In this episode, we go through a bunch of bookish 'would you rather' type questions, though some of them turn into kpop chatter(in the best way). Give us some of your scenarios in the comments, and be sure to check out Kat's books if you've just finished kpop demon hunters and simply need MORE like the rest of us!
In this episode we have each picked out a handful of books that we've either covered on the podcast, or are super popular(Booktube/BookTok etc.)! We all guess the book based off of the one star rated reviews, and try not to get offended if it's one we love, or have highly rated ourselves.
Get in on the fun! Let us know your favorite one start reviews for a book you either hate or love!
🕯️ Content Warning: This episode discusses themes of systemic racism, child abuse, and historical trauma.
Time for Rose's pick! We dive deep into 'The Reformatory', Tananarive Due’s chilling blend of historical fiction, horror, and social commentary. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Tananarive Due, new to her work, or simply drawn to stories that mix social truth with spine-tingling suspense, this episode offers a look into how this story made us feel, think, and which characters we want to fist-fight.
Hot topic book episode! We’re cracking open 'Sunrise on the Reaping', Suzanne Collins’ highly anticipated return to Panem! This prequel promises political intrigue, emotional damage, and a fresh lens on a familiar dystopia. Join us as we break down the plot, get upset at name choices, and chit chat general hungerverse lore. It’s part book chat, part therapy session, and 100% tribute-approved. Bring snacks. Trust no one. And may the podcast be ever in your favor.
Grab your carpet coats, because we take a closer look at 'Rot & Ruin', the first book in Jonathan Maberry’s post-apocalyptic series set years after a zombie outbreak. We discuss the novel’s major themes, characters, and much more! Whether you've read the book or are just curious about it, this episode offers a thoughtful introduction to the story and its larger questions. But be sure to tread carefully. We wouldn't want to have to quiet you...
We’ve got a special returning guest(Christian!) who’s diving deep into the world of smut for the very first time. Join us as we get his hilarious and shocked reactions to 'Pounded By Produce', by our fav gal GM Fairy. We discuss the book as tastefully as we can, and keep NSFW words in code, so no need to fear! There's plenty of laughter, maybe a bit of blushing, and definitely some heavy breathing. Whether you’re a seasoned smut reader or a curious newbie, this episode is bound to make you giggle, cringe, and maybe even add this book to your cart! Tune in for the ultimate first-time experience—it's definitely one to remember.
Time till floor collapse: 56 minutes... Just kidding!! Come crawl into the world of 'Dungeon Crawler Carl', a thrilling and humorous LitRPG novel that blends adventure, humor, and a dash of gaming culture. Join us as we explore the journey of an average guy who finds himself trapped in a dystopian game world filled with deadly monsters, quirky allies, and high-stakes challenges. We discuss the unique elements of the LitRPG genre, the insane plot details that keep readers hooked, and lots of Princess Donut fangirl-ing. Whether you're a fan of video games, epic fantasy, or just looking for a fun read, be sure to tune in for spoiler-filled discussions. It's a wild one. This author gets the three of us absolutely gagged and gooped.
We’re starting 2025 by sharing our reading hopefuls for this year! What books are we excited to dive into? How do we plan on challenging ourselves to read more (or differently) in the new year? Plus, we’re taking a trip down memory lane, reflecting on our absolute favorite reads of 2024. Tune in for some reading inspiration, and a sneak peek at the literary adventures that await us in 2025!✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment with your reading goals and favorite books from 2024! We’d love to hear from you.
Join us in commemorating 2024 with a Book Awards Ceremony, featuring the ever so wonderful Cari Can Read! Find out which books get the good, the bad, and the oddly specific awards from your fav book besties in a year filled with quite the array of stories to add to your TBRs(or to avoid). Be sure to let us know in the comments what some of YOUR awards would be from your own 2024 reading list! & Happy Holidays from us, to you!
Get cozy and take a series of quirky book-related Buzzfeed quizzes with us! From discovering which novel matches our personalities to wild would-you-rathers, we’re taking on the literary world one imaginary library trip at a time. Whether you're a bookworm or just here for the fun, this episode is sure to bring plenty of laughs and shocking results. Tune in and play along with us!
It's finally Carlos' pick!!!! In this episode, we embark on an enchanting journey through Brandon Sanderson's groundbreaking novel, Mistborn. Join us as we unravel the intricate magic system of Allomancy, delve into the complex characters, and explore the themes of power, rebellion, and sacrifice that permeate the story. We’ll discuss Vin's transformation from a street urchin to a key player in the fight against oppression, and analyze the unique world-building that sets Mistborn apart in the fantasy genre. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, prepare for insightful discussions, fun theories, and a few surprises along the way! **First 10 mintues is spoiler free**
We have another installment of your favorite book besties swapping 5 star reads! This time around we've got Lauren's pick, which is 'The Road of Bones', by Demi Winters! This is a multiple POV story with a solid found family vibe, and even includes some norse mythology. This novel is not a standalone, but the first book in what will be a five book series. We are calling it 'epic fantasy LITE'. Tune in whether you've read it or not, because we love when you all jump into the conversation. Carlos' 5 star pick is announced at the end for you to read along before our next episode drops!
Your favorite book besties are swapping 5 star reads! In this episode, Rose starts us off with her pick of, The Last Housewife, a mystery/thriller with cult, podcast, and duel timeline aspects. This entire episode is breaking down the plot, characters, and insanity with lots of spoilers on the main twists, so read before you watch if that's something you want to be surprised about. Let us know your hot takes on this book, and whether or not you agree with our ratings!
Grab a chair and join the good vibes with NYT Bestseller, Sasha Peyton Smith, as we chitchat about what books define our varying tastes in novels! Here you will find tons of great recs to add to your never-ending TBRs, silly banter, as well as some minor spoilers for a few books, but you'll be warned before anything is said in case you need to fast forward!
To support Sasha, head over to whatever bookstore you support, and grab a copy of 'The Witch Haven' and 'The Witch Hunt'! You can also preorder 'The Rose Bargain' NOW! 📚
As always, thanks for listening, friends. 🫶
We decided to bring the game of 'Smash or Pass' into the bookish world by judging quite a few tropes. What's a book trope you ask? In short, it's a plot structure/theme/storyline/character trait/motif/plot device that is commonly used in storytelling. We go through our favorites, and which to throw in the bin!
Come get comfy with us as we chitchat about the bananas magic system and in-depth plot of 'Blood Over Bright Haven', by M.L. Wang. This episode has **tons** of spoilers, as we truly explain the entire book and give our little ratings at the end, so be mindful of that if this is something you want to read beforehand! This is Carlos' pick, so if you find yourself agreeing with him often, or sharing the same TBR, then you'll definitely want in on this. We also announce what our next book will be, and there may even be an extra little something to that as well, which we're very excited about! We hope you enjoy this emotional journey. Let us know if you like complicated magic systems and religion in books!!!
**This video is a plot breakdown, so beware of spoilers**
Have a cozy little seat while the three of us attempt to go through the events of 'The Ones We're Meant To Find', by Joan He. This is a Young Adult sci-fi novel that has one cold/disconnected MC who wants to solve the disappearance of her sister, and another MC who is kind and carefree and trying to escape a deserted island to find her sister. Yes, we needed a 'confused counter', and yes we ARE open to further explanations of this book. 🤣
***trigger warnings*** 🐦⬛chainsaws, knives, various sharp objects 🔪accidental and totally on purpose cannibalism 🐦⬛questionable use of mummified corpse 🔪lobotomized man servant 🐦⬛amateur surgery (involving eye sockets and various body parts) 🔪talk of sexual assault(but not in detail) The dark romance girlies are really going all in for this one, you guys. Naturally, that meant we had to chime in! Two serial killers who wish to rid the world of horrible people one by one really just want love. Amidst their run ins with said serial killers and pervs, can Rowan and Sloane find their happily ever after??? With a 4.2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, nearly 75,000 ratings, and 14,000 reviews, we are thrilled to present this breakdown of book 1 in The Ruinous Love Trilogy.
Control Your Shelf is back with our first episode of the new year as we begin SEASON 2 of the pod. Each of us wraps up 2023 with our top 5 favorite books that we'd read last year, and give some insight on personal reading goals, plus 5 books that we for sure want to read in 2024(both already out and new releases). We also give you guys a little sneak peak into what you can expect from us in this new season of the show, as well as opening up the floor to what you guys want to see(both in content and guests, so feel free to storm the comments)! As for preparation for the next episode, we spin the wheel to decide who gets to pick the first book to discuss this year, revealing it to ensure you guys can read along with us before that episode drops! We hope everyone has a happy & safe 2024, and are manifesting that you will read many 5 star books.
