Episode 21: The Beach Read is -That Way

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 21, “The Beach Read is -That Way.”

In this episode, Jillian and Erin start looking toward summer! With summer right around the corner, many of us are looking for those perfect books to enjoy under the sun. Erin and Jillian are huge fans of seasonal reading and just like their spooky book episode last fall, this episode will embrace the seasonal book genre known as the “Beach Read.”

Jillian and Erin would love it if you shared YOUR FAVORITE beach reads, just be sure to tag them on Instagram, Jillian is @jillianfindinghappy and Erin is @medium.lady, or you can tag the show @mediumladyreads!

In This Episode:

• The ladies check in with their reading to see how it’s going.
• Erin dives into what a beach read means to her and how it’s evolved.
• Jillian shares her thoughts about what makes a book a beach read.
• If you’re wondering what seasonal reading is, Erin and Jillian share their thoughts.
• It’s time for Jillian and Erin’s recommendations - Each woman shares 2 books to enhance your beach reading season.
• Jillian mentions episode 20, if you want to listen click here.
• Medium Lady Talks Episode with Jayne Allen
• It’s time for Hot Takes! Tune in to hear what the ladies are sharing their thoughts on this time.
• Are you wondering what’s on Erin and Jillian’s library list? They share in this episode.
• Julia Washington’s Instagram
• Jillian and Erin make an exciting announcement about the next round of the book club!
• Erin is hosting an in-person event on June 7th - Chase the Good - You can grab tickets here. 

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland 
• Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 
• Happy Place by Emily Henry
• Funny Story by Emily Henry
• The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen 
• Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
• Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen
• Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen
• Legends and Lattes Travis Baldree
• Go As a River by Shelley Read
• Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
• Nimona by ND Stevenson 
• Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton 
• Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks
• The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
• Celine by Peter Heller
• This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Transcript

Anytime I think of a summer read, I picture myself on the beach sort of distracted by the people around me, my kids playing in the sand, and yet still able to read, which means that it needs to be a light book, something that doesn't need your full concentration, something that is easy to follow without a lot of confusing ins and outs.

I love a good romance for a beach read, but I am not opposed to thrillers.

Sometimes those murdering novels really give me the summertime vibes.

Hello, hi, and welcome to "Media and Lady Reads."

This is episode 21.

The beach read is that way.

Summer must finally be here because we're talking all about the genre of beach reads.

Hello everyone, I'm Erin, a mom of three, a hospital administrator in Ontario, Canada, and the host and founder of the Media and Lady Community and Media and Lady Talks podcast.

I'm Jillian, an Instagram content strategist for bookish people, a mom to two based in Buffalo, New York.

Together, we're thrilled to bring you another episode of "Media and Lady Reads," a podcast about reading a self-care, a passionate love for the public library, and all of our thoughts and opinions on book cultures having its moment.

Hello everyone, welcome to this episode.

Hi Jillian, how are you?

I'm well, how are you Erin?

I'm good, I'm good.

Before we dive into our beach reads, we'll do our favorite reading check-in, so Jillian, I'd love to know how's your reading going.

It's going really well.

Nice, you thought you were slumping.

Yeah, I was.

I was.

Most of April was a slump a little bit into May, but I've been feeling really good the last week.

Even with I have three fictional books on the go, which I don't often do that.

Usually it's a variety of fictional memoir, nonfiction, personal development, that sort of thing.

But I have three fiction on the go right now, and I'm feeling okay with it because I listen to currently reading, and I can't remember what the episode number was, but it was the latest one, the one that went out on May 6th.

And I think it's a great thing to you because you recommended that I listen to it.

Any time I listen to that podcast, I get really hyped up to read, which I only hope that our podcast does for other people.

Exactly.

I know just what you might, I couldn't agree more.

They were talking about a couple of things that I've said about books, the Heaven and Earth grocery store, and it just sort of solidified that I do know myself well enough to know what I'm talking about.

And I've got these thoughts and opinions that I don't need to second guess them and it felt really good and really affirming for how I feel.

So yeah, I'm feeling pretty good.

How about you?

Oh my gosh, I love that.

I'm feeling good.

I'm feeling, and I just need to check myself before I like go too far down this feeling, but I have a lot of really good books out from the library.

And I'm feeling that like hurry, hurry, hurry, read what you're reading now so you can finish and start those other books that are waiting for you.

It's like I'm not really immersed in the books that I'm reading right now.

I just feel like I'm biting my time with them until I can get to some of these really great books that have come available to me.

It's like a false narrative.

There's no reason for me to rush and feel like my time with these books from the library is limited.

I can always return them back into circulation and get them another time.

I also even have the means to buy these books if I feel like I'm so beholden to the deadline.

I certainly could you know spend money on those books if I want to make sure that I'm not keeping them too long from the library.

But I'm reading to I didn't mean to, but I'm reading to chonkers right now and I would not recommend would not recommend, but they're both really good.

Thankfully, the first book I'm reading right now is called the seven skins of Esther Wilding.

It's very good.

It's totally I didn't really know what to expect from it at all.

I've been recommended this book to me last year and I'm really sorry if you're listening and you recommended it.

I don't remember who recommended it.

I finally got my copy from Libby and it's a really beautiful story about grief and it takes place in really unusual places.

So I found myself like googling googling these like remote islands off of Denmark and this like this coast in Tasmania.

So I'm just really enjoying that.

I'm really happy to release it's called we're sleeping girls lie.

This is by Farida a BK a immediate she wrote Ace of Spades.

I don't know if you read that.

I have him but I I know it's talking about the book.

Yeah.

So this is new release.

It has a really striking cover of a picture of a really beautiful black girl and she sort of by her neck is she's sort of melting around her neck and there's a bird across her eye.

Maybe only 500 pages but the font is like eight point font.

So I'm just trudging not trudging but I'm making my way through that book and then Esther Wilding I think is easily like 600 e-reader pages.

So yeah.

So that's kind of how I'm doing.

I'm I appreciate the chance to just sort of like realize that I don't really I can choose a different feeling when it comes to reading.

I don't have to feel like.

Reading these two books and funny story just came available on Libby and I have to read it immediately because I'm not even an Emily Henry fan.

I just like have bookfollow about you know whatever's happening in the current the current conversation but yeah thanks for checking in.

Yeah my pleasure.

So we're going to jump into the theme for today our beach reads I'll be honest with you today is May 11th Mother's days tomorrow and it was feeling kind of beach reading but today it's actually quite cold I have sweater on it's rainy and dark here to yeah yeah we're going to never the less manifest that summer read energy because summer is approaching and many of us do look forward to those perfect books to enjoy under the sun.

So you know our huge fans of seasonal reading and just like our spooky book episode last fall and we did a whole seasonal reading episode earlier this year this episode will embrace the seasonal book genre known as the beach read.

Jillian I am looking forward to the season how about you absolutely.

The trees are a lot of fun they create relaxation and maybe a bit of escapism to and they really do come in all sorts of genres you know from romance to mystery to thrillers today Jillian and I are going to give you plenty of recommendations across those multiple genres.

Yes and we want to hear from you too what books always have you thinking of summer and the beach or or for some of you maybe the term be tree has a bad rap.

We want to hear from you fellow readers in our DMs or by tagging us in your stories we are at medium lady reads on Instagram alright so Aaron what exactly does a beach read mean to you and how do you approach it in 2024 yeah I mean I think the beach read was sort of what I imagine are those sort of trade paperbacks that you find.

At the checkout or you know there's sort of like small like really like pocket size almost but that's a very old definition of a beach read you know maybe it's got a picture of a beach and like a towel and maybe an umbrella yeah very kind of generic feeling you know this is all before the advent of books to Graham and book talk I think the term be tree.

And I think the term be tree kind of had a bad rap it was usually something that maybe had mass appeal but wasn't very intellectually stimulating maybe the literary version of like a summer blockbuster movie and we still have those in book culture for sure.

I definitely think the term be tree has sexist connotation about what kind of books appeal to women this is a woman's book and this is a man's book and these be trees are for women you know I do also think like a beach read has to kind of be propulsive you really have to kind of be able to turn your page.

Is really plot driven for sure that's kind of the highlights for me Jillian would you have anything to add to that definition of a beach read.

Yeah I think I agree with everything that you said here I especially agree with it needing to be fast moving anytime I think of a summer read I picture myself on the beach sort of distracted by the people around me my kids playing in the sand and yet still able to read which means that it needs to be a light book something that doesn't need your full concentration something that is easy to follow without a lot of confusing ins and outs.

I love a good romance for a be tree but I am not opposed to thrillers sometimes those murdering novels really give me the summertime vibes.

Now we know some people have shied away from this genre in the past because of its bad reputation or lack of depth but here's a few reasons we would encourage you to consider a be tree in 2024.

Escape and relaxation beach reads are often designed to be light engaging and easy to digest they provide a perfect escape from the demands of daily life allowing you to unwind and relax while immersing yourself in a compelling story page turning plots.

While literary fiction often focuses on intricate character development and complex themes be trees tend to prioritize fast pace plots that keep you hooked from the beginning to end.

You'll find yourself eagerly turning pages to uncover the next twist or revelation.

Aaron what about you do you have anything to add?

One of the things I would say is like a pretty vivid setting many be trees are set in either picturesque locations like a tropical island a quaint coastal town a bustling city or even something that conjures in your imagination very quickly.

It's not usually the type of setting where you're sort of struggling to understand or maybe rare or remote areas.

And the setting often transports you to this really specific sense of place which allows you to add an extra layer of enjoyment to your reading experience.

I also think we've talked about be trees being plot heavy but I think a lot of be trees drive a real like emotional satisfaction when you're done despite maybe being a lighter tone although you know we could probably debate that a little bit.

We can still deliver really powerful emotional punches it might be a heartwarming romance it might be a thought provoking drama it might have you on the edge of your seat as a thriller these books often explore kind of universal themes of you know love friendship self discovery.

And generally when you close the final cover you're left with a really satisfying emotional payoff.

And then finally most beach streets are perfect for summer as the name suggests a beach read is ideal companion for a lazy day spent lounging by the water relaxing in the sunshine maybe you're in your backyard maybe your on vacation these light breezy books they really kind of capture the essence of summer and they add an extra layer of enjoyment to time off that you have during the season.

Okay so if you're still with us and you're like yes I'm in you're now looking for those beach read recommendations so in the spirit of the beach read I'm going to revisit some good advice from our other seasonal reading episodes remember for seasonal reading we're just talking about looking ahead to what season you're in or what season you will be in.

And to think about your TBR and the books that feel like a match for that season and honestly this is completely arbitrary it's based on what you want to read what you like to read and who you are as a person which goes back to a lot of the you know reading as self care stuff that is really my jam and Jillian's jam here on the podcast.

Then it's time to get reading and do what you said you were going to do or read the books you plan to read this might sound funny but this is part can be hard for me sometimes I find things coming up on my holds list that aren't part of the seasonal reading plan and actually something I'm experiencing right now you know I want to.

I'm reading funny story by Emily Henry but I also want to read project Hail Mary like I want to dive in and and both the summer reading vibes from Emily Henry and not so much that from project Hail Mary but remember this is kind of going to go out of your way but the results are making your life more enjoyable so don't feel like you're beholden to the seasonal reading you know it's okay to hop around or to read you know one book and in the beach read genre.

And then another that isn't it's there's no rhyme or reason to this.

A friendly reminder that you can do beach reading any way you want to Aaron and I have described one way of doing it but that does not mean that you have to do it the same way these episodes are our way to give you a fun way to read and a way to make decisions on what to read next when you're having unending TBR list which I know most of our listeners can probably relate to.

Yeah and that reminder of like do it your own way is something that we keep coming back to you know seasonal reading is for you and you get to set the stage for what's going to feel best so since our theme of the episode today is the be tree will share some book recommendations Jillian you're up first with your first be tree recommendation.

Alright the first book I'm going to recommend is the guest list by Lucy Foley as mentioned in previous episodes I read this book I think it was episode 20 I mentioned this book I read this book in one day it is extremely fast moving it is propulsive you can escape to an entirely different space where the wedding celebration is taking place it's kind of like you're sitting there on your couch or wherever you're reading and you are completely it's at escapism you're completely in the middle of the night.

You're completely invested in where you are it is the perfect be tree just picture yourself on beach toes in the sand flipping page after page.

Here's the setup a wedding celebration turns dark and deadly in this deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller reminiscent of Agatha Christie the bride the plus one the best man the wedding planner the brides made the body on an island off the coast of Ireland guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives.

Together as one the groom handsome and charming a rising television star the bride smart and ambitious a magazine publisher it's a wedding for a magazine or for the celebrity the designer dress the remote location the luxe party favors the boutique whiskey the cell phone service maybe spotty and the waves maybe rough but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans and people are all too human as the champagne is popped and the festivities begin resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminisces and well wishes the groomsman begin the drinking game from their school days the bridesmaids not so accidentally ruin her dress the brides oldest male friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast and then someone turns up dead.

Who didn't wish to have a couple well and perhaps more important why have you read this one are you see fully is somebody that I've had on my list for a long time to read so this seems like a really good place to start I know that this book was really popular and from that setup man I'm definitely feeling up yeah it's a good book of her most recent ones that have come out I would say the guest list is probably where I would start awesome okay thanks for that recommendation.

I'm going to recommend a book that I read last winter actually but it just continues to hold this warm spot in my heart and if I had to go back in time and read it again for the first time I would definitely want to read it in the summer this book is the Thursday murder club by Richard Osman here's the setup in a peaceful retirement village for unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.

But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep the Thursday murder club find themselves in the middle of their first live case Elizabeth Joyce Ebrahim and Ron might be pushing 80 but they still have a few tricks up their sleeve can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late.

So we both started with thrillers which I think is an interesting interesting theme this book to me hits all the options for a beech read I did this book on audio and it may actually be Jillian one of the best audio book narrations I've ever heard I was totally captivated and carried away to another place with a multiple characters and a few possible suspects the book will keep you moving there are lots of excellent red herrings and you feel very satisfied even with the dark bits at the end it also has setting the book takes place in a very posh retirement.

Home in the UK which he books a real sense of sort of British countryside and elegance and calm display the contrast of the plot having inging on sort of killing within that murder you know a murdery posh retirement village it also has emotional satisfaction the murder club members Elizabeth Joyce Ebrahim and Ron they will just capture your heart from the beginning and in their own different and unique ways throughout the book.

Jillian you know one of my favorite tropes is the sassy elder and this book is all of them this book is also the first in what I believe is a four four book series so far but you'll be satisfied at the end there's no cliffhanger there's no need to immediately dive into that second book it totally stands on its own.

Sometimes when you're starting a book in the summer and then you finish that book and you're not sure what to pick up next it can be nice to have a series especially on vacation just kind of takes that decision making out of the summer so that's my first recommendation which is the Thursday murder club by Richard osman I was just looking at it on good reads that's why I got distracted for a minute I want to read this as soon as you started talking about it I'm like this is absolutely within Aaron genre because she loves the octogenarian.

I love the octogenarian it's true it's true what's your next book recommendation Jillian here's another book that you can add to your beach read pile happy place by Emily Henry I don't know why whenever I think of summer and beaches I think of Maine which is exactly where this novel takes place it's really weird because I've never been to Maine but that's just what I think of it's juicy enough romance that will keep your pages turning as you dive into the world.

I'm not just saying as you dive into the world of Harriet and when there's friend vibes which I always love so that you know you also get the relationship vibes that a romance will give you and the book ends on a happy note but don't worry I'm not going to spoil it for you this might just be the quintessential summertime read as they're in Maine near the water and it's summer there and they're with friends it's perfect here's the summary.

I'm not going to spoil it for you this is the summary of the story and when have been the perfect couple since they met in college they go together like salt and pepper honey and tea lobster and rolls except now for reasons they're still not discussing they don't they broke up six months ago and still haven't told their best friends which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the main cottage that has been their friend groups yearly get away for the last decade.

It's been a desperate from the world where for one vibrant blue week they leave behind their daily lives have copious amounts of cheese wine and seafood and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year Harriet and when are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other.

Because the cottages for sale and this is the last week they'll all have the place together they can't stand to break their friends hearts and so they'll play their parts Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight and when will be the laid back charm or who never lets the crack show.

It's a flawless plan if you look at it from the great distance and through a pair of sunscreen smeared sunglasses.

After years of being in love how hard can it be to fake it for one week and I know you read this one is this right up there with the Emily Henry books you've read is this one of the top ones are yeah I think I think happy place and the people we meet on vacation are my highest ranked Emily Henry books.

I think I gave this one a four I probably gave people you meet on vacation similar the other two I would rank probably quite a lot lower than that I find my ranking is pretty inconsistent I like Emily Henry I've never had if she's just not Ali Hazelwood to me who I tend to always kind of like yeah really just go heavy and hard on to I'm I'm a die hard for Ali Hazelwood not that I couldn't be for both I just um but I have to say is like the covers get me.

And the anticipation for her writing I think is just like yes I totally get book reading FOMO and I wasn't going to read happy place last year I did I'm glad that I did and I will definitely read funny funny story right now to the one the new one yeah I'm about almost 200 pages in.

People are saying that it's heard the best one yet now I have not been wowed yet I am enjoying it it's giving me those you know warm fuzzy romance vibes that you get but I am not wowed I will withhold final judgment until I finish the book because just like back when we were talking about heart and mercy my whole perspective on that change after our conversation in that episode I can't remember which it was.

I'm hoping that my thoughts and my opinions will change once I've read the whole book.

I've heard a lot of people really love the male main character miles.

He is pretty lovable so far anyway.

All right very good okay.

It's kind of like a double double recommendation.

Sorry about that I took I gave you three instead of two.

All right Aaron what's your next recommendation?

Sure my last recommendation is also a series I don't know why Jillian I just the series were what really came to my mind when I was trying to think of beach reads I think it's again that propulsive plot category a book within a series can often feel like a fast moving part of a bigger story.

This series I'm going to recommend is a complete series so I think if you wanted to read all three of these books this summer it's the black girls series from Jane Allen which starts with black girls must die exhausted and then followed by.

Black girls must be magic and finally wraps up with black girls must have it all so here's the summary of the first book tab of the walker a black woman on track to have it all at age 33 has meticulously checked off her life goals education career and a perfect partner but a sudden diagnosis shatters her dreams of motherhood forcing her to choose between career home and family supported by her friends and wise elders tabby navigates modern medicine and relationship challenges fighting for her cherished future.

Yet her battle for that future starts to exact a heavy toll prompting a profound reckoning for all involved in this journey tabby learns her grandmother's age old saying still rings true black girls must die exhausted.

So this book really will have you captivated from page one the action starts from the jump and you get to know tabby and her strengths from that very first chapter which I think is a great way to define a beach read there's not a lot of setup in a beach read you really jump into the action.

From the beginning you're not going to spend a hundred pages warming up to the book or to the plot the book has a lot going on you can probably get that sense from the setup but it's not in the way that you might criticize a book for doing too much this book really keeps the reader engaged in a way that feels very relatable you probably have a lot of things going on in your life that tabby has you know a career you're hoping to do more with a rich life with friends who keep you on your toes and family that makes you a little bit crazy this book is very important.

This book is very emotionally satisfying it will have you laughing and crying and feeling all the feels you'll not only be cheering for tabby but her grandmother also plays an amazing part of the book and is someone you will truly never forget I also read the follow up books in the series as I mentioned black girls must be magic and black girls must have it all and this all started because I actually Jillian had the privilege of interviewing Jane Allen when black girls must die exhausted was released in 2021.

And so after you read the book make sure you check out that episode from the medium lady archive will link it in the show notes oh that's exciting I did not know that yeah and she's amazing actually this was written as it wasn't fan fiction but it was self published and she had such a following of people who love this character that she actually like built momentum to transform it into a publishing deal I think she was published with Harper Collins I can't remember for sure.

But so it was really really cool to interview her and chat with her and Jane Allen has had like a totally interesting like life lived before she became an author so like a really fond part of something I did like way back in the day but those books always stand out in my mind plus the covers are really beautiful they are I haven't read it yet but I did have it out of the library a little while back I just haven't read it.

You're talking about she was able to translate this into a book deal for herself because she is such a following that is also the same thing that happened to Travis Baldry with legends and lattes yeah and I actually read a article this week which as I introduced myself in the beginning you know that I'm an Instagram content strategist but the thing I read in there is that these authors and the advances that they get people like Emily Henry get a ton of them.

Emily Henry get a ton of money yeah you know they're they're they're the following they have the notoriety they've published a lot they're well known but there are people like Jane Allen as you've heard and Travis Baldry who don't necessarily they may self publish to begin with or that maybe fan fiction or they may you know get a small advance but these publishing houses don't have the money that they used to and so what they're doing is if somebody has a lot of money.

Because if somebody has a ready made following already they're more likely to get more money because they see that as somebody who they're not going to have to put as much marketing dollars into so they can put it into the advance and I thought that was so so interesting and in in my for my business and for what I do that just makes a whole ton of sense and and was like solidified what I do.

But hearing that Jane Allen came about that way maybe not exactly the same direction but you know sort of the same that's really kind of interesting to me yeah and I think also you know it's just adding a really interesting dynamic to traditional publishing.

You know the book was self published she was actually on tour on her own sort of self promotion tour for her own self publish book she's also written other nonfiction books she runs a writing class like a writing course called book genius so she's already had like a very active life in the book you know sphere and transform that into this three book series that really kind of took off and and really holds its own I think against.

The you know the T. of Williams the Emily Henry's in the in that genre so yeah go give it a try for the summer.

I will especially now that I know that you're recommending it as a be trade.

All right it's time for hot takes and our current thoughts on book culture a hot take is an opinion usually formed off the cuff and with little research sometimes provocative today's hot take is the influence of influencers genuine passion for books or over commercialization of reading.

Aaron what are your thoughts I think a year ago I would have called it a genuine love of books but in that year I do feel a little worried about where I see books to Graham going these days.

Especially as I pay attention to the people who are reading and reviewing the books that are really hot and this is maybe going to come across as a little judgey but it's like the publishers with a lot of money that can put a lot of eyeballs on their books are the same books that end up getting quite a lot of traction and chatter and talk on book talk and books to Graham and I think we were seeing in the book influencer sphere.

The same types of people being highlighted time and time again and that could also be that I just need to diversify my influencers which is entirely possible I do follow a number of diverse book influencers and that's a really great way to get different kinds of books in front of your eyeballs but lately and I don't know what it is it does just sort of seem like it's about coveting the book possession experience the book ownership experience.

You know we saw this like bookshelf trend which is really like a sign of money and privilege to you know some people are doing like transformations of their home so that they could house all of their books it's just feeling really expensive out there I guess I don't know Jillian what do you think.

Now I completely agree with that last statement especially because that and that's what I was going to go with is that it seems like it's not even just about reading the book anymore in some cases that it's more about collecting the books and don't get me wrong I love bookstores I love buying books I love going to the library and I love putting books on hold and having tons of them at my disposal but I also would not.

And this does sound judgey I am not somebody who would read the ebook and then buy the physical copy just to have it as like an artifact I just I wouldn't do it if you do it that's fine i'm not going to yuck your yom you do what you got to do but I just feel like it's more about the buying of the books so I've been very mindful lately I would say in the last month or so especially.

Of when I find a book that I want of requesting it from the library versus buying it because I for a while was buying a lot of books and there's nothing wrong with that I will continue to buy books but I would rather support the library I would rather my tax dollars go to work for me at the you know we're using the library so those are my thoughts yeah I just don't want anyone who wants to read feel like from books to Graham culture that it's not.

I'm reading for free you know except for maybe that up from upfront investment in my e reader which was a gift or you know the time the time that I take to you know wait for books to be on hold that's another resource that you might spend to have to read but honestly you know and that's one of the things that that's one of the things that I like sharing every month on Instagram is how much my.

Every month on Instagram is how much money I've saved by not buying all of the books that I read because if you want to read 100 books a year and let's imagine rough math every book costing 25 dollars you're looking at $2,500 a year budgeted for books for some people that's going to be nothing but for most of us out here that's something you've got a lot of things you want to spend that $2,500 on it is something yeah definitely definitely so I guess maybe it's just something we have to be mindful of.

And for me what I'm going to be paying attention to are the influencers who talk about using the library the influencers who talk about diverse authors and diverse books if I see somebody who's promoting the thing that everybody else is promoting then I that's a sign for me that I need to kind of look for new voices I think I do a pretty good job of that most of the time but I think I'm also sort of conditioned to trust specific kinds of voices and I have to kind of re-condition my brain when I'm thinking about that.

Yeah I feel the same.

That's a good heart to take Jillian.

Yeah it was a good one lots of things to say about it.

Yeah exactly.

All right now let's talk about speaking of the library and our hold list let's talk about what's on our hold list at the library Jillian what's on yours.

So right now I have nothing waiting for me but that's only because I picked up seven I think I think it was seven five maybe it was five I don't remember it was go as a river that I picked up beauty land assistant to the villain funny story and then pneumonia which these three are graphic novels you're gonna love pneumonia that's good I haven't I'm very excited but I haven't read it stars in their eyes and hockey girl loves drama boy all very excited about those and I don't think I have anything everything else I have one last word that is pending and then I have is a door the happy life of is a door Bentley waiting while pending and the idea of you I'm twenty two in that list.

Okay so what is the idea of you I've seen the trailer with and halfway in the hot guy what's the book it's a book yes.

Oh who wrote it Robin Lee I have no idea what it's about I just know Julia Washington has been talking about it incessantly and I am so curious.

I know about it too.

So I am going to eventually read it but it there is a wait for it because I think because of the movie.

Those are the books I have waiting what do you have Aaron.

So right now I have a couple I'm similar to you earlier this week I picked up four five books from the library I have I think 16 books out from the library right now I really need to get my act together.

So I was back to that reading check in what was sort of making me feel like a little stressed out about my reading life right now but I just have to get a grip it's all good.

I think what I have coming up on hold is a book called the Ministry of Time by Callie Ann Bradley which is like a I think part romance part science fiction it's one of those hot books for spring it was recently reviewed that book she'll probably show up next week.

And this summer will be different I'm only number four in line for that so I think it'll probably come up in the next week or two so this summer will be different by Carly Fortune I am I know I said I was sort of like mid on funny story I am super super excited for this summer will be different so that's what I have on hold right now.

And then maybe when we record next I can tell you that I called my current check outs and I got my act together and returned half of those books to the library because it's getting a little out of control.

I remember not too long ago I had like 18 out and I had to get sent some back because it was just the stack was that's exactly the situation right now.

Okay before we wrap up we have a fun and exciting announcement to make Aaron and I will be hosting the second round of the book club beginning in June this go round we're going to be doing a murdery theme and we'll be reading Celine by Peter heller so be sure to get your books you know library would be our recommendation but obviously if you can't find it at the library.

Then grab a copy we start reading on May 28th and then we go through that.

I really cannot wait to read this book with you all reading pride by eb Zaboy this winter was such a really great community experience and Jillian and I learned from that experience and so we'll be trying some things a little bit differently as Jillian said we'll only do the one I G live check in.

And yes our full zoom book club will be July 8th so you'll have lots of time to get your book starting at the end of May all the way through to the beginning of July lots of time to get the book lots of time to read it lots of time to add it to the other books that you're reading.

Jillian do you want to give people a quick summary of the plot sure working out of her jewel box of an apartment at the base of the Brooklyn bridge Selene has made a career of tracking down missing persons and she has a better record at it than the FBI.

But when a young woman Gabriella asked for her help a world of mystery and sorrow opens up Gabriella's father was a photographer who went missing on the border of Montana and Wyoming.

He was assumed to have died from a grizzly mauling but his body was never found.

Now as Selene and her partner head to Yellowstone National Park investigating a trail gone cold it becomes clear that they are being followed that this is a case someone desperately wants to keep closed.

Combining the exquisite plotting and gorgeous of evocation of nature that have come in his hallmark with a wildly engrossing story of family privilege and childhood loss Peter heller gives us his finest work to date.

I just really love the idea of Selene this like main character but then also this person who has this like tremendous back history bringing that into this plot and the story.

I'm really looking forward to reading this me too and I'd actually never heard of it until you suggested it for book club so it sounds really really good.

Yeah, I wish I could remember where I'd reckon heard of it but it's from somewhere and I'm excited too.

I think it's going to be a really good book.

I think so too.

Okay that wraps up episode 21 of medium lady reads medium lady reads is a spin off of the medium lady talks podcast and Instagram community.

You can find me Jillian at Jillian finding happy and you can find Aaron at medium. lady for more of our current reads and other shenanigans and of course you can follow the podcast itself on Instagram at medium lady reads.

If you like this episode please share it with another bookish friend or post on Instagram and be sure to tag us we would be tickled pink to hear from you.

Thank you for listening I'm your host Aaron and I'm your other host Jillian until next time we hope that your hold to write quickly and your next book finds you right where you need it most.

We'll talk to you soon.

Bye.

See you later.

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