The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna: Episode Summary - "A Beautiful Anchorman"
Release Date: June 2, 2025
1. Hosts' Current Updates
The episode kicks off with Sarah Colonna welcoming listeners and updating them on Jon Ryan’s recent activities. Jon has been away for the week and is preparing for a trip to Vancouver, Canada. Sarah humorously corrects him when he misstates his plans, highlighting their playful dynamic.
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Jon Ryan’s Trip: Jon mentions he’s attending a flag football tournament in Canada for the Seahawks, joking about his role being to "shake babies and kiss hands" (00:54).
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Dinner Plans: They plan to dine at Malomo Pono, a restaurant in Sherman Oaks, despite the scorching 97-degree weather, emphasizing their reluctance to walk due to the heat (01:38).
2. Current Reads and Future Book Picks
Sarah and Jon discuss their current reading lists, providing insights into their literary preferences and upcoming selections.
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Current Reads:
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Upcoming Picks:
- July Read Announcement: Although not ready to announce, Jon hints at a special selection for July, set to be revealed on their Instagram and Facebook group, Book List Spinners (06:47).
3. In-Depth Discussion on "A Beautiful Couple"
The heart of the episode revolves around their impressions of A Beautiful Couple by Leslie Wolf, exploring themes and character dynamics without revealing spoilers.
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Plot Overview: The book centers on Paul, a beloved local news anchor who, despite appearing happy, harbors dark secrets. Sarah highlights the duality of the couple’s public persona versus their private turmoil (09:08).
- Sarah Colonna: “Everyone thinks they're happy. Shit's going down behind the scenes. They're beloved in their community. But people think they have this nice life and they don't. They're miserable and... one of them’s a murderer or whatever” (09:15).
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Jon Ryan’s Take: Jon appreciates the book’s immediate dive into intense plotlines, mentioning that murder occurs within the first ten pages, keeping readers engaged from the start (10:35).
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Themes Discussed:
- The illusion of the perfect couple in Malibu.
- The impact of unhappy marriages on children, with Sarah advocating against staying in toxic relationships for the sake of family image (14:07).
4. Stories from Their Experiences with Morning Shows and Local News
Both hosts share entertaining anecdotes from their time hosting or appearing on local morning television shows, drawing parallels to the book's protagonist.
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Sarah’s Morning Show Experiences:
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Jon’s Morning Show Memories:
- Recounts hosting morning shows in various cities, interacting with local celebrities, and the challenges of maintaining professionalism during unexpected events (17:35).
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Shared Experiences:
- Both discuss the rigidness and occasional absurdity of local morning shows, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and humor in live settings (21:48).
5. John’s Anecdote: Airplane Story
A standout moment in the episode is Jon’s humorous and relatable story about a frustrating experience on an airplane, illustrating his knack for storytelling.
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The Incident: Jon recounts sitting in seat 1C, only to have a couple upgraded to seats 1A and 1D. Their confusion and Tomfoolery—pretending not to recognize their actual seats—led to an uncomfortable situation (36:26).
- Jon Ryan: “The girl was so nice that she goes, okay, I'll take the window. But... that's bullshit. You know full well what you're doing” (40:42).
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Resolution: Sarah and Jon discuss the importance of asserting one’s rightful seat while maintaining politeness, turning the story into a comedic lesson on handling such scenarios (42:00).
6. Community Engagement and Upcoming Events
Towards the end, Sarah and Jon engage with their community, promoting their Patreon for exclusive content and announcing upcoming events.
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Patreon Content: They offer short story recaps and bonus podcasts, including 11 Numbers by Lee Child, available exclusively to Patreon supporters (07:29).
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Upcoming Live Event: Announcement of a live appearance on July 18th in Salem, Oregon, at the Grand Theater, inviting listeners to join them in person (46:22).
7. Notable Quotes
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Sarah Colonna: “I need it to bring it on home at the end because there's a lot going on” (04:41).
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Jon Ryan: “Are you gonna watch your Friends and Neighbors finale tonight?... I go back to my hotel now. I'm gonna watch it because we're going out to dinner Friday” (12:00).
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Sarah Colonna: “Don't stay in a very unhappy marriage because that. For your children, because then your children are going to think, oh, that's what marriage is” (14:07).
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Jon Ryan: “If you're both in windows, and then... so there's two aisle people between you. If you would like to sit together. Sure. You can ask” (41:22).
Conclusion
"A Beautiful Anchorman" offers listeners a blend of literary discussion, personal anecdotes, and humorous exchanges between Sarah Colonna and Jon Ryan. Their camaraderie and diverse experiences provide a rich, engaging narrative that delves deep into the themes of their current read while entertaining with real-life stories and practical advice. Whether you’re a regular listener or new to The Book Lisp, this episode promises insightful conversations and relatable humor that resonate with a wide audience.
This summary incorporates key discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.