Podcast Summary: Book Talk, etc. – Episode: Tackling Our Goodreads Graveyard
Podcast Information
- Title: Book Talk, etc.
- Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) and Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
- Description: A book recommendation podcast that's bound to grow your TBR!
- Episode: Tackling Our Goodreads Graveyard
- Release Date: July 22, 2025
Introduction to the Episode
In the episode titled "Tackling Our Goodreads Graveyard," hosts Tina and Hannah dive deep into the often-overlooked section of their Goodreads lists—the books that have lingered in their "Want to Read" shelves for years. This episode serves as both a reflection on their personal reading habits and a detailed exploration of specific books that have remained unread, despite their initial interest.
Understanding the Goodreads Graveyard
“We're sharing books that have been in our Goodreads graveyard.” [01:03]
Tina and Hannah begin by explaining the concept of the "Goodreads Graveyard," a metaphorical space where books accumulate over time without being read. This segment emphasizes the challenges readers face in managing extensive TBR (To Be Read) lists and the emotional tug of nostalgia and forgotten intentions.
Tina's Photon Candle
Before delving into books, Tina shares a personal anecdote about a unique gift—a photon candle—she received for her anniversary. This segment showcases the hosts' personal lives and interests, adding a warm, relatable touch to the episode.
“If you are in the market for a really creative gift that I can see having wide appeal. Give this a shot.” [07:05]
Book Reviews from the Goodreads Graveyard
1. We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry
Tina provides an in-depth review of "We Don't Talk About Carol," a debut novel intertwining family secrets with true crime elements. She praises the book's exploration of themes like grief, obsession, and racial disparities in missing persons cases.
“It is more about family, community, secrets, and motherhood and whether or not you want to be a mother and all of those complicated questions that come up.” [17:18]
Key Points:
- Plot: Sydney, a journalist, discovers a decades-old family secret related to missing girls in North Carolina.
- Themes: Grief, family secrets, racial injustice, motherhood.
- Author’s Note: The book is a work of fiction but is grounded in sobering real-life statistics about missing black women in America.
“I think she gave a lot of humanity to these characters.” [16:58]
2. The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
Tina discusses "The Enchanted," a novel narrated by a death row inmate who escapes into a fantasy world within his confined reality. While she appreciates the book's humanity and lyrical writing, she rates it three stars, noting that the magical realism aspects weren't fully to her taste.
“It's about the Enchanted Place, an ancient stone prison, viewed through the eyes of a death row inmate.” [35:50]
Key Points:
- Narrative Style: Combines prison life with fantastical visions.
- Themes: Isolation, humanity, redemption.
- Author’s Background: Rene Denfeld draws from her experience as a death row investigator.
“I gave it three stars. I thought it was okay.” [40:24]
3. The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Hannah enthusiastically reviews "The Firekeeper's Daughter," a young adult novel blending mystery with cultural identity. The story follows Donnis Fontaine, a biracial teenager navigating personal tragedy and uncovering deep-seated family and community secrets.
“This book was so rich in its storytelling. The characters were beautiful and they had these fully fleshed out lives and experiences.” [43:30]
Key Points:
- Plot: Donnis witnesses a murder and delves into a world of secrets within her community.
- Themes: Identity, family, community, justice.
- Recognition: Winner of the Michael Prince Award for Excellent Young Adult Literature.
Tina's "Summer that Melted Everything" by Tiffany McDaniel
Tina introduces "The Summer that Melted Everything," a novel set in 1984, intertwining themes of community, psychosis, and racial tensions. The story revolves around Fielding Bliss and an enigmatic boy named Sal, whom the town believes to be the devil.
“This book is sad, man. This book is really, really melancholy, but also extremely well done.” [51:30]
Key Points:
- Plot: Fielding brings Sal, a boy claiming to be the devil, into his family, triggering strange events in their town.
- Themes: Community hysteria, racism, identity, mental health.
- Author’s Style: Tiffany McDaniel is praised for her ability to unearth deep human emotions and societal issues.
“Though it wasn’t 100% for you, I personally feel like this is one I would really enjoy.” [41:02]
4. Twist of Fate by C. Ah Jang (Translated by S.L. Park)
Tina shares her excitement about "Twist of Fate," a thriller involving Jay Young, who becomes entangled in a mysterious situation after a train encounter leads her to care for an abandoned baby.
“This sounds freaking fantastic. It sounds right up my alley.” [60:07]
Key Points:
- Plot: Jay Young assumes a new identity to protect herself while dealing with the implications of a mysterious child.
- Themes: Identity, survival, mystery.
- Anticipation: Tina expresses high expectations and eagerness to delve into the thriller.
“It is a Twist of fate by Sia Jiang. I am going to annotate it and come back and give you my official star rating at some point.” [52:11]
5. Culpability by Bruce Hulsinger
Hannah reviews "Culpability," a novel centered around a car accident that unravels a family's dark secrets in a world influenced by AI technologies.
“This explores a world newly shaped by chatbots, autonomous cars, drones, and other non-human forces in ways that are thrilling, challenging, and unimaginably provocative.” [61:19]
Key Points:
- Plot: A vehicular accident becomes the catalyst for uncovering familial and societal secrets.
- Themes: Technology's impact, family dynamics, secrets, morality.
- Genre: Thriller with speculative elements centered around AI and autonomous technologies.
“It's so funny, you say that you heard nothing and then you heard everything.” [64:07]
Discussion on TBR Systems
The hosts also delve into their personal TBR management systems, sharing strategies and challenges associated with maintaining organized reading lists.
“I have two digital TBRs. My StoryGraph... and My Goodreads.” [27:53]
Key Points:
- Tina's Approach: Utilizes both Goodreads as a public TBR and StoryGraph for a more curated list, maintaining a balance between visibility and personal selection.
- Hannah's Struggle: Admits difficulty in managing TBRs, often feeling disorganized and overwhelmed by endless lists.
“I have these endless TBR piles, whether that's virtual or actually physically in person.” [27:08]
Personal Anecdotes and Connections
Throughout the episode, Tina and Hannah weave personal stories, such as Tina's experience with vocal warmups and their shared thoughts on ghost stories and home life. These anecdotes add depth to the conversation, making the hosts more relatable to the audience.
“How weird. But it's just been a really fun way to play with a candle.” [06:34]
“I feel like she gave a lot of humanity to these characters.” [16:58]
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
As the episode concludes, the hosts encourage listeners to reevaluate their own Goodreads graveyards, offering practical advice and personal insights into effective TBR management. They emphasize the joy of rediscovering forgotten books and the satisfaction of finally tackling long-standing TBR items.
“It's a fun concept. And I encourage everybody who uses Goodreads and or StoryGraph to cull their TBR list.” [25:36]
Conclusion
Tackling Our Goodreads Graveyard is a heartfelt and comprehensive exploration of managing extensive reading lists, intertwined with detailed book reviews and personal reflections from Tina and Hannah. The episode not only offers listeners a chance to discover new reads but also provides valuable insights into the art of curating a meaningful and manageable TBR.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- “We’re sharing books that have been in our Goodreads graveyard.” [01:03]
- “I think she gave a lot of humanity to these characters.” [16:58]
- “This book is sad, man. This book is really, really melancholy, but also extremely well done.” [51:30]
- “I have two digital TBRs. My StoryGraph... and My Goodreads.” [27:53]
Connect with the Hosts
- Instagram: Booktok Etc & Hand Picked Books
- YouTube: Book Talk, etc.
- Email: booktalketc@mail.com
- Patreon: patreon.com/booktalketc
Remember, everything's better with books!