Katey and Abigail read "Witch You Would" by Lia Amador, a great kickoff to October reads. Other topics include supporting your local newspaper, adjunct professor slander in romance novels and vending machine condoms. Also: Our episodes come out on Fridays now!
Katey and Abigail read “August Lane” by Regina Black, a new-to-them author who ripped their hearts out with this book. Other topics include some recording shenanigans while Abigail dogsits her mom’s dogs, the first cold front of the year, “Mad Max: Fury Road” and war movies, why you SHOULDN’T punch through windows, Ted Bundy and how they’ll be working in the same building again for the first time in six years.
Katey and Abigail read Sarah Adams’ “Beg, Borrow, Or Steal,” a third in a series but a great standalone nonetheless. Other topics include The Perfect Notebook (as deemed by Abigail), The Valley and Vanderpump Rules, trucks, unwanted (or wanted!) feedback and Trader Joe’s pumpkin candles.
In her solo episode debut, Abigail went through her shelves to find some books the have been languishing in her TBR for perhaps no real reason, from romance to the classics. She also (of course) talks about the upcoming Royal Wedding of Tayvis, childhood pop stars, missing being in school, and the next book she and Katey are reading for the podcast!
We WERE going to talk about a book this week, but then Taylor Swift announced her new album "The Life of a Showgirl" and all our plans went out the window. Topics MOSTLY include Taylor Swift, but also tasteful boob jobs, the differences between podcast and print interviews, Katey's fantasy football team, whether this is ACTUALLY Taylor's "tight 12," bonus tracks being our favorites (Abigail's is "Dear Reader") and how we would not argue with Tree Paine even if we were right.
Abigail's on a work trip, so Katey's yappin' solo about her favorite reads of 2025 so far. She's also desperate for tips on organizing her home library, if anyone's got any!
Abigail and Katey revisit one of their faves, Ashley Poston, and discuss her latest romance novel “Sounds Like Love.” Other topics include how badly they wish the Marge was real, the colors of the Teletubbies (which they got wrong), the “realism” of magical realism, “Freaky Friday” and healthy resting heart rates.
Katey and Abigail read the latest book from friend of the pod Sarah Adler, "Finders Keepers." Discussion topics include writing and reading dual timelines, defining success, authorial intent, men wearing gray sweatpants, the bright-colored comforters of the aughts and whether or not they should create merch, question mark?
Katey and Abigail return from their European travels and read "Slow Burn Summer" by Josie Silver. Other topics include writing grief, Book of The Month's recent scandal, summer resolutions to increase attention span and deciding not to be dumb.
Abigail and Katey read “Flirting Lessons” by Jasmine Guillory, a romance OG whom they haven’t read in years. They also discuss being editors, burlesque shows, the joys of gardening, and whether or not they think they’re good at flirting.
It’s SUMMERTIME and that means reading in the pool ignoring how hot it is. Katey and Abigail read the blurbs for some summer-y reads, and discuss their plans for Europe, the one thing Abigail always wants to do on a trip, and how somehow all these books are about divorce.
Abigail and Katey discuss their first 831 Stories novella, “Big Fan” by Alexandra Romanoff. Other topics include a very special cupcake surprise, how often Katey uses her Alamo Draft Pass (to the movie theater, not the historical site), Abigail’s longtime crush on “American Idiot”-era Billie Joe Armstrong, book merch, trinkets and their immediate need for pool lounge chairs.
Abigail and Katey get in their feelings about “Great Big Beautiful Life,” romance queen Emily Henry’s latest book. Topics include the book’s dual timeline structure, its difference from the other EmHens, writing good journalist characters and how they could never sign NDAs because they’re bad at keeping secrets (especially from each other).
Katey and Abigail start the most wonderful time of the year (Abby/Emily April) with Abby Jimenez’s “Say You’ll Remember Me.” As all Abby Jimenez books do, it inspires conversation about trauma and grit, as well as good dogs, pining for far-away lovers and the never-ending quest for Nadia Cakes via Goldbelly.
Katey and Abigail discuss “You Between The Lines” by Katie Naymon, a debut novel that sparked big feelings about poetry, pop culture, and being “not like other girls.” Other topics include imposter syndrome, internalized misogyny, poetic flirting, and why March (not April) might be the cruelest month.
Katey and Abigail debut a new series: Origin Stories, in partnership with author Sarah Adler! Each installment of Origin Stories will feature Katey, Abigail and Sarah revisiting one of the romance (or romance-adjacent) novels that built them—their lore, if you will. In this episode, Sarah asks Katey and Abigail to read Kelly Siskind’s “New Orleans Rush,” which features some not-so-petty crime, a hot magician and a whole lot of insight into how Sarah was inspired to write her novels “Mrs. Nash’s Ashes,” “Happy Medium” and “Finders Keepers” (which comes out in June).
Katey and Abigail read three Abby Jimenez short stories: “The Situationship,” “Worst Wingman Ever” and “The Fall Risk.” Other topics include what they’d do if their stairs disappeared, the bumper stickers on Katey’s car, “Goodbye Earl”-ing bad men, dog hammocks, self-defense techniques and snooping in other people’s houses.
Katey and Abigail discuss B.K. Borison’s “First Time Caller,” a new release that proved they’ve been sleeping on Borison’s books. Other topics include online dating adventures, the Glen Powell Anecdote, where “Sleepless in Seattle” ranks in the broader Nora Ephron catalog, and some very exciting news.
Abigail and Katey read “Not Here to Make Friends” by Jodi McAlister and see themselves a bit in the main characters’ workaholic tendencies. Other topics include what it means to have a cool job, the seedy underbelly of reality TV and the unique extended universe of this book series.
Katey and Abigail round up the romances they’re most looking forward to in 2025 (well, some of them). Other topics include the gas station rebate camping trip on Nathan For You, the price of Moleskines, the proliferation of hiking trips in romance novels and Abigail’s new New Yorker subscription.