A Novel Talk

We’re back after a little break, and we couldn’t think of a better book to jump back in with than Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze! In this episode, we discuss the entire book, sharing our favorite stories, the moments that had us laughing the hardest, and why Nate’s down-to-earth humor makes this memoir such a fun read. Whether you’re already a fan of his comedy or just looking for a book that will make you smile, come join us as we catch up and kick off a new season of reading together.

We’re wrapping up This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley in this episode, covering the second half of the book—and closing out our year on A Novel Talk. We dive into how the story unfolds, our thoughts on the characters, and whether the ending delivered on everything we were hoping for. It felt like the perfect festive note to end on, and we’re so grateful to spend this year of reading with you. Merry Christmas from your bookclub besties! 🎄📚

We’re kicking off This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley—just in time for Christmas! In this episode, we start with some life updates and a very controversial Christmas question before diving into chapters 1 through 16. We talk about the festive vibes, the tension-filled setup, and the chaos already brewing between these characters. It’s cozy, it’s cute, it’s a little chaotic… and we’re already hooked.

What an ending! In this episode, we dive into the second half of the book, where secrets unravel, connections click into place, and Marcellus the octopus proves once again that he just might be the wisest (and sassiest) character of them all. We share what we loved about the finale, why it left us perfectly satisfied, and of course—our pitch for both a sequel and a prequel (because we’re not done with these characters yet!).

This month, we’re diving into Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—and we’re only doing two episodes, so we’re covering a lot in this first one! In chapters 1 through 33, we’re introduced to Tova, a grieving widow working the night shift at an aquarium, and Marcellus, a highly intelligent (and opinionated) octopus. We talk about the themes of loneliness, unexpected friendship, and the slow unfolding of connection. This story has heart, depth, and just enough mystery to keep us flipping pages. Let’s just say—we’re invested.

We’re back to wrap up Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack! After leaving everyone on a huge cliffhanger in Episode 28—and taking a fun detour with life updates in Episode 29—we’re finally diving into the final stretch of this twisty mystery. The killer is revealed, secrets come to light, and we share our reactions to how it all wrapped up. Was it satisfying? Did it redeem the slow burn? Tune in to hear our thoughts on the conclusion.

In this bonus episode, we’re hitting pause on the books and catching up on life! From fun updates to serious moments and all the wedding planning chaos in between, we’re just chatting like the bookclub besties we are. It’s honest, a little chaotic, and full of laughter—basically, all the things.

In this episode, we’re covering chapters 16–23 of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack—and it finally happened. Someone died! We talk about the long-awaited murder, our reactions, and whether the payoff was worth the wait. With tensions rising and secrets unraveling, we’re finally getting the mystery we signed up for… and we’ve got thoughts.

In this episode, we’re covering chapters 8–15 of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack—and believe it or not, no one has died yet! We’re officially halfway through, and while there’s still technically no mystery, it somehow feels incredibly mysterious. We talk about the tension building between characters, the moments that kept us guessing, and how this slow burn is keeping us hooked!

In this episode, we kick off our July pick: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack, covering chapters 1–7. We meet Eleanor Dash, a bestselling author on a chaotic book tour through Italy that’s anything but glamorous. Between awkward fan encounters, a very unexpected ex, and plenty of tension, this story is already delivering drama and laughs. We share our first impressions, favorite lines, and early predictions about where this twisty story might be heading.