This week is a big one. For the first time ever, three romance royals sit down together: Beverly Jenkins, Tia Williams, and Kennedy Ryan. They talk about pioneering Black love stories when the industry didn’t make space for them, reshaping modern romance with depth and desire, and why a happily ever after is anything but predictable — it’s powerful. From writing Black female desire without apology to protecting your creative vision, this conversation is funny, honest, and deeply moving. 

BOOKS MENTIONED: 

Night Song by Beverly Jenkins

Iola Leroy by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper 

Frances Harper: Poems, Prose, and Sketches – This collection features “Bury Me in a Free Land”.  by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov 

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

The Perfect Find by Tia Williams 

Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins 

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Hazard and Somerset by Gregory Ashe 

Ghalen by Walter Mosely

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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This week, we’re talking to director and screenplay writer Maggie Gyllenhaal about her upcoming film, The Bride! Maggie reveals how she gave a character from the 1930s with only a few minutes of screentime a big dose of main character energy. Danielle and Maggie also discuss the unthinkable thoughts of Mary Shelley, IMAX screenings, and what it was like to narrate a 48-hour audio book. Plus, get a sneak peek of the March Reese’s Book Club Pick, Lady Tremaine.

BOOKS MENTIONED: 

Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 

The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante 

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Mating by Norman Rush

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This week, we’re back with the author of the February’s Reese’s Book Club pick, Philippa Malicka, and we’re diving deep into her debut novel, In Her Defense. A whirlpool of love, lies and deceit, In Her Defense raises the chilling question: If you can’t trust your own memories, what else, or who else, can you rely on? Danielle and Philippa get into process, character development, reclaiming your own agency – and how, sometimes, writing a new story can feel like falling in love. 

BOOKS MENTIONED 

In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka

Hamlet by Wiliam Shakespeare

The Glass Essay by Anne Carson

Stranger, Baby by Emily Berry

Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy 

Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbra Trapido

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Dogger by Shirley Hughes

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes

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On this special live episode of Bookmarked in collaboration with Apple Books and Apple TV, we’re celebrating Laura Dave’s newest novel, The First Time I Saw Him—January’s pick from Reese’s Book Club—and the highly anticipated second season of The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV. Danielle Robay is joined on stage by Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Laura Dave, Angourie Rice, Judy Greer, and Rita Wilson for a candid, funny, and deeply thoughtful conversation about bringing the story into its next chapter.

BOOKS MENTIONED 

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

The Cocktail Party by T.S. Eliot

The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett 

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

JAmes by Percival Everett

Stuck Up & Stupid by Angourie Rice & Kate Rice

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If you’ve ever struggled to feel like you matter, you’re not alone. Feeling like you matter is as fundamental a need as food or water, yet it’s a need going unmet by many. Danielle sits down with journalist and author Jennifer Wallace, who spent over six years researching and interviewing everyday people about losing and regaining that sense of mattering. They discuss what it really means to matter, the role social media plays in the mattering crisis, and how to show up for your loved ones and make them valued. 

Books Mentioned

Mattering by Jennifer Wallace

Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

Choosing Civility by P. M. Forni

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Doorman by Chris Pavone

The Good Life by Robert Waldinger, M.D. and Marc Schulz, Ph.D

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What better way to kick off the month of love than with the queen of historical romance, Julia Quinn. The Bridgerton author chats all about how her series became a global phenomenon, the unexpected ways Bridgerton has reshaped the genre, and why historical romance deserves its moment in the spotlight again. And can you believe Julia almost became a doctor instead of a novelist? She’s sharing some behind-the-scenes insights for season 4 of Bridgerton and reminding us why we should still believe in happy endings.

BOOKS MENTIONED 

In Her Defense by Phillipa Malicka

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

Lord of Scoundrels  by Loretta Chase 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

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It feels like everyone is talking about self care these days. But what's it actually supposed to look like? If you ask the TikTok algorithm, you'll get a lot of 12-step skincare routines, bullet journals and red light masks. But is self care really just about what you buy? Today, our guest Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is going beyond consumerism to talk about how we can add value to our lives...without swiping our credit cards. She's unpacking key lessons from her bestselling book REAL Self Care—from effectively setting boundaries, letting go of self-judgement, and using gratitude to get through even the darkest times. 

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In this episode of The Bright Side, Simone Boyce talks with endocrinologist and Weightless author Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen about GLP-1 medications, food noise, hormones, and why “eat less, move more” doesn’t work for so many people. From epigenetics and menopause to muscle preservation and long-term health, this conversation reframes weight loss as body recomposition—and replaces shame with science.

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The Bright Side is off this week, but we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Back in September, Simone sat down with Emmy-nominated actor Karen Pittman. She touched hearts last summer with Netflix's Judy Blume remake, Forever, and in the fall, she shook things up in the fourth season of The Morning Show on Apple TV+. After three seasons of watching Karen's character, Mia Jordan, follow the company line even at her own peril, the UBA executive is coming into her own and taking what's hers. It's a thrilling arc for a dynamic character, and one that Karen knows well. Acting was her second-act career, one that she fought for amid the ups and downs of her personal life. After grinding in the business for 20 years, Karen says it's the journey that she appreciates; a journey that has helped her leave imposter syndrome behind and take more risks — in life and her career. You can stream the fourth season of The Morning Show anytime on Apple TV+.

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In this episode, world traveler Jessica Nabongo takes us on a whirlwind journey through her experiences visiting 195 countries -- and the surprising lessons she picked up along the way. From eating like a local to making friends just about anywhere on Earth, Jessica reminds us that the world is far kinder, funnier and more connected than we often think. Jessica shares the stories that changed her, the strangers who surprised her, and why solo travel has made her more trusting, more grounded and more open to the good in people. This conversation is a joyful, eye-opening reminder that exploring the world can help you rediscover the best parts of it — and yourself.

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Kasia Urbaniak teaches women how to ask for what they want and reclaim their power. Today on The Bright Side, we sit down with Kasia to explore her multifaceted background, discuss the pitfalls of people-pleasing, and unpack power dynamics in everyday life. She also guides us through practical exercises to help identify our true desires, confidently speak up for ourselves, and take control of the moment.

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