TOP 3 BOOKS, TOP 3 SERIES

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Top 3 Books, Top 3 Series" — I'll Read What She's Reading

Release Date: May 14, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt and introspective episode of I'll Read What She's Reading, hosts Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy delve deep into their literary preferences by sharing their current top three favorite books and series. Reflecting on their podcast journey over the past two years, the trio candidly discusses the challenges of ranking beloved reads and the emotional connections they have with their selections.

Top 3 Favorite Books

Kennedy's Selections:

1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas ([03:25] - [07:19])

   Kennedy places this book at the pinnacle of her list, emphasizing its profound impact on her engagement with the fantasy genre. She notes, “That book just changed the game for me” ([14:31]). The intricate world-building and emotional depth resonated deeply, making it a cornerstone of her reading journey.

2. Supernova by Marissa Meyer ([03:25] - [07:19])

   Continuing her list, Kennedy highlights Supernova as a consistent favorite, expressing her desire to reread the series despite having ventured into richer literary territories since first encountering it.

3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein ([03:25] - [07:19])

   Although categorized as a "dog book," Kennedy appreciates its emotional storytelling and the bond it fosters between humans and their pets. She remarks, “Honestly, still a really good book” ([03:25]).

Reggie's Selections:

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown ([52:31] - [56:11])

   Reggie crowns Red Rising as his top pick, lauding its complexity and emotional depth. He shares a personal anecdote, “I could cry every time I think about certain parts in that book” ([14:34]), highlighting the series' profound influence on him.

2. Morningstar by Pierce Brown ([07:20] - [09:05])

   As part of his top three, Reggie discusses Morningstar's unique ability to stand out in the fantasy genre. He appreciates the book’s unpredictability and emotional resonance, stating, “It's like a core memory” ([07:35]).

3. Silent Patient ([07:20] - [09:05])

   Although briefly mentioned, Silent Patient earns a spot for its compelling narrative and the way it has stayed with Reggie long after reading.

Mikayla's Selections:

1. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas ([33:00] - [48:23])

   Placing Kingdom of Ash at the forefront, Mikayla praises its intricate plot and character development. She describes the series as “engraved in my soul” ([47:52]), underscoring its lasting impact.

2. Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson ([04:12] - [09:05])

   Mikayla appreciates the engaging narrative and the author’s ability to blend drama with emotional depth. She notes, “There’s so much going on” ([09:05]), highlighting the series' complexity.

3. Manacled by [Author Not Specified] ([18:26] - [39:22])

   Emphasizing her love for character-driven stories, Mikayla includes Manacled in her top three. She mentions, “I love the characters so much and mostly just Kai” ([38:52]), reflecting her emotional investment in the narrative.

Top 3 Favorite Series

Kennedy's Selections:

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown ([39:43] - [55:28])

   Kennedy highlights Red Rising for its epic storytelling and complex characters. She shares, “From the first book to the last book, you can see how all of the dots are connecting” ([54:16]).

2. Throne of Glass by [Author Not Specified] ([33:00] - [48:23])

   Although earlier placed in her book list, Kennedy seamlessly integrates Throne of Glass into her series top three, praising its multifaceted points of view and intertwining plots. She asserts, “It was one of the first fantasy series that I read that had multiple point of views and it... interweaved everything” ([48:27]).

3. Magnolia Park Series by Jessa Hastings ([34:24] - [38:54])

   Kennedy commends this series for its unique storytelling and emotional depth, stating, “There’s genuinely not another book like it” ([34:24]). She appreciates the drama and metaphors that resonate with her personal experiences.

Reggie's Selections:

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown ([52:31] - [56:11])

   Reggie aligns his top series choice with Kennedy’s, emphasizing the series' unmatched complexity and emotional stakes. He reflects, “It just stands out compared to other series that I have read” ([52:35]).

2. Throne of Glass by [Author Not Specified] ([33:00] - [48:23])

   Reggie shares his evolving appreciation for Throne of Glass, admitting that his initial engagement was influenced by his podcasting schedule. He recounts, “I'm rereading Throne of Glass, and I appreciate it so much more than I did the first time” ([50:35]).

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas ([33:00] - [48:23])

   While initially hesitant, Reggie includes A Court of Thorns and Roses in his series top three due to its impactful storytelling and character development. He confesses, “It set this tone... it was really great” ([52:19]).

Mikayla's Selections:

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown ([33:00] - [48:23])

   Mikayla also recognizes the significance of Red Rising in her literary journey, albeit with a personal critique on its reading experience.

2. Throne of Glass by [Author Not Specified] ([33:00] - [48:23])

   Although not explicitly ranked in her series list, Mikayla's admiration for Throne of Glass is evident through her discussions about its complex characters and narrative structure.

3. Powerless Series by [Author Not Specified] ([38:35] - [42:17])

   Combining her top series with elements from other favorite series, Mikayla includes the Powerless Series for its fun and easy-to-read nature. She explains, “It has every single element I love about a fantasy book” ([39:14]).

Reflections and Emotional Connections

Throughout the episode, the hosts share personal anecdotes that underline their deep emotional connections to their favorite books and series. Reggie describes a particularly poignant moment while reading A Court of Mist and Fury: “I sobbed like a baby for, like, two hours” ([15:09]). This illustrates how literature can profoundly affect readers on a personal level.

Kennedy and Reggie also discuss their struggles with unfinished series and the anxiety of awaiting future installments. Kennedy expresses her frustration with the delayed release of the next ACOTAR book, saying, “It hurts my brain, but I like it” ([41:18]). Similarly, Reggie voices his anticipation and hope that Red Rising will continue to meet his high expectations.

Mikayla balances her critiques with praise, acknowledging the beauty in the stories while candidly discussing her personal challenges with character attachment and narrative complexity.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the growth of their podcast and their enduring love for reading. Reggie muses, “This podcast has made reading so much more fun for me” ([56:38]). They express gratitude towards their listeners and the broader book community, emphasizing how shared literary experiences have enriched their lives.

The episode serves not only as a ranking of favorite books and series but also as a testament to the profound impact literature has on personal growth and friendship. Listeners are left with a deeper understanding of the hosts' literary journeys and the passion that fuels their vibrant book club.

Notable Quotes:

• Reggie on starting the podcast: “We were just doing this for funsies” ([01:15]).
• Kennedy on A Court of Mist and Fury: “That book just changed the game for me” ([14:31]).
• Reggie on Red Rising: “It's complex, it's very epic, it's heartbreaking” ([53:54]).
• Mikayla on Magnolia Park Series: “There’s genuinely not another book like it” ([34:24]).

Final Thoughts

This episode is a blend of personal stories, passionate discussions, and thoughtful critiques, making it an engaging listen for both long-time fans and newcomers looking to discover new reads. The authenticity and camaraderie among the hosts shine through, offering listeners a relatable and enriching experience centered around the love of books.

Transcript

[Reggie]

Ahoy. And welcome back to. I'll read what she's reading.

[Mikayla]

It's because you're making fun of me. Is that what it is? I'm Mikayla.

[Kennedy]

And I'm Kennedy.

[Mikayla]

Okay, I'm gonna go change.

[Reggie]

So Mikayla thought she looked like a sailor, so I just had to start that off. But I think she looks great. You can't really see her pants. She's wearing some striped pants. They're really cute.

[Kennedy]

I wouldn't have thought you looked like a sailor.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I think you look great.

[Kennedy]

Welcome aboard.

[Mikayla]

My. I don't know why I decided to.

[Kennedy]

Wear this today, but if you're on YouTube, we're at a new location.

[Mikayla]

We are.

[Reggie]

We're in Michaela's beautiful office. These beautiful bookshelves.

[Mikayla]

The other side of it doesn't look.

[Kennedy]

Great, but it looks great.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I think it looks great.

[Mikayla]

I need to get some, like, decor, you know, bookish decor. I need to scavenge the Internet. It's there for some pieces that I.

[Reggie]

For some treasure.

[Mikayla]

Pirate.

[Reggie]

All right, mateys.

[Mikayla]

Oh, my God.

[Reggie]

Today's episode. We didn't do one of these last year.

[Kennedy]

It's been two years.

[Reggie]

It's been two years. Our very first podcast episode.

[Kennedy]

Very first. I listened to it today, you guys, and it was a jump scare.

[Mikayla]

Was it really?

[Reggie]

Can we just. Can I just. Can we speak our piece for a second? When we started this podcast, you know, we were just doing this for funsies, and our audio quality was great. So if you've been listening since day one, we really appreciate you sticking around. And if you happen to have left us a bad review about our audio quality, you can always go edit your review. Just so you know, if that doesn't. If that's okay, maybe I shouldn't say that. Hopefully it's better now, but, you know. Yeah, hopefully it sounds a lot better now. And, yeah, we're going to be sharing with you guys our top three. It pains us to do this. Top three favorite books and our top three favorite series. And then we're going to tell you the ones that were our favorite two years ago.

[Kennedy]

We should lead with that.

[Reggie]

Yeah, let's lead with that.

[Mikayla]

But.

[Reggie]

Sorry, you had something to say?

[Mikayla]

Oh, I was going to say I feel like it's my fault that we haven't done not. I think what I'm trying to say is this episode actually pains me so much to do, and it gives me so much anxiety and stress, and I don't know why. Why?

[Kennedy]

Well, it's like. I mean, I'm not Declaring something, it's like. And it's there forever. You can't take it off. It's out there on the Internet.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. So this is, like, really hurting me to, like, have to say it's really hard.

[Kennedy]

I know.

[Reggie]

It is hard. And I feel like sometimes your favorite book can depend on the time of.

[Kennedy]

Life you're in, your mood, depending on the day. Yeah, I was gonna say it's kind of like choosing your favorite child, but I'm not a mother, so.

[Reggie]

Yeah, like, I could never do that. Yeah, on some days, I could be like, yeah, I have a favorite today. But, you know. Yeah, I would never overall do that.

[Kennedy]

The same with my three dogs.

[Reggie]

So, you know, here we are.

[Mikayla]

Oh, boy.

[Reggie]

So let's like to begin.

[Kennedy]

Oh, are we sharing what our favorite books were last time? Do we want to go one by one, or do we just say all three?

[Mikayla]

Maybe just say all three.

[Kennedy]

Okay. So for me, my three top three favorite books that I shared last time were in order. Number three was Supernova.

[Mikayla]

Wow.

[Kennedy]

Supernova by Marissa Meyer. Honestly, still so good.

[Mikayla]

Still really great.

[Kennedy]

Would totally reread that series, but I've read better books now. Number two was the Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Honestly, still a really good book. It's a dog book. And then number one, Surprise, surprise was A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. So.

[Reggie]

Well, I'll go next, because two of those ifs were mine. Also. The Art of Racing in the Rain, a Court of Mist and Fury. And then my third one, I think was the Silent Patient. How Things have Changed.

[Mikayla]

I think third was the Kerrigan series.

[Kennedy]

Second Mary Pearson. One is either Dance of Thieves or Vow of Thieves.

[Mikayla]

Well, I think I rated Dance of Thieves higher than Vow of Thieves, so I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I think it was Dance of Thieves.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, I think so, too. Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson. And then number one, Kingdom of Ash by Sarah. Dumbass. Sorry, I thought that was everyone. It was a given, you know. You know, so those books, they're right there behind Kennedy. The. The third on my list, the Kerrigan series. Still love that series. The covers are atrocious. But no longer my favorite. Oh, my gosh, you guys, this is gonna be hard. I know.

[Reggie]

This is gonna be really hard. Should we start with books and then we'll do series?

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Okay.

[Reggie]

Go one by one. And I'm gonna say this is in no particular order.

[Mikayla]

Oh, yours is no particular order.

[Reggie]

Is it supposed to be?

[Kennedy]

I can make mine no particular. I mean, I like that it Makes me feel less pressured.

[Reggie]

Oh, I thought. I didn't know that when we did it the first time, we had them in a specific order.

[Kennedy]

We did.

[Reggie]

Oh, boy. I think I.

[Mikayla]

You have to have a particular order.

[Kennedy]

Oh.

[Reggie]

I can do a particular order. So starting with number three.

[Kennedy]

And we are doing standalones. Oh, is it. No, just any book.

[Reggie]

Just any book.

[Kennedy]

I have to go first.

[Reggie]

You don't have to. Sure.

[Kennedy]

For my number three. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

This is the one I couldn't decide on.

[Mikayla]

Oh, no, I actually don't know.

[Kennedy]

Okay, I'm gonna give a spiel. Honestly, we already talked about this, but depending on my mood, this list will change. So right now, on whatever day it is, it is. What is Today's date?

[Reggie]

May.

[Kennedy]

May 6th at 9:25pm this is what I'm going with as my number three book. And I'm immediately sweaty. I think I'm going to go with. Oh, no. Ooh. Okay. I'm gonna. This is actually really hard.

[Mikayla]

You have me on pins and needles.

[Reggie]

I know.

[Kennedy]

I can't. I can't decide between two books.

[Mikayla]

Let's gun to your head. Sorry. Maybe I shouldn't say that.

[Kennedy]

I'm so sorry. Let's just go with. Okay. I'll just go with Powerless by Lauren Roberts. Okay.

[Mikayla]

I guess.

[Kennedy]

It just, like thinking back to my experience reading that book, it just was so fun. Yeah, it was just fun. I loved the banter, you know? Is it the best book written? Probably not, but I had a really good time, and I'm gonna stick with that, I think. Love it.

[Reggie]

Real quick, are the books that we're doing for our top three. They can't be the ones that are included in the series.

[Kennedy]

Mine aren't. Oh, but they can be. I don't care. There's no rules. There's literally no rules.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Oh, you want to know what? Actually, I'm gonna freaking change my answer. Why did I say that? I'm gonna say A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas is my number three book.

[Mikayla]

Goodbye, Powerless.

[Kennedy]

That's my answer.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

And I'm gonna go with that. I don't think that needs an explanation.

[Reggie]

Okay. I love.

[Kennedy]

I'm going.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I like that. Okay, I'll go next. We'll go down the line. I think my third. I'm going to say. And I ditto to everything Kennedy said before she said her book. I think I'm gonna go with Morningstar by Pierce Brown. Love it. I know that, like, you guys would. You guys probably choose Lightbringer as your.

[Kennedy]

Favorite I. I would.

[Reggie]

Which one's your favorite? Do you have a favorite?

[Mikayla]

Morningstar? Yeah.

[Reggie]

And I know you guys have heard us talk a lot. A lot of these books that we're gonna be saying are books that we probably have talk on the podcast. But my reasoning for putting that one in number three, you know, I don't actually. The other two books, I just say they just had maybe more of a emotional impact on me, and so I'll leave it at that. But a great, great book. You know, it's one of those things that's like a core memory. I mean, to go along with every. All the books that I'll say on this episode, but you just never forget where you were when you read some of these books. Like, it's just, like, ingrained into my brain, so. Morningstar is my favorite of all the books of Pierce Brown's, and it is just like a. Anyways, there's just something about it.

[Kennedy]

It's like the most perfect end to a trilogy. And then he decided to continue on.

[Reggie]

And you're like, why would you do that?

[Kennedy]

But also, clearly was perfect.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It was the perfect ending. Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Well, ditto to Reggie.

[Reggie]

Yours, Morning Star.

[Mikayla]

Spoon.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Okay, you guys, I didn't include books that were on my seat in my series.

[Mikayla]

I didn't know that was a rule.

[Kennedy]

That's okay. It isn't a rule. It was a rule for me, but it wasn't a rule for you. That's okay. There are no rules.

[Reggie]

I don't know how I could do that, so I applaud you.

[Kennedy]

Thank you.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Way to be.

[Kennedy]

Appreciate it. Okay.

[Reggie]

Sorry, did you. There's more you want to say.

[Mikayla]

Oh, no. Okay. I will say, when it comes to Lightbringer, it's still a fantastic book, but my reading experience with Morningstar was just better.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Because Lightbringer is just an exhausting, like, it's an exhausting book. And I'm not saying it's not a great book. It's just, like. I don't know. How do you know?

[Kennedy]

It takes, like, a mental toll. There's a lot more going on in Lightbringer than there is in Morning Star. Like, a lot more characters. You have four point of views. It's a lot more.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I also. There wasn't a lot I saw coming with Morningstar. There was one thing I guessed correctly, but the rest, I was just, like. I was just buckled in. I wasn't thinking too hard. I was just like. So in the book Lightbringer, I saw how it was. I knew where it was gonna end kind of from the very beginning, so.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

But still, it was. It's fantastic. I'd probably put Lightbringer as my. I don't know. I don't know. Don't make me. Don't make me Rank Rising series.

[Mikayla]

So.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

I'm sorry. I feel. Well, I feel like this does make this episode not interesting, because everything I'm gonna say is gonna be in my favorite series.

[Kennedy]

That's okay.

[Mikayla]

I don't know. Well, the thing is, is I don't read a lot of standalone books.

[Kennedy]

That's okay.

[Mikayla]

And I don't feel like none of the standalone books I read, I would say, are even in remotely in my top 20.

[Kennedy]

That makes sense.

[Mikayla]

So I'm sorry.

[Kennedy]

Don't apologize.

[Mikayla]

That's crazy. I feel bad.

[Reggie]

Don't apologize.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Okay. For my number two, because I really tried to just do standalone books. Gosh dang, this is so hard. I'm starting at this list, being like, I don't know if that's really it. Okay. I'm gonna. I'm just gonna go with it. I'm gonna say Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, which is kind of crazy, because once again, I'm not putting books from my favorite series in here. I'm gonna go with that because I just feel like it was such a culmination of all of her books together, and the experience I had reading it was top tier. It's a. It's literally probably my favorite romance book of all time. And I just love Abby Jimenez, and everything about that book was perfect. I had zero notes, so I'm gonna go with Just for the Summer. If you haven't read it, highly recommend. But please read all of her other books before just for the summer, because you'll miss a lot of cameos.

[Reggie]

Love.

[Kennedy]

Love.

[Mikayla]

The thing. Thing with romance books is they kind of blend together, but I remember the vibes were just, like, off the charts for that book. I maybe, like. I have, like, parts of it that I remember really well, and then other parts. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

I just know when you're reading an Abby Jimenez book, you're gonna expect great banter.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Mikayla]

Some emotional distress that you're gonna get while reading it. And I. I love that.

[Reggie]

And a great choice. Yeah, I think that one stands out to me. Yeah, I think that one stands out a lot to me because I remember so much of him, specifically, like, things.

[Kennedy]

You remember his name?

[Reggie]

His name?

[Mikayla]

Like, his name. Yeah, that really stands out. But, you know, it stands out when you remember his Name in a romance book.

[Kennedy]

I think also the reason why I'm putting it up there is because there aren't a lot of romance books that I would reread, but that is one that I would reread. So for that reason, I feel like, you know, you gotta put it up on a pedestal a bit.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I agree with that.

[Kennedy]

You know.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Love it.

[Reggie]

Okay. My number two. And here's the thing. It's really hard for me to put into words how, like, the impact that this book had on me. Okay. Because a lot of people are gonna. I. I know you guys know what I'm gonna say, but I usually don't. I think it's just one of the, like, I. I feel like I'm such a basic girly and be like, wow, her favorite book is A Court of Miss and Perry. But there's just something like, I have to put that book in my top three because that, like, changed my world of the way that I read. Because, I mean, I finished the first book actor. I was like, okay, cool. Like, I can get behind fantasy. And then I read that one, and it was really. It's the. Those two books were the first new adult fantasy I had read since ever, you know, middle school. I was reading, you know, just young adult. Not that there's anything that makes a new adult book better than a young adult, but you know what I'm saying. It's just more of, like, an epic kind of story that. Anyways, I don't know. I just. There was. That just. Book just had such an impact on me. And I feel like there's other books that got me into reading, but that's what got me into fantasy. And I just feel like I owe so much of all the. Where I made it. My book journey to.

[Kennedy]

That book altered your brain chemistry.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And I think it alters women's brain chemistry.

[Reggie]

Yes. I reread it recently. I guess it was in over this last. I guess it's almost been a year now. But that's recent. Yeah, more than last year. But when I reread it, because I was, like, a little nervous to reread it because I'm like, you know, I know. I love this book so much. What if I reread it and it doesn't hit the same? No, it almost, like, hit the same, but then even more. And so you can call me a basic, basic girly on that, but that book just changed the game for me. And I could cry every time I think about certain parts in that book as cheesy as it sounds.

[Kennedy]

So you want to know what? I should have better prepared for this episode because I'm going to switch my 2 and 3. Just make a lot of good points. I felt really just flustered. Okay. Okay, I'm gonna switch to three, but I am still gonna keep my number one at number one.

[Reggie]

Okay, wait, so what are.

[Kennedy]

So now just for the summer is three?

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Okay.

[Kennedy]

I come off as two.

[Mikayla]

Okay, you guys, you have two books that haven't changed, or you each have a book that haven't changed?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, Because I agree with Reggie. Like, I really have to give credit to that book because got me into fantasy altered, genuinely altered. My brain chemistry. I can remember everywhere I was when I read that book. It just. I don't even know it.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I had, like, a dramatic exit. I was at family dinner, and we were just, like, sitting around the couch after dinner. And I remember I was sitting on the couch reading it. I literally stood up and, like, my body just went, like, aboard, like, rigid, and I was like. And I excused myself. I went downstairs, and then I sobbed like a baby for, like, two hours.

[Kennedy]

And you want to know also is really cool with a few of the books I'm going to talk about, and even my favorite series. I think part of the reason why I liked them so much is not that we read them before they were popular in booktok, because booktok was a thing when we started this podcast, obviously. But I think we're really. We were really fortunate to read those really popular series that everybody talks about right now before BookTok completely boomed. Because think about coming in now, you know who the main male character is. You know all of these little things about these really popular series. Whereas when we read them, I do nothing. So I feel fortunate for that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it's a great book. That's my favorite of that series. So it's great. Yeah, really is.

[Kennedy]

But so funny.

[Mikayla]

You guys, I can never remember where I was when I read books.

[Kennedy]

You were in the world you is.

[Mikayla]

Well, no, you guys talk about, like, I can remember where I was. I'm like, I can't.

[Kennedy]

I don't know.

[Mikayla]

Like, I don't know why. Maybe I just, like, I'm not socially aware of my surroundings when I read.

[Reggie]

Books, but I kind of like that because I think it means you're just like, more fully immersed in the actual book that you're reading and not, like, the circumstance of where you're reading it.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, maybe. Yeah. I don't know. But I mean, it's kind of nice, though, because you guys are like, I know exactly where. I'm like, I have no idea.

[Kennedy]

I have no idea where I am.

[Reggie]

I'm gonna be that, like, old woman where, like, my daughter's like, mom, what is this book? Can I read it? And I'll be like, when I was young, I remember in this house, it was January of 2020 by date.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. A long time ago.

[Reggie]

Well, let me just. Well, no, I'm gonna say this later. I'm gonna say this later. Go ahead.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

Have I not said my second? No, go for it. Okay.

[Mikayla]

This is already me. Okay.

[Kennedy]

Wait a second.

[Mikayla]

Okay. Don't come for me. I'm counting it. Okay.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I know where this is going.

[Mikayla]

I'm counting it. It's Manacles.

[Reggie]

Manacled.

[Kennedy]

I'm interested to see, like, are you guys gonna read it? Once it's traditionally published, do you think you'll reread it?

[Mikayla]

Manacled.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Or Alchemized.

[Kennedy]

Alchemized.

[Mikayla]

Maybe I'll read Alchemized first.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

And then see if I'm like, I miss it.

[Kennedy]

I gotta go back because I'm interested to see if you guys think of it as highly if it's not Dramine fan fiction. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah.

[Reggie]

And I also feel like I want to read it to, one, support the author for sure. Two, I just know that I'm gonna get, like, the first thing I'm gonna see that someone's gonna finish that book, and then they're gonna get on TikTok, and they're gonna be like, the differences between medical and Alchemized.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

And I'm gonna get spoilers galore. I might need to go lock myself in a room for a few days.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, read that.

[Reggie]

Because I didn't think I was gonna read it when it first comes out, but I feel like you kind of have to now.

[Kennedy]

I am so curious to see the differences and how much she does change.

[Mikayla]

Well, I feel like it would be nice since it hasn't been that long since we've read it, so it's a little bit fresh on our brains to kind of see the differences. Or maybe it will be such a drastic direct. I was saying, like, Jurassic Park.

[Reggie]

Hey, that would work. A Jurassic difference.

[Mikayla]

Okay. That word difference in it. Because I don't know, it's going to be interesting to see how she introduces the characters, because they're completely different characters. And when you start Manacled, you already have a preconceived notion of, like, who the characters are and, like, some of their personality traits and stuff like that. So it's going to be very interesting.

[Kennedy]

Does it say how many pages it is on Goodreads?

[Mikayla]

I feel like it was, like, a thousand.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Because I'm longer than Manacle does.

[Kennedy]

Because I'm curious. She's obviously gonna have to do some world building. Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Because you can't have.

[Kennedy]

You go. Like you said, you go into Manacled with all of this prior knowledge of all the characters and all the world building. So I'm interested to see how she does that. Great book. Great book.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah, it's great. I just also think I just didn't have any preconceived notions when I read it. And so I think, honestly, just my reading experience was just through the window. I mean, obviously I can remember where I was when I read that. It was.

[Reggie]

I was in Mexico. In the pool.

[Kennedy]

In the pool with my phone.

[Mikayla]

That's right. Okay, maybe.

[Kennedy]

Maybe.

[Reggie]

Maybe you do know a few things.

[Mikayla]

Maybe I do know I was in Mexico when I read it.

[Reggie]

Well, if you don't mind, my number one is Manacled, so I'm glad you said that, because I know some people say that fanfiction doesn't count. And you know what? Tisk, tsk. I think it counts.

[Mikayla]

Well, you spent all that energy. It's like a thousand nine hundred pages.

[Reggie]

It wasn't published.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I don't think. Doesn't make it, like, it. Not a book anyways. But I'm going to just jump in so we don't have to, like, sound like a broken record when we get to my turn. But Mangold is my number one. And honestly, I say that because I truly am going to be shocked. And I'm waiting for the day that a book tops that book for me. I just think just your reading experience was. My reading experience was great, and I started it. I know we did a Manacled episode on this, and I don't want to sound like a broken record, but, like, I started on whim, and I didn't mean to, like, start it. And then I got so sucked in, and I read it so quickly. And, yeah, it really changed something in me. And it's crazy because I haven't read the Harry Potter books. Oh, so I've seen the movies. I know people are like, this is your favorite name. You read Harry Potter?

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Okay. It's my opinion, but at least you've seen the movies. Yeah.

[Mikayla]

It would have been interesting if you hadn't, like, had enough, like, girl, that's your favorite book.

[Kennedy]

You don't even know the characters. You know, the movies, they're pretty.

[Mikayla]

They're pretty. They're similar.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mikayla]

Not exactly.

[Reggie]

I will read that one day. You know, I'm just waiting for my kids to get a little older. Yeah. With that comment alone of just. I'm waiting for a book to top that one. I just. Yeah. I mean, for Mist and Fury changed my brain chemistry, and it introduced me to something, Whatever. But I feel like you. Once you start reading fantasy, you start to see similar patterns and things, and a lot of books can sometimes start to feel the same but different. And there was not a lot in this book that I was like, oh, yeah, I've seen that done before. Maybe a certain trope, but that's just kind of how tropes are. But there were just things in there that I just. Yeah. Yeah. Love it. So sorry to jump the gun there.

[Kennedy]

I love it. It was great. I got a tag back on that.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Tag team.

[Reggie]

I'm already sweating to wait and hear what Kennedy's is.

[Kennedy]

I know.

[Reggie]

I. I think I'm.

[Kennedy]

You wanna take a guess?

[Reggie]

Wait, hold on, hold on.

[Mikayla]

I actually have no idea.

[Reggie]

It can't be a. It can't be a book from one of the series. You're gonna say, and I think I know what you know.

[Kennedy]

You probably know all the three series. I'm gonna say I picked this because it is a true standalone.

[Mikayla]

Oh, I have no idea.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, you do know what it is.

[Reggie]

Dark Matter.

[Mikayla]

Yep.

[Kennedy]

Oh, it's Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I picked it because it's honestly the best standalone I have ever read. And I also picked it because if it weren't for Dark Matter, I probably wouldn't be reading Sci Fi. Not to say I wouldn't ever picked up one of my favorite series of all time, but Sci Fi wasn't really on my radar until I read Dark Matter. And then I realized, oh, wait, this is actually really cool. It's not what I was picturing it to be. Also, coupled with the TV show, it's just so good. I also think that it has such a great message. It was emotional, there was action. There was, you know, some science in there. It just kind of is everything that I. I love. And since, once again, it's a true standalone, I have to give it the number one spot. Are there books, single books and series that I like more than Dark Matter?

[Mikayla]

Yes, but Reggie and I just cheated.

[Reggie]

So, honestly, I would say if I had to pick three standalones that were not In a favorite series, I would also say Dark Matter.

[Kennedy]

So. But I mean technically, in my opinion. Well, I guess technically, Manacold is not a standalone. But also in my brain, it like, is a standalone. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, like, you know what I mean? So that is my number one singular book.

[Mikayla]

Such a great book.

[Reggie]

It is a great one. And the fact too that you watched the TV show and it made you love the book even more. Right? Is that what you're saying?

[Kennedy]

If I want to be honest, I think the TV show is better than the book. Don't come for me.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

I love the book, story wise. Yes.

[Kennedy]

It just adds things that the book didn't have. And also, Blake Crouch was so heavily, heavily involved. I think that's why it was so good. So good, so good. And then also reading Dark Matter just set me down a spiral of reading all of Blake Crouch's books, which has been really fun. I just think he's really talented. Yeah, number one, call him up. Blake Crouch. What if I'm number one fan?

[Reggie]

Called Blake Crouch up?

[Kennedy]

Called Blake up.

[Reggie]

He's a busy guy though. They're working on season two and his.

[Kennedy]

His book Famous is coming out with Zac Efron.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I'm excited about that.

[Mikayla]

Like, Zac Efron's playing the character. Yeah, it's like. Yeah, Zac Efron's co writing.

[Kennedy]

No, he's playing the main character.

[Reggie]

The dynamic duo.

[Kennedy]

That is a complete side tangent.

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah, I want to read that, but I want to, like, wait because I think he's republishing it.

[Kennedy]

He is.

[Reggie]

So I want to wait for that.

[Mikayla]

Republishing Dark Matter.

[Kennedy]

Some of his older books. I think he's starting to republish, like the one I read. Sorry, this is such a tangent. There was one that I read. I can't remember what it was called. It was about a family in a car. It was published, it was republished, so.

[D]

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[Reggie]

Okay, cool. Yeah, love you know that feeling when you crawl into bed and everything just melts away? That's what cozy Earth does for me every single night. I. I'm seriously not exaggerating when I say that their sheets and pajamas have completely transformed how I unwind. Their bedding is made from viscose from bamboo and is unbelievably soft, breathable, and somehow keeps me cool all night long. There's no more tossing the covers off at 2am I look forward to crawling.

[Kennedy]

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[Mikayla]

Not sure if they're for you. Try them for 100 nights risk free with a 10 year warranty. You know Cozy Earth believes in their quality.

[Kennedy]

That's how confident they are in their quality. But trust me, once you try it, you're not going back. Treat yourself. Use code [e-mail] for 40% off their best selling sheets, pajamas and more.

[Reggie]

Nothing beats lounging in pajamas while curled up with a sanctuary awaits at Cozy Earth. Oh, it's Kayla.

[Mikayla]

It's a given. I'm sorry I'm so boring.

[Reggie]

It's not boring.

[Mikayla]

I'm so the same Kingdom of Ash.

[Kennedy]

I'm sorry.

[Reggie]

Do not apologize.

[Kennedy]

Here's the thing. Like the hot book just there's something about it.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, I, I mean if I were playing by Kennedy's rules, I, I, I just think when you read fantasy books you just get attached to the characters a lot more. So fantasy books, they just stand out to me more. Yeah. But like I probably would have chosen a few of the ones that Kennedy chose for the standalone that were actually standalone. So I apologize. I didn't do it to correct play.

[Reggie]

It's okay. I didn't either.

[Mikayla]

I read them at a time in my life that was just I wasn't chronically online like I am now and I just like I knew legit nothing about the series. Nothing. I read the first book, throne of Glass and then I bought the box set the next day after I finished it like I bought so I that's why I have four copies of the first Throne of Glass book because I was like I'm gonna continue this series. Like I don't there if the second book is trash. Like I loved it so much so and then just the end just you know, I just miss my friends. So I just, I just love, you know, I just think it's one of those books that I will always, always think about because I. Yeah, sorry.

[Kennedy]

You want to know what the funny thing is? Is they those characters always I Think about them all the time. Like, at least, if not every day, once a week, I went and did an ice bath with my sister. And I'm not kidding you, I. I had to, like, sit in the cold water, and the entire time I sat in the cold water, and I just kept repeating, you do not yield. You do not yield. That sounds so lame. But, like, that series is ingrained in who I am as a person. Like, yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

So tattooed on your heart.

[Kennedy]

If I did not have till the end of the line tattooed on my body, I would get you. Do not yell tattooed on my.

[Mikayla]

Love it.

[Kennedy]

You know, it's like, kind of like.

[Mikayla]

The same thing, though. Yeah, yeah. You know?

[Reggie]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

Love it.

[Mikayla]

Okay. Anyways, sorry. That was my little rant.

[Kennedy]

But here's the thing. You should. You guys want to hear a little bit of lore from Michaela and Throne of Glass? What's the lore?

[Mikayla]

I don't even know.

[Kennedy]

She didn't even read Assassin's Blade until after Kingdom of Ash. She did not know. Did you not know it existed or.

[Mikayla]

No, I just decided to skip it because I hate going back in time. Yeah, I hate it.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I get it.

[Mikayla]

I hate it. And I opened the first page, and I was like, what? No. And I continue as a series.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

And so to me, even the second.

[Mikayla]

Time reading it hit so much harder because I read Assassin's Blade.

[Kennedy]

I was like, oh, do you remember where you were when you started Assassin's Blade? I know where I was. I don't know where I was sitting in your apartment. We all started at the same time.

[Mikayla]

Oh, did we really?

[Kennedy]

Yes. Oh, yeah, we did.

[Mikayla]

I didn't.

[Reggie]

That's when we were like, should we start a podcast?

[Mikayla]

Is that.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I think that was literally the day that we were like, what do we call it? Yeah, I have a voice note, actually, I might even be able to tell.

[Kennedy]

You the exact day you have a.

[Reggie]

Voice memo, because we were trying to name the podcast, and we were just having this funniest conversation, and I was like, what if I voice memo this, and then if we come up with the name of the podcast.

[Kennedy]

Wait, what?

[Reggie]

What year would that have been? I have so many. 23.

[Kennedy]

23.

[Reggie]

2023.

[Mikayla]

Oh, yeah.

[Kennedy]

2023.

[Mikayla]

Because we're in 2025.

[Reggie]

Oh, sorry. You can keep talking.

[Mikayla]

No, that. That lore. I know. I know I messed up, because, I.

[Kennedy]

Mean, not to give any spoilers, but they play such.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. When they showed up, I was like, it's gonna make sense. It's gonna make sense.

[Kennedy]

When I go Read this.

[Mikayla]

Maybe I shouldn't say that. It's a. It's a. It's a key part.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. To the series.

[Mikayla]

The series. And some things didn't make sense, but it didn't ruin the experience. But it. It's a better experience. Did you find it?

[Reggie]

Yeah. March 6th, 2023.

[Mikayla]

Are we at the.

[Kennedy]

Hey. Because it's R. Mart. Sorry, my name's.

[Reggie]

Hey. We were trying to combine our names. Maybe I'll put a little snippet of this episode. If I can find something good. I'll. I'll answer that.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. We wanted Inner Circle, but there were so many podcasts that were named Inner Circle. Inner Circle.

[Kennedy]

But you want to know what? I'm so glad we did not do Inner Circle, because it kind. Not that it would have limited us, but, you know, it's. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

A little bit.

[Mikayla]

No, I love her, but I really.

[Reggie]

Think that's the day that we were like, no, we're actually going to start a podcast.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. You should insert a little clip of.

[Reggie]

That because that's hilarious.

[Kennedy]

I didn't know you. You did.

[Reggie]

There might be. Maybe we say, I'll read what she's reading.

[Kennedy]

I would pass away.

[Reggie]

Wow.

[Mikayla]

We have.

[Reggie]

Wow.

[Mikayla]

Proof about our ideas.

[Kennedy]

That is nuts.

[Mikayla]

Going back on track anyways. Yeah. That's number one. You know what?

[Kennedy]

As it should be, though.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. And it hasn't changed for me.

[Kennedy]

That's how you know it's good.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Hey, if it's any better, Michaela, I would give it five stars now if I could.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I won't say I've had. I won't say on this episode why I didn't give it five stars. But I think. I look back at it now and I think about it so much, and I'm like, yeah, there was something I was really disappointed about, but, like.

[Mikayla]

Which the reason was very valid.

[Reggie]

You know, there were just some things that were a little over I was expecting. Because of TikTok.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Reggie]

And so then it made me a little disappointed because I was, like, expecting something more of a certain thing and.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. And I'm gonna reread it here soon. Ish. Because I'm on my Throne of Glass. Reread you.

[Mikayla]

Love it. Love it.

[Reggie]

So love it.

[Mikayla]

Okay, I'm done. Sorry. Go.

[Kennedy]

Are we going into series now?

[Mikayla]

Yeah. I haven't ranked mine.

[Reggie]

I haven't ranked mine either.

[Kennedy]

I feel like mine's pretty.

[Mikayla]

I.

[Kennedy]

For some reason, series are easier to rank number three for me. And if you guys listen to the podcast, it's not going to be a surprise. I don't. Honestly, I don't think probably any of these will be a surprise for anyone listening. Number three is the Magnolia park series for me by Jessa Hastings. There's just something about Jess's writing. She speaks to my soul. Also, Magnolia Parks is just unlike anything I really have read. There's genuinely not another book like it because the drama, the angst, the emotional depth, just the metaphors from Jess's writing, I could go on and on. Something about that series just really works for me. And the last book that's currently out is probably one of the books that I've cried the most reading, just because I can fully relate to the characters on some certain things, and I see my sister in a certain character, and so it really just struck a chord with me. Live, laugh. Love, Jessa Hastings, everyone.

[Reggie]

Ditto.

[Kennedy]

I'll read what she's reading.

[Reggie]

No, like, that's, like, perfectly. I don't feel like there's any more I could expand on from what you said. So my number three series is also. I will say, I debated a different.

[Kennedy]

Say it.

[Reggie]

I debated. Ooh, the Hunger Games. Ooh. Because I just. Now that, you know, we're getting more books from Suzanne Collins, and I've been in my, like, Hunger Games era again, I remember how much I love the books. I don't know if I told you guys this, but when I. The first once the series was completed of, well, the first three books. I've read the first three books, I think three times.

[Kennedy]

Oh, wow. Dang.

[Reggie]

I've never, never done that with anything. Like, I've read, reread, Acotar. I can't think of another series that I have reread besides that many times. So I'm a Hunger Games nerd, but I didn't read A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes because you guys convinced me not to read it, which I'm not mad about that by any. So I felt like I couldn't really count it.

[Kennedy]

You can count it if you want.

[Reggie]

And there's no rules. I feel like I don't know. It also just, like, wrecks me too much that, like, it makes me actually feel really ill to think about those books sometimes, but I feel like I can't put it in my top three. So, anyways, didn't mean to go off on that, but, yeah, did I do Magnolia Parks?

[Mikayla]

I don't know. The three spot is open for me right now. I don't know.

[Kennedy]

Tell me why the three spot is the hardest spot to Fill.

[Mikayla]

I don't know.

[Reggie]

Why?

[Mikayla]

Because I feel like there's. There's some that, like, aren't my top, but they're like. I'm like, that was really good. Yeah, but is that on my top? I don't know. I think. I don't know. The. I don't want to pick Magnolia Parks, so I'll choose something different.

[Reggie]

Is it just because we said Magnolia?

[Mikayla]

Well, I don't know. Like, I. I really do like Magnolia Parks, and I think I would like them more if I read them the second time. I don't know. I. Here's the thing with Magnolia Parts. I really have this, like, I have this hard relationship with it because the characters, like, are not my favorite. You know what I'm saying? But, like, Jess's writing is beautiful.

[Reggie]

Right.

[Mikayla]

And the story is really interesting and is, like, really fun and messy, you know? I don't know, because I feel like I love series where I, like, love the characters.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

I don't know. I. I like looking at my notes. I straight up don't have a third one. Can I do Slash something?

[Kennedy]

You sure can.

[Mikayla]

Okay, I'll do. I'll do Magnolia Parks slash Powerless series.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Mikayla]

And I feel like I have to explain why.

[Reggie]

Please enlighten us.

[Mikayla]

Okay. I wouldn't say they're the best books I've ever written, but I love the characters so much and mostly just Kai.

[Kennedy]

You want to know what, though? Sometimes you just need a series that's, like, not so serious.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

Easy to read. It's fun. It's a good time. You're getting exactly what you expect from it. And that's what Powerless. The Powerless series is. Well.

[Mikayla]

And it has, like, every single element I love about a fantasy book.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

And so I don't know. I just. The experience reading those books were amazing for me, and I just. Yeah. Okay. Anyways, that's all. I'm done.

[Reggie]

I like it. I like it. I respect it.

[Kennedy]

Okay. So here's the thing. My number one and my number two are actually going. Are at odds with each other in my brain. Like, I genuinely don't think I can.

[Reggie]

Choose one over the other.

[Kennedy]

I really cannot. Because part of me thinks that one of them maybe would be higher because of recency bias. But then part of me is like, is it recency bias? I don't really know. I. I don't know. And these two know exactly. And I'm sure you listening know exactly which two series I am talking about. I. I physically cannot choose between the two. So those of you listening this is 1/2. I. I'm also thinking about. When I was picking my list, I was thinking about authors that I would freak out if I, like, saw them in person, or books that I would actually want, like, special editions of or signed copies. And there's very few books that, like, I want multiple copies of. And all three of these series that are on my list are books that I would want multiple copies of. And you guys are probably like, kennedy, shut up and just tell us what the series is. I'm stalling because I don't know which one I'm gonna pick. I literally.

[Reggie]

They're both.

[Kennedy]

They're the same. There's. There's one is not above the other. I. I'm, like, shaking because I can't decide. And this is not that serious.

[Reggie]

But it is, though, a little bit.

[Kennedy]

But it's really not. I'm gonna go with this one first. No, I'm gonna.

[Reggie]

I know what you're gonna say.

[Kennedy]

This one is my number two because it's not finished and I've been waiting too long for the new book, and I'm just a little bit upset. So I'm gonna go with the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown as my number two because it's not complete. He could completely butcher the series, you guys, with the next book. He's not going to, but he could.

[Mikayla]

You better not.

[Kennedy]

You know, I. There's also not a lot of books that I want merch from or own merch from, but I own merch from this book. I have special editions of this book. I. I don't know what it is about the Red Rising series. I don't know if it's because it's so complex and I love the characters and they're just so. There's so much that's going on. I just love it so much. It's unlike anything I've read and I've heard from a lot of people. You'll never read another sci fi series. Like it, unfortunately, but I just. I eat it up.

[Reggie]

I love space.

[Kennedy]

I love the characters. It's just one of my faves. It hurts my brain, but I like it. I like that it hurts my brain. I've cried a lot. There's good plot twists. I don't know what else to say.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

This next series won't come as a surprise for you guys, but I hesitated putting it in my top three because I'm actually really upset right now. I'm gonna say the Acotar series, even though it's not a complaint, but I'm really obsessed with Sarah J. Mask because. Oh, I. I actually, like. My blood starts to boil when I think about this. But I'm. I'm trying to give her some grace because she's a busy gal, you know, she. I don't know, I just feel like very forgotten by her because, you know, she knows me personally. No, but I just cannot believe that it felt like we were getting all these breadcrumbs for Acotar 6. I knew it wasn't gonna happen.

[Kennedy]

Did you guys see the Bloomsbury Post?

[Reggie]

Yes. I actually am really pissed off about it, but that's why I hesitated putting in my top three because I've had some really hard feelings the past couple days. But, you know, like I said about. Everything I said about A Cor to Mist and Fury applies to the series as a whole. Are there other. Do I love every single book in that series? Like, so, so, so much? I mean, yeah, but I feel like there's other books I've read that are, like, better. But there's just something about, you know, like I said with the Court, Mist and Fury, it's just. It set this tone of. And put me on quite the journey that I gotta give it that credit. And it's still really great. I just am getting really nervous for the next. Like, I'm literally. I think about it and I start to sweat and I want to throw up.

[Kennedy]

So what if she never finishes it? There are some fantasy authors that people have been waiting. Who is it? Patrick Roth. Rothless. Name of the Wind or something. His book. People have been waiting like 10 plus years for. Let's just hope. Let's just hope she's really cooking something up. Maybe she's feeling like. Not that people are disappointed with the third Crescent City book, but maybe it kind of made her take a step back and think, okay, where. What am I doing here? Where. Where am I taking this? Because, I mean, yes, it's been a while since we've had an ACOTAR book, but she's released, what, three Crescent City books in the meantime or two?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

So I feel like I've lost the.

[Kennedy]

Excitement for the sixth ACOTAR book.

[Mikayla]

And even if she was like, expect an announcement in a year or two. Yeah, that would satisfy me.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

You know, I saw a lot of people talking on social media about May. Was it May 6th? Right. Is that what it was? I wasn't expecting anything at this point. You know, it comes when it comes, and if it doesn't, that would suck.

[Mikayla]

It's weird that Bloomsbury is doing like all of the promoting too.

[Reggie]

Well, I know that anything.

[Mikayla]

She didn't post anything, but it's interesting that. But I'm sure Acotar is probably one of their best performing.

[Kennedy]

Oh, 100%.

[Reggie]

Anyways, sorry, I didn't mean to make this sad thing. Well, I'm still, I still stand by Acotar, you know, I, I eventually. I don't think it will be in my top three forever. I really don't know if it will and I'm okay with that. But for now, it sits nicely in number two. And, you know, it's gonna. It's probably feeling a little. Yeah, it's feeling a little untouched, unloved, maybe. As we await, you know, the next book, I'll probably, you know, I just like, think about. By the time that comes out, I'm like, wow. Like, I'll probably be done having kids. I'll probably be like, retired. Like, probably be. So, you know, maybe it will be great. Maybe it'll be a great time for that book to come out because I.

[Kennedy]

Won'T be doing anything, you know.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I'm just trying.

[Mikayla]

Maybe she's. Reggie's busy.

[Kennedy]

So everybody blame Reggie for the fact.

[Mikayla]

That there's no Acotar 6.

[Reggie]

He's like, you know what? She's got too much on her plate.

[Kennedy]

We're gonna wait.

[Reggie]

She can't handle an Asriel book anyways. All right, Mikayla, take it away.

[Mikayla]

Ah, Red Rising.

[Kennedy]

Really?

[Reggie]

Yep.

[Mikayla]

Oh, well, if I think about it, I don't know what else I'd put up there. Well, okay, I think. I think I give it a lot of flack, but I also think. I don't know what series has also pissed me off as much as that series has pissed me off. And so I'm like, I gotta give credit where credit is due. For me to be that emotionally invested. For me to be pissed off about something like, like, you know, I'm just giving credit where credit is due. Where my anger comes from is that serious.

[Reggie]

So, you know, that's a fair statement.

[Kennedy]

It is a fair statement.

[Reggie]

That's very fair. If you know, you know.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So. And if you don't know, you should know. Go read it. Okay. My number one. And I'm sure Michaela's number one.

[Mikayla]

No Throne of Glass. Okay, well, yeah.

[Kennedy]

I don't even know how to explain it. It's just so good. I just love every single character in that series. Kingdom of Ash is so great. It's just good. It's just good.

[Mikayla]

It's Just good.

[Kennedy]

It's just good.

[Mikayla]

It's just, like, engraved in my soul.

[Kennedy]

And, you know, it was one of the first fantasy series that I read that had multiple point of views and it, like, intertwined with everything, and it just. I don't know.

[Mikayla]

Third. Third person.

[Reggie]

Third. Yeah, third person.

[Kennedy]

But you get multiple pods, you know, and it's like. Yeah, they're interweaving.

[Mikayla]

Sorry.

[Reggie]

It's woven together very perfectly.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, it really is.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. She cooked up. She did.

[Mikayla]

She cooked with that series for real.

[Kennedy]

And, you know, Acotar does have a special place in my heart because. Got me into fantasy. Whatever. But I will die on the hill that Throne of Glass is the far superior series to Acktar in a lot of ways. So, yeah, Throne of Glass is my number one slash, number two, because I genuinely can't pick between that and Red Rising.

[Reggie]

Can I say something?

[Mikayla]

Yes, Reggie.

[Reggie]

I think I would have liked. Well, here's the thing. I'm. Like I said, I'm rereading Throne of Glass. I think I appreciate Throne of Glass so much more than I did the first time because I've read so many other fantasy books. I think had I read, like. Because I really. I literally went from finishing A Court of Silver Flames right into Throne of Glass. And I can't say that I regret that, but I do think that had I read a few other fantasy books in between that, because, like I said, it was very new to the fantasy game, I would have. I just couldn't help because I was so new to fantasy, I couldn't help but compare it to Acotar. And had I read Throne of Glass first, I would have liked it way more than Acotar. Yeah, I'm not. That's not me trying to, like, defend myself by any means. I just think that, like, as I'm doing this reread, I'm realizing, like, I know I was kind of a. I maybe wasn't very nice about Throne of Glass with certain things, but. But I think a lot of it was just because, like. Anyways, I can expand on that in another episode, but.

[Kennedy]

Well, you want to know what I didn't mean to, like, diminish your opinion on by saying, throw the glasses the far.

[Reggie]

Like I said, I wasn't trying to.

[Kennedy]

Offend myself because, like, absolutely, I wasn't.

[Reggie]

Trying to defend myself, but I'm just like, I'm. I'm coming to. And I think that, like, it was just, like, a time in my life where. And also my reading experience wasn't great.

[Kennedy]

I was Gonna say, like, we were all reading it at the same time. And at the time with Lennon, Lennon was little, wasn't she?

[Reggie]

Yeah, she was like a year old.

[Kennedy]

You just didn't have as much time as me and Michaela did. And so me and Michaela were cruising it and cruising through it, and then you felt like you had to keep up.

[Reggie]

Oh, yeah. And looking back, like, the experience I have now, if you guys were like, let's all read something together, I probably wouldn't be like, yeah, I'll read a whole series with you right now. Yeah, I know we kind of did that with Red Rising, but it wasn't like a let's read this together. And I literally was just like, I felt like I had to keep up, and I would never feel that way now. I would be like, I'm gonna sit and take my time with this.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I just didn't understand. I was new to the whole, like, reading a series thing. So there was just a lot of mistakes I made when I started it.

[Kennedy]

So you live and you learn.

[Reggie]

Yeah. So every time I'm reading now, like, I'm listening, and I'm like, I'm just apologizing to a book all the time when I read.

[Kennedy]

So sorry.

[Reggie]

Sorry. So sorry.

[Kennedy]

When you get to Tower Dawn, I'm sure you're gonna get on your hands and knees and just grovel.

[Reggie]

I will. I'm sure there's some things I still might, like, stand by of what I thought, but, like, you know. Anyways, sorry. I didn't mean to make that about me. That was not cool of me.

[Kennedy]

You didn't make it about you all.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. You're so selfish. No, I, I, I love. I love Acotar. I really do. And I just think Throne of Glass is just a way more complex.

[Reggie]

Well, also, there's a lot more special elements to throw in the glass.

[Kennedy]

Yes, there really are.

[Reggie]

And I think it's easy to say.

[Kennedy]

That a series is better in a sense, because it's completed. Like, you feel satisfied because everything is wrapped up in a bow. Like, it's done, it's over, it's completed. And so it just. Just feels better. Acotar, you're just kind of like, okay, what's next? Like, yeah, you don't feel satisfied.

[Reggie]

Exactly. So, like, genuinely, I could probably. I will. I think I can finish sonographs, and I think I would put it in a number two.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Spot. Because I have grown as a reader, and I can. Yeah. Anyways, I will not harp on that for too long.

[Kennedy]

So so what's your number one?

[Reggie]

My number one is Red Rising. Oh, what did you guys think I was going to say?

[Kennedy]

I don't know. I don't know.

[Mikayla]

I thought you were going to say that one.

[Reggie]

And I think, you know, to go along. Everything Kennedy said, I also. I feel like it deserves number one because I can't compare it to very many. I can't really compare it to anything. And it's also something about it is just so refreshing. I loved that I got to read something that wasn't, like, romance heavy. And I still, like, absolutely loved it. There's not very many series that I would say, oh, I'll read that again. I would 100 read that again. And, yeah, I'll be thinking about that for forever. And, you know, I have a lot of confidence in Pierce Brown with the last book, whenever that may be next summer. Red. God, is that. I'll ask him. Yeah, Kennedy's gonna meet him this weekend and we're. I'm really jealous. But, yeah, I just. There's so many things in that series that just make it very special and make it really stand out compared to other series that I have read because it is complex, it's very epic, it's heartbreaking. It pisses you off. It. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And you want to know what's funny is the longer I read, and I'm not saying that Throne of Glass is not romantasy, because I guess you could consider it as a romantasy, but to me, Acotar is more romantic than Throne of Glass. The series that I tend to like more, honestly. Aren't super romance heavy? Like, yes, there's romance in Throne of.

[Reggie]

Glass, but I don't feel it's like on the romance.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. You know what I mean? And sometimes I feel like when you have these fantasy. Obviously fantasy is my favorite genre. Fantasy, sci fi. When you have romance, I feel like they tend to rely too much on the spice or a lot of banter or a lot of tropes, and then you kind of lose the fantasy plot. And I think that for me, both Throne of Glass and Red Rising do such a great job at. From the first book to the last book, you can see how all of the dots are connecting. It feels very seamless. It feels very purposeful. And that's why those are my top number one spots, both of those. Because on any given day, I might say one over the other. I just love them both.

[Reggie]

Amen.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. There's just nothing like them.

[Mikayla]

Yep. Sorry. I will say I feel like, the Red Rising reading experience wasn't great for me.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

And I wish I could go back and read it at a different time.

[Kennedy]

It's like you and Reggie's experiences with the two series are flip flopped.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Yeah, it was. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah, that's it. Well, you're number one.

[Mikayla]

Oh, I thought I said.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, throw it across.

[Mikayla]

Throw on a glass. I already said.

[Reggie]

Oh, sorry. I just been.

[Mikayla]

I just piggybacked off of Kennedy and said, turn the glass. That's it. You guys know why.

[Kennedy]

There you have it, guys.

[Mikayla]

I will see. We'll see if anything tops it. We will see. We will see.

[Kennedy]

If I had to guess, honestly, probably once again, the number three spot for Ser. I don't think anything will ever top Red Rising or Throne of Glass. That sounds really rude of me to say, but I think those two are just going to be up there forever.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. It's also hard not to compare other books to it.

[Kennedy]

I'm gonna be rereading those two series for the rest of my life.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I'll show you every year which one I read.

[Mikayla]

So are you gonna read this here?

[Kennedy]

I don't know. We're halfway through.

[Reggie]

Just kidding.

[Mikayla]

Well, I feel like you kind of do have to do, like, recap videos or soft reread of Red Rising.

[Kennedy]

I'll reread the whole thing. Oh, yeah, I'll reread the whole thing, I'm sure.

[Mikayla]

Oh, my gosh.

[Reggie]

Wow, that was really stressful. But we did it. Let's pat ourselves on the back.

[Mikayla]

I want a donut. That's my reward. It's eating a hostess donut.

[Reggie]

Because it was stressful.

[Kennedy]

Very stressful.

[Reggie]

It was stressful. But that's our episode for you guys. It is actually mind blowing to think of where we started this podcast and the books that we loved to where we are now. What a journey. What a journey. And I don't want to, like, get all sappy, but, like, get sad. I just feel like this podcast has made reading even better than it could be. This podcast has made reading so much more fun for me. And, you know, I hope those of you who are listening that have, especially if you've been here from the beginning, we thank you for that. And I just feel really grateful for the book community. Like, it is just so. It's so cool to see what a book. Like, where a book. Reading one book can get you and the connections you make along the way. I don't know. It sounds sappy, but, like, it's changed. Reading has changed my life and So I just, I owe a lot to it. And anyways, all that to say, it's just really cool to see where a book can take you from. Two years even. So we'll do this again next year.

[Mikayla]

Oh my gosh, I'm already stressed thinking about it.

[Reggie]

Until then, we'll see you every Wednesday. And here we're also on YouTube. We're big on the YouTube game right now, so we have each of us have a solo YouTube episode, solo YouTube vlog that we post on Fridays, and then we usually have an extra one that we just kind of throw in whenever run to our YouTube. If you want more content, subscribe. It's kind of, it's kind of a fun time. And yeah, thanks so much for listening. Love you so much. Bye. Foreign welcome to Sky Talkers. I'm your host, Charlotte.

[E]

Hey everyone, I'm your other host, Caitlyn. From interviews with the cast of the latest show on Disney plus 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.

[Kennedy]

Way we wanted to.

[Reggie]

Caitlyn and I are lifelong best friends who love Star wars and have been podcasting about the galaxy far, far away since 2017.

[E]

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 Skytalkers every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcast, this has been a 58 Ember production. For more shows, please visit the 58Ember channel 58ember.com or find us media on socials.