Book Talk, Etc. Episode Summary

Episode Title: Reading Books with Buzzword Titles + Discussing Title Trends
Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Release Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Theme Overview

This episode dives into the ever-present phenomenon of "buzzword titles" in the book world: those recurring words and formulas publishers love to use, such as “girl,” “wife,” “truth,” and “night.” Tina and Hannah explore why these patterns emerge, how they influence reader choice, and play with a “buzzword challenge”—selecting, reading, and recommending books whose titles feature notable buzzwords. Alongside these discussions, they touch on recent reads, book marketing, title originality, and trends in publishing, giving you practical recommendations and plenty of lively, bookish banter.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Back-to-School, Reading Slumps, and Reading Habits

• Tina shares her excitement about back-to-school routines and admits to being in a reading rut, aiming to find more five-star reads and noting she’s mostly read new releases this year, with little literary fiction.

  • “I am on a mission. I need to find more five star books...but as you can see, I’m kind of laying the foundation because two of the books today I didn’t love, but one I did, so that’s a win.” — Tina [02:29]

• Both hosts touch on the unpredictability of literary fiction versus genre fiction:

  • “It’s scary with literary fiction because...there’s more opportunity...to find those five, six plus star books, but it’s also a really polarizing genre.” — Hannah [03:29]
  • “You never know, and that’s part of the fun, right?...High risk, high reward.” — Tina [04:09]

2. Loving Lately: A Comfy Chair and a Family Hair Product

• Tina’s Pick: Flexispot Lotus Recliner — a wide, electric recliner that’s enhanced her reading experience by creating a cozy, dedicated reading spot. She emphasizes the importance of “romanticizing” her reading routine.

  • “What I’ve been doing to try and romanticize my reading life more is getting up earlier...and reading in the chair. Breaking news, I know, but it is hard for me to force myself to sit down and actually do things that I know I enjoy.” — Tina [05:58]

• Hannah’s Pick: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Leave-In Conditioner — a favorite in her household, suitable for both fine and thick hair, gentle scent, works for her husband and daughter too.

  • “It leaves my hair feeling really soft without making it feel oily...It is a family favorite in our house.” — Hannah [08:47]

3. Latest Reads: Mixed Reviews & Middle-Grade Triumph

• Tina:

  • Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor — A Harvard-set, women-in-STEM literary novel about a scientific breakthrough pursued by two students. Tina found the depiction of women in science spot-on but felt emotionally disconnected from the characters.
    • “...the author captured what it’s like to be a woman with power in leadership, in science. She captured that so well...there’s a section where Zoe is calling her father...and basically he’s like, OK, just make sure you get home to help your mom with dinner. And it was just gutting.” — Tina [15:02]
  • Notable structural device: Mixes narrative with emails/news articles, well-cited sources.
  • Ultimately “middle of the road,” but could appeal to Harvard/biotech/startup world fans.

• Hannah:

  • Front Desk by Kelly Yang — Middle-grade contemporary about Mia Tang, a Chinese immigrant girl helping her family run a motel. Hannah read it aloud with her daughter, which led to thoughtful, accessible discussions on big issues like racism, poverty, and bravery.
    • “This was such a good reminder of how powerful children’s literature can be.” — Hannah [18:43]
    • “I think overall we had some really valuable discussions that I hope she continues to remember.” — Hannah [18:43]

Segment: Buzzword Titles & Title Trends

[22:00] Introduction to Buzzword Titles, Buzzwordathon & Appeal

• The buzzword theme was inspired by Booktuber “Books and Lala’s” Buzzwordathon, a challenge hosted on Storygraph that encourages reading books with common title words (“lie,” “truth,” “water”). This approach adds a ‘gamification’ element to TBR selection.

  • “...it gamifies it a little bit...puts the building of your TBR into the hands of chance.” — Tina [23:20]

• Hannah notes it combines structure with mood reading; stacks of “buzzword” books can span genres so there’s variety and motivation to tackle older TBR books.

[24:41] Why Are Certain Buzzwords So Prevalent?

• Tina observes that words like “lie” surged in popularity starting around 2018; publishers use these to trigger associations (“If they liked X, they’ll like this!”) and capitalize on trends.
• Hannah adds the prevalence of female labels: “girl,” “wife,” “daughter,” etc.

Does This Influence Reading Choices?

• “It does...in a good way, typically.” — Tina [25:54]
• Some titles, however, feel overly formulaic or cheesy (see: “My Husband’s Wife”), but can still hook curiosity.

Other Common Buzzwords and Formulas

• “Blank and blank” constructions: e.g., Perfume and Pain, Games and Rituals, Fates and Furies.
• Water/weather references: sea, ocean, hurricane, wind.
  • “I noticed the water one, too...Water is everywhere. I like a water tie-in.” — Tina [30:22]
• Titles with names (especially double entendre/first names), and colors (e.g., Blue, Black, Green).
• Not-so-buzzy: Rare “completely unique” book titles now stand out (“Nothing to See Here” by Kevin Wilson as an example).

The Double Entendre Title

• Both hosts admire titles with layered meanings, e.g. “Finding Grace” (as a name and a concept).
  • “Something I really like is when books have double entendre...I like that double entendre.” — Tina [31:25]

[Book Recommendations with Buzzword Titles]

Tina’s Picks

1. The Good Samaritan by Tony Helene [33:09]

• Buzzword: "Good"
• Literary domestic drama (not a true “psychological thriller” as labeled).
• Plot: After a tragic loss, a sociology professor in small-town Minnesota finds a lost child during a storm, makes morally ambiguous choices, and becomes embroiled in a mystery.
• Clever play on “Good Samaritan" (refers both to the character and the law).
• Tina’s Take: Mixed feelings. Enjoyed themes of obligation and grief, but too many characters, loose editing; better for book clubs (“what would you do?” prompts).
• “I loved that the author brought up this idea of the Good Samaritan Law...but overall, it was fine.” — Tina [36:49]

2. A Twist of Fate by Se Ah Jang (trans. S.L. Park) [45:00]

• Buzzword: "Fate"
• Genre: Psychological thriller/domestic suspense, translated from Korean.
• Plot: Jae Young flees a crime, takes the place of a vanished mother she meets on a train, adopts a new identity in a wealthy family’s manor, and unravels layers of secrets.
• Tina’s Take: Loved the twisting, gothic vibes; strong “good for her” energy. Highly recommends for fans of identity-swapping thrillers.
  • “I will always read a book that has people swapping identities. I just think that’s so fun and interesting...Overall, I highly recommend this book.” — Tina [47:48]

Hannah’s Picks

1. Blackwoods Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivy [39:49]

• Buzzwords: “Black,” “Blue”
• Genre: Literary family drama with folk tale and Alaskan setting.
• Plot: Single mom Birdie leaves town for a remote Alaskan cabin with her new love Arthur, but mystery and danger simmer beneath the surface.
• Hannah’s Take: Standout atmospheric tension, complicated and lovable characters, polarizing ending (“made me gasp”), and strong sense of place. Recommended for lovers of “complicated mother-daughter stories and folk tales or books set in nature.”
  • “I love books that build that sense of tension and unease...this book had such palpable tension.” — Hannah [41:41]

2. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir [49:35]

• Buzzword: "Night"
• YA Fantasy (sequel to “An Ember in the Ashes”)
• Plot: Laia and Elias are on the run, joined by a morally grey third POV, as the story deepens into action and romance.
• Hannah’s Take: Great expansion as a sequel; action-heavy, strong romance, robust character development.
  • “I fell more in love with Elias and Laia, and while this third character...is morally gray, they actually grew on me as well.” — Hannah [52:05]

Buzzwords Noted:

• Other buzzwords identified include "lie," "husband," "wife," "daughter," "girl," "truth," "water," "night," "blue," "fate," and thematic formulas (“blank and blank,” times of day, weather).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:29] Tina: “I am on a mission. I need to find more five star books...”
• [15:02] Tina (on Notes on Infinity): “...the author captured what it’s like to be a woman with power in leadership, in science. She captured that so well...”
• [18:43] Hannah (on Front Desk): “This was such a good reminder of how powerful children’s literature can be...I think overall we had some really valuable discussions that I hope she continues to remember.”
• [23:20] Tina: “...it gamifies it a little bit...puts the building of your TBR into the hands of chance.”
• [29:28] Hannah: “It is more rare...to have a title of a book that is just completely unique...it does make it stand out more.”
• [31:25] Tina: “Something I really like is when books have double entendre...I like that double entendre.”
• [36:49] Tina (on The Good Samaritan): “I found this man to be pretty insufferable though. And I’m like, Oh my God, I’ve met you in academia...”

Bonus: Shelf Additions [54:43]

Tina:

• The Ballad of Bonaventure Palmier by Adam Sokol
  • Genre: Magical realism, compared to The Night Circus

Hannah:

• The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson
  • Horror/fantasy about a painter whose art grants him magical abilities; art, eldritch horror, tests.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Reading Routines, Slumps, Romanticizing Reading: [00:49] – [06:58]
• Loving Lately (Recliner & Conditioner): [06:58] – [11:01]
• Latest Reads (Notes on Infinity, Front Desk): [11:01] – [21:57]
• Buzzword Titles Introduction & Buzzwordathon: [22:00] – [24:41]
• Trends in Titles & Patterns: [24:41] – [33:09]
• Buzzword Book Discussions: [33:09] – [52:46]
• Shelf Additions: [54:43] – [57:40]

Episode Takeaways

• Publishers rely on buzzwords in titles for marketing, influencing trends and (often subconsciously) reader choices.
• Common themes include familial roles, times of day, colors, water/weather, and “blank and blank” constructions.
• The “buzzwordathon” is a fun, adaptable way to diversify your TBR and revisit languishing books.
• The hosts bring a mix of new and under-the-radar buzzword-titled books, with honest, nuanced takes on each.
• Book titles with multiple meanings or breaks from formula can create greater impact and memorability.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode offers an insightful, occasionally hilarious tour through the world of title trends, complete with book recs, family reading adventures, and tips for making your reading life (and book choices) more playful. If you love talking about “trends” in your TBR—and discovering new favorites—you’ll find both validation and inspiration here!