Podcast Summary: Book Talk, etc. – Episode: Easily Distracted by New Releases (January 2025) + Our Favorite Bookish Resources

Hosts:

• Tina (@tbretc)
• Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)

Release Date: January 21, 2025
Description: A book recommendation podcast that's bound to grow your TBR!

1. Gift Recommendations

At the outset of the episode, Tina and Hannah delve into their favorite recent gifts, highlighting unique and thoughtful items that book lovers and beyond would appreciate.

• Tina's Gift: Ito Wine Decanter

  • Description: A sophisticated wine decanter designed to keep poured wine fresh for up to two weeks. It features an airtight mechanism and a stylish design available in various finishes like gold, silver, and rose gold.
  • Quote:
    Tina [04:00]: "It is a story about being called, 'crazy about obsession,' and I just think the author did such a good job."

• Hannah's Gift: Archer and Olive Undated Planner

  • Description: Renowned for their high-quality bullet journals, Archer and Olive's undated planner allows for flexible organization suited to those who appreciate both structure and creativity.
  • Quote:
    Hannah [07:30]: "I am determined to read more nonfiction that is not memoir in 2025. Memoir too."

2. Latest Reads and Reviews

A. Fiction

• "The Note" by Alair Burke

  • Synopsis: A psychological thriller set in the Hamptons, following May Hanover and her friends whose vacation turns into a police investigation after a prank goes wrong.
  • Insights: Tina appreciates the plausible setup and the exploration of friendships with secrets but feels some characters were one-dimensional.
  • Rating: ★★★☆☆
  • Quote:
    Tina [12:45]: "I found the ending to be pretty rushed and very spelled out, and I don't think it was my favorite."

• "Three Lives of Kate K." by Kate Fagan

  • Synopsis: Follows bestselling author Kate K., who finally reveals her true identity amidst personal and professional turmoil. Told through an oral history format.
  • Insights: Tina enjoys the character depth and narrative style but feels the ending was abrupt.
  • Rating: ★★★★☆
  • Quote:
    Tina [33:02]: "This is a recommend. I do very much enjoy this."

• "Cross My Heart" by Megan Collins

  • Synopsis: Rosie, a heart transplant recipient, becomes obsessed with her donor's husband through an anonymous messaging app, blending mystery with personal obsession.
  • Insights: Both hosts commend the character development and engaging plot, though Tina notes an over-the-top ending.
  • Rating: ★★★★½☆
  • Quote:
    Tina [38:30]: "I highly recommend it. This one is Cross My Heart by Megan Collins."

• "Disappoint Me" by Nicola Dinan

  • Synopsis: Max, a trans poet, navigates love and personal growth after a head injury leads her to a transformative relationship with Vincent, a corporate lawyer.
  • Insights: Tina highlights the compelling premise and relatable cover art as key attractions.
  • Quote:
    Tina [45:41]: "A disillusioned trans poet falls for a charming corporate lawyer in a love story that grapples with the explosive ghosts of relationships past."

• "We Lived on the Horizon" by Erica Swiler

  • Synopsis: Set in the AI-controlled city of Bulwark, bioprosthetist St. Anita creates a legacy through Nyx while uncovering deep-seated secrets and facing societal conflicts.
  • Insights: Hannah is intrigued by the book's exploration of utopia, AI, and body horror, marking it as a thought-provoking read.
  • Quote:
    Hannah [48:20]: "This one sounds thought-provoking, a little bit weird, kind of a complex plot there."

B. Non-Fiction

• "The Secret History of the Rape Kit" by Pagan Kennedy
  • Synopsis: Pagan Kennedy intertwines forensic history with personal narrative, exploring Martha "Marty" Goddard's creation of the rape kit and her subsequent erasure from the legacy.
  • Insights: Hannah praises the blend of historical significance with personal reflections, though she notes a desire for more scientific perspectives.
  • Rating: ★★★★☆
  • Quote:
    Hannah [37:59]: "It left me with a greater appreciation for the fight for justice and the unsung heroes behind it."

3. Bookish Resources

Tina and Hannah share a curated list of websites and platforms that they frequently use to discover new books and build their TBR (To Be Read) lists.

• Crime Reads (crimeReads.com)

  • Focus: Specializes in crime-related genres, offering recommendations across sub-genres like true crime, mystery, noir, and legal thrillers.
  • Quote:
    Tina [18:05]: "What crime reads.com ... it's a website and it focuses specifically on crime."

• Literary Hub (LitHub)

  • Focus: Comprehensive literary news and lists, including “Most Anticipated Books of 2025.”
  • Quote:
    Hannah [19:19]: "They have like 300 books to look forward to in 2025."

• Book Riot

  • Focus: Acts as a "Google search engine" for books, providing specific lists and recommendations on diverse topics.
  • Features: Book Riot Insiders – a paid feature offering an extensive new release guide.
  • Quote:
    Hannah [20:00]: "They are such a good resource, especially if you're looking for something really specific."

• Electric Lit

  • Focus: Offers unique and specific reading lists, interviews, and adaptations, appealing to readers seeking unconventional recommendations.
  • Quote:
    Tina [21:00]: "They tend to do a lot of like most anticipated queer books for spring 2025 or, you know, whatnot."

• Booklist Queen

  • Focus: Simplistic and straightforward book lists covering genres like thrillers, contemporary, young adult, and commercial fiction.
  • Quote:
    Hannah [22:07]: "It's a super simple but just great resource, especially if you read thrillers, contemporary and young adult books."

• Ashley Hastie's Book List (Hastie's Book List)

  • Focus: Monthly newsletter featuring author interviews, book spotlights, and lifestyle content, particularly beneficial for historical fiction enthusiasts.
  • Quote:
    Tina [23:30]: "She does a lot of author spotlights ... it's always somebody that I'm curious about."

4. Social Platforms for Book Recommendations

The hosts discuss the evolving landscape of social media platforms in discovering and sharing book recommendations.

• Instagram

  • Usage: Primary source for book recommendations, especially through interactions with familiar individuals and communities.
  • Quote:
    Tina [24:20]: "Instagram is my top source in terms of book-specific recommendations."

• BookTok (TikTok)

  • Usage: While popular for promoting backlist gems like "The Song of Achilles" and "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," Tina is hesitant to rely solely on it for new releases.
  • Quote:
    Hannah [26:08]: "BookTok ... it focuses so much on backlist gems all the time."

• BookTube (YouTube)

  • Usage: Tina is exploring BookTube as a new avenue, appreciating the engagement through comments and diverse recommendations despite encountering some negative feedback.
  • Quote:
    Tina [27:20]: "Some of them are the listeners of the podcast, some of them are patrons ... It's pretty neat."

• General Observations:

  • Community Size: Hannah reflects on the vastness of online communities versus the more contained interactions on platforms like Instagram.
  • Engagement: Tina notes the unpredictability of YouTube’s algorithm but values the direct interactions and diverse opinions.
  • Demographics: Recognizes differing demographics across platforms, influencing the type of recommendations and discussions.

5. Shelf Additions

Both hosts share upcoming books that they are excited to read, expanding their TBR lists with diverse genres and intriguing premises.

• Tina’s Picks:

  • "Disappoint Me" by Nicola Dinan

    • Synopsis: Follows Max, a trans poet who seeks meaningful connections after a life-altering injury, navigating love and personal growth amidst past traumas.
    • Insights: Attracted by the book’s unique premise and engaging one-sentence pitch.
    • Quote:
      Tina [45:41]: "A disillusioned trans poet falls for a charming corporate lawyer in a love story that grapples with the explosive ghosts of relationships past."

  • "We Lived on the Horizon" by Erica Swiler

    • Synopsis: Centers on St. Anita, who creates Nyx to preserve her legacy while uncovering city-wide secrets in an AI-governed utopia.
    • Insights: Highlights the book’s exploration of AI, body horror, and societal control.
    • Quote:
      Hannah [48:20]: "This one sounds thought-provoking, a little bit weird, kind of a complex plot there."

• Hannah’s Picks:

  • "We Lived on the Horizon" by Erica Swiler
    • Synopsis: [As above]
    • Insights: Appreciates the blend of utopian themes with complex character dynamics.

6. Concluding Thoughts

Tina and Hannah wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of diverse bookish resources and the joy of discovering new reads. They encourage listeners to explore the mentioned platforms to enhance their reading journeys and build robust TBR lists.

• Final Remarks:
  • Tina [49:51]: "There are so many exciting books to read, I just can't stop."
  • Hannah [50:56]: "Remember, everything's better with books."

Notable Quotes:

• Hannah [00:05]: "That's trauma funny. That's trauma. Real funny."
• Tina [04:00]: "I feel so fancy when I bring it out."
• Tina [12:45]: "It was entertaining. Very quick popcorn read if you'd like popcorn thrillers."
• Hannah [37:59]: "I gave it a 3.5 4 star rating and it made for a great audiobook to sink into at night while I wound down the day."
• Tina [45:41]: "A disillusioned trans poet falls for a charming corporate lawyer in a love story that grapples with the explosive ghosts of relationships past."

Resources Mentioned:

• Websites:

  • Crime Reads
  • Literary Hub
  • Book Riot
  • Electric Lit
  • Booklist Queen
  • Hastie's Book List

• Books:

  • The Note by Alair Burke
  • We Used to Live Here by Marcus Cleaver
  • Three Lives of Kate K. by Kate Fagan
  • The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy
  • Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
  • Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan
  • We Lived on the Horizon by Erica Swiler

Connect with the Hosts:

• Email: booktok.etc@example.com
• Instagram:
  • @booktetc
  • @tbretc
  • @hanpickedbooks

Support the Podcast:

• Patreon: patreon.com/booktalketc – Access exclusive bonus content and join the community for $5/month.

Remember, everything's better with books. Until next time, happy reading!