Podcast Summary: "What Jon Forgot" – The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Introduction In the March 3, 2025 episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve into their first week of discussing the novel What Alice Forgot by Lisa Jewell. As a weekly book club podcast, The Book Lisp alternates monthly between Jon’s romance selections and Sarah’s psychological thrillers, fostering an engaging mix of literary discussions and personal anecdotes.

Discussion on "What Alice Forgot" (00:50 - 05:00) Sarah enthusiastically introduces What Alice Forgot, expressing her obsession with the book. She highlights its captivating storyline and well-developed characters, particularly focusing on the protagonist, Alice, who experiences memory loss after a spin class accident. Sarah remarks, “It's a really interesting story already so far, and really well done. And I'm super into it” (05:00).

Jon concurs, appreciating the depth of the novel, stating, “I always look at all books like it's deeper than it's supposed to be, but it's like a deep book” (12:30). They both agree that the book’s exploration of memory and identity resonates deeply with their personal experiences, setting the stage for their discussions in the following weeks.

Personal Anecdotes on Memory and Concussions (05:00 - 25:00) The conversation shifts to personal stories, particularly Jon’s experiences with concussions from his football career. He shares a poignant moment from a game in 2015 where he was knocked unconscious, leading to significant memory loss. Jon reflects, “I remember the first memory I have after it was in the locker room” (40:09), emphasizing the long-term effects of head injuries on memory.

Sarah relates to the theme of memory loss, discussing her own struggles with remembering dates and events accurately. She mentions, “Sometimes I feel so disconnected to the past that I almost sometimes think that's it” (46:52). Their exchange highlights the podcast’s central theme of memory, both in the context of the book and their lives.

Trivia Night and Social Interactions (05:00 - 19:00) Jon and Sarah recount their experiences attending trivia nights, humorously critiquing the intelligence of their team members. Jon shares a memorable moment where a team member incorrectly answered a trivia question with “Antarctica” instead of “Algeria” or “Argentina” for the most populated country starting with 'A’. Sarah adds levity by describing their interactions with older friends, saying, “Like my, like you are so dumb” (19:02).

Their stories underscore the challenges of social interactions and memory, tying back to the book’s exploration of forgetting and recalling past events.

Surgery Stories and Anesthesia Preferences (25:00 - 34:00) The hosts transition to discussing their experiences with surgeries and anesthesia. Sarah shares her ordeal with neck surgery, expressing mixed feelings about the procedure: “When I came out of it, I was like, kill me. Why did I do this?” (33:09). Jon relates by mentioning his mother’s knee surgeries without anesthesia, highlighting different approaches to medical procedures.

They humorously debate the merits of anesthesia, with Sarah preferring to be fully anesthetized during surgeries to avoid discomfort, while Jon shares his indifference. These personal narratives offer listeners a glimpse into the hosts’ lives beyond book discussions.

Memory Enhancement and Social Media Interaction (34:00 - 44:00) Jon and Sarah explore the concept of memory enhancement, fantasizing about merging their brains to improve memory retention. Sarah muses, “Maybe I just wonder what it is” (44:05), while Jon humorously suggests they could share a single brain. The conversation reflects their ongoing exploration of memory’s role in personal identity and relationships.

They also discuss interactions with listeners, encouraging feedback and engagement through Patreon and social media platforms. Sarah mentions, “List of shows that I've watched since you've been gone” (36:41), indicating their intention to involve the audience in future discussions.

Conclusion and Future Topics (44:00 - End) As the episode wraps up, Jon and Sarah acknowledge their deviation from the main topic but express enthusiasm for future discussions. Sarah teases upcoming deep dives into Alice’s forgotten memories and their implications, ensuring listeners that spoilers will be reserved for the final week of the month.

They conclude by reiterating the importance of listener support through Patreon and encouraging ratings and reviews on platforms like Apple and Spotify. Both hosts express their excitement for the next episode, promising more insightful and entertaining conversations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sarah Colonna (01:19): “I think I had a little bit of seasonal depression... I'm just a lady who does better when I have sun shining on my face.”

• Jon Ryan (12:30): “I always look at all books like it's deeper than it's supposed to be, but it's like a deep book.”

• John Ryan (40:09): “I remember the first memory I have after it was in the locker room... It was a bad one.”

• Sarah Colonna (46:52): “Sometimes I feel so disconnected to the past that I almost sometimes think that's it.”

Key Takeaways

• Memory as a Central Theme: Both the book and personal stories revolve around memory loss and its impact on identity and relationships.

• Personal Connections: Jon’s experiences with concussions and Sarah’s struggles with memory offer real-life parallels to the book’s narrative.

• Humor and Relatability: Their candid and humorous storytelling makes complex themes accessible and engaging for listeners.

• Upcoming Discussions: Future episodes will delve deeper into the book's themes, with spoiler-free discussions spread throughout the month.

The Book Lisp continues to blend literary analysis with personal anecdotes, creating a dynamic and relatable podcast for book enthusiasts and fans of Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna.

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