Books Around the Block

🎉 It’s our one year anniversary and our 50th episode! 🎉

To celebrate, we asked our listeners one question: What book got you into reading?

In this special episode of Books Around the Block, listeners call in to share the books that turned them into readers. We react to your picks and share the books that first made us fall in love with reading.

From childhood favorites to life-changing novels, this episode is a celebration of the stories that started our reading journeys.

Thank you for being part of our first year of Books Around the Block. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Rough Draft by Katy Tur

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff

Boom Town by Nic Stone

Along Came a Spider by James Patterson

The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Nancy Drew by Caroline Keene

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Dead Until Dark- Sooki Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

Crystal by VC Andrews

A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Gold! by David Shannon

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Suzanne’s diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

Your February reading wrap up is here. This week, Adrienne, Audrey, and Lindsay share every book they read in February, from standout favorites to a few that did not quite hit the mark. Then they dive into their March TBR lists and the titles they cannot wait to crack open next. If you love honest reviews and plenty of book recommendations, we got you! 

Next week we are celebrating our 50th episode and our ONE YEAR anniversary of starting Books Around the Block! We want to hear from you! Click the link to record a voice memo and answer this question: What is the book that got you into reading? Your voice might be featured on the podcast next week: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/462269/2/0fcawqd2rk9z81g2

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Laura Love Hardin

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Small Country by Gael Faye

How To Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Little One by Olivia Muenter

That's Not How It Happened by Craig Thomas

When I Kill You by B.A. Paris

One & Only by Maurene Goo

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Rewind It Back by Liz Thomforde

The Shining by Stephen King

Out on a Limb - Hannah Bonam-Young

Half His Age - Jeannette McCurdy

Where the Girls Were - Kate Schatz

How to Write a Love Story - Catherine Walsh

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones

The Burning Side by Sara Damoff 

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

In Her Defense by Phillippa Malika

This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay 

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re talking all things Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We break down the plot, favorite moments, big twists, and the science behind Ryland Grace’s mission, then give our honest ratings out of five stars.

We also share our thoughts on the upcoming movie adaptation and what we hope makes it from page to screen. Do we like Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace? You'll see! If you love sci fi, space survival stories, or book club style discussions, this one is for you.

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Small Country by Gael Faye

Where the Girls Were by Kate Schatz

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden

What makes a great book club book? In this episode of Books Around the Block, we break down the key ingredients that spark unforgettable discussions, from moral dilemmas and controversial themes to messy characters and hard issues. Then we share our top 6 favorite book club picks that guarantee lively conversation at your next meeting. If you are looking for thought-provoking book club recommendations, this episode is for you.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Columbine by Dave Cullen

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Looking for your next great romance read? In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re sharing our ultimate romance reading guide, complete with six romance categories and six book recommendations. Each host brings two categories and romance novels that perfectly fit them, from second-chance love stories to next-level yearning and everything in between. Whether you’re new to romance, burned out on the same tropes, or searching for a very specific vibe, this episode is packed with thoughtful picks, honest reactions, and plenty of bookish banter.

All Her Fault by Andrea Mara

That's Not How It Happened by Craig Thomas

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In this episode, we recap what we read in January and share our February TBR. We talk about the books we loved, the ones that surprised us, and the ones that left us wanting more. We also preview what is coming up next on our reading lists. Expect honest opinions, bookish tangents, and plenty of great reads to add to your list.

Perfect for listeners looking for a fun, conversational book podcast and monthly reading wrap ups.

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall 

The Shining by Stephen King

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

Funny Story by Emily Henry

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

All the Little Houses by May Cobb

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

When I Kill You by B.A. Paris

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

In this book club episode of Books Around the Block, we discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, a literary novel told through letters and personal reflections. We talk about the epistolary structure, key themes like grief and connection, and the choices the author makes in shaping the story.

We share our reactions, highlight moments that stood out, and discuss how this book functions as a book club pick, including the questions it raises and the conversations it sparked.

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

The Correspondent by Virigina Evans

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re breaking down books that are overhyped, underhyped, and appropriately hyped. Each of us brings one book for each category, sharing honest reactions, hot takes, and the kind of bookish opinions you’d only say out loud to neighbors you trust.

If you’ve ever wondered which popular books are actually worth reading, which underrated books deserve more attention, or whether the hype is real or wildly exaggerated, this episode is for you.

Grab your TBR and settle in. Things get opinionated.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

The Silent Patient by Alex Michelides

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen

New year, new books! In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re rounding up the most anticipated book releases of Q1 2026, from January through March. We’re talking buzzy new novels, upcoming romances, thrillers, and literary fiction that are already climbing our TBRs. If you’re building your 2026 reading list and want to know what to read next, this episode is for you.

Current Reads:

A Guardian and A Thief by Megha Majumdar

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

The Faithful Saints by Ashley Winstead

Anticipated Books: 

Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra

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

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Little One by Olivia Muenter

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

How to Write A Love Story by Catherine Walsh

We’re wrapping up our December reads and revealing what’s on our January TBR, including four-star favorites, total reading flops, and the books that personally offended us. Join us as we break down our biggest bookish wins, our biggest letdowns, and what we’re hoping to read next month. Expect honest reviews, plenty of laughs, relatable reading chaos, and neighborly banter you didn’t ask for but definitely need. Perfect for book lovers looking for reading recommendations, monthly wrap-ups, and a fun book podcast to add to their rotation.

Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

BEST:

Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lentz

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

WORST:

This is a safe space by Lucinda Berry

Brimstone by Callie Hart

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

MOST SURPRISING:

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

JANUARY HOPEFULS:

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

Funny Story by Emily Henry

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead