The Book Cellar

We're catching up on our reading after a few weeks of radio silence. Welcome to The Cellar.

Rachel is reading magical realism, Andy is confused by Japanese classics. It's a wild ride this week on The Book Cellar.

13 books. Think you can handle it?

Check out our Pango bookstore: https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/thebookcellarpodcast

It's already a new month, in a new year, and we're finally releasing the first podcast of 2026. Join us to hear about everything we read in January.

We loved some books. We DNF'd others. It's a wild episode this week on The Book Cellar.

Well, we did it. The 52 in 52 challenge is done. Listen for our reviews of books we read a month ago and already can't remember.

We're almost finished with the 52 in 52 challenge. Catch up with us!

In this episode Andy and Rachel are back to discussing their 52 in 52 book reading .Books discussed (in order):Shady Hollow by Juneau BlackThe Secret of Secrets by Dan BrownSnow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa SeeLolita by Vladimir NabokovSipsworth by Simon Van BooyFool by Christopher MooreThe Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady HendrixDark Harvest by Norman PartridgeConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

In this episode Andy and Rachel are back to discussing their 52 in 52 book reading and we take a moment of silence for the loss of Charlie Kirk. Books discussed (in order):The Shining by Stephen KingThe Story of Dr. Dolittle by Hugh LoftingThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank BaumKill Joy by Holly JacksonAjax Penumbra, 1969 by Robin SloanThe Bright Years by Sarah DamoffThe Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret AtwoodDevolution by Max BrooksKatabasis by R.F. KuangDogmatix and the Indomitables by R. Goscinni and A. UderzoConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

 In this episode Andy and Rachel each share their favorite books that give Fall vibes. Whether it’s spooky, academic, or thrilling, all of these book are perfect to curl up with under a warm blanket by the fire.Books discussed (in order):The Exorcist by William Peter BlattyThe Good Girls Guide to Murder (Series) by Holly Jackson‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen KingThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabThe Thirteenth Tale by Diane SetterfieldHow To Sell a Haunted House by Grady HendrixThe Magicians by Lev GrossmanHamnet by Maggie O’FarrellAmerican Gods by Neil GaimanBecoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti CallahanAngelology by Danielle TrussoniHome Before Dark by Riley SagerThe Historian by Elizabeth KostovaCharlotte’s Web by E.B. WhiteConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

In this episode Andy and Rachel discuss their final books for the 52 Book Club Summer Connections Challenge. They covered prompt 19 (Set in the same time period as the previous book), prompt 20 (Title has the same number of vowels as the previous title), and prompt 21 (Book that connects to both previous book and Prompt 1 book). Rachel also fills us in on the two other books she read just for fun. Books discussed (in order):The Book Thief by Markus ZusakThe Ghostwriter by Julie ClarkThe Master of Go by Yasunari KawabataThis Tender Land by William Kent KruegerColorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki MurakamiThe Instrumentalist by Harriet ConstableNot Quite Dead Yet by Holly JacksonIs She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie CousensConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

In this episode Andy and Rachel each share 3 books they think are overhyped — and 3 that you haven’t heard about but should add to your TBR immediately. Books discussed (in order):The Road by Cormac McCarthyBeartown by Fredrik BackmanWhat Moves the Dead by T. KingfisherIt Ends with Us by Colleen HooverThe Ministry of Time by Kaliane BradleyThe Midnight Library by Matt HaigAngelology by Danielle TrussoniThe Lost Passenger by Frances QuinnEleanor by Jason GurleyMaybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins ReidWinterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward DurhamThe Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna JohnstonConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

Episode SummaryIn this episode Andy and Rachel discuss their books for the 52 Book Club Summer Connections Challenge. We covered prompt 15 (Recommended by someone else based on your review of previous book), prompt 16 (Goodreads rating +/- 0.25 of previous book's rating), prompt 17 (Inspired by something in the previous author's bio), and prompt 18 (Shares main theme with previous book). Rachel also fills us in on the only five star book she read just for fun. Books discussed (in order):The Grace Year by Kim LiggettReal Americans by Rachel KhongThe Lies They Told by Ellen Marie WisemanKlara and the Sun by Kazuo IshiguroThe Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan HenryBeloved by Toni MorrisonThe House of My Mother by Shari FrankeSlaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.The Good Part by Sophie CousensConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

Episode SummaryIn this episode Andy and Rachel discuss their books for the 52 Book Club Summer Connections Challenge. We covered prompt 10 (A book a previous character would read at the beach), prompt 11 (Same publisher as previous book), prompt 12 (Non-fiction inspired by something in the previous book), prompt 13 (Cover on opposite side of the color wheel from previous book), and prompt 14 (Character shares profession with previous character). Rachel also fills us in on the historical fiction book she read just for fun. Books discussed (in order):Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby JimenezA Head Full of Ghosts by Paul TremblayThe Five-Star Weekend by Elin HilderbrandThe Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison KingThe Tipping Point by Malcolm GladwellThe Long March by Sun ShuyunShe’s Not Sorry by Mary KubicaKokoro by Natsume Soseki Just for the Summer by Abby JimenezThe Last Tiger by Julia Riew and Brad RiewMaria by Michelle MoranConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

This is our first ever minisode! In this episode Andy and Rachel each share 3 books they couldn’t stop reading — and 3 that they couldn’t finish or wish they hadn’t. Books discussed (in order):My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady HendrixThe Decagon House Murders by Yukito AyatsujiThe Pillars of the Earth by Ken FollettThe Turtle House by Amanda ChurchillAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerLamb by Christopher MooreThe Wedding People by Alison EspachThe Hunting Party by Lucy FoleyThe Bridges of Madison County by Robert James WallerA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the show!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

Now With More VideoSeason 2 - Episode 16Episode SummaryThis is our first ever podcast that was recorded on video, hence the episode name. It will be live on Youtube soon. In this episode Andy and Rachel discuss their books for the 52 Book Club Summer Connections Challenge. We covered prompt 7 (Author shares name with character from previous book), prompt 8 (Cover shares item with the previous cover), and prompt 9 (Shares a narrative technique with previous book). Rachel also fills us in on the book she read just for fun. Books discussed (in order):Wayward by Emilia HartTokyo Doll by John McPartlandMy Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth RussellThe Decagon House Murders by Yukito AyatsujiBe Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina GartenThe Power and the Glory by Graham GreeneBroken Country by Clare Leslie HallConnect with Us:Follow on Instagram: @thebookcellarpodcastFind us on TikTok: @the_book_cellar_podcastFind us on Youtube: @thebookcellarpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a review, a like, a follow, anything you can do to help others find the showMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-bookLicense code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX

We're talking about connections. Connect with this podcast and let your ears enjoy.

You want books? We got books! Short books, long books, books that will make that one neighbor stop telling you the grass needs to be cut.

You want book reviews? You can't handle these book reviews! One Italian Summer by Rebecca SerlePinball, 1973 - Haruki MurakamiA Short Walk Through a Wide World - Douglas WesterbekeThe Neverending Story - Michael EndeCarrie Soto Is Back - Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Only One Left - Riley SagerAsk the Dust - John FanteOf Salt and Women - Gabriela GarciaLamb - Christopher MooreEveryone in My Family Has Killed Someone - Benjamin StevensonElevation - Stephen KingYours Truly - Abby JimenezA Wild Sheep Chase - Haruki MurakamiThe Happiest Man on Earth - Eddie Jaku

We're talking books, y'all!

A 10-star ready?! Find out what it is

Andy's finally busting his reading slump and Rachel's crushing it as always.

Sorry it's been so long, y'all! We're back and better than ever.

We're talking about books y'all. What to hear what we think about ACOTAR? What about To Kill a Mockingbird? We've got that and more, so stick around.

We're talkin' about our favorite books from the past couple of weeks.

We welcome two very special guests to the Cellar this week for an in-depth discussion of The Crash by Freida McFadden and Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yaros.

We're talking about books, y'all!

The Cellar is finally finished and after moving back in we discovered empty shelves waiting to be filled with books. Catch up on what we've been reading.

We're talking books. Tune in for Rachel's thoughts on Onyx Storm!

We're telling it like it is on this week's episode of The Book Cellar.

Welcome back to The Cellar in 2025!

Check out our 2024 wrap up!

One last catch up on what we've been reading the last two weeks.

We're talking about what we're reading, and great gift ideas for the book lovers in your life.

Catch up on what we're reading and get a sneak peek at our 52 in 52 picks for 2025!

Rachel and Andy talk about the books they've been reading. Then two guests join The Book Cellar to discuss J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy

Rachel and Andy are talking about the 10 books they want to read before the end of 2024.

We're wrapping up our Spooky Season Bingo!

Catch up on what we've been reading this spooky season.

Rachel and her real-life friends discuss everything Frieda McFadden.

Find out what we're reading in October, and check out our thoughts on the first 25% off The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

We're discussing our weekly reading, spooky books for fall, and The September House.

We're talking about Taste by Stanley Tucci, and our reading plans for the upcoming Spooky Season.

Join us as we discuss what we've read this week and disagree on The Women by Kristen Hannah.

Catch up on what we're reading and hear our spoiler-filled review of The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Come join us while we talk about some of our autobuy authors, like Jodi Picoult, Grady Hendrix, and now Meg Shafer.

It's been too long! We're catching up on what we've read, discussing an impromptu buddy read, and looking ahead to future episodes.

Join us as we talk with instant Best Selling Author Allie Millington about her debut middle-grade novel Olivetti, what sparks her creativity, and what comes next. Allie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allieinink/ Rachel's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bookish.home.life/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Andy's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/andy.does.books/⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://randysbookreviews.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is part one in a two-part series that discusses our favorite mysteries, thrillers, and horror stories. We also talk about similarities and differences between these three genres. Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://randysbookreviews.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Rachel's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bookish.home.life/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Andy's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/andy.does.books/⁠ Check out Leah's Instagram account and join Rachel's online buddy ready of A Girl Called Samson: https://www.instagram.com/family.book.nook/ Check out the books we talk about this week: Go As a River by Shelley Read - ⁠https://amzn.to/4di3UxV Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner -⁠https://amzn.to/3JFrZkS The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate - ⁠https://amzn.to/3xYPRxm The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate - https://amzn.to/3Uvyagb The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary - ⁠https://amzn.to/4dkHwnC A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon -⁠https://amzn.to/44i7uUG Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson - ⁠https://amzn.to/44mfLXP Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - ⁠https://amzn.to/3QesYMC Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - ⁠https://amzn.to/4bhT6xZ Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin - ⁠https://amzn.to/3UiacVN White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link - ⁠https://amzn.to/3JEhbDr The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson - https://amzn.to/3w9bGcM Nancy Drew Mystery Stories : The Secret of The Old Clock and The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene - https://amzn.to/3JMOxjB The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - https://amzn.to/4bHQZEf Edgar Allen Poe’s Collected Works - https://amzn.to/3WuVoGa A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket - https://amzn.to/44sCEsM The Cooper Kids Adventures by Frank Peretti - https://amzn.to/4bmx6Ci What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher - https://amzn.to/3y64UFD Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - https://amzn.to/44vtAmX And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - https://amzn.to/44suqkq The Firm by John Grisham - https://amzn.to/3Wsmf5s The Pelican Brief by John Grisham - https://amzn.to/3UBxwhA Booked to Die by John Dunning - https://amzn.to/4a9XLkT The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - https://amzn.to/3y2TimB The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie - https://amzn.to/3y2TimB Deathtrap by Ira Levin - https://amzn.to/4b5O1Jz Intro music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/an-open-book License code: 2LDHQQDS655YAJYX