Busy Girls Book Club

Follow Busy Girls Book Club
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Three busy young professionals who love to read tackle today's most popular books and let you know how to fit them into your busy schedule.

Busy Girls Book Club


    • Apr 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 1m AVG DURATION
    • 132 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Busy Girls Book Club with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Busy Girls Book Club

    129: We Are "The Anxious Generation"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 75:24


    Oh dear. This book may be about us. Dive into a non-fiction pick with us as we discuss The Anxious Generation as people who are living it. Video: https://youtu.be/QbdnlWWJv_Q

    128: Something to Say in "Sunrise on the Reaping"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 66:15


    Suzanne Collins is so back. Haymitch's games bring us back to the world of Hunger Games, and boy is it a doozy. Can we still find love in the YA dystopian we were raised on? Video: https://youtu.be/Vvd5QjsoW78

    127: Questions About "Quicksilver"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 64:58


    Quicksilver is the definition of a TikTok trending book. Is it more of the same Romantasy? Do we care? Video: https://youtu.be/ArP8LVQCrAY

    126: Main Character Meh in "Glow of the Everflame"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 51:02


    We are back with another Kindred's Curse book because we all organically continued the series. That should tell you something. Video: https://youtu.be/6cTE_YhKBYM

    125: Persia, Poetry and Politics in "Martyr!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 56:09


    "Martyr!" is an interesting collision of poetry and political identity that produces a unique narrative that also encompasses addiction and grief. What makes a "good death" is the central topic explored. And it's not everyone's cup of chai.

    124: Anticipating Outer Space on the Silver Screen with "Project Hail Mary"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 58:35


    Andy Weir is having a second outer space book adapted for film, and this time it's "Project Hail Mary." This story may have one of the best sidekick characters of all time. Is it worth it for those who aren't fans of sci-fi? Video: https://youtu.be/KfgbtQmH3JE

    123: "Year of Wonders" and the Black Plague

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 58:42


    Geraldine Brooks is an award winner for a reason, and we grabbed her historical fiction, "Year of Wonders." Based off of a true story of a plague village in England, this one tackles so many important and interesting themes. Video: https://youtu.be/6ecHSPaT8IY

    122: Politics and Pure Fantasy Fun in "Spark of the Everflame"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 49:05


    Penn Cole's "Spark of the Everflame" is the first in the Kindred's Curse series. While the discussion only covers the first book, it seems all of the hosts have already read on in this fantasy series with a fresh world and magic system. Video: https://youtu.be/GU0FAcg81uM

    121: Onyx Storm: Unhinged

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 59:06


    Anyone else thankful BookTok was unbanned before Onyx Storm came out? The fan theories out there are WILD. In this episode of entirely spoilers, we talk about what might come next in the series based off questions we still have, and we break down TikTok's finest fan theories. And we have receipts. Brennan's mark: @g00fsnnah Berwyn/Naolin: @mia.heindel Dain's slap: @bagendbookery Theophanie and General Daramor: @saracainreads Horcruxes: @thegiacobra Liam is alive: @itslittledemon King Courtlyn: @sandras.library Secret pregnancy: @hanyourbookishbestie Video: https://youtu.be/m2iJ8lC3y0k

    120: "Onyx Storm:" The Monster TikTok Made

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 56:33


    Book three of The Empyrean series is long awaited, but maybe we could have waited longer? The bar is set so very high for this BookTok darling. Can it ever achieve what its fans hope for? Video: https://youtu.be/i6L-HEFAoM4

    119: A Not So Short "Intermezzo"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 61:04


    Sally Rooney apparently doesn't use quotation marks or complete sentences, but really likes long paragraphs and run-on sentences. Is it art to write about loss and love this way? Or is it just too much work? Video: https://youtu.be/a2Xf1weQSTk

    118: Patriarchy and Class Conflict in “The God of the Woods”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 59:50


    Is it a mystery, or is it a commentary on class struggles and the power of men? Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods" was an unexpected read. Beautiful setting and complicated timeline combine for an interesting tale. Video: https://youtu.be/9YkLHWGKw3Y

    117: TikTok Made Us Do It: "Ice Planet Barbarians"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 49:06


    See trending books and review them... promise delivered. "Ice Planet Barbarians" somehow has enough of a cult following to have over 20 books in the bizarre series. Can the Busy Girls get behind one this weird? Video: https://youtu.be/fsThWTfNBxU

    116: The Biggest Busy Girls Debate Yet? Discussing "When the Moon Hatched"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 65:39


    If you think we've argued over a book before, wrong. Now THIS is a true debate. Two romantasy lovers vs. a lit fic queen on the topic of "When the Moon Hatched." Is fantasy's latest dragon darling worth the read? Video: https://youtu.be/XewFmGPkOqQ

    115: Busy Girls Book Club Awards 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 59:10


    We take a look back at the best books of the year both on and off the podcast and talk through some superlative awards. Plus, find out the Busy Girls Book of the Year. Video: https://youtu.be/HtujBnZwh4g

    114: "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" is not Relaxing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 56:53


    What if you could take enough pills to sleep an entire year of your life away? It's a question no one asked but "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" tries to answer. Video: https://youtu.be/KiBOsOxrj7k

    113: FanFic-esque Romance in "Red, White & Royal Blue"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 57:54


    Casey McQuiston is a leader in queer romance, even landing "Red, White & Royal Blue" on the big screen. Does the quality of the romance balance out the unbelievable love story between a First Son and a royal heir? Video: https://youtu.be/f5ic6O0UEyo

    112: The Refreshingly Mysterious World of "The Fifth Season"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 63:51


    Sci-fi and fantasy meet in "The Fifth Season" in the best way possible. Does this book have a plot? Not really. But the Busy Girls couldn't put it down. Listen to why. Video: https://youtu.be/a8rP9LQ4mx4

    111: "Chain-Gang All-Stars" and the U.S. Carceral System

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 59:18


    "Chain-Gang All-Stars" puts together a bunch of "what ifs?" and turns them into a nightmare near-future dystopian scenario where prisoners fight to the death on public television. There's a lot to be learned in this one. Video: https://youtu.be/DMwsJH8PoKQ

    110: "The Games Gods Play" With Social Media Trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 65:42


    Abigail Owens' "The Games Gods Play" has taken BookTok by storm, but is it just more of the same in romantasy? Or does it bring something new to the table? Video: https://youtu.be/dIiBf-7ooho

    109: Award Winning "James"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 80:43


    Percival Everett's retelling of Huckleberry Finn is raking in the awards this season, so it's the perfect time to discuss "James." The Busy Girls are joined by their friend Katelyn, who has joined the podcast previously.

    108: Voices of Vietnam in "The Women"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 67:09


    We've been burned by Kristin Hannah before, but this one might change our minds. While it's certainly a long read, it provides tools to ask questions we never knew to ask about the Vietnam War experience.  Video: https://youtu.be/UzsLUZycEbs

    107: Millennial Romance in "Seven Days in June"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 46:45


    The Busy Girls Book Club hosts tackle Tia William's millennial-coded romance, "Seven Days in June." Serious themes - like addiction and disability representation - pair with the hilarity of an author writing vampire smut and her middle school-aged therapist of a daughter to create a heartwarming love story. Video: https://youtu.be/q7MXLmISwbc

    106: "What The River Knows" About YA Historical Magical Realism

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 53:00


    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?

    105: Serial Killers and Spice in "Butcher and Blackbird"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 54:03


    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?

    104: A Not So Spooky "The Spellshop"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 49:35


    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. 

    103: More Paranormal Historical Fiction? A Look at "Vampires of El Norte"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 51:15


    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.

    102: A Muddled Murder Mystery in "The Maid"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 44:14


    "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.

    Busy Girls Bonus: October 2024 News

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 6:49


    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. 

    101: Two Years of Busy Girls Book Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 70:59


    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.

    100: Busy Girls "Book Lovers" Celebrate 100 Episodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 59:20


    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://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/reader-best-books-21st-century.html

    99: Niche History in "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 58:51


    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?

    98: Ready to Face "The Future"?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 75:23


    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.

    97: Rewind, Repeat in "Tower of Dawn"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 52:37


    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?

    95: One Dark Fairytale in "One Dark Window"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 48:10


    "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?

    95: Emily Henry's "Funny Story" and the Summer Rom Com

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 58:09


    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?

    94: Heartache and "The Song of Achilles"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 52:46


    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?

    93: Satire and Tropes Abound in "Assistant to the Villain"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 47:12


    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...)

    92: A Pulitzer-level Look at Appalachia in "Demon Copperhead"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 87:35


    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.

    91: The Modern Fantasy Formula in "A Fate Inked in Blood"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 57:11


    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?

    90: An Interview with "More Than Life" Author Bethanie Finger

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 56:59


    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.

    89: Is "The Will of the Many" Worth your Will to Read?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 63:52


    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?

    88: Two Authors and a Story of Love Across Time

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 51:06


    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.

    time war this is how you lose
    87: Kuang's Departure from Fantasty in "Yellowface"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 63:15


    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?

    86: Here Comes "Bride"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 51:22


    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."

    85: Plotlines Converge in "Empire of Storms"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 71:30


    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.

    83: A Memoir About Dead Bodies Could Change the World with "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 72:06


    "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.

    83: Something Completely New in Fantasy in "Immortal Longings"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2024 70:16


    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.

    82: Memoir Meets Poetry "In the Dream House"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 63:12


    A memoir on a queer abusive relationship might not sound like a must read, but Carmen Maria Machado's "In the Dream House" takes a poetic approach to realizing she's being abused and overcoming her situation. The Busy Girls talk about this interesting take on a memoir and why it's a must read.

    81: Middle Eastern Meets Fantasy in "The Jasad Heir"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 59:24


    "The Jasad Heir" has a lot of classic fantasy tropes but takes place in a setting more akin to Egypt. It's a fresh setting and focused heavily on kingdom politics. Plus, it's a grumpy-grumpy main character mashup.

    80: Life Meets Art in "Open Water"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 56:41


    "Open Water" is a sort of lyrical narrative that talks about the Black experience. The poetry aspect can be a bit hard to get into, but the book is short. Does it make it worth the read?

    Claim Busy Girls Book Club

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel