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A
Foreign. Hello guys. Welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Kennedy.
B
I'm Reggie.
C
And I'm Mikayla.
A
And today we are spilling the tea. You guys asked us a whole bunch of juicy questions on Instagram and we're going to be answering them. Yeah, I'm a little nervous. I don't.
B
I mean they're mostly, but they're pretty much bookish related, you know, putting us in the hot seat.
A
I'm nervous. I'm nervous.
C
But nervy.
A
Before we get in the hot seat, we're gonna update you guys on what we've currently been reading. Who wants to start? I mean, so if you guys didn't know this, we actually pre record episodes. We recorded what, five days ago. Yeah, yeah. So this has been a rough reading time time for all of us. But I mean I can start. I have a book I haven't talked about if you guys want me to go first. So I. Well, if you listened to our summer tbr, I was reading Warbreaker. I have abandoned all hope. I have stopped reading that. So I am actually reading Please don't go by E. Salvador. It's a sports romance. He plays baseball in college and this is literally the first chapter. I thought this was going to be just like a fun little sports romance, you know, Windy City.
C
Yeah.
A
The first chapter, he literally saves the female main character from jumping off a cliff.
B
Oh, yes.
A
So definitely a lot more of an emotionally charged read than I was expecting. But I've been really enjoying it so far. I think I'm 30% of the way through. Both of them are grieving the loss of someone they love, kind of struggling with a whole bunch of things. But you know, banter's good. He's obsessed with her. She's unsure about him. So far I'm really enjoying it.
B
So I haven't heard of it before till now.
A
It's on Kindle Unlimited. I'm pretty sure I don't actually know how I found out about it. I think someone marked it as want to read. I saw that it was a sports romance so I jumped on the bag bandwagon. But not super light hearted. But it's a sports romance.
B
Okay.
A
So lovely love.
B
I've just been in a really bad reading slump. So I'm currently reading into the Blue by Emma Brody. And I know Michaela is also our Patreon book club book for June. I'm I think six 60% of the way through and I'm really enjoying it. I did not know really anything about this book, other than that, it was really good and it's a little different. And it had, like, a sci fi element to it. Like, people are saying it has, like, a sci fi element to it. I was like, what does that even mean? And it's not what I was expecting at all. Like, it's not sci fi genre. It's that they're literally in, like, a sci fi show together, like on tv. And I'm like, how had I known about this before I picked this book up, I would have picked this up so much sooner. Like, you're telling me that they're, like, doing improv scenes together? Like, that's like my dream book. Are you kidding me? I was like, posting updates on our patreon. I'm like, sign me up for an improv class. Like, this is so fun. I'm loving it. And also, I'm really liking the audiobook. What is her name that narrates the audiobook? She narrates a lot of Taylor Jenkins Reid books.
A
Because I don't know her name. Oh, yeah.
B
I love her. It's just been. It's been a very fun read. It's also been a little bit of an emotional read. I am excited to see where things go. But I will say my only gripe with it so far is that the chapters are so freaking long.
C
So long.
A
Oh, my God.
B
It is like, like.
A
Well, I got 43 minutes per chapter.
B
I got. I got.
A
Yeah, the first chapter's wild. Yeah.
B
I got into our. Our fable group and I was like, is something like. I thought there was like, an error in our fable because it was showing that there was only like, eight chapters in this entire book or something like that. I was like, there's gotta be more chapters than that. And then I looked in my book and I was like, couldn't tell from the book. And I didn't want to, like, read anything. And then on my Spotify, it's like 1 hour, 1 hour, 7 minutes, 45 minutes. I was like, oh, my gosh. So literally, that's my only gripe with the book so far.
A
But I think I'm trying to remember when I read it. Like, within a chapter, though, I think there's breaking spots.
B
Yes.
A
Because I don't remember reading it being like, these chapters are so long because I didn't listen to any of it.
B
Yeah. They have, like, the show.
A
Yes.
B
Synopsis.
C
Yeah.
B
Like, for each episode of the show,
C
the last chapter is four hours long.
A
No freaking way. Oh, I know. Why.
B
Yeah.
C
So, no, I'm just saying like, it goes from 10 to 14 hours for the last chapter.
A
Yeah.
B
Yeah. It's crazy. Or I guess this chapter is four
A
hours long, but, like, there's inter chapter breaks that you technically could stop, but they're not marked as different chapters. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
So that's honestly my only gripe with the book so far. It's. I mean, I'm. It's been getting a lot of hype on Goodreads and Booktok recently because it just came out and it's Reese's Book Club pick. But if you're looking for a romance book that is a little different and has. It doesn't feel rom com y, but it. It's funny because they're in a comedy show. Does that make sense? Like, it. It is a rom com, but it doesn't feel like a cheesy rom com.
C
Yeah.
B
Does that make sense?
C
Yeah.
B
So I'm really enjoying it. I'm excited to finish it.
C
I'm 77% done. Ooh. And yeah, I'm really enjoying it.
A
Yeah. I think if you, like, if you have any interest in acting, improv, snl, if you're part of a fandom, if you like Comic Con, if you like Star Trek sci fi shows.
C
Yeah.
A
Romance books. Kind of like, hits all. Mm.
C
I. The chapter thing is my only gripe too. And the only reason is being. It's, like, hard to talk about it on Fable because I feel like so much happens.
A
Good point.
C
In one chapter. And so I feel like. Like, it's just hard to, like, was that in this chapter or was that, you know.
B
Well, yeah, and it's not chapter numbers. It's like New York 2005. And I'm like, Kiba, there was a chapter three chapters ago that was New York 2012. So it's kind of confusing, but, I mean, I won't complain because.
C
Yeah.
B
Book itself. Great.
C
Yeah.
B
So, yeah, I will be finishing that by tomorrow morning, and I'm buckling up. I have no idea what to really expect. Honestly, I don't know. So Kelly's giggling because she knows. Yeah, we're gonna. We're in a little bit of a slump.
A
The worst slump in my life. But that's okay because eventually I'll find a book to take me out of it. Ironically, into the Blue was the last book to take me out of my slump, and now I'm right back into it. So send us recommendations, guys. We're actually desperate.
B
Desperate, desperate.
C
Anyways, yeah, let's get into these questions.
B
Let's do it. Do we each want to take a turn.
A
Yeah, you can go first, Reggie.
B
We'll tie these two together. Least fave book from 2026 so far. But then also, what's the worst book you've read recently? Like these. I mean, most recently for me,
A
all the books.
B
Just kidding. Actually, this. This gives me something. I. I think Yesteryear is probably my lowest rated book as of most recently. But it doesn't mean I disliked the book. I gave it three stars. But then I also gave Direbound three stars right after that. I don't know, I feel like I. Those are probably my most recent reads that I've been the worst, but it doesn't mean I disliked them. I will say a very popular reader. Spoiled Furybound for me. No, I won't even be reading it now on Goodreads. What it was literally like within the first two sentences. And I already know another spoiler. So at this point I'm like, I'm not gonna read it.
A
That's really sad.
B
And so then it just makes me want to rate the first book even lower.
A
Like, what?
B
Which is so silly because I'm just like, ugh, I hate that. I don't know. Those are my two that I've most recently that I've rated, like, been the worst. But I wouldn't say they're the worst books.
C
It's just.
B
Yeah.
C
Yeah.
A
What about you?
C
Well, the worst book this year, Wuthering Heights.
A
Ditto.
C
I don't know why this is.
A
That's so funny.
C
And recently, I hate to say this, the Kiss of Deception.
B
It's not like it's a terrible.
C
The. The start was so strong. Start was so strong, and then the ending wasn't. So I'm thinking maybe the second book could be better.
A
Is it also a duology?
C
No, it's a trilogy.
A
Okay.
C
Anyways, it's not as inherently a bad book. I just feel like compared to her other series, Dance of Thieves, there's definitely, like, a stronger book.
A
There's a reason that Dance of Thieves is more popular. Okay.
C
So I wouldn't completely dissuade you from reading it, but it wasn't definitely not my favorite.
A
Would you read it like 2.75? That's dissuading me from reading it.
C
I'm so sorry.
A
I'll lie to you.
C
I'm so sorry.
B
It's okay.
A
It's okay.
C
Anyways, yeah, that's just. What's. To answer that question.
A
Yeah, that's it. I mean, lowest rated book as of recently is probably going to be Yesteryear. Same With Reggie. And then my least favorite book book of the year, because I DNF'd it, is Operation Bounce House by Matt Deniman, which I talked about on another podcast. It just was like, two 16 year old boy for me, you know, that's my answer.
B
All right, next.
A
Not. Not to dissuade. Like Michaela said, not to dissuade anyone from reading those books. Just. Yeah, not. Not for me. This one's funny. We don't. We don't have to enter if we don't want to.
C
This one's kind of funny.
A
Says, do your husbands know how spicy some of the books you are you read are? No judgment, just wondering. I think my husband does, like, just how.
B
Oh, okay. I mean, how does he like how spicy they are?
A
Well, okay. Yeah.
C
Like, have you read.
A
Like, I haven't read them to him, but I'll be like, oh, my gosh, read this paragraph. Or like, he'll be in a. Like, for example, Windy City. Play along. Wait, yeah, play along. That's Isaiah's book.
C
Yeah.
B
Yeah, Isaiah.
A
He was in the car while I was listening to it. He was, like, falling asleep. In and out. But, like, he probably heard some of the spicy scenes. So you're brave.
C
I think so.
A
Also, like, he's walked in while I've watched off campus. He was napping on the couch when I was watching. He did rivalry. I think he has an idea.
B
Yeah. Like, my husband knows, but he, like, just doesn't. Like, he doesn't have a problem with it. He doesn't care. He's just like, so, like, great. Whatever floats your boat. I don't know. But I think if I were to be like, hey, read this paragraph from this book. He'd probably be like, yeah, but he wouldn't be upset. He would just be like, what the frick?
A
Well, I mean, it's not like Kyle's like, yeah, he's just like, he does look at me like, what in the world? It's more so to be like, this is crazy.
B
Yeah.
A
Or like, when I read. What's that one with a mask? Oh, lights out. There's a crazy scene in there. And I was telling him about it and he was just like, what the heck are you listening to? He doesn't care. But would he prefer. I don't. I don't know.
C
Actually. I don't know.
B
I feel like that's like a discussion a lot of people tend to have is like, I don't know.
A
Yeah. I don't know.
C
I think my husband thinks he knows and he likes to tease me about it, like. But I don't think he actually. But you know, there's sometimes I just skim.
A
Yeah.
C
So I'm not like that heavily invested anyways, so I'm like.
B
I don't feel like I need to
C
like, I don't know. I'm sure he has read part of the Chestnut Springs.
B
Oh, really?
C
Mostly because my friend brought it on our vacation and they just like opened
A
it up and were like.
C
I think it was the whipped cream scene.
A
Okay. So I. I think he knows, but sometimes I think he does it, like,
B
know the extent of it.
A
Yeah, the extent which I don't think
C
he has a problem with. He trusts me.
A
I mean, it's not like. It's not embarrassing. No, I mean. Well, yeah, it's not embarrassing.
C
I mean, TV shows, you know, they're very comparable to what some books are.
B
For sure. Yeah.
C
You know. So.
A
Yeah.
C
What are.
A
What were your top books slash series
C
when you were in middle school?
B
Love this question. I bet you can't guess Hunger Games. I guess like middle school, though. Okay. You guys know the author, Sarah Dessen? My mom would always buy me the Sarah Dessen books and I read like all of those. They are just these little wholesome romance books for basically like maybe middle school, junior high, I don't know. But I own a lot of them. I was actually recently at my parents house trying to look through like a lot of the books that my mom had to just kind of bring back some memories. And there were so many of those books. And it's weird because I can oddly remember the plot of some of them. I'm like, wow. Yeah, I read a lot of those. I feel like that's like the only thing. Yeah. Hungry Hunger Games. But that's a little later in middle school. I'm trying to think.
A
Yeah, Hunger Games came out when we were like sophomores. Well, the last book came out, I think when me and Reggie were sophomores. Yes.
B
Let's move junior high. I'd probably just say Sarah Dessent. I don't think I read very much in middle school.
A
I think I read a lot more in high school.
C
I can't remember like I was very much on the Divergent, Maze Runner, Hunger
A
Games kick when I was like in high school.
C
Red Queen series.
A
Okay.
C
Yeah.
A
But I don't remember like what I
C
exclusively read in middle school.
A
I think the only book I read series I read in high school was outside of normal reading, like assignments was literally Hunger Games. I was not a reader ever. The candy shop Wars.
B
Oh, yes.
A
Okay. Did read Fable Haven. I did read that.
B
That just sparked a bunch of.
A
Aren't they making that into a movie?
C
Yeah.
A
Yeah, I guess.
B
I did read the Lightning Thief. I didn't read all of them. Oh, Percy Jackson. Percy Jackson.
A
Yeah, I read. I don't know if this was middle school or, like, freshman year, sophomore year, because I. Well, now I'm Sound like a liar when I say I only read Hunger Games. I just don't know how old I was when I read these. I actually read all of the Pretty Little Liars series before it was a TV show.
B
Okay.
A
And I also read Vampire Diaries before it was a TV show.
B
Those are a great TV show. I never saw the Vampire Diaries, you guys.
A
You haven't seen it?
B
Never.
A
You gotta watch it.
B
Which is crazy.
A
Now when you watch it, it's probably very similar to Teen Wolf where you're
C
like, this is so bad.
A
It's like.
B
So I feel like I know a lot of things about it just from things I've seen online over the years.
A
But have you seen. Have you guys seen people doing the impersonations of Elena? Yeah, I'm obsessed.
B
Uh, was. It is my.
C
Her.
B
Whose magical abilities would you have if you could, and how would you use them daily? Honestly, this isn't maybe a magical ability, but the first thing that comes into my mind is, is it the House of Wind or the House of Wind in Acotar? Yeah, I just want that as my house.
A
Like, that.
B
I. I don't want, like. I mean, I'm sure. And maybe this is not answering the question correctly, but, like, my immediate thought was I just want to live in the House of Wind so that, like, you know, when I come home from a long day, I've got, like, everything ready for me. It cleans up for me. I. Like, that's what I want. I'm fine. I don't have magical powers, but I
A
would like a house with magical power, honestly. So. Doesn't it also make food for them?
B
Yeah. Yeah, that's a.
C
That's a really good answer.
A
Yeah.
B
And then it's like, oh, I don't know what kind of book I'm in the mood for. And then, like, the house will just be like, here you go. Here's the most perfect book for you to read.
A
Tell me why. I'm, like, literally blanking on all these magical abilities. I'm like, there's, like, the fire.
B
When would you ever need to use fire? That's what I'm.
C
I'm thinking.
B
Oh, camping. I'm not a camper.
C
All of these abilities are useful to them in their setting because they're usually, like, fighting in a war.
B
Mind reading with your spouse.
A
I would hate that.
B
Not like you're reading their thoughts, but you know how you can communicate through your thoughts.
A
Oh, like, like your mates?
B
Yeah, yeah, like your mates. Like, I would love. You know, my husband and I are mated. We're sitting on.
A
If you're not watching on YouTube, go watch Reggie.
B
We're sending, like, messages to each other from across the room.
A
Or, like, honestly.
C
Yeah.
B
With parenting, too. Like, just making sure we're on the same page and we're like, talk. There's so many useful things. Like, I wouldn't have to be, like, on my phone. I could just be like, hey, when are you gonna be home?
A
Yeah, I'm down for that.
B
You know what I mean?
A
You're coming up with all these great ones. Me over here being like, wings.
C
I'm like, I can fly.
A
Sure. Why? Would be pretty cool, really, to two good ones. I mean, it'd be cool to, like, shape shift, but, like, what. What purpose does that serve me, though,
B
in the world we live in today?
A
Yeah. Yours are very practical. I like that.
C
That means you could shapeshift into a fly and be a fly on the wall.
B
Or, like, imagine you could get into some cool thing, like events.
A
You know what I mean? Like. Oh, like shapeshift into a person.
B
They're filming Fourth wing TV show. You're like. You could just shape shift into, like, Rebecca Yarrows. Right back at Yarrows. And waltz right on into set.
A
Yeah.
C
Yeah.
B
We're getting creative here. I don't know. Shape shifting could be cool, but I don't know if it's something I'd ever use on the daily.
A
I'm trying to think, what other power tease?
B
My children, maybe. I don't know.
A
I mean, legitimately. The power. Like, if I could pick a magical ability. I don't know if anybody in a
C
book has this power.
A
I would want teleportation.
C
Yeah.
A
That's my magical.
B
I want the Book of Doors. No, you wouldn't.
A
Without the risk.
C
No, but teleportation, Yup.
A
That's literally. That's what I want. That's my superpower.
B
Me up.
C
Who has that? I guess.
A
Oh, winnowing.
B
Winnowing.
C
Winnowing.
B
Oh, that's it. Sergio's coming up with all the grades.
A
There you have it.
C
Winnowing hours, I guess.
B
Yeah, winnowing would be.
C
I would want all three of those combined.
A
Me too. So Basically, we all just want to be a bat boy. Yeah.
B
Yeah.
A
Okay, perfect.
B
Slap some wings on me and call me Rhysand Kennedy.
A
Oh, okay. Oh, okay. This one is a little bit of tea. Maybe if we decide we want to actually spill. Instead of an auto buy author, do you guys have auto avoid authors?
B
I mean, I can't think of anyone, actually. I mean, I feel like they're just authors whose books. I haven't even read their books yet, so, like, I feel like there's definitely people out there that I'm like, I don't think I'll ever read anything they write just because it's not my cup of tea, but.
C
Oh, yeah, I just remembered some.
A
Yeah, I think.
C
Not necessarily.
A
I think their writing's bad.
C
I just think some of their books from who I'm thinking about isn't, like, my style, like my reading style. And another one is. I just feel like their books are just really incredibly long for no reason. Not so. I think their books are bad. I just think I probably will avoid them just because of how long they are. I'm not against long books, but just,
B
like, a little daunting.
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I agree with what they were saying. I was trying to scroll my Goodreads to see if there was any specific author I wanted to say, but I think I'll keep who maybe to myself.
B
I mean, I'll say Stephen King. Can I say that?
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
I've only read, literally, like, one book by him, but I just don't. I just. You could. I don't think anyone can convince me to read a Stephen King book.
A
You know, I think I'm actually gonna agree with that. I don't think I'll ever read another Stephen King. I think I'm done. I've tried, and I think I'm good.
B
Yeah.
A
So, yeah. Anyways, next question. Next.
C
Oh, it's me. Sorry. It kind of goes along with. What books will you never be reading?
B
Hmm. I don't know. I probably won't read any sort of, like, horror book to go along with Stephen King. My last answer.
C
I think Tender is the Flesh.
B
Yeah, nothing like that. I'm also not a big. I mean, I know there's some darker romance books that I've read, but I would never read anything, like, to a larger scale than what I've already read.
C
Just because you're probably not reading Credence or Haunting Adeline.
A
Yeah, I want.
B
And I have nothing against anyone who reads those, but they're just not for me. I also. Never mind. I was Gonna say, I also don't know if I'll read another Frida McFadden book, but you know, I sometimes go through a Frida vase.
A
We're like, you know what, you gotta meet your quick read.
C
Yeah.
B
And I want to just be dumbfounded, so. Sure, sure.
C
Yeah. The horror genre, like it. Anything having to do with like Stephen King's horror side, I don't think I'll ever, ever read.
A
But knowing me, I'll say I'll never read something and then I'll give it a try. But I feel like it's hard to pinpoint like an exact book that I won't read because it's not on my want. It's not on my goodreads because I don't want to read it.
C
Yeah.
A
I'm trying to think if there any sort of really popular book for me,
B
like books that I just should have read a long time ago that I'm never gonna get to like the like. I'll never read Once Upon a Broken Heart. I'm sorry, I'll never read Shatter Me. I just didn't get to them at the right time.
A
Did you read Cruel Prince?
B
No, but that's one I still want to read.
A
Okay. So Jude's pretty cool.
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah. I would say like some of the more iconic booktok books that have just kind of passed their time.
C
Yeah.
A
But you know what I say things and then I go back on what I say. So I could be easily convinced to read almost anything. But yeah, horror. Not a fan. Like body horror. Really gross.
B
Not if you like it. I love that for you.
A
I also don't like horror movies. Yeah, I'm not a big gore gal.
B
Anything that I don't enjoy watching, I'm not going to enjoy reading.
C
Yeah.
B
So.
A
Mm.
B
So whose turn is it?
C
Yours?
B
Mine? You know, we've answered this before, but we know we have new listeners, so why not just share our little meet cute of the three of us, shall we?
A
Sure. Take it away.
B
I'm a new listener. How did you all meet? I need to know the lore. So if you are new here, I'll just break it down for you real quick.
A
Can you wrap it? Can you wrap it?
B
Wrap it. Once upon a time. Oh, I don't know. I don't put me on the spot. Basically all three of us at the time of right before starting this podcast were wedding photographers slash videographers. And we were bonding over our jobs. And then we happened to find a mutual love for Spider man. And so then we were like, let's
A
Talk goes back to Tom Holland. Thank you. This.
B
This podcast would not be what it is without Tom Holland. So we were, like, bonding over Spider Man. We're like, let's go see the new Spider man movie together. And then it was like, it turned into, I don't know, just talking about books. We start. We decided to start reading Throne of Glass together. No Avatar. And then it was like, just, you know, your typical. Oh, my gosh, we talk about books so much. We should start a podcast. Anyway, here we are, three years later.
A
Yeah. No, wait, it's only been three years.
B
Yeah, it's been three years in April.
A
Feels like it's been like ten. No, no, not in a bad way. I feel like I've aged 10 years. Let me just put it that way.
B
Yeah. Well, I just feel like we were friends before the podcast started, but I feel like once the podcast started, it was like, well, we're stuck with each other. Like, not. And I don't mean that in a negative way. I just. I mean that in, like, the best way possible. I feel like it's just. It's brought us very close.
C
Yeah.
B
It's very fun. You got to enjoy the people you're talking to on every single week.
C
Yeah.
B
And the people that you're doing business with. And, like. Yeah, it's the most fun thing ever. So anyways, that's kind of the short version of how this came to be. And it just honestly kind of fell into our laps. The most perfect time, I would say.
C
Yeah.
A
Well, I feel like at the time, like, booktok was a thing, but it wasn't as big as it is now.
B
Yeah.
A
And I. Yeah. And also, I feel like there wasn't a ton of bookish podcasts at the time either. Most of them were mostly, like, once a month, and they would deep dive and discuss a book. And we knew that, no offense to us, the three of us, we're not. We're not the most analytical group of gals, so there wasn't really anything out there that was like, just three chicks shine. And it's not serious.
C
So here we are chatting about books.
A
Chat about books.
C
We could yap all day long.
B
I mean, we've been doing it. We haven't written out of things to talk about in the three years that we've been doing this.
C
So literally. No.
B
The possibilities are endless.
C
The possibilities are endless. They sure are. It's been the best three years ever.
A
Slash 10.
C
Slash 10.
A
Okay, we'll ask this. Sure. Have you ever considered a bookish tattoo? I'm Gonna let these two answer first?
B
Honestly, no. There's books that I love so much, but they're more, like, tattooed. They're more tattooed on my heart than they are, like, on my body. Not that there's anything wrong if I wanted to tattoo something on my body, but I don't know, for me, I'm,
A
like,
B
cheesy as other. More tattooed on my art, and there's nothing that I've been, like, I needed.
C
I don't know.
B
I mean, I don't have any tattoos to begin with, which is really boring about me. But I don't know. I've never. I think if I got a tattoo, I don't think the first thing I'd think to get is a bookish tattoo. If I did, I'm trying to think of what it would be. Panem pen.
A
I don't know. Three fingers, get a little mockingjay. I don't know.
C
I think bookish tattoos are fantastic. I don't think I've ever considered them personally first, because I am very indecisive, and I have just seen, as I've grown, just, like, book. Like, not book tattoos in general. Just like, people regret them or, like, the style changes. Like, I feel like style has changed in general so many times in. In my lifetime. So I just. I don't think I could ever get one because I change my mind constantly, and that's a very permanent thing. And I just.
A
If I didn't like it, I wouldn't
C
want to have to go through the process of, like, getting it removed and so expensive theater.
B
Also, maybe this is, like, not something to be brought up, but I'm like, think of how many authors get canceled or how many series don't end up getting finished or the girl that got
A
Tamlin tattooed on her body. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
It's like, I just think you gotta be really careful. I feel like sometimes with book tattoos, like, I want to say, what author was it? Was it Rebecca Yaros? That was, like, some. There was some very popular author that was like, I wouldn't be tattooing anything on your body until these books are finished. I don't know. I don't know.
C
I think they're so cool, though. Like, when other people get them, I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
I want to see them, love them. There was someone on our Patreon Alchemize tattoo.
C
Yeah.
B
And we were, like, so close your minds over it. It's. I. I think it's so fun to see the things people do. Some people Also love watching the little tick tocks of like, tattoo artists that are like, bookish tattoos. If you like Throne of Glass, there's so many cute ones.
A
Listen, if tattoos, like, why does the technology not exist where tattoos last seven years and then fade off your body? If that was the case, I would have sticker sleeves on both arms. I just. It's hard because. And once again, let me preface this by saying my husband literally has basically like a sleeve on one arm and one leg. His whole entire leg is marvel tattoos. Like, he. He has tattoos. I'm not against tattoos by any means. I think for me it's hard because one, I'm indecisive as well, and two, it's hard like that that's on your body forever. I don't know. I also just. I feel like my favorite books, like, I don't know if I'd want a sword on my arm. Like, I would love a sword on my arm right now where I'm. When I'm like 30, but when I'm 70, do I want a sword on my arm? Like, I don't know. You know what I mean? And also, I feel like most of the stuff that I love in books are direct quotes. And I already have one tattoo on my arm that says till the end of the line. And so I don't want more words on my body. Like, I don't want my body just covered in words. Does that make sense?
C
Yeah.
A
So I think tattoos are literally so cool.
B
I love seeing them on other people.
A
Yeah. I think my husband's tattoos are so cool. And yeah, asking people about their tattoos, what they mean to them. And I know that, like, my sister, for example, she, like, she has so many different tattoos and certain ones, like, she might have not gotten with, like, who she is today, but she looks back fondly on them because it reminds her of, like, moments that made her happy or whatever. I'm just too freaking indecisive. I really, really am. And I'm a fricking baby, and tattoos freaking hurt. So I'm not willing to sit in a chair for hours on end and get a tattoo.
C
Should we get a matching tattoo, you guys?
B
I need what she's reading.
A
No, but if you guys have any cool wsr, if you guys have any cool tattoos, send it to us. I love to see everybody.
B
You guys should DM us some and then we'll repost some if you want us to, because you'll let us.
A
That'd be kind of some such cool, bookish tattoos. Like, so cool.
B
Okay. This is not book related, but I have to tell you, the TikTok I was just showing Michaela while you were upstairs, someone ran into Harry Styles in Central park, and instead of asking for an autograph, they said, will you write something for me for a tattoo?
A
I would do something like that.
B
And he said, he wrote down, oh, my gosh, what's the.
C
I can see it, but I can't.
B
Yeah, it was from a song. Anyways, he wrote one of his song lyrics on a piece of paper, and then the girl proceeded to immediately go get it tattooed on her body. And I was, like, obsessed.
A
See? Okay. I don't know if I actually ever told you guys this, and I should have done this instead of what I said to Pierce Brown when I met him. I was going to take a baseball cap and have a whole bunch of different tattoo ideas and then have him draw whichever, and then whatever. When he pulled out, my husband was going to get the tattoo, not me. But I never did that, and I
B
wish I would have because that was
A
better than what I said to him. Anyways, next question.
C
Next question. When you are reading a book series and the first two are five stars, but third is one or two, do you carry on the series? Ooh, that is tricky.
A
It would depend on how many books are left. Yeah, I think.
B
Yeah. If there's like a whole bunch, like seven books, I feel like it's very
C
rare that I. I don't know. This situation has never happened to me in the fact that, like, maybe there's been a book that has. Is not as good as the others in the series, but I always rate it like three or higher. You know what I'm saying?
A
I think I would probably read the next book and then make my decision. Yeah.
B
Yeah.
A
If I had to guess because of the first two or five stars, there's obviously something there that I love. I don't know what the heck happened to make it one or two stars
B
after that, but it really is the worst feeling when you start, like, a series and then you're just kind of like, oh, for me, it's usually after, like, the first book or maybe the second book. I feel like it's rare that there's a book that I give, like, I'm obsessed with and then I'm totally, like, let down by it. So. Could happen this fall, in winter, without or fourth wing. I'm open now.
A
Wait, is fourth week come out this year?
C
We don't have any announcements, sadly.
B
We're getting there, though. We're getting there. Whose term Is it. Sorry, is it mine? Ooh. Describe a book you want to read but haven't found yet. That is a. I feel like we talked about this on a recent episode, but I want a romantasy book where the male main character is not morally gray and dangerous and broody and dark. I want just a. He doesn't have to be anything super specific. I just don't want him to be that. Yeah. Because I've just. It's. It's not that. It's. I mean, it's kind of getting a little old. It doesn't mean. I mean, there's still some really great stories out there with characters like that, and I love them, but I'm just ready for someone new. Like, I. Someone was asking me recently, like, who's your favorite book boyfriend? And then I was having a hard time because she was telling me. She's like, oh, I have, like, a list in my phone of like, 1, 2, 3, 4. And I was like, I genuinely don't know if I could do that because they all kind of start to blend together, and I need, like, a standout. Just. I don't know. Give me a blondie. I don't have anything. My husband's blonde. Give me a blondie or a light brown hair guy. Give me somebody who doesn't kill people for a living.
A
I don't know. Just like.
B
I don't know.
A
Like, let's mix it up a little.
B
I think that sounds fun because you just. I feel like when you see books like that, you kind of know what you're getting yourself in for a little bit. There can still be surprises in the plot and things, but, you know, an enemy's to lovers, but he's not morally gray. I don't know.
A
How does that work?
B
I don't know.
A
A friend's lover's fantasy book.
B
That'd be fun.
A
Like, they're little kids. They grew up in the castle together. You know, neighboring kingdoms. Yeah.
C
Like, they, some, for some reason, have to go their separate ways.
B
Oh, there's like, a book I'm thinking
A
of, like, their moms are best friends. And then one mom marries a different king. The other mom marries the other king. I don't know. I almost said sisters, and then I said, hold up. That would make them cousins.
C
Never mind.
B
There might be a book like that out there.
A
Oh, there for sure is.
C
Yeah.
A
I don't do relations. I'm sorry. I think there was one podcast. I can't remember who came up with the idea or if we all came up with the idea. But I cannot write this. I'm not a writer. I. I don't think I could string an eloquent sentence together to write a book. But, hey, if you're listening and you're a writer and you're an author and you write this book, just, like, credit us and the.
C
Yeah.
A
You know, in the author's Note. The author's notebookshelf1. Yes. I desperately think you. Such a cool idea for a book is you somehow start with, like, I don't know, a romance book. I don't even know one book. And then they, like, love each other, and then somehow they. I can't explain two seconds. Whoa. You're on a bookshelf, and there's two characters on books on either end of the shelf, and they want to get to each other, and they have to go through each book on the shelf until they meet. Does that make sense?
C
Yeah. Just like, whatever book you're next to on the shelf, you guys, you can, like, go into, like, a portal.
A
Yeah. And, like, just. That would be such a fun, entertaining book, I think.
B
Yeah.
A
Like a romance book, though, because they're trying to make it to each other.
C
Yeah.
A
Like, here we go. I got this. They were placed next to each other on the shelf, and then the little bitty decided to reorganize her bookshelf. Now they're separated, and they've got to make it back to each other.
B
They're trying to send.
A
I can be the little bitty name your main character. Michaela. No, I just think, logistically, I don't know how you would do that, because there's probably a lot of, you know, intellectual property you can't use. Whatever. But if you just didn't use. Obviously, you can't use, like, Harry Potter. Well, yeah, but you can insinuate and have it just be like a magical book, and then the next one is maybe they're stuck on a desert island. You know what I mean?
C
Yeah.
A
Don't know how it would work, because my brain doesn't work that way. But it's an idea.
C
It'd be a trip.
A
I think the best way.
C
I think it'd be fully fleshed out idea from us.
A
I think it'd be like a really. Yeah. Nostalgic.
B
I don't know.
A
I just think it'd be really cool.
C
Like, can you imagine like. Like hopping into, like, the Hunger Games.
A
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. But kind of.
B
But you have to go through each chapter to get each chapter or, I don't know.
C
I don't know.
A
Once again, it's an idea. Some creative brain out there can figure out all the little nitty gritty details.
B
I like it. I'd read it. Sign me up.
C
Yeah, it'd be kind of cool, too.
A
Okay, here we go. Here we go.
B
Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. We are having a writing session right now.
A
Sorry, I can. I can stop. Husband and wife. They're both big readers. Okay. Clock strikes midnight. I don't know. Some magical realism where they are transported into books on their bookshelf and they have to make it back to each other, so they're already in love. But then it's like this epic tale of these two people who have to make it back to each other, but they're transported into all of their favorite books that are on their shelves, and they have to survive. They meet the characters they know and love. That's fun. I love it. I'm just saying.
B
All right.
C
I love it. I feel like that could go, like, one or two ways. Maybe it's like a specific bookshelf and
A
you could almost make it like a
C
series or the fact of, like, I like the idea of two characters being in, like, next to each other for a really long time and then being split apart. But I also really love the idea of, like, somehow, like, the owners of the house or bookshelf, like, get transported into opposite books, you know? Like, it could be like a little miniseries, you know?
A
So if there's ever a book that's published with a. With a surname that you don't know,
C
you'll know who it was by.
A
If it's crappy, you will especially know what. There's so many influencers that are writing books right now. What's to say we can't do it, too?
B
You never know.
C
My dyslexia.
B
Yeah. That's the only thing I could.
A
Really. Sorry. That was such a long one.
B
It's fine. I love it.
A
Love it.
B
Do you. Did you ask a question?
A
Oh, you did?
B
Was it me that I.
A
What do you want to see? Do you have a book, like, a different book you want to see?
B
For what?
A
For the question, like, what kind of book would you want to see that hasn't been written yet?
C
So. Sorry, we didn't. We didn't go.
B
We were going to.
A
I went really off tangent.
C
No, no, I pretty much did. Oh. To everything Reggie said.
A
It's just something different.
C
And I think I just need to read books that were written in, like, a different generation, but, like, all the books that are being written right now. I need to space them out and intermingle them with books that are older.
A
Yeah.
C
So then they don't quite fill the same.
A
Yeah.
C
You know what I'm saying?
A
I feel like a siren and a pirate could be cool.
B
There's a lot.
A
Just kidding. There's a ton out there.
C
I can give you a bunch.
A
I need to read a private book again. Yeah, you do.
C
I'm gonna read the one you bought me.
A
All right.
C
I don't.
A
Oh, here we go.
C
I got one brain power to think
A
about that right now in one sentence. Why should I read Red Rising?
B
It's the best series ever.
A
Kidding.
C
Epic space Saga. Saga.
A
I've been in a permanent reading slump since I finished it.
C
Ooh.
A
Like I have not had. Also try this. The same feeling I got reading Throne of Glass. I got reading Red Rising.
C
That's a good one.
B
That's a good one.
A
I think there's a lot of discourse on Tik Tok right now that, like, the Throne of Glass to Red Rising pipeline is real. And I can see that. I can see why. There's some characters that are similar, but they're also very, very different. If I haven't convinced you already, I don't know what else to say.
C
Yeah. If you've been listening for a while, I don't know what more we can say about it. Just do it.
B
I have started a phenomenon within my extended family right now. I have gotten so many people to start it, and it is just such a satisfying feeling. I love getting, like, a text update from my brother alone. He's like, I just finished Morningstar or guess what book I'm reading right now. It's just feels so great. Uh, yeah. I mean, I think we can leave it at that.
C
Yeah.
B
That one.
C
Who has the best reading taste?
B
All of us.
C
Because we review the same books.
B
Pretty.
C
No, I. That was a joke.
A
Because we do pretty much have the same.
C
Yeah. Oh, how about this? End it off. Do you think your reading taste has changed over the past three years?
A
Yeah.
C
Yes. Like, I think, but not in the same way.
B
Yeah.
A
What if. Okay, Michaela, describe your reading taste at the beginning when we started the podcast and versus what it is now.
C
Oh, I think I turned 25, and so, you know, I'm. My brain is.
A
She's fully developed.
C
Fully developed.
A
What was my excuse? Mine was already fully developed.
C
Oh, no, I'm just saying in the fact of. I feel like I had a harder time in the beginning with, like, more serious books, if that makes sense. But now I Feel like I'm just, like, in a season of life where those hit harder than maybe they did before. And, like, I would, like, write off any authors that were maybe, like, wrote like, fiction or like, a little bit more serious topics just because I was like, I'm reading and I want to have fun and I want dragons and fairies and, you know, that stuff. But I think I have really grown to appreciate some fiction books. So.
B
Yeah, yeah, that's what I'd say.
C
But I still love dragons, fairies. Really fun, whimsical books. But I think especially in the past, like, year or so, I've read a lot more fiction books than I literally have ever read in my entire life. So.
A
What about you guys? Same.
B
Yeah, I feel like I was reading catches a lot of romance books, and I don't feel like I was reading books with a ton of depth and a lot of. I don't know, I just feel like my horizons have expanded. And I think the only thing I'd say is I don't read a lot of thrillers like I used to. Not that I was even reading a ton then, but I kind of at the time was like, oh, romance and thrillers. And then I was, like, reading Acotar, so I was, like, getting into that. But now it's like, I look at my bookshelf and I'm like, oh, it's literally like all fantasy books or sci fi books. I. It's really weird to think if I could go back to when I was getting back into reading again, like five years ago, because it was right before I had Lennon, and I could be like, these are the books that you're reading now. I would be like, what are you talking about? I would be shocked. Like, I never thought I would pick up a fantasy book. I never thought that I'd be having a book podcast talking about books, like, that would blow my mind.
A
So, yeah, yeah, same to these guys. I mean, I kind of feel like, not my goal in life. Okay. This is not my goal in life, but I want to be the type of reader that, like, anybody could. I don't read nonfiction, so maybe not. I. I want to be able to give a book recommendation to literally anyone. Like, if someone tells me, hey, I love this show or this show, I want to be able to recommend a book to them that I loved. So I feel like, same as these guys, I feel like I've broadened my horizons a lot more, and I think I'm a lot more open to a lot of different things. I also just think I'VE also gotten older as well, so I don't want to read about super young people anymore. So I gravitate maybe towards books where the characters are a little bit more mature, a little bit older. I say that as every fantasy female main character is 18, but you guys get what I'm trying to say. Yeah, but it's just, it's cool to reflect and see just how your tastes change. And honestly, even in three years, I bet all three of us will have different reading tastes. Yeah, if I ever turn into a non fiction reader, see if I'm okay. Just kidding. There's nothing wrong with non fiction. Non fiction is great.
B
But yeah, that was fun.
C
How cute.
A
So cute. Look at us being all sappy.
B
Oh, we're never sappy.
A
Well guys, hopefully you enjoyed this episode. Just some random questions that you guys answered. Maybe we'll do this again sometime if you like it. If you want to follow us on social media, you can find us at what She's Reading pod. You can also shop our merch at alread what she's reading.com or go ahead and give our Instagram a follow at what She's Reading shop. We may or may not have something very exciting coming very, very soon. Hop over to our Instagram and see. There might be some clues. I can't wait. In the meantime, if you if this is your first time listening to us, welcome. We also have a Patreon if you want some more content from us. And I think that's all we have for you guys this week. Hopefully you're reading a good book. If you are sending it our way because we're struggling. We'll see you next week.
B
Bye.
Podcast Summary: "Answering Your Bookish Questions!"
I'll Read What She's Reading
July 1, 2026
In this lively and candid Q&A episode, co-hosts Kennedy, Reggie, and Mikayla take questions from their Instagram followers, diving into topics ranging from their recent reads, least favorite books, spicy romance conversations, and dream book ideas, to reflections on how their reading tastes have evolved. As always, their group-chat-turned-book-club dynamic delivers a mix of thoughtful discussion, humorous tangents, and unfiltered honesty.
(00:36–07:23)
Kennedy:
Reggie:
Mikayla:
07:30–10:27
10:43–13:21
13:31–16:16
16:16–19:47
20:01–21:46
21:54–23:42
24:13–27:34
27:35–32:03
33:25–34:42
34:50–41:15
41:45–42:34
43:10–47:08
In classic I’ll Read What She’s Reading style, Kennedy, Reggie, and Mikayla blend humor, vulnerability, and deep bookish passion as they answer candid questions from fans. Tackling everything from what (and who) they avoid as readers, to dream magical powers, and what it means to grow as a reader over time, this episode is a warm invitation to both seasoned listeners and newcomers to embrace the chaos, camaraderie, and ever-growing TBRs at the heart of their podcast.