Bad On Paper Podcast

Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Episode: Best Books of 2025
Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In the annual "Best Books" episode, Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter wrap up 2025 by sharing their personal favorite reads of the year, responding to insightful listener voicemails, and reflecting on memorable reading experiences. The hosts traverse a wide range of genres, highlight anticipated titles for 2026, and celebrate the community’s love of books and banter. The show is heartwarming and full of genuine enthusiasm for reading, as well as humorous asides and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Reflections & Highs/Lows of the Year (00:17–13:01)

• Festive spirit & Secret Santa: Becca details her joyful experience at her mahjong group’s first Secret Santa, where watercolor supplies, a Lego flower set, and a “Sexy Potts 2026” calendar (featuring a French bulldog in comedic poses) were exchanged.

  “People are really concerned about what my thirst calendar will be next year. So it’s gonna be a one of a kind sexy puppy calendar.” — Becca (04:10)

• On podcast community: Olivia shares gratitude for the support and kind messages from podcast listeners.

  “So often when people leave these voicemails, they also say like, I love the podcast or the podcast has gotten me through some tough days or whatever. And it's just... so, so nice.” — Olivia (04:46)

• Weird scam story: Olivia recounts a bizarre phone scam, where someone posing as a London bookstore attempted to purchase books in an odd, roundabout way. Lessons shared: trust your instincts and look out for fellow authors.

  “I felt so strange because it seemed like a scam. But I was like, what have they been trying? What is a scam to get if... they’re trying to pay you for books?” — Olivia (08:34)

Becca & Olivia’s Favorite Books of 2025 – Part 1 (15:01–30:44)

Becca’s Picks

• The Force of Such a Beauty by Barbara Borland
  “A book about the dark seedy underbelly of being a princess,” which Becca can’t stop recommending. She’s determined to make it a “word of mouth hit.” (15:01)
• Heart the Lover by Lilly King
  “Destroyed me in a way that then made me appreciate it more.” Becca was especially moved by the third part, describing it as “emotional and well done.” (15:54)
• One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune
  Described as a “cousin book” to Every Summer After. Becca went in skeptical but ended up enraptured: “It just gave me a giddy summer vacation feeling... This book was a 10 out of 10 romance for me.” (17:10)
• Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
  A nostalgic literary romance set in the college music scene: “It scratched the literary romance itch… like time traveling back to my college years.” (18:41)
• Loved One by Aisha Muharrar
  An “emotional mystery” about grief, friendship, and secrets. “Really different... it defied genres.” (20:15)

Olivia’s Picks

• Heartwood by Amity Gage & Sea Wife
  “Gorgeous nature writing... absolutely adored.” (22:02)
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghey
  “It completely changed something in me... will stick with me in everything I do.” (22:51)
• Godshot by Chelsea Beaker
  “A California cult story... a coming-of-age about faith, control, and freedom.” (25:01)
• Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash
  “Kind of a thriller... set during the Satanic Panic of the 80s. Very dark, lots going on.”
• Isola and Sam by Allegra Goodman
  Becca: “I feel like if I were to have guessed your top book of the year, I would have put Hartwood right at the top of that list.” (22:44)

Listener Voicemails & Community Favorites (31:00–34:04, 51:50–55:44)

Listeners gave shout-outs to a diverse range of books, echoing the hosts’ favorites and introducing hidden gems:

• Wild Dark Shore: “My favorite part was how complex and well-drawn each character was... particularly poignant for me as a parent. I still struggle with how the climate crisis will impact my daughter.” — Haley (31:00)
• Overdue by Stephanie Perkins: “It’s about librarians... a slow burn — I thought it was great.” — Katherine (31:31)
• One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune: “Such a powerful book about how precious time is.” (32:08)
• One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig: “I will read literally anything that she writes... the yearning between the two main characters!” — Rachel (32:56)
• Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach (33:46)
• Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (51:50)
• The Wolf King by Lauren Southeren: A dystopian romance with “enemies to lovers” vibes. (53:01)
• So Thrilled for You by Holly Bourne: “About four friends... set in the UK on a day of a baby shower... makes light fun of this idea of having babies and perfection.” — Priyanka (53:45)
• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell: Memorable for reading it on an English countryside train. Listener asks the hosts about favorite reading “settings” and experiences. (54:44)

Becca & Olivia’s Favorite Books of 2025 – Part 2 (34:04–51:44)

Becca’s Additional Picks

• The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
  Historical post-WWII novel with a “masterful twist.” (34:06)
• The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
  “She wanted to write about the worst sad things in humanity but make it funny... she completely achieved that.” (35:26)
• The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
  “A book that so surprised me... affirms your belief in humanity.” (36:40)
• Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood “Giggling, delighted, kicking my heels up... vacation vibes.” (37:28)

Special Early Reads:

• Little One by Olivia Muenter (2026 release)
  “One of the most addictive reading experiences I have had.” (38:33)
• So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder (2026 release)
  “Perfect for fans of books about friend groups... Grant Ginder nails the dynamics.” (40:57)

Olivia’s Additional Picks

• Tilt by Emma Petit
  “About a very pregnant woman who is shopping at IKEA when a massive earthquake happens... beautiful and funny and sad and gripping.” (42:26)
• The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
  “Technically horror... but also a powerful meditation on racism and history.” (43:00)
• Not My Type by E. Jean Carroll
  “Thought-provoking nonfiction... moving conversation with the author on the podcast.” (44:05)
• We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry
  “Popcorn thriller with depth—so much more than a mystery.” (44:58)
• Greenwich by Kate Broad
  “Could not put down this book. Unlikable characters doing wild things—literary suspense at its best.” (46:04)
• All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harmon
  “Absolutely loved this weird book. Divisive, voicey, and hilarious.” (47:20)
• Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
  “There are still lines I think about because the writing is just... I love it.” (49:29)
• The Colony by Annika Norlin
  “Swedish pop star author! Character-driven community survival tale, unique and psychological.” (50:03)
• Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
  “Read it in one afternoon... heartwarming coming-of-age with mental health themes.” (51:12)

More Notable Listener Picks & Special Experiences (51:50–59:45)

• Memorable Reading Locations:
  Becca read Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand on vacation in Sicily, aligning the beach setting in real life and fiction for “vacation perfection.” Olivia read Sea Wife in the Virgin Islands and Marriage at Sea at the Outer Banks—fitting, given both were ocean-centric books. Discussion included their own (lack of) survival instincts.

Pop Culture Side Notes & Fun Banter

• “Sweens” (Sweatpant Jeans):
  Becca is obsessed with her new Rag & Bone sweens: “I've been a chump wearing real jeans... I could have been wearing sweens and been so much more comfortable.” (61:07)

• The Free People Coastline Beanie:
  Olivia raves about her favorite cozy beanie, now tragically sold out. (62:05)

• Taylor Swift Spotted with ‘God of the Woods’:
  Both hosts react in real-time to an email: Taylor Swift was seen listening to the audiobook “God of the Woods” by Liz Moore.

  “I just love that Taylor Swift is also the God of the Woods fan like me and a Liz Moore fan like me...” — Olivia (64:05) Dreams/fantasies about Swift reading their own books abound.

Recent Reads & Book Club Picks (66:10–68:59)

• Best Offer Wins by Marisa Cascino (Becca):
  “A real estate thriller... Both the home-buying process and attempts to get pregnant ‘drive her slightly insane’… Just when you think you know where it’s going, it surprises you.”

• The Reading List by Sarah Neisha Adams (Olivia):
  “So, so sweet and heartwarming... If you're looking for something bookish and cozy that isn’t a romcom, you'll love this.”

Notable Quotes

• “A book that surprises me is something I really value right now.” — Becca (34:06)
• “It completely changed something in me. It will stick with me in everything I do.” — Olivia, on Wild Dark Shore (22:51)
• “I have been a chump wearing real jeans... I could have been wearing sweens and been so much more comfortable.” — Becca (61:07)
• “One glorious day of surviving and then you get eaten by a shark.” — Becca (58:14)
• “I just love that Taylor Swift is also the God of the Woods fan like me and a Liz Moore fan like me...” — Olivia (64:05)
• “Let's hope for everyone that Taylor Swift never reads my book, because I will be insufferable.” — Becca (65:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:17 – Festive highs and Secret Santa recap
• 06:22 – Olivia’s surreal scam phone call story
• 15:01 – Becca’s favorite books begins
• 22:02 – Olivia’s favorite books begins
• 31:00 – Listener voicemails: Top books of the year
• 34:04 – Becca’s next batch of favorites
• 42:26 – Olivia’s next round of favorite reads
• 51:50 – More listener voicemails and reading experiences
• 56:19 – Hosts share their most memorable reading experiences
• 61:05 – The “Sween” revolution (Sweatpant jeans)
• 64:05 – Taylor Swift “God of the Woods” moment
• 66:10 – Recent reads & January book club pick

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This celebratory and inviting episode is packed with heartfelt recommendations, reflections on the year in reading, and uplifting banter. Becca and Olivia’s authentic passion for both books and their community shines—listeners are encouraged to join the ongoing book talk in their online groups and to look forward to the podcast’s return in January.