Podcast
So Approachable
Hosted by So Approachable Podcast · EN
“So approachable” is an entertaining book club podcast where Sarah and Jamie dive into trending novels and popular books to offer their unique perspective.
We spend two weeks on each book, starting with our TLDR episodes. You'll get a taste of the action without spoilers! Think 'back of the book' description, some background on the author, general ratings and reviews, and a little get-to-know-you session with the hosts.
The following week, we deep dive into the book for our Cover-to-Cover book club discussion. Jokes and ranting likely!
#bookclub #bookclubdiscussion #weeklybookclub
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Five-Star Weekend - Elin Hilderbrand (Book Club Discussion)
2w ago00:50:25Tap to summarizeThis episode is a special one for us. 💛Not only are we discussing one of the most popular beach reads of the last few years, but it's also our first episode recorded virtually since Jamie's move. Different setup... same bookish conversations. 🎙️❤️In this Cover to Cover episode, we dive into The Five-Star Weekend and unpack why this story has resonated with so many readers. Beyond the beautiful coastal setting and friendship drama, this book asks some surprisingly introspective questions about the lives we've built, the relationships we've kept, and the ones we've let go.We found ourselves debating which characters we related to the most—and what that says about us. 😅 From navigating grief and motherhood to rediscovering yourself later in life, there's a lot more beneath the surface than your typical beach read.Of course, we also had to talk about the new Peacock series. 👀 Will it capture the charm, emotion, and complicated friendships that made the book such a hit? We can't wait to find out.Join us as we share our ratings, our three words, our favorite moments, and whether The Five-Star Weekend deserves its place as one of the ultimate summer reads. Grab your beach chair, your favorite drink, and come chat with us!Check out our GoodReads for more ratings and reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/191415688Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK#bookclubdiscussion #bookclubreads #bookclubpick #bookclubpodcast #fivestarweekend #elinhilderbrand #beachread #summerbooks #bookclubpick #booktomovie
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TLDR: The Five-Star Weekend - Elin Hilderbrand (Book Preview)
3w ago00:19:05Tap to summarizeIt's officially beach read season! This week, we're kicking off our summer reading with The Five-Star Weekend—just in time for the release of the Peacock miniseries. From the queen of the beach read, this novel promises friendship, fresh starts, complicated relationships, and all the emotional drama that makes for the perfect vacation companion. Throw in a gorgeous coastal setting, and we're already packing our beach bags. In this spoiler-free TLDR episode, we're breaking down the premise, sharing why we picked it, and helping you decide if you want to read along before our full discussion.There's just one tiny confession... Jamie has technically read this one before. But thanks to a serious case of book amnesia, all she remembers is, "It was really good!" 😂 So for all intents and purposes, she's reading it for the first time right alongside Sarah.Whether you're headed to the beach, the pool, or just dreaming of warmer days, join us as we dive into one of the most anticipated summer reads of the season. #nospoilers #bookpreview #fivestarweekend #5starweekend #elinhilderbrand #beachreads #beachbook #summerreading Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMKCheck out our GoodReads for more ratings and reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/191415688
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The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives - Elizabeth Arnott (Book Club Discussion)
4w ago00:44:50Tap to summarizeA Good Morning America Book Club pick? ✅A killer premise? ✅1960s housewives, female empowerment, and whispers of serial killers? ✅We were ALL IN. So... did it live up to the hype? Well... not exactly. 😅In this week's Cover to Cover episode, we unpack why a book with such an irresistible premise didn't quite come together for us. We chat about the quirky cast of characters, the winding plot, and why this one ultimately felt a bit... hodgepodge.Tune in for our actual ratings and our 3 words to describe the book.Even though this wasn't a home run for us, it led to a really fun discussion about expectations, historical fiction, female independence in the 1960s, and what happens when a mystery doesn't quite deliver on its promise.As always, our conversation is honest, spoiler-filled, and hopefully leaves you with a better idea of whether this book belongs on your TBR. (Because every book has its reader... this one just wasn't quite ours.) 😉Have you read The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives? We'd love to hear where you landed!#bookclubdiscussion #bookclubpick #bookclubbook #bookclubreads #murderwives #elizabetharnott #bookreview #bookrating Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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TLDR: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives - Elizabeth Arnott (Book Preview)
Jun 2500:21:51Tap to summarizeThis week we're stepping into the 1960s with The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott—and this one is giving us a very intriguing mix of vintage charm, female empowerment, and... possible serial killer vibes. 😳In this spoiler-free episode, we're breaking down the premise, sharing our first impressions, and figuring out whether this quirky historical mystery is one we want to spend time with.On the surface, it has all the ingredients we love:✨ strong women✨ secrets lurking beneath the surface✨ questions about identity and independence✨ and a mystery that's a little darker than the bright, polished 1960s setting suggestsBut what exactly is going on with these husbands? 👀🔪Join us as we preview the book, discuss why it caught our attention, and help you decide whether you want to read along before our full Cover to Cover discussion.Come for the retro vibes. Stay for the suspicious behavior.#murdererswives #elizabetharnott #thrillerbooks #bookclubdiscussion #bookpreviewFind more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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Lady Tremaine - Rachel Hochhauser (Book Club Discussion)
Jun 1801:07:07Tap to summarizeThis was NOT the Cinderella story we were expecting. 😳When we picked up Lady Tremaine, we thought we were getting a clever retelling from the perspective of Cinderella's infamous stepmother. What we got instead was something much darker, more mysterious, and far more complicated than a simple fairy-tale reimagining.In this Cover to Cover episode, we dive into all the twists, secrets, betrayals, and character choices that completely changed how we viewed this familiar story. We discuss whether Lady Tremaine was truly a villain, whether Cinderella was as innocent as we remember, and why this version of the tale feels more like gothic historical fiction than a Disney classic.One thing Jamie absolutely loved was the stepmother's backstory. As a stepmom herself, she found so much to relate to in Lady Tremaine's journey. The depictions of motherhood, sacrifice, protecting your children, and navigating a blended family added an emotional depth she wasn't expecting—and made the character feel far more human than the fairy tale ever allowed. 💕But here's the real question: Did we love it?Well... not exactly. 😅Spoiler: This might be one of our more divided discussions. One of us appreciated the bold reimagining. The other could not get past the fact that Hochhauser decided to make the prince the TRUE villain of the story. 👀🤴🚩Who was it? You'll have to listen to find out.As always, we're sharing our ratings, our three words, and all the spoiler-filled opinions that come with them.#ladytremaine #rachelhochhauser #cinderella #cinderellastory #fairytalereimagined Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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TLDR: Lady Tremaine - Rachel Hochhauser (Book Preview)
Jun 1100:19:29Tap to summarizeWhat if the villain got to tell her side of the story? This week, we're diving into Lady Tremaine, a Cinderella reimagining told from the perspective of the infamous "evil" stepmother herself. And honestly? Jamie was sold the second she heard the premise. 😅As a stepmom, she's spent years hearing jokes, stereotypes, and fairy tales that paint stepmothers as the bad guys. So a story that asks us to reconsider one of literature's most notorious villains? Sign her up.In this spoiler-free episode, we break down the premise, explore what makes a villain origin story so compelling, and discuss whether there's more to Lady Tremaine than a glass slipper and a bad attitude.Will this book make us rethink everything we thought we knew about Cinderella?Will we find ourselves rooting for the "villain"?And most importantly... was the stepmother misunderstood all along? 👠✨Join us as we step back into a familiar fairy tale from a completely different perspective.Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK#ladytremaine #cinderella #cinderellastory #fairytales #fairytaleretelling #fairytalereimagined #rachelhochhauser
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Not Quite Dead Yet - Holly Jackson (Book Club Discussion)
Jun 400:35:53Tap to summarizeOof. 😬📚This one hurts a little because Not Quite Dead Yet came to us as a listener recommendation, and we went in with HIGH hopes. Holly Jackson making the jump from YA to adult fiction? A killer premise? A woman with seven days left to live trying to solve her own murder? Sign us up. 👏But somewhere along the way… this one really fell flat for both of us.In fact, if we weren’t committed to recording this episode, there’s a good chance this would have been a DNF. 😳What went wrong?Well... Jet, for starters. 😅In this Cover to Cover discussion, we unpack what didn't work for us, where the story lost us, and why such a strong premise didn't quite deliver on its potential. Of course, we'll also share our ratings, our three words, and whether there was anything that redeemed the experience.If you loved this book, we definitely want to hear your side. And if you struggled with it too... welcome. Pull up a chair.#notquitedeadyet #hollyjackson #goodgirlsguidetomurder #thrillerbooks #bookclubdiscussion #bookclubpick Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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TLDR: Not Quite Dead Yet - Holly Jackson (Book Preview)
May 2800:17:51Tap to summarizeWe’re back in thriller territory!This week, we’re diving into Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson — and this one comes straight from a listener recommendation. You all have been steering us toward some wild reads lately, so naturally… we had to give it a shot. From the title alone, we’re already intrigued.Dark? Twisty? Slightly chaotic?Sounds promising. In this TLDR episode, we break down the premise, our first impressions, and what we think this story might have in store before jumping into the full discussion next week.Will this recommendation become a new favorite… or leave us questioning your judgment? Come make predictions with us and join the conversation before we dive all the way in.#notquitedeadyet #hollyjackson #agoodgirlsguidetomurderFind more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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My Next Breath - Jeremy Renner (Book Club Discussion)
May 2100:44:18Tap to summarizeWe are completely switching gears for our next read with My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner — and wow, this one grabbed us immediately.Jamie followed Jeremy Renner’s snowplow accident obsessively when it happened because the whole situation felt almost unbelievable. Sarah? She had somehow never even heard the details of this near-death incident… so she absolutely flew through this book. And honestly?Whether you’ve read the memoir or not, this episode is worth a listen.This isn’t just a celebrity memoir. It’s a conversation about:✨ survival✨ resilience✨ perspective✨ and the human spiritWe talk about the life lessons woven throughout the story, the emotional impact of hearing Renner narrate his own audiobook (highly recommend 👏), and why this story feels bigger than Hollywood headlines.Come join us for a very different kind of discussion this week.#memoir #jeremyrenner #jeremyrenneraccident #bookclubdiscussion #mynextbreath #nonfictiondiscussionFind more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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Book to Movie Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures
May 1400:44:50Tap to summarizeWe’re back with another Book to Movie episode — and this one completely won us over. 🐙🎬📚Spoiler alert: both of us loved it.Remarkably Bright Creatures made the jump from page to screen with so much heart, warmth, and charm, and we had a LOT to say about it. In this episode, we break down:✨ what stayed the same✨ what changed✨ which changes worked✨ and whether any of them were actually a big dealAnd of course…🐙how did we feel about Marcellus??This movie feels like such a rare thing these days — a genuinely feel-good story that still has emotional depth. It’s heartfelt, funny, thoughtful, and honestly a great pick for the whole family.If you’ve read the book, watched the movie, or are trying to decide if you should do either… come join the conversation.#remarkablybrightcreatures #shelbyvanpelt #boo #booktomovie #moviereview #bookreview Find more spoiler-free book recommendations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm29anN3WelsHsSaZaqDa7dKiBHIjdVMK
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