We're kicking off 2026 by reflecting on our favorite books of 2025, sharing our most anticipated reads of 2026, and setting our bookish goals for the year. We also speculate on ACOTAR 6, talk about being OVER smut, and share our excitement for Bookcon 2026!

In this episode of Book Talks, Kayla and Marisa dive into 'The Love Haters' by Catherine Center, exploring its themes of self-discovery, body image, and the importance of friendship. They discuss character development, emotional connections, and the role of the Coast Guard in the narrative. The conversation highlights the impact of trauma and healing, as well as the significance of supportive relationships in the protagonist's journey. The episode concludes with reflections on the book's ending and a preview of their upcoming reads.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Holly Jackson's latest book, 'Not Quite Dead Yet.' This book revolves around a character solving her own murder which is HELLA fun, but we also get into our different reading experiences, character dynamics, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly regarding themes of death and family. This is a SPOILER EPISODE so we will be analyzing plot twists, our suspicions about various characters, and the challenges of writing thrillers. The episode concludes with our ratings and thoughts on the book, as well as a teaser for our next read...you'll never guess what it is. 

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa dive into their reading experience of 'Silver Elite' by Danny Francis. They discuss their newfound love for libraries, the controversies surrounding the book, and the dystopian themes that resonate throughout the story. The conversation flows into character analysis, focusing on relationships, betrayals, and the moral complexities of the uprising depicted in the book. They conclude with their thoughts on the ending and speculations for future developments in the series.

Summary

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, hosts Kayla and Marisa dive into Ali Hazelwood's 'Problematic Summer Romance.' They discuss their initial hesitations about the age gap in the romance, the character dynamics, and the humor that permeates the story. The conversation also touches on the significance of setting, the role of epilogues in romance novels, and the challenges of book publishing trends. The hosts share their love for Hazelwood's writing and reflect on their reading experiences, ultimately giving the book a five-star rating.

In this episode of the Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marissa delve into the world of 'The Hunger Games' series, particularly focusing on 'Sunrise on the Reaping.' They discuss character development, personal reflections on the series, and the complexities of Haymitch's journey. The conversation touches on themes of trauma, survival, and the influence of the Capitol, as well as the nature of volunteering in the games. They also explore the impact of death and loss, and make literary comparisons to other works, ultimately sharing their recommendations for readers.

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, we rank all of Emily Henry's books, analyze character dynamics, and discuss the importance of storytelling techniques. Our conversation also touches on the expectations readers have for romance novels and the impact of AI in literature, culminating in a SPOILER-FILLED discussion about key plot points in Great Big Beautiful Life. In this conversation, we discuss the complexities of the main characters, focusing on Alice's relationship with her mother, Margaret and Cosmo’s epic love, and the dynamics of sisterhood. We explore the themes of mental health, the impact of fame on personal relationships, and the heavy emotional weight of Emily Henry’s latest masterpiece.  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emily Henry's Works

02:59 Ranking Emily Henry's Books

06:07 Diving into Great Big Beautiful Life

09:01 Character Analysis and Storytelling Techniques

12:03 Expectations vs. Reality in Romance Novels

14:57 Spoiler Alert: Key Plot Points Discussed

17:51 AI in Literature and Current Trends

20:45 Character Analysis: Alice's Journey

23:01 Family Dynamics: Alice and Her Mother

24:58 The Role of Hayden: Insights and Observations

27:02 Sisterhood and Mental Health: A Deeper Look

30:05 The Impact of Fame: Margaret and Cosmo's Relationship

33:04 Themes of Loss and Love: The Heavy Nature of the Story

39:07 Final Thoughts: Ratings and Expectations for Future Reads

We are Back! Join us while we kick off season 7! In this episode of the Booktalks Podcast, we reconnect after a break, sharing personal updates, discussing our reading habits, and diving into our favorite books and authors. We reflect on the evolution of our podcast, the challenges of managing our TBR lists, and our preferences between genres like romance, fantasy, and thrillers. The conversation also touches on anticipated upcoming releases and the comfort of revisiting favorite shows and books. 

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Catching Up

Today, Marisa sits down with the Queen of Crime herself (Karin Slaughter) to discuss all things Will Trent! This is Why We Lied is the 12th book in the Will Trent series and is on sale NOW in the US. We hope you enjoy this special AUTHOR INTERVIEW episode of Booktalks Podcast!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The Catch by Amy Lea. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!