Your Bookstore Besties

Rachele and Becky discuss their past reads, Rachele's special goal for October, and read one star reviews of some favorite books!

All the books we mentioned:

A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and S. J. Rozan

The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Odyssey by Homer

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

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In this episode, Rachele and Becky catch up on their August Reads, September reading plans, and Rachele discusses her very exciting author event she attended!

All the books we mentioned:

Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchal Bullshit to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap

Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life by Vivian Tu

Well Endowed: The Secrets to Strategic Spending, Building Financial Foundations for You and Your Family and Creating Lasting Generational Wealth, A Self-Help Financial Guide by Vivian Tu

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

Fervor by Meg Smitherman

Deathsworn by Meg Smitherman

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig

As Bad Luck Would Have It by Rachel Gillig

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation

Rachele and Becky talk current book news, play a TBR game, and Rachele shares her top 10 most anticipated spring 2026 reads!

All the books we mentioned:

A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Forgotten Melody by Sarah J. Maas

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

Villain Edit by Rosie Danan

Wish Spun by India Holton

The Tsubaki Stationery Store by Ito Ogawa

Reliquary by Hannah Whitten

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders by Kathryn Miles

Funny Story by Emily Henry

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

Tentacles and Triathlons by Ashley Bennett

The Last One by Will Dean

Swallowed by Meg Smitherman

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

The Alchemist of Bohemia by Gabriela Buba

The Lady of Thorns by Tasha Suri

Imps by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

When the Woods Called Us Home by Rachel Griffin

A Devil of a Crime by T. Kingfisher

Elodie and the Dark Lord by Ashley Poston

Death Sworn by Meg Smitherman

As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers

Twist by Alice Feeney

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation

In this episode, Becky and Rachele catch up the listeners on what they've been up to in July, including what they've been reading, and then they discuss their Bestie's Reading Challenge!

All the books we mentioned:Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Kindred by Octavia ButlerThe Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. PearsonThe Kiss of Deception by Mary E. PearsonAn Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace by Tamar AdlerBlood Over Bright Haven by M. L. WangThe Burnout by Sophie KinsellaConfessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie KinsellaThe Road Trip by Beth O'LearyThe Foxhole Court by Nora SakavicThe Raven King by Nora SakavicThe King's Men by Nora SakavicLights Out by Navessa AllenGame On by Navessa AllenThe Odyssey by HomerWhy Odysseus?: Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)hero by Joel P. ChristensenDagger Mouth by H. M. WolfeThe Poet Empress by Shen TaoSea of Tranquility by Emily St. John MandelStation Eleven by Emily St. John MandelThe Glass Hotel by Emily St. John MandelExit Party by Emily St. John MandelAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidThis Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneAssistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

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A very exciting episode where Rachele (virtually) sits down with Joel P. Christensen, author of Why Odysseus? Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)Hero and Becca, friend of the podcast and Joel's research assistant and talk all things Odyssey. We discuss the current online culture surrounding the release of Nolan's Odyssey film, our thoughts and feelings after seeing it, and all things Homer and Odysseus. We also talk about the inspiration for Joel's newest book, and fun conversations about pop culture references, fan fiction, and even some Odyssey memes that have been going around. This episode is our longest yet - maybe in honor of Odysseus's journey home. We hope you enjoy!

Find Joel and Becca on social media:

Joel's website - https://sententiaeantiquae.com/

Joel's twitter - https://x.com/sentantiq

Link for "Why Odysseus" - https://bookshop.org/p/books/why-odysseus-survivor-scoundrel-anti-hero-joel-p-christensen/f9b6532a63c1d082?ean=9783032209863&bkshp-astro=t

Becca's twitter - https://x.com/beccafrankel

Becca's instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beccafrankel/

Becca's Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/prettycynical/

All the books we mentioned:

Why Odysseus: Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)Hero by Joel P. Christensen

The Odyssey by Homer — translation by Emily Wilson

The Iliad by Homer - translation by Emily Wilson

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Circe by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

The "Odyssey" in Athens by Erwin F. Cook

The Odyssey Effect by Erica Stevenson

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

The Iliad by Homer — Stanley Lombardo translation

The Iliad by Homer — Richmond Lattimore translation

The Odyssey by Homer — Gareth Hinds graphic novel adaptation

Because Becky rarely edits the episodes, she gets to come up with provocative titles when she does. In this fascinating episode, the Besties catch each other up on their reads after not speaking to each other for a month. Then, they conclude the episode with the Reading Challenge! What book will they each pick to read in July?!

All the books we mentioned:

Yesteryear | Caro Claire Burke

Writing Creativity and Soul | Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

The Mermaid Chair

His and Hers | Alice Feeney

My Husband’s Wife | Alice Feeney

This Will Be Fun | E. B. Asher

Ella Encanted | Gail Carson Levine

Full Metal Alchemist Volume 1 | Hiromu Arakawa

Truro Bear | Mary Oliver

Devotions | Mary Oliver

Atmosphere | Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones and the Six | Taylor Jenkins Reid

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Caretaker | Marcus Kliewer

The Raven Scholar | Antonia Hodgson

Direbound | Sable Sorenson

The Maidens | Alex Michaelides

Sea of Tranquility | Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven | Emily St. John Mandel

Tress of the Emerald Sea | Brandon Sanderson

Heartless Hunter | Kristen Ciccarelli

Poet Empress | Shen Tao

Exit Party | Emily St. John Mandel

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation

In today's exciting episode, Rachele and Becky get the chance to interview 2026 debut fantasy author Amanda Connolly! We discuss her debut fantasy novel The Lure of Wolves and Whispers (releasing July 7th, 2026), as well as her reading preferences, favorite tropes, and even try to get information out of her about Book Two! Listen in to learn all about this fantastic new release, and pre-order from your local independent or brick and mortar bookstore!

Follow Amanda on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/amandacconn/?hl=en

Check out The Lure of Wolves and Whispers on Goodreads here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242975002-the-lure-of-wolves-and-whispers

Pre-order on Bookshop.org here!

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lure-of-wolves-and-whispers-amanda-connolly/6ebae0588c863931?ean=9781665989510&next=t

All the books we mentioned:

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino

Silvercloak by L. K. Steven

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation

Rachele returns from her short break to catch Becky up on her reading from the past month, and makes a solemn vow!

All the books we mentioned:

The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests by K. J. Whittle

We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen and Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy by Kate Strickland

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher

Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig

Warrior Princess Assassin by Bridget Kemmerer

Captive Traitor King by Bridget Kemmerer

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan

Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto

Vine of Hearts by Julie Soto

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

A Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connelly

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation

While Rachele goes on vacation, Becky chats with her friend Melissa about all the books.

All the books we mentioned:

Everyone in this bank is a thief | Benjamin Stevenson

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone | Benjamin Stevenson

Kate Daniels | Ilona Andrews

Clean Sweep | Ilona Andrews

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion | Beth Brower

Eve: How the female body drove 200 years of human evolution | Cat Bohannon

The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life | Robin Sharma

The ruthless elimination of Hurry | John Mark Comer

Rhythms of Renewal | Rebekah Lyons

Theo of Golden | Allen Levi

King: a life | Jonathan Eig

Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey

Educated | Tara Westover

Paris: The Memoir | Paris Hilton

The Woman in Me | Britney Spears

Open Book | Jessica Simpson

Small Favors | Erin A. Craig

The Giver | Lois Lowry

How to read a book | Monica Wood

Remarkably Bright Creatures | Shelby Van Pelt

Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir

The Five-Star Weekend| Elin Hilderbrand

The Love Hypothesis | Ali Hazelwood

Bride | Ali Hazelwood

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Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation

Rachele and Becky have a chatty catch up on everything they've been reading - both good and bad, and discuss future reading plans!

All the books we mentioned:

Alchemised by SenLinYu

Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea

Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica

Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen

We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark

The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

Death’s Daughter by S.A. Barnes

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes

The Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas

Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests by K.J. Whittle

This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen

_______

Follow us on Goodreads too!

Rachele: Littlelovedbooks

Becky: Bexmex

Follow us on instagram @yourbookstorebesties and join the conversation