"What Alice Forgot" Full Discussion

Summary

The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Episode: "What Alice Forgot" Full Discussion

Release Date: March 24, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve deep into their full review of "What Alice Forgot" by Leanne Moriarty. This episode marks their fourth weekly installment, where they move beyond initial impressions to thoroughly dissect the novel's intricate plot, character dynamics, and underlying themes.

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Overview of "What Alice Forgot"

Sarah Colonna kicks off the discussion by expressing her excitement about the book being John’s pick for the month. She mentions that after "What Alice Forgot," they'll transition to "Then She Was Gone" by Lisa Jewell for April, highlighting its complexity and appeal.

[01:10] Sarah Colonna: "I am very excited because I did love this book. This was John's pick, and as you know, we switch off monthly."

Jon Ryan adds that he had previously read "Then She Was Gone" and plans to reread it, underscoring its "crazy" nature.

[01:32] Jon Ryan: "I've already read it before. I'm going to read it again. But it, from what I remember, it was a crazy book."

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Initial Impressions and Structure

Sarah points out the unique structure of their podcast, emphasizing how they avoid spoilers until the fourth week when they finally break down the full book. This approach builds anticipation and ensures that listeners have a comprehensive understanding before delving into detailed discussions.

[00:07] Sarah Colonna: "This is the week that we actually break down the full book. We don't give any spoilers up until this point."

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Deep Dive into the Plot and Characters

Jon Ryan begins the detailed analysis by summarizing the book's premise: Alice Kinnon forgets ten years of her life after an accident, waking up to a life she barely recognizes.

[06:05] Jon Ryan: "She falls down, hits her head at spin class, and she's forgotten 10 years. ... her world has completely changed in those 10 years."

Sarah and Jon explore Alice's realization of how much she has changed and the impact on her relationships, especially with her husband Nick and sister Libby. They discuss the deterioration of Alice and Nick's marriage, highlighting the subtle cracks that turned into significant fractures over time.

[08:11] Sarah Colonna: "I think you assume Nick's going to be to blame kind of at the beginning in some way."

[10:11] Jon Ryan: "Nick is still the frumpy, pissed off dad ... why is that such a negative that they're working so much?"

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Themes of Memory and Identity

The hosts delve into how memory shapes identity and relationships. Jon notes that as Alice regains her memories, she confronts the person she used to be and the changes that led to her estrangement from friends and family.

[26:33] Jon Ryan: "Her memories and herself formed by those 10 years was back. It was that her true self that was formed by those 10 years was back."

Sarah adds that Alice's journey is about reinvention and understanding the consequences of her actions over the past decade.

[30:04] Sarah Colonna: "I think that's the whole point. ... she saw how she pushed everyone away, including her husband."

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Character Dynamics and Development

Jon and Sarah analyze the supporting characters, particularly focusing on Libby and her struggles with infertility, which adds another layer of complexity to the family dynamics.

[19:46] Sarah Colonna: "And she ended up having a reason about the family heirloom. But she even went back and went: I didn't even like it. I thought it was ugly."

They also discuss Franny's role in providing perspective through her letters to a therapist, which helps in understanding the fragmented relationships in the story.

[21:26] Jon Ryan: "Jeremy?"

[21:27] Sarah Colonna: "I appreciated all of those because ... it added to letting you understand."

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Notable Plot Twists and Endings

The episode touches on the significant plot twist where Alice decides to return to her married life with Nick after initially resisting. Jon expresses mixed feelings about the ending, appreciating the closure but questioning whether it places the onus solely on Alice for their reconciliation.

[25:30] Sarah Colonna: "But I did like it. Was it the romantic in you that liked it or what?"

[30:15] Jon Ryan: "I would say ... she's able to take those 10 years and kind of put them into perspective and then make it work back with Nick."

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Themes of Communication and Misunderstanding

A critical discussion point revolves around the lack of communication between Alice and Nick, which contributed to their marital issues. The hosts emphasize the importance of effective communication in maintaining relationships.

[19:46] Sarah Colonna: "If you would have communicated certain things better with me, we probably wouldn't be here."

[24:54] Jon Ryan: "It would be a lie. Young Alice was a fool. ... Young Alice hadn't experienced 10 years of living right."

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Cultural References and Language Differences

Towards the end, Jon and Sarah lightheartedly discuss Australian slang and cultural references present in the book, highlighting the subtle differences between Australian and North American English.

[48:37] Jon Ryan: "My favorite one is a tosser. Look at a tosser."

[52:07] Sarah Colonna: "I just want to interrupt with my favorite reference. IGA ..."

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Conclusion and Ratings

Wrapping up, both hosts share their ratings for the book. Jon Ryan gives it an 11 out of 12, appreciating the depth and complexity of the narrative despite some frustrations with character developments. Sarah Colonna rates it 5 out of 5, commending the character journeys and overall storytelling.

[53:59] Jon Ryan: "I loved it. I loved it. I'm gonna go 11 out of 12. Beer."

[54:19] Sarah Colonna: "Five out of five. Tito's."

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Final Thoughts

Sarah concludes by reiterating their next month's pick, "Then She Was Gone" by Lisa Jewell, and encourages listeners to support their Patreon for additional content. Jon adds final remarks, ensuring listeners are informed about upcoming discussions and engagements.

[55:53] Sarah Colonna: "We'll get ready for your pick next month."

[56:09] Jon Ryan: "The Fall Risk. ... Here’s the short story for Patreon, for April."

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Key Takeaways

• Memory and Identity: The novel explores how memories shape one's sense of self and impact relationships.

• Communication: Effective communication is vital in maintaining healthy relationships, as highlighted by Alice and Nick's strained marriage.

• Character Development: Alice's journey of rediscovery contrasts with Libby's struggles with infertility, showcasing different facets of personal growth and challenges.

• Cultural Nuances: The inclusion of Australian slang adds authenticity to the setting, providing listeners with a glimpse into cultural differences.

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Notable Quotes

• Sarah Colonna ([01:10]): "I am very excited because I did love this book. This was John's pick..."

• Jon Ryan ([06:05]): "She falls down, hits her head at spin class, and she's forgotten 10 years."

• Jon Ryan ([26:33]): "Her memories and herself formed by those 10 years was back."

• Jon Ryan ([53:59]): "I loved it. I loved it. I'm gonna go 11 out of 12. Beer."

• Sarah Colonna ([54:17]): "Five out of five. Tito's."

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This comprehensive discussion by Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna offers listeners an in-depth understanding of "What Alice Forgot", touching upon its narrative structure, character complexities, and thematic richness. Whether you're familiar with the book or considering reading it, this episode provides valuable insights and thoughtful analysis.

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 and welcome to the Book Lisp with John Ryan and Sarah Colonna. Week four, which, if you don't already know, this is the week that we actually break down the full book. We don't give any spoilers up until this point. Week four, it's our favorite Monday of the month because it's just fun to finally get to talk about it. We avoid talking. We're in the same home. Do you understand?

[John Ryan]

Even right now, it's better podcasting if we just talk about it for the first time on this show. That's what we do.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, we like to wait. I. I had thoughts, but I didn't want to talk to him about them. So we just talk about other things like Temptation island and shit like that.

[John Ryan]

What a mess that is. Temptation Island. Those kids.

[Sarah Colonna]

Those kids.

[John Ryan]

Just real stupid kids in their mid-30s, those kids are.

[Sarah Colonna]

So we are here to discuss the full review of what Alice Forgot by Leanne Moriarty. I am very excited because I did love this book. This was John's pick, and as you know, we switch off monthly. So next month, April's pick is Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. And boy, is that a doozy. Are you reading it yet, John?

[John Ryan]

I've already read it before. I'm going to read it again. But it, from what I remember, it was a crazy book.

[Sarah Colonna]

Really crazy. Right? I forgot that you had read it before you actually mentioned it to me. Yeah, well, I know we have a few people that said they'd read it before, but they're looking for a good revisit. Plus just a discussion after. It's a very, very good book. She's. But this month is about what Alice forgot. Leanne Moriarty. And then just to you remember, we are on Patreon, where you can watch the video of this podcast as well. As the big draw is we have a lot of bonus content. So on the 5th, the 15th and the 25th of every month, we do bonus content. The 5th and the 25th, it's just random, fun content, Sometimes book related, sometimes not, but nothing you have to keep up with or read. And on the 15th, we always do a short storybook review. We've done Freedom McFadden. We've done. What was. What was this?

[John Ryan]

Pico.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah, Jodi Pico. And anyway, we have. And Ellen Hildebrand So. And next month we're doing Abby Jimenez short story as recommended by one of our book list spinners. John, I don't think that you know that yet. Did you know that?

[John Ryan]

I don't know that. This was the first I've heard of it. It's like we don't even know each other anymore.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know. Well, here's what happened is I sent you a text with a. A photo, a screen grab of the recommendation to do an Abby Jimenez story. And I said, look, no work for us. Someone already picked April's short story pick for Patreon, and you never responded to it.

[John Ryan]

Well, I'm looking at my text right now to see. Yeah, that is.

[Sarah Colonna]

You were in Seattle and you were, you know. So I just. And I think you were doing at the soccer game, so I didn't realize.

[John Ryan]

I don't think I even. It was freezing cold, this talking. I don't think I even took my phone out of my pocket.

[Sarah Colonna]

For those of you watching, I'm drinking a canned cocktail and I'm drinking red wine. So. Yeah. Now do you see it?

[John Ryan]

Oh, I see it now. Yep. You said it right in the middle of soccer game.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I'll post it on Patreon, the name of the short story. But that's what we're doing for April. Plus, obviously, then she was gone. By Lisa Jewell. Join the Book list spinners on Facebook. Follow us at the book list on Instagram. Let's get in to. Oh, but first, if you happen to be in Montana, in Bozeman or Missoula, come see me. John. Mary Radzinski, who a lot of you know, because I know a lot of you are also. Are you my podcasters. So come see us in Montana, April 3rd and 4th. Missoula, April 3rd, Bozeman, April 4th. Tickets for that are on Sarah Colonna.com Mary and I will be doing stand up. John will be doing the meet and greets with us afterwards because he likes to have his biceps invaded.

[John Ryan]

Oh, God. Last week I was real invaded upon.

[Sarah Colonna]

By your John, apparently. Got real felt up.

[John Ryan]

Real, real felt up. This time you usually encourage it, but this time even I have.

[Sarah Colonna]

I encourage it, like, as a joke. But then sometimes I forget people take it things too far.

[John Ryan]

I have a very overprotective friend and he had. He stepped in and like, had the girl, like, away from me.

[Sarah Colonna]

Wait, what was she doing?

[John Ryan]

It was like, I don't mean to.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's not even. I shouldn't even be laughing.

[John Ryan]

She came out. She was like a Seahawks super Fan. So she came up and wanted an autograph and a picture, and she was, like, kind of like. Like kind of freaking out. Like, weird. Like, this is not the normal reaction when you see me. Trust me. And then she came back for seconds and she wanted another picture. And then she, like, wanted, like, she grabbed my chest then. And then when she took her picture, she had the old. Like that thing that that guy did to Taylor Swift reach around and grab my ass. Oh, the old reach around.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Not cool unless it's approved. Let's just state that.

[John Ryan]

Yes, of course.

[Sarah Colonna]

Let's go on. This was John's pick. What Alice forgot. I love this book. I think it was. I loved it. I have mixed feelings about the ending, which we'll get to. And we don't have to go in sequence in the book.

[John Ryan]

We never do.

[Sarah Colonna]

We just talk. Yeah. But give me your overall. Where do you want to start with what Alice said?

[John Ryan]

I'm not sure where I want to start, but I will say that I think if I feel like I say this every week, but this book is really deep and there's a lot of layers to it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Like, when I read it the first time, I took all these notes, and by the end, I was like, all the notes I took from the start are kind of like. They're not even, like, relevant anymore. Like, all the answers were either. All the questions were either answered or it doesn't matter or. So it was a lot of a real big twist at the end, in my opinion.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

So there is. I mean, just start from the start. She falls down, hits her head at spin class, which is a very LA thing, but falls down, hits her head at spin class, and she's forgotten 10 years. And what I think's funny, kind of like it kind of tips off the whole thing. I didn't really think about it till later. She wakes up and she's with Jane, who's her friend, but also her lawyer. So when she wakes up, she realizes that not very many people like her anymore. And this is such proof that, like, her only friend is the woman that she pays to be her friend as a divorce lawyer. That's why I took away. Because at first I was like, oh, she's with her divorce lawyer. Maybe they're trying to say, like, she's going through a divorce. But I was like, it's also like, wow, you. Like, in the last 10 years, you've alienated and been rude to enough people that you have, like, one friend left. And she. As she starts to find out her her world has completely changed in those 10 years.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And it's funny with Jane, her divorce lawyer, because she. I kind of. I mentioned this to John, but not without talking about it, but I said, just when we get to the full review, I need to know if I missed something. Because there's. At one point in the book, Jane says when she's worried that they're going to get back together because Alice is in. In 10 years ago. So she's like, there's no reason we would ever get divorced, so of course we're going to get back together. And Jane basically says, don't sign anything. Don't do that. And then at one point she said, you would never. You said you would never forgive him for what he. And that caught me off guard because I Then I'm starting to wait for the. What he did. And they kind of baited, you know, very smartly Leanne Moriarty baited us with Michael and Gina and thinking maybe something happened, but really, you just come to find out their relationship, marriage just deteriorated.

[John Ryan]

Right. But between that and then the whole time, the whole, like, however long this takes, she's like. Alice is like. Wants to find why they broke up. Like, what was the big, like, boom. The big punch that, like, ended their relationship. Which is also funny because whenever someone breaks up, everyone. What's the number one thing someone always says? Like, why'd you break up?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

And unless it's like a cheating thing, usually it's like years or months or decades of like, little tiny cracks that aren't fixed and then become like a huge fracture. A huge break.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. He kind of explains that to her. Right. Eventually he says it in. It was interesting when he basically said, I couldn't do anything right. I couldn't get the kids outfits right. I. When I was gone for work. You were pissed. It was. And so it starts. If he does at some point, say the blame wasn't all on you. There was one very crucial point of our relationship when you were taking care of our kids, that I was gone for a year to do this job. Not gone for a year, but traveling a lot. But it does seem from the most part that. Because even when she goes in the coffee shop, eventually, when she finds out she likes coffee and she didn't know I had a headache. And her trainer says, well, you love it. You're probably missing your flat white. And she's like, what? I didn't even like coffee. And Dino says to her, oh, Nick came in and I told him, you guys should just get back Together and why can't you fix it? There's nothing you can't fix. And he said if I could fix it, I would mate. And so you do kind of get the idea. I think you assume Nick's going to be to blame kind of at the beginning in some way. And of course both people are. But it kind of seems like she was the one that changed so much that their marriage became.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, yeah. Going back to like Nick said that he'd go to work and people would respect him. Then he'd get home and she, she, Alice would make him feel like the village idiot.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Sometimes I don't understand, like I understand a little bit when this is like outside of this but just like people in relationships, they're like, oh, he's, he's, he's, he or she is gone too much, they're working too much. Whereas like you and I, if you're gone working too much. I'm just happy when you come home. I'm not mad all the time you were gone. I'm just happy about the time you came home. Like why don't people see it more like that? Maybe it's different when you have kids and yeah, you're more, you have more stuff going on at home like that. But I always wonder like why is that such a negative that they're working so much like they're working so much to support the family or support the two of you. Why is it such a big deal?

[Sarah Colonna]

I think, I do think that we have a different perspective because, because we have no kids. So I think when you are a sing a mom and not in handling all of it and even though you understand that he's providing and building this big life and getting you this nice house and this and that overwhelmed she, I, I always, I always got the feeling she always felt overwhelmed. And I think he understood that too which is why he became softer with her the more he realized that she. What she had forgotten. But it is a interesting dynamic and point and I think the whole point of this book is also to look at that and to look at why you become so negative towards someone that you. I think to me the biggest part of this book is she's just gobsmacked. Right. God smacked gobsmacked.

[John Ryan]

I don't know. Not sure.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, don't worry about it. Gobsmacked. I think it is. But she's, she's just shook. As the kids would say, let's make it easier that she has changed so much. She, she can't believe, oh What? Me and my sister aren't close anymore?

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

What does she mean? What do you mean, I'm too busy? I've always thought busy people seem so annoying. What are you. How are you too busy for this, this, and this? And by the end of the book, her sister becomes that. Right. Her sister ends up being the busy, busy, busy person. And she kind of is almost throwing shade at it in. In a little bit with her thoughts. But it's like the. The. The way. I know it's 10 years, and I know that sounds a lot like a lot, but the way she changed from just being the most doting wife, loving her husband to disliking him, always criticizing him, didn't like to work out, now has a trainer, goes to spin class and can't even recognize the clothes that she wears and held onto this ring and different thing. And the thing with, like, the Christmas with the kids and splitting time and he's. She's obviously being very difficult about all that stuff. Right. She wouldn't give the ring back.

[John Ryan]

It's so funny because as, like, you see this in people's relationships, and then when you're on the outsider, you step back, you're like, why the f are you fighting about this? And that's why she had the advantage of kind of being able to step back and, like, losing that Ted years. She's like, why am I fighting over this ring? That's like a family heirloom to him. Like, of course he can have it back. Like, why am I digging my heels? Later on, she said, like, when she. When she comes back and she remembers everything, she's like, well, I was fighting for it because it should go to Madison and not some new girl that he meets. And then she was like, the Christmas thing, she's like, well, of course we should, like, divide up our time. Like, why am I digging my heels in and all this stuff? And I feel like in relationships they say, like, small things become big things if they're not fixed. And so all of a sudden, she started fighting for things. She doesn't even know why she's fighting for them anymore. She's just fighting for the sake of fighting because that's what she's to, you know, try to win something that there's nothing really there to win.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And I think that comes out of this anger or resentment because I think, like you said, she ended up thinking of. She ended up having a reason about the family heirloom. But she even went back and went. I didn't even like it. I thought it was ugly.

[John Ryan]

Oh, right. She goes, she's like, I have a secret. I don't even like this ring. It's ugly.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And that's at the very beginning when she's going through her gym bag to find out who she is, basically. And she's like, I hate this fucking ring. But then when you find out she's holding onto it almost to spite him. But then maybe it is for her daughter. Okay, that's fine. Or her son. But with the Christmas thing, as someone who grew up in a divorced family and, and always spent Christmas with my mom, and then when I was really young, I would go, I would fly out to my Dad's on the 26th, so we would always spend like the day after and have a second Christmas. And I, I, I loved it, by the way. I, A lot of, I don't know if this gives parents any ease, but any of you who go through this stuff, I'm not saying it's always easy, but there's a little bit of a, a bonus for kids in that way where you're like, I get two Christmases.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

You know, it depends on how everything goes down. I understand that. But for me, I was like, whatever, I get two Christmases. This is fun. I have, you know, I'm gonna go open more presents tomorrow at Dad's. Like, this is awesome. So. But she was digging her heels in so much. And then when he, when she first saw him after, still thinking they were together, but his first visit over there and they, and he brings up the Christmas thing. She's like, yeah, whatever. Of course you should have, like, this is how we should do it. And she becomes so reasonable because she doesn't remember any of her anger.

[John Ryan]

Right.

[Sarah Colonna]

So it's so interesting to see how with her, because he was like, what? Excuse me, you're the one that had that. She's like, why are we talking about this in May? He goes, because you have a fucking spreadsheet for the year, you know, and it's just so interesting to, to look at the perspective of how people will fight with each other over such. They're big events. But it becomes trivial when you really think about the fact that you can just work it out. It's not like they did lived in different countries and couldn't just figure this out. So the fact that people will just spite each other over just dislike for each other at that point. Or anger.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. And it's funny because I think when you're in it, you can't see it, which you can't see the forest through the trees. Is that what the saying is? Like, you're just so wrapped up in it, you can't do it. I was also like, how much of a fricking influence does Gina girl have on her life? Like, it sounds like she was just. Like I said one point, she said, like. I think Elizabeth said it was like. I don't know if she used the word God worship or like. Like, she almost, like, worshiped her somehow. Yeah. It sounds like she really, like, influenced her. Like, and then. Then also they start talk later. Like, I guess she told Gina that she was pregnant before she told Nick, and Nick was all hurt by this. And then later on, she's like, well, of course I did, because you were out of town and she was there. So it was like. It's. When people don't talk about things. This is. Things happen like that.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And I think the interesting piece with Gina, because she's clearly. This was a big part of when she started to feel lost as a person. Right. She lost her best friend. She saw it happen, which can't imagine. So you put that piece in, and she saw she had this memory, and she thought it was Nick and Gina cheating, but it turns out it was Gina and someone else. No, no, no, no. It was Gina's husband. Sorry.

[John Ryan]

But it almost shows, like, how wrapped up they are in each other. I think that's how it showed it, that she thought it was like, she couldn't even. Like, she thought that Michael was Nick. I think, like, they're so wrapped up into each other that in her head, she couldn't even see the difference.

[Sarah Colonna]

And that's one part that. So part of me liked, loved that part where they were like, okay, these two are so intertwined. And even at the end, she's having a dream about a family vacation with Gina, and then Dom, Dominic's in there, and he's not supposed to be there because it's supposed to be with these memories, blah, blah, blah. But when she talks about when she realizes that she saw. When she finds out that she saw the accident and her. So did her daughter. And then she also remembers that her husband cheated and that. And then so she and Gina kind of turned on Nick because he still tried to be friends with Mike.

[John Ryan]

Right, Right.

[Sarah Colonna]

So when Gina dies, Nick doesn't go to the funeral, and it's because he feels ousted. He feels like he. He wasn't wanted there because he was still friends with Michael, and he betrayed everybody. And that's such a hard line. It's like, that's a little. I can't imagine being like, don't come to this funeral because you still remain friends with this person for making out in a laundry room.

[John Ryan]

And then, well, he's like, well, I was like, I had a trip, like a business trip planned for a long time and that's why I didn't go. And I asked you if you wanted me to go. And I, I hate this when people do this. I absolutely hate it when people do this. And I asked if you wanted me to go. He said, I don't care if you want someone to go somewhere, just be like, yes, I want you there. Yeah, I don't like these games that people play like this. Because all she would have been like, yeah, Nick, I actually want you there. He would have canceled the trip and went, yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

And I think that's one thing, that's such a good point because that's one thing you pick up about Nick. This whole book is, if you would have communicated certain things better with me, we probably wouldn't be here. And she seems to have grown angrier, more disconnected. I think there was a piece of her that, it was mentioned towards the end where she was, he's successful, he's doing this. My sister, successful, she's doing this. Yeah, I'm the, I'm the stay at home mom, which is, excuse me, one of the hardest jobs in the world. So nothing to be ashamed of. But there was, there was a clear sort of insecurity in her about that. Whereas with her sister, her insecurity was the opposite, where she's like, I'm as successful as I can be, but I can't have children. And I'm pissed off at you for making it seem so fucking easy to have kids. The dynamics of all the relationships in this book I thought were so well written and so clear and so relatable, even if they're frustrating.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, they are frustrating, but they are, you're right. They. Everything's written very well because at first when a movie goes, when the show, or the show, the book goes on, they introduce like a lot of characters, but they're very easily to keep all in line because they're so well written.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. Well, I will ask you this. So what did you think about so with. With Elizabeth, AKA Libby, her sister, writing the letters to her therapist, I guess, right?

[John Ryan]

Jeremy?

[Sarah Colonna]

I, I appreciated all of those because I, I understood that I got to see the perspective and especially with at the end, once they now have a daughter and then they adopted three more kids. I think. And. And you see the. The script kind of flip, but it also just added to letting you understand. I think her character was important because you understand, oh, these people were close, and then they grew apart. And now we get to see this woman wake up and not know 10 years ago or not know, you know, have erased the 10 years and go, what the fuck happened to my relationship with my sister? We were so close. And how. What do you mean? You're not here every day with my. But with Franny, who. I really loved her character. I. I think a little bit of me thinks it. It felt like a little fat trim. Could have been.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. I was trying to figure out exactly why. What her character was because she meets that. That older guy, they have a relationship, then she falls in love kind of at the end, he's talking about how much sex they have.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, right.

[John Ryan]

And so I was trying to figure out. And at the end, I kind of like concluded that her character was to, like, give Elizabeth and Alice, in my opinion, give them hope, because she's. Now she's found this love of her life. Although she lost her fiance for diving into a rock band or whatever. He was a river all those years ago. And now, even though she's older on. Later on in life, she's now still meeting someone that she's falling in love with. They kind of, like. Kind of show like Elizabeth and all this, like, meeting. Maybe you and Nick do get to get back together. Maybe you and Ben do end up having a child, but things can happen later on and still be successful and happy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, look at you. With a deep thought.

[John Ryan]

Because almost all the way through, I'm like, what's this storyline. What's the storyline doing for the story? Cause it almost felt like. Almost like a cul de sac, where it doesn't really add anything to the story. Just off to the side.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. But so to your point, when she. And this. Why I love that we don't talk about it until the. Until the podcast is at the. It's not until the end of the book that she decides to stop writing to Phil and goes to be with Xavier. Is that how you say it?

[John Ryan]

Yes.

[Sarah Colonna]

Sure. And it seems like she's relating it to lesson learned from what she just saw her not granddaughter, but granddaughter go through Right. Where she's like, okay, I'm gonna stop writing to you now. Just like, I'm gonna move on to the next phase of my life kind of thing and let go of the past, which we think Alice is doing when she gets her Memory back. She goes, okay, I don't. I'm jumping all over the place. We're not at the end of this by any means. But I do want to talk about this, so. But because she. I have so much more to talk about than the ending. But I still have to get into it because she starts to get her memory back. We read where she says, now I remember why I was pissed. Now I remember that our marriage is over. Now I remember that I'm in love with Dominic, but she ends up back with Nick. And I wasn't expecting that.

[John Ryan]

I wasn't either. But I liked it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I did like it. Was it the romantic in you that liked it or what?

[John Ryan]

Partially because when she first wakes up like this, when her memory comes back, when she hits her head again, because that's. That's how it works. When she hit her head again and she essentially. She wakes up, she's like, why the. I don't want to get back with Nick.

[Sarah Colonna]

Wait, where did she hit her hat again?

[John Ryan]

I forgot, like, the. The, you know, some kind of, like, talent contest or something, wasn't it?

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, right, right.

[John Ryan]

Well, now I don't remember, babe, but she hit her head and then she. They. Oh, no. She collapsed. No, at the lemon meringue cooking thing. She fell and hit her head.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, right. Okay.

[John Ryan]

And then when she get up, she's like, oh, like. So I was upset with not having. Because I thought, oh, my God, like, this really gives an opportunity to look past those 10 years and, like, figure out what she did wrong or what went wrong with them or what he did wrong and be able to fix it. And then she woke up. She's like, screw that. I'm going right back. We're done. You know what I mean? So that frustrated me. But then I felt like she slowly took those 10 years into account and did put them back together. Because he said, like, oh, she's a little lighter now. She's not, like. Doesn't have that edge to her anymore. That was kind of the negativity. She seems more positive and more full of life now. And so she was able to take those 10 years and kind of put them into perspective and then make it work. Back with Nick.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, she worded it so well in the book, and you guys all read it, so I'm not going to try to quote Leanne Moriarty, but it was. She. She kind of summed it up by saying it's to think back. Her memory is back, but her true self was as formed by those 10 years.

[John Ryan]

Go ahead her memories and herself formed by those 10 years was back. It was that her true self that was formed by those 10 years was back. I read that. Okay. Anyways, as seductive as it may have been, to erase the grief and the pain of the last 10 years, it'd be a lie. It would be a lie to. Young Alice was a fool. I wrote this on the treadmill, so I'm missing words in here. It would be a lie. Young Alice was a fool. A sweet, innocent fool. Young Alice hadn't experienced 10 years of living right.

[Sarah Colonna]

And she says, but young Alice wouldn't go away. She wanted to spend time. And then all that's when she's like these. These things that she discounted when she got her memory back as like, okay, fuck that. I got my memory back. Now I remember why all this shit happened. But then the girl from 10 years ago, woman from 10 years ago was like, yeah, but. But hey, I had some good points.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

I had some good intentions. And you forgot them. So I do like that. That's why she's able to look at that and go back to Nick. And he wants to go back too. It's a little. There's a. It's. It's kind of a weird. It's a weird ending in the sense of it's a happy ending, but it's also at the same. Because you feel like she's become more of a grown person and isn't busy, busy spreadsheet, bitter over certain things. I mean, when you really break down the book, she does kind of seem to be the one that. That pushed everyone away, including her husband. Right. You don't really see. You see that she changed the most. But then of course, there's that Libby had her issues. So that's. Their relationship didn't just grow apart because of Alice. It also grew apart because Libby became bitter because she couldn't have children. And then she wouldn't. Thought it was so flippant when Alice was like, oh my God, I accidentally got pregnant, forgot to reach for the condoms. And Libby's like, I'm over here trying to get pregnant. Stop acting like it's so easy. I mean, and all of this is very human and very relatable, but I guess at the end you're kind of like, oh, man, Dominic, he didn't do anything. He seemed like a nice guy.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, he wasn't really. Didn't have any fault in terms of ruining the relationship, I don't think. I think she just realized she wanted to be back with Nick.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

There was a moment when I thought the book was about to end and Madison wins whatever thing. And Alice is sitting beside Dominique, and she looks straight back into Nick and reaches out her hand to grab his hand, and he grabs her hand. Franny's telling the story. And I was like, you know what I felt like. Do you remember the ending of the breakup with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

And they meet back on the street. I was like, oh, it's going to end the exact same way, where it, like, gives you hope, but you don't know how it actually ends. That's what it felt like to me.

[Sarah Colonna]

Do you think that they got back together at the end of the breakup?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I think they got together in real life, so it's. Yeah, I remember Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston date for a while.

[Sarah Colonna]

They did date for a while.

[John Ryan]

That was a really good movie. I don't care what anyone says.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, so good. The old 97s, our favorite, they played in it. So that's the band they go to see and then he doesn't show up. But anyway, I would say this.

[John Ryan]

This is how I would say it. Look, when she started to look back at those 10 years, when her memory came back, it gave her the opportunity to reinvent herself.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, sure.

[John Ryan]

I would say.

[Sarah Colonna]

I. Yes. I think that's the whole point. And I agree. I think my only trip up for that. And again, it's a book, understand it's not real life. But my trip up for that. And it's not a complaint because, like I said, I didn't know who I wanted her to be with at the end. And it did sound good that they were back together. But my only thing is. Oh, so she is the only one that has to reinvent herself. Right. So I didn't. I didn't get the. I mean, Nick became less angry, obviously. He was very angry when they first. When we first meet him because. And he's like the. Are you being nice to me for. You're always a twat when you come over this or I come over this and that. But at the end, she's the only one that's changed. So I don't. Are we supposed to assume that he also changed, or are we supposed to assume that she had to change for them to work now? Right?

[John Ryan]

That's a really good question. Yeah, 100%. I just think because she's like the main character, they don't talk about maybe as much the. The changes that go through the other characters to make it work to make their own.

[Sarah Colonna]

Maybe I needed that.

[John Ryan]

Make their marriage work. I hear you. Yeah. Because it was implying that, like, she needs to reinvent herself, but to. To. To make herself different for Nick.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. And. Yes. And so, yeah, there's a little bit of you that goes, okay, so everything that went wrong was her. And now that she can see pieces of her former self, they can make it work. But I guess the thing is, maybe we're supposed to. I don't even think supposed to. I'm sure it's implied in there that I. I'm not discounting that it was in there, but I'm sure it was in there too. To be like. Well, also, Nick is seeing pieces of his former self when he used to be happy with her. The one thing that frustrated me about his character, though, because he's so great, you could. He's. He's just. He's still the frumpy, pissed off dad at this point, because that's where they're at.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

But then when she starts to remember the certain things, like the. The Gina incident, which was actually not a Gina incident, but her Michael incident where he was cheating on Gina in their laundry room. And. And Alice is remembering it wrong, and she brings it up and he just goes, oh, I know what you're remembering. Blah, blah, blah, whatever. And. But he doesn't tell it. Fucking tell her.

[John Ryan]

No, I know. He's just like, okay, bye. You, like, basically like, you're so fucked up right now. Bye. And he. Yeah, he leaves. It's frust. He's like, why would you just be like, no. But it also shows, like, how much, like, disdain he had for her. He just like, I'm just gonna let you sit in this dirty diaper while I fricking walk out.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, but what dirty diaper? She didn't even do anything. He didn't do anything. So why don't he just say.

[John Ryan]

Because in his.

[Sarah Colonna]

Go ahead.

[John Ryan]

In his mind, he's still so mad that he thinks that, like, she thinks that she's Gina. She thinks that she's so intertwined with her. The same person.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right.

[John Ryan]

And instead of Gina seeing Michael, she thinks she sees him.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. And at one point, one of the kids do say to her, I think dad thinks you like Gina more than you liked him. And so this. They don't ever really explain, though, which. Or she. Leanna Moriarty. It doesn't really ever explain, though, what this, like, big hold Gina had, other than being a best friend. Because that part where the. Where the kid says, I think Gina thought I think dad thought you liked Gina more than you liked him. And then she spirals and she's like, oh, my God, did I have, like, a torrid lesbian affair with Gina? Like, what? You know, because she doesn't. But we never really hear why Gina would have been such a. They weren't swingers. No, there was none of that. There was all these sort of suggestions that something might have been more intimate with the four of them or a reason for it being more devastating when she died, but really it was just her best friend and her best friend died.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Yeah. I wish they would have, like. They would have talked a little bit more about why they were so intertwined.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I think it would have given.

[John Ryan]

It.

[Sarah Colonna]

We. I mean, yeah, just because they're friends, but at the same time with. For the kids to say that and then for it to be that he can't even walk into the funeral now.

[John Ryan]

Right.

[Sarah Colonna]

Because he stayed friends with Michael. And. Yeah, all that. I could have used. I could have used a little more clarification on that and a little bit less Franny letters. But I did like Franny's character, so it's not as if it bothered me that it was there. I just don't know what it added to the story other than, like. Like we just said the. At the end, where it almost gave her the confidence to walk away from Phil and onto the next thing and let go of the past as inspired by what Alice went through. So I did think that connected together.

[John Ryan]

I agree. Can we just talk about a couple awkward stories from storylines or situations that happen in this book? Here's the most awkward thing that happened. Well, actually, one of the more awkward thing is, is when she's like, can you imagine if you wake up after 10 years and you called me from the hospital? If you called me from the hospital, I'd be fricking, like, freaking out. She calls this man who she thinks that she's in love with from the hospital, and he goes, okay, why the are you calling me? Can you imagine how that would feel? Yeah, Sarah, you're in the hospital. Why the are you calling me?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, you think it's so. It's so awkward because she doesn't remember the last 10 years. And so then, yeah, his assistant's rude to her, and she's just like, what the fuck? Yeah, I'm in the hospital. And he's like, okay, okay, good for you.

[John Ryan]

Call someone who gives a damn.

[Sarah Colonna]

Also, here's a quarter.

[John Ryan]

Call someone who cares.

[Sarah Colonna]

So call someone who listen and might give a Damn. Maybe one of your torrid affairs.

[John Ryan]

Affairs?

[Sarah Colonna]

I remember all the words.

[John Ryan]

Is that Travis Tritt?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, Travis Tripp.

[John Ryan]

Nailed it.

[Sarah Colonna]

What's the other one? I don't love you anymore.

[John Ryan]

Oh, yeah, that's a good one. Oh, that'd probably be his best one.

[Sarah Colonna]

I have to take a chance and let it pass by. Anyway. Okay.

[John Ryan]

I saw him in concert in 2005.

[Sarah Colonna]

Congratulations.

[John Ryan]

20 years ago. You still alive?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Why do you get mad when I talk about my past? You're like, what? Okay, fine.

[Sarah Colonna]

Probably went through with some. That's why. Yeah, some Canadian.

[John Ryan]

Oh, here's another. Here's another awkward story. Here's another awkward. She goes, talk to her sister. She's like, oh, you're married. Who are you married to? She's like, ben. She's like, oh, the only Ben I know is that big fat bear of a man that makes neon signs. She's like, who. What? What's your band? He's like, oh, that big bear of a man that makes neon signs.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's the one. That's the guy. Well, to that point, there's a few things. Awkward. Mine that I wanted to bring up to you is, why are you still having this party?

[John Ryan]

Oh, yeah, she. Cancel. Cancel that party. It's.

[Sarah Colonna]

Everyone around her frustrated me a little bit because her mom, for sure, who was like, what do you mean? You don't remember? That was just last week. And everyone's like, because her falcon memory's gone, which is one thing, but everyone out. Like, her sister knows. And I get that it's a lot to. You don't realize until you talk to this person. You're like, oh, she really. I mean, she's asking about Y2K.

[John Ryan]

At one point, she goes, what's a tech message?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, she thought her TV was. She's like, why is my TV so big? And she's like, also, it's not. It can't be this year because we haven't had Y2K yet. And they're like, yeah, we already did. Nothing happened. So all of that should be alarming enough. But every. Nobody takes it that seriously to the point where they let her have this. She hates who she's become. She hates that she wants to bake the biggest lemon meringue pie. And I don't blame her. No, I. If I woke up in 10 years and you were like, Sarah, you're a PTA mom who wants to beg to bake a big pie, I would say.

[John Ryan]

I'd go back to sleep.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, just bring me back to the Hospital. And. But she. But they. Could they continue on with the party knowing that people. This is, like, the day of this. Is she right? Just right after she got out of the hospital, she's like, yeah, I'm still gonna have 20, 30 moms over, and they're all gonna talk to me about. I have no idea what they're talking about. Just cancel.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I saw no reason to have that party, and it was awkward.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

And here's the. This is like. This is human nature, because I saw this happen last summer, and you know the story, but people were going up to her, and they're like, no, but you remember me, right? She's like, I don't remember the last 10 years, but surely you remember me. And I saw this happen at a family gathering with one person there that had some memory loss. And remember I used to live on your street. Literally saw a woman come to this man and go, remember, I used to live on your street? She's like, no, I don't. He's like, no, I don't remember. No, you don't remember my husband. Blah, blah. He's like, no. She's like, oh, no. Like, bitch, it's nothing about you. He can't remember. And it's like human nature or something. It's like, no, you can't remember. You have Alzheimer's. Like, surely you remember me. It's very weird. That's just what I remember. That story when I was reading the book.

[Sarah Colonna]

Who was that again? Or you don't want to say?

[John Ryan]

I don't want to say.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

It was at a wedding. Is it a wedding, I'll put it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Together moment, or you'll just tell me when we hop off of here.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, yeah. It only matters to you, so I'll tell you after here. Okay, here's another awkward story that's really funny to me because Elizabeth is watching Adino's, the coffee shop one day, and she just grabs a kid and walks out with them. Him or her? I'm just taking this kid with me.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, she. So the kid was, like, wandering into the street, and she looked over and saw that the mom was on her phone. She grabbed the kid. She saved the kid from wandering into the street.

[John Ryan]

But if you save, it doesn't mean you have to keep it.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I know. Yes. She's like, finders keepers. And. And started walking away. And then that's when, of course, everyone was like, what the. And she got chased. All of a sudden, the mom looks up from her phone and realizes her kid is missing. So In a sense, you're like, oh, you saved this kid. But also what I would have done because, I mean is I would have walked right over and I've been like, here's your kid that you weren't paying attention to that I just saved from walking in the street in case you want to buy me a double espresso you or something.

[John Ryan]

And.

[Sarah Colonna]

And instead, Libby got, you know, because of her infertility and all these issues that she's having that we are led to believe that she was just feeling so. Oh, my God, this kid, love. So she walked away with him, which I don't.

[John Ryan]

What's funny that you just brought that up is I have literally seen you do that before. You did this in Seattle with a cat. A cat was. Almost got hit by a car, and we, like, ended up grabbing it, called the number on the. She's like, oh, just let it go. She's an outdoor cat. You're like, well, I just saved it from getting hit by a car. Thank you. I guess I'll just let it go. You remember this? Yeah, it was a white cat.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I do. I like that cat. Should have kept it.

[John Ryan]

But anyway, anyways, Dino goes, oh, can you imagine some of these women want to call the police on this girl? I'm like, well, yeah. Like, I don't know how they do it in Australia, but in la, you'd probably go to prison for a little bit.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And. And. And her. In her memory that Alice actually came in, calmed it all down, turned out she knew all the moms basically probably said, oh, she's so sad because she's infertile. And like. Right. Like, that's kind of what you're. Believe that she said, because she's like. She basically spun it around and they all looked at me like I was pathetic, and then they forgave me, which is a whole nother thing. Like, I love. I did, like, things that. That Libby's character said, like how infertile.

[John Ryan]

Infertile.

[Sarah Colonna]

How the. How the. How the fertiles just always assume a person of a certain age as a mom.

[John Ryan]

And.

[Sarah Colonna]

And just how that dynamic can be so misunderstanding of each other on both ends.

[John Ryan]

It's. It's, as I said, also, it's different for us. We don't have kids that are wanting kids. But I can see how frustrating it could be when someone now wants to get pregnant so badly and then she looks at her sister and she's like, oh, I just couldn't quite reach the condom. Somebody got pregnant.

[Sarah Colonna]

Totally.

[John Ryan]

You know what I Mean, it's like. It's so hard because you don't want to be jealous of anyone. But in that situation, I can see how people could just be like, oh God. Like, I wouldn't necessarily be jealous, but I'd be like, oh, why can't I just accidentally have a baby when I try my last 20 years to have one?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I.

[John Ryan]

It must be frustrating.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay. One thing about Libby that I really enjoyed that I just. It was just a quick, quick line in the book. It's probably nothing anyone else picked up. But Alice was nervous to get in the car with her because she remembered that her sister really likes loud metal music that only teenage boys like. And then when she got in the car with her, she was playing like coffee house music or something. So in the 10 years she's changed and she now likes coffee house music. I want to say that I know, John. I like the loud metal music that teenage boys like. And I will stop liking it. Yeah, no, a lot.

[John Ryan]

I was hoping you'd outgrow it.

[Sarah Colonna]

No. We got tickets to Papa Roach this weekend, guys, so. And it's not really metal, but it's just still not. It's not not. It's still probably stuff that teenage. Not teenage boys now went to Lincoln Park. We went to Lincoln.

[John Ryan]

Where else have I gone with you? Me?

[Sarah Colonna]

We haven't seen. We haven't seen Rage against the Machine Just because they keep canceling the concert.

[John Ryan]

Everybody loves Rage against the Machine. Doesn't matter what you like. Everyone loves Rage that might. People don't like Rage against the Machine.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Some girlfriend. My girlfriends, they are like. Because they just are like. Oh, it's just. That's what they say it is. And I say no, that's. You haven't listened to it. Anyway, I related to her about that.

[John Ryan]

Another awkward thing is she wakes up and finds out that her. That her mom married her father in law.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Can you imagine?

[Sarah Colonna]

And I love that reaction.

[John Ryan]

My father in law is also my stepdad now.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I. It's so funny because I was trying to do the math on all of that.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like, is this okay?

[John Ryan]

My sister in laws are all my stepsisters now.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, right. Yeah. And she didn't get along with them.

[John Ryan]

Your father in law is now your stepfather.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

It's all legal because there's no blood, right?

[Sarah Colonna]

No, there's no blood. And it's totally nor. And once you get a certain age, who cares? And I just.

[John Ryan]

I'm just.

[Sarah Colonna]

I just mean when there's no blood.

[John Ryan]

Involved, I'm Just asking. Because you're from Arkansas.

[Sarah Colonna]

Shut up. You're from the can. You're from the. Canadian.

[John Ryan]

Arkansas. Canadian. Arkansas.

[Sarah Colonna]

But. No, but it is. Yeah, if my. It's all weird. But she accepted it. Listen, it made the mom even. Franny said that mom's just all of a sudden optimistic because she married Roger and took up salsa dancing and now she's.

[John Ryan]

Oh, they love their salsa dancing.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, love their salsa dancing. Clueless to what her daughter needs, but happy. And I was going to ask you about that because there was one moment where she says, so in the. In these 10 years that has passed, she had the. Her mom had said to her, like, I've had my one love of my life. I'm. I'm good. Right. We lost him. And then 10 years later, she wakes up and the mom, her mom has now found Roger, which, good for her, they're happy, blah, blah, blah. But your mom lost your father young. Very young. Yeah, she was so young. And she has always had that. I met my guy. I don't need anyone else. So if you bumped your head, which you have, as we discussed in previous podcast to this, but imagine bumping your head and then waking up. And your mom, who was so steadfast and never wanting to find anyone else, was now with. Well, I guess my stepdad now with Eric. I know. Yeah. He's still married to my mom, so that's not gonna work. But just with someone, like, that's a. Just the shocks that she had to go through in this.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. I mean, it's just a decade. They laid out over like hundreds of pages because it's like so many little things you wouldn't think about. That all sound awful.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

So you want to talk about another?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, go ahead.

[John Ryan]

I guess. Okay. This book is based in Australia and it's so many things come up that they say in Australia that we say different here. And you don't think of it because they're obviously English speaking, but they speak different. Even Canada has a lot of different things that we say that Americans don't say. But I made a list. Do you want to hear some of them?

[Sarah Colonna]

I do.

[John Ryan]

My favorite one is a tosser. Look at a tosser.

[Sarah Colonna]

What's that?

[John Ryan]

I think it's like almost like a douchebag.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, I like that.

[John Ryan]

Tosser. And the best. They use that term a lot. Nutter. A little crazy. They're a nutter.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I like that.

[John Ryan]

I like that one that was. They call 000 instead of 91 1. I didn't know that. Oh, I thought 911 was universal. Okay, maybe I'm just an ignorant North American. Oh. So when I listen to it on the.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, but in Canada, you don't call 91 1, do you?

[John Ryan]

We sure do, baby.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, okay.

[John Ryan]

I read. I listened to it the second time. I read it the first time, listed the second time, and they say for aluminum. They call it aluminum. They call it, like, aluminum.

[Sarah Colonna]

Say it again.

[John Ryan]

Aluminum.

[Sarah Colonna]

Say it one more time.

[John Ryan]

Aluminum.

[Sarah Colonna]

I'm just gonna make you keep saying it.

[John Ryan]

And when they say, like, weekend, they say weekend.

[Sarah Colonna]

Like, weekend.

[John Ryan]

Separate word. Weekend. Yeah, it's like a very, like, hard emphasis on the D and hard emphasis that. It's two separate words. Weekend.

[Sarah Colonna]

Hard emphasis on the D. Yeah. Well, get it.

[John Ryan]

Oh, no, no, no, babe, I get it. You're talking about Dick.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Okay, we're good.

[John Ryan]

Takeaway instead of takeout. Yeah, mom, instead of. Go ahead.

[Sarah Colonna]

I just want to interrupt with my favorite reference. Iga. The IGA store. IGA superstore. IGA grocery store.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, we stop igs in Canada.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know. I didn't know they had them in Australia, but we had.

[John Ryan]

Oh, I missed it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah, it was referenced twice. And my stepdad is. He used to work as. He used to buy groceries at the IGA when he was younger.

[John Ryan]

Really?

[Sarah Colonna]

And that was, like, our main re. That was our main grocery store in Arkansas. And so I truly didn't know that they were international. Maybe that's what the eyes are.

[John Ryan]

They still. Are they still in Arkansas?

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I don't think so.

[John Ryan]

No.

[Sarah Colonna]

Now they're all gone from Canada. Herbs and Walmart Grocery and a couple other things. But there's no. The IGA is.

[John Ryan]

I think they're called Sobeys. All the IJs and the Sobeys.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, so you guys have safe, Safe ways still in Seattle, right?

[John Ryan]

Yep. In Canada and Seattle.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay. Yeah. And I don't think we have those any. Anyway. Doesn't matter. Just I liked an IGA reference because it's where my stepdad did his early days of work.

[John Ryan]

Do you want to hear more of these? Are you stickable?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. No. I like it.

[John Ryan]

Mom. Canadians say mom, too. Yeah, but Americans say mom like someone just, like, jabbing him in the throat. Mom.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, it's within.

[John Ryan]

It's the most annoying thing you Americans do is mom. Mom.

[Sarah Colonna]

So I think maybe. I think mom.

[John Ryan]

We don't Mom.

[Sarah Colonna]

Mom, but we spell M O, M.

[John Ryan]

Okay. They say year five. Canadians would say grade five. Americans say fifth grade, and they say year five. I think they do in Europe. Too. In the UK, right?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Year five. Okay.

[John Ryan]

I think Madison says her birthday is the 20th of June. Oh, yeah, the 20th of June. Oh,. This is one of my favorite. Jumper. They call a sweater a jumper.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah, because they went. Because. What do you guys call your hats? Tukes.

[John Ryan]

A toque.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's what they call. In case you guys didn't know. They call their.

[John Ryan]

It's very funny, though, because it's like in Canada, there's not even. There's not even another word for. No. Call it a beanie. In Canada, there's not even another word for it. It's like. Well, it's a toque.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know, but here we go. It's a cone. It's a cone. That was from. What's our favorite movie? What's that from?

[John Ryan]

Wedding Crusher. When Singer. Wedding singer.

[Sarah Colonna]

Wedding singer. It was a cone.

[John Ryan]

They call it a mobile or a mobile instead of a cell phone. They play netball, which is like a. I think it's like a sport. It's like. I think it's primarily played by females. And I think it's almost looks like bat. I think it's outside, but almost looks like basketball. There's no backboard. And obviously the rules are different. I might be totally wrong.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right.

[John Ryan]

And when they refer to hockey, she says one of his daughter plays hockey. Or maybe her son. It means field hockey. In Canada, you just automatically assume that it's ice hockey. I think us too. You probably assume that it's ice hockey, not field hockey.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

They call it the uni. Canada calls it the uni. It's like common to say, go to the uni.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

And the last one that I never knew is clean your teeth instead of brush your teeth.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh. Oh, yeah. I didn't even catch that. But that. That sounds weird. Clean your teeth at the dentist. Brush your teeth at home is what I would assume.

[John Ryan]

That's my entire list.

[Sarah Colonna]

Thank you for sharing that with us. Overall thoughts?

[John Ryan]

I loved it. I loved it. I'm gonna go 11 out of 12. Beer. Beer.

[Sarah Colonna]

Okay.

[John Ryan]

Was American say I'm.

[Sarah Colonna]

I'm gonna. So you do 11. You do. Oh, because you do it out of a 12 pack. And I do cocktails, so I think I do one to five cocktails. Is that right? I'm gonna give it five.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Nice.

[Sarah Colonna]

Five out of five. Tito's. Because even though I didn't love that, they ended up getting back together, which I should have, but I only. Because I'm not sure that I wanted it to be that only one person had to make these adjustments. But also I, I think like you said, we're supposed to assume he did too. But I liked sort of the, the journey for everybody. I liked, like I said, even though Franny, I felt like we could have cut some of that out, but I liked her character, so I didn't want to. I'm just saying if there was a complaint, that would be it. But I like that we see her decide to close her book on Phil because she saw this. I think because of she was inspired by what happened with Alice. And then in a sad way, I don't. I mean, I love that Libby ended up getting her dream, but then all of a sudden now she's busy, busy, busy, and she doesn't. And she's taken up rowing and she's gotten too skinny now and she's basically turned into Alice when Alice hit her head. So I don't. It's not necessarily a happy ending for Libby, but it also is right in some because her life is fulfilled in other ways. But I just liked all the journeys of every character. I thought it was so well written. I thought so much stuff tied together and back to each other. And yeah, I just. What a great pick. John Ryan.

[John Ryan]

Thank you. We'll get ready for your pick next month.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes, we are reading Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, which is a really fantastic book. And if you are following us on Patreon, which is only $5 a month and you get a whole bunch of content, damn bargain. That's a drink.

[John Ryan]

Half the drink.

[Sarah Colonna]

Tis the bargain. We and you know, we use it to pair editors and or you guys know our editors well at this point because you listen to all the podcasts, Alex and Olivia, they're amazing. But yeah, we're not trying to squeeze money. We're just trying to. Anyway, I don't know why I'm explaining why I have a Patreon, but if you follow us there, we do bonus content and we are doing a short story by Abby Jimenez for the April short story pick. I'll post the name of it on the Patreon page because I'm forgetting what it is right now. Not because I'm trying to withhold it, but because I can't remember what it is right now and join the book listeners. And if you can't support us on Patreon, don't worry about it. We understand one great way to support us is to rate, review and subscribe. Hit a five star, say that you love us and that gives us a great little boost on the platform that you listen to us on and tell your friends. That's the other good way. What else, John?

[John Ryan]

That's it. I was just looking at what the. The. The Fall Risk.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's the name of the Abby Jimenez short story. Is that the newest one?

[John Ryan]

It was a free bonus book. I'm reading the email you sent me.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, okay. That's it then. The Fall Risk.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

So there you go. That's the answer. So that's the short story for Patreon, for April. They're always short. And then you could always, of course, listen to it when you want to. It's on. You know, you don't have to listen to it when it comes out if you haven't read it yet. Same with this podcast. But then she Was Gone. By Lisa Jewell. What a fun month. Oh, and next week we have a bonus Monday, fifth Monday of the month. Because there's.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, because April. April has three Mondays. Oh, that's how it works, right? No, baby, no. Don't confuse me.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, my God. There's always at least four Mondays. That's why we do it this way. But sometimes there are five Mondays. So this. So next Monday, we will still be doing a podcast. It will not be about then she was gone. It will be fun, random conversations. Plus, we are going to be talking to Susan Powder, who has a new book out called Then M Died. Right. And we love her. She's super cool, an icon. If you don't know who she is, Susan, P O W T E R. Look her up. We're going to be talking to her for part of our podcast next week, too. So don't forget to tune in next Monday. Bye. Bye, John.

[John Ryan]

Oh, bye. See you later.

[Sarah Colonna]

Bye. The book Lisp.

[John Ryan]

The book lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book list.

[John Ryan]

The book lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book lisp.