Podcast Summary: Book Talk, Etc.

Episode Title: Tackling Our TBR Piles as We Close Out 2025 Reading

Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging and relatable episode, Tina and Hannah dig deep into their ever-expanding TBR (To Be Read) lists as the end of the year approaches. The hosts candidly discuss the perennial reader conundrum of choosing which books to prioritize, balancing new releases with backlist picks, and how sampling and intention can reinvigorate one’s reading life. They share recent books they've conquered from their piles—including thrillers, poetry, classics, and modern works—plus tips for managing reading goals as 2025 winds down.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Warm-Up & Loving Lately

Time: 00:27 – 09:17

• The hosts discuss Midwest weather changes, holiday plans, and the relatable joy of wearing "biker shorts and a crew neck."
• Tina’s Favorite: Mystical Outpost incense from Indiana—a budget-friendly, hand-dipped incense shop on Etsy, beloved for their quality scents and slow burn.
  • Memorable Moment: Tina shows off her hand-carved incense burners from Chicago’s Christkindlmarket.
  • "We take our incense very seriously in this household." (06:24 – A)
• Hannah’s Favorite: Waterproof shower Bluetooth speaker—makes multitasking and consuming audiobooks or podcasts hassle-free during a busy life.
  • "I love having this as an option to listen to a serialized podcast or even just music... because I can actually get everything done in the bathroom without getting bored." (08:16 – B)
  • She observes that audiobook speed must be lower on a speaker versus headphones.

2. Latest Reads: What We've Picked Off Our TBR

Time: 09:40 – 19:08

Tina:

• The Perfect Marriage & The Perfect Divorce by Geneva Rose (Thriller)
  • Tina expected little but was delighted by these fast-paced, plot-twisty thrillers about a defense attorney forced to defend her murder-accused husband.
  • "What a great premise. I mean, truly a fantastic premise... I was pleasantly surprised." (12:07 – A)
  • Enjoyed both books as companion reads for their character continuity and high stakes.
  • "You're getting a two for one here with my latest reads." (14:27 – A)

Hannah:

• Climate by Whitney Hansen (Poetry)
  • A rare poetry pick for Hannah, who loved Hansen’s Instagram-famous style: short, punchy, emotionally resonant poems about change, grief, and growth; structured in sections like Foggy and Stormy.
  • "This collection was about love, about healing, about grief, and honestly, just every emotion that you could think of, including the positive ones." (15:30 – B)
  • Recommends slow, intentional reading and using pieces for journaling prompts.

3. Main Topic: Tackling the End-of-Year TBR—Frontlist vs. Backlist, Strategies, and Sentiments

Time: 19:08 – 29:59

• The original plan focused on buzzy 2025 new releases, but the hosts pivoted to include backlist books, opening up a richer reading experience.
• Both identify the pressure (internal and external) to keep up with new releases but recognize the value and joy in older, well-loved books.
  • "For me, I definitely want to read some of the big, buzzy books in the year they're published... but I read a book that changed my brain chemistry that was a backlist..." (19:09 – A)
• Discuss how backlist books often stand the test of time and how aggregating TBRs (on StoryGraph, Instagram, or Goodreads) helps prioritize and remember them.
  • "What I would like to do is... keep a better handle on what is actually on my TBR list." (22:40 – A)
• Sampling books before committing (using Kindle samples) as a strategy to maintain reading balance and discover the right book for the right moment.
  • "There's so much to say about the right book for the right time." (24:31 – B)
• Idea to track or have an episode about "Not Right Now" books—those set aside for a better moment.

4. Books We're Still Hoping to Read This Year + Recent Standouts

Time: 29:59 – 46:53

Tina:

• You'll Never Know by Caleb Stevens (Thriller, 2025)

  • Plot: Grant’s pregnant wife is abducted; he must solve riddles to save her.
  • "This book was everything to me. I gave it five stars very easily... This is in my top thrillers of the year, hands down." (30:34 – A)
  • Gritty, emotional, and unpredictable; not a popcorn thriller—contains horror elements.

• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (Classic Western)

  • An epic Texas-to-Montana cattle drive; beloved for its authentic time period feel, compelling characters, and humor.
  • "This book has my heart. I'm holding it very tenderly because I love this book so gosh darn much." (37:07 – A)
  • Praises the audiobook and memorable characters like Augustus.

Hannah:

• Persuasion by Jane Austen (Classic Romance)

  • Anne Elliot’s second-chance romance; a short, bittersweet, and “yearning” Austen novel.
  • "It's a pretty short book... and it's also one of the more melancholy... There is a scene in this book with a letter and the dropping of a pen if, you know, you know—literally had me passing away." (31:40 – B)
  • Praises its enduring romance and modern-feeling tropes.

• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (Historical/Literary Fiction)

  • Explores Shakespeare’s family life and the grief of losing his son, weaving luminous prose and a profound sense of loss.
  • "When I say this book had me weeping, I am not exaggerating... This is genuinely a modern masterpiece." (44:16 – B)
  • Anticipating the upcoming film adaptation.

5. Shelf Additions: What We’re Most Eager About Next

Time: 46:53 – 50:58

Tina’s Pick for Hannah:

• Land by Maggie O’Farrell (Coming June 2026)
  • Irish historical novel set during a great survey; themes of survival, tragedy, and family.
  • "I think this one sounds fantastic... So everyone add it to your TBR now." (48:45 – A)

Hannah’s Pick:

• Would Be by T. Kira Madden (Debut Novel, March 2026)
  • Three women connected via a man’s murder—complex whodunit grappling with abuse, trauma, and justice.
  • "It sounds intense. It sounds really good, it sounds interesting and I'm really curious about it." (50:41 – B)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I figure I'm not gonna bring The Perfect Divorce to its own, you know, show." – Tina (14:38)
• "I recommend not rushing this collection... If you're a journaler, a lot of these would make really great journal prompts." – Hannah on Climate (16:49)
• "You can read back list books. Like you don't need to read all frontlist all the time." – Tina (20:13)
• "I always end up overthinking it and then kind of being frustrated." – Hannah on balancing reading goals (21:53)
• "There is something... so much to say about the right book for the right time." – Hannah (24:31)
• "Hamnet is a luminous portrait of a marriage, of a family, and at its heart, the loss of a beloved child." – Hannah (44:04)

Important Timestamps

• 00:27 – Episode theme and intro
• 06:31 – Tina’s incense obsession and family traditions
• 08:44 – Hannah’s Bluetooth speaker homage & media multitasking
• 11:00 – Tina’s review: The Perfect Marriage/DIVORCE (Geneva Rose)
• 14:49 – Hannah’s review: Climate (Whitney Hansen)
• 19:09 – TBR episode topic evolution; frontlist vs. backlist
• 22:22 – Strategies for TBR management & intentional reading
• 30:30 – Tina’s rave: You’ll Never Know (Caleb Stevens)
• 31:40 – Hannah’s classic choice: Persuasion (Jane Austen)
• 37:07 – Lonesome Dove love-fest
• 42:15 – Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (plus film news)
• 46:53 – Shelf Additions: Next up on the TBR

Episode Tone

Warm, informal, friendly, and highly relatable; the hosts speak candidly about their reading journeys, book discoveries, and the emotional rollercoaster of managing a voracious TBR. The blend of humor, sincerity, and a little Midwestern charm make this episode both practical and encouraging for book lovers everywhere.

Final Takeaway

Listeners are left with a sense of camaraderie, permission to choose reading joyfully (frontlist or backlist!), and several brilliant new recommendations as 2025 draws to a close.

Where to Connect

• Books mentioned: Check show notes.
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• Contact: booktalketcmail.com

"Everything's better with books." – Book Talk, Etc.