We’re entering the Inkworld this week as most of our characters are transported inside the book. Dustfinger first, then Meggie and Farid, and finally Mo, Resa, Mortola, and Basta all make it into Inkheart where chaos ensues. Unsurprisingly we respond well to burgeoning romance and tender familial relationships and respond poorly to Fenoglio’s increasingly gross behavior. The Inkworld is changing and taking on a life of its own. Too bad neither of your co-hosts cares that much. We still think that the story is missing a hook, but maybe we’re just too judgmental.

Next week we will be reading chapters 40-77 of book 2 in the series, Inkspell.

All parties converge on Capricorn’s village as he prepares his plan for the Shadow to execute Dustfinger once and for all. Meanwhile Fenoglio and Meggie have a plan of their own to circumvent this outcome. We discuss Meggie’s mom, and meet her, in what we think is probably the most interesting part of the book. Listen to see how we feel about the ending, and the idea of a sequel. What is going to happen in the next book? What worlds might we explore?

It’s finally time for a new series back at Throwback Paperback, and we’re diving into the cult-classic Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke. We return to fantasy, and let’s just say both hosts have plenty of feedback. While neither of us have read the books before, they come highly recommended, so we enter with high expectations. Does the book live up to them? It is worth noting that for a change Asia does a lot of the predicting this week instead of Charles. How do you think her predictions worked out?

TW: This episode includes topics of violence, assault, mental and emotional abuse. Please take care of yourself and only listen if these are safe topics for you. If you need to talk to someone or need further resources, the national domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Please listen at your discretion. 

In week 3 of our single books on tragedy, we have Eggs, a tale of two misfits who form an unexpected but necessary friendship. David, who is dealing with the loss of his mother, and Primrose, who is dealing with a lifetime of neglect, find each other, and start on various escapades. We debate if they are responsible for each other, and how to deal with their difficult life challenges. This is another tender and sweet book, but definitely geared towards a younger audience.

Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, Bruiser.

Continuing with our journey of sadness, we are covering The Fault in Our Stars this week. With heavy allusions to Shakespeare, we get to follow the star-crossed lovers of Augustus and Hazel as they meet, bond over their mutual burden of cancer, and fall in love. Another tender love story, we spend a considerable amount of time enjoying the character development and wit of the protagonists. It is a poignant book on living in-spite of all trial and tribulation, and making the most out of each day. Be ready for an emotional episode.

Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, Eggs.

TW: This episode includes a discussion of sexual assault and rape. Please take care of yourself, and only listen if these are safe topics for you. If you need to talk to someone or need further resources, the national sexual assault hotline is: 1-800-656-4673. Please listen at your discretion.

This week we cover all of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and get into all sorts of themes of trauma and abuse. This beautifully haunting book paints a vivid picture of adolescence, and Asia enjoys reminiscing on the book while Charles enjoys returning to memories of his own high school. We follow Charlie in his episolary journey as he starts high school and his own infinity. The topics he’s dealing with are heavy, but we watch as he does his best to overcome his past, and be a support to his loved ones.

Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, The Fault in Our Stars.

It is time to finish up the Maze Runner trilogy as we finish The Death Cure. This episode wraps up a LONG unit on dystopian fiction, and we have mixed feelings. Of course, there is some horror because these books have been super scary, but no surprise there. This episode we do discuss the ethical question between Newt and Thomas. Would Asia and Charles do the same for each other? The story is still quite the page turner, though we do take exception to the ending. On a scale of Divergent to Hunger Games, where does The Maze Runner fall?

Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

We dive into the third and final book of the Maze Runner trilogy, The Death Cure. Thomas and the gang make their dramatic escape from Wicked only to be plunged into the realities of a flare infested world. The feuding between Thomas and Teresa continues, and unsurprisingly, we do not approve of this. Expect more horror, more violence, and more confusion as usual. Some of the characters take a turn towards idiocy, which we also unsurprisingly judge rather harshly. If given the chance to get your memories back, would you have taken it?

Next week we will be reading chapters 38-73 of book 3 in the series, The Death Cure.

Plots thicken and so does the suspicion as we finish the second half of The Scorch Trials. In this episode, we discuss the larger ramifications of the trials and the real life impact they will have on these kids. They have to fight their way through the city, through the betrayal trial, and then through some more monsters because these are still horror books, and we couldn't have you forgetting that. Teresa’s actions are polarizing, but both hosts agree that the book is a page turner. We simply must keep reading to find out what happens next.

Next week we will be reading chapters 1-37 of book 3 in the series, The Death Cure.