Real Friends Who Read Books

It's only a week and a day late but we are back from our summer vacation and ready to dive into our next book! In this weeks *SPOILER FREE* episode, RFWRB checks in on their progress with September's book, Bride by Ali Hazelwood. Check back in two weeks for the full discussion!

This week the Real Friends share food memories (who said Beggin' Strips were only for dogs?) and talk feminism as they discuss If You Can't Take The Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism, and Fury by Geraldine DeRuiter. If You Can't Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter Courtney: People come and go- food is forever. …until you eat it I suppose… Mary Paige: You can't use pizza dough for cinnamon rolls, okay.  Erica: A book of essays to rule them all!!! Read along with us! Coming up next:  ~Summer Break~ September: Bride by Alli Hazelwood October: TBD November: TBD Check out our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com!!

Up this week, If You Can't Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter!  Geraldine DeRuiter offers a blend of humor and incisive critique as she recounts her tumultuous journey through the food world. Sparked by a viral essay on Mario Batali's cinnamon roll recipe/sexual harassment apology, DeRuiter explores themes of misogyny and resilience, detailing how her culinary escapades intersect with broader societal issues.  Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on July 23rd for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com. (DOT COM!)

This week the Real Friends are getting ready for the summer as they discuss Abby Jimenez's latest book, Just for the Summer! Just for the Summer one sentence: Erica: iiiiiiiii don't know why I procrastinated so long reading this!!! Courtney: The way to ones heart is a predate questionnaire. (Or to my heart at least…) Mary Paige: Lets make predate surveys mandatory- please and thank you. Read along with us! Coming up next:  July- If You Can't Take the Heat by Geraldine Deruiter August ~~Real Friends Summer Vacay~~ September- Bride by Ali Hazelwood October- TBA If you find yourself on the interwebs, visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

On this weeks *SPOILER FREE* episode, RFWRB check in on their progress with Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on June 25th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com. (Dot Com!) Other books discussed in this episode: Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto Places We Love: San Diego Tijuana Funny Story by Emily Henry The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman Agent Josephine by Damien Lewis Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz Dune by Frank Herbert The Husbands by Holly Gramazio The Idea of You by Robinne Lee Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston (You can find that episode from season 3 HERE.) Platonic by Dr. Marisa G. Franco

Hello pretties! In this episode RFWRB discuss Uglies by Scott Westerfield. Uglies in one sentence: Mary Paige: in my rusty era….or take me to crumblivylle  Erica: SHAVE MY BONE! Courtney: When I was a teen this book made me want to fix my face, now i want to ….age with grace… Read along with us! Coming up: June: Just for The Summer by Abby Jimenez July: If You Can't Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter  September: Bride by Ali Hazelwood  If you find yourself on the interwebs, check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Hey Friends!! We are a bit behind on our episodes this month! Ep. 4 Uglies by Scott Westerfield will hopefully be out by the beginning of next week and then we're back on schedule for the month of June!! Thanks for being such great friends!

In this weeks *spoiler free* episode, RFWRB check in on their progress with Uglies by Scott Westerfeld Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on May 28th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebscheck out our website realfriendsbookclub.com. (Dot Com!) Other books discussed in this episode: + The Princess Bride by William Goldman + The Idea of You by Robinne Lee + Dune by Frank Herbert + Impossible People by Julia Wertz + Deliberate Cruelty by Roseanne Montillo

Up this week, Glossy by Marisa Meltzer!  Described as a “compulsively readable narrative of beauty, business, privilege, and mogul-dom” by the NYT, Glossy takes us on a deep dive into the millennial beauty brand Glossier. In Glossy, journalist and author Marisa Meltzer combines in-depth interviews with former Glossier employees, investors, and founder Emily Weiss herself to bring you inside the walls of this fascinating and secretive company. Glossy in one sentence: Courtney: I'll just go to Sephora, I dont want to buy online. Mary Paige: When the Glossier pink bags will forever haunt you.  Erica: Gaslight, gatekeep, girl boss, Glossier. Let's get reading! Coming up next: May: Uglies by Scott Westerfeild. June: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Geraldine DeRuiter We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

 Notes: Up this week, Glossy by Marisa Meltzer!  Described as a “compulsively readable narrative of beauty, business, privilege, and mogul-dom” by the NYT, Glossy takes us on a deep dive into the millennial beauty brand Glossier. In Glossy, journalist and author Marisa Meltzer combines in-depth interviews with former Glossier employees, investors, and founder Emily Weiss herself to bring you inside the walls of this fascinating and secretive company. Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on May 28th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

This week the Real Friends get into all things family, friendship and love as they discuss Ghosts by Dolly Alderton. Erica: NEVER TRUST A MAGICIAN NAMED JETHRO!! Courtney: Flakers ganna flake. Mary Paige: Modern dating is shit- best of luck to ya! Read along with us! Coming up next:  April-Glossy by Marisa Meltzer May-Uglies by Scott Westerfeild June- Tom Lake by Anne Patchett Check us out on on the interwesbs at RealFriendsBookClub.com

In this *SPOILER-FREE* episode, RFWRB check in on their progress with Ghosts by Dolly Alderton. Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on March 26th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

It's our first book discussion for the season and how great to start with a book about a podcaster! How very meta of us. This week RFWRB dive into I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. I Have Some Questions for You in one sentence: Mary Paige: Okay but I still have some questions for the author... Erica: There's always that one teacher, I guess. Courtney: Realistic. Read along with us! Coming up next:  March: Ghosts by Dolly Alderton April: Glossy by Maritza Meltzer June: Uglies by Scott Westerfeild If you find yourself on the interwebs, check out our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

In this weeks Spoiler Free episode, the Real Friends discuss their initial thoughts on I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on February 27th for the full book discussion! If you find yourself on the interwebs, check out our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Oh friends we missed you so! We are super sorry to be a month late on things- life gets busy and it got us. Anywho... WELCOME BACK! Season 4 is here and we are pumped to get back into it! In this mini episode we reflect on how our reading has changed, some of our favorite books of the show so far (and some of the worst). Coming up next: February: Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai March: Ghost by Dolly Alderton April:Glossy by Marisa Meltzer Our first book report of Season 4 will be live on February 13th so mark your calendars. (If you want... no pressure.)

Come along for an exploration of……..the death industry!  As Goodreads says—We are surrounded by death. It is in our news, our nursery rhymes, our true-crime podcasts. Yet from a young age, we are told that death is something to be feared. How are we supposed to know what we're so afraid of, when we are never given the chance to look? All the Living and All the Dead in one sentence:  Mary Paige: Respect the living and dead but especially the living working with the dead. Erica:. Oh no, I'm back in a death phase!!! Courtney: Death: The silent industry. --------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for sticking with us for three full seasons of books, chats and a lot of learning! We'll be announcing the first three books for season four of RFWRB later on in December. We can't wait to see you in the New Year!!

Up this week, All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell. Come along for an exploration of……..the death industry!  As Goodreads says—We are surrounded by death. It is in our news, our nursery rhymes, our true-crime podcasts. Yet from a young age, we are told that death is something to be feared. How are we supposed to know what we're so afraid of, when we are never given the chance to look? Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on 11/28 for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

This week the Real Friends dive into the zombie western/fantasy romance, The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy by Megan Bannen.  Erica: A god named Jeff? No way Courtney: A Zombie Western but in a place surrounded by water (I think?) with mail delivery via talking animals and gods and goddesses of indeterminate origin. Mary Paige: a mythical western youve to mail style but with a funeral home and zombies ¯_(ツ)_/¯  Read along with us! Coming up next:  November: All the Living and The Dead by Hayley Campbell Keep your eyes peeled, we  will be announcing the first three books for Season 4 at the end of our last episode! Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

Join RFWRB as we check in on our progress with The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy by Megan Bannen! Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on October 24th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Finally!! The full discussion of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. *dragon screech* Fourth Wing in one sentence: Mary Paige: magic, dragons and a whole lotta death Erica: Ammmmmm I a dragon girlie now?  Courtney: Welcome to the dragon girls club…I was there first.  Read along with us! Coming up next:  October : The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy By Megan Bannen November: All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell  Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

The full discussion on Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros will be available soon. Sorry for the delay!

This week the Real Friends check in and have a spoiler free chat on their progress with Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. *insert dragon screech here* Don't forget to tune in on September 26th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Kaitlyn Tiffany guides us through the online world of fans, stans, and boy bands in Everything I Need I Get From You. Along the way, we meet girls who damage their lungs screaming too loudly, fans rallying together to manipulate the charts, and an underworld of inside jokes surrounding One Direction. Everything I Need I Get From You in one sentence: Mary Paige:  1D Fans: unhinged Erica: Will I ever love anything as much as these fans love One Direction?? Courtney: A love letter to 1 Direction. Read along with us! Coming up next:  September: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros October: The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy by Megan Bannen  November: All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

Up this week, Everything I Need I Get From You by Kaitlyn Tiffany. Come along for a deep dive into internet fandom and what's behind the obsession. As Goodreads says—From alarming, fandom-splitting conspiracy theories about secret love and fake children, to the interplays between high and low culture and capitalism, Tiffany's book is a riotous chronicle of the movement that changed the internet forever.  Warning: As one astute reviewer pointed out, this book is mostly about One Direction. Proceed with caution.  Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on August 22nd for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

This week we talk all things Emily Henry as we discuss her latest novel, Happy Place. Erica: I am swearing off Julia Whelan. Courtney: A coming of ~middle age~ story amongst friends. Mary Paige: A story about millennials growing up, drifting apart  and coming to terms with changing relationships. Read along with us! Coming up next:  August: Everything I Need I Get From You by Kaitlyn Tiffany September: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros October: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week RFWRB have a spoiler free chat as they check in on their progress with Happy Place by Emily Henry. Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on July 25th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Curious to know which Real Friend has what it takes to be an assassin? Find out as RFWRB discuss Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn. (Hint: None of them has what it takes, but it's fun to speculate!) Killers of a Certain Age in one sentence: Mary Paige: Manifesting more golden girls-esque stories, please and thank you. Erica: “She believed she could, so she did. (By kicking ass.)”  Courtney: John Wick Vibes but with Blanche! Read along with us! Coming up next:  July- Happy Place by Emily Henry  August- Everything I need I Get from You by Kaitlyn Tiffany September- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros  Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week RFWRB have a spoiler free discussion on their first impressions of Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn. Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on June 27th for the full book discussion! Coming up next: July: Happy Place by Emily Henry August: Everything I Need I Get From You by Kaitlyn Tiffany We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

One in five people in the US lives with a disability. Some are visible, others less apparent—but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. In Disability Visibility, activist Alice Wong brings together blog posts, manifestos, eulogies, congressional testimonies, and more, creating an anthology that offers a glimpse into the rich complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of the community.  Disability Visibility in one sentence: Mary Paige: I'm just sad.Erica: Remember when I said I didn't like essays at the end of last season? I TAKE IT BACK. Courtney: This made me feel visible. Read along with us! Coming up next:  June: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn July: Happy Place by Emily Henry August: Everything I Need I Get From You by Kaitlyn Tiffany Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week RFWRB check in on their progress with Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong. Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on May 23rd for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

This week the Real Friends talk about how tastefully done spice can get when they discuss Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston Erica: [Jennifer Coolidge Meme] "It makes me want a hotdog real bad." Courtney: Those sex scenes were tastefully done. There was tension…….and then a POP. Mary Paige: History,huh? Bet we could make some. And then they did.  Read along with us! Coming up next:  May: Disability Visability edited by Alice Wong June: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn July: Happy Place by Emily Henry Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week, the Real Friends check in on their progress with Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Don't forget to tune in on April 25th for the full book discussion! What will you find in our Book Report episodes, you ask? A quick, spoiler free chat about our current read! A list of content warnings courtesy of StoryGraph! (StoryGraph, sponsor us!) Opinions on the audiobook narrator! Off the pod book recommendations! Podcast announcements! (Like how we finally have shirts on our website! (Find the link below!)) And lots of laughs! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

On this week's episode the Real Friends step into the fantastical world of Thune in search of coffee, pastries and characters straight out of a D&D handbook as they discuss Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree.  Legends and Lattes in one sentence:  Mary Paige: Bet this book will make you want coffee and cinnamon rolls the entire time- even if one doesn't like either. Erica: More pastry-centric reads, please.  Courtney: Give me Thimble's origin story. Read along with us! Coming up next:  April: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston May: -Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong June: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

WE'RE BACK BABY! Welcome back to Season 3 of Real Friends Who Read Books, a book club podcast where three friends force eachother to read books they wouldn't typically read. (Isn't that what a book club is anyway?) Every month we will dive into one of our picks throughout the span of two episodes. The Book Report episode will be on the second week of every month. We will give a short, spoiler free update on our progress with the book so far. Should you skip the audiobook? We will let you know. Are there any content warnings? We will list them, because we are nice like that. On the last week of the month we will have a full book discussion. Expect spoilers! Expect opinions! Expect Courtney to have a hard time getting to the point. ----- This month will be all things Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree! A low stakes fantasy novel that will leave you feeling cozy and in need of a cinnamon roll. Check back on Tuesday, March 28th for the full discussion of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree ----- We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

The Real Friends are back for the full discussion on Marissa Moss's 2022 book Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be. Let's go girls! Her Country in one sentence: Mary Paige: Let's Go Girls - in Shania Twain's voice Courtney: KACEYMARENMICKEY!KACEYMARENMICKEY! Erica: It's always the patriarchy™️ Find the Her Country playlist for Spotify here, and for iTunes click this link! Annnnnd that's a wrap on season 2! The Real Friends are going on vacation and catching up on our TBR pile but don't you worry friends, we'll be back on March 14th, 2023 with our first Book Report of the Season! Coming up next for Season 3: March: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree April: Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston May: Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood by Jessica Grose We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Up this week, Her Country by Marissa Moss! In this Book Report, you'll get first reactions, hot takes, and spoiler-free discussion on Her Country by Marissa Moss. Tune back in for the full book discussion in our usual episode wherever you listen to podcasts. Find the Her Country playlist for Spotify here, and for iTunes click this link! Let's get reading! Don't forget to tune in on January 3rd for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas this week as the Real Friends discuss The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart. The Plight Before Christmas: Erica: Chrimba in a cabin with your fam and your ex, what could go wrong?! Courtney: Tis the season to get spicy. Mary Paige: “Mep” Read along with us! Coming up next: 12/20: Book Report: Her Country by Marissa Moss 1/3: Her Country by Marissa Moss We will be announcing our first books picks for Season 3 of RFWRB at the end of Her Country by Marissa Moss! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

Ho-Ho-Ho! RFWRB is back for another spoiler free episode. Join the Real Friends as they give their initial thoughts on The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart. Don't forget to tune in on December 6th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Grab your bowler hats kiddie because The Real Friends are heading to the circus of dreamers as they discuss Erin Morgenstern's, The Night Circus. *cue the circus music* The Night Circus in one sentence: Mary Paige: The ONLY circus I worth attending Erica: The circus is in town and I am CONFUSED. Courtney: If I run off to join the night circus, it's for the food. Read along with us! It's a book club. Coming up next - 12/6: The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart 1/10: Her Country: How the Women of Country Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be by Marissa R. Moss March 2023: Stay tuned for the first book pick of Season 3! Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

It's another spoiler-free Book Report this week as RFWRB check in on their progress with The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Don't forget to tune in on November 8th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

The Real Friends are back to chat Wow, No Thank You, Samantha Irby's latest essay collection about aging, marriage, settling down with step-children in white, small-town America. It's an easy, relatable read. Let's get reading! Wow, No Thank You in one sentence: Mary Paige: Wow, no thank you will now be an everyday phrase Courtney: Sure, sex is fun, but have you ever finished a book for a book club on time? Erica: Today, I finally learned that essay collections aren't my thing! Read along with us! It's a book club. Coming up next - 11/8: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 12/6: The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart 1/10: Her Country: How the Women of Country Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be by Marissa R. Moss Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week, check in with RFWRB for another spoiler-free Book Report as they discuss their initial reactions to Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby. Don't forget to tune in on October 11th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

This week the Real Friends will be hitting the lab as they discuss Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Lessons in Chemistry in one sentence: Erica: Lessons in Chemistry old school workplace sexism!!! Courtney: Idk. Maybe: I enjoyed this except for the Chemistry lessons! ERGGING! Mary Paige: Just go buy it; it's a must read Read along with us! Coming up next: 10/11: Wow, Thank You by Samantha Irby 11/8: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 12/6: The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart Check out our Instagram page @realfriendsbookclub or our beautiful new website, www.realfriendsbookclub.com!

We're back with another (spoiler free) Book Report episode! This week, join RFWRB as they check in on their progress with Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Don't forget to tune in on September 13th for the full book discussion! We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

Another week, another COHO read!!! Join the Real Friends for the full book discussion on Colleen Hoover's thriller, Verity. Verity in one sentence: Mary Paige: a book for people who enjoy uncomfortable disturbing things and never sleeping at night. Erica: Youuuuuuuu could'vepackedyourbagsandgonehome Courtney: creepy house, creepy wife, creepy kid, start new life? Read along with us! Coming up next: 9/13- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 10/11- Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby 11/8- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week, the Real Friends are switching it up. Introducing…..Book Reports!!! Tune in for first reactions, hot takes, and spoiler-free discussion in our Book Reports, and catch the full book discussion in our usual episode. Wait, wait, what's changing? That's right…we're only reading ONE book a month. But don't worry, we're not going far. We'll still have new episodes every other Tuesday – a book report (think of it like a quick progress check) and our usual book discussion. Let's get reading! Up this week, Verity by Colleen Hoover. We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

This week, the Real Friends take on toxic masculinity (again) with Liz Plank's book For the Love of Men. It presents a new vision for mindful masculinity and we are ~here~ for it. For the Love of Men in One Sentence: MP: Fuck toxic masculinity, Check in on your male friends- or loved ones and let them feel thier feelings. Court: The patriarchy is why we can't have nice things! (will change this tomorrow probs) Erks: It's always the patriarchy! Read along with us! Coming up next: 8/16: Verity by Colleen Hoover 9/13: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 10/11: Wow, No Thank You. By Samantha Irby Before you go!!! Please allow this twitter thread where a guy brought his childhood imaginary friend back to life using A.I. (#GPT3) to haunt you like it haunted us. It's definitely a commentary on modern masculinity, he said it was one of the scariest and most transformative experiences of his life, and WE GET IT. We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com. We also wanted to give a huge THANK YOU to our friend, Jordan Stewart for our fresh new look. You can find them on Instagram @jordanstew.art.

On this weeks episode of RFWRB, the Real Friends are hitting the marshes of North Carolina as they discuss Delia Owens debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing. Where the Crawdads Sing in one sentence: Erica: Turns out I'm team murdery poet Courtney: I'll leave it to the poet A.H. for my summary today, “But like a lady firefly/They hid a secret call to die.” Mary Paige: Sad, sad and more sad Read along with us! Coming up next: 7/19: For the Love of Men: A New Vision for Mindful Masculinity by Liz Plank August: Verity by Colleen Hoover September: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Check out our Instagram page @realfriendsbookclub or our beautiful new website, www.realfriendsbookclub.com!

Join the Real Friends this week as Courtney and Mary Paige gush over the Darkling (and Erica looks on, worried) when they discuss Shadow and Bone, the first of its series, by Leigh Bardugo. Shadow and Bone in one sentence: Mary Paige: I don't care if he is a villain, I have the hots for the darkling. Erica: Am I the only one who got a pirate vibe from this?? Courtney: *sings shine bright like a diamond* (Because Alina shines bright, of course) Read along with us! Coming up next: 7/5- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 7/19- For the Love of Men by Liz Plank 8/2- Verity by Colleen Hoover Check us out on Instagram @realfriendsbookclub or visit our website, RealFriendsBookClub.com

This week, the Real Friends discuss Cameron Esposito's recent memoir Save Yourself. Cameron started off with hopes of becoming a priest…and became a standup comic instead. Get ready for a memoir that tackles sexuality, gender, equality and so much more, just in time for Pride! Save Yourself in one sentence: Mary Paige: Save yourself and choose the audiobook Courtney: Being raised Catholic is the pits. *upside down smiley face* Erica: Catholic guilt: the gift that keeps on giving! Read along with us! Coming up next: 6/21: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 7/5: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 7/19: For the Love of Men by Liz Plank We'll see you on the interwebs! Check out our instagram @realfriendsbookclub or our website realfriendsbookclub.com.

What would the teenaged Real Friends buy if they inherited billions of dollars? Who's anagram is Oi Grumpy Fern Area? What does this have to do with The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes? Find the answer to all those questions and more in this weeks episode! The Inheritance Games in one sentence: Erica: No shame in the YA game my friends. Courtney: Girl gets billions with a side of some other family's drama, Rated PG for Petty Games (or Pretty Grayson, Petty Grayson!?). Mary Paige: I'm still jelly over the Hawthorne House having multiple libraries. Read along with us! Coming up next: 6/7: Save Yourself by Cameron Esposito 7/21: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 7/5: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Check out our Instagram page @realfriendsbookclub or our beautiful new website, www.realfriendsbookclub.com!