2024 IRWSR Awards

Summary

Podcast Summary: "I'll Read What She's Reading" Episode - 2024 IRWSR Awards

Release Date: December 18, 2024

Join Kennedy, Reggie, and Michaela as they celebrate the culmination of the 2024 literary year with their annual IRWSR (I'll Read What She’s Reading) Awards. This episode is a delightful journey through the trio’s favorite books, memorable moments, and candid discussions about their reading experiences over the past year. Whether you're a dedicated listener or new to the podcast, this comprehensive summary captures all the key points, insights, and heartfelt conclusions from their festive awards show.

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1. Favorite Book Club Book: "One Dark Window"

The episode kicks off with the revelation of the Favorite Book Club Book for 2024. Listeners had a plethora of choices, including titles like One Dark Window, The Seven Year Slip Bride, and The Unmaking of June Pharaoh. After careful consideration and listener votes, Reggie announces "One Dark Window" as the winner.

• Reggie [02:29]: "One Dark Window is The winner."
• Kennedy [02:30]: "Ooh, wow."
• Reggie [02:35]: "Second place goes to Heartless Hunter, followed by Reckless."

Both Kennedy and Reggie expressed their admiration for One Dark Window, highlighting its selection as their January pick and enthusiasm for future book club selections.

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2. Top Three Reads of the Year

Each host shares their personally top-rated books of the year, offering a diverse range of genres from fantasy to romance.

• Michaela [03:35]: "I'm doing four because I only rated four books five stars this year. They are "Manacled," "Daisy Hates the Great Undoing," "Morningstar," and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

• Reggie [04:14]: "My top three are "Into the Dark," "Love Morning Star," and "Love Manacled." I’m almost done with "Love Manacled," and it will definitely be in my top three."

• Kennedy [05:24]: "My current top three are "Morningstar," "Into the Dark," and "Just for the Summer." We’re pretty predictable with a mix of romance and fantasy."

Their selections reflect a balance of emotional depth and thrilling narratives, resonating with their varied tastes and the diverse preferences of their listeners.

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3. Most Disappointing Read of the Year

While celebrating favorites, the trio also candidly discusses the Most Disappointing Reads, sharing their experiences with highly anticipated but underwhelming books.

• Kennedy [06:11]: "I put 'Light Lark' just because it was so hyped up on TikTok, and it was just kind of like, oh, that's all it is."

• Michaela [06:20]: "I wish I would have skipped 'Heartless' by Marissa Meyer as well."

• Reggie [06:18]: "I was disappointed by 'House of Flame and Shadow.' It was still good, but not what I expected from the hype."

Their honest critiques provide valuable insights for listeners, cautioning against following trends without personal resonance.

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4. Spiciest Book of the Year

The Spiciest Book category ignites a passionate discussion about romance and intensity in literature.

• Kennedy [07:21]: "Powerless by Elsie Silver is the spiciest book for me."

• Michaela [07:21]: "I just put LC Silver." (Referring to Elsie Silver's works)

• Reggie [07:34]: "I was thinking about 'A Court of Silver Flames.' I'm trying to decide on a second spicy book but didn't want to use a reread."

They delve into their preferences for spicy content, balancing it with meaningful relationship development in their favorite reads.

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5. Books That Made Them Cry

Emotions run high as the hosts share the books that moved them to tears, highlighting the power of storytelling.

• Michaela [10:16]: "Manacled was the book that made me cry the most this year."

• Reggie [10:20]: "Same here, Manacled made me tear up."

• Kennedy [10:27]: "Mine was a toss-up between 'Into the Dark' by Magnolia Parks and 'Lightbringer' by Pierce Brown."

They discuss the profound connections formed with characters and narratives, emphasizing the emotional depth that great literature can achieve.

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6. Best Book Cover

Visual appeal takes center stage as the trio evaluates the most captivating book covers of the year.

• Reggie [13:22]: "When the Moon Hatched has the prettiest cover."

• Kennedy [14:00]: "Jessa Hastings' covers are stunning and whimsical."

• Michaela [14:44]: "I really like 'One Dark Window' for its unique design."

They appreciate artwork that not only attracts attention but also complements the essence of the story, discussing trends in cover design and the impact of special editions.

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7. Biggest Surprise of the Year

Unexpected delights highlight this category as the hosts reveal books that exceeded their expectations.

• Michaela [37:16]: "Chestnut Springs was a bigger surprise than I anticipated."

• Reggie [37:34]: "Dark Matter was a favorite that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did."

• Kennedy [39:40]: "Yellow Face by RF Kuang pleasantly surprised me with its insightful look into the publishing world."

These surprises underline the joy of discovering hidden gems and the unpredictable nature of great storytelling.

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8. Favorite Fantasy Book and Series

Fantasy enthusiasts revel in their top picks, celebrating expansive worlds and compelling characters.

• Kennedy [44:03]: "Red Rising is my favorite fantasy series, even though it leans more towards sci-fi."

• Michaela [44:12]: "I love 'Man of Cold' from the same series."

• Reggie [44:21]: "Red Rising series, even though I haven’t finished it yet, remains my top choice."

Their enthusiasm for the Red Rising series highlights its enduring appeal and intricate world-building.

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9. Favorite Romance Book

Romance readers share their most cherished love stories, reflecting on both heartwarming and tear-jerking narratives.

• Kennedy [45:20]: "Just for the Summer" and "Yours Truly" by Abby Jimenez are my favorites."

• Reggie [45:29]: "Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez made me cry a lot and is one of my favorites."

• Michaela [45:22]: "Just for the Summer is my favorite romance book."

Their selections showcase the blend of romance and personal growth that resonates deeply with them and their listeners.

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10. Favorite Thriller Audiobook

The trio delves into the adrenaline-pumping world of thrillers, highlighting standout audiobooks.

• Kennedy [46:11]: "Naturals is my pick for the favorite thriller audiobook."

• Reggie [46:17]: "I'll also mention 'Look Closer' by David Ellis for its gripping narration."

• Michaela [46:36]: "Naturals is my favorite thriller audiobook as well."

The engaging narrations and suspenseful plots make these audiobooks favorites among the hosts.

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11. Longest Audiobook

Discussing endurance in listening, the hosts reveal the longest audiobooks they've tackled this year.

• Reggie [46:48]: "'Heat of the Ever Flame' at 34 hours and 29 minutes is my longest audiobook."

• Michaela [47:52]: "'Binding 13' is 33 hours and part of the same series."

• Kennedy [47:39]: "I wish 'Heat of the Ever Flame' was shorter; it's too long for my taste."

They share their strategies for managing lengthy audiobooks and the challenges associated with them.

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12. Favorite Audiobook

Celebrating the art of narration, the trio nominates their favorite audiobooks based on performance and storytelling.

• Kennedy [32:14]: "'Butcher and Blackbird' stood out for its excellent narration and unique dark rom-com storyline."

• Reggie [34:22]: "'Look Closer' by David Ellis, narrated by Sam Claflin, brought the story to life with profound emotion."

• Michaela [35:30]: "Magnolia Parks' books are highly recommended for their engaging voice acting and diverse character perspectives."

Their favorites highlight the significant role narrators play in enhancing the listening experience.

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13. Favorite Podcast Episode

Reflecting on memorable moments, the hosts choose their favorite episodes from the year.

• Kennedy [48:16]: "Interview episodes with Mercedes, Heather, Sarah, Lauren, and Carissa are my favorites."

• Michaela [49:28]: "The episode where we got roasted by our followers was incredibly fun and memorable."

• Reggie [49:51]: "I loved the 'smash your past, part two' episode for its entertaining and relatable content."

They appreciate episodes that foster engagement and showcase their personalities, strengthening the podcast's community feel.

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14. Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

As the episode concludes, Kennedy, Reggie, and Michaela express their gratitude to listeners for their support throughout 2024. They share excitement for upcoming plans in 2025, including new book selections and engaging discussions.

• Kennedy [51:32]: "If you're listening to this, the episode came out on December 18th. Run to AO3, download 'Manacold,' and dive in before it's gone."

• Reggie [51:29]: "It's 2025 now! Thank you so much for your support this year. We have fun plans ahead and lots of great books to read."

They wish everyone a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year, promising continued literary adventures in the episodes to come.

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Notable Quotes:

• Kennedy [10:43]: "Books will do that to you."
• Reggie [07:34]: "I don't have time to read books that are just all about spice."
• Michaela [35:30]: "Magnolia Parks' books are highly recommended for their engaging voice acting and diverse character perspectives."
• Kennedy [39:40]: "Yellow Face by RF Kuang pleasantly surprised me with its insightful look into the publishing world."

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This episode of "I'll Read What She's Reading" offers both celebration and reflection, providing listeners with honest opinions, heartfelt recommendations, and a glimpse into the hosts' literary passions. Whether you're seeking your next great read or simply enjoy engaging book discussions, the 2024 IRWSR Awards episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and camaraderie.

Transcript

[Kennedy]

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[Michaela]

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[Reggie]

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[Kennedy]

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[Michaela]

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[Reggie]

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[Kennedy]

Hi, guys. Welcome back to. I'll read what she's reading. I'm Kennedy.

[Reggie]

I'm Reggie.

[Michaela]

I'm Michaela.

[Kennedy]

And today is our yearly IRWSR awards for 2024. For 2024. And with that, the 2024 season has come to an end.

[Michaela]

Good night.

[Kennedy]

Good night.

[Reggie]

If you missed our episode last year, we did the same thing where we basically have a bunch of different categories and we're going to be giving awards out to specific books, specific characters and stuff. And we also got your feedback on your favorite book club book from this year, this past year. All right, I'm gonna have you guys guess what you thought the best book club book was according to our book club members.

[Kennedy]

Pull up that list. Yeah, maybe list them all out.

[Michaela]

One Dark Window. The Seven Year Slip Bride. The reappearance of Rachel Price. Funny Story. Heartless Hunter. Reckless. A Novel. Love Story. When the Moon Hatched. Hidden picture pictures. Excuse me. The Unmaking of June Pharaoh. The most wonderful crime of the year. I'm assuming people aren't going to add the most wonderful crime of the year. Yeah, I'm honestly going to say One Dark Window of Funny Story.

[Kennedy]

I'm going to say One Dark Window.

[Reggie]

One Dark Window is The winner.

[Kennedy]

Ooh, wow.

[Reggie]

33% of you was second place.

[Kennedy]

Maybe give us the top three.

[Reggie]

Okay. Second place. Heartless hunter.

[Michaela]

Oh, okay.

[Reggie]

Followed by Reckless.

[Kennedy]

Oh. Oh.

[Reggie]

Fantasy.

[Kennedy]

Love that.

[Michaela]

Really good to know.

[Kennedy]

Which. Which what was your guys's favorite book club book for the year. Mine was One Dark Window.

[Reggie]

Yeah, mine was too.

[Kennedy]

Which. That was our January pick, wasn't it?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

How are we gonna beat it this year?

[Reggie]

Woohoo. I'm excited.

[Kennedy]

I'm excited. 20.

[Reggie]

See what you guys, we pick for next year. There's so many good books.

[Kennedy]

So many good books. So many good books.

[Reggie]

All right, what do we want to start with first? Do we want to start off strong with our top three reads of the year? Do we want to close with that?

[Kennedy]

We can do our top three reads and no particular.

[Reggie]

Are yours in a particular order? Because mine are not.

[Kennedy]

Mine are not.

[Michaela]

Mine are also not.

[Reggie]

I guess I could maybe put mine in order.

[Kennedy]

Let's go, Michaela. Sure. Are you going to share all three or should we share one at a time? Let's do all three.

[Michaela]

Okay. I'm cheating. I'm doing four.

[Kennedy]

Oh.

[Michaela]

Because I only rated four books five stars this year.

[Kennedy]

Dang.

[Michaela]

So I just decided that I'm gonna do four.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Michaela's a tough critic.

[Michaela]

I. I am Manacled. Daisy hates the Great Undoing Morningstar, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

[Reggie]

Solid thing. I want to do four now.

[Kennedy]

You can do four.

[Reggie]

It's okay. I don't actually know how many five star reads I've had.

[Kennedy]

I was trying to look.

[Reggie]

I think I'm so. I had a lot of. I read so many good books this year, but I will share my top three.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Reggie]

Into the Dark, Love, Morning Star, Love, Manacled.

[Michaela]

You haven't even finished it.

[Reggie]

I haven't finished it, you guys, but I promise you it will be in my top three books. I'm almost done. Okay. I feel like that counts. By the time this episode's out, I will have finished it. Okay. You can go check my Goodreads if it will let me put a review. I know it's been kind of weird.

[Michaela]

It's been weird for me, but I don't know if it'll be weird for you.

[Reggie]

Maybe Mikayla thinks I might regret that. I don't know. But it is in my top three.

[Michaela]

So I don't think you will, but.

[Reggie]

It'S just funny that you haven't finished it. And I'm like, it's in my top three books read, but I'm only 84% of the way through.

[Kennedy]

We also need to say that we are record. So we were. We batch record episodes if you guys didn't know this. And we're recording this on December 9th, so we do have an entire month Basically an entire month left of reading. So this list may potentially be a little bit different, but as of right now, this is what our favorites and whatever are. Yeah.

[Reggie]

If anything changes, we'll give ourselves permission to change it when we do. Like a post about it.

[Kennedy]

Maybe. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Because I'm starting Manacled today, and who knows? Maybe that will be in my top three. I don't know. Haven't started it. My top three right now are Morningstar, into the Dark, and Just for the summer. We're pretty predictable. I mean, if you guys listen to the podcast regularly, I feel like it shouldn't be a surprise. Yeah, it shouldn't be a surprise.

[Reggie]

Yeah. So all great books that we all.

[Kennedy]

Said, so very well rounded. We got a little bit of romance, we got a little bit of fantasy, and that's it.

[Michaela]

And that's all.

[Kennedy]

And that's all she's got. Okay, Are we moving on to our most disappointing read for the year?

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Michaela]

Are we gonna all say the same book?

[Kennedy]

I don't know. I don't think so.

[Michaela]

You don't think so.

[Reggie]

Okay, then what is yours?

[Kennedy]

Me? Yeah. Oh, wait, no, I'm worried. I put, like, Light Lark by Alex Aster.

[Michaela]

Oh.

[Reggie]

Oh, okay.

[Kennedy]

What did you guys put?

[Michaela]

House of Flame and Shadow.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I was trying to decide between House of Flame and Shadow or Caraval, but, like, I wasn't insanely, like, surprised that I didn't love Caraval as much. I mean, I was disappointed. I was a little surprised that I didn't like it as much, but at the same time, I wasn't. House of Flame and Shadow was just, like.

[Michaela]

It still was good.

[Reggie]

It was still very good, but, like, I was just. For how much I anticipated that book.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

To be let down as much as I did with the hype. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. So if I'm being honest, it feels like a lifetime since I read that book. I kind of forgot I read it this year.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I know. It was in January.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I forgot.

[Michaela]

I was like, oh, we read that this year. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Still a good book. Yeah. But, yeah, it was disappointing. I think I put Light Lark just because it was so hyped up on Tick Tock, and then it was just kind of like, oh, that's all it is. Yeah. And I recently read that, so I feel like it's fresh on the brain.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Next category, the award for spiciest book.

[Kennedy]

I can go first. It came into my brain immediately. Powerless by Elsie Silver.

[Michaela]

Yeah, same.

[Kennedy]

It's really. That's what you put.

[Michaela]

I just Put LC Silver.

[Kennedy]

She's pretty spicy. Yeah. Yeah.

[Reggie]

I was having a really hard time trying to think of what. Okay, what book was the spiciest that I've read and the only one I could think of was my reread of A Court of Silver Flames. I wish I could. I'm trying to think of all the other books I read. Like, which one would maybe be, like, the second spiciest? I didn't want to use my rereads as a option, but I don't feel.

[Kennedy]

Like you read a lot of. Like, I really don't feel like you read a lot of spicy books. Like, you also don't read a ton of romance.

[Reggie]

I. Well, here's the thing. I mean, I read a lot of romance books this year, but none of them were, like, anything. Like, super spicy, I guess I should say.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, like, spicy.

[Reggie]

And all of the fantasy books I read and romance books that I read that have spice in them, I feel like they were all, like, at the same level to me. So, like, some people are gonna be like, wow, cornerstone. Like, that was mine for last year, too. Okay. No, it wasn't. Maybe it was. There was a Tessa Bailey book I got last year. I can't remember, but, yeah, I'm, like, scrolling through all the books I read this year, and I'm like, I don't know which one was, like, I could say is, like, a second Iron flame. Yeah, Iron flame. Yeah. Maybe.

[Kennedy]

I can't remember, actually, but even then, I feel like it's pretty on par with, like, some romance books.

[Reggie]

Like, yeah, just, like, scrolling through here. I'm like, I don't know. So I didn't want to have to use another, like, a reread book that I reread.

[Kennedy]

But it's okay.

[Reggie]

That's the only one that's coming to mind.

[Kennedy]

You are speaking your truth.

[Reggie]

So I just don't have time to read books that are just all about spice. Okay. I just don't care too much.

[Kennedy]

Here's the thing about Elsie Silver's books. They are extremely spicy. But, like, maybe Michaela disagrees. But the core of their relationships is really sweet. Like. Oh, yeah. Do you know what I mean? That's what keeps me re. Reading her books.

[Reggie]

Yeah. And I'm definitely gonna read them.

[Michaela]

Well, and the thing is, you could definitely skip the spices.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Spicy parts. And it's not necessary.

[Reggie]

I don't mind me some spice. I really don't. It's just. I feel like I've. What?

[Kennedy]

Just wait till you get to powerless.

[Reggie]

We'll See, I mean, it's on my winter tbr, so I might read it before the year is done. And in that case, maybe. Would you say it's spicier than Quarter Silver Flames? Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Okay, I'm gonna strap my seatbelt in and I'm gonna buckle up.

[Kennedy]

She's along for the ride. Literally.

[Michaela]

That was a good one, Kennedy.

[Reggie]

Thank you, knee slapper.

[Kennedy]

Okay, the book that made us cry the most. Mikayla, what book got your tears this year?

[Michaela]

I feel like the answer is going to be the same as Reggie's, but manacled.

[Kennedy]

Oh, Reggie.

[Reggie]

Not me wanting to cry, just saying. Manacled. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Mine was a toss up between two books, and I cried for very different reasons in them. One is into the Dark by Magnolia Parks. Whoa. By Jessa Hastings. Geez. And then the other one is Lightbringer by Pierce Brown.

[Reggie]

They're, like, the same amount of crying is what you'd say.

[Kennedy]

Yes and no. I feel like I cried a lot. I don't know. I think I cried more reading Lightbringer probably. I don't know. They were pretty equal. That's why I put them both. But once again, I cried for, like, completely different reasons.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. If that makes sense. And I was, like, emotional for completely different reasons.

[Reggie]

Books will do that to you, so I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. I don't know.

[Michaela]

I don't know what my second would be. It honestly might be into the Dark.

[Kennedy]

Here's the thing. I cry in everything, so I could probably list every book I read, because I probably. I cried in jest for the summer. I cried in Iron Flame. I just cry in every book. There's any ounce of emotional damage, I'm immediately, like, snotty.

[Reggie]

So, yeah, I'd probably say finish. Oh, man. Yeah. I've cried a lot with a lot of books this year. Love it.

[Kennedy]

I love. Honestly, it's just. We've said this before, but it's genuinely so cool how authors can take these imaginary people and just make you feel quite large feelings for them.

[Michaela]

I'm gonna start for this next year, start keeping track of the books that make me cry. Like, keep a towel. Even if it's just like, a really simple. Maybe even writing down, like, the scene.

[Reggie]

Well, yeah. Like those book journals we got.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. There you go.

[Reggie]

Like, in the moment. Yeah.

[Michaela]

I love crying.

[Kennedy]

Me, too. I really do. I really, genuinely do. Like, yeah, that's kind of sadistic of me to say. I love it. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Like, it's always the best, too. When my Husband sees me crying about a book. Like, I was laying in bed the other night. I was reading A Man of Cold, and I was just like. And he couldn't see that I was reading my book, and he was like, oh, my gosh. And then he saw that I was reading my book, and he was just like, oh, you're fine.

[Kennedy]

Like, Kyle makes fun of me.

[Reggie]

It's just.

[Michaela]

I'll be in the other room crying. Cole's like, michaela, are you okay? Yeah. But the thing is, I. I like it because it doesn't happen to me very often, so you really know it's a tear jerker when it does happen. Also, you know, my cycle also really plays a part.

[Kennedy]

It truly does. It really, really does. It does.

[Michaela]

Love the hormones and all the fun stuff.

[Kennedy]

Love, yeah.

[Michaela]

All right, the next one. The best book cover. I'm really interested to see what you guys will say.

[Kennedy]

Who wants to go first?

[Reggie]

Reggie. I'll go first. I'm trying to decide if I still feel this way about it. I'm gonna go with when the Moon Hatched.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Oh, that's a. It is a pretty cover, especially in person. Like, doesn't it have kind of, like, reflective?

[Reggie]

Yeah, I just think it's really pretty. And, like, I. The. The more I look at it, I'm like, this is kind of cool, cuz, like, I didn't realize at first, like, that's like a dragon. Okay. You got, like, the castle right here. Got the, like, icy water. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Love it.

[Reggie]

I think it's cool.

[Kennedy]

It is really cool. It is cool.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

What did you guys put you next?

[Kennedy]

Me?

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I did never buy Jessa Hastings.

[Michaela]

Oh.

[Kennedy]

And that's the second year in a row that Jessa Hastings has taken best book cover from me. And I just have to say, I think these two already know this because I've said this to them before, but if you're listening and you don't know this, Jessa's best friend does all of her cover art, and I just think that is the most wholesome, sweet thing on planet Earth, and she's an incredibly talented artist. I think all of Jessa Hastings book covers are stunning and never just, like, fits the book so well. It's whimsical. It's. The colors are beautiful. The art is just really pretty. So never by Jessa Hastings for me.

[Michaela]

Love mine's one dark window.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah, that one's a good one.

[Reggie]

That is a good one.

[Kennedy]

Barnes and Noble special edition, too. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I Don't know, I just really like that one. I think to me that one seems very unique comparatively to.

[Reggie]

It's not the same one that's on Goodreads, the Barnes and Noble Special Edition.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, no, well, I mean it is, but it has a whole bunch of gold foiling on it. But you're just talking about the regular one.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I'm just talking about the regular one. Yeah. Because I feel like there's a lot of book covers that start to look the same and so I just liked how it was just different.

[Kennedy]

Well, did you guys know this? That once again, all of my information comes from Tick Tock. So I'm sorry if this is inaccurate, but someone was saying that if there's a really successful book release, for example, that this happened with Throne of Glass. This also happened with Inheritance Games. If there's a really popular book, sometimes publishers will re release other books to have covers that look similar to entice readers to pick up the book because it looks similar to a popular title.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So maybe that's partly the reason why things start to look the same. But also I like books when it's not like the title of the book isn't the main focus of the color cover.

[Michaela]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

You know, but honestly, you can't, you can't really count special editions of books as the best book cover. Cuz like all the special editions are stunning. Yeah, I've never seen. Well, that's not true. I was going to say I've never seen a special edition I didn't like, but that's, that's false. Anyway, all three very, very great covers and all three technically like fantasy is books.

[Michaela]

Yeah, they're fun. I, yeah, I don't know. I, I, I get the signs. Like mentally, if you're like looking for a certain book and there's a book that looks similar, it's going to draw your attention. But I think it's, I would rather have books stand out more than look like similar to another book. Like that one book that looks similar to the redesign of the Throne of Glass covers. I'm like, it's literally the same thing, just a little different cover colors.

[Kennedy]

Which is funny because I actually have never like I've seen it in a bookstore, but I've never picked it up to read the back of the book because I'm like, oh, that just looks like Throne of Glass. It turns me away when it looks the same, but publishers do that for some reason. Okay, our next award. Wish I would have skipped it.

[Reggie]

I'll go first.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Reggie]

Mistakes We Never Made by Hannah Brown.

[Kennedy]

Oh. Oh, so sorry.

[Reggie]

I love Hannah Brown as a human. You know, she's great. Her book, however. I knew I should have DNF'd it the second I started it, but for some reason, I was just really giving her a chance. And I, like, cannot believe I actually finished that book. When I sit back and think about it, it was a little bit painful to read. I'm not. I'm not gonna lie.

[Kennedy]

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

[Michaela]

That's okay.

[Reggie]

There's just some people that recommend the authors.

[Kennedy]

Well, it's almost like I. I mean, maybe not. I would have rather have read a. Like, an autobiography of Hannah Brown's.

[Reggie]

I'm, like, really proud of her for, like, having this idea for a book and, like, going out and writing it. Like, that's something she's always wanted to do. Like, way to be a girl. I'm really proud of you. It just was. It just was not great. It just.

[Kennedy]

It.

[Reggie]

Yeah. And I'm sure there's people out there that really enjoyed it, but. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And also, it would be hard to be a celebrity writing a book, because since she is a celebrity, it's almost guaranteed to be a success in a sense, because people are going to read it because of her name.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But think about a lot of authors who. Their first books don't get picked up because they're not famous. And maybe, you know, they take that book and they adapt it and change it and make it better to be picked up. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah. So. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Oh, you want me to go first?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, before you.

[Michaela]

I can't say it.

[Kennedy]

Oh, no.

[Michaela]

Just kidding.

[Kennedy]

This was.

[Michaela]

It was a joke one. I put the book and then I said jk.

[Kennedy]

Oh, no, I was gonna say the Ugly.

[Reggie]

Oh, you can say that. Michaela. I'm not gonna be offended. I still feel bad about that.

[Michaela]

Like, I was going to read them. They're just.

[Kennedy]

You only read the first one, right?

[Michaela]

No, I read the first three.

[Reggie]

Oh, you did that?

[Michaela]

Well, I bought them, so just. But that's actually a joke. That's not like, the one that I. I wish I would have skipped Heartless by Marissa Meyer.

[Kennedy]

Honestly.

[Michaela]

Same.

[Kennedy]

But that wasn't my book. Did you listen to that? Yeah, I think listening to it ruined it.

[Michaela]

No, I Honestly just the premise in general is, I think, dumb.

[Kennedy]

I just did not like that book.

[Michaela]

I don't. Well, I'm also not a fan of, like, Alice in Wonderland, like, Queen of Hearts.

[Kennedy]

It's like a Queen of Hearts retelling.

[Michaela]

I'm just like. That's never been. Like, I don't even think I've seen the movie. Like, I know what it is.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

But like, that's never been something that I'm like, obsessed with because I know there's some people I like, love Queen of Hearts and stuff like that. Honestly, I just. I just wasn't a fan of it.

[Kennedy]

I didn't really love it either, but mine is. This is how you lose the time war by Amal El Motar. I'm sorry. I probably butchered the author's name. I think it was like a five hour listen. And I listened on two times speed. So it only took me two and a half hours. And it was really painful. I am not smart enough for that book. That's basically what it is. It was. It's a very intelligent book and it's very symbolic and it just flew right over my head, if I'm being honest. So, yeah, not. Not my favorite. Kind of like Michaela. I had bought the book and so I listened to it all the way through because I had bought the book and it was not for me. I'm not smart enough for that book. My apologies.

[Michaela]

I need to be better at not buying books before I, like, listen to them or.

[Kennedy]

But it's hard because I do like to go into books blind for the most part. But then when you go into books blind, you don't really know what they're about. And then you buy them and then you have this book and you feel guilty that you've spent money on it and you feel like you should finish it. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, I agree. It's okay. It's okay.

[Reggie]

All right, now I have a suggestion for this next one. Can we do. This is for best book boyfriend.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Michaela]

Okay. I actually couldn't decide.

[Reggie]

Can we do a fantasy man and a. Not like a romance man?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, sure.

[Reggie]

Because I just feel like the fantasy men, like, always win for the most part. And I feel like we. Since they always win, we don't give enough love to the men in, like, romance books because they get a little foreshadowed by the. The fantasy man.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I'm gonna just assume that you guys put down a fantasy person.

[Kennedy]

I did.

[Reggie]

Did you?

[Kennedy]

I did.

[Reggie]

The problem is I'm having a really hard time deciding which romance man. And, you know, I just didn't even.

[Michaela]

Give them a. I think I'm.

[Reggie]

If you guys don't want to pick one, we don't have To.

[Kennedy]

I mean, I can.

[Reggie]

You had one.

[Kennedy]

I can. I would say. I think I'm gonna go with Justin from Just Friends. Just for the Summer, I think is what I'm gonna go with because. Okay. Sometimes I get him and Miles confused. Actually, from Funny Story, Justin is Acts of Service.

[Michaela]

Right?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Yeah. Justin. Justin from Just for the Summer is Mine.

[Reggie]

You know, I was thinking Justin, but the more I've been thinking about it, I think mine might be Adrian from Life's Too Short.

[Kennedy]

I do love Adrian. It's the baby that got you.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

The baby that got you.

[Reggie]

Well, think about it. In the very first part of the book, he just, like. Yeah, he just is going to, like, take care of this baby. Yeah. I don't know. It's the baby thing, I guess. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Maybe I would change my mind.

[Michaela]

Oh, wait.

[Kennedy]

Maybe I'm changing my mind. Maybe I do. Theo. That's what mine's gonna be. Theo, I need you to read Reggie. I need you to read Chestnut Springs because I think there are two. Two men that you are absolutely going to love.

[Reggie]

I. I'm so excited.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Theo's my.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, Theo is something else. Yeah. You know what? I think I'm gonna go with Theo. I changed my mind.

[Michaela]

And don't get me wrong, I love all of Abby, Jimene, Emily, Henry's men. For some reason, Theo just sticks out to me. Like, I have a hard time distinguishing all of the men.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

From, like, I love the stories. I love the men in them. They're great. But he just, like, I will for remember him.

[Kennedy]

I would also. Okay. I think it might be tie actually between Jasper and Theo. Theo just because Theo is Theo, but Jasper because he reminds me of my husband. You gotta read Chestnut Springs. Here's the thing.

[Reggie]

My winter tbr.

[Kennedy]

I just think that Elsie Silver writes these like, men so wonderfully. And sometimes it makes me sad that there's so much spice. And I know people love spice. Whatever. But, like, if she would just take some of those chapters to really focus on the couple and the relationship, I think she would be one of my favorite romance authors. The spice just kind of ruins it a little for me. Like, if you took Abby Jimenez's spice level and put them in Chestnut Springs, I think that genuinely might be my favorite romance series.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. There's just something about. Something about. I'm looking for something about a cowboy that can change your oil. Okay. All right. I'm going to be done with that joke. Okay.

[Michaela]

Wear cowboy boots.

[Reggie]

That's like the joke of 2024. Best inside joke from. All right.

[Kennedy]

The changer oil.

[Reggie]

The changer oil. Cowboy with shorts and boots and a cut off.

[Kennedy]

But we got to do our fantasy boyfriends.

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

Michaela, I'm gonna make you go first. No. Do you have yours?

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Well, then you go first. I can't decide between two. Okay, now this is kind of not an out of pocket thing, but for some reason, it's probably because I'm listening to these books right now, but I just cannot get this person out of my brain. I don't know what it is about them.

[Reggie]

Oh, what are you listening to? Oh, Zodiac account.

[Kennedy]

Yes, I know you guys. I know Lance Orion. I don't know. I don't even know who it is. I don't know. Also, let me just show you guys the fan art for him. Okay? There's something about. I don't know. I don't know. No, he's, he's, he. I don't know.

[Michaela]

That just, like, really.

[Kennedy]

I told you.

[Michaela]

Was out of pocket. Kennedy, I'm concerned. Just kidding.

[Kennedy]

Come on. Come on.

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

Oh, he's.

[Michaela]

He. Oh, yeah, yeah, he.

[Kennedy]

I think.

[Reggie]

I thought this was a book about teenagers.

[Kennedy]

No, they're in college.

[Reggie]

In college.

[Kennedy]

I. Oh, boy.

[Michaela]

Well, he's not in college.

[Kennedy]

He's not in college. I don't know if it's like, I don't think this is too much of a spoiler, but you let me know if you think it is, okay?

[Reggie]

I'm not.

[Kennedy]

There's something. I know, but the listeners.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

There's just something about, like, the forbidden love. Like, I don't know what it is.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. He's just been on my mind.

[Michaela]

I, you know, I, I, I see it.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. I see it. I don't know. That was very.

[Michaela]

I told you it was out of pocket. Actually, you know what? I can't really say anything. I can't say anything.

[Reggie]

I want to know who yours is now, Mikayla.

[Kennedy]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

I, I'm between two.

[Kennedy]

Let's hear them.

[Michaela]

I feel like this is obvious Draco, but specifically manacled, so I really don't have any room to talk. And then my other one, I feel like will surprise you guys. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

Honestly, the thing is, from the fantasy books that I've read this year, a lot of men, they've been great, but have been forgettable.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Ruhn Dannon, Prince of The reason being, I fell in love with him in the third book.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

I don't know. Honestly, I can't. I couldn't remember any fantasy men.

[Reggie]

I was gonna say Kai.

[Michaela]

That's a good one.

[Kennedy]

Kai's perfect.

[Michaela]

I think I just said him for last year.

[Kennedy]

I think I might have said him last year as well.

[Reggie]

I might have to. Draco Malfoy, man. I don't know.

[Michaela]

Specifically Manacled.

[Kennedy]

No.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Not Harry Potter.

[Reggie]

I just feel like I don't want to pick Draco because I haven't finished the book.

[Kennedy]

I can't have all my hands be manacled.

[Reggie]

Be manacled. Because that sounds so ridiculous. But, like, I'm genuinely.

[Kennedy]

I can't wait to start this book.

[Reggie]

I try so hard to not, like, say anything, but, guys, it's.

[Michaela]

The thing is, I understand it. I understand it. Reggie, you can't cry. No crying.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

I don't even think I'm just crying. Okay, let's see. Okay, hold on. By the time this episode launches or by the time this episode releases. 2 seconds. When does this release, guys?

[Michaela]

I don't know. I think it's December something.

[Reggie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Michaela]

Hold on, because I got something to say. Where is it?

[Kennedy]

Where. Okay, by the time is it. Where is it? Okay, when this episode is launching, this is coming out. When you're listening to this. If you're listening to this, the day it comes out, comes out December 18th. Run to AO3, download Manacold and read it, because come January 1st, it's gone. It's gone. It's being traditionally published, but it's gonna be. I. I don't know how she's. She's gotta change stuff.

[Reggie]

So I have to take a picture. Because I've been trying to take a.

[Kennedy]

Picture every time she cries.

[Michaela]

Smiling.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Oh, you guys, when I tell. We can't talk about it.

[Kennedy]

Okay. The last. The last thing I'll say about the book. Boyburn things fantasy. I would probably choose somebody else.

[Michaela]

Just on your mind.

[Kennedy]

Well, I just can't say who my other pick would be.

[Reggie]

Oh.

[Michaela]

In Red Rising.

[Kennedy]

Yes. So I'm just gonna.

[Reggie]

Oh, I. I apologize. I apologize for any wheezing or sniffing.

[Michaela]

Honestly, I forgot about, like, One Dark Window.

[Kennedy]

But they're like. Not. Not that they're forgettable, but also, like, Rune Danon is a better pick.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Well, I think a lot of men in a lot of fantasy books really just are a lot of. They're very similar a lot of the time. Like, I'm gonna try to not say too much, but I will Say that, like, I went through a phase a few weeks ago where I was just like, I'm so over, Like, Enemies to Lovers. I'm so over some of these, like, fantasy men. Because, like, there was one book I was reading, and I was just like, I just feel like. I don't know. There's just been so many times this year where I've read a book, and I'm kind of like I'm eating this up because I know I like this. But at the same time, I'm like, it's not giving anything different from what I've read before in a way. Like, sometimes they all just kind of start to blend together, which doesn't mean that they aren't great, like, characters or men or whatever. But I think sometimes it's like, women who write books know what women want to read, and so we. Therefore, we kind of see a lot of it. And I'm kind of like, this next year, I wanna. I love Enemies to Lovers. Don't get me wrong. And that's still, like, a fave. But I'm like, I want someone to really surprise me with characters this year. Give me something with a little more depth or. I don't know. I just.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I will say Draco is number one for me. Then Ruhn. I don't know. I just feel like Ruhn is a different character.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Than, like, there's a lot to him.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Especially after this third book, I was like, yeah. Anyways, I don't know. Yeah, I. I agree that they all kind of start to mesh into this singular being, and it's hard to stand out. I want. I want a character that stands out and that. Like. Like Orion.

[Kennedy]

You're welcome.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

After this episode, I'll tell you who I'm obsessed with.

[Kennedy]

I'd. Me.

[Michaela]

What? I said, after this episode. I'll tell you who I'm obsessed with.

[Reggie]

From Zodiac Academy.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I'd let him sink his teeth into me anytime. So.

[Reggie]

Best audiobook.

[Kennedy]

Oh, all right. This one also is kind of out of pocket for me, but I was thinking about, like, I'm not including graphic audios, because graphic audios are great. I don't know. I just didn't want to include graphic audios because I don't feel like that's fair. I chose Butcher and Blackbird, which is kind of surprising. I just. It was very well produced. I loved the voice actors. I also love when audiobooks have the dialogue from. So if it's at the point of view of the female main character, but the Male's dialogue is in the male narrator's voice. You know what I'm talking about. I love when they do that. It feels a little bit more like a production, but not quite graphic audio style.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I also just really enjoyed the book in general. It came out of nowhere for me because it's a dark rom com and it's the only dark rom com I've actually liked. It was just fun. So I'm gonna go with that.

[Reggie]

I'm having a hard time deciding. My first thought was Project Hail Mary because there's just, like, a certain element to it that makes it really fun. But would I say it was, like, the best listening experience I've had? I don't really know. I think the book, I might say it's not even one of my favorite books this year, but the voice actor just really did something. The Glitch by Leanne Slade. It's narrated by Sam Claflin. And he was so good because there was just so, so much emotion in his voice. And I also feel like. So I've listened to all of Abby Jimenez's books, and I was gonna even say an Abby Jimenez book, because her narrators for her books are so good, but they all kind of sound the same because a lot of them are the same narrator. There was just something about the way Sam Claflin narrated this book that, like, it made me love the story more because of the emotion that he put into the character while he was narrating the book.

[Kennedy]

Well, that one's an audiobook only book, right?

[Reggie]

Yeah, it is an audiobook only book.

[Kennedy]

And it's free on Audible. If you pay for Audible.

[Reggie]

Yeah. So I've been really necessarily my favorite read or, like, listen, but I think overall, like, audiobook. I don't know. I'm just going with that one because of Sam Claflin.

[Kennedy]

He was great, but also, like, the fact that he did do a good job, like, audio is obviously a completely different experience. And you probably wouldn't have liked it as much had you read it, even though you can't read it because it's audio only. And that's, I feel like a good example of, like, best audiobook, like, you know.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I just feel like audiobook narrators definitely are actors, you know, you. I would consider them an actor, but I don't know. Yeah, it was. There's something about Sam Claflin. Listen to the little snippet of it, if you are interested. It's a cool story, too. It's got Some, like, magic realism to it.

[Kennedy]

So.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's fun.

[Michaela]

Yeah. When you were talking about it, it sounds really fun. I'm just gonna be basic and say, the Magnolia Parks books.

[Reggie]

Why did I think of that?

[Michaela]

I think I did.

[Reggie]

That would make me change my mind, actually. Why did I totally forget? Well, I only cut everything out. I just.

[Michaela]

Gray Undoing and Into the Dark. Those are the only two books I listen.

[Reggie]

Oh, I listen to all year.

[Michaela]

Well, this year, like, of the Magnolia Parks books.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Because I started it in 2023.

[Reggie]

Oh, did I? I don't know when I did. I'd probably say into the Dark is my favorite.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Everything I just said, forget it. Into the Dark Winds.

[Michaela]

Yeah. They're just really fun because of the accents and the different. In the entire series total, there's five different point of views, and they all have different voice, like, characters, voice actors for them. And so it just makes it really a really fun experience. And they're from all over the place in Europe, and so they have a little bit of, like, different. I don't know, what is it? Like.

[Kennedy]

Like an accent, depending on where they're from in the uk, Dialects and whatever.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

So they're just really fun. I always highly suggest people listening to those books.

[Reggie]

Same.

[Kennedy]

I didn't listen to any part of Magnolia Parks, and eventually I'm going to reread them and maybe I'll do a little bit of both.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But a part of me wants to reread them so I can highlight stuff.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So I kind of wish I would have listened to part of it. I listened to maybe. Actually, I think one Christian chapter. And it was great. It was great.

[Michaela]

Yeah. All right, next. Next one is the biggest surprise.

[Kennedy]

Can I go last? I think I'm gonna change mine. Sure.

[Michaela]

I can go.

[Kennedy]

Okay. You go first.

[Michaela]

The biggest surprise for me was actually Chestnut Springs.

[Kennedy]

Oh. How so?

[Michaela]

I, like.

[Kennedy]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

I just really, actually enjoyed them a lot more than I thought. Like, I would, like. I was really sad to, like, read the last book.

[Kennedy]

I heard a rumor, and this is a rumor. Saw it on Tik Tok, so it's probably false.

[Reggie]

She's.

[Kennedy]

She's considering doing a Harvey book. I don't want it.

[Michaela]

I don't want.

[Kennedy]

Some people want it. It's their dad.

[Michaela]

I don't want it.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Michaela]

I don't. I don't want it.

[Kennedy]

I mean, he's funny.

[Michaela]

I. He's funny, but I don't want that.

[Kennedy]

I love his heart. To Hearts. But I don't really want a book from him anyways. Sorry.

[Michaela]

It's not like I want more.

[Kennedy]

Right.

[Michaela]

But it was just kind of like, oh, like, you don't get to see those characters again unless you reread them.

[Kennedy]

But, yeah. Yeah.

[Michaela]

I feel like that was just, like, a big surprise for me. And it wasn't like, my favorite books of all this year, but, like, they genuinely were just so fun. And once again, I'm also a big sucker of romance books that interconnect.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Michaela]

In the R series.

[Kennedy]

So.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Nice.

[Reggie]

I'm gonna say Dark Matter.

[Kennedy]

Wait, you read Dark Matter this year?

[Reggie]

Yes, I did. It was in May.

[Michaela]

That's crazy.

[Reggie]

So I'm gonna say Dark Matter because I just knew that Kennedy and Michaela really liked it. I really went in with, like, zero expectations. I was just kind of like, we'll see what happens. And I finish it, like, right before the TV show came out. And I just remember finishing that book and being like, I cannot believe that. I don't know. Like, that would probably be in definitely my top five favorite books I've read this year. So I wouldn't say it's, like, my top three, but it's one of my favorite books I've ever read. I think it's really cool book. And I just. The genre of it. I just. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did.

[Kennedy]

You guys haven't. Have you guys read anything else by him?

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

Here's the unfortunate thing. I read, I think, every book by him except for one, and that one definitely is the best. So it's kind of unfortunate, but I mean, you know what you get when all of his books are same book, different font.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So you know what you'll get. Okay. Mine is Yellow Face by RF Kuang. And if you know anything about me, I always try. I feel like I try to read books outside of, like, fantasy and romance, because I know I love fantasy and romance, and a lot of the times it doesn't work for me. This one is, like, a fiction book about basically, a writer who essentially plagiarizes a book in short terms. Not exactly that, but kind of. And in my review, I literally said, I'm pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book. I rated it 4 stars. Didn't think I would rate it that high. It was just a really cool book to learn about the publishing world. And I feel like, as a reader, it's. It was really interesting just to see how the writer's process works and publishing and Marketing and publishing and just kind of how that whole world works. Yeah, it was really good, and it made me want to read more by RF Kuang. Haven't yet, but I will eventually. It's also. It's interesting because who pop is Poppy War, RF RF Kwong, and Babel. Interesting to me that, like, she re. Most of her books are fantasy, but she decided to write this literary fiction book.

[Michaela]

Yeah, it's interesting, but it was really good. Okay. The unexpected plot twist. I'll go first. Iron Flame.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah.

[Michaela]

Wasn't really expecting that one. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

The thing about Michaela, she guessed every plot twist in every book, so.

[Michaela]

I. I. Yeah. And I. The thing is, is you might not believe me, but I do send Marco Polos with my guests, and I nail it right on the head.

[Kennedy]

She does. She does, she does.

[Michaela]

So I don't know. I honestly couldn't think of anything that.

[Reggie]

Was like, no, Iron Flame's a good one. I think I might even say Iron Flame, my other book. I was going to say Morning Star, but I think Iron Flame was a little more like, oh, yeah.

[Kennedy]

So I think for me, it was a tie. Iron Flame is a good one. Golden Sun's a good one. Morning Star's a good one. I'm gonna say Lightbringer by Pierce Brown. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Love it. And I hate to say that, because they haven't read this book, but that one is.

[Reggie]

Well, I would expect a plot twist in a book of his. You know, I'm one of them.

[Michaela]

So I'm about to see if I can guess it.

[Kennedy]

I think you might.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

And I'm not.

[Michaela]

I say that. Did you guess it?

[Kennedy]

I say that in a sense of, like, I wasn't shocked. I can't. I feel like I can't say a lot because I don't want to ruin these guys's experience. I. I wouldn't say that. I was shocked. It. When you guys read it, you'll understand.

[Michaela]

Yeah, but you didn't guess it. But you weren't shocked that it happened.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

It was on par with what he is does.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Love. You know. But I do love a good book that has, you know, and the thing is, is I can't. They're really good plot twists in the Red Rising series. I just unfortunately put two and two together and figured it out, but that was just me. But they're really great. I feel like a lot of people, if you're not looking for them, you're not going to guess at all.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

So don't let that dissuade you from reading those books or any of the books we said.

[Kennedy]

Here's the thing. I will say, since we're just talking about it, I think Michaela is literally the only person that I've ever seen on social media. Guess the plot twists in those books. I'm not kidding.

[Michaela]

Are you serious?

[Kennedy]

Yes. Every single Red Rising tick tock I see of people finishing golden sun and Morningstar, they're like, shook to their core. So you're just smart.

[Michaela]

No, I just. I don't. The thing is, is I feel like I'm just really good at picking up on other people's.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Like, emotions towards the books, if that makes sense. Because I did see, like, people, you know, reacting and like, saying, like, oh, my gosh. Like, the plot. And so I feel like in my brain I was just like, okay, what is going to happen?

[Kennedy]

It's just.

[Michaela]

It's just where my mind went.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

So. But I don't know. I. I was just really in the thinking mood, I guess. That's great.

[Kennedy]

Okay, next one is fave fantasy book and series. I'll just start Red Rising. I know it's not technically fantasy, but that's it for me.

[Michaela]

I love it. I can't decide.

[Reggie]

You can't decide?

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

Between what I. I.

[Michaela]

Man of cold. I don't know.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Here's the thing is, I said that.

[Michaela]

Was like, my top book.

[Kennedy]

That's okay if it's your favorite. If it was your favorite, it's your favorite. Did you say yours?

[Reggie]

I haven't said mine. I'm not gonna say Mana World.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Reggie]

I'm not gonna say it. I. I would love to give my reasons, but, like, Kennedy hasn't read it yet, and I know the people listening might not want to know my reasons. So if you've. If you've read Manacled, you probably understand what I'm talking about. But I just. I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna say man called. I'm gonna say favorite series would probably be if Kennedy's including Red Rising. Even though I haven't finished it yet. I'm gonna say the Red Rising series.

[Kennedy]

I would say that's my minus Iron Gold.

[Michaela]

Second.

[Kennedy]

I just.

[Michaela]

I'm.

[Kennedy]

I'm really excited for you guys to read the other books. It'll be a good time.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

[Michaela]

So.

[Reggie]

All right. Favorite romance book.

[Michaela]

Just for the summer.

[Kennedy]

I was gonna say just for the summer, but. Because I already said just for the summer, I'm Gonna say yours Truly by Abby Jimenez.

[Michaela]

That one's cute.

[Reggie]

I think I'm gonna say life's too short, guys.

[Kennedy]

That one's good. I feel like that's right up your alley. It's got a baby. It's got a travel element. I feel like.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I also, like, there was, like, a. Yeah. Remind me of my grandma. Made me cry a lot. So, yeah, I'm gonna say life too short. Life's too short.

[Michaela]

I don't know. When I read those.

[Kennedy]

I think you read Life's Too Short before I read Life's Too Short.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I read those. I read all of those in 2023. I think just for the Summer is the only Abby Jimenez book I read in 2024.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. So it's a banger. Yep, it's a banger.

[Michaela]

That's why. Okay, next one. Favorite thriller. I put naturals.

[Kennedy]

So did I. Yeah. Okay. Would you say that Jennifer Lane Lynn Barnes. It's a thriller.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

It is, like, kind of the same vibes as a good. As a good. Girl's Guide to Murder on the thriller.

[Reggie]

Gotcha. Okay. Yeah, I'm going to say it. Look Closer by David Ellis.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I need to read that one.

[Reggie]

It's a good audiobook and I have it on my audible.

[Michaela]

I'll probably get it by the time October rolls around.

[Reggie]

I sure hope sometime within the next, like, ten months.

[Michaela]

Several months.

[Reggie]

Wait, all right. Longest. Oh, wait, did everyone say their trailer? Longest audiobook.

[Kennedy]

You go first, Reggie.

[Reggie]

Mine is. Is it Heat of the Ever Flame? Heat of the everflame. It was 34 hours and 29 minutes.

[Kennedy]

That's insane.

[Michaela]

Crazy.

[Reggie]

It's actually wild how fast I, like, flew through it, too. That's what's wild to me.

[Kennedy]

Here's the thing, though. I'm not gonna lie. It's dropped down in my TBR since you've read it.

[Reggie]

Because of my conflicting feelings and that it's so long. Yeah, I hate doing that. I just haven't wanted to say really anything about it because I have so many conflicting feelings. So many people absolutely love it. Like, we did a question box on the thing for the awards. A lot of you said it was your favorite series you read this year. This last year, so. It just sucks that the third book is so long.

[Kennedy]

Well. And also, I probably won't even read it until the last one comes out.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Which.

[Kennedy]

There's no release date, so.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

This is the same.

[Michaela]

Is it finding 13 or binding 13?

[Kennedy]

Binding.

[Michaela]

Binding. 13 is 33 hours. It's in part one and part two.

[Kennedy]

And let me just tell you, why does a romance book need to be that long?

[Michaela]

Yeah. I mean, I did enjoy it.

[Kennedy]

I did enjoy it, but I think. I think I would have enjoyed it if it was, like, 10, 15 hours shorter.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And I know a lot of people love that series. It's their favorite series of all time, and I can see it. I think I just have a hard time because they're in high school. I think that's my main thing with it is I wish they were in college.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more. I just felt weird.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Yeah, it is a little weird. Yeah. I'm excited to hear your answer for this one.

[Kennedy]

I'm going to get a little sappy for one second because it's for the favorite podcast episode. Yeah, the favorite podcast episode. I'm going to get a little sappy. I genuinely could not choose between all of the interviews that we did. We did this year. Shout out to Mercedes, Heather, Sarah, Lauren, Carissa. I think those are probably my favorite episodes. Obviously, the fun ones are, like, really fun to record and whatever, but just being able to interview those people, for people taking time out of their day to just talk to us about books and for Lauren and Carissa to come on and talk to us when they're some of our favorite authors, it's absolutely incredible that people take time out of their days to talk to us. And I just can't believe. I can't believe that happened. So I would say those are probably my favorite episodes.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I would say I couldn't choose, and so I didn't pick one of those episodes, if that makes sense.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michaela]

I went kind of the opposite route. I went. Okay, there were so many good ones, but this one, I think I. We genuinely laughed so hard because we kind of got roasted by all of our followers, and I just thought it was really funny. It was our most likely two.

[Kennedy]

Oh, that one was fun.

[Reggie]

Oh, that was fun.

[Kennedy]

That was good.

[Michaela]

And I just thought it was fun. Like, you know, we got. We all got roasted on things, and it was all in good fun. And I.

[Reggie]

We need to do that.

[Kennedy]

We know that.

[Michaela]

But I just thought it was fun, like, hearing what other people thought of us and, like, what we thought of each other about certain things. So anyways, that was a fun one.

[Kennedy]

It was fun. And, like, not to pat ourselves on the back, but like a fun, unique episode.

[Michaela]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

Let's do that one. A part two of that.

[Kennedy]

Okay. We should.

[Reggie]

I'm gonna just I. I'm just gonna have to say smash your past, part two, because it was memorable for me.

[Kennedy]

She righted her wrong.

[Michaela]

Well, she almost did it.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I, like, fell on the floor freaking out during the episode. So that one was just, like, memorable to me. And I'm already, like, sweating thinking about when we do it again, like, new characters and. Yeah, yeah.

[Michaela]

For next time, we have to dismiss all of the characters we have done.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Like, take all the people we've smashed.

[Michaela]

And they're not allowed.

[Reggie]

It could be interesting to do a version that's like, once one person pick. Like, somehow we randomize it. Once one person picks one, like, I don't know how we make it. Like, you can't pick what someone else has already picked.

[Kennedy]

Oh, like, it's like a draft.

[Michaela]

We can't have the same smash.

[Reggie]

We do a draft.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, Like a book boyfriend draft.

[Michaela]

Sister wives up in here.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Like fantasy football, but for book boyfriends.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

That's fun.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Love that.

[Kennedy]

I like that Fantasy boyfriend draft.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So, guys.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's 2025.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, we're going into 2025. Absolutely crazy. If you listen to other. If you listened to us this year. Thank you so much. We are really excited for next year. Have some fun plans. There's lots of good books out there to be read, and we hope you guys have a wonderful New Year's. Stay safe. Hopefully you got a good book over this holiday season. And, oh, we won't see you next week, unfortunately. We decided to take Christmas Day off.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Why not? Why not? So we hope you guys have a happy holiday season with whatever holiday you celebrate and Happy New Year.

[Reggie]

Bye.