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- [00:10]
Tina
Oh, community.
- [00:11]
Hannah
Community center. I almost completely completed it.
- [00:14]
Tina
Yes. That's exciting. What are you missing that sturgeon?
- [00:18]
Hannah
No, actually, I've got a couple sturgeons. I have a little sturgeon pond, actually.
- [00:22]
Tina
I can't talk to you. I can't speak to you. I was literally in bedless two nights ago complaining because I was like, jonathan, I just can't get a shard. I can't. No matter what I do, I can't get a shard. I said, hannah has two shards. Hannah's got several shards. And he's like, you never in the minds. I said, that's not true. I think I just have a bad game.
- [00:42]
Hannah
Bad file.
- [00:43]
Tina
A bad file. He's like, I don't think you do. I'm like, yes, I do.
- [00:47]
Hannah
Well, do you think that I actually have heard some people, like on TikTok or whatever, say that some of their files are luckier than others or whatever.
- [00:55]
Tina
I have an unlucky file for sure. I'm telling you.
- [00:58]
Hannah
Do you think that playing on the I is. How do you even play on the iPad? Do you have a controller that you plug up to it? Oh, okay. You do have a controller.
- [01:07]
Tina
No, I do. Oh, I don't know why I did that gesture. I do. John gets mad at me because I never use it.
- [01:13]
Hannah
It might help if you. I don't know anything, but I feel like. Because I tried playing on my phone, which the small screen didn't really bother me, but like, I could like the controls. I gave up on fishing in two seconds on my phone.
- [01:25]
Tina
Oh, really? No, I'm really good at fishing. It's just. I'm good at fishing. I just don't get fish. The things that I want. Welcome to BookTok Etc. A podcast bound to grow your TBR. I'm Tina from TBR Etc.
- [01:52]
Hannah
And I'm Hannah from Hand Picked Books.
- [01:54]
Tina
This is a conversational podcast about books and more from two Midwest Mood readers. We're easily distracted by new releases and today we are sharing our February books on the radar.
- [02:04]
Hannah
If you enjoy listening, we'd love for you to follow us on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. And if you have a quick minute, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on social media. It truly helps us connect with other book lovers.
- [02:19]
Tina
Hey, Hannah.
- [02:20]
Hannah
Hey, Tina. How are you?
- [02:23]
Tina
I'm just fine. How are you?
- [02:25]
Hannah
I am also just fine. It's been a pretty chill Saturday.
- [02:28]
Tina
Yeah.
- [02:29]
Hannah
And yeah, we've had. We've had a pretty lazy weekend. I know you have not.
- [02:35]
Tina
I'VE not been. I like, have not had enough lazy time yet in 2025. It's been bustle bustle for months and I feel like I need a break. I was looking at February though, and I'm like, okay, February is pretty chill. Knock on wood. Let's see that. That continues. Yes, but no, all good things. Being busy is never a problem. I'm just like looking around at the house like, okay, yeah, it's critical mass time. Like, we've been away for too long. We've just. Yeah, I need to, you know, do my get my stuff together. But yeah, and we're recording late tonight. It's like 5 Central on a Saturday night. So we're spending a little bit of our Saturday night together, which is kind of fun, actually.
- [03:14]
Hannah
I love that.
- [03:15]
Tina
I don't mind it at all.
- [03:16]
Hannah
A bookish weekend is the best kind of weekend to have.
- [03:19]
Tina
Yes. I'm trying to think what other bookish plans. So tomorrow we're actually taking a flight. We're heading to North Carolina for a couple days. By the time you all are hearing this though, we'll already be home. It's a very quick turnaround trip. We're going to the Charlotte Hornets slash LA Lakers game to see LeBron play. So fun and I'm excited. And the thing I love about Hannah, I said to Hannah that we were going to see the Hornets play. And you go, all right, so we're. Yeah, we're going to North Carolina for basketball for the Hornets. And you were like, oh, what city is that in? I'm like, it's. It's in Charlotte. It's in the. It's in the name.
- [03:52]
Hannah
I know nothing about sports.
- [03:54]
Tina
I mean, nothing. Like, it made me laugh. I was like, they're the Charlotte Hornets, man. And you used to. But no, I know you're not a sports. You're not a sports family.
- [04:03]
Hannah
So I could not tell you what NFL team is in North Carolina. I do not know. Do they even have to say?
- [04:09]
Tina
They do. Oh, okay, great. The Panthers. Oh, it's okay. Yeah. No, my life.
- [04:15]
Hannah
Yeah, they have a line in Michigan. I know that.
- [04:17]
Tina
There you go. I know. I was actually low key rooting for them even though I'm a Bears fan. That's kind of sacrilege. But, yeah, no, it's. I love sports and I realize I'm like, my life is deeply involved in it in ways that, you know, I understand are not normal.
- [04:30]
Hannah
But yeah, I like reading about sports sometimes. Like, yeah, I enjoy like the found family element, like in literature. Yeah. And I have always enjoyed going to sports games when I've attended them. Like, if a friend is like, hey, want to go to a baseball game with me? I'm like, yeah, shoot, let's go. Have you ever. And a hot dog and let's go.
- [04:50]
Tina
Like, have you ever been to the Cubs games?
- [04:53]
Hannah
Uh huh. Well, no, I haven't been to the Cubs games. I've been to a couple of Detroit Tigers, like, baseball games. My family was a baseball family. Again, I don't. I don't really know anything much, but if there was one sport that I know more about than others, it's baseball.
- [05:07]
Tina
Got it. Okay. No, that's fair. Well, yeah, I have a loving lately that sort of ties into what I was just saying about my desire to really get my life together at the house. And okay, this might be very obvious for some people, I don't know, but my loving lately is called donatestuff. Com.
- [05:25]
Hannah
Ooh.
- [05:26]
Tina
It started because I like to donate, obviously, things like to purge and, you know, get rid of clothes and whatever. And I feel like we have a lot of stuff, so I want to donate. And I remember I was walking around the neighborhood and I saw some of my neighbors who had like bags out front and they did it like once a month. And I'm like, what are those bags? And finally I asked one of them and I'm like, what is this basically? And they're like, oh, whoever comes and they pick up our stuff, I'm like, like donation, like, like Goodwill. And anyway, they gave me the lowdown on this. I did not realize that this was such a thing because I make the bags for Goodwill or wherever I'm dropping it off. And the bags live in my room for six months and don't move. So donatestuff.com you can schedule it online. And they come to your house and pick up your stuff, like clothes, kitchenware, whatever. Now that's only in a few states, but I'm positive there are other services like this in other states. And it is awesome because not only do they come right to your house, they text you once a month like, hey, do you have anything you want to donate? And it's like forcing me to continue to really go through our stuff and make sure it's stuff that we want in the house. So I'm really excited about it. Ours supports AM Vets. I'm sure there are other charities and other organizations that you could sign up with, but I just thought, I never knew this was an option. So if you're someone like Me that likes to donate, but maybe can't make it out to the charity shops as often as you might like. Check it out. This one is donatestuff. Com.
- [06:51]
Hannah
Okay, that is a really great recommendation. I did just check while you were chatting about it and they don't service my area, which is a bummer. But I checked because I literally have two boxes in my trunk right now that I've just. I've even been out and about and then I just forget to drop them off.
- [07:09]
Tina
Exactly.
- [07:10]
Hannah
Even I'm with you, I. I like to donate stuff too. And then they just end up in bags.
- [07:15]
Tina
I know, I know. So I just thought this was so smart. And I'm like, this is life changing. This is a hack for me personally and wanted to share.
- [07:24]
Hannah
Oh, great recommendation. My Loving Lately is actually a book, but it's a kids book. And it's specifically a book that my kids have really been enjoying. And then an illustrator that I want to continue to check out. But this book is one that I really love. It's called Beatrice Likes the Dark. It's by April Genevieve Tikolki and it's illustrated by Koa Lee. And I'm bringing this because when my daughter was younger, a couple of years ago, she wanted to read this book every single night. And then my son, now, who is three, is going through his phase where he wants to read this book every single night. Our copy is literally like falling apart. There's something in this book that is just works for kids. It was recommended to me by a friend and her kids also love it. It's a book about two sisters who are very different. One of them is like, kind of a spooky girl. She likes the dark. And one of them is, you know, like almost. She's just like a very bright and enthusiastic, you know, loves bright colors and they're just totally opposite sisters. And the book is really just about them being different but then coming together and loving each other through those differences. But the artwork is really gorgeous. Both of my kids love it. Any kid that I've introduced this book to that's within the ages of like three to five, I've had moms text me being like, what? Like, my kids are obsessed with this book. They love it. We have to read it every single night. So there's something in this one. And it's also one that I really enjoy reading. So I feel like if you're a parent out there, that is like, my kid wants to read a book every night and it's always the same One maybe get him hooked on this one because kids seem to like it and it's one that you won't, you know, dread reading every single night. It's actually really nice to read. So, anyway, I always am looking for kids books recommendations. I feel like it's hard to find ones that are good that you don't see everywhere. And this is one that I don't think I would have found if I hadn't had a friend directly recommend it to me. And my kids love it. And that is Beatrice Likes the Dark by April Genevieve Tukolki, and it's illustrated by Koa Lee.
- [09:30]
Tina
This is such a good recommendation and I am immediately going to get my hands on a copy. It's beautiful. The COVID is really beautiful. It's a slightly spooky tale. That's really cute.
- [09:42]
Hannah
Yes, there. And there are little things in it, too, with like, you know, potion making and things where, like, my kids have both been, like, you know, getting spices from the cupboard and mixing them. And, you know, it just got a bunch of fun things that kids, like, feel inspired by. So I don't know. It was fun.
- [09:59]
Tina
Good recommendation.
- [10:00]
Hannah
Yeah. Okay, so what is your latest read?
- [10:03]
Tina
My latest read is a January release that I've been holding on to, I think since November because I accidentally read it then and I was like, oh, it doesn't come out until 2025. But I have thoughts. The book that I'm referencing is Penitence by Kristin Koval. And I call it. I feel like this is going to be a read with Jenna Pick for February. I just have a feeling I was reading it thinking this would be a really evocative book club pick. This comes out on January 28, so the day that the show airs, it says it's for fans of Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng. It is a poignant exploration of love and forgiveness. It also calls it a suspenseful, addictive page turner with literary insight that compels readers to consider whether the worst thing we've ever done is all that defines us. I would agree with literary. I would agree with addictive. I was addicted. But it's not a page turner. It's a thinker. Right. Because what it's about is a murder of a young boy. And you come to find out that the young man that is unalived in the beginning of the book was allegedly shot by his sister. And his sister is a little kid. And so the book follows primarily the mother in this story, but also some of the other individuals. And obviously that mom and Dad's Their lives are shattered. One kid is gone, one kid is in jail. Prison while they wait the trial. And to defend the child, they get a small town lawyer named Martine. And Martine is not just legal counsel, she's also the mother of Angie's first love, Julian, who is now a successful criminal defense attorney. And so in the book, you get the point of view of the lawyer as well as the mother. It's complicated because the lawyer's kid used to date the woman that she's now defending, the child of the woman she's now defending. And you come to find out as the book goes on, what happened to them, why did they not come together, what happened when they were younger? And this has a ton of things that I happen to really enjoy in fiction. Something bad happened when they were in college and then, you know, years later they come back and they have to deal with the fallout of that. I like a book that's got courtroom settings. I also like a book with parents and they have a kid that was accused of a crime. You're getting a lot of this in it. This book is complex. It's hard. I felt bad the whole time reading it. And that sounds like it's not a recommendation. This is a recommendation. I was just thinking, my God, what would one do in this situation? And I love books that force me to consider those questions. The main character, the mom in this story, is not my favorite, but I also think she is somebody that I came to understand. It's not an unlikable main character. It's just somebody that I was like, huh, interesting choice. There, like, there were just some things that I was like. I don't know that I would have handled things the same way. I feel like the author told this very tricky story in a way that gave it a lot of care, gave it a lot of nuance. There were either even other young women in the juvenile justice system, and she told their stories with a lot of care. And there are some really good reveals in this one. This one's really good and I can guarantee if you read it, you're going to want to discuss it with somebody after, which is what made me say, I think this could easily be be one of the big book club picks because there's so much to unpack. If I had to do a comp. It reminded me of Angie Kim's novel Happiness Falls. And if you read it, you'll see the parallels there. I thought, this one is really, really solid. It's also a debut, which I'm excited about. Because this is an author that I am going to be watching. This one comes out on the 28th from Celadon Books, and I highly recommend it. It is Penitence by Kristin Koval.
- [13:53]
Hannah
Oh, listening to you talk about that one, I was just like, there couldn't be a Mortina book.
- [13:57]
Tina
I know, right?
- [13:58]
Hannah
Literally, I was like, there's room and the parents involved and like, what would you do? And I. What would you do? What would you do? I'll be really eager to hear if this does end up being on one of the book club picks, specifically Jenna. That'd be so cool if you end.
- [14:14]
Tina
Up calling that out. I would be so smug. I don't know, though, because I've not heard anything about it. I have not seen it talked about yet. So I'm like, maybe not.
- [14:21]
Hannah
But Jenna tends to pick books like that sometimes. I mean, some of the books on her list are ones where you're like, what? I've never heard of this. Yeah.
- [14:29]
Tina
So I'm feeling it.
- [14:31]
Hannah
I remember when you messaged me about this one when you read it a couple of months ago and you were like, did I? Yeah. You were like, I just, like, fell in love with a book. I forget exactly what you pitched it as, but I do remember you texting me about it and being like, it's Penitence. And I was.
- [14:45]
Tina
I bet I loved it. I. I bet I had a really great pitch at the time. Since there was so much time in between. I'm like, I hope I'm selling it in a way that really resonates. How impactful I thought this book was. I liked it. I liked it a lot.
- [14:58]
Hannah
Well, I'm glad that you loved it and I hope that a bunch of people pick it up and love it too. My latest read is the Laws of the Skies by Gregor Courtois. Have you heard of this one?
- [15:10]
Tina
I have to look at the COVID I don't know.
- [15:13]
Hannah
So I saw this everywhere on Booktok, like last year. I feel like, especially in the horror community, like, whenever people are like, some of the most gruesome books I've ever read, or like, top horror recommendations. I saw this in book recommendation lists for horror readers all the time. So I finally read it. This is a chilling blend of fairy tale and slasher horror, chronicling the harrowing fate of 126 year olds and their three chaperones on a camping trip that goes disastrously wrong. It's told from the perspective of victims and perpetrators, and it explores innocence and evil and the forces of nature. And it's definitely A super creepy kid book. So if you like creepy kid books, this is definitely that. When I was putting my notes together and prepping for this episode, I was reading a couple other reviews for this one and one of them said that this was Winnie the Pooh meets Blair Witch Trials or I'm sorry, Blair Witch Project. And okay, listen, I actually thought that that was hilariously accurate because like, if you've ever seen the Winnie the Pooh movies, there's one about like they go on a hunt for Christopher Robin and they all like get separated and then they all like end up turning on each other. And I feel like if you've read the book and you know the Winnie the Pooh movie I'm talking about, you'll understand the comp. And it's just really funny. So this is definitely a modern Lord of the Flies. I feel like it was, I don't know, entertaining and fun. But honestly, like, I don't have a whole lot to say other than the fact that I'm really glad that I finally read, you know, one of these. I don't say like it's canon for, for horror, but you know, it's a really popular book that people like so much. I think that this one was missing for me a little bit more depth. I just feel like I either missed something with this one or the, the point of it just didn't stand out enough for me as a reader to make sense alongside all of these outlandish child murders that were happening. I know overall this was, yeah, just one of those really popular horror books that I'm glad to say I finally read. I don't think that it's one I'll ever come back to myself. I also just had a really hard time believing that these kids were six. I don't know, maybe, you know, kids in other countries. I know this is a French author. You know, maybe, maybe kids in France are. Maybe they're way more precocious and grown. But my 6 year old would not talk like some of these kids talked. So it was a little bit hard to, you know, suspend my disbelief there as well. But yeah, this was fine. I enjoyed it. And I think that if you want to read like a quick slasher to, you know, knock off books, read, then definitely give this one a try. Not one that I will personally come back to myself. And that is the Laws of the Skies by Gregor Courtois.
- [18:13]
Tina
I don't know what's wrong with us. Double feature. Children dying. Like, not well, I don't know.
- [18:20]
Hannah
It is us.
- [18:21]
Tina
I know well, when Hannah sent this over to me, we were for like, hey, this is the book I'm reading for our newsletter. It's like, what is wrong with you? Like, why are you reading this? Because it was like a bunch of children go into the woods and they don't make it. I'm like, well, geez, okay.
- [18:37]
Hannah
And then I laugh when I'm talking about. I know it didn't feel that serious to me while I was reading it, but you also have to know yourself as a reader. And of course, I, you know, I, like, like I said, I'm laughing, talking about it. It was kind of silly for me. But obviously, if you're a more sensitive reader, don't want to read about kids doing horrible things to each other, then maybe shy away from this one.
- [18:59]
Tina
Maybe. Right? We are who we are as readers.
- [19:01]
Hannah
We are who we are.
- [19:03]
Tina
At this point, our listeners know. Let's hop into our February Books on the Radar. Kind of exciting. We're doing five each today, so you're gonna get a nice big old list of books that we have our eyes on for this coming month. I will kick things off with the Edge of Water by Olufanke Ben Kole. And this one is set between Nigeria and New Orleans, and it tells the story of a young woman who dreams of life in America as the collision of traditional prophecy and individual longing test the bonds of a family during a devastating storm. It begins in Nigeria, and a mother receives a reading that foretells danger for her daughter in America. She gets this, like, I don't know, prophecy. In spite of this warning, she allows her daughter to forge her own path. And Amina arrives in New Orleans filled with hope. But just as Amina begins to find her way, a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she dreamed of and the lives of she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria. This explores the love of a determined mother and a dreaming daughter who do not say enough to each other until it's too late. The detangling of Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion and folklore, and the tellings of three generations of daring women through times of longing, promise, and romance, as well as heartbreak. So you're getting. This is a debut. You're getting dual timelines. You're getting a story of mothers and daughters. You're getting a storm. I mean, you obviously sort of. I can assume what time period this took place in. I'm curious. I'm always rooting for a very solid debut and I'll have my eye on this comes out on February 4th, and this book is the Edge of Water by Olufoneke Benkole.
- [20:44]
Hannah
Yeah, I'm always eager to hear what debuts are coming out too. Obviously, you know, love the books by trusted authors that we're waiting for, but there's something about a really solid debut and I love that you also look for those as well. Okay, so my first February book on the radar is Listen to your Sister by Nina Veal. And this comes out on February 4th by St. Martin's Press and it is also a debut. And in this one we're following Calla Williams, who is barely holding it together as a guardian to her reckless teenage brother Jamie, while their middle brother Dre has completely checked out. Haunted by recurring nightmares of her brother's deaths, Kala's worst fears edge closer to reality when Jamie's protest spirals out of control, forcing them to flee to this remote cabin straight out of a horror movie. But like with most horror stories, the real terror isn't just outside and within the cabin. It is rooted in their fractured past. And Calla's visions might be the only way to survive. This one sounds messy, but interesting. It is said to be for fans of Jordan Peele and Stranger Things. Both of those comps are very appealing to me personally, so I hope that it lives up to those comparisons. You never know with those comps, but I am hopeful and that is Listen to your Sister by Nina Veal.
- [22:09]
Tina
I do love a debut and I also love when a trusted author comes out with a new book. This one's called a 40 year kiss by Nicholas Butler. And I saw this and I thought, I know that. I've read this author before. Why is his name familiar? I read the book Shotgun Love Songs. I read that a long time ago and I remember really, really enjoying it. This book is a 40 year kiss by Nicholas Butler and it is about one Couple's hard won second chance at love 40 years after their divorce. So you've got this couple, Charlie and Vivian, who had parted ways after just four years of marriage. They had too many problems and too many struggles. Even though they still loved each other, they couldn't make it work. Charlie returns to Wisconsin 40 years later after they get their divorce and he's like not quite sure what he's going to find, but he does want to find Vivian and he wants to pick up the broken pieces of their past. 40 years is a long time. It's 40 years of other relationships. You know and all the things that they went through during that time period. This is a brave and triumphant exploration of redemption and sunset triumph. It's a once in a lifetime love story with dazzling lyricism and remarkable clarity of spirit. I mean, I don't know, that sounds interesting to me. Sidebar I won't be getting back with my ex 40 years from now, but you know, to each their own. But side back in I don't know. This could work. Second Chance Love Story I do like a love story, you know, people later in life sort of finding each other again. So we shall see. This is a 40 year kiss by Nicholas Butler.
- [23:39]
Hannah
Yeah, I love stories like that too. This is definitely one that I looked at to bring as well, so I'm glad that you ended up bringing that to the show. It sounds really good. My next book is also from a trusted author and that is Waiting for the Long Night Moon by Amanda Peters, which comes out on February 11th from Harper Perennial. This is Amanda Peters debut short story collection. So I read the Berry Pickers last year a couple years ago now. Loved it. This is her short story collection and it blends traditional storytelling with spare, evocative prose. She depicts resilience amid systemic racism and loss. These stories follow a residential school survivor disconnected from his family, a water protector finding purpose, an elder reflecting on his life, and a girl dancing at her first meiwi omai. This collection is a poignant testament to grief, joy and enduring strength. And I don't read a ton of short story collections, but I really liked Amanda Peters writing and I would really like to get into more short story collections this year or in the future. And I think it might be good for me to dabble in an author that I already know that I really enjoy. So hopefully this short story collection works for me. And if you like short story collections, you can check this one out. And that is Waiting for the Long Night Moon by Amanda Peters.
- [25:01]
Tina
I love that. Yeah, I remember you liked the Berry Pickers a lot. I am not a short story girl at all. Yeah, I may have read like three in my entire life. Like I've only read a few.
- [25:12]
Hannah
2. Yeah, I haven't enjoyed them before.
- [25:14]
Tina
Yeah, I don't know what it is. You know me, I like a lot of words. I like characters. I like to sink in. So I feel like short stories are harder for me, but I really should stop thinking that way and give them a shot.
- [25:28]
Hannah
Well, when I have enjoyed them before, I've usually done so in horror and I've been really surprised. Like I love a short horror story collection. But when I have dabbled in them, I'm like, oh, like. And it also, I feel like, would take a really strong writer to be able to put together, like, a fully fleshed out story in a matter of, you know, whatever. Like three to 20 pages. That would take a lot of skill. And so I'm into trying it, I think for me. Yeah, I sometimes I struggle with, like, the momentum. Like you said, you want to dig into a story. So I would have to maybe, like, make myself, you know, keep going with them, but worth a try. I want to try this one.
- [26:06]
Tina
All right, sounds good. Next for me is historical fiction. This one has been giving huge early buzz, and I'm so excited for it. It's Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. This one also comes out on February 4th. This is a book about the women who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance. It starts in 1919, when a high school teacher from Washington, D.C. arrives in Harlem, excited to realize her lifelong dream. She has been named the literary editor of the Crisis. The first black woman to hold this position at a preeminent magazine. Jesse is poised to achieve literary greatness. But apparently she holds a secret that jeopardizes everything. W.E.B. du Bois, the founder of the Crisis, is not only Jesse's boss, he's her lover. A word I don't like, but it works here.
- [26:55]
Hannah
Ooh, it's spicy.
- [26:56]
Tina
And neither his wife nor their 14 year age difference can keep the two apart. Excuse me. There's rumors, but Jesse's determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenges of discovering young authors with fervor and is determined to prove herself. That's all I need. I'm very interested to see where this goes. I know it's based on a lot of real people, and I want to know more. It's one of those books that's going to have me Googling. And this is Harlem Rhapsody by Vic Victoria Christopher Murray.
- [27:24]
Hannah
I love a book that has me Googling, and this one was not on my radar before, so.
- [27:28]
Tina
Oh, good.
- [27:29]
Hannah
Yay. Yeah, this one sounds really good. Okay, so my next one is Loca by Alejandro Jaradia. It comes out on February 11th from Simon and Schuster. And this one is about two best friends, Sal and Charo. And they are navigating love, identity and survival in 1999 New York. Sal is a Dominican immigrant haunted by his past. And Charo is a free spirit trapped in domesticity. One night, Sal finds love at a gay club, opening both Sal and Charo up to unexpected experiences. And as they embrace this new and vibrant community. They are confronted with their pasts, futures, and the unbreakable bond between them. This is a powerful story of migration, resilience, and the chosen family that becomes home to us. I love stories of chosen family and people who have always had this shared connection. I really look forward to hearing if this one gets talked about much or gets any buzz as well, because so far I haven't heard many folks talking about it, but it sounds really good and right up my alley. And that is Loca by Alejandro Herodia.
- [28:34]
Tina
That sounds so good. And I just was googling it. Yeah, I'm curious. I had not heard of it. And I love the COVID The cover's great. The cover's awesome. Loca could not be bigger. It's really good. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, good one. Oh, that's fun. My next one is a book that I've had my eyes on for quite some time. It is People of Means by Nancy Johnson, comes out on February 11th. Another historical fiction. Look at me go. But I really was looking forward to this because I enjoyed the author's last book, the Kindest Lie. This one is about a mother and daughter who are each seeking justice and they're following their dreams in 1960s Nashville, in 1990s Chicago. The authors that this is comped to are Brit Bennett and Tayari Jones, which. Hello? Yes, I'm into that. And it opens in the fall of 1959, where one woman arrives on the campus of Fisk University full of hope. And then soon the ugliness of Jim Crow south interferes and she is thrust into a movement for social change. She's sort of reluctant to get involved at first because her parents don't approve. But then she finds that she is caught between two worlds, two loves, and is willing to sacrifice everything to be a part of this movement. Then the. The second storyline is in 1992 Chicago, and it's about Frida's daughter, Tulip, who is an ambitious PR professional who is on track to have a very lucrative career if workplace politics and racial microaggressions don't get in her way. And I was wondering myself, I was thinking, like, what happened in 1992? And then it says, with the ruling of the Rodney King trial weighing heavily on her, Tulip feels called to action. And then she makes an irreversible professional misstep. And then she has to decide, just as her mother did, how much she's willing to risk in the name of justice and equality. I'm into this. It's definitely a me book. I love workplace novels. And I don't feel like I run into enough of them. Sometimes they'll include a little bit about it, but I want to, like, get in the office with you. Like, what are you doing? Who's making copies? Are you getting coffee? What are they? Mike, you know what's going on there? So I love a workplace novel. I love dual timeline, historical fiction, mother, daughter story. I want to read more about this. It's People of Means by Nancy Johnson.
- [30:49]
Hannah
Okay, so you just brought a mother daughter story. And my next one kind of has a father daughter element. And this one is yours eventually by Nora Masnavi. And this one comes out on February 18th from Dutton. And this is about Asma. And she has built the life that she has always wanted, or so she believes. She's a successful doctor and devoted daughter, and she has spent years holding her family together after her father's financial downfall. But when her college sweetheart, whose proposal was once rejected by her family, reenters her life as a newly wealthy and sought after bachelor, old feelings resurface and she is navigating meddling aunties and family expectations and her own heart. And she has to decide if it is too late for a second chance. This is a heartfelt story of love, family, and finding the courage to live on your own dreams. And I love a coming of age and adulthood story. So this one sounds really good to me. And that is Yours eventually by Nora Masnavi.
- [31:53]
Tina
Also, what a great title. Yours Eventually. I love that. That's really good. Hannah is now plunged into darkness. I know.
- [32:00]
Hannah
I'm so sorry. Do you. I'm gonna turn. I don't care.
- [32:03]
Tina
I don't need to see you that much. It's just funny because literally you just kept getting darker and darker. I'm like, well, it's because my.
- [32:10]
Hannah
It's also because my. My screen is now in dark mode because it's nighttime. And so now I don't have, like, the light of my computer screen kind of giving me a little bit of a flashlight there. So sorry.
- [32:22]
Tina
Anyway, we're wrapping up.
- [32:25]
Hannah
We're wrapping up. Anyway. Yeah, let's just sit tight and keep.
- [32:28]
Tina
Keep, keep it moving. Okay. My next one is an author that I read both of her previous novels. It is back after this by Linda Holmes. And there is a dog on the COVID So I'm excited about that. It is a bout a podcast producer who agrees to host a new series about modern dating. But will her show jeopardize her chance at finding real love? That's basically it. Cecily Foster makes Podcasts. She loves it. She loves her friends and fiercely protects her work. But after a disastrous relationship with a colleague who stole her heart and her ideas, she's put romantic love on hold. That pisses me off. You know what I mean? Like salt in the wound.
- [33:06]
Hannah
Yeah.
- [33:07]
Tina
She then gets the offer to host her own show. She wants to be thrilled, but there's a catch. The show's about her dating life, and she has to follow the guidance of an influencer who is also a relationship coach who has a relentlessly upbeat attitude. And so she would, like, rather do anything than, like, put herself out there, especially her missteps in dating. But she's like, yeah, you know what? They're kind of putting her, backing her into a corner, so she decides to do it. That's basically what you're getting. I think this one will be a nice palette cleanser. Between some of the heavier books that I have set up. I loved her book Evie Drake Starts Over. I read that a while ago. I think I gave it five stars. I really enjoyed it. Flying solo was decent, but I'm hopeful that this will be another 4ish 5 star for me. And this is Back after this by Linda Holmes.
- [33:54]
Hannah
It's important to have those palette cleansers. And I. I do feel like I've only read Evie Drake, but it's. I feel like what I would call it, quintessential, like, uplift, where it's just, you know, like, uplifting. And it's nice to have those, you know, little, little books to have in between all of the dark. All of the dark stuff that we read that is light and also to our taste.
- [34:15]
Tina
I've never thought of uplift before once in my life, but I've seen the words and I like that as a concept.
- [34:23]
Hannah
I forget who, like, coined it, but I've heard, you know, several podcasters and other bookish people mention it. I don't know who is to credit for, like, the actual. Yeah, like, coining that term, but I really like it. And it's better than, like, chick lit or women's lit.
- [34:36]
Tina
I love that because I've always wanted a better way to say, like, women's fiction because I'm like, that's dumb. But uplit's great. Okay, thank you.
- [34:45]
Hannah
Yeah.
- [34:46]
Tina
New term for me.
- [34:47]
Hannah
Okay. My next book is Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley. This is another debut. It comes out on February 25th from HarperCollins. This is an emotional love story that follows Percy and Joe. When Percy first hears Joe's music in his college dorm, she knows that he is destined for stardom and that she will always be in the background. As she refines his songs into indie hits, their creative partnership crackles with unspoken longing, passion, and, of course, inevitable heartbreak. As Joe rises to fame, Percy has to decide if she can continue to stay in his shadow or if their connection can survive beyond the music. This spans Brooklyn bars and San Francisco dance floors and is a story of love, obsession, and the need to be heard. I think this is kind of giving Daisy Jones and the Six meets like Talking At Night by Claire Dabberly. And that is a comp that I came up with just from hearing the synopsis. So I have no idea if that is apartment or not, but that's kind of what it made me think of when I was looking this book up. I hope that it lives up to that expectation in my head because I loved both of those. So I don't know. Music, fame stuff doesn't always work for me, but sometimes it does. So I don't know. This one sounds like really interesting and I'm excited to try it. And that is Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley.
- [36:08]
Tina
Agree. One of those things. Fame and music stuff could be great, could be not great. So report back. We'll find out, right?
- [36:15]
Hannah
Report back. If and when I read it.
- [36:18]
Tina
If and when. That's the key there. All right, well, hopefully you've heard some books that you've been excited about. Hopefully we've tempted you with some February books. Hannah was like buzzing the other day when she was prepping her books for this show. She's like, there are so many good ones. And I happen to agree. I feel like we are in. I said it to an author actually, recently. I was like, 2025 is a bonkers year for publishing. She was like, yes, it's great. Except if you're an author, it can kind of be scary to get lost in the shuffle. I'm like, I do hear that. And we will do our best to make sure we're promoting as many books as we can. Bringing all the books, bringing them all. And also I'm hedging here because I know it's time for current reads and I can't remember what my current read is. It's actually okay. It's Home Seeking by Carissa Chen. I just remember, like, what have I been reading? So Home Seeking is a GMA Book Club pick. It is. I was just talking about sort of second chance love stories, if you will, or people finding each other later in life. I am loving it. It's about two people that were really close when they were young and then a war happened and they split apart. Now they're both in the US and they are running into each other in their town, which is really funny. It's very interesting and I love the structure. The woman's point of view is told from the past and it's working its way toward the present, and the male point of view is in present day working his way toward the past. And it's very interesting and I can't wait to see how it intersects. I'm about 15% in and I'm really, really enjoying it. This one is Home Seeking by Carissa Chen.
- [37:50]
Hannah
Well, I will be starting that one right after you here very soon and I'm excited to talk to you and the booktok community about that one. That is exciting. I am currently reading Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson and this came out a couple of years ago. I really loved his other book, Perfect Little World, and I've been meaning to try his other book and I finally got to this one. I'm so glad that I did. I'm actually almost finished with it, but it's kind of has a bananas premise, but ultimately it's got, you know, great characters that I really like, found family and the audio is great. So yeah, I'm reading Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson.
- [38:34]
Tina
I love that book. That book is so stinking good. Like, I made my mom read it. She really enjoyed it as well. So I'm glad you get to discover that.
- [38:44]
Hannah
Yay.
- [38:45]
Tina
All right, well, is that it? I think that's it for today. Okay. Well, that's it for today. We thank you for spending a part of your day with us. Links to all the books mentioned can be found in the show notes. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can help us by following wherever you listen and by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us get our show out to new listeners and grows our audience. And don't forget if would like access to exclusive bonus content and community, you can join us for $5 a month on patreon.com booktalk etc.
- [39:15]
Hannah
If you'd like to connect with us, you can email us@booktalk etcmail.com you can also connect with us both at Booktalk etc on Instagram and tina@tbr etc and hannahdpickedbooks. Talk to you next week. And in the meantime, remember, everything's better with books.
- [39:36]
Tina
I feel high as a kite because of this espresso. I am buzzing. My veins are made of caffeine. I'm gonna need. I'm like, truly. And I don't get, like, a sugar rush or a caffeine high, typically, but John made me this drink.
- [39:55]
Hannah
What'd he put in there?
- [39:56]
Tina
Two shots of espresso, brown sugar, cream. Put some shrooms in there maybe. I don't know, but it's working. Baby, I'm hopped up like Judy Garland stage. Oh, my God. Oh, good.
- [40:09]
Hannah
Well, good. Don't you have to pack? Good job.
- [40:12]
Tina
I do have to pack. Indeed.
- [40:14]
Hannah
Get yourself nice and high and energized right before having to pack to leave.
- [40:18]
Tina
I know.