We're all about summer beach reads—but we also know that not everyone is looking for light poolside distraction. For those of you wanting a book with more substance this summer, our FYV Director of Operations, Ashley Scoby, has five recommendations. Ashley's background in is journalism and sportswriting. She’s written about Olympic athletes, covered a Final Four, and traveled to France to write about the 2019 Women’s World Cup. But on this episode of FYV staff picks, the conversation goes beyond sports to her many other interests: the failings of the American prison system, the significance of single women in our political system, and how important it is for every woman to find their own way in the world and to speak their truth. Here are her recommendations for summer, 2021:  Halfway Home by Reuben Jonathan Miller Know My Name by Chanel Miller Educated  by Tara Westover What I was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister *FYV uses affiliate linksMentioned in this episode:  innocenceproject.org

If you've ever thought, "I want to write a book, but I'm not sure if I have time for it," then may we introduce you to Kirbee Miller.Kirbee Miller is a multi-passionate person: She's an entrepreneur, founder of KiNiMi Kitchen. She works in the corporate world, and she's intentional about working creativity into her life.Juggling relationships, responsibilities, and passions, we often make excuses about writing. We don't have time.This episodes challenges that belief and encourages you to keep figuring out what works in your particular multi-passionate life. kinimikitchen.comBooks Mentioned*Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie ForleoOn Being Human: A Memoir of Waking Up, Living Real, and Listening Hard by Jennifer Pastiloff*FYV uses affiliate links

So many people write to support their business and bolster their credibility. Sometimes, that book is a group project.Writing a book with another person: does it lighten the workload or create "too many cooks in the kitchen"?Shari Medini and Karissa Tunis are co-authors and co-owners of AdoreThemParenting.com. Between both mothers, they have six kids and plenty of work-from-home experience, which made the current shifts toward working from home something they could speak to parents about directly.Then came the book journey. Shari recounts the unpredictable path they took to publishing this timely book and just how perfect it was for Karissa and her to write together.If you're in business with someone and you're thinking of writing a book together, take notes! This is how it's done.Book: Parenting While Working from Home: A Monthly Guide to Help Parents Balance Their Careers, Connect with Their Kids, and Establish Their Inner StrengthWebsite: adorethemparenting.comFacebook: Facebook.com/AdoreThemCommunityInstagram: @adorethemparenting*FYV uses affiliate links

Have you ever started a creative project and somewhere along the way become ... stuck? Creative block is part of the process. And we're curious how everyone deals with it. This episode, author and writing coach Allison Fallon asks, "What do you do when you get stuck in your writing or in life?" We get lots of different answers: everything from physical movement to letting distraction run its course, and Ally shares her own writer's block trick. If you're curious to hear more, check out Ally's post about it on Instagram.  (And if you responded there, you might just get a shoutout!).

 If you have a dream of writing a personal story, but worry that your story isn't interesting, this episode is for you.Author, podcaster, and public speaker Mary Marantz covers two insecurities that keep writers from getting started, how to write about complicated people in our stories, and how to make a personal story appeal to others. Keep listening until the end to hear Mary's publishing path: she gets specific about her journey finding an agent and putting together her book proposal. Book: Dirt: Growing Strong Roots in What Makes the Broken Beautiful* podcast: The Mary Marantz ShowMention: The Art of Memoir* by Mary Karrmarymarantz.comInstagram: @marymarantzfacebook.com/groups/marymarantzshow  *FYV uses affiliate links.

So many of us are burnt out: but, for some of us, it's not our fault. We've been led to believe lies about what we need or what we should be — and it has us running in circles. Relationship coach and YouTuber Amy Young jumps on with Allison Fallon to discuss what keeps women restricted, and how to dismantle those lies and stand in your truth.  amyyoungcoaching.cominstagram.com/amyyoungco youtube.com/channel

What books should I read as a writer?As writers, we owe a lot to other writers: they are the people who inspired us in the first place, and they are the ones who keep us writing. Author and writing coach Allison Fallon shares seven books she returns to when she's stuck, needs perspective, or is looking for encouragement.If you're a writer (or want to be), your bookshelf might need these:1. Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters. John Steinbeck writing about his writing to his agent and editor.2. The Artist's Way. Julia Cameron teaches a regular habit of writing to unlock creativity. (Also author of A Right to Write)3. The War of Art. Steven Pressfield addresses resistance in the creative life.4. Save the Cat. Blake Snyder writes about story structure.5. Stein on Writing. Sol Stein answers your questions on writing technique.6. Bird by Bird. Anne Lamott's classic on writing and life.7. If You Want to Write. Brenda Ueland on how everyone has an interesting perspective worth writing down.Bonus Book: The Power of Writing It Down. Allison Fallon on writing for personal growth. *FYV uses affiliate links.

If you've ever dreamt of having more than one writing desk, this episode is for you.Enuma Okoro is an award-winning author. Among many other places, her work has been featured in the NY Times and the Financial Times. On this episode, she shares her passion for the writing life and how the practice of writing is soul care. Listen for: what it means to be a writerwhat it's like to write in multiple genreshow "not writing" can actually help you writeenumaokoro.com

If so many of us feel lonely, what keeps us from reaching out to other people? Laura Tremaine is host of the podcast 10 Things to Tell You and author of the book Share Your Stuff, I'll Go First.* With Allison Fallon, she discusses loneliness, moving to LA and the early days of blogging, and, most importantly, practical ways to connect with others. This episode will make you a better friend and communicator and leave you feeling a little less alone.@laura.tremaine@10thingstotellyou 10thingstotellyou.comlauratremaine.com*FYV uses affiliate links. 

You may have heard of the Enneagram: the personality typing system that we mention fairly frequently on this show. This episode, therapist and Enneagram coach Katie Gustafson gives an overview of the Enneagram and its connection to narrative.Katie says, "I believe your story is the most powerful tool you've got," and, with Allison Fallon, she discusses how this tool helps bring an editorial pen to our lives.katiegustafson.coinstagram.com/katieagustafsonlinkedin.com/in/kagustafsonfacebook.com/katiegustafsoncounselingtwitter.com/ktgustafson