Books Around the Block

This week on Books Around the Block, we’re diving into the ultimate beach reads for summer. Each host brings two must-read books perfect for vacation reading, lazy pool days, and long afternoons in the sand. 

From addictive thrillers that will keep you turning pages til you're sunburned to swoony romances that belong in your beach bag, we’re sharing the best summer books to pack for your next getaway. If you’re searching for the best beach reads of 2026 or books that feel like a day at the beach, this episode is packed with reading recommendations for summer readers!

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan

The Friends We Keep by Jane Green

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re talking all about our ultimate auto-buy authors: the writers whose books we order instantly, recommend nonstop, and trust every single time. Each host brings one beloved author to the table and shares what makes them impossible to resist, from unforgettable storytelling to twisty plots and characters we can’t stop thinking about.

If you love book recommendations and discovering authors worth obsessing over, this episode is for you. We also chat about our favorite books from these authors and what keeps us coming back for every release.

Perfect for readers looking for their next favorite author.

The Social Climber by Amanda Pellegrino

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

Broken Girls by Simone St. James

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

In this monthly reading wrap-up episode of Books Around the Block, we’re sharing our best and worst books of the month of April… the ones we loved, the ones we didn’t, and the ones we cannot stop thinking about.

We break down everything we read in April with honest, unfiltered reviews, from standout 5-star favorites to the biggest disappointments. If you’re looking for real opinions before adding books to your TBR, this episode is packed with must-read recommendations and a few you might want to skip.

We also share two books we’re planning to read in May, giving you a preview of our upcoming TBR.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

First by Ali Hazelwood

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali 

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Told You So by Mayci Neeley

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister

So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

The Summer of Second Chances by K.L. Walther

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Fever Dream by Elsie Silver

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick

The Shippers by Katherine Center

This week on Books Around the Block, we’re discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. We start with our Read, Watch, Obsessed catch-up, sharing what we’ve been loving lately, before getting into our discussion of this beloved book club pick. 

After the 16-minute mark, we shift into a full spoiler discussion, breaking down the characters, relationships, and everything that worked (and didn’t) for us. We also talk about the upcoming Netflix adaptation releasing May 8, 2026, including our thoughts on the cast (Sally Field is a QUEEN). If you’ve read this charming pick, listen now!

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re diving into the most popular books by bestselling authors and asking the big question: are the most read titles actually their best?

Each of us picked a favorite author and compared their most popular book with the book we think deserves the real spotlight. From viral BookTok hits to underrated backlist gems, we’re sharing our honest takes on what you should read next.

If you’ve ever searched for:

•  best books by your favorite authors 
•  most popular books vs underrated books 
•  what to read after a bestselling novel 

this episode is for you.

--

Told You So by Mayci Neeley

Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt

Into The Blue by Emma Brodie

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

This week on Books Around the Block, we sit down with New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Crum for an inside look at her novel This Story Might Save Your Life. We dive into the inspiration behind the book, hidden Easter eggs, and the unique bonus content included in the audiobook.

Tiffany also shares her writing process, how her stories come to life, and what readers can expect from her next project. Whether you’ve already read the book or are looking for your next must-read, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights, author secrets she spilled just for us, and, as usual, our own version of bookish chaos.

Perfect for fans of fiction, audiobook lovers, and anyone curious about the creative process of a bestselling author.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

Best Offer Wins by Marissa Kashino

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan

In this March Reading Wrap-Up + April TBR episode of Books Around the Block, we break down our best reads, our worst reads, and each of us chooses one book to either rant or rave about. Expect honest takes and very strong bookish opinions.

Then we shift into our April TBR picks, where we each choose two books we plan to read this month. Whether they are highly anticipated reads or books we are finally getting around to, we share what is on deck for April and why.

That's Not How It Happened by Craig Thomas

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

This Might Hurt by Adam Kay

Rough Draft by Katy Tur

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Kin by Tayari Jones

In Her League by Liz Tomforde

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner

All Her Fault by Andrea Mara

In Her Defense by Philippa Macklea

Strangers by Belle Burden

The Elements by John Boyne

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison

Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rondo

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

Boomtown by Nic Stone

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen

The Mad Wife by Megan Church

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This week on Books Around the Block, we’re diving into our March book club pick: Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden.

We start with what we are currently reading, watching, and obsessed with, then give a clear spoiler warning and diving all the way in. From outlandish characters, twists and turns, and all the revenge, we’re breaking down everything, sharing ratings and reacting in real time to one of Freida McFadden’s most talked-about thrillers.

Whether you’re here for the recs or ready to unpack Dear Debbie, we’ve got you covered.

Timestamps:
0:00 What we’re reading, watching & loving lately
[spoiler-free section flows into spoiler discussion with warning]

Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers, twisty plots, and casual, chatty book club conversations.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re diving into our most anticipated Q2 releases, covering all the buzzy new books hitting shelves in April, May, and June. Each of us brought three upcoming titles we cannot stop thinking about, from can’t-miss thrillers to swoony romances to stories we already know will wreck us in the best way.

Expect strong opinions, a few hot takes, and plenty of “add to cart immediately” energy as we break down what’s worth preordering and what should be on your radar for the next few months.

Your spring and early summer TBR starts here.

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Rites of Starling by Devney Perry

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick

It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

Looking for your next great read? We’ve got you.

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re pairing popular TV shows with the perfect book recommendation. If you’ve ever finished a show and thought, “I need something that feels like this in book form,” we’re here to help.

Each of us brings a TV show we love and matches it with a book we think you should read right now. Expect bold opinions, a few hot takes, and plenty of laughs as we debate whether these book pairings truly capture the vibe of the shows.

If you love book recommendations, bookish discussions, reading podcasts, and strong opinions about books, this episode is for you.

The Elements by John Boyne

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden

And Now Back to You by B.K. Borison

Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy