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Can a single sentence make or break a book? In Episode 191 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah put first lines to the test—reading books based solely on their opening sentences and discussing what makes an introduction instantly gripping. Join us as we explore the power of a strong start and see which books reel us in from page one.

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Book Talk, Etc on Youtube

Loving Lately

Kale Caesar Salad from Love and Lemons (T)

Artsy Legacy on Etsy (H)

Community Read

Good Dirt | Charmaine Wilkerson (T+H)

Judging Books by Their Opening Lines

Mostly Dead Things | Kristen Arnett (T)

Perfume and Pain | Anna Dorn (H)

The Lamb | Lucy Rose (T)

The Haunting of Hill House | Shirley Jackson (H)

Shelf Addition:

The Frequency of Living Things | Nick Fuller Googins (T)

Run for the Hills | Kevin Wilson (H)

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Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
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In Episode 190 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah share the books catching their attention in March. Hannah was battling the lingering effects of the flu, so her voice isn’t at full strength—but she powered through!

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

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Govee Lights

Smith & Taylor Classics 2025 Subscription

Latest Read

Red Clay | Charles B. Fancher (T)

The Blueprint | Rae Giana Rashad (H)

March Books On the Radar

Broken Country | Clare Leslie Hall (T)

The River Has Roots | Amal El-Mohtar (H)

I Leave It Up To You | Jinwoo Chong (T)

The Antidote | Karen Russell (T)

The Story She Left Behind | Patti Callahan Henry (H)

Claire, Darling | Callie Kazumi (T)

All the Other Mothers Hate Me | Sarah Harman (H)

Tilt | Emma Pattee (T)

Friends Helping Friends | Patrick Hoffman (H)

Dissolution | Nicholas Binge (T)

Current Reads:

Mostly Dead Things | Kristin Arnett (T)

Good Dirt | Charmaine Wilkerson (H)

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Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
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In Episode 189 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah explore the ups and downs of literary FOMO—what genres and books make us feel the most pressure to read, how we navigate the ever-evolving bookish community, and the books we finally picked up after missing them last year.

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately

Buy Now Documentary

Severance on Apple TV+

Latest Read

Death of the Author | Nnedi Okorafor (T)

Three Lives of Cate Kay | Kate Fagan

All Systems Red | Martha Wells (H)

Book Talk

Brett’s BookStack - YouTube

Station Eleven | Emily St. John Mandel

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller

2024 Releases

Martyr! | Kaveh Akbar (T)

Piglet | Lottie Hazell (H)

Middle of the Night | Riley Sager (T)

The Only One Left | Riley Sager

Sandwich | Catherine Newman (H)

Behind the Stacks - 2024 Runner Ups with Tina from TBR, etc.

Shelf Addition:

What Kind of Paradise | Janelle Brown (T)

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil | V. E. Schwab (H)

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Let's Connect...

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In Episode 188 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah are easily distracted by new releases. We dive into some of the latest book releases, sharing thoughts on what’s worth adding to your TBR..and what might be worth skipping! We also explore the idea of being a “well-read” reader. We discuss what it means, how it’s defined, and whether it’s about quantity, diversity, or simply reading with intention. 

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately

Jen Ryland Reviews (T)

Thayers Facial Toner (H)

Latest Read

Lone Women | Victor LaValle (T)

Blood Over Bright Haven | M.L. Wang (H)

New Releases:

The Crash | Freida McFadden (T)

Only In Your Dreams | Ellie K. Wilde (H)

The Inheritance | Trisha Sakhlecha (T)

We Could Be Rats | Emily Austin (H)

Shelf Additions:

Parents Weekend | Alex Finlay (T)

Heart of Winter | Jonathan Evison (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
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In Episode 187 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah are diving into the art of audiobooks, storytelling, and what makes an ideal narrator for our listening tastes. We discuss what makes an audiobook truly stand out to us - whether it's a dynamic narration, full-cast performances, or the perfect voice for the story. We also share some of our favorite narrators and how their performances influence our reading choices. If you love audiobooks or want to get more into them, this one's for you!

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately

Kiwi Knives (T)

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Blocks (H)

Latest Read

Homseeking | Karissa Chen (T+H Community Read Discussion)

Book Talk:

The Sentence

Finding Me

The Woman in Me

Moon of the Crusted Snow

The Nix

The Women

Books with Narrators We Love:

I’m Starting to Worry About this Black Box of Doom | Jason Pargin (T)

Nothing to See Here | Kevin Wilson (H)

The Stepford Wives | Ira Levin (T)

Rosemary’s Baby | Ira Levin

The Jane Austen Society | Natalie Jenner (H)

Shelf Addition:

The Girls We Sent Away | Meagan Church (T)

Endlings | Maria Reva (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
BTE on Youtube
Tina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretc
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Podcast IG @booktalketc
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In Episode 186 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah bring their February books on the radar!

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

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Donatestuff.com (T)
Beatrice Likes the Dark | April Genevieve Tucholke, Khoa Le (H)

Latest Read
Penitence | Kristin Koval (T)
The Laws of the Skies | Courtois Grégoire (H)

Books on the Radar
Edge of Water | Olufunke Grace Bankole (T)
Listen to Your Sister | Neena Viel
A Forty Year Kiss | Nickolas Butler
Waiting for the Long Night Moon | Amanda Peters (T)
Harlem Rhapsody | Victoria Christopher Murray (T)
Loca | Alejandro Heredia (H)
People of Means | Nancy Johnson (T)
Yours Eventually | Nura Maznavi (H)
Back After This | Linda Holmes (T)
Deep Cuts | Holly Brickley (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
BTE on Youtube
Tina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretc
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Podcast IG @booktalketc
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In Episode 185 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah are easily distracted by new releases! We discuss some new releases that we have read, and we share our favorite reading resources for discovering great book recommendations! From trusted websites, book subscriptions and bookish blogs. Whether you're a mood reader, a planner, or just trying to tame and tackle your TBR, this episode is for you!

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately:
Eto Wine Decanter
Archer and Olive Undated Planner

Latest Reads and Books Mentioned:
The Note | Alafair Burke (T)
We Used to Live Here | Marcus Kliewer (H)

Book Talk:
Crime Reads
Literary Hub
Lit Hub’s Anticipated 2025 Releases
Book Riot
Electric Lit
Booklist Queen

New Releases:
Three Lives of Cate Kay | Kate Fagan (T)
The Secret History of the Rape Kit | Pagan Kennedy (H)
Cross My Heart | Megan Collins (T)
Sea of Unspoken Things | Adrienne Young (H)

Shelf Additions:
Disappoint Me | Nicola Dinan (T)
Hurricane Girl | Marcy Dermansky
We Lived on the Horizon | Erika Swyler (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
BTE on Youtube
Tina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretc
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Podcast IG @booktalketc
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In Episode 184 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah are joined by Nadia Odunayo, Founder, CEO and sole developer for The StoryGraph. We chat a little bit about Nadia’s personal background and share all kinds of fun information about our favorite reading tracker. We can’t wait for you to listen and share in the excitement!

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately
Beis Bag - The Weekender (T)
The Millions - Year in Reading Series (H)
Traitors UK (N)

Book Talk Books Mentioned
The Gunners
Project Hail Mary
The Flatshare
Bad Blood
Say Nothing
Empire of Pain
Rogues
Hatching Twitter
Rob’s Videos - @the.storygraph

Books Mentioned
Mad  Honey | Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan (T)
Children of Red Peak | Craig DiLouie (H)
What if We Get it Right | Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (N)
Traci Thomas - @thestackspod on IG
White Smoke | Tiffany D. Jackson (T)
Lofi | Liz Riggs (H)
Magpie Murders | Anthony Harrowitz (N)

Shelf Additions
Ministry of Time | Kaliane Bradley (N)
Blood in the Water | Tiffany D. Jackson (T)
Only In Your Dreams | Ellie K. Wilde (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
BTE on Youtube
Tina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretc
Hannah's TikTok , IG @hanpickedbooks
Jonathan IG @infiltrate_jay
Podcast IG @booktalketc
Renee's Substack Newsletter , IG@Itsbooktalk

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In Episode 183 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah discuss our January books on the radar!

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately
Karen Podcast (T)
Stardew Valley (H)

Latest Read
The Favorites | Layne Fargo (T)
The Hunger | Alma Katsu (H)
The Indifferent Stars Above | Daniel James Brown (H)

Books Mentioned:
The Three Lives of Cate Kay | Kate Fagan (T)
Isola | Allegra Goodman (H)
Mothers and Sons | Adam Haslett (T)
What Happened to the McCrays | Tracey Lange (H)
Confessions | Catherine Airey (H)
I’ll Come to You | Rebecca Kauffman (H)
We Do Not Part | Han Kang (T)
Darkmotherland | Samrat Uphadyay (H)
Tartufo | Kira Jane Buxton
We Rip the World Apart | Charlene Carr

Current Reads:
Beautiful Ugly | Alice Feeney (T)
The Honey Witch | Courtney J. Sheilds (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
BTE on Youtube
Tina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretc
Hannah's TikTok , IG @hanpickedbooks
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Podcast IG @booktalketc
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In Episode 182 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah reflect on a fantastic year of reading as they share their top 20 books of 2024! We share our absolute favorites, the reads that stood out most to us, and a little bit about why these books made our best-of-the-year list.

If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour and Bookstore Browsing, and a private Facebook group and Discord server where you can interact with other fans of the show... all for just $5 a month!

Loving Lately
Dyson Air Wrap (T)
Loop Earplugs (H)

Latest Read (Community Read)
Rental House | Weike Wang
Joan is Okay | Weike Wang (mentioned)

Bookish Superlatives Mentioned:
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
Maeve Fly
Dixon Descending
The Eyes are the Best Part
Everyone is Watching
Patricia Wants to Cuddle
All This & More
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
I Who Have Never Known Men

Favorites of the Year!!!!
If We Were Villains | ML Rio (T)
The Lost Story | Meg Shaffer (H)
The Paper Palace | Miranda Cowley Heller (T)
The Indifferent Stars Above | Daniel James Brown (H)
We Used to Live Here | Marcus Kliewer (T)
Just for the Summer | Abby Jimenez (H)
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden (T)
The Mighty Red | Louise Erdrich (H)
Homegoing | Yaa Gyasi (T)
Stealing | Margaret Verble (H)
A Place for Us | Fatima Farheen Mirza (T)
The God of the Woods | Liz Moore (T)
These Impossible Things | Salma El Wardany (T)
I Who Have Never Known Men | Jaqueline Harpman (H)
Fingersmith | Sarah Waters (T)
The Secret History | Donna Tartt (H)

Support the show

Let's Connect...

Email us at booktalketc@gmail
BTE on Youtube
Tina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretc
Hannah's TikTok , IG @hanpickedbooks
Jonathan IG @infiltrate_jay
Podcast IG @booktalketc
Renee's Substack Newsletter , IG@Itsbooktalk