episode at our Bookshop.Org shop. Purchases made through this link support the podcast, the author, and independent bookstores. Win win win.
https://bookshop.org/lists/earl-s-hammer-book-list
To preorder Gwenna's new book, please visit
https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/thinky-thoughts-9781250390028/
Childproof is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 Oct 2025
A Glowing Recommendation | Radium Girls
This week we consume quite a few books with special emphasis on Kate Moore's narrative non-fiction Radium Girls. We also meet Bibliophage's new cook in the literary kitchen, Jennifer Nance, reader, mom, and assistant extraordinaire. Seriously, she's just the best assistant an author and podcaster like Gwenna could ever have. Focused, encouraging, never misses a deadline or accidentally mass copies several brands. Assistance perfection in the shape of a middle-aged Oklahoma mom. No, Jennifer didn't write this show description. Why do you ask?
Be sure to pre-order Gwenna's new book, Thinky Thoughts!
To check out the books we discussed on this episode and others head to our Bookshop.Org store. Every purchase you make from that link supports this podcast, the authors, and an independent bookstore. Win win win.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 Sept 2025
Spooky Booky (Pretend that Rhymes)
This week Gwenna pulls out her best narrator voice to add to your To Be Read list. Following a technical glitch (this translates to Gwenna really doesn't know how to operate a computer and may have deleted a vital file which tanked the whole thing. Repairing Gwenna's being where she doesn't belong came at the cost of time and a whole recording file.) Anyway, this week you'll hear a wide selection of books perfect for the spooky season kick off. Full episodes returning as soon as Gwenna stops trying to "fix" her computer by herself.
If you'd like to purchase any of the books you heard about today, please consider using our Bookshop.org link below. Every purchase from this link supports this podcast, the author, and independent bookstores across the world. The space p*n*s man doesn't need more money. But you definitely need more books.
https://bookshop.org/lists/sp0oky-seas0n-reads
Be sure to check out our other shows:
Founded
Childproof
--
This is an Airwave Media Podcast
Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
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16 Sept 2025
Stacey McEwan: Why? Magic. And Also I Said So
Bestselling author of Forbidden Alchemy, Stacey McEwan joins Bibliophage to talk about spruce trees, winged cuddling (she cheated), and describe how very little she knows about mining despite writing a book that heavily revolves around mining. What tropes are Stacey's favorites? What books inspired her? What did she find after riding an elevator that might very well have killed her and was it with the $50 and dodgy lift? (Spoiler: It was a book.)
To get titles Stacey recommended, please consider shopping our Bookshop.org Shop to support Stacey, Bibliophage, and independent bookstores.
https://bookshop.org/lists/stacey-mcewan-s-mentions
Don't forget to pre-order Gwenna's new book, Thinky Thoughts:
https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/thinky-thoughts-9781250390028/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2 Sept 2025
Relaxing Gives Me Anxiety | Tori Phantom
Ever slept for days? How thirsty were you when you woke up? And why does middle of the night water taste so dang good? On this episode of Bibliophage, Tori Phantom (author to be) gets to discuss their favorite books. From wall flowering to how good things hurt to the life-altering consumption of Andrea Gibson poetry, we discuss whether happy endings are realistic or if their surreality is the whole point.
19 Aug 2025
Chapter 4: No Knifing Until AFTER Dinner
Why are butter knives so dang useless? They aren't sharp enough to cut anything and they aren't even that good at spreading butter. How did we end up with an *almost* pointless (literally and figuratively) weapon on the dinner table? Bee Wilson knows. (Mostly the answer is...men.) In her book Consider the Fork, she explains the origins of the butter knife, addresses why French cooking is the way it is, and explores the ways our culture is shaped by our kitchens. Not just the food that's made in them, but what the food is made with, the tools and technology of feeding ourselves.
This book is one of Gwenna's favorites for a lot of reasons. She doesn't have any fancy awards to give but she gives some anyway. (There's even medals, y'all.) Tori and Gwenna also take a bit of time to discuss reading formats, veiny things, pasta water, narrative non-fiction, and how Tori is running out of Wood books.
NEW! Bibliophage Merch is now available. Every purchase of Bibliophage Products supports the podcast and literacy rates as a portion of every sale goes directly to Reading is Fundamental, helping get books in children's hands and instilling a love of reading across the nation. Get your Bibliophage merch here!
https://www.bonfire.com/store/momma-cusses/ (https://www.bonfire.com/store/momma-cusses/)
If you'd like to pick up your copy of Consider the Fork or get ahead of the podcast and check out next episode's book, M*rd*r Your Employer by Rupert Holmes, here's a handy-dandy link to my online bookstore. Yes, I get commission if you buy from this link. Thanks for your support!
https://bookshop.org/shop/gwennalaithland (https://bookshop.org/shop/gwennalaithland)
And finally, you can pre-order my newest book, Thinky Thoughts: All Grown Up & Still Just As Confused. It's an essay book that wanders through the millennial wasteland that is my youth, the confusing period of figuring out how to be a parent without being the reason my kid needs therapy. Well, without being MOST of the reason my kid needs therapy.
https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/thinky-thoughts-9781250390028/ (https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/thinky-thoughts-9781250390028/)
5 Aug 2025
Chapter 3: Book Lovers
Do you judge books by their covers? Don't lie. That's what covers are for. We judge books by their covers and sometimes we judge poorly. I avoided Emily Henry for so long because her covers didn't appeal to me. I'm super glad I got over it though because Emily Henry does great work with dialogue and interiority. On this episode of Bibliophage we discuss not just covers and Book Lovers but also how readers are like Pokemon and how orcs births make small town romances are perfectly acceptable even if unrealistic. Yes, context is provided. In the episode.
Next time on Bibliophage we are discussing Consider the Fork by Bee Wilson. If you'd like to read before we chat, please consider using my links below to purchase your copy. Every purchase from Bookshop.org supports a small, independent bookstore. (And yes, I earn a little commission too.)
Bookshop.org
https://bookshop.org/lists/bibliophage-on-the-menu
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/shop/gwennalaithland/list/2FD8HGB3IRNQZ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_ZS4TP7392C7SGMK5SYN5_1
And our Book Nook series continues. This week we are celebrating the plant parents who bring the outside to the inside so they have have green stuff and books.
Enjoy!
https://www.amazon.com/shop/gwennalaithland/list/10AM94X81T517?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_RVP8TA49KKXQ6B4DTJ5R
22 Jul 2025
Chapter 2: The Kaiju Preservation Society
On this episode of Bibliophage, we're serving up some Godzilla. Well, the species of them anyway. Join us as we explore John Scalzi's Kaiju Preservation Society. In this episode we attempt to decide:-How Winged People Cuddle-If House of Leaves is a book or rage bait-If John Scalzi is down in the sewer with the rest of the Twilight fans who can't be appropriate about the fandom. (Hello, my ratties.)-If Tori's TBR is ever going to have something that isn't an American History book on it.Next time on Bibliophage we'll be enjoying a helping of Emily Henry's Book Lovers. If you haven't read that one and would like to pick up a copy, please consider purchasing from one of my links. Your support keeps this podcast going. As do your subs, likes, shares, comments, and turning on notifications. Bookshop.orghttps://bookshop.org/shop/gwennalaithlandAmazonhttps://www.amazon.com/shop/gwennalaithland/list/2FD8HGB3IRNQZ?ref_=aipsflistAnd introducing our new Book Nook Outfittery where Gwenna and her friends dream up reading spaces and do all the searching for you. For now these are Amazon lists but we'll add other retailers and sources as soon as we are able.
8 Jul 2025
Chapter 1: Vanya & the Wild Hunt: Sangu Mandanna
Sangu Mandanna's middle-grade book, Vanya and the Wild Hunt, offers magic, intrigue, and self-discovery, appealing to Harry Potter fans with its diverse characters and discussions of consent and self-acceptance.
27 Jun 2025
Bibliophage: Prologue
Host Gwenna Laithland introduces Bibliophage, a podcast exploring the books that shape authors, and interviews co-host Tori Phantom about reading habits and influential titles.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
62 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
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