Book Explained

One company of paratroopers, from a mountain in Georgia to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Hailey reviews Stephen E. Ambrose's Band of Brothers, walks through Easy Company's whole war, compares the book with the HBO miniseries, including its famous mistake, and recommends six World War Two books to read next. Content note: war violence and a concentration camp are discussed.

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Books mentioned in this episode
Beyond Band of Brothers by Dick Winters
Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends by William Guarnere
Citizen Soldiers by Stephen E. Ambrose
The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan
With the Old Breed by E. B. Sledge
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:22 Welcome
0:54 The Review
4:13 The Summary
8:41 Book Versus Screen
12:52 What To Read Next
15:10 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

A starving huntress kills a wolf, and a faerie lord comes to collect. Hailey reviews A Court of Thorns and Roses, the book that started the romantasy boom, spoiler-free, recommends six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the curse, the three trials and the riddle, and finishes with the full series order, books six and seven, and the TV show. Content note: violence, torture and sexual content are discussed.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Beauty by Robin McKinley

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:23 Welcome
0:57 The Review
4:36 What To Read Next
7:12 Spoiler Warning
7:34 The Ending Explained
12:10 The Series
15:23 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 man wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory and two dead crewmates. Hailey reviews Project Hail Mary spoiler-free, fact-checks the science (is Tau Ceti real, and could a microbe eat the Sun?), then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending and compares the book with the Ryan Gosling film.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
The Martian by Andy Weir
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:22 Welcome
0:55 The Review
9:19 The Science
16:16 Spoiler Warning
16:42 The Ending Explained
24:55 Book Versus Screen
30:12 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

John Grisham's new thriller has no courtroom at all, just a honeymoon that goes terribly wrong. Hailey gives her spoiler-free review of The French Illusion and a reading map for what to try next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending and fact-checks the real history behind it: black sites, Guantanamo and the rule against paying ransom.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
The Law Student by John Grisham
The Broker by John Grisham
The Firm by John Grisham
The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
The Client by John Grisham
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
A Time for Mercy by John Grisham
The Runaway Jury by John Grisham
The Innocent Man by John Grisham
The Confession by John Grisham
Camino Island by John Grisham
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
Calico Joe by John Grisham
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
The Ipcress File by Len Deighton

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:20 Welcome
0:53 The Review
7:49 What To Read Next
11:16 Spoiler Warning
11:40 The Ending Explained
19:35 The Real Story
24:39 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

Kathryn Stockett's first novel since The Help took seventeen years to write. Hailey gives her spoiler-free review of The Calamity Club, checks the dark history behind it (Mississippi's sterilization law, the American Plan and a real baby-selling agency), then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending and puts it side by side with The Help, with questions for your book club. Content note: child neglect, forced sterilization and suicide are discussed.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:22 Welcome
0:54 The Review
9:13 The Real Story
15:47 Spoiler Warning
16:14 The Ending Explained
23:34 The Help Versus The Calamity Club
28:38 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 self-published novel about an 86-year-old stranger who gives away portraits became a three-million-copy word-of-mouth hit. Hailey reviews Theo of Golden spoiler-free, rounds up what's reported about a Tom Hanks movie and a follow-up, recommends six books with the same gentle feeling, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending and who Theo really is.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:24 Welcome
0:57 The Review
5:13 Movie And Sequel News
7:30 What To Read Next
10:12 Spoiler Warning
10:30 The Ending Explained
15:50 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 tradwife influencer with five million followers wakes up in a world that looks a lot like the one she's been selling. Hailey reviews Caro Claire Burke's bestselling debut Yesteryear spoiler-free, looks at the real tradwife trend it satirizes, recommends six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains that twist. Content note: child abuse is discussed.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Educated by Tara Westover
Room by Emma Donoghue
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
The Push by Ashley Audrain

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:24 Welcome
0:56 The Review
4:12 The Real Trend
7:20 What To Read Next
9:36 Spoiler Warning
9:58 The Ending Explained
13:47 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 family alone on a remote island near Antarctica, a seed vault, and a stranger washed up on the shore. Hailey reviews Wild Dark Shore spoiler-free, checks the real island and science behind it, recommends six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending and the secrets the Salt family were keeping.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books mentioned in this episode
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
The Overstory by Richard Powers
The Lost Man by Jane Harper

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:22 Welcome
0:55 The Review
4:10 The Real Story
8:05 What To Read Next
10:27 Spoiler Warning
10:47 The Ending Explained
14:28 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 midwife in 1789 Maine, a body frozen in the river, and a powerful man accused of rape. Hailey reviews The Frozen River spoiler-free, checks how much of it really happened to Martha Ballard, recommends six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains who killed Joshua Burgess and how it all ends. Content note: sexual violence is discussed.

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

Books mentioned in this episode
A Midwife's Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The Birth House by Ami McKay
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:25 Welcome
0:58 The Review
4:21 The Real Story
9:29 What To Read Next
12:19 Spoiler Warning
12:39 The Ending Explained
17:06 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

Broken Country is the Reese's Book Club love triangle with a murder trial underneath. Hailey gives her spoiler-free review and six books to read next, then, after a spoiler warning, explains the ending and that Bobby twist, and finishes with a full book club guide: themes, ten discussion questions and ideas for your meeting.

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

Books mentioned in this episode
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
One Day by David Nicholls
Normal People by Sally Rooney
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Chapters
0:00 Cold Open
0:24 Welcome
0:59 The Review
4:48 What To Read Next
7:39 Spoiler Warning
8:05 The Ending Explained
12:53 Book Club Guide
15:41 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