Book Talk, Etc. — "Easing Into Fall Reading + Our Plans for the Autumn Reading Season"

Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Release Date: September 16, 2025

Overview

In this cozy, atmospheric episode, Tina and Hannah explore how their reading tastes shift with the transition into fall. They discuss their autumn rituals, share recent book and product recommendations, break down the types of books they're reaching for as the weather cools, and offer a variety of reading suggestions to help listeners ease into the season. If you're eager for thrillers, dark atmospheric fantasies, or books with subtle spooky vibes, this episode is brimming with inspiration for your next fall read.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Fall Vibes (00:23–04:01)

• Tina and Hannah set a warm and playful tone, chatting about their morning routines and their contrasting coffee choices: Italian sweet cream vs. pumpkin creamer with pumpkin cold foam.
• They bond (and laugh) over personal pumpkin preferences—Tina is a self-proclaimed "pumpkin queen," while Hannah admits she's typically not a pumpkin lover but recently found a pumpkin dip she enjoyed.

  "I know, and you messaged me because, you know, I am a certified pumpkin queen. Like, I will eat anything pumpkin." – Tina (02:58)

2. Loving Lately: A Podcast & a Skincare Find (03:42–11:28)

Tina's Recommendation: Unicorn Girl Podcast (03:42–08:54)

• True crime show from the creator of Scamanda, hosted by Charlie Webster.
• Follows Candace Rivera, an influencer with a scandalous secret life revealed through tight-knit book community Facebook groups.
• Tina praises the artful structure, narration, and acting, emphasizing its relevance to online book communities.

  "What's crazy about this is that it sort of starts in a way that I think book influencers can relate to ... intense, parasocial relationship going on." – Tina (06:24)

• She loves the narration's engaging, scandalous but respectful tone, and the lack of ads.

Hannah's Recommendation: Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner (09:02–12:49)

• A Korean beauty product highly praised for balancing skin tone and prepping for makeup.
• Hannah appreciates its clean ingredients and effect on her combination skin, noting it's boosted her confidence on video calls.

  “By far the best toner that I have ever used … this just helps even [my skin] out throughout the day. And when I put this on after cleansing my skin, it … makes my makeup set so much nicer.” – Hannah (09:29)

3. Autumn Reading Mindset & Rituals (12:56–31:48)

Easing Into Fall Reading (12:56–19:15)

• The hosts embrace their mood-reading ways, aligning their personal reading preferences with what feels right for September.
• September marks a “lightly spooky” phase—think atmospheric, slightly creepy, “popcorn thrillers,” and books with autumnal elements.

  “In my opinion, like, there are stages [of fall reading].” – Tina (13:39)

• Tina is also eyeing big, lengthy books ("big boys") for mid-to-late autumn and plans to catch up with likely Goodreads Choice Award contenders.

Book & Audiobook Strategy (31:33–34:31)

• Tina plans to tackle Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry as her “big boy book,” especially with a new Will Patton-narrated audiobook dropping September 23.
• The two discuss the peculiar psychology and “scarcity mindset” behind hoarding or saving audiobook credits.

  “Maybe I'll make a goal to get down to 10 credits by the end of the year.” – Hannah (32:14)

4. Fall Book Recommendations (18:33–55:51)

Tina's Picks

1. Look Closer by David Ellis (13:53–18:33)

• A twisty Chicago-set thriller, lauded for its pace, short chapters, and satisfying, layered plot.
• Tina loves the legal nuances (Ellis is a real-life judge) and its Halloween framing.

  “I think this author crafted this fantastic story that has so many layers and it's one of those where you're like, okay, I think I know where this is going … and then there's this thing that's revealed and then you're like, maybe not.” (16:29)

2. Spread Me by Sarah Gailey (34:31–38:54)

• A tight, 200-page sci-fi/horror novella with contagion themes, set at a desert research station after a team discovers a strange, parasitic specimen.
• Praised for its LGBTQ+ representation and unsettling, fast escalation.

  “This book is a book that has a contagion, which I love ... things progress pretty quickly. You're like, oh God, here we go.” (37:35)

3. Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison (44:00–47:54)

• Werewolf story set amid small-town family drama and dark comedy.
• Tina praises its balance between silly and heartfelt, its handling of werewolf lore, and the way it tackles themes of transformation and belonging.

  “It is a friendship story. It's a story of family. It's a story of werewolves, and it's a story about a … hometown, you know, just hometown drama…” (45:32)

4. Next Up: Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena (54:14–55:16)

• Anticipated thriller about a missing mother and the secrets in a luxury condo—a “classic” domestic thriller premise with compulsively readable suspense.

Hannah's Picks

1. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (19:33–23:06)

• First in a duology; a dark, misty romantasy heavy on magic and atmosphere.
• Hannah appreciates the organic romance and unique magic system involving tarot-like cards.

  “The romance and their relationship is built alongside these events that they're experiencing together in the book ... I just loved her character so much.” (21:46)

2. The Secret History of Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson (39:05–44:00)

• True crime/American history hybrid focused on Emmett Till’s murder, interweaving personal, political, and historical context.
• Hannah lauds its wide scope, confronting violence and complicity, though notes it can be a bit long and at times self-indulgent.

  “This gives the story the weight and urgency I think that it deserves ... Context matters, past matters.” (40:52)

3. Earth Eater by Dolores Reyes, trans. by Julia Sanchez (49:00–52:34)

• Haunting Argentinian novella with magical realism; a young woman eats earth to access visions of violence and grief.
• Highly atmospheric and poetic, with strong social themes but Hannah wishes it were a full novel to further develop its ideas.

  “These unknown victims ... are gone, but their pain is still living in the earth. And I really liked the metaphorical symbolism in that.” (50:32)

4. Shelf Addition: The Pillager’s Guide to Arctic Pianos by Kendra Langford Shaw (55:51–57:35)

• Early highlight: forthcoming May 2026, a “wildly imaginative family saga” set in the Arctic, blending history, environmentalism, and eccentric characters.
• Hannah is preemptively charmed by the quirky premise and cover.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This is a book that comes with a very satisfying conclusion. I have already recommended in real life this book three separate times to three different people..." – Tina on Look Closer (17:46)
• “It is rare that I think a novella should have been a fully fleshed out novel, but with this one I kind of do feel like it should have been a whole novel.” – Hannah on Earth Eater (50:13)
• "I'm looking for books that are lightly spooky. I'm talking books that are kind of tongue in cheek and a little creepy, but nothing that you'll want to put in the freezer." – Tina (25:02)
• "September is like its own type of fall reading." – Hannah (13:53)
• "I stand by it. A duology is like the best number for me because oftentimes I want more of the story, but I don't want to be committed to a 10 book series..." – Hannah (22:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Coffee & Pumpkin Banter: 00:23–03:32
• Podcast & Skincare Recommendations: 03:42–12:49
• Easing Into Fall Reading Discussion: 12:56–19:15
• Book Hoarding/Audiobook Credit Psychology: 31:33–34:31
• Book Recommendations Begin:
  • Look Closer – 13:53
  • One Dark Window – 19:33
  • Spread Me – 34:31
  • The Secret History of Murder in Mississippi – 39:05
  • Such Sharp Teeth – 44:00
  • Earth Eater – 49:00
  • Didn't See It Coming – 54:14
  • The Pillager’s Guide to Arctic Pianos – 55:51

Tone & Atmosphere

Conversational, cozy, and inviting—a quintessentially "midwest bookish" tone filled with genuine curiosity, supportive recommendations, and good-natured humor. Expect light ribbing, honesty about reading styles and quirks, and a focus on building community through books and stories.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of Book Talk, Etc. is perfect for listeners looking to embrace fall’s cozy, mysterious, and slightly haunted vibes. Tina and Hannah provide both entertaining banter and a wide range of autumnal reading recommendations, from thrillers to magically-inflected novels, alongside lifestyle and product picks that set the mood for the changing season. Whether you’re planning your fall TBR or simply love the feeling of autumn reading, this engaging episode is full of bookish warmth and thoughtful discussion.