The Will of the Many has completely taken over the fantasy community & we totally get why 🏛️ We’re unpacking everything that makes this book so addictive: the writing, the world, the politics, the twists, & that jaw-dropping ending. Join us for Part 1 of our Hierarchy series deep dive, & stay tuned for Part 2 next Tuesday! (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
⏱ Time Stamps:
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Join us for a hilarious game for blind-picking halloween costumes for our favorite book characters! Featuring group costumes for Fourth Wing & Throne of Glass to couples’ costumes for Beach Read and Just For The Summer, we were dying laughing! (P.S. This episode is spoiler free!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
October is here & so is our honest review of Brynne Weaver's latest release, Tourist Season! 🔪🩸 We talk about the novel's witty banter, dark romance, vigilante serial killing, & many plot points. Was the suspense worth it? Tune in to find out!
(P.S. this episode contains spoilers!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
Tourist Season Synopsis:
“Cape Carnage is a seaside town of colorful houses, quirky shops, and an unusually high body count. But with tourists comes trouble, and Harper Starling won’t let anyone ruin her picture-perfect home. A skilled gardener with killer instincts, Harper protects her sanctuary at any cost—especially for her aging mentor with a fading memory. Troublesome tourists don’t check out of Carnage. They compost beneath Harper’s award-winning flowerbeds.
But Nolan Rhodes isn’t your average tourist. Devilishly handsome, disarmingly charming, and skilled with a blade, Nolan is relentless in the pursuit of revenge. On every anniversary of the hit-and-run accident that fractured his life, Nolan slays another target. And he’s saved the best for last: the undeniably beautiful Harper Starling. The problem? Harper isn’t the monster he expected. And she won’t go down without a fight.
When an amateur true crime investigator comes to Cape Carnage on the trail of a long-lost serial killer, Harper and Nolan strike an uneasy truce. If Nolan helps Harper protect her town, she’ll keep quiet about his hunting habits . . . for now. But their alliance soon spirals into obsession, one that threatens to shatter every secret in Carnage—including their fragile love.”
📖 Books Mentioned:
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00:00 tourist season book review
00:01:50 our ratings
00:05:55 writing quality
00:07:20 dual POV complaints
00:09:05 cringey smut
00:13:15 insta love
00:15:20 the spooky small-town setting
00:19:35 the hook
00:26:00 ignorance isn’t bliss
00:28:40 boring meet cute
00:31:10 blackmail plot line
00:32:25 half backed sub plots
00:38:20 the body treasure hunt
00:39:40 nolan & harper
00:43:20 arthur lancaster
00:44:45 lukas + the sleuthseekers
00:48:45 la plume deep dive
00:57:15 a quick summary
01:01:30 reading goodreads reviews
01:10:50 outro
Now that it's officially fall, we wanted to curate a list of cozy, spooky, & whimsical reads to suit the season! 🍂 We have book recs for magic academies, academia romance, & mysteries whether you just love fall & all the cozy vibes or you're feeling the back-to-school excitement! (P.S. this episode is spoiler free!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 intro
00:45 our favorite time of year
02:00 our new audio equipment
03:00 the scholomance trilogy
09:55 wednesday adams comparison
11:00 zodiac academy
18:55 the love hypothesis
24:00 the deal
29:10 the summer i turned pretty tangent
30:50 maxton hall tangent
35:20 nocticadia
39:10 mad's MAJOR life update
40:55 the naturals
43:40 dungeon crawler carl???
45:00 would you rather!
54:41 outro
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but what about its first line... 🧐 Today, we're putting that idea to the test! Did these first lines hook us? Confuse us? Make us want to remove it from our TBRs? Tune in as we react in real time, & stay till the end as we debrief our August TBR picks & catch up on life outside of the Pod!
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil - V. E. SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V. E. SchwabVicious - V. E. SchwabOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberCaraval - Stephanie GarberDivine Rivals - Rebecca RossBlood of Hercules - Jasmine MasPsycho Shifters - Jasmine MasBonds of Hercules - Jasmine MasA Study in Drowning - Ava ReidThe Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance #3) - Naomi NovikImmortal Consequences - I. V. MarieThe Blighted Stars - Megan E. O'KeefeThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonRed Rising - Pierce BrownBlood Over Bright Haven - M. L. WangThe Strength of the Few - James IslingtonThe Sword of Kaigen - M. L. WangWhen The Moon Hatched - Sarah A. ParkerThe Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A. ParkerIron Gold - Pierce BrownLight Bringer - Pierce BrownRed God - Pierce BrownUprooted - Naomi NovikThrone of Glass - Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight - Sarah J. MaasNinth House - Leigh BardugoThe Naturals - Jennifer Lynn BarnesShadow and Bone - Leigh BardugoKing of Scars - Leigh BardugoPowerless - Lauren RobertsBinding 13 - Chloe WalshThe Knight and The Moth - Rachel GilligSoul in Darkness - Wendy HigginsA Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. MaasThe Selection - Kiera CassThe Friend Zone - Abby JimenezOverruled - Lana FergusonOut On A Limb - Hannah Bonam-YoungNever Keep - Caroline Peckham & Susanne ValentiPrison Healer - Lynette Noni
⏱️Timestamps:
00:00:00 intro
00:02:50 the widow arrives on a wednesday.
00:05:05 the door to the prince of hearts church has disappeared.
00:07:45 i draped my long toga over my crossed legs...
00:11:30 the paper was as frayed and tattered...
00:14:25 wren hadn't bothered to lock her bedroom door.
00:17:05 Tarquin stood on the command bridge...
00:18:15 i am dangling...
00:20:30 we losing trust in booktok
00:25:55 it was a harrowing climb to the high school.
00:28:15 the world began with five.
00:30:45 weary, i walk upon flowers at the head of an army.
00:34:20 our dragon doesn't eat the girls he takes...
00:35:40 after a year of slavery in the salt mines...
00:37:00 crown of midnight by SJM spoiler!!
00:38:10 by the time alex managed to get the blood out...
00:39:15 the naturals series tangent
00:42:15 leigh bardugo detour
00:45:19 thick hot liquid runs down my arm.
00:48:38 powerless & red queen debate (spoilers)
00:53:40 it was january 10, 2005.
00:56:35 the booktok community
00:59:55 mad's update on her august tbr
01:03:55 han's update on her august tbr
01:04:40 spoiler! the friend zone by abby jimenez
01:09:20 spoiler! out on a limb by hannah bonam young
01:14:20 life! golf, sabrina carpenter & clash of clans
01:18:30 life! sourdough, crotchet & sabrina carpenter
01:24:00 outro
Our brutally honest review of The Knight and The Moth is in... 🗡️🦋 This highly anticipated novel by Rachel Gillig was a gothic, eerie fantasy with new magic and beloved tropes. In our review, we dissect the world building, Rachel's whimsical prose, the magic system, the plot, & the characters. (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig
One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig
Two Twisted Crowns - Rachel Gillig
Blood Over Bright Haven - M.L. Wang
Prison Healer - Lynette Noni
✍️ The Knight and the Moth Synopsis:
Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum's windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.
Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil's visions. But when Sybil's fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral's cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she'd rather avoid Rodrick's dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00:00 episode intro
00:02:05 our ratings of the knight & the moth
00:05:00 high level summary
00:06:35 writing style & world building
00:10:00 we got distracted by a moth lol
00:10:40 our initial reactions
00:13:20 did the world building deliver?
00:16:10 a fascinating magic system
00:19:50 did we predict any plot?
00:26:20 the quest plot line
00:27:40 six & rory’s dynamic
00:33:50 the carnival scene + six’s arms
00:36:55 the diviner disappearances
00:38:50 the omens and false gods
00:43:10 benji deep dive
00:47:20 training montage & knighting
00:49:50 WHERE IS THE YEARNING?!
00:53:50 the diviners & religion
00:56:15 the gargoyle is the best character
00:59:40 comparison to one dark window
01:02:35 rachel gillig’s author’s note
01:06:15 will we read the next book?
01:09:30 reacting to 1-5 goodreads reviews
01:21:00 outro
It's that time of year for a reading wrap up! 📚 We’ve been busy reading & have a variety of fantasy & romance books to share with y'all. We also thought to spice up our TBRs by choosing 3 books for each other to read this August. So grab your TBR & tune in! (P.S. This episode is spoiler-free!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
🔗 Madeline's Fable Stats: https://fable.co/madeline-bookout-544989383339
🔗 Hannah's Fable Stats: http://fable.co/hannah-bookout-363616138207
📖 Books Mentioned:
Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo
Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo
Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
The Hero of Ages - Brandon Sanderson
Rewind it Back - Liz Tomforde
This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune
The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig
House of Beating Wings - Olivia Wildenstein
House of Striking Oaths - Olivia Wildenstein
Accordance - Shelly Crane
One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig
Morning Star - Pierce Brown (**minor spoiler @ 13:07**)
Elantris - Brandon Sanderson
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
Out on a Limb - Hannah Bonam-Young
Out of the Woods - Hannah Bonam-Young
People Watching - Hannah Bonam-Young
The Selection - Kiera Cass
The Friend Zone - Abby Jimenez
Everything I Know About Love - Dolly Alderton
Never Keep - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Soul in Darkness - Wendy Higgins
Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
Rise of the Melody - Wendy Higgins
The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller
Lights Out - Navessa Allen
Magic Forged - K. M. Shea
⏱️ Timestamps:
Introducing Blood Over Bright Haven🩸, one of our all-time favorite 5 star reads. This book left both of us sobbing & reeling, & we have to debrief it with y'all. We unpack the book’s world building & plot, dissect the morally complex characters, & explore how Wang tackles ethics with gut-punching emotional stakes. (P.S. This episode contains spoilers!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Blood Over Bright Haven - M.L. Wang
Sword of Kaigen - M.L. Wang
✍️ Blood Over Bright Haven Synopsis:
For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry.
When Sciona finally passes the qualifying exam and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome—and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power.
At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00:00 intro
00:01:45 our ratings
00:02:45 what BOBH is about
00:05:25 our hiatus & an anniversary
00:09:00 world building & magic system
00:18:45 sciona’s character deep dive
00:25:39 plot deep dive
00:28:00 thomil & sciona meet
00:38:15 sciona’s crashing out
00:40:27 the library scene
00:41:49 sciona flights back
00:46:00 madeline starts crying
00:48:20 the morality theme
00:52:05 brigham character deep dive
00:56:35 thought provoking themes
00:59:10 thomil character deep dive
01:12:30 a barnes & noble story
01:15:50 pics of us crying lol
01:17:25 1000% recommend
01:21:10 outro
Last but far from least... We're closing out the Red Rising Saga review with a bang! Morning Star by Pierce Brown gave us everything we hoped for (& plenty we weren’t emotionally prepared for) & we're here to discuss it all. Special guest Nolan joins us as we dig into the jaw-dropping plot twists, powerful character arcs, & the trilogy's unforgettable conclusion. You won’t want to miss this episode!
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
Book Synopsis:
"Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within. Finally, the time has come. But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender."
📖 Books Mentioned:
Morning Star - Pierce Brown
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
Golden Son - Pierce Brown
Light Bringer - Pierce Brown
⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 intro
01:00 meet nolan!
04:45 nolan's fav book bf...
06:00 morning star ratings
08:20 the boring parts
10:50 our book review formula
11:25 world building
12:20 space is confusing
16:30 darrow's imprisonment
18:40 where was the trauma?
20:30 the rescue
22:02 bring the action
25:35 fake first person
27:10 reunited with sevro
32:00 book 2 was darrow's book
39:30 howler initiation
36:20 we got spoilers
37:50 quicksilver & phobos
45:30 a visit to the obsidians
48:00 ragnar broke us
51:20 choppy writing
54:00 the political genius
57:45 full body chills
58:50 darrow's growth
01:01:40 the roque space battle
01:05:40 roque broke us
01:09:40 cassius & darrow
01:12:30 and what do we do w/ murderers?
01:15:20 we're gullible readers
01:19:00 the ending & baby pax
01:28:55 sevro and victra ahhh
01:30:30 sevro is too funny
01:32:00 outro
In this episode, we turned our love for fantasy into a competitive game night. Each square on the bingo card represents a classic or niche trope from the genre: secret royalty, talking animals, magic schools... you name it. Download our homemade bingo card below & play along with us!
(P.S. This episode contains spoilers! Check the episode chapters & see which books are *starred* below to avoid spoilers!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
🤍 CTB Fantasy Book Bingo Card: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGq1DprWnE/s8mOUAd3Ch7ye0y6xAaAOA/view?utm_content=DAGq1DprWnE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hac4f355142
📖 Books Mentioned:
From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L Armentrout
Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang **
Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent **
The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas **
House of Beating Wings - Olivia Wildenstein
Kingdom of the Wicked - Kerri Maniscalco
An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir
The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan
Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen
Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross
Spark of the Everflame - Pen Cole
Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
The Book of Azrael - Amber Nicole
Blood & Steel - Helen Scheuerer **
Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry **
A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik
Unearthly - Cynthia Hand
House of Earth and Blood - Sarah J. Maas **
Heartless Hunter - Kristen Ciccarelli **
Red Rising - Pierce Brown **
The Cruel Prince - Holly Black
Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo
Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson
Bride - Ali Hazelwood
Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros
One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig
Serpent & Dove - Shelby Mahurin
Assistant to the Villian - Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Caraval - Stephanie Garber
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
A Fate of Wrath and Flame - K.A. Tucker
The Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent
The Raven Boys - Maggie Steifvater **These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan ** ⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 intro
01:32 bingo card!
02:35 first spin & the rules
04:53 madeline is already struggling
09:20 House of Beating Wings
10:00 solving hannah's book slump
14:10 easyyy
14:35 we don't remember the plot
15:50 hannah's first bingo!
17:10 Daughter of No Worlds debate
18:55 Blood Over Bright Haven Spoiler
20:25 Shatter MAYBE?
21:40 madeline's first bingo!
24:00 han's 2nd bingo
25:30 An Ember in the Ashes
26:10 mad's 2nd bingo
26:40 bingo asmr lol
28:30 mad's 3rd bingo
28:55 hannah messed up
29:45 many bingos
32:45 what's her name
35:35 bringo lol
36:10 finally
38:30 we cheated
40:10 mad blacked out
42:50 internet etiquette parenting
52:40 outro
53:10 we're on fable
It's proposal season! 💍 In this episode, we challenge each other to guess the book based solely on its wedding or proposal scene! Featuring both contemporary romance & romantasy books, all of these nuptials are memorable to us in the best or worst way. Tune in to guess along with us! (P.S. This episode contains spoilers! Check the episode chapters & see which books are *starred* below to avoid spoilers!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez **
Bride - Ali Hazelwood **
The War of Two Queens (From Blood and Ash #4) - Jennifer L. Armentrout **
The Selection - Kiera Cass **
The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole
Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins **
A Fate of Wrath & Flame - K.A. Tucker **
Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross **
First Time Caller - B.K. Borison
Furyborn - Claire Legrand
Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik
Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame - Rebecca Yarros
Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros **
Significance - Shelly Crane **
Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren **
Funny Story - Emily Henry **
These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan **
Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti **
Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen **
Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren **
Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood **
This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune **
One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune
⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 intro
00:40 wedding season!!
02:30 Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez
04:00 Bride - Ali Hazelwood
05:50 From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L. Armentrout
06:40 The Selection - Kiera Cass
07:35 The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole
08:45 Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
12:40 A Fate of Wrath & Flame - K.A. Tucker
15:25 Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross
18:20 book trophies
23:35 Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros
24:25 Significance - Shelly Crane
26:30 Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren
27:05 Funny Story - Emily Henry
28:40 These Hollow Vows - Lexi Ryan
31:35 Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
33:05 Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren
35:30 Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood
36:30 This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune
38:00 the switch to fable...
42:00 i need a new kindle
44:55 outro
46:00 new releases
Nothing suits the summer season better than a warm, fun romance! 🏖️ If you're going to the beach or lake - or neither but you're here for the vibes - we have throwback & recently released book recs for your travels! (P.S. This ep has spoilers for some books! See below!)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Beach Read - Emily Henry
People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry
Happy Place - Emily Henry
Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren
Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood (SPOILERS)
This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune
One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune
Every Summer After - Carley Fortune
Meet Me At The Lake - Carley Fortune
Ex Vows - Jessica Joyce
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00:00 beach read recs episode
00:01:20 madeline's surpise
00:02:00 bookish crafts!
00:04:00 beach read by em hen
00:14:20 the paradise problem by christina lauren
00:19:00 romantasy men aren't funny
00:20:10 problematic summer romance by ali hazelwood
00:21:30 spoiler territory!
00:22:40 the age gap
00:23:40 maya was too funny?
00:24:55 the ali hazelwood formula
00:27:40 hark sucks
00:30:25 interconnected standalones
00:32:20 the curse
00:35:10 refreshing fmc
00:36:45 the cameo
00:38:20 a third book?
00:42:20 this summer will be different by carley fortune
00:49:50 ratings in the romance genre
00:56:45 the ex vows by jessica joyce
01:00:55 our craft progress!
01:02:10 are we going to hawaii?!
01:03:30 outro & new releases
In this episode, we are joined by our good friend Jamie to take book talk to the next level with PowerPoints! Each of us came prepared with our very own bookish presentation, complete with chaotic slides & questionable hot takes. Join us for a highly entertaining mix of debate, bookish banter, & unexpected PowerPoint prowess.
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J Maas
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) - Sarah J Maas
Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas
Right Move (Windy City #2) - Liz Tomforde
The Deal (Off Campus #1) - Elle Kennedy
Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Kill Switch (Devil's Night #3) - Penelope Douglas
A Touch of Darkness - Scarlett St. Clair
Lore Olympus - Rachel Smythe
Manacled/Alchemised - SenLinYu
November 9 - Colleen Hoover
Bride - Ali Hazelwood
Butcher & Blackbird - Brynne Weaver
The Crown of Gilded Bones - Jennifer L. Armentrout
Off to the Races - Elsie Silver
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - episode intro
02:10 - our first podcast guest!!!
07:00 - madeline's bookish powerpoint
08:25 - madeline, the archer
11:30 - jamie loves to party
14:40 - hannah goes to jail
18:21 - hannah's hot bf
19:35 - jamie's angel
21:06 - madeline's bat boy
22:42 - jamie's bookish powerpoint
23:00 - basketball boys
23:35 - a man with trauma
25:05 - shadow daddy *spoilers
27:25 - dragon tales *spoilers
30:20 - devils named damon
34:08 - hi hades
37:05 - mr. malfoy
40:20 - hannah's bookish powerpoint
41:00 - the prank of 2021
43:55 - you wanna guess the color...
46:15 - no more knots please
48:10 - ice cream and orzo
49:50 - honeydew allergy
52:05 - foot stomping
52:35 - pregnancy trope
54:19 - chat gpt
56:20 - monopoly?
57:20 - today's book releases
Emily Henry published Great Big Beautiful Life & we're here to publish our thoughts & feelings for y'all! Unlike any of her past novels, this book delved into mystery, childhood baggage, & that crinkle feeling (as Madeline describes to be the feeling you get before a full crush - a perfect use of the word crinkle tbh). If you have sentiments about this unique, unexpected change in Emily's writing style, tune in to hear what we liked & disliked!
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry
Book Lovers - Emily Henry
Happy Place - Emily Henry
Funny Story - Emily Henry
People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry
Beach Read - Emily Henry
This Summer Will Be Different - Carley Fortune
Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood
The Book of Azrael - Amber V. Nicole
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones & the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
Great Big Beautiful Life Synopsis:
"Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry. Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game. One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over. Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition. But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it."
🕑 Timestamps:
00:00:00 - intro
00:00:24 - fear of natural disasters
00:01:10 - deep sea is terrifying
00:02:24 - great big beautiful life by em hen
00:03:37 - our ratings
00:03:45 - thoughts on decimal ratings
00:05:15 - initial reactions
00:06:07 - high level plot
00:07:40 - what was the crossover?
00:08:53 - we're tired lol
00:09:30 - did we like alice?
00:11:37 - thoughts on hayden
00:13:10 - insta love?
00:13:40 - A CRINKLE!
00:14:34 - did they really know each other?
00:16:20 - relationship screen time
00:18:45 - side character relationships
00:20:10 - trying something different
00:20:50 - books about books
00:22:25 - the pacing & repetition
00:23:25 - margaret's story...
00:25:20 - 2 different plot lines
00:27:10 - impossible to predict
00:28:40 - satisfying or confusing?
00:29:25 - biographies & writing style
00:31:45 - the boring and random parts
00:36:06 - margaret's value
00:37:08 - ambitious book
00:39:00 - realistic conflict & tension
00:41:40 - alice's parents
00:44:45 - wanted to love it
00:46:31 - 2 love stories
00:48:40 - ranking emily henry books
00:49:00 - madeline cried
00:51:00 - the book title & theme
00:54:00 - first kiss
00:54:35 - thoughts on the ending
00:55:30 - closed door
00:58:50 - next week teaser
00:59:35 - today's book releases
Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga has us hooked & we're here to debrief book 2. In this review of Golden Son, we further unpack Darrow's motivations & fears, the chaotic political climate of Mars, & the allies & enemies we never saw coming. For the die-hard sci-fi fans, this episode is for you!
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
Golden Son - Pierce Brown
Morning Star - Pierce Brown
Golden Son Synopsis:
"As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within.
A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people.
He must live for more."
🕑 Timestamps:
00:00 intro - golden son by pierce brown
02:00 our ratings
02:20 watching hannah read the last chapter
03:43 summary of book 2
05:11 endless adrenaline rush
07:00 worldbuilding and pacing
08:20 imagining space is hard
12:35 europa
14:20 the political genius
17:20 the freaking jackal
18:00 hannah clears the air about daryl
20:30 we loveee darrow
23:35 we're overwhelmed
24:20 darrow's character growth
26:55 where is darrow's oscar
27:45 fear factor
29:15 the side characters
30:40 tactus deep dive
37:25 throughs on victra
40:00 darrow = santa
41:40 roque...
49:50 GOBLIN!
51:03 the howlers
51:55 FITCHNER?!?
56:55 more sevro love
58:25 horse girls
01:00:00 back to lykos
01:08:50 hurt so good
01:10:15 Eo...
01:13:45 more on mustang
01:14:45 ragnar & grays
01:16:57 morning star theories
01:20:35 telemanus
01:21:30 lorn + cassius
01:25:40 the ending wtah
01:33:10 pliny ew
01:35:50 next episode teaser
01:39:41 today's book releases
Interested in romantasy & don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, we’re breaking down the best romantasy books for beginners. Think swoon-worthy romance, just the right amount of magic, & stories that are easy to fall into. Whether you’re new to reading, a romance reader dipping your toes into magical worlds, or a fantasy lover craving some steam, this list has a romantasy for everyone. P.S. shoutout to @SabisNookFantasyAmbience on YouTube for the sweetest comment <3
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
The Awakening (Zodiac Academy series) - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
The Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth series) - Kristen Ciccarelli
The Seven Year Slip - Ashley Poston
Darkfever (Fever series) - Karen Marie Moning
This week, we're taking our first trip to Mars as we dive into Red Rising by Pierce Brown, a dystopian sci-fi filled with political intrigue, brutal world building, & a relentless main character. We discuss the layers of Darrow’s transformation, react to shocking deaths, & obsess over Sevro & Mustang. We also dig into the book’s deeper themes: grief, identity, class, & power— & how they shape the story beyond its action-packed surface. Whether you’re new to the series or rereading with us, this episode has something for you!
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
This week, we’re getting nostalgic & taking you through all of our book phases — from the picture books we loved as kids to the fantasy series & romances that shaped our high school & college years. We talk about the books that made us fall in love with reading (& the ones we probably shouldn’t have been reading so young), the magic of scholastic book fairs, our wattpad eras, vampire series, fallen angels, & everything in between.
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
The Rainbow Fish - Marcus Pfister
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? - Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
Goodnight Moon - Margaret Wise Brown
Curious George - Margaret and H. A. Rey
Angelina Ballerina - Katharine Holabird, Helen Craig
Rainbow Magic Fairies - Daisy Meadows, Lucy Diamond, Narinder Dhami, Karen Ball, Marilyn Kaye
Magic Tree House - Mary Pope Osborn
Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Charlotte's Webb - E. B. White
Camp Confidential - Melissa J. Morgan
The Clique - Lisa Harrington
Percy Jackson and The Olympians - Rick Riordian
The Face on the Milk Carton - Caroline B. Cooney
The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1) - James Patterson
Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead
Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) - C. C. Hunter
Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes - Denise Grover Swank
Unearthly - Cynthia Hand
Fallen - Lauren Kate
Significance - Shelly Crane
I'd Tell You I Love You, But The I'd Have To Kill You - Ally Carter
Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
Powerless - Lauren Roberts
Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Wide Awake - Shelly Crane
Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot
When Lightning Strikes - Meg Cabot
Die For Me - Amy Plum
Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
Skin of the Night / When the Night Falls - C. K. Bennett
My Life With the Walter Boys - Ali Novak
The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han
Relentless - Karen Lynch
Flight (Crescent Chronicles #1) - Alyssa Rose Ivy
Slammed - Colleen Hoover
It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover
The Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren
The Kiss Quotient - Helen Hoang
The Friend Zone - Abby Jimenez
The Hating Game - Sally Thorne
The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) - Maggie Steifvater
Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo
Crescent City - Sarah J. Maas
Darkfever (Fever #1) - Karen Marie Moning
Love & Other Words - Christina Lauren
Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson
Yumi and The Nightmare Painter - Brandon Sanderson
Nocticadia - Keri Lake
Blood and Steel (Legends of Thezmarr) - Helen Scheurer
Abby Jimenez's new novel, Say You'll Remember Me, hurt so good & we have so much to debrief: the good, the bad, the romance, and the heartbreak. You should Check This Bookout!
(**This episode contains spoilers**)
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:
Say You'll Remember Me - Abby Jimenez
Just for the Summer - Abby Jimenez
The Friend Zone - Abby Jimenez
A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas
Get ready for a fun episode as we hand out superlatives to our favorite book characters from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 🗡️🦌! From "Most Likely to Ghost You" to "Most Likely to Get Kicked Out of the Group Chat," we’ll be assigning funny titles that capture the essence of these beloved characters.
🤍 CTB Links!: https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout
📖 Books Mentioned:Throne of Glass - Sarah J. MaasKingdom of Ash - Sarah J. MaasA Court of Thornes and Roses - Sarah J. MaasSay You’ll Remember Me - Abby JimenezThe Hero of Ages (Mistborn 3) - Brandon Sanderson
The Golden Enclaves - Naomi Novik