Some of these reviews should be illegal. We’re reading the WORST 1-star takes on beloved books and trying not to lose our minds. From Divine Rivals to Kingdom of Ash, the opinions are unhinged and the reactions are real.
In this episode of Always Booked, we dive into the world of one-star reviews and the psychology behind them. Why do people rate masterpieces like they’re personal enemies? When does a bad take actually have a point? And what makes a book worthy of one star versus five?
Join Olivia, Emily, and Dani as they defend their favorite reads, question Goodreads culture, and laugh through some truly dramatic opinions. It’s a mix of hot takes, honest conversations, and reader emotions that every book lover can relate to.
Books Mentioned:
Divine Rivals, Fourth Wing, Sunrise on the Reaping, House of Sky and Breath, Normal People, Educated, The Secret History, Kingdom of Ash, and Happy Place
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R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis isn’t just another dark academia fantasy. It’s a descent into the underworld of intellect, guilt, and ambition. Two rival grad students, Alice Law and Peter Murdoch, literally go to Hel to save their mentor, but what they find there says more about academia than it does about demons.Set in 1980s Cambridge, Katabasis turns the university into its own inferno, powered by obsession, genius worship, and the belief that brilliance excuses everything. It’s sharp, haunting, and honestly kind of unhinged in the best way.In this episode, we’re breaking down:How academia becomes its own circle of HelWhy ambition and morality can’t coexist hereThe pull between logic, memory, and madnessWhat it means to lose yourself in the pursuit of knowledgeWhy Katabasis might be Kuang’s darkest and smartest book yet📲 Follow us on Instagram → / always.bookd 🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.net✨ Subscribe for more dark academia breakdowns, book discussions, and chaotic literary therapy sessions.
Think you know your favorite books? Think again. In this episode of Always Booked, we’re testing our literary knowledge with the most chaotic book summaries ever written. From fantasy favorites to literary classics, we’re turning iconic stories into unhinged descriptions that’ll make you question everything you’ve ever read.In this episode:- Try to guess the book from the world’s most ridiculous summaries- Roast some of our favorite fantasy and romance plots (lovingly, of course)- Test who really pays attention during their rereads- Laugh way too hard at our own terrible clues- Prove that even bookworms can fail a book quiz spectacularly📲 Follow us on Instagram → / always.bookd 🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.net
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas delivers one of the most jaw-dropping endings in fantasy history. In this episode of Always Booked, we dive into every detail of Crescent City 2 — the characters we love, the storylines we can’t get over, and the moments that made us SCREAM. Of course, spoilers ahead!✨ In this episode:- Honest takes on Bryce, Hunt, Ruhn, and the whole Crescent City cast- Favorite quotes and unforgettable scenes- Why this ending changed the entire SJM universeJoin us for a insane, emotional, and very bookish breakdown of House of Sky and Breath. Whether you’re a longtime Sarah J Maas fan or just starting the Crescent City series, this episode will have you reliving every twist.📚 Connect with us:📲 Follow us on Instagram → / always.bookd 🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.net
Are you a red flag reader? Let’s be honest… we all have a few. From dog earing pages and buying books we’ll definitely read “someday,” to never finishing that one series everyone loves, we’re calling out the red and green flags of readers everywhere. NO ONE IS SAFE. And yes, we’re guilty of most of them too. 💅📚We’re breaking down the most relatable bookish habits and what they say about you. Whether you’re a cozy fantasy girly, a dark romance devotee, or just here for the vibes, this one’s for you.In this video, we’re talking about:-Common reader red flags we all pretend we don’t have-Green flag reading habits that give main character energy-Bookish hot takes about what makes a “good reader”-Why our reading habits say more about us than we think-Confessions from self-proclaimed red flag readers📲 Follow us on Instagram → @always.bookd🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.net
✨ Discover the magic of Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross in this episode of Always Booked! ✨We dive deep into the world of Wild Reverence and explore the characters, themes, and emotional layers that make this novel unforgettable. From its focus on human connection and unspoken bonds to its rich sense of nature and belonging, Rebecca Ross delivers a story that lingers long after the final page.Whether you are a longtime Ross fan or just discovering her books for the first time, this episode offers fresh insights, honest reactions, and plenty of bookish banter to enhance your reading experience.📚 What we cover in this episode:- Key themes and motifs in Wild Reverence- Our favorite character moments and arcs- How this story fits into Rebecca Ross’s body of work- Why this book is a perfect fall read💌 Join the Always Booked community:📲 Follow us on Instagram → / always.bookd 🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.netRemember to like, subscribe, and share with your fellow readers so you never miss a new bookish deep dive.
Looking for the best fall book recommendations? We’ve got you covered. In this episode of Always Booked, we’re sharing our must read books for fall 2025, including cozy romances, atmospheric fantasies, and annoying fiction.If you’re building your autumn TBR, these fall reads are perfect for curling up with a blanket, sipping something warm, and soaking in the seasonal vibes.
DROP your fav fall reads in the comments 🍂✨
In this video you’ll discover:
- The top fall books to read in 2025
- Cozy book recommendations for fall vibes
- Fantasy, romance, and literary fiction picks for your fall TBR
Whether you love fantasy, romance, or literary fiction, you will find something here to add to your reading list.
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This week, we’re getting vulnerable about our Crescent City obsession. From the moment we opened House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas had us completely hooked. We’re breaking down exactly what makes this book so addictive, why these characters live rent free in our heads, and how this fantasy world became our comfort read.In this episode:- What hooked us from page one and never let go- Character development that feels real and earned- The friendship dynamics that hit different- Why the world building works so perfectly- Moments that made us cry, laugh, and fall in loveIf you love thoughtful book analysis, character-driven discussions, and exploring why certain stories stick with us, this episode is for you. Tell us in the comments! Who's your favorite Crescent City character?
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Friendships in books are everything. They're the bonds that shape characters, move the plot forward, and give us some of the most emotional reading experiences.In this episode of Always Booked, we are talking about the friendships that truly stand out in literature and why they matter so much to readers. From iconic duos to complicated squads, we are breaking down the best bookish friendships and what they reveal about love, loyalty, and connection.✨ What you will get in this episode:- Insights into how friendships influence character development and story arcs- Deep dives into iconic duos and squads like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and the Harry Potter crew- Discussion on why these bonds feel so real and relatable, even in fantastical worlds- A look at how friendship themes shape our own views on loyalty, love, and connection✨ Subscribe for more bookish podcasts, spoiler discussions, and deep dives into your favorite novels!📲 Follow us on Instagram for more: always.bookd💻 Explore our events and blog: alwaysbooked.net
We finally read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein and it wrecked us. This heartbreaking World War II historical fiction novel is a beautiful book about friendship, sacrifice, and survival. In this episode, we share our raw reactions, emotional takeaways.Included in this episode:- Code Name Verity summary and spoiler discussion- Why this WWII historical fiction novel stands out- Friendship, betrayal, and survival themes- The ending that left us devastated- How Elizabeth Wein’s writing compares to other historical fiction authors💬 What was your reaction to Code Name Verity? Share your thoughts in the comments.✨ Subscribe for more bookish podcasts, spoiler discussions, and deep dives into your favorite novels.📲 Follow us on Instagram for more: always.bookd💻 Explore our events and blog: alwaysbooked.net
From The Hunger Games to It Ends With Us, we break down some of the biggest book to movie adaptations, the wins, the flops, and everything in between. We talk about poor casting choices, surprising plot changes that actually worked, and the adaptations that completely missed the mark. Whether it is Twilight, The Hunger Games, or the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation, we rank our favorite and least favorite book to screen moments in Hollywood. If you love talking about book adaptations, you do not want to miss this.Included in this episode:
💬 Tell us your favorite book to movie adaptation in the comments!
✨ Subscribe for more bookish deep dives, spoiler chats, and book recs.
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Welcome to our Kingdom of Ash deep dive part 2 and somehow Sarah J. Maas found new ways to destroy us. This book doesn’t hold back and neither do we. Expect raw reactions, emotional recaps, and plenty of laughter through the tears as we survive the final chapters together.Included in this episode:- The scenes that completely shattered us- Which character arcs healed us vs broke us- Our hottest takes on the Throne of Glass ending- Unfiltered laughter and tears in equal measure- Why rereading this book will never be the same💬 Tell us your favorite Kingdom of Ash moment in the comments.✨ Subscribe for more bookish deep dives, spoiler chats, and book recs.📲 Follow us on Instagram for more / always.bookd 💻 Check out our website for events and blogs alwaysbooked.net
We’re diving deep into Kingdom of Ash, Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale to the Throne of Glass series. This episode is packed with big emotions, the moments that broke us (and the ones that healed us), hot takes you might not see coming, and all the reasons this book still lives rent-free in our heads.Whether you sobbed through the last chapters or had strong feelings about certain character arcs, we’re talking about it all.💬 Tell us your favorite Kingdom of Ash moment in the comments.📲 Follow us on Instagram for more / always.bookd 💻 Check out our website for events and blogs alwaysbooked.net
Tired of the same BookTok recommendations? We’re sharing 8 underrated books you need to read—hidden gems across cozy fantasy, literary fiction, memoir, and twisty slow burns.We’re talking about the books no one’s talking about... but should be. These are the under-the-radar reads that totally wrecked us, surprised us, or just made us fall in love with reading all over again.So if your TBR needs a little refresh, come hang out.📣 Tell us your favorite hidden gem in the comments📲 Follow us on Instagram or TikTok for more
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Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights has everyone talking but is it actually packed with life-changing wisdom, or is it just another celebrity memoir dressed up as philosophy? In this episode, we're diving DEEP into the hype, the controversy, and the life lessons that have BookTok divided. Is McConaughey a genius, or is this book totally overrated? Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:- The “greenlights” philosophy: profound or just pretentious?- How Greenlights stacks up against other celebrity memoirs- Life lessons that genuinely changed my perspective- Should you add it to your TBR—or skip it entirely?- Our honest take: This book surprised us in ways we didn’t expect, and we're ready to defend some controversial opinions about it.🖤 Court of Villains Fantasy Ball → https://www.alwaysbooked.net/store/p/...📲 Follow us on Instagram → / always.bookd 🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.netNew episodes every Thursday! Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a deep dive into the books everyone’s talking about.
Dive into the world of Sarah J Maas and explore the characters who desperately need therapy! In this video, we're ranking the top characters from the series who are in dire need of a therapist's couch. From emotional baggage to toxic relationships, we're examining the complexities of these beloved characters and why they need some serious self-reflection. Whether you're a fan of Feyre, Rhys, or Rowan, you won't want to miss this hilarious and relatable ranking. So, sit back, relax, and let's get real about the characters who need therapy ASAP!🎧 Listen for:Who's ranked shockingly low and why it's not Nesta this timeThe Crescent City character we’re most concerned aboutAelin and Rowan’s place on the self-reflection scaleThe ongoing Tamlin discourse (because of course)
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Is Tower of Dawn really the SJM book you can skip? We don’t think so. In this episode, we’re diving deep into Chaol’s redemption arc, the healing journey no one expected, and why this book quietly changed everything in the Throne of Glass universe.We’re talking character development, fan theories, and the Tower of Dawn moments that hit way harder than they should have. Plus, why so many readers love to hate this book and why they might be wrong.Whether you’re a Chaol defender or a lifelong hater, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen for:Why skipping Tower of Dawn is a mistakeChaol’s growth and the beauty behind itHow this book sets up Kingdom of Ash (and the entire SJM universe)
Subscribe for more SJM deep dives, hot takes, and bookish magic.🖤 Court of Villains Fantasy Ball → https://www.alwaysbooked.net/store/p/...📲 Follow us on Instagram → / always.bookd 🌐 Visit our website → https://www.alwaysbooked.net
Discover the power of Romantasy books in empowering women against misogyny! In this video, we explore how these captivating stories promote female strength, independence, and self-love, challenging patriarchal norms and fostering a sense of community among women readers. From strong women protagonists to romantic relationships that defy toxic masculinity, we delve into the ways Romantasy books inspire women to take control of their own narratives and fight against oppressive systems. Join us as we celebrate the impact of Romantasy on women's empowerment and its potential to spark a cultural shift towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
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Dive into the world of Sally Rooney's critically acclaimed novel, Normal People, as we explore the complexities of human relationships, trauma, and intimacy. From the intricate dynamics of Marianne and Connell's on-again, off-again romance to the dark secrets that haunt their past, we'll delve into the themes that make this novel a heart-wrenching must-read. Join us as we dissect the characters, plot twists, and emotional depth that have captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Whether you're a fan of the book or just discovering it, this in-depth analysis is perfect for anyone looking to appreciate the beauty and complexity of Normal People.
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Steven Walker, the people's Tamlin, joins us for a heartfelt conversation about fantasy books, reader identity, and the culture that makes this community so powerful. We explore what it’s like to be a man in a mostly woman lead space, why fantasy books make us cry, and how stories like ACOTAR and Throne of Glass help us feel seen.
Books mentioned include:• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas• A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series• Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig• Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab• Powerless, The Red Queen, and more
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