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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.