The Book Place
By Mercy and Salem
The Book PlaceNov 30, 2020
Ep 34: The One Where We Say Goodbye
Mercy's Current Reads
- The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
- The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff
- Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Salem's Current Reads
- Know My Name by Chanel Miller
- The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Ep 33: Unpopular Bookish Opinions Pt 2
We loved our first Unpopular Bookish Opinions back in episode 14 so much that we decided to make another one! And we're back with some spicy takes that you won't want to miss! We also have a very important announcement to share with you so make sure you tune in! Happy listening!
Salem's Current Reads
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- I Survived: A True Story by Victoria Cilliers
Mercy's Current reads
- Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
- Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
What's Bringing Us Joy
- Iced Coffee
- Burt's Bees Vanilla Lip Balm
- Doterra Lavender Essential oil
- #206 'The Lazy Genius Guide to Giving Great Gifts' podcast episode
Ep 32: What Makes a Book a Keeper
Hi there and welcome to episode 32 of The Book Place. This week we are talking about what books we keep, what ones we donate and what we might put in the bin. Bookshelf real estate is precious so what makes the cut? Is it cover vs content? Or something a little deeper? Listen to this week's episode to find out. Happy Listening!
Salem's Current Reads
- A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen
- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Mercy's Current Reads
- The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
- Wild by Kristin Hannah
What's Bringing Us Joy
- The Undoing
- Flower 'Light Illusion Liquid Foundation'
- @ATFrenchies on Instagram
- Chocolate Covered Black Cats from Allen's
Ep 31: The Classic Debate - Fiction vs Non-Fiction
Ep 30: All About Books-tagram
There are literally millions of #bookstagram accounts out there, so how do you know which ones to follow and which to just look at? Well today's episode we go through some of our faves from those just talking about kids books, to friends bookstagrams; from light and simple to styled and prop-heavy, we talk about it all! This is a fun episode with lots of laughs and so much good bookish content. Happy listening!
Salem's Current Reads
- Lovely War by Julie Berry
- Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
- Your Creative Work Space by Desha Peacock
Mercy's Current Reads
- That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs
- Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh
Bookstgram accounts
@childrensbooksdaily
@littlebirdiebooks
@kids.books.we.love
@randomhouse
@penguinbooksaus
@dymocksbooks
@whatshouldireadnext
@thenester
@hannah_currie_author
@kayemreads
@booksinsix
@pieladybooks
@theroamingreader
@officialagathachristie
@elleryadams
@ladies.getting.lit
@katieladyreads
@everydayreading
@tellmeastoryxx
@meredith.reads
@52weekswithbooks
What's Bringing Us Joy
- Obela Hummus
- Steph Pase Signature Planner
- Instagram @arrows and bow
- Quiz website: www.sporcle.com
Ep 29: Recording In Person + Our Favourite Cookbooks
Ep 28: New Releases We Can't Wait to Read in 2021
Ep 27: We're Back with our Reading Goals for 2021!
Well, 2020 is over (finally) and after a summer break Salem and Mercy are back with our first episode of the year talking all about our summer reads, some reading goals for the year and of course, what's bringing us joy right now! Happy listening!
Salem's Current Reads:
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- Agatha Christie: Inspiring Lives by Cathy Cook
Mercy's Current Reads:
- The Defence by Steve Cavanagh
- The Survivors by Jane Harper
What's Bringing Us Joy:
'The Dry' in cinemas right now
Park workouts with friends
Gingerbread House making, thanks Costco
Let me Try Before You Buy - Instagram
'Minty' Slides - Famous Footwear
'Bridgerton' - Netflix
Bonus Episode: The Dictionary of Lost Words
Ep 26: Best Books of the Year 2020 + Reading Stats
Ep 25: Comfort Reads for a Reading Slump
This episode we're chatting about being in a reading slump and what are the comfort reads we reach for when we have some book burnout. And Mercy gushes about a book that she wants to give to everyone she knows. As usual we share our current reads and have lots of things that are bringing us joy this week! Also announing the dates for our summer breaks. Happy Listening!
Mercy's Current Reads
The Gown - Jennifer Robson
The Lazy Genius Way - Kendra Adachi
Kitchens of the Great Midwest - J. Ryan Stradal (DNF)
Salem's Current Reads
The Home Edit Life - Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin
American Royals - Katherine McGee
Louise Penny (DNF)
What's Bringing Us Joy
The Birth of a King - Tommee Profitt
First-time Irish Dancing Competitions
Victoria Park Golf Club - Christmas Themed Putt Putt
Aldi Chocolate Licorice Logs
Bam Bam Bakehouse
Ep 24: The One Where We Touch On The JK Rowling Controversy + Giveaway Winner
Ep 23: Updates, Giveaways and Audiobooks That Take All Your Time
This week we chat about some little changes we're making to The Bookplace Podcast! Most importantly, this will now be a fortnightly podcast, dropping new episodes each Thursday. You'll still be hearing all about our current reads as well as some bookish discussion and we'll be expanding our What's Bringing Us Joy section, bringing more of our favourite things! Let us know what you think!
Salem's Current Reads
- The Hidden Power of F***ing Up by The Try Guys
- The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
Mercy's Current Reads
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
What's Bringing Us Joy
- Finishing reading goals for the year!
- New puppy, Lucy Buchanan
- Derry Girls on Netflix
- New Sheets from Amazon
Ep 22: Recording in a Car and Why We Decide to DNF a book
Why we are M.I.A today...
Ep 21: Post Holiday Book Chats and Bookshelf Organisation
Ep 20: Special Co-Host Jordan Bariesheff - Plot twists, Cults and her gateway fiction book
This week we have a special co-host while Mercy is away and who better to replace a sister, than another sister! So Salem is joined this week by our older sister, Jordan Bariesheff! Jords is a recent convert to fiction and we talk about which book was the gamechanger for her transition from non-fiction to fiction lover!
Jordan Bariesheff - Honey & Gold
Jordan's Fave Books
The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah
Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
See You In September - Charity Norman
Current Reads
Code Name Helene - Ariel Lawhon
Giver of Stars - Jojo Moyes
Rules for Perfect Murders - Peter Swanson / Eight Perfect Murders (US version)
The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids - Jessica Joelle Alexander & Iben Dissing Sandahl
Ep 19: Beach Reads
Salem's Current Reads
The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary
How Do You Find The Time - Pat King
Mercy's Current Reads
The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup - John Carreyrou
Beach Reads
The Alice Network - Kate Quinn
Kate Morton
Lianne Moriarty
Jane Harper
Mary Kay Andrews
Elin Hildebrand
Jenny Colgan
Taylor Jenkins Reid
What's Bringing Us Joy
The Strike Series - Google Play
Instagram Account @thenester
Ep 18: Travel Memoirs in Lockdown
Mercy's Current Reads
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales
Salem's Current Reads
The Defence by Steve Cavanagh
The Happiest Man On Earth by Eddie Jaku
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk
Travel Memoirs
Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by Anthony Doerr
Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant: True Tales and Gossip from the Galley by Owen Beddall
Wild Life: Travel Adventures of a Worldly Woman by Lisa Alpine
Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach
The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months of Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell
Down Under by Bill Bryson
At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider
Ep 17: Author Interview with Hannah Currie
FInd out more about Hannah and her work at www.hannahcurrie.com
Heart of a Royal (Daughters of Peverell #1)
Heart of a Princess (Daughters of Peverell #2)
Some of Hannah's fave books
A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter
Shadows Over England series by Rosanna White
The Codebreakers series by Rosanna White
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
What's Bringing Us Joy
Growing a Herb garden
Deleting Netflix and Amazon Prime apps
Ep 16: Tracking Your Reading
Salem's Current Reads
The Crossroad - Mark Donaldson
The Switch - Beth O'Leary
Mercy's Current Reads
The Jane Austen Society - Natalie Jenner
They Do It With Mirrors (Miss Marple #6) - Agatha Christie
Goodreads
The Ultimate Reading Spreadsheet
What's Bringing Us Joy
Go-To Silk Pillowcase
That Sounds Fun: Enneasummer 2020 Sixes podcast
Ep 15: Page to Screen + Brad Case
Like most of us, we have a love/hate relationship with book to movie adaptations and we barely scratched the surface but this was so much fun! Plus, we talk to Mercy's husband Brad, for some sci-fi/fantasy recommendations! There were too many movie titles to tag so below is a short list of some we talked about. Happy listening!
Brad's Books
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
I, Jedi - MIchael Stackpole
Seven Ancient Wonders (Jack West Junior #1) - Matthew Reilly
Courageous Leadership - Bill Hybels
Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Chronicles #1) - Robin Hobb
Books to Movies
Sense & Sensibility (2008) BBC
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Ep 14: Unpopular Bookish Opinions
Salem's Current Reads
How to Bullet Plan: Everything You Need to Know About Journalling With Bullet Points by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith
Mercy's Current Reads
Unnatural Causes by Dr. Richard Shepherd
Columbine by Dave Cullen
Other Books Mentioned:
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Fall and Rise by Mitchell Zuckoff
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
The River by Peter Heller
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
What's Bringing Us Joy
Salem's new Reading Chair
Food Parcels
Mercy's new 'Cinco De Mayo' Earrings from Lovisa
Ep 13 Book Buying Habits + Joanna James
Ep 12: World War II
Ep 11: Books About Books + Kimberley Saunders
What's better than a book? A book about books! We're talking all our favourite non-fiction BAB's (Books About Books, obvs) plus our 2nd guest interview with friend of the show, Kim Saunders!
Kim's Books
Bittersweet - Shauna Niequist
Any Ordinary Day - Leigh Sales
Only Time Will Tell (The Clifton Chronicles) - Jeffrey Archer
Inklings (The Oxford Chronicles) - Melanie M. Jeschke
Whisper - Lynette Noni
Cupcake Jemma Youtube page
Books About Books
I'd Rather Be Reading - Anne Bogel
Bibliophile - Jane Mount
Honey for a Child's Heart - Gladys Hunt
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary - Simon WInchester
The Read-Aloud Family - Sarah Mackenzie
Book Girl - Sarah Clarkson
Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time - Jamie C. Martin
Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks - Annie Spence
What's Bringing Us Joy
Downton Abbey movie
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga movie
Ep 10: Hidden Gems
Celebrating making it to 10 episodes this week with our best episode yet!! Talking all about those hidden gems on our bookshelves and libraries and why the best-sellers are not always our favourite books!
Mercy's Current Reads:
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
Salem's Current Reads:
Beneath the Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson
Hidden Gems:
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff
Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
The Artful Parent by Jean Van't Hul
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
What's Bringing Us Joy:
Dressing Gown (Mint green version)
Hello Fresh subscription
Sale's weekend alone
Ep 9: Reading Around the World: English countryside + Anastasia Lambert
Ep 8: All About Re-reading
We’re back after a sneaky week’s break and today’s bookish discussion is all about re-reading! Do you find yourself coming back to the same books? Is there a book you read every year at a certain time? Listen to us chat about all of it, plus our current reads and what’s been bringing us joy! Happy Reading!
Mercy's Current Reads:
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
Lovely War by Julie Berry
Salem's Current Reads:
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin #3) by M.C. Beaton
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Books We Mentioned:
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Best of Christmas In My Heart by Joe L. Wheeler (compiler)
Rose In Bloom by L.M. Montgomery
Eight Cousins by L.M. Montgomery
Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery
An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott (not L. M. Montgomery, whoops!)
What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge
Christy by Catherine Marshall
The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss
The Kensington Chronicles by Lori Wick
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
What's Bringing Us Joy
Salem's Birthday Week
Whisky Business breakfast - 1st time since restrictions lifted
Ep 7: Favourite Authors
This week we're talking about some of our all-time favourite authors and which of their books are our cream of the crop. From Kate Morton to Jodi Picoult and so many others, this episode will fill your TBR list!!
Salem's Current Reads:
- Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris
- On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson
Mercy's Current Reads:
- Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity and Love by Dani Shapiro
- A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie
Favourite Authors and Their Books We Mentioned:
- The Dry
- Murder on the Orient Express
- All Creatures Great & Small
Shauna Niequist
- Cold Tangerines
- Bread & Wine
Jojo Moyes
- The Ship of Brides
- Me Before You
Ariel Lawhon
- The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress
- Flight of Dreams
Kristin Hannah
- The Nightingale
- The Great Alone
Jodi Picoult
- A Spark of Light
- Small Great Things
Emily P. Freeman
- The Next Right Thing podcast
- A Million Little Ways
What's Bringing Us Joy:
- The Best Instrumental Movie Soundtrack Spotify playlist
Ep 6: Children’s series and why we should all read them
We get nostalgic this week about some of our favourite book series we read as kids and our earliest reading memories. If you’ve run out of book suggestions for your kids, you might find some more here...and we finally talk about Harry Potter!!
Mercy's Current Reads:
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
- The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson (Did Not Finish)
Salem's Current Reads:
- So Much I Want To Tell You: Letters to my Little Sister by Anna Akana
Children's Series:
- Famous Five series by Enid Blyton
- What Katie Did by Susan Coolidge
- A Life of Faith: Elsie Dinsmore by Martha FInley
- In Grandma's Attic series by Arletta Richardson
- Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Milly-Molly-Mandy by Joyce Lancaster Brisley
- The Green Ember series by S.D. Smith
- Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
- The Melendy Quartet by Elizabeth Enright
- The Shoe books by Noel Streatfield
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
What's Bringing Us Joy:
- Friends Visiting
- Kmart Insider instagram account
- Zoom Family Call
Ep 5: Non-fiction pt 2 - Self-Improvement and Motivation
Continuing on our non-fiction series, this week we talk about some that fall in the self-help and motivational non-fiction category. Disclaimer:self-improvement is not guaranteed or even necessary after reading these books!
Salem's Current Reads:
- This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
- Introverted Mom: Your Guide to More Calm, Less Guilt, and Quiet Joy by Jamie C. Martin
Mercy's Current Reads:
- Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly
Self-Improvement & Motivation
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Fringe Hours: Making Time For You by Jessica N. Turner
- 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam
- The Road Back To You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- Finish: Giving Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff
- The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
- The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You'll Ever Need by Scott Pape
What's Bringing Us Joy:
- The Favorites File from the Lazy Genius Podcast
- Visiting local bookshops
Bonus: Summer Reading Guide
A little bonus episode talking about some of our most anticipated books from Modern Mrs Darcy’s 2020 Summer Reading Guide
Books We Mentioned:
- Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
- Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
- The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
- The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
- The End of October by Lawrence Wright
- The Switch by Beth O'Leary
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Ep 4: Non-Fiction pt 1 - Memoirs & Biographies
This week starts our non-fiction series and we’re discussing some of our favourite memoirs and biographies. And like always, we talk about what books we are currently reading and what’s bringing us joy. Happy Reading!
Mercy's Current Reads:
- The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
- The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
- Sadie by Courtney Summers
Salem's Current Reads:
- As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
- Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship by Ruth Chou Simons
Memoirs & Biographies:
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld and the Truth Beyond Blackfish by John Hargrove
- Educated by Tara Westover
- The Cross & the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
What's Bringing Us Joy:
- Peppermint Tea
Ep 3: Where to Find Your Next Great Book
This week we’re talking about our tried and true ways of getting book recommendations and Salem gets on her soapbox about the library.
Mercy's Current Reads:
- Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay
- Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart
- Normal People by Sally Rooney (Did Not Finish)
Salem's Current Reads:
- All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
- Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 by Mitchell Zuckoff
Other books mentioned:
- This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
Where to find your next book recommendation:
- Local Library
- Audible
- What Should I Read Next podcast
- One Great Book podcast
- Currently Reading podcast
- Diving In podcast
- He Read She Read podcast
- Novel Pairings podcast
- Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast
- Read Aloud Revival podcast
What's Bringing Us Joy:
- DIY Anniversary Dinner
Ep 2: Series you’ll love
We’re talking some of our favourite adult and YA book series we love and a couple we definitely don’t! Plus what’s bringing us joy this week.
Mercy's Current Reads
- Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman
Salem's Current Reads
- A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
- Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Adult series we love:
- Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- The Mark of the Lion series by Francince Rivers
- Empyrion by Stephen Lawhead
- Veronica Speedwell Mysteries by Deanna Raybourn
- Aaron Falk series by Jane Harper
- Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie
Young Adult series we love:
- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- The Selection series by Kiera Cass
- The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
- Cursebreakers by Brigid Kemmerer
- Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness
- Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard
- The Gender Game by Bella Forrest
Episode 1: Faves and Current Reads
Welcome to Episode 1 of this bookish podcast, where we talk some of our favourite books, what we’re reading at the moment and what’s saving our life right now. We hope this will bring some fun and joy to your day!
Here you'll find the books we talked about:
Mercy's Faves
- The Lost Man by Jane Harper
- The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
- Recursion by Blake Crouch
Salem's Faves
- The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
What we're currently reading:
- Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
- The Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad #2) by Tana French
- The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness through Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness by Hugh Van Cuylenberg
- The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
What's Bringing Us Joy Right Now:
- Happy Color app
- Upworthy Instagram account