Designated Reading Buddies

Welcome to Chatty Book Chats! Where we’ll be obsessing over some of pop culture’s hottest book series. We are starting with A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Kaitlin, who has read this series several times, is asking Alex , who has never read them, what she thinks it is about.

We’re back again reading all about Salem and Thayer’s love story, but this time there’s a catch. Five years have passed since Salem last saw Thayer, and the next time she sees him, she’ll have their daughter Seda in tow. Join us as we talk about The Resurrection of Wildflowers, by Micaela Smeltzer.

New year, new books! We’re starting 2024 off with Kaitlin’s choice, Immortality A Love Story by Dana Schwartz. This is the 2nd installment of the The Anatomy duology and continues to follow Hazel Sinnet, a young woman who is determined to become a well known female surgeon during the early 1800’s. 

✨Our last book of 2023! ✨Join us as we discuss Alex’s December pick “A Cat Cafe Christmas”.🎄 Where Kara is trying to save her cafe, Meow and Furever, from closing its doors forever. But luckily, she has met Ben, a grumpy marketing hunk who creates a plan to save the cafe before Christmas.

Happy Holidays from Kaitlin and Alex! We cannot believe we’re already nearing the end of 2023, but excited to see what 2024 brings. In this Christmassy episode, we talk about Kaitlin’s pick of the month, “Once Upon a December” by Amy E. Reichert. A magical holiday romance set in Milwaukee, WI. 

In the midst of a war between two Gods, Iris Winnow is trying her best to make ends meet and become The Oath Gazettes new lead columnist. But first, she has to beat Roman Kitt, her work nemesis and when the war hits close to home for Iris she embarks on an adventure to find her brother. Little does she know love finds her as well. Join us as we discuss “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross, the first in...

Raise your hand if a majority of your teenage years was midnight releases of dystopian books and movies 🙋‍♀️Join us as we dive into the prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins. In this episode we dive into who President Snow was before his presidency and how the prequel connects into the trilogy - and of course a few different rants along the wa...

“Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic” In this episode Kaitlin and Alex talk about the debut novel “The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic” by Breanne Randall. And lets just say.. This episode is the perfect definition of cozy chaotic book chats! We loved this book and really enjoyed breaking down all of the events that happen to the main character Sadie. Re-reading soon! 

In 1980s Niagara Falls, 12 year old Jake Baker is trying to figure out how to make new friends, all the while trying to avoid the bullies from school. But one thing Jake wasn’t expecting to happen during summer break was joining one of his Uncle Calvins grand plans called the “Saturday Night Ghost Club.” Join us as we discuss this coming of age story, and the first book of the ‘Ber months!

Did you ever feel like your mother was a bit odd or didn't understand you growing up? Join us as we chat about My Evil Mother a short story by Margaret Atwood. This story goes through the life of a mother and daughter and everything a mother will do to protect her daughter.

Emily Wilde is on the journey to complete her encyclopedia all about faeries and to focus on her studies< she travels to a small town called Ljosland. But of course, there are imperfections that pop up during her fieldwork and the biggest problem of all is someone named, Wendell Bambleby. Join us as we chat about all the craziness that Emily comes across and the secrets she uncovers in Emily Wi...

""Never settle for less than the truth," she told him.". Join us as we chat about Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin. We will talk about growing up, family, home cooking, and life and death.

"She came from nothing. They have everything. Let the games begin!" Avery Grambs has a plan for her future but that is put aside quickly when she learns she has inherited billions of dollars and an estate from someone she has never met. She is going to have to play their game to survive. Join us as we chat about The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

When love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for? Lauren and Ryan reach a breaking point in their marriage so they decide to separate for a year. They have only one rule: no contact with each other. Join us as we chat about After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11 pm. 8 days and 8 witnesses to inhabit to figure out who the killer is. Join us as we chat about The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton.

How far would you go for a happily ever after? Evangeline is desperate to get the love of her life back. To do that she makes a deal with Jacks, a fate, who knows more about her story than she does. Join us as we chat about Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber.

Newly single mom Finlay Donovan is trying her best to stay afloat, but with the bills piling and her ex-husband scrutinizing her every move, it makes it hard to even think straight. But one afternoon at Panera and a mysterious note offering her $50,000 to get rid of someone’s nasty husband, may just be the break she needs. Join us as we chat about Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano 🔪

She is eighteen and he is thirty-one..... and they are falling for each other. Join us as we chat about The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer. We have Salem, who is learning about herself in the real world after graduating from high school, and her new neighbor, Thayer, who is a business owner with a 6-year-old son, Forrest. 🛑 Trigger Warning🛑 This book/episode will be mentioning top...

Where do you go when you think of your happy place? Harriet goes back to the Maine cottage her friends visit once a year only this time they are all going back because it is being sold. She is ready to have girl time this week only to get to the cottage and see her ex-fiancé standing in the kitchen as a surprise from her friends who don't know they broke up 5 months ago. Join us as we chat abo...

For most people, second chances are supposed to keep you out of trouble and start fresh. But for Alex Stern, joining Lethe and Yale caused more confusion and danger than she could have ever anticipated. Join us as we navigate Yale's secret societies, magic, danger, and murder.

What would you do if one of your favorite places was closing down? Join us as we chat about June, how she fights for her local library, and the other challenges she faces in The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson!

Growing up as a millennial learning how to navigate social media, cancel culture, and being famous! Join us as we chat about Girl With No Job by Claudia Oshry. We follow the ups and downs of her life growing up in Long Island and Manhattan to living her dream. You can follow Claudia @girlwithnojob

Imagine being blind in France during World War II! Join us as we chat about All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. This novel follows the POV of Werner and Marie - Laure as they grow up and go through their own turmoils during WWII. 

We have LOTS to say about this historical fiction! Join us as we chat about The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. 

Can true love survive a true crime obsession? 🔪 Intaking nothing but true crime isn’t useful for dating these days. Join us as we chat about Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson.