Best Chris Rowell Podcasts (2024)

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Chapter 50: Cheers to One Year 1:24:55

1d ago1:24:55

1:24:55

This is a very special week. We're celebrating 50 episodes - one year of Plans are Booked! We kick off by sharing all the details of our four days in the Big Apple, including crushing on Kit Connor in Romeo + Juliet on Broadway, channeling The Bear at Michelin star restaurant Eleven Madison Park, enjoying the finer things in Soho, falling in love w…

1
Chapter 49: Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell 59:16

12d ago59:16

59:16

This week we're talking about a second chance love story that surprised us. Rainbow Rowell has written two honest and vulnerable leads, Shiloh and Cary, who move through friendship, distance, and romance over two decades. We talk about the resonance of flawed characters, the levity delivered via a spunky little kid, and make comparisons to movies w…

1
Chapter 48: Modern Romance with Casey McQuiston 59:45

13d ago59:45

59:45

This week we shine a light on an author we all adore, Casey McQuiston (they / them). Steph shares how she was first introduced to Casey's writing and how quickly all of us became super fans. Kaitlin and Molly recap seeing Casey in person with the Brookline Booksmith and how that deepened our fandom. We cover Casey's gift for writing banter-fueled l…

1
Chapter 47: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 1:02:28

1M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

This week we marvel at author Chris Whitaker's talent and share our thoughts on the story of Patch and Saint. We chat about the importance of well rounded side characters, our love for short chapters with poignant closing sentences, parallels to Forrest Gump, and the text Kaitlin found so powerful she's considering for her next tattoo. We also cont…

1
Chapter 46: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 56:27

1M ago56:27

56:27

This week we have something extra special for you. We're debuting a line of Plans are Booked romance trope candles! We light a candle each time we record and we want to share that ritual with you. We can't wait for you to smell them, enjoy them in your home, or gift them to your reader bestie. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin recaps a wonderful w…

1
Chapter 45: Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 46:14

1M ago46:14

46:14

It's Molly's birthday week and the Libra season energy is in full effect. We kick off with Molly sharing two book-themed gifts she's unwrapped, including one that Steph and Molly's mom conspired together to procure and secretly have delivered. Steph catches us up on the very special pup she took care of over the weekend. We close out the catch up b…

1
Chapter 44: Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon 53:30

2M ago53:30

53:30

This week we mentally transport ourselves to northern California to join Lana, Beth and Jack, the three generations of women who star in Mother-Daughter Murder Night. This debut novel from former NASA engineer Nina Simon features unlikely detectives, hilarious family dynamics, and a picturesque setting that some people will do anything to protect. …

1
Chapter 43: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio 46:52

2M ago46:52

46:52

This week we're embracing the transition to fall and donning our favorite sweatshirt + shorts combos (shout out to the OG, Princess Diana). Kaitlin shares her excitement for the return of football and the joy she's feeling from all the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sightings. She also fills us in on the wedding she went to on the South Shore and an…

1
Chapter 42: Wild Love by Elsie Silver 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Fueled by milkshakes, this week is an all out gigglefest. Steph shares her day at the barn, including getting to know some adorable, tiny kittens. Kaitlin recaps her weekend on Cape Cod, including an awesome round of golf with her mom. Molly details her annual getaway to Maine, including a growing menagerie of inflatables. Then we deep dive on a bo…

1
Chapter 41: Wyoming Trip Recap + Rebel Blue Ranch Series by Lyla Sage 1:11:19

2M ago1:11:19

1:11:19

This week we are headed west to Wyoming! We kick off our conversation by sharing a detailed recap of our trip to Jackson Hole, including making friendship bracelets at the airport, our love affair with our rental house's living room, declaring Jenny Lake the prettiest place we've ever seen in real life, buffalo sightings in Yellowstone, customizing…

1
Chapter 40: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo 1:04:19

3M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

This week is a big one: we're toasting to 40 episodes! We open by reflecting on our journey so far and sharing the things that have surprised us most about the experience. In our catch up, Steph recaps her trip to Portland for Kate Spencer's author event, Kaitlin updates us on her house hunt, and Molly recounts her weekend road trip. Next, we debri…

1
Chapter 39: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 54:27

3M ago54:27

54:27

This week we're discussing a story that has dominated the book club circuit. We deep dive on Yellowface, a tale of deceit and deplorable behavior. We share our individual levels of cringe and why we think this should never be adapted for the screen. In our catch up, Molly recaps her trip to New Hampshire, Kaitlin fills us in on the Newport Folk Fes…

1
Chapter 38: Home Is Where The Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose 43:01

3M ago43:01

43:01

Murderinos, this one's for you. This week we're deep diving on Home Is Where The Bodies Are. Steph admits she was Instagram influenced to purchase this book (in hard cover!). After she raced through it, she was positive all of us would love it. It's a mix of family drama, solving the case, and 1980s nostalgia. In our catch up this week, Steph dog s…

1
Chapter 37: Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn 52:00

4M ago52:00

52:00

It's Stephanie's birthday! With bubble tea in hand, we're toasting and catching up on a very big week. Steph recounts her recent rescue ride with a foster dog, Kaitlin fills us in on her Cape Cod and New York City trips, and Molly shares a major life update. Then we deep dive on a book we all loved, Even If It Breaks Your Heart. We talk about how E…

1
Chapter 36: Page to Screen Favorites 1:09:42

4M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

This week we have a special treat for you. We are recording at Molly's beach house (a first!) and talking about a subject all three of us are very passionate about - the best book to movie / TV adaptations. Our list is vast and covers many genres - coming of age, family drama, sports towns, dystopian tales, mystery, romance and more. In our catch u…

1
Chapter 35: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston 1:00:20

4M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

This week we have a lively catch up, including Steph updating us on the plumbing saga, Kaitlin surviving a golf tournament during a scorching heatwave, and Molly meeting some of the visitors to her Little Free Library. Then we deep dive on The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. During our chat, we share our favorite time hop stories (books and movie…

1
Chapter 34: This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg 51:11

5M ago51:11

51:11

We kick off this week with a lively catch up. Steph details the latest drama with the plumber at the renovation house (and makes a big reveal). She also tells us about volunteering at two different barns. Kaitlin recaps her re-retirement party from teaching and gushes about the recent Normal People viewing party with Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jon…

1
Chapter 33: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune 52:41

5M ago52:41

52:41

This week we're in a summer state of mind. We're elated about the warmer weather, driving with the windows down, and ordering giant iced drinks. In our catch up, Kaitlin tells us about her weekend trip to Portsmouth, NH. Molly recaps her road trip to Vermont (and her newfound love for maple-flavored desserts), and Steph shares her weekend of readin…

1
Chapter 32: All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir 1:09:42

5M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

We have a very special episode for you this week. In addition to chatting about a book we all loved and think should be required reading, we kick off the episode by sharing the TV shows we are currently loving. Molly admits she finally cut the cord with cable, which launches a spirited conversation about how all of us will watch the upcoming Paris …

1
Chapter 31: One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy 1:16:34

5M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

We're back, baby! After a week off we've returned to the airwaves. In our catch up, Molly shares all about her two-week vacation, Stephanie chronicles her recent escapades at the flip house (hello, flying squirrel!) and she tells us about writing her query letter. Kaitlin updates us on her house hunting quest and we hear all about her private schoo…

1
Chapter 30: Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie 31:29

6M ago31:29

31:29

This week we celebrate entering our 30s! Well, 30 episodes. In our catch up, Molly shares an intense work moment, Steph talks about a great conversation with a friend writing a memoir, and Kaitlin gives a live text message update on her house hunt. Then we deep dive on a book we all really enjoyed, Songs in Ursa Major. We talk about the appeal of s…

1
Chapter 29: Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll 46:30

6M ago46:30

46:30

We have a packed episode for you this week. Stephanie celebrates finishing the second draft of her book manuscript. She also tells us all about her day trip to Chicago for her cousin's bridal shower at Cindy's Rooftop. Kaitlin shares that she resigned from her teaching position, and Molly and Kaitlin recap their evening at the Boujee Bookstore's Bo…

1
Chapter 28: The Idea of You (Movie Recap) 53:42

6M ago53:42

53:42

Fueled by Mexican food, gin cocktails and a bottle of rosé, we're sharing our live reactions to the film adaptation of The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. We gathered at Steph's house to watch the movie together and boy do we have thoughts. We break down our approach to managing expectations when books head to screen, why many of these productions shou…

1
Chapter 27: She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper 38:50

6M ago38:50

38:50

This week we deep dive on a book we all raced through, She Rides Shotgun. We chat about the appeal of adult / kid tag teams, anti-hero stories, how writers create a sense of grittiness, and whether this author has personal ties that enabled him to write so realistically about both trauma and the justice system. In our catch up this week, Stephanie …

1
Chapter 26: Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington 38:17

7M ago38:17

38:17

We have a packed episode for you this week! In our catch up, Molly shares about her recent girls trip to Long Beach Island. Kaitlin fills us in on her latest round of open houses, her upcoming concert line up, and her discovery of the new Romeo + Juliet coming to Broadway this fall. Stephanie details her volunteer time at the barn, including what m…

1
Chapter 25: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 48:05

7M ago48:05

48:05

We are one day away from the release of the new Taylor Swift album and the Plans are Booked gals are excited! Kaitlin shares that she's going to a Swiftie dance party to celebrate. She also fills us in on her house hunting journey and her recent trip to Wu Song tiki bar in Harvard Square. Molly recaps her food-filled weekend in Charleston, SC. Step…

1
Chapter 24: Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman 47:27

7M ago47:27

47:27

Welcome to episode 24. This week we realize that we've been podcasting for six months and have a hilarious conversation about how we picture the calendar in our minds. Molly recaps her recent trip to Providence, including its evolution from "home of the mall" to foodie destination. We share about our group outing to Portsmouth, where we hit two ind…

1
Chapter 23: Tearjerker Books 45:03

7M ago45:03

45:03

Get out the tissues, because this week we're talking about books that made us cry. Kaitlin admits that stories about teenage boys going through a hard time always wreck her, Stephanie shares three favorites (and gets a bit choked up on air), and Molly heads to memoir land to revisit the books that undid her, including one that made her ugly cry on …

1
Chapter 22: A Love Song For Tia Williams 53:56

8M ago53:56

53:56

This week we're gushing about one of our favorite authors, Tia Williams. We share how moved we were by Seven Days in June and how eager we were for this year's release of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. In our catch up, Molly shares about her recent trip to Library Restaurant, Kaitlin tells us about her spring break in Florida, and Steph asks the ques…

1
Chapter 21: The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart 45:53

8M ago45:53

45:53

Welcome to episode 21. Our podcast is old enough to drink. Cheers to that! This week we're talking about mysteries - why we love them, our early childhood favorites, and how this genre reels in even the most skeptical young readers. We deep dive on a mystery we all just finished, The Butcher and the Wren. Author Alaina Urquhart lives in Boston, hos…

1
Chapter 20: A Love Letter to Graphic Novels 41:02

8M ago41:02

41:02

It's our 20th episode! We're celebrating with prosecco, funfetti cake, and a genre we all adore - graphic novels. Kaitlin kicks us off on why she loves the combination of beautiful illustrations with powerful dialogue, Steph shares a graphic novel she read recently that moved her to tears, and Molly reviews her first-ever read of this kind. We also…

1
Chapter 19: Female Indigenous Stories with Angeline Boulley 56:58

8M ago56:58

56:58

This week we're celebrating an author who has inspired and educated us, Angeline Boulley. She writes stories with indigenous women at the center. We loved her first book, Firekeeper's Daughter, and just raced through her second one, Warrior Girl Unearthed. We talk about Boulley's position in the Obama White House, the way she has nuanced conversati…

1
Chapter 18: Hot and Bothered 49:12

8M ago49:12

49:12

This week we're riled up about romance. We're hot off attending the "Happily Ever After" event at WBUR City Space where we had the extreme pleasure of hearing from romance authors Beverly Jenkins, Jasmine Guillory and Ali Hazelwood. We share the most memorable moments from the panel discussion, the ways they made us feel seen, and advice they offer…

1
Chapter 17: Praise for Lauren Oliver 46:23

9M ago46:23

46:23

It's our 17th episode, Kaitlin's lucky number, and we have a big one for you this week. We're going deep on an author who has written children's books, YA and adult fiction - Lauren Oliver. Stephanie and Kaitlin share how they bonded over Oliver's books early on in their friendship, and we all agree that YA has dramatically risen in popularity and …

1
Chapter 16: Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly 48:14

9M ago48:14

48:14

Welcome to our Sweet Sixteen! This week we're gushing about actress Minka Kelly's memoir. You may know her from Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, but we're certain you don't know about her wild childhood and the intense journey she experienced on the road to Hollywood. In our catch up, Kaitlin shares that she's interviewing for a new teaching pos…

1
Chapter 15: Glossy by Marisa Meltzer 43:01

9M ago43:01

43:01

This week we begin by exchanging Galentine's Day gifts and reviewing the movie All of Us Strangers, co-starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Then, we deep dive on what may be our most polarizing book choice yet - Glossy by Marisa Meltzer. We talk about startup culture, the power of Boy Brow, and how an intern at Teen Vogue became a beauty mogul. W…

1
Chapter 14: Storytelling Through Food - Our Favorite Cookbooks 40:23

9M ago40:23

40:23

It's a big week for the Plans are Booked gals! Molly shares her brush with fame, putting her two degrees of separation from Taylor Swift. We rave about Stephanie's latest book draft and the epic brunch she hosted to collect feedback from reader friends. She goes deep on whether she wants this new book to be classified as literary fiction or romance…

1
Chapter 13: The Queen of Romance Tropes, Lynn Painter 41:56

10M ago41:56

41:56

This week we deep dive on an author whose books we've been binge reading the last few months, Lynn Painter. We talk about our favorite characters, her incredible gift for banter, and the way she deeply understands the teenage mind. Kaitlin catches us up on her trip to Washington D.C. including a tour of the White House (and its library), two museum…

1
Chapter 12: An Ode to Coffee Table Books 49:42

10M ago49:42

49:42

This week, punch drunk on ice cream frappes, we have a lively conversation full of hot topics. We dig into Wattpad - What is it? Who uses it? Do you call your account a pad? We chat about Ali Novak's My Life with the Walter Boys, both the book and the recent adaptation for Netflix. We have a heated discussion about books vs. audiobooks and what the…

1
Chapter 11: Beartown by Fredrick Bachman 56:24

10M ago56:24

56:24

This week we're transporting ourselves to Sweden to gush about Fredrik Backman's Beartown. In our most passionate conversation yet, we rave about his stunning writing, the strong characters, the deep sense of place, and the parallels to Friday Night Lights. We also catch up on our recent outings, including to see the movie Anyone But You, which lea…

1
Chapter 10: Books We Wish We Could Read Again For The First Time 46:52

10M ago46:52

46:52

Happy new year! In our first episode of 2024 we're talking about books that gave us all the feels. We also catch up about our holiday breaks. Kaitlin headed to Cape Cod, Molly drove up to Vermont, and Stephanie made great progress at her flip house project. Listen carefully for a few Easter eggs about the book we're deep diving on next episode (hin…

1
Chapter 9: Our Favorite Books of 2023 49:10

11M ago49:10

49:10

In our version of Spotify Wrapped, we're ending the year by sharing our favorite books of 2023. Though we compiled our lists separately, we were surprised and delighted to discover some overlap in our top picks. During this conversation, Stephanie shares about the book manuscript she's writing and her upcoming flip house project, Kaitlin reveals th…

1
Chapter 8: Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone 49:29

11M ago49:29

49:29

We're in the holiday spirit this week, opening the episode by unwrapping gifts on air. Stephanie surprises Kaitlin and Molly with a regal spectacular, and Molly adds fuel to the Swiftie fire for Kaitlin and Stephanie just in time for them to head to Gilette Stadium hoping for a Taylor sighting at the Chiefs vs. Patriots game. This hour we gush abou…

1
Chapter 7: Books We Love To Gift 34:28

11M ago34:28

34:28

With holiday season in full swing, Kaitlin, Stephanie and Molly share their favorite books to gift. There are ideas for kids and young adults, first-time romance readers, readers looking to learn more about marginalized groups in America, and several tearjerker books. We also recap our Thanksgiving weeks, the bookstores we hit up on Small Business …

1
Chapter 6: The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 53:13

11M ago53:13

53:13

In this week's episode, we travel to Basgiath and deep dive on all things Fourth Wing. We discuss everything we learned about dragons and share our thoughts on the casting for the TV adaptation of the book. We also fan girl over Lauren Graham after attending the first stop of her book tour together at Boston's Wilbur Theater. Be sure to listen to t…

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Chapter 5: The Woman In Me by Britney Spears & Book Boyfriends 1:09:48

12M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

In our juiciest (and longest) conversation yet, we cover two very hot topics: Britney Spears' new memoir and personal lists of our top book boyfriends. We each share our three swooniest candidates and hilarity ensues. Who knew that reading could make your "type" so clear? We also give several personal updates, including Kaitlin's knee injury, Molly…

1
Chapter 4: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren & Every Summer After by Carley Fortune 49:26

12M ago49:26

49:26

In our fourth episode we kick off with Kaitlin and Stephanie's thoughts on Killers of the Flower Moon (the book and the movie) and Molly's review of a new restaurant. Then we celebrate one of our favorite romance tropes, the "now and then" reunion stories. We compare and contrast two love stories, both coming of age tales set at family vacation hom…

1
Chapter 3: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee 46:02

1y ago46:02

46:02

This week on Plans Are Booked we're chatting about some long-awaited releases - Taylor Swift's 1989, Britney Spears' memoir - and we gush about one of our favorite romance novels, The Idea of You. The story will soon hit the big screen starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. Filming has already wrapped, so now is a perfect time to hear why w…

1
Chapter 2: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 48:35

1y ago48:35

48:35

In this week's episode we share what we're reading and some new independent bookstores we discovered on our recent travels. Then we deep dive into a book series we all raced through, The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Inspired by the Hawthorne brothers, we also hatch a plan to dedicate a full episode to book boyfriends. If you want to …

1
Chapter 1: Welcome to Plans Are Booked 58:32

1y ago58:32

58:32

In our very first episode we introduce ourselves, how we met, share what got us into reading, and the genres of books we enjoy most. In future weeks we'll share what we're currently reading and deep dive into a book or series that we love. In between listening, follow us on Instagram, @plansarebooked, for real time updates and the things we're ener…

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Chris Rowell Podcasts

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