Book Barn Book Club

In this episode of the Book Barn Book Club Podcast, Lasha and Lanie welcome guest host Lynn alongside author Gil Merrick for a candid conversation.

Gil Merrick shares his personal journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and how that experience shaped his life, his leadership, and his writing. From overcoming trauma to becoming a successful businessman and serving as a team leader for Team USA’s equestrian team, Gil’s story i...

We’re thrilled to welcome Melissa back into the Book Barn for an entertaining conversation! In this episode, we chat about personal reading goals, share what we’ve been reading lately, and dive into our December Book Club pick, Remain. Hope you enjoy this fun episode.

Books Mentioned

•Remain by Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan

•Writers & Lovers by Lily King

•Heart the Lover by Lily King

•The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by K...

Lasha and Lanie are back with a festive Christmas episode, and this week they’re joined by Angela and Lanae for all the holiday fun! Together, they chat about The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury, favorite Christmas movies, beloved poets, and classic holiday songs. It’s a merry mix of bookish cheer, lively conversation, and plenty of holiday sparkle.

Books We Mentioned

• The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury
• The Baxter Fa...

In this episode of the Book Barn Book Club podcast, we’re joined by two older students, Veronica and Anderson, who share their fresh insights on classic and modern literature. Their thoughtful perspectives bring new life to books you may know well.

A huge thank you goes out to Lanie's sister for her help with this episode, and to Veronica and Anderson for their thoughtful contributions.

Books Mentioned

• Slaughterhouse-Five by ...

After a short fall break, Lasha and Lanie are back in the Book Barn! This week, they dive into The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens. It’s a heartbreaking and beautifully written story about toughness, courage, and the lasting scars of war.

The conversation doesn’t stop there! They also chat about other great reads and a Broadway play that completely took Lanie’s breath away. Enjoy, as they chat about the books that have been on their...

In this episode, Lanie, Lasha, and guest host Tracy welcome journalist Andy Taylor from the Montgomery County Chronicle. We discuss the novel,  All The Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce. Andy is a treasure chest full of knowledge about Cherryvale and the real-life Benders—America’s first known serial killer family.

Books Mentioned

•Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

•Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

•Grant by Ron Chernow

•From the Reservation to ...

In this episode of the Book Barn Book Club, Lasha and Lanie are joined by one of our very first guests, Lanie’s son, Shane Hammer! Back from the early days of the podcast, Shane helps us dive into a surprising read. Lanie is shocked to discover she loved a book about devils! It’s fast-paced, full of unexpected heart, and proof that sometimes the monsters might just win you over.

Books and Authors Mentioned

•The Devils by Joe Abercrom...

In this episode, Lasha and Lanie take on two very different books that both explore themes of love, loss, and second chances. One is a gripping novel full of secrets and heartbreak.  The other is a moving story of a retired teacher who finds purpose leading a book club in prison. A special thank you to our friend LeAnn, who added insight from her work with women in prison and made this episode so special.

 Books discussed:

•Broken Co...

This week in the Book Barn, the always entertaining Mike Hammer joins us to talk Books, Bourbon & Cigars, though we mostly stick to books. From Cold War thrillers to cosmic memoirs and dusty Westerns, it’s a lively chat full of opinions, favorites, and a nod to Batman!

Authors Mentioned:

•Stephen King

•Tom Clancy

•Cormac McCarthy

•Elizabeth Gilbert

•Michael Collins (the astronaut-author!)

Books Discussed:

•The Cardinal of the Krem...

In this special back-to-school bonus episode, Lasha and Lanie welcome author Jack Ellison, creator of Charlie, The Skunk Who Never Stunk, to the Book Barn! Young guests Emma and Collins join the fun to share how much they loved Charlie’s story, read to them by their grandmas. This heartwarming tale encourages kids to be brave, be themselves, and stand up to bullies.

Whether you’re heading back to school or just enjoy a good sto...

As summer winds down, Lasha and Lanie dive into Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis. This novel is about family secrets, sibling rivalry, and the search for truth.

They also discuss a few other powerful titles that sparked meaningful conversation:

Books Mentioned:

•Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis (Book Club Pick)

•Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

•Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

•The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao ...

In this episode, we call up Lanie’s daughters-in-law to chat about a special book they received from her as a Christmas gift. The conversation takes a few fun turns and we dive into what everyone’s been reading. Grab a cozy drink and join us in the Book Barn!

Books Mentioned:

•How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

•A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis

•The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

•The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis

•The Women by Kristin...

In this sunny episode, we welcome our book club friend Elisa to the Book Barn! We dive into our June pick, 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand and mention its follow-up novella The Sixth Wedding. Along the way, we chat about summer getaways, both real and fictional.

Books Mentioned:

• 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

• The Sixth Wedding: A 28 Summers Story by Elin Hilderbrand

• An Elephant & Piggie Biggie by Mo Willems

• The Book of Lost N...

In this fun episode, we interview the incredible co-author team behind Story Weaver: Adventure Mode Unlocked! Plus, our junior book reviewer, Adelaide, joins us to share her thoughts on this thrilling book and its unforgettable characters. From spooky tales to classic adventures, this episode is packed with storytelling inspiration for young readers (and grown-ups, too!).

Books & Media Mentioned:
• Story Weaver: Ad...

In this heartfelt episode, Lasha and Lanie are joined by special guest Teri to discuss What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon. Together, they unpack the emotional highs and lows of this genre-bending novel, from favorite quotes and Yeats poems to the enduring power of love across time. They ponder the rules of time travel and swoon over journal entries that bring both tears and chills. Whether you’re team-standalone or series-devoted, t...

In this episode, we're diving into Raven and the literary world of author Anne Gregor.  Anne also shares a little behind the scenes Q&A. From childhood dreams of flying characters to a 600-page historical novel tucked away in a drawer, Anne's path to publishing is anything but ordinary. She shares her daily writing rituals (hello peanut butter), how she conquers writer’s block, and what’s next in her Scottish Lion and...

In this episode, we're joined by our book club friend, Lynn.  WE DO HAVE SPOILERS, as we dive into our April book club pick.  

The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel full of unexpected humor, complex characters, and one very dramatic wedding meltdown. From proms and perms to infertility and loss, the conversation weaves through personal reflections, favorite quotes, and what ...

Author Michelle Lynn Ross talks about her writing journey and her debut novel, There’s No Place Like Home. 

Books Mentioned:

•  There’s No Place Like Home by Michelle Lynn Ross
•  Small Town Famous by Michelle Lynn Ross
•  The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin
•  The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
•  Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Authors Mentioned:

•  Sophie Kinsella
•  Emily Henry
•  Abby Jimenez
•  Lucy Score

You can pu...

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall is a psychological thriller following Theodora Scott, who is invited to her wealthy fiancé’s family estate in the mountains. Despite threatening messages telling her to stay away, she can’t shake the eerie feeling that she’s been there before, leading her to uncover dark secrets from her past.

Books Mentioned:

•  A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers - A historical fiction series about five wom...