In this cozy fall episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara Ashley brings together two of the best parts of the season: spooky middle grade books and classic Halloween candy.

From magical pumpkin-filled adventures to eerie ghost stories, Lara curates six middle grade reads that capture the spirit of Halloween, pairing each one with a nostalgic candy that perfectly matches its vibe.

Featuring books like Small Spaces, City of Ghosts, Amari and the Night Brothers, and the classic Coraline (plus a special spotlight on the Pumpkin Princess series), this episode is all about rediscovering the magic of storytelling through a nostalgic, autumn lens.

Whether you’re building your October TBR, looking for something cozy and slightly spooky, or just want to feel like a kid again, this episode is your perfect fall companion.

Expect candy pairings like Reese’s pumpkins, KitKats, Sour Patch Kids, and more, all matched to the mood of each story.

Lara Ashley also invites listeners to join the fun by sharing their own Halloween candy + book pairings on Instagram (@litwithlarashleyyyyy), with a chance to be featured in a future episode.

Grab your favorite fall drink, settle in, and let’s get spooky and sweet.

This episode was lit.

This week on Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara dives into an early review of Fortune and Glass by John Mutter: a historical literary novel blending espionage, political unrest, and a layered love story set during the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

In this episode, Lara discusses: 1. The emotional and political themes woven throughout the novel 2. Sarah and Rudi’s morally complex relationship 3. The atmospheric writing and historical tension 4. The challenge of the book’s fast-moving timeline jumps 5. And why the story feels surprisingly relevant today

Lara also shares two signature drinks inspired by the novel: The Quiet Repeat Berlin, Through Glass

Plus, this week’s Community Library features publisher spotlight picks and historical fiction recommendations perfect for readers who love stories about resistance, survival, and humanity during uncertain times.

Community Library Includes:

• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Thank you to Left Field Publishing for providing this ARC for review.

✨ Expected Release: September 2026

With lit pages and layered stories, Lara Ashley 💛📖

In this deeply reflective episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara Ashley discusses one of the most intense and unforgettable books she’s read this year:

Tweak by Nic Sheff.

Recommended by her husband, this raw and unfiltered memoir pulled Lara into a world she had little personal exposure to growing up: drug addiction, relapse, survival, and the emotional destruction that comes with substance abuse.

After reading the book in less than 24 hours (and staying up until 1:30 am to finish it), Lara reflects on:

• The brutal honesty of Nic’s addiction journey
• The chaos of meth and heroin use
• Toxic relationships and relapse
• Trauma, shame, and self-destruction
• And the difficult process of rebuilding yourself from the inside out

Lara also compares the memoir to The Many Lives of Mama Love and shares why Tweak felt so much darker, more immediate, and emotionally unsettling.

This episode is ultimately about more than addiction. It’s about healing, self-worth, and learning that peace cannot come from other people; it has to begin within ourselves.

Community Library recommendations include:

• Beautiful Boy
• The Many Lives of Mama Love
• Quit Like a Woman

If you’ve ever read a book that completely changed or shocked you, Lara would love to hear from you.

Follow along on Instagram: @litwithlarashleyyyyy

This episode was lit. ✨