Busy Girls Book Club

Young adult-historical-magical realism-romance, or whatever you want to call it, sums up Isabel Ibañez's "What The River Knows." But should it actually be YA or should it be adult? Is the premise enough to overlook the lacking magic?

Who knew a rom com about serial killers with trigger warnings for accidental cannibalism would have the Busy Girls blushing! Is it enough to get a 5 star out of a notoriously stingy host?

While it may be spooky season, "The Spellshop" ends up fitting more in the cozy category. But that's why the Busy Girls tackle the viral books. 

What do you get when you combine Rome and Juliet, vampires, and the Mexican independence movements of the 1800s? Vampires of El Norte dives into this niche spot and provides quite the interesting tale.

"The Maid" is billed as a murder mystery, but the bigger mystery is really the main character. Molly Gray lacks normal social cues and understanding, which makes being part of a murder plot really tricky. The Busy Girls discuss whether her unique character is enough to save the story.

The Busy Girls are back and we want to make sure you're up to date on some of the book world's biggest news from the last few weeks. 

It's our two year anniversary! Two years and 101 episodes and we couldn't be more grateful to our listeners! Thanks for joining us on this little hobby turned community. Listen for trivia, games, answers to some solid questions and of course our now annual book bracket.

It's our 100th episode! Thanks to our listeners for sticking with us so long! Today we tackle some fun discussion on the New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century to celebrate episode 100. We also discuss Emily Henry's "Book Lovers" since the title seems appropriate for the occasion. NYT 100: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/best-books-21st-century.html Readers' 100: https:/...

James McBride's "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" takes a look at the intersection of marginalized communities in 1930s American. It's a long ride, and one of the hosts didn't even get the book finished. But did the other two think the time spent was worth the effort?

Naomi Alderman is a pro at imaging horrific future worlds, but what if this prediction of what's to come is a little closer to home in "The Future"? This speculative fiction/sci-fi look at what our world is becoming gives the Busy Girls a lot to talk about.

Many people credit "Tower of Dawn" as their least favorite book in the Throne of Glass series. It does totally re-cover the entire time period of the previous book but from a different POV and setting. Does it deserve all the hate it gets?

"One Dark Window" would do the Brothers Grimm proud. It's a gateway fantasy book that could appeal to anyone with an extremely unique magic system and a fairytale world. Do the Busy Girls all agree for once?

Everyone wants a good beach read or vacation romance for the summer months, and Emily Henry reigns supreme lately. Does her latest summer story live up to the desires of the ravenous fan base?

It's another Madeline Miller episode. Though, "The Song of Achilles" is much more melancholy than "Circe." It's a love story - but most people already know how this one ends. Is it still worth the read?

If you love the quirky side of BookTok, you'll probably love "Assistant to the Villain." It's a cozy fantasy that sort of makes fun of all the usual fantasy and romance tropes but somehow ends up still being sweet. Even Casey didn't hate it. (Though, she didn't really like it either...)

Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead" is a beast of a book. It took the Busy Girls ages to read, but they all agree it's worth it. The look at the opioid crisis in 90s Appalachia is so well-written and moving. Though, it may not be the book for busy readers.

The book social media world has been very excited to get their hands on a fantasy about norse mythology with "A Fate Inked in Blood." The question is: Did it deliver, or did it just rewrite what is trendy currently in fantasy?

Bethanie Finger is the author of a new YA historical fantasy triology. The Busy Girls got to chat with her about book one, "More Than Life." It's a great discussion about grief, magic and of course Taylor Swift.

The Will of the Many by James Islington is a beast of a book. BUT, it's rife with world building, complex political systems, unique magic systems and dark academia. So is it worth the effort?

Two authors, two characters, and a novella with no rules about space or time... who wouldn't be curious? "This Is How You Lose the Time War" takes readers on a unique and unexpected adventures. It leaves a lot to discuss.

The Busy Girls covered "Babel" by R.F. Kuang and had mixed feelings, but her new book "Yellowface" is the extreme opposite kind of book. Does that mean it's a hit?

Fans of Ali Hazelwood's normal STEM romances will knot expect what's coming in her newest release. (Misspelling intentional.) The Busy Girls are unsurprisingly divided on Hazelwood per usual, but they do all agree on one thing about "Bride."

Throne of Glass continues with "Empire of Storms." It's a long one and a lot happens, but readers are rewarded as various plots start to tie together for a greater purpose.

"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory" by Caitlin Doughty is not your average memoir. It mixes life, death, gallows humor and world history to turn the funeral industry upside down. It may be the most though provoking discussion the Busy Girls have ever had.

Trial to the death? Body jumping magic system? Setting as a character? Morally grey leads? "Immortal Longings" by Chloe Gong is something totally new and fresh on the fantasy scene, but not everyone is a fan. The Busy Girls discuss what was a success and what still needs clarification.