Book Talk, Etc.

Episode: What Makes a Favorite Author + Returning to the Authors We Love
Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@handpickedbooks)
Date: October 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tina and Hannah explore the meaningful question: "What makes a favorite author?" They reflect on why some writers move from “auto-read” to “obsession,” discuss what it takes to be a completionist, share their personal favorite authors, and review books they've recently read from their favorites (plus a few disappointments). The hosts also share practical reading-related finds, recipes, and highlight what’s on their ever-expanding TBRs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Book Organization (00:34-04:33)

• Shelf Chaos & Reorganization: Both hosts talk about their home book setups, with Tina admitting to a "lack of organization" and looking forward to a dedicated day off for reorganizing her shelves.
  • "That's self care. That's how I'm spending my time." — Tina (03:16)
• They note how visiting each other's shelves via video call would be the ultimate bookish temptation.

2. Loving Lately

Tina – Bookaroo Pen Pouch (04:33-07:28)

• Description: A pen pouch with an elastic band that attaches to any book or planner cover, perfect for annotation on the go.
• Takeaway Quote:
  • "It's a pouch for your pens... keep your little annotation supplies handy, and then whatever book you're reading, you can attach it to." — Tina (06:02)
• Multiple colors available; Tina found hers at an indie bookstore.

Hannah – Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Pasta Salad (07:37-10:47)

• Recipe: From Female Foodie, it's a veggie-rich, filling, make-ahead meal that's become a staple in her household.
• Key Insight:
  • "It has the sun dried tomatoes... you cut them really thin, and then use the oil of the sun dried tomatoes for the dressing." — Hannah (08:22)
• Discusses meal planning challenges as a parent, and making separate adult and kid meals.

3. Latest Reads

Tina – The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty (10:52-17:55)

• Synopsis: Classic American horror of demonic possession, a girl named Reagan, and the priests who try to save her.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • "This book is cursed. ... It is just simply absolutely grotesque. Spooky. It's grotesque." — Tina (10:52)
  • "The audiobook is narrated by the author... he deserves an Oscar for this narration." — Tina (14:24)
• Insights:
  • Book’s controversy and realism, inspired by a real 1949 exorcism case.
  • Audiobook is highly recommended for its atmosphere.
• Listener Context: Hannah notes that the book was also adopted by some religious communities for curriculum, highlighting its cultural reach.

Hannah – This Is a Safe Space by Lucinda Berry (18:27-22:39)

• Synopsis: A therapist, her missing client, and husband’s secret all crash together in an ethical, twisty thriller.
• Audiobook Format: Mixed media, with recordings of therapy sessions for added immersion.
• Critical Take:
  • "[Jenna] was an unreliable narrator, but one that was honestly really entertaining for me to follow." — Hannah (20:13)
• "Definitely not as heavy as her others... an entertaining audiobook and fun thriller." — Hannah (21:51)
• A "bubblegum" read — light, fast-paced, not deeply lasting but enjoyable.

4. What Makes a Favorite Author? (22:39-35:55)

Completionism: Do You Need to Read an Author’s Whole Catalog?

• Both hosts admit that even their favorites often have books they've skipped due to distractions or lack of time.
• Only two authors for Tina: Riley Sager & Rachel Harrison.
  • "It was actually quite fun ... you can almost see their writing develop as you go on." — Tina (24:15)
• Aspirational authors to complete: John Marrs, SA Cosby, Stephen King, Emily Henry, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin.

What Are the Requirements for “Favorite Author” Status?

• Both agree: need to have read and loved multiple books (at least 2-3), and ideally have several 4.5-5 star reads.
• Some authors only make the list after more "data" — i.e., several consistently loved books.
• Notable quote:
  • "You know, I have some authors that I loved some of their books and then there's some others that I was like this was ok." — Tina (30:59)
• Favorite author lists for each host (see below).

Fun Digression: Obscure Stephen King Reads

• Tina's lesser-known: Dark Tower series.
• Hannah's: Joyland (more hard-boiled, paranormal crime).

5. Favorite Authors Lists

Tina’s List

• Stephen King (the GOAT for her)
• Charlotte McConaughey (recently discovered backlist titles)
• S.A. Cosby
• Kia Abdullah (with a caveat about one outlier book)
• Lily Brooks Dalton (especially The Light Pirate)
• Liz Nugent (see below in book reviews)
• Rachel Harrison, Riley Sager (as completionists)

Hannah’s List

• Lynn Painter (YA romance)
• Abby Jimenez
• Celia Laskey
• Emily St. John Mandel (eager to finish her interconnected universe)
• Dolan Perkins-Valdez (just 2 books but both loved)

6. Book Reviews from Favorite Authors

Tina – We Spread by Iain Reid (37:48-41:16)

• Plot: Aging artist moves to an eerie care facility; reality blurs between aging and something sinister.
• Critical Take:
  • "I liked it fine... This was the least successful one for me personally." — Tina (41:02)
  • Heavy use of unreliable narration and dialogue; impactful on themes of aging and community.
• Rating: 3 stars; atmospheric but not a full recommendation.

Hannah – Wild Remembrance by Rebecca Ross (41:16-45:07)

• Plot: Fantasy prequel, goddess Matilda and river lord Vincent fight gods and fate.
• Highlights:
  • "Rebecca Ross makes war feel whimsical... Her sentences are just so lovely." — Hannah (44:16)
• Why It’s a Hit: Unique Disney-esque storytelling, well-developed gods, a romance worth rooting for.
• Recommendation: Highly recommends, especially for fans of immersive romantic fantasy/duologies.

Tina – Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent (45:34-50:10)

• Plot: Elegant children’s author has a dark secret, revealed through multiple perspectives after a brutal crime.
• Structure: Shocking opening, multi-POV, not a redemption arc but an exploration of evil and secrets.
• Critical Take:
  • "She just peeled the layers of this onion so incredibly well..." — Tina (48:04)
  • Initially DNF’d, but strongly recommends now (4.5–5 stars).

Hannah – People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young (50:26-54:34)

• Plot: Pru returns to her small town; deals with her mother’s early-onset Alzheimer’s and new romance with Milo.
• Pros: Bi love interest, realism in illness portrayal.
• Cons: Romance didn’t fully click, heavy subject matter not a personal fit at this time.
• Quote:
  • "It was definitely still hopeful and there was this romance... but it also was just very realistic and painful in so many parts." — Hannah (53:24)
• Rating: 3.5 stars; a “just not for me right now” read, still plans to return to the author.

7. Shelf Additions (To Be Read Picks)

Tina – Hush Little Fire by Judith Newcomb Stiles (54:59-57:29)

• Pitch: Cross-generational Cape Cod mystery with family secrets, arson, and criminal pasts.
• Why Picked: Author sent a signed copy (with chocolates!); the multi-generational, secret-driven narrative appeals.

Hannah – A Land So Wide by Erin A. Craig (57:29-59:45)

• Pitch: In the cursed, isolated town of Mistaken, you can never leave. Folklore-inspired with supernatural threats, mapmaking heroine, and Scottish mythos.
• Comp: Atmospheric vibes reminiscent of "The Village" movie.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On decluttering shelves as self-care:
  • "That's self care. That's how I'm spending my time." — Tina (03:16)
• On horror audiobooks:
  • "The audiobook narrator goes for it. It was incredible... enough to give you nightmares." — Tina (14:24)
• On what makes an author a favorite:
  • "I would need more data before I make that designation." — Tina (30:59)
• On the interconnectedness of favorite authors:
  • "I will continue to return to her." — Hannah, on Rebecca Ross (44:39)
• On disappointment but hope:
  • "It just didn't live up to her others for me personally. And that is People Watching by Hannah Bonham Young." — Hannah (53:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:34 – Podcast intro & shelf setup chat
• 04:33 – Loving Lately (Bookaroo Pen Pouch, Orzo Salad)
• 10:52 – The Exorcist review (Tina)
• 18:27 – This Is a Safe Space review (Hannah)
• 22:39 – What Makes a Favorite Author/Completionism
• 37:48 – We Spread by Iain Reid (Tina)
• 41:16 – Wild Remembrance by Rebecca Ross (Hannah)
• 45:34 – Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent (Tina)
• 50:26 – People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young (Hannah)
• 54:59 – Shelf Additions

Episode Tone & Language

Warm, conversational, and slightly irreverent — both hosts are honest about their tastes, quirks, and what moves a book or author from “just fine” to “favorite.” They bounce between lighthearted (favorite pen pouches, pasta salad) and reflective (narratives of aging, the ethics in thrillers, loss and illness in romance). Their banter and transparency about “DNF-ing” books and changing favorite author lists keeps the tone approachable and bookishly relatable.

For Listeners

This episode offers insights into why readers return to particular authors, how favorites are formed (or lost), and provides a candid look at the reading habits of two seasoned Goodreads users. If you’re searching for new-to-you authors or curious if it’s possible to ever “catch up” with your favorites, this is an episode to queue up.

Links to all books mentioned can be found in the show notes.