My Friends

Lisa discusses Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which is a historic book released in summer 2025. This is her latest book that dives into space travel in the 1980s discussing sexism and relationships. Books Discussed: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee ShutterflyProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirThe Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight by Martha Ackermann For more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website.

Lisa discusses My Friends by Fredrik Backman, which was an immediate best seller when it was published in 2025. This is a book that focuses on a dual-storyline highlighting a handful of friends and a story unveiling around art.  Books Discussed:  The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh. 

Lisa discusses Lisa Marie’s memoir From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough. This is a raw memoir and is written jointly by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough. It dives into grief and Lisa Marie is quite candid.  Books discussed: Finding Me by Viola DavisFor more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website.

Lisa discusses We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. This is a mystery about the ultra-wealthy family the Sinclairs. Cadence Sinclair Eastman is the eldest daughter of the Sinclair family. The entire family spends each summer on the family’s island and one summer a mystery occurs. In this episode, Lisa compares the book versus the TV show. In a previous episode, Lisa and her guest Molly Shea had a deep dive into the book and you can find it here. For more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website.

Lisa discusses the book Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. It was an immediate best-seller. The book was published in 2023 and highlights three daughters who are in northern Michigan with their mom and she shares the stories of you her youth when she dated a famous actor. Books Discussed: Bomb Shelter; Love, Time and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott

Lisa discusses  The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida  by Shehan Karunatilaka. This book was awarded the Booker Prize in 2022, which is one of the most prestigious literature awards internationally. Other books discussed:  Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders 

Lisa discusses None of This is True by Lisa Jewell, which is a thriller, but Lisa discusses how it is more of a slow-burn than a thriller and the title certainly sets you up for some predictable events.  Books discussed:  The Last House on Needless Street By Catriona Ward

Lisa discusses The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, which is a historical fiction book about Martha Ballard, who was a real midwife, who delivered more than 800 babies. The book is fiction, but Martha wrote a journal for more than 25 years.  A Midwife's Tale, the Life of Martha Ballard – based on the diary 1785 to 1812.  For more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website.

Lisa and Boston artist Julia Purdy discuss Still Life by Louise Penny, the first Inspector Gamache series. This was published in 2005 and there are 18 books in this series. It is an internationally recognized series.  This article in Vox discusses how Louise Penny has perfected the literary genre with combining murder mysteries in a small town idyllic town filled with artists. Julia is an artist and you can find her on her website or on Instagram.  Books Discussed on this show: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieBehold the Dreamers by Imbolo MbueSankofa by Chibunduy OnuzoBorn a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor NoahThe Rise of Wolf Eight by Rick McIntyreFor more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website.*The book titles mentioned include affiliate links. You can support the podcast by purchasing a book with the links because the podcast receives compensation.

 Lisa discusses the popular memoir Be Ready When The Luck Happens by Ina Garten. Garten is a longtime Food Network star and and Instagram star. She delves into her career, and talks a great deal about real estate.  This blog post from Eater describes how much of Garten’s “luck” is really  more related to privilege and wealth. She’s able to make many decisions because of her wealth. She quits a job at the White House to purchase the Barefoot Contessa. Other books discussed:  The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop Finding Me by Viola DavisFor more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website.