The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Episode: What's in your Kindle?
Release Date: June 30, 2025

Introduction and Episode Context

In this special fifth Monday episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna deviate from their usual format due to scheduling conflicts—Jon is preparing to attend a wedding in Canada. This change prompts them to engage in a candid conversation about their current reads and digital reading habits.

Sarah Colonna (00:27):
"We recorded this a couple days early because John's off to Canada tomorrow for a wedding."

No Author Interview This Month

Typically, the podcast features author interviews, but this month, they pivot to discussing their personal reading lists. Sarah mentions her attempt to contact author Leslie Wolf, humorously suggesting unconventional methods to reach out to authors.

Sarah Colonna (00:54):
"I'm going to figure out a better way to get hold of authors than just DM them."

Jon Ryan (01:20):
"Professionally going through probably their publicist, their people, is probably a good way because not everyone reads their DMs and for good reason."

Current Reading Selections

Jon's Picks

Jon shares his recent reading habits, highlighting "Meet Me at the Lake" by Carly Fortune, a romance novel he has already finished. He expresses excitement about a bonus chapter he plans to share with Patreon subscribers.

Sarah Colonna (02:45):
"Meet Me at the Lake by Carly Fortune. I was just on her website and I saw this thing at the top that said MMATL bonus chapter."

Jon also delves into Jeremy Renner’s autobiography, recounting the harrowing tale of Renner’s near-fatal accident involving a snow removal device. He emphasizes the miraculous nature of Renner’s survival and his remarkable recovery.

Jon Ryan (10:45):
"He was outside of his truck. And he gets out of the snowplow, jumps off and forgets to hit like the break or something... He was at one point, because it squished his head."

Sarah Colonna (12:02):
"It was crazy. The one cool thing he said is that for a while, he died for a while. And he said it was fucking awesome."

Sarah's Picks

Sarah discusses her current reads in psychological thrillers, notably "The Tenant" and "The Intruder" by Freda McFadden. She expresses mixed feelings, appreciating the genre but critiquing the formulaic twists that she feels predict the storyline too easily.

Sarah Colonna (15:55):
"I'm reading the Crash right now by Frida McFadden. I don't think it's going to be one of my favorites of hers... It just seems kind of feel like I'm getting hit over the head with it."

Kindle Recommendations Segment

The hosts explore their Kindle's recommendation algorithms, humorously critiquing the often repetitive and predictable nature of suggested reads. Jon highlights titles like "Great Big Beautiful Life" by Emily Henry and various Christmas-themed books, while Sarah points out a trend towards dark thrillers and murder mysteries.

Jon Ryan (04:32):
"Mine's not as bad. It's right my top three Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry... Nora Roberts, Gabriel's Angel."

Sarah Colonna (09:05):
"They throw in a little... till summer do us part by Megan Quinn... It sounds very similar to Meet Me at the Lake."

Discussion on Reading Trends and Authors

Jon and Sarah delve into broader discussions about popular authors and the publishing industry's pressure to continuously produce new content. They reflect on how an author's success can lead to an overwhelming output that might compromise the quality of storytelling.

Sarah Colonna (17:04):
"It seems like almost maybe you have a formula, like a Hallmark movie where there's a formula you just punch in and then you insert the characters and try to."

Jon Ryan (18:56):
"With that, if I was in his shoes, I'd be doing the exact same thing. I would ride the heat out of that."

They compare this trend to the entertainment industry's overexposure of celebrities, suggesting that similar patterns exist in literature where continual production may dilute an author's original charm and creativity.

Personal Anecdotes: Flight Stories and Upcoming Wedding

The conversation shifts to personal stories, including Jon's impending attendance at his teammate Brett Lawther’s wedding in Saskatchewan. They share humorous and frustrating experiences related to travel, such as expensive layovers and unexpected flight delays.

Jon Ryan (34:02):
"I'm going to the wedding of Brett Lawther, who is a teammate of mine for three years when I played for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in Canada."

Sarah Colonna (35:35):
"Here we have a random episode... It's a random Monday with no assigned reading."

Jon reminisces about attending Motley Crue concerts and his experiences with band antics, adding a nostalgic and entertaining layer to the episode.

Patreon and Live Show Mentions

Towards the end of the episode, Jon and Sarah promote their Patreon page, encouraging listeners to subscribe for exclusive content such as bonus chapters and short stories. They also announce upcoming live shows, urging fans to secure tickets promptly.

Sarah Colonna (40:23):
"Join us on Patreon the book lisp for $5 a month for extra content. Join us the Book listeners is our Facebook group."

Jon Ryan (40:08):
"Come see us July 18th, will me July 18th in Salem, Oregon at the Grand Theater... August 15th in San Antonio."

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter and farewell, reinforcing their camaraderie and appreciation for their listeners.

Sarah Colonna (41:31):
"The Book Lisp."

Jon Ryan (41:38):
"The Book Lisp."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jon Ryan (10:45):
  "He was outside of his truck. And he gets out of the snowplow, jumps off and forgets to hit like the break or something... He was at one point, because it squished his head."

• Sarah Colonna (12:02):
  "It was crazy. The one cool thing he said is that for a while, he died for a while. And he said it was fucking awesome."

• Sarah Colonna (15:55):
  "I'm reading the Crash right now by Frida McFadden... It just seems kind of feel like I'm getting hit over the head with it."

• Jon Ryan (17:04):
  "It seems like almost maybe you have a formula, like a Hallmark movie where there's a formula..."

• Sarah Colonna (38:15):
  "Yes."

Key Takeaways

• Adaptability: Jon and Sarah demonstrate flexibility by adapting their podcast format to accommodate unexpected changes, maintaining engagement through personal insights.

• Personal Recommendations: The episode offers listeners a glimpse into the hosts' current literary interests, providing authentic and relatable book recommendations.

• Industry Insights: The hosts critically examine trends in the publishing industry, particularly the pressures on authors to produce content rapidly, potentially at the expense of narrative quality.

• Community Engagement: Promotion of their Patreon and live events underscores their commitment to building a dedicated listener community.

• Humor and Relatability: Through humorous anecdotes and candid conversations, Jon and Sarah create an inviting atmosphere, making listeners feel connected to their personal lives and literary journeys.

Whether you're a seasoned listener or new to The Book Lisp, this episode offers a blend of personal storytelling, honest book critiques, and engaging conversations that highlight the dynamic relationship between Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna.