The Hold List

Listen to episode 28, mate!

This is our last episode before we take an extended break. Take a listen to the show to hear what's going on.

We review, "After We Were Stolen" by Brooke Beyfuss. Is this book darker than it's cover?

Published July 19th 2022. 388 pages.

Goodreads gives this 3.91 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? Is Mel ready to join a cult after reading this?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Books mentioned include:

The Liar's Daughter by Megan Cooey Peterson

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Thank you for all the support in 2022! We end this year with Episode 27. Mel recaps her top 10 books that she read this past year. They include:

Books mentioned

We Were Dreamers by Simu Liu

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett

Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

The fix is in for Episode 26... pass it on.

We review, "The Magic Christmas" by Jamie Suzanne. Yes, the young teen book. Yes, the Sweet Valley Twins. Yes, Mel is an adult.

Published December 1st 1992. 247 pages.

Goodreads gives this 4.05 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? Is her own sister the perfect partner to fight wizards?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Books mentioned include:

Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal Sweet Valley Twins (and friends) by Francine Pascal The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle After We Were Stolen by Brooke Beyfuss

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Jump and jive to Episode 25!

We review, "Unlikely Animals" by Annie Hartnett. Love the book cover on this one, but that's not all to love.

Published April 12th 2022. 368 pages.

Goodreads gives this 4.14 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? What is her dream animal to own?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Books mentioned include:

Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin The Magic Christmas by Jamie Suzanne

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Knock on a rich persons door to get Episode 24...

We review, "The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Published September 1st 2020. 376 pages.

Goodreads gives this 4.23 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? And could there be a literal cliff hanger?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Books mentioned include:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Between you and me, it's episode 23!

We review, "Seasparrow" by Kristin Cashore. It's the fifth novel as part of the Graceling Realm series.

Published November 1st 2022. 624 pages.

Goodreads gives this 4.39 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? And why does Mel love a good fantasy novel that involves boats?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Similar books include:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer The Lunar Chronicles by Marrisa Meyer Cinder by Marissa Meyer The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Episode 22 if you're feeling blue! Maybe I need to find a better rhymes...

We review, "Poster Girl" by Veronica Roth. Wartime poster propaganda on the cover is always an added bonus.

Published October 18th 2022. 288 pages.

Goodreads gives this 3.76 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? Is there a common theme with Veronica Roth books?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Similar books include:

Divergent by Veronica Roth Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Lucky 21! In our 21st epsiode, we review, "Wake" by Shelley Burr. Since it's a Thanksgiving holiday, we're going to take a break for the rest of the week and will be back next week with new reviews.

Published August 30th 2022. 368 pages.

Goodreads gives this 4.07 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? And why does Mel keep selecting books about missing children??

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

The big 2-0! In our 20th epsiode, we reviews, "Heartless" by Marissa Meyer.

Published November 8th 2016. 464 Pages.

Goodreads gives this 4.08 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? Why does Mel want to be Marissa's best friend after seeing her at a local library?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Other books mentioned:

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer Gilded by Marissa Meyer Cursed by Marissa Meyer Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater Wake by Shelley Burr

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.

Episode 19 is here - we review, "The Family Next Door" by Sally Hepworth.

Published March 6th, 2018. 335 Pages.

Goodreads gives this 3.84 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? Will Mel ever be able to sleep at night without this nightmare scenario crossing her head?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? Other books mentioned:

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth The Husband's Wife by Liane Moriarty Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty Greenwich Park by Karen Faulkner Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.