Book Talk, Etc. Podcast Summary
Episode: Easily Distracted by New Releases + Thoughts on Negative Book Reviews
Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Date: January 20, 2026
Episode Overview
This conversational episode blends book and media recommendations with a thoughtful discussion on the value of negative book reviews. Tina and Hannah—self-described "Midwest Mood readers easily distracted by new releases"—exchange their takes on recent reads, literary trends, and the nuances of online book reviewing. The tone is casual, friendly, and occasionally irreverent, with both hosts diving into the emotions, ethics, and realities of bookish life online.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Podcast & Media Recommendations
"Beth is Dead" Podcast Review (02:14–08:07)
- Tina recommends "Beth is Dead," a meta true crime podcast that probes the nature of parasocial relationships.
- Explores a real-life mystery about two podcasters whose show abruptly ended after a bizarre listener interaction.
- Quote:
"It is unpacking this real-life mystery that involves the podcasters. So Beth is one of the listeners and I'll sort of leave it there...It very much explores parasocial relationships, that is, the relationships that your listeners have to podcast hosts..." –Tina [03:33]
- Tina notes the slow pacing but praises the twist and unique premise.
- She compares the intrigue to "Scamanda" and "Your Own Backyard."
- Hannah appreciates Tina’s podcast recs and jumps off to discuss fandom grief and parasocial attachments.
Movie Recommendation: "People We Meet on Vacation" (09:39–13:49)
- Hannah discusses the Netflix adaptation of Emily Henry's novel.
- Emphasizes the movie’s faithfulness to the spirit (not exact plot) of the book, casting, and the appeal of rom-com movies over series.
- Notes polarizing reviews but found adaptation and performances charming.
- Quote:
"I'm someone who's not really a purist with adaptations...I both equally love the book and I thought that the movie was really cute." –Hannah [13:25]
Latest Book Reads
"A Family Matter" by Claire Lynch (15:06–19:41)
- Tina reviews this emotionally resonant Read With Jenna pick.
- Explores secrets, single parenthood, and the impact of societal expectations, told via dual timelines (present day & 1982).
- Themes include the narrowing of life choices and parenting with regret.
- Quote:
"It's about how, again, society influences us to be these people that we never thought we were or were going to be...are you willing to take that risk and at what cost?" –Tina [17:30]
- Tina describes it as powerful yet “pretty sad”—she wanted even more pages.
"The Reformatory" by Tananarive Due (20:35–25:22)
- Hannah highly recommends this blend of historical fiction and horror.
- Set in Jim Crow-era Florida at a brutal reform school for Black boys; protagonist Robbie can see ghosts, but the real horror is systemic racism and violence.
- Praises the pacing, multiple perspectives, and emotional depth.
- Quote:
"What makes it so effective is that the true horror really isn't the ghosts, it is the school. It's what's happening inside it, the people in charge and the system of the Jim Crow South." –Hannah [22:16]
- Hannah gives it a five-star rating and plans to explore more of the author’s work.
Main Topic: The Value of Negative Book Reviews (25:59–39:34)
Do "Worst Books of the Year" Lists Have Value?
- Both hosts agree: thoughtful negative reviews and rankings build credibility and help readers make informed choices.
- Hannah: "Not only are...negative feedback and negative reviews good for books...it builds credibility for you as a consumer of something because you're bound to have different opinions on different things..." [27:02]
- Importance of context, tone, and avoiding tagging authors in negative comments emphasized.
- Tina: "I will share my thoughts on any book that I read, whether it's good, bad, otherwise...I am an empath and I feel bad. I'm like, what if someone put me on a list that was like, best and worst podcast..." [28:07]
Responsible Reviewing
- Prefer reviews that specify why a book didn't work and offer direction for whom the book might suit.
- Tina criticizes "this book was trash"-style content as clickbait rather than helpful critique.
- Ratio of positive to negative reviews can also stem from time constraints and content priorities.
- The phrase "thanks for the honest review" is called out as misleading, implying positive reviews aren't honest.
- Personal reviewing styles depend on platform, reading volume, and reviewer goals.
Clickbait & Online Book Culture
- The hosts acknowledge that spicy or dramatic thumbnails ("these books were bad") are effective in algorithm-driven platforms, but content integrity comes first.
- Mention of Plant Based Bride as an exemplar of gracious, thoughtful negative reviews despite clickbaity thumbnails.
- Tina shares the mantra:
"Art by committee is never good...when you're creating something, you cannot have in head, like, well, I know people don't like negative reviews...Just create and be you." [37:31]
More New Release Reviews
"The Book of Luke" by Lovel Holder (38:38–44:31)
- Tina brings this under-the-radar reality TV-inspired novel.
- Follows Luke, a former football star turned reality TV contestant, now fighting for custody after his husband’s betrayal.
- Captures the drama, complexity, and archetypes of reality TV; some confusion due to many characters.
- Recommended for fans of reality TV book mashups.
"Needle Lake" by Justine Champagne (45:11–50:32)
- Hannah spotlights this emotionally tense coming-of-age mystery.
- 13-year-old Ida, physically fragile and introverted, experiences a formative winter with her cousin, their bond marked by a shared traumatic secret.
- Focus is less whodunit, more on emotional and familial impacts.
- The ending left Hannah "with this really overwhelming feeling of blank...but I can't stop thinking about this book." [49:30]
"My Husband's Wife" by Alice Feeney (50:33–56:44)
- Tina raves about the latest from Feeney, featuring two women (Eden and Birdie) connected by a mysterious house called Spyglass and twisted identity drama.
- Superb audio production, satisfying twists, and clever plotting.
- Quote:
"What a tantalizing, convoluted, yet satisfying reading experience...If you have not yet read this...such a fun ride." –Tina [55:35]
- Both hosts praise Feeney for concealing clues in her mysteries without gimmicks.
"Crux" by Gabriel Tallent (56:44–61:41)
- Hannah reviews this literary coming-of-age novel about two teen rock climbers, Dan and Tamma, facing adversity and dysfunctional families.
- Dialogue is ultra-realistic to the point of discomfort; deals with abuse and parental neglect.
- Strong depiction of friendship, resilience, and the struggle for change.
- The raw style wins Hannah over, even after a rocky start.
Shelf Additions
"The Better Mother" by Jennifer Van der Klute (61:55–64:21)
- Tina introduces this upcoming thriller about a pregnant woman, her ex, and a dangerously meddling new girlfriend.
- Praises the juicy, sinister premise but not the fingerprint-prone matte cover.
- "I think this sounds great in a kind of messed up way..." [63:33]
"The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline (64:57–66:41)
- Hannah brings this award-winning climate fiction backlist title to her TBR.
- In a post-apocalyptic world, Indigenous people are hunted for their marrow—the key to dream restoration.
- Lauded for its reception, genre-blend, and representation.
- "I have not heard a single bad review about this book." [66:02]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Listening twins. I'm forever chasing Scamanda...also Your Own Backyard Season 2." –Tina, on podcast highs [08:18]
- "I think it's interesting, the whole concept of parasocial relationships and how that can even bleed into fictional characters when shows end." –Hannah [09:47]
- "Make me feel something." –Tina, on what she wants from reading [50:21]
- "Art by committee is never good...Just create and be you." –Tina (citing Don Martin) [37:31]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Time | |---|---| | "Beth is Dead" Podcast Rec | 02:14–08:07 | | Movie: "People We Meet on Vacation" | 09:39–13:49 | | "A Family Matter" by Claire Lynch | 15:06–19:41 | | "The Reformatory" by Tananarive Due | 20:35–25:22 | | Negative Book Reviews Main Topic | 25:59–39:34 | | "The Book of Luke" by Lovel Holder | 38:38–44:31 | | "Needle Lake" by Justine Champagne | 45:11–50:32 | | "My Husband's Wife" by Alice Feeney | 50:33–56:44 | | "Crux" by Gabriel Tallent | 56:44–61:41 | | Shelf Additions | 61:55–66:41 |
Episode Tone
The hosts keep things conversational, candid, and warm, mixing bookish passion with reflective industry commentary. They balance honest appraisals of books and media with empathy for creators, an understanding of online culture, and a supportive rapport.
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode is a lively, insight-rich guide through fresh reads and contemporary conversations in the book world, presented with integrity and the hosts’ trademark charm. Whether you're looking for TBR additions, navigating the thicket of book opinions online, or pondering what makes a "good" book review, this episode delivers thoughtful perspectives alongside tantalizing recs.