The Cookie Bookie Club | A Mother Daughter Book Club

This month, we’re serving up a full plate of April reads — from comforting classics to unsettling late-night snacks for the brain. We chat about everything from the fascinatingly macabre Stiff by Mary Roach to the emotional depth of From Scratch by Tembi Locke, plus philosophical musings, eerie forests, impossible lives, and stories that linger like cookie crumbs in the bottom of the tin.

In this episode, we dig into:

• Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

• Vigil by George Saunders

• The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith

• Don't Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews

• Until the Last Light Goes Out by Courtney Gould

• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

• The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

• I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

• Ithaca by Claire North

Whether your reading taste leans cozy chocolate chip, dark espresso crumble, or full mystery assortment tin, there’s probably something here for your TBR. Grab your favorite cookie, settle in, and join us for our April reading recap.

Have you read any of these books? We’d love to hear your thoughts — and tell us: what was the best thing you read in April?

In this episode of Cookie Bookie Book Talk, we dive into Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach, a fascinating and often darkly humorous exploration of what happens to our bodies after death. We break down the book’s most surprising insights, from medical research and forensic science to crash testing, decomposition studies, and even historical uses of cadavers. Our conversation explores the many ways human bodies contribute to science, education, and innovation—and how Roach balances curiosity, respect, and wit in tackling such a taboo subject.

As always, we snack on and compare cookies from Crave Cookies and Levain Bakery, comparing flavors, textures, and overall indulgence.

We ask-if we had the choice, what would we want to happen to our bodies after death? This episode sounds quite dark but as always, we have fun regardless.

Whether you're here for book club insights, morbid curiosity, or cookie recommendations, this episode has something for everyone.

In this Book vs. Movie episode, we’re breaking down The Housemaid by bestselling thriller author Freida McFadden and comparing it to its film adaptation. From major plot differences to subtle changes, we discuss how the story translates from page to screen and whether the movie lives up to the book’s twists and suspense.

We also touch on the recent news surrounding Freida McFadden revealing her real identity, and how we would react if she was our doctor. Plus, we dive into character portrayals, hidden Easter eggs in the film, and the details that only true fans will catch.

To wrap things up, we share what TV shows we’re currently watching and the books on our reading list—perfect for anyone looking for their next binge or read.

Keywords: The Housemaid podcast, Freida McFadden identity reveal, Book vs Movie podcast, thriller book adaptation, psychological thriller discussion, The Housemaid movie vs book, Freida McFadden news, book podcast recommendations, thriller fans podcast

*Disclaimer: Malibu Rising is a Read with Jenna book-we mention it as a Reese Witherspoon pick but I had that mixed up! Looking for your next read? 📚 We’re recommending one of our favorite picks from a celebrity book club—plus breaking down Reese’s Book Club, Oprah’s picks, Jenna Bush Hager, GMA, Dua Lipa, and RuPaul to decide who really has the best taste. If you love book recommendations and celebrity book clubs, this episode is for you!

#BookPodcast #BookRecommendations #CelebrityBookClub #ReesesBookClub #OprahsBookClub #CurrentlyReading #BookTok #PodcastRecommendations

March Book Club Talk: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Have you read this one? We'd love to know your thoughts!

time stamps:

Introduction:00:00-00:31

Overall Synopsis and thoughts Astral Library: 00:31-06:59

Spoiler Free Questions and cookies: 6:59-18:36

Spoiler Book Talk: 18:36-54:48

What have we been reading? 54:48-end

*Warning: Domestic Violence discussed in reflection to the book/movie as well as personal experiences

Time Stamps:

Introduction :00-:13

Overall reflections book/movie: :13-

Differences book/movie: 17:10-22:09

Casting: 22:09-28:02

Wardrobe: 28:02-35:12

Press Tour: 35:12-38:16

Final edit clashing: 38:16-42:18

It ends with lawsuits: 42:18-56:15

Which is better? Book v movie: 56:15-end

Wear your florals! ... or whatever the heck you want and join our conversation about the book and the movie It Ends With Us. We discuss our thoughts on the adaption, the fashion, the drama and why was mom almost going to name Sandra Callandra. Like, share, comment... let us know your thoughts! We love to know!

Bite size episode! Mom and MK share their controversial Survivor take, HBO is on fire with their TV series, of course we have some great books to recommend and Mom has a hard time saying goodbye.

We talk all about book covers, spredging, cartoon romances and mom getting baamboozled into buying 50 shades of grey that one time. We give recomendations for books with great and not our favorite covers. What are your thoughts?

Time Stamps:

Cookies: 1:06-6:20

Spoiler Free Review: 6:20-21:15

"Needy Greedy" Spoilers 21:15-1:15:05

Recently read, currently reading, TBR: 1:15:05-end

No spoilers in this mini episode from our talk all about The List of Suspicious Things- A debut novel by Jennie Godfrey. We also chat about cookies and our most recent reads! Grab a cookie or treat and join in!