DEDICATED 3.0

Summary

Podcast Summary: "DEDICATED 3.0"

Podcast: I'll Read What She's Reading
Hosts: Reggie, Mikayla, Kennedy
Episode Date: February 18, 2026

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Overview

In this episode, the hosts celebrate the unique art of book dedications. In their third "DEDICATED" installment, they bring their signature blend of heartfelt discussion and chaotic, witty banter to a collection of sappy, poetic, funny, and even petty dedications found in some favorite and lesser-known reads. With each dedication, they reflect on the emotional resonance, speculate about the people behind them, and often spiral into laughter and sentimentality. The episode provides both a love letter to readers and authors and a reminder not to skip those opening pages.

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Main Discussion Topics & Insights

Why Book Dedications Matter

• The hosts reminisce about previous "DEDICATED" episodes and viral moments (e.g., Mikayla crying over a Sarah J. Maas dedication) [00:41].
• Initial discussion centers on how dedications set the emotional tone for a book and serve as touching, personal gestures from authors to significant people in their lives.
• Kennedy shares a fun fact about the origins of dedications:

  "Book dedications originated in medieval and Renaissance Europe as a way for authors to honor, thank, or secure patronage from the wealthy, influential figures who supported their work financially. Over time, that turned into personal, intimate gestures." [10:13]

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Emotional & Poignant Dedications

• To Struggling and Dreaming Readers

  • "For anyone who has ever felt lost and alone and found, sanctuary in the pages of books is for you." — Bridge Kemmer, Warrior Princess Assassin [06:26]
  • "To those who talk too much and sing too loud and cry too often and love something in life more than you should." — Fredrik Backman, The Winners [24:06]

• To Family and Loved Ones

  • "For Joey. You are so perfectly my favorite person." — Emily Henry, Beach Read [03:52]
  • "To my mom for being the most loving woman I know. I wish every girl could have a mom like you." — Liz Tom Ford, Mile High [07:27]
  • "For my mom and my three grandmothers. Life is complicated. Your love never was." — Emily Henry, Great BBBL [15:16]
  • "For Emily, who has all my love." — Brandon Sanderson, Tress of the Emerald Sea [14:10]

• To Mentors and Inspirations

  • "To Paul Dye, the longest serving flight director at NASA and author of Shuttle Houston. Paul, I can see how you guided many a crew home safely. This book would not exist without you." — Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Atmosphere [11:32]
  • The hosts research Paul, marvel at his 40+ years with NASA, and speculate he may have been a consultant or inspiration for Reid's book research [12:24].

• To Fellow Dreamers

  • "To the child in each of us yearning to be special, Take my hand, you strange little creature, and together we shall walk beyond the wall." — Rachel Gillig, The Night and Moth [10:47]
  • "To all the little girls who wanted to be spies when they grew up, there's still time." — Ally Carter, The Blonde Who Came Up from the Cold [27:32]

• For Perseverance

  • "For the ones who fight their way forward." — V.E. Schwab, A Gathering of Shadows [18:01]
  • "To those who have had to claw their way out of the dark and still chose to be a light of this world, I’m proud of you." — Fantasma by Kaylee Smith [28:09]

• To Siblings and Friends

  • "For my siblings, Mallory, Taylor, and Ryan. You were mine from the moment you were born." — Ashley Winstead, The Future Saints [05:45]
  • "To Mark, Allison, Page, and Camille. One of the themes in this book is finding friendships that fill your cup instead of draining it. Thank you for being the people who fill mine." — Liz Tom Ford, The Right Move [26:10]
  • "Here's to the 10 characters, five couples, three teams, two sets of siblings, and one amazing friend group that changed my life. This one is dedicated to you: the readers. Thank you for hanging out in Chicago with me." — Liz Tom Ford, Rewind It Back [26:43]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dedications Hitting Different After Reading:
  • "After you finish the book, you should go read the dedication. Because I feel like sometimes, not always, they tie back to the book." — Kennedy [03:21]
• On the Pressure of Dedicating a Book:
  • "I think it would be stressful...it would be hard to pick who you would dedicate this to, depending on what your book's about." — Kennedy [15:42]
• Emotional Reactions:
  • "I'm going to be on the verge of tears pretty much this entire episode." — Reggie [07:46]
  • "Guys, I might just cry over every single one. Cause I'm about to start my period. So just don't mind me." — Kennedy [05:23]

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The Power of Dedications: Personal Reflection

• The hosts discuss the power of encouragement from loved ones and how dedicating a book can honor those who believed in an author before the world did.
  • "There needs to be a little more people in that world that just push people to...see their potential before you yourself can see it." — Mikayla [16:45]
• They marvel at the idea of being personally named in an acknowledgement or dedication, joking about their own hypothetical mentions and dream scenarios. [20:37]

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Funny & Quirky Dedications (Timestamp ~[28:30] to [33:56])

To break up the tears, the hosts share dedications that made them laugh out loud:

• "For Colin Firth. You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends." — Shannon Hale, Austenland [28:36]
• "To all the girls who want to be railed by a psychopath." [29:04]
• "This is for Mamu Fuku Ando, the creator of Instant Ramen, which sustained me for many a long night as I struggled with both words and self doubt. Nothing but respect for my president." [29:12]
• "For everyone who knows there is enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door. And for England. We're really sorry for what we're about to do to your history." — Cynthia Hand, My Lady Jane [29:51]
• "To my wonderful readers. Sorry about that last cliffhanger. Well, no, not really. But seriously, I love you guys." [30:11]
• "For all the food lovers out there who burn popcorn in the microwave, we'd be too strong if we could cook, too." — Ashley Poston, The Seven Year Slip [30:21]
• "Dedicated to the strongest person I know. Me. — Psychos by Babe Walker" [30:41]
• "For all the readers who like their book boyfriends covered in red flags. Red's my favorite color, too." [30:50]
• "This book is dedicated to Kanye West because he'll not never effing read it." — Joan Rivers, Diary of a Mad Diva [31:04]
• "For my father, who is not evil. Well, maybe a little bit." — Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes [31:24]
• "For Carly, who is a better person than I am, even though she was a dog." [31:50]
• "No, thanks to [list of publishing houses]" (E.E. Cummings dedicated his collection to the 14 publishers that rejected him) [32:14]

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Thought-Provoking & Relatable Insights

• The group muses on the impact of dedications, how they change with context, and the joy of discovering a heartfelt or hilarious line at the front of a book.
• They playfully imagine what it would be like if albums or movies had dedications, much like books do [09:31].
• They share ideas for a meta-romance where books on shelves fall in love and get separated (eagerly claiming the idea and requesting a dedication if anyone writes it!) [22:41].

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Recommendations and Reminders

• Never skip the dedication page! The hosts encourage listeners to read dedications and acknowledgments for secret gems and genuine emotion.
  • "It's reminding me to open the dedication page first because you never know if it might hit you in the heart or make you giggle, or maybe it's just to Tom." — Kennedy [34:37]
• They reflect on how dedications can nudge a book up the TBR list and foster deeper appreciation for the people behind the stories.

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Key Timestamps

• [00:41] – Reminiscing about earlier dedication episodes & viral TikTok moment
• [03:52] – Emily Henry’s Beach Read dedication discussion
• [05:45] – Dedication in The Future Saints and group’s emotional vulnerability
• [10:13] – History of dedications explained
• [11:32] – Taylor Jenkins Reid’s tribute to NASA’s Paul Dye
• [14:10] – Multiple tender dedications by Brandon Sanderson
• [18:01] – VE Schwab’s dedication to perseverance
• [24:06] – The Winners by Fredrik Backman, celebration of being "too much"
• [26:43] – Liz Tom Ford's reader-centric dedication
• [28:36] – Shift to sharing funny dedications
• [32:14] – E.E. Cummings' legendary petty dedication to rejecting publishers
• [34:37] – Closing reflections and the importance of dedications

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Final Thoughts

This joyful, emotional rollercoaster of an episode is a tribute to the little pages at the front of our favorite books. With laughter, tears, and plenty of banter, Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy remind listeners that dedications are tiny love notes from authors—to family, friends, readers, and even themselves—and they hold a magic all their own. The hosts invite everyone, seasoned reader or not, to join in the fun of “reading what she’s reading” and to never again skip those first, precious lines.

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Noteworthy Quotes

• "Let this be your sign to always read the dedications. And also sometimes author's notes at the ends of books are so sweet." — Mikayla [02:19]
• "Imagine if someone dedicated a book to us. That's a dream." — Kennedy [20:37]
• "Apply them to your lives. These are really fun. I think we really enjoy getting to go back and read some of the dedications from some of our favorite books." — Mikayla [34:26]

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Hi, guys. Welcome back to all. Read what she's reading. I'm Mikaela.

[B]

I'm Kennedy.

[C]

And I'm Reggie.

[A]

Today we are doing another dedicated episode where we read some favorite dedications that we find in some books some haven't read, some we have read. I'm ready to get emotional.

[B]

When's the last time we did this?

[C]

It's been, I think, over a year.

[B]

I remember the first TikTok I feel like of ours to go viral was Mikaela crying to Throne of Glass. The dedication was it for Throne of Glass? It was a Sarah J. I know it was in Throne of Glass, but.

[A]

I can't remember what specific book was it?

[B]

Kingdom of Ash? No. I don't know. Anyways, one of those books.

[A]

Honestly don't remember.

[B]

I think you had. Why do I feel like you had a hat on? Like a little Gigi Pip hat and little braids.

[A]

Did I? Wow. You remember that? So good.

[B]

But ask me about plots and books and I can't remember it.

[A]

So that's a really good memory. I. I don't even remember that at all.

[C]

Recording in your apartment in front of your bookshelves. I don't know if that's when that episode went live, but now she was. The nostalgia is coming back to me. Coming back now.

[B]

Look at us now, full circle. So has it been a few years? Did we do it last year?

[C]

I think we did it last year. I just know it was at Michaela's house is all I remember. I don't know when. When, but it has been a while.

[A]

It has been a second.

[C]

And this is always a episode you guys love.

[B]

Yeah. So we did it May 10th of 2023 and August 21st of 2024.

[C]

Oh, so it's been over a year.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Dedicated 3.0, baby.

[C]

Here we go.

[A]

3.0.

[B]

So if you like this episode and you haven't listened to the other two dedicated episodes, you can go find them. Can't guarantee that there won't be some dedications that have been reused because I don't have. I don't remember either.

[A]

I remember nada about what I used last time. I mean, obviously throwing a glass one.

[B]

But let this be your sign to always read the dedications. And also sometimes author's notes at the ends of books are so sweet. Yeah.

[A]

So nice.

[B]

Don't forget.

[A]

Amazing. I'm excited. Kind of nervous. See which ones make us cry, which ones make us laugh.

[B]

Who's going first? I think. I don't think I have any funny ones. I think all Mine are very, like, sappy.

[A]

Yeah. First. Oh, okay.

[B]

Let's see which one. We're not guessing the book, right?

[A]

Did we ever do that?

[C]

I don't think so.

[A]

No. I feel like it'd be hard from a dedication.

[B]

Yeah, it would be. I don't want to go first. Someone else go first. I changed my mind. Okay.

[C]

I'll go first.

[A]

You can go this way.

[B]

All right.

[C]

All right. This one is from May Luna.

[B]

Ooh.

[C]

It says, to those who have loved and lost and those who have found themselves along the way.

[A]

Cute. That's so cute. And the most perfect dedication for that book.

[C]

That book.

[B]

See, that's the other thing. Even though, I mean, obviously the dedication is at the beginning of the book, but after you finish the book, you should go read the dedication. Because I feel like sometimes, not always, they tie back to the book.

[C]

So cute. Or it's just like to Karen and that's all it is.

[B]

And then I'm like, who's Karen? Why are you dedicating the book to Karen?

[C]

But I love when a dedication can get me in the feels. So that one, that one gets me in the feels. Especially after reading it.

[B]

The book.

[C]

So.

[A]

All right, this one. This is beach read by Emily Henry. It says for Joey. You are so perfectly my favorite person. Not sure who Joey is.

[B]

Should I look it up?

[A]

Who is Joey?

[B]

It pops up. Joey from friends. Just imagine if that if you were Joey and someone dedicated a book to you in that way.

[C]

That's really sweet.

[B]

What an honor.

[A]

Because.

[B]

Is Emily Henry married?

[C]

No.

[B]

Okay. A best friend.

[A]

That is cousin. I'm just like, how would you feel if someone dedicated a book towards you? I would die. I would simply die.

[B]

Same.

[A]

I think that is honestly like the ultimate honor, you know? I don't know. Anyways, I thought it was just really tender. I love it when they authors dedicated to a significant other. A best friend.

[C]

Me too.

[B]

Okay, this book, this dedication is for Conform. Not our favorite book on planet Earth, but says to little me who was constantly told to get her head out of the clouds, but made a world in them instead. Thank you for never giving in. This is for you.

[C]

Oh, that's a good one.

[B]

How sweet. And also just the clouds element of the book. Just it ties it together.

[A]

Yeah, stop dedicating it to hearing yourself so cute.

[C]

Guys, I might just cry over every single one. Cuz I'm about to start my period. So just don't mind me.

[B]

You should have brought a box of tissues.

[C]

Literally anything will make me cry right now. Like it's I don't know. You know, there just those times I'm like, why am I getting emotional over, like, what I'm eating? Or, like, the dream I had last night. Oh, don't mind me.

[B]

It happens.

[C]

All right. I love this one. Okay. I haven't read this book, but it's bumping it up on my TBR because of this dedication. It's from. What's the author's name? The Future Saints. Ooh, hold on. Let me get the author's name for you. Okay. The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead. For my siblings, Mallory, Taylor, and Ryan. You were mine from the moment you were born. Oh, stop, stop.

[A]

That's so sweet.

[B]

Okay, so we're just gonna be a.

[A]

Sobbing mess on this podcast. That's so sweet. Like, older sister vibes.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Oh, I can't. That's really tender. This one's from Warrior Princess Assassin by Bridge Chem Kemmer Khmer. I haven't read this one, but it says, for anyone who has ever felt lost and alone and found, sanctuary in the pages of books is for you.

[B]

Stop.

[A]

Oh, that was really tender. I was like, oh, I feel like anyone at a point in their life can relate to that. And so I feel like, at least for me, when I read just, like, specifically sit down and read a book, my brain just kind of, like, turns off, you know, like that sound on TikTok where it's, like a bunch of. Of, like, noise, and then it's just like, quiet birds chirping.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

That is me with very sweet.

[B]

That's why I started reading in the first place.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Love it.

[C]

Same.

[B]

This one is from Mile High by Liz Tom Ford. To my mom for being the most loving woman I know. I wish every girl could have a mom like you.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

That'S so sweet.

[B]

So freaking sweet.

[A]

I'm going to be on the verge of tears pretty much this entire episode.

[B]

Her mom reads that book, though.

[C]

That was my first thought.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thanks, sweetie.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

This one's good spirits by B.K. borison. It says for the lost and forgotten ones and the believers who bring them back. I thought that one, like, tied together.

[A]

Pretty good with the book. It's crazy.

[C]

You, like, read it at the beginning and you're like, okay, that's.

[A]

And then after the fact, you're like, okay.

[B]

I don't know why, but I don't think I own any of BK Borison's books physically, so I haven't paid attention to the dedication. I don't know why, but she just puts off the vibes that all of her dedications would be so good. Just, like, slap. I don't know why.

[A]

Yeah. All of them would have major slay.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I don't know why.

[A]

This one's from Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber.

[B]

Hers are always pretty good.

[A]

Yeah. This one says, this one is for my dad, who told me not to write this one for you, but I did it anyway. I love you, dad, so.

[B]

That is so cute, crying.

[C]

Why is it that we get, like, dedications for books, but, like, you don't see. I mean, I guess you'll sometimes have people, like, accept a Golden Globe and they're like, this is for my mom. Or, like, I don't know. But I'm like, imagine if you started. Sorry, this is such a weird thought.

[B]

Just stay with me.

[C]

Like, imagine if you, like, started an.

[B]

Album and it was like, at the beginning of it.

[C]

Yeah. And it's like. It's like their voice, and they're like, this album is dedicated to.

[B]

You know what I mean?

[C]

But it's just like, there's something about a book. Like, where did book dedications come from? I actually.

[A]

I don't know.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

I wonder if we can.

[C]

I'm like. I just think it's so sweet. It's such a sweet thing.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because I.

[A]

When I. When we were doing. Preparing for this episode, I was looking at my books and I picked up Little Women, and it didn't have a dedication, but that's, like, one of the only books that I have that's, like, really old and classic. So I'm not sure, like, when did it start?

[B]

I got an answer for you.

[A]

All right.

[B]

But I'm actually quite annoyed because I. At least in my copy, in A Man Called Uwe, I thought the dedication would just slap. There wasn't one.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Anyways, it says that book dedications originated in medieval and Renaissance Europe as a way for authors to honor think or secure patronage from the wealthy, influential figure. Influential figures who supported their work financially. And then over time, obviously, it's turned into, like, personal, intimate gestures, so.

[A]

Oh. I was thinking. Yeah. Little women would have a good one.

[B]

Does Wuthering Heights have one? Probably not. I don't know.

[A]

I have no idea.

[B]

Anyway, this one is from the Night and Moth by Rachel Gillig. It says, to the child and each of us yearning to be special, Take my hand, you strange little creature, and together we shall walk beyond the wall.

[A]

Stop.

[B]

This is sweet. Imagine just like, taking the hand of your young self and just precious.

[C]

That's really sweet. Literally, that's. I can't stop saying that. Sorry. All these are just so sweet.

[A]

So cute. Oh, my gosh. We're getting savvy.

[B]

Count how many times we say cute. Sweet.

[A]

A.

[C]

Is it my turn?

[A]

Yep.

[C]

I love this one. To Paul died. Oh, I guess I should tell you the atmosphere.

[A]

Ooh.

[C]

By Taylor Jenkins Reid. To Paul Dye, the longest serving flight director at NASA and author of Shuttle Houston. Paul, I can see how you guided.

[B]

Many a crew home safely.

[C]

This book would not exist without you.

[B]

Oh, my God, that is so, so sweet.

[A]

I haven't even read it. I'm like.

[C]

That's really, like.

[B]

Makes it even better.

[C]

I've said on the podcast before, like, Taylor Jenkins Reed did so much research for that book. And like, the fact that she dedicates the book to a flight director because of all of the people he's safely guided home. I actually can't wrap my mind around that. That's like the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

[A]

Yeah, that's.

[B]

Imagine being Paul. Paul's dedicated to him because.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Is he still alive? Yeah.

[C]

No. Oh, I don't know. I don't know. Maybe he's not. I'll google him. Google Paul, because I love him. He's an icon.

[B]

I wonder if he directly, like, helped her write the book or something. Maybe not.

[C]

I mean, I don't think he helped her. Right. I'm sure she would have interviewed him. If he is alive, it sounds like he is.

[B]

So I bet he played a part in her writing the book.

[C]

He's a former flight director for NASA. He's worked over 40 years of aviation experience as an engineer, builder and pilot.

[A]

How old is he?

[B]

Does it say he is? See, why can't all of these people and the dedications be easily Googleable?

[A]

Google.

[B]

I'm just nosy and I just want to know.

[A]

I am nosy too.

[C]

He did write. Yeah, he wrote a book. Because she says that in the dedication, so I'm assuming she read it, but it's called Shuttle Houston Life in the center of Mission Control.

[B]

Interesting.

[C]

Ooh, that's actually. That would be a fascinating read.

[B]

Add it to your Goodreads. Add it.

[A]

Wow. Ah, Paul Pool Love.

[C]

That's very sweet. That's very sweet. Okay, I gotta think of a new word. Sweet is leaving my vocabulary.

[B]

Precious is the next one. How.

[A]

Okay, I'm gonna say these two together because I feel like they go together. They're from Brandon Sanderson, so. So this one's from Yumi and the Midnight Painter. Or the Nightmare Painter. I Don't know why I always want to say Nightmare Painter. Midnight Nightmare. Gosh, it's Yumi and the Nightmare Painter. It says always for Emily, who, for some amazing reason, gives me her love.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

And then Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is for Emily, who has all my love.

[B]

I can't.

[C]

Oh, man.

[B]

Imagine the wife of a writer. Imagine the birthday cards from Brandon Sanderson. I don't know.

[C]

Pressure you must feel.

[A]

I. Yeah, I just thought those were really tender, and I. Those were just, like, the two that I happened to pick up. I can't imagine how many more are dedicated to, like, his wife.

[B]

And I think I picked up the Way of Kings, and I think he dedicated that one to his grandma. Cute.

[A]

I think he's written so many.

[B]

But imagine if every single one was just dedicated to his wife. What?

[A]

I know. And I mean, I don't know Brandon Sanderson very well, but he absolutely adores his wife and kids so much, and I just find that so magical, especially how much he involves her in everything and.

[B]

Well, didn't he literally write Trust of the Emerald Tea for her?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Anyways, I just find it very cute.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

So good.

[B]

So good. All right, this one is Emily Henry, the Great bbl.

[A]

Great bbl.

[B]

No, this dedication is actually sweet for my mom and my three grandmothers. Life is complicated. Your love never was.

[A]

Oh, oh, Grandmother's. First mention of grandmother's. This podcast episode. Yeah, I love dedications. Do you feel like that's really easy for them to write, or do you feel like it's a little stressful?

[C]

I think it would be stressful.

[A]

Yeah. I feel like.

[C]

Especially if, like, the book. I mean, I know authors draw inspiration from a lot of different places and people. Things, but I feel like it maybe be hard to pick who you would dedicate your book to, depending on, like, what your book's about and who you. You know what I mean?

[B]

Like, if you.

[C]

I don't know.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So I'm like, did Liz draw inspo from her mom per Mile High? I don't know.

[B]

It'd be a lot of pressure.

[A]

I don't know.

[C]

But it would be really hard to be, like, who am I going to dedicate this to? But I would guess that they have someone in mind while they're, you know, writing their book. So.

[A]

Yeah, I think it's my favorite when I feel like our past two episodes, we had a lot of dedication episodes or, like, dedications that were, like, to my parents for, like, pushing me to do this, and I'M like, that makes.

[B]

Me want to cry. I know.

[A]

Just like, thinking about the people who are like, you have to do this. Like, you're so good at it. You need to do this.

[B]

And I just think there needs to.

[A]

Be a little bit more people in that world that just, like, push people to. That see their potential before, like, you yourself can see it.

[B]

Well, and also being a published author or being an author in general, I think is such a. I don't want to say a hard profession, but it would be a really hard profession, and it would be easy to just give up on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So think about how many amazing people have influenced these authors of these books that we love. If they wouldn't have helped them reach their potential, they wouldn't. We wouldn't have these books.

[A]

So sappy, so sad.

[C]

We're a sappy bunch. It's my turn. You guys haven't read this book, but it's Slanting towards the Sea by Lydia Hillia. I think that's how you say her name. I'm not going to say the names of the three people she dedicated it to because I cannot pronounce them. I'm so sorry. I just don't want to ruin it. But to these three people.

[B]

You believed in me.

[C]

And after a while, so did I. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Just after we just got done talking about that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, I love it.

[A]

Who is it?

[B]

By Lydia Hillia.

[C]

I think that's how you say her name. Yeah. She's a Croatian writer and book coach.

[B]

Love the.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

That's tender. This one is from A Gathering of Shadows by VE Schwab. And I thought this was tender. It says for the ones who fight their way forward.

[B]

I also feel like V. Schwab's dedication would. Dedications would also be very good. I don't know why.

[C]

Yeah, I thought that's a really good one.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

V E Schwab. Okay. I'm gonna say this one because we know this person, and just knowing this person, I just feel like makes this dedication that much cuter. So. Dear Future Husband by Taryn Christine. Her dedication is to my husband. Thank you for keeping me company during the loneliest years of my life, for giving me a voice and being a listening ear even when you didn't know it. Oh, is that so sweet?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. What's her dedication for? Dear Me?

[B]

I don't know. I didn't look.

[C]

I'll tell ya. Did you do it?

[A]

No. It's like Kindle Unlimited, right?

[C]

Well, let's Just read her other one.

[B]

Yeah, why not? While we're here.

[A]

While we're here.

[C]

She's on Kindle Unlimited.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, that's just so sweet. So just imagine if you personally knew these authors. That just makes it that much more emotional. Yeah.

[C]

Oh, she has a. It's like a dear reader thing.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Her dedication for her second book. So this is a friend of ours. To the strong and the tired working hard to build lives outside of the patterns that raised them.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Anyways.

[B]

I love.

[A]

I love it. I don't. I don't have. I have sappy ones, but I feel like in past we have done really funny ones. I don't have.

[C]

I couldn't find any funny ones.

[A]

I feel like I would be. Be like. Hope you guys like this. Enjoy.

[B]

Enjoy.

[C]

I'm very scared. Enjoy my book.

[B]

Be nice to me in the reviews.

[A]

Cute.

[B]

It is.

[C]

Do you want me to say.

[A]

Yeah, say yours.

[C]

Okay. Sorry. This is Shield of Sparrows. To the characters who came before. To the stories that led us here. To the chances we take. To the dreams we chase. Trust your wings.

[A]

Cute.

[C]

I like that one. Especially.

[B]

To the characters. Yeah, I love that.

[C]

Her first fantasy book, right?

[A]

Oh, stop.

[B]

Shout out, Devony Perry. Guys, imagine if someone dedicated a book to us.

[C]

That's a dream.

[B]

Well, I just want to be listed in the acknowledgments.

[A]

Kennedy and Reggie.

[B]

Keep shining.

[A]

Keep.

[C]

We'll write it for you if you.

[A]

Need something cluelessly thoughtful and funny. Oh, wow, wow, wow. That would actually be really funny. I don't think anyone would, but I'll.

[B]

Settle for the acknowledgments. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, I'll settle for a blurb.

[B]

I mean, I would have been over here.

[C]

We're dreaming.

[A]

We're dreaming.

[B]

We're dreaming.

[A]

Okay, this one is a novel love story.

[C]

I don't know if we've done this one before.

[B]

I have this one, too. Say it anyways, because it's really freaking cute. I think we talked about it on the episode. We did a bit, but I don't know if we've done a dedication.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

A novel, Love Story by Ashley Poston. It says, to the author of my favorite book, I wish I could have met you, but I hope my books find your books on the shelves. And I hope they're friends.

[B]

I freaking love that.

[C]

Literally. That's so thoughtful. And so I want to know who it is.

[A]

God.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And also, I remember when we read that for book club.

[B]

Her specifically, her acknowledgments after the book made Me love the book that much more.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I can't remember exactly what was said in it, but I remember sobbing, reading. I think it has to do with her grandma, but I can't remember.

[A]

Yeah, I know. I. I feel like I never thought of it like that. But now I, like, look at my bookshelf, and I. I think about what books I put next to each other more. Like, there's. They're similar. They'll be like, friends are in the same kind of categories. They'll like each other.

[B]

It's like Toy Story where your books become alive when you leave the room.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

They're like.

[A]

They. What books are you gonna put next? And they, like, intermix the world. That's a good plot for a book, y'. All. Hold on.

[B]

Almost like split fiction. Yeah, but for a book. Like, write a book.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

All right, we'll write a book.

[A]

Okay?

[C]

We'll come out, and that book will be dedicated to us. We will have a blurb on the front.

[B]

We'll write it under a pen name.

[A]

And then what. What if, like, it gets moved and, like, they're having, like, a love story in between?

[B]

I'm telling you, books, and they, like, get ripped apart. They have to travel through the other stories to make it to each other.

[A]

We just wrote a book. We just wrote a freaking book.

[B]

No, no, no, but seriously, imagine that is the. Not to toot our own horn. That is one of the most unique premises I've ever heard of a romance book in my life. I would read the crap out of that. Should we start it?

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I don't even know where to begin.

[C]

Someone's gonna beat us to it.

[B]

Hey, if you take the idea, just give us. Put us in the dedication. Give us some royalties. Yeah, that would. That's actually pretty cool.

[C]

That's really cool.

[B]

Come on, guys.

[A]

I just can't. I can't write.

[B]

Taryn, if you're listening to this, you can write.

[A]

You write the book. Can we hire some white writers? A ghostwriter?

[B]

Yeah, maybe.

[A]

Anyways.

[C]

All right.

[B]

My. I love it. My next one is the Winners by Frederik Bachman. And it says, to those who talk too much and sing too loud and cry too often and love something in life more than you should. I love that book so much.

[A]

I'm, like, feeling these so deeply in my soul.

[C]

I'm like, they're written to me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I posted. I think I. I think I posted a picture of that on a photo dump on one of my personal ones. And someone commented, what book is that? I need to read it. Maybe these dedications are convincing you guys to read some of these books.

[A]

Maybe.

[B]

Maybe.

[C]

Rebecca Yaros. The things we leave unfinished. I don't remember it. To Jason. For the days the shrapnel works its way to the surface and reminds us that after five deployments and 22 years in uniform, we're the lucky ones.

[B]

My love.

[C]

We are the lightning strike.

[A]

Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up.

[B]

This is rocked my world. That was written before Fourth wing. Yeah.

[A]

Gosh, she probably had to have been working on it or, like, shut the freak up.

[C]

Dancing through.

[B]

I'm just thinking the way my whole entire body has chills right now for several different reasons.

[C]

No freaking way. The lightning strike.

[A]

Stop.

[C]

But what a sweet dedication because her. All of her. I guess I shouldn't say all of her romance books, but most of her romance books are inspired by their military romance.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Which are inspired by her husband, so that's tender.

[A]

I freaking loved that one.

[B]

Oh, that was so good.

[A]

Tyrion. That one. Okay. This one's Soul Searching by Lila Sage. It says, for those who aren't sure what they're searching for, you'll know it when you find it. That's so cute.

[B]

Like me almost being like, how do they come up with this kind of crap? I know. It's like, as they write whole books.

[A]

So poetic.

[C]

How did they write one beautiful sentence?

[B]

Wow.

[A]

They should do this for a living.

[B]

This one is from the Right Move by Lasson Ford. To Mark, Allison Page, and Camille. One of the themes in this book is finding friendships that fill your cup instead of draining it. Thank you for being the people who fill mine.

[A]

So I can't.

[C]

Can I piggyback off of you?

[A]

You sure can.

[C]

Rewind it back. By Liz, Tom Ford. Here's to the 10 characters, five couples.

[B]

Stop it right now.

[A]

No, no, no, no, Wait.

[B]

You got to start over, because I'm. I'm.

[A]

I'm unwell. Okay.

[C]

You ready?

[A]

Yep.

[C]

You're locked in?

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Here's to the 10 characters, five couples, three teams, two sets of siblings, and one amazing friend group that changed my life. This one is dedicated to you, the readers. Thank you for hanging out in Chicago with me. I love your faces while I was reading that.

[A]

Oh. Why do they not read dedications on audiobooks?

[C]

They usually skip them sometimes.

[B]

Yeah, they do.

[C]

Because I didn't hear that.

[A]

That would have made me soft.

[B]

Yeah, that one's good. I miss them.

[C]

Yeah, they don't have a good one after that. That was my last one. That was my last one. I Think. Actually. Nope, I have another one. I can read too, but this is.

[A]

This is my last one, so. Okay, this one's the Blonde who Came up from the Cold by Ali Carter. And it says, to all the little girls who wanted to be spies when they grew up, there's still time, Ms. Ally.

[B]

Now I'm just gonna get a crying mood.

[C]

It started.

[A]

The water. The.

[B]

The.

[A]

Damn, bro. All right.

[C]

I definitely wanted to be a spy when I was a kid. I guess this is my chance now. I'm peace and out.

[A]

Okay. Fantasma Kaylee Smith. Is that who it's by?

[B]

I don't know. My hands covering it in the photo.

[A]

So to those who have had to.

[B]

Claw their way out of the dark and still chose to be a light of this world, I'm proud of you.

[A]

Oh. Oh my gosh. These all just make me deep in my field.

[B]

Seriously, those were also beautiful.

[C]

We did find some funny book dedications that we're gonna read now to kind.

[B]

Of lighten the mood.

[C]

Yeah, just to kind of, you know, bring the energy up a little bit. I did find one. This is Austenland by Shannon Hale for Colin Firth. You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends. That's so silly.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

I love that one.

[B]

Okay, you guys ready?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Listeners and my co hosts. I'm sorry, some of these are. You'll get the vibe as soon as I read this first one.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Don't know what book. To all the girls who want to be railed by a psychopath. Wow. Love.

[A]

Wow. That's gotta be like lights out. Oh my. Yeah. Oh my. Oh my. Okay, this says. I have no idea what book this is for. It says this is for Mamu Fuku Ando, the creator of Instant Ramen, which sustained me for many a long night as I struggled with both words and self doubt. Nothing but respect for my president.

[C]

That is iconic.

[A]

I love idea what book that's for. I'm trying to like figure it out, but that's funny.

[C]

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand. For everyone who knows, there is enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door. And for England. We're really sorry for what we're about to do to your history.

[A]

Oh, I can't.

[B]

This one says. I don't know, I don't know what.

[A]

Book this is from.

[B]

To my wonderful readers. Sorry about that last cliffhanger. Well, no, not really.

[A]

Hahahaha.

[B]

But seriously, I love you guys.

[C]

So unserious.

[A]

I love it.

[C]

I appreciate it.

[A]

This is from the Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. Says for all the food lovers out there who burn popcorn in the microwave, we'd be too strong if we could cook, too.

[B]

Preach. That is for me.

[C]

Great dedication.

[B]

That is for me.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

This one's funny. Dedicated to the strongest person I know. Me Psychos by Babe Walker.

[A]

Wait, I love that. Love.

[B]

I don't know what book this is from, but for all the readers who like their book boyfriends covered in red flags. Red's my favorite color, too. Oh.

[A]

What book is that?

[B]

I'm assuming dark romance. I'm not sure.

[C]

Nice.

[B]

I'm not sure.

[A]

This one says this book is dedicated to Kanye west because he'll not never effing read it.

[C]

Joan Rivers.

[A]

No, it's. I have no idea what it is.

[C]

Oh. Because I have it on. Oh. Joan Rivers. Diary of a Mad Diva by Joan Rivers.

[A]

I'm sorry I took yours. I'm so sorry.

[C]

Oh, no, it's fine. I have, like, a whole list here that I found on Goodreads. Someone dedicated one to their dad. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. For my father who is not evil.

[B]

Well, maybe a little bit.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

Imagine being Cassandra's dad.

[A]

Oh, I can't.

[B]

This one is. I don't know what book it is for Carly, who is a better person than I am, even though she was a dog.

[C]

Oh, stop.

[A]

Wait, I thought that was funny.

[C]

I mean, it's funny, but it's also sweet. It's so sweet.

[A]

I know, I know. I don't mess with dogs. Yeah, anything with dogs. Instant tears. I know.

[C]

All right, I got one more funny one. Okay. This one made me giggle. I don't know if you guys want me to list all these off, but I'll. I'll just go for it. This one starts with no, thanks to Farrar and Reinhardt, Simon and Schuster, Coward, McCann, Limited Editions, Hart, Court Brace, Random House, Equinox Press, Smith and Haas, Viking Press, Knope, Dutton Harper's, Scribner's, Kobici, Fried. That's the dedication. No, thanks.

[B]

By E.E.

[C]

Cummings. These are the 14 houses who turned down his poetry collection before he self published it.

[B]

I freaking love that. So petty.

[C]

I love it.

[A]

Yes, that. Yep.

[C]

Iconic.

[A]

Hats off to you.

[C]

Imagine you're, like, starting a poetry book, and that dedication is just 14 publishing houses that.

[B]

I hope he found a lot of success with his poetry book after that.

[C]

Yeah. EE Cummings.

[B]

Oh, you guys, not.

[A]

No, I don't. He's a famous poet.

[C]

Famous poet?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

E. Cummings.

[B]

Heck, yeah.

[C]

Shooks my core.

[B]

That's amazing by that, actually.

[A]

That's crazy. I. What a. What a.

[B]

What a petty king.

[A]

E.E.

[C]

Cummings.

[B]

Hey, I don't.

[A]

I knew.

[B]

I. I knew he was a famous poet. It just took me a second.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

I also didn't know Carrie, Katy. Katy Perry went to space. So, you know, those are two things.

[C]

Every person should know.

[B]

Cummings and Katy Perry. I can be made a fun of.

[A]

This time because I didn't know who. E.E. cummings. Yeah, I don't know what that is.

[B]

It's okay.

[A]

I'm so sorry.

[B]

It's okay.

[C]

My jaw's on the floor. It's all right.

[A]

What a way to end a dedication episode with that last one. I had no idea. And I'm sure those publishing houses feel quite stupid. Quite stupid. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed. I hope you guys got a little giggle from some of those. I hope you guys got a little teary with us on some other ones. I hope you guys take whatever dedications you need.

[C]

Apply them to your lives.

[A]

Apply them to your lives. These are really fun. I think we really enjoy getting to go back and read some of the dedications from some of our favorite books.

[C]

And every time we've done this episode, I'm like, I need to remind myself to make sure I read the dedication before I start a book. But sometimes, you know, you open your Kindle, you're just like looking for the first page all the time. But it's reminding me to open the dedication page first because you never know if it might hit you in the heart or make you giggle or maybe it's just to Tom.

[B]

You know, just Tom.

[C]

And then you'll wonder who Tom is.

[A]

Anyways, we also wanted to thank you guys for our Valentine's launch. It blew us through the waters and we're almost sold out. We might have a few sizes left for our book lover mock neck. But I hope you guys enjoy those because we love them so much. Also, for those of you who don't follow us on social media, we are on Instagram and TikTok and YouTube. What she's reading. Podcast. Also Facebook.

[B]

Yep, we're on Facebook.

[A]

We're on Facebook occasionally. And we also have a Patreon. And the Patreon. We love to get you guys input on Episodes and stuff. So if you want to be involved in choosing Episodes, picking what books we read, be a part of our book club. We have fun time. So join our Patreon. Those are linked in our socials. If you go to our social pages. And I think down below. Anyways, we'll see you guys next week.

[C]

Bye.

[B]

Bye.