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The weather is getting colder, the books are getting cozier, & this paranormal romance by B.K. Borison suits the season perfectly ❄️ In our review of Good Spirits, we cry (literally), laugh, & gush over everything that made this book so special to us. The characters, magic, & emotional depth tucked into the quaint city of Annapolis left us dreamy & eager for more B.K. Borison paranormal romances in the future! (P.S. this episode contains spoilers!)

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

🖋️ Good Spirits Synopsis:

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

📖 Books Mentioned:

• Good Spirits - B.K. Borison
• First Time Caller - B.K. Borison
• Lovelight Farms - B.K. Borison
• Grim Tidings - B.K. Borison
• Holidaze - Christina Lauren
• Say You’ll Remember Me - Abby Jimenez
• The Will of the Many - James Islington
• The Strength of the Few - James Islington
• Prison Healer - Lynette Noni
• Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry

⏱ Time Stamps:

00:00:00 good spirits by b.k. borison!

00:01:10 christmas disclaimer

00:2:20 out of hannah's comfort zone

00:3:20 our ratings + book overview

00:8:20 b.k.'s writing style

00:11:00 magical realism & paranormal elements

00:15:20 character dimension & trauma

00:20:00 the setting

00:22:00 the meh hook

00:25:00 the perfect pallet cleanser

00:28:00 visceral emotional reactions

00:33:00 harriet's first memory

00:34:30 sweet sweet soulmates

00:40:30 the boat scene

00:45:50 matched loneliness

00:47:30 hannah's first pod tears

00:51:00 thoughts on dual pov & dialogue

00:53:50 the spy cat

00:56:00 the next books

00:58:00 2025 wrap up foreshadowing

01:02:20 we loved harriet & magic

01:08:15 goodreads choice awards nominations

01:18:00 outro

We're back with Part 2 of our deep dive into The Will of the Many! 🏛️ We’re unpacking everything that makes this book so addictive: the writing, the world, the politics, the twists, & that jaw-dropping ending. (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)

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

🖋️ The Will of the Many Synopsis:

"AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me."

📖 Books Mentioned:

The Will of the Many (Hierarchy #1) - James Islington

The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy #2) - James Islington

The Shadow of What Was Lost (The Licanius Trilogy #1) - James Islington

Empire of Storms - Sarah J. Maas

The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson

The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

⏱ Time Stamps:

00:00:00 intro

00:01:50 festival of the ancestors

00:06:00 adventure to the 2nd ruins

00:09:20 vis adopts a dog

00:11:20 caeror’s letters

00:13:15 creepy ghost theory

00:17:30 cataclysm theory

00:23:30 the duel + aequa deep dive

00:30:00 madeline cries lol

00:31:30 vis goes home

00:37:00 dynamic duo - military and anguis

00:37:50 the perfect theory book

00:40:00 emissa's

00:42:15 vis is a chess king

00:52:20 crazy synchronism theories

00:58:20 the iudicium deep dive

01:11:00 is it a prophecy?

01:16:00 the rest of the iudicium

01:27:00 outro

The Will of the Many has completely taken over the fantasy community & we totally get why 🏛️ We’re unpacking everything that makes this book so addictive: the writing, the world, the politics, the twists, & that jaw-dropping ending. Join us for Part 1 of our Hierarchy series deep dive, & stay tuned for Part 2 next Tuesday! (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)

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

📖 Books Mentioned:

• ​The Will of the Many (Hierarchy #1) - James Islington
• ​The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy #2) - James Islington
• ​Red Rising - Pierce Brown
• ​The Shadow of What Was Lost (The Licanius Trilogy #1) - James Islington
• ​Blood Over Bright Haven - M.L. Wang

⏱ Time Stamps:

00:00:000 intro

00:01:30 our ratings

00:06:20 the elephant in the room

00:09:35 the writing style

00:12:15 the pacing

00:14:40 show vs tell

00:17:00 vis is a planner

00:21:10 world building and science fantasy

00:25:45 vis is so smart

00:27:45 we loved the roman inspired setting

00:29:30 the pyramid structure

00:34:30 overpowered characters

00:36:20 a great hook

00:39:40 pre-academy plot deep dive

00:45:20 imagining transvects

00:51:30 relucia/sedotia

00:55:20 veridius intro

00:59:00 big sister lanistia + training montage

01:03:00 the naumachia

01:12:30 vis at the academy + his flaws

01:25:30 first visit to the ruins

01:40:00 final thoughts

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Join us for a hilarious game of blind-picking halloween costumes for our favorite book characters! Featuring group costumes for Fourth Wing & Throne of Glass to couples’ costumes for Beach Read and Just For The Summer, we were dying laughing! (P.S. This episode is spoiler free!)

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

📖 Books Mentioned:

• ​Butcher and Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy #1) - Brynne Weaver
• ​Prison Healer - Lynnette Noni
• ​House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) - Sarah J. Maas
• ​Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
• ​Check & Mate - Ali Hazelwood
• ​Red Rising - Pierce Brown
• ​Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
• ​A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
• ​The Right Move - Liz Tomforde
• ​Beach Read - Emily Henry
• ​Say You’ll Remember Me - Abby Jimenez
• ​The Awakening (Zodiac Academy #1) - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
• ​Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1)- Rebecca Yarros
• ​Bride - Ali Hazelwood
• ​Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
• ​The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom #1)- Rachel Gillig
• ​Yours Truly - Abby Jimenez
• ​Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez
• ​Just For the Summer - Abby Jimenez
• ​Hot For Slayer (Scared Sexy Collection) - Ali Hazelwood
• ​Mate (Bride #2) - Ali Hazelwood
• ​The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyasia #1)- Carissa Broadbent

⏱ Time Stamps

️ 00:00 happy halloween!

01:40 butcher and blackbird

03:00 the prison healer

04:55 crescent city

07:50 twilight

08:25 check and mate

09:40 red rising

12:55 the hunger games

15:00 ACOTAR

19:05 the right move

20:10 beach read

21:10 say you’ll remember me

22:30 zodiac academy

29:15 fourth wing

32:00 throne of glasss

36:00 the knight & the moth

37:15 wildcard!

39:20 our halloween plans

42:40 shopping spree

52:35 our thoughts on the life of a showgirl

October is here & so is our honest review of Brynne Weaver's latest release, Tourist Season! 🔪🩸 We talk about the novel's witty banter, dark romance, vigilante serial killing, & many plot points. Was the suspense worth it? Tune in to find out!

(P.S. this episode contains spoilers!)

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

Tourist Season Synopsis:

“Cape Carnage is a seaside town of colorful houses, quirky shops, and an unusually high body count. But with tourists comes trouble, and Harper Starling won’t let anyone ruin her picture-perfect home. A skilled gardener with killer instincts, Harper protects her sanctuary at any cost—especially for her aging mentor with a fading memory. Troublesome tourists don’t check out of Carnage. They compost beneath Harper’s award-winning flowerbeds.

But Nolan Rhodes isn’t your average tourist. Devilishly handsome, disarmingly charming, and skilled with a blade, Nolan is relentless in the pursuit of revenge. On every anniversary of the hit-and-run accident that fractured his life, Nolan slays another target. And he’s saved the best for last: the undeniably beautiful Harper Starling. The problem? Harper isn’t the monster he expected. And she won’t go down without a fight.

When an amateur true crime investigator comes to Cape Carnage on the trail of a long-lost serial killer, Harper and Nolan strike an uneasy truce. If Nolan helps Harper protect her town, she’ll keep quiet about his hunting habits . . . for now. But their alliance soon spirals into obsession, one that threatens to shatter every secret in Carnage—including their fragile love.”

📖 Books Mentioned:

• ​Tourist Season - Brynne Weaver
• ​Butcher & Blackbird - Brynne Weaver
• ​Leather & Lark - Brynne Weaver
• ​Scythe & Sparrow - Brynne Weaver
• ​The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood
• ​Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood
• ​The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• ​The Strength of the Few - James Islington
• ​The Will of the Many - James Islington
• ​Mate - Ali Hazelwood
• ​Alchemy of Secrets - Stephanie Garber

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:00 tourist season book review

00:01:50 our ratings

00:05:55 writing quality

00:07:20 dual POV complaints

00:09:05 cringey smut

00:13:15 insta love

00:15:20 the spooky small-town setting

00:19:35 the hook

00:26:00 ignorance isn’t bliss

00:28:40 boring meet cute

00:31:10 blackmail plot line

00:32:25 half baked sub plots

00:38:20 the body treasure hunt

00:39:40 nolan & harper

00:43:20 arthur lancaster

00:44:45 lukas + the sleuthseekers

00:48:45 la plume deep dive

00:57:15 a quick summary

01:01:30 reading goodreads reviews

01:10:50 outro

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