Happy Wednesday, and welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club! (I know it's Thursday, but we can pretend we're not a day late).
This week we read what we proclaim to be a masterpiece, Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. What isn't this book? To call it a crime novel (which it is) almost feels reductive. This book is full of nuance, passion, excitement, adventure, sorrow, growth, and so much more. This book burrows right into the heart of the human condition in a way that transcends race, sexuality, gender, and class - all themes that S.A. Cosby employs. If you want to read a GOOD book, a GREAT book, this is the one.
Pour up a drink, get settled, and enjoy this week's episode!
Next episode's read: Alchemised by SenLinYu
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week, we read the ultimate cool-girl nonfiction book, Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik (forgive our consistent mispronunciation of Anolik in this ep). Are you Team Didion or Team Babitz? It seems like there's only one side to walk away from this book on. Is this a shortcoming? Maybe. However, the vivid, vicarious, sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll daydream this book allowed us to live made up for any of its imperfections. Join us in wishing we'd been members of the scene, living slow days with fast company!
Pour up a drink, kick back, and enjoy this episode!
Next episode's book: Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of the 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week we read the new-ish bestseller Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. They're writers, she's bubbly, he's a storm cloud, they're obsessed with each other, 50s rich people flashbacks. What more could you want?? We're a little mad about the ending, but overall, we're blushing, we're giggling, we're kicking our feet.
Grab a drink, kick back, and enjoy the episode!!!
Next episode's book: Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome to another episode of the 5 O'Clock Book Club!
This week we read the highly acclaimed Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Project Hail Mary came out in 2021, but with a movie adaptation scheduled for 2026 has been as relevant as ever this year. We had to get in on the hype and we. were. not. disappointed. Project Hail Mary has entered our top ranking of books. Andy Weir has created a book where every page is a new discovery. Prepare to explore the true final frontier alongside theoretical scientist-turned-astronaut Rylan Grace.
(Sorry for the audio issues in the first few minutes, it goes away.)
Next episode's book: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another (now biweekly) episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. We are SO close to being done with this series. One more to go! Anyway, in this episode, we read books 7 and 8, both at a page count of over 1000. We are dealing with some Zodiac exhaustion but we continue to stand by our opinion that the books are getting better and better. Get ready for a main character death, occult-ish blood magic, and minotaur terms of endearment.
We would love to say that the next episode of this podcast will see the Zodiac series completed, but we are in need of a detox (we'll get to it eventually).
Next episode: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
We're baaaaaackkkk!!! Your girls simply had to take a little summer break from the pod, but we are back and better than ever. This week we read the 6th installment of the Zodiac Academy series, Fated Throne by Caroline Peckam and Suzanne Valenti. We are riveted, we are enamored, and we are also very ready for it to be over. These books keep getting better and better, but they also keep getting longer and longer. It's been a continuously wild ride that we are loving.
Enjoy this week's episode! (Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on June 19th before our hiatus began.)
Next week's books: Heartless Sky and Sorrow and Starlight (Zodiac Academy #7 & #8) by Caroline Peckam and Suzanne Valenti
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Hello and happy Wednes--- Friday!
(Sorry for the late upload this week!)
This week we read book 5 in the Zodiac Academy series, Cursed Fates. The series is long, the books are longer, but we are plowing through them. Things are starting to get REAL in Solaria and as always, we are on the edge of our seats. Enjoy this week's discussion!
Next week's book: Fated Throne (Zodiac Academy #6) by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club! This week, we're back with the second book in The Ravenhood series, Exodus, by Kate Stewart. The first one tore us apart, this one continued to tear us apart until it... patched us up again? Maybe? All we know is we can't wait to read book three.
If you thought Sean and Dom were all that, just wait. Enter the Frenchman. We were mad at first too, but we've come around to him.
Special guest, Sarah, from Kensington Publishing, joins us once again.
Next week's book: Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy Book #5) by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week we read Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. As two former *cough* current *cough* The Hunger Games die hards, we couldn't wait to hear about Haymitch's Games. This prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy did not disappoint. Haymitch's origin story is as empowering as it is tragic and now we love him even more (which we didn't know was possible).
Pour one up (or pour one out) for the many dead characters in this story and, as always, enjoy the discussion.
Next week's book: Exodus (The Ravenhood #2) by Kate Stewart
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Hello, and happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week, we read American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. We had no idea about the controversy surrounding this book before we decided to read it. However, before our discussion, we did some research and were shocked by what we learned. We decided that highlighting the issues surrounding this book and its author was more meaningful than skipping the discussion altogether. Ultimately, we walk away from our time with this book more informed and committed to reading books about migration from authors whose voices have been less amplified.
Here is a list of books we've added to our TBR to consider reading instead of American Dirt :
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
Where We Come From by Oscar Casares
Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera
Next week's book: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Hello, happy Wednesday, and welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club!
This week we read a book originally written in French, The Anomaly, by Herve Letellier. Have you ever wondered what would happen if there were another YOU? This is the big question that Letellier asks readers in this book. The Anomaly gets into mathematics, probability, philosophy, religion, and more as it theorizes what humans would turn to in order to cope with such an outlandish situation.
Listen to us break our own brains as we talk it all out, with a beverage in hand, of course!
Next week's book: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Hello and happy Wednesday!
Get ready for a super special episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week, we have our very first podcast guest, Sarah, cohosting with us! Sarah works for Kensington Publishing Corp. and got us hooked up with some sweet books, including Flock by Kate Stewart, which we read this week!
Flock is a quintessential spicy contemporary romance with a little mystery mixed in. It's giving Appalachia, it's giving bad boys with hearts of gold, it's giving sexual awakening, and we were GRIPPED. So gripped that we have rearranged our entire summer reading schedule to accomodate the next two books in this trilogy because we are simply d y i n g for more.
Pour up a bev, get comfy, and enjoy this week's episode.
Next week's book: The Anomaly by Herve Letellier
Love ya,
-Em and SK (and Sarah) <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome to a little minisode discussion from The 5 O'Clock Book Club! This week we read The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. This book explores grief, loss, and how to carry on living afterward. Didion is an iconic American writer and this was both of our first Didion reads.
Pour up a drink and get ready for some hot takes and a very honest discussion.
Next week's episode: Flock by Kate Steward (w/ special guest, Sarah B.)
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week is a twofer! Get ready to discuss Zodiac Academy books 3 and 4, The Reckoning and Shadow Princess. The girls are getting more confident, the boys are basically just as mean, the relationships are getting steamier, and we are here for it! Pour up a drink and enjoy!
Next week's book: The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Hello and happy Wednesday!
Welcome to another episode of the 5 O'Clock Book Club. Spring has sprung and the sun is shining.
This week we read Kindred by Octavia Butler. Kindred is a highly acclaimed sci-fi-meets-feminist-meets-social justice novel that has been described as Afro-futurism. Dana is a Black woman living in the 1970s who is suddenly transported back in time to the antebellum South without explanation. Terror, resilience, and chaos ensue.Keep in mind, this episode will discuss themes of slavery, abuse, rape, death, and self-harm, so keep that in mind before you listen.
Next week's episode: The Reckoning and Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy Books #3 and #4)
Love ya,
-Em and SK
Happy Wednesday!
After a hiatus week, we are back and better than ever! Spring has sprung, and we are feeling great.
This week we read a cornerstone of dark academia, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. This book is full of mystery, intruige, lengthy descriptions, and hedonistic hijinks. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then buckle up! Join us for a round of martinis and enjoy listening to this week's episode.
Also, give us a follow on socials for updates and bonus content! Instagram: @the5oclockbookclubpod. TikTok: @5oclockbookclub.
Next week's book: Kindred by Octavia Butler
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Hello, hello!
Another Wednesday, another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club; and not just any episode, but our 20th! After a solid 20 minutes of fixating on sparkling beverages and yoga, we discuss the book James by Percival Everett. James was short-listed for the 2024 Booker Prize (though it did not win the award) and has received immense critical acclaim. It is easy to see why! James is a retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain from the perspective of Jim, his enslaved companion. Everett describes James as a conversation with Adventures of Huckleberry Finn rather than an argument against it. We describe it as the perfect 'yes, and...' to Mark Twain's novel.
*Disclaimer*
Of course, this book explores sensitive themes such as racism, slavery, torture, and death so be prepared to hear about these topics before listening to our discussion. It was our intention to discuss these topics with the attentiveness and gravity that they deserve, so they are not glossed over. That being said, we do not claim any expertise or authority over this subject matter.
Due to a family emergency, it is likely that we will not be putting out an episode next week.
So, next, next week's book (04/09): The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday, kings and queens!
We are back again with another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week we read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Demon Copperhead won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction and it's easy to see why. This book offers such an authentic glimpse into the life of a boy, Damon (a.k.a. Demon), growing up poor in Southern Appalachia. The title, Demon Copperhead references Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, which was the inspiration for this novel. We both thoroughly enjoyed this read and we hope YOU enjoy the episode! Get cozy, pour a drink, and listen up!!!
Next week's book: James by Percival Everett
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club! As you can see, we're reading a different book than the one we said we were going to this week (sorry). However, in honor of International Women's Day (earlier this week) aaaaand in honor of Demon Copperhead being a suuuper long book (original plan for this week), we decided to read I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacquelin Harpman.
Released in 1995, this book was way ahead of its time and very different than what either of us expected. I Who Have Never Known Men tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who was raised in a jail-cell-meets-underground-bunker with 39 other women. They have no idea where they are or why they are there and have long given up trying to answer these questions when suddenly, they get out. Strangely, release from this captivity creates more new questions than it does answers. At no point does this story go where you think it's going to.
You'll need a stiff drink to make it through our convoluted arguments on the various theories for this one.
Enjoy! Find us on socials and let us know your theories!
Next week (for real): Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
Happy Wednesday!
Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. Em is back from Costa Rica, so we're done with our pre-recorded movie minisodes and are coming at you "live"-ish. This week, we finally read and discussed Rebecca Yarros's highly anticipated Onyx Storm, the third book in the Empyrean Series. Was it a little confusing at first? Yes. Were we SAT the f down for it, though? Also, yes.
This book continues the romance between Violet and Xaden, uncovers more information about the evil Venin, and gives us some background on Andarna's kind. Overall, it was a great read, and the cliffhanger it left us on makes waiting a gazillion years for the 4th book to come out feel tortuous.
Pour up a drink, get comfy, and enjoy this week's episode.
Next week's book: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Love ya,
-Em and SK <3
