SOS Library

Join us for our last episode ever as we discuss our last book club book - Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer and as we recap 2025. It's been a great run. Ta ta for now!

Water Moon had everything going for it… in theory. A stunning cover, a magical world, and a promise of high-stakes twists. But beneath the surface, things got murky fast. Insta-love that made the emotional beats feel shallow, a world that sparkled without enough depth, and way too many threads that never intersected. It felt like a story that wanted to do everything and ended up doing nothing all...

We’ve read some spooky books before, but The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia?? Yeah… this one had us sleeping with the lights on. Three timelines, one seamless (and spine-tingling) story, characters we adored, and villains we loved to hate. Terrifying AND terrific all at once Next book: Water Moon by Samantha Soto Yambao Checked out: Lin: A Brief History of Seven Killings - Marlon James Monkey...

I Leave It Up to You traded the wild, magical edges of Flux for a quieter meditation on grief, family, and the loves that shapes us. We admired its tender, trope-defying family dynamic, but felt some moments fell just shy of their potential. It left us thinking… and, fittingly, left a lot up to us. Next book club book: The Bewitching - Silvia Moreno Garcia Checked out: Lin A Brief History of 7 Kil...

Fredrik Backman’s My Friends had us in our feelings—and occasionally at odds. A moving meditation on grief, art, and the friendships that shape us, this one sparked big discussions about what makes a story resonate. Some of us saw beauty in the brushstrokes, others wanted more from the present than just one long, melancholy summer. Either way, it got us talking. Next book club book: I Leave It Up...

This episode, we dive into Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar—and let’s just say, we didn’t all walk away with the same take. Between shifting POVs, existential spirals, and one ending that sparked serious debate, this book had us questioning identity, purpose, and what it means to live a meaningful life. Buckle up for a discussion that’s as messy, layered, and thought-provoking as the novel itself. Next book...

In this episode, we dig into Parable of the Sower—a dystopian tale that feels a little too real. From Lauren’s spiritual evolution to the gritty realities of survival, we talk about how Octavia E. Butler’s vision of the “future” hits uncomfortably close to home. Plus: the pros and cons of reading hard-hitting stories in audiobook, graphic novel, and good ol’ physical form. Spoiler: no format made...

In this episode, we step into Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop—a soft, cozy read that felt like a warm embrace…but maybe one that didn’t linger long enough. We appreciated its gentle take on burnout, life’s crossroads, and charming characters, but it left us craving a little more depth. Still, as an easy start to the year, it did the job! Join us as we unpack this quiet, comforting, but slightl...

We hope you had a restful holiday! We have an exciting update for the coming year.

Join us as we dive into Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah—a book that had us hooked but also left us scratching our heads. While we found the story engaging, its complex themes and a head-scratching ending turned this read into a bit of a literary workout. We ignite a lively debate about the prison system that could rival any courtroom drama. Settle in as we unpack our thoughts, exp...

Join us as we dissect One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle—a book that left us longing for an Italian exit! 🇮🇹 Katy, the main character, is a walking "do not recommend" list with her selfish ways and cringe-worthy dynamics. While the twist had its moments and the lesson hit the mark, Katy’s delusional drama made us wish for a better tour guide. Tune in for our hilariously honest take on this Italia...

In this episode, we dive into The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson—a YA book that chalked up more points than we expected! With fun character dynamics, an intriguing world, and a mystery that kept us hooked, we were impressed enough to give it a solid 4/5 stars. Sure, the concept of chalk monsters had us rolling our eyes (and spotting some plot holes), but overall, it was a fun ride that left us pl...

Get ready for a wild ride through the twisted world of "Natural Beauty" by Ling Ling Huang! In this episode, we dive deep into a story that's heavy on body horror and light on consent. With pacing issues that had us checking our watches and science that made us scratch our heads, this book was a time. But don’t fret! Amidst the creepy procedures and questionable ethics, Huang’s sharp...

This month on SOS Library we are trekking into the unexplored lands of cozy fantasy reads with Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. Was the romance and magical elements a hit or miss for us? Listen to find out! Plus, a discussion on our favorite romance tropes, trends in the current reading zeitgeist, and of course our round up for our best and worst reads. Book Club Book...

Come abroad to sail across the Hundred Kingdoms with "To Kill A Kingdom" by Alexandra Christo and her epic fantasy story! Our metaphorical ship also dock at a couple of other stops which includes tackling The Annoying Bookish Tag to discuss our bookish pet peeves as well as our usual highs and low reads for the month. We can't wait for you to dive in with us! Original Annoying Bookis...

Strap in for a rollercoaster ride through the posh and plothole-ridden world of "Tripping Arcadia" by Kit Mayquist! 🎢 Join us as we take on this tale of excess, where the only thing deeper than the characters' pockets is the drug-induced haze they stumble through. From lavish parties to questionable life choices, we'll be dishing out laughs and dissecting the lack of substance i...

In our latest installment, we dive deep into the captivating world of "If I Had Your Face" by Frances Cha, exploring the intricacies of love, ambition, and identity in contemporary Seoul. We also serve up a delectable dish of drama with the last four episodes of Hulu's "Black Cake" adaptation. From scandalous secrets to tantalizing twists, it's a binge-worthy feast for...

This episode is all about the bottom line! We crack into Heather Radke's 'Butts,' and share some cheeky tales that'll have you in stitches. And, as if that wasn't enough, we slice into the layers of drama in Hulu's 'Black Cake' Episode 4 – this ep is a bottomless pit of entertainment! Book Club Book of the Month: Butts: A Backstory - Heather Radke Next Book Club Boo...

Kick off 2024 with us as we explore the brilliance of "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Adding a dash of sweetness, we also dish out our take on the first three episodes of Hulu's "Black Cake" adaptation. From delectable drama to surprising twists, we're here to share our thoughts with our signature charm and warmth. It's the perfect start to a year filled w...

Dive into chaos with our penultimate 2023 episode featuring the fishy existential wonders of "Why Fish Don't Exist" by Lulu Miller. Are fish in on a cosmic joke? What's the real deal with reality? Life upside down got you pondering purpose? We'll tackle the deep questions (or not) and spill the bookish tea—join the witty chaos! 🐟📚✨ Book Club Book of the Month: Why Fish Don...

This tenth episode of SOS Library is a spooky one! We continue our trek into the dark and autumnal season with this month's pick: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno Garcia. A nineties horror picture show adapted on the page for our reading pleasure, we talk about what scared, thrilled, and disappointed us. Finally, we discuss our book highs and lows since the last episode and dive into our pick f...

For this ninth episode of SOS Library, Season 1 of Pachiko draws to a close with its eighth and final installment. We give our thoughts about the episode as well as the execution of the show as a whole. Then, to welcome back-to-school season, for our book of the month pick, we are discussing Bunny by Mona Awad. If dark academia and horror are your genres of choice then you are in good company with...

Welcome to episode 8 of SOS Library, where we serve up a double dose of literary and TV excitement! In this thrilling episode, we dive into not one but two book club picks for the month. First up, we unravel the mysteries of "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann. Get ready for a gripping discussion as we explore the dark and haunting secrets hidden within its pages and learn about...

For our seventh episode of SOS Library, we are rounding off the first half of the year with our thoughts and feelings on the sixth episode of Pachinko, a wholesome discussion of "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna (featuring some personalized potion concoctions of our own making), and a mid-year reading check in tag. Book Club Book of the Month: The Very Secr...

In episode 6 of SOS Library, we dive deep into our own emotions and personal insights from reading "What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma" by Stephanie Foo. As we share our thoughts on the book's powerful exploration of trauma and resilience we also open up about our own personal histories. Trigger warnings: This memoir discusses potentially triggering content,...