It's time to hear reading confessions, hot takes, and reader problems from our listeners! On this episode we have someone who hates the special edition boom, someone who doesn't like half star ratings, two people who are reading too many audiobooks (is that possible?), someone who is having an existential crisis about borrowing too many ebooks from the library, and a bookseller who is struggling to live her 84 Charing Cross Road dreams!

Links mentioned:

Article about special editions: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/books/deluxe-book-editions-decorated-edges.html

Article about ebooks at libraries: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2020/09/hold-on-ebooks-cost-how-much-the-inconvenient-truth-about-library-ecollections/

Our new stamps: https://store.dftba.com/products/mini-book-stamp

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Alex, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Bonnie, Brittany, Bronte, Candis, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Joyce, Karina, Kayla, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Michelle, Nicole, Rachel, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Hair mods

00:05:37 - Rae’s Week

00:07:36 - Ariel’s Oscars Watchlist

00:10:12 - 2 Updates

00:11:04 - CONFESSIONS!

00:25:04 - Half Star Ratings

00:32:17 - Inventory Dilemma

00:45:19 - Ebooks, Audiobooks, and the Library System

00:59:14 - 90% Audiobooks

01:09:41 - On Reading Speeds

Two new reviews, a handful of currently reads, and no new books?!

Links Mentioned:

New Mini Book Stamp!!! https://store.dftba.com/products/mini-book-stamp

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Alex, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Bonnie, Brittany, Bronte, Candis, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Joyce, Karina, Kayla, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Michelle, Nicole, Rachel, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00 - On Snow

03:21 - Rae Update

12:35 - Ariel Update

17:48 - New Merch!

19:56 - What We Read

27:04 - Review: Second Hand Love

33:03 - Currently Reading!

46:38 - Mail Room

We both went on trips and those trips led to bookshopping...

Links mentioned:

Scoodie Pattern: https://www.averp.co.uk/patterns/p/crochet-scoodie-pattern

Star Blanket Pattern: https://bettymcknit.com/patterns/6daystarblanket/

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Bonnie, Brittany, Bronte, Candis, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Joyce, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Michelle, Nicole, Rachel, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00 - #278

01:48 - Ariel’s new slippers!

22:18 - The Decagon House Murders

32:26 - Men of War

42:10 - What We’re Reading

54:01 - The Mail Room

We've both read books about women who are bullied at work this week!

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Bonnie, Brittany, Bronte, Candis, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Joyce, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Michelle, Nicole, Rachel, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00 - Rae is SWAMPED

01:34 - New Mug!!

09:38 - #WhereImReading

40:28 - What We’re Reading

44:55 - The Mail Room

We're starting the year off with a BANG!

Links mentioned:

Leena's Book "Half Arsed Human": https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Half-Arse-Human-by-Leena-Norms/9781472638199

Leena's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leenanorms/

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Bonnie, Brittany, Bronte, Candis, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Michelle, Nicole, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to 2025!!!

00:00:52 - AGM

00:02:16 - What We’ve Been Up To

00:04:40 - Ariel Tried Hot Pot

00:10:02 - Ariel Is Into Pokemon

00:14:16 - Raeleen Got A Sourdough Starter

00:16:35 - Rae Is Into D&D

00:21:33 - Shrek Quest Update

00:23:01 - Biggest Book Haul of 2025 (so far)

00:41:35 - Half Arse Human by Leena Norms!!!

00:45:08 - Review: Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

01:08:52 - Review: Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty

01:18:55 - What We’re Reading

We're reacting to our 2024 goals and creating our 2025 goals! HERE! WE! GO!

Shrek Quest Bingo Card: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2RQwlryXtmtb4Ul7eO2bhK1e160gO-V/view?usp=drive_link

Ariel's log of visiting every bookshop in Nova Scotia: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/every-bookshop-in-nova-scotia

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Brittany, Bronte, Cait, Candis, Christi, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Mickey, Nicole, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00:00 - #275!

00:09:05 - 24 A24 Movies In 2024 Part 24

00:40:32 - Raeleen’s 2025 Goals

00:57:31 - Ariel’s 2025 Goals

01:06:35 - LIVE BOOK BREAKING

01:10:28 - 2025 TBR’s

Ariel visited SEVENTEEN bookstores so she has a LOT of books! And we react to your stats! Nearly 3000 of you filled out the reading survey and left SO MUCH great information for us to look through!

Ariel's log of visiting every bookshop in nova scotia: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/every-bookshop-in-nova-scotia

The spreadsheet of community statistics for you to read through: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C74Hp9tXw6hFNlwjQN-Q9jg5nNKwjrN6SyNtHiZOSTI/edit?usp=sharing

Support The Podcast:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Brittany, Bronte, Cait, Candis, Christi, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Mickey, Nicole, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00 - Christmas Book Haul!

04:21 - Every Book Shop In Nova Scotia

46:12 - Community Statistics 2024

OUR BIGGEST EPISODE OF THE YEAR IS HERE!! WE ARE SO EXCITED!! Our favourite books, authors, covers, sub genres, and more! All of our reading statistics! It’s huge!

Links mentioned:

Our reading spreadsheet template: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/stuff

Books Unbound Reading Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw699d4vD5qbQ7coa3M7Qq9XuH9cGvvvUMymAoI7qDglpATw/viewform

Max from WellDoneBooks: https://www.instagram.com/welldonebooks?igsh=MWdvYzYyYm56c3FrNg==

Support The Podcast:

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Brittany, Bronte, Cait, Candis, Christi, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Mickey, Nicole, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Raegreen

00:02:38 - Table of Contents

00:03:48 - Raeleen’s Top Books of 2024

00:13:03 - Ariel’s Top Books of 2024

00:23:30 - STATISTICS

00:34:17 - Spreadsheets

01:03:58 - QUESTIONS

01:12:12 - Sub-Genre of the Year

01:16:25 - 2025 Reading Trend Predictions

01:19:07 - Favourite Authors of 2024

01:21:22 - Cat Books: Final Edition

01:27:32 - DNF’s of 2024

01:30:02 - Book Memories

Links mentioned:

Yearly Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw699d4vD5qbQ7coa3M7Qq9XuH9cGvvvUMymAoI7qDglpATw/viewform

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Support The Podcast:

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Brittany, Bronte, Cait, Candis, Christi, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Mickey, Nicole, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Fill out our yearly reading survey! https://forms.gle/c5dsrrnC37U37M1UA

Links mentioned:

Sign up to the bookmark subscription! https://store.dftba.com/products/books-unbound-bookmark-subscription

Books and Brews market organizer: https://www.instagram.com/kydraslittlelibrary/

Kings Co-op Bookshop: https://www.instagram.com/kingscoopbookstore/

Cahier Stationary: https://www.instagram.com/shop.cahier/

Wildcard Candles: https://www.instagram.com/wildcardcandlecompany/

Support The Podcast:

Our beautiful merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/books-unbound

Ariel's T-shirt: https://store.dftba.com/collections/bissett-books/products/im-thinking-about-books-t-shirt

Join our patreon and become a Dust Jacket! patreon.com/booksunbound

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_unbound/

Need Info or Some Books?

Buy books with our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/BooksUnbound

All the books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/books

Submit your book requests at booksunboundpodcast.com

Use our affiliate link to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! https://tidd.ly/3dyW1Xw

Our Patrons:

A special thanks to our Gold Foil Team on Patreon: Adriane, Ash, Bellanora, Bethany, Brittany, Bronte, Cait, Candis, Christi, Christina, Claire, Debra, Gene, Hannah, Hayli, Inbar, Jessie, Jill, Karina, Luna, Maria, Megan, Michelene, Mickey, Nicole, Roisin, Sherralle, Tiffany, Vanessa, Zoe!

Chapters:

00:00 - #271!

15:12 - Unbelievable Shawl

22:12 - Life in the big winter city

25:25 - Updates

27:29 - Bookmark Subscription

40:20 - Rae’s Book Haul