Busy Girls Book Club

Yes. We are serious. Today we are talking about "Twilight." Two of us read it as kids, but one of us is joining the craze a little late. So what merit do stories have when they become a seamless part of pop culture? Video: https://youtu.be/Acm7O7xQEd8

Dr. Emily Rath became an overnight TikTok sensation for her political views and discourse with social media followers. She's known for her hockey romance, but recently published a fantasy steeped in Finnish myth. Are the author and the book worth the hype? Video: https://youtu.be/Ht3nqyCIh40

There's no good way to describe "Big Swiss" succinctly. It's a bizarre adventure in trauma recovery with an unpredictable main character and a torrid affair. Is the absurdity of the story worth the time?  Video: https://youtu.be/EziP_6l3bXM

The Busy Girls Book Club loves a good retelling/reimagining of a classic myth. Daughter of the Moon Goddess is based in a Chinese myth about the woman on the moon, but the novel gives it a big spin. It's an epic adventure tale, but very wholesome. But is it worth 500 pages? Video: https://youtu.be/eC1BTHX5F30

We are diving into popular booktok author Abby Jimenez for the first time with "Say You'll Remember Me." It deals with love and loss and tough family and financial situations. But is it memorable? Video: https://youtu.be/zgiD4vt9w-A

We have finally come to the end of our Sarah J. Mass journey. "Kingdom of Ash" finishes off the Throne of Glass series and is over 900 pages of pure epic fantasy. So how do we feel after the end? Video: https://youtu.be/wwkJuBmzl_o

Yes, we're doing it. If you've seen the cover or read the disclaimer at the front, you know what we're getting into with Ali Hazelwood's "Deep End." And you know that Casey refuses to read any more from that author, so we invited her best friend Leighton to join us instead! Video: https://youtu.be/5wMcrtSQYxo

It's been a while since we did some thriller/horror, so this listener request was a fun one. Short and sweet, "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" takes readers on a wild ride. And the hosts may not fall where you think in terms of reviews. Video: https://youtu.be/q5ijzgrrwx8

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

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

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

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

"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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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.

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

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

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?

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?

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. 

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.

"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.

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. 

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.

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

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?

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.

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?

"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?

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?

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?

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...)

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.