Fifty Percent

Katey and Abigail return from their European travels and read "Slow Burn Summer" by Josie Silver. Other topics include writing grief, Book of The Month's recent scandal, summer resolutions to increase attention span and deciding not to be dumb.

Abigail and Katey read “Flirting Lessons” by Jasmine Guillory, a romance OG whom they haven’t read in years. They also discuss being editors, burlesque shows, the joys of gardening, and whether or not they think they’re good at flirting.

It’s SUMMERTIME and that means reading in the pool ignoring how hot it is. Katey and Abigail read the blurbs for some summer-y reads, and discuss their plans for Europe, the one thing Abigail always wants to do on a trip, and how somehow all these books are about divorce.

Abigail and Katey discuss their first 831 Stories novella, “Big Fan” by Alexandra Romanoff. Other topics include a very special cupcake surprise, how often Katey uses her Alamo Draft Pass (to the movie theater, not the historical site), Abigail’s longtime crush on “American Idiot”-era Billie Joe Armstrong, book merch, trinkets and their immediate need for pool lounge chairs.

Abigail and Katey get in their feelings about “Great Big Beautiful Life,” romance queen Emily Henry’s latest book. Topics include the book’s dual timeline structure, its difference from the other EmHens, writing good journalist characters and how they could never sign NDAs because they’re bad at keeping secrets (especially from each other).

Katey and Abigail start the most wonderful time of the year (Abby/Emily April) with Abby Jimenez’s “Say You’ll Remember Me.” As all Abby Jimenez books do, it inspires conversation about trauma and grit, as well as good dogs, pining for far-away lovers and the never-ending quest for Nadia Cakes via Goldbelly.

Katey and Abigail discuss “You Between The Lines” by Katie Naymon, a debut novel that sparked big feelings about poetry, pop culture, and being “not like other girls.” Other topics include imposter syndrome, internalized misogyny, poetic flirting, and why March (not April) might be the cruelest month.

Katey and Abigail debut a new series: Origin Stories, in partnership with author Sarah Adler! Each installment of Origin Stories will feature Katey, Abigail and Sarah revisiting one of the romance (or romance-adjacent) novels that built them—their lore, if you will. In this episode, Sarah asks Katey and Abigail to read Kelly Siskind’s “New Orleans Rush,” which features some not-so-petty crime, a hot magician and a whole lot of insight into how Sarah was inspired to write her novels “Mrs. Nash’s Ashes,” “Happy Medium” and “Finders Keepers” (which comes out in June).

Katey and Abigail read three Abby Jimenez short stories: “The Situationship,” “Worst Wingman Ever” and “The Fall Risk.” Other topics include what they’d do if their stairs disappeared, the bumper stickers on Katey’s car, “Goodbye Earl”-ing bad men, dog hammocks, self-defense techniques and snooping in other people’s houses.

Katey and Abigail discuss B.K. Borison’s “First Time Caller,” a new release that proved they’ve been sleeping on Borison’s books. Other topics include online dating adventures, the Glen Powell Anecdote, where “Sleepless in Seattle” ranks in the broader Nora Ephron catalog, and some very exciting news.