Before Elin Hildebrand became the bestselling author behind The Perfect Couple and The Five-Star Weekend, she was a teenager dreaming of getting her magical summers back. Now she shares those magical summers with thousands of readers.

In this episode, Elin shares the incredible story of how she built a literary empire around Nantucket, why female friendships fascinate her, and how Hollywood finally discovered her books after years of success. We discuss Jennifer Garner's upcoming adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend, the lasting appeal of beach reads, friendship across every season of life, and the books Elin thinks everyone should pack this summer.

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham

The Gulf of Lions by Caitlin Shetterly

Good People by Patmeena Sabit

Take Me With You by Steven Rowley

Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore

Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

Weddings by Danielle Steel

Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin

Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood

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Hello, our book loving besties! We're taking a break this week to enjoy some time with our friends and family, but to keep your ears entertained we’re re-releasing an episode you loved! Don’t worry -- we’ll be back next week with a new episode. Happy summer!

If you are a fan of audiobooks, you probably know Julia Whelan’s voice, but today on Bookmarked, she is speaking directly to us! The award-winning audiobook narrator, actor, and author joins us to talk about the Netflix adaptation of her novel My Oxford Year. Julia opens up about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into giving voice to other people's stories and why she’s become a powerful advocate for audiobook narrators in an industry that often leaves them underpaid and overworked.

She also shares the mission behind her new audio-first publishing company, Audiobrary, which aims to create fairer, more sustainable opportunities for narrators and authors alike.

Like what you heard? Subscribe to the Bookmarked newsletter HERE for more buzzy book talk, and be sure to follow us @reesesbookclub for more.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - find it HERE

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan - find it HERE

The Women by Kristin Hannah - find it HERE

Beach Read by Emily Henry - find it HERE

Franny and Zooey by J.D Salinger - find it HERE

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - find it HERE

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter - find it HERE

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King - find it HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June’s Reese’s Book Club Pick, A Pair of Aces, takes two women from different worlds, and brings them together to reveal the truth. The novel’s two authors, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, are doing the same thing in real life. This week, Danielle, Marie and Victoria get into the nuances of writing historical fiction, finding stories that no one else was willing to tell, and why women have always banded together - and been stronger for it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.