Mark As Read

2.16 The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler Y'all know how much I love octopuses from our Season 1 Episode 16 (I didn't even plan this!) discussion of Remarkably Bright Creatures . So, I had a feeling I was going to at least enjoy Nayler's debut novel, The Mountain in the Sea . But I was no prepared to love it as much as I did. Nayler is able to dive deep into questions about consciousness, humanit...

2.15 Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See This is our first repeat author outside of a series and I am so excited to share my thoughts on Lisa See's newest book. We discussed her previously in Season 1 Episode 5 The Island of Sea Women . Lady Tan's Circle of Women looks at an actual person, Lady Tan, who was a female doctor in the 1400 and 1500s in China. It follows her through her whole life an...

2.14 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins I honestly was not expecting much from this. After the original story, I was tired of the characters and the story line, but this took me by surprise. I was expecting it to be more about the war and how the Hunger Games started. Instead, it takes place about 10 years after the war when the Hunger Games are already tradition, but not at all...

2.13 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides This week's episode is a book so outside of my comfort zone and usual read, but was well worth branching out. A friend recommended it and while I was a little skeptical at first, I honestly couldn't put it down. And I couldn't stop thinking about it even after I finished it. This one will hold you in its grip and have you questioning everything. For more...

2.12 The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd This week's episode was delayed because last week I had jury duty! I am happy to be back this week with The Cartographers . Part deep dive into the world of maps and map-making, familial relationships, found families, jumping timelines, and a heavy dose of mystery and magic. I went into this with a completely blank slate and it surprised me in the best way a...

2.11 Book Lovers by Emily Henry I was ready for this to be just light and fluffy romance novel. Boy was I wrong. This was just an awesome fiction book with some romance thrown in but a solid plot line, character depth, and amazing banter. I laughed, I cried, I loved this book so much. I can't recommend it enough. For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website ! Become a supporter...

2.10 A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre This is the best of non-fiction...when history reads like fiction. You won't believe how crazy the story of Kim Philby actually is. Macintyre takes a look at Philby's life and career and the relationships he made throughout his career that allowed him to be such a successful double agent for 30+ years. For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out ou...

2.9 The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray If you like WWII Resistance, powerful female characters, multiple POVs, and multiple timelines, this is the book for you. It follows 3 women associated with Chateau Lafayette: Adrienne de Lafayette (yes that Lafayette's wife) during the French Revolution, Beatrice Astor Chanler during WWI, and Marthe during WWII. It will tug at your heartstrings...

2.8 Non-Fiction Review I love non-fiction so much, but I know it can be hard to get into. Every season, we will have one non-fiction review episode where I give you a short overview of some of the non-fiction books I have read and enjoyed lately. Then, if any sound good, you can explore those instead of having to sift through all of the non-fiction out there! This review will include 5 books: 1. T...

2.7 ACOTAR Books 2-5 by Sarah J. Maas It was too hard to separate the books, so here is the rest of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. For book one, check out this episode from season 1 . This episode covers A Court of Mist and Fury (Book 2), A Court of Wings and Ruin (Book 3), A Court of Frost and Starlight (Book 3.5/4), and A Court of Silver Flames . So there are major spoilers for the whol...

2.6 Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen A light and fluffy book from an author I love. This episode is a lot lighter than our previous few episodes and is a great beach read for you upcoming summer vacation. Plus, it will give you major wanderlust for small islands with no cars off the coast of Charleston. For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website ! Become a supporter of this...

2.5 Shadow and Bone books 2 and 3 by Leigh Bardugo Siege and Storm & Ruin and Rising With the new season of Shadow and Bone out on Netflix, it seems like the right time to discuss the books featured in the show: mainly Shadow and Bone books 2 and 3, Siege and Storm & Ruin and Rising. Plus, definitely mentions of Six of Crows as the Crow story line is even bigger in season 2! What did you t...

2.4 The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee featuring Kortney Frederick For our first guest episode of Season 2, I talked with my friend Kortney about The Downstairs Girl. It takes place in 1890s Atlanta, GA and our protagonist is a strong, Asian American, working class woman. There are twists and turns and I can't recommend that enough. Trigger Warnings: Racism, sexism, civil rights issues. For more, s...

2.3 Educated by Tara Westover and Sex Cult Nun by Faith Jones In my head, I have been calling this the cult episode because both books deal with cult and cult-adjacent situations that isolated the writers throughout their childhood. This is slightly different from our previous episodes and has some heavy content. Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Gas Lig...

2.2 Bridgerton 3, 4, & 5 by Julia Quinn Before Season 3 of the show premieres on Netflix, I wanted to talk about Benedict's story (An Offer From a Gentleman) that is being skipped, Colin and Penelope's story ( Romancing Mister Bridgerton) that is the focus of Season 3, and Eloise's story ( To Sir Phillip, With Love ). For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website ! Become a s...

2.1 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Trigger Warnings for suicide, overdose, death. For the season 2 premiere, I wanted to discuss another book that focused on appreciating books. While The Midnight Library was not exactly what I expected, it was a fabulous book for discussion. Plus, it started as 1/5 stars for me and ended at 4/5 and a book that I would definitely recommend. For more, subscribe...

Episode 1.20 The Library Book by Susan Orlean An ode to books and libraries that will make you want to drop everything and become a librarian. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our  YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick...

Episode 1.19 Queen of Thieves by Beezy Marsh The female version of Peaky Blinders and based on a real criminal gang of women. Would recommend if you like historical fiction, women-led plots, or stories of London after WWII. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our  YouTube channel or l...

1.18 "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel A little dense, but an incredible look at the Tudor period under Henry VIII from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell. I loved this and would highly recommend it. Corresponding images in our newsletter. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our  YouTube c...

1.17 "The Fixer Upper" by Lauren Forsythe A light and fluffy romance novel that is the perfect stress releaver. Not too serious and PG-13 for the most part, this is one of those romance novels that is more longing glances instead of sexual encounters and ends with a nice happily ever after. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you...

1.16 "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt "My Octopus Teacher" in book form but the octopus is just a witness to people's lives intertwining in an aquarium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our  YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for...

1.15 "The Ten Thousand Doors of January" by Alix E. Harrow Part fantasy, part love story, part ode to books and the written word. I was all set to not like this and I loved it. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our  YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our subst...

1.14 "The Postmistress of Paris" by Meg Waite Clayton. If you liked "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah, you will love this. WWII book based on a real person. Emotional in a good way and really powerful. Trigger Warnings for sexual violence, Nazis, and the Holocaust Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episod...

We are taking a holiday break for the next two weeks and will be back in January with Episode 14: The Postmistress of Paris. See you in 2023. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support . If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our  YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick...

1.13 "The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu and Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts" by Joshua Hammer. Joshua Hammer does a great job of handling a lot of touchy and convoluted issues while maintaining a straight-forward narrative about the protection of these manuscripts. 9/10 and I would highly recommend for anyone interested in non-fiction, books, history, and preservation. Be...