Bad On Paper

It's our final book club of the year! Today we're talking about The Cloisters by Katy Hays. We chat about which plot twists we saw coming in this atmospheric mystery (and which surprised us!), and also dive into our love for the historical mystery embedded in this book, which led us to talk about our feelings on historical fiction in general. Plus, we're sharing our own personal clairvoyant experiences.

If you liked this book, you may enjoy The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

Obsessions

Olivia: Stutz on Netflix

Becca: Her home printing setup

What we read this week!

Olivia: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Becca: Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli

Sponsors

Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/BOP

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week we're catching up with friend of the pod (and former co-host) Grace Atwood! Grace shares everything she's been up to from buying a house to creating a shoe with Sarah Flint! We also share a few gift ideas for besties, coworkers, and more!

Follow Grace on Instagram, thestripe.com, and her newsletter!

Gift Guide

For your work bestie - $20

Grace - A fun ornament from furbish studio or a nice mug

Becca - Erin Condren custom notepads

Olivia - A Today's Garbage notepad from The Tiny Tassel

For your mom/mother-figure - $250

Grace - a cashmere wrap from Theory or Cuyana

Becca - Air Fryer, Brightland Olive Oil, Tiny Tongs, Fredricks and Mae cutting board

Olivia - Monica Vinader

For your best friend - under $100

Grace - Face Cups from Tak Tak Goods

Becca - A Hotel Lobby Candle and Piecework Puzzle, or a custom print of 5 favorite books

Olivia - A Book Embosser from Etsy

Guy gifts - under $100

Grace - Dagne Dover Tech Organizer

Becca - Tushy Bidet

Olivia - Sephora Cologne Sampler or Bombas socks

Stocking stuffers - around $10

Grace - Ice roller, Translucent Post Its, True Red Pens

Becca - Extra long phone charging cord

Olivia - Silocon case for apple tv remtote

Obsessions

Becca: Tiktok Airfryer Chicken Wraps

Olivia: Marc Fisher Izzie Boots

What we read this week!

Olivia: Bad Vibes Only by Nora McInerny

Becca: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

This Month's Book Club Pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Sponsors:

Better Help - Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/badonpaper

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week on the podcast we're chatting with Nora McInerny! Nora is the host of the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking and the author of five books, most recently Bad Vibes Only, a collection of essays that came out in October. With Nora, we take a walk down Tumblr memory lane and talk about how she decided to be so candid in her memoirs (and why she's done writing them) the difficulty of writing about topics like self-image and grief, cleaning out your notes app, making big life changes, and of course, we ask her for book recommendations.

Nora's Current Reads

A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney

Fatty Fatty Boom Boom by Rabia Chaudry

The Old Place by Bobby Finger

On Nora's TBR

The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live by Danielle Dreilinger

Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation by Paris Marx

Obsessions

Becca - Piecework Puzzles: Psychadelicatessin

Olivia - Owala Water Bottle

What we read this week!

Becca:

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin

Olivia:

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

This Month's Book Club Pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Sponsors:

Nuuly - go to nuuly.com and enter the code BOP20 at sign up to get $20 off your first month.

Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/BOP.

ZocDoc - Go to ZocDoc.com/BOP and download the ZocDoc app for FREE and start your search for a top-rated doctor today.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week, we're sharing our reviews on products that have gotten a lot of internet hype and answering the question: IS! IT! WORTH IT! Our listeners requested items in various categories they wanted our opinions on, and we're breaking down our thoughts from the cost of the item, how long we've used it, what we like/don't like about it, and how it compares to alternatives!

We'd also like to stress that things do not equal happiness, and recommend reading this article about how money really affects your happiness if you'd like to think about this further!

Most Requested items

Stanley Thirst Quencher - $40

Dyson AirWrap - $599

Beauty:

Augustinus Bader The Cream $280

Necessaire Skincare The Body Serum ($45), The Body Lotion ($28)

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter $46

Ice Roller $20; Jade Roller

Thrive Mascara $25 (caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara is a great)

Home:

Always Pan $145

Dyson Vacuums $350 - $800 (Olivia loves the LG equivalent)

Candles over $50

Clothing:

Skims Fits Everybody High Waisted Thong 3 for $36

Birkenstock Clogs $120

Rothys Slip On Sneakers $119

Misc:

Away Luggage Carry On $295

Airline Lounge Access

Obsessions

Olivia: Champion Men's Big/Tall Sweats

Becca: Tiny Tongs

What we read this week!

Olivia: A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

Becca: The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

This Month's Book Club Pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Sponsors:

Nuuly - Get $20 off your first month at Nuuly.com with code BOP20.

Better Help - Save 10% off your first month at Betterhelp.com/badonpaper.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

We're back with this month's three things—hopefully a new monthly-ish tradition. We each brought something fun, something productive, and we both wanted to talk about an album we've had on repeat.

Becca's Three Things

-Making a plan to vote: Go to vote.org to check your registration, find early voting locations, see what's on your ballot, and more! And for if you live in the state of New York, check out The Daily's episode about the New York Election. And for a laugh, check out this McSweeny's article

-Ranking Thanksgiving Foods - (Here's Becca's favorite stuffing recipe)

-Midnights

Olivia's Three Things

-Midnights

-The Awakening by Kate Chopin

-All There Is with Anderson Cooper

Olivia's Lifetime Movie viewing: October Kiss (You can watch it) Pumpkin Pie Wars (Do not watch!)

Obsessions

Olivia: Quote from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Becca: Baggu hand towels

What we read this week!

Olivia: The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Becca: The ARC by Tory Henwood Hoen, It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover, We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (out 11/8)

This Month's Book Club Pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Sponsors:

Hello Fresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/bop65 and use code bop65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Prose: Go to Prose.com/bop for your FREE in-depth hair consultation and 15% off.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week we're discussing our October Book Club Pick: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff. We talk about the theories we had while reading this book, what we did and didn't like, our thoughts on the ending, and play two calls from listeners sharing their thoughts.

Content Warning: In this episode, we discuss the book's plotlines surrounding sexual assault & pedophilia, so if these themes may be upsetting to you, please take care and skip this episode and join us next week.

National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support

Chat online at online.rainn.org

Call at 800-656-4673

Obsessions

Olivia: Maintenance Phase

Becca: Purple Anthropologie Coat

What we read this week!

Becca: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff, The ARC by Tory Henwood Hoen

Olivia: The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

November's Book Club Pick: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Sponsors:

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/BOP and download the ZocDoc app for free and start your search for a top-rated doctor today.

Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/BOP.

Better Help - Save 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/badonpaper.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week we're talking about the books we loved when we were growing up! We highlight our favorite books from Elementary, Middle, and High School, and hear from listeners about their favorites!

Elementary School

Olivia: Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt, Nancy Drew, The Dear America Series, Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

Becca: Bridge to Terabithia, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Walk Two Moons, Babysitters Club Little Sisters Books, American Girl Doll books, and Choose Your Own Adventure Books.

Listeners: Ghost in the Garden, The Ramona Books, Cam Jansen Mysteries, Ella Enchanted & Matilda, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Fudge Books by Judy Blume.

Middle School

Becca: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, The Giver by Lois Lowry

Olivia: The Giver by Lois Lowry, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, and The Care and Keeping of You.

Listeners: Sweet Valley High, The Clique, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes, and The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot.

High School

Olivia: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and The Awakening by Kate Chopin.

Becca: Sloppy Firsts, and a Book about The Skulls and Keys

Listeners: The Myth of You and Me, Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, and The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong.

Two more recent books that discuss our favorite books from growing up: Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss and We are the Baby-Sitters Club by Marisa Crawford and Megan Milks

Obsessions

Olivia - Being Home

Becca - 2248 Number Puzzle Game

What we read this week!

Becca: The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe, November 9 by Colleen HooverOlivia: Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett

This Month's Book Club Pick: When We Were Bright And Beautiful by Jillian Medoff

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

It's time for Three Things: our new series where we each bring three miscellaneous topics that we want to talk about, but don't need a full podcast episode to break down. This month's things include fall clothes shopping, walking desks, celebrity heights, and more!

Becca's Three Things:

Fall Clothes Shopping - @anindigoday on IG is great for how to apply new trends to your wardrobe, and Hillary Kerr's Newsletter provides some great inspiration too.

Standing & Walking Desks - for some inspo about working&walking, check out @julesacree for inspiration!

How to Make, and Keep, Friends in Adulthood via NYT

Olivia's Three Things:

The poor aging of What Not to Wear

Guessing Celebrity Heights

Her favorite books from high school - includes Specifically Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Agatha Christie, The Dear America Series, and The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Becca's fave includes The Sloppy Firsts Series by Megan McCafferty, The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney.

Obsessions

Becca: New iPhone 14 Pro Camera

Olivia: Sunflow Beach Chairs

What we read this week!

Olivia: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russel, and Upgrade by Blake Crouch

Becca: The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe

This Month's Book Club Pick: When We Were Bright And Beautiful by Jillian Medoff

Sponsors:

Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/badonpaper today to get 10% off your first month.

Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/BOP

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

It's time for an advice episode! We're excited to answer your questions about staying motivated while writing a book, maintaining long-distance friendships, learning how to stop holding yourself back from dating, making big career changes, and more!

Obsessions

Becca: Custom legal pad

Olivia: We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (out Nov. 8)

What we read this week!

Becca: In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead, and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Olivia: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

This Month's Book Club Pick: When We Were Bright And Beautiful by Jillian Medoff (check content warnings on this one!)

Sponsors:

Prose - Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/bop

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

We're so excited to finally discuss our delightful and surprising September Book Club Pick: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn! We share what we loved about this book, our thoughts on the rotating POV, which character we identified with the most, and our love for how the book addressed ageism. We also discuss our mixed feelings about the ending and if we could become CIA operatives.

To learn more about the origins of this book, check out The Shit No One Told You About Writing Interview with Deanna Raybourn

For the Art Heist Curious, check out: Fake by Erica Katz and The Lost Leonardo, and Last Seen.

Check out this NYT Article: Millions of Followers? For Book Sales, 'It's Unreliable.'

Obsessions

Olivia: Free People Sweater Dress

Becca: Lou & Grey Signaturesoft Sweatpants

What we read this week!

Becca: In My Dreams, I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead

Olivia: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

This Month's Book Club Pick: When We Were Bright And Beautiful by Jillian Medoff (check content warnings on this one!)

Sponsors:

Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to UncommonGoods.com/BOP

Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/badonpaper today to get 10% off your first month

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!

Like and subscribe to RomComPods. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.