Happy February! We are feeling the love vibes this month. Continuing our genre series, this week is all about romance and author Lauren Kung Jessen is here to discuss her latest novel Yin Yang Love Song, along with Jennifer Sellers from Southern Festival of Books. Jennifer is an avid reader and supporter of the romance genre and her story of how these books literally changed her life is both heartwarming and inspiring. Together, Jennifer and Lauren show us the beauty and value of this genre and how it can open doors for new readers, young and old alike.

Let us know what you think! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

This week we are tackling plagiarism. Sparked by the buzz of a recent court case where an author has accused her former agent of stealing her manuscript, Angela and Sarah discuss whether or not plagiarism can be proven and the ramifications on all sides.

Let us know your thoughts and opinions on this. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email to: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Books Mentioned in This Epsiode:

https://readingrockbooks.bookstoreloyalty.com/collection/5156922?data=MU1wanBoaDFCUXVoWVZuenh6ZDhOandCS0RleWNEZ1IwZmd1bzBkQzNRaUQ1bFBhd1kwdTE2TlNDS1J4WlRmTkEvb1JSbEFtclh3PQ==

Adam Rosenbaum joins the show this week to talk about his book The Ghost Rules and how middle grade books teach us empathy and bridge the gap between children and parents.

Adam Rosenbaum has operated a sawmill in Kentucky, stocked groceries in Los Angeles, and was a student draftsman at his local power company growing up in the suburbs of Nashville, where he currently lives with his wife and kids.

When he’s not writing things or reading things, you’ll probably find him running down a trail or trying to find the perfect blueberry donut.

The Ghost Rules

Twelve-year-old Elwood McGee never asked to have “ghost-sight,” and it involves a lot more drool-dodging than he expected. Ghosts are the WORST—and they’re all over the place in this sharp-witted middle grade debut novel.

Did you know that ghosts love coffee? They’re not trying to be scary. They’re just deprived of an appropriate amount of caffeine! They also bump into things by accident, are occasionally nosy, and get a little nervous when they’re seen by the living.

Elwood McGee knows these ghost facts because he’s one of those rare people with the gift of ghost-sight. And it turns out ghosts are everywhere! Especially in the small Tennessee town where Elwood and his family had to move following the death of his big brother Noah, which Elwood thinks was his fault.

Once Elwood figures out he can see ghosts, he becomes single-mindedly determined to use his powers to see Noah and talk to him once last time. With the help of two girls who live on his street, Elwood embarks on a journey through the surprisingly funny world of ghosts and faces the realities of letting go.

At once hilarious and heart wrenching, Adam Rosenbaum makes his middle grade debut with a supernaturalish novel about grief that’s perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Dan Gutman.