Andy and Dani ask friendship questions. Once again we find out that Andy and Dani are, in fact, "Not Really Strangers." Does Andy give off drummer energy? More importantly, we come up with a band name… A.P.BR… and then Dani descends into branding madness.

Andy and Dani go to Paris. Dani gets all English Major-y and Andy does too? Could this be one of the best books ever written? Absolutely. Will this book take a lot of emotional bandwidth? Most definitely. Is this book worth reading? 100 times, yes. 

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

Andy and Dani FINALLY talk about how old Andy is. It’s Andy’s Bday Little Lit which means he gets to talk about anything he wants, and you know what this man wanted to talk about… that’s right the age difference between him and Dani.

Andy and Dani take a trip down memory lane. A long, long, long time ago Andy was in his 20’s and he really liked a book, so we read it. Does it still hold up? Is Andy more hipstery than he thinks? Can you tell who wrote this description? Oh ya, and happy birthday, Andy.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

Andy and Dani discuss dates. Dani allows herself to be completely dragged through the dirt as she attempts to accurately date MAJOR events in world history. Does she do better than she thinks she will? Does Andy destroy Dani’s hopes for ever being called smart again?

Andy and Dani talk generational trauma? Is this the best book we’ve read this year? Maybe… Does this book have a SUPER happy ending? Maybe… Do we believe in characters being good and bad and complex? Never. 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Andy and Dani talk about books for young people. But first, let’s talk about fidgets. Andy and Dani get heated about what YA and NA books are. Andy will not be fooled by these naming conventions. What do 13-year-olds care about nowadays… we’ll never know.

Andy and Dani go back to high school. Join the world of YA or NA or whatever you want to say. Never trust the hot hockey player… unless he says, “Trust me. I’m a good guy.” Also don’t trust your half-brother’s Mom. Also absolutely DO NOT trust any Dad.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Andy and Dani visit Arrakis. Dani is hardcore gaslit by Dune… and maybe Andy. Christopher Walken can only play Christopher Walken. Side stuff comes across better in books than in movies. How long would this movie be without all the desert shots? These costumes are amazing and yes the movie is awesome.

Andy and Dani talk about octopuses. Are high-concept sci-fi books better for conversations? A lot is going on here…. What has 8 legs and MURDERS people? When does AI become human? And why is there so much edging? 

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler