Busy Girls Book Club

Yes, we're doing it. If you've seen the cover or read the disclaimer at the front, you know what we're getting into with Ali Hazelwood's "Deep End." And you know that Casey refuses to read any more from that author, so we invited her best friend Leighton to join us instead! Video: https://youtu.be/5wMcrtSQYxo

It's been a while since we did some thriller/horror, so this listener request was a fun one. Short and sweet, "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" takes readers on a wild ride. And the hosts may not fall where you think in terms of reviews. Video: https://youtu.be/q5ijzgrrwx8

Oh dear. This book may be about us. Dive into a non-fiction pick with us as we discuss The Anxious Generation as people who are living it. Video: https://youtu.be/QbdnlWWJv_Q

Suzanne Collins is so back. Haymitch's games bring us back to the world of Hunger Games, and boy is it a doozy. Can we still find love in the YA dystopian we were raised on? Video: https://youtu.be/Vvd5QjsoW78

Quicksilver is the definition of a TikTok trending book. Is it more of the same Romantasy? Do we care? Video: https://youtu.be/ArP8LVQCrAY

We are back with another Kindred's Curse book because we all organically continued the series. That should tell you something. Video: https://youtu.be/6cTE_YhKBYM

"Martyr!" is an interesting collision of poetry and political identity that produces a unique narrative that also encompasses addiction and grief. What makes a "good death" is the central topic explored. And it's not everyone's cup of chai. Video: https://youtu.be/YZTOtaDaWhA

Andy Weir is having a second outer space book adapted for film, and this time it's "Project Hail Mary." This story may have one of the best sidekick characters of all time. Is it worth it for those who aren't fans of sci-fi? Video: https://youtu.be/KfgbtQmH3JE

Geraldine Brooks is an award winner for a reason, and we grabbed her historical fiction, "Year of Wonders." Based off of a true story of a plague village in England, this one tackles so many important and interesting themes. Video: https://youtu.be/6ecHSPaT8IY

Penn Cole's "Spark of the Everflame" is the first in the Kindred's Curse series. While the discussion only covers the first book, it seems all of the hosts have already read on in this fantasy series with a fresh world and magic system. Video: https://youtu.be/GU0FAcg81uM

Anyone else thankful BookTok was unbanned before Onyx Storm came out? The fan theories out there are WILD. In this episode of entirely spoilers, we talk about what might come next in the series based off questions we still have, and we break down TikTok's finest fan theories. And we have receipts. Brennan's mark: @g00fsnnah Berwyn/Naolin: @mia.heindel Dain's slap: @bagendbookery Theophanie and Gen...

Book three of The Empyrean series is long awaited, but maybe we could have waited longer? The bar is set so very high for this BookTok darling. Can it ever achieve what its fans hope for? Video: https://youtu.be/i6L-HEFAoM4

Sally Rooney apparently doesn't use quotation marks or complete sentences, but really likes long paragraphs and run-on sentences. Is it art to write about loss and love this way? Or is it just too much work? Video: https://youtu.be/a2Xf1weQSTk

Is it a mystery, or is it a commentary on class struggles and the power of men? Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods" was an unexpected read. Beautiful setting and complicated timeline combine for an interesting tale. Video: https://youtu.be/9YkLHWGKw3Y

See trending books and review them... promise delivered. "Ice Planet Barbarians" somehow has enough of a cult following to have over 20 books in the bizarre series. Can the Busy Girls get behind one this weird? Video: https://youtu.be/fsThWTfNBxU

If you think we've argued over a book before, wrong. Now THIS is a true debate. Two romantasy lovers vs. a lit fic queen on the topic of "When the Moon Hatched." Is fantasy's latest dragon darling worth the read? Video: https://youtu.be/XewFmGPkOqQ

We take a look back at the best books of the year both on and off the podcast and talk through some superlative awards. Plus, find out the Busy Girls Book of the Year. Video: https://youtu.be/HtujBnZwh4g

What if you could take enough pills to sleep an entire year of your life away? It's a question no one asked but "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" tries to answer. Video: https://youtu.be/KiBOsOxrj7k

Casey McQuiston is a leader in queer romance, even landing "Red, White & Royal Blue" on the big screen. Does the quality of the romance balance out the unbelievable love story between a First Son and a royal heir? Video: https://youtu.be/f5ic6O0UEyo

Sci-fi and fantasy meet in "The Fifth Season" in the best way possible. Does this book have a plot? Not really. But the Busy Girls couldn't put it down. Listen to why. Video: https://youtu.be/a8rP9LQ4mx4

"Chain-Gang All-Stars" puts together a bunch of "what ifs?" and turns them into a nightmare near-future dystopian scenario where prisoners fight to the death on public television. There's a lot to be learned in this one. Video: https://youtu.be/DMwsJH8PoKQ

Abigail Owens' "The Games Gods Play" has taken BookTok by storm, but is it just more of the same in romantasy? Or does it bring something new to the table? Video: https://youtu.be/dIiBf-7ooho

Percival Everett's retelling of Huckleberry Finn is raking in the awards this season, so it's the perfect time to discuss "James." The Busy Girls are joined by their friend Katelyn, who has joined the podcast previously.

We've been burned by Kristin Hannah before, but this one might change our minds. While it's certainly a long read, it provides tools to ask questions we never knew to ask about the Vietnam War experience.  Video: https://youtu.be/UzsLUZycEbs

The Busy Girls Book Club hosts tackle Tia William's millennial-coded romance, "Seven Days in June." Serious themes - like addiction and disability representation - pair with the hilarity of an author writing vampire smut and her middle school-aged therapist of a daughter to create a heartwarming love story. Video: https://youtu.be/q7MXLmISwbc