Book Talk, Etc. – Easily Distracted By New Releases + The Joy of Reading Bubblegum Books
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@handpickedbooks)
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, Tina and Hannah lean into their mutual love of new releases, sharing recent reads that caught their attention—ranging from dark, thought-provoking fiction to light, "bubblegum" books meant purely for enjoyment. They discuss the allure and value of fast, fun reads ("bubblegum books"), debate what counts as such for each of them, and recommend titles across a variety of genres. The episode is peppered with personal stories, notably about office culture and reading habits, all while highlighting the joy of reading for pleasure.
Main Themes & Purpose
- New Releases: The hosts discuss several new books they’ve read, with a mix of heavier and lighter reads.
- Bubblegum Books: They explore what defines a "bubblegum book"—those quick, compulsively readable novels that may not linger in the mind but deliver pure enjoyment.
- Reading Habits: Reflections on reading for work vs. pleasure, and setting goals to indulge in lighter reads.
- Book Recommendations: A range of book suggestions, from laugh-out-loud workplace satires to intense, challenging fiction.
Notable Episode Segments & Discussion Points
1. Opening Banter & Sports Talk
[00:00 – 01:26]
- Lighthearted sports banter sets the episode’s warm, conversational tone.
- Tina celebrates the Chicago Cubs’ playoff win, joking about listener reactions.
Memorable Quote:
"If you're listening … and the Cubs end up losing and you decide to troll me, I'm going to cry. So please don't. Just know that I'm very—don't troll me."
—Tina ([00:57])
2. What We’ve Been Loving Lately
[03:16 – 10:56]
Tina:
- The Curse of America’s Next Top Model (Podcast)
- Podcast explores the behind-the-scenes reality and controversies of the reality show.
- Enjoys the host’s voice, storytelling, and commentary on the show’s exploitative elements.
- Notes heavy advertising load but still recommends.
Notable Quote:
“This show was my bread and butter in college … we would sit in front of the television and watch this program and I just loved it.”
—Tina ([05:35])
- Recommends Brad Mondo’s YouTube reactions as a companion.
Hannah:
- Cocokind Skincare
- Loving both the postbiotic acne serum and retinol gel.
- Praises their effectiveness and gentle formulation, as well as eco-friendly focus.
- Highlights affordability as a plus.
3. Latest Reads: New Release Spotlights
Tina:
- Discontent by Beatrice Serrano ([10:56])
- Darkly funny workplace novel about Marissa, a Madrid ad exec spiraling from corporate burnout.
- Praises the humor, social commentary, and relatability—especially for anyone who’s ever worked in an office.
- Satisfying ending, recommended for “those a little too familiar with office life.”
Notable Quote:
“She spends her working hours locked in her office, hiding, binging YouTube videos and taking Valium … she’s just right on the brink of absolutely crashing out.”
—Tina ([13:19])
Hannah:
- The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace ([14:57])
- Genre-bending thriller set in 1954 about a woman in a psychiatric hospital whose visions suggest a mission to save humankind.
- Pitched as “Dark Matter meets Girl, Interrupted,” but more in the vein of twisty mystery and adrenaline than deep introspection.
- Highly recommended as a buddy read.
Memorable Quote:
“When I tell you that we had no idea where this story was going in the best way, I truly mean—this is not the book you want if you are looking for super thoughtful introspection. But if you want a mystery and an adrenaline rush ... you will forget time.”
—Hannah ([17:33])
4. Book Talk: The Joy and Nature of Bubblegum Books
[19:37 – 30:45]
- Defining "Bubblegum Books":
- “Bubblegum” or “potato chip” books: quick, addictive, enjoyable, but not necessarily lasting in impact.
- Both hosts reflect on their tendencies—Tina reads fewer of these, due to reviewing demands, while Hannah enjoys them as palate cleansers.
Notable Discourse:
“I should read more of them ... I should find books that I just read for the love of reading. Sometimes I get very scripted or prescriptive ... But hearing you describe it, the first thing that came to my mind was something like a Frida McFadden book.”
—Tina ([21:07])
- Examples cited include cozy fantasy (like Legends & Lattes), mass-market historical romance, and certain fast-paced thrillers (e.g., Frida McFadden).
Quote:
“There’s something to be said for just reading straight up for pleasure without writing down your thoughts or over-analyzing ...”
—Tina ([22:33])
5. New Releases, Recommendations, and Bubblegum Book Examples
Tina:
- Several People are Typing by Calvin Kasulke ([31:02])
- Absurdist workplace satire told entirely through Slack messages—Gerald, a PR worker, becomes trapped in Slack.
- Very funny, especially if you’ve worked in office culture.
- Print/ebook recommended (audio doesn’t work for this format).
Quote:
“It was a good time. I call this a bubblegum book because I flew through it in no time at all ... This is where I need a bubblegum book: before bed, because I have one eye open ...”
—Tina ([35:28])
Hannah:
- The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson ([36:41])
- YA suspense about a college freshman drawn into a sinister plot by a charismatic ex-con.
- Likened to “if Jordan Peele did Legally Blonde” for its blend of campus vibes, social commentary, and a touch of horror.
- January Lavoy’s audio narration praised.
- Discusses the realness of quick college friendships and cult-like group dynamics.
Quote:
“My first thought reading the story … was this feels like if Jordan Peele did Legally Blonde.”
—Hannah ([38:48])
- Bubblegum Book Reflection: Legends & Lattes, cozy fantasies, and historical romances are not always “deep” but offer reading pleasure.
Tina:
- Nobody Knows You’re Here by Bryn Greenwood ([43:55])
- Intense, harrowing novel about a woman trafficked and forced to care for kidnapped children.
- Lauds the author’s ability to handle dark subjects sensitively, but cautions it’s not a light read.
- Calls it “the antithesis of a bubblegum book.”
Quote:
“This was stressful to read and I am really glad that I read it. … It is the opposite, maybe opposite, of a bubblegum book.”
—Tina ([48:35])
- Social Resource: Hannah plugs Thistle Farms ([49:05])—a nonprofit supporting trafficking survivors.
Hannah:
- Fake Skating by Lynn Painter ([50:30])
- Sweet YA romance with fake dating tropes, set in competitive high school hockey.
- Recommends for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty or To All the Boys I Loved Before.
- Praises its blend of teen drama without too much angst.
6. Shelf Additions / Upcoming Reads
[58:26]
Tina:
- Salt Crop by Yumi Kitasei
- Near-future eco-dystopian novel with themes of sisterhood, ocean journeys, and survival. Drumroll: content warning for cannibalism.
- Gorgeous print design (Aardvark Pick).
Hannah:
- Bog Queen by Anna North
- Forensic anthropologist investigates 2,000-year-old Iron Age bog body; blends post-Brexit England and ancient Celtic history.
- Appeals to her love of archaeology and English settings.
Quote:
“I just love an archaeologist component to a story ... also if someone mentions archaeology as part of the mystery plot, that is fascinating to me.”
—Hannah ([60:36])
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On bubblegum books:
“What a pleasure to read something and not worry about finishing it and just enjoy the experience ... I do remember my experience sitting on the beach ... and really enjoying my time.”
—Hannah ([28:44]) -
On workplace novels:
“If you are a worker bee like me and like books that explore office culture and office dynamics, you could have fun with it. This book really made me laugh and I enjoyed it.”
—Tina ([35:28]) -
On reading for pleasure vs. reviewing:
“My problem is I like to work—like I like to read and feel like I’m a little list, ding ding ding. Like it’s a problem in my head. But it does sound nice to just read for the pleasure of it.”
—Tina ([29:45]) -
On friendship and fast connections:
“I swear to you, instantaneous ... immediately I was like, yes, obviously. So I can see that happening. Now, we weren’t in a cult ... although we were in sororities, so, I mean, very similar.”
—Tina ([41:09])
Key Timestamps
- 00:57 – Cubs playoff banter
- 03:16 – Tina’s podcast love: Curse of America's Next Top Model
- 07:43 – Hannah’s skincare favorites
- 10:56 – Tina reviews Discontent
- 14:57 – Hannah reviews The Once and Future Me
- 19:37 – On the Book Talk topic: bubblegum books defined
- 31:02 – Tina’s bubblegum pick: Several People are Typing
- 36:41 – Hannah’s suspense pick: The Scammer
- 43:55 – Tina’s heavy recommendation: Nobody Knows You’re Here
- 50:30 – Hannah’s light YA romance pick: Fake Skating
- 58:26 – Shelf Additions: Salt Crop and Bog Queen
Final Thoughts & Community Call
- Both hosts resolve to make room for more “just-for-fun” reading in their book lives (“bubblegum books” especially).
- They invite listeners to share their own bubblegum reads and highlight the fun of alliteration—potato chips, bubblegum, popcorn, whatever you call them.
- Toward episode’s end, fun moments abound, including lighthearted Amazon mishaps (“Do I sleep order books on Amazon?”) and aspirations to simply enjoy more commercial fiction.
For Further Connection
- Books mentioned: Full list in show notes.
- Contact:
- Email: booktalketc@gmail.com
- Instagram: @booktalketc
- Patreon for bonus content