Now that it's officially fall, we wanted to curate a list of cozy, spooky, & whimsical reads to suit the season! 🍂 We have book recs for magic academies, academia romance, & mysteries whether you just love fall & all the cozy vibes or you're feeling the back-to-school excitement!

(P.S. this episode is spoiler free!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

• A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) - Naomi Novik 
• The Last Graduate (The Scholomance #2) - Naomi Novik 
• The Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance #3) - Naomi Novik 
• The Awakening (Zodiac Academy #1) - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
• The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood
• The Deal - Elle Kennedy
• The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han
• My Life with the Walter Boys - Ali Novak
• Save Me (Maxton Hall #1) - Mona Kasten
• Nocticadia - Keri Lake
• The Naturals - Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman

⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 intro
00:45 our favorite time of year
02:00 our new audio equipment
03:00 the scholomance trilogy
09:55 wednesday adams comparison
11:00 zodiac academy
18:55 the love hypothesis
24:00 the deal
29:10 the summer i turned pretty tangent
30:50 maxton hall tangent
35:20 nocticadia
39:10 mad's MAJOR life update
40:55 the naturals
43:40 dungeon crawler carl???
45:00 would you rather!
54:41 outro

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but what about its first line... 🧐 Today, we're putting that idea to the test! Did these first lines hook us? Confuse us? Make us want to remove it from our TBRs? Tune in as we react in real time, & stay till the end as we debrief our August TBR picks & catch up on life outside of the Pod!

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout 

📖 Books Mentioned:Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil - V. E. SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V. E. SchwabVicious - V. E. SchwabOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberCaraval - Stephanie GarberDivine Rivals - Rebecca RossBlood of Hercules - Jasmine MasPsycho Shifters - Jasmine MasBonds of Hercules - Jasmine MasA Study in Drowning - Ava ReidThe Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance #3) - Naomi NovikImmortal Consequences - I. V. MarieThe Blighted Stars - Megan E. O'KeefeThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonRed Rising - Pierce BrownBlood Over Bright Haven - M. L. WangThe Strength of the Few - James IslingtonThe Sword of Kaigen - M. L. WangWhen The Moon Hatched - Sarah A. ParkerThe Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A. ParkerIron Gold - Pierce BrownLight Bringer - Pierce BrownRed God - Pierce BrownUprooted - Naomi NovikThrone of Glass - Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight - Sarah J. MaasNinth House - Leigh BardugoThe Naturals - Jennifer Lynn BarnesShadow and Bone - Leigh BardugoKing of Scars - Leigh BardugoPowerless - Lauren RobertsBinding 13 - Chloe WalshThe Knight and The Moth - Rachel GilligSoul in Darkness - Wendy HigginsA Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. MaasThe Selection - Kiera CassThe Friend Zone - Abby JimenezOverruled - Lana FergusonOut On A Limb - Hannah Bonam-YoungNever Keep - Caroline Peckham & Susanne ValentiPrison Healer - Lynette Noni

⏱️Timestamps:
00:00:00 intro
00:02:50 the widow arrives on a wednesday.
00:05:05 the door to the prince of hearts church has disappeared.
00:07:45 i draped my long toga over my crossed legs...
00:11:30 the paper was as frayed and tattered...
00:14:25 wren hadn't bothered to lock her bedroom door.
00:17:05 Tarquin stood on the command bridge...
00:18:15 i am dangling...
00:20:30 we losing trust in booktok
00:25:55 it was a harrowing climb to the high school.
00:28:15 the world began with five.
00:30:45 weary, i walk upon flowers at the head of an army.
00:34:20 our dragon doesn't eat the girls he takes...
00:35:40 after a year of slavery in the salt mines...
00:37:00 crown of midnight by SJM spoiler!!
00:38:10 by the time alex managed to get the blood out...
00:39:15 the naturals series tangent
00:42:15 leigh bardugo detour
00:45:19 thick hot liquid runs down my arm.
00:48:38 powerless & red queen debate (spoilers)
00:53:40 it was january 10, 2005.
00:56:35 the booktok community 
00:59:55 mad's update on her august tbr
01:03:55 han's update on her august tbr
01:04:40 spoiler! the friend zone by abby jimenez 
01:09:20 spoiler! out on a limb by hannah bonam young
01:14:20 life! golf, sabrina carpenter & clash of clans
01:18:30 life! sourdough, crotchet & sabrina carpenter
01:24:00 outro

Our brutally honest review of The Knight and The Moth is in... 🗡️🦋 This highly anticipated novel by Rachel Gillig was a gothic, eerie fantasy with new magic and beloved tropes. In our review, we dissect the world building, Rachel's whimsical prose, the magic system, the plot, & the characters. (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig

One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig

Two Twisted Crowns - Rachel Gillig

Blood Over Bright Haven - M.L. Wang

Prison Healer - Lynette Noni

✍️ The Knight and the Moth Synopsis:

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum's windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:00 episode intro

00:02:05 our ratings of the knight & the moth

00:05:00 high level summary

00:06:35 writing style & world building

00:10:00 we got distracted by a moth lol

00:10:40 our initial reactions

00:13:20 did the world building deliver?

00:16:10 a fascinating magic system

00:19:50 did we predict any plot?

00:26:20 the quest plot line

00:27:40 six & rory’s dynamic

00:33:50 the carnival scene + six’s arms

00:36:55 the diviner disappearances

00:38:50 the omens and false gods

00:43:10 benji deep dive

00:47:20 training montage & knighting

00:49:50 WHERE IS THE YEARNING?!

00:53:50 the diviners & religion

00:56:15 the gargoyle is the best character

00:59:40 comparison to one dark window

01:02:35 rachel gillig’s author’s note

01:06:15 will we read the next book?

01:09:30 reacting to 1-5 goodreads reviews

01:21:00 outro

It's that time of year for a reading wrap up! 📚 We’ve been busy reading & have a variety of fantasy & romance books to share with y'all. We also thought to spice up our TBRs by choosing 3 books for each other to read this August. So grab your TBR & tune in! (P.S. This episode is spoiler-free!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout 

🔗 Madeline's Fable Stats: https://fable.co/madeline-bookout-544989383339

🔗 Hannah's Fable Stats: http://fable.co/hannah-bookout-363616138207 

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo

Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

The Hero of Ages - Brandon Sanderson

Rewind it Back - Liz Tomforde

This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune

The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig

House of Beating Wings - Olivia Wildenstein

House of Striking Oaths - Olivia Wildenstein

Accordance - Shelly Crane

One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig

Morning Star - Pierce Brown (**minor spoiler @ 13:07**)

Elantris - Brandon Sanderson

The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

Out on a Limb - Hannah Bonam-Young

Out of the Woods - Hannah Bonam-Young

People Watching - Hannah Bonam-Young

The Selection - Kiera Cass

The Friend Zone - Abby Jimenez

Everything I Know About Love - Dolly Alderton

Never Keep - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Soul in Darkness - Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins

Rise of the Melody - Wendy Higgins

The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller

Lights Out - Navessa Allen

Magic Forged - K. M. Shea

⏱️ Timestamps:

Introducing Blood Over Bright Haven🩸, one of our all-time favorite 5 star reads. This book left both of us sobbing & reeling, & we have to debrief it with y'all. We unpack the book’s world building & plot, dissect the morally complex characters, & explore how Wang tackles ethics with gut-punching emotional stakes. (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Blood Over Bright Haven - M.L. Wang

Sword of Kaigen - M.L. Wang

✍️ Blood Over Bright Haven Synopsis:

For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry.
When Sciona finally passes the qualifying exam and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome—and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power.
At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:00 intro

00:01:45 our ratings

00:02:45 what BOBH is about

00:05:25 our hiatus & an anniversary

00:09:00 world building & magic system

00:18:45 sciona’s character deep dive

00:25:39 plot deep dive

00:28:00 thomil & sciona meet

00:38:15 sciona’s crashing out

00:40:27 the library scene

00:41:49 sciona flights back

00:46:00 madeline starts crying

00:48:20 the morality theme

00:52:05 brigham character deep dive

00:56:35 thought provoking themes

00:59:10 thomil character deep dive

01:12:30 a barnes & noble story

01:15:50 pics of us crying lol

01:17:25 1000% recommend

01:21:10 outro

Last but far from least... We're closing out the Red Rising Saga review with a bang! Morning Star by Pierce Brown gave us everything we hoped for (& plenty we weren’t emotionally prepared for) & we're here to discuss it all. Special guest Nolan joins us as we dig into the jaw-dropping plot twists, powerful character arcs, & the trilogy's unforgettable conclusion. You won’t want to miss this episode!  

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

Book Synopsis:

"Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within. Finally, the time has come. But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender."

📖 Books Mentioned:

Morning Star - Pierce Brown

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Golden Son - Pierce Brown

Light Bringer - Pierce Brown

⏱️Timestamps:

00:00 intro

01:00 meet nolan!

04:45 nolan's fav book bf...

06:00 morning star ratings

08:20 the boring parts

10:50 our book review formula

11:25 world building

12:20 space is confusing

16:30 darrow's imprisonment

18:40 where was the trauma?

20:30 the rescue

22:02 bring the action

25:35 fake first person

27:10 reunited with sevro

32:00 book 2 was darrow's book

39:30 howler initiation

36:20 we got spoilers

37:50 quicksilver & phobos

45:30 a visit to the obsidians

48:00 ragnar broke us

51:20 choppy writing

54:00 the political genius

57:45 full body chills

58:50 darrow's growth

01:01:40 the roque space battle

01:05:40 roque broke us

01:09:40 cassius & darrow

01:12:30 and what do we do w/ murderers?

01:15:20 we're gullible readers

01:19:00 the ending & baby pax

01:28:55 sevro and victra ahhh

01:30:30 sevro is too funny

01:32:00 outro

Last but far from least... We're closing out the Red Rising Saga review with a bang! Morning Star by Pierce Brown gave us everything we hoped for (& plenty we weren’t emotionally prepared for). Special guest Nolan joins us as we dig into the jaw-dropping plot twists, powerful character arcs, & the trilogy's unforgettable conclusion. You won’t want to miss this episode!

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Morning Star - Pierce Brown

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Golden Son - Pierce Brown

Light Bringer - Pierce Brown

In this episode, we turned our love for fantasy into a competitive game night. Each square on the bingo card represents a classic or niche trope from the genre: secret royalty, talking animals, magic schools... you name it. Download our homemade bingo card below & play along with us!

(P.S. This episode contains spoilers! Check the episode chapters & see which books are *starred* below to avoid spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

🤍 CTB Fantasy Book Bingo Card: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGq1DprWnE/s8mOUAd3Ch7ye0y6xAaAOA/view?utm_content=DAGq1DprWnE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hac4f355142 

📖 Books Mentioned:

From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L Armentrout

Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang **

Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent **

The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson

Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas **

House of Beating Wings - Olivia Wildenstein

Kingdom of the Wicked - Kerri Maniscalco 

An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir

The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan

Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen

Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross

Spark of the Everflame - Pen Cole

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

The Book of Azrael - Amber Nicole

Blood & Steel - Helen Scheuerer **

Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry **

A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

Unearthly - Cynthia Hand

House of Earth and Blood - Sarah J. Maas **

Heartless Hunter - Kristen Ciccarelli **

Red Rising - Pierce Brown **

The Cruel Prince - Holly Black

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

Sweet Evil -  Wendy Higgins

Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson

Bride - Ali Hazelwood

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig

Serpent & Dove - Shelby Mahurin

Assistant to the Villian - Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Caraval - Stephanie Garber

The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

A Fate of Wrath and Flame - K.A. Tucker

The Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent

The Raven Boys - Maggie Steifvater **These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan ** ⏱️Timestamps:

00:00 intro

01:32 bingo card!

02:35 first spin & the rules

04:53 madeline is already struggling

09:20 House of Beating Wings

10:00 solving hannah's book slump

14:10 easyyy

14:35 we don't remember the plot

15:50 hannah's first bingo!

17:10 Daughter of No Worlds debate

18:55 Blood Over Bright Haven Spoiler

20:25 Shatter MAYBE?

21:40 madeline's first bingo!

24:00 han's 2nd bingo

25:30 An Ember in the Ashes

26:10 mad's 2nd bingo

26:40 bingo asmr lol

28:30 mad's 3rd bingo

28:55 hannah messed up

29:45 many bingos

32:45 what's her name

35:35 bringo lol

36:10 finally

38:30 we cheated

40:10 mad blacked out

42:50 internet etiquette parenting

52:40 outro

53:10 we're on fable

It's proposal season! 💍 In this episode, we challenge each other to guess the book based solely on its wedding or proposal scene! Featuring both contemporary romance & romantasy books, all of these nuptials are memorable to us in the best or worst way. Tune in to guess along with us! (P.S. This episode contains spoilers! Check the episode chapters & see which books are *starred* below to avoid spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez **

Bride - Ali Hazelwood **

The War of Two Queens (From Blood and Ash #4) - Jennifer L. Armentrout **

The Selection - Kiera Cass **

The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole

Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins **

A Fate of Wrath & Flame - K.A. Tucker **

Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross **

First Time Caller - B.K. Borison

Furyborn - Claire Legrand

Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard

A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame - Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros **

Significance - Shelly Crane **

Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren **

Funny Story - Emily Henry **

These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan **

Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti **

Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen **

Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren **

Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood **

This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune **

One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune

⏱️Timestamps:

00:00 intro
00:40 wedding season!!
02:30 Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez
04:00 Bride - Ali Hazelwood
05:50 From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L. Armentrout
06:40 The Selection - Kiera Cass
07:35 The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole
08:45 Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
12:40 A Fate of Wrath & Flame - K.A. Tucker
15:25 Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross
18:20 book trophies
23:35 Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros
24:25 Significance - Shelly Crane
26:30 Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren
27:05 Funny Story - Emily Henry
28:40 These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan
31:35 Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti 
33:05 Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren
35:30 Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood
36:30 This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune 
38:00 the switch to fable...
42:00 i need a new kindle
44:55 outro
46:00 new releases

Nothing suits the summer season better than a warm, fun romance! 🏖️ If you're going to the beach or lake - or neither but you're here for the vibes - we have throwback & recently released book recs for your travels! (P.S. This ep has spoilers for some books! See below!)

🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

Beach Read - Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry

Happy Place - Emily Henry

Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren

Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood (SPOILERS)

This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune

One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune

Every Summer After - Carley Fortune

Meet Me At The Lake - Carley Fortune

Ex Vows - Jessica Joyce

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:00 beach read recs episode