Spring TBR 2025

Summary

Podcast Summary: I'll Read What She's Reading – Spring TBR 2025

Episode Title: Spring TBR 2025
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Hosts: Kennedy, Reggie, & Mikayla

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1. Winter TBR Recap

In the opening segment, the hosts reflect on their Winter To Be Read (TBR) lists, sharing successes and challenges faced during the season.

Kennedy’s Winter TBR: Kennedy admits she didn’t complete her entire Winter TBR, primarily forgetting to include Belladonna by Adeline Grace. Despite this, she praises Lightbringer by Pierce Brown as one of her favorite books of all time, though she found most of her other selections "very mid."

“But I did read everything else and honestly they were very mid. Two of them were good, one was no one was good, one was great, the rest were mid.” (00:35)

Reggie’s Winter TBR: Reggie discusses her Winter TBR, noting she skipped The Blighted Stars by Megan E. Okife, opting instead to immerse herself in the Red Rising series and the Chestnut Springs series. She enjoyed the romantic and tender elements of the latter, despite some tear-jerking moments.

“They were really fun, really spicy. Really, I got some of them were a bit of a tear jerker at times. They were sweet, tender, spicy.” (04:19)

Mikayla’s Winter TBR: Mikayla shares that she had six books on her Winter TBR but only missed Nightbane by Alex Starr and Light Lark. She successfully completed titles like Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson and multiple entries in the Scarlet Princess series.

“I feel pretty good about my winter TBR. Just missed one.” (07:17)

2. Transition to Spring TBR

The conversation shifts to planning their Spring TBR. They decide to exclude obvious new releases from authors like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry to diversify their reading selections.

“So obviously we're going to read all the new releases... We're doing you guys a favor in not putting those on there, because those are kind of a given.” (07:52)

3. Spring TBR Selections

Each host unveils their Spring TBR picks, discussing their motivations and what they hope to gain from each selection.

Kennedy’s Spring TBR:

1. Beartown by Fredrik Bachman
   A highly anticipated three-book series about a small town, aiming to evoke strong emotions similar to Anxious People.

   “I want to feel something. I want to cry while reading. So I'm hoping I'll feel some type of way.” (08:35)

2. Bloodmarked by Tracy Dion
   Kennedy plans to revisit this sequel to enhance her reading experience after a less-than-ideal start.

3. Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang
   A standalone fantasy praised for its unique plot twists and fresh writing style.

   “It's a standalone fantasy, and I'm excited to see what it's all about.” (36:00)

Reggie’s Spring TBR:

1. Beartown by Fredrik Bachman
   Reggie echoes Kennedy’s enthusiasm, having delayed reading it for personal reasons.

   “I was thinking about this book for so long and it's been available on my Libby forever.” (10:26)

2. Golden Summer by Carly Fortune
   A summer-themed romance featuring a photographer, aligning with Reggie's personal interests.

   “She's a photographer... sounds fun.” (15:02)

3. Night and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
   A concise Romantasy novel suitable for Reggie's busy schedule.

4. The Blighted Stars by Megan E. Okife
   A space romance trilogy that garnered Reggie's interest through a compelling TikTok recommendation.

   “This sounds so cool.” (32:23)

Mikayla’s Spring TBR:

1. Beg, Borrow, and Steal by Sarah Adams
   The third installment in an interconnected series, praised for its engaging banter.

   “I really like her. Her banter is always pretty good.” (17:30)

2. Rebel Witch by Kristen Cicciorelli
   Following the well-received first book, Mikayla is eager to dive into the sequel.

3. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
   Anticipated to be an emotional read that might bring her to tears.

4. Jessa Hastings’ Latest Release
   A Peter Pan-esque retelling that intriguingly "screams spring," encouraging Mikayla to overcome hesitations based on mixed reviews.

   “I really adored Jessa's writing, so I feel like I have to, you know.” (42:49)

4. In-Depth Book Discussions

Beartown by Fredrik Bachman: Both Kennedy and Reggie express excitement about Beartown, a series known for its emotional depth and portrayal of small-town dynamics. Reggie mentions having read Anxious People by the same author, which resonated deeply with her.

“I've been seeing so many creators read it and say they cry.” (08:35)

Bloodmarked by Tracy Dion: Kennedy discusses taking a second chance at Bloodmarked, acknowledging her initial struggles were due to external stressors rather than the book itself.

“It's a really cool, unique magic system... I'm gonna have a better attitude with the second book.” (14:30)

Golden Summer by Carly Fortune: Reggie is drawn to Golden Summer for its protagonist's photography passion, hoping it will complement her own forays into photography.

“It's about a photographer because I feel like I don't know if I've read a romance book about a photographer.” (15:30)

The Blighted Stars by Megan E. Okife: Reggie was captivated by a TikTok recommendation, highlighting the trilogy's space romance elements that align with her interest in diversifying her reading.

“This sounds so cool.” (33:52)

Rebel Witch by Kristen Cicciorelli: Having nearly finished the first book, Reggie is enthusiastic about the sequel, anticipating more of the same engaging storytelling.

“I think you'll really, really enjoy this next one.” (35:08)

5. Personal Anecdotes and Challenges

Mikayla’s Wisdom Teeth Extraction: Mikayla shares a brief personal update about having her wisdom teeth removed, showcasing her resilience as she continues to engage with the podcast despite discomfort.

“I got my wisdom teeth out a few days ago. So that's why it may seem like I'm on drugs. Cuz I am indeed on drugs.” (11:47)

6. Technology and Reading Apps

The hosts discuss their experiences with reading apps, particularly the transition from Goodreads to Fable. They express a sense of loyalty to Goodreads despite its shortcomings and contemplate potential switches to enhance their reading tracking and community engagement.

“Math is not our strong suit... it was like a toxic relationship.” (40:07)

7. Accountability and Community Engagement

Emphasizing the importance of accountability, the hosts highlight how their seasonal TBR lists help them stay committed to their reading goals. They encourage listeners to share their own Spring TBR lists on social media platforms, fostering a supportive reading community.

“Holding me accountable. That's for sure.” (44:38)

8. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts expressing excitement for each other's Spring TBR journeys and inviting listeners to join their book club. They reiterate the value of diverse reading selections and the joy of sharing book experiences within a community.

“If you guys have a spring TBR, post it. Post it on TikTok Instagram. Tag us.” (46:22)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kennedy on Her Winter TBR Performance:
  “But I did read everything else and honestly they were very mid. Two of them were good, one was no one was good, one was great, the rest were mid.” (00:35)

• Reggie on Enjoying the Chestnut Springs Series:
  “They were sweet, tender, spicy.” (04:19)

• Mikayla on Completing Her Winter TBR:
  “I feel pretty good about my winter TBR. Just missed one.” (07:17)

• Kennedy on Selecting Beartown:
  “I want to feel something. I want to cry while reading. So I'm hoping I'll feel some type of way.” (08:35)

• Reggie on Adding The Blighted Stars:
  “This sounds so cool.” (33:52)

• Mikayla on Overcoming Hesitations to Read Jessa Hastings:
  “I really adored Jessa's writing, so I feel like I have to, you know.” (42:49)

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Final Thoughts

"Spring TBR 2025" offers a comprehensive look into the hosts' reading journeys, blending personal insights with enthusiastic discussions about upcoming books. Their candid reflections on past reading habits and future selections provide valuable inspiration for listeners seeking their next great read. The emphasis on community engagement and accountability underscores the podcast's commitment to fostering a vibrant, supportive literary community.

Transcript

[Kennedy]

Foreign.

[Michaela]

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

[Reggie]

I'm Reggie.

[Kennedy]

And I'm Kennedy.

[Michaela]

And today we're going to be talking about our cbr. I'm really excited about this, but before we get into that, we're going to do a little bit of a recap on our winter TBR and how we did with that. So who would like to go first?

[Kennedy]

I can go first.

[Michaela]

All right.

[Kennedy]

Okay. For the first time since we have made these TBR episodes, I did not get through my winter tbr. Partly because I kind of forgot I put this book on my tbr. It was Belladonna by Adeline Grace. Oh, at least I think I talked about it in last TBR episode. It's on my note. I don't recollect saying it was on my winter TBR or spring tbr but. But it was. But I read everything else and honestly they were very mid. Two of them were good, one was. No one was good. One was great. The rest were mid. So my mid reads, which I anticipated them not being really spectacular. Haha. One of them is Spectacular by Stephanie Garber. Honestly, the illustrations were my favorite part of the book. Read it in one sitting. It's fun to have on my shelf, but it wasn't anything that was amazing. And then I also read in a Holidays by Christina Lauren. It's, you know, Christmas romance. What can you expect? It's. It was fine. It was kind of like a day repeating itself, if I'm remembering correctly. Not very memorable. And then I did read Manacold and if you guys haven't, you guys can go listen to our Manacold episode if you kind of want to know all of our full thoughts on that. I liked it. Didn't love it. It was great. But my favorite book that I read on my winter TBR with no surprise was Lightbringer by Pierce Brown. Honestly might be one of my favorite books of all time. So very mixed reads for winter. Hoping spring's a little bit better. But yeah, that was my recap.

[Reggie]

Nice.

[Michaela]

Love it.

[Reggie]

Do you want me to go? For some reason I cannot find anywhere in my actual list. So I think I'm remembering this correctly. The only book that I am pretty sure I didn't read off my winter TBR was the Blighted Stars. I don't know how to say this author's last name. Megan E. Okife. Okeefe. Okefe. I don't know. Anyways, the Blighted Stars. And when I put it on my Winter tbr, I had a feeling that I'd maybe not want to get to it because it's a book about space. It's. I'm pretty sure it's like a space romance of sorts. And I've been really excited to read it because I haven't heard a lot about it and I just didn't feel like it was a good time for me to start it because Iron Gold was on my tbr and. And I read that and then I read Dark Age and then I read Lightbringer and I was just like, I don't. These books are so, so great. I didn't want my reading experience to be ruined by starting the Blighted Stars immediately after reading what I May say is one of my favorite series of all time. So I'm gonna give myself a little break before I start that one. I just needed to, you know, get some books in between there before I start that one. But I. Yeah, I did read the rest of the Red Rising. What do you call the second one? They call it like Iron Gold through Lightbringer is.

[Kennedy]

I think it's just the Red Rising series.

[Reggie]

Like part two. I don't know. Part two, if you will. I read all of those. Iron Gold was the first one that I put on my TBR and I read them all and they were fantastic. So did that. And then I did read the Chestnut Springs. I didn't read all of them, but I know I put the first one on, which is pow. Flawless.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Reggie]

And I liked it. I think Flawless was maybe my least favorite one. But I read the up to four. I think I might have skipped the third one.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, you skipped three. But you read three of them.

[Reggie]

But I read three of the Chestnut Springs books and those were really fun, really spicy. Really. I. I got. Some of them were a bit of a tear jerker at times. It was. They were sweet, tender, spicy. So.

[Kennedy]

And then just like how you want your chicken. Sweet, Tender and sweet.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Yeah, exactly. I think I put Onyx Storm on my tbr.

[Kennedy]

I want to say you said Iron Flame or Iron.

[Reggie]

Did I?

[Kennedy]

I think you said.

[Reggie]

I'm sorry, I don't remember. I swear I had a note of it and I can't find it anywhere. One of them was probably Iron Flame or Onyx Storm, but I did read those, as you guys have heard in the last little bit. So those were also fantastic. So I want to say that was all of them, because didn't we do five? Yeah. So that was my winter. It's been a Good one for reading. So love it.

[Michaela]

I feel like we kind of had similar ones. For my winter tbr, I had six for some reason. I don't know why. The only one I didn't get to was Nightbane by Alex Starr.

[Kennedy]

Oh, wait, the first one, Light Lark. I put that on my winter TBR as well.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

And I was going to read it because I thought it was going to be completed when the third book came out. And then she announced two more books, and then I decided not to read it because I wanted to. Like, I didn't want to have to wait. Anyways, so maybe I'll eventually get to it. I don't know. We'll see. And then everything else, I completed the Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. It was good. It was good. And then the Scarlet Princess by Robin D. And Ellie. I didn't know there was two authors on it. Robin D. Mall and Ellie L. Ellie Madison. And I actually read all of them, and they were great. I loved them. And then Iron Gold by Pierce Brown. That was also great. I also read the rest of them. And then Spectacular by Stephanie Garber. It was good. It was good. I mean, I still ate it up, and I loved how short it was, so that was great. And then the Romcommerce by Katherine Sinner. That one was good. Has great banter. So I feel pretty good about my winter tbr. Just missed one.

[Reggie]

And we did read a lot of other books besides the one we talked about, so.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, my problem. My problem with TBRs is I feel like I'm such a mood reader. And not all the time, but some of the books I put on my spring tbr, summer tbr, winter TBR are books that I've been needing to get to, so it kind of pushes me to get to them. So sometimes it's not necessarily books I'm stoked to read.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Which before we get into our spring TBRs, I think all three of us didn't put the obvious ones on there. Right.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So obviously we're going to read all the new releases. Abby Jimenez's new book, Emily Henry's new book. Lauren Roberts's new book, Jessa Hastings new book. Those are the four that come to mind that are coming out during the timeframe of our spring tbr. We're doing you guys a favor and not putting those on there, because those are kind of a given.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah, we're all gonna. We're gonna have all of them on there.

[Kennedy]

Okay. So I did a Google search, and it says that spring is from March 21. No, March 20 to June 21. So we will be doing a summer TBR in June. But just know that this goes from March to the middle of June.

[Michaela]

Love it.

[Kennedy]

Who wants to go first?

[Michaela]

I don't know. You got it. You start us off.

[Reggie]

Me. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Okay. The first book I am going to say is one that my husband actually picked for me in the. In a vlog I posted. So if you guys want to go watch the vlog, you can see the four books my husband picked for me at bookstores.

[Michaela]

But.

[Kennedy]

But the first one is Beartown by Frederik Bachman. I actually almost put this on my winter TBR because I've been dying to read it. I've been seeing so many creators read it and say they cry. I don't know why, but I really enjoyed Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. And so I think I will enjoy Beartown. It's actually a three book series about a small town. I don't really know much other than that, but. But I. I want to feel something. I want to cry while reading. So I'm hoping I'll feel some type of way. Yeah, but I. Sorry, but I. Other than it being a three book series and about a small town, I know nothing else.

[Michaela]

I feel like I've heard a lot of people say they really like that book. Yeah, I see it a lot with different like book creators.

[Reggie]

There's also a series on somewhere.

[Kennedy]

Yes. I think it's kind of like Anxious People where it's dubbed.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Because I don't, I don't know if Fred. Frederick Bachman speaks English. Does he? He must. Because I don't think his books are. I don't think his books are anyways.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

They're not originally written in English, are they? No, I don't think so. Let's do a little search.

[Michaela]

I don't know.

[Reggie]

Oh yeah, because it's. It says by Frederick Bachman and then Neil Smith, the translator.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Yeah. They are originally written in German. I think so. I think.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

The shows are in German and then they're dubbed in English. I tried to watch Anxious People and I. I have a hard time with dubbed shows. But depending on how much I like Beartown, I might still watch it.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Well, if you don't mind me going next, I was also going to say Beartown.

[Kennedy]

Oh, seriously?

[Reggie]

Yes. Oh. So it's so funny because I have been thinking about this book for so long and it's been available on my Libby forever and I keep like delaying my hold on it and then when I watched your YouTube video the other day. I was like, oh, watch Kennedy add this to her spring tbr. But I wasn't going to remove it from my spring TBR just because I thought you were going to put on yours. So I will also be reading Beartown.

[Kennedy]

Yay.

[Reggie]

I just feel like I'm in the mood for a book like that. It's been a while.

[Kennedy]

Have you read anything by Frederick Bachman, Mikayla? You have, right, Reggie?

[Reggie]

Yeah, I read Anxious People. Yeah. I haven't read A Man Called Obe and I know a lot of people like that one.

[Kennedy]

I have that, but I feel like.

[Reggie]

I already know so much about it that I'm trying to, like, give it some time to read it so I can try to forget what I know about it.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Because it's a movie with Tom Hanks.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

That's exciting.

[Michaela]

They got spoiled for me on TikTok Man Called Ove.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I. I know nothing about A Man Called Ove as well, so I.

[Michaela]

Didn'T realize that's what it was. And I was like, oh, crap.

[Kennedy]

You're like, great.

[Michaela]

I mean, it's my own fault. It's. It's my own.

[Reggie]

I hate when that happens.

[Michaela]

I know.

[Kennedy]

That'll be. That'll be fun, Reggie. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michaela]

You have to let me know how it is.

[Reggie]

Will do.

[Michaela]

Sorry, guys. I got my wisdom teeth out a few days ago. So that's why it may seem like I'm on drugs. Cuz I am indeed on drugs.

[Kennedy]

She's a trooper for recording this podcast episode.

[Reggie]

The poor thing.

[Michaela]

Yeah. So my cheeks look a little swollen. That's why. Yeah, you're doing great. Thank you. I got four of them out. So anyways, okay. This first one, I always butcher her name, so I'm so sorry. Is this Woven Kingdom by Tara? How do you say her name?

[Kennedy]

I don't know. It's like 10 Taharia Mafi mafia, I think. I don't know.

[Michaela]

I'm so sorry. I'm the worst at pronouncing names. I have been putting this off for so long and so I think it's just time. I saw a TikTok with some fan art and I was like, okay, yeah, I'll start it. I'll do it.

[Kennedy]

What else has shatter me? Oh, she did shatter me. Okay. Okay.

[Michaela]

Yeah, so I. Yeah, I'm. I'm excited. I don't know, like a ton.

[Kennedy]

But let me tell you, the plot mechanic. No, I'm just kidding. I don't know anything about it either.

[Michaela]

It's like I don't think anyone, any of you guys have read it. So. Yeah, it's a three book series. A trilogy I believe.

[Kennedy]

Is these Violent Delights part of it?

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

Is that Chloe Gong? Oh, my bad.

[Michaela]

That's okay.

[Kennedy]

I do, I do have that book on my shelf. So I'm excited for you to read it and maybe move it up if you like it. I'll move it up in my TBR if you like it.

[Michaela]

Yeah. So yeah. And it's been on my TBR for literally forever. So I need to do it.

[Kennedy]

So proud of you.

[Reggie]

Nice.

[Kennedy]

Thanks. Along the same lines as Mikayla, this is a book that's been on my TBR for a long time. I read the first book last summer and the third book just came out. It's bloodmarked by Tracy Dion. I liked the first book, but I feel like I had a really bad attitude reading it and I just wasn't in a good place. I was really busy with work. I was stressed with work. So then I was reading it whenever I had random times. Like I remember sitting in a parking lot during a wedding, just reading it in my car and it was a horrible experience just because. Anyways, I don't need to get into it. So the circumstances were great when I read the first book, leading to me putting the second book off for a very long time. So I'm putting it on my spring TBR to push me to read it because I know a lot of people absolutely love the second and third book. So there you have it.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And it's a really cool, unique magic system. If you guys listened to our episode where we recommended books for listeners, that's the first book is the book I recommended to read. And it's magic system is kind of based on medieval knights, which is really cool. So I'm gonna have a better attitude with the second book.

[Michaela]

I'm excited. Maybe I'll meet you there.

[Kennedy]

You'll probably beat me reading to it, honestly.

[Michaela]

Maybe. We'll see.

[Reggie]

Okay, well, because you know, spring is just right before summer. I want to get myself in the summer mood. So this one will probably be towards the end of my spring TBR to get me in the summer vibes. But I'm gonna do one Golden Summer by Carly Fortune because I read two of her books and they're great and I still haven't read the Meet Me by the Lake one I think is what it's called.

[Michaela]

You haven't?

[Reggie]

I don't think I have. Oh. But so I was wondering if I should. I don't know, maybe I'll read that one first before I read this one. So I will have said I read all of them, but I'm looking forward to it because the description from what I have seen. So it says that she spends a summer at a cottage with her nan and then she lives behind a lens. She's a photographer, she's comfortable on the sidelines. Doesn't like, you know, so it sounds fun to, you know. I'm gonna be getting into my photo taking era this summer, you know, because that's just when the busy season starts. And I'm excited to have like a fun summer read that is about a photographer because I feel like I don't know if I've read a romance book about a photographer or just like a book about a photographer in general. So I mean, there's obviously more about it, but I'm trying not to read too much into the description. But I just saw the words summer cottage photographer. I was like, heck, yeah, I want to read that. So also, I feel like her covers of her book are so vibey.

[Kennedy]

They just look like summer books.

[Reggie]

Yeah. So I'm really looking forward to reading that one comes out May 6th. It hasn't come out yet.

[Kennedy]

So that just made me want to move that up in my cigarette. The photographer comment got me. Also the COVID on a boat. Yeah, yeah.

[Michaela]

Big fan.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, Big, big fan. I've only read one of her books. She has four outright. Yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

Packed all of my books on my spring TBR have a blue cover. Oh, I just saw that because I screenshotted all of them and I'm looking at them, I'm like, oh, they're all blue.

[Kennedy]

You're a blue girl.

[Reggie]

Not that that matters, but I thought that that was interesting.

[Michaela]

So mine are all over the place.

[Reggie]

See if you can guess what ones I'm going to say. Nice.

[Michaela]

I have no idea.

[Kennedy]

I have no idea.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Okay.

[Michaela]

I've been putting this off and I want to read it because I've heard really great things about it. It's Beg, Borrow and Steal or Steal by Sarah Adams. I'm a big fan of Sarah Adams. So I think this is the only book maybe, maybe there's one or two books that I haven't read by her. But I really like it. I like her. Her banter is always pretty good.

[Kennedy]

Is that in one of her interconnected series? Yeah, okay.

[Michaela]

It's the third in when in wrong.

[Kennedy]

Okay. I thought that's the one that it was in.

[Reggie]

I feel like.

[Kennedy]

And maybe this is a bad Comparison. For some reason, Sarah Adams and Catherine center kind of remind me of each other. Yeah, they kind of give off similar vibes. I would say so too, because. Does Katherine center write Spice? Very minimal, right?

[Michaela]

Yeah, it's very minimal because her banter.

[Kennedy]

Is pretty good too.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

And then Sarah Adams, I think her last book had very minimal too. But besides, I feel like it's usually none.

[Reggie]

So I've only read one of each of their books, so.

[Michaela]

They're fine.

[Reggie]

They're fine.

[Michaela]

Like just like fun romance books. Just like very, very fluffy. I wouldn't say they're like the most amazing, like deep, thoughtful, provoking like books, but you know, they're just fun. Just a fun little read in between like fantasy books and stuff like that.

[Kennedy]

So you need that sometimes.

[Michaela]

I know. Yeah, you do.

[Kennedy]

And sometimes, honestly, it'll surprise you.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

You know, you have these really high expectations for certain romance authors like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry to have take you on some certain journey. But you know, sometimes they'll surprise you.

[Michaela]

100.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that will be great. Yeah, they're wholesome. The way I would describe their books are just kind of wholesome. Yeah, like a, like a Hallmark romance movie, but less cheesy.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I like that.

[Kennedy]

Okay, I'm gonna bandwagon on the romance train. And I'm cheating a little bit because this is on my march tbr. I'm trying to balance myself and be realistic because some of these books that I have on here are series and I. Like I said I want to cry. And I've heard people cry reading this book, the Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. It's also, it's also on Kindle Unlimited, so easy access.

[Reggie]

You're just in the mood to cry. Spring, you know you want the April showers.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Staring out your window also could be.

[Kennedy]

Because you know, we're approaching that time of the month. So right now I'm just really in the mood to cry. We all know how it goes. You sit down to read only one chapter and then suddenly two hours have passed. You haven't moved and you definitely haven't eaten. But thanks to clean, simple eats, I finally found an easy way to get my protein in.

[Michaela]

Their protein powder is honestly the best I've ever had. It's grass fed, third party tested and made without seed oils or artificial ingredients. Plus it's non GMO and gluten free. And the best part, it actually tastes good. And my favorite flavor right now is honestly the vanilla one because you can literally add it to anything.

[Reggie]

And for the Days when I'm running around trying to sneak in reading Between Erin's work and mom life, their protein in a can is such a lifesaver. I love just being able to grab a can and go. Visit cleansimpleats.com and use code READ20 at checkout for 20 off your first order. That's cleansimpleats.com code READ20 for 20 off your first order link is also in the show notes.

[Kennedy]

Check out Clean Simple Eats. I promise you're going to love it. And yeah, her romance books are so amazing. If all you've read is the fourth Wing series by her, I would really recommend picking up a romance novel by her. They're all military romances. I did, however. Well, someone did comment a spoiler. I think it was on our TikTok or our YouTube for this book and I'm trying to erase it from my memory. Oh, if I don't think about it, yeah, I kind of forget it exists.

[Reggie]

Michaela, you haven't read it, have you?

[Michaela]

No, but I just deleted the comment.

[Reggie]

Okay. Because I've had a few. There's been more than one person that has reached out to me saying that I. That I'm gonna be wrecked by this book. So I don't know. Like, I like. Because I put as. Did I mark it as like a want to read or something? Or someone put something. Someone like tagged me on Goodreads and said something.

[Kennedy]

I think someone messaged us and said that you needed to check the trigger warnings for the book or something. Yeah.

[Reggie]

And I'm sitting here like, I mean, I have my speculations, but I'm like. So I'm excited that one of you guys are reading it before me. So you can kind of. And not that I want you to spoil it for me, but here's the thing.

[Kennedy]

If I don't cry, you guys won't cry. Because I cry in everything. It's not true. What is the one book that I cry in? Manacled.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Oh, and Onyx Storm. You didn't cry well at the end.

[Kennedy]

I did cry at the end, but I didn't cry as hard as you guys at the end.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

I was in a weird place, I guess.

[Michaela]

I am a baby, though.

[Kennedy]

I am a baby. So, yeah, the Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. I'm really excited. I don't feel like I have it set. I don't. I don't feel like I've built up the hype in my head, but I am really excited to read it. It's kind of an Oxymoron.

[Michaela]

But yeah, yeah, no, I think it.

[Reggie]

Has really good rating on Goodreads, even.

[Michaela]

Though it's gotten a little spoiled for you. Hopefully you still enjoy it.

[Kennedy]

Maybe I'll get hit on the head and have some amnesia.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I love those Tiktoks. Sorry, that's bad.

[Reggie]

Um, okay, so what should I say for my next one? Okay, I'm gonna say Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins. Reid, I know we. We might have talked about this one on our most anticipated reads for the year, but I know you guys aren't probably, like, super anticipating reading this for anytime soon, especially Michaela, but I. It's just been a long time since I read a TJR book, and most of the time I really enjoy her books, and so I'm really looking forward to this one because the premise of it is interesting. All I really know about it is it's about an astronaut, and that just seems really bad. A. And she. It's. Yeah, a female astronaut. Hold on. I was gonna say one more thing about it, but I don't want to get. Get it wrong. But one thing I really like about her books is that they're pretty short. Like, they're not very long. It doesn't take a lot of brain power. And I just feel like always by, like, the first chapter, I'm like, okay, I'm buckled up. So, yeah, it's like, it's not too long, but.

[Kennedy]

I feel like they're usually like, her books are usually not emotion, not always emotional, but there's always that kind of emotional depth to them. So, I mean, I honestly will. I read it right when it comes out. I don't know, but I will probably read it sometime in June or July.

[Michaela]

I'm definitely in the minority when it comes to her. So take my opinion with a grain of salt when it comes to her, because a lot of people really, really love her. I would say pretty much everyone I've met. I'm just. I'm. I'm a loner in that department.

[Kennedy]

What books have you read by her? Malibu Rising.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Honestly, the premises of the book just don't sound interesting to me.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I think out of all the ones I've read, Malibu Rising is probably. Well, besides Carrie Soda is, like, my least favorite. So I'm like, I wonder if you had read, like, Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones or something, if you would have liked those better than Malibu Rising. I think you probably would have. But you did watch Daisy Jones, the TV show. Yeah, I did, but. Yeah, I mean, if you ever get.

[Kennedy]

An Inkling or honestly, put this on your Libby hold for an audiobook. So it's very low, low, low risk, maybe high reward. For some reason. I feel like you might like Carrie Soto's back.

[Michaela]

Really?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, kind of just because you were a competitive athlete. You might like it because it's very like competitive athlete, tennis driven type vibe. Once again, don't buy the book, don't read it, because I don't want to put that kind of pressure. But like an audiobook while you're driving.

[Michaela]

To a photo shoot might not be a bad idea.

[Kennedy]

I don't think. I don't think you. I, I don't think you would have liked Daisy Jones and the six. And I don't think you would have liked Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

[Michaela]

Yeah, probably not. That's why I didn't read them. So I didn't, I didn't like the show. Like it was okay. I just like, yeah, I will never watch it again and that's okay. Yeah, no, to the show.

[Reggie]

I want to watch it again, but I, I don't. Yeah, but like, yeah, that just, it's. I think that it's great to have differing opinions because there's so many times that we're like, I'm gonna read the same thing. Yeah, I, I really like her books. I mean, sometimes some of them just don't really hit with me too great. But some of the ones that I really loved, I just like them because I never really know what I'm gonna get from her books. I don't know where things are going because they're never like strictly romance or just strictly fiction. And so, yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing what this one's about. And I also just am so intrigued by. I just wanna, I'm trying to encourage myself to learn more about things. And obviously this is not like a true story that she wrote, but I want to learn more about things that I don't know about, like space and, you know, what is it like? I'm sure it might not be super accurate, but I just want to diversify some of the books I'm reading this year. So anyways, because I know she's had to have done a lot of research for this book. So I'm just, I'm just curious to see what it's, what it's about. So it's been a while since she released a new book.

[Michaela]

Maybe I just need to stop being so stubborn.

[Reggie]

But no, it's fine. I mean, if you've read like, it's so easy to Read a book by an author and if you don't love the first book you read by them, it's so easy to be like, I don't want to read any more of their books. Like, that is. Makes perfect sense. And I mean, you could always give her another try if you felt like it. But if you're really like, I don't think these books sound interesting to me. You shouldn't have to read a book that you don't think you're going to enjoy.

[Kennedy]

But also, like, I just don't feel like fiction is a genre that you're like, yeah, you know, it's not your vibe. And that's okay.

[Michaela]

That's okay. I need to. But I need to branch out. I read a lot of the same stuff.

[Kennedy]

But do you, though? Because sometimes I branch out and it's not worth my time. So you don't really have to read. You're gonna like.

[Michaela]

That's true. That's true.

[Kennedy]

You know, that's great.

[Michaela]

That's.

[Kennedy]

I mean, yeah, I love. I love a good space book, so I am excited for that one. Kind of forgot about it, but I think it'll be good.

[Michaela]

This one has also been one that's on my TBR for so long and I just needed to get it out of the way. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armatrout.

[Kennedy]

Mm.

[Michaela]

It's been on my TBR for forever and I just need to read it. I need to see what it's all about.

[Kennedy]

I think that's one of the first books I ever bought, really. Was from Blood and Ash. Yeah. Around the time I started reading. I can't remember if it was my birthday or Christmas or something, but it was one of the books I sent to Kyle to buy for me and that has been sitting on my shelf.

[Reggie]

Do you have all of them or just the ones?

[Kennedy]

Just the first one.

[Michaela]

Same.

[Kennedy]

Because I just heard. I think part of the reason why I haven't read it is because I've heard so many mixed things. It's either you absolutely love it or people are like, this is the worst written book on planet Earth. That was dramatic. They don't say that, but, you know.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I feel like I've only heard good things, but I almost. Like I've had a book about it. I've just heard people say, you should read it. But I really haven't heard much else. But I haven't seen honestly anything about it on Booktok.

[Kennedy]

I know, like the female main character's name.

[Michaela]

Yeah, same.

[Reggie]

Right?

[Michaela]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

I'M excited to see what you think about it.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Because I love a good vampire book.

[Kennedy]

And yeah, it's pretty, isn't it a six book series. Ish. And then there's a prequel series.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I don't know. I'm giving the first book a try. If I like it, slash enjoy it, I will continue. But if I don't, I might put it off. Like I might not continue the series.

[Kennedy]

But yeah, I am going to do the Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruochio Ruscio. I don't know. It is the first book in the Sun Eater series and I'm not gonna lie, this series really intimidates me because there's seven books. Seven books in the series. I honestly don't know a lot about it. I see a lot of people on TikTok saying if you liked Red Rising or here are some books to kind of get you out of the Red Rising slump or whatever. And this series is always mentioned. I've heard that the first book is a little rough, which is also another reason I haven't read it because I. I'm missing epic space sci fi. I just want a series set in space with characters and political intrigue, you know. And I've heard this is really great. It says it's merging the best of space opera and epic fantasy.

[Reggie]

So I haven't heard anything about it, so.

[Michaela]

Me neither.

[Kennedy]

We'll see. I heard about it from Mads And Chris, the two sisters on TikTok. They read a lot of sci fi series and they talked about it. So I added it. I also obviously got the TikToks that I said like, if you liked Red Rising, you'll probably like this book. So we're adding it. Hopefully. I like it. I obviously will not read the seven books in my spring tbr, but I love it. I think they're on Kindle Unlimited. Let me double check that.

[Reggie]

Who did you say it was by?

[Kennedy]

Christopher Ruroccio. I don't know how to say his last name.

[Reggie]

Never heard of him.

[Kennedy]

No, they are not on Kindle Unlimited. Kindle Unlimited, unfortunately. But they're really. You get really?

[Michaela]

Wow.

[Kennedy]

I cannot speak. They're really quick to access on the Libby app just because I don't think a lot of people read them. Which honestly I'm kind of loving reading books that not a lot of people talk like people talk about on booktok, but not a lot of people because then you get access to them on Libby so much faster. Yeah, it's great.

[Michaela]

It is a fun time.

[Reggie]

Along those same Lines. I'm moving this from my winter TBR to my spring TBR to keep myself accountable and make sure I read it because I do want to read it. And speaking of Libby, it has been fairly accessible for me on Libby. So not to sound like a broken record, but the blighted stars. Sorry, Megan, I don't know how to pronounce your last name, but I think it's just a trilogy, so I know you guys probably heard me talk about it before, so I won't say too much, but it is a space romance. And yeah, there's three books. They're rated fairly highly on Goodreads, but there's not very many ratings. Like, the first book only has like 5,800 ratings. And yeah, I am just very intrigued by it. From literally one TikTok that I saw.

[Kennedy]

I was gonna ask how you heard about it.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I saw one TikTok about it and I was like, I'm adding this immediately. And when I read the synopsis, I was like, this sounds so cool. So.

[Kennedy]

Because I'm trying to remember if I saw the same TikTok or if you told me about the series because I also have it marked as want to read.

[Reggie]

Okay, yeah, go read this. If you're curious about it. Go read the synopsis. Because I don't. I don't want to, like, take up too much time just, like, reading it. And I know I've talked about it before, but it sounds very fun. And like, I now that I'm. The more I keep sitting and talking about it and thinking about it, I'm like, I kind of want to start this right now, but I'm going to give it another book or two and then I'll start it. But I'm excited to report back about this one since it hasn't been talked about too much from what I've seen and according to Goodreads.

[Kennedy]

So sign me up for a space romance.

[Michaela]

Love that you guys are reading lots of space books this spring. I love it.

[Kennedy]

I only have one.

[Reggie]

Well, I'm reading one about an astronaut.

[Kennedy]

I mean, that's not on my tbr.

[Michaela]

Oh.

[Kennedy]

But I am listening to that right now. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah. That's your March tbr. Yeah. And Taylor, Drink and drain the astronaut.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I love space. What can I say? C. Brown got me hooked.

[Michaela]

Okay, next one is Rebel. Wow. Rebel Witch by Kristen Cicciorelli.

[Reggie]

I literally have, like 20 pages left, really in it right now, so I.

[Michaela]

Definitely need to do a little bit of a recap on the first one before I start the second one, but I've. I've heard some good things about it, at least from what I've seen, so.

[Reggie]

Well, you loved the first book. I did. A lot.

[Michaela]

I did.

[Reggie]

I think you'll really, really enjoy the. This next one.

[Michaela]

All right.

[Reggie]

I know, like. Well, maybe you don't want me to say anything else. It's just.

[Michaela]

Yeah, yeah, no, it's great. I'm. I'm excited. You have intrigued me a little bit more to move it up. So I'm moving it up my tbr. So I will be reading it this spring.

[Kennedy]

Good old duology. Can you ask for more? No. No, you can't.

[Michaela]

You can't.

[Kennedy]

You cannot. Okay. My last book on my spring tbr, I'm cheating again, because this is on my March tbr, but I don't think I'm actually going to get to it in March is the Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang. I. Well, okay. It's a standalone fantasy and that's nice. I just said you can't ask for more of a duology. You can ask for more because the standalone fantasy is what she can ask for. And I've read one other book by the same author, and I really enjoyed her writing style. I felt like she did things that felt unique and fresh to me. I've just been seeing a lot of TikToks about it, and a lot of people say that the plot twist is really good. I. I kind of hate that going into it, knowing that going into it. But I'm not gonna lie, my expectations are kind of high for this book. And it's also on Kindle Unlimited. I've been reading a lot on my Kindle lately. I've been trying to make sure on the Libby app I can have access to the Kindle version and the physical version. Just because it's nice to lay in bed and read on my Kindle or on the treadmill at the gym or whatever. It's nice to have the option. So that is my last book on my spring tbr. I honestly don't know a lot about it other than that people like it. So sign me up. And it's a standalone fantasy.

[Michaela]

I can't wait to hear a report back from you.

[Reggie]

Yeah, same. So before I say this one, I. I was debating between, like, three books for my last one, but they were all, like, longer series. And I feel like where we're doing Poppy War, I'm probably going to want to read the next books after that. And then the Blightest Stars is three books And Beartown, if I really enjoy that, there's more books than that. And so anyways, I didn't want to commit to, like, a big fantasy series, so we'll see if I decide to start one. But I decided that my Intrigue. I just want to read this asap. Even though a part of me is like, oh, I should wait till the second book comes out closer. But no, I love this author so much, I need to read her book immediately. And that is the Night and the Moth by Rachel Gillig. I also like that. Like, it's not a super long book. I mean, you guys know I don't have anything wrong with long books. Okay. I just feel like for me, where I'm at in my life right now, it's a lot easier for me to read a book that's not super, super long because I like. Anyways, I'm a busy mom, so. Yeah, we talked about this in our anticipated reads for 2025 episode, but it's about a girl named Sybil, and I. I don't even really know what to say about it. I. I think she. She can like, predict bad things before they happen or something like that. And it's supposed to be Romantasy. I don't know. I think. Think it's a duology. Again, I don't know. It doesn't say. But if you've heard of One Dark Window. If you've read One Dark Window, same author. So this is her third book.

[Kennedy]

Do you know if that one is that one Young Adult? Young Adult as well. Or is it Noodle?

[Reggie]

Doesn't say.

[Kennedy]

But I wish on Goodreads it would give you the genre. I know underneath the title, I know the list of grievances just keeps getting longer and longer.

[Reggie]

Seriously. And everyone keeps telling us you guys need to switch to storygraph or you need to just switch it completely over to Fable. And I'm not against that. I just feel like if I switch to a different app, I feel like I would. I don't. I feel kind of bad betraying my Goodreads a little bit. I've worked so hard on it. You know what I mean? Like, it kind of kills me to see it just sitting there, not touched. And I don't want to be updating, like, three different apps, so I'm trying to figure out where to go. But we. We've seen your comments, we've seen your DMs. I know a lot of you have an app out there that you like better than Goodreads, and I know there's there's definitely one, but I feel like that's where everyone's at. It's just kind of. I don't know.

[Michaela]

I'm in too deep with Goodreads.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Right now, you know?

[Reggie]

Yeah. It's like a toxic relationship.

[Michaela]

Yeah. You just can't let them go. I feel like if I was starting my reading journey, like, now with an app that I tracked my reading stuff, I probably would choose a different app. But I feel like all I knew was good rates.

[Reggie]

That's all that was there since I was in, like, middle school.

[Michaela]

Yeah. So they just need to update some things.

[Reggie]

Yeah. But anyways, I'm intrigued to see if this the Stonewater Kingdom is what the series is titled. If it's going to be Duology Trilogy, we shall see. So I hate that I'm gonna finish this book and probably be like, I see it for the next one, but the. My intrigue and desire to read it has just gotten the. The best of me.

[Kennedy]

When does that come out?

[Reggie]

May 20th.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Reggie]

So. Got some time. But, yeah, I. I love Rachel Gillig, and I think she's fantastic.

[Kennedy]

She is fantastic. She is.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I really liked One Dark Window, so. All right, last one on my spring tbr. It just, I know nothing really about it, actually. I do. I know a little bit, but it just screams spring to me. I feel like these two are going to be waiting on the seats for me to read it, which is never by Jessa Hastings.

[Kennedy]

Oh.

[Michaela]

I, I, you know, what better time than the spring to read that?

[Kennedy]

I don't know.

[Michaela]

I just, it just, it just screams it to me.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

And I will put it off. And so, like, this is giving me motivation to read it. Yeah. I, I don't know. It's like a. It's like a Peter. I'm sure you guys have heard them talking about it like a Peter Pan kind of retelling, but it's kind of not. I don't know. They say I'm going to hate it, so I will keep you updated on whether I or not.

[Reggie]

Hopefully you've set the. The bar for you a little too low. Like, maybe it will be a good thing that we said.

[Kennedy]

I just don't think you're gonna like it, but I love that you're gonna read it anyway.

[Michaela]

I'm going to read it. I have the book. I have it. I. The thing is, I really, truly adore Jessa's writing, so I feel like I have to, you know, maybe the story might not be my favorite, but Jessa's Writing just, like, you know, is a little itch in your brain, you know.

[Kennedy]

It'S like the most satisfying scratch in there.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And Reggie said this in the book recommendation episode, but her writing genuinely shines in that setting. Like, it was amazing in Magnolia Parks, but for some reason in that book, she just. The whimsical. The setting is so good. You're just gonna have to read it.

[Michaela]

Just.

[Reggie]

All right.

[Michaela]

All right.

[Kennedy]

Well, I'm excited for you to hear. I'm excited to hear your thoughts.

[Michaela]

I had to put something in there that you guys were gonna want to hear, report back from, you know, something that would keep you guys excited to hear about.

[Kennedy]

I'm excited about all your guys. Spring tbr.

[Michaela]

Same.

[Kennedy]

Lots of variety there.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

No, seriously, I feel like we all have different ones except for Beartown, Right?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

So we're. We're gonna provide for you guys on our reviews and ratings on these very variety of.

[Reggie]

Yeah, a big variety.

[Kennedy]

This.

[Michaela]

Yeah. This time.

[Reggie]

Time around, I feel like it was just barely our summer tbr. I'm kind of having this, like, panic just over the fact that time is going by so fast.

[Michaela]

I know.

[Reggie]

Like, how is it already? March? I don't know, but.

[Michaela]

And I'm really trying to be better at consistently getting through my spring tbr because I feel like when we very first started this podcast, I would say things for, like, my TBR for the seasons, and I would just completely ignore it, and I'd report back. I'm like, I read one book on my tbr, so I'm trying to be intentional with the books that I'm putting on there so that I will actually report back and say, like, I read those books.

[Kennedy]

Holds me accountable.

[Reggie]

That's for sure.

[Michaela]

Because I feel like the fall one was the one where I actually, like, did well and stuck to my word.

[Kennedy]

Hey, we all read everything on our winter TBR except for one book.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I call that a win.

[Michaela]

I do. So that's.

[Kennedy]

What is that? Math is hard. There was five times three.

[Michaela]

15 out of three. So 12 out of 15.

[Kennedy]

Percentage. Percentage wise, there was five books. We each read four out of five.

[Michaela]

That's like nine.

[Kennedy]

No, wait, 60.

[Reggie]

I'm not even gonna cry because I'll. Embarrassment.

[Kennedy]

So I don't know math. That made me sound so stupid. Math was my worst subject in SIM.

[Reggie]

Okay, same.

[Kennedy]

Well, this is why we're photographers.

[Michaela]

9%. 90% is not. Let me.

[Kennedy]

Hold on. It's an easy fraction, you guys. It's an easy fraction.

[Michaela]

I'm gonna guess it's like 85.

[Reggie]

Okay, so you're saying combined with all.

[Kennedy]

Three, it is 82, 4, 6, 8, 10.

[Michaela]

You guys.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, it's 80.

[Michaela]

Oh, we're stupid.

[Kennedy]

Wow.

[Reggie]

I was. I was already. I was stuck way, like, lost way before that. On how if you were adding it up on your own or.

[Kennedy]

That was really embarrassing. Okay.

[Reggie]

But you know, it.

[Michaela]

Math is not our strong suit.

[Kennedy]

No, it never was mine.

[Reggie]

Do not tune into this podcast thinking that you're gonna listen to smart people talk about smart books. No, it's not what you're gonna get.

[Michaela]

I'm actually gonna read the Encyclopedia of. Just kidding. Sorry.

[Reggie]

Anyways, if you wanna catch up in real time with us, we do post up on our Instagram stories and our Goodreads. Maybe we'll switch over to a different app. We don't know. But I feel like we are trying.

[Michaela]

To be better at using Fable.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Michaela]

Especially for our book club books. You should definitely join. They're so fun. I love reading all of your guys's comments on, like, different chapters. Honestly, makes the reading experience so fun.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's fun to, like, for example, like, let's say so like the favorites. When we had that for February, book club book, it was really fun because these two hadn't started it yet, but I had started it. And it was fun to be able to be like, oh, I can hurry around to Fable and see what people said about the end of this chapter. So it's fun to connect with you guys on there. And if you're somebody who doesn't have a lot of friends that read, it's a good place to be so you can feel like you have a little reading community. And there's also tons of other book clubs on Fable besides ours, so there's so many. Think of a book you want to read. You can join it, read along with other people. So. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Well, I hope you guys had a great time. I would love to see. I'm sure you guys would too. If you guys have a spring tbr, post it. Like on your story. Post it on TikTok Instagram. Tag us. We would love to see what you're planning on reading this spring. It's always so fun to see what you guys have planned. And, you know, I love getting inspo from you guys. So tag us. And we would love to see what you're reading. This spring might be adding more to my tbr, which maybe not good. Or not. We'll see. We'll see you guys next week.

[Kennedy]

Bye.