Reading Your Bookish HOT TAKES

Summary

Episode Summary: "Reading Your Bookish HOT TAKES"

Released on June 25, 2025, "I'll Read What She's Reading" hosts Reggie, Mikaela, and Kennedy delve into their latest literary adventures and engage with their listeners' bold opinions on various book-related topics.

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1. Personal Reading Updates

Reggie's Current Reads: Reggie kicked off the episode by sharing her enthusiasm for revisiting beloved series. At [01:45], she mentioned, "I'm rereading Throne of Glass. I just finished Queen of Shadows." Despite initial reservations, she confessed her commitment by saying, "I have started Empire Storms" ([02:48]). Her emotional connection to The Last Letter was palpable when she revealed, "It became my entire personality for like a solid 48 hours because I was... it was great" ([03:39]).

Mikaela's Reading Struggles: Mikaela opened up about her current challenges with audiobooks, expressing, "I have audiobook fatigue... I'm just sick of listening to books" ([06:10]). She detailed her recent experiences with Blood of Hercules, stating, "It felt very juvenile, but with explicit content... needed to go through several more revisions" ([07:05]). Her honesty about her reading slump added a relatable touch to the conversation.

Kennedy's Emotional Journey: Kennedy shared a heartfelt account of her experience with the Beartown trilogy. At [11:11], she confessed, "I'm just emotional 24/7... I sobbed... it was emotional." Her dedication to the narrative was further emphasized by her reflection on the book's impact: "It shows how little small acts of kindness can go a long way... how everybody's lives make a difference in other people's" ([12:55]).

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2. Listener Hot Takes and Group Reactions

The trio transitioned to discussing hot takes submitted by their listeners, sparking lively debates:

Audiobook Speed Preferences: Kennedy voiced her preference for faster audiobook speeds, explaining, "If it's too slow, I start to drift off... faster keeps me engaged" ([21:13]). Reggie and Mikaela shared varying perspectives, highlighting how personal and situational factors influence listening habits.

Critique of Common Tropes: A significant portion of the hot takes centered around overused literary tropes. Mikaela expressed frustration with the "shadow daddy" archetype, stating, "They're just overdone... loses its magic a little bit" ([25:08]). Reggie echoed these sentiments, adding, "I love the Zadens, but seeing more unique characters is refreshing" ([25:48]). The hosts advocated for more diverse and authentic character development, moving away from predictable archetypes.

Rating Systems and Book Reviews: A listener suggested shifting from a 5-star to a 10-star rating system, to which Mikaela responded, "I would prefer that so much more" ([34:05]). Reggie and Kennedy discussed the complexities and potential stress of a more granular rating system, ultimately leaning towards maintaining simplicity.

Romantasy and Relationship Portrayals: The hosts delved into the portrayal of relationships in romance and fantasy genres. Reggie critiqued the reliance on "spice" over genuine relationship development, noting, "Sometimes books rely too much on spice and not enough on the relationship growing" ([31:01]). Mikaela added, "I appreciate when relationships are built on emotional depth rather than raunchy scenes" ([32:32]). They called for a balance that prioritizes character growth alongside romantic elements.

Chapter Length and Narrative Pacing: Another hot take addressed chapter lengths, with a listener claiming, "If a chapter takes more than 10 minutes to read, it's too long" ([56:18]). The hosts debated the merits of shorter versus longer chapters, ultimately acknowledging that chapter length is often a personal or stylistic choice by the author.

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3. Sponsored Intermissions

Throughout the episode, brief sponsorship segments were interspersed, promoting brands like Burga and Lululemon. However, these were swiftly transitioned back to the core discussion, ensuring the focus remained on the hosts' conversations and listener interactions.

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4. Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

As the episode concluded, Reggie, Mikaela, and Kennedy emphasized the importance of their community's participation. Reggie commented, "If you wrote in a hot take, thank you so much. We appreciate it more than you know" ([58:52]). They encouraged listeners to continue engaging via their social media platforms, fostering a vibrant and interactive book-loving community.

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Notable Quotes:

• Reggie [03:39]: "Recently finished The Last Letter... it was great."
• Kennedy [11:11]: "I'm just emotional 24/7... I sobbed... it was emotional."
• Mikaela [25:08]: "Shadow daddies are getting a little overdone."
• Reggie [31:01]: "Sometimes books rely too much on spice and not enough on the relationship growing."
• Kennedy [21:13]: "If it's too slow, I start to drift off... faster keeps me engaged."

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This episode of "I'll Read What She's Reading" offers a candid glimpse into the hosts' literary journeys, their critical perspectives on common storytelling tropes, and their appreciation for authentic character development. By engaging with listener hot takes, Reggie, Mikaela, and Kennedy foster a dynamic dialogue that resonates with both casual readers and dedicated book enthusiasts alike.

Transcript

[Kennedy]

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[Reggie]

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[Mikaela]

Their products are just as functional as they are beautiful. Everything Burga makes is top quality and built to protect your electronics while turning heads. So if you're ready to upgrade your everyday must haves and show off a little personality while you're at it, visit burga.com to shop your favorite everyday essentials. Trust us, your Kindles and phones will thank you.

[Kennedy]

Hello bookworms. Welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Kennedy.

[Mikaela]

I'm Mikaela.

[Reggie]

And I'm Reggie.

[Kennedy]

And today we are going to be doing an episode that we did almost a year ago which is bookish Hot Takes. So we did a question box on our Instagram story and you guys submitted your hot takes and there's some good ones in there.

[Reggie]

It's gonna be hot.

[Mikaela]

I haven't looked at any of them. There's some I'm excited for you guys to see. No, I'm excited to see what hot takes you guys have.

[Kennedy]

Some of them I agree with, Some of them not so much. Oh. So we'll find out after we update you guys on what we have been currently reading. Reggie, do you want to go first?

[Reggie]

Yeah. I feel like it's been a while since we've done this or maybe I've just read more since. I don't know if I said this last time. I'm sorry, but I'm rereading Throne of Glass. I just finished Queen of Shadows. I don't think I'm going to do the tandem. Listen, like a lot of you were telling me I needed to do so I have started Empire Storms. So I'm listening to that. Currently reading the Bound Worlds. And um, I recently finished the Last Letter in case you guys didn't know because it became my entire personality for like a solid 48 hours because I was. It took me that long to like to stop crying about it. Um, I don't even know it. Maybe I still. I could cry thinking about it right now actually. But yeah, it was, it was great. I Won't say anything for anyone who hasn't read it. Obviously Michaela hasn't read it yet, so there's so much more that I could say.

[Mikaela]

I literally, I think I need to.

[Reggie]

Do like a. I feel like we're going to need to do at some point like a Rebecca Yarros episode on her romance books and stuff. Like I even want to go read some of her really older ones. But yeah, that was. That was a time. That was time.

[Kennedy]

I'm sorry.

[Reggie]

Oh, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I'll probably share more about this and like our. Well, actually it was technically supposed to. No, I added it to my summer tbr. So maybe I'll share more about it then. But I was very. I really, really liked it. I have this problem right now where like the last like five books I read, I mean, granted some of those are thrown of glass. I. They haven't been less than four stars.

[Kennedy]

That's a great problem to have. I wish I was having that problem.

[Reggie]

I'm like, is there something wrong with me?

[Kennedy]

No, but no.

[Reggie]

Like I really. I've had. I had to sit and think. I'm like. But a five star read for me is a book that like I will think about for a really long time. Really great reading experience. Exceeded my expectations. Yeah, I mean a lot of them were four stars, but still. I don't know. I've just been reading a lot of good books lately. It's been a fun time. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I saw that you marked Michaela. You marked as you want to read Atmosphere.

[Mikaela]

Are your.

[Kennedy]

Is your interest peaked?

[Mikaela]

Yeah, I do think.

[Reggie]

I do think. I don't know if this is something Kennedy would maybe like to hear because you've read like I. You. Well. And you read. No. You read a lot of her books. I feel like since Michaela, you've only read Malibu Rising, which was not the best option. Okay. Not saying that was a book club book. That's why I say that. I do think that if I could pick any Taylor Jenkins Reid book for you to read and one that I think you would enjoy, not saying you would be obsessed with it or absolutely love it. I do think it would be that one.

[Kennedy]

Add it to the Libby and listen.

[Mikaela]

To it, I think. But I have it on the Libby right now.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I mean if I had to describe the book, it's just, you know, it's about the space. A space program in the 80s and I know you're probably. I would. And that's just what I went into it. But I just knew that, like, you know, Taylor Jenkins reads. She's got something really special to her stories and her writing. I was like, okay, love story, let's go for it. Wasn't what I was expecting.

[Kennedy]

So it is a romance?

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

Okay. I mean, I'll read it.

[Reggie]

So, yeah, don't put this in the podcast, but. Well, maybe. Maybe it'll be a surprise for you. It's not like a spoiler, but I didn't know this going into it, but it doesn't say it on the back of the book, so maybe I shouldn't. But it's not like it. I don't think it would make you not want to read it.

[Kennedy]

When does it happen? Or what is this thing that you're going to share? Oh, is it the beginning of the book? Maybe I shouldn't say if it's not the beginning of the book. I don't want to know. I don't want to know.

[Reggie]

I don't think you're wondering.

[Kennedy]

Don't say it.

[Reggie]

I caught on. Really. Okay, never mind. I won't say anything because. But maybe if I told you, you probably anyways, I'm just not gonna say anything.

[Kennedy]

I'll read it. I'll read it eventually.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Michaela, what you been reading? Actually, I don't. I haven't been seeing your Goodreads yet. Like, have you? Maybe just haven't been on the app, but I haven't been.

[Mikaela]

Well, did you guys un. Add me from Goodreads?

[Reggie]

I'll see things that, like, you'll like an update or I'll see, like, you mark something as wanna read, but because.

[Mikaela]

I really haven't read a lot. I. I have audiobook fatigue. Like, all of them have sucked.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

For me, like, and it's not necessarily because the book's bad. I'm just sick of listening to books and that's all I've had time. I haven't sat down and read a book in probably a month. And so I'm just, like, kind of sick of listening to books. And I feel like it's just ruining my reading experience for a lot of books. So I listened to Never. And I really liked it a lot, actually, so. And I. I started. I DNF'd the blood of Hercules.

[Reggie]

Oh, yeah. I saw a TikTok about that the other day.

[Kennedy]

I wonder if I saw the same one.

[Reggie]

Yeah, the back of the book is.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, I DNF'd it.

[Kennedy]

The back of the book is.

[Reggie]

What did it say something like, what is it? I'm just a Girl.

[Kennedy]

Girl. But I'm Hercules or something.

[Reggie]

Yeah, something like that. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

I. Yeah, it wasn't. Wasn't for me. Wasn't for me.

[Kennedy]

Where did you hear about that book?

[Reggie]

I've seen a lot of it on Tick Tock.

[Mikaela]

On Tick Tock. I also thought, I like Costco. Good thing I didn't buy was not good, you guys, the writing. The concept is really cool. The writing ruined. Needed to go through, like, several more revisions. It felt very juvenile, but with explicit content.

[Reggie]

Okay, okay.

[Mikaela]

Like.

[Kennedy]

Like, almost like they were trying too hard to make it feel adult. With explicit content. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Um, so that was. It was just a really hard read. And then I listened to Blood Marked.

[Kennedy]

So do I need to continue?

[Mikaela]

The last, like, 40% of the book was really good. The beginning 60% wasn't my favorite. I don't know. I think you could get a. You'd be fine not reading it.

[Kennedy]

It's so hard because I know so many people love that series. The first book just was hard for me for some reason, and I think it is because I listened to most of it.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So maybe in, like, a year, because I have all three of them, maybe in a year I'll reread it and not listen. I don't know.

[Mikaela]

I don't know. I also feel like not a lot happens in this book. I. I feel like going into it, I knew I was going to have second book syndrome. You know what I'm saying? Like, the last little bit is, like, really exciting. And then, like, for a majority of the beginning part was them, like, walking in circles, and so it wasn't my favorite. I don't know. But I also. It's gonna be longer than three books.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I thought it was only two.

[Mikaela]

I don't know if I want to continue because it's. There's gonna be another book. I just want a trilogy, you know, just, like, three books done. I'm sick of books longer than a trilogy.

[Kennedy]

Same. You know, after having Reggie be like, I'm not finishing this series. I'm not finishing this book. It's inspiring me, if I'm not feeling excited about something, to just let go of the fomo, let go of the curiosity, and just move on. Look up a synopsis of the rest of the series.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I did do that with Poppy War, unfortunately, and I kind of regret it. But, like, also, I think I get. I'm trying to, like, look at the big picture right now with my year. Like, I. Look how many books I have left to read for the year, and I know like, that's how many books I've got in me, and I'm like, yeah. Do I want to make the time for that? I don't know. So anyways, yeah, I can say that's pretty much it.

[Kennedy]

That's it.

[Mikaela]

Yeah. I really. I really haven't listened or read a lot recently because I haven't had time to sit down and, like, read a book. And I. I'm sick of listening to books.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

So I'm. I'm, like, in the worst reading slump of my life right now.

[Kennedy]

Give it to Hawaii. You'll go to Hawaii? Yeah. You'll be reading on the beach.

[Mikaela]

Should I read the. The Last letter?

[Kennedy]

I'm just kidding. Why not?

[Reggie]

Don't read that on the beach.

[Kennedy]

I can tell you the beach I was at, and you can have the exact same moment as me.

[Mikaela]

Genuinely. I don't know why I haven't cried since Fearless About a Book.

[Reggie]

Oh, then read the. Read the last letter if you want to cry.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, but I don't even know why I would cry. Would I cry?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I would be surprised if you didn't, but. But you might not.

[Mikaela]

I don't know. I. I'm feeling a little heartless recently because I haven't cried about books, and I'm like, am I heartless?

[Reggie]

Silver Elite. That's going to be the one.

[Mikaela]

That's going to be the one that makes me cry.

[Kennedy]

You're going to cry. Laugh.

[Mikaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

That's what we're going to deal with.

[Mikaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Kennedy.

[Reggie]

Right?

[Mikaela]

Yeah. Okay.

[Kennedy]

I, unlike Michaela, have cried whilst reading because I'm just emotional 24 7. I swear. I did end up finishing the Beartown trilogy because trilogies do it better, you know? And I sobbed. I don't think everybody would probably sob while reading the Winners. One, I was on my period. Two, I was exhausted because it was one in the morning and I was like, I have to finish this book. And three, I cried so hard, it triggered a real allergic reaction in my body. No joke. My lips started to swell up. Anyways, you guys, I, like, my snot was so full in my nose. That video reaction. Yeah. But I cannot. I can't post it, you guys.

[Mikaela]

It's bad.

[Kennedy]

I got so much snot in my. In my nose that I tried to breathe and I, like, choked because it was so congested. Anyways, I don't know what it was that the book is just very meaningful, at least in my eyes. And I just think you have. It was emotional. There's a certain thing that happens in the last 40 pages. And then also it's kind of like wrapping up all of the stories of all these characters. So you're sad to say goodbye to them. I don't know. It's a. It's a book that will stick with me for forever. I think it just shows how little small acts of kindness can go a long way and how everybody is intertwined and how everybody's lives, like, make a difference in other people's. So loved that. Rated it five stars. And then I randomly. This was a random read. I got access to a book called Julie Chan is Dead on Libby app. I don't know when I added it to my Libby, but I just so happened to.

[Reggie]

About an influencer or something.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. So basically in the first little bit, there's two twins. Their parents die in a car accident or a hit and run. I can't remember. And as thrillers usually do, they come up with the most out of pocket thing for some reason. The twins are separated. One goes to an aunt and one gets adopted by an affluent. Affluent, affluent white family in New York. And the one that's adopted by the white family becomes an influencer. And the other one is. The other twin is not living the best life. Long story short, the famous twin dies and the other twin takes on the famous twin's life. And it took a left turn. Like I'm talking like midsommar type vibe, weirdo stuff. It was weird, guys. It was so weird. It had me and then it lost.

[Reggie]

It's like kind of reminding me of like a simple favor.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Giving me a simple favor. Vibes.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Or like if you're listening to this, if you've read Bunny. Similar to Bunny, guys just always has.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And then I sit and complain that I don't have five star reads, but I don't know what it was. I had access to one of the Murderbot books and I started listening to it. I was five hours into it and I had no idea what happened. Literally. I must have zoned out for the five hours I listened to it. So I returned it and I'm coming back to it.

[Mikaela]

I actually don't know if I'm gonna continue. They're fun, but I don't know if.

[Kennedy]

It'S worth my time because it is a longer one. The next one I think is like a 12 hour listen.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

We'll see if I end up like re picking it up. But. And then I also started yesterday, Jeremy Renner's biography. And I love it. I love biographies narrated by the person who wrote them. So that's what I've been currently reading. Lots of good stuff.

[Reggie]

Awesome.

[Mikaela]

Amazing.

[Kennedy]

Your time is coming. It is. I believe.

[Mikaela]

I believe I just have to get through June. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I feel that we're doing okay.

[Reggie]

Sending love.

[Mikaela]

We're doing just dandy.

[Kennedy]

Should we get into the hot takes?

[Reggie]

Oh, yeah.

[Mikaela]

Do any of you have hot takes?

[Kennedy]

I don't know if I have one.

[Mikaela]

That's my hot take is actors at balls are a no for me. Yeah. They're just really cringey to me. I'd rather just people just dress up.

[Reggie]

Just, like, have a main character moment. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Favorite character. Than have hired people that really don't look anything like the characters. And I don't know, I kind of just like, loses its magic a little bit.

[Kennedy]

It's almost like. I don't know. Comic Con is such a weird phenomenon when you think about it, but it's the legit actor because they.

[Mikaela]

They love it.

[Kennedy]

Right. So I'm thinking if it was a ball. Say when. If and when Acktar ever becomes an adaptation, you. You have a ball, and then the actors that actually play the characters. Are there.

[Mikaela]

Are there? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, but, like, Comic Con, like, the people that dress up as, like, their favorite characters, it's because they love it. And, like, they put so much time and effort, like, they're not getting paid to get dressed up as a character that they love, which I really appreciate. But I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I never understood, understood cosplayers until I started to read. Now I get it.

[Mikaela]

I get it.

[Kennedy]

I would love to dress up as so many people.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Do you have a hot take?

[Reggie]

Maybe this is just more like a. I mean, I guess a hot take is kind of like a personal opinion. No, I'm not gonna say that one.

[Mikaela]

No, I'm not gonna say that one.

[Reggie]

I don't know how I'm gonna word it. Maybe someone will upset it, and then I'll go off on it, I swear. I had a different one, though, that I wanted to say, but it's really bothering me that I don't remember. I was, like, excited about it. I should have written it down.

[Mikaela]

Well, we got a lot. We got a lot.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

There's a lot of hot takes, you guys.

[Reggie]

Oh, my gosh. It's really, really bothering me. Okay. No, that's not even a hot take. That's just something I think should happen. But it's not even a hot take. Okay, never mind. Oh, Michaela's Jaws on the floor.

[Kennedy]

Jaws on the floor. I have One that's not. I don't even know if it's necessarily a hot take. Maybe it is a hot take. And I don't think these two agree with me necessarily. I'm dead set that most of these fantasy books that are being adapted into movies, except for there's some exceptions, like Powerless, I think is going to be done very well. There's not a lot of magical elements, but I think a lot of these books that are. That have a lot of. That require a lot of cgi, a lot of magical elements. I think they should just straight up be animated. I think I'd enjoy him, but more personally. But maybe it's also because I'm salty, because a lot of the movies I watch with CGI aren't great right now. There you have it.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I think, like, I don't want to see Acotar as a TV show. I don't.

[Kennedy]

You know, I think it would make it.

[Reggie]

I'm worried it would ruin the books for me. I think.

[Mikaela]

With special effects and stuff like that, they've gotten very lazy.

[Kennedy]

So lazy.

[Mikaela]

And so if they could just go back to not being lazy about things. Because I look at, like, okay, this is just the most recent that's come to my head, parts of the Caribbean. So much of that is special effects and post editing. And it looks amazing.

[Kennedy]

Or you want to look crazy.

[Mikaela]

Early 2000s.

[Kennedy]

Well, even some of these, since I'm watching Star wars. Sometimes we'll sit and watch Star wars, and I think to myself, this was made in the 90s, in the 70s and the 80s, and it honestly almost sometimes looks on par with the CGI we have now because they've gotten so lazy.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I just think that like. Like, for example, like, Netflix. Isn't Netflix doing, like, Quicksilver?

[Kennedy]

I can't keep track because there's so many that were.

[Reggie]

I don't know. But, like, tell me, like, if a fantasy book gets picked up by, like, Netflix, for example, like, I can already tell you, I'm like, it's gonna turn.

[Mikaela]

Into a Twilight lore.

[Kennedy]

You want to know who is, in my opinion, doing cgi? Well, at least I think. And I. Who I think smashes every adaptation. They do Apple tv.

[Reggie]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I really do. Anyways, do you have a hot take? If you don't, it's okay.

[Reggie]

I mean, yeah, I don't want to see Akotar as a TV show. I would want to see. I mean, we've talked about this a lot on the podcast, but, like, if I had to pick any series to Be a TV series or movie. Like I would definitely pick Throne of Glass, but it would have to be done by like HBO or something in that realm. But even then it's just like, it's just, it's scary to see. I don't know, like, I get really nervous about fourth wing and like powerless. I have a lot of faith in them for sure and I still think they'll be done well. But it like makes me like you think of certain lines in books and like how's that going to be delivered on the screen without it feeling cringy or I don't know. I just like you hold books so close to your heart and you want them to, you want the screen adaptation to be just as good and it, you know, it's not always going to be that way.

[Kennedy]

So let's talk about the everyday items we use constantly. I'm talking about our phones, our Kindles, our drinkware, and how Burga is turning all of those essentials into straight up fashion statements.

[Reggie]

Burgas not just about protection, they're about style. Their phone and Kindle cases come in bold book inspired designs that match your mood, your vibe or even your current read. Whether you're deep into dark academia, swooning through a romance or living your best fantasy life, there's a pattern that speaks to you.

[Mikaela]

Their products are just as functional as they are beautiful. Everything burger makes is top quality and built to protect your electronics while turning heads. So if you're ready to upgrade your everyday must haves and show off a little personality while you're at it, visit burga.com to shop your favorite every day.

[Kennedy]

All right.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Let's get into your guys's because you guys have some good ones. Really do. Yeah.

[Reggie]

She just take turns.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Okay. I see one that is coming for me and it says 1.8 audio book speed is normal. I can't do less than 2.

[Mikaela]

Depends on the book.

[Kennedy]

I can't.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it depends on the book for me.

[Kennedy]

And let me tell you why. Let me just give you my explanation. I think sometimes if it's too slow and maybe this will make sense in your guys brains, but it makes sense in mine. If it's too slow, I start to drift off. If it's really fast and I have to actually think about what's being said, it keeps me engaged in the book. You know what I mean?

[D]

Mm.

[Kennedy]

So that's why I prefer something.

[Mikaela]

I think it also depends on my brain capability.

[Kennedy]

Like at the time you're listening.

[Mikaela]

Yeah. Cause if it's like Too fast. I'm like. I don't know what they're saying at.

[Kennedy]

All, but I do. I have found that I. The only time I can really listen to an audiobook and fully comprehend the information is when I'm driving. If I'm doing any sort of other activity, it's way too hard. Like, if I'm cleaning my house, it's too hard for me to focus on the book. If I'm yard work, if I'm editing, if I'm getting ready, if I'm shot, anything else, it's too hard for me, and I just don't typically listen. But if I'm driving, I can do it.

[Reggie]

So I feel like it depends on the book for me, my reading speed, but I feel like it's. Mine's normally like 1.8 or, like, 2. I don't usually go over 2 unless it's, like, a romance book that I'm trying to. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Okay. I can't decide which one to go first.

[Mikaela]

There's so many about Throne of Glass.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

And it's hurting my soul. Actually.

[Reggie]

No, we can't read. That's like a spoiler one. Okay. Someone said, I don't know where it is, but someone said something about the shadow daddies are getting a little overdone.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, they are.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

It's like. I don't know if it's just because authors. It's like they genuinely want that kind of power in their character or if it's like, there's just something about saying a shadow daddy.

[Kennedy]

Well, it. I. Maybe authors saw that readers were loving that, and so they just. They knew. They knew it was an equation that worked.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

They knew people would.

[Reggie]

Yeah, There's. There's a lot of hot takes about book boyfriends. And like, someone said, I'm tired of all the book men. What's the difference between, you know, Zaden and Rowan? Whatever. Like, I do think it's because, One, women write men very well because women know what women want. Right. And I kind of feel like we eat it up every time. Because think about it. If you were reading a book and they did something very human. Like, people mess up all the time. Like, I love my husband to death, but, like, there's time, you know, like, you get after your husband, you're like, oh, my gosh. You know what I mean? Like, sometimes I don't feel like that. And when I'm reading a book with a man in it, because I'm just like, he's perfect. And Sometimes perfect can feel kind of boring. Like, I don't know. So I can see where people are coming from. I think a lot of fantasy books do feel a little copy paste at times, but it's because we know what we like. And I think. I don't know. I. I will say reading the Devoured Worlds trilogy by Megan O. Megan o' Keeffe. Why can't I o' Keefe. Anyways, the Blight of Stars books I have found. I think one of the reasons I have been really liking it is because the male main character is so different from any male main character I've read in a book before. Like, and so that's been like, really refreshing to me. And I think I'm just like, starting to like. Yeah, I love. I love the. I love the Zadens and you know what I mean?

[Kennedy]

Give me someone new.

[Reggie]

I love them. But like, I like seeing stuff. Like this morning when I was listening to the Bound Worlds. It was like he made this stupid mistake and I was like, so mad at him. I'm like, why the freak would you do that, Tarquin? And I'm like. Or he did something that was like, kind of cringy. But I'm like, you want to know what that's like? Kind of. It was refreshing to me and it makes me like, really, really love him as a character because, you know, they feel more human. Yeah. Yeah, sorry, that was kind of a tangent. I really went off on that.

[Kennedy]

But it's true.

[Reggie]

I can see why people think that. I mean, I think that sometimes too, but I just think it's what works.

[Kennedy]

You know, the girlies love it, but they don't anymore. So someone come out with something new. What's going to be the new Shadow Daddy? Sunshine.

[Mikaela]

Okay.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Water Daddy. I don't know.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, well, I think it's just like a dark, brooding character.

[Kennedy]

Mysterious.

[Mikaela]

Mysterious.

[Kennedy]

And they just so happen to have very protective.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, yeah. You know, every girl wants to.

[Kennedy]

You want to know what? Give me. Give me a fantasy male love. Interesting. Like Riddick. Give me someone that's so funny. Just like sunshine. Just hilarious. I think would love that.

[Mikaela]

Four, like, really paved the way for like.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

All these characters.

[Reggie]

He walked so Rowan could run. Like. Yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

He was just a witty, funny guy. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Why can't we just have.

[Reggie]

Why can't those side. Funny side characters be the main characters?

[Mikaela]

Yeah, I would. I would. I would eat that up. I'd appreciate that same.

[Reggie]

But then they finally. You get to see their serious side in Their emotional side. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Give it to me.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Mikaela]

I don't know if this is a dig at us.

[Reggie]

Oh, no, probably it's fine.

[Mikaela]

It says, I get that all reading is reading, but if you're reading just to be an influencer, I don't trust you.

[Reggie]

I don't.

[Mikaela]

I don't think. I'm not reading to an influencer. I genuinely enjoy reading.

[Kennedy]

Well, I'm gonna be honest. Like, would I read as much as I read if we didn't have the podcast? Probably not. And I wouldn't put as much pressure on myself to get through as many books. Yeah, but I was reading before this, and I will read after this.

[Mikaela]

Same.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, but I have been seeing some discourse of people saying that they think book influencers are being really performative when they come to reading. Like, the crying and the storming out and filming themselves, whatever. So I can understand where the person's coming from. And maybe this person is thinking, like, because of the rise of booktok, people are seeing that it's an easy way to gain followers and that's why they're starting to read.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Or maybe it is just a dig at us.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, maybe that's okay.

[Kennedy]

That's okay.

[Mikaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

I have one that I think is actually a hot take, because, Reggie, you just said something. Oh. About it, and I had seen that someone had said, like, literally the opposite of what you just said.

[Mikaela]

Hold on.

[Reggie]

What did I just say?

[Kennedy]

You'll see when I find it again. I just lost it because my phone just shut off. Okay. And this is kind of, I think, a wild take, and I don't know.

[Mikaela]

If I agree with it.

[E]

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[Kennedy]

Men write relationships better than women, namely Pierce Brown and James Islington.

[Reggie]

I think that's men relationships better than women. Yeah, I mean, I don't. I. First, I gotta say, I don't read a ton of books by men. Okay, I will say that. But second, I mean, maybe I can see. I don't know. I feel like it depends on what you read, but I can see maybe why you would say that, because I think a lot of women rely on spice a lot in books. And men, not so much.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that's true.

[Mikaela]

But I feel like people would feel differently if there wasn't even name behind that book. Like, I think they think because of the author, because it's a man that is writing. They're like, oh, that's really sweet. I can't believe a man.

[Kennedy]

I see what you're saying.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

So I'm like. I'm curious if there wasn't, like, any gender behind a certain book, if you would be like, a man writes relationships better. I mean, I've written. I mean, I've read more books.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

With relationships by women. I think it's really sweet when a man can rely write things that are really sweet. And I'm like, oh, this is nice to see a side where a man writes from. Man's active. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I mean, I don't know. I've read books from both of these authors. The one book I read by James Islington, I don't think there was any romance. So I. It must be the other series that he's written. And I do think there's some really great, like, romantic declarations in Red Rising and some of the relationships he writes. But I wouldn't say it's necessarily better. But I do think it's because of the spice. I do think because women tend to rely on spice, men rely more on romantic declarations. Maybe.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Well, this is another hot take that was on there is that, like, spice can ruin a book. 100 and I agree. I agree.

[Kennedy]

100 and I do think that authors rely on spice a little too much, especially in romance books.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

They give more spice chapters than they do about the relationship. And I would love to see more of the relationship growing and evolving than.

[Mikaela]

Well, I think I was gonna say something that I needed not say it. What? Instead of something else growing.

[Kennedy]

Sorry.

[Mikaela]

Well, I feel like, what happens? I'm sorry. It's okay. Kennedy needs to go to a timeout. Bye. I think what, like, throws me off is they're having this, like, really, like, romantic, sweet, you know, conversation, and they're building the relationship. And then it's like the guy saying, take your clothes off, your mind crawls around.

[Kennedy]

Crawl to me.

[Mikaela]

Crawl to me. And I'm like, whoa.

[Kennedy]

What just happens?

[Reggie]

So many people, like, would say that us by saying that is a hot take. Because some people are like, think won't read a book unless it has something like that in it. And it's not that I Dislike spice. I just think sometimes, like, I appreciate certain relationships and books more when it's. I don't know, maybe I don't want to sound like I'm being approved.

[Mikaela]

No, you're not being a. I feel like where I have. The problem is if they're gonna be like, crawl to me, you're mine. I want that to correlate with their personality. I feel like sometimes it's like that does not match his personality at all, if that makes sense.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Like, it's almost like he has a naughty side, but when he's. I'd rather him just like, have a naughty side. 24 7. Like, you know what you're getting into with like, spice and stuff. But then it's like, it feels really.

[Reggie]

Out of pocket sometimes.

[Mikaela]

Out of pocket when they're like, yeah, thank you.

[Reggie]

I feel like sometimes it can be a good surprise. But I also feel like I really miss, like, give. Give me a spicy scene that's more like love. Tender. Like, I don't. Sometimes I just don't want something super like kinky and raunchy.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Like, give me some love. Like, let's make some love here.

[Kennedy]

Put your hands on the headboard.

[Reggie]

No, and not saying that. That's not like, I don't know, maybe.

[Kennedy]

We need to see in my eyes.

[Reggie]

Maybe we need to stop. But like, I don't know, I just. And it depends on the book. It depends on the book. 100. But I don't know, I like me some spice, but some books just rely on it a little too heavily and then I feel like you could have taken like 80% of that spice out of that book and I would love the book a lot more.

[Mikaela]

Yeah. Yeah. It's kind of like a jump scare a little, you know, but, you know.

[Reggie]

Some people eat it up and they love that for you.

[Kennedy]

So you got one?

[Mikaela]

I have one. This one I just think is funny. I don't know if I agree necessarily or not, but it says when People Rate Books 6 stars, the limit does in fact exist.

[Reggie]

That's funny. Someone was saying that we should be rating books on a 10 star rating instead of a 5 star rating.

[Mikaela]

I actually would prefer that so much more.

[Reggie]

I don't think I'd be too stressed. I think it's almost a little more stressful to rate on a 10 star scale.

[Kennedy]

Just give me half star ratings.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I think I'd have to think so much harder about my Reviews because there's.

[Kennedy]

10 numbers to choose from instead of five.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Because I'm trying to Think I'm like, what would make if I put all my five star reads in front of me and I had to pick, you know, I don't know, would I all Those be a 10 star read? That just overwhelms me more.

[Mikaela]

Well, good thing it's not an option.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

But I feel like I would feel less bad about rating things. Three stars. Yeah.

[Reggie]

You know, someone said being an avid Romantasy hater is a red flag.

[Kennedy]

You know what though?

[Reggie]

Don't knock until you've tried it.

[Kennedy]

Being they said hating romantasy is a red flag, right? Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. But I'm like, have you read if that's the thing. I'm like, if you've given it a try, that's, that's fine, you can. But I think there's a lot of people that will like hate on it. But they haven't actually read it.

[Kennedy]

Well, I think when. When I first started reading fantasy, when I thought of fairies and it just feels so like dorky. Yeah. Nerdy. That it is nerdy and dorky. Because I'm full fledged in that.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But it just feels I didn't grow up with all of those things. And so to think about reading about fantasy, I was like, ugh. But once you're in it, you never go back. But I will say I'm not a Romantasy hater. But I just need something to change with these new books. Every time a new Romantasy book is announced, I'm not excited anymore.

[Reggie]

It feels the same. This is how it feels like to me. New fantasy book. It's a slow burn. Enemies to lovers.

[Kennedy]

But it's not really a slow burn.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, they get together in the first.

[Reggie]

And he has shadow powers and she is a lost princess or getting put into a fae world. And the edges. Yeah, like very. A lot of things are predictable. I want to be. I want my socks knocked off. I want to get whiplash. I want to know like what is. I wanted to get and won't be able to. I want to not be able to guess what's gonna happen next.

[Kennedy]

But then it's hard because what out there hasn't been done yet.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I don't know what I want. I don't know. I don't know what I want.

[Reggie]

It's just interesting to think of like where books are going to be like five years from now, you know, like what's going to be. I feel like we're maybe getting a little taste of dystopians kind of coming back. I don't know. There's a lot of. Should we kind of just real quick knock out the non spoilery Sarah J. Maas. There's.

[Kennedy]

There's a lot.

[Mikaela]

You know, we haven't talked about this yet about her, like announcing Crescent City 4.

[Reggie]

I haven't even seen anything about that. People. I've seen people saying she did, but she doesn't have anything on her Instagram about it.

[Kennedy]

Huh.

[Reggie]

Unless Bloomsbury posted something.

[Mikaela]

But should we triple check?

[Reggie]

Yeah. I went and looked at her account and there's literally no announcement 4.

[Mikaela]

Actually, she checked Goodreads. Oh. The rumor title is House of Many Waters. It's kind of sick.

[Reggie]

Hmm. I mean, I'm looking on Goodreads.

[Mikaela]

I don't think.

[Reggie]

I don't see anything.

[Mikaela]

Okay. Oh, she confirmed this today on today.com in January 2024.

[Reggie]

I mean, we know there's going to be another book, but I. Someone says she needs to drop ACOTAR 6, which I think is criminal.

[Kennedy]

Like, they mean she needs. She needs to drop it.

[Reggie]

Like, acotar's done. But I feel like that doesn't make a lot of sense.

[Kennedy]

She. Where they said or did you drop someone's hot take? As in, like, drop it.

[Reggie]

Like, oh, wait, maybe that's what she means.

[Mikaela]

I think that's what she means.

[Reggie]

That's actually what she means. In my mind, I'm thinking, drop it. Like, she's gotta be done. And I was like, wait, that makes no sense.

[Kennedy]

But in that if. Regardless of. If you mean drop it, like, give it to us now, Absolutely, Yes. But if you mean drop it. Okay, but then forget about it.

[Reggie]

Someone gave a hot take saying that people should not ever be saying, like, the authors need to hurry and finish a book or release a book. I need to be more respectful.

[Kennedy]

Okay. I think just let authors do what they want. Is it frustrating as a reader to have to sit and wait for X amount of time for another book? Absolutely it is. But you just better hope that. Because the reason they're taking so long is because they're actually trying to make it something phenomenal and something good. Think about the fact that we got House of Flame and Shadow so quick. Or, you know, Iron Flame, whatever. And people were criticizing both Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yaros because it was a quick turnaround time and they thought that it should go through more editing. Yeah, but now you're criticizing her because she's taking too long.

[Mikaela]

I feel like a lot of people, it is all in jest. Meaning, like, yeah, I want it really soon, but she's Going to release it whenever she wants to release it.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I'm not going to actually like bully her into releasing something, but. Yeah, I don't know, I just.

[Mikaela]

I wonder if they enjoy keeping people on their toes.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I think they do.

[Mikaela]

You know, I think.

[Reggie]

How does she sleep, girl?

[Mikaela]

Even if she's gonna release it in 2029, I would love for her just to say, I'm gonna release it.

[Kennedy]

Well, no, it's. It's a peace of mind knowing that there's a. There's a time limit on it.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mikaela]

I hope that's not the case. But if at least she just says like a year, then everyone can just like. The thing is, is a lot of people, I agree we shall be respectful, but there's a lot of things that authors could do to prevent people being mad at them.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

And they don't do that.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

So I'm like, they probably don't get bugged by it that much because if they really wanted to like make peace and you know, give their readers some like, inside scoop, they would tell people. Yeah, they would never gonna release it.

[Reggie]

So is there any that you guys want to read as far as sgm, Someone did say that the debate about when to read Assassin's Blade is too much. Anytime before Queen of Shadows is fine. I agree with that. I think we can all chill a little bit on the reading order because here's my, my take. Whatever order you read it in is probably like whether you read it first, second, third, whatever. I'm sure that that is the way that you'd prefer it there. I've seen a few tick tocks recently because I'm on Throne of Glass tick tock again of people saying like they were mad that like I've seen two people specifically get on and go on a rant saying like, I wish I would read Assassin's Blade first. But you know what I mean. I just think that, you know, it doesn't need to be such a argument because I can see after reading it, after reading it a second time, I can see why people say to not read it first. So I don't know. I don't think it needs to be like this big argument. I disagree.

[Kennedy]

Michaela's the first.

[Mikaela]

I first. First.

[Reggie]

I mean, I would, I would say if I had to pick, I would suggest people read it first. But I can also see why people read it. What? Third, second, whatever. Anyways. But I can't really give a lot of my reasoning without spoiling things. So.

[Mikaela]

Spoiling things. I Also, just think. I mean, I've had a lot of people say they wish they would have read it first. So take that with a grain of salt. You guess what? You have free will. You can do whatever the frick you want.

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Mikaela]

So you can take anyone's advice with a grain of salt, but I truly think it should go first. But Sarah J. Maas literally said third, so take that with what you will.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Free will.

[Kennedy]

Free will. Someone said they had to DNF Throne of Glass.

[Mikaela]

Lol.

[Kennedy]

Sorry. I wonder what book you got to.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, can you let us know?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, please message us because that would be telling because I've been seeing actually a lot of people lately on TikTok DNFing it @ Air of Fire, which I could see why. I suppose I could see why, too.

[Mikaela]

Because I think that's when the same Manon chapters.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Enter the group chat.

[Reggie]

So, yeah, you know, someone did say her books are repetitive and not that great. I don't agree with not that great. But I do agree that there's things within her books that do feel repetitive, and I wish they weren't. But then also I feel like I can't say that because I wouldn't. There's certain things I wouldn't want changed in the book, but I can see why people would think that they are repetitive.

[Mikaela]

I feel like almost every author has a certain thing.

[Kennedy]

That's what I was.

[Mikaela]

That's repetitive. Like Emily Henry and her freaking authors. Music Chill.

[Kennedy]

Like the characters being authors. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Main characters being authors.

[Kennedy]

That's repetitive. I also think, think about your job. If you do something and you know it works and you're comfortable, you're going to continue to do it. Right. Your brain is your brain and you think the way that you think. So if you're a writer, it just makes sense in your brain to write things very similarly.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It would be hard to stick in the same genre and do something completely different than what you're used to. It would take a lot of brain power.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

You know what I mean? It's hard to break.

[Reggie]

There's a certain few certain things I can think of, though, that I'm like, but did you have to do that?

[Kennedy]

You know, maybe it's her calling card.

[Reggie]

Maybe, you know, maybe I just feel like I have a. I don't know. I feel like it makes me nervous to start her next books that she'll release because I feel like in a way I'll be able to predict what's going to happen because I've seen the way she's done. You know what I mean? Yeah. Anyways, we can be done talking about our girl Sarah. I saw one.

[Kennedy]

This is different.

[Reggie]

Oh, yeah.

[Kennedy]

Are we ready to switch it up? Yeah, I saw one. I can't find the exact thing. And somebody said when it comes to. Oh, we need a fantasy slash war book where a main character dies and doesn't come back to life.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mic drop. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Why is it such a common thing to kill people and then I don't know, like they're not dead or here's some magic power to make them revive?

[Mikaela]

Pisses me off. Nothing boils my blood and ruins a book. More actually for me. That's all I'm gonna say.

[Reggie]

You guys probably wouldn't want to read the Blighted Stars, but that's just part of the entire plot of the books.

[Kennedy]

They're like reincarnate. Yeah.

[Reggie]

You can like print your mind into an. What's one. Sorry, that's different.

[Mikaela]

If that's the design of the book.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, yeah, that's different.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I. I feel as if. I just feel like if you want to do that once in a book, sure. You do it a second time. I don't know. I. Yeah, I have trust. I just have it. Yeah, yeah. We'll leave it at our. Yes. Someone says tension over spice. I'll take that. Sorry, did you have something to say?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, but sometimes. Okay, well, no, yeah, I agree. But then sometimes a slow burn though can go on for too long.

[Mikaela]

Well, I don't think it necessarily slow burn, it's tension. I think those are different.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah.

[Mikaela]

Because I feel like slow burn is like they make eye contact for like 2 point seconds, but like tension is like they are almost there, but they're not. Yeah, yeah, that makes sense.

[Kennedy]

But I do think tension, like you can have tension without being a slow burn, but you can't have a slow burn without tension.

[Mikaela]

That's true.

[Kennedy]

You know what I'm saying? Yeah, but you can't have 10. Does that. Yeah, yeah, yes, I see what you mean.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

So many.

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I think in my opinion, sometimes attention at least. You know, I'm not saying I explicitly only want closed door scenes, but I think the leading up point is almost the best part for me than the actual intimacy scene. So. Yeah, I agree, I agree with that. But I also am. Sometimes I hate spice, so.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, no, that's fine.

[Mikaela]

That's great.

[Kennedy]

It's. I feel like for me spice just has to be done well, yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[F]

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[Reggie]

To kind of go along with the trope thing they were kind of talking about with, like, slow burns and stuff. Someone said that we need to stop promoting books based on tropes because it spoils everything. Yeah, I do agree with that. But I can see why an author kind of has to say that sometimes to get their book more attention to the book sometimes.

[Kennedy]

Well, also, why can't you just give the synopsis, the dust jacket, the short synopsis, plot? That should sell your book more than the trope, you would think.

[Mikaela]

Well, I feel like it's also funny because people label things as, like, slow burn, and you're like, it's gonna be. It's not. And I'm like, I think there's people who mislabel things, and I think it does them a disservice when they do that because people go into it with that expectation and then people are upset and it almost like, you know, docks a point for sure off, like the star rating. So I'm like, I think, honestly, just read it or just kind of like, give vibes. I loved the book Talk when It was like 2021, where it was just like the vibes of the book. Like, just like a picture collage. Here's the vibes of the book. You should go read it. Instead of, like, labeling everything, because if it's not done well or if it's like, not a typical, like, even enemies to lovers and like, people label it, but it's not really enemies to lovers. And it, you know, it just kind of does them a disservice when they label it that way.

[Kennedy]

So I'd be curious to know your guys's thoughts on if authors were to do things. Like, if you almost market their book based on other content, in a sense. For example, my book Feels like Ordinary by Alex Warren. Or my. If you love Pirates of the Caribbean, you'll probably love my book. Yeah, I feel like that could be kind of a fun way. But also I could see how that would Also give people preconceived notions. If you go on expecting Pirates of the Caribbean and it.

[Mikaela]

Do you know what I mean? Yeah, Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I just wonder if that could be a different way that authors could market their books instead of here's a slow burn, forced proximity. Only one bed romance book.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Because there should be so much more to a book than the trope that it is. Yeah, yeah.

[Mikaela]

No, I agree. Even if you say vibes, vibes of.

[Kennedy]

Pirates of the Caribbean doesn't mean it's.

[Mikaela]

Going to be the exact story. It's gonna have exactly what's in Pirates of the Caribbean. It's just kind of the overall feeling and vibes you get from that story. Right.

[Kennedy]

Or if you love pirates and.

[Mikaela]

Epic.

[Kennedy]

Battle scenes and, you know, that kind of thing.

[Mikaela]

Yeah, yeah. Does anyone want to count how many times we get.

[Reggie]

You know, let's give our next merch is just gonna be a T shirt that says yeah, with a period at the end.

[Mikaela]

Okay, this one, this person said, I prefer book to movie adaptations over book to show. I don't know if I have a preference. I think it depends on the book. But I'm curious to know your guys's thoughts on that.

[Kennedy]

I think it would depend on the book as well.

[Reggie]

I mean, if we're talking like fantasy book, I mean, when do you really ever see a fantasy book adaptation? Like, we're at really seen.

[Mikaela]

I think it's interesting because I feel like a lot more recently they've turned into shows versus movies. Like one's like the most recent, like really popular book, talk book or book that's been a movie versus a show. Because there's the wheel.

[Kennedy]

Wheel of Time is a TV show.

[Mikaela]

TV show. Dark Matter's a TV show.

[Kennedy]

Wool is a TV show.

[Mikaela]

TV show. Silo, Murder Bot.

[Reggie]

I'm trying to think. I think we just got. Is it like just kind of rom comy stuff? Because we got like people we meet on vacation coming up. Yeah, we had. It ends with us.

[Kennedy]

We've got reminders of him.

[Reggie]

But yeah, like all the. All the Emily Henry, all the Colleen Hoover.

[Kennedy]

Huh.

[Reggie]

But I'm trying to think of one that's like, come out recently. I mean, we've got the housemaid coming up. I wouldn't want to see that as a TV show.

[Kennedy]

I think it truly depends on the book.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Because also reading Dark Matter, I wouldn't have said it needed to be a TV show. I think Dark Matter could have been a movie. But I liked that it was a TV show. You know what I mean?

[Reggie]

I think it just depends on the book and then what production.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Like, who's doing it.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I think so too.

[Reggie]

I don't know why this one makes me laugh, but someone says the pregnancy trope is low key. Kind of good. I feel like that's one. Like, depends on the book.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

But I just think that that's kind of funny because a lot I feel like, Yeah, I mostly hear hate for that one, but. Loki. Loki.

[Mikaela]

Good.

[Reggie]

These hot takes, you know. Okay, here. Okay, here was the one I was thinking of saying in the beginning. I think Faded Mates and Faded Mates is. I'm kind of. I'm over it. I think I'm a little over it. But then I swear I was watching. Was it a TikTok? Someone was an author. Did we talk to somebody? And someone was saying, like, that that was their favorite trope was Fated Mate. Oh, it was Chris and Matt's.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

And see, to me, it's just, like, so overdone. I'm so. I'm. I'm so over it. Like, I want. I feel like we've talked about this in an episode recently. I think it was Kennedy. It was like. It's more romantic to just get to choose the person that you want to be with and like being faded to them. I love that. I also think to go along with that one because someone was saying. I feel lately all fantasy slash romance have mind talking and it's being overdone. I'd prefer the mind talking to each other over.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I eat that every time. Give me the. What is it called? Telekinesis. No, telekinesis is when you can move things with your mind. There's a word for it.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Mind to mind.

[Kennedy]

Hold on, hold on.

[Reggie]

Telepathic.

[Kennedy]

Thank you.

[Reggie]

Telepathy.

[Kennedy]

I'll eat up telepathy every time.

[Reggie]

I love it Especially.

[Kennedy]

Especially. Especially when it's in a different font.

[Mikaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It's like one font and then I look down the page and it's a different font. I'm like, yes, they're speaking to each.

[Reggie]

Other with their mind. I love that. Give me that. Over Faded Mate any freaking day.

[Mikaela]

I. It's just kind of lost its flair.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

The first few times. You ready? Like, okay, yeah, love that. That's great. And then. Okay. Faded mates. And then again, faded mates. And then the next one is.

[Kennedy]

Okay, yes, I'm getting their faded mates.

[Mikaela]

They're fated mates also.

[Kennedy]

Okay, this is kind of a hot, hot take. And I. Maybe not. It's just something that. I don't know how you fix it in romance, but just in any sort of romance at all. I hate that I can always tell exactly who the love interest is. I want to. I don't want to know who it is. It's almost like they have this moment where they meet them, and it's like, he's the most beautiful man I've ever seen in my life. And I'm like, okay, so that's our love interest. But then they kind of bring someone else in to make you think it's someone else, but you know it's the original person. I just don't want to know who the love interest is. Yeah, but I don't know. I don't know what the solution to that is. Yeah, there probably isn't one.

[Reggie]

Well, I mean, because, yeah, you could write a killer, like, romantasy book and try to do some sort of. Not even, like, I don't know, kind of a love triangle or get people guessing. But then if the main male character is that great, you're going to be seeing fan edits and fan art before you even start the book. Yeah, I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. I don't know what the solution is.

[Reggie]

I'm just a girl.

[Kennedy]

Something to fix it. I'm just a girl.

[Mikaela]

I'm just a girl.

[Kennedy]

Are there any other ones that you guys can see? I mean, I see someone say that they did not like Red rising, gave it three out of 10. That's okay.

[Mikaela]

They use the 10 system.

[Kennedy]

They maybe they wrote in the other one. It's funny because when I did a Q A for myself for a YouTube video, and there were quite a few people that said they're 40% of the way through Red Rising, 30 of the way through Red Rising. When does it get good? And I. In my video, I said, if you don't think it's good at that point, it's probably not for you.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Any other guys? Wow. Any other ones? You guys can see that. You want to share this one?

[Mikaela]

I think you guys will appreciate it. Said, she said. Someone said if a chapter takes more than 10 minutes to read, it's too long.

[Kennedy]

Yep. 100 hate long chapters, please.

[Reggie]

Shorter chapters. There was one chapter I was reading the other day in a book, and I was like, why? Like, I thought of three different times. I was like, this could have been another chapter.

[Kennedy]

Once again, we need to. The next author we interview, we need to ask them the rationale behind chapter length or when you split it up into parts, because some books do that and some don't. I want to know why. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

Like the thought process behind choosing your chapter lengths, the parts.

[Kennedy]

It's probably some really simple answer. And we'll be like, oh, I wonder.

[Mikaela]

I falls awful. Wow. I wonder also if it's kind of like by feeling probably, I don't know, personal preference. This feels like a good time for the chapter to end.

[Kennedy]

Because, I mean, when you think about it, there are certain authors who, if I've read multiple of their books, their chapters just tend to be longer. And some authors that their chapters tend to be shorter. Yeah, it's gotta just be personal. Yeah.

[Mikaela]

We'll have to ask. Yeah, that. I love that.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikaela]

I don't think. I mean, there was a lot. Some of them were spoilery and so we couldn't show them.

[Reggie]

Well, they were really hot.

[Mikaela]

They were really hot, though.

[Reggie]

I mean, someone did say that talking about book boyfriends spoils books.

[Mikaela]

It does, it does.

[Kennedy]

I'm gonna agree with you on that. And I'm sorry.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it does.

[Kennedy]

We're a part of the problem.

[Mikaela]

But then there's also that injustice that we talked about just that too long ago where, you know, the love interest within the first few pages.

[Reggie]

Seriously.

[Mikaela]

So, I mean, there's. It's kind of hard to avoid, unfortunately. Yeah, it is.

[Kennedy]

Well, guys, those were your guys's hot takes.

[Reggie]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing. Yeah, we love your participation.

[Mikaela]

We really do.

[Kennedy]

We wouldn't. We wouldn't be able to do these episodes without you guys.

[Mikaela]

So you guys came in smoking.

[Kennedy]

Ooh, smoking hot. So if you wrote in a hot take, thank you so much. We appreciate it more than you know. And if you guys haven't, go ahead and follow us on all of our other social media platforms. You can find us at what she's reading pod. We have YouTube, we have a Tick Tock. We have an Instagram. And that's it.

[Reggie]

We're everywhere.

[Mikaela]

And a website.

[Kennedy]

And a website and merch. I'll read what she's reading dot com. And we're writing. Just kidding. We're not writing a book. I'm just joking.

[Mikaela]

We're actually.

[Reggie]

We're actually Danny Francis.

[Kennedy]

Surprise. Yeah, no, this is. When does it go out? I was gonna say. Okay, whatever. Anyways, that's all we've got for you this week. We'll see you next week.

[Reggie]

Bye. Welcome to Sky Talkers. I'm your host, Charlotte.

[D]

Hey, everyone, I'm your other host, Caitlyn. From interviews with the cast of the latest show on Disney, to in depth discussions about themes in Star wars, to deep dives into the behind the scenes of Lucasfilm. We hope that when you tune into Skytalkers, you feel like you're a part of the conversation.

[Reggie]

Our goal from the beginning of Skytalkers was to create a space where we could talk about Star wars in the way we wanted to. Caitlyn and I are lifelong best friends who love Star wars and have been podcasting about the galaxy far, far away since 2017.

[D]

Join Us Weekly in laughing, obsessing, and exploring all the parts of our favorite galaxy. Whether you've been a fan for over 40 years or just a few months.

[Reggie]

Listen to new episodes of Sky Talkers every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcasts.