It’s 2026 and we’re back with our first JT episode of the year. We’re easing into January with some new year goals, more TV talk, a fun story from Carey’s past, and a little post-holiday blues chat. Just the kind of catch up we needed.

Did you miss us? We’re back. Kicking off the new year with Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, a deliciously unsettling, backwards murder mystery where you already know who did it… just not why, or whether they’ll actually get away with it.

As always, we’ve got you covered with dinner ideas, a post-holiday catch-up, and a very long detour into television. Is Off the Shelves becoming a streaming series podcast? Probably not. But never say never.

Products we love:

Sephora-Perfume Sampler

https://www.sephora.com/product/h25-winter-voc-P518123?

Tri-tip, mashed, and broccoli salad

https://foodieandwine.com/oven-baked-tri-tip/

https://healthylittlepeach.com/broccoli-salad-recipe/

Happy holidays, friends! For our final episode of the year we went big, like beast-level banned-book big, George Orwell's 1984. Tune in for some truly shocking commentary.

Don’t worry, we’ll be back in the new year with fresh books, new recipes, and all the usual chatter you never asked for but keep coming back for. From ours to yours: Happy Holidays and best wishes for a safe, healthy New Year.

Stocking Stuffer idea:

Glow Recipe Mask

https://www.glowrecipe.com/products/watermelon-jelly-sheet-mask?_pos=23&_fid=0d8882fdc&_ss=c

Easy Dinners for this busy season:

Butternut Squash Soup

https://cookieandkate.com/roasted-butternut-squash-soup/

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

https://againstallgrain.com/2016/01/20/primal-buffalo-chicken-stuffed-sweet-potatoes-with-creamy-dressing/

Episode 6 is here and we're in a post holiday glow. We talk food, shopping fails, debate if it's a jacket or coat, and Carey wonders how we're even friends. Want the answer? You'll have to listen. 

Oh hey, it’s Tuesday and Thanksgiving week which means holiday season is officially ON. We’re talking dogs and old age, a dramatic spider encounter, and yes—there’s a book. Who picked it? Unclear. Deb swears it was her because Fredrik Backman is one of her forever favs. On deck: My Friends—a gorgeous story of art, friendship, loss, and connection. Grab a hot drink, flip on the twinkle lights, and settle in for the cozy chaos.

What's for dinner:

Turkey Burgers: https://whatsgabycooking.com/guacamole-turkey-burger/

Emily Salad recreation - Coming Soon

Products you should check out:

Skirts for tall girls: 

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/the-colette-corduroy-maxi-skirt-by-maeve

Splendid T-Shirt

https://splendid.com/products/josie-stretch-crewneck-tee?from_collection_handle=the-tee-shop&from_collection_title=The+Tee+Shop

Episode 5 of our mini-series: the one where we basically eat our way through New York (but wish we'd had more time). Plus, one of us has a certified fangirl moment and one of us has to walk double-time to keep up.  Press play, we saved you a seat.

The book picked Deb this week — The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner (and no, it’s not banned). What started as a casual read turned into a full-on spiral about justice, humanity, and why Kushner might just be a genius. In between, we’re catching up on life — from our upcoming New York trip (Carey’s got a Louie V situation brewing) to coffee obsessions and emotional detours we didn’t see coming. It’s a little messy, a little deep, and totally Off the Shelves.

Products you need:

Book of the Month Club

https://www.bookofthemonth.com/the-best-new-books/hardcovers

Mother Jeans

https://www.motherdenim.com/collections/denim/products/the-reifler-early-blue

What’s for dinner:

Mocha Rubbed Pot Roast

https://nomnompaleo.com/post/115686948218/pressure-cooker-mocha-rubbed-pot-roast 

Turkey Meatloaf

https://www.killingthyme.net/super-tender-ground-turkey-meatloaf/ 

This week on Just This, we’re leveraging synergies (kidding) while laughing about corporate buzzwords — and breaking down Skims’ latest “bush” moment. Did it move the needle or just end up in the feedback loop?

Oh boy, do we have a book for you this week. It’s not banned — but maybe it should be, because this one is taking up way too much space in our brains. We read I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, and let’s just say it left us… confused, frustrated, and mildly unhinged.

Stick around for updates on the great bathroom remodel race, a saga of customer service woes, a man with a tail, and another with a rifle. You might want to grab a drink for this one — we definitely should have.

What’s for dinner:

Nashville Hot Nuggets

https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/nashville-hot-tofu-nuggets-vegan/ 

Products we love: 

Bathroom remodel edition

https://www.anthropologie.com/anthrohome/search?q=bathroom+hardware

Mini episode 3 - it's hectic over here. Deb's closet needs a huge refresh maybe even a stylist calling Jenn G! AND Carey's got some big news. Enjoy.