This week we're discussing a very short book with a powerful punch. Address Unknown is an epistolary novel set in the 1930s that tells the story of two business partners whose relationship is dramatically impacted by Hitler's rise to power. We talk about the letter writing format, the erosion of the characters' friendship, parallels to changes we're seeing in the U.S. government today, and how we believe this should be required reading in every high school. In our catch up this week, Steph shares about some recent cuteness at the bookstore and her decision to self-publish Golden Hour, and Molly admits all the ways she is clinging to summer at the beach. In what we're reading this week, Steph is enjoying a family drama with an incredible title and Molly is happy to be reunited with Elissa Sussman's characters for her third book. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we're transported to a remote island in the Southern Hemisphere. We are talking about the powerful and thought-provoking book Wild Dark Shore. We discuss the specificity of the location, the detailed descriptions of nature, the successful use of multiple narrators, the innocence delivered via a child as a main character, McConaghy's masterclass in brevity, and her gut punch of a first sentence. In our catch up this week, Steph shares a memorable meal at La Bodega, Molly reviews two page-to-screen adaptations, and Kaitlin recaps her trip to the U.S. Open. In what we're reading this week, Steph is inspired to start a sci-fi series, Molly heads to Texas with a cowboy romance, and Kaitlin devours her second Catherine Cowles title. To follow along with all of our top picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we're chatting about a debut novel that surprised and delighted us. Hot Desk is contemporary fiction with multiple timelines, centered around a literary review in 1980s New York City. There's a workplace frenemies situation, a #MeToo revelation, powerful bonds between parents and children, a drunken scoundrel, and a highly coveted posthumous manuscript. We praise the author's ability to juggle so many story elements, read our favorite passages, and admit how much we laughed out loud. In our catch up this week, Molly gushes about a recent work trip and Steph updates on the home stretch at the renovation house. In what we're reading this week, Steph snagged a brand new copy of Pucking Strong and Molly reads Holly Jackson's latest murder mystery. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

Have you ever been captivated by a viral court case? This week we're talking about a book that centers around a fictional true crime podcast and its subject, a young woman named Lucy who is accused of murdering her best friend. We discuss the podcast transcript format as a way to share a high volume of information, how an unreliable narrator keeps readers on their toes, our appreciation for short chapters, what an amazing plane read this is, and our hopes for a page-to-screen adaptation. In our catch up this week, Molly describes two delicious bakery outings as part of her video series for work and Kaitlin updates us on crate training her new pup. In what we're reading this week, Molly falls in love with a children's book and Kaitlin reviews the supremely popular Remarkably Bright Creatures, as well as an impulse purchase at Brookline Booksmith. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we're sharing a list of titles that expanded our thinking, piqued our interest in new topics, shaped how we write, and reimagined how we analyze books. Our selections cover children's books, contemporary fiction, essay collections, non-fiction, and memoir. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin adopts an adorable pup, Molly recaps her lake and beach time with her cousins, and Steph updates us on the latest at the renovation house. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin is back in Rebecca Yarros land, Molly picks up a work of fiction that reads more like a poem, and Steph starts an ARC from a debut author. To check out all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we deep dive on a memoir that surprised us. We talk about trying something new in your forties, finding common ground via shared hobbies, the hilarity of observational humor, and why this book makes such a great gift. In our catch up this week, Molly reports live from her lake week in New Hampshire, and Kaitlin decorates her back deck and becomes a regular at the Greek restaurant at the Norwood airport. In what we're reading this week, Molly picks up her first Elin Hilderbrand and Kaitlin falls for a Texas cowboy in Jessica Peterson's Cash. To follow along with all of our top picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

We have a special treat for you this week; we're sharing our top picks for summer reading. Our list is a mix of books that take place in the summer, are set in beach towns, or give us that carefree and joyful feeling that is synonymous with the season. We have titles across genres - young adult, commercial fiction, romance, and more. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin recaps her holiday weekend on Cape Cod and Molly discovers Taylor Swift Night at the Paragon Carousel. In what we're reading this week, Molly is flying through a Meghan Quinn series and Kaitlin reviews two books - a memoir and the first adult novel from a YA author. To check out all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we're transported to the English countryside, discussing a now and then story about first love, the complexity of marriage, and the devastation of loss. We praise the concise and compelling writing, the have vs. have-not set up, a surprise reveal in the final few pages, and the emotional depth that sparked deep empathy for these characters. We also share our hopes for a screen adaptation and our thoughts on who should play the lead roles. In our catch up this week, Molly admits to watching multiple newly released summer TV shows and Steph welcomes a furry friend into her home for the week. In what we're reading, Steph is reeled in by a "why choose" romance and Molly has fallen head over heels for a newly released enemies-to-lovers workplace drama. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

Fueled by wine, brie, and gummy worms, we're sharing all of our thoughts on the first episode of the page-to-screen adaptation of We Were Liars. We begin by sharing our admiration for Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec, the women who fought to bring this story to TV. We praise their impeccable choices for set design, music selection, and cinematography that activates all of the senses to scream, "summer!" We dissect the differences between the book and the show, and share our hopes for the rest of the episodes and a potential second season. In our catch up this week, Molly has fully entered beach mode and gives a review of the movie Materialists, Kaitlin details a spectacular meal at O Ya and visits a great restaurant in her neighborhood, and Steph enters the most maddening stage of the house renovation - tiling. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin DNFs two romance books and moves on to an audiobook, Steph starts a western that seems slightly inspired by The Inheritance Games, and Molly mentally transports to Italy with Ali Hazelwood's latest. To check out all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we're discussing a book shrouded in mystery. Written under a pen name, Silver Elite straddles the line between a dystopian tale of resistance and a sizzling romantasy. We talk about what a military setting brings to a story, including Kaitlin's devotion to group projects and Molly's love for a training montage. We praise the strength of the male / female friendships in this book, the witty and flirtatious banter, and the subtle world building that makes this a bit more accessible than some other popular titles in this category. In our catch up this week, Molly recaps her New England road trip, Kaitlin heads to a boxing event at Fenway, Steph updates us on the house renovation and shares a hilarious encounter with a customer at the bookstore. In what we're reading this week, Steph is devouring the new Ali Hazelwood book set in Italy, Kaitlin completes another small town Lucy Score romance and begins a new book that reminds her of ones we've binged by Jordan Harper and Chris Whitaker. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected].