Reading Through Life

Show notes:

To paraphrase the band REM, it’s the end of the year as we know it! 2023 was an interesting reading year for us and we’ve loved sharing our reads with you on the show. Today, we’re giving you some end of year best book superlatives and we think you might be surprised by some of our picks. Tune in to hear our favorite audiobooks, the books we never want to hear about again, the books that made us laugh and cry, and so much more! We’re taking a holiday break after this episode, so we’ll be back in your ears in January. Happy Holidays!

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

Become a patron of our show for exclusive bookish goodies!

 

Take the Team Sarah vs Team Mia quiz

 

Best Books Superlatives:

[10:53] M: The Travel Bog Diaries by Liz Deacle

[11:15] S: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

[11:52] S: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

[12:17] M: Pomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee

[12:53] M: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

[13:12] S: The One by John Marrs

[13:32] The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller

[14:55] M: A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins

[15:21] The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

[15:36] S: Someday Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli

[16:00] In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

[16:36] S: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

[17:05] M: The Measure by Nikki Erlick

[17:53] M: Normal People by Sally Rooney

[18:12] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

[18:56] S: Delicious! by Ruth Reichl

[19:38] M: The Possibilities by Yael Goldstein-Love

[20:02] S: The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook

[20:28] Love Buzz by Neely Tubati Alexander

[20:50] S: In Memoriam by Alice Winn

[21:26] M: Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia

[22:13] M: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

[22:40] S: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

[25:31] M: The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

[25:58] Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton

[26:22] S: Off the Hook by Julie Olivia

[26:26] Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

[26:29] The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

[26:33] The One With the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel

[26:59] S: Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

[27:10] Good For a Girl by Lauren Fleshman

[27:33] M: Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

[27:52] M: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

[28:31] S: The Road by Cormac McCarthy

[28:49] Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

[30:35] M: The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis

[30:39] Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson

[31:01] S: Spare by Prince Harry

[31:16] The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

[31:52] S: Yellowface by RF Kuang

[32:09] M: The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

[32:42] M: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

[32:54] S: The Bromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay Adams

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* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

The life of a bookworm is a surprisingly busy one. Aside from all the actual reading we do, we’re also always thinking about books - ones we’ve read previously, ones we’re reading now, and ones we want to read in the future. Today’s episode is all about those future books. We’re taking a look ahead to early 2024 and sharing some upcoming releases that we’re really excited to check out. 

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[03:49] M: A Classically Good Time book club with Mia

[04:13] S: Human Feelings Substack 

 

Early 2024 Books We’re Excited About:

[07:08] M: The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard (Feb 2024)

[8:35] S: Family Family by Laurie Frankel (Jan 2024)

This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel

[10:07] M: Fervor by Toby Lloyd (Feb 2024)

[11:38] S: Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story by Leslie Jamison (Feb 2024)

[13:24] M: The Book of Love by Kelly Link (Feb 2024)

[14:34] S: The Divorcées by Rowan Beaird (Mar 2024)

[16:06] M: Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne (Mar 2024)

[17:38] S: Funny Story by Emily Henry (Apr 2024)

[19:21] M: Real Americans by Rachel Khong (Apr 2024)

[20:36] S: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (Apr 2024)

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

 

More Early 2024 Books We Want to Read:

[22:25] M:

• The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (Jan 2024)

• Brooklyn ‘76 by Anthony Ausiello (Feb 2024) - full review in ep 115

• Memory Piece by Lisa Ko (Mar 2024)

• Immortal Pleasures by V. Castro (Apr 2024)

• You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World edited by Ada Limón (Apr 2024)

 

[23:04] S: 

• Ready or Not by Cara Bastone (Feb 2024) - full review in ep 106

• Leaving by Roxana Robinson (Feb 2024)

• Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle (Mar 2024)

• The Morningside by Tea Obreht (Mar 2024)

• The Rule Book by Sarah Adams (Apr 2024)

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

It’s time for another monthly reading recap. Today, we’re sharing 10 books we read in the month of November. As always, in true Sarah and Mia fashion, there are a whole mix of genres, from nonfiction to romance to sci-fi. We hope you’ll find something in this episode to add to your TBR. 

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[3:18] S: One Hundred Days by Alice Pung

[4:45] M: Netflix show: The Fall of the House of Usher

 

10 Books We Read in November:

[07:21] M: Brooklyn ‘76 by Anthony Ausiello (Feb 2024)

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

[11:04] S: The Last Love Note by Emma Grey

Someday Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli

[13:22] M: Women in Politics by Mary Chung Hayashi

[15:50] S: One Last Gift by Emily Stone

Always, in December by Emily Stone

[17:59] M: The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

[20:44] S: You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

[23:00] M: Light From Other Stars by Erika Swyler

[26:05] S: The Wedding People by Alison Espach (July 2024)

[29:05] M: Big Two-Hearted River by Ernest Hemingway

[31:07] S: In Memoriam by Alice Winn

 

[33:37] The Rest of the Books We Read in November

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

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Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

Still need to complete a few more books to meet your reading goals for the year? Don’t worry, we got you! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite short books with you, so take your pick and smash those goals. 

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[2:36] S: Christmas book collection: Gift Wrapped Romance

[3:42] M: 20 Epistolary Novels That Will Sweep You Away by Modern Mrs Darcy

 

Short Books to Help You Meet Your Reading Goals:

[8:31] S: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

[9:01] M: Aloha Vietnam by Elizabeth Nguyen

[9:37] S: Second Best by David Foenkinos

[10:23] S: Nothing But the Rain by Naomi Salman

[10:50] M: Emergency by Kathleen Alcott

[11:30] S: Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly

[12:03] M: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

[12:27] S: The Door to Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

[12:54] S: Love and Saffron by Kim Fay

[13:26] M: The Lover by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

[13:51] S: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

[14:29] M: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

[15:03] S: The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

[15:44] M: Ghost 19 by Simone St. James

[16:08] S: We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

 

Short Books We Plan to Read Before the End of the Year:

[16:52] M: Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia

[17:48] S: Reproduction by Louisa Hall

[18:47] M: The Pram by Joe Hill

[19:24] S: Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

Do you ever just need a break from your usual reading? Maybe you’re in a reading rut or you need a palate cleanser from some heavier reads. Whatever it is, the books in this episode will help you reset and recharge your reading life. They’re generally lighter and funnier and leave you feeling ready to tackle more books. Enjoy!

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[3:39] S: Subscribe to Sarah’s newsletter, Human Feelings

[4:47] M: Join Mia’s book club for 2024, A Classically Good Time

 

Books to Read for a Brain Break:

[10:46] S: The Bromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay Adams

[11:29] S: Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy

[11:59] S: The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

[12:30] M: The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn

[13:10] S: Falling by TJ Newman

[13:52] M: Runaway Groomsman by Meghan Quinn

[15:06] S: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

[15:30] M: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

[16:23] S: Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

[16:52] M: The Travel Bog Diaries by Liz Deacle

[17:42] S: Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

[18:06] M: The Vicious Lost Boys series by Nikki St. Crowe

[18:50] S: In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer

[19:39] S: Cover Story by Susan Rigetti 

[20:10] S: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

 

Sarah’s Favorite Brain Break Authors:

• Cindy Steel

• Sarah Adams

• Tessa Bailey

• Jen Morris

 

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

It’s almost Thanksgiving! Are you ready for yummy food, quality family time, and conversation? We are, and we’re especially looking forward to eating some stuffing. But what better way to get into the family holiday fun than reading books about family drama? The sweet, the dysfunctional, the weird, we’ve got book recs for it all.

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our private Facebook group, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[3:30] M: Episode 155 of the Talking Scared Podcast, interview with Stephen King

[4:01] S: Episode 191 of the 10 Things to Tell You Podcast: How BookTok and Gen Z Are Changing the Way We Read + Best Books Lately

 

Family Drama Books That We Love:

[7:33] S: People Person by Candice Carty-Williams

[8:48] M: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

[9:51] S: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

[11:18] M: The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

[12:32] S: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

[14:07] M: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

[15:23] S: We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

[16:32] M: Inheritance by Dani Shapiro

[17:55] S: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

[19:16] M: These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

[20:42] S: Honorable mentions:

• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

• The Push by Ashley Audrain

• Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann

• Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

• The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

Have you ever read a book that changed your life? One that made you feel seen, or taught you something important about life? That’s what we’re talking about today in this episode. We’re sharing 10 life-changing books that have impacted us in some way and left a mark on our lives. Books are so powerful and build connections between all of us and we love that with all our hearts. 

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our newsletter, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[3:15] M: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

[4:18] S: Off the Hook by Julie Olivia

 

Books That Changed Our Lives:

[10:36] S: Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist 

[11:36] M: Carrie by Stephen King

[12:30] S: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

[13:23] M: Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

[14:31] S: I’ll Show Myself Out by Jessi Klein

[16:30] M: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

[17:37] S: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

[19:01] M: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

[19:58] S: Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

[20:55] M: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

[22:03] M: The Bible

 

Also Mentioned:

• RTL Episode 109: Book Club 101

• But That’s Another Story podcast

 

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

Want a reading recap for the month of October? Good, because that’s what you’re getting! We’re sharing and reviewing 10 books we read in spooky, scary October, even if not all the books we read were spooky and scary. Here’s to growing TBR lists!

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our newsletter, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[3:35] S: Tip: Work out with a good audiobook. 

M: NOTE from Mia: I have to retract my mention of Books-a-Trillion from this episode. Some of you reached out to let us know that it's actually a book piracy site and we're so grateful you let us know. We never, ever want to share anything that will hurt authors. Please accept my apologies.

 

Books We Read in October:

[6:58] M: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

[9:41] S: Who We Are Now by Lauryn Chamberlain

[12:00] M: The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

[14:48] S: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

[17:19] M: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

[19:12] S: The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller

[22:01] M: Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

[24:26] S: Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington

[26:16] M: Leaving Well for the Organization by Naomi Hattaway

[29:32] S: The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

 

[31:25] The Rest of the Books We Read in October

 

Also Mentioned:

Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel
Read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson for free

Novel Pairings Podcast, episode 132 - Short Story Club: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

If you’re a book nerd, you’ve likely been in a book club at some point. Gathering together to discuss books with other book lovers, that’s the life! Today, we’re diving into all things book club - when to meet, what to read, what to discuss, etc. What are your thoughts on book clubs? 

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our newsletter, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[2:33] M: Follow me on Goodreads. 

[3:16] S: Shoot the Moon by Isa Arsén

 

All Our Thoughts on Book Clubs

 

Also Mentioned:
Read Appalachia book club

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe

Show notes:

As book nerds, we’re constantly inundated by book recommendations. Adding books to our TBR lists has become a job in itself these days (and we love it!). And today, we want to share how we keep track of the books we want to read. Plus, we share some bookish podcasts we really enjoy. 

 

Click here to join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus bookish goodies! Get our monthly overflow and new books episodes, our newsletter, and more. Plus, supporting us in this way just shows that you love what we do!

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[1:39] M: Reading journal for book reviews

[2:59] S: Reminder: Know what you need as a reader to get yourself out of a reading funk. 

 

[5:55] Book Podcasts We Love:

M:

• Lit Chicks Read

• Novel Pairings

• NPR’s Book of the Day

• Overdue

• Professional Book Nerds

• NYT: The Book Review

 

S: 

• Currently Reading

• Sarah’s Bookshelves

• From the Front Porch

 

Books On Our Lists to Read That We’re Intrigued By:

[15:52] S: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell

[16:56] M: Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel

[17:42] S: Something Wild by Hanna Halperin

I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin

[19:09] M: Animal by Lisa Taddeo

[20:12] S: The Wedding People by Alison Espach (July 2024)

[21:32] M: The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler

 

Also Mentioned:
Episode 18 - How We Organize Our Books

Want our show notes delivered right to your inbox? Join our RTL Substack so that you’ll get a link for every single book we mention with no extra work. It’s free!

Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe