The Book Lisp – Episode Summary

Episode: "Walk This Way"

Air Date: April 6, 2026
Hosts: Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Book of the Month: Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier (Sarah’s pick)

Main Theme

This episode kicks off the April discussion of Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier, focusing on the art of spoiler-free book club conversation. Jon and Sarah riff on settings (especially Seattle), tourist traps, McDonald’s orders, public walking etiquette, and the cultural oddities around Santa and the Easter Bunny—all inspired by the themes and moments in this psychological thriller.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Book Announcements

• April's Pick: Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier, a psychological thriller set in Seattle.
• May’s Pick (Jon’s, announced live): Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan.
  • Sarah tries to clarify the pronunciation of "Monaghan."
    [03:08] Sarah: "Annabelle Monaghan...looks like Monaghan...I have never read anything by her, so this is exciting."
• Sarah jokes about needing time to research how to say the author's name correctly for next week.

2. Life Updates and Comedy Dates

• Sarah shares upcoming stand-up dates, including a weekend at Arlington Draft House and more.
• Discussion about the logistics and economics of touring, with a brief reflection on airfare expenses.

3. Life with a Foster Cat

• Sarah explains why she’s been sleeping in the foster cat’s room—helping her adjust to domestic life after being feral.
  • [04:47] Sarah: "She lays right on the bed with me all night...Then at 5 o'clock in the morning, she got up to use the litter box and then started playing."

4. Why Are So Many Thrillers/Venues Set in Seattle?

• Sarah notes Seattle’s prevalence in thrillers and romance, including Little Secrets.
• Jon offers theories: weather ("dark and dreary and rainy"), iconic for both romance (Sleepless in Seattle) and crime/thriller stories.
  • [06:02] Jon: "It's always like dark and dreary and rainy for like eight months...it's also good for like a thriller or like a crime..."
• Main action in Little Secrets—a child kidnapped at Pike Place Market—leads to a comedic, detailed discussion of Seattle local spots.
• Local vs. tourist perspectives on Pike Place Market, Matt’s on the Market, Radiator Whiskey, The Pink Door (with the trapeze act).
  • [08:34] Jon (story): "For some reason, Sarah was in a shitty mood...there's, like, a trapeze above our table. She's like, 'If I get a fucking pube in my fricking food, we're fucking leaving.'"
  • Sarah expresses embarrassment but joins the laughter, appreciating Jon’s patience and storytelling.
  • They debate which Seattle tourist experiences are secretly worthwhile.

5. McDonald's, Food Confessions, and Cultural Food Terms

• Jon’s unique Big Mac order ("no cheese") and subsequent evolution ("I go cheese now. Still no onions.").
  • [16:06] Jon: "I've actually changed that order. I actually go with cheese now. Still no onions—you can fuck off. Those little onions..."
• Embarrassing food moments, such as Jon’s massive Postmates order accidentally sent home to LA while he was in Portland; Sarah’s discovery of said feast.
  • [18:31] Sarah: "I thought maybe the McDonald’s fairy just came and brought me breakfast. I didn’t know what happened..."
• Humorous debate about Canadian/American food terms ("chicken burger" vs "chicken sandwich"), leading Jon to identify the author as Canadian.
  • [21:27] Jon: "She writes that she got a chicken burger from McDonald's. And I—that's exactly when I knew she was Canadian."

6. Public Walking Etiquette and Travel Rants

• Fast-walking personalities, struggles with slow or inconsiderate pedestrians.
  • [24:26] Jon: "When I'm at the airport...all walk on the right, okay? Let's all walk on the right."
• Both rant about airport etiquette, texting while walking, and dreams of physically nudging inconsiderate walkers.
  • [25:33] Sarah: "I want to be able to walk around and just pop people...right in the back of the head and go, 'pay attention.'"

7. Cultural Commentary: Santa, The Easter Bunny, and Stranger Danger

• Little Secrets involves a kidnapper in a Santa suit—sparking conversation about mixed messaging around "stranger danger."
  • [32:08] Sarah: "We teach our kids how not to talk to strangers. But kids are rewarded for confiding in a stranger when it's Santa."
• Jon notes kids are not just encouraged but rewarded for talking to Santa.
  • [33:08] Jon: "You even reward them after...get like a candy cane."
• Both ponder where kids encounter Santa these days if malls are dying (Bass Pro Shops, The Grove, etc.).
• Jon shares a heartwarming story of creating a Santa visit for his nieces and nephews, hiring a teammate with a pro-level costume.
  • [37:10] Jon: "He had, like, set up the theory...Who am I? You're Santa Claus, of course...the kids hook, line, and sinker, absolutely 100% bought it, and they loved it."
• They compare the creepiness and fun of Santa vs. the Easter Bunny and reflect on how non-parents interpret these traditions.
  • [40:38] Jon: "Easter Bunny is creepy. Like, I've never not seen...I've never seen an Easter Bunny that wasn't creepy..."

8. Baseball, Travel, and Homebody Life

• Banter about partial Angels season tickets, Mariners/Angels loyalty, and Jon’s homebody lifestyle in Portland.
  • [28:06] Jon: "I get two tanks of gas a year on January 1st, and then on July 1st, I get my second tank..."
• Humorous "mayor of my bubble" self-assessment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [08:34] Sarah (on The Pink Door): "If I get a fucking pube in my fricking food, we're fucking leaving.”
• [21:27] Jon: “She writes that she got a chicken burger from McDonald's. And I—that's exactly when I knew she was Canadian.”
• [24:44] Jon: “Second of all, when you're on the highway and you have to pick up a phone call, you move over to the side of the road. I want you to stop walking and texting in airports.”
• [32:08] Sarah: “We teach our kids how not to talk to strangers. But kids are rewarded for confiding in a stranger when it's Santa.”
• [37:10] Jon (Santa story): "...shows up at the house with a bag of gifts for them... the kids were just, like, hook, line, and sinker, absolutely 100% bought it, and they loved it."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:53] — Jon announces May’s book: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan.
• [05:43] — Seattle’s role in thrillers and romances; novelty of Pike Place Market.
• [08:34] — The Pink Door trapeze/pube story.
• [13:15] — Discussion of "tourist trap" restaurants and food.
• [14:44] — McDonald’s confessions and cultural food terms.
• [24:28] — Fast-walking pet peeves and airport etiquette.
• [32:08] — Stranger danger vs. Santa Claus paradox.
• [37:10] — Jon’s in-home Santa story.

Episode Tone and Listener Engagement

• Playful, self-deprecating, often irreverent but affectionate banter.
• Routine encouragement to join their Facebook group ("The Book Listeners"), Instagram discussion, and Patreon for bonus episodes and short stories.
• Frequent laughter, gentle prodding, and willingness to embarrass one another for the sake of a story.

Conclusion

This episode delivers all the hallmarks of The Book Lisp: marital comedy, digressions inspired by the monthly book, local color, food debates, and crowd-sourced questions. The self-aware, candid conversations about holiday traditions, Seattle’s quirks, and everyday annoyances make this a perfect listen for book club fans, Seattle lovers, and anyone who craves humor with their book talk.