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Foreign.
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Hi guys. Welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Mikayla.
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I'm Kennedy.
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And I'm Reggie.
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And today we're playing a fun little game we would love for you guys to play with us, whether in the comments to yourself in your car. I'm just, I'm excited to play. We're playing a game called One has to go bookish edition. So we're gonna say three things and you have to pick one of them to leave no longer exist. You know this is gonna pain me. Yeah, it's gonna pain me too. But before we do that, we're going to pick books for each other. It's been a while. We do a segment where we pick for books for each other and then we report back. So, uh, last time Kennedy picked for me.
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Yes.
B
Right. Uh, Reggie picked for Kennedy and I picked for Reggie. And so we're gonna report back and then we're doing a little rotate and we're picking new books for each other.
C
Yay.
B
So who would like to go first?
A
You guys are both looking at me, so should I go? Yep.
C
Okay.
B
Yes.
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Reggie picked for me Wild Dark shore by Charlotte McConaughey.
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And I rated it two and a half stars, guys. And I'm really bad at picking books for you guys.
B
In my review, I said that was a generous two and a half stars.
A
Okay. I think I just went in with expectations of what the book was going to be and it wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. It's also my fault because I didn't read the synopsis. So I was going into it thinking it was going to be this high octane thriller and that is not at
B
all what it is. Oh yeah.
A
I listened to it on audio and while I really liked the accents of the narrators, I think I would have liked it more if I would have read it because I do remember I did a lot of chores and a lot of work while listening to the book. So I think I missed out on a lot of the interactions and the emotional sub context because I wasn't paying attention fully. And I think in order to get out, to get what is intended out of the book, you need that subcontext and I didn't have that. So it just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't connect with any of the characters. I found it to be kind of slow paced. And I do really 100% believe because I went in with certain expectations and it was the exact opposite. That's why I didn't enjoy it, and that's. That's all. But I can see why you loved it. I genuinely can.
C
It's very different. It's very different. And I think that's why I picked it for you, is because I just feel like at the time, you weren't really wanting to start any series. You were on kind of a fiction grind. So it's very different.
A
Is it. Is it classified as a thriller or is it classified as a fit as fiction?
C
I think it's just classified as fiction
A
because I think the reason why I thought it was going to be a thriller is because Lady Washes up on the Shore doesn't really remember who she is. Whatever. Also, I'm not just remembering. There's something that happens between the adult characters that I hated.
C
Yeah.
A
Absolutely hated it.
C
Yeah, same. So, yeah, that was my only gripe with the book.
B
Yeah.
C
But I'm sorry, Honestly, I do know a book I will pick for you next time, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Maybe I'll read it before we even like.
B
You probably would have read it.
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Wild Dark Tour. Yeah, I would have read it eventually. Yeah. Yeah.
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So I'm sorry I didn't meet your expectations.
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Well, that's my own fault. I should have read the synopsis.
C
That's okay. Going in blind is usually a good idea. Sometimes it's not.
A
Unless you have preconceived notions about a book being a thriller and it's literally fiction. I should have just looked up the genre, even.
C
I'm sorry.
A
It's okay. It's not your fault. That's my fault.
B
I feel like the COVID is also. It's beautiful and the title.
C
Yeah.
B
But I feel like it's very deceiving, you know?
A
It is really pretty, though. Yeah.
C
Yeah.
B
Reggie, would you like to go?
C
Yes. Michaela picked for me the first book, and then. Is it just Emma Lyon, Volume 1?
B
I think it's called the Unselected Journals.
C
Oh, the Unselected Journals of Emma, Volume 1. And I knew that when she picked this for me, I was like, I gotta read more than just the one book. And right now I really wanted to have it finished before today. I'm on the third one, and I'm almost finished with it. And everyone's like, once you finish the third one, that's when things start to, like, get really good.
A
Wait, you wanted to finish the entire series?
C
No, just by the third. Oh. Everyone talks about the ending of the third one, so I think I rated it three stars and the thing is, is it's hard for me to rate her books because they're enjoyable, but for some reason, there's something about, like, I've seen so many people reading them that are just like, five stars. Five stars. Five stars. And I'm like, they're so fun. I love Emma as a character. She's such a hoot. And all of the characters are. There's just so many outlandish things that are so fun about these books. I will say I had a hard time with the first one because I was really confused, like, who was who, where was where, and just trying to get a grasp on this little town and what this world is like for Emma. Once I read the second one, I got a better hang of it and I liked it a lot more. So, I mean, she just recommended the first book for me. So, yeah, that was like, three stars. I do. I don't want to say they, like, have been overhyped for me, but I think I was just expecting to kind of be sucked into it immediately because everyone that posts about them is just like, I can't get enough. I can't get enough. I can't get enough. I think I just got to give myself a little more time, you know, literally, like, 25 minutes to finish the third book. So, yeah, they are really fun. I just thought I was, like, would be enjoying them a lot more. But I did do a Goodreads update where I started the third one, and I was just kind of like, I don't. I'm not gonna DNF this, but, like, I'm kind of. I don't know why I'm having a hard time. And a lot of people commented on my update and said, is it because you're listening to them? And I even had two people text me that saw my Goodreads update, and they're like, is it because you're. Are you listening to the books? And I said, yes. And they're like, I had a hard time with them until I started physically reading them. I know you listen to all of them, right, Mikayla? I think it's because I have. I did read part of the second book, and there's something about the audiobook narrator that, like. Because the thing is, is Emma doesn't try to be funny. She's just naturally, like, hilarious. And so I think that there's things that you would read that maybe would almost sound funnier if you're, like, listening to yourself narrate it, if that makes sense. And there's moments that, like, I caught. I feel like I have enjoyed it a lot more when I have read the book. So the audiobook narrator is fantastic, but there's just something about Emma as a character that I don't want to say. It gets lost in the audiobook because it's very true to Emma because she doesn't realize how hilarious she is. But sometimes that doesn't translate. Sometimes I'm like, is this supposed. I don't know. I don't know how to explain what I'm trying to say. But I definitely recommend them because they are really fun. There's, like so much nonsense and just. It's so fun to see her try to fit into this world that she kind of. Yeah, it's just really. It's just fun. It's fun and it's light. I'm always cracking a smile or a laugh because of all the chaos that ensues. So.
B
Yeah.
C
And they're really short, which is great.
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And it's also. Check your hoopla. At least on our hoopla. All of the books are on hoopla.
B
Thanks. So.
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And it's on Kindle Unlimited. So if you're not loving it audiobook wise, like Reggie, try reading it on your Kindle. If you have a Kindle.
B
Yeah.
A
I think that, honestly, I read up to book four and I stopped. And I wish I wouldn't have. I wish I would have just like binged them all at once because now that I got to book four, I almost feel like I need to reread them all because I kind of forgot what happens a little bit. But also, at the same time, I feel like if I jumped in at book five, I probably would remember because after book one, it's really nice. She does this. Beth Brower has this beginning page with. I've never seen a book like this except fantasy books do this, where she talks about each character, the relation to Emma, important places. So it kind of gives you a refresher on the characters, which is really, really nice. But quick, easy, fun, listens.
B
Yeah. So I genuinely just picked it because it was short.
C
You know me.
B
Yeah. So I'm sorry if you're not loving it.
C
No, I just think that, like, I haven't heard anyone speak negatively or, like, rate them lower than, like, four stars from all the people that I've seen. Like, everyone's like, five stars. Five stars. Five stars. So I was just like, oh, great. But for some reason. And it's not that, like, I don't know, I felt bad giving it three stars because I'm like, It was written well and it was good. Like, it just hasn't given. I think it's because I need to be binging them. So I'm gonna finish the third one, and then I'm gonna try to binge them on the airplane or something.
B
Yeah. Maybe it is a very different experience because I literally binged all of them in a week. Yeah. So I also think, for me, it's hard to differentiate the books by themselves.
A
Yeah.
C
Yeah. Like, when I finished the second one, I had kind of a long break before I started the third one. And I started it, and I was like, what? And then I was looking up a summary of the second book, and it was like two sentences, and I'm like, I know there was more than that. So it's like, there's a lot going on, but sometimes there's not.
A
I don't know.
C
Yeah.
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It's also hard because the first two books are literally like three hours each.
B
Yeah.
C
Yeah.
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So how do you rate something higher than three stars or whatever when it's only three hours long? You know, so.
C
Yeah.
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Yeah.
B
No, I think that was great. Kennedy picked the last letter. Rebecca Yara, I'm so sorry.
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It was inevitable. I picked it because I wanted to bring up your motivation to read it.
B
Yeah, my motivation was very low to read it. I knew I was going to eventually, but I read it.
C
I did it.
B
It took me a long time to read it because I don't even know how long ago the episode came out where we picked books for each other. It was a long time ago. I just kept dragging my feet, dragging my feet. I'm glad it's over with. I rated it five stars,
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but she's glad it's over.
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I'm glad it's over with. Truly gut punch after gut punch. I. Yeah, I had a very visceral reaction to it, and I was nervous I wouldn't. But I genuinely didn't know really what the book was about, besides it being sad and having some sort of military theme to it.
C
So
B
my husband said, it's like, I haven't seen you cried that hard since Hamnet. And if. You know, you know. And so, yeah, you know, I. I was snot. Snot was dripping from my nose.
A
Dude, imagine reading that on the beach in Hawaii.
B
That's terrible. Actually awful. I couldn't imagine.
A
The thing is, is I feel bad for gaslighting you into thinking that you wouldn't cry because deep down on the inside, I knew you would. But I didn't want to say that because I didn't want to put pressure on you to cry. Yeah.
C
If we would have been like, you're gonna sob your eyes out.
B
Really would not recommend it. Actually would not recommend it to my worst enemy because I told some friends I was starting, and they're like, oh, my gosh. Like, I should start it too. And then I finished it. I said, don't do it. Don't you freaking do it.
A
And I'm over here being like, michaela
C
read that book, and they're making it into a movie.
A
No, it's. It's just, like, if you've read it, you know why we're saying what we're saying? It's. Yeah. You can't really. You can't really talk about the book without spoiling the book.
C
It's a story about a single mom writing a letter. Writing letters to her brother's best friend.
A
It's just got. It is gut punch after gut punch. So, I mean, if you. If you're listening, chances are. Let me just say this. I don't know anybody who's read the book and hasn't cried. So.
C
Yeah. So you need a good cry.
A
Try it. But don't come after us if you try it and you're mad.
C
Yeah.
A
I'm really sorry I recommended it to you.
B
It's fine.
C
Well, she's gonna read it eventually. Well, we kind of needed her to, because we were kind of, like, on eggshells around the.
A
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
C
No, it's fine. It's fine. There's plenty of books you guys have read that I haven't, but.
B
Yeah. And I think. Yeah, there's. Yeah. I. Going into it, I also needed, like, to. A time. I needed time from, like, you guys reading it.
C
Yeah.
B
Because I didn't want to have, like, any preconceived notions. I didn't want to, like. Like, I. I wanted this to be, like, my own experience, if that makes sense. So. Yeah, that's that.
C
All right, well, let's be nervous for
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the next
A
fourth wing.
C
Yeah.
B
Now that I know what she's capable of. Yeah.
C
Kennedy, who are you picking a book for?
A
I'm picking a book for you, Reggie.
C
What you got?
A
Well, in our last episode, you were talking about how you want to read more Blake Crouch, so I'm gonna pick a Blake Crouch book for you. I was gonna do Wayward Pines just because I know how much you love paradise, but it is three books.
C
That's okay.
A
So I'm not gonna choose that one.
B
Okay.
A
But I do want you to Read that because I think you might enjoy it because you like Paradise. Genuinely. So let's go with, we're gonna go with my second highest rated book by him. And honestly, I might reread it when you read it because I didn't have a good experience reading either of the other two books by him that are more popular. Let's have you do Recursion by Blake Crouch.
C
Okey dokey.
A
Would you like to know what it's about?
C
Yeah.
B
Okay.
C
Just like our listeners, I'm just gonna
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kind of read the synopsis you're following. There's a cop named Barry. He's investigating the phenomenon called false memory syndrome, which is a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they'd never lived.
C
Ooh.
A
Then you have neuroscientist Helena Smith, who is creating a technology that will help us preserve our memories. So you'd be able to re experience your first kiss, birth of a child, your final moments with your dying parents.
B
Yeah.
A
So then Barry and Helena work together to try and defeat the false memory system. And there you go. It says it's an intricate science fiction puzzle box about time, identity and memory. So there you have it.
C
That sounds really exciting.
A
The other one is like, the other one by him that's more popular is called Upgrade. And it's kind of like giving someone Super Soldier syndrome. So Captain America kind of sort of like, not really because it's more sci fi than that. But I think you might like Recursion more. I, I, I can't really remember them
C
because Upgraded, a lot of like you kind of read them all pretty close together a long time.
A
Yeah. An Upgrade I listened to in one day because I drove. I had like a 10 hour drive and I listened to it in one day. So I don't think I really enjoyed it that much. But Recursion, I remember being really, really confusing. So it's gonna be confusing, but you need to read another one by him.
C
So that's it.
B
Perfect.
A
Or if you're not feeling recursion, just try Wayward Pints. Either one works.
B
Okay. Wow. Can't wait to hear a report back.
A
Let me just say this. If you want something that's like kind of confusing, more mind bendy, do Recursion. But if you want something that's an easy listen, just do Wayward Pines. You can choose between the two.
C
Okay.
B
Okay.
C
Love it.
B
Love.
C
Perfect.
B
All right.
C
Do you want me to give you yours, Mikayla?
B
Sure, give it to me.
C
I feel like you're probably expecting this One. I don't know. Maybe not. I'm gonna recommend the Book of Doors.
B
Oh, that was not at all what
C
I was expecting by Gary Brown. All right. This is just one that, like, I feel like you really appreciate unique magic systems, and so I feel like you're gonna eat the magic system up in this book. And it's also a standalone. I mean, there is a second book, I guess.
A
Nah, it's a standalone, but it's like a.
C
It's a standalone. Very. It's not what I expected it to be. Very cool. It's just a cool book. Like. And I know that's such a. Like a lame way to describe it, but I just haven't read anything quite like it. And there's just so much going on. So much going on. It's. I, Like, I had not a great reading experience with this book, and I'm already, like, thinking about, well, excited to read it again in the future when I've, like, forgotten a lot about it because it's. Yeah, it's just really cool. I know we've talked about it on the podcast a few times, so I don't want to sound like a broken record, but basically this girl works in a bookstore and her co worker is this old man who passes away and leaves her with this book of Doors and basically chaos ensues. So I don't know. I can't imagine. I can't imagine you not enjoying it. Doesn't mean it will be your favorite book you've ever read, but, yeah, I think you will appreciate it.
B
All right. All right. I mean, I feel like I was going to eventually read it. This just moves it on up.
C
Yeah.
B
Moves it on up. So I'm excited.
C
I'm excited for you.
B
Do you guys recommend listening or reading?
A
I only read it.
C
I did both. I thought the audiobook was really good.
B
Okay.
C
But I might have it on my
B
audible to be looked.
C
Where did I listen to it?
B
On set on Kindle.
A
I have the book if you want to borrow it.
B
Okay.
A
I know you're not buying books.
C
No, Yeah, I can't remember. I think I just use my Spotify credits for it.
B
Well, it's on Libby, and it's almost available.
C
Oh, perfect.
A
So I also have it on.
C
I like the.
B
No, I don't.
A
I don't. I didn't listen to it.
C
I don't know why I thought I had it on the audiobook, actually. Okay, hold on. Now that I'm remembering it, the audiobook is really good. I was so impressed with this audiobook narrator. Because the way that she would go from character to character with all the different accents that she does was so impressive.
B
Okay, okay.
A
Cause you, like, go around the world.
C
It was honest. There was a time that it was like a little distracting because I was like, how is she doing this? It was just so seamless and perfect. So, yeah. Great audiobook.
B
Okay. Okay. I'll get a whirl, I guess. Kennedy, I really struggled to figure out which one to pick for you. I'm in a really bad. I'm like in a year long reading slump.
A
It's really bad.
B
The thing is, I feel like you haven't read a ton of books that I haven't. Yeah. And I also like the books that I have read that you haven't. I'm not sure if you would enjoy them. So I'm going a little off the off. I don't know, you probably wouldn't expect me to suggest this.
A
I'm ready.
B
I'm so ready. It's the Little Liar by Mitch Albom.
A
Oh, I'm gonna love that.
B
Have you. You've read that?
C
Oh, that. You've read it? Yes, I've been meaning to read it.
B
Yes. So it is about the Holocaust.
A
Should I listen to it or read it?
B
I listened to it. I didn't read it. So anyways, I really enjoyed it. It's just. It's about a little boy in the Holocaust, so it's gonna make me cry.
A
So probably.
C
Probably.
B
I actually really enjoyed it. That was actually my first Mitch album. Album. Album book. And I didn't know that it was also the same person who wrote Tuesdays with Maury. So this is fiction, right? Yes.
A
Okay.
B
Yes, it is fiction. So I don't know. You really like Tuesdays with Maury. And I was like, oh, that's the same author of the Little Liar.
A
So I love it.
B
I. I don't. You wouldn't. You guys didn't even know I read that.
A
So I love it.
B
I love it. That's what I decided to pick. It is a very. It will be interesting because it's like,
A
I don't know if that's gonna be
B
your favorite book of all time, but is very. Yeah, it was very good and it's very, you know, anything having to do with the Holocaust can be very sombering.
A
So. Yeah, I love it. Yay. I'm excited.
B
These are our books that we picked for each other. So let's officially get into our game, shall we? One has to go, what if I
A
can't let go of one you have to.
B
All right, it is. You can't just keep them. You can't bend the rules, Kennedy.
A
Okay, fine, Fine.
B
You know how when you finish a Romantasy and you just need the next thing immediately? Hatch made that a thing.
C
It's called Ophelia. An original audio drama inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow burn love triangle with the prince and his very guarded, very intriguing best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it.
A
Book one of the three part series is now available for free wherever you stream, with new chapters dropping every Tuesday. For books two and three, check out Hatch co. Ophelia, stay until the end of the episode for the full trailer of Ophelia by Hatch.
B
Kennedy, you want to go first?
A
Yes.
B
Okay.
A
I'm gonna start us off with a bang.
C
Okay.
A
So sorry. Abby Jimenez. Emily Henry. Liz, Tom Ford.
C
Oh, for me?
B
I know what you're gonna say.
A
I know exactly what you're gonna say.
C
What do you think I'm gonna say?
B
You're gonna.
A
And I think I know what Michaela's gonna say.
C
Yeah. I'm gonna say Abby Jimenez.
B
I think I'm gonna say Emily. I knew it.
A
Well, I'm keeping Liz.
B
Obviously, my answer might change.
A
This is really, really, really, really, really hard for me to say. I'm just a little jaded by the last book.
B
So I think I'm gonna get rid of Abby. Really?
A
I think.
B
Wait, what did you. What did you rate?
C
Great.
B
Bbl.
A
Frick. You're right.
B
Well, I'm just curious of what you did compared to.
A
I think I rated them the same. I think I rated them both three stars. Okay, you know what? I'm. I can see Reggie's Emily Henry shrine on her shelf right here, and I'm trying to look at these. Look at these books and see what I rated them all and then compare them to Abby. I changed my mind. I changed my mind. Really? Yeah. I think I'm changing my mind because I think my overall rating of Abby's books are higher. I'm going to get rid of Emily Henry. That's actually really hard, guys.
B
I'm just letting you know you're the one that picked.
C
I know.
B
Okay, moving on to the next.
C
You have to get rid of one. Duologies, paperbacks or short chapters.
A
I'm going to get rid of paperbacks. I don't really care that much. I don't care if it's a paperback or A hardcover.
B
I can't decide. I love good paperback, you know, but if I feel like I had to choose, I would prefer duologies and short chapters.
C
Yeah, I think I'm gonna go with the same, just because. Yeah. I really, really hate long chapters.
A
Yeah, I want short chapters.
C
It elevates my reading experience.
B
It does, it does. Oh, man. Dang. That was a hard one too. All right. Dual point of view, single point of view, multiple timelines.
A
I think I'm gonna get rid of.
C
I'm gonna get. Oh, wait, you said dual point of view.
B
Single point of view, multiple timelines.
A
I think I'm gonna get rid of. So, like, no book I ever read is ever gonna have.
C
Yeah, Yeah.
A
I think I'm just gonna get rid of single point of view. Make plots more interesting.
B
Yeah. I think I'm also gonna get rid of single.
C
Yeah. But sometimes I don't. There's. I think of. Yeah, I think I might do single also. But then also. Actually, I think I'm gonna go with multiple timelines because I do think that you could work around that in a sense. Yeah, I'm gonna lock that in.
B
All right.
C
No takesies, backsies.
B
No takesies, backies, backsies.
A
All right, I'm coming in with another hard one. But I have an inkling of what we're all going to choose. A Court of Mist and Fury, Kingdom of Ash and fourth Wing.
C
So that means, like, they can't exist.
B
Yeah, one has to go.
A
One has to go.
B
Oh, my gosh.
A
I mean, we also could say Acotar, Throne of Glass.
B
Fourth, Fourth.
A
The Empyrean. Same thing. Because you can't have Acktar without Akimoth. You can't have Throne of Glass without Kingdom of Ash.
C
Well, here's the thing. I can't get rid of Acotar because if I would have gotten rid of Agatar, I don't know if I would have gotten into fan. I don't know. I feel like that's what really jump started my. My bookish journey.
A
I'm gonna confidently. No, not so confidently say fourth wing. I can't get. I. I cannot get rid of chapter 54 and I cannot get rid of Kingdom of Ash.
C
Yeah. I also just feel like where I love fourth wing so much. I just. And I trust Rebecca Yarrows, but also I'm like, do I trust Rebecca?
B
And maybe we'll have to trust Sarah. Reevaluate. I trust both of them once they are finished.
A
But you gotta choose one. Right now.
B
I am choosing fourth wing to go. I I. That really hurts my soul. But if that's that, it has to go.
A
Let's use this as an example, though. Like, let's say you started to read. When did Fourth Wing come out? Two years ago. Three years ago. Yeah, two. Let's say two years. Let's say you started reading two years ago.
C
You book talk.
A
You joined Booktok two years ago. Chances are the first fantasy book you would have read is probably Fourth Wing. At the time, that was probably the most popular thing. Do you guys think that Fourth Wing would have gotten you? Well, Michaela was already reading fantasy, I guess. This question is to Reggie. Do you think 4th Wing would have gotten you into fantasy? So it's probably just whatever one you read first is probably going to be the one that you pick between.
C
I don't want to say goodbye to my dragon friends.
A
I know I can't get rid of Kingdom of Ash. Those characters are ingrained in my memory forever.
C
Yeah. And it's finished. And you know it.
A
Like. Well, I hold out hope
C
anyways. Yeah, that one hurts. That one hurt really bad. Thanks a lot for that.
A
You're welcome.
B
Never do that again.
A
Okay, well, just wait till you hear the next one.
B
Oh, just kidding, Flip.
A
Okay. Just kidding.
C
Just kidding.
B
Reggie.
C
Yeah?
A
It's your turn.
C
Oh, it's my turn. All right, now I'm putting a precursor for this one. So let's say that these three options I gave you guys could be made into the most perfect adaptation ever. But one of them has to go. Okay.
A
Okay.
C
Red Rising, Windy City series, Throne of Glass.
A
Just kidding. I'm gonna say Windy City.
C
Okay.
B
I feel like same.
A
There's gonna be other rom coms that
B
come around, but you ain't getting Red
A
Rising or Throne of Glass again. Yeah, I'm sorry.
C
I thought that's what you guys might pick. I was trying to think of, like, a different fantasy to kind of include on there, but I just knew that whatever other one I put on there, you guys would be like,
A
meh.
B
Is that what you would pick too?
C
Yeah, it hurts. It almost feels like a little more comfortable in my head.
A
Windy City?
C
Yeah, like, because don't get me wrong, the characters in Red Rising and Throne of Glass are so special to me, but because they're not regular people, there's something about the Windy City that, like, I feel like I could. Even if it was, like, a perfect adaptation, I just feel really happy with where they are in the world I've made. Yeah.
A
For them.
C
In my brain.
A
Yeah. That makes sense.
C
So totally fair. Yeah.
B
I feel like, that's just, like, the option you have. You got. You gotta. You gotta get rid of.
A
Yeah, well, and also just like, imagine to the. To the kind of the same point. Windy City is real life, right? We've all experienced real life. We've all been to a football. They're not football. To a hockey game, a baseball game, whatever. But to experience Mars, to experience the universe, to experience, like, everything of the Red Rising world, and also to experience and see with your own two eyes, like, the world of Throne of Glass would just be.
C
I can't even comprehend a spiritual experience.
B
No, it literally would.
A
It really would. I can. I can go and see any baseball player I want, any time of day.
C
You got your real life, Maln T. Yeah.
B
Yeah, I do.
A
So.
C
I know.
A
But realistically, I can't experience an iron rain.
C
Do you want to experience.
B
I wouldn't. I also would not.
A
I also don't want to pee in my suit. Well, I also.
B
I feel like it's more realistic that Windy City's series would become picked up.
A
Yeah, absolutely.
B
Before Throne of Glass of Rise.
A
I'm not feeling very confident about the other two.
B
So. Yeah, that's like, in a perfect world.
A
Yeah, in a perfect world.
B
All right. Mine is dragons. They vampires?
A
Vampires. Because they scare me.
C
Does that mean.
A
Okay, yeah, I was gonna say. Wait, is it like, things in it.
B
Yeah, they don't exist.
A
But also, part of me is like, Faye is so overdone.
C
Yeah, but then you get rid of Faye, you get rid of actual. You're gonna throw in a Glass Future books.
B
Well, also, like, Faye also could mean that they just change it to something else.
C
Your Goodreads account, your Kindle, or your most favorite special edition of a book.
A
Goodbye to my Goodreads. See ya.
B
Yeah. There's other apps.
A
There's other apps.
C
Yeah, I figured that's what you guys might say, because you'd say there's other apps.
A
I couldn't.
C
There's just something about Goodreads. Like, I know people tell us all the time, switch to storygraphs, like, do everything in Fable. I know those exist, and I'm sure they are probably better, but I have had my Goodreads account since I was in, like, the fifth grade.
A
I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Fable. I think Fable has a lot of really, really cool features. But when I finish a book, I think it's just so ingrained in my mind that I immediately open Goodreads up and put it in Goodreads.
B
It's your first love.
A
Yeah.
B
I Mean book categorizing and rating.
A
Yeah. Think about how long we've been using Goodreads before Fable came out, you know?
B
Yeah.
A
Fable is great, though.
B
Fable is fantastic. All right, next one Magic system. Found Family. Morally Gray characters.
C
Morally gray characters.
B
Bye Bye, Zaden.
A
I'm getting rid of Found Family, I think. What do you mean? Like a magic. Some. Like, there's no magic.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
I'm getting rid of Found Family.
B
Bye Bye.
A
I can't. Well, you know, I guess I'm just easy. I feel like that could be for anything. I don't know. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Let me, like, think. Let me think about this for a second.
C
Morally Gray.
A
I mean, I am kind of over the morally gray main character, though.
C
Yeah.
A
I mean, does that mean if I get rid of Morally Gray, we're gonna have more Funny.
C
Yeah.
A
Funny. Golden Retriever.
C
I think, moving forward, I would say Morally gray.
B
Yeah.
C
I think, as overall, like, if I had to have books disappeared from my memories, that's hard. Maybe I'd say Found Family.
B
Yeah.
A
That's what I would say. Books, moving forward, Morally gray. Yeah. Profound. Family. Yeah. Disappear.
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah. That was hard.
B
That was a toughie.
C
It's a really toughie.
B
Toughy one.
A
But imagine if you said magic system. There goes every single fantasy book you could ever read.
C
I know.
B
Just, like, gone.
A
Okay. This. I think I'm gonna go with this as, like, the adaptations. Okay.
C
Okay.
A
Not the books. Hunger Games, Harry Potter or Dune.
B
Dune.
C
Dune.
A
Dune. I was trying to think of another iconic.
B
Yeah.
A
Series. I feel like if you put Maze Runner. That's easy.
C
You put Lord of the Rings, Divergent.
A
I still would probably pick the other two because I haven't seen Lord of the Rings.
C
Divergent.
A
You'd pick the other two.
B
I know.
A
I freaking know. Could have put Game of Thrones, but, like, haven't seen Game of Thrones.
B
I haven't either. No. I mean, Dune is so great. But I think compared to. There's only two movies so far.
A
Yeah.
B
And Hunger Games has almost five. Six. Almost six.
C
Six. Yeah.
B
Mockingjay was into two movies. Harry Potter's got seven.
C
Eight.
A
Eight.
C
It's a TV show.
A
I think also, it's just the nostalgia of it.
C
Yeah. Yeah, that's true.
B
So that's true.
A
I'm not nostalgia.
B
Yeah.
C
I didn't grow up with Dune. I grew up with PETA Mellark. Is it my turn? Yeah. Slow burn. Enemies to lovers. Forced proximity.
A
Forced proximity.
C
Whoa.
A
Can I speak? Forced proximity.
B
What was the first one?
C
Slow Burn.
A
You're talking, like, true enemies to lovers, not the crap that people market it. Yeah. Okay. Yeah.
B
Forced proximity to lovers. You know, forced proximity and the fact of, like. I feel like that's a small moment compared to the rest. Yeah. You know, force proximity.
C
Yeah.
A
If you don't choose slow burn, they're kissing on the first page.
C
Yeah.
A
Heck, no.
C
Yeah. Also, I feel like you can. Actually would be kind of sad to see enemies to lovers without some forced proximity, but it's okay. I'll survive.
B
It was hurting my soul. That's why it took me forever, because I.
A
Forced proximity. I do eat that up.
C
I love force proximity.
A
I mean, I remember reading Dance of Thieves. Yeah. And they get handcuffed together.
B
Yeah.
A
I ate that.
B
Ish. That means no more one beds.
A
Dang it.
B
I'll sleep on the floor.
A
Oh, there's two, actually. Two rooms available at the inn.
B
Dang it. Wow.
A
Okay.
B
Okay. One has to go.
A
Okay. You can't make me.
B
Plot twist that ruins your life, character, death, betrayal by a loved one.
C
Okay, you're gonna have to say this one more time so I can really,
B
really think about it.
C
Okay. Yeah.
B
Plot twist that ruins your life, character, death or betrayal by a loved one.
C
I'm gonna have to go Betrayed by a loved one. Because if nobody dies in a book.
A
Boring.
C
Also, you. If it's like some sort of crazy. What was the first one? Twist.
B
Yeah. Crazy plot twist.
C
You wouldn't really need a betrayal and maybe just something else crazy happen.
A
I agree.
B
Yeah, I think I would agree with that, because it could be a betrayal by. I guess loved one is in the realm of friend. Could be in the realm of friend.
A
Yeah.
C
There's no.
A
Could be, like, a betrayal. Friend. Could be a betrayal by an acquaintance.
B
An acquaintance.
A
Yeah.
C
Some Joe Schmo.
A
Yeah.
B
I don't know. I. Yeah, that one. That one's a toughie.
C
That is a toughie.
A
All right, I know what you guys are gonna say in this little scenario, but I did it anyways because I couldn't think of a third book. Alchemized Red Rising. Will of the Many.
C
Just overall.
A
Yeah. Like the whole. You can say what is the Will of the Money series called?
B
The Will of the Money.
C
The Will of the Many.
B
But I know what you're gonna say.
A
Alchemize.
C
Yeah,
A
but let's change it. Let's change it. Okay. Let's change it. Alchemized. Morningstar. The Will of the Many. You guys are still gonna say the Will of the Many.
C
Yeah.
A
Yeah. Alchemized. Alchemize. Iron Gold.
B
Will of the Many. I. I like Iron Gold a lot.
A
Alchemize. Alchemize.
B
Dark Age Will of the Many.
C
You know, I could. I could. I could pick. I could pick Iron Gold, and then I wouldn't have to go through all of the traumatic things that I went through reading the last three books. Could have just ended with Morningstar.
B
That's true.
A
No, no.
C
Give it to me. Put me through all the.
A
Give me the torture.
B
I also feel like it's an unfair advantage because that. Never mind.
A
It doesn't.
B
Because Alchemize is literally only one book. You know, I just feel like it's whatever reaction you or your reading experience
A
for sure, that, yeah, reading experience plays a huge part.
C
But wait, if there's not Alchemize, does that mean.
A
No. Neither. To answer your question, neither.
C
Dang it. All right. Okay. This is another adaptation one. Sorry, there's just. It just gets on my brain. Okay. Done perfectly. Okay. Mind you.
A
Okay.
C
Caraval. One Dark Window. Shield of Sparrows.
B
You're kidding. I don't know why that's so hard, because I know you didn't love Caraval. Caraval.
A
Let me ask this question, but as a show, is it done in the genre? Like, would Caraval be young adult, or could they adult it up? Do you know what I'm saying? Or does that have to be, like.
C
Let's just say it's perfect.
A
Okay.
B
Well, okay, like what?
A
I would anticipate, like, my perfect adaptation.
C
Yeah.
A
So it wouldn't feel like Riverdale.
C
Of course. Yes.
A
You know.
C
Yes.
A
Like a. Like a tween. Like a little tweeny show. It'd be my. Okay.
C
No way. Give Carval a little spice.
A
A little. What was the second one again?
C
One Dark Window.
A
I think I'm gonna say Shelda Sparrows. Only for the fact that it's one single book.
C
Yeah.
B
I think I'm also gonna say Sheldra
A
Sparrows Care of All would be the
B
coolest TV show I know.
A
One Dark Window. Also very cool.
B
It would be very cool.
A
Shield of Sparrows would be very cool. But I do think that the other two feel a little bit more unique.
B
Yeah.
A
In the sense of the cards and everything that Caraval is.
B
Both got cards.
A
Hey.
B
True, true, true.
C
I would probably say. I mean, Shield of Sparrows has been picked up already.
B
Yeah. But I also feel like Shield of Sparrows doesn't have to be perfect in my eyes. You know what I'm saying?
A
Like, I think there's a lot of potential, even if it isn't Perfect. I feel like Caraval has to be. It would have to be perfect for me to enjoy it.
B
Yeah.
A
And it would have to be adulted up just a teeny, tiny bit.
B
Yeah.
A
I mean, I'm 30. I don't want to read about. You know what I mean?
C
Yeah. I don't know. I started the dramatized adaptation of Shield of Sparrows today, guys. It's really cool. Maybe I'd say she'll just Barrows for now. Yeah. Yeah.
A
Ask me after I read the second book.
B
Yeah.
A
I might kick out parable. Yeah. Or One Dark Window. Honestly.
B
All right, last one. I want to end it with a bang. Oh, great. I've been saving this one. Okay, PETA, Haymitch and Finnick.
A
Now, are we doing, like, their prime or how are their character just in general? Yeah.
C
How are we picking here? Like, their character has to disappear.
A
Yeah.
B
They don't exist, Finnick.
C
Yeah, but how do you. How do you get to certain places without them?
A
I don't know.
B
It's just a character that doesn't no longer exist.
C
You know, I probably will say Finnick because as much as I love him, he went through so much.
A
Ask me in two years when she inevitably does a Finnick book, and I will change my mind.
C
I actually get Terry thinking about a Finnick book. I don't want one. I don't. Do not want one. It will crush my soul. But I'm gonna say Finnick just because, you know, legit. We need PETA. Yeah, we all. We need it all. We need all of them. But I'm like, it wouldn't.
B
Yeah, it's not like it would actually happen.
C
Yeah.
B
You know, well, it's also. It's really. It would be very interesting because. Have you guys seen Yesterday?
C
Have I.
B
The Beatles. Oh, like where the world forgets about the Beatles.
A
Yes.
C
Yeah.
B
Well, it's funny because, like, something happens. The world forgets about the Beatles, but they also forget about, like, coke. Like, coke doesn't exist in the world. And so it'd be really interesting to see, like, something just, like, disappear and
A
how it would impact. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
So, I mean.
A
Cause in your mind, I'm not saying, like, Finnick is obsolete, but when you think of Hunger Games, Haymitch and Pete are a much larger part of that. And of course, probably most people's reaction is to get rid of Finnick. But genuinely, what would happen in that world if Finnick was gone?
B
Yeah, a lot.
C
A lot. Yeah. So I don't want to think about it. These are all I'M done with this
B
hypothetical convert like scenarios.
C
We love games.
A
It's just you have to, you have
B
to pick one to go, you know.
C
So I'll put some polls up.
A
Yeah, let's see what you guys.
C
Yeah, pick.
B
Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. Hope it was a little challenging with the categories we picked. I know that we all had inner turmoil picking some of these things to go. Let us know in the comments or dms, whatever and let us know if you agree or disagree. We always love to hear you guys thoughts. If you guys don't follow us on Instagram and tick tock. It's what she's reading pod. We love posting on our stories about like things that we're reading. We also have our Goodreads linked in our Instagram bubbles if you guys want to follow really close to what we're reading and updates on the books we're reading. We also have a fable with our book clubs for our Patreon and also our seasonal book clubs that we're doing now right now in the middle of spring. And so we're reading Shield of Sparrows
C
and Star the Rights of the Starling.
B
Rights of the Starling by Daphne Perry. So I'm very excited to get in the fable with that. So. All right, we'll see you guys next week.
A
Bye.
D
Welcome to Ophelia, a Shakespeare after Dark series from Hatch. Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, this romantasy reimagining gives Ophelia the story and the fate she never had. Ophelia's story will be told over three books, with each chapter fitting within 20 cozy minutes. Ophelia has always been expected to be small, but on the eve of her 21st birthday, something ancient awakens inside her. As she reconnects with the charming Prince Hamlet and his brilliant guarded friend, Horatio, Ophelia finds herself caught between love, loyalty and a power she cannot ignore. So warm yourself by the hearth and enjoy the Tale of Ophelia.
In this lively, bookish episode, the hosts dive into their recurring "One Has to Go" game: given a trio of beloved (or not-so-beloved) bookish elements, authors, or tropes, one must be banished from existence. The episode weaves banter, tough choices, and genuine reader angst—plus a “books for each other” swap segment—into an hour of entertaining honesty and bookish agony. Listeners are invited to weigh in, making it perfect for anyone who loves books and a healthy dose of chaos.
Segment starts at [00:56]
Kennedy for Reggie:
Recursion by Blake Crouch OR Wayward Pines if preferred ([13:38])
Reggie for Mikayla:
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown ([16:11])
Mikayla for Kennedy:
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom ([19:37])
Main game segment starts at [21:53]
Three options. One must vanish from your library, heart … and the world.
Duologies, Paperbacks, or Short Chapters ([23:21])
Dual POV, Single POV, or Multiple Timelines ([24:11])
Dragons, Fae, Vampires ([30:00])
Goodreads, Kindle, or Your Most Prized Special Edition Book ([30:23])
Magic System, Found Family, Morally Gray Characters ([31:30])
The episode is rich in candid conversation, “chaotic” by their own admission, and unafraid of controversial (bookish) opinions. It’s a mix of laughs, bookish heartbreak, and a touch of “host pain” as they make impossible choices. The dynamic is warm, witty, and full of mutual teasing and support.
Listeners are invited to join in on Instagram and TikTok (@whatshesreadingpod), and to participate in live polls mirroring today’s game.
“Let us know if you agree or disagree. We always love to hear your thoughts!” – Mikayla ([42:00])
For a perfect blend of book club feels, internet chaos, and real, heartfelt reviews—this episode is a must-catch for any contemporary reader.