Book Explained

A young shepherd sells his sheep and sets out for a treasure near the Pyramids. Hailey reviews Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist spoiler-free, shares the six biggest lessons and the one idea the book gets wrong, recommends six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the twist ending.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:26 Welcome
1:02 The Review
4:46 Putting It To Work
7:40 What To Read Next
10:07 Spoiler Warning
10:32 The Ending Explained
15:00 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

A boy with terrible luck, a lake that isn't there, and a hole to dig every day. Hailey reviews Louis Sachar's Newbery Medal winner Holes spoiler-free, shares twelve book club questions and six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains how every loose thread ties together at the end.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Small Steps by Louis Sachar
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:25 Welcome
1:00 The Review
4:41 Book Club Guide
7:08 What To Read Next
9:51 Spoiler Warning
10:15 The Ending Explained
14:42 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

A community with no war, no hunger, no pain, and no color. Hailey reviews Lois Lowry's Newbery Medal winner The Giver spoiler-free, shares twelve book club questions and six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending, the sled, and what happens to Jonas and Gabriel.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Animal Farm by George Orwell

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:21 Welcome
0:55 The Review
5:45 Book Club Guide
8:21 What To Read Next
11:25 Spoiler Warning
11:51 The Ending Explained
16:07 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Book 6 of 7. Dumbledore shows Harry the secrets of Voldemort's past, Draco Malfoy is hiding something, and an old Potions book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince. Is it worth reading? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, then, after a clear spoiler warning, explains the ending, walks through the clues you missed, and compares the 2009 film.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:32 Welcome
1:10 The Review
9:55 Spoiler Warning
10:22 The Ending Explained
19:49 The Clues
27:12 Book Versus Screen
33:30 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Book 5 of 7. Nobody believes Harry that Voldemort is back, and the Ministry sends a teacher in pink to Hogwarts to make sure of it. Is Order of the Phoenix worth the length? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, then, after a clear spoiler warning, explains the ending, walks through the clues you missed, and compares the 2007 film.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:31 Welcome
1:09 The Review
9:33 Spoiler Warning
10:05 The Ending Explained
19:01 The Clues
25:31 Book Versus Screen
31:26 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Book 4 of 7. A magical tournament comes to Hogwarts, and Harry's name comes out of the Goblet when he is far too young to enter. Is Goblet of Fire worth reading? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, then, after a clear spoiler warning, explains the ending, walks through the clues you missed, and compares the 2005 film.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:30 Welcome
1:11 The Review
10:09 Spoiler Warning
10:37 The Ending Explained
19:58 The Clues
26:52 Book Versus Screen
32:45 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Book 3 of 7. A murderer has escaped from the wizard prison, and everyone says he is coming for Harry. Is Prisoner of Azkaban worth reading? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, then, after a clear spoiler warning, explains the ending, walks through the clues you missed, and compares the 2004 film.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:36 Welcome
1:16 The Review
10:14 Spoiler Warning
10:42 The Ending Explained
19:38 The Clues
27:25 Book Versus Screen
32:57 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Book 2 of 7. A house elf warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts, and soon something nobody can see is turning students to stone. Is Chamber of Secrets worth reading? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, then, after a clear spoiler warning, explains the ending, walks through the clues you missed, and compares the 2002 film.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:31 Welcome
1:10 The Review
10:30 Spoiler Warning
10:58 The Ending Explained
20:17 The Clues
26:30 Book Versus Screen
32:20 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

A pampered house cat jumps the garden fence and joins a Clan of wild cats. Is Warriors: Into the Wild worth reading for kids, teens and parents? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, lays out the Warriors reading order and the reported animated series, picks six books to read next, then, after a clear spoiler warning, explains the ending.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel
Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter
Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:30 Welcome
1:08 The Review
10:09 The Series
15:52 What To Read Next
21:15 Spoiler Warning
21:40 The Ending Explained
31:41 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

One tiny egg, one very hungry caterpillar, and a stomachache every toddler remembers. Is The Very Hungry Caterpillar worth buying? Hailey gives her spoiler-free verdict, shares a storytime guide with counting and tissue paper activities, picks six picture books to read next, then, after a light-hearted spoiler warning, explains the ending.

Get the book
Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:35 Welcome
1:15 The Review
7:59 Book Club Guide
12:36 What To Read Next
16:08 Spoiler Warning
16:33 The Ending Explained
22:09 Outro

Scores, the full written review and the videos

Narrated by Hailey, the Book Explained host voice (AI-generated with Kokoro TTS).

Music
"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Disquiet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0