This week, Danielle is joined by Alex Aster, the prolific, Romantasy Queen of Booktok. Coming out of 2025, in which she published four novels, Alex is back with Starside, her first foray into adult fiction – and, later this year, Barbie: Dreamscape, a YA retelling of the beloved Mattel doll. Alex and Danielle talk perseverance in publishing, the power of storytelling, and which romantasy tropes give Alex the ick (spoiler: hardly any of them do). 

BOOKS MENTIONED:

A Guide to Literary Agents by Robert Lee Brewer

Lightlark Series by Alex Aster

Starside by Alex Aster 

Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster

Curse of the Forgotten City by Alex Aster

Summer in the City by Alex Aster

Barbie Dreamscape by Alex Aster

 

This week, Danielle is joined by Alex Aster, the prolific, Romantasy Queen of Booktok. Coming out of 2025, in which she published four novels, Alex is back with Starside, her first foray into adult fiction &ndash; and, later this year, Barbie: Dreamscape, a YA retelling of the beloved Mattel doll. Alex and Danielle talk perseverance in publishing, the power of storytelling, and which romantasy tropes give Alex the ick (spoiler: hardly any of them do).&nbsp;
BOOKS MENTIONED:
A Guide to Literary Agents by Robert Lee Brewer
Lightlark Series by Alex Aster
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/starside/id1822619665?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Starside</a> by Alex Aster&nbsp;
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/curse-of-the-night-witch/id1495907570?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Curse of the Night Witch</a>&nbsp;by Alex Aster
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/curse-of-the-forgotten-city/id1534951230?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Curse of the Forgotten City</a> by Alex Aster
Summer in the City by Alex Aster
Barbie Dreamscape by Alex Aster
&nbsp;

Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation. 

Follow Reese’s Book Club on Apple Books and never miss a chapter: https://apple.co/rbcapplebooks 

 

Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese&rsquo;s Book Club &mdash; the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You&rsquo;re not just listening &mdash; you&rsquo;re part of the conversation.&nbsp;
Follow Reese&rsquo;s Book Club on Apple Books and never miss a chapter: <a href="https://apple.co/rbcapplebooks">https://apple.co/rbcapplebooks</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

The Bright Side, the hit podcast from Hello Sunshine, is back for a brand new season! Every Monday, join Emmy nominated host, Simone Boyce, as she brings you a dose of culture and inspiration - with celebrity interviews, the latest in health and wellness, smart takes on pop culture, and real conversations with women doing amazing things. The Bright Side is a destination for joy and connection; the show is designed to inspire, educate, and empower women as they navigate everyday challenges and live life to the fullest. 

The Bright Side, the hit podcast from Hello Sunshine, is back for a brand new season! Every Monday, join Emmy nominated host, Simone Boyce, as she brings you a dose of culture and inspiration - with celebrity interviews, the latest in health and wellness, smart takes on pop culture, and real conversations with women doing amazing things. The Bright Side is a destination for joy and connection; the show is designed to inspire, educate, and empower women as they navigate everyday challenges and live life to the fullest.&nbsp;

The Bright Side: A Hello Sunshine Podcast

From Rejection to the Bestseller List with Author Alex Aster

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a641d33d-7270-4fa1-9356-b42c001e9cc7/transcript

This week, we’re back with Emma Brodie, whose second novel, Into The Blue, is April’s Reese’s Book Club Pick - and Emma and Danielle are going down aaaaall the rabbit holes. From what makes a good fandom, to how improv comedy is, in fact, inherently sexy, to the BTS secrets of filming reality TV, their convo is just as lush as Emma’s decade-spanning, sci-fi tinged, “will they, won’t they” romance. 

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Into the Blue by Emma Brodie

Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie

Hitmakers by Derrick Thompson 

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory 

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

This week, we&rsquo;re back with Emma Brodie, whose second novel, Into The Blue, is April&rsquo;s Reese&rsquo;s Book Club Pick - and Emma and Danielle are going down aaaaall the rabbit holes. From what makes a good fandom, to how improv comedy is, in fact, inherently sexy, to the BTS secrets of filming reality TV, their convo is just as lush as Emma&rsquo;s decade-spanning, sci-fi tinged, &ldquo;will they, won&rsquo;t they&rdquo; romance.&nbsp;
BOOKS MENTIONED:
Into the Blue by Emma Brodie
Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie
Hitmakers by Derrick Thompson&nbsp;
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory&nbsp;
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Fate, Fandom, & the Making of Into the Blue with Reese’s Book Club Author Emma Brodie

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7a8bdb7-8a11-4998-920e-b43a0019e401/transcript

This week, Danielle is chatting with Veronica Roth, who’s fresh off a major announcement: Divergent. Is. Back. The original trilogy has sold over 35 million copies since it debuted 15 years ago. Veronica has been publishing countless novels and short stories ever since, but now she’s ready to revisit the Divergent universe — with a new twist. “The Sixth Faction” is an alternate universe retelling that dares to ask: what if Tris never left Abnegation, and joined Dauntless? Danielle and Veronica talk about hot tubs, dystopian fiction, and learning to love your own work in all its imperfections. And don’t worry — Tris and Four will still have a meet-cute. 

Books Mentioned:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth 

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

1984 by George Orwell

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

This week, Danielle is chatting with Veronica Roth, who&rsquo;s fresh off a major announcement: Divergent. Is. Back. The original trilogy has sold over 35 million copies since it debuted 15 years ago. Veronica has been publishing countless novels and short stories ever since, but now she&rsquo;s ready to revisit the Divergent universe &mdash; with a new twist. &ldquo;The Sixth Faction&rdquo; is an alternate universe retelling that dares to ask: what if Tris never left Abnegation, and joined Dauntless? Danielle and Veronica talk about hot tubs, dystopian fiction, and learning to love your own work in all its imperfections. And don&rsquo;t worry &mdash; Tris and Four will still have a meet-cute.&nbsp;
Books Mentioned:
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/divergent/id516531224?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Divergent</a> by Veronica Roth
The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth&nbsp;
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/four-a-divergent-collection/id833990217?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Four: A Divergent Collection</a> by Veronica Roth
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/1984/id1602697097?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">1984</a> by George Orwell
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/allegiant/id602494426?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Allegiant</a> by Veronica Roth

New Book, New Faction: Veronica Roth Revives the Divergent Universe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9cdf7fba-a094-4a6d-b8a1-b432015b8698/transcript

On this week’s episode, Danielle sits down with Rufi Thorpe, the author of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, the wildly original novel that’s now been adapted into a highly anticipated Apple TV+ series. They talk about the chaos and comedy of motherhood, the reality of being in your twenties with no roadmap, and the power of choosing your own path even when it makes people uncomfortable. Plus, Rufi reveals her delightfully messy writing habits and gives some fun BTS details from the show.

 

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver

On this week&rsquo;s episode, Danielle sits down with Rufi Thorpe, the author of Margo&rsquo;s Got Money Troubles, the wildly original novel that&rsquo;s now been adapted into a highly anticipated Apple TV+ series. They talk about the chaos and comedy of motherhood, the reality of being in your twenties with no roadmap, and the power of choosing your own path even when it makes people uncomfortable. Plus, Rufi reveals her delightfully messy writing habits and gives some fun BTS details from the show.
&nbsp;
BOOKS MENTIONED:
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/margos-got-money-troubles/id6466167331?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Margo's Got Money Troubles</a> by Rufi Thorpe
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-clan-of-the-cave-bear-with-bonus-content/id419946998?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">The Clan of the Cave Bear</a> by Jean M. Auel
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-master-butchers-singing-club/id363688752?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">The Master Butchers Singing Club</a> by Louise Erdrich
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/shutter-island/id360622440?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">Shutter Island</a> by Dennis Lehane
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-heaven-earth-grocery-store/id6445046432?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">The Heaven &amp; Earth Grocery Store</a> by James McBride
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-love/id995697480?at=1000l36qK&amp;itscg=80048&amp;itsct=AB_PT_RBC_POD&amp;campaign_id=AB_PT_RBC_POD">What We Talk About When We Talk About Love</a> by Raymond Carver

On this week’s episode, Danielle sits down with Rufi Thorpe, the author of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, the wildly original novel that’s now been adapted into a highly anticipated Apple TV+ series. They talk about the chaos and comedy of motherhood, the reality of being in your twenties with no roadmap, and the power of choosing your own path even when it makes people uncomfortable. Plus, Rufi reveals her delightfully messy writing habits and gives some fun BTS details from the show.    BOOKS MENTIONED:  Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe  The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel  The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich  Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride  What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver

Margo’s Got Money Troubles: From Cult Favorite to TV Binge with Rufi Thorpe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/66e5c90a-3a66-44ed-9d25-b4240130f0f6/transcript

From Rejection to the Bestseller List with Author Alex Aster

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

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Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

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