Hot Frosty, December Love & Spying on Neighbors.

Summary

The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Episode: Hot Frosty, December Love & Spying on Neighbors
Release Date: December 2, 2024

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Introduction to December's Picks

In this festive December episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna dive into their seasonal favorites, blending discussions about their chosen book, holiday traditions, and standout Christmas movies.

Sarah kicks off the conversation by introducing the month's book selection:

Sarah Colonna [00:23]: "This is the first week of December. So it's the first week of my pick, the Thriller... On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass."

She reassures listeners that spoilers will be avoided until the final week, maintaining an engaging experience for both new and returning audience members.

John’s Love for December: Decorations and Holiday Preparations

Jon, clearly enthusiastic about the holiday season, shares insights into his favorite time of year. The couple discusses their meticulous decoration process, emphasizing respect for their neighbors:

Jon Ryan [02:00]: "We have six Christmas trees. I don't like to decorate the outside until after Thanksgiving... to respect the neighbors."

Their commitment to creating a festive atmosphere without overwhelming their quiet street is evident. They recount organizing an expansive Christmas party, inviting both old and new neighbors to foster community spirit.

Sarah Colonna [03:22]: "We're only three blocks from where we used to live, so we still invited our old neighbors to our Christmas party."

Jon humorously admits to being slightly obsessive about knowing their neighbors' backgrounds, sharing a personal anecdote about a past business partnership gone awry due to a lack of background checks:

Jon Ryan [13:11]: "I have to ask because... we only have one party a year... otherwise, we're very quiet."

Spying on Neighbors: Themes from On a Quiet Street

The conversation seamlessly ties into their current book, On a Quiet Street. They explore the intriguing aspects of neighborly relationships portrayed in the novel, highlighting the theme of curiosity and the unknown facets of those living next door.

Sarah Colonna [07:21]: "People don't know what's going on in that house."

Jon shares his skepticism and cautious nature when it comes to new neighbors, blending humor with genuine concern:

Jon Ryan [10:03]: "I want to know his net worth. I want to know what he did for a living."

Their banter underscores the psychological thriller's tension, making the listeners eager to delve into the book by the fourth week of December.

Review of Hot Frosty: A Netflix Sensation

Transitioning to movie discussions, Sarah and Jon review the trending Netflix film Hot Frosty. They commend Lacey Chabert's performance and analyze the film's blend of Hallmark-style storytelling with a modern twist.

Sarah Colonna [15:10]: "We did watch it last night and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it."

Jon compares Netflix's approach to traditional networks, noting the platform's versatility:

Jon Ryan [15:33]: "This is like a straight up stealing Lifetime type."

They highlight the film's humorous elements, particularly the portrayal of quirky characters that add depth to the festive narrative. The hosts appreciate the movie's ability to parody and honor classic Hallmark tropes simultaneously.

Favorite Christmas Movies: A Christmas Story vs. Bad Santa

The duo delves into their personal favorite Christmas movies, sharing laughs and nostalgic memories.

John enthusiastically endorses A Christmas Story:

John Ryan [23:32]: "With like. My cat's name is Ralphie because of A Christmas Story."

Sarah counters with her top pick, Bad Santa, praising its comedic brilliance:

Sarah Colonna [25:05]: "Yeah. It's one of the funniest movies ever. I can watch it three days in a row. No problem."

They discuss memorable scenes and characters, reflecting on the timeless appeal and varied genres within holiday cinema. Their differing tastes illustrate the rich diversity of Christmas film traditions.

Stepdad’s Book Recommendations: Michael Connelly and More

Sarah introduces her stepdad's reading interests, focusing on detective novels by Michael Connelly. She shares a humorous incident involving a mistakenly named order on her business website:

Sarah Colonna [28:33]: "Someone ordered a clutch named Tom Clancy... but he's been dead for like 20 years."

Jon and Sarah encourage listeners to engage with stepdad's recommendations, fostering a community of avid readers within their audience.

John Ryan [30:35]: "I've read a few of his books. To Die For... it's got a pretty exciting."

Upcoming Giveaways and Future Episodes

Looking ahead, Jon and Sarah reveal exciting plans for giveaways, including signed copies of their current book and unique experiences for listeners. They hint at engaging future topics and book selections, keeping the audience anticipation high.

Sarah Colonna [34:12]: "If I do get them back, we'll have some kind of giveaway for you guys."

They also tease next month's book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, sparking interest among listeners to either read along or join the discussion regardless of their familiarity with the book.

Jon Ryan [35:21]: "It's really good. Really interesting. It goes one way and it goes the other way and then it's really good."

Conclusion: Embracing Community and Literature

Wrapping up the episode, Jon and Sarah emphasize the importance of community through their holiday festivities and shared love for literature. They invite listeners to join their social platforms, engage in discussions, and participate in upcoming events, fostering a tight-knit book-loving community.

Sarah Colonna [37:38]: "So buckle up, buttercup."

Their warm interaction and mutual support highlight the essence of The Book Lisp—a blend of humor, insightful discussions, and heartfelt camaraderie centered around books and life's festive moments.

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Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Colonna [00:23]: "This is the first week of December. So it's the first week of my pick, the Thriller... On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass."
• Jon Ryan [02:00]: "We have six Christmas trees. I don't like to decorate the outside until after Thanksgiving... to respect the neighbors."
• Sarah Colonna [07:21]: "People don't know what's going on in that house."
• John Ryan [15:33]: "This is like a straight up stealing Lifetime type."
• Sarah Colonna [25:05]: "Yeah. It's one of the funniest movies ever. I can watch it three days in a row. No problem."

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For more engaging discussions, listener interactions, and updates on giveaways, follow The Book Lisp on Instagram and join their Facebook group, Book Listeners. Support their endeavors by subscribing and leaving reviews to help spread the word.

Transcript

[Sarah Colonna]

Hi, I'm Sarah Colonna.

[John Ryan]

And I'm John Ryan.

[Sarah Colonna]

And you're listening to the Book List. The Book List.

[John Ryan]

The Book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, that's right. You're listening to the Book Lisp. Hello. Welcome to the Book Lisp with John Ryan and Sarah Colonna. Say hi, John.

[John Ryan]

Hey.

[Sarah Colonna]

This is the first week of December. So it's the first week of my pick, the Thriller.

[John Ryan]

Psychological thriller, yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

On a Quiet street by Seraphina Nova Glass. And I've already read it, obviously, as if you're new here. Our. Our system is you won't hear spoilers or a full recap until week four. There are five weeks, five Mondays in December. So don't worry. Whatever the fifth Monday is, we'll do something else. Your full book review will still be on week four. So. So there's no spoilers here or anything. We're going to talk. We won't be much of talk about the book itself, little things, because we. We have a lot planned for today, but it is an exciting month because it is the first Monday of December as well. It's like it's John's favorite. It's John's favorite month. We just have to.

[John Ryan]

Favorite month.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's your favorite month. This is when he thrives.

[John Ryan]

Really come out of hiding.

[Sarah Colonna]

You really come out of hiding.

[John Ryan]

This is my time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Our house is decorated. There's a. You can see, there's a. Well, if you're watching on Patreon, by the way, you can watch us on Patreon. And we do a little bonus stuff here and there, too. We did the sixth wedding, which is the postscript to 28 summers. That was a bonus Patreon exclusive. It's only $5 a month. If you'd like to join and support us otherwise, also join the Book Listeners, our Facebook group. And a great way to support us for free is to subscribe and rate and review and get us seen, which so far you guys have been doing a lot. You've been saying very nice things. Thank you.

[John Ryan]

Yes. Very nice reviews.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. But it is your favorite month. We've already decorated. You got it decorated before your birthday, which was last.

[John Ryan]

That was the goal. Yeah, before. Because I have like a Thanksgiving birthday, November 26, so it's always right around Thanksgiving. So I like to have it all decorating done by that. And it's a big chore. We have a storage unit down the street where we keep everything. We have six Christmas trees. You know, I don't like to decorate the outside until like after things that's my rule for myself that you don't.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like to decorate outside.

[John Ryan]

I mean, kind of keeping up with the theme of that book, how it's about neighbors and stuff, the book that we're reading. Because I just feel like, just to respect the neighbors, I don't need to like, like, puke out Christmas all over them until November 28th or 29th after Thanksgiving because they don't want to see that. Like, November 1st. Maybe some people do.

[Sarah Colonna]

Some people do.

[John Ryan]

I mean, out of respect for my neighbors, I've always done it that way.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay. And I like that we. And we are on an. This is our first year or on the new street.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

We're only three blocks from where we used to live, so we still invited our old neighbors to our Christmas party. But we have a big Christmas party.

[John Ryan]

We did.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

We invited our old neighbors.

[Sarah Colonna]

I did. What if they're listening?

[John Ryan]

I thought that was gonna be, like, in the past. Now we're moving on to the new neighbors. I didn't think. I thought that we were just invited them so they didn't call the co.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, well, this is.

[John Ryan]

Carry those friends over.

[Sarah Colonna]

This is actually very good on theme with. On a quiet street, people not knowing certain things about their neighbors or knowing too much about their neighbors. Yes. We. Okay.

[John Ryan]

RSVP yes. And they said no.

[Sarah Colonna]

I, I. Well, I. Not everyone's RSVP'd yet. You don't want your old neighbors coming?

[John Ryan]

No.

[Sarah Colonna]

Why?

[John Ryan]

I didn't like him when we lived next to them.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's not true.

[John Ryan]

I'm kidding.

[Sarah Colonna]

He's kidding. He is kidding. No, you like. We. We always had a nice.

[John Ryan]

We had nice neighbors. We had no problems with their neighbors.

[Sarah Colonna]

No. And we. It. It. That's the funny thing is we did. We did start inviting neighbors on both sides to our Christmas party. Alex and Olivia, who are here right now, a lot of, you know, from COVID to cover, they've been to our Christmas party. Awesome. Right? I sent you the rs. I sent you the evi. Yeah. Olivia told you.

[John Ryan]

Has he replied?

[Sarah Colonna]

He hasn't replied yet.

[John Ryan]

Awkward.

[Sarah Colonna]

And I. And then Olivia basically was like, please send it to my email from now on, which is very much like a Franola Liz situation. I always also back up and send it to Liz just in case A Franola.

[John Ryan]

Where.

[Sarah Colonna]

What. In what box is the Evite? You know, I don't know. Anyway, point is, we always invite our neighbors because we. In the very beginning, it was because we only have one party a year. Otherwise, we're very quiet. Two people with three cats but we don't bother.

[John Ryan]

Very quiet house.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

364 days a year. So yeah, when people see a big party happening, like we probably have 120 to 150 people at our party. Indoor outdoor music, bartenders, the whole nine.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, sure. A lot of people are wishing they could be invited right now, just from your description. It's very fun. We're famous for it and we. Anyway, you invite your neighbors because you don't want them to be mad at you. So you invite them. And the first year we invited them, you know, and they, most of they all do it. Everyone does it. Right. Because they don't know a lot of other people. If I was invited, I would say thank you and I probably wouldn't go. Although our other neighbors from behind me and Savvy went to a couple of their parties. They were super fun. They were great. And I actually forgot to. I need to invite them. I haven't invited them yet, so it will. But anyway, point is you have this and then it turns out then we're like, oh, we like those people.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

And they would come and they wouldn't spend a ton of time because they don't know anyone, but they'd come in, have, you know, come for the tacos, have a couple cocktails, you know, we go all out and then they leave. Now we have new neighbors this year and we have, we've decided we need to. We need to invite two on each side. Two on each side. And what about across the street?

[John Ryan]

I don't know, but they just moved in too. Right across the street.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

You haven't been here long enough to complain about a party, so maybe save a couple tacos and a tequila on them.

[Sarah Colonna]

This is very on a quiet street, by the way.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, this is very quiet.

[Sarah Colonna]

If you guys haven't. Haven't read any of it yet, don't worry. This isn't a spoiler, but there is just one neighbor who. Who People don't know what's going on in that house. And I feel a little bit about that, a little bit that way about across the street because it was for sale when we bought this house. We moved in in August 1st. August, yes.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

And that house, the for sale sign went down around the same time we moved in, but then nobody moved in.

[John Ryan]

Right. But there's been non stop workers there.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

For four months. Even though it's a brand new house.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's the thing. It's. I understand workers being there if there' to be done. But it's a brand new House. It was built at the same time ours was. So we're very confused. So. I don't know, we might have our own mystery novel brewing.

[John Ryan]

Well, now I kind of want to invite them to the party.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, See who shows up. Or if they do, like she brings.

[John Ryan]

Her husband on a leash or something. Hey, Todd and Carol. What's up?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, because we're not. We're not. No. Nosy neighbors. There's one nosy neighbor in this book.

[John Ryan]

Stacy Paige.

[Sarah Colonna]

Sorry, no, the nosy one is Kora.

[John Ryan]

Paige is noisy. Noisy. No, nosy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, pages has a reason to be nosy. Kor is just nosy.

[John Ryan]

Right. Okay, gotcha.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. Cora's nosy about what's going on in the. In the quiet house. Now, that's all we'll say about the book itself, plot wise. But they. Anyway, yeah, you have to invite your neighbors. That's it. That's all I'm saying. And if we find out some dirty about them, we'll let you know.

[John Ryan]

But we've had good luck. No one's ever complained about our party that I know of. No one's showing up at least. No, we kind of shut it down by outside by like 11 or midnight. I feel like that time of year, people kind of expect there to be parties on your block.

[Sarah Colonna]

I think so. I think so. But you. We did. So we. We have this. This. The two. Two houses down. There's these two men that live there. Married couple. They're awesome. They're so sweet. We, first of all, we walked by their house on Halloween and they invited us inside and. And one of them gave me free shampoo.

[John Ryan]

Right. So he worked for Paul Mitchell or something.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And. What? So already my favorite new neighbors.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

As much as I loved our old neighbors. Well, no, our old neighbor had a tequila company, so that might. Yeah, he's still top of the list. But we're gave us some shampoo. And then we did say. We said, we're having a Christmas party. We'd love for you to come. And he said, is it because you don't want us to call the cops? And we said, yes, exactly. That is exactly why. But please come. It's a really fun party.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

I mean, just be honest.

[John Ryan]

They're on to us. But also, it'll be a good party.

[Sarah Colonna]

But they'll be here and they'll be impressed.

[John Ryan]

I hope so.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. One of them's already following me on Instagram. He's already seeing the setup.

[John Ryan]

I mean, did you follow him back?

[Sarah Colonna]

I sure did.

[John Ryan]

You check out his Page.

[Sarah Colonna]

I did.

[John Ryan]

And what. What's going on? His life.

[Sarah Colonna]

They just seem like a nice couple doing normal things. Being. So far, nothing. Nothing's amiss on the neighbor on this side.

[John Ryan]

I paid a dollar to get a whole background check.

[Sarah Colonna]

Wait, you did?

[John Ryan]

Yeah. And? And the company started.

[Sarah Colonna]

You're worse than Cora in a.

[John Ryan]

On a quiet way worse. And then the company started charging me $20 a month, and I refused the. I called Amex and said, I'm not paying this. I wanted my one profile for $1. I didn't want to sign up for anything. I want to know what that neighbor's up to.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay. Now, why did you feel that you needed to pay to find out what one of our neighbors was up to? Am I missing something?

[John Ryan]

Well, I wasn't going to knock on his door and ask what he did and how he has money to buy that house.

[Sarah Colonna]

I see.

[John Ryan]

And that's what I wanted to know.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

I want to know his net worth. I want to know what he did for a living. And those are weird things to ask. Will you knock on someone's door?

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, so it basically your curiosity was based on, like, the price tag of the house.

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

Because we did look at that house, too.

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's also brand new. Okay. I hope that if they're listening to this, they're going to be like, those losers that live next door.

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

Spend a dollar to look us up. Well, do you think they've done the same for you?

[John Ryan]

No, it seems like they have more of a life. They have kids and they have jobs, like, normal. Like normal jobs, like nine to fives. And so, no, I don't think they're wasting their time on what we do. I mean, I think some people probably wonder sometimes when they see that, like, we're home, like, a lot clearly don't have jobs. Like when we're like, just home every day, just hanging out, or like walking back and forth from Tipsy Cow, I think they're probably like, huh, I wonder what those people do for a living.

[Sarah Colonna]

They're probably, in their minds, I would guess when this house sold, they thought, oh, some rich retired couple. Which I guess in some ways. I guess in some ways it's true. Bought it, but they didn't. They probably didn't expect people our age to be. To be here. Based on what exactly what you're saying. Because then they're like, but they're home all the time. But now a lot of people work from home. Maybe they think you're some corporate. You get up and walking around the.

[John Ryan]

Area in my sweatpants every day. No, I think they pretty much know I'm not corporate.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, you could be corporate on. On Zoom. You could be like, you know, have you ever gone to. Have you. You've done morning tv. Yeah, yeah. If you ever. Have you ever seen. When one. They'll have like a nice, like, sweatpants stand up and they're just wearing pajama pants and slippers because they. You can't see that.

[John Ryan]

And that's what anyone did during COVID Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

So you could be. But you're right. But now I am curious if anyone. The one neighbors that we've. I follow back on Instagram. They. They Instagram. They've. Instagram. They have obviously figured it out. If they've just looked at a profile, they're like, oh, this girl says she's a comedian. Doesn't also seem to leave her house much. The other guy. Now you are retired. They figured that out. No, we did talk about.

[John Ryan]

We did talk about that because the one guy, he's like, oh, you played football? And then he pulled down his pants.

[Sarah Colonna]

What?

[John Ryan]

And I was like, what, where's this going? But he wanted to show me his Florida leaf. Is that. They call it his New Orleans Saints logo On his.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

On his thigh.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

I mean, he still had shorts on, but I was like, where's this going?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, you need to. Yes. Thank you for clearing that up, because I. I do remember that now.

[John Ryan]

Didn't hang dong.

[Sarah Colonna]

No. He showed you his tattoo. His big saints. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we did talk about it.

[John Ryan]

Football every Sunday. So they could be friends of ours.

[Sarah Colonna]

But it is interesting, you know, I mean, this is just a little. To think about your neighbors and wonder what they're up to. And I obviously don't think we have any sort of situation like happens in this book going on, but the one right across the street is under investigation.

[John Ryan]

It is.

[Sarah Colonna]

Can you pay another dollar to look them up and then argue with American Express after they charge you more?

[John Ryan]

Done.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, thank you.

[John Ryan]

Done.

[Sarah Colonna]

All you have to do is what? Look up the address?

[John Ryan]

I think so. I think that's how I did it. Yeah, that's how I did it. Address.

[Sarah Colonna]

How many times I've tried to look stuff up and never. And I've never wanted to pay the dollar because I do assume I'm going to end up getting roped into some sort of monthly thing that I don't want. And then. So I. And I. And then I always feel a little bit like, oh, I don't want to pay for the whole background search. Because. Mostly because I don't want anyone doing that on me either. Just gets weird.

[John Ryan]

Well, here's where what I learned early on in my professional career as a businessman, I had a business partner about nine years ago. We didn't do a background check on him. We're like, let's just go ahead with this deal. We love this deal. Find out about two years in, and this guy's not on the up and up. So then we pay lawyers to go through a whole background thing, and we found out that he got divorced twice in one month while still being married to his current wife.

[Sarah Colonna]

Wait, how is that. That's not.

[John Ryan]

Three wives at one time in three different states. Okay, so you got divorced twice in.

[Sarah Colonna]

One month, and that's illegal, correct?

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. Okay.

[John Ryan]

Polygamy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. It's. It's legal in one in some states, right?

[John Ryan]

I don't think so. I think that's. I think that's old Utah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, it's not legal.

[John Ryan]

No, I think that's like an old. Like an old.

[Sarah Colonna]

Alex is my fact checker.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Yeah, I got fact checked real quick there.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I did. Don't sound stupid, Sarah. Okay, well, anyway, so that I learned my lesson. Yeah.

[John Ryan]

And now I know what my neighbors are doing at all times.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know, but. Well, to be fair, you weren't in business with our next door neighbor. You were just being nosy.

[John Ryan]

No. Yes. Okay.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. But I like it. I approve.

[John Ryan]

Thank you.

[Sarah Colonna]

So as I was mentioning this, obviously we're talking about how it's your favorite time of year, and because of that, a little off topic of books, but we have to talk about Hot Frosty.

[John Ryan]

We do the. We do.

[Sarah Colonna]

Very number one trending movie on Netflix. At least for a while now. I mean, this is a couple weeks after it came out. Now that you're listening. But we did watch it. We watched it last night and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.

[John Ryan]

It was great.

[Sarah Colonna]

Lacey Chabert is the star.

[John Ryan]

Who.

[Sarah Colonna]

You guys know her from Mean Girls. You know her from every so many movies. All. She's a big Hallmark girl, and I think this was the first. It's so interesting to me that Netflix is like, they're just leaning into taking every genre and just screwing every network.

[John Ryan]

This is like. Like I. Just a straight up stealing Lifetime type.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, Hallmark.

[John Ryan]

Hallmark.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. It's a Hallmark movie that is just now mainstream Netflix movie. And I'm not saying they're stealing it. They're just like, hey, we can do all these too, right? I get it. I. I Mean, good for you. And like I'm so happy for Lacy, who I've actually had cocktails with before. Do you know that?

[John Ryan]

Fun. No, that's fun.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

How'd that happen?

[Sarah Colonna]

Remember Emma Caulfield from back in the day, which is a movie that I did that Michael Rosenbaum.

[John Ryan]

Michael Rosenbaum joint.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. What?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, that's what Spikely says.

[Sarah Colonna]

Michael Rosenbaum wrote and directed this movie that I did and Emma was in it and she and Lacy were friends and she said, Lacey, who does she.

[John Ryan]

Play in that movie?

[Sarah Colonna]

She's Chris Palaha's wife. Yeah. She's blonde. She's great. I can't remember any of the characters names except my own right now.

[John Ryan]

Carol.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. And I was married to Harlan Williams. It's a great movie. If you haven't seen it, you should watch it. Marina Baccaran is in it. She's very. She's blown up. I mean, she was on Homeland at the time too. So there's. Nick Swardson's in it.

[John Ryan]

It's a really good movie.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Anyway, Emma was in it. She's friends with Lacy probably. Emma used to be on Buffy. And so anyway, she said she is a fan of yours. I was still in Chelsea lately at the time and she said she wants you, we should all meet for drinks. And I was like, hell yeah. And we did. And then we never met for drinks again. So I'm not sure how she felt about me. It may have been a one sided woman crush, but. Yeah.

[John Ryan]

If the start of this movie, I thought they were like being serious. So I thought. But then I realized within like a half hour, they're just taking the piss out of movies like this a little bit where it's like when Craig Ferguson comes in. Really?

[Sarah Colonna]

Craig Robinson.

[John Ryan]

Craig Robinson, when he comes in.

[Sarah Colonna]

Very different, very different people.

[John Ryan]

Craig Robinson. Robinson and Joel Trulio. Yeah. When they come in, they're like, okay. They're just like. They're having fun with this.

[Sarah Colonna]

They. Yes, it's definitely. It's a spoof of a. It's a spoof of a Lifetime movie in a. Of a Hallmark movie in a way. But also exactly what they do in Hallmark movies. Except you're right, they don't necessarily have the buddy cops making you laugh.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Sort of being the. The Foils. And so I thought that was a fun aspect of it because remember when they did that Lifetime movie with Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig And Kristen Wiig and I was obsessed with it. Nobody knew what was going on.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

I said it took basically Every aspect of a Lifetime movie. And I think Kristen Wiig said, I want to hold a gun. I want to cry in a shower. And they just gave her. And they just wrote all that in. So it was a little bit like that. But that one was kind of the dark thing. And this was the upbeat Christmas version, but long. You know it from the previews. If you haven't seen it, we're not spoiling anything for you. And also, if. If we did, it wouldn't matter. You still should see it. It's very fun. But she. Lacey. Lacey's character puts a. Puts a scarf. Magical scarf around a big, frozen, ripped snowman, and he comes to life.

[John Ryan]

Isn't that fun, kids? Yeah, that's fun.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then. And while we're watching this movie, I'm thinking, what. This guy looks kind of familiar, but I can't figure him out. But also, is this his first thing he's ever done? No, it was the vet from the. From Schitt's Creek.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

I don't think I would have put that together.

[Sarah Colonna]

No. And I can't think of his name right now. Dustin Milligan. Yeah. And I don't. And. And then once I looked it up while we were watching it, then I couldn't unsee him as the vet from Schitt's Creek. But when it. When it first was him, I didn't recognize him at all. And I think they kind of. Because he had longer hair in this y.

[John Ryan]

And he was trying to come across like a goofball.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right.

[John Ryan]

He comes across. I'm like, I've been on this earth for three days, so I don't know what anything means.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right.

[John Ryan]

So he was like. He really had good, like, facial expressions, like acting like a total goofball.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. He was being.

[John Ryan]

He doesn't play that character on Schitt's Creek.

[Sarah Colonna]

Exactly. So that kind of throws you off, too. And he didn't play, you know, the guy that's just this ripped walk. I mean, he was hot on there, and it was supposed to be. But in this, he's just like, just. I don't know what he had to do to get that body for hot frosty. But, you know.

[John Ryan]

Well, that's why I think also he looks different because he lost a lot of weight for this.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh.

[John Ryan]

He was like 2% body fat in this movie. And his face looked different because it was like, cheekbones and skin.

[Sarah Colonna]

Do you probably. You probably actually know for sure he was 2% body fat? Because you probably analyzed it.

[John Ryan]

Sure. I analyze everyone's body on tv.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, but I mean, like, I would never think about someone's body.

[John Ryan]

He's like. He's like a movie ripped where it's like, unhealthy. I remember Zach Efron got, like, really ripped for that Baywatch movie. He's like, I'll never do that again. Because, like, you're so close to death when you're like 1 or 2% body fat. Like, like, literally you're close to death. And so they can only do it for like, the three or four, five weeks they're sitting the moon. They have to, like, gain weight after that because it's like, it's unhealthy.

[Sarah Colonna]

And then you're like, please just don't let me. I never want to play the hot guy again. I just want to eat.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, that's basically what Zach on Saturday, he's like, I'll never do that again. Because how, like, terrible he felt.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, I don't know that hot frosty is going to have a choice because I think they're going to want to have a hot frosty, too, with this guy. With this. Everybody's watching it.

[John Ryan]

It's very popular.

[Sarah Colonna]

And Joe Lulio and Craig Robinson were very funny.

[John Ryan]

They were great.

[Sarah Colonna]

They really silly and. Yeah, it is funny, though. What? You can't. Listen, you can't poke holes in these movies because then obviously, like, there's never going to be a snowman that comes to life from a magical scarf. But. And then he has to pretend, like you said, that he's only been on this earth for a couple days. So he. So he goes, I need clothes. But then you're like, well, how do you know what clothes are if you've never been on the earth before in movies?

[John Ryan]

Like, every movie would last four minutes. Like the guys in the trunk. Okay, movie's over, guys in the trunk.

[Sarah Colonna]

Just saying when you have to. When you think about the real estate. Because he would say things like, you know, he didn't know what so and so was, but then he knew. He's like, I don't know what. What this is. But then he'd know all the words to say it.

[John Ryan]

We don't know how snowmen are raised.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's true.

[John Ryan]

Well, we know how they're made. We do start with a small snowball. You start to roll it into a bigger one. You put it on the bottom, you get another snowball, you start to roll it a little bit smaller. Bottom one, put it on top of that. Third time, roll a snowball a little bit smaller than that one put on top three level. Snowman. Done. So we do know, I guess.

[Sarah Colonna]

Have you ever made a snowman?

[John Ryan]

I grew up in Canada. I was a professional. I could make like a fort out of snow. Snowman. We make these big caves. I think it was. We're seconds away from suffocating many times because I don't think that's very safe. But they still do it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Caves.

[John Ryan]

We've got huge caves, like almost like igloos in our front yard. Play in them. Big tree forts. Not tree forts. Like snow forts.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like a huge thing because your snow really.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's like it sticks.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

You could actually build things like fluffy. Right. Arkansas snow.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Are you going to say yeah? In Arkansas we didn't really do that, but I. Snow angels and whatnot.

[John Ryan]

Loser.

[Sarah Colonna]

Anyway, we really did enjoy Hot Frosty.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, it was good.

[Sarah Colonna]

What's your favorite. We do have to talk about your favorite Christmas movies just because it's that time of year. What's your favorite Christmas movie? John Tell everybody Christmas story.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, with like. My cat's name is Ralphie because of the Christmas story.

[Sarah Colonna]

We have three cats and John named.

[John Ryan]

Them all Ralphie, Cindy Lou and Ruby Sue.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. And Ruby sue is the newest one that we rescued from outside. And Ruby sue, if you don't remember, is the daughter from Christmas vacation or the.

[John Ryan]

The uncle. The uncle's daughter.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. So the niece, I guess from Christmas vacation. And if you Google Ruby sue from Christmas vacation and look at a photo of our semi feral Torti. They kind of look alike. Oh yeah. Just like a little thing in their face. They kind of look alike. Both very cute. Okay, look, it look like they've been outside too long. Just in that. In the movie.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Because she play. You know, that's was the character.

[John Ryan]

This is definitely time of year where I'd like to watch a Christmas movie about once a day.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Because I really get into it. Like this is. As you said, this is my month.

[Sarah Colonna]

When he was pulling all this stuff out of the storage unit to decorate, I came home and saw it all sitting in the front yard. I was flying. I think I flew home from Vegas that day. Saw it on the front yard. And then John just walks out and all I hear is just, I don't know, a Spotify Christmas playlist just coming out of his phone.

[John Ryan]

You can't decorate for Christmas without Christmas music being on.

[Sarah Colonna]

But you were just not even decorating. You were just going to the storage unit and you had.

[John Ryan]

It's all part of the experience.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's Very cute.

[John Ryan]

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

[Sarah Colonna]

I think I know you're gonna say Bad Santa.

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. It's one of the funniest movies ever. It's. I can watch it as many. I can watch it three days in a row. No problem. I could watch it every day.

[John Ryan]

So good.

[Sarah Colonna]

Makes me laugh every time.

[John Ryan]

Opening monologue. Funny how things work out. Yeah, it's hilarious.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, it's the best. It's the funniest movie.

[John Ryan]

It's definitely the one Christmas movie that you and I can watch year round.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Like there's never a bad time to watch Bad Santa.

[Sarah Colonna]

No. And if you haven't seen it, highly recommend. It's. John Ritter is hilarious in it. Rest in peace, Bernie Mack. Rest in peace. I know.

[John Ryan]

I mean, they, they're to the funniest part. Well, I mean, everyone in that movie is funny, but they're both passed.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And I know Billy Bob Thorton is from Arkansas and he's never cast me in anything.

[John Ryan]

He said that he was. He doesn't remember filming that movie because he's completely drunk the whole time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, right. Wait, I forgot about that.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

So he. Because you think, how can someone play such a good alcoholic? And I think he could, I mean, think about like Nicholas Cage. What was that movie? Leaving Las Vegas? Oh, yeah, yeah. Where he played the alcoholic and he was so good. And honestly, I like to watch those movies because it makes me realize, like, I'm a drinker but I for sure don't have a problem.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like that. At least.

[John Ryan]

It's like when I see like an 80 year old man walk into the liquor store and come up with like vodka. I'm like, all right, I got time, you know, Makes you feel good.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. But so Billy Bob did say that he was actually drunk the entire movie. So is he sober now?

[John Ryan]

I don't know. But I mean, maybe that's why part two wasn't that funny.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh yeah, no, part two wasn't funny. They never are. I don't feel like. I feel like most of them.

[John Ryan]

There's like one moment where like Thurman Merman pops up, but now he's like 20. Looks exactly the same as Thurman Norman did when he was like eight.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

But then it was like. But they kept on trying to play on that same joke and it's like got like weird after a while. Yeah, I didn't like it. Same with Hot Tub Time Machine too. I mean.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah, I think you like.

[John Ryan]

We got tickets for that. Like, you took me all like early, like first showing on a Friday.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't even remember you.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, you blocked it from your memory.

[Sarah Colonna]

So that's how good that was. Do we have a Christmas? Oh, you like Love Actually.

[John Ryan]

Love actually is very good.

[Sarah Colonna]

So they do a Love actually live.

[John Ryan]

And they're not doing it this year.

[Sarah Colonna]

They're not?

[John Ryan]

No.

[Sarah Colonna]

How do you know for sure?

[John Ryan]

Because I've been watching it since July.

[Sarah Colonna]

The calendar, and it's not up there.

[John Ryan]

Wallace.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, they do it every year. Usually they do a live thing. It's very long.

[John Ryan]

Not long enough. I go two or three times a year. Yeah, he goes at least twice a year, sometimes three.

[Sarah Colonna]

We usually go to the premiere. Our friend gets us into the premiere. It's very fun. It's a great event. It's super fun to watch. But when I say long, it's just like, I wouldn't want. I wouldn't go back a second time just because of, like, I'd be like, all right.

[John Ryan]

Then I go back a second time because I have a little tradition with two of my friends. Yeah, friends as well. Then we gonna watch it. And then the last time for the third time with our friend Edward.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, you did go three times last year. And that's probably why they're not bringing it back. They're probably like, we had a stalker last year and this year we have to stop doing this.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, understandable.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, I. Hopefully they do something different this year for you.

[John Ryan]

I've been looking at the calendar.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't see anything on the. On the theme of books. Since this is a book club podcast, I wanted to share with you what my mom sent me.

[John Ryan]

Oh.

[Sarah Colonna]

Because my dad, my stepdad is a big reader. I mentioned that, I think on the first podcast. And. And he's got me. So he likes things like I. He like not really psychological thrillers, but sort of.

[John Ryan]

She's like Tom Clancy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I think they're more. Oh, by the way, someone the other day ordered a clutch. I have a business called clutch women.com, if you'd like to check it out. Stadium compliant handbags. They don't have to be clear if they're the right size. Anyway, she. This person ordered it and their name was Tom Clancy because I can see all the orders. And then I got kind of excited and then I googled and he's been dead for like 20 years, so it was not him.

[John Ryan]

Well, that. Maybe it's even cooler than me.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

The ghost of Tom Clancy.

[Sarah Colonna]

But I didn't know. I mean, I don't know. I accepted. See I mean, Tom Clancy's. Obviously, I know who he is and I've read some of his books and he's a huge author, but I didn't know if he was dead or alive. And I was like, what if he ordered a. A clutch for some. Some lady friend or something? Well, he didn't. Unless it came from beyond, but. So it's more like. Yeah, I guess like detective novels. Michael Connelly So I'm going to tell you I'm giving you my stepdad's recommendation. December Reading list Lisp. He wants me. He would like for me to purchase for him. Michael Connelly the Waiting. So we talked about this. My. He's a big library guy.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

So Christmas is really the only time he receives books because I like to gift them to him and then he usually donates them to the library afterwards. But. Michael Connolly the Waiting. Can you donate to the library? Do I have that right?

[John Ryan]

No, donate.

[Sarah Colonna]

Maybe donate some somewhere else. Anyway, a book drive. It's a Ballard and Bosch novel, which usually means it's one in a series. So I'm curious if you guys want to comment whether or not you've. You can go on our Instagram at the book list. Comment whether or not you've read any of my stepdad's recommendations and what he wants to read. David B. Is it Baldachi? B A L, D, A C, C.

[John Ryan]

I've read a few of his books. Let's Bali.

[Sarah Colonna]

This one's called To Die For. It's got a pretty exciting. Yeah, these people. I mean these guys.

[John Ryan]

These are the ones that are like the 316 series.

[Sarah Colonna]

It says it's a 620.

[John Ryan]

620 series.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, you. So you read these too?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I've read a few of them.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, What. What's the 620 series about?

[John Ryan]

About the 620 train. He kind of. I think the first one's like. He takes a 620 train every day and catch where he like found stuff that was going on. And that's all I remember from that. So move on.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, okay. Well, I wanna. And now I kind of want to read them.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, they're pretty good.

[Sarah Colonna]

And then another one that I do. I've read some of her books and I know some of our listeners. Listeners read some of her books to Patricia Cornwell and this he. For this year. He wants Identity Unknown and it says it's a Scarpetta novel. So it must be. You know how they. That's what these. It's so genius authors like this do is they make them in a series. It's kind of like I was talking about on the very first podcast. My very first favorite author, Tess Garretson is. She had that Rosolian Isles.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. And they hook you in.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then. And. And all. And then all of a sudden it's like, everyone likes these characters. And now you have. I mean, just to. You're just going to get every single one of their books. They're going to have. They're all going to be New York Times bestsellers. Genius.

[John Ryan]

When you look at the New York Times bestseller list, half the books are like book seven or book eight or book 13. Like, they're all in the series.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

A lot of them.

[Sarah Colonna]

I mean, I wish I would have thought of that.

[John Ryan]

Never too late.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't think that On a Quiet street will be something like that.

[John Ryan]

I don't think it can be.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't know. Yeah. I have to ask because. Just because this is my first pick and I have seen some of you have read it already and we won't talk about it, but I. I know you've read it already because we're preparing all the podcast. Did you like it?

[John Ryan]

I really liked it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

I liked it a lot. Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Because even though I know you've read some of the ones that I just read off that my stepdad likes that are more detective novel, this is more sort of a psychological thriller.

[John Ryan]

I really do. I like almost every type of book. But if I have a go to, it's these ones that I'm giving you every other month. But. Yeah. But I definitely enjoyed this book as well.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. I thought this one was really good. I was very proud of my pick. And I think that what I'm really happy about with this author in this book is that I don't. She's definitely had some big hits and she's got some. I read. I think it was vacancy in room 10 before, and that's why I picked this one, which I hadn't read. And then she's got some other really good ones. I know she has a new one coming out next summer, but I don't know. I feel like she's not someone. I hear her name all the time. So I'm kind of hoping that I introduced her to some people, too, and.

[John Ryan]

Introduced her to me.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's right. I did.

[John Ryan]

Seraphina Nova. I think that's her real name. Seraphina Nova Glass.

[Sarah Colonna]

I think it is.

[John Ryan]

And she's a badass name.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. She teaches in Texas and Dallas at a university I think screenwriting or something similar. I did message her and and asked her if I could send her a couple books for her to autograph to do a giveaway. She said yes, I will be sending them to her tomorrow and if I do get them back we'll have a giveaway. If I don't, well, I just put her on blast for not. But no, I think she'll obviously send them back. I said I put include a self addressed stamp envelope, all the things. So she's going to sign a couple of her paperbacks and we'll do some kind of giveaway for you guys that'll you know, involve social media and spreading the word about us and things like that.

[John Ryan]

We're also giving away a dinner for four with Ellen Hildebrand in the chicken box.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh really?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, yeah, with free flight and accommodations and it'll all be supplied by Alan Hildebrand.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's not true. None of that is true. Don't get excited.

[John Ryan]

Just you can go to the chicken box by yourself and say that Ellen sent you.

[Sarah Colonna]

You can do that? Absolutely. Doesn't Ellen have a ornaments this year or something?

[John Ryan]

He does have Chris's Ormond this year.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, I need to get on that.

[John Ryan]

I need to little picnic basket with her books inside of it and a bottle of Vuv. Oh, like a real bottle or a little fake bottle?

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh well, what's. What good.

[John Ryan]

She likes move too.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, okay. God, you guys have a lot in common.

[John Ryan]

Yep.

[Sarah Colonna]

Maybe you guys are gonna have the same time next year before I know it.

[John Ryan]

No.

[Sarah Colonna]

I also feel like we should probably before we go announce January's book. I know I put it on Instagram but just in case anyone missed it, John's next month is John's pick. As you know we go back and forth and for those of you that library or like to read ahead John which what do you got?

[John Ryan]

The seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

[Sarah Colonna]

I have not read it.

[John Ryan]

Taylor Jenkins reads. What? I've read a lot of her books. Oh really great author, really entertaining reads and this book is really good. Really interesting. It goes one way and it goes the other way and then it's really good. Okay, but it's interesting. It's good.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I. When I posted it on Instagram and when I posted it. Yeah on Instagram. I guess a lot of people wrote that that was a book. So I think that's the fun thing too. If you've read the book already, it doesn't matter. You can relive it with us or you can reread it which sometimes is fun to do, but you can also just. If you already know it, you know it, and you can just listen along. I think it's fun to reread it if you. If you want to. But I know that a lot of people were excited about this pick because they've already read it and want to hear us discuss it.

[John Ryan]

For sure. Yeah. And even if you don't want to read it at all, you can still, like, tune in and, you know, just listen to us. Shoot the shit.

[Sarah Colonna]

Exactly. I haven't picked my. My February one yet. I feel a lot of pressure now because I really.

[John Ryan]

Valentine's Day Massacre or something say on theme.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah. I know it's going to be a psychological thriller, but I really feel like I knocked it out of the park on my first one. But I will say, and I do, and I want us to. At one point, we're going to have to do an Abby Jimenez book for sure. Because you introduced me to Abby Jimenez, who I really liked, and that would be obviously one of your picks, mostly because I followed her on Instagram and she followed me back. So I feel like we could probably get her to maybe also autograph books.

[John Ryan]

It's very funny because I have nieces in their, you know, their mid teens, and now they really like Abby Jimenez and they like, oh, John, we read all the same books that you do. I'm like, can I be on your podcast? I'm like, do not listen to my podcast. I do not want you hearing the things that I say.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, you don't say anything bad on the podcast. I think your niece is. It would be cute if we had them on if we read it. Abby Hemina's book. And then. And they come on. No.

[John Ryan]

Nope.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay, well, we shot that down real quick. No problem. Okay. I think that's it. Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, that was good.

[Sarah Colonna]

This is week one. And you know what? You know what's next?

[John Ryan]

Two. Week one.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Book two. Week one. And you know what? Next week is week two.

[John Ryan]

Buckle up, buttercup.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's how that works. So thank you guys for being here. Follow us on the Book Lisp on Instagram. Join the Book List spinners. Follow us on Patreon. Bye.

[John Ryan]

Bye.

[Sarah Colonna]

The Book List.

[John Ryan]

The Book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The Book List.

[John Ryan]

The Book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The Book Lisp.