This week, we've read Chris Cleave's Little Bee, and we're here to give you more than the inside cover summary! This unfortunately timely book is all about a refugee girl in the UK and the family she's associated with. Hold on to your fingers and buckle in for this good but depressing read this week!

We're reading a Tracy Chevalier, how do you like them apples? At the Edge of the Orchard is a story that pleasantly surprised us and made us super uncomfortable all at once. Grab some cider (or apple jack) and tuck into this family saga.

Charlotte McConaghy's Wild Dark Shore has us wondering just how often people randomly wash ashore on isolated, freezing islands -- and wondering how we'd do in that environment. Probably not well, considering we can't manage a day at the beach without a horrendous sunburn nor can we stand the sound of an air conditioner that sounds like it's about to explode. Join us while we chat about hardships, whales, and confusing family relationships.

This week, we wanted a light read about murder, adultery, and theft to balance out the sad news we have to share. We are getting back into the swing of things, and Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum might just be the book for us. Get your tennis rackets ready and ferry on over with us to this delightfully terrible vacation island.

This week, we read The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, and we are just a little disappointed in the lack of food options here. We're weighing in on how you leave your mark in the world, and on whether you prefer Reddi Wip or Cool Whip, so basically, we've got all the crucial bits covered.

We're baaaaaack! We have returned from our unscheduled hiatus to bring you Anne Tyler's French Braid, which might be a story by an octogenarian for octogenarians, but we'll get into it. Tune in to your local easy listening radio station to get you hyped up, then check out this episode discussing family life.

Richard Powers' Bewilderment gives us a glimpse into what other planets could be like, a little bit of what our country looks like, and a lot of what happens when a parent throws logic out the window and opts for unique ways of treating his not-quite-entirely diagnosed son. We're talking about the importance of science, the ethics of parenting, and the crucial role that themed beverages play in hosting an event -- all on this planet.

This week, one of us finds out about a snack she'd somehow never heard of, and we read Pam Jenoff's WWII historical fiction novel. This 'dual timeline' story gives us a glimpse into the lives of women who are trained to be spies using a machine that we're still not sure we understand -- but we probably won't be spies anytime soon, anyway.

This week, Girl and Girl read Citizen Girl, by Girl and Girl. Girl liked it more than Girl did, but admits that it's maybe better received in 2004 when it was written than it is now. Girl and Girl also catch up after a rare two week break and talk about sick (but okay!) pets, birthdays, and travels.

Why wouldn't we simply give this episode 5 stars? The Old Place by Bobby Finger has given us one of our least favorite characters in a long time, and we're at least having some fun complaining about her. We're talking about the pitfalls and pleasantries of living in a small town, how mean you're allowed to be when tragedy strikes, and also, somehow, gym habits while we dive into this story about the tangled webs some people weave.