Chapter Three: Wipe My Memory, Hand Me That Book

Ever wish you could wipe your memory just to experience your favorite book all over again? In this episode, Adrienne, Audrey, and Lindsay each reveal the one book they’d choose to re-read with a totally clean slate—no spoilers, no plot twists remembered, just pure reading bliss.

Plus, we’re introducing a brand-new segment: Read, Watch, Listen! Each of us shares what we’re currently into across the worlds of books, film and television, and music/podcasts. It’s your one-stop shop for recommendations (and maybe a few hot takes).

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McCaugnhy

First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

11/22/63 by Stephen King

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

One Day by David Nichols

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

A Court of Thorns and Roses (Series) by Sarah J. Maas

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

Defending Jacob by William Landay

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

Transcript

Hey neighbors, welcome back to Books Around the Block. Today we're diving into a really fun and nostalgic topic. Books we wish we could read again for the first time. You know that feeling when you finish an incredible book and wish you could erase your memory just to experience it all over again? That's what we're talking about today. And before we jump in, don't forget to follow, rate, and review our podcast. It helps more book lovers find us. We will start out our many episodes by checking in with each other on what we're currently reading, watching, and listening to. Let's start with Adrienne. What is your current read watch? Listen. Okay, current read. I just started our podcast book club book Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConnie. You started it? Yeah, I started it this afternoon. Is it good? I am not far into it. Okay. It is good so far. Okay. Yeah. Um, I feel like I can't say much because it is... You're too early on. Yeah, I'm only a few pages in. I just finished a book last night. And I also am going to share a show that I just finished last night. Okay. So I haven't started anything new, but the show Paradise on Hulu. Oh, I've heard of that. Oh, wait, I haven't heard of it? I think it's really good. It is really good. It's eight episodes. Who's starring in it? Randall from The Susus. Oh, okay. So it's the people who created the guy, Dan Fogelman, who created Friday Night Lights. Okay. The Susus. And... Is Mars the Nite? What? I think... James Marsden is the president. I know what it is then. It is really good. I heard it. Really, really good. A top show that I've watched in a long time. So highly recommend. Wow. Kind of, um, government stuff and dystopian. It's eight episodes. It is really good. I think it just ended recently, right? Yeah. And they did announce they're doing a season two, which it does leave on a clip. Like it leaves you on a clip. It leaves a season two. So it would be very disappointing if it didn't have a season two, but it is really good. Um, and I am currently listening to a lot of podcasts, mainly book podcasts. Mainly hours. Are you listening to ours? Our podcast. Of course you are listening to us. I, um, yeah, I've got a slew of bookish podcasts that I listen to. So... That's awesome. In my ears. Should I go next? Yeah. Yeah, Audrey, you. Okay. I actually finished a book today and I started another one. So I'm going to say the one that I'm currently reading first time caller by BK Borson. So far so good. I think I'm maybe two chapters in. Is this it? Oh, so you're reading audiobook? Let's, oh, sorry. No, I'm reading. I'm currently reading this on my Kindle. I watched last night while I was doing loads upon loads of laundry. The love list on Netflix with Sophia Carlson. Oh, how was it? Yes, it just came out. It was so bad. Was it like a good bad? No, it was really bad. I, the acting in it was truly terrible. It, it was on par or worse than Hallmark to me. I could not even, I couldn't even. So, and Luca would, Luca would walk in. My husband would walk in and I would feel embarrassed. It was that bad. Oh my God. So out. Yeah. I would not recommend it, but you know, maybe if you like Hallmark and not a lot of great acting. Yeah, great acting. Mom, if you're listening to this, it sounds perfect for you. And then I am listening, a podcast every week that I listen to besides ours is how did this get made? It is a podcast. I almost said nerd, but you had to remind me what it's about. No, no, no. It's not, it's actually. This is how you build the grand canyon. It's actually a comedy podcast with three, with three actors that take on movies that are truly terrible. For example, the loveless should be on that. And then they break down exactly how did this movie get made? And they go step by step through the movie and they ask Paul Shear, June Diane, Rayfield, and oh my gosh, I'm going to forget the last one, but they are, they're hilarious. I'll add it. I always like a pod recommendation. Yes. Okay, I will go next. I am currently reading Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall. I can't wait to hear what you think. It is one of the books that Adrienne read for the month of March. And she convinced me and it is not on one of the books that was on my April TBR. So you can see a sneak peek on how I've gotten off course already. She's gone rogue. I know. You know, I did not mention that it does have a murder. Kind of opens with someone is dead. So what happened? Yeah, the first sentence draws you in. That is one of the subplots. To me, that was not the thing that spoke the most to me, but I do remember now how much you love murder, murder. I do. And so I love murder. I should have mentioned that last week, but I'm glad I sold you. Yes. Even without the murder, I sold you on it. It came up on my Libby on hold and I was like, you know what? I'm just going to do it. It's time. I'm just going to do it. So that's what I'm currently reading. I just started it. I think I'm 15% in. I'm liking it so far, but I'm not that far in what I'm watching. I'm currently watching white Lotus. You guys aren't watching it right? Season three, white Lotus. I got halfway through the first season when the first season came out and I jumped ship. Oh, the first season is the best. So if you didn't like the first season, I just have not come back to it. Not because I didn't like it. Just there's so many shows and I'm not very well. Yes. Yeah. But I will. Yeah. It has to be worth my time to take over reading time because that's ultimately what's happening. People aren't liking this season as much, but I do. Oh, well, good. I mean, I enjoy it. It's very different. I feel like you wouldn't like it. Audrey, it's not for you. Especially this season. This season, there's one storyline that is so insane. I was like, why are we doing this? Yeah, you would not like it. Okay. I've heard of you. You would absolutely not. Try and guess which thing I would like, guys. Listeners. Well, I think most people don't like it, but I think you would especially not like it. Would not like it. Great. And then when I'm listening to, I was going to come up with a song. Come on. Tell us. I was going to do Nokia by Drake. Oh. Is this a new song? Yes, and then I know it. Yeah. Is it different from Hotline Bling? Yes. Another song about a phone. Yes. I can talk about a podcast since we're talking about podcasts and murder, Dateline. I always am listening to Dateline. The podcast? Okay. They do like throwback episodes, like fault episodes. Oh, that's fun. I didn't know that. Yeah. Because otherwise they do the episodes that currently aired. Do you listen to a lot of True Crime podcasts? Yes. I listen to True Crime and Pop Culture and some book. And our podcast. I only listen to our podcast. Just kidding. I don't listen to anything else. On repeat. Rap and our podcast. Yes. That's it. Forever. Should we talk topic? Yeah. It's Lindsay. Books that you wish you could read again for the first time. So how did you guys pick your books? Was it something I'll tell you like for me, I had one immediately that I was like, this is 100% going to be one of them. And then the other two I had to think a little more on. Were you guys like that too? Yes. It was kind of hard for me because at first I was like, I'm going to go for all my five star reads, which all these books are five star reads for me. But then I started to think more deeply about it. And I came up with a book that's in there that wouldn't typically make a list for the reason of I want to read this again for the first time. So I'm excited to talk about it. Okay. I felt very much like the emotional connection that I had at that time. So some of mine might feel a little nostalgic. They're backlist books because for whatever reason at that time I was really hooked. I don't even know that the books would hold up now, but they meant I just remember being really sucked into them at the time. I have thought about this topic for TV shows a lot. This is the first time I've gone there with books. Okay. So this was kind of fun. This is yes. It definitely was. I will tell you that almost any book that I've read in the last, I don't know, two years and on, maybe even sooner, I don't remember. So this is really hard for me to do because I'm like, I don't remember any of these. Anytime you reread a book, it's like reading it again for the first time. I read a book a month ago and I was like, what does that say about your brain or your books? I don't know. I think probably more about my brain, honestly. Because I'm the same way with movies too. I watch a movie or a TV show. I'm not going to remember. Even with visual, I feel like if you have a visual remembrance, I don't know. I need therapist Adrienne to help me. A visual signal, you're more likely to remember it than a book in which you're processing words. Well, I think it depends on what kind of learning you are. Honestly, it doesn't matter. Yeah, it doesn't matter. Nothing. What does that mean? That just means I have too much going on and all of the books and TV shows can just leave. Well, I think sometimes some of the popcorn thrillers that we love tend to not leave a lasting mark because they do blend together. They're really fun to go on the journey, but once you close it, it's not something that's going to stick with you. I too forget a lot of the books that I read. That's not a fault on them. I think it just shows the depth of the book is not something that... So that's why I picked the books that I chose was because if I actually remembered it, I'm like, wow, that really stuck with me. Adrienne, do you want to start us off with your first book? I'm so excited. I know. We did not tell each other that. This is like Chris's morning. I'm wrapping a present. We didn't tell each other the books. So this, we are all hearing this for the first time. It's been so hard not to like accidentally say anything, but I'm really excited to go. Okay. My first book is one I read many years ago. I think this came out in like 1997. Oh, no. My first one came out in 1997. This is The Packed by Jodie Bacow. Never. No, I've never read it. Okay. Have you read it? No, I haven't read that Jodie Bacow. Oh, wow, really? Yes. Okay. I was... I'll have to read it. I might have, but... I believe I was in high school when I read this and I remember my mom read it and my aunts were reading it. And so I picked it up and this was my first Jodie Bacow book and she is one of my top authors. She has had some misses in the past couple of years in my opinion, but for the most part, she's a top author for me. But this book is about two families. They are next door neighbors. The families are like family. I mean, the families become like one. They're two kids as they grow up, turn into teenagers and fall in love. They're soulmates. They've known each other since they were toddlers, best friends, and one night there is... One of them is dead and one of them is not, but they're together. There's a gun and so it's a suicide pact that comes undone. Oh my goodness. Is this a spoiler? No, this is on the... Okay. I was thinking the same thing. It's like... It's for the pact. It's the story of... So it's one of those books that, again, I don't know that I would... I would like to reread it because I don't remember all the details, but I can remember how I pictured what they looked like and what their house is, looks like, and all of that. I... It was... She just does such a good job of helping you to not see things in black and white, really hard, controversial topics where you might look at a family and go, well, I would do this, how you sometimes have some initial judgments. She does a really good job of challenging those through a fiction lens, which is one of my favorite reasons. I think I've read anything by her. One of her books was an honorable mention for this podcast for me. And I can tell you it. It was the storyteller. Have you ever read that one? Yeah. Yes. So the pact, I think, is... It is not her first novel, but it was... I think my sister's keeper really put her on the map. Yes, that was her. Yeah. That was one of the big bestseller books. Yes. And the pact was before that. Yes. And I... Yeah, I just remember being in high school and seeing this story unfold and being my heart torn. And so, yes, I love it. I will read it again and I will maybe let you guys know it builds up. Hopefully it does. But... Audrey, you want to go? Yes. I actually am going to start with a book that I've already talked about on the podcast, but not... I haven't gone deep into it. 11, 22, 63. I have to... By Stephen King, I have to bring this up as my amnesia book. It has everything. It's sci-fi fantasy. It has a love story for the ages. I wish I could go back in time and reread this 800-plus page book because I do remember so much of it. And I remember being emotionally devastated at the end of it, but at the same time, thinking in my head, this could not have ended more perfectly. So remind us of the concept of that. Yes. So on November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas. President Kennedy died and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Stephen King's dramatic novel is about a man who travels back in time to prevent the JFK assassination. So... I knew it was a rewriting of Time. Correct. And I just could not remember what... So it is a time-traveling novel. He kind of finds... He has this man that he is close to and he has this way to go back in time. And this man believes that if you can stop the JFK assassination, then you can stop the world from going through all of these different things and then ultimately having more world peace. And it's kind of funny because going into this book, you're thinking, oh, it's going to be like this sci-fi kind of look into time traveling. And it's complicated. But at the heart of it, nobody's surprised by this. It is a beautiful love story. And who would have thought that Stephen King of all people, which... I mean, he deserves a lot of props for his continued career. Right, right. And I think this is part of it is because he is such a chameleon with his writing and it can be so deceiving in a good way to open a book and expect one thing. And then to come across what truly changed me and like life changing for me was this love story between the main character and this woman he meets in the past. So anyways, I'm surprised that... So it is a little bit more time travel and a little less... What's the door concept? Like butterfly fact. Butterfly fact. Yes, no. No, it is time travel. Like you're trying to change the past. Change the past. Yes, it's very much change the past. Okay, yes. I haven't read it that I have watched the series. I think it was on Hulu James Franco or his brother. I watched one episode and I was like, I cannot do it because I have this picture in my mind and it is truly... It's a perfect picture for me. It was the perfect reading experience for me and I couldn't watch the show. I tried. I thought the show was really good if you don't... Don't watch it Adrian, I want you to read it. I know it's an undertaking. It's a wobble. Yeah, I don't have the physical book. Although I do think I read it on physical book. I read it on physical book. I specifically remember it because I got it from the library. So, yeah. Alright, Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay. My first one. Harry Potter. Really? I was wondering. Which one? The series? Yeah, I don't remember what happens in each one. I just mean the whole series, as a whole. Because I read it as a child. The first book came out in 1997 or I think maybe the US was in 1998. I got the first two or three copies when they came out. My aunt got them for me and I was like, I'm like, I'm not going to read about wizards and like, no thank you. You're saying you're a fantasy lover right now is what you're saying. And then I eventually started reading it and it just kind of hooked me into that world. And I think it's so fun now because they have all the books and like the rides and the amusement parks and everything. I'm just picturing like my kids not knowing anything about it and being able to just like immerse yourself in this world. Yeah. That's just so nostalgic because I think if I were to actually read it for the first time now is I did reread it like seven years ago and I was like, oh, these are YA books. Like I'm reading it when I was a kid. I've never read them. I have read book three and watched movie three. That is so random. Because I was a nanny one summer, two summers in a row and we read the book. They had read the first and second and so I spent the summer reading book three with them and the next summer the movie came out. So we got to see it together. Gotcha. It was really, I loved that experience. That was kind of everything that I am being able to read a book with kids and then take them to the movie. So it felt really special at the time but I've just read anything. I've started book one with my kids and we never made it far. With your kids is probably fine. I reread it and I was like, this is like you see everything that's going to happen like as an adult. Yes. And I'm like, oh, this is not the same. It's very like YA book. Oh, for sure. Right now. Yeah. So I wouldn't recommend rereading it as an adult if you're reading it by yourself. Maybe with your kids. But doesn't the last couple books get kind of dark? They get progressively darker. That's what I read. I read the first. My years perg up at that. Yeah. She's like, wait a minute. I would say it starts as a children's book and then it progressively gets. And rightfully so. I mean the characters they grow older in the books. So as they go on, you know, hormones change. They fall in love. They get, you know, things get darker, grittier. They also have really great characters. Oh. There are so many really great characters. You need to read them with your kids and find out what it is. So you've read all of them from start to finish. Okay, that's crazy. I've only read the first three. But listen. Oh, wow. That's very surprising for you. There's a specific reason is because I started them whenever I was younger under my parents roof and my parents had hesitations. I grew up in a Christian family. I'm still a Christian up. It's just one of those things where it was. Yes, it was such a back then for Christian community. It was such a hot topic to read these books because of the witchcraft wizardry within it. So I was only ever read the first three and then I got older and whenever I was in college, it didn't come back around. So and the movies were out and I watched all the movies. Oh yeah. Okay. So I'll read them with my kids. I smuggled them in. Yeah. That's how I was reading them under the covers. I was too old. I was almost an adult when they came out. So I was trying to smuggle everything. You could make your own adult decisions to read the book. But yeah, that's mine. I just, the characters are so good and it is really well written because my husband was like, I thought you don't like fantasy. But they're like humans for the most part. Yes, but I mean, there's definitely some magical creatures in there. Yeah, there's some, but for the most part, they're humans. That's sort of true. I'll give you. For the most part, they're humans. Yes. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Second book. My second book is The Great Alone by Kristen and Hannah. I've never read it. Oh, I've read it and it was, it's not my favorite of hers, Adrienne. I don't know that it's my favorite of hers either. Okay. It is definitely a top. This is one of those books I have memories of physically not being able to put down. Yes. You know, we say that, but this was one of those that I was, my heart rate was up. I was truly on the edge of my seat. I was thinking about this and all day thinking, when can I get back to this book? Yes. This is about a girl. It starts out with, she's pretty young and her dad has mental health issues. He was a veteran and he's pretty disturbed mentally and the whole family's together. He takes them to Alaska and they're going to live off the grid and this is the story of them trying to live off the grid. So it's got a lot of tie in of what it would feel like to live in Alaska. So some of those heart racing moments are. Yes. When they're, it's freezing and there's wild animals and it's dark and then some of it is the abuse that's happening and the scariness of having this father who you never know what you're going to get. So it was very, it was all consuming and Lenny is just a strong character. I didn't love every decision that she made, but it is one that I will not forget. And I read educated about the same time. When was this? Give us a timeline of when you read this book. Well, I lived in our neighborhood. So it was, I moved in 2018. Okay. So within, yeah. Yeah, within the past couple of years, I remember getting it as a book of the month book. Oh, okay. And not having an interest, reading that it was about Alaska and quite frankly being like, no thank you. Oh. And I couldn't believe how much I loved it, but I remember listening to it and driving a long way around our neighborhood as slow as I can. Because I knew my little children. Yes. They were like little kids. I knew I could not pull in the driveway and sit in the driveway and finish the chapter. So I drove. Oh my gosh, that's funny. The slowest I possibly could through our neighborhood. And yeah, couldn't get over it. That's when you know it's good. Whenever you have to neglect your children just a little bit. Yeah. Just so you can finish another page, another chapter. Yes. I remember that it was in Alaska, but I don't remember much else about that book. You read it though? Yes. Oh yeah. And I gave it four. You gave it three stars. I gave it three. Oh, I thought it was four. Yeah. So it was not my favorite. What? I, you remember what you didn't like about it. This is why I try to review on Goodreads every time I read a book. And I know it seems silly because I'm typing it and like, I feel like I'm reviewing it for myself, but I truly am because that's how it helps me remember how I felt in the moment, how I processed it. But yeah, three stars. Wasn't my favorite Kristen Hanna. So, okay. Audrey. It's okay because you're about to get me for this next read because I know you did not like this book. Oh, I cannot wait. Okay. So I think that here is where I'm going to put in a little backstory. We read this book in a previous book club, not our neighborhood book club. This was years ago. I would say probably 2016. You're going to figure this out pretty quickly. It was very polarizing in our book club. I gave it five stars among other people. We felt very strongly about it, but it's polarizing because of the nature of a relationship within it. It's called All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. Adrienne, tell me your feelings about it now. Just get it out. Okay. The funny thing is I like dark, gritty, hard to read. I like hard books to read as I've made many comments. This gave me an ick. Oh, okay. So that was a common. I really struggled with how it felt to me. Yes. I would say there was probably seven people in our book club. and two of the seven did not give it five stars. They gave it one and those two people fought it. And now let me tell you why I'm saying this book because it's very specific. I was not a mother when I read this book. I did not have children when I read this book. It was so moving to me. Actually, let me start with telling it about what it's about. It's a beautiful and provocative love story between two unlikely people and the hard one relationship that elevates them above the Midwestern meth lab backdrop of their lives. I know. Okay, wait, she's interested. I'm listening. Yes, Lindsay's just chimed in. It was a book that from start to finish, I was so invested, emotionally invested. I was rooting for these two characters. But again, I was not a mom. I would like to wipe my memory and read this book now for the first time as a mother because I want to know if I would feel the same way about Wavy and Kellen as I did back then because back then I was rooting for them. But now I have a young daughter who is almost four years old. And I just wouldn't, it might not change. I might feel- My daughter's name is Brynn, which is the name of the author. And it, she's not in the book, but every time I grabbed it, I was thinking- And you had a daughter. I had a daughter. So I feel as though my opinion may change. This might not be a five star book, but when I think about books that have affected me in the past, this is probably one of the big books. Okay, I will admit that I can, I'm having a physical response to this book will sit with me forever, but it is an icky feeling and not a, not a, oh, I loved it. And I don't know that you're necessarily saying that, but it definitely is something that sticks with you for very long time. It's emotionally charged. It is, it's polarizing and I felt- I can read it and I can be your test. Yes. Oh, please do. That's great. Because I have two girls and I've never read it. Yes. I also, at the time, had just freshly finished working in foster care. Oh. And that, I think, impacted how I interpreted. Absolutely. And I was invested in so many kids for so many years. Absolutely. That really could have been wavy. Yeah. Yeah, should I not read it? You should, you should 100% read this book and I actually need you to read this book. Report back. Yes, absolutely. Do you agree, Adrienne? Yeah, I would love for you to read it. Oh my God, I'm just kidding. The trigger warning, again, this is one that if you were a sensitive reader, I would encourage you to look at trigger warning because her wavy has like her family. She has a really hard life. Really hard life. And so does Kellan. Yes, the town is- It's backed up to meth and drugs and motorcycles and- Neglect. Yes, people lost loved ones. It's a difficult book that was emotionally- Is it long? No. Okay, I'll read it. Okay. I'll read it and I will report back on our next month's what I read. I love it. Ooh, okay, that quick. Well- Yes, I need this quick turnaround. Okay, Lindsay. Okay, my next book, I am gonna pivot horrible. Okay, we need to get out of the dark and abuse. And we are gonna go with a romance. I tried to come up, I thought about this methodically if you guys could- This'll be good because my next one is a lighter one too. Okay. I tried to think of one that came right away and then another category I tried to think of was romance because that's a category I like to read. I went through and I couldn't remember 90% of the ones I read. A lot of romances. So I picked the one that I could remember the best that I really liked. And it is a series, again, for people that say- I'm hanging on everywhere. There is one specific book that I like the best but the series itself is part of your world by Abby Jimenez. Oh, my favorite. But the book itself is yours truly, the second one. Yes. I really liked the second one. I know you liked- Five stars. Some of the other ones better. Yours truly is probably my second favorite in that series of three. Probably part of your world, but honestly, it's too hard. It's like choosing between your favorite kids. Did you read, I know Audrey read all of them. And you liked all of them. Five stars, everyone. Everyone, one and two. So I'm not gonna go into what it's all about because they're all three intertwined and that would probably take me too long. Read this series. I highly recommend it from a romance perspective. I think Abby Jimenez is a really good job of making good romance that makes you feel something but it's also not really smutty. No, yes. She's like clean romance. She's like Emily Henry in that way. Very calm with depth. Right, yes, depth, especially the one yours truly focuses on anxiety. Mental health. Mental health is a big one of yours truly. But I would highly recommend reading all three but reading them close enough together. I read the first one and then waited a really long time before I read the second and third. And so I kind of forgot. How they were intertwined. How they tied in. So I would read all three of them and I would read all three of them as close together as you can just so you remember because they pull from one and three a lot. So would you say that it was emotionally affecting or is it just because you remember it that you would like to read it all over for the first time? It was a little emotionally affecting I guess. Like I never cried. It's not. It's not romance like that. But some of the characters really like pulled at the heart string. I really liked the first and third wrap up at the end. And it's just really well written. Yeah, she's great. Especially for romance. Romance is hit or miss truly. Like there is some really, really not good romance. And this one I think is just really well from the all three books. There's usually one at least. It's just like this one's not as good. And yeah, the third one was my least favorite but it was still really, really good. So I would highly recommend that. Love it. Book. Yes. You're truly good. So good. You're a journey dude. Okay. My third book is another backlist. It is One Day by David Nichols. Has anyone read this? I don't think I've read any of your books you've mentioned. One day. I have not. One day. Have you watched the TV show that recently came out? No, but it was a movie with In Halfway. I have not watched. I've never even heard of the movie. Okay. Well, the movie is not great. Yes, it was panicked critically. Yeah, it's not great. But the show has been something that was a big hit. I did not finish the show. Oh wait, I just looked it up. This, I saw a lot of ads or commercials for the show and it looked really good. Yeah. I'm curious that people who experience the show without the book might think. But this is a book that is about two people. They meet at the end of college and then they, One Day, every year in July, that's the book. So you are just, you're only getting one day in July every year. That's like the next chapter. So a lot may have happened in that one year period and either of their lives you're just jumping in. And so it's a very unique way to tell a story but it also gives you, it kind of gets rid of so much mundane stuff and keeps you guessing. You have no idea what's gonna happen in that next year. But ultimately these people just keep coming back together. So it is not a love story in that they're dating and every year you're checking in with their dating story. It is that they are not necessarily together. That's not the point of the story. It is a friendship that for sure at some point based on different, one year, someone's single and you can see that they really wish the other person was single. I love becoming a big age story. I love, I like romance. I don't even know that you can call it romance. I love love story that's not, that's really messy. And not because people are making a lot of stupid choices but like unrequited love. I love those stories. I love a love triangle situation and things like this where life is not working out for them to necessarily be together. But if they were living in the same town working regular jobs maybe it would. I don't know. You don't need them to end up together in the end. I don't need. You don't need an H.E .A. I don't and if I got it. A happily ever after, H.E .A. I think it sits more with me when I have that turmoil of like oh that's a heartbreak. That's how I feel about movies where I'm like they need to kill off the main character. You know what I mean? I think it's so much more realistic when the main character dies. I'm like yes, thank you. That's life. What? And it just makes it better. Oh you're talking about the climax of this story, the main character should be dead. Okay not at like you need to kill off. I think we need to kill off more characters and just be okay with it. Wow. Hot take. Because it's a part of life and we need to get used to it. It would make a better story and also it's more realistic in a lot of these situations. Oh they survived this thing that they should have never survived, nope kill them off. They would have died in real life. I get too emotionally attached to book characters I think. Not me, I'm like why is this person alive? Off them. Interesting take. Yes. Yeah okay. Okay. All right. We know what to recommend for Lindsay if someone ever dies a violent death. If you ever write a book it will include a lot of death. Just when you start to like a character she's like and you're gone. Yeah. And I'm like thank you, that's realistic. Oh my god. All right Audrey. Okay. Your last book. As my last one I'm not gonna do anything controversial. This is actually a book that has stuck with me through the times Outlander by, I'm gonna say her name wrong, Diana Gabaldon. Is that how you say it? I honestly don't know. No idea. So I'll read the synopsis for it. In Outlander, Claire Randall, a World War II nurse is mysteriously transported to 1743 Scotland where she becomes integral. Another time travel? I know, listen. Apparently guys I am very into time travel. If you guys have any good time travel recommendations send them over to Audrey. Oh, I've read that one. When I think about sweeping love stories I think about Outlander. So have you read all of Outlander? No and this was something I was gonna say is that, so for me I struggle with series whenever I know sort of what's going to happen in the future. I loved, I think it's safe to say I love Claire and Jamie so much that I didn't want to see them struggle which I know happens in future books. Not struggle with their relationship but they get separated and she goes back to her own time and he says so it's, I knew it was coming and this book for me, good enough. I don't need to know more of what happens. That is so interesting. See I would like the other ones where I'm like, yeah, separated, this is more realistic. Well they go through, okay I think it's important to point out that this book also has tons of triggers. There is all kinds of violence, sexual abuse, like so many different things that happen to them as a couple, it happens to them separate. I mean there's just so much that goes on. People love this book, the series. The series, yes and the book itself very much and people love the TV show and I will say I have watched the TV show. Okay, all the way through? No, I stopped, I think like six seasons and at some point I was like okay this is gonna work but the book itself, it ended for me and I was like okay I'm good. They're together. Only book one for me. And Jamie Fraser is, he's so great. He's a great strong male character. And I think that he challenges Reese from a court of Miss and Fury for like most, yeah top love interest. Isn't the one from a court of Thorns and Roses not human? It's fantasy. I don't know what to say. Yes, they're fake, they're fake. It's like technically fairy, right? Right. But they're human, they're regular size. They just have magic. They have magic colors. It's not so stupid when you say it out loud but the truth of the matter is that's what you read when you read fantasy. You're reading about people, non-human people that have magic, they're not like weird. I don't think. I wanna transform though, right? A little bit. In the first book, they all, cause I think she originally wrote, okay we're switching over to a court of Thorns and Roses. She originally wrote the first book as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Right, yes. So they have masks in the first one. And when he gets met, not when he gets met. Yes, yes. I think that's why I can't get into fantasy because they're not humans. They're other things. And see like Harry Potter is humans. Yeah. Feels more grounded in reality. Yeah, okay. That's where I draw the line. That's, I mean that's fair. I just struggle with the visual of what I'm reading. I read a fantasy recently and I had to Google. I was Googling the whole time. I'm like, what? I was Googling. What does this mean? What does this mean? I don't know what any of these things are. I think that's a part of it. But they're made up. So how do you Google? Well no, a lot of, yes I would say a lot of fantasy has like continuity. So it's in a lot of different fantasy books. We need a full episode. From which book are we talking about here? Legends and lattes. The one on the cover. An ogre, is that what you said? No, it wasn't an ogre. An orc, an orc. Okay. What the hell's an orc? Mind you, can I just say, I did not read this book. Lindsay read this book. I gave it one star, do not recommend. We are gonna need to do an intro to fantasy. Oh no, please. And the ogre is gonna walk us through. Yes, we'll talk about it. I'm feeling sick for that episode. But I think that it's important, like what makes certain fantasy books better than the others is unique magical systems, unique storytelling. Because so much of it is all the same. Especially like with the worlds of Faye, Dragons, they all tend to start to mesh. So whenever you come across books that have, you know, a unique magical system, it's kind of exciting and fun. Not for Lindsay, not for Adrian, but for me. So confusing. I don't know how we went from Outlander to... I didn't know. Is Outlander fantasy? Well, I mean, it would... Time travel. Time travel, I mean, it would be considered... But they're humans? They're humans. No, there's no... It's more historical fiction. Historical fiction. It's sort of, honestly, it's sort of like 11, 22, 63, where everybody, it just has magic within it. But it's not like magical creatures. It is time... Magical realism? Yeah, time traveling back into events that, you know, half war happened, real wars that happened. So, and I don't know if... I've never been to Scotland. Have you been to Scotland, Lindsay? What I've heard from people who have actually been to Scotland, they say there's not much better description that is more realistic of Scotland itself. Like it's so detailed and beautiful and robust. So, and I remember reading it and not being like, oh my gosh, this is so detailed, get over it. It was more like, oh my gosh, I wanna go there. I wanna visit this place. Oh, maybe I should read it then. Yes, you should. Okay, Lindsay, tell us your last book. Okay, my last one, I'm going with a thriller. It's really the first thriller I remember reading. I was like, oh, at the end. Now I'm afraid reading it again, I wouldn't have to say because I've read too many. You've been desensitized. Yeah, I can see things coming in thrillers way ahead of time because I've read too many of them. There is something to be said for a thriller who does something different and you read it for the first time, like to experience some things. It's shocking. When I was trying to think of thrillers, I'm like, this is the one that sits with me as when I first read it, I was like, okay. I can't wait. You wanna tell me your guesses? My gone girl or Verity? No, together. Verity? Well, I didn't read it, but I know what I read. No, I read Verity, like this one I read. This one came out in 2008. Oh. Oh, goodness. And it is The Girl with the Dragon tattoo. Oh. Oh, okay. I feel like, no, I loved it. I actually, I read that book and also liked it. Do you finish this series? I've only ever read the first one. Okay, look at us. We're the same. All three of mine were series. Maybe I need to read more series. I'm a series girl. You said, yeah, it's Sam and Love. You didn't finish that one. No. You never even read the second book. No. Okay, so you're not a series girl. We were like, you're a series girl. You're not. I like that. Yeah, so when I read it, it came out in 2008. I would imagine I probably read it around then. It was very popular, I think when it came out. And I read it and I remember the twist at the end, which is shocking because I read it so long ago and it has stuck with me. And I think that's really what got me into thrillers. Yeah, I read it and I was like, wow, whatever this is, I wanna read more like this. No. But yet I'm not gonna read the second or third one. No, she just wants to wipe her memory and read this one over and over and over. I'll tell you a little bit about it if you've never heard because it is quite old. There is a movie too and I saw the movie. It's, what's it called? Joaquin Phoenix's wife. Rooney, Marr Rooney. Yes, it is Marr Rooney. I didn't know they were married. They might not. They have children together. Oh, I do like her. A disgraced journalist and a brilliant but troubled hacker team up to investigate a decades old disappearance uncovering a dark and twisted family mystery in the process. So yeah, that was just my intro. Where was that set? That was also set as not. It's like Amsterdam. Yeah, I think that's wrong. No, I think you're right. It's somewhere like that. I remember that feeling a big part of the story. Yes. The setting. It's Swedish. He's Swedish. Yes. Yes, yes. He's Swedish. Yeah. I think that's really what pulled me into reading thriller. That's fun to remember. The first. Gone Girl was another one that was really good that I did not see coming. I don't think anyone really did. And I think that was the, that was the start of a whole unreliable narrative. Oh yeah. I feel like that. I think that kind of kicked it off. She really was one of the first that did it. Okay, well that was really good, you guys. Do you guys have any honorable mentions? One of mine was the story teller by Jodi Picol. Beco, I never say her name right. I came up with a couple of them in case somebody said what I was gonna say. I wanted to have like a different one, but you guys didn't. So the other romance I came up with was Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino. I have that on my Kindle. I've never read it. Oh, it's good. Okay. I really liked it. I knew, I don't read it if you don't wanna be smart. I'm pretty sure, but I know. Like I figured out what happened, but I still, yeah, really liked it. And then my thriller backup honorable mention was Defending Jacob by William L. Mellon. You have talked to me about that book several times and I put it on my To Be Read. And I hope to read it. You've never read it? I've never read it. I need to read it this year. I was telling her, I think I'm gonna plan on. That's the one that you're most surprised that nobody's read. I am, that was, wow, that's a good one. All right. Okay, I will say honorable mention, this is so cheesy. But. I love cheesy, tell me cheesy. The Da Vinci code. I have a run out. I've never read that. Guys, this is really showing our age gap. We don't have that big of an age gap though. I think this highlights it. Maybe, yeah. Maybe. Yeah, a little bit. We asked you guys what you wish you could read again for the first time and we received some responses. So let's hear what people said. Samantha said the Lions game by Nelson DeMille. Has anybody read that? I have not. I've never even heard of that, to be honest. Nelson DeMille is like, is it like Patterson? O.G. Mm-hmm. Ricky said, where the crawdad sing by Delia Owens. I think, I feel like we've all read that book. Love that book. You didn't like it? I, it was fine. Oh my goodness. Too flowery for me. Chelsea said, a court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Mass. I don't agree with that first book, but a court of mists and fury for sure. But I recently reread a court of mists and fury and I remembered, I remembered how much I loved it. It's still my favorite fantasy book I think I've ever read. And it was like, I wiped my memory because I remembered so little of it and I started from the beginning with the first one. And I was like, okay, rightfully so. That one was just not great. But that second book still hits so hard. And so it's so good. Yeah. Okay. Alex said, Harry Potter. Not my husband, Alex, just for the record. He's not read it. A book. Yeah, seriously. Caroline said, The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. Anna said, Daisy Jones in the Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reed. Love that one. And Witt said, the only one left by Riley Saker. Oh. That's interesting. Okay, so thank you for messaging us with your book suggestions. We appreciate it. We are gonna be diving into our March book club pick, Wild Dark Shore. That one is gonna be going live on April 29th. Yes. So you've got to have some time. Last Tuesday of April. Yeah. So you have time to read. So we also are going to chat about who we would hire for the actors and actresses to play. Yeah. That's my favorite part. I love casting. You love to chat about that. Casting what ifs. So if you have some suggestions. Unless it's really like dark. But I'm like, oh, there's some books I really don't wanna cast. I just wanna move along with. Really? Well, we're gonna do it whether you like it or not. So if you have someone that you have in mind, send us a message. Yes. We'd love to hear it. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok. Our handles, our books are on the block pod on both. Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast. It really does help us so much as we're a new podcast getting started. Subscribe also so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. And don't forget that a good read is always just around the block. On our next episode, we're giving you a reluctant reader's guide. For those listening that aren't avid readers, these books are perfect to give you the reading spark. Easy to fall into, hard to put down and guaranteed to remind you why reading is so much fun. There won't be an episode on the week of the 21st. It will give everyone enough time to finish our book club pick while Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaughey. If you haven't read it yet, there's still time. We'll be sharing our thoughts, favorite moments and deep diving into the themes. So grab your copy and read along with us. We also wanna hear from you. Send us your thoughts or favorite quotes. We might feature your comment in the episode. That episode will be out on April 29th, the last Tuesday of the month. See you next time. Bye. Bye. Thanks for listening.