Book Talk, Etc. – “Chasing That Five Star Reading Experience + Discussing 5+ Star Books”
Host(s): Tina (@tbretc) and Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Date: September 2, 2025
Overview
In this lively and heartfelt episode, Tina and Hannah dive into the joys, frustrations, and nuances of chasing the elusive five-star (and five-plus star!) reading experience. They share how their own reading moods ebb and flow, reflect on what makes a book transcend into “all-time favorite” territory, and bring thoughtful, honest reviews of recent reads. The episode features in-depth discussions of both under-the-radar and popular books, along with the hosts’ takes on rating culture in online book communities.
Main Themes
- The search for five-star and “five-plus” star books: what sets them apart
- Reading slumps and seasonal patterns in reading habits
- Book recommendation trustworthiness in social media
- Honest and nuanced discussions about recent reads and rating disappointments
- Upcoming book releases and shelf additions
Episode Breakdown & Highlights
1. Opening Chit-Chat & Setting the Mood (00:00 – 05:21)
- Both hosts describe feeling in a reading slump over the summer—a common occurrence for them each year in July and August.
- Tina shares her professional busyness contributes to August slumps; Hannah urges giving themselves grace for these patterns.
- “Last year, July ended up being a good reading month for me… but this is very typical for my reading life. So I need to give myself some grace.” – Hannah (04:06)
2. Segment: Loving Lately (05:21 – 11:42)
Tina’s Pick:
- Instagram fitness/food creator Michaela Thomas Fit (@michaelathomasfit)
- Especially loves her simple, healthy, “busy girl lunch prep” recipes
- Recommends her viral chicken dips and lunch ideas for back-to-office season
Hannah’s Pick:
- Whipped tallow balm from local farmers’ markets as a nourishing, minimal-ingredient hand and body lotion
- Describes its marshmallow-fluff texture; recommends unscented versions for sensitive skin:
- “I just want to bathe in it and it literally looks like marshmallow fluff when you open it.” – Hannah (09:03)
Fun moment: banter about lotion aversion and rituals, setting a cozy “fall is coming” tone.
3. Featured Mutual Read:
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (11:50 – 19:58)
- Chosen as their August community read for its “perfect fall” campus vibe and multi-timeline narrative
- Three women in different eras, mysterious campus setting, themes of witchcraft
- Both hosts confess the official description sounded dense or even dull, but the reading experience was immersive and unexpectedly accessible
- Praise its accessible structure, historical fiction blended with hints of horror, fantasy, and mystery
- Stand-out elements:
- Incorporates authentic folklore, chronic pain, depression, and feminist themes.
- “Best of all, I think it gets better. The end is really, really good. And I love that.” – Tina (16:46)
- Comparisons:
- Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness for its vibe, 90s timeline, and intergenerational mystery (19:18)
- Notable Character:
- Virginia, the “fun, tough older woman with a strong point of view” who transcends timelines (18:52)
- Both hosts give it an enthusiastic joint recommendation.
4. What Is a Five Plus Star Book? (20:00 – 23:19)
- Tina and Hannah unpack what makes a “five-plus star” book (books you can’t let go of, that haunt you, inspire online sleuthing, or disrupt your reading flow).
- “If I just have a really hard time letting a book go and can’t stop thinking about it… that, to me, is that five-plus star feeling.” – Hannah (20:47)
- Fairness in rating: do we need “extra credit” for all-time favorites? Ratings as both objective and deeply personal.
5. Star Ratings: Trends, Quantities & Meaning (23:19 – 32:22)
- Both hosts reveal they rated exactly 13 books five stars so far this year, though Tina suspects her tracking might be off.
- Conversation about rating percentages, how not every year yields the same number of five-star reads, and the urge to distinguish true favorites from the “just awesome.”
- Honest reflection on the pressures and pitfalls of bookkeeping for bookish stats.
6. Trusting Recommendations Online & Book Community Honesty (32:22 – 36:00)
- Fun, vulnerable disclosures about how hosts take poorly rated reviews personally:
- “If I see that you’ve rated one of my five-star reads as a two star, I’m going to unlike your post. I am. Because I’m petty.” – Tina (26:56)
- Both are careful about who they trust for recs and how they respond to bookish trends. Candid about the skepticism around influencers “skimming” books for content; reassure listeners that they always read every book discussed.
7. Book Reviews: Five-Star Chasers, Surprises & Disappointments
Tina’s 5+ Star “I Got It In One”:
Dominion by Addie Kitchens (36:22 – 37:44)
- Discovered via a glowing TikTok by Melanated Reader; instantly hooked by the audio, described as “that girl” book of 2025.
- Black Southern patriarchal family story, told through the women; packs a punch in 240 pages.
- “This book is funny. This book is eye opening, it’s immersive, it’s short, it packs such a punch… It is absolutely going to be one of my very favorite books for 2025.” – Tina (37:29)
Hannah’s Under-the-Radar Recommendation:
In the Family Way by Lainey Katz Becker (37:51 – 43:28)
- 1965 Midwestern group of women, navigating pregnancy, marriages, and patriarchy; features rare “homes for unwed mothers.”
- Loved its perspectives and blend of emotional darkness with moments of hope.
- “If you like family stories and feminist books about a group of women navigating life, then you should read this.” – Hannah (43:09)
Tina’s Classic, Beloved Read:
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (43:51 – 49:07)
- Slim, powerful, heartbreakingly relevant; praised for its flow, simple structure, and vivid characters.
- Relates it to An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
- “The writing is poetic. It flows incredibly well and… it flows, it’s like water. His prose.” – Tina (46:14)
- Tina wanted “just a little more” (an epilogue!), so lands at 4.5 stars, but deeply affected.
Hannah’s Recent Popular Book Letdown:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (49:07 – 55:23)
- “I am the last person on the planet to read this book.” – Hannah (49:08)
- Had high hopes due to universal raves, but was bogged down by science-heavy sections; didn’t feel the “magic.”
- Calls it a 3.5-star read—good, but didn’t sweep her up as expected.
- Honest about disappointment, acknowledging slumps or timing may have affected her take.
Banter Highlight:
- Tina and Hannah lightheartedly jab about unliking posts if they disagree on beloved books.
- “I’m gonna unlike your post on Instagram when I see it.” – Tina (53:53)
- Tina deeply loved Project Hail Mary, sees how expectations can alter a reading experience.
8. Shelf Additions & Anticipated Reads (55:23 – 62:33)
Tina’s Pick:
- A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar (author of A Burning; out October 14)
- Future dystopian Kolkata, stolen visas, two desperate families; poised for buzz and ethical quandaries
Hannah’s Pick:
- We Met Like This by Kasie West (adult romance debut, out mid-September)
- Repeatedly rematched dating app pair, second-chance love, witty banter; excited for Kasie’s transition from YA to adult
On authors genre-hopping:
- Author styles often carry over across age categories, and both hosts discuss when that works well (e.g., V.E. Schwab) and when it’s tougher to “age up” for writers from YA to adult.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I know it just came out, but I’m like, okay, we’re gonna need to get some more folks reading this one.” – Tina on Dominion (37:51)
- “If I just have a really hard time letting a book go and can’t stop thinking about it… that, to me, is that five-plus star feeling.” – Hannah (20:47)
- “You never want your partner to feel like they’re in a reading slump. Because I’m like, you know, especially if you’re, like, having a good reading experience.” – Tina (05:12)
- “If you rate everything five stars, it starts to mean nothing.” – Tina (31:14)
- “Pressure can be a lot. Not pressure but like. Right. Expectations.” – Tina on why hyped books can sometimes disappoint (55:23)
- “Everything’s better with books!” – Hannah (end sign-off, 63:22)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – Hosts’ reading mood, summer slumps
- 05:21 – Loving Lately: Instagram food content; whipped tallow balm
- 11:50 – Mutual Read: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- 20:00 – What makes a book 5+ stars?
- 23:19 – Annual stats & star ratings
- 32:22 – Book recommendation trust
- 36:22 – Reviews: Dominion and In the Family Way
- 43:51 – Reviews: If Beale Street Could Talk and Project Hail Mary
- 55:23 – Shelf-additions: Anticipated upcoming releases
- 61:24 – Host banter about author genre switches
Conclusion
This episode is a treat for book lovers chasing that next unforgettable read. Tina and Hannah deliver vulnerability, humor, and sharply observed insights into what makes a book an all-time favorite, how reading moods shift, and the complexities of navigating book recommendations online. With a mix of buzzy new releases and enduring classics, listeners will come away with an enriched understanding of what makes a five-star (or beyond) reading experience—and with plenty of additions for their own TBRs.