Isn't It Past Your Bedtime?

A newer release and the start of a sci-fi fantasy are what we're discussing this month. A psychological thriller that got Rachael hooked immediately and never let her go. And a fantastic start to a highly rated sci-fi/fantasy series had Kristia in a chokehold.Books Discussed:Beautiful Ugly by Alice FeeneyRed Rising by Pierce Brown

Happy May Yall!April had some winners in it! A nice little mix of thrillers, some thinkers, and as always, a little romance. Some that were even worth staying up way past our bedtime to read!Books Discussed:The Dream Hotel by Laila LalamiPucking Around by Emily RathThe Silent Patient by lex MichaelidesThe Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

March was full of winners. Not only did we each celebrate another trip around the sun, but it was filled with 5 star reads!Books Discussed:The Arrangement by Kiersten ModglinThirteen by Steve CavanashSunrise Over the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsHere One Moment by Liane Moriarty

February brought up romance with a body count, dragons (so many dragons), a secret society of women taking out bad men, and a baby gone missing at 30,000 feet.Books Discussed:Missing in Flight by Audrey J. ColeNecessary Evils Series by Onley JamesThe Last Invitation by Darby Kane

After 72 days, January has finally come to an end! Anyone else thankful February is here? Thankfully January did have a highly anticipated release for Kristia! Plus some historical fiction mixed in, who is she?? Rachael is back with a repeat author, does she possibly have a new auto-buy author?? Books Discussed:Black Sheep by Rachel HarrisonThe Women by Kristin HannahFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (zero spoilers!)

We're wrapping up our December reads this episode, and we had a fantastic end of 2024! A great variety this episode, and they're all bangers, we promise!Books Discussed:My Husband by Maud VenturaWool by Hugh HoweyThat Time I Got Drunk & Saved a Demon by Kimberly LemmingThe House In The Pines by Ana ReyesThe Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe

Thrillers. Science Fiction. Horror. Some Romance. We've got a bit of a mix for you today! Some repeat authors as well back their way back to the pod! And a debut you really should read.Never Lie by Freida McFaddenThe Deep by Nick CutterSky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

Vampires, ghosts, Greek gods, cheating husbands, friendship. This episode really has it all! Of the twenty books Kristia read this month, she's giving you two of her favorites. Rachael has a lot of half finished books, but this one snagged her attention and never let go.The Games Gods Play by Abigail OwenPhantasma by Kaylie SmithSo Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

HelloOoOoOIt's not secret around here that we love October, so we're giving ya some extra content this month! Yall remember The Exorcist - Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair... yeah, of course you do. Well it was a book first - because aren't they all! Rachael dove into this one this month to see if it lived up to the hype.Kristia's book club read We Used to Live Here, which is as confusing as it is off putting. If someone knocks on your door at night and wants to look around, the answer is always no!And since we needed a pallet cleanser after that, we're sure you do as well. The Nightmare Before Kissmas, was the perfect lil holiday romcom with some espionage.

Fall is finally here, but before we can jump into all our spooky, scary, cozy fall reads, let's chat about what we read last month! Kristia read 14 books in September, but picked her top favs while Rachael snagged a book with beautiful sprayed edges. Books Discussed:Reign & Ruin by J.D. EvansThe Female by Invi WrightMasters of Death by Olivie BlakeThrone of Glass by Sarah J. MassHonorable Mention:Lights Out by Navessa Allen

We're baaaccck!Your two favorite night owls are back, we may have a new name, but you can still count on us telling you about the books we've been reading and loving lately. While we were away, Rachael was in her New Mom Era while Kristia fell into her Romantasy/Smut Era. With lots of pages read since we last chatted, buckle in for quite the episode, we're coving a handful of books this time!We covered a lot of books this episode, lets jump in.__________________________________________________ACOTAR Series by Sarah J. Mass"To the stars that listen and the dreams that are answered""I am the rock against which the surf crashes." Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King"Sometimes, life just throws shit at you and there's nothing you can do but grab a shovel and start digging yourself out."One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig"Be wary. Be clever. Be good."Assistant to the Villian by Hannah Nicole Maeher“You just can't kill people and be pretty. It's confusing.”Lights Out by Kalya James"We do this together." The Coven by Harper L. Woods“If it is order that you value, then I will bring you nothing but chaos.”Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera“You don't owe anyone your whole story.”

Has we've said before, March birthdays are the best birthdays! This episode we've got two books related to birth[days] and an announcement! One book is a memoir and the other is low fantasy. One changed the lives of women, the other has magic! One has a show on BBC the other... well it's just for the hehes and the hahas.In other news, our very own Rachael is with child! We wish her and her family love, health, and rest in this next stage. With that, we will also be taking a hiatus while they get their baring as a family of three. Be sure and check out our Instagram @isntitpastyourbedtime for updates on what we're reading and status on when we return. Books Discussed: Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate HunterCall the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth

What happens when a Cupid and a Reaper get together to get revenge on said Cupid's ex. Love, obviously. This episode our morally grey leading man is named Death, Daddy Death that is. This adorable novella is gunna hit ya right in the heart. Book Discussed:Petty Cupid by Sarah Blue

Sticking with the love theme, but adding in some fantasy. This episode we've got a house sitting over a magical land, with wardens trying not only to protect the house, but their hearts as well. The other is a widely popular story with Fae, magical beasts, invisible walls, and so much more going on than could be said! Books Discussed:Starling House by Alix E. HarrowA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

This mini we've got some more dark romance. Here, our leading lady is a ghost with a few goals:Figure out how to not be a ghost any moreFigure out who she actually isFind a way to have sex with the four guys in the house she's currently haunting Eat popcornPretty solid goals if you ask us.Book Discussed:Four Psychos by Kristy Cunning

Your annual reminder that you should be reading diverse books all year long. But we get it, sometimes it can be a struggle to know where to start, or to get out of the algorithm of white lady authors. Both books this episode are Audible Originals and no longer than 8 hours. One gives How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days vibes, in the best possible way when our main character agrees to be a starter ex for her little sister's crush. The other is set in a future world ruled mostly by AI, and the main human character has to help a stolen robot learn how to be more human.Books Discussed:The Starter Ex by Mia SosaThe A.I. That Loved Me by Alyssa Cole

Romance isn't dead and neither is the love these two feel for each other. Our first mini of February is about two serial killers who fall in love with one another. He's got golden retriever energy and a slight Irish accent, what's not to love. We beg you to please read the CW before reading this book yourself!Book Discussed:Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

While we're always trying to improve, resolutions just aren't for us. New year, same us. This episode though we read some books flagged as "self help" to see if they'd give us any little nuggets we could embrace. While neither of these books will likely change our lives, there are a few vibes we took away. Hopefully you're not too hard on yourself this year. Crank your music, buy yourself the flowers, compliment a stranger when you can, and try not to let Betty in accounting get ya down!

We aren't sure how the first round is selected for the Goodread Choice Awards, but we celebrate anyway. This episode covers two of the winner from 2023. They are total opposites. One is about an author stealing not only a manuscript, but so much more. The other, a private detective solving crimes during the pandemic, with some cannibalism mixed in. Books Discussed:Yellowface by R.F. KuangHolly by Stephen King

Happy Christmas to all who celebrate. This episode we're covering two books that some classic Christmas movies are based on, and turns out Kristia hasn't seen either movie (for shame)! One man's heart grows three sizes while visited by three ghosts. Another turns out is short stories, but we could still shoot our eye out with 'em.Books Discussed:A Christmas Story by Jean ShepherdA Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

What a better way to cozy up for the winter than with a silly lighthearted sci-fi story. It's got unionizing dolphins, cats who can type, and a whole bunch of super villains. This will certainly get you into the perfect mindset for Winter!Book Discussed:Starter Villain by John Scalzi

There are a lot of Christmas books on the shelves, but not nearly as many for the other many holidays celebrated in December. This episode we're coving two. One is a novella romance which kicks off with none other than a work place bunch. The other is a heart warming YA set in a bookstore of all places!Books Discussed:Recommended for You by Laura SilvermanThe Kwanzaa Brunch by D.L. White

We're getting cozy and comfy with our minis this month. Starting off with a nice little small town murder, solved by the local baker, because of course she's a better detective than the new small town sheriff. She also makes killer pancakes... see what we did there. Book DiscussedPancakes and Corpses by Agatha Frost

As we enter the holiday season, we figured what better to read about than family dynamics that aren't our own. These families may have more issues than us, some haven't truly spoken in three years, there may be a cult involved, one woman is unable to leave well enough alone, oh but the husbands really support their wives, so at least there's that. Books Discussed:Never Meant to Stay by Trisha DasThe Husbands by Chandler Baker

Dead bodies, bombs on crew ships, tea, assassins, French pastries. What more could you want from murder mysteries. Come with us while we figure out who dun it in two different murder mysteries, both featuring older leading ladies.Books Discussed:Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna RaybournVera Wong's Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Happy Halloweeneve Night Owls! We've got a special episode filled with witches, cures, love, and mortal enemies. All treats and no tricks.. well maybe a trick or two. Stay safe out there dear listeners!Books Disscussed:Go Hex Yourself by Jessica ClareWild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin

Our last mini of October isn't quiet so mini, Kristia wasn't able to keep it short, so enjoy this almost full length episode. All treats, not tricks. This true crime is a white collar crime, so don't expect any gore. Our con artist managed to pretend to be a piolt while swindling over $2 Million from banks in the 60s.Book Discussed:Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake by Frank W. Abagnale with Stan Redding

We're going back to our roots here and reading one of our favorite genres, psychological thrillers! Neither of our main characters can be trusted to know what's really going on around them. They may be a bit paranoid, but that doesn't mean someone isn't out to get them... TW: Infertility Issues (starting at 12:00 minutes), the entire book covered by Kristia touches on this, skip if you're not in a good place to hear about this issue ❤️Books Discussed:Insomnia by Sarah PinboroughThe Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden

With October being spooky scary month, we decided to cover some true crimes this month for the minis. Rachael kicks us off with a survivors story, and like many survivors she isn't believed by the town or the police. Thankfully, she doesn't give us. TW: Sexual Assault (is mentioned in the episode, but goes into detail in the book)Book Discussed:Gitchie Girl by Phil Hamman & Sarah Hamman

Lady detectives are better than boy detectives, there we said it. This episode we've got two amature detectives solving crimes, saving lives, and being all around badasses. Both belong in series, so of you're interested there are more out there!Books Discussed:One Step Too Far by Lisa GardnerThe Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson

Yeah, you'd think in the year 2023 they'd finally stop with this nonsense, but then you'd be wrong. Happy Banned Book Week everyone! We've got two books that as usual we say for parents to read with their kids instead of banning them. It's some more adult themes, but that doesn't mean kids are ready. We've got sex work in different forms, slut shaming, and lies. Books DiscussedTricks by Ellen HopkinsThe Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Happy three day weekend to our listeners in the States, hopefully no Monday-scaries are getting ya. We've got some books this episode you can knock out in a weekend, or even in one sitting, for when you just don't want to leave your house. One is an older but classic story technically for kids, but also kids at heart. The other is about Murder Bot. Enjoy!Books Discussed:All Systems Red by Martha WellsCoraline by Neil Gaiman

The final mini of August is here. This episode we're talking about what you'd do if you could go back in time, mind you there are a lot of rules you gotta follow. Hope you like coffee!Book DiscussedBefore The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

August starts with Au, which stands for Autumn, which means the best time of the year is beginning! The episode we're diving in with some scary summer stories. One is by a great thriller author, though this one fell short, the haunted house just wasn't haunting. The other is a chilling retelling of some brutal murders that happened right where Rachel lives!Books Discussed:Home Before Dark by Riley SagerAll These Bodies by Kendare Blake

Too much coffee and not enough water got us forgetting to click post on this episode. We're just too wired. Enjoy a late entry for August minis, we've got a cozy coffee fantasy about an orc who wants to retire from all the fighting and killing and settle down and enjoy some bean water. Book Discussed:Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Last episode was sci-fi now we're moving into fantasy. With opposite styles this week we've got kid spies and necromancers. Lots of questions, some answers, many skeletons. Orphans all around. Books Discussed:The Mysterious Benedict Socitey by Trenton Lee Stewart the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Too much coffee and too many episodes in a month, no such thing! This month's minis are all coffee related, and you get three of them! We're kicking things off with a coffee shop murder. Who doesn't love some sleuthing with their latte.Book Discussed:Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

Branching out (for us) and picking up some Sci-Fi books this week. Kristia's book takes on the population issue, requiting 17 years olds to determine when they'll die, until out characters start dying early. Rachael covered a classic sci-fi story and let us know the differences between what Hollywood told us and the truth.Books Discussed:Five Minds by Guy MorpussFrankenstein by Mary Shelley

Every now and then we like to read about things that are real, things that actually happened. This episode we cover a true crime story, which as a survivor as a part author. And science. We go to space, learn about what's going on out there. Five stars all around.Books Discussed:The Girl in the Leaves by Larry Maynard, Sarah Maynard, & Robert ScottAstrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

We're discussing books by Black authors this episode, One's a brand new release (pub day 6/27) with unreliable narrators, kidnapping, stalking, and adultery. The other is a cautionary tale on what happens to kids who don't listen to their elders. Books Discussed:The Other Mistress by Shanora WilliamsHow The One Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones

Our final June mini is here and its not as bubbly as the last. There's a haunting, a mysterious death, a small B&B style inn, everything you'd want for your perfect relaxing summer getaway. Well, minus the murder.TW: Death of a Parent (Mother) - this is what starts the book, and the theme of grief is carried throughout. Listen at your own discretion. xo- R&K Book Discussed:The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb

Father's day is right around the corner (don't forget to wish him a happy day, if that's your thing). So this episode we've covering books where the dad plays a main role. There's a kidnapping, 20 year old murders, a plane hijacking, fresh murders, and children trying to be brave. These dads really got their work cut out for them this episode.Books DiscussedA Flicker in the Dark by Stacy WillinghamFalling by T.J. Newman

Memorial day means the start of Summer to some, for Kristia, it's June 1st. We know there are a few more weeks of Spring, but Summer is here in our hearts. June's minis have the very broad topic of summer and Kristia kicks us off with a bang. Her book covers ten different summers, and this is the final summer for our main characters to fall in love. Will they? Won't they? Only time will tell.Book Discussed:The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

The perfect one-liner can get you sucked in to almost anything, (insert catching one-liner here

It's our HUNDREDTH full episode, call y'all believe it, becuase we can't!We picked some award winning books, well one finalist, to bring you this week. Not just anyway, the Pulitzer! Did you know only one book wins a year, we didn't but we do now. There are some heavy topics today to check the trigger warnings below. Today is all about some interesting characters, some possible snow magic, loss, love, and figuring out who we are and who we want to be.Books Discussed:A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy TooleThe Snow Child by Eowyn IveyTrigger Warnings: Suicide (attempt, success, and idealization), racism and serotyping, sexism, infertility issues, child loss (still birth).Please listen at your own discretion, we understand this episode may not be for everyone.

Apologizes dear listeners, we know we're a day late this week, but we found ourselves stuck in a fairytale and couldn't get out. Thankfully it wasn't as dark as the fairytales we're covering in the week's episode.Turns out the power went to Dorothy's head and somehow a house has chicken legs. Both are being hunted in one way or another, and who knows which will survive.Books Discussed:Dorothy Must Die by Danelle PageThistlefoot by GennaRose Nerthercott

Our last April mini takes us into some crime fiction. There's murder, there's fraud, there's infidelity, if it's not a great thing to do, this book probably has it. Rachael tells us about the top 2 of the 12 short stories.Book Discussed:Seasonal Work by Laura Lippman

Mixing it up this week and covering the same book, but on purpose this time! One was on kindle and audio, the other in paper back. One read it in a day, the other struggled a little. The book has you questioning if you'd open your door and let in a stranger during a storm. Personally, we'd never, but we can see why our main character did. The story unfold in about a day, so listen in!Book Discussed:Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler

April minis bring mini stories. Kristia is kicking us off with a collection of short stories about the lives of Cambodian-Americans and what it's like finding your place in the world being a child of an immigrant. Book Discussed:Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So

There's nothing quite like family, and this episode we've got some family drama for ya. There's an unexpected half sister, an unexpected werewolf transformation, a police investigation, and estranged sister relationships. Truly, there's a lot for unpack here, come along for the ride. TW: Death of a parent (father), infertility issues. Books Discussed:Such Sharpe Teeth by Rachel HarrisonThe Half Sister by Sadie Jones

And happy birthday to all the other March babies out there. We may be biased but March is the best month to have a birthday! This episode we each gifted the other a birthday book. One is paranormal, one is set in India, one has some romance, the other has a woman who may have killed her husband. TW: Animal Abuse, Domestic Violence, Rape. These are all from Rachael's book, they are mentioned in the episode but we do not go inot detail. Her section begins 20 minutes into the episode. Books Discussed:Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz The Bandit Queens by Parini Scroff