Podcast Summary: "Convincing Us To Read a Book In One Line"

Podcast: I’ll Read What She’s Reading
Hosts: Reggie, Mikayla, Kennedy
Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this fun, fast-paced episode, the hosts challenge each other (and listeners) to convince someone to read a book—using only a single, powerful line of description or a quote. A blend of genuine book recs and snappy one-liners sent in by readers turn into a rapid-fire session of TBR (To Be Read) list explosions. Before the one-line pitch game begins, each host delivers a candid update on their recent reads, complete with honest opinions, star ratings, and real talk about reading slumps, genre fatigue, and unexpected favorites.

Current Reads & Bookish Updates

Kennedy’s Reading Wrap-Up

Timestamp: 00:19–05:15

• The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
  • Loved it, rated 5 stars, described as a perfect blend of Blake Crouch’s sci-fi, Fredrik Backman’s emotional depth, and a unique feel “that I get when I read Rachel Gilligan.”
  • "So much better than The Midnight Library. Lots of fun sci-fi things." (01:01, Kennedy)
• Mile High by Liz Tomforde
  • “Honestly quite hated it”; main male lead was unlikeable, female main “also not a fave.” Only finished because of hype around the rest of the series.
  • “I listened to it on three times speed. So that kind of tells you how much I wanted to get over.” (03:11, Kennedy)
• The Compound by Aisling Rawl
  • Quick, “Love Island meets horror-adjacent” read. Good for a reading slump.
  • “If you like Love Island with some like thrilling, almost like horror-y adjacent vibes, pick it up.” (04:48, Kennedy)

Mikayla’s Recent Reads

Timestamp: 07:12–14:45

• From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Loved the ride despite predictable plot twists; peer pressure influenced her final star rating.
  • “I wanted to rate it five stars and then I started reading other people’s reviews and I felt bullied into rating it 4.” (07:32, Mikayla)
• Cash & Because
  • Mature characters but lacked emotional depth.
• Wild Side by Elsie Silver
  • Enjoyed it, appreciated the wrestler MC, but frustrated by readers “missing the point.”
  • “He hides his identity... people writing reviews saying they got cringed out about it actually, like, made me really upset.” (10:54, Mikayla)

Reggie’s Reading State

Timestamp: 14:45–22:13

• Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas (previously mentioned)
• Dear Future Husband by Taryn Christine
  • Personal connection to author made it extra sweet.
• May Luna
  • Loved the Rockstar romance but found the ending unsatisfying.
• The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent (Crowns of Nyaxia #4)
  • Only 3 stars; audiobook narration and odd pacing hurt her enjoyment, but incredible “epic moments.”
  • “Carissa’s pacing in her books... doesn’t really work for me. Everything else, love.” (18:40, Reggie)
• Talk of reading slumps, mood reading, and needing the right book to get pulled out of a rut.

“Convince Us in One Line” Game

Timestamp: 23:04–45:17

The hosts turn to audience submissions (and their own favorites), reading one-liners or single quotes meant to tempt someone into picking up a specific book. Each time, they guess the book and discuss their interest, often immediately adding to their TBRs.

Notable Lines & Book Mentions

• The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
  "Most people are lucky to have even one great love in their life. You have found two."
  – Mikayla, 23:07

• The Scarlet Princess (The Lochlann Feuds)
  "Death was a hefty price to pay for vodka."
  – Kennedy, 23:54

• The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
  "Badass Mums versus Vampires."
  – Reggie, 25:44

• Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
  "As you read the book, it slowly loses letters in the alphabet."
  – Mikayla, 26:53
  (leads to a hilarious discussion about the logistics of reading such a book!)

• War by Laura Thalassa
  “I saw you and the first time I wanted. And so I took. Oh. And that's War.”
  – 29:17

• Delirium by Lauren Oliver
  "Maybe love is a deadly disease and she falls for it before the cure."
  – Reggie, 29:50

• The Will of the Many by James Islington
  “I am dangling and it's only my father's blood-slick grip that stops me from falling.”
  – Kennedy, 30:10

• The Wedding People
  "Love is visible. It paints the air between two people a different color."
  – Mikayla, 32:25

• Magnolia Parks series by Jessa Hastings
  "Loving you is the thing I grab first when the house is on fire."
  – Kennedy, 40:17

• Red Rising by Pierce Brown
  "Tell all who hear: the Reaper sails to Mars and he calls for an iron rain."
  – Reggie, 40:51

Other shout-outs include:

• All of Us Villains for morally gray characters and Hunger Games vibes (38:20)
• Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth for “enemies-to-lovers gladiator fights in space” (41:19)
• Unloved by Peyton Corin for a swoony line: "I think you'd be really easy to love." (42:56)
• Attached at the Hip for a “romantic twist on Survivor” (43:13)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “If you’ve read that book [Ella Minnow Pea], please let us know if it actually just the letters disappear, because it sounds interesting.” (28:13, Mikayla)
• “My one criteria is just one of these books needs to get me out of slump.” (22:59, Reggie)
• The hosts make fun of how quickly each “want to read” list grows as they play.
• A running joke emerges with “mark it as want to read” every few minutes.
• Mikayla’s beef with “quirky romance girls”: “Can a romance author just write a girl that’s not quirky?” (35:40)
• Discussion of controversial authors, genre tropes, and the sometimes absurdity of how TBRs spiral out of control.

Standout Listener Submissions

A few one-liners from fans genuinely piqued interest:

• Survivor meets romance: “Romantic twist on Survivor.”
• Thriller vibes: “Only person left on a cruise ship.” (The Last One by Will Dean)
• Vampire Moms: “Badass Mums versus Vampires.” (The Southern Book Club’s Guide...)

Episode Tone & Dynamic

• Quick-witted, relaxed, and a bit “unhinged,” as promised in the show description.
• Honest star ratings are given even when a book was disappointing.
• There’s supportive teasing between the hosts about their reading tastes, TBR-hoarding habits, and personal quirks.
• Several listeners’ lines prompt intrigue or laughter—the hosts don’t take themselves too seriously, but are deeply passionate about books.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:19 — Host intros and “currently reading” segment.
• 05:15–22:13 — Detailed recaps of recent reads: highs, lows, and emotional book talk.
• 23:04 — “Sell us a book in one line!” challenge starts.
• 29:17, 40:17, 43:13 — Noteworthy single-line book pitches.
• 44:18 — Survivor romance tangent and real-life “romance on Survivor” stories.
• 45:17 — Hosts react to their overloaded TBRs and close the book pitch session.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a love letter to reader recs, TBR meltdowns, and bookish curiosity. The hosts’ playful banter, willingness to try any genre, and deep engagement with reader suggestions make it both relatable and entertaining—especially for readers prone to TBR overload. If you’re in a slump or need a new obsession, you’ll find at least a dozen strong contenders from this episode, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Notable Quote (closing):
"You sold us. Your one-liner sold us. Yeah. My TBR is not well. I'm not well." (45:15, Mikayla)