Episodes
Psychological suspense continues to be one of the most popular subgenres, but it can sometimes be hard to find the best. This week, we’re covering the authors we’d like to see become household names.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnSarah J. Maas booksWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensFates and Furies by Lauren GroffRuth Ware booksMary Kubica books
Ann’s picks:
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry– Near the Bone by Christina Henry– Horseman by...
Published 10/13/24
It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to reading this fall!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Ann’s picks:
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson (releases September 3)– Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (releases September 10)
The Midnight Club by Margot Harrison (releases September 24)
Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera (releases September 24)– The Devil Wears Prada (film)
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina...
Published 09/29/24
There are more celebrity book clubs than ever! We’re discussing our favorites and some celebrity book club picks we love.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Read with JennaOprah’s Book ClubReece’s Book ClubColleen Hoover booksSarah J. Maas booksA Million Little Pieces by James FreyWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensService95 Book ClubFallon Book ClubMarvelHarry Potter series by J.K. RowlingTwilight series by Stephenie Meyer“How Celebrity Book Clubs Actually Work”...
Published 08/30/24
Do you have a list of authors who are auto-buys when they release a new book? We’re delving into some of ours!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Ann Patchett booksEmily Henry booksTom Lake by Ann PatchettAbby Jimenez booksAli Hazelwood booksLiz Moore booksKate Morton booksTana French booksLeigh Bardugo booksCeleste Ng booksAnthony Horowitz booksSarah Dessen booksSarah MacLean booksRuth Ware books
Ann’s picks:
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters– Fingersmith by Sarah Waters– The...
Published 08/16/24
The New York Times recently published their list of the 100 best books of the 21st century, and we have THOUGHTS. Let us know your impressions of the list!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st CenturyGone Girl by Gillian FlynnDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverNew York Times: Readers Choose Their 100 Best Books of the 21st CenturyTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirThe Martian by Andy...
Published 08/02/24
We’re trying something new this week, as we review the books we read (or didn’t read…) from our Spring Preview 2024 episode. Let us know what you think!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st CenturyJust for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Ann’s picks:
Funny Story by Emily Henry
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
Halle’s picks:
The Great Divide by Christina Henríquez
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González
Happily Never...
Published 07/19/24
With summer around the corner, we’re feeling the heat in our reading! Listen in for our selection of hot books.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Ann’s picks:
Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman– Neal Shusterman books
How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
Halle’s picks:
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau– Taylor Jenkins Reid books
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett– Commonwealth by Ann...
Published 05/27/24
Spring is here, so we’re thinking about books that feel like sunshine! As always, we end with what we’re reading this week.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Ann’s picks:
Village School by Miss Read– Fairacre series by Miss Read
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean
Halle’s picks:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman– The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by...
Published 04/05/24
It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to the most publishing March through May!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:What Should I Read Next? (podcast)
Ann’s picks:
The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov (releases March 5)– Stieg Larsson books
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill (releases March 19)– The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (releases April 2)
Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan– Rachel Harrison books
Funny...
Published 03/16/24
We love reading books but we also love getting books off our shelves, so that means we love our annual Reading From Our TBRs episode!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Ann’s picks:
Take It Back by Kia Abdullah– Kia Abdullah books
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett– Audie Awards– Neil Gaiman books– Terry Pratchett books– Good Omens (TV)– The House of the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Old Lovegood Girls by Gail Godwin– From the Front Porch (podcast)– Ann Patchett...
Published 02/28/24
In honor of Valentine’s Day, learn everything you need to know about the romance genre!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Webinar: Crash Course in RomanceNicholas Sparks booksColleen Hoover booksHello Stranger by Katherine CenterFifty Shades of Grey by E.L. JamesSarah Adams booksMindy Klasky Tropes ListHarry Potter series by J.K. RowlingPeople We Meet on Vacation by Emily HenryThe Wedding Party by Jasmine GuilloryThe Hating Game by Sally ThorneThe Hating Game (film)Ali...
Published 02/08/24
We’re back with our superlatives episode – one of our favorites of the year!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Halle’s InstagramWomen’s Prize for FictionHell Bent by Leigh BardugoThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryFrom the Front Porch (podcast)Book of the Month Club
Most TimelyAnn: Spare by Prince HarryHalle: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Most DisappointingAnn: The Cloisters by Katy Hays and Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi...
Published 01/22/24
This week, we’re talking about book trends! Whether you’re deep in romantasy or cozy everything, we’re covering some of the biggest trends in publishing right now.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosThe Maid by Nita ProseAnne McCaffrey booksGame of Thrones (TV)A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. MartinThe Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher PaoliniHarry Potter series by J.K. RowlingLord of the Rings series by J.R.R TolkeinLegends...
Published 11/08/23
Depending on which co-host you ask, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween! We have plenty of books for all your spooky reading needs this season. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Episode 11 – Spooky Books for HalloweenThe Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne YoungALA RUSA CODES Reading ListHocus Pocus (film)Bleeding Hart Yard by Elly GriffithsHarbinder Kaur series by Elly GriffithsThe Postscript Murders by...
Published 10/21/23
It’s time to revisit books about books! We discuss some recent and evergreen favorites.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
The Reading List by Sara Nisha AdamsYellowface by R.F. Kuang
Ann’s picks:
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths– Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows– The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film)
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
Halle’s picks:
The Wishing...
Published 10/10/23
September puts us in the mood for back-to-school books, but why not add a mysterious twist? We’re talking dark academia titles this week!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (buy from Bookshop)Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop)The Likeness by Tana French (buy from Bookshop)The Magicians by Lev Grossman (buy from Bookshop)Dead Poets Society (film)Harry Potter series by J.K. RowlingJoanna Gaines
Ann’s picks:
The World Cannot Give by...
Published 09/23/23
It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to the most publishing September through February!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Ann’s picks:
Reykjavík by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdottír (releases September 5) (buy from Bookshop)– Arnaldur Indriðason books– Parnassus Books– Ann Patchett books– Independent People by Halldór Laxness (buy from Bookshop)
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison (releases September 19) (buy from Bookshop)– Cackle by Rachel Harrison (buy from...
Published 08/26/23
You know the feeling…you finish a book you adored and instantly wish you could read it again for the first time. These are the books we wish we could experience again, and boy was it hard to pare them down!
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne CollinsThe Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (buy from Bookshop)Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop)Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop)In the Woods by Tana French (buy from...
Published 08/14/23
Road trips are the perfect summer getaway! But if you can't hit the road right now, these books are full of long drives, snacks, singalongs, hijinks, and adventure.
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (buy from Bookshop)
Ann’s picks:
The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan (buy from Bookshop)
Me (Moth) by Amber McBride (buy from Bookshop)- The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature
The Farewell Tour...
Published 07/29/23