In Our Bookish Era

We're both March babies (happy birthmonth to all our March b-day listeners!) This episode, we each picked out a book for the other that we hoped they'd love for their birthday. Kristia got a favorite author who brought her back to March 2020 and the early days of Covid when we knew nothing, so our main character got stuck on Isabela Island in the Galapagos. We can think of worse places to be stuck. Rachael got a dark book with some unreliable narrators. Her story jumps from now to 17 years ago where a serial killer may be back, and what really happened all those years ago, oh and there's a lot of teeth.

Books Discussed:

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi Demeester

As Black History Month wraps up we wanted to make sure to take the time to celebrate black authors. Often we go to our shelves and find a bunch of white men and women looking back at us from the dust jacket, we like to use this time to branch out and support a more diverse group.

Rachael starts us off a story of a woman who is invited to a mystery island off the coast of Mexico to participate in a reality tv show. She didn't ask nearly as many questions as Rachael and Kristia would have, but she's a lot more trusting it appears. Unfortunately for her and the other strangers on this island, it was all a ruse and strange things start to happen.

Kristia's book is very different, she covers a story about self growth, and learning who we are and our place in the world. Her main character has just finished up 11 years of school to get her PhD and doesn't know what to do next, so she flies to Vegas and drunkenly marries a stranger - that is very much not in her plan!

Books Dicussed:

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Can you feel the love tonight? Happy late Galantines day to all our listeners, we're happy you're here! This episode Kristia invites you to a destination wedding with paid bridesmaids. What could possibly go wrong at a televised fully sponsored wedding - turns out a lot. Did their love get them and their guests to the alter? Was our main character sending out a ton of red flags? Can the names of the characters really add a full star rating? Listen to find out!

Book Discussed:

The Paid Bridesmaid by Sariah Wilson

Maybe we're dating ourselves here but if you've seen Groundhog Day with Bill Murry (or any other movie with the same premise) you're our people and you'll get it. Just like Bill Murray who is reliving the same day again and again, we're reading books by the same author, who we've covered in the past. Are these all the same book, can she really write multiple great different stories?! Will we be able to break free and branch out? You'll have to listen to see.

Books Discussed:

Not a Happy Family by Sharie Lapena

Someone We Know by Sharie Lapena

Love is in these pages tonight!

Rachael takes us on a journey with the first February mini. Our type A main character has her life all planned out, but when she wakes up one morning 5 years in the future she sees maybe her plan didn't work out. What happens next is anyone's guess. Listen in to find out!

Book Discussed:

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Join us as we discuss books with two authors! Double the authors double the fun right? Kristia reads a YA book about 7 families who send in a champion to fight to the death so their family can access high magic for 20 years. The champions are of course children and the families are willing to do some dark and deranged things to win. Rachael's pick is a very nice book. It's got a sensible bento box, a self proclaimed "good guy," a reasonable bed, and a lot of character growth as the main character works through their grief.

Books Discussed:

All of Us by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman

The Very Nice Box by Eve Gleichman & Laura Blackett

New Year Same Us but this episode we're got some debut authors to kick off the podcast and welcome us all into 2022. Rachael's pick has already been turned into a movie, so you know it's gotta be good! It was translated from French and set in 1885 where a women could be considered mad and set anyway because she displease a man (lovely right). Kristia's book starts on a Tuesday when their bodies are found. It raises a lot of questions as it jumps back and forth from past to present while racing to tell us what is actually going on. Was it murder or was it an accident.

These are authors we'll definitely be reading more of!

Books Discussed:

The Mad Woman's Ball by Victoria Mas

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

Nordic Noir: nour: a type of Scandinavian crime fiction that typically features dark storylines. Yeah, we can attest to that. This episode we've got some dark dark stories to tell you. Both books are translated with vivid descriptions - these books aren't for the feint of heart.

TW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Murder, Animal Cruelty, & Bodily Mutilation

Books Discussed:

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson

The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

We're back with our last minisode of the year! If the dreary weather's got you down, no need to fret, Kristia's book will take you to paradise! The only downside is the dad is dead and turns out he has a total double life no one knew about, but other then that it's absolute PARADISE!

Book Discussed:

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

This week we're going in the way back machine with our historical fiction. Rachael is back in the 1600s on board a ship that is may or may not arrive at it's destination, there may be a bit of magic involved. Kristia is in China during WWII listening to jazz in a club, while all around her the world isn't what it used to be.

Books Discussed:

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel