Podcast Summary: Fantasy Fangirls – "Promoting Positivity In the Bookish Space w/ @lostbooksofjess"

Release Date: July 17, 2025

In this special bonus episode of Fantasy Fangirls, hosts Nicole and Lexi welcome Jess from Lost Books of Jess to discuss fostering positivity within the bookish community. The episode emphasizes the importance of kindness, community support, and the joy that reading brings to individuals and groups alike.

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest

Lexi and Nicole kick off the episode by introducing their guest, Jess, a prominent figure in the bookish community known for her engaging content and positive influence. They express excitement about Jess joining them to delve into themes of positivity and virtual connections within their shared passion for fantasy literature.

2. Getting to Know Jess: Rapid Fire Segment

To set a comfortable tone, the hosts engage Jess in a rapid-fire round, uncovering her reading journey, favorite books, and personal interests.

• Journey into Reading: Jess shares, “I’ve been reading since I was a kid. My earliest memories are my mom and me reading American Girl doll books in bed at night” (07:09).

• Reigniting Her Love for Reading: She credits Twilight as her catalyst for re-engaging with reading during a challenging phase in her college years.

• Favorite Books & Series: Jess lists a diverse array of favorites, including Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and multiple fantasy series like Kindred's Curse Saga by Pen Cole and the Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent (09:24).

• Preferred Reading Formats: Transitioning from exclusively physical books to embracing ebooks and audiobooks in December, Jess humorously remarks, “Now I get like, incensed when I have to read a physical book. I’m like, how dare you make me” (10:21).

3. Building a Welcoming Community: Positivity Pages Project

Nicole and Lexi announce the launch of their Positivity Pages project—a 10-day initiative aimed at spreading kindness and fostering a supportive environment within the community.

• Project Launch: Starting on July 17th, listeners are encouraged to participate by visiting their social media channels for daily prompts and engaging with fellow members (05:03).

• Community Engagement: Lexi highlights the importance of creating ripple effects of goodness: “We just want to have this ripple effect of goodness and kindness and we would love for you to join in” (05:31).

4. Fostering Joy Through Reading

The conversation delves into how reading serves as a source of joy and personal growth.

• Learning and Self-Discovery: Jess explains, “Every book that I read sparks joy in me. I either learned something I didn’t know, discovered something about myself, or thought about something a different way” (23:37).

• Collective Reading Experience: She emphasizes the communal aspect of reading, fostering discussions and connections: “Being part of reading is deeply personal, but reading is also a collective experience if you let it be” (23:37).

5. Supporting Each Other in the Bookish Space

The trio explores strategies for maintaining a supportive and positive online community.

• Acts of Kindness: Jess advocates for simple gestures like complimenting others’ content: “Say something nice to somebody else... It made me go, oh, like, thank you so much” (49:45).

• Virtual Hugs: Lexi and Jess discuss the concept of virtual hugs as a means of emotional support: “A virtual hug for me is like just pressing pause on all of that and being able to take a moment for both myself as well as for appreciation for whoever this person might be” (47:38) and “A virtual hug is when someone knows more than just the books that I am reading and those messages that go back and forth that are truly like, person to person” (41:00).

• Community Resilience: They highlight how the community fosters bravery and mutual support, enabling members to overcome feelings of isolation: “We aren’t alone as we find these common interests and that we’re not alone in feeling alone” (28:59).

6. Coping with Burnout and Maintaining Connection

Jess shares her personal strategies for dealing with burnout and staying connected with the community.

• Recognizing Overcommitment: She advises, “If it’s feeling, like, too much, it probably is too much” (38:10), emphasizing the importance of prioritizing personal well-being over external obligations.

• Selective Engagement: Jess mentions removing books from her to-be-read list that no longer bring her joy, allowing her to focus on what truly matters: “I need to look in the mirror and go, that’s not why we’re doing this. We’re doing this because we wanted to have fun” (38:24).

7. Upcoming Events and Community Meet-Up

The hosts and Jess express excitement about the upcoming Everflame Ball on August 30th, where community members will have the opportunity to meet in person.

• Personal Significance: Jess shares her anticipation for reuniting with long-time followers and celebrating her trip with her husband: “I'm going to the ball with all of you, and it's going to be a full circle moment” (52:22).

• Shared Passion and Camaraderie: Lexi describes the event as a space where everyone can let their "geek fly," fostering deeper connections through shared interests: “It's like, imagine a wedding. But everybody there loves the same things” (52:39).

8. Final Thoughts and Community Support

As the episode concludes, the hosts encourage listeners to continue spreading kindness and supporting one another both online and offline.

• Encouraging Authenticity: Jess emphasizes the value of authentic connections: “I try to present things in a non-judgmental way because judgmental content invites divisiveness out of the gate” (29:49).

• Community Impact: Lexi reflects on the profound impact their interactions have on individuals: “It's like a virtual tackle” (47:45), highlighting the depth of connections formed through shared literary passions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jess on Transitioning to Digital Reading: “Now I get like, incensed when I have to read a physical book. I’m like, how dare you make me” (10:21).

• Jess on the Joy of Reading: “Every book that I read sparks joy in me. I either learned something I didn’t know, discovered something about myself, or thought about something a different way” (23:37).

• Lexi on the Power of Virtual Hugs: “A virtual hug for me is like just pressing pause on all of that and being able to take a moment for both myself as well as for appreciation for whoever this person might be” (47:38).

• Jess on Community Kindness: “Say something nice to somebody else... It made me go, oh, like, thank you so much” (49:45).

Conclusion

This episode of Fantasy Fangirls beautifully intertwines discussions on the personal joys of reading with the broader mission of fostering a positive, supportive community. Through heartfelt conversations and shared experiences, Nicole, Lexi, and Jess underscore the transformative power of books and the importance of cultivating kindness both within and beyond the bookish sphere.

Stay tuned for more engaging discussions every Monday as the sisters continue their deep dives into beloved fantasy series.