Facts & Fictions

In today's Brief Encounters, we explore the Pulitzer Prize — and get surprised at every turn. Joseph Pulitzer shot a man in his twenties and kept his political career. He invented yellow journalism. He treated newsboys so badly there was a strike in 1899 (that's the Newsies). Then he died and left money to fund the prize that now bears his name. We also cover: this year's fiction winner Angel Down...

Facts & Fictions goes deep on Jennette McCurdy's debut novel Half His Age — and yes, it's as uncomfortable as it sounds. Morgan gives it her lowest rating in podcast history. We discuss what McCurdy gets right, what made us squirm, and why we think this book has a very specific audience that isn't us. Content warnings: grooming, underage relationships, neglectful parenting. Hosted on Acast. Se...

Pull up a blanket... we're overdue for a chat! This week Morgan and Desiree catch up on the books filling their nightstands, react to the wildly polarized Yesteryear discourse (plus the Anne Hathaway co-writing reveal), debate celebrity book clubs in the wake of Oprah’s sale to Amazon, and get honest about why being online feels different lately. Plus: Indie Bookstore Day spoils, a dopamine playli...

This week we're diving into THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans — the runaway debut novel that's sold over a million copies, hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, won the 2026 PEN/Hemingway Award, and is officially heading to the big screen with Jane Fonda attached to star. Told entirely through letters and emails, the novel follows Sybil Van Antwerp — a sharp-tongued, fiercely private ret...

When Dan Pelzer passed away at 92, his daughter discovered something extraordinary — a handwritten log of every book he had read since 1962. All 3,599 of them. She turned it into a website and shared it at his funeral via QR code, and the reading community hasn't stopped talking about it since. In this Brief Encounters episode, Desiree and Morgan dig into Dan's story and the bigger questions it r...

This week Desiree and Morgan are reading  Discontent  by Beatrice Serrano — a debut translated novel from Spain that is part workplace satire, part slow-burn existential unraveling, and entirely too relatable. We're talking about Marissa: a mid-level marketing employee in Madrid who looks fine from the outside but is quietly dissolving on the inside. She's hiding in her office watching Y...

We're doing something a little different this week — welcome to our first ever Overdue for a Chat episode. No book breakdown, no deep dive. Just Morgan and Desiree catching up on everything bookish that's been living rent-free in their heads. Storygraph: @desireereed @morgankline Instagram: instagram.com/factsandfictionspod Subscribe to Facts & Fictions for new episodes every other Sunday 📚 B...

In this episode of Facts and Fictions, Desiree & Morgan are discussing Crux by Gabriel Tallent. Tallest describes the book as: “It’s about two down and out kids, one of them is good at school “American golden child,” one of them is a mouthy burnout lesbian who everyone hates because she won’t stop talking about periods. At night they escape their houses and they run out into the desert to go c...

This week on Facts and Fictions we are diving into The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers. We discuss first impressions, the characters and all of their quirks, and the slippery slope of emotional infidelity that led to a decade long affair. We explored the moral gray area of when did Cora and Elliot's friendship cross the line? Did Cora go out seeking an affair or did she stumble into it? Please note...

In this Brief Encounters episode of Facts & Fictions , we’re diving into a few thought-provoking pieces on the state of reading today — from declining literacy rates to the rise of bibliotherapy and the growing role of AI in how we consume and create stories. What does it mean to be a reader in 2026? Are attention spans really shrinking? Can books still change us? And where does artificial int...

What if you could live every version of your life?📚✨ In this episode of Facts & Fictions , we dive into The Midnight Library by Matt Haig — a genre-bending novel that blends literary fiction, speculative fantasy, and mental health exploration. We discuss Nora Seed’s journey through infinite alternate lives, how the book handles themes like regret, choice, and depression, and whether it lives...

This week on Facts & Fictions, we’re talking about The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. After taking a break from self-help books, Morgan and Desiree are diving into this viral release that’s been making waves across social media. Is “just let them” really the key to less stress and more peace—or just another catchy phrase? 💬 Let us know in the comments — have you read the book? Did the “Let T...

🎙️ Facts & Fictions — Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt In this episode, Morgan and Desiree dive into Remarkably Bright Creatures , Shelby Van Pelt’s heartwarming debut novel about connection, grief, and one remarkably clever octopus. We unpack the story, discuss the themes of loneliness and healing, and share our thoughts on how Marcellus the octopus completely stole the show. Jo...

Navigating Grief and Relationships in Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo In this episode, Morgan and Desiree dive into Sally Rooney’s latest novel, Intermezzo —a poignant exploration of grief, family tension, and complicated love. The story follows brothers Peter and Ivan as they navigate life after their father’s death, confronting their strained relationship and romantic entanglements with Sylvia, Naomi,...

📖 The Wedding People by Alison Espach | Book Club Podcast Discussion 💍✨ This week on the pod, Desiree & Morgan dive into The Wedding People by Alison Espach! 🎉 From its sharp humor to its heartfelt exploration of love, loneliness, and unexpected connections, we break down what makes this novel such a compelling read. Join us as we discuss: 💍 The novel’s unique take on weddings & relat...

🔪 The Housemaid’s Twists Keep Coming! Let’s Talk Books 2 & 3 👀 Freida McFadden is back with more shocking twists, locked doors, and jaw-dropping secrets! In this episode, your hosts Desiree & Morgan dive into The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid is Watching —books 2 and 3 in The Housemaid series. Are they just as addictive as the first book? Do the twists live up to the hype? And doe...

🔪 The Housemaid by Freida McFadden – Is It Worth the Hype? In this episode, Desiree & Morgan dive into The Housemaid , the psychological thriller that’s been everywhere. We’re breaking down the jaw-dropping twists, eerie Winchester house vibes, and whether this book truly lived up to the hype. 👀 Was it unputdownable or just another predictable thriller? Let’s discuss! 🤯 📖 Spoilers ahead! I...

In this episode, Desiree and Morgan discuss The Girls by Emma Cline, a haunting coming-of-age novel inspired by the infamous Manson family. Set against the backdrop of 1960s California, the story follows Evie Boyd, a lonely teenager drawn into the magnetic orbit of a dangerous cult. We delve into the novel’s exploration of loneliness, longing, and the seductive power of belonging. How does Cline’s...

In this episode, Desiree and Morgan dive into Emily Henry’s heartfelt and hilarious novel, Happy Place . They unpack Harriet and Wyn’s fake-dating scheme, the emotional complexities of their breakup, and whether a “happy place” can ever truly be revisited. Join us as we explore themes of love, friendship, and the tricky balance between pursuing your own happiness and meeting the expectations of ot...

In this episode, Desiree and Morgan dive into Ottessa Moshfegh’s darkly compelling novel, My Year of Rest and Relaxation . Join us as we unpack the narrator’s bold, if unsettling, quest for a year-long hibernation from life in early 2000s Manhattan. We explore themes of grief, privilege, self-destruction, and the complex desire for reinvention. Is the narrator’s year of sleep a search for healing...