Episode 154 - A Twisted Tale Anthology, edited by Elizabeth Lim

Anthologies are always a gamble and this one was no exception. Sam and Kaitlyn dig into A Twisted Tale Anthology, where some stories absolutely worked for us, others really didn’t, and far too many landed in the worst category of all: boring.

We talk about which retellings shine, which ones miss the mark, and why anthologies are especially vulnerable to pacing issues, tonal whiplash, and stories that feel more like extended concepts than actual narratives. If you’ve ever loved a premise but struggled to stay engaged, this episode will feel very familiar.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨

Next week: The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

⏱️ TIME STAMPS

00:00 Intro

01:15 Age Level & Content Warning

01:58 Judge a Book by It's Cover

03:50 Cast Out - What if Snow White Learned Magic?

13:35 A First Mission - What if Mulan became the Emperor’s Advisor

19:17 Et Viola - What if Remy Met Colette First

26:56 The Envelope - What if Anastasia Has a Change of Heart

34:28 A New Dawn - What if Mufasa Gave Up His Throne?

39:01 Rattle the Stars - What if Jim Hawkins joined the Pirates

44:03 A Royal Game of Chess - What if History Wasn’t Quite Right About the Legend of Robin Hood

47:51 The Secret Exchange - What if Eric Met Ariel After She Rescued Him

51:31 Dust to Dust - What if Tinker Bell was Working for Captain Hook

57:56 Gonna Take You There - What if Naveen Had to Get Home to Maldonia

01:03:10 Fates Three - What if the Triplets Visited the Witch

01:09:11 A Dragon in the Snow - What if Madame Mim and Merlin Went to School Together

01:14:35 The Journey Home - What if Belle had to Take Her Father’s Place at the Fair

01:18:02 Call it a Hunch - What if Hercules’s First Day as a God Didn’t Go as Planned?

01:21:42 The Reluctant Prince - What if Bambi Didn’t Want to Be the Next Great Prince of the Forest?

01:24:52 The Rose in the Thorn - What is Aura Knew the Truth about Her Curse?

01:30:36 General Thoughts

01:31:53 One Question for the Editor

01:35:08 Rating

01:37:30 Read Again?

01:38:33 Favorite of the Book

01:39:03 Outro

📖 FOLLOW THE AUTHORS

Livia Blacburne

Website: https://liviablackburne.com/

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

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

Twitter: https://x.com/lkblackburne

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livia.blackburne

Elizabeth Lim

Website: https://www.elizabethlim.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizlim

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elizabethlimwriter?

Jen Calonita

Website: ⁠https://www.jencalonitaonline.com/⁠

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

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

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/JenCalonita⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@jencalonitaofficial

⁠Liz Braswell

Website: https://www.lizbraswell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizBraswell/?fref=ts&ref=br_tfhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwix

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizbraswell

Tumblr: https://lizbraswell.tumblr.com/

M.K. England

Website: https://mkengland.com/

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

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

Twitter: https://x.com/mk_england

Tumblr: https://mkengland.tumblr.com/

Micol Ostow

Website: https://www.micolostow.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063126435640#

Twitter: https://x.com/micolz

Tumblr: https://micolz.tumblr.com/

Kristina Perez

Website: https://www.kristinaperez.com/

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

Twitter: https://x.com/kkperezbooks

Farrah Rochon

Website: ⁠https://www.farrahrochon.com/⁠

🔗 Connect with Us on Socials

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

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⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 153 - The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
(The Book That Inspired the Netflix Adaptation)

With a new Netflix adaptation on the horizon, Sam and Hannah finally dive into The Seven Dials Mystery and honestly? This one surprised us.

We break down the mystery itself, talk through the solution, and speculate on what the upcoming adaptation is most likely to change for modern audiences. While this isn’t Christie at her absolute peak, we agree it’s a solid A-rank mystery: smart, fun, and very aware of what it’s doing, even if it doesn’t quite hit S-tier greatness.

If you’re reading along before the Netflix release (or wondering if you should), this episode will get you ready.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨
Next week: A Twisted Tales Anthology

⏱️ TIME STAMPS

00:Intro

01:13 Netflix Adaptation

03:25 Agatha Christie History

04:20 Background

05:38 Age Level & Content Warning

06:13 Judge a Book by It's Cover

10:20 Discussion

51:13 General Thoughts

53:28 One Question for the Author

54:17 Rating

56:33 Read Again?

58:18 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 152 - Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova(Meant to Be Series, Book 3)After two books of almost getting there, the Meant to Be series finally delivers. Sam and Keira dive into Kiss the Girl, the first book in the series that genuinely seems to understand what this project is trying to do.We talk through the characters, the set-up, and the overall story, unpacking why this book works better than its predecessors while still acknowledging the flaws that keep it from being perfect. Is it revolutionary? No. Is it satisfying to finally get what was promised? Absolutely.If you’ve been skeptical of the Meant to Be concept so far, this might be the book that changes your mind.New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie⏱️ TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro01:14 The 6th Book?03:22 About the Author - Zoraida Córdova10:13 Background14:24 Age Level & Content Warning16:24 Judge a Book by It's Cover18:29 What Band was Siren Seven Based On?21:58 Book Endorsements25:51 The Book29:18 The Other Characters36:33 The Music42:42 The Set-up51:56 The Story01:20:20 General Thoughts01:22:50 One Question for the Author01:24:05 Rating01:25:19 Read Again?01:26:08 Favorite of the Series so Far01:27:23 Outro📖 FOLLOW THE AUTHORZoraida CórdovaWebsite: https://zoraidacordova.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoraidasolo🔗 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 151 - Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Book vs Movie

It’s time for a classic book vs movie showdown. Sam and Tim revisit Prince Caspian and while the book still holds up, the movie… well, the Rotten Tomatoes score of 66% feels extremely earned.

We break down what works so well on the page, what gets lost (or unnecessarily added) on screen, and why adapting The Chronicles of Narnia was always going to be tricky. From tone shifts to character changes to blockbuster-era decisions that just don’t age well, this episode is for anyone who’s ever said: “I swear the book was better.”

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨

Next week: Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

01:12 Background

02:30 Age Level & Content Warning

03:01 Judge a Book by It's Cover

05:59 Discussion

44:48 General Thoughts

47:07 One Question for the Author

48:05 Rating

49:08 Read Again?

49:39 Favorite of the Series so Far

51:13 Outro

🔗 Connect with Us on Socials

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754

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⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Episode 150 - Fate Be Changed by Farrah Rochon
Did We Read the Same Book?

This week, Sam and Kaitlyn are genuinely confused — and not in a fun mystery way. Fate Be Changed left us with questions we still can’t answer, starting with why this author was chosen to write this book (no, really… why?), and spiraling into issues with characterization, time travel logic, and cliffhangers that feel less “exciting” and more “cheap.”

We unpack what happens when a story feels pantsed instead of planned, from dropped subplots and disjointed storytelling to a complete inability to decide what the overarching plot is supposed to be. If you’ve ever finished a book and thought “Did I miss something… or did the book?” — this episode is for you.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:56 Background

06:58 Age Level & Content Warning

09:06 Judge a Book by It's Cover

10:28 Discussion - Why This Author?

16:09 Characterization & Cheap Cliffhangers

20:33 Time Travel Mechanics and Cliches

26:50 Outline or Pantsing? Either Way Pick a Plot

57:21 General Thoughts

01:00:24 One Question for the Author

01:05:47 Rating

01:09:10 Read Again?

01:09:46 Favorite of the Series so Far

01:10:26 Outro

📖 Follow the Author - Farrah Rochon

Website: ⁠https://www.farrahrochon.com/⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/farrahrochonauthor⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/farrahrochon/⁠Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/FarrahRochon⁠BookBub: ⁠https://www.bookbub.com/authors/farrah-rochon⁠

🔗 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 149 - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

First-Time Reader vs. Long-Time Fan

It’s time to return to Panem and this time, Sam and Danielle are coming in with very different reading histories. One is experiencing Catching Fire for the first time, the other knows exactly what emotional devastation is coming.We break down the love triangle drama, why President Snow is so bad at his job, the impact of the other victors, how The Quarter Quell changes everything, and what makes the rest of this book such a turning point in the series.Expect strong opinions, moral outrage, and the beginning of things getting very serious.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST✨

Next week: Fate Be Changed by Farrah Rochon

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

00:54 Background

04:30 Age & Content Warning

05:10 Judge a Book by It's Cover

05:55 Discussion

07:08 Love Triangle Drama

21:26 President Snow is an Idiot

31:58 The Other Victors

49:50 The Hunger Games

56:03 The Rest of the Book

01:11:50 General Thoughts

01:13:41 One Question for the Author

01:19:13 Rating

01:20:21 Read Again?

01:21:24 Favorite of the Series so Far

01:23:50 Outro

📖 Follow the Author - Suzanne Collins

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

🔗 Connect with Us on Socials

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754

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TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Listen on YouTube or Wherever You Get Podcasts

Hannah finally gets a break from Hastings… because he’s not in this one. And honestly? Any book without Hastings starts at a 4-star baseline.

Episode 148: Death in the Clouds by Agatha ChristieIt’s always a good day when we get a Poirot mystery and a Hastings-free flight. Sam and Hannah dive into one of Christie’s most delightfully absurd premises: murder above the clouds, suspicious passengers, and a wasp that definitely didn’t do it.

We talk about Christie’s knack for misdirection, our running the Anti-Hastings Club lore, and why stories set in confined spaces (planes, trains, creepy mansions) just hit different. Sentiment this week: positive, with a healthy side of chaotic giggling.

New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨
Next week: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Episode 149)

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

01:25 Historical Context

03:36 Background

04:55 Age Level & Content Warning

08:32 Judge a Book by It's Cover

10:06 Discussion

56:43 General Thoughts

58:54 One Question for the Author

01:01:48 Rating

01:02:20 Read Again?

01:02:28 Outro

🔗 Connect with Us on Social

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🎧 Episode Title: The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun✨ Episode Summary:This week on Escape With Me Bookclub, we’re heading to Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere, for a cozy mystery with plenty of charm, chaos, and cats! 🐈Join us as we discuss The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun, the fifth book in her beloved The Cat Who... series. There’s a suspicious body in the lake, a reporter with a nose for trouble, and two Siamese cats who always seem one step ahead.We chat about:🎻 How the change of formula changes the series🐾 Yum Yum finally helping solve the mystery📰 Where in the world is Moose County?💬 And whether Braun’s blend of humor, mystery, and feline intuition still holds up todaySo grab your tea, cuddle your cat (or your favorite mystery), and escape with us into the purr-fect world of The Cat Who Played Brahms!🕰 Time Stamps00:00 Intro01:27 Background02:57 About the Author06:03 Age Level & Content Warning06:22 Judge a Book by It's Cover09:21 Discussion49:26 General Thoughts52:29 One Question for the Author53:33 Rating54:12 Read Again?55:28 Favorite of the Series so Far56:34 Outro📚 Listen every Monday at 8 AM EST for new bookish adventures! Want more? Follow us on social media for weekly reviews, behind-the-scenes updates, and way too many reading puns.Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#TheCatWhoPlayedBrahms #LilianJacksonBraun #CozyMystery #BookPodcast #EscapeWithMeBookclub #BookDiscussion #CatBooks #MysteryReaders #ReadersCommunity #BookLovers

📚 Once Upon a Letdown | The Retelling That Forgot the Story

We’re diving into By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, a supposed Beauty and the Beast retelling that had all the potential for magic, but… left us wondering where the enchantment went.

In this episode, we talk about what worked (barely), what didn’t (a lot), and why this modern retelling missed the mark on everything that makes Beauty and the Beast timeless. From awkward pacing to missing chemistry, it’s a tale as old as time… but not in a good way.

📚 Follow the Author:

Website: https://www.jasmineguillory.com/

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

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

Twitter: https://x.com/thebestjasmine

🕰 Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

01:02 Background

04:20 About the Author

07:50 Age Level & Content Warning

08:43 Judge a Book by It's Cover

14:23 Discussion

01:14:10 General Thoughts

01:19:14 One Question

01:20:12 Rating

01:21:40 Read Again?

01:22:09 Favorite of the Series so Far

01:22:54 Outro

📚 Want more? Follow us on social media for weekly reviews, behind-the-scenes updates, and way too many reading puns.

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#ByTheBook #JasmineGuillory #BookPodcast #BeautyAndTheBeastRetelling #BookReview #RomanceBooks #RetellingGoneWrong #EscapeWithMeBookclub #BookishHumor #FairytaleRetelling

Sometimes all it takes to overthrow a god is a little teamwork, a lot of trauma, and the right metals to burn. 💥

In this week’s episode, the Escape with Me Bookclub dives into Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson: the heist, the heart, and the hero who literally changes the world. We’re talking found family, revolution, and the surprisingly scientific side of fantasy magic.

When fantasy gets scientific and friendship becomes divine retribution.

📚 Follow the Author:

Website: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/

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

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

Twitter: https://x.com/BrandSanderson

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandSanderson

🕰 Time Stamps

00:00 Intro

02:37 Background

04:05 About the Author

09:32 Age Level & Content Warning

13:45 Judge a Book by Its Cover

15:50 Discussion

01:23:37 General Thoughts

01:24:13 One Question for the Author

01:28:38 Rating

01:29:14 Read Again?

01:30:23 Outro

🎙️ Listen every Monday at 8AM EST for new episodes of Escape With Me Bookclub!📲 Follow us for more bookish fun:Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#Mistborn #BrandonSanderson #BookPodcast #FantasyBooks #BookDiscussion #EscapeWithMeBookclub #BookClubPodcast #FoundFamily #Allomancy #Cosmere