House of Books: Recent Episodes
Catherine Beeman
Book talk about fiction, cozy mystery, fantasy, and a little memoir; we'll help you find your new old favorites.
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
Watch his latest short video on Instagram
And check him out on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Catherine talks about her summer reading and podcast plans for the future, which is looking bright!
Catherine discusses her travel plans, her recent and current reading, and drama in her county which has made national news. Listen for more information.
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.
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. Brought to you by Yukimi Song Studio: yukimisongstudio.com/letspodcast
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
License code: VJOJHRMJGVFXVIV6
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.
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).
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!
Join Catherine and Sheila Solomon Shotwell, author of two Young Adult novels with a third awaiting to be published. 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 by November 8. NOTE: While this episode does not contain explicit content, it does touch on some topics that may be sensitive for some.
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
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 - 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.)
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!