That Pretentious Book Club

Small Favors

• Ash O'Rourke • Season 6 • Episode 4

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Welcome to Season 6 Episode 4 of That Pretentious Book Club!

In this episode the hosts dive without hesitation into Small Favors by Erin A. Craig! This charming gothic retelling of classic fairytale Rumplestiltskin seasoned liberally with elements of horror was a gripping read start to finish. One of the club's most unhinged episodes in a while, you can expect plenty of laughter, questionable tangents, Wheezy's most intense fictional infatuation yet, and discussions over whether the fae can, in fact, be trusted (spoiler: they cannot).

Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Small Favors by Erin A. Craig!

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Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

Spoons:

I literally put on my to-do list. I was like, go to liquor store and meet the mayor. Hello and welcome back to that Pretentious Book Club. Welcome friends, countrymen. Lovers. Lovers

Gino:

And me.

Spoons:

and and Gino all. She's over there. She's also there. Our Virginian Virginia's for Lovers. That's my new place you're from this week. I like that. That's a good place to be from. Well,

Gino:

Here are your

Spoons:

this is that. Oh my God. It's like we've never done that. My name is Ash, but you can call me Wheezy, which it ain't easy to be. There we go. I like it. It's a twist, twist. I'm making it twist. Let's all introduce ourselves and, um, my name is Kendall s Shaba. Some people call me Dr. Spoons Palermo, and when they do that, I say, hi, howdy. I like it. This is a really good refresh of our, it's good. A remix.

Gino:

and over here on the other screen, you have Gino, no name, anything and Gade down under,

Spoons:

I like it. It's fresh. Perfect. Wow. We're all so fresh today. So new. This is what we've been lacking. This is what we needed to be a professional podcast. Podcast. Bring us up a notch. Oh my God.

Gino:

to 32 views this time.

Spoons:

Hi grandma. Hi mom. I don't think my mom listens anymore. To be so for real. I don't think any of my family listens anymore at all. And they were like solid the first year they've given up.

Gino:

definitely does listen to the point where I stopped into her house like hours ago. My dad goes, uhoh, someone's here. And my mom goes, it's just, she's just coming to get drinks for a podcast recording today. didn't tell her I was

Spoons:

She just knew.

Gino:

just knew I was coming to raid the liquor

Spoons:

Oh my God, that's so funny.

Gino:

I was like,

Spoons:

Gino's mom.

Gino:

what?

Spoons:

I remember She's Gino's mom. Yeah. I almost slipped up and said your real name because, because wedding things are happening, so I keep having to use a real name when I discuss things with people who, who don't call you Gino. And it's really honestly rude of them. And they should to get with a program, they really do. It throws me so bad, EV and I'm, I, honest to God, I'm like kind of annoyed every time that I have to write your actual name.

Gino:

Literally no one else in my life calls me that. Well, that's just like, I sent you that text of it was like, oh, send this to your friend or whatever your friend's first letter of their first name is, is your next destination. And for w it had New York and I was like, ah, like New York. I go there a lot. I don't really wanna go to New York. And I was like, wait, her real name

Wheezy:

It doesn't start with her name's not wi or,

Spoons:

that's so funny.

Gino:

like, get the a, guess what? We're going to Greece now.

Spoons:

Woo. Okay. Not bad. Hell yeah. So I did, and literally as she texted me that, then I was like, Ooh, I'm gonna do the same thing with her. And I did the exact same thing and I was like, where is the G? Where's key? I believe it was Italy. So, hey, not bad. You guys can make two stops, you know? Just, oh yeah, exactly. They're close together. Yeah. Yeah.

Gino:

just

Spoons:

It's fine. It, it's.

Gino:

So how's how, how's y'all been doing?

Spoons:

Well over here we've been doing all right. Not too bad. Not too bad. No. Can't complain. Had another liquor story counter today. Oh my God. Yeah. When I got here, she missed like, you know what the liquor story is, like, what's happening here? Last week I met the mayor. I like screams. I did. And then today I met like a distributor for my, uh, for my bookshop for like a possibly wine and possibly whiskey. Yeah. I was just in there and they were like doing tastings, I guess, trying to see if the shop wants to carry this whiskey of theirs that they're now distributing. And uh, they were like, oh. They were like, the sweet lady behind the desk was like, can I help you with something? And I was like, no, I'm just, I was like, I'm, I'm here for gin and mead, but I, I was craving whiskey, so I was looking at the whiskeys and then the distributor sales guys, right? They're like, would you like some of this whiskey? And so I just got like a free shot of fancy whiskey. Nice. And it was super good. Anyways, I can go to this liquor store because that happening. It's crazy. The meantime you go, something good happens. It's really, it's so true. And I pulled up and I thought, oh, I should have just gone to like, like specs or another like, like chain liquor store or something.'cause I was like, I don't wanna talk to people and I know that I'm gonna talk to people if I go in there, it's like a little neighborhood place. Uh, but then it turned out well. So. Hello kitten, but not the kitten is kitten.

Gino:

she's trying to destroy the computer,

Spoons:

Oh good. Of course, all day's work, obviously. Yeah, makes sense. Well, how are you doing over there? In Australia? Mm-hmm.

Gino:

well

Spoons:

slash Virginia slash Virginia. She splits her time. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Ever heard of it? Idiots.

Gino:

No. Well, she's trying so hard to ruin everything.

Spoons:

That's what my grandma said about me. God, I'm just kidding. That was my dad. Oh my God. Is now a new segment, trauma corner. That present. Oh God.

Gino:

ladies don't start fights,

Spoons:

We can finish them. So cute.

Gino:

I have. the only cat that's not in this room right now, a new family member. She's been here about a week. She is a kitten. Her name is Darth Kits.

Spoons:

Guys are always weaning with animal names.

Gino:

and yeah, about a week ago was going to leave and I heard a commotion in the backyard of birds. And I was like, whoa, where'd all these birds come from? No. All the chickens and ducks,

Spoons:

Birds in my backyard. I don't think so. I'm not a bird person. What am I to do with all these birds put these birds do

Gino:

they were making noises like something was up. So I went back there and I thought I saw a tail go into the trees and I was like, ah, curses.

Wheezy:

this book? That's

Spoons:

terrifying.

Wheezy:

You

Spoons:

followed it

Gino:

look like, well, yeah. cause I was trying

Spoons:

wouldn't be me.

Gino:

was and it kind of looked like a cat, but it didn't look like any cat I knew. And it was just a tail. That's all I saw. And then I thought maybe it was a weasel, but I don't even know if weasels live here. And I was like, maybe a copy bearer'cause I'm in, no, those aren't in Australia. A wombat, maybe

Wheezy:

Yeah. Wombat. I

Spoons:

wombat. I love wombats.

Gino:

but. I told Phil, I was like, Hey,'cause we have cameras pointing back there now to see all the raccoons trying to kill my chickens and succeeding. And I was like, can you go back like five minutes and see what was on the camera? And he said, all I could see is birds. And I was like, okay, well keep an eye on it and like set off the alarm that screams at things. So if anything comes, it'll run away. It won't kill anything. So then like

Spoons:

What a great job that would be.

Gino:

five hours later, it's pretty much nighttime. So I go outside to do the nighttime bird routine and put'em all away they're all, there's a commotion again. But instead of like running the opposite way of something, they all seem to be going towards something, which is very strange because usually they're like raccoon,

Spoons:

It's like, you didn't even read this book. You're just,

Gino:

And

Spoons:

where are the alarm bells

Gino:

I am a white woman with animals, wild animals.

Spoons:

gosh,

Gino:

and I look and behind our big, our big duck pond, it's just a big kitty pool. A tiny little kitten, like just from all these

Spoons:

baby.

Gino:

let's attack

Spoons:

Oh,

Gino:

And I was like, oh, come here. And she ran right

Spoons:

oh.

Gino:

I picked her up, I came inside. I was like, I know what belonged to the tail earlier. And he's like, what? What, what?

Spoons:

Like our new baby.

Gino:

because I'm trying to walk through the house. I'm trying to walk through the house to get to him to show him. I don't just wanna be like, okay. And so he keeps going, what, what? And I get into the room and he was like, oh my gosh, mind you, he did not want cats to begin with. The cats that we got were because I wanted cats. And he immediately takes her from

Spoons:

Of course.

Gino:

and he was like, well, now we have three. And I said, I, I, I did not say we have three. And he was like, no, now we have three. She's saying, I was

Spoons:

Oh,

Gino:

really wants another cat. We could just give her to her. And he was like, Hmm, I don't know. And literally the next day I said, sir, we, so what's going on with the cat? He goes, I don't know, but her name is Darth Kits. I was like, okay, so

Wheezy:

so it's So

Gino:

I was

Wheezy:

you have another

Spoons:

cat? Yeah.

Gino:

her. We're

Spoons:

It's like when your, when your mom was like, I just don't know if we're ready for another dog. And your dad was like, I named him Gus. Yeah. And she was like, oh, sorry. So we had another dog. Dog, yeah.

Gino:

Yeah, that's exactly what happened.'cause I was like, I'm okay with not keeping this kitten, especially'cause I knew it had a home

Wheezy:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Gino:

So it's like, yeah, it's okay. We can just

Wheezy:

Yeah.

Gino:

away like we've got, got a good household as is. And

Spoons:

You know what? White women, white women get like the reputation for being like the animals like saviors and like the pushovers. But I mean, your dad, Phil, and Javi, when those puppies all showed up, like what, last year now or something? I don't know. He was the one who was like, so we're keeping a puppy. And I was like, no, we're not keeping a puppy. And he was like. But we could keep a puppy and we could have three dogs.

Gino:

to take care of them.

Spoons:

Well, it's all these white boys that are like on the, on the low. They're like, we wanna be like, we want to be the saviors of the sweet little fluffy thing

Gino:

Yes.

Spoons:

all of us. I'm sure as human is saying, it's like

Gino:

It's a white,

Spoons:

a white woman with 30 cats. You know? Like that's kind of where we're at. Some of them are feral. I honestly, Gino, your raccoon stories have scarred me. I have. I've had nightmares recently about like, just like a monster army of raccoons.

Gino:

I have nightmares too, how many nights I wake up, like in cold sweats of just like birds being murdered by raccoons or just raccoons surrounding me or whatever. And half some of those nights I wake up and I'm like, oh no, something actually is happening and I just know it. And I go out there and someone's being murdered.

Spoons:

Wow.

Gino:

I just wake up and

Spoons:

You know, someone's had to Yeah. And my dreams, someone's being murdered. Yeah.

Gino:

being

Spoons:

You know, it happens in the country, country life. Hashtag,

Gino:

I had a oh no, I live in New York City.

Spoons:

right? Mm-hmm. My bad. Right, right. I forgot.

Gino:

When I was putting them away. I don't know, I, I shouldn't brag about this'cause it's gonna go away, knock on wood. I have this weird sixth sense about my animals, I guess because there are places that they don't really go. So I don't really check for them generally. And then randomly I'll be like, I'm gonna look under this tarp

Wheezy:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

And I had a chicken that decided that she was gonna sit on some eggs under this tarp where they never are. And you could never have found her. But I was like, ma'am, are gonna be eaten by a raccoon. You must go in the coop. But I never, like, I never look under there. And tonight I was like, I'm

Wheezy:

Dang. You just knew you were,

Gino:

I've done that like three or four times

Wheezy:

that's crazy.

Gino:

spots to that birds have been. and I don't even count them either, so it's not like I'm like, oh, I'm missing one.

Spoons:

Right?

Gino:

many to count.

Spoons:

See, I love that because you're like, it's cool that you have a sixth sense. But if that was happening to me, I feel like it would, I would be paranoid at all times. Like any fleeting thought I had to do anything, I'd be like, I have to because a chicken will die if I don't, you know, like it would send me into, I started that way and then I, I dropped off into a really steep apathy where I was like,

Gino:

I think that might be where I am,

Spoons:

yeah, they're just so edible.

Gino:

murdered.

Spoons:

everything wants to eat them, and they're not good at keeping themselves alive. So

Gino:

I. Think I

Spoons:

I don't know if you need a wipe for the sticky honey on your hands. I'm, so, I put honey on our cocktail glasses and in preparation for this drink, and it was delicious and beautiful, but also there were honey on our glasses, so no, very messy.

Gino:

I think I have four roosters of the chickens I hatched. I think four of them are roosters. I know I have at least one, but four of them look like it.

Wheezy:

So that's four

Spoons:

chicken dinners right there.

Gino:

Yeah.

Wheezy:

Aw, poor babies.

Gino:

of the ducklings, they're all starting to get their voices now. And every day I go out there and I like

Wheezy:

Thanks.

Gino:

hard to see who's talking.'cause they all yell at the same time. I'm trying to discern whose voice belongs to who. And I'm like, okay, are you like, I have one that's a full peek in duckling. And I'm like, you cannot be a boy. You cannot, I cannot have a boy peek in. And finally today I, she quacked and like, a female. And so I was like, you're a girl.

Wheezy:

Amazing. That's so funny.

Gino:

yeah,

Wheezy:

I,

Gino:

I have cat, I have bird.

Wheezy:

have,

Gino:

I feel like I have other things, but oh I just have a lot to talk about myself. This time actually,

Wheezy:

go for it

Gino:

gone pure a beautiful mind on me and he started drawing on the walls,

Spoons:

okay.

Gino:

like. I came out and I thought he was doing math equations on the walls at first. And I was

Spoons:

He was doing goodwill hunting you thought?

Gino:

I was really afraid. Oh yeah, that's what, it's a good will hunting. But no, he decided that he's gonna paint a mural on our wall and he just started scribbling in pencil all

Wheezy:

Oh, is he artsy?

Gino:

he is just been scribbling all over it. He, when he wants, he likes to be artsy. he doesn't do it a lot. so there's this giant, I, it was supposed to be a goblin I guess, but I thought it looked like a dragon.

Wheezy:

Ooh.

Gino:

cute. It's a cartoonish looking goblin. And so I thought it was a dragon. You just couldn't like see the bottom half'cause it's like peeking over the

Wheezy:

Uhhuh.

Gino:

Then like, there's buildings and a, a vampire moon. But yeah, he's gotten, I just, well, he'll randomly just start scribbling all over the wall.

Spoons:

When inspiration, he's like really doing it. That's amazing.

Gino:

was like, are you okay?

Spoons:

Oh my God,

Gino:

But yeah,

Spoons:

that's fantastic.

Gino:

I, I have

Spoons:

Good for Phil.

Gino:

you.

Spoons:

That's amazing. He's living his best life. Yeah. Truly letting his inspiration just flow. The creativity is pouring out of him. I love it. Yeah. I wanna see pictures. I love the confidence to be able to like draw or like paint a picture on your own wall. I don't have that skill or confidence. It's the only thing. I don't have confidence in myself. And probably when my brother,

Gino:

he got like, go

Spoons:

oh, well you can go. It's okay. You're.

Gino:

I think he got like halfway done and he was like, is this okay? I was like,

Spoons:

You're like, well, you already did it so Well, you're halfway through, buddy. So

Gino:

yeah.

Spoons:

I was gonna say, when my brother lived in New York for like one summer, I went and visited him and the like basement apartment he lived in with two other people. They had drawn over every wall and surface in that apartment. Like it was so cra they knew the like person who owned it and he was like, yeah, whatever. I don't care. But I walked in and I was like, whoa. Like it was so crazy, like just sharpie all over the walls. Oh my God. We're seeing filled. We are, we're looking at fill artwork. Wow. Wow. This is, I promise you guys, this is much bigger than your thinking. It's bigger than you think. Yeah, definitely. For sure. Sure. It's like the whole wall. It's the whole wall. Oh, you guys have the nice what's that called again? Trim? Yeah. Like when it goes up on the like half of the

Gino:

Oh

Spoons:

I used to know what it's called. I like that. Yeah, it's nice. Dang. And now it's extra for him. Nice. Yeah. Now it's being used for art. I'm not gonna lie. My child might be frightened of that when we come see you. But that's okay. It's okay. It builds character. Look at it ri look at it. My child today, uh, at preschool decided to pull down his pants and diaper and pee in the middle of his classroom.

Gino:

Oh, oh,

Spoons:

we're potty training. So all in a day's work. The first thing, when Hobby told me that that's what the teachers told him when he picked up today, I was like, I'm honestly impressed. He's finally getting the concept of taking off his diaper to go pee because right now he'll go sit on his little like toddler potty, but he has been like, absolutely not, not gonna take off my diaper to do this. And I'm like, well, it kind of defeats the purpose if you're wearing your diaper and your pants and you're fully clothed on the potty. And so we're missing a step here, but we're missing one step. And I know that he was sort of getting it last week because I was trying to take off his diaper to put him in the bath after he had been sitting on the potty and he was still peeing in his diaper when I took off his diaper, put him in the bathtub from the potty. And I was like, so we're connections are happening. We're firing on all cylinders. We are getting that. We need to just really, yeah. Walk in here. Yeah. And he's been bit, again, in case anyone was wondering, I don't, I don't think I've been updating the pod, but there is a hungry kid in his class. Oh my God.

Gino:

oh my

Spoons:

He's getting bit constantly by another child. Like it's, it's like almost every day. One of his friends, one of one of, we call them all friends. It's nice. It's the PC thing to do when you work at a preschool is you call them all friends, but what You're like Yeah, RI had a really good day. One of his friends bit him. It's like, I don't know how good of a friend I know. And I was like, it was like one of the blonde girlies. I don't know. Okay. They won't tell you because that's the, that's the thing to do is you don't ever tell,'cause you don't want the preschool parents to be at each other. Right. So you don't tell them. Yeah, but I've gotta be the same kid,

Gino:

me.

Spoons:

doesn't it? I felt that way when I worked at a preschool too. But yeah, you would like, we just never told them. And there was like this weird etiquette where like the parents didn't ask, but you could tell they wanted to know. But because they didn't ask, we never told them. And that, that horrible, weird etiquette still continues. And so I have an asked gonna know, so I don't know.

Gino:

gimme names.

Spoons:

I want names I did today for the f no, yesterday it was when he got bit again. And so like for the first time I was like, I kind of wanna go bite the kid back. I need to know what kid this is. I was like, I'm getting upset now. That's why they don't tell you this is why they don't tell you. It's like a 2-year-old. Like the first three times he got bit, I was like, eh, these things happen. This is a lot of times, this is a lot of times I'm like, he's being targeted. And they're like, well, RI and his friend were playing with the Tonka truck and Ri didn't wanna let go of the Tonka truck. And his friend was trying to take it and then his friend bit him. And I was like.

Gino:

first thing you need to do is. look at all the kids in his class and see how many of them have teeth.

Spoons:

Yeah. Match those teeth marks to his like, I remember, and it's, it's the exact same crescent, like it's the same shape every time. I'm like, it's gotta be the same kid getting bit hurt. Like Yeah. And it's also like dangerous. Yeah. Nasty germs in So gross. Yeah. He and he, every time it's hard enough to leave a mark and they're like, yeah, he cried. We washed it and cleaned it and he was really sad for a while. Then he got over it. I was like, I'd be sad too if someone bit me.

Gino:

some jerky or something and be like, anytime that kid comes near you fend him

Spoons:

Oh, I thought you were gonna say something. Like, you know, cover him in that stuff that like, parents, like, remember y'all, remember when, like that thing,

Gino:

the

Spoons:

the stuff that's supposed to make like, well, like for your nails to stop chewing them. You can put the stuff on Make bath bath, just bathe them in that stuff. So the kid bites him and is like, we'll never bite again.

Gino:

Spray'em with like mosquito stuff.

Spoons:

That's a good idea.

Gino:

sunscreen, you

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

that none of that tastes

Spoons:

Yeah. It's just like, just baby oil. So he, so the teeth just slip right off. The teachers can't pick him up. You're armoring ri It's like, it's like he's going into battle, like God, it feels that way a little bit. And then he comes home and of course he's forgotten about it by then. But if I go, did you get bit today? He will go. Yeah. Oh, and he'll like, really? Seriously? Yeah. And then he'll, he'll look,'cause he can't remember which arm it is at first. And he'll go and then he'll find it and he'll go and he'll point and tap on it and go, yeah. And I'm like, oh. But

Gino:

And he can't tell you who it is.

Spoons:

no, I literally was like, is it this one? Is it that one point? Is it this other? One point of the child's? Which child? Bitch? Oh my god. Gosh. It's actually his cousin sneaking into school devices. It probably, it sounds like her, you know, son would do it. Bless her heart. Son would. She is such a bruiser. She is

Gino:

I,

Spoons:

bone,

Gino:

I don't know why, but, oh, I think it's,'cause I was listening to the, our last podcast recently and but the other day it popped into my head when you started to say that you were talking about anesthesia and labor something and something about drinking and you're like, I would like, it would've been so much better. like you were gonna say it was so much better being drunk the whole time.

Wheezy:

which I wasn't, to be clear.

Gino:

I know, but it sounded like even

Spoons:

Having a baby when you're drunk.

Gino:

this is what's coming.

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

couldn't have done it sober,

Spoons:

thank God for whiskey. You know when I was ending the episode, I heard it and I was like, yeah, that really does sound like that's what I say. That's pretty bad. Yeah. So not my best.

Gino:

laughing out of nowhere the other day about that, it popped in my head. I was like.

Spoons:

Well, I'm glad that I can entertain you, you guys. Hours, hours and hours of fun from over hearing. Oh my God. Oh my God. Well, hey, should we talk about the book or our drink and then the book? Yes. You know what? I'm gonna let you guys introduce the drink because I wanna go make another shaker of the drink. Do it.

Gino:

chaga.

Spoons:

Okay. Gina, you found it right? You're the one who created it.

Gino:

Yeah. I forget what it's called though.'cause it has a name. it's called something.

Wheezy:

It's, it's got a

Gino:

but

Spoons:

good name

Gino:

I think it's a be, I think it has a bee in the name, like a B

Spoons:

here. Let me see.

Gino:

I don't think it's on what I

Spoons:

Oh.

Gino:

but it is mead

Spoons:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

because mead is honey wine

Spoons:

Bees Knees.

Gino:

Yeah, the bees knees.

Spoons:

Knees. Sorry. Does it mean to drift? Mm-hmm.

Gino:

No. Good. It is mead and gin and honey and lemon juice.

Spoons:

Delicious.

Gino:

Phil was like, Phil was like, how's your meat? And I was like, good, do you wanna try some? I said, it's really sweet. And he said and I said, plus I added honey to it. And he was like, oh, you added honey to the, he's like, no, that's too sweet.

Spoons:

added honey to the honey drink like that is so interesting.

Gino:

like yes I did.

Spoons:

Absolutely. Yeah.

Gino:

You know, IF. Never had honey cakes and I'm jealous that he said

Spoons:

Yeah. Ash made this was a couple years ago. She first made them, but she was making these like honey, and I don't really like honey unless it's like an ingredient in something. Like just eating honey is not my favorite. But she,

Gino:

The Pooh

Spoons:

I, I am not, I can safely say not when he poop. Although I'm jealous of his style I always thought it was so brave. Just red shirt,

Gino:

touches are

Spoons:

pants. I love it. But yeah, so she would make these little honey cakes that were shaped like bees. She had like a bee mold for the cake and they were so cute. They were like, just like palm sized and I would eat like 12 of them in one sitting. Delicious.

Gino:

Oh,

Spoons:

reading our book this week, which is Small Favors by Erin a Craig, they talk about honey cake and it made me wanna eat ashe's cake so bad. So I'm gonna make her, make them for me again. She doesn't know that, but I'm going to make her do it. I'm like house sitting for her in a couple weeks and I'm gonna be like, don't work. Like, all I need is just leave me like a fresh supply of honey cake. That'll be great, you know, all weekend. That's all I'm going to eat.

Gino:

beautiful. Know anything about our author?

Spoons:

Well, yes. So, not really. I didn't do my job, but I I,

Gino:

Aaron A.

Spoons:

it's Erin a Craig?

Gino:

not aa

Spoons:

Yeah, ERIN. And so I wanted to read this one because I have read House of Salt and Sorrows, which is another novel that she wrote.

Gino:

Oh, I didn't realize

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

that.

Spoons:

yeah, yeah, yeah. So she wrote that. And then there's also now a sequel to that one that I haven't read yet, but I want to. But I actually bought this book for my friend, like small favorites like years ago. And I was like, I wanna read that too, but I haven't ever read it until now. So it was very exciting for me. But yeah, so Erin wrote this one and that one, and like three others. By this point. She loves to write like a spooky, atmospheric sort of young adult novel, which I'm a big fan of. So,

Wheezy:

that is all

Gino:

It says she went to the University of Michigan for and got a BFA in theater in production, which that's a stage managed a bunch of tragic operas filled with hunchback seances and murderous clowns. And then she decided she knew what she wanted to write about.

Spoons:

we discussed this, I remember because when we did, um. Oh my God. How's problem sorrows? Did we Sorrows put pot? Yeah, we did. So we've done her bio before. Okay, great. But I would love to hear it all again. So,

Gino:

beautiful.

Spoons:

really have anything else. Okay. Did you guys do first impressions or No, not yet. We were just talking about the drink and then it morphed into talking about Aaron. Would you like some more of this? Yes. Drink. I dunno if you guys can tell, this is my favorite drink that we have made yet. Yeah. She went all out with I did. And I actually did everything Right. It's crazy when you actually call the recipe, sometimes it turns out like really well.

Gino:

I wonder why it's your favorite drink, though.

Spoons:

Right. Well, okay. To be fair, I am a sucker for mead. I'm a sucker for gin and I'm a sucker for honey. So it all worked out like there's no way I wasn't gonna like it.

Gino:

I definitely suggested the recipe and you were like, yes,

Spoons:

Yeah,

Gino:

one,

Spoons:

yeah. I was like, I literally put on my to-do list. I was like, go to liquor store and meet the mayor.

Gino:

Well, you have to get whatever one we're doing next too, so you can, I don't know, maybe you'll meet some rich

Spoons:

That's what we're saying.

Gino:

that wants to give you all their money or

Spoons:

Yeah. That's awesome. Hey, if there's any rich ladies patron listening to this who want to give me all their money you can totally do that@ifundwomen.com. By the way, just go ahead. We have an outlet. Yeah, the story Emporium and bookshop. If anyone's wondering what my business is called. Or you can join the readathon, you could get if there's any rich ladies in your life who wanna give you money, you could get them to give you money to make your team win. Little plug plug, plug in there. I can't say All Rich Ladies. Thank you. Thank you so much. Should we do first impressions?

Gino:

Yeah, we should

Spoons:

My first impression is that I love the cover. I think it's very cute. It's very cute. But knowing that it's gonna be spooky, it makes it like, oh, now I'm intrigued. You know, for me, go ahead.

Gino:

not know it was going to be spooky.

Wheezy:

Mm-hmm. Have you read House of Salt and

Spoons:

Sorrows?

Gino:

yeah, but I didn't realize that this was by the same

Wheezy:

Hmm.

Gino:

literally just now when Spoons told me,

Wheezy:

Oh,

Gino:

about two and a half minutes ago.

Spoons:

so it's all brand new? It's all coming together. New information. Gotcha. Gotcha.

Gino:

so I didn't know anything about this actually. It's really funny because most of the books that you made our list of what we're reading, and I just, from their titles kind of give a random guess of what I have no idea what they are. And this one, at first it's like, what was the other, Ash,

Spoons:

Oh yeah.

Gino:

with the ash

Spoons:

Oh, the book.

Gino:

I had no idea. I had no idea. It was like a Cinderella retelling

Spoons:

Melinda Lowe Uhhuh? Mm-hmm.

Gino:

thought, yeah, you said we're reading Ash. And I just assumed because Kendall picked it, that it was a classic and.

Spoons:

I am a classic.

Gino:

and then I was like, oh, this is not so I stopped assuming that, but I still like small favors. I was like, oh, I don't know what that sounds like, but it doesn't sound like a fantasy to me. So I did not think it was gonna be a fantasy book. And then I got the book and I was like, oh, that's super cute. And I think I saw something very briefly about like Faye or something on it. So I was

Wheezy:

Ow.

Gino:

oh, it's gonna be kind of, sorry.

Spoons:

There's a cat.

Gino:

it's weird. No.

Spoons:

What was that,

Gino:

I thought it was gonna be kind of like Emily. Wild.

Spoons:

Mm-hmm. It did have some of those vibes.

Gino:

Without reading anything.

Spoons:

right. My first impression, first of all, I have to, I spoons look at this. My child is contorted himself in sleep. He is? Really? Yeah, he is. Wow. He's out. I'm gonna see if I can show you guys. He is, he's, he does not, it does not look comfortable, but he's knocked out.

Gino:

sleeps.

Spoons:

Yeah. Toddlers, cats, they just don't have bones. Anyways, I sleep like normal and I wake up and can't, can't move. So to know, to be a toddler again or a cat. My first impression of this book I, so Erin a Craig wrote a spooky story, but then I saw the cover for this one and I was like, it doesn't look spooky. The cover just looks like good vibes. Mm-hmm. And also, I'm very seasonal and I don't remember if when I heard about it, I, it either wasn't spring or summer or I had already read all my spring summer books and so I wasn't in the mood for another one, but I was like, it's not the season, it's not the right time. I can't read this book, although the book actually occurs over many seasons. But I didn't know that. And I also knew that it was a Rumpelstiltskin sort of like retelling and that was exciting. And then I kind of forgot about completely. Mm-hmm. And that's my, I thought it was gonna be more directly rumple, stilt skin. Yeah. It really wasn't, it really is not till the very end, which I guess makes sense.

Gino:

you just said that.

Spoons:

Yeah. Yeah. That was one of the only other things I knew about that. But then I'm like, maybe I made that up. Like, or did I read that somewhere? I mean, it has the vibes, like sort of, but yeah, I thought it was gonna be more of a direct, yeah.

Gino:

being said, but I, I, I don't like that when books are advertised that way I don't want, mean, I mean, some free tellings I like, but everything seems like a retelling these days. Like

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

what is it, the really popular one that I can't think

Spoons:

Oh

Gino:

they're like, it's a Beauty

Spoons:

yeah, yeah. Atar.

Gino:

I was, yeah, aar.

Spoons:

It's like, okay. Loosely.

Gino:

yeah,

Spoons:

Incredibly loosely.

Gino:

All these things are like, oh, it's a, this retelling, it's a, that retelling. And I'm like, well, it's really not. It's, it's a new story. It just,

Wheezy:

Yeah. This one is like,

Gino:

that'cause nothing's

Spoons:

mm-hmm. Yeah. This one's like a nod in the direction of Rumpelstiltskin. You know what, this is really a nod in the direction of the film. The Village by M Knight. Shalon, yes. I haven't even cleaned the Village.

Gino:

Yes.

Spoons:

It's exactly The Village. But I know enough of it that I was like, this is tape familiar as it, it's one of my favorite movies. And I was like reading, I was like, I'm getting a lot of the village vibes from this. And then I was like, is that just because I love the village? And then I started reading more and I was like, no, no, this, this is the village. This is the village. Yeah. Man, things went crazy. Oh my God. Crazy. This is nuts. Mm-hmm. Also I did not include skip notes in the last few episodes. I realized, even though I told you all they were skip notes and I'm sorry for lying. It was unintentional. You just fast forward. Yeah. You guys can just fast forward'cause there's a very good chance I'm not gonna put skip notes in again.

Gino:

I don't believe that there's anyone here that still does that, but

Spoons:

That use it, the skip notes. I, I think they are, I honestly do, if any of our like actual listeners who have like returning listeners have used the skip notes, I would love to hear from you.'cause if you guys don't really want them or care, then I'm not gonna prioritize it whatsoever. As I have forgotten recently to prioritize. I'm gonna continue doing that. If no one cares, think again until someone gives us one another four star review saying it's so great. Except for they talk about nothing for so much of this time. It's like, well, yeah, that's what we do well, yeah. Um, so anyway, that four years going on, five years now. This is just what, this is what you get. Sorry. So yeah, the main character of our novel is named Ellerie Downing. Love the name Elle,

Gino:

Which

Spoons:

too.

Gino:

I was like, this is such a cute

Spoons:

Yeah, super cute Hillary. And she is a she is a twin and her brother is named Samuel Sam, which is funny'cause I have a brother named Samuel Sam. Yes. It kept throwing me off until the time I was like, I'm gonna say this thing about Samuel. And then I'm like, no, you can't, Samuel, is you your cousin Sam? Like kids. And then I'm like, and then I was like, no, I don't hate my Sam. I, yeah, I Sam, in that moment I was so mad. Like, but I was like, oh my God, Sam is such a crappy brother. And then I'm like, but not first brother, but not Sam, but not like Kendall Samuel. Not like, like cousin Samuel. He's, no, he's fine. But like, I also had though, I was like, this is gonna be hard to talk about. Well, it's just like nobody really goes by Samuel except, and he doesn't really either. My brother, no he doesn't, but I call him Samuel. So every time they called him Samuel, growing up specifically, it was like, it was weird to me as a kid when you would call him Sam, because in my house we always called him Samuel. Oh, we always called him. I still do, but now we call him Sam. Oh yeah, yeah. That's, anyway, but he goes by both in the book. So anyway, names aside, I probably, a lot of people have a brother named Sam, but it's just weird when you're reading it specifically and you're like, that's my brother's name, you know? Or like, when you see your own name and something also,'cause he was like kind of like doing like a moody broody thing a little bit every now and then. I was like, I've seen Samuel do that. Yeah, a little bit. But then this Samuel goes off the rails and I'm like, I take it all back. It goes, that's probably,

Gino:

that.

Spoons:

that's probably where it is. But she also has, two younger sisters, Mary. Mm-hmm. Which I was listening to it for like the first part. So I thought it was MARY, but it's actually M-E-R-R-Y, like Marietta Brandy book, which is I thought was crazy. But So Mary, that's cute. And then Sadie. And then Sadie, the little girl, and then her parents. And they are they have, they run API APIs. Yeah. I was like, how do I pronounce that? They, so they have bees and they take care of the bees. I love this. Got bees. And it's my dream to own bees. I'm gonna find a way to work that into the book Bees in the bookstore. I'm gonna, bees get humanity card bees. Sorry. Oh, my flowers. The flowers for the bees. Yeah, exactly. It'll be perfect. Okay, perfect. I'm gonna have flowers in the bookshop. I'm gonna have bees in the bookshop. If you're allergic to bees, you're probably, sorry. Don't wanna to the bookstore. Okay. Sorry. And they live in a village esque town called Amity Falls. Mm-hmm. Which is very isolated and like, they have like village elders and there are rural, it's not very like Appalachian. Yeah. I'm not really sure. Yeah. I mean North American, right? Definitely North American. No. Yes.

Gino:

I can.

Spoons:

Over my dead body. It's like, yeah, she wouldn't like it. I like it. But yeah.

Gino:

Myla and Ridley love it, and so they introduced me to it and I've watched it, almost all of it. I have two episodes left

Spoons:

Oh dang.

Gino:

like five years. It's taken

Spoons:

Oh my God. Congratulations. I keep trying.

Gino:

bit. I was like, the na, I mean it's falls, but also like they end in the same. And then the fact that Gravity falls is full of all these weird,

Spoons:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

kind of things. And then Amity Falls, I was like, oh, similarities.

Spoons:

little town with like secrets and like stuff going on. Oh no, it's the, the show you just made me watch, it's been Peak Twin Peaks camera. Sorry. Then I came down, sorry, but I knocked the camera. You guys are watching on YouTube. You're welcome. You got a really good angle. That's really good. Yeah. Sorry. I'm so excited about the concept of Twin Peaks. I destroyed the sentence Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks. I do need to watch more, but I probably need to drink a little bit more before I watch Twin Peaks. The thing is, I always make people watch it and then I forget that like, it's very sometimes hard to watch because it's insane. It's weird. So people are weird just like, what's going on? And I'm like, are you not having the most fun of your life? That's Bobby Briggs from Twin Peaks. Like, are you kidding me? You know, this happens to me every time. So it's like, it's, it's like a fever dream. It's like a twin. Yeah, it's like a fever dream. Twin pizza. Yeah. This had a little bit of Twin Peak guys and it was just like, everything's a little bit off. Something's off. But it's like, you know, there, it's vaguely like, I like how the world building is very vague because everyone in Amity Falls doesn't know what the hell's going on outside of Amity Falls very much. Yeah. You know, they're like the big city basically. I can't believe. Like, it actually literally is the village American, like prairie town. Yeah. But they kind of live in like, there's like woods surrounding the town, and so there's like stories about like, there's monsters that live in the woods. Like we don't ever go out, we just kind of like send people to go get supplies from the city. Yeah. And we live in Amity Falls and we love it here and everyone is friends and we have rules and we don't break the rules and, but we all have fun. And you're like, okay. Sounds great. And actually at the beginning I was like, this seems okay. Yeah. The, I was like, this is a pretty nice place. Yeah. They're all seeming to have an okay time. Uh, almost immediately though, the big drama is that Elle's best friend Rebecca, who is like actually like, they're kind of like the Hatfields McCoys. Yeah. The family's are rival. Yeah. But they have become friends. Um, Rebecca has been. Spending time with her brother Sam, her twin brother, Sam, this whole summer. Mm-hmm. And turns out they are secretly courting. Yes. And now there's, and some gets pregnant. Yeah. There's, yeah. I was like, I don't did two secret get away, but, and I'm just gonna say it, I was like, I would not be able to deal with this if I was Ellie, like, I'm sorry, my twin

Gino:

no.

Spoons:

friend, and neither of them said anything to me. Thank you. Oh, see, I'm so the opposite. I was like, I would've been like, huh. Okay. Mm-hmm. I would not offended, offended that I, they didn't know I, this is going to be,

Gino:

angry.

Spoons:

been no un

Gino:

And then the way they both, once she, once she knew and they knew, she knew the way, they were both like, eh, like, it's not really like, you can't blame

Spoons:

I was pissed.

Gino:

I can.

Spoons:

I am not getting this at all. I wouldn't care at all, whatever. This is like when my brother told me that he was bi and I was like, okay. And he was like, do you have any feelings about that? And I was like, why would I care? You're like, I don't care about your personal inner life. I was like, well, I mean, I don't like, this is like if Caleb started dating me and we didn't talk at all.

Gino:

was gonna

Spoons:

Well, the that weird cousins, but we're not dear reader. We're not actually cousins, but Yeah. But basically, but we are, but saying, saying, I'm saying it's like if Caleb started dating Carissa, Caleb and they didn't tell you, but Caleb identifies as as, but he's gay. You have to use your imagination and you have to use your imagination. And imagine if Caleb started dating Carissa or if Maddie started dating, you're like, Ash has no guy friends. This is hard because also my siblings have been in long-term relationships for so long. I'm like, I can't picture this. I think I have like this.

Gino:

Use your imagination.

Spoons:

with Carissa, I'm like, she lives in Arizona. Okay, okay. You're not getting it.

Gino:

if it's logical,

Spoons:

You have to, you have to imagine

Gino:

happen.

Spoons:

in Amman Falls. Oh my God. Logical. No, I'm, I really do wanna see, try and understand this, but I don't get it like, well, okay, here's one thing for me. I. Only have brothers. Mm-hmm. So it's very easy for me to imagine brother situations. Mm-hmm. Not that that's different from, you have a brother as well, but I'm also, I have always had this like dream. I, I think it's because I can't imagine myself having a sister because I've never had one. Mm-hmm. So I always have this like, um, I've always had this fantasy of having a twin brother. Mm-hmm. I've always wanted a twin brother. I wish I had a twin brother. I don't know why, but everyone always thought my brother and I were twins. Yes. We still get that. You can, yeah, you could. I could see that. Yeah. And it's nothing against my own brothers. I've just like, always like, wanted a twin and then also not wanted it to be a girl. So I've always wanted a twin brother. Mm-hmm. So this hit me very hard because I'm like, but my twin brother would never do this to me. Like this twin brother I made up for myself. Honestly. I think all, maybe because I have, maybe it's because I have a brother who's so close in age, everyone always thought we were twins. We were very, very close growing up. But like, to be fair, when he started dating cj, his fiance mm-hmm. They've been together for like almost a decade now. I was, I was friends with CJ in college. They So you've done this? Yeah. And this was before I even knew that Caleb was bi. Yeah. So it was like, not only surprise, surprise, high on bye. He was also like, also I, I'm dating your friend. I'm dating our like core friend in the core friend group. Well, CJ and I was like. Maybe this is just different for us. Me and me and Gina are on the same personality wavelength than you're somewhere else.

Gino:

I definitely

Spoons:

be mad.

Gino:

have a brother.

Spoons:

I was like, that's interesting. I wonder how that's gonna work out. It would. It would be like, okay. It's like in friends, whenever he is like my best friend and my sister and he's all pissed and then he is like, you don't understand Ross. I've laugh with her and he's like my best friend and my sister. Like, that's what I think that, that's more what I was thinking because like that would be so cool.

Gino:

it's not that. It's not that they're dating, that's the issue. It's that they didn't tell

Spoons:

Yes. And they were both keeping secrets from her the whole summer. This so like,

Gino:

it

Spoons:

yes. And they're supposed to be the people who she knows the best. Like if Maddie, if my sister Maddie and your sister Sam had, were not like with people that they're with and had grown up and secretly had a relationship with with each other. Because I used to try and I used to ship them.'cause I was like, then we'd be like legit related. Right? It's like if that happened, but nobody told us. But nobody told. I would just be psyched. Listen, we're not, we're gonna have to move on. We have to move on. So basically we spent 30 minutes spent trying to make human, wouldn't emotion if we would be mad about this. But what it comes down to is El is kind of mad, but she's also like, you know, I've got it going on. You know, my dad's making me in charge of the bees because Sam's gone all the time. And Sam is a total ship Bagg. The thing is not your, he really wanted him to get better. Like, I really thought he's gonna get better. I know. I was like, we are ready for redemption. Whole book long. I was like, redemption is coming. I don't know if I've ever hated anyone more. Yeah.

Gino:

attitude out.

Spoons:

Mm-hmm. A million percent. Oh my God. And it wouldn't have mattered apparently because Elle, it's not like she like didn't tell him what was wrong. Oh, like she gave him what for him multiple times and he was like,

Gino:

actual, a physical slap in the

Spoons:

somebody needed to hit him. Yeah. I don't know.

Gino:

like you can get yelled at all day long and I, nevermind. This is just gonna turn into some weird, I'm like promoting violence. I don't condone,

Spoons:

This is the better.

Gino:

I was like.

Spoons:

We have to really move on. We're all getting bogged down in our own person, our own ideas. I have a don't care, you know, promotes violence. Like we're all getting weird here. We're only on like page five. Like, well that just shows you how, what a great author Erin is. Now. We have a lot to discuss. I had so many feelings about every 50. I really did. The amount of times I went, no. Okay. I actually like, yeah, literally out loud.'cause I listened to the audio book, so I was reacting out loud to this whole book. Mm-hmm. That's awesome. So, God, what even happens?

Gino:

into town and dies

Spoons:

Oh yes,

Gino:

like it was for the supply chain that they had sent out.

Spoons:

it says yes. Mm-hmm.

Gino:

to all the men? And they're like, we don't know. So Ari's dad says, let's, we have to find, out a search party into the woods to find the the people

Wheezy:

Yep.

Spoons:

It doesn't work. And also, this is super bad news for multiple reasons, obviously, because like they're a really close knit town. So when anyone dies, like the whole town is grieving. Mm-hmm. Obviously. And then also because they're such an, they're so isolated that they only make supply runs to like the big cities twice a year. And if they don't make those supply runs, then they don't have the basics to survive. It would be incredibly difficult to survive without like the sugar, flour, whatever else they get from fabric medicine. Yeah. All that stuff. So it's like a big deal. And fluffy. They're like, well, if we can't go into town or into the city, we're gonna have to wait till, we're gonna have to like, wait the whole winter and wait till spring and then they have a big vote. Mm-hmm. And ary votes. To wait while her whole family votes not to wait. And then by one vote, they, the town decides that they're gonna wait. Yep. So then it's like, and then her dad is real petty about it. He had it just like, be a grownup. But I was like, yeah, honestly, I was with her too. I was like, this seems dangerous. Like, I don't wanna go out there again. Yeah. I was kind of afraid that her voting against going was gonna come back to bite her in the butt. Even though I was like, I mean, complete, your logic is spot on. I see why you did that. No judgment for making the vote that you did. Ellerie girl. Mm-hmm. But I was like, I feel like this is gonna come back and bite us. And then repeatedly throughout the book, I feel like we were just proved that Ellerie was right. She's right.

Gino:

That is true.

Spoons:

Yeah. Yeah, because, because like,

Gino:

time they sent one out, it was like,

Spoons:

right, like nobody's surviving out there. So there's like these monsters and so people think that like, you know, these monsters that used to play the town are back or something. But other people are like, that's ridiculous. Well, the size of bears and sparkling vampire. Wait, that's a different book. Hold on, hold on. But there's also like some strife kind of boiling, like, Rebecca and Sam. Or like when he finds out about the baby, he like gets all pissed and he's like, well I know she's been sleeping around. It's not mine. And I was, that, that made me so mad. I can't believe it. So mad. And then there was never any clarification at the end that like, he was like manipul. I was like, maybe he's been like, no. I think he magic into thinking that he's actually just an asshole. I think he's an ass.

Gino:

'cause I was, I was with you. I was like I don't remember. something about, no, I thought something about Sam just being, was influencing

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

not just gossip

Spoons:

Right. Yeah. And not just him being a shallow little prick.

Gino:

him. Or actually, no, that's the other thing I thought was that actually hadn't slept with her.

Wheezy:

I thought so too.

Gino:

he was like, it can't be mine. Because like they were talking about the cows that, or horses or

Spoons:

Yes.

Gino:

birth randomly when they weren't

Spoons:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

then her mom was pregnant. And

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

like, weird things are happening. People are being by Faye or

Spoons:

Monsters or something. Yeah. Yeah. I thought that too.

Gino:

preg. Yeah,

Spoons:

I,

Gino:

I thought.

Spoons:

there were so many other things that could have been, he was just, just being an ass. He's really fun. Like we really gave him every chance, you know? Like I really was like, I want this to work out for ellerie.

Gino:

flag. And we were like, me

Spoons:

God, what? I kind Maybe an orange flag, a yellow flag. Yeah. He really sucks. I hate him. So. And like, yeah, like, so Elle's dad and Sam go out into the woods as well, and then they get attacked by these monsters and then they come back. It's like this whole thing. So everyone's like, it's very dangerous out there. And so, yeah. I Wait, sorry. That was before the boat Anyway, so then yeah, all this strife is happening and then the Danforth, who is Rebecca's dad? Oh, I forgot about the boy. Yeah, this boy you wanna talk about the is so charming. The way that I was like kicking my feet squealing about this book. I have not fallen so hard for a fictional boy in so long. He got me more than, um, what's his face from Emily? Wild Wendell? Yes. Oh, nobody's got me more than, than Wendell. No. Whitaker over Wendell. Yeah. That makes sense for you, I think for me. Does it? Yeah. I was deeply in love. He's he's your boy. Yeah. I'm so low. It's dangerous.

Gino:

in the slightest, because

Spoons:

Really

Gino:

no, not in the slightest.

Spoons:

interesting.

Gino:

was like, he's Faye.

Spoons:

Oh, well. Yeah,

Gino:

and

Spoons:

I fully knew that too. I fully knew that too. And I was like, I'd be in trouble. I thought that at this point I thought it was gonna still be a straight rumble stilts, skin retelling. So I thought he was just gonna be rumble stilts. I did too. And I was like, Ugh, the feminine urged Mick Rumble stilts skin hot. You know? Like, what can I do? You know? No, I was literally like, he might be her downfall, but I honestly would still be in love even knowing everything I know about this book. Ugh. And that he's probably Fay and evil. I was like, I think I'm still in love with him. I don't think I can help it.

Gino:

get me in the slightest.

Spoons:

cold.

Gino:

Mm-hmm.

Spoons:

Uhuh. Not for me.

Gino:

Nope.

Spoons:

Or for Ash. I guess this is Whitaker. Damn. Yeah, this like charming rakish boy shows up while she's doing like laundry. And he is like, what's up? Hey, hand hair girl. Yeah. Yes. And she is like, oh, okay. She's like, this is my, this is like hot. Hot. Exactly. She's like, don't come on our land, or my daddy will shoot you. And he is like, I'm just gonna sit here and stretch out in the sunlight. I'm nothing suspicious. And she, he won't give her any straight answers because Faye obviously and she does get her dad to come down and be like, Hey there, what you doing son? And he is like, oh, you know, I've just been trapping out with my group at the camp out in the woods. I just mysteriously here from the woods. Sometimes it's a thing that I do sometimes I just like to do that. And times no big deal. The fact that I won't tell you my real name is not a big deal. No, I wouldn't even think about it that much. No worry, worry about you call me price though.

Gino:

He annoyed me. He annoyed me

Spoons:

Oh, he an annoyed me too. He was annoying. But you guys have met Javi. Like that's not

Gino:

know.

Spoons:

being incredibly annoying. Criminally annoying. It's not a turnoff for me.

Gino:

he was me was part of it. Like whenever someone

Spoons:

This explains. So

Gino:

you. So many of my other friends, if you ask, they'll be like, we don't know a thing about her. Well, I literally had a friend, literally had a friend who I stayed with, I think for a month at one point in my life, and she was living with other of her friends that I didn't know. But they all let me stay there very kindly. And after I left, she told me, she was like, we really like Marissa. She's really nice, but we don't know a thing about here. Her and she lived with us for a month, and my friend was like, I've known her for seven years, and I don't know a thing about her because I, that's what

Spoons:

that is so funny.

Gino:

like, what's your name? I mean, until I accidentally just said it,

Spoons:

Yeah, I was like, should I cut it out? No.

Gino:

I'm pretty sure it's been said

Spoons:

Oh yeah. A hundred percent.

Gino:

you've slipped up before. But

Spoons:

I'm,

Gino:

I mean, I,

Spoons:

I'm sure. I'm sure I have.

Gino:

don't even like saying my name on the pod, like

Spoons:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

am Whitaker. I think, I think that's why I didn't

Spoons:

See, and it's the part of me that just doesn't care about important information, but I'm like, that's fine. I don't need to know.

Gino:

She's like, where are you from? And he is like, Hmm. A place. She's like, yeah, but which place? He's like one

Spoons:

That is so you.

Gino:

me. I know. I was like, I'm coming to this realization

Spoons:

you're like, you can call

Gino:

podcast. I, I,

Spoons:

Oh my God. And then she gave him a name and I gave you a name. You are, oh my gosh, you Whitaker. Oh. Have this beautiful luck story that's going on right before me.

Gino:

Oh my

Spoons:

Yeah. Yeah. She's like,'cause he's like, my name's price. And she's like, no, it's not. She just knows it's not. Yeah. And then it should, I did love that. Yeah. And so like, like it doesn't fit. Don't buy it. Mm-hmm. So she's like, I'm gonna call you Whitaker. But so he kinda like shows up randomly sometimes and then is like being hot and poor. Girly. She was down bad immediately. Oh yeah. She was very lustful for this boy. Oh my goodness. Like she wanted him bad that so badly. Um, and. I cannot blame her. I was like, honestly, I was kind cooking up at Aaron though, because like one of the defining things to me for about his description was like, she's like, he's really tall. He's like so tall. And then like every time he showed up, she'd be like, he sometimes looks even taller. And I was like, Aaron, what do you have going on? Like, what is your thing? Because I'm like, that's cool to be tall, but like, she's like, I was basically like happy size. Like that's kind of how it started feeling. And I was like, okay, I get it. She tall. She did feel like she was shrinking and he was getting taller because the first time that they met, she was like, my head would've only come up to his shoulder. And I was thinking like as if five foot, three inch girly. I was like, that's not that tall. There's plenty of guys who aren't like crazy tall. My head comes up to just their shoulder. Mm-hmm. So the fact that she was repeatedly like, he is so tall. I was like, how tall are we talking? I was like, how tall are you? How tall are exactly. Maybe s taller. And so she's like, yeah, she's like five 10. Yeah, exactly. He's like seven, seven. She's like, oh my God, no one else is commenting on the fact that this tall, tall trapper. Like, I was like, okay, great. He's very tall, I get it. And so anyway, I, she didn't really like that fact. She was into it. Oh yeah. But he's very charming and he's like very charming to like her family and like mm-hmm. Her sisters love him and all this. Yeah. Which I thought was very cute. Like there's a part where she is. They're hanging. Oh, she's making a flower crown for Sadie's birthday and Oh, and he makes her flower crown. Yeah. He shows up and he's like, those colors are all wrong for you, babe. She's sensitive. And she's like, oh, they're for my sister. And he is like, how about this a four leaf cl clover like he is. So, and I was like, my girl, he is magical gulp. Yeah. There is something going on with his boy. He literally just picked up a before leaf over. My poor darling.

Gino:

Hands are a stack of pounds

Spoons:

oh yes. My God. The sugar was,

Gino:

did you do that? He's like, magic. She's like, oh,

Spoons:

in your backpack. That was,

Gino:

get it.

Spoons:

yeah. So basically the family, there's a big fight with Rebecca's dad and then their, all their flower fields get burned down. And in this burning down of the flower fields, their mother gets severely burned. And then her mother, their mother who is pregnant, has to go to another town and all of this. And so it's like crazy. They have to go to the city to like heal her. And so all the siblings are left alone. They call the money, they take the gun and because the family insists. Yeah. So it's literally ellerie in charge. Yes. Yes. Because Sam's being ridiculous. He's being, and while they're gone I think,

Gino:

are you in charge? I'm the boy.

Spoons:

Real Alex, Sam, I'll kill you right now. They,

Gino:

I

Spoons:

I'm gonna take that clip and I'm gonna send it to your son, Sam. And so like, while they're gone, things are going even worse in the town. Like, everyone's being crazy and they're, they're like, okay, we have to go, like, send more supplies out because these two guys show up who are supposedly their long lost uncle and his son. Mm-hmm. And so they're like, oh, I guess that the path is clear then, so we should probably send more supplies out. And so it's like, you idiots. It's the thing. Yeah. And so Sam is like, I'll come. Yeah, I know. They were like immediately, like they don't really seem like a aunt or like our uncle and cousin. Yeah. And spoiler, they're not. Yeah. But so Sam is like, well, I'll go on the supply run. And Ellie's like, Hey, maybe like don't, because we kind of need you at home. And he's like, it's fine. So he goes out, I'm gonna do it anyways.

Gino:

the honey from the

Spoons:

Yes. Steal some honey. The honey they needed to get through the winter, like this would kill off all the bees. That was the worst. I could not believe.

Gino:

and I was like, I, I went like, I physically, I'm so angry right now. I was like, I need to just find anyone named Sam and just slap him.

Spoons:

Throttle them. Like, how could you do this to your sisters?

Gino:

be smart.

Spoons:

I was,

Gino:

'cause you have an attitude problem. Just'cause you're like a hormonal teenager.

Spoons:

oh my God. Like that was unforgivable. He like stole the honey and then left. And then so poor Ellie is like, how am I going to make sure the bees survive the winter and therefore we survive? Mm-hmm. And so in that, she makes. Basically tells all of this to Whitaker and he's like, oh, she has such a breakdown. Okay, this breakdown where she is like sobbing. And then she's like, I'm fine, I'm putting together looks. And then she's sobbing. And I was like, I have never related to a meltdown more. That was the, and then she was like, I got up and I was numb and I was just like hazy looking through like blurred eyes. And I was like, oh my God, this is like an ash meltdown. This is exactly the, I was like, Erin knows, I know this is an Erin melt meltdown. Erin, through this. I was like, Erin and I could totally, you, me, Erin, same catastrophe. Looks exactly the same for us. Yeah, that was, that was a very good descriptor, you know, was really, did really with that. It was very believable meltdown. But yeah. And then she tells Whitaker and she's like, I need 30 pounds of sugar to make sugar cakes so that the bees will have something to eat and stay alive throughout the winter. Or we're just like, that's it. And he is like, well, just give me, you know, how about we'll just trade. We'll make a little trade. And she's like, I have nothing to trade you. And he's like, you can trade me a favor or something. Is that what he says? He's like a marker. He like a round a marker. He's like, you know when you're gambling and you's like representative of your Yeah. Yeah, exactly. I love when he was like, you know, when you gamble? She was like,

Gino:

I was wondering if that was a real thing or not, or if he was just making everything up since she didn't know anything.'cause I don't know anything about gambling,

Spoons:

I think that's real. Like,

Gino:

the marker thing

Spoons:

mm-hmm.

Gino:

he said, like,

Spoons:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

you're not gonna like bring your horse to the

Spoons:

Right, right.

Gino:

But the, then the other stuff, I forget, he said something after that about like

Spoons:

Yeah,

Gino:

thing you can do for gambling. I was like, I feel like he's just making

Spoons:

he was,

Gino:

know.

Spoons:

nothing. This whole thing was like, girl, I don't know how else to show you that. He is a rumpelstiltskin ass bitch. Like, this is so obvious. I know. Because he was like, how about all three drops of your blood? She was like,

Gino:

Yeah,

Spoons:

and I was like, no one has ever been more suspicious. I know. She's like, well, am I giving, he like something that I will pick a token of my choosing at a later time, whatever I want. And I was like, that's not a good deal. Like girl, she was desperate though. She was desperate, but I was also like, this is crazy. Like he was being even sweet. But then as soon as he's like going for the blood, I'm gonna be like, no, hold on. You know, let to really talk this out, how much do you need? Like, why do you want this? First of all, you know, now I have some questions for you. You know, that's kind of where my mind goes maybe. But first, a few questions. I was, couldn't believe that. But you know, she, it, she drops of blood on a handkerchief and

Gino:

I feel more and more. Like I am Whitaker, like as I think about it, I'm like, no, I feel like I would do this to

Spoons:

you're like, just the other day I asked someone to give three drops. She drops of blood. Yeah. Oh my God. You're like, oh, I'm sorry. Is that scary or weird? Like, I thought that was, oh, is that not like normal?

Gino:

why are we talking about

Spoons:

I thought this was stand of practice. Oh my God. For negotiations. Mm. It's just not what everyone's doing today or what. And so my God girly is like full of lust, minus three drops of blood and he's just like, yeah, here it is. And just a magic six, like five pounds of sugar. And she is like, oh my God, that was such a good sleigh of pants. And I'm like, girl, you're like, oh's stil. Good ass bitch. Dunno how he's a magician. He's like, he has so many talent. He's really tall. My god. God. So sensitive. You're so sensitive.

Gino:

oh my gosh,

Spoons:

Full of not as full of blood anymore. Oh my God, girl. Oh God. So her poor darling, well she has her sugar now'cause he brings the rest of it the next day and she's like, woo hoo. But then she immediately is like, I am overcome with a paranoia. And so she like hides it and is like freaking out. She like doesn't sleep for three days. Yeah.

Gino:

This is, this is the first time in the book that I was actually like, I mean, I could tell before then that it was going towards like creepy horror kind

Wheezy:

Uhhuh. Mm-hmm.

Gino:

at this point when she has the sugar and she's in the barn milking the cow and then like stabbing the thing with, that's like gushing,

Spoons:

Oh yeah,

Gino:

with the,

Spoons:

she's using the pitchfork in the hay and then, yeah.

Gino:

like, I don't wanna keep going right now. I don't wanna,

Spoons:

Yeah. Scary. That was so scary. She really walks that line. She's milking the cow, and then all of a sudden she's like, oh my God, that there's blood. The bucket is just blood. The cow must be, you know, sick or hurt or something. And then she's like, oh, it's, wait, no, it's normal. I, I'm seen. It's just smell love milk. Yeah. And then she was like stabbing the hay with the pitchfork and something started to bleed. And she was like, oh my god. So, oh, I, I, what something's in there alive and hurt.

Gino:

don't wanna

Spoons:

That scared me so bad because mm-hmm. I thought it was Sam. I thought that maybe he had been hiding in the head. I was so scared.'cause she had just said something about thinking Sadie might be awake. Oh. And I was like,

Gino:

no, I thought it was, I thought it was Rebecca and her baby maybe. Like, I thought her baby was in there and like Rebecca

Spoons:

just got worse. Sam, I could live with her. Stabbing with Sadie? No, Rebecca and baby Noll. No. Like that would've been bad. Oh my God,

Gino:

I can't, no. I was like, stop. I can't keep, I

Spoons:

no. Yeah, that was really great. And then turns out there was nothing. She's just seen things. But then something does stagger out of the darkness cupboard in blood and other viscera. It is Sam, Sam.

Gino:

tell you how I didn't care? Like, he was like, he was like, I'm so sorry. Like he, I don't even think he said he was sorry, which was another part of the problem, but he was like, I was out there and everybody was killed again, and it was terrifying and horrible. And I was like, mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. You you took the honey from the bees.

Spoons:

Oh my God. See, I was mad. I, but I, I did care. I was, I was like, that's, I was like, maybe this will be what he, I was willing to forgive him at this point. Yeah. I, yeah. Because I thought maybe this would be his turning point, but, but lo Andhold no, it was not. Dear reader. He does not change. But yeah, that was so, he's like covered in blood and he's like, I, I'm the only one who escaped. And I immediately was like, what did you do? Like I, for real, I was willing to forgive him. And then I started, started thinking about it and I was like, so you did something? Because I was like, no way. He's the only one. He's the only one who surprised twice. No, in the woods. Yeah, exactly. Twice. I was like, okay, what have you done? And then also he was like being weird.'cause she was like, did you hurt them? And he was like, what? And my first thought was, oh my God. Like, she also thinks he hurt the other people. And then she's like, the monsters. And I'm like, no girl. He did something. Like, that's what I thought. He did something to cause the side

Gino:

See,

Spoons:

for sure.

Gino:

I thought that maybe the people were turning into monsters somehow.

Wheezy:

Ooh,

Gino:

the people and, and so I thought maybe he was one of the monsters, like,

Spoons:

I can have that thought. Yeah.

Gino:

so

Spoons:

I thought he was

Gino:

but

Spoons:

a werewolf situation or something, you know, like he doesn't know what's going on. Maybe. Yeah. Because he was also like, everyone's gonna be so mad at me. And I was like, why would they be mad at you if you're. But then I was like, anyway, it ended up being different, but I was still like, okay, something's off here. So the elders come and they're like, well, that shit sucks. We hate that. Yeah. And he is like, yeah. And Sam is being horrible forever. And then also now it's Christmas and Rebecca got married to somebody else. Oh, yeah. At the pregnancy. Rebecca married the preacher's son,

Gino:

else. The preacher son.

Spoons:

which is like, wow, we're really, okay. See, this was again one where I was like, eh, did we forgot? Forget about Rebecca's dad getting lynched. Yes. Yeah.

Gino:

We

Spoons:

The dad got blamed for well, because we found out burning down the flower fields. Yeah. He burned down the flower field and he burned down the shed because he thought it was Sam in the shed. And he thought and, and of course Sam had gotten his daughter pregnant. And so that's, and that's when ended up, yeah.

Gino:

Elle's mom.

Spoons:

Yeah, exactly. But then when he's trying to plead to not be killed, not be hung, he's like, the lady told me to do it. The lady with the long fingers and the silver eyes. And the silver eyes. Oh my God.

Gino:

And

Spoons:

Who even, and I was like.

Gino:

no one was there. You were alone the whole time. And Sadie has this imaginary friend the whole time that she keeps

Spoons:

Oh, I knew that was bad. Yeah,

Gino:

yeah. I knew that she was

Spoons:

I was like, that can not be good. I'm connecting the dots in there. Very easy to connect. And that is that. That is bad. That is a bad thing. You know, we're not into that. Oh no. It was kind of giving me creepy younger sister from the house of Salt and Sorrows. Yeah. Remember she was like the one who was like seeing all the ghosts and stuff. Aaron loves the creepy younger sister. Yeah,

Gino:

I was very shocked that they just straight up, like, they were like, you did it. Let's lynch him. And then he, they, and then he was dead. I

Spoons:

dude.

Gino:

That happened real quick. And it happened, like there

Spoons:

I wasn't, I wasn't shocked. I was like, that feels like, I don't know, sort of like Frontier Town Justice, I guess. It was just like they, they talk a lot of bullshit then.'cause they're like, oh, InBody Falls, we're all friends and we all follow the rules. And I was like, okay, so this doesn't seem like a fair trial. We're kind of just gonna do it. Mm-hmm. Okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Now I know where we stand. And Sam was like front center to evolve. I can't wait to see this guy get hung. Oh yeah. And I was like, Hey, Sam, so you're scaring me. Sam was a massive instigator. I was getting, I was like, I don't know, buddy. Your redemption does not seem close at hand. It's the, it was closing in the whole time. Really. It was like this is getting narrower and narrower. Well, your path to redemption. Yeah. But yeah, so that happened. So Rebecca married the preacher's son and now, and she hates Elle now, and she hates Elle. She hates her whole family. Listen, I was so pissed at Sam for this. Yeah. Because I'm like, so you ruined Elle's best friendship. Best friendship. Yeah. Like, are you serious? And he didn't even care. No. That, that upset. And why did she never confront Tim about it? I would've been like, so Rebecca was my best friend, and now he doesn't wanna talk to me because of you. Yeah. I was so pissed. I would be so mad about it. That was like the thing that made me the most mad, honestly. Yeah. That would piss me off. I'd be like, I don't care what you do on your own time. Yeah. Like, whatever. God dang it, Sam. Okay. Go kill some people in the woods if you want, but my best friend won't talk to me now because of you. Because how Jerry was so mad, so, so stupid. So it's Christmas and they're like, oh my God, we forgot it's Christmas. And they're like, well, let's go chop down a tree. And they're all somewhat starving now. Yeah. Everyone's starving. They decided to not go, not send out another supply chain because of what happened when Sam went out. It was only when it came back. So they're like, we're just gonna ration. We'll make it through our, you know, the, our, our sort of ancestors or whatever did that. But yeah, everyone has beans of some type and they trade when they can, but mostly they have nothing. And then they, they, they were having these little social sort of, where they would trade for food and then things started to go bad and every time the whole town got together, they were just strife. And like one person would accuse another one of like, stealing their tools and someone else of like Yeah. You know, killing one of their livestock or something. And it was just getting out of hand. So finally the preacher right, was the one who was like, everyone just go home until the end of winter and no one talks to each other. And I was like, there's no way that can go wrong. Like that cannot be good.

Gino:

think it was the town elders, but

Spoons:

The town elders. Yeah. And so they go back and they're basically starving. And they, they do have a chicken though. They do have a chicken for Is that Christmas dinner or is that

Gino:

yeah,

Spoons:

dies. Yes. Because somebody kill a chicken.

Gino:

dinner because somebody killed all the person's chickens. So

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

Hey, we're just giving these out to everyone since

Spoons:

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. And Ezra and Thomas now live there.

Gino:

the raccoons. Just kidding.

Spoons:

It's always the racon. It's always the racons. Yeah. Ezra and Thomas are, they're like, well, we can invite them over for Christmas. It doesn't really feel like Christmas without our parents, but we'll do our best. Mm-hmm. And then while they're Whitaker shows up, he's also there and he has gifts for everybody. Yes. And he is being hot except for Elle, but he dances with El. He is the gift. He is his gift. I'd unwrap him.

Gino:

shocked that they had a piano though. I was

Spoons:

Yeah. Mm-hmm. They are fancy. I feel like they were like decently well off. They were like firmly middle, maybe upper class, middle fla of him that falls, I would say. Yeah. The um, but yeah, it was like an old piano from their ancestor who got kissed right by the other Dan Fort guy. It was like part of the Hatfield McCoy situation. Yeah. So anyway, yeah. So they have like a fun Christmas party and all of that. And, and Ellerie the whole time is like, oh my God, he wants me. Like, she is so into him. Oh gosh. I was like, kiss her, kiss her. I know. And then he doesn't almost kissing, they keep almost kissing kiss and then they don't kiss. There's even missile toe and they don't kiss. Oh. But he like got like presents for everybody and it was cute. And then what happens?

Gino:

out late last night with Whitaker. Maybe you shouldn't do

Spoons:

Shut up. Got a girl pregnant. Sam. Oh my God. Like Sam, Sam Downing gets on site, you know? It really is. Hit him with my car. Sam Downing like, I cannot handle this boy. It's unfortunate. Yeah.

Gino:

He just keeps getting worse.

Spoons:

and so he and e eventually he and Elle get in another big fight and he like leaves for good. Yeah. And he's like, he's like, I'm not gonna gonna be passed around by you. Yeah. And he's like, girl was

Gino:

Yeah.

Spoons:

co really made me mad when dad gave you the beehives instead of me. And I was like, he's like, oh, then I almost killed them all and I'm still not even sorry about it. Ah. He's like, I'm the oldest and I'm a boy. And I was like, you're the oldest for like two minutes. Okay. Yeah. And also you're a bitch like God. Yeah. I'm so mad at him. He sucks. So yeah, he's just like, peace out. My sisters who are starving, I'm just gonna abandon my family in their greatest time of need. Poor Elle is, no one has ever eldest daughter more than her, Julia. Yeah,

Gino:

Whitaker's like not to like be mean, but it's probably a good thing he's gone.'cause then you don't have to feed him too and he doesn't bring you down, you know? But also, I'm

Wheezy:

for real.

Gino:

if you're kinda sad, I'm missing your twin, but it's the truth.

Spoons:

You're right. You are Whitaker. It's definitely you're Whitaker. But accurate. I was like, yeah, Whitaker, you're so right. He was right. So yeah. Then there's like a lot of, I. It kind of sucks until spring, basically. Yeah. And uh, the, there's been a lot, there's a lot of like creepy things. She sees like a creepy woman with long fingers standing in the field. She sees lots of creepy things, things that creepy vibes are increasing as the book continues. Yes. And eventually we kind of learn, well there's like a funeral and she figures out that Ezra for sure is not her uncle Ezra. Mm-hmm. And she's like, so who the hell are you? So she and Mary are sneaking around to look at all this stuff. I was surprised. I thought, Fay of some kind. I know. I was surprised too. Turns out that Ezra is monster hunters. Yeah. Like she could from Jolly Old England. Yeah, I was. That's where they say shit weird. Yeah. And she was like, and he was like not even mad. He was like, okay, yeah. I'm not your uncle. Uh, I'll just tell you what's going on. You got me. Oh, you got me. Take me away. Listen here. Love. Oh God. Sorry. Sorry fam. Sorry. We, we English too hard. We English Close the sun. To the sun. That's why they don't have any sun in England. That's why it's, yeah. So, so basically they're like, okay, so here's the deal, the things that are plaguing, and we get a big lore dump, which I like, oh yeah, it's good. They're like, the things that are plaguing the town are called, like the dark, the dark watchers. And I was like, oh, let's help me more. And they're like, so basically there's these freaky dudes who like, just kind of like sow discord and they'll grant you small favors. Mm-hmm. But there's always like a price basically. So like, and then everyone gets mad at each other and then they just like wanna watch like

Gino:

They

Spoons:

chaos. They devolve into chaos. And I'm like, so. Yeah, that sucks. And it's clearly we're at a high stage of this happening Yeah. In Amity Falls. But then Mary is like, this is really great news.'cause I actually had a crush on Thomas, who I thought was my cousin until we so closely Eva, the cousin, lovers. So by the skin of our teeth be abandoned. Cousin will not believe this. I was literally, and like they're going to a social, a town social because the whole, the, the town goes to a funeral for this, uh, older woman who died in town. And uh, when they're there, more people are all at each other's throats. And the preacher or the elders or whatever are like, I've got a brilliant idea. We're gonna host ourselves a town social, are we gonna have music and whatever Food. Yeah, exactly. And so they're like, we're gonna go have a fun thing. It, it'll be great. And then the day before the, the social is when everything seems, it comes out about As and Thomas and who they really are. And then the next day Mary's all like dressing up for the social and like trying to like put on blush and she's like. Uh, like aria's, like is there a, you know, a guy you're trying, seems like maybe there's a guy you're trying to impress. And she's like, yeah, it's, it's our, not our cousin. You know, Mary was like, yes, yes, yes, yes. You know, she was, she was ready. And then I was also like, but then they have to keep up the act. I'm like, you know, you can't be flirty with him at the social, right. They're gonna be like, why is she flirting with her cousins? Her with me is like, Amity Falls would be like, that's fine. You know, like, I did wonder. I was like, they are first cousins, but it is Amity Fa is this Appalachia is my question. Apologies to Appalachia, but it's like, you know, it's, he, it stays a Dior, you know, like, who knows what's going on? But yeah, I was like, Mary, you are so freaking lucky. You know, like, you really had it on for your cousin. And we all knew it because I was getting that vibe. I was like, she's into her cousin. But then I was like, I'm gonna ignore that because I refuse to acknowledge cousin lovers when it's not, you know, forced upon me. And then I was like, okay. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So she was into her cousin, but thankfully he's not her cousin. Okay. Got it. Got it. Got it. Mm-hmm. Um, so they're like, so we're all just gonna like go to this social and we're just gonna watch. And I, in my head I'm thinking, this isn't a good plan. We need a more solid plan. Exactly what I was thinking, the Dark Watchers, because it sounds like you're just being the watchers and that's not gonna cut it. No. Ellerie was like, so what do we do if we find them? Do we kill them? And they were basically like. Um, yeah, we can kill him. Maybe. We could try. Yeah. We'll see. And I was like, so several people are dead at this point. We should really probably Y'all need need like hunter a better, yeah. So do the hunting. We need a better place. There's a really bad feeling. And lo and behold, of course, when they're at this social, who goes missing? Sadie. Sadie. And so then Whitaker, oh, and by this point, Whitaker has left and then come back because he's like, I'm in love with you. And I was like, and Elle's like, tell me things about yourself. And he's like, I can't tell you anything. And she's like, then F off. Yeah. But he still shows up and he is like, hey. And I'm like, my darling. He is one of them. Like at this point it was like so obvious every time anything magical or magically bad happened. Like he's around and literally like when the not Uncle Ezra says something like, there's strife happening at this social, it means that they're here.

Gino:

anyone

Spoons:

Who's here that shouldn't be here. Yeah. Anyone new.

Gino:

that shown up recently

Spoons:

And then she literally goes. Whitaker Whitaker's walking in here and I'm like,

Gino:

it's

Spoons:

Whitaker. I was like, you are so close. You are so close. I was so scared because Aaron was very clearly setting up like a red herring in Whitaker that it was one of those that I'm like, this could be a red herring, or he really could be,'cause this,'cause I knew that this was like gonna be somewhat rumpel, stilt skinny. Somewhere in here. I was like, this could be, maybe it's not a red herring. Maybe the red herring is that. I think it's a red herring, but it's actually, he actually is the bad guy and I was very stressed about it. I was kind of where my thoughts were with him. I was like, I knew from the start that he had something going on, but I was like, okay, is he gonna be evil? And then about not that far in, I was like, I think he's reluctantly evil. I think he's gonna turn it around. I'll be honest, by the second interaction, I was like, I don't know if he's gonna be evil enough, but I'm gonna be on the side no matter what. I was like, I literally don't care. I think I'll be in love no matter what happens. This was the first time ever I've like, like with a Faye, I've been like even knowing this is a horrible idea and that you were Faye and that there's no way this could end well for me. Oh my God. I genuinely don't think I could have resisted if I were in Ari's shoes. I mean, who among us. Like, I'm sorry. Okay. I'm sorry. Take me away. Yeah. Okay. I would've been into it. Sorry. It was insane. Um, especially, it seemed like not a lot of better options going on. Oh. There were like no other options. I was like, okay. Yeah. A hot trapper shows up and is just into you. I'm sorry. Okay. She's only human, you know. He's cute and funny and super annoying. Hi, Mike. Ty, he's to my sisters. Um, I, you know, everyone's got some kind of drama, some kind of skeleton closet. Everyone is something, you know, his is just the, he is an evil entity designed to discord, to so discord and kill people. And that is an eternal, dark watcher bean.

Gino:

into the evil entities,

Spoons:

Mm-hmm. Maybe it's'cause he wasn't evil enough. Yeah. There was really nothing you could tell he was, his heart wasn't in it, you know? No. It was like, okay, commit, you know, one way or another. Commit

Gino:

very much Could be.

Spoons:

his heart wasn't in, maybe that's what it was. Me at the be about the darkling. Yeah. His heart just wasn't in it. You know, he likes to pretend it wasn't, but it was, which is why I don't, the darkling doesn't do it for me. I don't know. I don't think his heart was fully in it.

Wheezy:

Oh, Lena Darkling.

Spoons:

Oh God. Like starco is my favorite thing of all time. Oh, books are dangerous. His feet, oh my god.

Gino:

ah.

Spoons:

So cute. Dear diary, Lina looked at me today. Later. I am going to destroy country. Goodnight. Going, going to kidnap a bunch of orphans and hang some people in trees. Hope this gets Alina's attention. Someday we will be married. The Darkling star off. Start off. Oh, shadow and bone throw back there. For anyone, for all the fans. Oh my God.

Gino:

Ooh.

Spoons:

if think Whitaker was writing in his journal. He is like, oh, it was all about yeah, her honey colored hair. He's like writing really bad poetry about her. Oh yeah, for sure. And all the other Dark Watchers are like, what the hell is this? He's like, stop you guys. For real. And it's been 500 years and they're still making fun of him. He's like, stop. Oh my God, stop. My God, you guys, it's private. Thanks to annoying. He just like, don't wanna hang out with you anymore. God. That's what he's doing. God. So feelings. So they get Sadie back. She's only mildly hurt, so it's fine. But they're kind of like putting it all together, obviously, you know, she'll be fine. She's a tough cookie. Uh, and, uh, then like, even more stuff is going on. And so basically they tell, like the elders and the priests, the pastor and stuff, they're like, so these are not our relatives. They are in fact monster hunters and here's what's going on. And the, and the Dark Watchers are all around us and the pastor's like, this is on, we, none of this heathen stuff. We're gonna have a good old fashioned tent revival tomorrow. And they're like, yeah. Okay. For real. I don't think that's gonna help. And he's like, bye, the Lord Jesus Christ. We're gonna help. He's like, what you're describing are demons. Demons in our town. Yeah. Someone must have called them down. We gotta find center out. He's doing some real firing brimstone. He really is. And he is. You can tell everyone is becoming more and more unhinged, Aaron. Oh my God. Absolutely. The slow progression into madness. Yeah. It's like crazy. Insane in town now. Insane. And so like at this of,

Gino:

The preacher?

Spoons:

no,

Gino:

it. Oh, okay. got real, this part for me, but

Spoons:

okay, I'll watch it and then I'll be like, exactly. This is just like in small favors. That's what I'm gonna be like. You tell me all about it. And I'll be like, oh. And then I'll never watch it. I'll still be trying to watch twin dance. You're never gonna, yeah. So like they're at the survival or whatever, and everyone, he's like, you gotta confess your sins, because that's what we're all doing.

Gino:

it'll be

Spoons:

I'm like, Ooh, I didn't like this. Okay. This was like, oh, this is like a cult.

Gino:

man can forgive you. And

Spoons:

I'm just saying, I went to a cult where we had to do that. Ooh. Ooh. Mm-hmm. Skipping cults.

Gino:

and then everybody else is like, yeah, I don't forgive you. Go away.

Spoons:

It didn't go as to plan

Gino:

This is what we wanted.

Spoons:

this. This is healing. We're working things out. Yeah. We all see that this is working and everyone's like punching each other teeth playing around. Literally. Yeah. It's going bad. And Elle is like, I would like to confess that everyone here is wrong and there dark Watchers out at the forest and she really does. She was going off and so that was crazy. And then everything goes absolutely nuts after this.

Gino:

the pastor's talking to an angel and Elle's like, wait, who are you talking to? And he's like, this angel who's guiding me, and she's like, that ain't an angel.

Wheezy:

Just like

Spoons:

Abigail ain't Sadie's imaginary friend.

Gino:

Yeah.

Spoons:

Turns out everyone's

Gino:

telling you what to do the whole time and

Spoons:

Oh, right.

Gino:

said, the in everything goes crazy. Cray cray.

Wheezy:

Crazy.

Gino:

shooting, killing, beating up, setting

Spoons:

I.

Gino:

burning

Spoons:

It's very bad. Things just pretty much get worse and worse and worse throughout the, I was like, I'm like, I feel like I'm reading the book of job in the Bible. I was everything. It absolutely nuts.

Gino:

quickly.

Spoons:

I was like, okay, Aaron, we are really getting close to the end game here and I do not see how we can resolve this. Nope. Spoiler. We don't really resolve it. We don't really and so things go to hell and then they keep going. Yeah. Even further into hell, she, you're like, wow. She figures out that Whitaker is one of the dark watching finally on. We have been saying this since page five. She's like so mad at him. Yeah. About not telling her. And I was like, why would you care? You know what? She wasn't as mad as I thought she would be because she was, she did get over normal best. She was like, but he is tall. But you feel Yeah. If you're really still very tall. Uh, my god. Exactly. She was mad for like two seconds and then she's like, oh man. She really did flip real quick. That height difference. She was, she was like all mad and like yelling at him and being like, don't come near me, sort of thing. And then he's, I don't know, he is basically says something like, it's all because I love you Ellee. She's like, he's so tall. Like, I guess maybe we could be okay. So, okay. I fought it over

Gino:

But

Spoons:

I fought it over and I think I can live with this. Mm-hmm.

Gino:

like, I just need she's like the

Spoons:

The name of the queen.

Gino:

What's

Spoons:

Yes.

Gino:

the woman with you? And he's like, I cannot tell you that. And then she's like, well, tell me. And he's like, I cannot tell you that. And then the woman appears and

Spoons:

Mm-hmm hmm.

Gino:

everybody.

Spoons:

And then he disappears. Yeah.

Gino:

and yeah.

Spoons:

Like, remember that time I made you burn down the schoolhouse?'cause by the way she did. Oh yeah. She also had, yeah, I forgot about that. At some point during the story made Ellen burn down a schoolhouse. She, yeah. That was sucked too, because that was like their first kiss. And it was a dream, but also real. It was real. Yeah. That was confusing. And so that was crazy. Oh. And then they have their other super passionate kiss. He seems like he's saying goodbye and then he disappears. And then the dark watcher queen lady shows up. This is the woman she saw in the field, and the same one who made Cyrus burn down the field in the shed. Yeah. She's like the big bad. Yeah, she's the big bad.

Gino:

she is like, I can make you one of us. She's like, actually, if you join us, I'll grant you any, I'll grant you like, I'll, I'll keep your family safe.

Wheezy:

Yeah. Yeah.

Gino:

and she's like no. Like, I

Spoons:

They was like, no, for the good of the hive.

Gino:

Yeah, She's like,

Spoons:

She's like, I wanna keep the whole town safe. Yeah.

Gino:

and she's like, no, I'm not gonna do that. You see these other watchers that are with me, they like, she sacrificed herself for her sister. He became this for his brother. He,

Wheezy:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

we're just gonna do like, pick your

Wheezy:

Yeah.

Spoons:

Whitaker sacrificed himself for his ill sister and that's how he became work. Watch. I knew that one was gonna get you. I was like, eh, sorry. But yeah.

Gino:

well, what if I can, what if I know your name? She's like, you don't know my name. And she's like, well, what if I did? She's

Wheezy:

And I was like, right. Here we go. Rumpelstiltskin Rumble.

Gino:

I had no idea that was rubble still skin still. I just knew it was like that. She was like, well,

Spoons:

She's like, you get three guesses. Yeah.

Gino:

Ari's like, yeah, easy bet. Which I was like,

Spoons:

The confidence. I know. I was like,

Gino:

I know. I was like, you have zero

Spoons:

be like,

Gino:

what this

Spoons:

Sarah,

Gino:

is.

Spoons:

Tiffany. Yeah, Melissa. Yeah. Literally. Dang it.

Gino:

exactly. She was like, had such confidence with zero context at that point.

Spoons:

Well, she was like, I think Whitaker gave me the clue. She's like, and like, because he said something weird.

Gino:

to this. She

Spoons:

No,

Gino:

to it and then

Spoons:

no.

Gino:

like, wait, maybe I might actually know what her

Spoons:

Maybe I know. I,

Gino:

me clues. He is

Spoons:

you've,

Gino:

and stars and like mythology and this,

Spoons:

mm-hmm. Which is a wide net, I have to say. Oh my God. Incredibly wide. I would still, like, I still wouldn't have gotten there. I wouldn't have gotten there. No way. Nope. Wouldn't have gotten there.

Gino:

Chris Anum.

Spoons:

Yeah, I know. Saying stars, it's ra. Yeah. Like a heart ra because one of the constellations had, no, because one of the Greek mythologies they discussed. Yeah. The constellations was about Orpheus in his heart.

Gino:

sidebar, sidebar real quick.

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

how when you don't know anything about something or you've never heard a word

Spoons:

All the time.

Gino:

that word and then it's everywhere.

Spoons:

Yes, yes.

Gino:

Okay, so two parts to this. Have you seen the Sandman, this

Spoons:

No. Well, actually yes I have seen some of it. No, I watched like two episodes.

Gino:

No, I have not seen that in my life.

Spoons:

I know of it. I have not seen it.

Gino:

So we've been watching it. We have like two episodes left, but two things. One, the story of what's his name? The, the

Wheezy:

Orpheus.

Spoons:

Mm-hmm. And Uri.

Gino:

and is like a big feature in it in the Which we just, like, I just watched and I never like, super into Greek mythology or anything, so

Wheezy:

mm-hmm.

Gino:

before. And I just last week heard this and then it was in my book, I literally

Wheezy:

You

Gino:

like,

Spoons:

are like,

Gino:

God, in my book.

Spoons:

that's crazy. I know about this now

Gino:

yeah,

Spoons:

only I know one Italian aria and it's kero Kero, which is. I forget something like about like, what, what do you do tic or something? Oh, but there's a whole opera that's about the story of Orpheus and Tic. So, oh my God.

Gino:

so I was,

Spoons:

Oh, go ahead. Go ahead, Kena. Sorry. I have other Orpheus and Tic.

Gino:

oh, go do the, do the Orpheus go.

Spoons:

Oh, really quick. Jack Wolf who played Wild In The Shadow, shadow and Bone Show Show, uh, is playing Orpheus on Ha in Haes Town now on Broadway. Oh, I love Haes Town, which excellent news for Broadway fans and also Jack Wolf fans. Okay. Also Haes moving on and Yeah. Hated. So Band

Gino:

The second half of that is, again, with watching the Sandman. They, there's a whole thing about like the Fay realm, which they bring in Midsummer's Night Dream. Like there's Puck and there's Todd, Todd, Tiana,

Wheezy:

talk. Titania.

Spoons:

Titania. Sure.

Gino:

Yeah, and like their, their characters. But we're watching it and

Spoons:

I have to watch her now.

Gino:

I don't think I like the Faye. And I was like, was like,

Spoons:

Sweetheart.

Gino:

to.

Spoons:

Sweet

Gino:

nobody does.

Spoons:

You're on the right page, Phil. Yeah. Good for you honey.

Gino:

like,

Spoons:

They are not good. They're mean.

Gino:

no, they're not.

Spoons:

You're so right. Look, the thing, oh my God, that is so pure. This is, so like when Avi dropped off Ri Today and Ri was watching Cars three from wherever point, he had stopped watching it yesterday for the zillion time. Avi has also seen this a zillion times just by being in the vicinity, but he is never sat down and watched it. And he sat down and he looked really, really serious. And I was like, are you, are you okay? Is everything okay? I didn't realize he was watching cars. Yeah. And he was like, I'm just trying to figure some stuff out. And I was like, like, what's going on? And he was like, it's this movie. I was like, cars three. It's just the cars are really, he was like, well, how many years have passed between the first cars movie and this one? He was like, and it's also like, like this, his train the car that's supposed to be his trainer. It's like he's training that car. And I was like, well, yeah, because spoilers, but at the end he becomes her trainer. So it's a very obvious foreshadowing, right? Yeah. And he was like, yeah. I was like, you're like, so how many times have you been in the room with cars three on you? I was like, I was like you. I literally was like, you know the ending, right? And he was like, yeah, he's her trainer. And I was like, right. It's like when you're a child and like movies are just like a sequence of shapes and colors and sounds that you know the order of Yeah. But you don't really put together what it means until you're older. Yeah. And then you're like, oh no. Yeah. You're like, oh, that's what that means. Yeah, exactly. Of course.

Gino:

I just like. I was dying when he was like, I don't think I like the video.

Spoons:

I am obsessed. That is, that is the objectively the correct choice. I don't think I like the fa You're objectively correct though. I love that.

Gino:

surprised. Like, they're not good. They're not good

Spoons:

No, they're bad. These are bad guys. Don't trust them. Don't trust them. You are famously not supposed to trust them. Famously, this was really kind of their whole thing. Oh God. And our dear girl, I

Gino:

but

Spoons:

into it. Even though they're tall. I, I would've been too. She guesses it.

Gino:

name on the third attempt. She's

Spoons:

was

Gino:

oh,

Spoons:

good for you girl. Seems to make a ton of difference at first. No. So she,

Gino:

and then we have the guitar girl who was like, I don't know what this riddle is. I can't figure it out.

Spoons:

oh my God. What,

Gino:

That's

Spoons:

what we

Gino:

that's all I could think of. Oh, wait, you wait. That is the first book, isn't it? Yeah.

Spoons:

mm-hmm. Yes it is.

Gino:

think about. When, when

Spoons:

No, I would never have gotten Lyra.

Gino:

oh, I know. Elle was like, okay, it's this, no, maybe it's this. Okay. And then

Wheezy:

No.

Gino:

the third time, and meanwhile in Osh she's like, Hmm, I don't know what this is. And it's like, everyone's like, love, love,

Wheezy:

Yeah, I know.

Gino:

Bri's

Spoons:

Literally screaming. Except for me. I was like, damn, me too girl. I'm stumped.

Gino:

No, please

Spoons:

Everybody in the world except for Fara and Ash. We're like, I just don't know

Gino:

immediately

Spoons:

I have no idea. Gonna take this with the, oh my God, that's

Gino:

I was reading, I, man, I was not on the podcast at that point, but man, do I have things to say about actor? Love it.

Spoons:

part two. Oh. I mean, truly, that's my go-to answer for any riddle really. I'm like, that's probably what it is. It's love. Something like that's time, love. It's obviously, who knows? Except

Gino:

was like

Spoons:

it's obvious to some, I can't tell you how like I had no answer. It's like when you look at a math question and you're like, I literally don't have, I've never been taught how to do this. You're like, not even a single idea. Papa, you've read a lot more mystery thrillers since then. I think you're better at like, putting together clues at this point. I was really proud of myself.'cause with the last Ri Sager book, which was a really good one, I read, I was like, I guessed it. Good for you. Like the second time in my whole life. And I think the last time was just luck. You did. I don't know. I've, I just guessed everyone by this point. I think it, yeah. And I'm literally like, I think I can write a thriller now. I successfully guessed I need a what? Started to write. So start writing to Thriller the next day. Yep. I've got this. Yeah. Um, so Elle goes back to the town and everything has gone crazy because we don't know specifically what she asked for. We know that she gets the names, she gets to ask for whatever her heart desires essentially. Well, we know that she. Yeah. Yes. But then we don't really see that's like it, we really don't get to see like how that interaction. Yeah. Yeah. Then she's just back in town and like everything's on fire. Yeah. Like literally everyone is literally killing themselves. Like killing each other. Yes. And, and Sam is missing and is gonna get killed and mm-hmm. It's like she can't find her sisters. Rebecca is giving, gives birth. And then Simon, is that her husbands Simon? Yeah. Simon is like, why is the baby blonde? Oh my God. And this was upsetting to me from many, many levels. But also I was like, a lot of babies are born blonde.

Gino:

I

Spoons:

How do you know what color your hair was when you were, my hair was black when I was born. I was like, I don't think this is enough reason. No. And he was like, I've seen that color. Literally he says that. And I was like, have you? Okay. I mean, he was right. But it must have been like, I think subconsciously he must, he must have known. He must have known. It was everyone else knew everyone else. Yeah,

Gino:

pregnant when they got

Spoons:

yeah,

Gino:

at

Spoons:

yeah. He, yeah. So he must have like. Somehow some, the pieces were all in there. But he like goes to kill Sam. Yes. And Elle finds her sisters and they're like, oh my God. It was so bad Elle, like he

Gino:

We

Spoons:

turned on Ezra or Ra and to am and he was also blaming you and all of this. And we find out it well before this, we had found out that he had made a deal with Lyra, like after to spare him from getting killed. Like he tried to trade his sister's life.

Gino:

Yeah.

Spoons:

I, whenever that was real, I was like, it's over. Like any shred. I know. Same of sympathy I might have had for you. It's gone. I could not believe

Gino:

you. What are you gonna give us? And he's like, my sister.

Spoons:

my sister, my twin sister

Gino:

I

Spoons:

who loves me.

Gino:

Oh my

Spoons:

Oh my God. I'm furious. It's really good study in nature versus nurture. I am empathy.

Gino:

Oh

Spoons:

is something rotten in him. Yeah. For real. Like I could not believe that. And so they're like, listen, it's over for Sam. Like we gotta go. And she is like, yeah, I have to go get him. Sam's sort of like leading the charge Yeah. To try and go kill his own family. Yeah. Yeah. And thankfully. You know, I re didn't even get to interact with him again before this sex shows up. And it's like, Hey, uh, I know that you were sleeping with Rebecca and there, well, he's like, you slept with my wife? And he's like, bro, past tense. Married yet. Yeah. We weren't even like,

Gino:

and everybody slept with your wife, just so you

Spoons:

yeah. He said something like, how, like how does it feel to be like most chuckled fall? Yeah, the biggest couple that am He falls. And I was like, wow, bud. And then Simon kills him and I'm like, Simon threw a hatchet at his chest and he died. And I was like, oh my God was a positive. I was screaming at that point, I was like, fair. But then Simon's like only one other thing to take care of. But I was like, you know, we really should have stopped there. Yeah. Because I was like, you had me there. I'd have been like, honestly Simon, you've never been so attractive. And then he said that and I was like, oh, he ruined it. He ruined it. Yeah. So he goes to kill Rebecca. Yeah. So, yeah. And she's like, ellory's, like not my best friend. And goes and like Yeah. Is like, get your baby. And she's like, I literally just gave birth. And she's like, I'm going to get all these quilts to put in the back of the wagon, but we're gonna take you and your baby'cause Simon's gonna come back and like, kill you. For real. Yeah. Because he knows it's not his baby. And Yeah. So everyone's getting in the wagon. Mm-hmm. We're leaving and then, uh, we're like, goodbye. And then he falls. It is literally on fire, literally burning, uh, everyone is dying. And so it's like, well that sucks. So they're leaving and then they hit a snag and they're like, Elle gets out to check on it, but then who shows up? What, what a car and gets what? He is not an evil rumble stilt skin ass bitch anymore. Now he is. No, he is normal. A normal boy.'cause that's something else that she, that we find out. She asked for, she asked for the Dark Watchers to go somewhere far away where they couldn't bother anyone. And um, she asked that Whitaker be set free. He's, and then Whitaker's like, I don't know who I am or what to do anymore. And I was like, are we gonna do this stupid thing again? Where it's like, oh, you need to go find yourself like before you Yeah. And she's like, come find yourself with us. And I was like, yeah, there, it's it. Yes. And Whitaker was like, there's nowhere else I'd rather be Elle Downing. And I was like, come. What? He's obsessed with calling her by her first and last name. He is. And honey haired girl. And I was like, he can give a nickname. This man and she gave him his name. I know. But then you find out his real name is like Josiah White Josiah and she's, that's kinda lame. And he is like, I can still be Whitaker. She's like, if you prefer Whitaker, he's like, it's been a long time, you know, so I don't really care. She's like, okay, cool. So, so cute. So then they all leave and I'm like, this is awesome. It's really sad. Squad, let's go. Let's go find parents and let's start again because this here gotta get sold some new bees. I was kind of like after all the effort to keep the damn bees alive. Really? I know. Maybe they'll come, they'll be fine. I mean the bees will be fine. The bees are probably gonna be the only thing that are fine.

Gino:

She is

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

we're leaving and if you need to leave, it's okay too.

Spoons:

I thought that was sweet. Very sweet. She was like, wait, these are my bees all like, this is like a whole new generation of bees. They've only known me and I was like, she was like, I raised you girl. These, these are my babies. They're her bees. Yeah. They're big bees. So that's the end of the book. Yeah. It only took us an hour and 45 minutes to get there. Well, you know, it would have taken them like 14 hours. Read us.

Gino:

mostly'cause we were trying to convince you wheezy, that you should be upset if your brother and best friend or

Spoons:

was,

Gino:

around

Spoons:

that was probably at least 40 minutes of that, you know, was it Probably was. Good Lord. That was a fantastic book. Okay. Favorite and least favorite parts. Gino Go.

Gino:

Oh, why me?

Spoons:

Why me?

Gino:

my favorite part was during the podcast when I realized I was Whitaker.

Spoons:

Was really good. Yeah. That was my favorite part too. Loved that. You're like, why do you think I've kept it around? So,

Gino:

My least favorite part was when she found out that, that he took the honey from the bees. I

Spoons:

oh, oh gosh.

Gino:

furious about

Spoons:

Yeah, yeah,

Gino:

like I

Spoons:

yeah.

Gino:

to form and realize so I can slap him across the face like.

Spoons:

The only, the, the most similar feeling I've felt to that is when Amy Burns Joe's manuscript in little women. Oh yeah. That was upsetting. The physical anger, I feel when I think about that.

Gino:

The,

Spoons:

of course, Amy isn't as bad as Sam, but in that moment, oh my God, I wanna slap that little girl. You know? It's the exact same. I was like, I don't wanna slap that boy. I definitely feel more intensely about, but in the moment, you know, it's like, oh, this is horrible. That's true. I, that's, I feel like that's a fairly, that feels like a fairly equivalent, like that incident alone, but in it's just the incident. Yeah. But yeah, Sam, in general, I do. I am not sad. He's dead. Whereas if Amy Mar was said, I'd be sad, but, you know, so. Yep.

Gino:

yeah, that's my favorite and least favorite part

Wheezy:

Fans my

Spoons:

favorite part. I don't know. I liked, I liked it when they had Christmas and they were all dancing around playing the piano. I thought that was so cute. So cute. Um, I loved that. And then I also loved when we found out that they were actually infect monster hunters.'cause it was not the twist. I was expecting that. I thought it was crazy and I kind of loved it. I was like, oh, now we're cooking. You know, like, let's go. I was like unexpected. Um, yeah, I know. My least favorite part, probably the bees, the honeys was the honey was very bad. My other least favorite part was just like the fleeting information revealed that he had tried to wager his own twin sister's life. Oh my God. For his own. So upsetting. Have, I'm still so mad. I'm actually furious. I hate Sam so much. Yeah. I hate him. I hate him. Aaron, what have you done? I hate, I this hatred in my heart.

Gino:

used to have, didn't y'all used to have some sort of villain list,

Spoons:

Oh, he's on the hate squad. Oh, he's in the hate squad for I was about to say that for sure. Mm-hmm. Thank you. Used to have No, they're gonna live in infamy for, he's on the hate squad. Long after I'm dead. The hate squad will continue. The Hare continues. Okay. Anyway. Mm-hmm. What about you? Favorite part is probably one of the first times that she is talking to Whitaker alone'cause it's so sweet and fun and funny, cute. Least favorite part might be the pitchfork stabbing into something. And we didn't know what it was that it stressed me out so bad. So, so bad. And I'm gonna go straight into favorite and least favorite characters. Then we can just go backwards. Yeah. Favorite character, Ellerie. She is. Mm-hmm. I mean, hello. Competence. She is like the picture of she can do anything. Honorable mention for Whitaker because I'm deeply in love with him. Mm-hmm. Hmm. And least favorite character. Samuel, obviously. Yeah. I mean, I guess honorable mentioned for Lyra, but like, we knew she was like a bad, evil, spooky queen. Yeah. Like for fun and kitchen. We expected that one, you know? Yeah, exactly. Would love for fun and kitchen. So good. I would agree. Favorite character Elle Lee's favorite. Sam,

Wheezy:

probably.

Gino:

yeah, I think I'm the same except for that. My honorable mention is the preacher for also least

Wheezy:

Oh, I hated that. Oh

Spoons:

yeah.

Gino:

he bothered me a lot.

Spoons:

He was the worst. Mm-hmm. Oh, you know, wait, I thought one more part. I liked, I really liked the part, the scary. I thought it was so scary whenever she woke up and, uh, Lara was standing outside in the field and she was watching her through the window, and then she turned around and waved, oh, I hate it. I was scared. And then, um, so much of this I love A good would be such a good, scary movie. I, this movie, I would watch this movie. So this was very cinematic. And then he was like, I think that that doll is staring at me, the doll that Abigail gave. And she like, hit the doll. I was like, I am spooked. I'm so spooked. I was spooked multiple times. This would be, this would be a really, really good movie. Yeah. Really scary movie. I would love to sp, but like, without being too scary. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I would be about it. I love the vibes. Vibes. Spooky. I mean, bad vibes, but good for a story for spooky, effectively spooky, effective vibes effect. Yeah. I'd say effectively. Oh my gosh, that's so funny. Yeah. Do you know we have any, yeah, did anyone do favorite quotes or just lessons learned? Yeah. I didn't do quote, I did not do favorite quotes. We never do a quote. We basically don't anymore. It's just symbolic.

Gino:

stand out. Nothing

Spoons:

Yeah.

Gino:

out to me.

Spoons:

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay. Lessons learned.

Gino:

boys

Spoons:

Sometimes you can trust the fay boy poison dumb. Yeah. You can't trust the fa sometimes. 10 Commandments. Kind of lessons learned really for us. Never trust the faith, but Whitaker turned out to be trustworthy.

Gino:

No, he wasn't though like he was

Spoons:

He did his best.

Gino:

He

Spoons:

He did.

Gino:

though.

Spoons:

was doing his best, but yet he did lie a lot.

Gino:

trustworthy. Like you can't

Spoons:

Yeah. But he could have been so much worse. This is not turning out. This is the sound have been award. You know, a lot of things in my life are making sense.

Gino:

we learned is, I'm not sure I like the,

Spoons:

That is an Alzheimer quote to me. Just trying to figure out this movie. I think I like the Fe. Oh my God. Oh sweet. Over time. That is so iconic. I need that on a shirt. So good. You know, like I like the Fey. Think I like the fey. I'm just thinking, it's so funny, it's like third guy ever to hear about the FE and like

Gino:

was

Spoons:

Medieval England or something,

Gino:

I

Spoons:

you know?

Gino:

night and I wanted to tell y'all so bad. Like I went immediately text you and be like,

Spoons:

That's the most insane thing I've ever heard.

Gino:

yeah, you're not supposed to. Like that's a good instinct you have

Spoons:

Yeah. Keep that instinct, you know? Yeah. I will say Elle did keep to her, to her standard. She was like, I am deeply in love with Whitaker and lusting after his tall self so much. Yes. But also, if he doesn't give me answers, we can't be together. You, she really did. She did. He was like, run away with me. She was like, well, no, for so many reasons. First of all, I'm not leaving my family. Second of all, I exactly don't even know your name. And he's like, well, I can't tell you that, but I know like I, but I love you and you love me, so let's just run away together. And she's like, I don't know your name. Yeah. And her, she does stick to her what she requires. I really like her a lot. I like her too. She is like, she's got a good head on her shoulders that Ellie, you're capable more than you think you are. She is like a prime example of Oh yeah. Making it up as you go along. Yes. Just pretending you know what you're doing and things work out. I'm proud of her. Oh yeah. I mean, her whole life was falling apart and she really kept it together like a champ. Oh gosh. Good for her. Gosh. And she like looked good doing it. She looked, I was like, Hey, she looked like she knew what she was doing, you know, Ellee, I liked it when Whitaker was like, Hey guys, it's been a while. You look great. Like, and Marian and Ellee were like.

Gino:

like, I'm starving and

Spoons:

look very bad. Like so we are starving to death. So that is a lie. But thank you so much for wait. So like humans do, but I shouldn't have said that. He's like, God dang it. They know that's not true. Oh my God. Hey girl, you are looking shorter than me today. Like, oh my God. Do that really though. Right. So sweet though. Oh, another lesson. You know, there's don't really, it all comes down to don't make deals with the faith. I was gonna say, it comes down to maybe just never tell anyone your name. Never tell, tell they have too much power over. You don't, yeah.

Gino:

great, that's a great, yeah.

Spoons:

Don't talk to anyone. Yeah, you would. You're like, I live by that every, every day. Like yeah, I know. Gosh,

Gino:

Oh.

Spoons:

me giving out my business card with my name on a, every person I meet. Hello. Everyone has so much power over you now. Oh my God. For real. Lowkey Kind of embarrassing. What's that thing? Like the, like this like weird like thing that, like I'm, I can see this manners and that. Like the Gen Zs do. Oh, like embarrassed. Yeah, yeah, yeah. This thing like pushing your hair behind your ear. Like this. Yeah, like that. God. Oh my God, it's so embarrassing, so embarrassed. Everyone has my business card. Oh my God. Like she's really like trusting that. Oh my God. Her truing wouldn't catch me. It's like you're about to go to the gelical ball. Sorry. Kat's reference for everyone. Okay. Moving on. The, um, no, that's it. I don't have any other lessons. I like to learn as little as possible. Oh. I never know what's gonna get her. I really like to learn as little as possible. One thing about me going in, I like to meet the bear fun fast. I like to not know anything. I like to make drinks. I like it when a boy is calling me annoying. And tall. Honestly, I'll be real. The height thing is not, is, it doesn't have to be taller than me, but annoying. Absolutely. Doesn't have to be annoying was He was definitely annoying. Yeah. They have to be like incorrigible. He was so, I think too incorrigible.

Gino:

That's not used enough.

Spoons:

He was hot I'll, yeah, he was hot. He was irresistible. Good for you, Aaron. Yeah. I feel like the boy from SOS was also hot. He was also hot, but he wasn't irresistible. Mm. I think that I literally was more of a good boy. Like I would go against my better judgment for anything for Whitaker taking. He's never been so low to throw away all of my good judgment for you. Would like,

Gino:

not

Spoons:

would ruin my life for that boy. So weird. Is this just, just in the middle, like,

Gino:

And I

Spoons:

you know,

Gino:

usually you and I are kind of on the same

Spoons:

we're usually on the same. Yeah, same wavelength. That's so funny. Yeah. I don't know. Interesting. He wasn't affordable Whitaker, but I, for everyone, he probably is. You know, you need to find him. Whitaker. Go into the book. I would throw my whole life away for you. Shoving Aria aside. Sorry. Um, sorry. Um, you don't ever shade him like I do. I would never do that to my girl. No. Sweet. If I do another dark watcher who has similar vibes, it would be what occur. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. There's only one way it's over. I learned I'll never love again. Never. Okay. Okay. They're wrapping it up.

Gino:

pinky is up.

Spoons:

Oh, you guys look, I forgot to show you. I like, this is very cute. It's my bookmark it, it's my mother's from when she was I think a teen. It has her initials on it. JLH That is so it's her sweet.

Gino:

gosh.

Spoons:

I don't remember. I guess she just found it once, but it's so cute. It's so sweet. So I was using it, but I was like, oh, what's her middle name? I'm so stupid. My middle name is named now her middle name. I was like, oh, what does that sound for? For? Oh, what's the, oh, right. Oh, got it. Good lord there is a weak link in this trio chain and we know which one connections. I am putting it together. Hang on. Gimme an extra 20 minutes. I'll get there. One. I'm getting there soon. I'll figure out that he is. Faye. Not today though. Be there. Alright. Pinky's out rather. We been yapping. Uh, I'm gonna give it five. I'm gonna give it five.

Gino:

Wowza.

Spoons:

Oh

Gino:

It's all about the boy.

Spoons:

yeah. Got it. It's a little bit about the boy, but mostly it's about, I would absolutely reread this like once a year, twice a year. This is absolutely a frequent reread. Nice. Mm-hmm. Way to go, Erin. I'm gonna give it 4.5. I really enjoyed it and I thought it was fun. I was very like, invested. I was reading it today during jury duty. I was just like this. And people were like, what are you reading? And I was like, um, have you ever seen the movie The Village? And like, number one, this like 23-year-old guy was like, oh, I thought maybe it would be like a romance. And I was like, no. So it's scary. And he was like, scary. And I was like, yeah, like The Village. And he's like, I've never seen The Village. And then this like 57-year-old man who was juror number three was like, oh, that's like M Knight's last Good movie. And he was like going off. Then we had a whole discussion about how this book mm-hmm. Is like the village. It's basically the village. And uh, then I didn't get picked. The 24-year-old was like, I've never even, yeah. And I was like, so either get on one of those, you know, either read the book or watch the village, you know? Yeah. One of those, you gotta get on it. You didn't get picked, so I know you have time, so rub that in. That's kind of where we were at. Uh, but yeah, I was very invested. So I 4.5 for me.

Gino:

So I'm gonna give it 3.5, and I

Wheezy:

Decent.

Gino:

might have to do with the fact that I read it so quickly.

Spoons:

Hmm. Uhhuh, I get that.

Gino:

like I didn't have time to marinate in it at

Spoons:

Yeah. Yeah.

Gino:

I didn't, I didn't not like anything about it.

Spoons:

Mm-hmm.

Gino:

I wasn't, like I said, I also was not in love with Whitaker in the slightest.

Spoons:

And that will really bump it down if you don't have a love interest. Yeah. I'll be, he's

Gino:

no.

Spoons:

like a whole 0.75. Probably my brain.

Gino:

there was no love interest in it for me. And there was definitely a hate interest in Samuel, which is good. Like, that's

Spoons:

So that

Gino:

And that didn't bring it down for me, I don't think, but like yeah.

Spoons:

Right. I feel ya. You didn't have anyone to fall in love with. That's crazy. Yeah. And that does help a lot. Mm-hmm. Okay, great. That's fine. More Whitaker for me. So we did it small favors. Hey Erin, a Craig. Congratulations everybody. Amazing. Congratulations everyone. We had to listen to this. Joe, still listen you the hours of this. Nobody You be here. Oh. But we sure are glad you stuck around from the insanity.

Gino:

little do you know, someone is tied up in a basement somewhere, being forced to listen to our

Spoons:

Being forced to listen to it. No, please. No, it's hobby. Please. Oh my God. Anything but this. I can't,

Gino:

Oh,

Spoons:

so funny. You've gotta say the same thing again. I, I don't wanna hear about Whitaker anymore. I did. Oh my gosh. Oh gosh.

Gino:

goodness,

Spoons:

well, follow us on Instagram on that social media.

Gino:

our

Spoons:

Five stars. Only on Tell people about us. Tell all your friends and your enemies.

Gino:

if you wanna support the bookshop, then do that. Join our read-a-thon, even though it.

Spoons:

Yes.

Gino:

weeks left or one week left. I don't know. You can

Spoons:

10 days.

Gino:

and help us win. And

Spoons:

Yes.

Gino:

if you want to support the bookshop, that's on a thing. I'm really good at this.

Spoons:

I fund women.com. The story emporium and bookshop. All of the links will be in the episode description, so you guys can go there and just grab them if you want to.

Gino:

and

Spoons:

Yes,

Gino:

Studios in our retreat that's coming up in October, there's a couple spaces left for that in Pennsylvania, so

Wheezy:

yes.

Gino:

got some really cool people coming in. We got some,

Spoons:

Some not so cool people coming. Some losers are gonna be there as well. She will be there and she will be talking about, sorry, everyone.

Gino:

But if you

Spoons:

we,

Gino:

wanna talk to her at all, I will lock her up in a room with duct tape if that's necessary. So just let me know

Spoons:

I thought that was just for us, Gino. Oh my. Gotta take this.

Gino:

all those things. So until next time,

Spoons:

Keep your te cups full. Your pinkies high in your book club.

Gino:

Club Pretentious.

Spoons:

Yay.