On this episode we discuss:

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman

Books discussed in this episode:

A Year Down Yonder,  Richard Peck

A Season of Gifts  Richard Peck

Marmee, A Novel,  Sara Miller

Queens of Crime, Marie Benedict

My Brilliant Friend, Elena Ferranta

The Awakening, Kate Chopin

Bear Necessity,  James Gould Bourn

Wolf Hall,  Hilary Mantel

Stolen Beauty, Laurie Lico Albanese

Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman

Same as it ever Was, Claire Lombardo

This is How it Always Is,  Laurie Frankel

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower

Wild Dark Shore, Charlotte McConaghy

The Correspondent, Virginia Evans

Tom Lake, Anne Patchett

Lillian Boxfish takes a Walk, Kathleen Rooney

The Wedding People, Alison Espach

Papyrus, Irene Velejo

The Hare with Amber Eyes, Edmund DeWaal

The House of Lincoln, Mary Horan

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Lisa See

The Halloween Tree, Ray Bradbury

Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons

Sisters First, Jenna Bush hager and Barbara Pierce Bush

The City Baker's Guide to Country Living, Louise Miller

Books we discussed on this episode:

Silent Night By Mary Higgins Clark

A Season of Gifts By Richard Peck

Raymie Nitengale By Kate Di Camillo

Veronica Speedwell Mysteries By Deanna Raybourn

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Mysteries By Laurie R. King

Books shared on this episode:

Same as It Ever Was By Claire Lombardo

The Most Fun We Ever Had By Claire Lombardo

The City Baker's Guide to Country Living By Louise Miller

The Late Bloomers Club By Louise Miller

Learn more about the Spring 2026 Southern California Literary Tour and Reading Retreat @ ReadVB.com

Books discussed on this episode:

Practical Magic Series By Alice Hoffman

The Halloween Tree By Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury discussing the animated version of The Halloween Tree

The Book of Ruth By Jane Hamilton

The Tortilla Curtain By T C Boyle

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping By Sangu Mandanna

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches By Sangu Mandanna

In this episode, Kristin and Janice discuss their monthly book exchange, diving into the themes and narratives of the books they read, including 'Stolen Beauty', 'My Brilliant Friend', and 'The Arrival'. They explore personal connections to the stories, the significance of character development, and the unique formats of the books. The conversation also touches on the criteria for selecting books, the importance of engaging narratives and their stance on DNF'ing.

Learn more about the upcoming Southern California Literary Tour and Reading Retreat at ⁠ReadVB.com⁠

Here are the books we discussed today:

⁠Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese⁠

⁠Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese⁠

⁠The Arrival by Shaun Tan⁠

⁠My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante⁠

⁠The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund DeWall⁠

⁠The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick⁠

⁠The Wall By Peter Sis⁠

⁠Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

Where the Red Fern Grows By Wilson Rawls

Weapons of Math Destruction By Cathy O'Neil

Harry Potter Series By J K Rowling

A Calamity of Souls By David Baldacci

Incredibly Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

The Rachel Incident By Caroline O'Donoghue

Charlotte's Web By E B White

The Divergent Series By Veronica Roth

To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

White Rabbit's Color Book By Alan Baker

The Velveteen Rabbit By Margery Williams

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series By Rick Riordan

A True Account By katherine Howe

The Bridges of Madison County By Robert Waller

Titles We chatted about in this episode

Digging to America By Anne Tyler

A Virtuous Woman By Kaye Gibbons

The Awakening and Other Stories By Kate Chopin

Three Days in June By Anne Tyler

2 Sisters 24 Books is a production of Read Books Booksellers and Bookish Event planners in Virginia Beach. They can be found on the Web at ReadVB.com and on socials @ReadBooksVB .

Books mentioned in this episode:

Tapestry of Fortunes By Elizabeth Berg

The Nest By Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

Wolf Hall By Hilary Mantel

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion By Beth Brower

The Road to Tender Hearts By Annie Hartnett

Books mentioned in this episode

Wolf Hall By Hillary Mantel

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane By Lisa See

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk By Kathleen Rooney

Olive Kitteredge By Elizabeth Strout

The Thornbirds By Colleen McCullough

2 Sisters 24 books  is a production of Read Books booksellers and bookish community builders.  Popping up in Virginia Beach at Corduroy cafe and Prosperity Kitchen and Pantry and on the web @ReadVB.com .