My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Book Recommendations

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners.  Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest...

Episodes 1,279
Books 770

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Latest Recommendations

Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains (Anne Schwartz Books) cover

Apples to Oregon

Deborah Hopkinson

Mentioned 1 month ago

534 - Think About the Simulation

They introduced the book as a children's story about a 1800s Midwestern pioneer family traveling west, loosely inspired by Johnny Appleseed.

If you were a kid in the 90s, and in elementary school, a teacher read you a book about a family of pioneers. ... It's called Apples to Oregon by a writer named Deborah Hopkinson, and it follows an 1800s Midwestern family in their westward journey.

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Survivor of the Killing Fields cover

Survivor of the Killing Fields

Haing S. Ngor

Mentioned 1 month ago

534 - Think About the Simulation

They noted that a book titled The Killing Fields had been written and served as the source material for the film about the Cambodian genocide.

They had written the book, The Killing Fields.

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Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris cover

Death in the City of Light

David King

Mentioned 1 month ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 98: Grasp It

The hosts noted that the book covered the dark, twisted tale of Marcel Petiot, providing location maps of Paris and details of his meetings, victims, and trial.

I came across a book in my local library called Death in the City of Light, the serial killer of Nazioccupied Paris. What a dark, twisted tale and man. The book provided location maps in Paris, including the house that neighbors reported burning, which led to Petrois being found out and arrested. The book also covers his meetings with specific victims and how he manipulated them to come to his home in the first place. It also covers the trial of Petrois, which was one of the most frustrating reads I've ever had to get through.

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Drawn to Injustice: The Wrongful Conviction of Timothy Masters cover

Drawn to Injustice

Timothy Masters

Mentioned 1 month ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 98: Grasp It

The episode mentioned that Timothy Masters authored a book recounting his experience of being tried, imprisoned, and ultimately exonerated for Peggy Hetrick's murder.

Timothy Masters wrote a book detailing his experience being tried, jailed, and exonerated for Peggy's murder titled Drawn to Injustice, the Wrongful Conviction of Timothy Masters.

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The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear (True Story of the Historical Battle for Women's and Mental Health Rights) cover

The Woman They Could Not Silence

Kate Moore

Mentioned 2 months ago

533 - An Exercise in Frustration

The hosts highlighted Kate Moore's 2021 book, noting it revived interest in Elizabeth Packard's story and contributed to recent mentalhealth awareness.

Here's Kate Moore's book, she's an amazing author, oh yeah the one they could not silence, very cool.

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The Flowers in the Attic Saga (Boxed Set): Flowers in the Attic/Petals on the Wind; If There Be Thorns/Seeds of Yesterday; Garden of Shadows (Dollanganger) cover

The Flowers in the Attic Saga (Boxed Set)

V.C. Andrews

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 97: The Hague

They referred to *Flowers in the Attic* as a V.C.Andrews book, calling it problematic and discussing its controversial content.

there's a V.C. Andrews book. Flowers in the Attic? No. It's a problematic book that they talked about and they said it was controversial.

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When a Killer Calls: A Haunting Story of Murder, Criminal Profiling, and Justice in a Small Town (Cases of the FBI's Original Mindhunter, 2) cover

When a Killer Calls

John E. Douglas

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 97: The Hague

They mentioned that there is a book called *Mindhunter* which the case or show was based on.

there is a book called Mindhunter and that's what it's based on.

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ShadowMan: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling cover

ShadowMan

Ron Franscell

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 97: The Hague

The hosts said Ron Franshell had written the book *ShadowMan* about the case and the birth of FBI profiling, noting it sounded interesting to check out.

there are no case updates, but in January of 2022, journalist and author Ron Franshell wrote the book Shadow Man, an elusive psycho killer and the birth of FBI profiling about this case and the role it played in the FBI's first criminal profile, which I think is so interesting. We should all check that out.

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Nancy Drew Starter Set - Books 1-5 cover

Nancy Drew Starter Set - Books 1-5

Carolyn Keene

Mentioned 2 months ago

532 - We’re Being Artists Here

The hosts explained that the original 1930s Nancy Drew novel entered the public domain and they had annotated it for a $10 purchase.

Nancy Drew went public domain in January, and nobody is talking about what that actually means. The version of Nancy Drew that most of us grew up with, the 1959 version, is not the original version. As of January 2026, that original text is free. It's public domain. So I annotated it. The link is in my bio. Wow. It's $10.

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Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor: The Actors are Come Hither' - The Performance of Tragedy in a Secure Psychiatric Hospital cover

Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor

Murray Cox

Mentioned 2 months ago

532 - We’re Being Artists Here

They noted that the primary source for the episode was the book Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor compiled by Dr. Murray Cox.

The main source for this story is a book called Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor, which was compiled by the doctor who spearheaded this program, Dr. Murray Cox.

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Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide to Your Inner Life cover

Parts Work

Tom Holmes

Mentioned 2 months ago

532 - We’re Being Artists Here

They referred to a book titled Parts Work while discussing therapeutic concepts.

the book's called Parts Work.

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The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game cover

The Blind Side

Michael Lewis

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 96: Live at the Hard Rock in Orlando

A brief reference was made to "The Blind Side" as a comparison while discussing a sensational story.

the blind side

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Most Recommended

Lost Towns of Eastern Michigan Cover

Alan Naldrett

Lost Towns of Eastern Michigan

It was mentioned as a source of information about the town of Rattlerun, which no longer exists, and the church where the murder occurred.

"

Rattle Run is listed in Alan Naldreth's book Lost Towns of Eastern Michigan.

— Episode: 277 - Live at the Fox Theatre in Detroit...

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Episode: 277 - Live at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI (2019...

It was mentioned as a source of information about the town of Rattlerun, which no longer exists, and the church where the murder occurred.

"

Rattle Run is listed in Alan Naldreth's book Lost Towns of Eastern Michigan.

The Devil and All His Works Cover

Troy Taylor

The Devil and All His Works

It was a manuscript written by Reverend Carmichael and was intended to have Gideon Browning as its agent. It was described as being trashy novels by Mrs. Carmichael.

"

And they find out from the Reverend's daughter that actually what that means is her father had written a manuscript for a book called the devil and his works.

— Episode: 277 - Live at the Fox Theatre in Detroit...

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Episode: 277 - Live at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI (2019...

It was a manuscript written by Reverend Carmichael and was intended to have Gideon Browning as its agent. It was described as being trashy novels by Mrs. Carmichael.

"

And they find out from the Reverend's daughter that actually what that means is her father had written a manuscript for a book called the devil and his works.

And she told the sheriff, I saw some of his manuscripts once a few sheets. I don't remember what they said, but I felt called on him to tell him that he should not write such things.

Humankind: A Hopeful History Cover

Rutger Bregman

Humankind

A Hopeful History

It was mentioned as a hopeful book about human nature, using examples like 9/11 and the Titanic to illustrate the idea that people are inherently good.

"

With a long history chock full of slavery, genocide and war, it's easy to start thinking that perhaps human beings are inherently bad, but author and historian Rutger Bregman has an entirely different...

— Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anni...

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Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anniversary!

It was mentioned as a hopeful book about human nature, using examples like 9/11 and the Titanic to illustrate the idea that people are inherently good.

"

With a long history chock full of slavery, genocide and war, it's easy to start thinking that perhaps human beings are inherently bad, but author and historian Rutger Bregman has an entirely different view. He believes that most people deep down are pretty decent and he's rounded up a slew of examples from many of the worst moments in recorded human history to back up his claim from the tragedy of 9-11 to the sinking of the Titanic, from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. Bregman explains how unwavering human kindness and genuine altruism have always triumphed, even in the most horrifying situations.

We All Looked Up Cover

Tommy Wallach

We All Looked Up

It was mentioned as a compelling young adult fiction book about an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, captivating the speaker enough to read late into the night.

"

It's about an asteroid that's coming and basically everybody finds out the asteroid is on a direct trajectory for the Earth.

— Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anni...

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Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anniversary!

It was mentioned as a compelling young adult fiction book about an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, captivating the speaker enough to read late into the night.

"

It's about an asteroid that's coming and basically everybody finds out the asteroid is on a direct trajectory for the Earth.

It's really well written. It's really compelling. I've been staying up till two in the morning reading it. It's so good.

The Miracle Worker: A Play Cover

William Gibson

The Miracle Worker

A Play

It was described as a funny, end-of-the-world book where God quits his job and plans to open a restaurant, with the main character trying to convince him to reconsider.

"

The tagline is on the trillionth day, God quit. And it's basically when you're you're you die, you become an angel and you work at God's Corporation. He's the CEO.

— Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anni...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anniversary!

It was described as a funny, end-of-the-world book where God quits his job and plans to open a restaurant, with the main character trying to convince him to reconsider.

"

The tagline is on the trillionth day, God quit. And it's basically when you're you're you die, you become an angel and you work at God's Corporation. He's the CEO.

He's a classic fucking piece of shit like goes golfing at three drinks all day. He the only prayers he answers are like for sports people because he's obsessed with sports. Doesn't do any work. And finally, he decides, you know what? I'm going to quit. I'm going to destruct the earth and open an Asian fusion restaurant. No more earth. I'm shutting the whole thing down.

Ride the Cyclone Cover

David Anderson Dr

Ride the Cyclone

It was mentioned as a musical about a high school choir who die in a roller coaster accident. It's also the title of the album that one of the listeners released.

"

Ride the Cyclone is a musical with music lyrics and a book by Jacob Richman and Brooke Maxwell. It tells a story of members of St. Cassian High School Chamber Choir of Uranium City, S...

— Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anni...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 275 - Raise The Snail: Steven’s 5th Anniversary!

It was mentioned as a musical about a high school choir who die in a roller coaster accident. It's also the title of the album that one of the listeners released.

"

Ride the Cyclone is a musical with music lyrics and a book by Jacob Richman and Brooke Maxwell. It tells a story of members of St. Cassian High School Chamber Choir of Uranium City, Saskatchewan, who perish on a faulty roller coaster called the Cyclone.

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir Cover

Roz Chast

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?

A Memoir

It was mentioned that during a 'dibs' party, a Roz Chast compendium of cartoons was a highly sought-after item, which resulted in arguments among people who wanted it.

"

And there was one year where who is Roz Chast, who is that unbelievably hilarious cartoonist that's been in the New Yorker for years. There was a Roz Chast compendium of all her cartoons and people we...

— Episode: MFM Minisode 227

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Episode: MFM Minisode 227

It was mentioned that during a 'dibs' party, a Roz Chast compendium of cartoons was a highly sought-after item, which resulted in arguments among people who wanted it.

"

And there was one year where who is Roz Chast, who is that unbelievably hilarious cartoonist that's been in the New Yorker for years. There was a Roz Chast compendium of all her cartoons and people were getting pissed because everyone kept taking it.

It was like whatever you had, you were trying to get that book.

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha Cover

Tara Brach

Radical Acceptance

Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha

It was recommended as a way to work through difficult emotions and was described as an incredible book.

"

And then I was like, I need a break from this right now. And so I started the book that you recommended, 'Say Nothing' by Patrick Radden Keefe about the troubles in Ireland, the fucking civil war that...

— Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

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Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

It was recommended as a way to work through difficult emotions and was described as an incredible book.

"

And then I was like, I need a break from this right now. And so I started the book that you recommended, 'Say Nothing' by Patrick Radden Keefe about the troubles in Ireland, the fucking civil war that's been raging or had raged for a century.

I started listening to the audiobook of Tara Brock's 'Radical Acceptance'.

It really is great. It really is an incredible book, I will say.

Well, then I suggest 'Radical Acceptance' by Tara Brach. It really is great.

That's kind of what got me through the pandemic. Yeah, her some old Ram Dass podcasts and then doing some browsing here and there. But yeah, it's good.

Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty Cover

Anne Bird

Blood Brother

33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty

It was written by Scott Peterson's sister and detailed 33 reasons why she believes he is guilty of the murder of his wife.

"

In 2005, Scott's sister Anne Byrd releases a book titled 'Blood Brother, 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty.'

— Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

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Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

It was written by Scott Peterson's sister and detailed 33 reasons why she believes he is guilty of the murder of his wife.

"

In 2005, Scott's sister Anne Byrd releases a book titled 'Blood Brother, 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty.'

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker (Little Boost) Cover

Christianne C. Jones

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker (Little Boost)

Lacey's mother wrote this book, sharing her story of love, loss, and justice, with proceeds going to a search and rescue fund in Lacey's name.

"

In 2006, Lacey's mother, Sharon Rocha releases a book titled 'For Lacey, A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice.'

— Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

Lacey's mother wrote this book, sharing her story of love, loss, and justice, with proceeds going to a search and rescue fund in Lacey's name.

"

In 2006, Lacey's mother, Sharon Rocha releases a book titled 'For Lacey, A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice.'

Witness: For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson Cover

Amber Frey

Witness

For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson

This book was written by Scott Peterson's mistress, who played a key role in his arrest and trial by providing information and evidence to the police.

"

And her book 'Witness for the Prosecution of Scott Peterson' was released in January of 2005.

— Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 274 - Arrested Behavior

This book was written by Scott Peterson's mistress, who played a key role in his arrest and trial by providing information and evidence to the police.

"

And her book 'Witness for the Prosecution of Scott Peterson' was released in January of 2005.

In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte Cover

Camilla Bruce

In the Garden of Spite

A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte

It was described as a true story fictionalized in a compelling way, focusing on a black widow who killed multiple people, particularly her husbands, in the late 1800s.

"

It takes place in the late 1800s. It's a true story, but it's like fictionalized in a really, really great way. It feels like fiction. Nice. And it's about this woman who's the black, a black widow. S...

— Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

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Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

It was described as a true story fictionalized in a compelling way, focusing on a black widow who killed multiple people, particularly her husbands, in the late 1800s.

"

It takes place in the late 1800s. It's a true story, but it's like fictionalized in a really, really great way. It feels like fiction. Nice. And it's about this woman who's the black, a black widow. She kills everyone. She comes over from Sweden and so does her sister.

It's called In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce.

Camilla riveting fucking high five. Amazing work.

And it is so beautifully lays out what it would be like to be related to a sociopath.

Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic Cover

Jennifer Niven

Ada Blackjack

A True Story of Survival in the Arctic

This book provided information about Ada Blackjack's survival story in the Arctic. It was mentioned as part of research done for the episode.

"

And there's information from the book written by Jennifer Niven called Ada Blackjack, A True Story of Survival in the Arctic.

— Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

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Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

This book provided information about Ada Blackjack's survival story in the Arctic. It was mentioned as part of research done for the episode.

"

And there's information from the book written by Jennifer Niven called Ada Blackjack, A True Story of Survival in the Arctic.

The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943 Cover

Inge Scholl

The White Rose

Munich 1942-1943

It was mentioned as one of several books that provide more information about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group.

"

There's one called The White Rose.

— Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

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Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

It was mentioned as one of several books that provide more information about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group.

"

There's one called The White Rose.

A noble treason: The revolt of the Munich students against Hitler Cover

Richard Hanser

A noble treason

The revolt of the Munich students against Hitler

It was mentioned as one of several books that provide more information about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group.

"

There's one called A noble treason

— Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

It was mentioned as one of several books that provide more information about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group.

"

There's one called A noble treason

That'll Be the Day Cover

Alyssa Kress

That'll Be the Day

It was mentioned by Patton Oswalt in the context of his late wife's work and how she found it disturbing that police reports often lacked follow-up when suspects weren't home during investigations.

"

One thing that really disturbed her was she would read police reports about them going to look at suspects and it was like Rang suspects doorbell no answer and they didn't follow up.

— Episode: 179 - Live at Clusterfest in San Francis...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 179 - Live at Clusterfest in San Francisco

It was mentioned by Patton Oswalt in the context of his late wife's work and how she found it disturbing that police reports often lacked follow-up when suspects weren't home during investigations.

"

One thing that really disturbed her was she would read police reports about them going to look at suspects and it was like Rang suspects doorbell no answer and they didn't follow up.

An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days of the Confederate Government Cover

William C. Davis

An Honorable Defeat

The Last Days of the Confederate Government

It was mentioned as one of several books that provide more information about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group.

"

and one called An Honorable Defeat.

— Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 271 - 4 Hours of Sacred Pausing

It was mentioned as one of several books that provide more information about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group.

"

and one called An Honorable Defeat.

The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster Cover

Sarah Krasnostein

The Trauma Cleaner

One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster

It was described as a harrowing book about a trauma cleaner who helps families and individuals cope with the aftermath of distressing events, including hoarding, with a focus on her own struggles and empathy.

"

Speaking of horrible things, I'm reading this great book. So it's this harrowing book called The Trauma Cleaner. I cannot name all the trigger warnings it has because it would take fo...

— Episode: 270 - Three Out Of Ten

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Episode: 270 - Three Out Of Ten

It was described as a harrowing book about a trauma cleaner who helps families and individuals cope with the aftermath of distressing events, including hoarding, with a focus on her own struggles and empathy.

"

Speaking of horrible things, I'm reading this great book. So it's this harrowing book called The Trauma Cleaner. I cannot name all the trigger warnings it has because it would take four hours.

One woman's extraordinary life in the business of death, decay and disaster by Sarah Krasnostein. It's about this dynamic, incredible woman who has been through so much in her life. It's trauma after trauma.

And now as an older woman with like lung cancer, her career is going to the places where horrible things have happened and private homes were where horrific things have happened and helping those families and those individuals like the hoarders reassess their lives with so much empathy, partly because of what she went through and the way she was treated.

But the writer, Sarah Kranistin, I hope I'm saying that right, is such a poetic, beautiful writer that these horrific, traumatizing things she's writing about sound gorgeous and get to hit you in the heart.

Her last name is spelled K.R.A.S.N.O.S.T.E.I.N. Krasnostein.

The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life Cover

Catherine Gray

The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober

Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life

It was described as a book that Georgia was using as a bedtime read while she was navigating sobriety, and it contained quotes she found particularly impactful.

"

There's this book called The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray, which is my new fall asleep book.

— Episode: 270 - Three Out Of Ten

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 270 - Three Out Of Ten

It was described as a book that Georgia was using as a bedtime read while she was navigating sobriety, and it contained quotes she found particularly impactful.

"

There's this book called The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray, which is my new fall asleep book.

Once I start drinking, I finish, which is kind of hit me really hard when I heard it, where it's like,

Firekeeper's Daughter Cover

Angeline Boulley

Firekeeper's Daughter

It was described as a young adult book about a Native American girl navigating two worlds and facing challenges like drug problems and murder in her community.

"

I'm reading a book called Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Bully B-O-U-L-L-E-Y.

— Episode: 269 - Big Hot C'mon

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 269 - Big Hot C'mon

It was described as a young adult book about a Native American girl navigating two worlds and facing challenges like drug problems and murder in her community.

"

I'm reading a book called Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Bully B-O-U-L-L-E-Y.

It's about and a girl named Donna's. She's 18 years old and she's the this is the description. She's the daughter of a dead Native American man and a white woman.

And she's just starting college and living between those two worlds. So she doesn't fit into any of them.

And how different those her families are and how they feel about each other. You know, her. She can't be part of the tribal membership because she's not full blooded Native American.

It's like kind of a true crime, not true crime, but it's like a crime suspense fiction. But that's in the description. So it's it's got a lot of layers, indigenous culture. And it's really beautifully written. It's a big book.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.