Book Talk, Etc. – "Easily Distracted by New Releases & Coming Clean on Bad Bookish Behavior"

Hosts: Tina (@tbretc), Hannah (@handpickedbooks)
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Tina and Hannah dive into their latest reads with a focus on "easily distracted by new releases," sharing fresh book recommendations and exploring brand-new literary territory. The second half takes a playful, confessional turn with both hosts coming clean about their “bad bookish behavior,” giving listeners an inside peek into bookish quirks, library habits, and TBR betrayals—all delivered with the duo’s signature Midwest humor and candor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Weather & Reading Moods (00:47–02:00)

• The hosts kick off with a catch-up on Midwest weather, how a glimpse of sunshine (and a car wash) can make life feel brighter, and how their reading rhythms ebb and flow with the seasons.

Loving Lately Recommendations

Tina’s Pick: "Blink: The Jake Handle Story" Podcast (02:00–07:35)

• What it’s about: A true crime-slash-medical survival podcast following Jake Handle, who developed a rare, devastating brain disease (locked-in syndrome) after a heroin addiction. Uniquely, Jake co-hosts the show after surviving the illness.
• Why Tina recommends it:
  • "He’s oddly very charming… I was just hooked. And I kept thinking, how on earth did you survive this?" (03:50)
  • Appreciates the show’s calming tone, minimal sound effects, and honest exploration of addiction and survival.
  • Highlights medical drama and family dynamics, with thought-provoking ambiguity about "what really happened."
  • "Could this have been shorter? Sure. But I swear I still was like, wait, what? I kept getting hooked each and every episode." (05:30)
  • Notable Content Warning: May not be for those with medical anxiety.

Hannah’s Pick: Nature Stick Chapstick (08:42–11:25)

• Product Review: Nature Stick Chapstick (Peppermint Frost)
• Why Hannah loves it:
  • All-natural, gluten-free, not tested on animals.
  • "You don’t want it to be too waxy… this one has the best texture."
  • Gives a tingly, 'warm, soothing feeling:' "It feels like icy hot at first, but not that strong… just really, really nice." (09:36)
  • Bulk buys on Amazon and gifts to friends.
  • "Word of mouth recommendations are always the best." (11:08)

Recent Reads: Historical Horror and Literary Fiction Focus

Tina: "Burn Down Master’s House" by Clay Kane (12:20–17:17)

• Genre: Historical fiction/horror, interconnected stories
• Quick Synopsis: Four linked stories set on a Virginia plantation explore vengeance, trauma, and memory among enslaved people (Luke, Henry, Josephine, Charity Butler, Nathaniel).
• Why it stands out:
  • "It is very brutal...historical horror...I think it’s brilliantly done." (15:00)
  • Based on real people; author's note is essential reading.
  • Audio not recommended—print preferred.
  • "It’s a hard book to recommend…Did I enjoy it? Yeah, I think so. But it’s also one that is hard to read. And that is the point." (16:20)
  • “I think it’s going to be one of those books where I look back at 2026 and remember: Yep, Burn Down Master’s House.” (17:26)

Hannah: "All the Blood We Share" by Camilla Bruce (17:44–22:27)

• Genre: Historical horror/suspense, based on the Bloody Benders serial killer family
• What grabbed Hannah: Sought out for its focus on a notorious Old West crime, three main perspectives keep it dynamic.
• Critical Take:
  • "The creative liberties here felt kind of oddly one dimensional…themes are hinted at, but they never quite deepen or evolve." (20:55)
  • Louder recommendation for "The Hunger" by Alma Katsu for those seeking deeper thematic exploration.
  • Final Verdict: "A loose recommendation...glad I read it, just wish it had fully committed." (21:45)

Main Segment: Confessions of Bad Bookish Behavior (22:52–37:47)

(Humorous, affirming, and deeply relatable—great for listeners re-evaluating their own reading habits.)

1. Marking Up Books & Book Care

• Both hosts unapologetically annotate, fold pages, and aren’t precious with physical books.
• Funny moment: Tina’s 2-year-old tries to crayon a hardcover—"That's where I draw the line." (24:51)

2. Dust Jackets

• Hannah: "I will not read with the dust jacket on. I take it off, throw it, and usually do find it again, but then it’s kind of bent…" (26:44)
• Tina: "I read with the dust jacket on...if I take it off, it gets crushed, and that bothers me." (26:28)

3. Library & Libby Habits

• Both suspend/hold/return books liberally, with no shame about suspending holds for up to a year (27:07–28:29).
• Hannah: "I'm not always great about returning my [library] books on time, and they're often late. Sorry about that." (28:29)
  • Rationalizes that circuclating more books helps libraries’ stats/funding.

4. Checking Out Books Already Read

• Tina checks out books she’s already finished just for content/filming ("end of the month wrap-up") and sometimes grabs large-print copies "because they’re available faster and have different covers." (29:43)

5. Abandoning the TBR

• Both hosts confess to quickly abandoning “curated” TBR lists when a new title grabs their interest.
  • "Forget your TBR, just read whatever comes across your consciousness." (32:16)
  • Hannah: “I just don't even bother making a TBR anymore…I’m betting all my money I won’t stick to it.” (32:27)

6. NetGalley Percentages

• Tina: "What is your NetGalley percentage?" (34:09)
• Hannah: "72"—proudly maintained with podcast reviews. Tina: "Mine's 57...I've been there since 2016." (34:49)

7. Midnight Reading Bad Habits

• Tina sometimes reads on her phone in the middle of the night: "From a sleep and eyesight perspective, probably not the best, but I like it—I don't care." (35:28)
• Hannah listens to audiobooks when awake at night, using sleep timers to keep her place. (36:01–37:16)
• Both validate using wakefulness for relaxing book time.

New Release Recommendations

Tina: "The Better Mother" by Jennifer Vanderkooi (38:01–41:30)

• Kind of Book: "Popcorn thriller," over-the-top, fast-paced, centered on a woman stalked by her ex’s “over-involved” girlfriend during an unexpected pregnancy.
• Why it works: "Did I enjoy it? Yes! It’s a debut...I had a fantastic time...if you want a fun thriller that’s going to keep you entertained, I highly recommend this one." (41:30)
• Tropes: “Crazy woman” trope, but author seems in on it.

Hannah: "Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books" by Hwang Bo Room (41:38–45:07)

• Kind of Book: Nonfiction/essays (translated from Korean) about the reading life.
• Why read this?: "If you're someone who enjoys people talking about their reading lives...this is a really fun book to compare notes with." (43:38)
• Favorite quote: "Novels don't tell us how to live, but show us that it's possible to live a different way." (44:20)
• Perfect For: Cozy, affirming reading sessions; a comfort read for book lovers.

Tina: "Good Intentions" by Marissa Walls (45:29–48:45)

• Summary: Following the psychological unraveling of a high-achieving event planner after her twin sister’s sudden death; intense focus on a main character’s grief and obsession.
• Tone: Intimate, character-driven; slow-burn, subtle suspense.
• Setting: Chicago
• Why recommend? "It’s one that made me uncomfortable...It's a slow burn, train wreck, and it is great until the very final page." (48:18)

Hannah: "The Briars" by Sarah Crouch (49:07–54:02)

• Genre: Suspense (with romantic elements) set in the Pacific Northwest, involving a game warden, a reclusive carpenter, and a mysterious body.
• Strengths: "Complex characters...all three perspectives really added a lot to the story." (51:30)
• Heads Up: Romance subplot is more prominent than expected, but works for those who don’t mind genre crossover.
• Verdict: Liked, solidly recommended, but not a top-tier favorite.

Shelf Additions—Books the Hosts Are Excited About

Tina: "The Burning Side" by Sarah Damoff (54:48–57:11)

• Coming June 2026: Family saga about a couple whose house burns down, exposing secrets and cracked relationships, alternating perspectives.
• Notable: Damoff is known for striking cover art.
• Caveat: May be heavy—Alzheimer’s subplot and house fire trauma.

Hannah: "The End of Romance" by Lily Meyer (57:47–60:11)

• Just Released: Contemporary fiction—Sylvie leaves an emotionally abusive marriage and vows to swear off romance, but then meets two very different men.
• Why excited?: Early buzz: "Funny, smart, and emotionally sharp..." (58:40)
• Cover: Upturned turtle holding a flower—whimsical, memorable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Potato chip podcast. I was like, I gotta keep listening. I must know what's going on." – Tina, on "Blink" (08:38)
• "I just do not want to hold open a book with the dust jacket on." – Hannah on dust jacket habits (27:00)
• "I will have a lovely, curated TBR and then something random will pop up and I will immediately start reading it..." – Tina (32:16)
• "Novels don’t tell us how to live, but show us that it’s possible to live a different way." – Quote from Hwang Bo Room’s book (44:20, paraphrased by Hannah)
• "I love when that happens." – Multiple occasions, both hosts, on surprise reading delight and finding bookish serendipity.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Loving Lately / Podcast & Product Recommendations: 02:00–11:25
• Recent Reads (Burn Down Masters House, All the Blood We Share): 12:20–22:27
• Bad Bookish Behavior Confessions: 22:52–37:47
• Rapid New Releases & Reviews: 38:01–54:02
• Shelf Additions / Anticipated and Newly Released Titles: 54:48–60:11

Tone & Takeaway

Casual, witty, and deeply relatable, this episode invites listeners to embrace their own bookish quirks without shame while offering an enticing list of new, buzzy books (and podcasts) to grow that ever-lengthening TBR. With a blend of thoughtful analysis and lighthearted banter, Tina and Hannah welcome readers to examine how they read, why they read, and to let a little “bad” (or simply human) behavior slip by in the never-ending pursuit of a good book.

For More

Full shownotes, all books mentioned, and ways to connect:

• Instagram: @booktalketc
• Patreon for bonus content: patreon.com/booktalketc

(Ads, intros, and outros omitted per request.)