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If you’ve ever felt intimidated by literary fiction, this episode is your warm invitation in.
I’m joined by reader and library advocate Laura Bird to talk about eight accessible, emotionally rich literary fiction novels — all written by women. We chat about what makes literary fiction “friendly” for beginners, why libraries are democracy’s secret weapon, and how you can support your local branch beyond borrowing books.
Whether you love short, quiet novels that pack a punch or intergenerational stories about women’s resilience, Laura’s recommendations will expand your TBR and your heart.
Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Friendship, resilience, humor
The Most by Jessica Anthony — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Short novel, 1950s, marriage, secrets
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans — Buy on Amazon | Epistolary Literary Fiction | Letters, grief, found family
Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Literary Fiction | Coming-of-age, feminism, social justice
To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Indigenous voices, ambition, family saga
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Redemption, chosen family, forgiveness
People of Means by Nancy Johnson — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Civil rights, mother–daughter bond, social change
Heart, The Lover by Lily King — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | College, young love, grief, intimacy
[00:00] — Welcome back, Laura Bird!
[02:00] — How to get involved in your local library
[10:00] — Library hacks and hidden perks
[11:00] — Literary fiction picks for readers who feel intimidated
[12:00] — Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar
[15:00] — The Most
[18:00] — The Correspondent
[22:00] — Hazel Says No
[25:00] — To the Moon and Back
[27:00] — How to Read a Book
[31:00] — People of Means
[36:00] — Heart, The Lover
[40:00] — Where to find smart literary recommendations
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