BookTalks Podcast

Golden Son by Pierce Brown (Red Rising #2) absolutely DESTROYED us. In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we’re diving into our full spoiler-filled debrief of the second book in the Red Rising saga — and honestly… how are we supposed to recover after THAT ending?!We talk about: Why Golden Son was even better than Red Rising Kayla’s hatred for Cassius Why the Ares reveal didn’t fully land for us Darrow + Mustang supremacy The insane betrayals, politics, and nonstop twists The cliffhanger ending that gave us major Red Wedding energyIf you love fantasy books, sci-fi, BookTube discussions, or chaotic emotional reading experiences, this episode is for you. SPOILERS for Golden Son by Pierce Brown throughout the episodeSubscribe for more fantasy book discussions, reading vlogs, BookTube chaos, and podcast episodes!#GoldenSon #RedRising #PierceBrown #BookTube #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookPodcast #ReadingVlog #FantasySeries #MustangAndDarrow #CassiusAuBellona #BookTok #FantasyReaders #GoldenSonReaction #RedRisingSeries

In this episode, we’re sharing our April reading wrap-up and everything on our May TBR!We discuss all the books we read this month, including How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates, Unsteady, Unloved, Unbound, The Art of Catching Feels, Never Been Shipped, Promise Me Sunshine, Golden Son, In Every Possible Way, The Night We Met, Project Hail Mary, and Love Letter to a Serial Killer.From five-star favorites to books that completely missed the mark, this month had a little bit of everything—including a controversial one-star read from an entire book club. We also dive into trends in romance and thriller genres, audiobook vs physical reading, and our ever-growing TBR lists.If you love honest book reviews, reading wrap-ups, and discussions on romance, fantasy, and thrillers, this episode is for you.Make sure to follow along for more episodes!

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, we’re discussing our April Book of the Month: The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez.This romance completely took over our lives—and we’re breaking down everything from the emotional love triangle to the character dynamics, messy relationships, and whether this story actually works.We dive into:The Mike vs. Chris debateWhether the relationship crosses into emotional cheatingWhy this book is so addictiveOur favorite (and least favorite) momentsHow it compares to other Abby Jimenez books⚠️ Full spoilers includedWe also announce our next Book of the Month—so be sure to join our Fable book club and read along with us!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @BookTalksPodcast

Welcome back to Booktalks Podcast! In this episode, we’re sharing our full honest recap of BookCon 2026 — from buying tickets and planning the weekend to attending both Saturday and Sunday of the event.There’s been a LOT of conversation surrounding BookCon this year, and we wanted to give our balanced, real experience after seeing it all firsthand. We break down the highs, the lows, the organization, the crowds, the panels, and the biggest moments that had the book community talking.We also discuss the controversy surrounding author placement, including our thoughts on major authors being placed in basement areas rather than the main stage, and whether BookCon delivered the experience readers were hoping for.If you’ve been wondering:Was BookCon 2026 worth attending?What was the actual experience like?Was the drama online accurate?Would we go back?…this episode covers everything.Whether you attended BookCon, skipped it, or are planning future book conventions, we hope this honest recap helps you decide what these events are really like behind the scenes.Did you attend BookCon 2026? Let us know your experience in the comments.Chapters00:00 BookCon 2026 Overview and Ticketing Challenges02:55 Expectations vs. Reality: The BookCon Experience05:31 Reservation System and Communication Issues08:26 Day One Highlights: Panels and Author Interactions11:25 Crowd Management and Vendor Experiences14:08 Food Options and Attendee Needs17:28 Reflections and Suggestions for Improvement26:43 The Overwhelming Experience at BookCon35:02 The Need for Diversity in Panels47:01 Reflections on BookCon's Structure and Future50:34 Concluding Thoughts and Suggestions for ImprovementSubscribe for weekly BookTube content, podcast episodes, reading vlogs, book reviews, and honest discussions about the book community.#BookCon #BookCon2026 #BookTube #BookPodcast #ReadingVlog #BookCommunity #BookishPodcast #BookConvention #BookEvent #BooksBooksBooks

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir completely blew us away. In this episode of Booktalks Podcast, we dive into our full spoiler review, why we LOVED this sci-fi masterpiece, and how it somehow still has 1 star reviews?!We talk all things Rocky (our favorite character), the emotional moments we didn’t expect, and our personal reading experiences with this unforgettable story.If you’re a fan of Project Hail Mary, The Martian, or character-driven sci-fi, this episode is for you!Let us know in the comments:Did you love Project Hail Mary as much as we did? And WHAT are those 1-star reviews about?!Booktalks Podcast Book Club - join us on Fable!We read a new book every month, so join us and read along! Currently we're reading The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez.Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:15 Initial thoughts08:40 Rocky appreciation segment18:20 Breaking down 1-star reviews30:10 Final ratings & wrap-up#ProjectHailMary #AndyWeir #BookPodcast #BookTube #SciFiBooks #RockyDeservesBetter

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, we’re diving into our March Reading Wrap Up—where we somehow read 18 books between us.We’re breaking down our favorite reads, biggest disappointments, and the books we can’t stop thinking about. From thrillers to romance (and a few chaotic reads in between), this month had everything.We also talk about reading habits, book-to-screen adaptations, and how we’re planning our April TBR.If you love honest book reviews and unfiltered reader opinions, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa celebrate reaching 100 subscribers and discuss their February Book Club pick: Red Rising by Pierce Brown.Spoiler Warning: This episode contains full spoilers for Red Rising.They break down Darrow’s journey from a Red miner on Mars to infiltrating the elite Gold society, discuss the brutal trials at the Institute, and share thoughts on memorable characters like Sevro, Mustang, and Cassius.The discussion covers:• The Red Rising world and color hierarchy• Darrow’s transformation and mission• The Institute trials and strategy• Favorite characters and heartbreaking moments• The Jackal twist and ending reveal• Predictions for the rest of the seriesThe episode also includes their final ratings and the reveal of the next book club pick.

Sarah J Maas gave a rare interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast on March 4, 2026. Kayla and I break down EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW plus give our thoughts and insights into the fan theories she confirmed and denied. We discuss Nesta's journey (a highly controversial topic), the debate around Feyre's pregnancy, and the breaking news about the ACOTAR 6 and 7 release dates. If you love Sarah J Maas, ACOTAR, TOG, and Crescent City, this video is for you.

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Throne of Glass and Wuthering Heights.In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa share their February Reading Wrap Up and March TBR while surviving busy season as tax accountants.We discuss DNF’ing Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, reviewing Wuthering Heights (and debating whether it’s even a romance), finishing our Throne of Glass reread, starting Red Rising, and announcing our March Book Club pick: How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates.We also rank the entire Throne of Glass series, play rapid-fire character questions, and talk about fantasy vs romance reading slumps.If you love Sarah J. Maas, fantasy books, romance novels, controversial classic takes, and monthly reading wrap ups — this episode is for you.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Ruth Ware's latest thriller, The Woman in Suite 11. We discuss our differing perspectives on the characters, the pacing of the plot, and the decisions made by the protagonist. Our conversation highlights the book's build-up to suspense, character dynamics, and the overall enjoyment of the read, while also critiquing its rushed ending and the necessity of its sequel status.Chapters00:00 The Thriller Element09:03 Anxiety and Decision-Making14:27 Forced Sequel and Conclusion19:28 Rushed Ending and Pacing (Continued)24:55 Forced Elements and Conclusion (Continued)

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to talk about romance books 💘In this special episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marissa dive into all things romance — from their all-time favorite tropes to the ones that instantly ruin a book. Kayla (our resident romance lover) and Marissa (selectively romantic) break down what makes a swoony love story work… and what makes them cringe.They chat about:Enemies-to-lovers vs. friends-to-loversFake dating, one-bed tropes, and slow burnsThe controversial pregnancy trope (and whether Twilight traumatized an entire generation 👀)Love triangles (looking at you, The Summer I Turned Pretty)Morally gray love interests: hot or toxic?Kindle Unlimited romances — hidden gems or hit-or-miss?They also share their go-to romance recommendations for new readers, including favorites from:Emily HenryAbby JimenezKatherine CenterChristina LaurenK.A. TuckerPlus, they reflect on the books that got them back into reading, the romances that live rent-free in their heads, and why communication could solve 90% of third-act breakups.Whether you’re a die-hard romance reader or just romance-curious, this episode is full of trope debates, chaotic hot takes, and plenty of laughter.Happy Valentine’s Day from Kayla & Marissa 💌📚

Kayla and Marisa discuss their January wrap-up, setting reading goals, book ratings and reviews, book discussions and recommendations, adapting books to screen, exploring different genres, anticipated book adaptations, and speculating future book releases. The conversation covers a range of topics including book characters and movie portrayals, TV shows and reality TV, book series and author trauma, thriller book reviews, and February reading goals. The hosts discuss their interest in TV shows, reality TV, and book series, as well as their reviews of thriller books and their reading goals for February. They also share their experience at a bookstore event.TakeawaysSetting reading goals is important for staying on track with reading targets.Book adaptations to screen can be controversial and may not always align with the original book content. Discussion of book characters and movie portrayalsInterest in TV shows and reality TVReview of thriller booksFebruary reading goalsChapters00:00 January Wrap-Up07:08 Book Ratings and Reviews15:52 Adapting Books to Screen21:00 Exploring Different Genres28:44 Speculating Future Book Releases34:34 TV Shows and Reality TV45:02 Thriller Book Reviews53:50 February Reading Goals

We're kicking off 2026 by reflecting on our favorite books of 2025, sharing our most anticipated reads of 2026, and setting our bookish goals for the year. We also speculate on ACOTAR 6, talk about being OVER smut, and share our excitement for Bookcon 2026!

In this episode of Book Talks, Kayla and Marisa dive into 'The Love Haters' by Catherine Center, exploring its themes of self-discovery, body image, and the importance of friendship. They discuss character development, emotional connections, and the role of the Coast Guard in the narrative. The conversation highlights the impact of trauma and healing, as well as the significance of supportive relationships in the protagonist's journey. The episode concludes with reflections on the book's ending and a preview of their upcoming reads.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Holly Jackson's latest book, 'Not Quite Dead Yet.' This book revolves around a character solving her own murder which is HELLA fun, but we also get into our different reading experiences, character dynamics, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly regarding themes of death and family. This is a SPOILER EPISODE so we will be analyzing plot twists, our suspicions about various characters, and the challenges of writing thrillers. The episode concludes with our ratings and thoughts on the book, as well as a teaser for our next read...you'll never guess what it is. 

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa dive into their reading experience of 'Silver Elite' by Danny Francis. They discuss their newfound love for libraries, the controversies surrounding the book, and the dystopian themes that resonate throughout the story. The conversation flows into character analysis, focusing on relationships, betrayals, and the moral complexities of the uprising depicted in the book. They conclude with their thoughts on the ending and speculations for future developments in the series.

Summary In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, hosts Kayla and Marisa dive into Ali Hazelwood's 'Problematic Summer Romance.' They discuss their initial hesitations about the age gap in the romance, the character dynamics, and the humor that permeates the story. The conversation also touches on the significance of setting, the role of epilogues in romance novels, and the challenges of book publishing trends. The hosts share their love for Hazelwood's writing and reflect on their reading experiences, ultimately giving the book a five-star rating.

In this episode of the Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marissa delve into the world of 'The Hunger Games' series, particularly focusing on 'Sunrise on the Reaping.' They discuss character development, personal reflections on the series, and the complexities of Haymitch's journey. The conversation touches on themes of trauma, survival, and the influence of the Capitol, as well as the nature of volunteering in the games. They also explore the impact of death and loss, and make literary comparisons to other works, ultimately sharing their recommendations for readers.

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, we rank all of Emily Henry's books, analyze character dynamics, and discuss the importance of storytelling techniques. Our conversation also touches on the expectations readers have for romance novels and the impact of AI in literature, culminating in a SPOILER-FILLED discussion about key plot points in Great Big Beautiful Life. In this conversation, we discuss the complexities of the main characters, focusing on Alice's relationship with her mother, Margaret and Cosmo’s epic love, and the dynamics of sisterhood. We explore the themes of mental health, the impact of fame on personal relationships, and the heavy emotional weight of Emily Henry’s latest masterpiece.     Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emily Henry's Works 02:59 Ranking Emily Henry's Books 06:07 Diving into Great Big Beautiful Life 09:01 Character Analysis and Storytelling Techniques 12:03 Expectations vs. Reality in Romance Novels 14:57 Spoiler Alert: Key Plot Points Discussed 17:51 AI in Literature and Current Trends 20:45 Character Analysis: Alice's Journey 23:01 Family Dynamics: Alice and Her Mother 24:58 The Role of Hayden: Insights and Observations 27:02 Sisterhood and Mental Health: A Deeper Look 30:05 The Impact of Fame: Margaret and Cosmo's Relationship 33:04 Themes of Loss and Love: The Heavy Nature of the Story 39:07 Final Thoughts: Ratings and Expectations for Future Reads Follow us on Instagram @Booktalkspodast

We are Back! Join us while we kick off season 7! In this episode of the Booktalks Podcast, we reconnect after a break, sharing personal updates, discussing our reading habits, and diving into our favorite books and authors. We reflect on the evolution of our podcast, the challenges of managing our TBR lists, and our preferences between genres like romance, fantasy, and thrillers. The conversation also touches on anticipated upcoming releases and the comfort of revisiting favorite shows and books.    Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Catching Up 01:54 Running and Life Updates 04:15 Book Recommendations and Reading Retreats 06:25 TBR Challenges and Book Hoarding 08:54 Romance Authors and Recommendations 11:40 Thrillers vs. Fantasy 14:05 Comparing New Releases 17:23 Looking Back on Last Year’s Reads 18:07 Exploring Five-Star Reads 21:22 Diving into Author Trends 25:36 Anticipating New Releases 29:16 Comfort Shows and Books 33:53 Wrapping Up and Future Reads 36:55 Follow us on Instagam @Booktalkspodast.mp4

Today, Marisa sits down with the Queen of Crime herself (Karin Slaughter) to discuss all things Will Trent! This is Why We Lied is the 12th book in the Will Trent series and is on sale NOW in the US. We hope you enjoy this special AUTHOR INTERVIEW episode of Booktalks Podcast!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The Catch by Amy Lea. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Happy Place by Emily Henry. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The Maid by Nita Prose. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena and The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Broken Bonds by J. Bree. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The Only One Left by Riley Sager. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren.. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss what we have been up to lately. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Five Survive by Holly Jackson. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Book of Night by Holly Black. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Persuasion by Jane Austen. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss My Summer Darlings by May Cobb. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The It Girl by Ruth Ware. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Welcome to our Halloween Special! Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Girl, Forgotten (Andrea Oliver #2) by Karin Slaughter. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Kayla is joined by two special guests Allison and Megan, to discuss The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss A Curse of Blood and Stone (ACOBAS, A Fate and Flame novel) by KA Tucker. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Only a Monster by Vanessa Len. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!

Today, Marisa and Kayla sit down with a glass of wine to discuss Book Lovers by Emily Henry. We laugh, we drink, we cry (just kidding!), and we share our *highly* professional opinions concerning this book. We hope you enjoy it!!!