Loading summary
Transcript637 lines
- [00:00]
A
Foreign. Hi, guys.
- [00:13]
B
Welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Mikayla.
- [00:16]
C
I'm Reggie.
- [00:16]
A
And I'm Kennedy.
- [00:18]
B
Today we're going to be talking about Book talk books specifically for 2025.
- [00:26]
C
Mm.
- [00:26]
B
It's almost the end of 2025, which is crazy because I feel like I remember us doing an episode of, like, our most anticipated reads.
- [00:34]
C
I know that sounds like yesterday. Yeah, that's crazy.
- [00:38]
B
And now we're almost out of that. So how do we.
- [00:43]
A
We're gonna.
- [00:43]
B
Okay, so we did some research and found a curated list for, like, the most popular books that were, like, rated shelved on apps. And so we're kind of just going from that list. We're going to discuss our. Like, if we read that book, we think it deserves the hype, our ratings of it, and why we think it's really popular. Is there anything else we think we want to add?
- [01:10]
C
I think that's great.
- [01:11]
A
If we've. If we're gonna read it. If we haven't read it, you know. Yeah.
- [01:16]
C
Yeah, we're just diving deep.
- [01:17]
B
Yeah, we're diving in deep with Booktok.
- [01:21]
A
You know, because I feel like I.
- [01:22]
B
See a lot of videos of people saying either, like, books that are worth it on Booktok or books that aren't worth it on Booktok. So we're gonna be the test. We're gonna be the test of this.
- [01:32]
C
List and see if we agree.
- [01:34]
A
Yeah.
- [01:36]
B
All right.
- [01:36]
A
We're gonna do 30 books in this episode. We're starting at number 30, and then we're gonna end with number one. So make sure you stay to the end to find out what the number one most read, most shelved, most rated book on Booktok was this year as of November. Guess it could change from now to December. But for now, for now, number 30.
- [01:59]
B
I'm surprised by this one.
- [02:01]
A
Me too, Honestly.
- [02:02]
B
But I. I guess I get it. I guess I'll just say it. Caught up by Nevesa Allen. It's a second book into.
- [02:13]
A
Into Darkness.
- [02:14]
C
The first one. Lights. Lights out.
- [02:16]
B
Yeah.
- [02:17]
C
I don't feel like that surprises me because I see so many people talking about the first one. I haven't really seen a lot of people talk about the second one. But for how popular I feel like.
- [02:25]
A
The first one is, and I guess dark romance is honestly pretty popular in the Booktok space. Not so much in our space. Yeah. But in Booktok in general, I feel like it is. I will not be reading it.
- [02:36]
C
You wrote the first one.
- [02:37]
A
I did read. I listened to the first one. And Booktok got me on it. I heard sections of the audiobook that just sounded so outrageous and funny that I decided to listen to it and.
- [02:48]
B
Is it Teddy Hamilton or.
- [02:51]
A
No, No, I don't think it's Teddy Hamilton. But there was some outrageous scene where he's like stalking her. And it was just really funny to hear his inner monologue. I think it was just a little too much for me. But I know a lot of people really love that and I love that for them. It just was not my cup of tea. I think I rated it two and a half stars, maybe.
- [03:11]
B
Have you seen people like cosplay? The COVID was like.
- [03:16]
A
Yes, yes. The mask. I mean, if you're into it, you're into it. Yeah.
- [03:21]
B
I would be terrified, to be honest.
- [03:23]
A
It's the same reason why people like Ghost from Call of Duty. Call of Duty, Yeah. It's the mask thing. And it was fine. It just didn't pique my interest enough to continue. Yeah.
- [03:34]
B
Okay. All right, moving on to the next one.
- [03:37]
A
Wait, are you guys gonna read it?
- [03:38]
B
Oh. Oh, I thought that was a given.
- [03:40]
A
No. Oh, okay. Sorry, I should have specified.
- [03:43]
C
No, I will give us number 29. Cause I started this book this morning.
- [03:48]
A
Oh, you did?
- [03:50]
C
I did. Okay, so the book is Rewind it back by Liz Tom.
- [03:54]
A
40. Guys, I'm sorry.
- [03:56]
C
Number five in the windy City series.
- [03:58]
A
I'm so sorry that I was so mean about the first book because the second book is. Okay.
- [04:01]
C
I was mean about it too. I DNF'd and I made the whole world know that I DNF'd, so. They're so great. Which one? You're. Are you still on the third one? Michaela?
- [04:12]
B
Yeah.
- [04:13]
C
Caught up.
- [04:13]
B
Yeah.
- [04:14]
C
You've only read the second or.
- [04:16]
A
Yeah, yeah, I've only read the second and you're in the middle of third. I can't really gauge your reaction by your face.
- [04:24]
B
Yeah, I don't really like it that much.
- [04:26]
A
Who's it about?
- [04:28]
C
Kai.
- [04:29]
B
Kai.
- [04:29]
A
Oh. Oh, baseball. Yeah.
- [04:32]
C
Yeah.
- [04:32]
B
If I have to hear the word baseball daddy one more time. Oh, I will DNF the book. I'm not kidding. It's probably said 70 times.
- [04:43]
C
That's accurate.
- [04:44]
B
And so I. Yeah, I. Maybe it's because I'm listening to it. Maybe I should read it.
- [04:53]
A
It is on Kindle Unlimited.
- [04:55]
B
Anyways, we're not talking about that one.
- [04:56]
A
We're talking about Rewind It Back.
- [04:57]
C
We're talking about Rewind It Back, which, you know, I'm like one chapter in, so I can't say much about It.
- [05:02]
A
But.
- [05:02]
C
But I will say the Windy City series is kind of interesting because there is this just big controversy over the first book. And so I think a lot of people don't like the first book, so then they're turned off to read the rest of the series, which was both Kennedy and I. I loved the first one, or I love the second one. Not so much the third as much as the first. But anyways, I. I do think it's appropriately hyped, because who was it that we did an interview with? Was it Brady? Brady? And she was like, you guys have got to continue. Got to continue. And I'm really glad that I decided to continue because I've been eating it up. So it will be interesting to see what I think of number five. Rewind back.
- [05:48]
A
What sport is it? Can you say what sport it is? Hold on. Because I'm not gonna lie.
- [05:59]
B
I.
- [06:00]
A
So the first one is a hockey. Second one, basketball. Third one, baseball. Fourth is what?
- [06:05]
B
I don't know. I don't know.
- [06:06]
A
Reggie, what's the fourth?
- [06:07]
C
I think he's hot. Hockey is the fifth one.
- [06:10]
A
Guys, I'm the hockey romances. I just want different sports. I was so happy when it was basketball. I loved the basketball.
- [06:16]
B
I loved basketball.
- [06:17]
C
It's really good.
- [06:18]
A
There's just a lot of hockey romances out there, and we wind it back as hockey.
- [06:21]
B
Okay. But I don't know if you guys knew that Liz Tom, 40, was actually a pilot for a hockey team.
- [06:27]
A
Oh, shut up.
- [06:28]
B
That's how she wrote the first book.
- [06:30]
A
Oh, my gosh.
- [06:31]
B
What?
- [06:32]
A
I did not know that. Yeah, her.
- [06:33]
B
Her, like, post popped up on our page, and she was talking about that, and I think it was, like, 10 years ago or something like that.
- [06:43]
C
That's what.
- [06:43]
B
That's how she got her inspiration for the first book. It's her first book, so, like, she's gonna get better and better every single time she writes. So, I mean, the second one was fantastic.
- [06:55]
A
So I will read it. That was one I will read.
- [06:58]
B
I will read, too. I will.
- [07:00]
A
I think it's accurately placed. I agree.
- [07:04]
B
In this list. Yeah.
- [07:05]
C
And it came out not that long ago in May.
- [07:08]
A
Okay.
- [07:09]
B
Wow.
- [07:10]
A
All right.
- [07:11]
B
Less than six months.
- [07:12]
C
Or is that six months?
- [07:15]
A
Six months. June, July, August, September, October. Six months.
- [07:17]
B
Yeah. Six months to make its way on number 29.
- [07:21]
A
That's good job. List on 40. All right, good job. You want to see the next one? Number 28, don't let him in by Lisa Jewel. I think I've read one Lisa Jewel book. Maybe not actually.
- [07:34]
C
Let Me look, I think I read two.
- [07:38]
A
I think don't let her stay. Is that Lisa Jewel I did read? None of this is true. Particularly didn't really enjoy that book. I thought it was very overhyped. Will I be reading this? Unfortunately, probably not. Just because I feel like it has to be a thriller that is consistently brought up, at least on my booktok feed. And this just isn't one that I've seen regularly enough to make me read it. So I don't think I'll be reading it.
- [08:05]
C
I need to get on like thriller book talk because we. We aren't big thriller readers. I used to be for like a certain point in my life. I was. But it's been kind of a long time. So sometimes we kind of get some hate because we, like you guys are not thriller readers, but you're giving thriller wrecks. You know, I try. We try.
- [08:33]
B
I will say that's not like our genre.
- [08:35]
C
Oh yeah. It's just not our genre of choice. But like, I kind of want to get back into that because I. It's been a long time since I've read a thriller that I was just like, this was fantastic. Like, you know.
- [08:48]
A
So if you're listening and you have a thriller recommendation that is truly going to knock our socks off. Mikayla will not guess the plot twist. DM us, please. Because I think I'm just too critical of thrillers and I tend to not rate them super high because, yeah, I'm really critical of them for some reason.
- [09:06]
C
So, yeah, yeah, I do say. Want to say that the plot of this one sounds entice, like I'm intrigued. But what's hard is that I think I get turned off by reading thriller books because the ratings are usually pretty low. And I think it's because people rate thrillers more harshly than a lot of other genres because if they guess the plot twist, they're like two stars. You know what I mean? Or it's like, I think there's just more things to be critical of sometimes when it comes to thrillers.
- [09:39]
B
So I agree. Well, number 27 is also a thriller. Oh, did you guys say if you're gonna read that one?
- [09:47]
A
I said, I won't.
- [09:48]
B
I. I probably, probably won't.
- [09:51]
C
But I would like to read a Lisa Jewel thriller because I've read one before and I enjoyed it. I don't remember which one it was. Then she was gone.
- [09:58]
A
Is that. It was.
- [10:00]
C
Yeah, I like that one.
- [10:02]
B
I haven't read that one. So maybe I need to give some. Some roller books a try number 27. Should we see how many times. Yes, she is on this list.
- [10:13]
A
We're at one.
- [10:13]
B
Okay. Frida McFadden, the intruder. You know, I never say never, that I won't read this because I feel like her books are really short and bingeable. Um, she's just like. I feel like an iconic name in the thriller world right now.
- [10:34]
A
She's pumping out books like nobody's business.
- [10:37]
B
How she's doing that I don't know. Girl.
- [10:39]
A
Isn't she also a brain surgeon or she's some sort of doctor? And I'm like, frida, how do you have time in between surgery or patient appointments to be jotting down these books?
- [10:52]
B
Yeah. I don't know.
- [10:53]
C
And making movies.
- [10:54]
B
Making movies.
- [10:55]
C
I don't know how involved she was with the housemaid movie, but it kind.
- [10:58]
A
Of seems like, based on social media, it seems like she was kind of involved, like.
- [11:01]
B
Yeah.
- [11:02]
A
You know what I mean? She's been kind of a part of the press, I feel. But I am excited to see the movie. Yeah. And I think Frida is such a great author for people to dip their toes into thriller because her books are those books that the plot twists are so unrealistic that. That it's sometimes laughable, but it works because they're so shocking. She goes for shock value. I. I feel. Yeah.
- [11:27]
C
Well, her plot, the plot of her books are just always so wild. Like, the Intruder, from what I'm gathering from the synopsis, is the. The female main character is stuck in some cabin during, like, a hurricane, and there's some girl that is, like, wandering outside of the cabin, and she has some, like. Who comes up with that? Like, that's just a wild concept to me. Like, that sounds scary ever so.
- [11:56]
B
Yeah, I don't know. Maybe I changed my mind.
- [11:59]
A
I'm just kidding. Maybe I'll get to it one day.
- [12:02]
B
Maybe next October.
- [12:03]
A
I haven't read a Frida McFadden in a hot second.
- [12:05]
C
You know, I thought of listening with one of hers this morning. I was getting ready because I was like, I need to switch it up. But.
- [12:14]
B
So I think all of us.
- [12:15]
A
Would say we might get to maybe.
- [12:18]
B
It's a maybe for us.
- [12:19]
C
You just never know what Frida's gonna throw at you. So that's what I enjoy about her books. Is it the best writing in the world? No. Is it very outrageous? Yes. But I think that's why I enjoy them sometimes, because I'm always like, what? Like, you almost can't guess the plot twist because it's so outrageous. So, all right, next one, number 26, problematic summer romance by Ali Hazelwood.
- [12:46]
B
Should we also see how many times.
- [12:47]
A
Ali is on this list?
- [12:48]
C
She's also honestly have not even heard of this book.
- [12:51]
A
I have.
- [12:52]
C
I haven't. I don't know. Why?
- [12:54]
A
Because.
- [12:54]
C
What's the first book?
- [12:55]
A
Not in Love. Not in Love is the Swimmer one, right? No, no.
- [13:01]
B
The other one is.
- [13:02]
A
What's the Swimmer one?
- [13:03]
B
Deep.
- [13:04]
A
Oh, deep. Deep end. It's not. The second one to us, not in.
- [13:08]
B
Love is like the pink.
- [13:10]
C
Yeah.
- [13:10]
B
With like.
- [13:11]
C
They're like blue hair.
- [13:12]
A
Yeah, that's right. Purple hair.
- [13:13]
B
Ish.
- [13:14]
A
That's right. Honestly, you guys, I saw. Okay, I. With all of Ali Hazelwood's books, I. They're very polarizing. People either love them or hate them. For this one, at least on my TikTok, I saw most people that liked it. Most of the people I saw liked this book. Ali Hazelwood is one of those authors that I have to be in the mood for because.
- [13:41]
C
I don't always love her spice.
- [13:44]
A
And sometimes her books err on the more spice than plot side of romance books. And so I have to be really in the mood. I think the last Ali Hazelwood, I. Ali Hazelwood book I read was Bride.
- [14:00]
C
Well, that was a while ago, too.
- [14:02]
A
That was. I think that was last October's book club book.
- [14:06]
C
Yeah. I was just gonna say. I mean, I've only read two Ali Hazelwood books. One of them, the first one was Bride. That was my first one. The second one was Love Hypothesis, and I honestly loved the Love Hypothesis. So I kind of want to give. I need to read a few more of her books to kind of, like, gauge how I feel. But, I mean, this one is set in Italy. That's kind of a vibe. So that sounds kind of fun to me.
- [14:39]
A
This is a maybe for me. I think I could get to it at some point. We'll see.
- [14:44]
B
I just.
- [14:45]
A
I really think that I loved her stem romances that she. I think got her start with. And then I love that she's branched out. Bride was wild, but in a fun way, because I hadn't really read a romance book that was like that before. But then I think as she's continued on writing, her books have just gotten progressively spicier. And so we don't read for Spice. She's very hit or miss. Like, don't get me wrong, I do like Spice. There's a time and a place for it. But when the spice outweighs the plot, that's what's hard for me.
- [15:19]
C
So Same.
- [15:20]
B
I probably won't. I've read ten of her books.
- [15:24]
A
That's crazy to me.
- [15:26]
B
And I just think. I don't know. They were good. I just think I am not the main audience anymore, so. And you know, that's okay. That's okay.
- [15:39]
A
That is okay.
- [15:40]
B
Yeah.
- [15:42]
C
Next one, they're looking at me because.
- [15:46]
A
They read this one. Rebel Witch by Kristin Sorelli. It's the second book in the Crimson Moth duology, which. Did you guys see that she just released another book? Yeah. Okay. I still have not read it. I have the physical copy. I'll get to it eventually. I wasn't obsessed with. What's it called? Is it called the Crimson Moth or Heartless Hunter?
- [16:07]
C
Heartless Hunter. The duology is.
- [16:09]
A
Was the original title Crimson Moth, though.
- [16:11]
C
Okay.
- [16:12]
A
I thought Heartless Hunter was okay. And then I just haven't picked up Rebel Witch just because I think there's been other books that I wanted to read more. Reggie did dress up as Ruhn for Halloween, and it kind of inspired me to maybe move it up in my tbr.
- [16:29]
C
You're welcome.
- [16:30]
A
I think for me, when I read.
- [16:32]
C
The first book, it just was at.
- [16:34]
A
A time that I wanted something that was a little bit more complex for my fantasy books. Not to say that this book is bad. It's just a lot more simple plot, which is very nice at some points when you're reading fantasy, but just at the time, I wanted something complex, so I just haven't picked it up, but I will.
- [16:50]
B
It is young adult, so. Yeah.
- [16:52]
A
I also think during that time period, I was reading a lot of young adult books and they just weren't jiving with me. But I did give Heartless Hunter three stars. I just need to pick it up and finish the duology because duologies are my favorite. Yeah. Eventually I'll get to it.
- [17:10]
C
Yeah.
- [17:10]
B
I think it's worth the 25 spot.
- [17:13]
A
Yeah.
- [17:14]
C
I mean, I love duologies because it's not like a huge commitment. And I also listened to the audiobook of Rebel Witch. Most of. I mostly listened to it. Really enjoyed it. I think I gave the book four stars.
- [17:28]
A
Oh, okay.
- [17:29]
C
It was just really fun.
- [17:30]
A
What did you guys rate? Heartless Hunter. Did you give it five or four? Do you guys remember?
- [17:34]
C
I think I gave it four.
- [17:37]
B
Let me check.
- [17:40]
A
That was a book club book, you guys.
- [17:41]
B
I gave it 4.5.
- [17:42]
A
Okay.
- [17:44]
B
And then I gave rebel witch 4. Okay.
- [17:47]
C
4 and 4. For me, I.
- [17:49]
B
It was just a fun one at the. And I think it was just the time that we read it.
- [17:55]
C
Yeah.
- [17:56]
B
I was like me, I probably wouldn't feel the same all the time, but.
- [17:59]
A
Well, also, I think it's a unique enough plot in the young. Young adult genre because I don't see a lot of witches in the young adult genre, at least that I've read. You know what I mean?
- [18:12]
C
Yeah.
- [18:13]
A
I think period blood thing was unique.
- [18:14]
C
Kind of like a change of pace from other fantasy books that I was reading. It's just like a different concept, which I liked, so.
- [18:21]
A
But yeah. You guys feel like 25 is warranted? Yeah, yeah. I mean, I feel like I could.
- [18:26]
B
See it even being a little lower, but honestly, I just think duologies just make people that much more interested.
- [18:36]
A
Yeah.
- [18:37]
B
In finishing it. Like, even if they're like, well, if you bought the first book, it's just.
- [18:41]
C
Like, well, might as well.
- [18:42]
B
Might as well just read the second book. So, like, it makes sense.
- [18:45]
A
Yeah.
- [18:45]
B
To me.
- [18:46]
A
Well, I mean, based on. I haven't read it, but based on the first book and the books beneath it, that book has got to be better than the ones underneath it.
- [18:54]
B
Yeah.
- [18:55]
C
So.
- [18:56]
B
All right, we're Moving on to 24.
- [18:59]
A
Another book club book.
- [19:00]
B
Another book club book. The Favorites by Elaine Fargo.
- [19:07]
C
This one had so much hype on TikTok, I feel like really, I. I.
- [19:11]
B
Don'T know, maybe I didn't see very.
- [19:12]
C
Much of it and it was one of those things where it was like right after it was released. I don't know if a lot of people got arcs and we're just like posting. I think the thing I really liked about the favorites, I will say I didn't love the ending of it, but overall it's a really enjoyable read because one, the audiobook is super fun. And I just think that for like, us and what we typically read, it kind of felt a little different because it wasn't just like a rom com, it was like a sports. What would you call. Would you call it a sports?
- [19:49]
A
I wouldn't even call it a romance book.
- [19:50]
C
It's more like.
- [19:51]
A
I would say it's more fiction.
- [19:52]
C
It's more fiction. Like there's romance, but it's not like your typical romance book. And so I really liked that. There were a lot of like jaw dropping moments that kept me going. I think I was just like left a little disappointed in the ending of it. But based off what I've seen on TikTok, I'd say it's pretty warranted spot. Like 24. I mean, maybe not in my liking, but from what I've seen on booktok, I'd say I'm not surprised it's on the list.
- [20:21]
A
If you haven't read the favorites by Lane Fargo. If you like Taylor Jenkins Reid. I feel like it's a very TJR adjacent book.
- [20:29]
C
Yeah.
- [20:29]
A
If you liked Carrie Soto was back. Gives kind of similar vibes.
- [20:33]
C
Ish.
- [20:36]
A
Basically ice skaters with lots of drama. Yeah.
- [20:41]
B
Toxic.
- [20:43]
A
Toxic.
- [20:44]
B
Toxic.
- [20:45]
C
Toxic ice skaters.
- [20:47]
A
I think, though, a part of me thinks that this would. It would be such a good movie. I almost feel like I would enjoy it as a movie more than I did as a book for some reason. I don't know why. Also, if they changed the ending.
- [21:03]
C
Some people loved the ending, though, because I've had a few people comment on my review of the book because I say in my review that I, like, wish it would have ended differently. And people were like, no. Like, I got a comment on it just the other day of someone saying. Saying that.
- [21:19]
A
Interesting.
- [21:19]
C
I don't know.
- [21:21]
A
I think it's at a good spot. Yeah, I do.
- [21:23]
B
Good spot.
- [21:23]
A
Yeah.
- [21:24]
C
The next book is RF Kwong. Catabis.
- [21:29]
A
Katabasis. Catabasis.
- [21:31]
C
Okay.
- [21:31]
A
RF Kuang. I saw a TikTok of her and she said she doesn't really care how you say it.
- [21:35]
B
Yeah.
- [21:36]
C
Okay.
- [21:36]
B
It was really interesting.
- [21:37]
A
Yeah. She just was like.
- [21:38]
B
Because I think I've seen her say it differently.
- [21:40]
A
Yes. Because I. I want to say in this specific TikTok that I saw, she. She said that she originally thought it was katabasis. That's how she said it. Or catap. I think Katabasis. Yeah. She said she didn't care. So however you want to say it is cool with her.
- [21:52]
B
So it's cool.
- [21:55]
A
It's up to your interpretation.
- [21:57]
C
I honestly don't know if I will read it.
- [22:00]
A
I think I will get to it eventually. Same.
- [22:03]
B
I mean, I have it.
- [22:04]
A
So I think it's one of those books that I would have to be in the mindset for, because I think it's. From what I can tell. Well, part of the reason why I didn't want to read it is because people were saying you had to all. You had to read all of these books prior to understand Katabasis. And that intimidated me. But after it's been out for a while, a lot of people said, you can just read this book.
- [22:24]
B
You're fine.
- [22:24]
A
You don't have to do a bunch. A whole bunch of homework. What I found was interesting, though. Did you guys see all the misprints on her books with the certain diagrams? Yes. They, like got mixed up in the Prince. So I found that to Be interesting. I just think. Isn't it about two scholars that are going to hell? Yeah, they're going to hell to save.
- [22:46]
C
Their professor or something. Yeah.
- [22:49]
A
Sounds interesting to me. I think I'd have to be in the right headspace for it, though.
- [22:52]
B
Yeah, same. Is it me? Okay. Okay.
- [22:58]
A
Number 22.
- [22:59]
B
Scythe and Sparrow by Bryn Weaver. This is the third book in the Ruinous Love trilogy.
- [23:06]
A
I'm gonna tell you right now, it does not deserve the spot.
- [23:09]
C
You read this one?
- [23:10]
A
Yes, I listened to it. I read all three of them.
- [23:13]
B
That's why.
- [23:14]
A
Listen to them. First one was my favorite, I think, because it was so unique to anything I had read. Basically, it's two serial killers. It's a love story between two serial killers. And also it was one of the first audiobooks that I had listened to that was dual narration where the guy reads his lines, girl reads her lines, you know, and it was so funny and outrageous. And then I think by the third book, I just was kind of like, I've seen this before. Yeah. Yeah. And I think. I think if I had to rate, rank them. Butcher and Blackboard is number one. This one side and Sparrow. And then the second one is my least favorite. I don't think it's worth number 22.
- [23:52]
C
I won't take it for it.
- [23:54]
A
I don't think you guys need to.
- [23:56]
C
No, I will probably.
- [23:57]
A
I don't think you need to.
- [24:00]
C
I don't know what order we're going in.
- [24:01]
A
You're next.
- [24:02]
C
Me. Okay, next one. I think you both have read this one.
- [24:07]
A
Is that some wrestler one?
- [24:08]
B
Yeah.
- [24:08]
C
Yeah. Wildside number three in the Rose Hill series by Elsie Silver. I have not gotten to this series yet, but I will eventually.
- [24:19]
B
It actually surprises me that it's this one. Maybe there's more above it, but.
- [24:25]
A
Are you talking about the newest one?
- [24:27]
B
Yeah. Or like.
- [24:29]
A
Well, I wonder if they just weren't. Was this released in 2025?
- [24:34]
C
Yeah, I think all those books have been released.
- [24:36]
A
Yeah, that one was released in 2025. I don't think the other. The first two were released in 2025. Okay. 2024. That. That's why.
- [24:43]
B
Okay. Yeah. I mean, it's good. I mean, I feel like Elsie Silver, she. She's getting big time. She's getting the TV show with the powerless series. Like, they're. What is it called?
- [24:58]
C
Chestnut Springs.
- [24:58]
B
Chestnut Springs. You know, I.
- [25:01]
A
She's. She's just.
- [25:03]
B
She's gonna be popular for a while, I feel like.
- [25:05]
A
Oh, for sure. Any Elsie Silver book is going to be in the top yeah, 30. Especially when it comes to Booktok. She's a very well known Booktok author.
- [25:12]
B
Yeah.
- [25:13]
A
This is not my favorite book of hers. No, I'm trying to remember. I think this might be my favorite that I've read so far in this series. Same. I think same.
- [25:24]
C
How many books are there?
- [25:25]
A
Four. Yeah. Yeah. So far. Yeah. I think it's a fine warranted spot. Yeah. Yeah. Yep.
- [25:33]
C
Amazing.
- [25:35]
A
Ne this next one, I'm surprised is actually not higher with how hyped it was on Booktok. First time caller by BK Borison. I feel like it took Booktok by storm. I would honestly say. Not to say like enjoyment wise for me, but I'm surprised it's not like a little bit higher in the list. I don't know what's above this because we haven't actually looked at the entire list, but I'm surprised It's not like 15.
- [25:58]
C
Yeah.
- [25:59]
A
Because I feel like it was everywhere when it came out. Yeah.
- [26:02]
C
Because yeah, it came out in the. No, February.
- [26:08]
B
I mean it's just perfect. Valentine's. Literally the COVID is.
- [26:13]
C
It's very 90s Rom com.
- [26:14]
B
Yes.
- [26:15]
A
And if you guys haven't watched our interview, we were actually able to interview BK Borison and it's just interesting to hear her side of things, her brain, how it works. And I'm actually really excited for the next book in this series. Yeah, same.
- [26:28]
B
I think it'll be good.
- [26:29]
C
It comes out very soon.
- [26:31]
B
Very soon. Okay. Number 19. I feel like I haven't seen very much of this, but maybe I'm just not on that side of TikTok. But the perfect Divorce. And it is the second book in the perfect series.
- [26:46]
A
The first one is the Perfect Marriage.
- [26:47]
B
The Perfect Marriage? Yeah.
- [26:49]
A
By Geneva.
- [26:50]
C
What happens?
- [26:51]
A
Just kidding. I don't know. I mean, did either of you read the Perfect Marriage?
- [26:54]
B
No, I did.
- [26:55]
C
I don't think I did.
- [26:55]
A
I don't actually remember. It's very similar to another very popular thriller that I'm not gonna say which one. I can't remember. I had read it before. I read this other very popular one and they're very similar. Ironically. This is one of my very. The first book in the series was one of my very. Was one of the very first books I read, getting back into reading because my sister in law recommended it to me and after I read it I thought to myself, I can't believe my sister in law read this book. Now I think about the books that I read now. It pales in comparison, but I personally probably won't be reading this I probably won't either.
- [27:34]
C
Same.
- [27:35]
B
Sometimes I feel like second book for thriller books aren't necessary.
- [27:41]
A
Yep. I agree. So, like, the housemaid, the housemaid secret, the housemaid's housemaid, Housemaid's brother, Housemaid's wedding, you know? You know, it's just. One's good.
- [27:51]
C
Yeah.
- [27:52]
A
All right.
- [27:53]
B
All right.
- [27:54]
C
This next one, I believe, would be a lot higher on the list if we were. If it had been out a little bit longer. Do you guys agree?
- [28:01]
B
Yeah, I think so, too.
- [28:03]
C
Alchemized by Sendling you. We've kind of yapped about this book a lot, so I don't think we need to, like, talk too much about it because we just recently had an episode on it. So if you've read it and you haven't seen our episode, all our thoughts there, which I think that's one of.
- [28:18]
A
Our best book club episodes. Yes. To be honest.
- [28:20]
C
Yes.
- [28:22]
B
It was a long one.
- [28:23]
C
This is a dark. If you. You know, I feel like anyone listening would be shocked if they haven't heard of Alchemized. But if you're in for, like, if you really want to buckle up and read a thousand pages, which. Let me say something really quick. I feel like I've seen people say, I am not reading that because it's so long, but it's funny to me because it's like, it's a standalone. Like, would you rather read, like, three separate books?
- [28:53]
A
I think the page count is intimidating to a lot of people. Oh, yeah, yeah. For sure. If I think it was. If it was split into two books, people wouldn't even think twice about it. Yeah. It's like a psychology thing. Yeah.
- [29:03]
C
But I just think I'm like, I can appreciate.
- [29:07]
A
One and done.
- [29:07]
C
Yeah. One and done. But it's. It's dark, it's emotional, it's brilliant.
- [29:18]
A
So Sendling you, everybody.
- [29:21]
B
Yeah. Just go. Just go watch our episode.
- [29:23]
A
Yeah.
- [29:24]
B
If you're interested to hear our thoughts on it. So. Yeah.
- [29:27]
A
All right. Number 17. Bury our bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab. Neither of you have read this, have you? No.
- [29:34]
C
And, you know, I feel like I really need to. I thought about reading it this fall, but I just have not had enough to sit down and read time. And I don't want to listen to the audiobook, but, you know, I have a signed copy by V. E. Schwab. I feel like I need. She gave. Put it into my hands. I feel like I need to read it.
- [29:53]
A
Listen, I love V. Schwab. I think she's such a Cool human being. Her books are another book that I have to be in the mood for.
- [30:02]
C
Yeah.
- [30:03]
A
The pacing of this one was really weird. I remember while reading that.
- [30:08]
B
Split timeline, Right?
- [30:10]
A
Yes. But then there's also like three different point of views. And so basically you're just following three, I think three lesbian vampires. Very unique plot. Very cool. It's set in the same world as this as Addie Larue. And I feel like if you loved Addie Larue, chances are you will really love Bury Our Bones of the Midnight Soil. Very similar pacing, vibe. Nuts. That's about it. There is a cameo for Addie Larue in this book. I completely went over my head. But there is one, so I do. It doesn't surprise me that it's this high on this list because I think V. Schwab is a very.
- [30:51]
C
She has a cult following.
- [30:52]
A
Cult following. Yes. Talks about on booktok. Enjoyment wise. There were books that we've talked about prior that I enjoyed more. But I'll read anything. V. Schwab's. Right.
- [31:04]
B
Let's.
- [31:04]
A
Let's be honest.
- [31:05]
C
Yeah.
- [31:06]
B
So.
- [31:06]
A
And I think most people feel the same.
- [31:08]
C
Yep. Dad will get to it eventually.
- [31:09]
B
I will too. Okay.
- [31:12]
C
Number 16.
- [31:13]
B
The night and Moth by Rachel Gillig.
- [31:16]
C
I worship.
- [31:18]
A
I can't speak today. I worship Rachel Gillig.
- [31:21]
C
She's dressed up.
- [31:23]
A
I love her.
- [31:23]
C
Sybil from this book for Halloween.
- [31:27]
A
I think this is an appropriate spot for it. I think so too.
- [31:29]
C
I think so too.
- [31:30]
A
Yeah.
- [31:30]
C
It was not my favorite of her books. I mean, she's only got what, three out of. I liked One Dark Window much more. But I will say, I think I will like the second book better than the first.
- [31:43]
B
Yeah. Same.
- [31:43]
A
I could see that.
- [31:44]
C
Yeah. So a fun fantasy. Romantasy. It just. I mean, I actually really like. I want to say you didn't love the beginning. Mikayla. Did you say that?
- [31:57]
A
Yeah.
- [31:57]
C
I actually really liked the beginning. And then towards the end I didn't enjoy it as much. But very unique, which I love. I just feel like Rachel Gillig does things her own way and I love that.
- [32:13]
B
I just feel like the reason why I didn't like the beginning, I. I honestly probably wasn't in the mood for it, but I feel like the beginning was a little cynical. Like I had a hard time, like figuring out the characters.
- [32:25]
C
That's fair.
- [32:27]
B
But then like, towards the end I feel like I had a grasp on all the characters and so I think that's why my enjoyment like went up.
- [32:34]
A
Yeah.
- [32:34]
B
If that makes sense.
- [32:35]
A
So.
- [32:35]
B
But it's still Good. It was good. And I loved the unique premise. Is fantastic. Her mind is something else.
- [32:42]
C
Okay, next one. Shield of Sparrows by Devnee Perry. Honestly, I wrote I'm rated this 4.5 stars, but a part of me kind of wants to give it five because I've thought about it a lot. Like, I'm very excited for the next book. It was very fun. The monster element ate it up. The vibes were there.
- [33:06]
A
This is another book club book.
- [33:08]
C
Yes.
- [33:08]
A
Why am I, like, tapping ourselves on the back that we have all these books that are book club books on this list.
- [33:13]
C
We like what's trending, but yeah, I really enjoyed this one. And what's crazy is this book got picked up for a movie, like, right after it came out. Yeah, it's crazy.
- [33:24]
A
Well, I think it's because it took Book Talk by storm.
- [33:26]
C
Yeah. I'm. I'm honestly surprised this isn't higher on the list.
- [33:30]
A
Well, I also.
- [33:31]
B
Yeah, I'm surprised too, but I think it's the same publishers as 4th Wing, and so I think they had connections to.
- [33:39]
A
They had a big budget, put it.
- [33:40]
B
In the hands of some people that, you know, make movies and stuff. That's what I'm thinking. But not that it isn't really freaking good because I think we all really enjoyed it.
- [33:53]
A
Yeah, it was good.
- [33:56]
B
Yeah.
- [33:56]
A
If you're interested, once again, we have a book club episode on that if you want to hear more of our thoughts. But yeah, and also, I think it's really cool that she decided to branch out from her typical genre. Reminds me of another author by the same publisher named Rebecca Yaros. So. Okay, moving on. In the list, we have Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney.
- [34:17]
C
I'm surprised by this one.
- [34:19]
A
Me too. But once again, like, I'm not on thriller side of Book Talk. Will I be reading it? Probably not. Just because I don't read a ton of thrillers.
- [34:29]
C
I have to say I probably will because they have the physical book. Oh, I got in my Book of the Month subscription.
- [34:36]
A
I did know that that was a pick for Book of the Month, so. Yeah.
- [34:38]
C
Oh, yeah.
- [34:39]
B
That's also probably another reason why it's higher up there. Because Book of the Month is a pretty popular book.
- [34:47]
C
Subserv.
- [34:50]
A
Book subscription.
- [34:53]
B
Book subscription. So it probably got a lot of people to it.
- [35:00]
A
So for sure.
- [35:01]
C
Gripping and deliciously dark thriller about marriage and revenge.
- [35:04]
B
Why is everything about marriage?
- [35:05]
A
Every thriller is about marriage.
- [35:06]
C
Every marriage, truly.
- [35:08]
A
Marriage or children.
- [35:09]
B
Children.
- [35:11]
A
Number 13.
- [35:12]
B
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte Mcogany. Machogany. Yeah, Machogany. I'm gonna say Mahogany.
- [35:21]
A
Yeah.
- [35:21]
B
I've seen a lot about this.
- [35:24]
C
I have. Not really, but I'm intrigued by looking.
- [35:27]
B
At the plot, maybe. Mostly I've seen, like, on my Goodreads, a lot of people reading it. I'm intrigued. I don't really know much about it, and I think I want to go into it blind. But the COVID is, like, really intriguing.
- [35:40]
A
To me for some reason. I mean, I'm looking at the people that we're friends with on Goodreads, and every single person rated this four stars or higher. Yeah. So, I mean, yeah. Brady said this book changed her life.
- [35:56]
C
So I need to go add that to my.
- [35:58]
A
I have seen this cover everywhere. I don't know. I don't know the plot of it, but I've seen it everywhere. And I feel like if I was to read some sort of thriller, it would probably be this one. It sounds like it's not about marriage or children, surprisingly.
- [36:12]
B
Yeah.
- [36:13]
A
So kind of sounds a little eerie. Yeah.
- [36:16]
C
Which I'm here for.
- [36:16]
A
Yeah, I'm here for.
- [36:17]
C
I added it to my. Me too, Libby. Just now. So it is a Reese's Book Club book, so that's probably why, too. I literally have not seen anything about this. That's what's so funny. You guys are saying you've seen it. I'm like, I haven't even. I don't even know what this book is. But now I'm like, maybe that's what I should have started this morning instead. It's all right. Anyways, my turn. Number 12, fearless from the Powerless trilogy by Lauren Roberts.
- [36:53]
B
Didn't we do an episode about this, too?
- [36:54]
C
We did. It was also. Well, it was a bonus episode, I think.
- [36:58]
A
So.
- [36:58]
B
We have an episode. All of our thoughts, I think.
- [37:03]
C
Did we all give it five stars?
- [37:05]
B
I think so.
- [37:06]
A
Let me check. I can look for us. It doesn't surprise me that. Yes, we did.
- [37:12]
B
I think there's a love hate relationship with people, with Lauren Roberts. So.
- [37:17]
A
And it doesn't surprise me that it's this high up. I mean, I think Powerless was very popular, and it doesn't surprise me. It's this high. So, yeah, go. Go.
- [37:30]
B
Just go listen to our episode. How about that? Yeah.
- [37:32]
C
All the thoughts.
- [37:33]
A
All the thoughts.
- [37:34]
C
But, I mean, yeah, I'm not surprised.
- [37:36]
B
But it also. It came out at the beginning of this year, so it's been. It's been a while to, like, build up its rank. So it makes sense why it's this high up.
- [37:44]
C
Yeah.
- [37:46]
A
All right. Number 11 by my good old pal Frederick Bachman. My friends, honestly, I'm very. A part of me wants to say I'm really surprised. It's high up on this list, but also not at the same time because I think when it comes to fiction, Frederick Bachman is the king. The king of fiction. It's not my favorite book by him, but I think it resonates with a lot of different people. You know exactly what you're going to get with Frederick Bachmann. You'll cry, you'll feel things, you'll highlight so many things. He just has this way of writing emotional books with trauma. Like every single one of his characters just has so much trauma and you just feel so bad for them. But I love Frederick Bachman, so I'll leave it at that.
- [38:34]
C
He's great.
- [38:35]
B
I haven't read any. I. I'll say maybe. I'll say maybe. I don't know if I will, but.
- [38:40]
A
Maybe this wouldn't be. I don't feel like this would be my first recommendation for someone to start with Frederik Bachman. I haven't read A Man Called Ove, but I think that would probably be one where I tell people to start just based on what I've heard from people. Beartown is too much of a commitment, my friends. I feel like you people would only appreciate it if they know his writing. I don't know how to describe it other than that.
- [39:05]
C
That makes sense to me.
- [39:06]
A
So.
- [39:07]
C
So.
- [39:08]
B
All right, moving on to. We're making it into. To the top 10.
- [39:14]
A
Comment. Your guesses. If you have any guesses of any books that are going to be on top the top 10 list, now's your time. Comment, comment. Right now, run number 10.
- [39:22]
B
One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune. I think this is a deserving spot. I loved it.
- [39:28]
A
I loved this book so much.
- [39:30]
B
It was so good. The COVID too.
- [39:34]
A
I don't know who she's working with.
- [39:35]
B
But it's doing her a service. Like, they're so intriguing like, compared to like other romance books. I think Carly Fortune has it figured out because, I mean, I will say it's kind of like a part of a series, but like you can't help but go to a romance section and just like eye catching.
- [40:01]
A
That's part of the reason I physically bought the book because I thought it would look cute on my shelf. Do we do an episode on this or. No, no, no. But also I love that it's. I don't really know about her other books. I can't remember, but this one, the COVID has a purpose. Like it actually speaks to the story yeah, in a huge way. Yeah. I rated this 5 stars. I loved this book so much. I, I, A lot of people had a problem with the main male character. I loved him. I thought I was obsessed with him. Some people did not like him because they thought he was too cocky and arrogant, which I get. Yeah. But I loved it. I loved it. I think this is my favorite Carly Fortune book.
- [40:44]
C
Yeah, same.
- [40:45]
A
I think so too.
- [40:46]
B
It's, yeah, it was good. It's deserving of that spot for sure.
- [40:51]
A
Yeah.
- [40:53]
C
This is one I've briefly heard about. So this is just surprising to me as a avid tiktoker, but you know, I might just not be on the side. This Broken country by Claire Leslie Hall. Have you guys heard about this?
- [41:09]
B
Not really. And it's a Reese, Reese's Book club pick.
- [41:14]
A
So respectfully, someone shoots a dog at the beginning. I will not be reading.
- [41:18]
C
Is that what it says?
- [41:19]
A
Yes, it says Beth's brother in law shoots a dog after going after their sheep. She doesn't realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives.
- [41:28]
C
What?
- [41:29]
B
Honestly, after reading the Four Winds, I just like can't read anything about country and anything emotionally tolling right now.
- [41:41]
A
I need to add that asap. Uh, yeah, it really put me in.
- [41:46]
B
A funk and that just like gave me like triggered me ptsd.
- [41:51]
A
Yeah, ptsd.
- [41:52]
B
Hearing about like a farmer and dogs die triggered me. Okay.
- [41:58]
A
So.
- [41:58]
B
No, I'm not gonna read it.
- [41:59]
A
I don't think I'll read it either.
- [42:02]
C
I probably won't either.
- [42:03]
A
I'm surprised.
- [42:04]
B
I have a.
- [42:04]
C
Sometimes Reese's Book club picks, they're usually a miss for me.
- [42:10]
A
Honestly, same.
- [42:12]
C
You know, like I think I've read.
- [42:13]
A
A couple and every time I'm just kind of. It's not my, it's not my job.
- [42:18]
C
It will be a movie one day, so. Yeah, well, maybe I'll just watch the movie.
- [42:26]
A
All right, we got number eight. She's back on the list for second time around. Deep end Ali Hazelwood. I won't be reading it. I don't think. I don't think so either.
- [42:36]
B
Only because Ali Hazelwood said she wanted to name this book Wet.
- [42:43]
A
I'm just, I just so I was like that.
- [42:46]
B
That's not a book for me. I'm sorry.
- [42:48]
A
Yeah, I just have heard not so great things about it. Like nobody likes the spice and the main characters give them the ick. And so I think I'm going to pass on this specific Ali Hazelwood book. It's just. But that's okay.
- [43:03]
C
Yeah, same.
- [43:05]
B
Yeah.
- [43:05]
A
Honestly, cover's kind of cool, though. I kind of vibe with the color cover.
- [43:09]
C
Yeah, I like the colors of it.
- [43:11]
B
The hands.
- [43:12]
A
Doesn't surprise me that this. That it's as high. It's Ollie Hazelwood.
- [43:14]
C
Yeah. So same.
- [43:15]
B
She's sewn up. That's her second. Second second on the list. Okay. Number seven. Say youy'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. I'm not surprised because Abby Jimenez is an icon. She is an icon. It's not my favorite of her books. Like, it's probably lower, but, like, it doesn't surprise me because it's just like, you pick up her books and you just. You know, they're gonna be great.
- [43:45]
A
They feel good. The romance is usually pretty great. I think the majority of re. It's an easy digestible read. And Abby just is so great.
- [43:57]
C
Yeah, ditto. Yeah, ditto.
- [44:00]
A
We love you, Abby. Oh, my gosh.
- [44:03]
B
This is crazy. What?
- [44:05]
A
The next one. Oh, she's on it for the second time.
- [44:08]
C
The second time. The Tenant by Frida McFadden.
- [44:12]
A
I've seen this book everywhere.
- [44:16]
B
I don't know what it's about. Like, I've seen it in Costco so many times, but I. I would never say never. I. My curiosity is piqued.
- [44:30]
C
Maybe I just need to binge some Freedom McFadden books.
- [44:32]
A
I just need to listen to them all. Yeah, Just let me listen to a few. I went on a big BINGE Of Frida McFadden, I think, two years ago, and then I got really burnt out and haven't revisited.
- [44:42]
B
Yeah.
- [44:43]
A
Yeah.
- [44:44]
B
Huh.
- [44:45]
A
Maybe the Tenant will be where I come back in. Yeah. Who knows? Yeah.
- [44:50]
C
The COVID is just very eerie.
- [44:53]
B
Yeah.
- [44:53]
A
Unless you keep it going.
- [44:54]
C
Like, there's an interesting neighbor. Smells of decay in her apartment. There's something weird happening with the next.
- [45:00]
A
Door neighbor, and we're gonna lump that book in with the third time. Frida McFadden is on the list at number five with the crash.
- [45:08]
C
I've seen this one a lot, too.
- [45:10]
B
I feel like I haven't seen this one as much as I've seen the.
- [45:12]
A
Tenant, but I actually have never seen the Crash. I have not. This cover does not look familiar.
- [45:18]
C
I remember being like, maybe I'll listen to it. But then it's about a pregnant woman, and for some reason, that just scares me a little bit. I don't know why I feel like.
- [45:27]
A
This would be a great thriller to listen to in the winter. Because she's stuck in the snowstorm and people come and save her. Are they creepy people? I don't know.
- [45:38]
C
It Just says she's eight months pregnant, she's driving into a blizzard, gets a go.
- [45:42]
A
Gets in a car crash. No, she doesn't get in a car. Dead car. I don't know.
- [45:47]
C
Just makes me scared.
- [45:48]
B
All right.
- [45:49]
C
You just don't know what Frida's gonna do.
- [45:51]
A
Oh. Anyways, honestly, maybe I'll read that. Maybe. That's a maybe. Yeah. All right. Maybe. Number number four.
- [45:59]
B
I'm not surprised by this one.
- [46:00]
A
Me neither.
- [46:01]
B
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins reads Jenkins Reid.
- [46:05]
A
Is this a book club book?
- [46:07]
C
No, no.
- [46:07]
A
Did you read this?
- [46:08]
B
No, I have.
- [46:09]
C
Not at home. Wait, I don't think we'll ever pick a Taylor Jenkins Reid book for a book club book. Unfortunately, guys, we can.
- [46:15]
A
Can we pick a Fredrik Backman book next time he releases a book?
- [46:18]
C
Sure.
- [46:19]
A
Yeah.
- [46:19]
C
Yeah. I mean, I gave Atmosphere five stars.
- [46:22]
A
Hey, listen.
- [46:23]
C
Loved it.
- [46:24]
A
If you liked Kristen Hannah.
- [46:25]
C
No, I didn't.
- [46:26]
A
What did you rate it? Four. Okay.
- [46:28]
B
Okay, that's. But I didn't like it.
- [46:30]
A
You might like Frederick Bachman, maybe very traumatic in the same way. Just a little less like historical fiction. You might like it. I really enjoyed Atmosphere. Doesn't surprise me that. That it's this high at this point. All the authors that are like 10 and up, they're just iconic authors that most readers, they're probably an auto buy author for them. No, they know they consistently pump out bangers. Except for maybe Frida McFadden. But you know what? She's great. Okay, that makes me sound rude. Freedom McFadden is fantastic.
- [47:03]
B
She's getting her bag.
- [47:03]
A
She's getting her bag.
- [47:04]
C
Okay.
- [47:05]
B
Who are we? Say I have it as Mark. Want to read? So we shall see.
- [47:12]
C
I mean, it's, it's kind of a vibe because it's like, it's set in the 80s. It's like space.
- [47:20]
A
Emotional.
- [47:21]
C
It's emotional. And I just think that Taylor Jenkins Reid does a great job researching for her books. Like, she really knew a lot about space. NASA. It just. Yeah, I. I loved it.
- [47:37]
A
I remember in my review I wrote Space is so cool and so are women. Like, and that's the best way to describe that book is you just find out so much about space, but also you read about these really cool hardcore women who are trying to make it in a man's world, like in a man's field.
- [47:52]
C
Yeah, it's pretty cool.
- [47:53]
A
So, yeah, doesn't surprise me.
- [47:57]
C
Okay, number three. This one doesn't surprise me either.
- [47:59]
B
The bbl.
- [48:00]
C
Great bbl.
- [48:02]
B
Great bbl.
- [48:02]
C
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. I feel like.
- [48:06]
A
Did we do this as a book club book.
- [48:08]
C
We did. And I think we all kind of agreed that this is our least. Maybe our least favorite of hers.
- [48:14]
B
Yeah.
- [48:14]
C
I think a lot of people were thrown off by this book because it was a little different than what she's wrote in the past as far as, like, it was a little more serious.
- [48:26]
A
Less rom comy.
- [48:27]
C
Less rom comy.
- [48:29]
A
I remember. I think. I think all three of us had this thought that the book needed to be a little bit longer because we didn't get enough from either storyline. Was that what we decided? I can't remember if that was, like, the general consensus.
- [48:43]
B
I wish I would have gotten, like.
- [48:46]
A
Two completely different books almost in, like.
- [48:48]
C
And it was like, cameos. Yeah, kind of.
- [48:50]
A
Yeah. Yeah.
- [48:51]
B
I don't know.
- [48:52]
C
I. It was still good. Like, I think Emily Henry is a fantastic author. I think it just also reminded me of another book I had read. And so it was really hard for me to, like, separate the two because I was, like, wanting things from the other book that I. If that makes sense. I don't know.
- [49:12]
A
Yeah, But.
- [49:12]
C
But, yeah, still great. I'll read anything Emily Henry writes same. Love her to death.
- [49:19]
B
Auto buy author.
- [49:20]
A
Yeah. Like I said, the last. The last top 10 people are basically auto by authors for me. So no surprises here. I'm gonna let Reggie announce number two.
- [49:31]
B
Okay.
- [49:34]
C
Number two. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
- [49:39]
A
Can I be honest? I'm kind of surprised this isn't number one for a few different reasons. Think about all the readers in the world, right? Most people probably have read Hunger Games. Most people, like, yeah. You know, it's like a very. It's a cultural phenomenon. Like, it just kind of surprises me that it's not number one just because I think it appeals to so many people.
- [50:00]
B
You know why I think it's not number one is because I think, like, it's. It's great and it does have, like, a cult following. But I think people are like, I can wait. Like, there's not, like, the immediate. Like, I have to read this.
- [50:17]
A
Yeah.
- [50:18]
B
It's almost like I can read this in a little bit mostly. Also, they have announced a movie, and so I feel like a lot of people are like, I'll just read it right before the movie comes out. So that's why I think it's not.
- [50:28]
C
Well, and it's also something that you're like, oh, I already kind of know the gist.
- [50:33]
A
But do you? But do you? Yeah. Yeah. Doesn't.
- [50:39]
C
I am actually a year from now. I am not Going to be okay. I legit, you guys. Like, I'm terrified to see this movie, but I have not been so excited for. Yeah, I can't wait. So I really want them to do. I know that they won't do this because, like they didn't do this with the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. But like, I remember going to like the midnight showing of all the Hunger Games movies like when they came out.
- [51:03]
A
You can do that. You can do that. I've been to like a midnight Marvel showing.
- [51:08]
C
Well, they better do that for this one because I don't think they did with A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. But I want it to feel like nine o'.
- [51:13]
B
Clock.
- [51:14]
A
Yeah, they don't do them like midnight.
- [51:15]
C
But they'll do them the day before midnight movie premiere.
- [51:18]
A
Here's the thing. If we don't do an IRWSR showing of that, that'd be crazy. Oh, that'd be wild.
- [51:26]
C
So yeah, you guys all will can come experience it with me. I'm gonna have in waterproof mascara, no makeup on my tissues.
- [51:38]
B
Maybe I should.
- [51:38]
C
You might need to strap me down.
- [51:41]
A
It's okay if you don't cry.
- [51:43]
B
I know.
- [51:43]
A
I'm nervous. I won't cry. That's okay.
- [51:46]
C
Because the squirrels. Michaela.
- [51:47]
B
Oh, I mean sad.
- [51:49]
A
I feel like it would be more traumatizing than like.
- [51:52]
C
Yeah, no, I know, like, yeah. I also just. Yeah, you guys that know I can get off my. My little soap.
- [52:01]
A
Hunger Games.
- [52:02]
C
The Hunger Games. But I just think Suzanne Collins is brilliant and yeah, can't wait. Did you say to rip my heart out?
- [52:11]
A
Michaela, did you like Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes or Sunrise on the Reaping better?
- [52:15]
B
I like Sunrise on the Weekend.
- [52:16]
A
Okay. That's how I. I did not like Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. So it surprises me that I like Sunrise on the Reaping so, so much. But guys, we have made it to our number one book. Okay, before we. Before we announce it, how about you take a wild guess in the comments? You can DM us right now. You can scream it in your car at your headphones. I don't really care. Try to guess what the number one book shelved red rated is.
- [52:46]
B
I'm not surprised.
- [52:46]
A
In 2025. Me neither. Drum roll please. Michaela, do the honors of telling us.
- [52:51]
B
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. Yep.
- [52:55]
A
Yeah, I'm not surprised.
- [52:56]
C
Well deserved.
- [52:57]
B
Okay, so I did see this after the sunrise on the Reaping that I think the reason why this one is number one. There's an urgency to like know what's gonna happen next after the second book.
- [53:11]
A
So I also think that the cult. Yeah, it has a cult following, but I also think that the budget for marketing for this book had to have been very high.
- [53:22]
B
Yeah.
- [53:23]
C
Oh yeah.
- [53:24]
A
So I think that also plays into account. Obviously probably Sunrise on the Reaping had a large budget as well, but I just think that because Red Tower does Fourth Wing, right. That's got to be their highest grossing book in their catalog and so they've got to allot so much budget for her books. But honestly, it doesn't surprise me. It's like one of the most iconic romantasy booktok books I feel like of.
- [53:51]
C
The last few years when I think like BookTok book 4th Wing is like the first book that comes to my mind because I don't think I have seen a book talked about and rated so highly on Booktok and like the hype for it, Fourth Wing takes the cake.
- [54:07]
B
So it did come out in January, like 2025. So it has, you know, almost like 11 months to like build its way up to the top one spot.
- [54:20]
C
Yeah, it's got a little.
- [54:20]
B
Maybe these other books would intermix and change like the ratings if it. They all would have released in January, you know, so. But it's just like you have to read it because you're susceptible to spoilers. Read it really quickly. Fomo. We also. Do we have a bonus episode?
- [54:41]
A
Yes.
- [54:42]
B
If you want to know more of our thoughts and feelings about this book, we do have a bonus episode for Onyx Storm.
- [54:49]
A
We. We were yapping a lot. It was like fresh feelings. Like we finished it that same day and then recorded an episode.
- [54:56]
B
Fresh feelings. We also had like a vlog.
- [54:59]
C
We went to like the midnight release.
- [55:02]
A
And I'd do it again.
- [55:03]
C
Book.
- [55:03]
A
Yeah.
- [55:05]
C
So it was fun.
- [55:06]
A
So.
- [55:07]
C
Well, what a list, you guys.
- [55:09]
B
That is a list. I feel great about this list. I. Some of it I was a little surprised by it, but some of it I wasn't at all, you know, comment if you agree, disagreed with any of the orders of things. If there's books that you feel like you've missed, you want to read.
- [55:29]
A
Yeah.
- [55:29]
B
I hope you guys enjoyed listening to the most popular books on Booktok in 2025.
- [55:34]
C
Sorry to cut you off. We're currently. If you were watching this on YouTube, we are wearing our new fantasy crew neck which is now available and put it on your Christmas list. Get it for, you know, a fantasy loving friend in your life. It's so cozy.
- [55:54]
A
And we've also got some fantasy cases.
- [55:57]
B
Yes.
- [55:58]
A
And if you guys are listening to this and you're local to Utah, we are actually doing a merch pop up shop on the 22nd at Poppies Books in Spanish Fork.
- [56:08]
B
Right.
- [56:09]
A
So if you want to come by, say hi, snag some merch, come on down. We'd love to meet you guys.
- [56:18]
C
Yeah. This is our very first pop up shop.
- [56:19]
A
Yeah.
- [56:20]
C
Which is kind of crazy. So we will have, we will have all the goods there with us for you to try on grab for yourself or for a friend. And you can buy a book. Yeah, buy a book, come hang.
- [56:33]
A
It'll be a good time.
- [56:34]
B
So if you can't come, no stress, all of our stuff is at all read what she's reading.com you can buy. And our Black Friday sale is going live, so a lot of discounts coming your way. And once again, you guys can follow us on Instagram or TikTok at what she's reading pod. And we'll see you guys next week.
- [56:54]
C
Bye.