Shrads Talks Books

In this episode, I dive into the intoxicating world of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner — a gripping tale of forgotten women, hidden apothecaries, and slow-burning revenge. From 18th-century London to modern-day discoveries, this dual-timeline novel is packed with secrets, resilience, and a little dash of poison. Tune in to find out if this feminist historical mystery lives up to the hype! 🔍 P...

Join me in this episode as we delve into Fredrik Backman's beloved novel, A Man Called Ove . We explore the intricate layers of Ove's character, the themes of loss, love, and community, and how Backman masterfully balances humor with heartfelt storytelling. Whether you're revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, this discussion offers fresh insights and reflections...

In this episode, we review The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab — a fantasy novel that explores immortality, identity, art, and the ache of being forgotten. We dive into key themes, character analysis, and why this novel has left such a lasting impact on readers. Whether you’ve already read it or are just curious about the hype, this book discussion is for you. #BookReviewPodcast #Addi...

What if your dream apartment turned into your worst nightmare? In this week’s episode, I dive into the chilling pages of The Apartment by K.L. Slater — a psychological thriller that grips you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. With secrets lurking behind every door and a protagonist you can't help but root for, this story will have you questioning just how well we ever really k...

Arthur Hailey brings us, The St. Gregory. A luxury hotel in New Orleans, for five hot and humid days in the Louisiana summer of 1964. A wonderful experience of the inner workings of a New Orleans hotel—and the human drama unfolding behind its closed doors. Anyone who's ever been to a hotel, should really take this trip to how hospitality actually works. #bookreview #arthurhailey #hotel #neworleans...

Rin Chupeco's The Bone Witch Trilogy is a story that invites its readers to a world of Magic. Where growing up with powers is your birthright and sometimes having powers is more trouble than it's worth. Welcome to the world of Tea. She will make you smile, care for her, wonder at her tenacity and cheer her... even when she is tauted to be the villain of the story... #rinchupeco #thebonewit...

Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is a multiple award-winning Young Adult novel that gets its reader thinking about growing up, and friendships formed at unlikely places and redefines family. It's a heartwarming story about a boy raised by actual ghosts. #neilgaiman #nobodyowens #graveyardbook #bookreview Image: bloomsbury.com Music: Spring by Xennial courtesy FMA (CC BY)

No Kindness Too Soon by Sylvain Neuvel ( Sorry if I'm pronouncing your name incorrectly ) is a wonderful little Audible Original Novella for all our little Sci-Fi enthusiasts In 2 hours Mr. Neuvel is making sure you get to take a trip across the universe... both outside and inside your own self. If you like novels that make you think and wonder... this one is for you for sure. And if you think onl...

Nick Jones's debut novel, "And Then She Vanished" is a tale of heartbreak, mystery, perseverance, family ties, friendship, and most importantly... TIME TRAVEL.... Anyone who enjoys sci-fi and novels with a 'what-if' scenario... would love reading this one. #nickjones #timetravel #bookreview Image Courtesy: Goodreads.in Music: fade by snoozy beats courtesy FMA (CC BY)

Craig Dilouie's Episode Thirteen is our second read of the year. And it takes us into the world of the paranormal. It's an interesting little story about a team of paranormal investigators filming for a TV show, titled Fade To Black. Their 13th episode as life would have it. And lo n behold, they ACTUALLY find it. #horror #letstrysomethingnew #2025reading #bookreview #shradstalksbooks

Our first review of the year 2025 takes us down the lush greens of Montana. To a family that has suffered a loss and is coming to grips with change, when suddenly they are faced with some really gruesome murders and an unexpected visitor. Come Sundown is story of resilience, and love and family ties that spans a wide range of facets. It's an emotional ride into what one might call, feminine st...

A unique experiment in the literary world.... Fourteen Days brings 36 big literary voices together, under one title... stories that are written secretly and bound together with a single narrative... #anthology # 2020 #fourteendays #margaretatwood #bookreview Cover art: amazon Music: rewind by snoozy beats courtesy FMA (CC BY)

Freida McFadden's Never Lie is an experience every horror -thriller fan is likely to enjoy. It's a ride in the twisted mind of Ms. McFadden, who i'm beginning to think is an evil... EVIL woman. If you are looking for something different and something twisty this holiday season, give this a try... you might just find something to talk about.... :-) #freidamcfadden #thriller #suspense #neverlie Musi...

Victorian era New York... A police force trying to find its legs... A lonely widowed midwife... Society matrons and a series of murders... Victoria Thompson invites you to take a trip to the New York of the late 1800s... when "society" rules prevailed, when police only investigated murders if a "reward" was promised, a time when nationalities decided who could do what... a time of turmoil, a time...

Benjamin Stevenson's Don't Hang Up is a short Audible Original little novella that is sure to perk up a dull evening. If you are looking for a short and quick pick me up with some adrenaline injection, this is where your search ends. Be ready for some unexpected twists and a reveal that might be a bit more than you bargained for... #thriller #novell #audible #audibleoriginal #donthangup Music : Sp...

Clare Pooley's People on Platform Five is an easy read about a group of strangers, fellow commuters in a public transport, who are brought together by a single dramatic incident. Who by choice and circumstance are learning to trust and lean on each other, forming a friendship that can only be done in a public transport... #dailycommute #publictransport #bookreview #books #clarepooley #happyread Mu...

Welcome to Shrads Talks Books. It's a place for nerds who like words. Gods of Jade and Shadow - Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Welcome to the world of Mayan Folklore. A journey into the Xibabla, Mayan underworld with Hun-Kame, the nearly immortal God of the underworld and Casiopea, an adolescent Mexican girl who wants to grow out of her rural home. It's a journey of self discovery, growth and ... love #mex...

Coleen Hoover's "Verity" is a novel that divided the reading community when it came out. And it still continues to mystify, astound and even disgust people in equal measures. It's a book that mindfucks you... it's twisted, perverted and equally engages you in the story. As a mother, and a single parent, things in Verity made me uncomfortable on levels that I didn't even knew I had emotionally. It'...

Gigi Pandian's Accidental Alchemist Mystery series is a delightful book series of about 8 books that chronicles the story and adventure of a 100+ years old Alchemist and her gargoyle roommate who's made from stone. It's a sweet little journey through the mazes of alchemy and intentions, a little magic, a little love, and lots of delicious mysterious occurrences. Anyone who's ever liked French acce...

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes is a modern take on old greek myth of Medusa. A feminist tale of the woman behind the monster. #medusa #greekmyths #perseus #stoneblind #natalihaynes #bookreview Music: Spring by Xennial courtesy FMA (CC BY) Image courtesy: goodreads.com

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, is a treat for all space nerds. If you loved watching Lost in Space, you would have a treat reading / listening to Project Hail Mary. #andyweir #projecthailmary #themartian #spacestories #lostinspace #bookreview Music: Lazy Afternoon by Snoozy Beats courtesy FMA (CCBY) Image courtesy: Amazon

Brynn Kelly's A Murder To Remember, is sweet little romance meets murder mystery combination that every fan of rom-com and Jane Austen needs to listen to... #murdertoremember, #janeaustenmurdermystery #romcom Music: Lazy Afternoon by Snoozy Beats courtesy FMA(CCBY) Image: https://brynnkelly.com/

Lisa Jewell's None Of This Is True, is a twisty little novel that needs a read, especially during the spooky season. It isn't about the paranormal but has all the trademark facets of a good thriller. There's an innocent protagonist, a creepy stalker, missing husbands and absent parents, and not to forget... unsolved murders... None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell is one of the darkest r...

Helene Tursten brings us the most delightful octogenarian serial murderer... she's fiesty, she's independent and resourceful... she's 88... #howtogetawaywithmurder #elderlylady #murder #bookreview Music: Spelunking by Mr. Smith courtesy Free Music Archive (CC BY) Image courtesy: Amzon

Cecelia Ahern's Love, Rosie is an epistolary masterpiece. 500 pages of letters, emails and other correspondence details worlds within worlds of friendships, love and utter sheer joy. If you ever had a best friend, you must read this. #friendshipiseverything #loverosie #whererainbowsend #ceceliaahern Music: fade by snoozy beats courtesy Free Music Archive (CC BY) CoverArt: www.cecelia-ahern.com