Catherine hosts Jeff Billington, author of Chicken Dinner News and Summer's Second.
Jeff Billington grew up on a farm in the Ozark Mountains of Southwest Missouri, surrounded by animals, family and local lore. His adult life has included stints as a newspaper reporter, a communications director for a member of Congress, and working for environmental and advocacy nonprofits. He currently lives in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC but someday hopes to return to the Ozarks. His first novel, the young adult LGBTQ+ book Summer’s Second, was released in December 2022. Chicken Dinner News, his second novel, is a literary fiction work that released on June 20, 2023.
Visit Jeff's beautiful website at jeffbillington.com (http://jeffbillington.com)
Watch his latest short video on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jdbillington/)
6 Aug 2023
Summer Update and Upcoming Course Correction
Catherine talks about her summer reading and podcast plans for the future, which is looking bright!
23 Apr 2023
Catching UP
Catherine discusses her travel plans, her recent and current reading, and drama in her county which has made national news. Listen for more information.
27 Mar 2023
Introducing Your Book Group
Catherine introduces listeners to her new podcast, Your Book Group. She also offers three book reviews. Brought to you by Yukimi Song Studio: yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast (http://yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast).
Access books mentioned in the episode here: https://www.yourbookgroup.com/episode-2-your-book-group-podcast/ (https://www.yourbookgroup.com/episode-2-your-book-group-podcast/)
12 Mar 2023
Mindfulness, Community Theatre, and the Delight of Discovering a New/Old Book
Catherine considers how community theatre might help with mindfulness (really!), and shares her life hack for finishing a long book (over 850 pages!) efficiently and without missing a word.
Show notes and links at https://www.yourbookgroup.com/episode-14-house-of-books-podcast/ (https://www.yourbookgroup.com/episode-14-house-of-books-podcast/).
Brought to you by Yukimi Song Studio: yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast (http://yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast)
20 Feb 2023
From the Shores of Lake Michigan: Do you want to review books? Here's how.
Lucky 13! Catherine introduces listeners to three book review venues open to anyone, and talks about Weyward, a new release she is reviewing now. Book is due out on March 7; fans of historical fiction and/or magical realism will love this book.
Show notes and resources can be found here: https://www.yourbookgroup.com/episode-13-do-you-want-to-review-books/ (https://www.yourbookgroup.com/episode-13-do-you-want-to-review-books/)
Brought to you by Yukimi Song Studio: www.yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast (http://www.yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast)
6 Feb 2023
Colin Firth, Anxiety, and Ruth Rendell
Catherine shares her own personal anxiety-beating bibliotherapy strategy, introduces listeners/readers to Ruth Rendell, and points listeners to the first episode of the Ruth Rendell Mysteries starring Colin Firth, available on Britbox. She also shares information on how to get a free one-hour podcast intro class from Yukimi Song.
30 Jan 2023
Short takes on David Copperfield and Wade Rouse - and a podcast hookup for listeners.
In this short episode Catherine, who hasn't had much time for reading in the last two weeks, reminds you about David Copperfield and introduces you to two books by author Wade Rouse, who also writes as Viola Shipman. Wade is Michigan's favorite author these days!
This episode is brought to you by Yukimi Song Studio; www.yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast.
16 Jan 2023
Conversation with Jenna Miles, author of The Catch
Catherine has an insightful conversation with Jenna Miles, author of The Catch.
1 Jan 2023
Charles Dickens, Loneliness, and The Plan for 2023
Catherine shares her reading plans including David Copperfield and other Dickens work, and offers some bibliotherapy ideas for that midwinter loneliness. Get a sneak preview of 2023 too.
11 Dec 2022
Nutcrackers, Sugar Plums, Ebenezer Scrooge, and Murder
Catherine discusses A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and Monica Ferris' Needlecraft Mysteries, and maybe she tells her audience what a sugar plum is. CORRECTION TO EMAIL ADDRESS: Email HOUSEOFBOOKSPODCAST@GMAIL.COM (mailto:HOUSEOFBOOKSPODCAST@GMAIL.COM) to share stories about Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, or other winter holidays.
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/sugar-plum-beat (https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/sugar-plum-beat)
License code: VJOJHRMJGVFXVIV6
28 Nov 2022
Episode 7 - Birthdays and Kitchen Witches
Catherine talks about her three favorite authors who just happen to have something remarkable in common, and she shares the next series in her A to Z Mystery Tour.
23 Nov 2022
Episode 6 - Thanksgiving and Snow
Catherine discusses some Thanksgiving stories, some stories with a snow theme, and the latest in the A to Z Mystery Tour (we're up to C).
16 Nov 2022
Episode 5 - A gnome, a widow, and an awkward detective
Catherine shares two stories for your listening or reading pleasure - the story of a gnome & a widow, and a story about an awkward detective. Enjoy this short episode, and then visit Your Book Group for relevant links. (Links will be created within one day of release.) Happy listening and happy reading!
7 Nov 2022
Episode 4 - Interview with Author Sheila Solomon Shotwell
Join Catherine and Sheila Solomon Shotwell, author of two Young Adult novels with a third awaiting publication. Be sure to hang around for the next book in the A to Z Mystery Tour. Links to Sheila's social media and website will be posted to www.yourbookgroup.com (http://www.yourbookgroup.com) by November 8. NOTE: While this episode does not contain explicit content, it does touch on some topics that may be sensitive for some.
30 Oct 2022
Episode 3 - The Merits of Audiobooks, The Dream Academy, Merrily Watkins, Nick Drake, Ichabod Crane,and China Bayles
Catherine describes how a song and a book reached her 2000 miles from home to give her comfort; discusses the merits of audiobooks; shares her favorite Merrily Watkins audiobooks; and recommends both a free short story for Halloween and the next installment of her A to Z Mystery tour.
3:23 Merrily Watkins
4;48 Sleepy Hollow
5:27 A to Z: China Bayles Mysteries
6:57 direction to links
16 Oct 2022
Episode 2
Join Catherine and her son Kyle as they talk about reading. Enjoy the blooper! After the interview, Catherine shares a cozy mystery series with "books , . . and a hook." Subscribe so you don't miss your next great read. Links to books mentioned on the House of Books can befound on www.yourbookgroup.com (http://www.yourbookgroup.com) - hover on Podcast in the menu, then choose Episode 2. (There will be a slight delay after this episode is published, before the page appears on the website.)
10 Oct 2022
Debut - Chapter One
Meet your hostess Catherine, and listen to her very non-scary ghost story - then learn how you can access other scary Halloween stories in the public domain, legally and free of charge. Boo!
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