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Julie Berry on Why We Need Myth and Building Lifelong Readers (E169)
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Julie Berry is the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning storyteller. Julie’s works span across genres and age groups, from the NCTE Walden Award–winning Lovely War to the Printz Honor novel The Passion of Dolssa, to middle grade adventures like The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place and the Wishes and Wellingtons trilogy, to heartwarming picture books. Her brand-new YA novel, If Looks Could Kill, just released yesterday—congratulations, Julie! Julie also owns Author’s Note, a charming independent bookstore in Medina, New York, where she fosters community, conversation, and a love of reading.
In this rich conversation, we explore:
- How Julie chose the monster and villain at the heart of her latest novel
- Why mythology, symbols, and metaphors are essential for making sense of the world
- The surprising and powerful benefits of book clubs—especially for middle grade readers
- Why cultivating lifelong readers matters so deeply
- The joys and positive ripple effects Julie has noticed since opening her bookstore
Julie’s insights remind us of the transformative power of stories, the importance of keeping curiosity alive, and the role books play in shaping thoughtful, imaginative communities.
Connect with Julie:
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
- P.G. Wodehouse books
- Terry Pratchett books
- Dave Barry books
- Erma Bombeck books
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
- Agatha Christie books
- Jane Austen books
- The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
- Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Book Flight
- The Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal by Marc S. Ferrara
- Heaven's Ditch: God, Gold, and Murder on the Erie Canal by Jack Kelly
- New York’s Burned-over D
📚 Looking for your next great read?
I’ve rounded up the books I can’t stop talking about — the ones I’ve recommended over and over again.
Download the list here: bookishflights.com/read/25books
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Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!
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