Episode 164 - The Stranger, The Andalite's Gift, & The Alien by K. A. ApplegateWe’re back in the Animorphs universe and this time we’re covering three books at once. Since they’re short, Sam and James read the next batch together, and something important finally clicks: everyone now has a personal reason to fight.This series is one of James’s childhood favorites, but it’s Sam’s first time reading and she’s noticing a real shift in quality. The stakes feel clearer, the characters feel more grounded, and the emotional investment starts to deepen in a big way.We talk about:• How each Animorph’s motivation develops• Why this stretch of the series feels stronger• Childhood nostalgia vs first-time reader reactions• The growing emotional complexity of the storyThis is the point where the series starts becoming more than just a fun premise and begins building something lasting.New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis⏱️ Time Stamps00:00 Intro01:14 Background06:45 Age Level & Content Warning08:46 Judge a Book by Its Cover12:38 The Stranger35:58 The Andalite's Gift58:26 The Alien01:16:13 General Thoughts01:17:37 One Question for the Author01:19:32 Rating01:21:08 Read Again?01:23:07 Favorite of the Series so Far📚 Follow the AuthorLearn more about K.A. Applegate and the Animorphs series:Website: ⁠⁠https://katherineapplegate.com/⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/kaaauthor⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kaaauthor/⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/kaaauthor.bsky.social⁠⁠🔗 Connect with Us on SocialsFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 163 - A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

This was the co-star pairing Sam had been waiting for. Kaitlyn reads A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking for the first time, and it’s exactly the conversation we hoped it would be.

Even though this is technically middle-grade, the book tackles complex issues with surprising nuance. Instead of handing readers easy answers, it encourages critical thinking and asks tough questions about responsibility, power, and what it really means to be a hero.

Sam and Kaitlyn discuss:

• Why this works so well as a hero deconstruction

• The balance between humor and heavy themes

• How the book handles moral complexity for younger readers

• Why this feels like something that should be taught in school

This is one of those rare children’s books that respects its audience and trusts them to wrestle with difficult ideas.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨

Next week: The Stranger, The Andalite's Gift & The Alien by K.A. Applegate

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

01:26 About the Author

06:34 Background

08:10 Age Level & Content Warning

10:35 Judge a Book by Its Cover

11:34 Discussion

01:03:15 General Thoughts

01:06:21 One Question for the Author

01:11:10 Rating

01:13:31 Read Again?

01:13:47 Outro

📖 Follow the Author - T. Kingfisher

Website: https://redwombatstudio.com/

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Episode 162 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Sam has officially finished the trilogy… and Mockingjay absolutely wrecked her, just like it does to everyone.

In this episode, Sam and Danielle unpack the emotional fallout of the final book, including Sam’s immediate membership in the “Finnick Odair is alive, what are you talking about” club. But beyond the denial, Sam also gives a powerful explanation for why both Finnick and Primrose Everdeen had to die for the narrative to work.

We dive into how Mockingjay is fundamentally a book about war, not glory, not victory, but consequences. The story intentionally leaves readers asking: “What was this for?” And that question is exactly the point, because it’s the one people should be asking before wars begin, not after.

This is a heavy one, but it’s also one of the most meaningful discussions we’ve had.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST

✨Next week: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

01:09 Background

05:57 Age Level & Content Warning

07:04 Judge a Book by Its Cover

08:55 Discussion

01:08:50 General Thoughts

01:09:41 One Question for the Author

01:14:55 Rating

01:16:37 Read Again

01:20:40 Favorite of the Series so Far

01:21:31 Outro

📖 Follow the Author - Suzanne Collins

Website: https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

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Episode 161 - The Guest List by Lucy Foley

To celebrate Hannah’s recent wedding, we decided to read a wedding-themed book… and Sam chose The Guest List specifically because it would make everyone feel better about their own wedding planning.

Mission accomplished.

Sam and Hannah dive into this twisty thriller set during a destination wedding where secrets, grudges, and long-simmering tensions all collide. We talk about the characters, the structure of the mystery, and why this book works so well as a “things could always be worse” wedding story.

If you’ve ever been stressed planning an event, just remember:at least it’s not THIS wedding.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨

Next week: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

01:11 About the Author

01:42 Background

05:47 Age Level & Content Warning

08:14 Judge a Book by Its Cover

09:40 Discussion

13:56 The Wedding Planner's Background

18:40 The Best Friend's Wife's Secret

22:09 The Bride's Secret

23:35 The Maid of Honor's Secret

33:03 The Best Man's and the Groom's Secret

43:52 The Wedding Planner's Secret

45:36 The Rest of the Book

50:08 General Thoughts

54:16 One Question for the Author

58:15 Rating

01:00:41 Read Again?

01:01:31 Outro

📖 Follow the Author

Lucy Foley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LucyFoleyAuthor/

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🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 160 - The Cat Who Played Post Office by Lilian Jackson Braun(The Cat Who… Series, Book 6)We’re six books into The Cat Who… series, and this one takes a turn.Sam and Tim discuss The Cat Who Played Post Office, and while the series has always dealt with murder and mystery, this installment pushes into much darker territory. You can absolutely tell this was written in the 1980s… and not in a cute, nostalgic way.We talk about:• How this book goes further than previous installments• Qwill's memory loss• The tonal shift within the series• And yes… that endingIf you’ve been reading along thinking this is a light, cozy-adjacent mystery series, this book might surprise you.New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: The Guest List by Lucy Foley⏱️ Time Stamps00:00 Intro00:55 Background01:57 Age Level & Content Warning03:11 Judge a Book by Its Cover06:20 Discussion39:52 General Thoughts41:08 One Question for the Author43:03 Rating44:44 Read Again?44:56 Favorite of the Series so Far45:57 Lack of Fan Art & TV Series47:39 Outro🔗 Connect with Us on SocialsFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 158 - Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren(Disney’s Meant to Be Series, Book 4 | Month of Love Finale)

We’re closing out our Month of Love with the fourth installment in Disney’s Meant to Be series and this one gave us the strangest tonal experience of the entire project.Sam and Keira discuss Tangled Up in You and its baffling vibe shift that can only be described as Hallmark Meets True Crime. Sweet small-town romance? Yes. Suspicious undertones and oddly intense plot elements? Also yes.We talk about:• The books characters vs movie characters• The tonal whiplash• How it compares to the other Meant to Be books• And whether the series is going to continue after book 5Is it romantic? Technically.Is it cohesive? That’s… debatable.New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: Truth of the Divine by Lindsay Ellis⏱️ Time Stamps00:00 Intro01:02 About the Author06:01 Background10:48 Age Level & Content Warning11:11 Judge a Book by Its Cover15:47 Discussion55:13 General Thoughts59:14 One Question for the Author01:00:08 Rating01:01:08 Rating01:01:48 Favorite of the Series so Far01:03:35 Outro📖 Follow the AuthorsWebsite: https://christinalaurenbooks.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaLaurenBooksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinalauren/Twitter: https://x.com/christinalaurenSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX8en0YoEcRIA🔗 Connect with Us on SocialsFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 157 - Love Hina (Volumes 1-3)Manga Discussion | Month of Love #3For our third installment of Month of Love, Sam is joined by James to revisit the first three volumes of Love Hina, a classic early-2000s romantic comedy manga that absolutely shaped the genre.We talk about the story, the tropes, and why this series became such a defining rom-com blueprint. We also address the elephant in the room, including the creator’s very unexpected political career, and how that context affects (or doesn’t affect) reading the series today.Is it nostalgic? Yes.Is it messy? Also yes.Is it still foundational to modern romance manga? Absolutely.New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren⏱️ TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro01:06 Background12:06 About the Author18:14 Age Level & Content Warning21:58 The White Elephant in the Room30:13 Judge a Book by It's Cover31:26 Book Review01:09:02 Read Again?01:13:20 One Question for the Author01:14:58 Rating01:19:02 Read Again?01:20:34 Outro🔗 Connect with Us on SocialsFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 156 - The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

February is our Month of Love, and this pick was a complete accident, but a delightful one. Sam picked up The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels expecting a cozy historical mystery and instead got flying houses, chaotic romance, and an absurdly charming story that won us over immediately.

Sam and Hannah talk about why this book works so well, how its humor and tone set it apart, and why sometimes the best reading experiences come from wildly incorrect expectations. If you’re in the mood for romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers, this one is a joy.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨

Next week: Love Hina vol. 1-3

⏱️ TIME STAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:52 About the Author

02:16 Background

03:26 Age Level & Content Warning

03:52 Judge a Book by Its Cover

06:16 Discussion

42:02 General Thoughts

44:11 One Question for the Author

45:32 Rating

46:19 Read Again?

47:22 Outro

📖 FOLLOW THE AUTHOR

India Holton

Website: https://www.indiaholton.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndiaHoltonAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/india.holton/

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⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 159 - Truth of the Divine by Lindsay Ellis(Noumena Series, Book 2)After loving the first book in the Noumena series, we went into Truth of the Divine excited.We did not leave excited.Sam and James break down what went wrong in this sequel, from the complete lack of communication (not even miscommunication… just none) to one of the main characters going fully MIA for a significant portion of the book. Somehow, the story stalls so hard that a new narrator and even a new alien have to be introduced just to make the plot move.And worst of all? It feels like the first book… but weaker.We talk about sequel structure, character agency, escalation stakes, and why this one feels like a regression instead of an evolution. If you loved book one, this discussion might help you decide whether to continue the series.New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: The Cat Who Played Post Office by Lilian Jackson Braun⏱️ Time Stamps00:00 Intro00:50 Background01:21 About the Author04:07 Age Level & Content Warning04:37 Judge a Book by Its Cover06:24 Discussion58:20 General Thoughts59:50 One Question for the Author01:00:36 Rating01:01:42 Read Again?01:02:28 Favorite of the Series so Far01:02:59 Outro📖 Follow the Author:Website: https://www.lindsayell.is/Twitter: https://x.com/thelindsayellisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/namebrandlindsay/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayEllisVids/videosIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3805989/🔗 Connect with Us on SocialsFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 155 - The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

This book broke our rating system. Fully. Completely.

Sam and Danielle talk about The Love of My Afterlife, a book we loved so much that Danielle would gladly revoke every other 5-star rating she’s ever given just to give them all to this one. It’s funny, heartfelt, weird in the best way, and emotionally devastating in a way that sneaks up on you.

That said… Sam has a hot take that cannot be ignored: Merritt might actually be the true villain.
We get into character dynamics, emotional manipulation vs intention, and why loving a book doesn’t mean we won’t still interrogate it.

If you like romances with big feelings, existential questions, and the kind of love story that lingers long after the last page.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨
Next week: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

⏱️ TIME STAMPS

00:00 Intro

01:05 About the Author

02:33 Background

04:24 Age Level & Content Warning

07:07 Discussion

01:05:03 General Thoughts

01:07:22 Movie?

01:08:19 One Question for the Author

01:09:42 Rating

01:11:13 Read Again?

01:12:34 Outro

📖 FOLLOW THE AUTHOR

Kirsty Greenwood

Website: https://www.kirstygreenwood.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KirstyGreenwoodBooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsty_greenwood/

Twitter: https://x.com/kirstystories

🔗 Connect with Us on SocialsFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts