Podcast Title: I'll Read What She's Reading
Episode Title: Who Said It? Book Character Edition
Release Date: April 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In the April 9, 2025 episode of I'll Read What She's Reading, hosts Kennedy, Reggie, and Mikayla dive into their latest literary adventures and engage listeners with the interactive game segment, "Who Said It? Book Character Edition." This episode is a blend of passionate book discussions, personal reading updates, and a fun challenge that tests their knowledge of beloved book characters through memorable quotes.

Recent Reads and Discussions

1. All Roads Lead Here by Mariana Zapot (00:52)
Mikayla kicks off the conversation by sharing her enthusiasm for All Roads Lead Here.

• Mikayla (00:52): "I'll go. I'll go. Called All Roads Lead Here by Mariana Zapot. Zapata. Zapata. I loved it. Obsessed with it. I can't wait to read more of her books."

2. Slow Burn Queen (01:00)
Kennedy expresses her fondness for Slow Burn Queen.

• Kennedy (01:00): "Slow Burn Queen."

3. The Deal by Ellie Kennedy (02:25)
The hosts discuss The Deal, noting its popularity and upcoming adaptation into a TV show or movie.

• Mikayla (02:35): "I read The Deal by Ellie Kennedy. I know it's really popular and I know it's turning into a TV show or a movie."
• Kennedy (02:40): "Do you know who it's picked up by?"

4. Wild Love by Elsie Silver vs. Chestnut Springs Series (04:17)
Mikayla compares Wild Love with the Chestnut Springs series, highlighting differences in tropes and character dynamics.

• Mikayla (04:17): "I just thought it was funny. Like the banter in it is just hilarious."
• Kennedy (05:14): "I feel like this one has a tad less spicy, at least the first book."

5. Beartown and Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone (06:30)
Reggie shares her initial hesitations and eventual appreciation for Beartown, while also touching on Promise Me Sunshine.

• Reggie (06:35): "I won't say too much because Kennedy will have more to say about it. But I really loved it after I finished."

6. Sunrise on the Reaping (08:16)
Reggie discusses her renewed love for Sunrise on the Reaping and its impact on her reading habits.

• Reggie (08:16): "It brought out my inner middle schooler, if you will. I just loved it."

7. Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (12:31)
The hosts briefly mention Remember Me, expressing anticipation without revealing spoilers.

• Reggie (12:32): "I listened to it, so I didn't have the physical book. I really recommend listening to it."

8. Lost and Lassoed by Lila Sage (19:15)
Kennedy and Mikayla discuss their experiences with Lost and Lassoed, focusing on the single dad trope and romantic elements.

• Kennedy (19:16): "They're just so good. And, it's funny because my review was almost identical to yours."
• Mikayla (19:20): "I feel like it just feels different. The first one, Chestnut Springs like cowboy. Then, some other contemporary romance books."

9. Beartown Continued (16:23)
Kennedy elaborates on why she rated Beartown five stars, emphasizing themes of the butterfly effect and small acts of kindness.

• Kennedy (16:23): "It's like the butterfly effect. How one person's decision can affect a whole bunch of people around them."

10. Single Parent Romance Books (19:15)
Kennedy highlights her preference for single parent romance books, citing Lost and Lassoed as a favorite.

• Kennedy (19:15): "Single parent romance books just work for me."

Navigating Reading Challenges and Social Media Influences

The hosts delve into the complexities of reading popular books amidst social media hype, particularly the pressures from platforms like TikTok.

• Reggie (13:02): "It's easy to scroll past a video that like, someone's like, here's my review of blah, blah, blah."
• Kennedy (13:28): "We all get excited, but when you're not caught up, it's really overwhelming."

They discuss strategies to manage reading lists and avoid spoilers, emphasizing the importance of personal reading enjoyment over external expectations.

• Reggie (13:39): "I have a note in my phone that's like, books I know I'm going to listen to and books I know I'm going to, like, physically read."
• Kennedy (14:08): "I don't have a pre-order."

Interactive Segment: "Who Said It? Book Character Edition" (22:33)

The highlight of the episode is the game segment where hosts challenge each other to identify book characters based on their quotes. Despite the fun atmosphere, the segment proves to be quite challenging for the hosts.

Notable Quotes and Interactions:

1. Quote: "I could touch her when I was sober."

   • Speaker: Kai from Powerless
   • Timestamp: [23:03]

2. Quote: "Give me a fantasy."

   • Speaker: Kieran from Manacled
   • Timestamp: [24:13]

3. Quote: "May the odds be ever in your favor."

   • Speaker: Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games
   • Timestamp: [25:01]

4. Quote: "Tell me the quote is a Dangerous time."

   • Speaker: Selena from Mind Series
   • Timestamp: [26:18]

5. Quote: "The ones that love us never really leave us."

   • Speaker: Sirius Black from Harry Potter
   • Timestamp: [37:38]

6. Quote: "I punch, hate punch. Sewing, punch."

   • Speaker: Mustang from Red Rising
   • Timestamp: [36:01]

7. Quote: "We never claimed to be educated."

   • Speaker: Rowan from Manacled
   • Timestamp: [42:03]

Throughout the game, the hosts showcase their varying degrees of familiarity with the quotes, often leading to humorous exchanges and lighthearted frustration.

• Kennedy (22:43): "She said I could touch her when I was sober."
• Reggie (26:07): "It's Red Rising."
• Mikayla (31:07): "When you spend so long trapped in darkness, you find that the darkness begins to stare back."

Despite the challenges, the segment fosters camaraderie and underscores the vastness of literary knowledge, encouraging listeners to engage and test their own skills.

Upcoming Announcements and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease a surprise announcement scheduled for Saturday, April 12th, available across their Instagram platforms. They encourage listeners to stay tuned for more updates and express excitement for future episodes.

• Reggie (46:30): "If you guys keep track of how many got right, let us know. I want to see how smart our listeners are."
• Mikayla (46:27): "We have a little surprise announcement on Saturday, April 12th."

The hosts bid farewell with friendly reminders to stay safe and tease the next week's discussions, maintaining an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for their audience.

Conclusion

This episode of I'll Read What She's Reading offers a delightful mix of heartfelt book discussions, personal reading journeys, and an entertaining game that brings listeners closer to the hosts' literary worlds. Whether you're a dedicated bookworm or new to their community, Kennedy, Reggie, and Mikayla provide valuable insights, relatable experiences, and plenty of laughs, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about reading.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Mikayla (02:08): "I legitimately love any of their sweat sets. They're so comfortable and so cute."
• Kennedy (05:14): "Her plots and her banter are so good, but then the spice ruins it just a little bit for me."
• Reggie (07:18): "I really need to be better at keeping my mouth shut."
• Kennedy (16:23): "It's like the butterfly effect. How one person's decision can affect a whole bunch of people around them."
• Reggie (29:39): "The best kind of love doesn't happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between."
• Kennedy (30:25): "You're a violent little thing."
• Reggie (33:37): "What do you think of this one?"

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript times and are approximate.