Giving THANKS

Summary

Podcast Summary: "I'll Read What She's Reading" – Episode "Giving THANKS"

In the heartwarming and reflective episode titled "Giving THANKS", released on November 13, 2024, the hosts Kennedy, Reggie, and Mikayla come together to share their gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches. This episode is a blend of personal acknowledgments, literary discussions, and heartfelt thanks to their listeners and favorite authors. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn throughout the episode.

---

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

The episode begins with a lighthearted exchange between the hosts as they settle in. Kennedy introduces the theme for the day: expressing what they are thankful for, both personally and in response to their listeners' contributions. The conversational tone sets the stage for an engaging and intimate discussion.

---

2. Recent Reads and Literary Updates

Reggie's Book Journey

Reggie takes the lead in updating the listeners on his current reads. He delves into his experience with the "Spark of the Everflame" series, expressing a complex love-hate relationship with the second book, "Glow of the Everflame". Reggie shares his initial skepticism influenced by a low-rated review but finds himself inconsistently enjoying the material:

"I have a very strong love-hate relationship with it... I love it and I hate it at the same time." ([02:00])

He eagerly anticipates the release of the fourth book, hoping it arrives soon to satisfy his growing curiosity.

Additionally, Reggie praises "Look Closer" by David Ellis, a five-star read that defied his expectations of thrillers by blending mystery with scandal, highlighting his preference for whodunit over purely spooky narratives.

Mikayla's Engagement with the "Natural" Series

Mikayla shares her enthusiasm for the "Natural" series, currently on its third installment. She describes it as a captivating read about teenagers in an FBI program solving cold cases, enriched with personal dramas and character backstories:

"I'm on the third one right now and they're really fun and they're pretty short, so they're all like less than 400 pages." ([04:31])

Her appreciation for the series underscores the appeal of character-driven narratives in young adult literature.

Kennedy's Diverse Reading Experience

Kennedy discusses her recent reads, including "Lights Out" by Nevesa Allen and "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi. She reflects on the mixed reception of these books:

"It's gonna be interesting to see where these stories go and continue." ([03:00])

Kennedy also humorously critiques "Lights Out", noting that while initial impressions were positive, the story eventually lost her interest. She appreciates the "Starter Villain" for its outrageous elements, such as talking dolphins and cats, likening it to a male counterpart of "Assistant to the Villain":

"It was the most out of pocket book. It kind of felt like a sci fi male version of assistant to the villain." ([08:00])

Her candid reviews provide listeners with honest insights into the books' strengths and weaknesses.

---

3. Expressing Gratitude

Thanking Their Team

Reggie begins the gratitude segment by honoring his co-hosts, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the podcast:

"Guys, for being the best co-host ever." ([09:21])

He extends heartfelt thanks to Kennedy and Mikayla, acknowledging their support and camaraderie.

Appreciation for Authors and Literature

The hosts proceed to thank a variety of authors whose works have impacted them profoundly. Each thank-you is personalized, reflecting specific elements that resonated with them.

• Abby Jimenez: Reggie credits her book "Justin from Just for the Summer" for deepening his appreciation for his husband, recognizing how the portrayal of love languages enhanced his understanding:

  "That book really made me appreciate my husband more." ([09:32])

• Bryn Weaver: Kennedy expresses distaste humorously for the depiction in "Butcher and Blackbird", leading her to abandon her love for cookies and cream ice cream:

  "Thank you, Bryn Weaver, for making me never want to eat cookies and cream ice cream again." ([11:06])

• Fan Artists: Michaela appreciates the artistic talents of fan artists, highlighting how fan art brings literary worlds to life:

  "Thank you for all the artistic people out there who create fan art." ([11:32])

• Goodreads and Fable: The discussion transitions into a light-hearted critique of Goodreads, with Reggie humorously lamenting its limitations:

  "Thank you, Goodreads, for staying true to yourself." ([12:47])

They also acknowledge the importance of alternative platforms like Fable, praising its features but ultimately expressing loyalty to Goodreads.

Personal Thanks to Listeners

One of the most touching moments comes when the hosts collectively thank their listeners. They express immense gratitude for the support that has fueled the podcast's growth:

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts... we couldn't be here without you." ([22:07])

This segment underscores the community aspect of the podcast, recognizing the listeners' role in its success.

---

4. Social Media Engagement and Community Interaction

The hosts discuss their presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where their dance moves have unexpectedly gone viral. They humorously navigate the disconnect between their literary focus and their dance fame:

"Thank you you guys for making us famous for our dance moves. That was not on my 2024 bingo card." ([13:32])

They also emphasize the importance of fan contributions, such as fan art and interactive content like dance challenges linked to book recommendations:

"We do TikTok. How hard we dance is how much we recommend a book." ([14:42])

This blend of literary passion and playful social media engagement enriches their connection with the audience.

---

5. Merchandise and Podcast Growth

Towards the end of the episode, Kennedy announces the release of new merchandise, including a green sweatset and a cute trucker hat. She encourages listeners to visit their website to view and purchase the cozy items, perfect for holiday gifts:

"We released a green sweatset and a really cute trucker hat. So if you guys haven't had a chance, go ahead and go to our website..." ([37:10])

This segment not only promotes their merchandise but also celebrates the podcast's expansion over the past year.

---

6. Conclusion and Final Thanks

In closing, the hosts reiterate their gratitude towards each other and their listeners. They highlight the collective effort that makes the podcast enjoyable and sustainable:

"Without her, this would not be here. But also without Reggie, this podcast wouldn't be a thing." ([35:31])

Kennedy wraps up the episode with warm wishes for Thanksgiving, inviting listeners to continue supporting and engaging with their community:

"Have a great week weeding [likely meant to be 'Thanksgiving'] and we will see you next week. Bye." ([37:38])

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I really did need that, but it's just a part." — Reggie ([15:12])
• "Thank you, Liv, for making me be more insecure and questioning myself constantly." — Reggie ([17:18])
• "Thanks to all the authors who write good tension and good banter. I don't know where I'd be without that." — Michaela ([15:01])

---

Final Thoughts

"Giving THANKS" is a heartfelt episode that intertwines personal gratitude with literary discourse. The hosts not only discuss their current reads and favorite authors but also foster a sense of community by acknowledging their listeners' support. Through authentic conversations and humorous exchanges, Kennedy, Reggie, and Mikayla create an engaging narrative that resonates with book enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. This episode serves as a testament to the podcast's growth and the strong bonds within its community, making it a memorable installment for fans celebrating Thanksgiving.

Transcript

[Kennedy]

Hi, guys. Welcome back to. I'll read what she's reading. I'm Kennedy.

[Reggie]

I'm a kid.

[Kennedy]

Wait, that's actually never happened.

[Michaela]

Sorry, I was writing down a thought and I messed up.

[Reggie]

I'm.

[Michaela]

You go.

[Reggie]

No, you go.

[Michaela]

Okay. I'm Michaela.

[Reggie]

I'm Reggie.

[Kennedy]

And today we're going to be telling you guys what we're thankful for. And also, you guys told us what you're also thankful for. Now, if you guys haven't seen the Jimmy Fallon skit.

[Reggie]

Yeah, he, like, writes thank you notes that are kind of just out of pocket. Yeah. Sarcastic satire, whatever you want to call it.

[Kennedy]

I'm sure there's a few wholesome ones thrown in there, but, you know, it's November, Thanksgiving's coming up, so we wanted to be thankful.

[Reggie]

What a year it's been.

[Kennedy]

What a year. But first, before we tell you guys what you're thankful for and what we're thankful for, we're gonna update you guys on what we've been reading. I feel like we haven't done this in a second. Is that.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it does kind of feel like it's been a while, because I don't remember what I shared last either.

[Kennedy]

So who wants to start? Reggie, let's have you start.

[Reggie]

Okay, share with the class. These guys are probably sick of me talking about this. And it's funny because I haven't even really said that much about it, but it's because I'm trying not to give. Give details. But I'm on book two of Spark of the Everflame, so I think it's Glow of the Everflame. So I just finished the first one and I'm already halfway through the second one. And I have a very strong love hate relationship with it. And I feel like I. I don't want to really say why, because I went in with a few preconceived notions from a review that I had seen. I had only seen, like, one maybe, like, low rating review, and the rest were just like tons and tons of positive reviews. And so I did go into it thinking of this negative review that I saw. And I don't. I don't want to say that. That, like, kind of has swayed my opinion on it a little bit, but maybe it has a tad. So I just don't want anyone else starting this book with the same little preconceived notion I had. I think that you guys might feel the same if you read this book, but that's really all I'm going to say other than I Don't know. It's. I love it and I hate it at the same time. So I've been rolling my eyes a lot, but then I'm like also eating it up. Like I was squealing listening to it this morning while I was getting ready, but then the next second I was like, are you kidding me? So it's gonna be interesting to see where these stories go and continue. And I'm really confused because there's supposed to be a fourth book and it said it was coming out this summer and it didn't come out and there's not a release date for it. So I'm hoping that it comes out soon so I don't have to wait forever for it.

[Kennedy]

But yeah, because you were reading it because it was complete.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I thought it was complete because when I went and looked, there just weren't a ton of reviews for the fourth one and I was like, oh, maybe it just barely came out. No, there's. She doesn't have a release date for it originally. I think she was supposed to release it in July.

[Kennedy]

Hmm.

[Reggie]

So now I'm like, we shall see. But yeah, that's been interesting. And I will say I did read because one of the. There was episode we did a while back where we picked books for each other and then we had a follower pick a book for us. Listener. And someone picked a book for me. Mackenzie. I think that's your name. I hope I got that right. And I feel bad because I didn't read it when I said I was going to read it and. And I finally read it and it was a five star read for me. So it was Look Closer by David Ellis. And I know I've said I've given up on thrillers, but it wasn't really like the kind of thriller that I thought it was going to be. I thought it was gonna be like kind of like spooky and unsettling, but it was more like, I mean, there's a murder involved, but it's also like, it's more about money and scandal kind of thing. So I really like books like that. If you have suggestions where it's not all about like spooky, like more mystery based. Yeah, I like a more mystery whodunit, who done it type of thing. So I'm really looking forward to reading more books like that if I can find them. But yeah, that. Those are some recent reads.

[Kennedy]

Pretty solid five star read. Hey, haven't had one of those in a long time. Mikayla, you want me to go?

[Michaela]

Yeah, I'm currently reading the Natural series. I don't know how to describe it. I mean, it's pretty easy to describe, I guess. It's about these teenagers that are in a FBI program and they call them naturals because they just have these natural abilities and they, they help with cold cases. They help with, you know, actual cases that are happening in real life. And it's just good. It's just fun. And there's lots of like drama and personal history with each of the characters. And so I feel like that always ties into it somehow and I just really am liking it. I'm on the third one right now and they're really fun and they're pretty short, so they're all like less than 400 pages. So I'm really, I'm really liking them.

[Kennedy]

The dynamic of that series is really fun with the teens. Yeah, that's a good one.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

One of my most recent reads. Well, I actually listened to this and booktok led me astray, let me tell you. Okay, maybe not so much. But it's Lights out by Nevesa Allen. And if you guys go on Goodreads, Reggie pointed out to me that the synopsis is quite the jump scare. Okay, I did not read the synopsis. I kept getting these tiktoks about this book and it was the audio book. And one of the tiktoks I got was actually the male and female narrator. They had like there was video stacked on top of each other and they were interacting with each other while they were reading it. It was actually really funny. And then there was also audio from the actual audiobook and it just seemed like it was a very out of pocket story that was going to be funny. Kind of almost like Butcher and Blackbird. It's a dark romcom, but I enjoyed the first like 25% the male main characters. Kind of funny, the things he would say. And then it just kind of went downhill from there. So not my favorite. And then I also read this book called Starter Villain by John Scalzi. There is this guy who goes to my gym and he talks to me frequently about books and he's recommended this specific author to me multiple times. He has this really infamous sci fi series, I guess, and he keeps telling me to read it. So I. When I saw that this author had had a 250 page book book and I could have it instantly on Kindle Unlimited, I was like, why not? And basically what happens is there's this guy who inherits all this money from his uncle. Come to find out his uncle is a super villain. Kind of like Doofenshmirtz vibes, you know? The book was so outrageous. There was the. There was like talking dolphins and cats who communicate with her. It was wild, you guys. It was crazy. It was the most out of pocket book. It kind of felt like a sci fi male version of assistant to the villain.

[Michaela]

Interesting.

[Kennedy]

Very short.

[Reggie]

Didn't take me long of the out of pocket books. Yeah, I love it.

[Kennedy]

I walked into a Barnes and Noble and it was like their book club, big book club, book pick for the month. So I was like, why not? It's short. And I ended up rating it three stars. It was fun. Nothing too crazy. Not anything I'm going to be thinking about for a long time. But there was talking dolphins and they actually were really funny. So those are two books that I have currently been reading. And I'm just hoping that good, better books are coming my way. Really crossing my fingers.

[Michaela]

You did do that to yourself.

[Kennedy]

I know.

[Michaela]

We didn't pick those books for you.

[Kennedy]

I know. You know, I do this. I swear, I do this all the time where I'm like, I'm going to try something new and it never works for me. It never works for me. But, you know, I'll give it a shot.

[Michaela]

I'm being adventurous and I'm not. I'm being very safe with my books.

[Kennedy]

I just keep putting off the books that I really want to read, I think, because I think I'm just waiting for winter and for it to be less busy with work. Yeah. To really give them the time and attention they deserve, you know? So that's what we've been currently reading. If you guys don't follow us on Goodreads, they're linked on our Instagram. If you want to stay more up to date with what we're reading in real time, should we get into what we're thankful for?

[Reggie]

Yeah, let's get sappy.

[Kennedy]

Go ahead, get sappy.

[Michaela]

Reggie.

[Reggie]

No. Oh, some of them I was like, none of mine are sappy. But you want me to start?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, why not?

[Michaela]

Guys, for being the best co host ever. Aww.

[Reggie]

That's so nice.

[Kennedy]

My heart is warming.

[Reggie]

Okay, this one. Okay. So you'll start to get the vibe of them as we go on. Thank you, Abby Jimenez, for all the times I got mad at my husband because he wasn't perfect like Justin from Just for the Summer.

[Kennedy]

Facts. Which.

[Reggie]

Let's just. Let's just put this out there. Okay. I love my husband. He's the best. Honestly, this. That book made me appreciate my husband. More. Because I've never understood people who. Whose love language is acts of service. And I have known my husband, like, I've been with him for 12 years, and that's, like, one thing that I've always just been like, acts of service. Like, I just don't really get it. And that book really made it click for me, and I felt kind of dumb. I was like, why have I been so blind to, like, some of the things my husband's done for me? Not realizing that it's like, you know what I mean? Anyways. But that book, I say that because I appreciate Justin for Just for the summer, for showing me how much more I truly love my husband, but just in general. Abby Jimenez just read such perfect men. And men in real life aren't perfect. And if I could have a perfect man. You would.

[Kennedy]

But it'd be boring.

[Reggie]

But, yeah, it would be boring. A man with no flaws, you know? So starting out with that, that was great.

[Kennedy]

And let's also say that these are all just in good fun. We're not necessarily being serious if there are some more sarcastic ones. So let's just. Let's just say that you love your husband, obviously. Oh, I do. He's the best.

[Reggie]

I wouldn't trade him for any fictional man. So.

[Kennedy]

Okay, my first one is going to be. And unfortunately, neither of these two have read this specific book, so they won't get it. But, listeners, if you've read Butcher and Blackbird, you'll know what I'm talking about. Thank you, Bryn Weaver, for making me never want to eat cookies and cream ice cream again.

[Reggie]

Ooh.

[Kennedy]

Ah. I'll leave it at that. If you're listening and you've read it, you know. You know, I can only imagine it's quite gross.

[Michaela]

Oh, man. Thank you for all the artistic people out there who create fan art.

[Reggie]

Ooh, that's a good one.

[Kennedy]

You're really doing everyone a favor.

[Michaela]

You are doing me a service and the rest of us, because I truly sometimes don't think I would understand things without fan art. So thank you.

[Kennedy]

You bring the books to life.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, That's a good one.

[Michaela]

I am not. I. I don't. I don't have any bone in my body that could draw. I could draw stick figures for you, and that would really create an illusion, set up the scene for everyone.

[Kennedy]

We should start doing that.

[Michaela]

We should do Pictionary.

[Kennedy]

Oh, my God.

[Michaela]

Version.

[Kennedy]

We should. We should. That's a great idea.

[Reggie]

Not. Yeah, that would be good. Because my drawing skills are a 0 out of 10 so some of you.

[Kennedy]

Guys can do real crazy stuff. It's. It's insane.

[Michaela]

I know.

[Reggie]

I will never skip a fan art video where someone's, like, showing a painting they're doing or. Yeah, I just meant all of people's talents, so keep them coming. All right. Thank you, Goodreads, for staying true to yourself. We've begged you to change, and yet you still continue to be who you've always been.

[Kennedy]

Okay, but, like, really, can you change? Can you give me half stars, half star ratings?

[Reggie]

Let me reply to comments on the app.

[Kennedy]

Oh, my gosh.

[Reggie]

Yeah, the list goes on. And you know what? People will all.

[Kennedy]

Will.

[Reggie]

Someone will DM us and say, oh, you gotta try this other app instead. But you know what? I just. I. I'm loyal to my Goodreads. I don't. We can see that. Most people. Yeah. And most people are on Goodreads. And so it's like. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

You know, I've tried to get into Fable, and Fable's fine. It's great. I like that it automatically syncs my Goodreads because I rate it on Goodreads, and then it gets imported into Fable. Goodreads. Just. I don't know. There's just something about it.

[Michaela]

I think it's just the og. Something about an OG just makes it stick.

[Kennedy]

Thank you to you guys for making us famous for our dance moves. That was not on my 2024 bingo card.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I always.

[Reggie]

I wish my dance moves were a little better, but, you know, maybe famous.

[Kennedy]

Isn'T the right word. Thanks for letting us go viral for our dance. Okay, we're not famous. Let me. Let me back up.

[Michaela]

I always get embarrassed when people that don't even read books come up to me and say, oh, I saw your dancing video. And I say, no, you didn't.

[Reggie]

That wasn't me.

[Michaela]

That was my twin. Yeah, it's happened quite a few times.

[Kennedy]

My favorite. I mean, everybody always comments on your facial expressions. The pink vest girl. The pink vest Girl. I want to be friends with the pink vest girl. The pink vest girl is so funny. I love it.

[Michaela]

I'm getting rid of that pink vest.

[Kennedy]

Burn it. Burn it.

[Reggie]

Honestly, you could probably wear out in public and someone will recognize you, you know?

[Kennedy]

Oh, you're the pink vest girl. I said no.

[Reggie]

Dance for me. Dance for me.

[Kennedy]

No, really. Thanks. That's. That's fun for us, that. Those are fun to do.

[Reggie]

There's plenty more where that came from if you're.

[Kennedy]

If you don't know what we're talking about. We do TikTok. Whoa. We do how hard we dance is how much we recommend a book.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So.

[Reggie]

Doesn't mean we're good dancers.

[Kennedy]

Oh. Oh. Quite. Quite the opposite.

[Reggie]

We can really convince you on our rating with our dance moves.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Thank you for all the authors who write good tension and good banter. I don't know where I'd be without that.

[Kennedy]

I'd be living a sad life.

[Michaela]

I would, too. Anyways, that just is quite simple and plain. I just enjoy some good banter and some good tension.

[Reggie]

And we couldn't live without it. Reading would be boring without it.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So it's good.

[Kennedy]

Ditto. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Thank you, Carissa Broadbent, for ruining the name Max for me, because now I tear up whenever I hear that name.

[Kennedy]

Precious. So precious.

[Reggie]

Just precious. Baby Angel.

[Kennedy]

Precious.

[Michaela]

Sorry, I have no comment.

[Kennedy]

That's okay.

[Reggie]

That's all right. You comment on it one day.

[Michaela]

I did start it last night.

[Kennedy]

Thank you, Pierce Brown, for making me believe in blonde characters again.

[Michaela]

I've always believed blonde characters, so. But they are good. I. There's something about blondes for me.

[Kennedy]

I mean, your husband's blonde, so. Makes sense.

[Michaela]

It just does something to me.

[Kennedy]

I mean, it makes sense.

[Michaela]

Thank you, sjm, for ripping my heart out in every book.

[Reggie]

Facts.

[Kennedy]

Every book.

[Michaela]

Every book.

[Kennedy]

Household Hammond Shadow.

[Michaela]

You're telling me there wasn't one part you cried out?

[Kennedy]

Oh, I'm sure there was. I'm a crybaby. Yeah, exactly. Doesn't mean it has to be good.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

She's got a talent for that.

[Reggie]

She truly.

[Michaela]

There's at least one part in every single book that's like a stab to the heart.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Does that mean it's necessarily overall the best?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I get that for sure. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Well, to go along with sjm, I got a thank you card for her. Thank you, Sarah J. Maas, for making me set my expectations Incredibly low for ACOTAR 6 after House of Flame and Shadow.

[Kennedy]

Yes. She's taking her time, though. She's cooking that. She's cooking.

[Michaela]

She better be cooking.

[Kennedy]

She's cooking.

[Michaela]

I don't know.

[Kennedy]

It's not coming.

[Reggie]

It's been simmering for a while. I feel like she's cooking.

[Kennedy]

You know, maybe she saw that people were kind of sad about it, and she's really like, okay, let me just give the fans what they want, whatever that might be.

[Reggie]

I don't know. It's just. It just sucks to be really excited about a new book of hers and then be disappointed. So I just really don't want that. To be the case with acotar sex, But I am set my expectations pretty low, but I'm hopeful at the same time.

[Kennedy]

I think she's gonna. I think she's gonna do okay. She's gonna do okay.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. She's gonna do okay.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

We love you, Sarah.

[Kennedy]

Thank you, Jessa Hastings, for making me sob hysterically on a plane. Like, wiping my own snot on my own sweatshirt, hysterically sobbing on a plane.

[Michaela]

We're probably like, what's wrong?

[Kennedy]

Person next to me kept looking at me like, what is wrong with this girl? Thank you, Jessa, for doing that.

[Michaela]

Yeah, just a would. Jessa would do that to people, and.

[Reggie]

She wouldn't even care.

[Michaela]

No, she would encourage you. I'm not paying for your therapy bill.

[Kennedy]

Did you guys see her new merch?

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

It's basically about, like, crying.

[Reggie]

Sweet. I need it.

[Michaela]

This kind of goes along with the jest we make about sjm, but this is an overall generalization. It could go both ways.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Michaela]

Says thank you to all the authors for taking your time writing and not disappointing your readers.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Michaela]

Or it goes both ways, where the authors slap it out real quick and still disappoint the readers.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Rather, they take their time.

[Reggie]

Yeah, same.

[Kennedy]

Take your sweet time. Sorry.

[Reggie]

So, yes, I am hoping. That's why I'm saying I hope that with her taking her sweet time without Guitar six, it's just setting me up for a better. A better time. So here's another one for Jessa Hastings. Jessa Hastings, thank you for making me feel like every word that comes out of my mouth and every anniversary and birthday card I write is boring, because everything you write is so beautiful, it's sickening. I just want to look into her husband's, like, birthday cards.

[Michaela]

She can probably draw inspiration from her husband. What if it's reversed? I mean, I'm sure she's beautiful at writing, but what if her husband just is also a man of great words?

[Reggie]

I mean, he's a musician, so, you.

[Kennedy]

Know, I wonder what her love language is like. Is it words of affirmation? I'd be interested to know.

[Reggie]

Let's ask her one day.

[Kennedy]

Jessa, we're desperate to interview you. Please, one day come on our podcast. Thank you to every fantasy book for making me motivated in the gym. And let me just tell you guys this. I ran a half marathon a few weeks ago, and the last mile was actual torture. And as I'm, like, getting ready to cross the finish line, who's afraid of little old me? Comes on and you guys, literally, I was like. I. I was already emotional just because I feel like when you run a half marathon or a marathon, it's like this weird emotional thing where you can't believe your body did or you're proud of yourself, whatever. But that came on and just all of these feelings from Throne of Glass just started flooding my brain and I was like, as I'm running, I'm like. And then I literally had to, like, stop because I started to have, like, this weird emotional panic attack. And then I finished. So.

[Reggie]

That's so inspirational, Kennedy.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I love that for you.

[Kennedy]

Me too.

[Michaela]

So very much.

[Kennedy]

Me too.

[Michaela]

I've been seeing. This is a side tangent. I've been seeing all the New York marathon and I'm like, low key. Kind of want to do it.

[Kennedy]

Honestly. It would be a fun vibe that the vibes are there at the New York marathon. Yeah. Yeah. I will never be running a marathon. No, thank you. But I'll go to New York and cheer you on if you. If you run a marathon.

[Michaela]

I need to run a half marathon.

[Kennedy]

Just make a whole Throne of Glass playlist.

[Michaela]

Thank you, TikTok, for adding to my never ending tbr.

[Kennedy]

It never ends. You gotta be careful, though, because some TikTok recommendations are out of pocket.

[Michaela]

Yeah, but I let you read those words and then you let me know if they're good or not.

[Kennedy]

And then I sit and wonder why my, like, average rating is so low and that would be why. So it's okay.

[Reggie]

We love an adventurous friend. Thank you. Mine are all for authors, so no big deal. Thank you, Lauren Roberts, for making me squeal like I haven't squealed since the seventh grade. And that is fact.

[Kennedy]

Mvp.

[Michaela]

I'm so excited for the third.

[Kennedy]

Me too. I've been seeing all the quotes that have been coming out from the book, and I think it's gonna be good.

[Reggie]

I really like the COVID Yeah, me too. It's cool.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, it is cool.

[Reggie]

Can't wait. He any others you guys have?

[Kennedy]

Let's see. Oh, yeah, I have one more. You guys knew one about this was coming. Thank you, funny story. For healing my daddy issues.

[Michaela]

I love that. Thank you to all the fictional men out there. Doesn't matter if it's good or bad or, you know, just thank you. Because at least some people yucks.

[Kennedy]

Yum. Some people.

[Michaela]

It doesn't. But you know, there is something for everyone.

[Kennedy]

There's a guy out there for everyone.

[Michaela]

Fictional.

[Reggie]

Fictional, for sure.

[Kennedy]

And non fictional and non fiction. Those were some things we're thankful for. I know let's get a little sappy for two seconds. I know I'm sure I can speak for all three of us, but genuinely, we are so thankful for you guys for listening to our podcast, for supporting our Tick Tock, for following us on Instagram, for buying our merch. It's honestly even crazy to look at last November to this November, just to see how much our podcast has grown and even, you know, our Instagram and Tick Tock. So thank you for being here. Thank you for listening to us. It's actually insane. And also thank you always for participating in our question boxes. You guys always pull through for us. Yes. And we couldn't be here without you.

[Michaela]

Guys, so the episodes would not be the same without you guys, so.

[Kennedy]

So thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And that's about as sappy as I'm gonna get. You guys ready to read their thank yous? Yes. Okay.

[Reggie]

Thank you to books for transporting me anywhere else but reality. That is sweet. Because really, that's what reading is all about in a way. You know, it's like, I love having a little escape in my day, so it's really helpful.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Part of your day or just of reading?

[Michaela]

Of reading, yeah.

[Reggie]

Mm.

[Michaela]

Just escaping, just like, removing yourself, getting a little break.

[Reggie]

It's good therapy, you know? For sure.

[Kennedy]

For sure. Oh, this is a good one. Thank you, Lorcan, for what you did.

[Michaela]

I need to know, though, seriously, I would pay big bucks for that.

[Reggie]

Can you imagine if SJM just came out with a little novella and it was called what Lorcan Did? She would make so much money off that. She would. She would. So. Or even if she just did, like, a. A TikTok live and people could, like, send her. You know, you can, like, send people money on TikTok.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah.

[Reggie]

And she just reads what Lorcan did. I don't know. Just throwing that out there, but, I mean, I think she likes that she did that in a way.

[Michaela]

A closed door scene. I don't like it, but I understand the reason behind it. Thank you, Hunger Games, for making me think I would survive in the woods at age 12.

[Reggie]

Hard pass on me.

[Kennedy]

Hard pass.

[Michaela]

I don't think I could survive.

[Reggie]

No, no.

[Kennedy]

At 12.

[Reggie]

No.

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

I didn't even know how to make Mac and cheese, actually. Maybe I didn't know how to make Mac and cheese. I was very coddled.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Books always just make me feel stronger than I actually am. But you know what? It's fine.

[Kennedy]

You're over here, like, fighting these people, and they're Losing. And I'm like, oh, come on. You can do better. When I'm just, like, sitting on my couch. Yeah. With a bowl of popcorn, a soda.

[Reggie]

Running a half marathon. All right. Thank you, when the moon hatched for leaving me with more questions than answers. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But also not. No, thank you.

[Reggie]

Yeah, exactly.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, for making me think of the word not differently, forever.

[Michaela]

That is just someone that was. Thank you, Ali Hazelwood, for telling me what a knot is.

[Kennedy]

Could have lived without it, honestly. Same. But, you know, we read to be educated.

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Michaela]

I didn't need to be educated on that, to be honest. I'm gonna read another one, if that's okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Thank you, Sarah J. Maas, for the pronunciation guide in the back of Tog. Without it, I'd be lost.

[Kennedy]

Manon.

[Michaela]

Wrong.

[Kennedy]

How do people say kale, chael, cha.

[Michaela]

Cha, chol, kail, chol?

[Reggie]

I don't even know chol. We love a pronunciation guide. You know, there's a lot in here about sjm, and the one that I'm seeing the most, I will read. Thank you, sjm, for ruining every other book for me.

[Kennedy]

Wow.

[Reggie]

And, you know. Yeah, I see what you mean.

[Kennedy]

I'm also seeing a lot of, like, thank you, sjm, for getting me back into reading. Thank you, sjm, for introducing me to fantasy. You know, you gotta give credit where credit's due.

[Reggie]

I think she a lot of people over every female.

[Kennedy]

I think a lot of people. She's kind of how they dip their toes into fantasy, and then it just opens the world for people.

[Michaela]

Oh, yeah. So I feel like there's so many stars.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah.

[Michaela]

And famous people that have, like, started their SJM journey recently.

[Reggie]

I swear, every time I get on TikTok, someone new is like, I'm starting Throne of Glass or, I'm starting acotar.

[Kennedy]

Yep.

[Michaela]

Yes.

[Reggie]

I love to see it.

[Michaela]

I know. Which I. Makes me think maybe we'll get some movie or show soon.

[Reggie]

It needs to be thrown a glass, but I don't think that's gonna happen.

[Michaela]

No.

[Reggie]

We've talked about it a million times, but we are the first to start the petition, if there is one. Let me just read one more one about Acotar real quick. Thank you, Acotar fans, for my anxiety diagnosis after years of thinking my watery bowels were normal.

[Kennedy]

Oh.

[Reggie]

You don't think through that one.

[Kennedy]

But, oh, we are including that.

[Michaela]

That's good.

[Kennedy]

I am so happy for you people.

[Reggie]

People will say things like, why does she talk about that in books? But I'm like, it's real. Because if I were face to face with a giant snake worm thing with thousands of teeth, I would definitely be pooping my pants. I'd be peeing my pants. I would not be well. I'd be throwing. I would not be well. Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So it's very real of her to include that in her books. So. Thank you, Sarah.

[Kennedy]

I think she's trolling us at this point. I think she just includes it in there because she knows it's like a. I think she's trolling us. I really do.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Honestly, if I was an author, I would troll people a lot, too.

[Kennedy]

So it'd be fun. Yeah, It'd be like a little inside joke.

[Michaela]

Hold all the power.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

All the power.

[Reggie]

How would it feel to be Sarah J. Maas? I don't know.

[Michaela]

I don't know.

[Kennedy]

All right, here's one. Thank you, Elsie Silver, for making me think hot cowboys exist. And here's the thing. If you didn't think hot cowboys existed before you read the Chestnut spring series, there are. You got to come to the West. Okay. Small town boys do it better. Just saying.

[Michaela]

There are pretty. Some pretty hot cowboys. I would say so.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

But just not in bigger areas.

[Kennedy]

You know, there's just something about, you know, small, small town boys, cowboys. I don't care. They've got, like, the work ethic, you know, since they work with their hands. They've got the body, you know, bod. They got. They got it all. They got. They're. They're, you know, they're gentlemen. They can change your oil. They can cook a steak. They just, you know, come to the west changing your oil.

[Michaela]

The standards are really.

[Reggie]

See, like. Oh, okay.

[Michaela]

Are you laughing? Because Kendall is not those things.

[Reggie]

Well, I thought about that. That's not why I'm laughing. But it just made me.

[Kennedy]

I just.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

Does he know? He probably knows how to change an oil.

[Reggie]

He knows how to change oil. He knows how to cook steaks. He's not a cowboy.

[Kennedy]

Kyle's not a cowboy. But I will say, when Kyle puts his work boots on with some shorts. Some shorts. He's mowing the lawn. Shorts. I don't know.

[Reggie]

We all know what we're doing. Dressing. Our husband's up for Halloween next year.

[Kennedy]

When he worked on the sod farm, he would wear shorts with some work boots and a cut off. Sends me into orbit. Anyways, cowboys are the furthest thing from.

[Michaela]

A cowboy, but he likes to think he is.

[Reggie]

Michaela, your turn now. It's My turn.

[Michaela]

I probably will receive no comment from this one, but I'm reading it because I. I get you and I understand you. Thank you, Manacold, for pushing my limits when it comes to morally gray mcs.

[Kennedy]

I really need to read it. I was actually thinking about it last night because Kyle was watching the first Harry Potter movie, and I'm like, you know, maybe me and Kyle will do a. I can't promise I'm gonna read the books, but I'm like, if we do a Harry Potter marathon movies, is that enough? Yeah. Okay.

[Michaela]

I think that it sets you in the mood.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Michaela]

If that makes sense. I think maybe just, like, going right into it might not hit the same as, like. Because I read literally all of them, and then I started reading Manacles, like, a few weeks later. But I also think watching the movies, it kind of just like, puts you in that environment.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Puts you in that world.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I need to do that.

[Michaela]

But if you did go into it, you might like it. I'm just saying it might not.

[Kennedy]

Some things might not just, like, hit as hard. Yeah. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Anyways. Yeah, man. Cold love.

[Reggie]

Love this one. I relate to heavily. Thank you, Kindle Unlimited, for keeping my physical TBR as big as ever.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I can store so many things in that little thing.

[Reggie]

I wouldn't live without my Kindle. But, you know, my poor little physical books that are just sitting on my sad little bookshelf in my basement, I. I will get to eventually.

[Kennedy]

So that's okay. Sometimes, you know, reading on the Kindle is just more convenient sometimes. Thanks, enemies to lovers for making me be mean to everyone for the plot.

[Reggie]

Who just read that one.

[Kennedy]

Love it.

[Reggie]

We love it. It's sad sometimes, like, when I read books, I'm like, gosh, like, I wish I was, like, a little more snippy like that. Then I'm like, would people. Everyone would probably hate me a little bit, you know? You know, But, I mean, I'm already with somebody, so it's not like I need to.

[Michaela]

I've recently been in a really teasing mood, and my husband's just way too sensitive.

[Reggie]

You're like, come on, let's have some banter.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

And he's like, that's not nice.

[Kennedy]

I'm like, it was a joke. You're supposed to, you know, we're supposed to go back and forth.

[Michaela]

And he's like, I didn't really like your attitude.

[Kennedy]

I'm like, okay, you guys are the reverse of me. And Kyle. Kyle tries to tease me, and I'm like, that wasn't Funny. No.

[Reggie]

Me and Kyle will both tease each other, but then we take it a little too far, and then we're like, okay, it's not. It doesn't end well.

[Michaela]

Never repeat that to my husband. He's not sensitive at all. It's okay to be sensitive.

[Reggie]

I'm sensitive. So thanks, pregnancy trope, for making me forever use birth control. Maybe that's not a good one to share.

[Kennedy]

Hey, nothing wrong with being safe.

[Reggie]

Stay safe out there, folks.

[Kennedy]

Stay safe. Stay safe. Thank you, project Hail Mary, for teaching me what a true and loving friendship is. That is precious. That is so precious.

[Reggie]

Very precious.

[Kennedy]

Can't wait for the movie to come out. They've started filming.

[Michaela]

I know.

[Reggie]

Ryan the Gosling looks so cute. Love man in Glass.

[Kennedy]

Do you want to end us? End us off on a bang, Michaela?

[Michaela]

It made me giggle, but made me really sad at the same time. Sad for her. Okay. Thank you, Karen, for Pretty Girls, which made me too disturbed to ever read thrillers again that my psychiatrist recommend. We up my depression medication.

[Reggie]

Oh. Oh, that's sad.

[Kennedy]

I actually had one on my list that was like, thank you, pretty Girls, for not for making me never take another book talk thriller recommendation.

[Michaela]

I. I don't even know what it's about. Kennedy's Reddit. She said it disturbed her pretty bad.

[Kennedy]

I got really sick to my stomach. You know, sometimes I got watery bowels.

[Michaela]

Maybe we don't have to include that. I feel bad. Um, but it seems like you kind of jest about it a little bit, so I'm jesting back because she put a dead emoji next to it, so. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I'm so sorry. We are so sorry. You gotta be careful out there.

[Michaela]

Stay safe, folks.

[Kennedy]

Stay safe. Read the trigger warnings.

[Reggie]

Yes, I think we.

[Michaela]

Maybe we should add a thank you to authors who put trigger warnings.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michaela]

I think it's very important for some people.

[Reggie]

Yeah, for sure.

[Michaela]

So the authors who do that. You're doing great.

[Reggie]

Thank you, Kennedy and Michaela, for getting me back into reading.

[Kennedy]

Thank you, Michaela, for getting me into reading. So really.

[Reggie]

So really, it's a thanks to Mikayla.

[Kennedy]

Yep.

[Reggie]

Thanks for getting us back into reading because we wouldn't have the potty house without that, so.

[Michaela]

Stop it. Everyone.

[Kennedy]

Keep it coming. So everybody, Please flood Michaela's DMs with thank yous, because without her, this would not be here. But also without Reggie, this podcast wouldn't be a thing.

[Reggie]

So it wouldn't be it without be.

[Michaela]

A thing without all of us, because I would not have Been able to do this alone. And I think everyone could say that. Each individual.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Just not. It's not as fun alone, you know.

[Michaela]

Can you imagine like one of us trying to talk to ourselves like.

[Kennedy]

No, no.

[Michaela]

Doing like an episode by themselves?

[Reggie]

I feel like awkward even when I'm like making a video, like a tick tock video about like a book I read because I feel like I need to be like, what do you think, Kennedy? So it's all fun over here and lots to be thankful for.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

So I just am thankful for books in general. They're just so fun. I love, I love my little, my little book reading. Our book club. So fun.

[Reggie]

Oh yeah. We enjoy all the feedback and updates we get from you guys in our Fable yeah club.

[Michaela]

Yeah. If you guys haven't joined the Fable book Club, it's really fun. I love going and reading your guys's comments on specific chapters. I'm really bad at updating, but I'm really trying to be better. But I, I do read your guys's and I think they're hilarious. They're so fun to read.

[Kennedy]

So you guys are funny. Yeah, you guys are really funny. All right, guys, that's our episode. So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving in November. Also, if you're watching on YouTube or if you have taken a peek at our Instagram, our new merch just dropped last week. We have it on. So if you're on YouTube, you're getting a lovely look at it. We released a green sweatset and a really cute trucker hat. So if you guys haven't had a chance, go ahead and go to our website, see if there's still some in stock. It's very cozy. Very, very cozy. I never want to take it off.

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

So would make a great Christmas gift or honestly gift it to yourself. You deserve it.

[Reggie]

You do indeed.

[Kennedy]

And on that note, have a great week weeding, weeding. Have a great week weeding and we will see you next week. Bye.