Our Booktok FYP

Summary

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I'll Read What She's Reading

Episode: Our Booktok FYP (March 18, 2026)

Main Theme

In this lively and chaotic episode, hosts Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy take listeners through the current trends dominating their BookTok For You Page (FYP). From anticipation for new book adaptations and the viral “hockey romance” craze to BookTok influencer discourse and casting rumors, the trio dives into what’s hot right now in the world of bookish social media. With their signature banter, they discuss recent drama, upcoming adaptations, bestsellers, and their own takes on reader community buzz.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The Impact & Evolution of BookTok

[00:09–01:36]

• The hosts reflect on how much BookTok has grown since they started the podcast.
• BookTok’s role in shaping reading habits, launching careers, driving new adaptations, and expanding their personal TBRs.
• Quote: "Honestly, like, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for BookTok. We wouldn't have read certain books that have changed our lives if it wasn't for BookTok." — Reggie [00:54]

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2. Sarah J. Maas & ACOTAR Fandom News

[01:36–04:24]

• Sarah J. Maas’s recent appearance on "Call Her Daddy" podcast (full recap in a previous episode).
• Eager anticipation for new ACOTAR book titles and speculation about the series' direction.
• Theories about books 6 and 7: same story, prequels, and potential main characters.
• Quote: “She said that this is unlike anything she's done before… I think the title will be very telling who it will be about.” — Reggie [02:49]

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3. Movie Adaptation Hype: Project Hail Mary

[04:26–06:58]

• The trio’s excitement about an early screening, particularly for Ryan Gosling’s casting in the lead role.
• Discussion of positive early reviews, minimal CGI, and overall sky-high expectations.
• Quote: “When they announced that Ryan Gosling was playing Ryland Grace, it sparked my excitement to outer space.” — Kennedy [05:19]
• The group teases a future deep-dive episode on the adaptation.

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4. The Rise of Hockey Romances

[07:00–12:03]

• Several hockey-based romance books and adaptations, including:
  • "Off Campus" (and its upcoming adaptation, expected May 2026)
  • "Heated Rivalry" and the surge in queer sports romance popularity
  • "Windy City" series, especially following the release of "In Her Own League"
• The craze is fueled by both BookTok virality and real-world hockey events (e.g., US women’s hockey gold).
• Discussion of reading order, adaptation anticipation, and the unique appeal of sports/found family romance.

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5. Deep Dive: Windy City Series

[12:03–17:37]

• Personal favorites, character attachment, and the importance of found family tropes.
• The appeal of sporting context vs. focus on romance.
• New book release ("In Her Own League") dominating BookTok FYPs.
• Series cover trivia: The original editions’ spines form the Chicago skyline.
• Quote: “When I tell you I cannot remember the last time I read a book and I reacted as much as I have reacted just to just a single word that was even said.” — Reggie [16:05]

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6. Upcoming & Trending Sequels and Novellas

[17:42–22:19]

• Stephanie Garber news: "The Mirror of Infinite Endings" (a 3.5 novella in the Once Upon a Broken Heart/Caraval universe).
• Mixed feelings about the conclusion of “Once Upon a Broken Heart” and hopes for the novella.
• Curiosity about Garber’s "Alchemy of Secrets."
• Book whimsy and the desire for TV/adaptation: "I don’t feel like there’s a lot of fantasy books that achieve the same amount of whimsy as that little universe does.” — Kennedy [21:06]

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7. Hunger Games Mania: "Sunrise on the Reaping"

[23:30–34:47]

• Reggie’s deep emotional investment in the Hunger Games universe; expectation for the upcoming adaptation.
• Teaser vs. full trailer rumors, speculation on timing, and the experience of seeing trailers in theaters vs. at home.
• Soundtrack hype and possible Noah Kahan involvement.
• Quote: “I have such an emotional attachment to it that I get teary when I talk about it… like, I have a special place in my heart.” — Reggie [23:52]

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8. Book Adaptation Casting Rumors

[34:47–39:41]

• "Beach Read" adaptation: Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne from Bridgerton) cast as January, and potential Augustus Everett.
• Social media sleuthing after Fabian Frankel (of House of the Dragon) posts then deletes a script photo.
• The secrecy and timeline behind Hollywood casting/publicity.
• Fourth Wing adaptation: Speculation about Zaden casting and secretive filming.
• The hosts’ dreams of working on film sets—even just at craft services.

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9. The “Red God” Delay and Book Release Humor

[39:41–43:15]

• "Red God" (Pierce Brown) officially not coming this summer, with rumors on Goodreads debunked.
• Popular memes satirizing delayed epic fantasy releases (Sarah J. Maas, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson).
• Quote: “The heart of the book just isn’t there anymore. It’s just not there yet. I’m working on the heart of the book.” — (Acting as Pierce) [40:49]
• Preference for staggered release schedules to avoid "book hangover" or reading burnout.

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10. BookTok Algorithm and Community Reflection

[43:20–end]

• Observing how FYPs diverge and encouraging listeners to share what trends they’re seeing.
• Community engagement: Listeners are asked to DM or comment about their BookTok FYP news for future episodes.
• Appreciation of BookTok for feeding news, memes, and engagement—especially between big releases.

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Notable Quotes

• On BookTok’s impact:
  “It’s crazy the impact Booktok is making on the world—like on pop culture.” — Reggie [00:51]
• On romance/found family books:
  "If you are a lover of romance, I don’t see how you would not love these books… There’s this found family element, like friendship, and this group of friends that—I don’t feel like any other romance book can top that for me.” — Reggie [13:23]
• On getting hooked on reactions:
  “I cannot remember the last time I read a book and I reacted as much as I have reacted just to a single word that was even said.” — Reggie [16:05]
• On adaptation hype:
  “The reviews are so positive. Visually, it’s going to be so stunning… when they announced Ryan Gosling, it sparked my excitement to outer space.” — Kennedy [05:19]
• On movie trailer temptation:
  “I do hate how sometimes they share a little too much in movie trailers. But like, I just… I cannot look away.” — Reggie [28:39]
• On book release delays:
  “The heart of the book just isn’t there anymore. It’s just not there yet. I’m working on the heart of the book.” (meme, as Pierce Brown) [40:49]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:09–01:36: BookTok’s evolution and importance
• 01:36–04:24: Sarah J. Maas/ACOTAR speculation
• 04:26–06:58: Project Hail Mary adaptation anticipation
• 07:00–12:03: Hockey romance/adaptations trend
• 12:03–17:37: Windy City series deep-dive
• 17:42–22:19: Stephanie Garber/Caraval news
• 23:30–34:47: Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
• 34:47–39:41: Adaptation casting news (Beach Read, Fourth Wing, etc.)
• 39:41–43:15: Red God delay, book release memes
• 43:20–end: BookTok FYP algorithm, community engagement

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Memorable & Fun Moments

• Ongoing Debate: Whether watching movie trailers enhances or spoils the adaptation experience (28:02+).
• Relatable Confession: Reggie comparing their emotional attachment to Hunger Games to family (“like, tell me about your dad—I’ll cry anytime I talk about my dad—that’s how I feel when I talk about Katniss and Peeta.”) [23:52]
• Cover Details: The original "Windy City" covers, when placed together, form the full Chicago skyline—cute Easter egg! [15:19]
• Adaptation Watch: Social media detective work on casting (“He posted the script and people screenshotted—it said January, Gus…then he deleted it.”) [35:38]
• Meta-Observation: Joke about authors' release pace in TikTok meme (Sarah J. Maas, Pierce Brown, and Brandon Sanderson). [40:43]

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Listener Engagement

• The hosts encourage listeners to share what’s flooding their BookTok FYPs and what trends or news the algorithm is serving up so they can cover more community-driven content in the future.

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This summary captures the episode’s energy, humor, and up-to-the-minute bookish discussions, making it ideal for staying in the BookTok loop—even if you missed the chaos!

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Hi, guys.

[B]

Welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Mikaela.

[C]

I'm Kennedy.

[A]

And I'm Reggie.

[B]

Amazing. So today we. We thought there was a lot going on when it comes to Book talk. Maybe your guys's FYP looks different than ours, but we wanted to discuss our book talk for you page and what we've been seeing. And we just have a whole list of topics we were scrolling.

[C]

Let's dive into.

[B]

Yeah, we were scrolling on TikTok and we're like, well, this has been popping up a lot. This has been popping up a lot. So we wanted to just kind of chat about it.

[A]

Yeah, it's kind of crazy the impact that Booktok is making on the world,

[C]

like on pop culture. Yeah.

[A]

It's like I look at what Booktok was three years ago when we started this podcast and it's crazy to see how much it has grown and evolved. And honestly, like, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Book talk. We wouldn't have read certain books that have changed our lives if it wasn't for Booktok. There's a lot that we are thankful for because of it. But yeah, there's always something going on. Bookish news, drama, new books that I'm like, my TBR is never ending adaptations, all of it. So, I mean, where shall we begin?

[C]

I feel like the biggest news is obviously the fact that Sarah J. Maas went on Call Her Daddy. However, we have a whole entire episode where we debriefed about it, so we won't be touching on that topic today because we have another episode. If you want to hear about our thoughts, go ahead and listen to that one. It's a few episodes ago, but that's freaking crazy. Still crazy to me that she went on to call her daddy. Just wild.

[A]

And also we should be getting titles soon if it hasn't already been released by the time this episode comes out, because she did post the other day and said titles coming soon.

[C]

Ooh, I'm excited.

[A]

I don't know what soon means.

[B]

What is your guys's. We already kind of discussed about the color, but I don't know if we discussed what it will be called.

[A]

Well, I feel like from a lot of the comments we got on our episode, people are saying books six and seven are the same story. So we're saying, is it going to be like a Tower of Dawn Empire storm situation? But they're like, it's the same story. It couldn't be. I don't know.

[C]

So But I don't know how. Yeah, it's the same story, but like. Yeah, well, also could be.

[A]

She said that this is something. This is unlike something she's done. Like, it's different from anything she's done before. So I think also people are like. I mean, maybe for spoiler's sake. I won't say who I think the book's gonna be about, but I feel like the title will be very telling who it will be about for sure.

[C]

You know, A Court of Lies and Ruin. No, there's already a Ruin, Lies and Deception. What if I did. I did see someone comment and say, what if it's a prequel? Because she's never done a pre.

[A]

If it's a prequel, I want it to be a prequel of what happened when that blonde girl. Everything with more. Yeah, like when she. That whole, like, what happened. What actually happened that day.

[C]

I don't know. I guess we'll see.

[B]

I don't know. Interesting.

[C]

But the title will be very telling. I'm excited for that.

[B]

Yeah. Well, do you think the blurb for it or synopsis will come out at the same time as the titles or do you think it was title and then synopsis later?

[C]

I almost wonder if it will be like a best New York best selling author Sarah J. Maas comes out with the next installment of the ACOTAR series.

[A]

I think that's what it says right now.

[C]

A Court of bleep and bleep. Where we follow. I don't know. I don't know.

[B]

I don't know either.

[A]

It'll be interesting, but I mean, I feel like she can't have the blurb for the seventh book before the sixth, so I don't know.

[C]

I think the titles and what the blurbs say will be very telling. So guess we'll see. Wow, what a time to be alive.

[B]

Serious.

[C]

So fun. Can we talk about the other thing that I'm most excited for?

[B]

Is it Project Hell?

[C]

Yeah, I keep talking to them about this because we. We were planning on doing a whole entire podcast episode debriefing about the movie. So I don't want to go into too much detail, but I'm so excited because we get to go to it tomorrow, which is a week before it's

[A]

technically supposed to come out.

[C]

Yes. We are so fortunate to be invited to go to the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake where they have an IMAX screen. I just keep seeing so much press of Ryan Gosling and I love that man.

[A]

Yeah. I was telling my husband. So my husband left out of town this morning, and I was like, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. And he's like, oh, because you're going to miss me so much. And I was like, yeah, actually, yeah, like, totally. But, like, also, I get to see Project Hail Mary tomorrow. Like, I have been so giddy. I, like, want to cry.

[C]

I just. The reviews are so. Just positive. I think that visually, it's going to be so stunning. I think. Have you guys seen the article where they talked about how they use very minimal cgi? I was going to say something, but I don't want to spoil the plot for anybody. I just think it's gonna be so good. And it's funny because I was excited for the adaptation, and I was really. I was excited for the adaptation, but when they announced that Ryan Gosling was playing Rylan Grace, it sparked my excitement to outer space. Yeah, he.

[B]

No pun intended.

[C]

Or pun intended.

[A]

Pun intended.

[C]

So I just feel like every time I scroll, it's a new Ryan Gosling interview. Swipe. Ryan Gosling on SNL singing to Harry Styles.

[B]

Swipe.

[C]

Everybody talking about Ryan Gosling's new face. Swipe. Like, it's just Project Hail Mary everywhere for me.

[B]

I. Yeah, I'm just. I'm stoked. I just think he is such a diverse actor, and I've seen close to every movie that he has done, and I just. I love every movie that he's done. So I can't imagine not liking Project Hail Mary. Like, I just feel like it's an immediate. Like, you know, yeah, you have the connection of the book, and then Ryan Gosling on top.

[A]

Just, like, icing on the cake.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree.

[C]

All right, what's our next topic?

[A]

More things I'm seeing about how hockey is kind of taking the world by storm because you have. Off campus is coming. You have heated rivalry. Season one dropped not too long ago. You also had the US Literally win the gold medal for hockey. Hockey. Hockey. Hockey, yeah, the women's hockey. Like, I don't think the hype of hockey is going to die down anytime soon. So, I mean, season two of Heated Rivalry is being filmed this summer, and it should be released early 2027, I believe. I've just. I mean, I. Out of the three of us, I'm the only one who's seen the show. I was going to read the book. I thought about it, and then I was like, it's really hard for me to Go. I don't know about you guys, like, watch an adaptation of something and then go read the book. It's just not as exciting for me. It's more exciting to read the book and then go see the adaptation to see how they did things.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Um, very excited about that. When I tell you I see a new heated rivalry at every day on my for you page, and I never get sick of them. So can I ask you, what is

[C]

the spice level compared to Bridgerton?

[A]

I wouldn't say it's any different. Okay.

[C]

I was gonna start that on plane and then I said, oh, yeah.

[A]

I wouldn't say it's any different. I'll say I'm wrong, but I wouldn't say it's any different. Uh, yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. And when does the off campus.

[B]

I think.

[A]

Are they done filming it?

[B]

At the end of March.

[A]

Oh, so like.

[B]

Yeah, because they just got greenlit for season two.

[A]

Yes. Before I was gonna say it's gotta

[C]

be says May 2026.

[A]

Oh, okay. So very soon here.

[B]

May and March, similar M's.

[A]

I haven't read the off campus books. Michaela, did you read all of them?

[B]

No, I DNF'd the first.

[A]

Oh, you DNF'd the first one. I read the.

[C]

One of the books from the Gram Effect. Yes. From the daughter of one of the couples that gets together in the off campus series.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

It was fine. It was fine.

[A]

I mean, I don't plan on reading the books. I don't really plan on watching the show because in my mind, it's like when I just think hockey and I think a TV show, I just don't think anything can top heated rivalry for me, so. And I know a lot of people are mad about the casting.

[C]

I don't know, like, with those books

[B]

specifically, they feel a little juvenile to me. I feel like I'm just at a point in my life where I'm like, past the college years.

[C]

Don't get me wrong, I love, like,

[B]

I love reading, like, romance. I don't know, I just feel like I need. I'm in my phase of life where if it's not fantasy, I feel like I have a hard time reading characters that younger.

[C]

Yeah, I can see that. So I could see the show. And I hate to say this, Amazon prime is very hit or miss. So a part of me wonders if it's going to feel. I don't want to use the term like ABC Family, but I don't know why my mind goes towards, like, Riverdale Yeah, you know, not, not, not as unhinged as Riverdale, but just kind of that same feeling of a teenage. More geared towards teen drama. I know that they're in college, but I. I don't know, I might watch a few episodes just to see.

[A]

Is it spicy? Like, are the books spicy?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

See, I think that it's interesting. It's going to be interesting to see how it compares to on BookTok to how heated rivalry did. Because I think there's going to be so much comparison and so I don't

[B]

think there's going to like. I think everyone's going to say he'll drive early.

[A]

Yeah. But I think because so many people are so obsessed with heated rivalry, they're gonna go watch like because of heated rivalry, go watch off campus or whatever they're calling it. And I'm just intrigued to see how that's gonna go on booktok.

[C]

But once again, it just always surprises me what books actually make it through the production process because I obviously haven't read the off campus series. But to me, in my book talk for you page and in my book talk bubble, Windy City is way more popular than off campus. So why was it off campus chosen and not Windy City? Do you know what I mean? Yeah.

[B]

I wonder if it's also.

[A]

Oh, well, I guess Windy City is hockey. What am I talking about?

[B]

Well, I also. Because I feel like college is easier than professional sports. Right.

[C]

Is heated rivalry. Heated rivalry college or is it professional?

[B]

I think it's professional.

[C]

Okay. I don't know.

[B]

But then you gotta intermix. Basketball, baseball.

[A]

Yeah, if you do Windy City.

[B]

Windy City.

[C]

But I mean, think about how much of the book actually takes place during the game. During the game.

[A]

That's the one thing I will say.

[C]

I mean, I will say that the baseball books, a lot more takes place at a baseball diamond, I feel, than the hockey or basketball ones. So.

[A]

Which I feel like is a good segue into talking about the Windy City series because since in her own league just came out. Yeah, I mean, that's. I don't know if it's because I just finished the book today, but like that's my entire for you page. I think a lot of people are getting on the Windy City train who haven't already or rereading the books. And honestly, I think the only negative thing I would say about these books is that I wish there was a little bit more about the games in all of the books. Like what happened at the game. I think it's like sometimes feels really romance heavy. Which is great that I'm. But I kind of want to, like, give me a little bit of some action that happened during the games.

[C]

Also, oddly, all of them, like, never seem nervous before games. More so. That's not true. I feel like in her own league. Talks a lot, talks about the games a lot more. Because there's a certain thing that. That happens where they talk maybe about certain players performances in games. But to me, none of the male characters seem to ever get nervous before games. It also didn't seem. Seem like their life because I think about a pro athlete and how much time they put into, you know, working out, practice gyms, watching film, whatever. Seems like they're never actually.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Doing their sport. But.

[A]

Yeah, but a great. Like, if you haven't already, if we haven't inspired you to pick up the Windy Cities books, what are you doing? Truly, if you are a lover of romance, I. I don't see how you would not love these books. Yeah. And I think the reason they are so popular on booktok, you guys, correct me if I'm wrong. I mean, you've got the sports element to it. You. You have. They're spicy. But there's this. And we've said this a lot, but there's this found family element in this, like, friendship and this group of friends that to me, I'm like, I don't feel like any other right now. I'm like, I don't think any other romance book can top that for me. I mean, we have cried over these characters in multiple episodes on this podcast for good reason. Because these books, you just want to be like, one of Kennedy's updates from in her own league was like, I just want to sit in on one of these family dinners. Like the way I would give anything, just be. Just sit and talk to these people in real life, even though they're not real people.

[C]

But, you know, they'd be so freaking welcoming.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Oh. Anyways, they're great. I can see why it's getting a lot of love and attention right now.

[C]

Way to go, Liz.

[B]

Way to go. I need to read it. By this time this episode comes out.

[A]

Yeah, you. I'll probably have read it.

[B]

I will have.

[A]

Probably read it.

[C]

I bet you will.

[B]

But I haven't. I haven't yet.

[C]

Did you guys notice that someone. I wish I could credit them. They posted a TikTok. And maybe this was glaringly obvious to everyone else but me, but the original covers of the Wendy City series, which don't even want to talk about the new covers Barf. Sorry, that was rude. I just loved the city skyline. Anyway, so it's the city skyline and it's each. Each book has a piece of the Chicago skyline. And then in her own league, it has the whole skyline.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

So it's like a completion of, like. You know what I mean?

[A]

That's cute.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

That's cute.

[B]

With the old covers.

[C]

Yeah, with the. Yeah, the city one.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Not the one that we got. No, the. No, no. I mean the.

[A]

The COVID that we got.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

Because I think that's the only cover.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It's like a cartoon. Okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay. Okay. Okay. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I will say Reggie put this in her review. The book is just the one word you could use to describe it is hot. Yeah. Their dynamic is just hot. Yeah, Like, I'm gonna blush, you guys.

[A]

No, like. Okay. I don't want to, like, set the bar too high for Michaela. And I don't even mean this in a way where I'm like, it was, like, so good. This could mean literally anything. But when I tell you. I cannot remember the last time I read a book and I reacted as much as I have reacted just to just a single word that was even said. Like, yeah, like, I was gonna listen to it at the gym this morning and I was like, I can't. I, like, actually cannot. Because, like, my.

[C]

I would be like.

[A]

Like, I can't even explain it. So. Oh, someone also, in case you're wondering, someone just recently commented on my Goodreads review. I need to respond to it. But she was asking, can I read this book before the Windy Cities? Like, before any of the other books in her own lake. I would not.

[C]

It's gonna spoil everything for you.

[A]

It will spoil things for you. But, like, also, you will not feel as strongly about a lot of things in this book if you don't read the other ones first.

[C]

So anyways, you gotta get to know Monty.

[A]

Oh, yeah. He really got to get to know him first. We can get off our soapbox.

[C]

But I will say it's. I don't think it's gonna be a five star romance read for me, so if that helps. Yeah, I mean, expectations, but, like, it's a dang good time. Will it be my favorite in the Windy City series? No. Nothing will ever be. Isaiah.

[B]

I'm sorry.

[C]

I love that man with my whole heart. And sometimes there was. I wish I could find that there was a girl that made a fan cast for the whole series. It was perfect.

[B]

Love that it's the best.

[C]

Perfect.

[B]

When there's, like, a perfect fan cast.

[C]

Tickled my brain. Anyways, all right, moving on.

[B]

Another thing that I've been seeing, we've been seeing on TikTok is Stephanie Garber's new book, Evangeline and Jack.

[C]

What is it called? I'm looking it up right now. It has something about a mirror. Hold on. I spell her name wrong. What's her.

[B]

It comes out in the fall.

[C]

Yes. But I think the title just dropped, and that's why it's coming back up in the booktok space. It's titled the Mirror of Infinite Endings. There's an illustrator. That means we're gonna get do. We're gonna get art. Like the last one.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. I'm very, very intrigued.

[C]

It's 224 pages. Oh, my God.

[A]

Okay, wait. So it says Once Upon a broken part, heart 3.5.

[C]

So it's a novella, like, spectacular for Caraballas.

[A]

Okay. The cover's beautiful.

[B]

Without giving anything away, the third book of Once Upon a Broken Heart did not give me what I wanted.

[C]

Same.

[B]

So this better give me what I want.

[C]

You know?

[B]

And on the topic of Stephanie Garber, none of you guys have read Alchemy of Secrets, right? No, I'm very intrigued to read that book because I feel like it's a very different vibe than Caraval and Once

[C]

Upon a Broken Heart because it's. What is it about? Actually, I don't know.

[B]

All I know is there's, like, a girl. The COVID is, like, her at a bar. Right.

[C]

Your main character tracks down a local legend named the Watchman, who can tell you when you'll die. Oh. And the Watchman tells her that she will die at midnight tomorrow unless. Unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemy Heart. So she's trying to find this certain thing interesting.

[A]

Watch it.

[C]

Be a person. It will be. I'm sure, knowing Stephanie Garber, it's a person.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Anyways, I'm just very excited to dive back into that world, Reggie, just for a little bit.

[C]

Do you think you will ever give Caraval or Once Upon a Broken Heart another try?

[A]

I mean, I finished Caraval, usually the first one. Yeah, I read all three.

[C]

Oh, you did?

[A]

Yes. Oh, I started Once Upon a Broken Heart. I got, like, almost 40%, and I was just like. I just was not having a good time. I was not having a good time. I told myself I was going to come back to it. And then Michaela was like, reggie, it's okay. It's okay. If you don't read it.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Because I picked it for you.

[A]

And I was like, I know, but, like, I really want to read it. Because, like. But then I think I just heard that there was so much disappointment with the third book that I was like, why do I want to read this if I'm just going to be disappointed with the ending of the third book? Because everyone I know that read it didn't like the ending. So I wasn't. I don't know how you could blame me for not being very motivated to, like, continue on. I also feel like I, like, seen some, like, kind of spoilery things. I don't really remember what they are at this point, but at the time I was like, oh, okay. Sorry. Sue me.

[C]

That's okay.

[B]

I absolutely adored the second book.

[C]

The second book was so good.

[B]

So freaking good.

[A]

I just should have read them a long time ago. Yeah, that's the problem.

[C]

That's fair.

[B]

That's fair. I'm just excited to be back in the world.

[C]

It's just. I don't feel like there's a lot of fantasy books that achieve the same amount of whimsy as that little universe does. It's just this. Well, I guess you could kind of say I feel like Cruel Prince is whimsical adjacent. Yeah. Kind of reminds me of each other. But honestly, I would love to see that be a TV show.

[B]

Oh, it would be. Yeah.

[C]

Visually stunning.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Also imagine care of all, just the music, the magic, the hijinks.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. It would be insane.

[C]

The costumes. Oh, my God. That's almost one that I feel like would be a better movie slash TV show than book.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Imagine the visuals. The visuals. Yeah.

[B]

I would love. That's okay if you never get to it.

[A]

Yeah. I. The thing is, there really are just so many books, so little time. And to me, like, I hate saying that those books just feel like such old news, but I just don't find. I don't see any reason to, like, start them unless I'm, like, so bored and I can't think of anything else to read.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Unfortunately, I don't think I'm gonna be feeling that way.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So I could also. So sorry.

[C]

But them feeling a little bit. Maybe a little juvenile.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

At this point in your life.

[A]

Yeah, maybe. And I had fairly recently finished what's the last booklet? Finale and so. And I didn't love that one. I didn't love the. I don't know. I don't know. I just should have read them a long time ago. It's okay, that's the problem. So.

[B]

Totally fine.

[C]

So you know that perfect moment where you have a good book but nowhere to be? Yeah. That right there, that is my happy place.

[B]

And lately, we've been spending it wrapped up in our Minky Couture blankets.

[A]

Whether I'm reading late into the night or just pretending to read while I'm scrolling Book talk, my Minky keeps me cozy through it all.

[C]

The best part is they come in the most pretty colors, and they make the best gift for any reader in your life. Or, honestly, for yourself.

[B]

So if you're ready to make your reading experience even cozier, head to the link below and use our code readers R E A D E R S at checkout for 50% off.

[A]

Because every good reader deserves the best blanket.

[B]

Next topic.

[A]

Just jumping around this one.

[C]

Next. Which one?

[A]

Sunrise on the Reaping.

[C]

If there's a will, there's a way that Rich is gonna bring up Sunrise on the.

[A]

No, you guys, that edit that I sent, like, an hour or two ago. I'm not kidding. You guys have to watch it as soon as we're done.

[C]

Like, I want to watch it in the comfort of my home so then if I cry, you guys don't make fun of me.

[A]

Like, I'll cry just thinking about it. Like, guys, this is the thing. I will come up with any excuse to talk about the Hunger Games. But, like, it also, like, I have such an emotional attachment to it that I get teary when I talk about it. It's like, whenever someone, like, talks to me about my. They're like, tell me about your dad. Like, I'll cry anytime I talk about my dad. That's how I feel when I talk about Katniss and Peeta. Like, I just. I have a special place in my heart. There's supposed to be a trail. Have you guys. Okay, this is what I want to talk to you guys about. Have you guys seen the rumors about the trailer that's supposed to be dropping?

[C]

No.

[B]

No, I have not.

[A]

They're supposed to be. They've been test. They tested the main trailer. So, like, the trailer we've already seen is a teaser trailer. Oh, the full trailer has been tested in a few movie theaters.

[C]

Oh, like what? People just go to a movie and it just happens only, like, in, like, two locations.

[A]

Like, I think it was, like, in New York and, like, the UK or something. Okay.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

So rumor has it that very soon here we're gonna be getting a trailer. Maybe by the time this episode comes out, it will have aired because I have this small theory that because the last time it dropped, it was not for a certain movie. Like, it didn't come. It came online first, you know, which is what they do now. I have a feeling like there's a possibility I may see it at the project. Hail Mary.

[C]

That's what I was gonna say.

[A]

That's what I'm thinking. Because I'm like, they're gonn put it with, like, a big something in that realm, you know?

[C]

Also, I feel like it's a J Epic book.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I don't know.

[A]

I'm not gonna be okay. I'm not gonna be okay. The cat. Like, I know we've talked about this book a lot, and I don't want to harp on it for too long, but, like, perfect casting, perfect teaser trailer. I just think that I'm not. I just. I don't see myself watching the movie and being all that disappointed. We're getting the. Like, the epilogue is confirmed. Like, yeah, we don't. I don't know what else.

[B]

I just.

[A]

I. When I tell you my book talk for you, Paige, is 90% Hunger Games. It had to be said. So I don't know if there's anything you guys have seen, but you're gonna just think that it's only going to get worse from here for me because we are approaching November slowly but surely.

[B]

Yeah. I think I have a love hate relationship with trailers.

[A]

Same.

[B]

And I'm similar in the fact where I like to go in blind with my books and mostly go in blind with my movies. I mean, I have read Sunrise on the Reaping, so I know what I'm getting myself into, but I feel like it's almost fun. Like, I think it would be fun one of these times to literally. But it's hard with social media to, like, have no knowledge, have no conceived notion. Like, like, see nothing and go into a movie, like, completely and totally blind. Wouldn't that be such, like, a crazy experience? But I feel like it's almost impossible now.

[C]

Yeah. To do that. I kind of wish they would. You know how they have these certain theaters you can go in on certain days, and it's a surprise movie. You don't know what movie you're getting.

[A]

Oh, I've never heard of that before.

[C]

That's fun. People will go because it's cheaper and it's just. I think you maybe know the genre. I don't know if you even know the genre, but I've seen some creators. They'll be like, yeah, I'm going into whatever For I don't know what it's called. I think it's going to be one of these three movies. And then they come out and they talk about the movie that they saw. So that would be really cool. And it's usually before the movie actually releases, but obviously that's not a thing Here in Utah. We're not large enough for that. No, but I think that would be really cool. I think for me, when it comes to trailers, the only time I like to watch them is if I'm sitting. I don't know what it is, but I actually really love going to the movie theater and seeing the trailers in an actual theater. Other than that, I don't want to watch it on my phone. I haven't watched any Project Hail Mary trailer. I've seen, like, screen grabs and stuff. But I'd be stoked if I was sitting in the theater for Project Hail Mary. And the sunrise on the Reaping trailer came out.

[A]

So we'll just look over physically. No, like, when I tell my phone out really fast when the trailer releases, like, I wish I could say, I'm not watching it. I'm not watching it. I'm just gonna, like, go. I physically, like, I cannot. I don't have that in me to do it.

[C]

I just feel like you're a trailer watcher. You love watching.

[A]

The problem is, is it's not like I. I mean, I do like them. I mean, I literally grew up making movie trailers with my siblings. Like, that was one of our favorite activities was, like, running around the yard. And I was, like, directing and shooting everything. And I was like, hey, you guys are gonna be spies.

[C]

And they're, like, sick.

[A]

Like, that sounds. My childhood was making movie trailers, so I do have, like, a fascination with them. I do hate how sometimes they share a little too much in movie trailers. But, like, I just. I cannot look away. Like, I applaud you guys for being able to see the new. Like, the new Project Hail Mary trailer that came out around the Super Bowl. I. It was an amazing trailer, I'm sure. But I hated myself after I watched it. I was like, why did I do that? And I kept telling in my brain. I was like, look away, Reggie. Look away, Reggie. Look away. But I could not. I could not. The. It's like the filmmaker in me. Just like, I will watch any movie trailer I see that comes across my for you page. Like, I. I do have a bit of a fascination with them, so unfortunately, I wish I could. It's just. Yeah, I wish I could make Sunrise on the reviewing PSA price as far as the trailer's concerned. Can't. I can't. You'd have to, like, pin me down, lock me up. So, yeah, I will say, like, I'm terrified out of my mind to watch that movie. Like, I've kind of teased. I'm like, oh, like, maybe we do, like, a little life. Like, do a little movie party. We rent out a theater. No, I don't know if I actually can do that.

[C]

We can do it. We can do it.

[A]

Do you guys know, like, the amount of pressure? I don't know. You could do it.

[C]

Anyways, you're gonna be really offended, Reggie, because we watched. Me and Kyle have been bitching hot ones interviews for the last few days. We watched Woody Harrelson's.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Which Kyle is convinced that Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson are brothers. We don't need to get into that. Okay. Kyle's gone down like a rabbit hole. Okay. Anyways, I get up after this interview, and I said something like, yeah, my guy, Haymitch. And Kyle goes, who's Haymitch?

[A]

Didn't you just watch the movies?

[C]

He's only seen the first and second one.

[A]

Okay. To.

[C]

But he.

[A]

He's a big part in both of those.

[C]

Yeah, I don't.

[A]

You know, my.

[C]

I don't.

[A]

Cannot. You guys. My husband cannot remember the movies. The Hunger Games movies. I'm like, what's wrong with you? So probably. Let's see. The movie comes out end of November. So I probably say, like, by end of September, I'm. I'm gonna be in my reread of the Hunger Games books just to kind of get me, you know, in the feels. And then I'll watch the movies with my husband because he does not remember them. He wanted to start reading Sunrise on the Reaping. He's like, sure, I'll read it. But then he's like, I genuinely don't know if I'd enjoy it because I don't even remember what happened in the Hunger Games. I'm like, that's crazy. So I'm sure we'll get more book talk Hunger Games news soon.

[B]

But it's all the rage, and I feel like when the actors get caught on the red carpet, like, they ask about Sunrise on their reaping.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, it's very much like, tell us about your character on Sunrise and reading and when they're there for something else.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I can't really say much. You know, when you're really into a book and the last thing you want to do is stop and make food. That's been us a time or two.

[A]

So we've been keeping G2G bars around because they're just an easy on the go snack. They're really high in protein. They're made with simple ingredients and honestly perfect when you need something quick but don't want to interrupt a reading binge.

[C]

I've been grabbing one right before I leave for a walk with my dogs while listening to an audiobook. It's just the easiest snack to throw in my bag.

[B]

If you want to try them, you can grab them at g2gbar.com and use code readers R E A D E R s for a 15% off discount.

[A]

Hit your protein goal and your reading goal with G2G bar.

[C]

Do you think Noah Congratulations is going to have a song in the movie? You really do. Well, no.

[A]

I mean, I will be disappointed if

[C]

he's not, but I don't think that's his vibe. I don't think Noah Khan is like a move. I don't. I don't see that. I don't know why. I just am like, I don't think it's going to happen.

[A]

Do you feel like he would say no to it if they gave him the opportunity, though? How would you turn that down?

[C]

I don't think you would say no.

[B]

I don't think it's going to be in it. Really?

[A]

Have you guys seen, like, people that have been on the last albums? Here's the thing. If he's not on it, will I be disappointed? Yeah, but, like, Lionsgate knows what they're doing. You know, I do. The. The reason why I think that it, and I'm hopeful about it is because he was supposed to release his album sooner and he posted and said there's some exciting things that have been happening and I had to push that. There's a reason. There's a reason I can't tell you guys, but I had. That's why I had to push the album back. So people are like, I'm not saying it is because of the Hunger Games, but because every. This is the thing too. They are listening to people. Like, I know that, you know, studios are, like, looking at what the fans are saying. I'm not saying for certain he's going to be on there, but I can't say that. That didn't make me have a little bell in my head go, oh, maybe it's because, I don't know, maybe it

[C]

would be like an Olivia Rodrigo, like, exclusive song because there's no way. The song from the album that's being released, like in three weeks is going to say. Because Olivia Rodrigo's song literally says from the Motion Picture.

[A]

Yes, but some songs have been on albums that like, for example, like Lord has been on a few albums like her, like Yellow Flicker Beat. That was a Catching Fire soundtrack. I don't know. I don't know.

[B]

Yeah, but was that an exclusive song?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Like, did she make it just for

[A]

some of the songs on there I know were not exclusive to it. Most of them are, but wouldn't be surprised if, let's say he is on there. The reason he had to push back his album is because he had to have the Hunger Games song finished. I don't know. I don't know.

[B]

It would be interesting.

[A]

Sorry, didn't mean to turn this into a whole soundtrack conversation. I know this is a book podcast, but consumes my every thought, so.

[C]

Well, moving on, this is a large casting news. We have our January for beach read and a rumored Augustus Everett. So if you didn't know this, Phoebe, how do you say her last name?

[A]

Denna Debner. Debner.

[C]

Daphne from Bridgerton has been cast as January. And the rumored cast for Augustus is.

[A]

Who?

[C]

Who is it?

[B]

Fabian Frankel.

[C]

Fabian.

[A]

He's on.

[B]

Did I say that right?

[A]

I hope I said that right.

[C]

Frankel.

[B]

He's in the house of Dragon or.

[C]

Now will you explain why he's been rumored.

[A]

So he posted. This is him, right?

[C]

It's.

[B]

He posted the.

[A]

Yeah, it was like a photo dump or something. Or an Instagram story. And he's holding a script and people screenshotted it. And when you zoom in, it's literally says January, Gus. Like within the script. And then people were. It was circling online. He went and deleted it.

[B]

He deleted it.

[A]

I'm pretty sure that's suspicious.

[C]

What if he got fired?

[A]

Because that.

[C]

That would be so.

[A]

But, like, his part was like, highlighted. Like it said Gus and it was like highlighted in red.

[B]

I wonder why that's so taboo.

[C]

You would also think that if he was actually cast, they would just drop the noose. So I. I honestly pro. In my mind what they're doing is their. Their chemistry reading with Daphne.

[A]

Pb.

[B]

Yeah, I know Daphne.

[C]

No, you.

[B]

You're probably right. He probably watch him not get it because I actually do not mind it

[C]

at all because, I mean, yeah, he's.

[B]

He's very attractive.

[A]

I mean, I feel like it's really rare for people to hold secrets this long with casting announcements because I know, like, what's the show I was thinking of? I want to say it was even like for Hunger Games, like Joseph Zeta, he found out the news and within like a few hours it was like online. And so I feel like that's pretty common. So we'll see.

[B]

Yeah, I always find it interesting when, when to release, casting, when to not. Like, what is the whole strategy behind that?

[C]

I don't know. Because you would think, I mean, they can only get away with keeping a secret for so long because obviously once a cast is announced, the hype for them, this TV show or movie skyrockets, then it goes back down because then they have to film. So you would think it would be smarter for them to announce a casting closer to the release date, whatever. But there's no way they can do that because they'll be caught filming in public spaces.

[A]

Think about it. Like so many people keep saying, I bet you what's his bucket has been cast as Zaden in Fourth Wing. And I'm like, if he was cast, we would know.

[C]

Yeah. You know, I don't know if we

[B]

would because they have so many filming sets that are not in public at all. Like just even going on the backlot tour in.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Was it Universal, Especially for a fantasy adaptation where they're quite literally going to have to maybe not build a bez Gaieth, but I can't see them using a public space for that. Whereas take Beach Read, for example. They're probably going to use actual places so that the budget. Yeah. Is lower so they're not having to spend a ton of money on sets. But yeah, Fourth Wing. I don't know. I don't.

[B]

I'm not saying that he was cast, but I feel like they would probably keep it pretty hush hush until they start filming. Until they're pretty close to done with filming.

[C]

I mean, Michael B. Jordan has come out and said like, you're in good hands. Yeah.

[B]

So that's what I'm meaning. Like if he. I'm sure they know who they have.

[C]

Imagine being Rebecca Yaros and meeting Michael B. Jordan.

[B]

He.

[A]

That'd be crazy.

[C]

Freaking Michael B. Jordan.

[B]

I want to be in the film industry so bad. I. I wouldn't care. I would sign all the NDAs.

[C]

I want to be just like an assistant. I just want to fetch people coffee, get them stuff from the. What do they call it? The craft table where they have food.

[A]

Let me just be on the craft service team.

[C]

Yeah, I'll be on the craft service team. I don't care. I'll get you Water. I'll polish your shoes.

[A]

I had regrets for a really long time for not going to film school.

[C]

And I was like, it's also a really rough life.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Very brutal. I think it'd be really fun. But I was like, yeah, okay, let's.

[C]

Let's talk about this really quick. I told them we weren't going to talk about this because I feel like we talk about it too much. But I feel like we have to talk. We have to mention this. We're not getting red God this summer. I also don't think we're gonna get it this year. So Ma did an interview with Pierce Brown. If you guys haven't seen. You can go watch the whole interview if you want. She basically just had him on her podcast, just nixing some rumors. And he has said that it is not coming out this summer. So we've gotten a few DMS from people saying that on Goodreads, it says July something.

[B]

It's not coming out in July.

[C]

No, it's not coming. Yeah, no, it's not yet. He came from the horse's mouth. It ain't coming out this summer, so. Which leads me to believe it's not going to come out at all this year.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So my favorite memes. This is on my book talk, too. I forgot to talk about this. My favorite memes are the ones. There's this one specific TikTok that this guy made, and it was like he was the publisher, and then he played the parts of the authors. Did you guys see this?

[A]

No.

[C]

No. I gotta find this TikTok. Why didn't you send it to us?

[B]

I don't.

[C]

So it was like the publisher was sitting down, and he was like, so, Sarah, tell us about your next release. And he pretended to be Sarah J. Maas. And she's like, book coming out this day, this way. And then he's the publisher again. He goes, pierce, how's your book coming along? And he dresses up as Pierce, and he goes, the heart of the book just isn't there anymore. It's just not there yet. I'm working on the heart of the book. And he goes, that's great. He pans over and have you guys heard the joke about Patrick Rothless? Do you know who that is? He wrote a book quite some time ago, ended on a cliffhanger. I think it's been like 10 years and hasn't, like, written another book or anything. So then the put. He goes, pat. And it pans to pat, and he's just in a fetal position. Rolling back and forth and then all of a sudden he dresses up as Brandon Sanderson and he gets, he stands up and he goes, I wrote 57 books this year. It was just like the funniest thing. So my favorite tiktoks that I was seeing after Sarah announced her books were just people fandoms being like, we're so happy for the acotar fandom. But like, where's my book? I've been waiting five years.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know. Oh, so it's funny.

[B]

That is funny. No, I think I, I feel like I'm doing good as far as releases because I can only take so many rereads.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

In a year. And it would be overwhelming if all the authors were releasing it all at the same time.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, could you imagine like Red God SJM getting released within like a month or two of each other? Like that would be like a lot.

[C]

I would also be depressed after.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Imagine these two series that you've had their anticipated releases and they're in the same year. I'm actually, I'm very happy that they spread them out.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So thanks for looking out for us because that's exactly what you're doing.

[A]

Yeah. They were definitely talking about it. Like we gotta. Just kidding.

[C]

Specifically for us three, Only us three. Like that's, that's what it's about. We're on their minds.

[A]

You know, you just never know. Yeah. Booktok is always feeding us with something and when sometimes maybe the authors are not. Yeah, that's true. But you know, I'm fine to let Pierce keep cooking. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed by what he gives us. Doesn't mean the book might make me angry. It might. But I think it's going to be a great book.

[C]

When I have been seeing some freaking insane theories.

[A]

I actually have not.

[B]

I don't know if I want to see that theories at all. I am very curious what is on your guys book talk for you, Paige? Because I feel like all of us have very different things on our personal page. Obviously we share our I'll read what she's reading page. So I'm curious. Leave comments about what booktok news is like most prevalent on your guys's for you page. Because I'm just very curious and maybe we'll add those topics into like a next episode we do for this book talk for you page news. Because I'm just. Yeah, I'm just like very curious because I feel like the algorithm is so interesting.

[A]

I know like sometimes you guys will say like, oh, have you guys heard about. You haven't heard about this book? And I'm like, no, not at all.

[B]

So, yeah, please comment or dms, tell us what is like the most current thing for you guys or like, what is the most heavy topic on your for you page? Maybe we share similar things, but maybe not. We hope you guys enjoyed. We love talking about Booktok news, kind of all the hype stuff. Some of this stuff has been announced for a while, but I feel like there's been prolonged hype on it, so. And I feel like we don't usually get to sit down very often and just straight up talk about things on book talk. So this was really fun for us. Just like get to sit down and talk about things. So you guys can follow us on Instagram and TikTok if you're new here. It's what she's reading Pod. We also have merch. I'm wearing it. Reggie's wearing it.

[C]

I'm not. So I'm fired. She's fired from the podcast.

[A]

No.

[C]

See ya.

[B]

It's all Read what she's reading dot com. We love it. It's so cozy. And last thing, we do have a Patreon. We love our Patreon group. It is so fun. We have such a fun time. We do little monthly book clubs, obviously, that. You guys are hilarious. So funny. You guys make me laugh so hard. And then we also do another video where we just kind of like pick different topics. We did trivia night and the person who answered the questions the fastest and correctly won a sweatshirt. So we love doing fun things like that. We're continuously coming up with some new fun ideas that we can have a little FaceTime call with and you guys just get a comment away and make us laugh.

[A]

It's a fun time.

[B]

It is a fun time. Anyways, we'll see you guys next week. Bye.

[A]

Bye.