Plans Are Booked

It's Molly's birthday week and the Libra season energy is in full effect. We kick off with Molly sharing two book-themed gifts she's unwrapped, including one that Steph and Molly's mom conspired together to procure and secretly have delivered. Steph catches us up on the very special pup she took care of over the weekend. We close out the catch up by sharing two brand new TV shows we're loving. Next, we discuss Margo's Got Money Troubles, a book so unique and specific we had a tough time comparing it to other reads. We fell down the OnlyFans rabbit hole (not something we ever thought we'd do) and discussed how there were so many moments where the story felt like a memoir instead of a work of fiction. We also share our giddiness around it being greenlit for an 8-episode screen adaptation. In what we're reading this week, Molly admits she may have unlocked a new spice level with her latest romance pick. To follow along with all of our book recs, join us on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we mentally transport ourselves to northern California to join Lana, Beth and Jack, the three generations of women who star in Mother-Daughter Murder Night. This debut novel from former NASA engineer Nina Simon features unlikely detectives, hilarious family dynamics, and a picturesque setting that some people will do anything to protect. We talk about the Emily and Lorelai Gilmore-like relationship between Lana and Beth, and who we'd love to see cast in a screen adaptation of this story. This is a Reese's Book Club pick and we begin to fantasize about a TV series that would show the behind-the-scenes process of being chosen for Reese, Oprah or Jenna's book clubs. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin heads to the movie theater, Steph regales us with a nightmare flying experience, and Molly admits she's been binging an insane amount of television. We close by sharing what we're currently reading, which includes books from Chris Whitaker, Casey McQuiston, and Holly Jackson. Join us on Instagram, @plansarebooked, to follow along with all our picks and send us your thoughts on this week's episode to [email protected]. 

This week we're embracing the transition to fall and donning our favorite sweatshirt + shorts combos (shout out to the OG, Princess Diana). Kaitlin shares her excitement for the return of football and the joy she's feeling from all the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sightings. She also fills us in on the wedding she went to on the South Shore and an epic meal she had at Bianca in Newton. Steph reminisces about a blissful Labor Day weekend at the beach with Nemo and Scout, updates us on her query process for her latest book, and details a delectable breakfast at Verveine Cafe in Cambridge including the mother of all cinnamon buns. Molly unleashes the Libra energy, sharing how amped she is for birthday month. We close out our catch up by confessing our current TBR tallies, then we deep dive on Holly Gramazio's debut novel, The Husbands. We chat about her career as a video game designer, what we loved about the magical premise, and Kaitlin makes a superb suggestion about how the story should be told next. To follow along with all of our hot takes and book recs, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

Fueled by milkshakes, this week is an all out gigglefest. Steph shares her day at the barn, including getting to know some adorable, tiny kittens. Kaitlin recaps her weekend on Cape Cod, including an awesome round of golf with her mom. Molly details her annual getaway to Maine, including a growing menagerie of inflatables. Then we deep dive on a book we read in Wyoming, Wild Love by Elsie Silver. Kaitlin and Molly gush about the male lead, Ford Grant, and Steph makes a surprising confession. We talk about the allure of small town settings, the power of fated mates, and our obsession with great banter. In what we're reading this week, we each try to guess how many books are in our respective TBR piles, and then share three books across completely different genres. To follow along with all of our book recs, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. If you have an idea for a future episode, write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we are headed west to Wyoming! We kick off our conversation by sharing a detailed recap of our trip to Jackson Hole, including making friendship bracelets at the airport, our love affair with our rental house's living room, declaring Jenny Lake the prettiest place we've ever seen in real life, buffalo sightings in Yellowstone, customizing cowboy hats, Kaitlin and Steph getting tattoos, and the restaurants you absolutely have to hit if you're planning a future visit. Then, we discuss author Lyla Sage's Rebel Blue Ranch series, which is set in Wyoming. We share our thoughts on the first two books, Done & Dusted and Swift & Saddled, and how excited we are for the next two stories in the series. In what we're reading this week, Steph picks up a Colleen Hoover book from 2013, Kaitlin tries another Erin Hahn story, and Molly finds herself holding a work of fiction that actually reads more like a 300-page poem. If you'd like to follow along with all of our recommendations, join us on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

This week is a big one: we're toasting to 40 episodes! We open by reflecting on our journey so far and sharing the things that have surprised us most about the experience. In our catch up, Steph recaps her trip to Portland for Kate Spencer's author event, Kaitlin updates us on her house hunt, and Molly recounts her weekend road trip. Next, we debrief on the TV adaptation of Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Netflix), which we all enjoyed despite its major location change. Then we deep dive on Ninth House. As Kaitlin says, "this one's for the dark academia baddies." We talk about the allure of secret societies and whether or not we like a dash of the paranormal in our stories. We close out by reading an email from a loyal listener. If you'd like to write to us, shoot a note to [email protected]. You can also follow us on Instagram, @plansarebooked.

This week we're discussing a story that has dominated the book club circuit. We deep dive on Yellowface, a tale of deceit and deplorable behavior. We share our individual levels of cringe and why we think this should never be adapted for the screen. In our catch up, Molly recaps her trip to New Hampshire, Kaitlin fills us in on the Newport Folk Festival, and Steph educates us on the units of measure for the height and head size of horses. We have a passionate conversation about the highlights of the summer Olympics (Do you know the muffin man?) and share what we're reading this week. If you'd like to follow along with all of our book picks, connect with us on Instagram, @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at [email protected]. 

Murderinos, this one's for you. This week we're deep diving on Home Is Where The Bodies Are. Steph admits she was Instagram influenced to purchase this book (in hard cover!). After she raced through it, she was positive all of us would love it. It's a mix of family drama, solving the case, and 1980s nostalgia. In our catch up this week, Steph dog sits for her favorite neighborhood pup, Kaitlin prepares for the Noah Kahan concert at Fenway Park, and Molly welcomes her parents to the beach house for the summer. We also discuss a recent podcast interview with Emily Henry where she explains her point of view on what an author's role should be in page to screen adaptations. We're all across the board in what we're reading this week, including Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, which we'll be covering in a future episode. If you'd like to follow along with what we're reading, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. If you have an idea for a book or topic, write to us at [email protected]. This week we read a lovely listener email on air, and we'd love to share more of your feedback. 

It's Stephanie's birthday! With bubble tea in hand, we're toasting and catching up on a very big week. Steph recounts her recent rescue ride with a foster dog, Kaitlin fills us in on her Cape Cod and New York City trips, and Molly shares a major life update. Then we deep dive on a book we all loved, Even If It Breaks Your Heart. We talk about how Erin Hahn rivals Lynn Painter in the banter game, and how excited we are to read more of her books. In "what we're reading this week," Steph describes a book that totally captivated her, Kailtin gives a preview of the book we're covering next week, and Molly takes her first trip to the "dark academia" genre. To follow along with everything we're reading and loving, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. If you have an idea for a future episode, write to us at [email protected]. 

This week we have a special treat for you. We are recording at Molly's beach house (a first!) and talking about a subject all three of us are very passionate about - the best book to movie / TV adaptations. Our list is vast and covers many genres - coming of age, family drama, sports towns, dystopian tales, mystery, romance and more. In our catch up, Steph shares about celebrating birthdays at the horse barn, Kaitlin declares her summer sea glass quest, and Molly describes a book she recently finished as the "Magic 106.7 of summer reads." To follow along with everything we're loving, join us on Instagram, @plansarebooked. If you have an idea for a future episode topic, please write to us at [email protected].