Latest / The Read Carpet Report / October 2026 Celebrity Book Club Picks

Transcript

October 2026 Celebrity Book Club Picks · The Read Carpet Report

• Kirsten: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage pass for celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And I'm Kirsten. And we're your hosts. Jackie: to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage pass for celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And Kirsty. And we're your hosts. Kirsten: Today's episode is a pick party. We know I love a pick party. We're gonna be Jackie: Today's episode is a pick party. We know I love a pick party. We're gonna be Kirsten: talking about the October Celebrity Book Club spoilers as well as former celebrity book club authors with new books coming out. But first, we've got the red carpet rundown. What do we got, Jack? Okay, so a movie is coming out that I know you are not gonna watch. Jackie: Okay, so a movie is coming out that I know you are not gonna watch. but it's perfect for this season for all of you horror thriller Kirsten: but it's perfect for the season for all of you horror thriller. Jackie: lovers out there. It is Carrie. Absolutely. Kirsten: lovers out there, it is Carrie. Absolutely not watching that one. Absolutely not. I feel about Carrie the way I kind of feel a little bit about every Stephen King. I there was a time in middle school where I saw them all and I don't know what middle school me was thinking because I still can picture all of these really scary scenes and I don't like things that go pump in the night. So so I'm still terrified of the movie It. Jackie: So I'm still terrified of the movie It. Kirsten: I don't like dogs because of Cujo Certain dogs. Terrified. I mean fun fact, my next door neighbor got a clown thing, put it in the garden with a red balloon for Halloween near our house. Now, there are two Jackie: Terrified of it. Fun fact, my next door neighbor got a clown thing, put it in the garter with a red balloon for Halloween near our house. Kirsten: kinds of Halloween people in the world. There are creepy, scary Halloween people, and there are cozy, cute Halloween people. Jackie: Kirsten. I am cozy cute. I just saw Hocus Pocus over the weekend. I've already seen Nightmare Before Christmas, which by the way is a Halloween movie, not a Christmas movie. Don't fight me on it. But was that scary for you? Kirsten: I am cozy cute. I just saw Hocus Pocus over the weekend. I've already seen Nightmare Before Christmas, which by the way is a Halloween movie, not a Christmas movie. Don't fight me on it. But was that scary for you? I mean, it was the Oogie Poogie Man is not my favorite. Okay. Jackie: Yeah. Kirsten: But mostly it's cute. But don't don't hit me with stuff like this. I'm not interested in a Carrie kind of story. But I'm sure it will be great. But I think I'm with you. I won't be seeing it. The adaptations have been getting too good. So I think they're too scary. Like if they redid it now, you could pay me money. hold Jackie: But I'm sure it will be great, but I think I'm with you. I won't be seeing it. The adaptations have been getting too good. So I think they're too scary. Like if they redid it now, you couldn't pay me money to watch that movie. Kirsten: on. I saw Widow's Bay, okay, like two episodes of Widow's Bay because everyone was like, it's a dark comedy, it's funny. Jackie: There's a scene with a clown in a cross I kid you. Kirsten: There's a scene with a clown in a crawl space. I I kid you not. I didn't sleep for a week. And now thinking about it, like you're saying clown, and I'm just picturing this thing charging, and I just people lied. Widow's Bay is too scary for me. So Jackie: People lie, Widows Bay is too scary for me. Okay. Kirsten: that's my level of absolutely not. Okay. Well, I think the other one you're also not going to wanna see. It is out in theaters. It is a Jackie: Okay, well I think the other one you're also not going to wanna see. It is out in theaters. It is a psychosexual Kirsten: Psychosexual I know what you're gonna say. It is Verity. Originally a book by Colleen Humer. Jackie: thriller. It is Verity, originally a book by Colleen Hoover. Kirsten: Now look, I will say that the movie looks good. Jackie: It looks dark. Kirsten: It looks dark. You know how I feel about Colleen Hoover, not my favorite, but I understand that this is like a little bit different from her normal normal things. I I actually really liked this. It's a thriller. It's supposed to be dark and messed up. So I can deal with dark and messed up when it's a thriller as opposed to when it's a romance. Yeah. Jackie: Yeah, this I I actually really liked this. It's a thriller, it's supposed to be dark and messed up, so I can deal with dark and messed up when it's a thriller as opposed to when it's a romance. Kirsten: Well, it has an all-star cast, Josh Hartnett, Ann Hathaway. Jackie: Yes. Yeah, half the way recent patient. Kirsten: Recent patient zero s shining star Dakota Johnson. Jackie: John said Kirsten: Which I was kind of hoping that song would be in the movie. I don't think it is though. I don't think it is. But for everyone who doesn't know, Swift. Jackie: I don't think it is. But for everyone who doesn't know Kirsten is referencing Taylor Swift. Kirsten: Taylor Allison Swift, who I have a parasocial relationship with Jackie: friendship, whatever. what is a parasocial relationship? I mean you should Kirsten: Funny, you should ask that because that we will define in one of our first book club picks for October. Do you want to go right into it? Yeah, sure. So Jackie: Yeah, sure. So we have our first pick, which was really surprising, I think, to both of us. Kirsten: First pick which was really surprising I think to both of us. Jackie: It is Sophie Standing There by Meg Mason. Yes, and this is the Kirsten: It is Sophie Standing There by Meg Mason. Yes. And this is the parasocial relationship that we're talking about. It's the Reese Witherspoon book club pick. It is already out. She announced it on the 29th. It's about a woman who works at a book festival, has a happy life, has her best friend, all of a sudden her life is in shambles, and she has this Jackie: And she has this Kirsten: parasocial relationship with. An author online, and she wants to make that relationship real. So parasocial relationship definition is really like you feel like you know the person, like I know my girl, Taylor. But Taylor has no idea who I am because I'm just following her socially online. So I know way more about her and my beloved royals than I than they don't know who I am. Jackie: But Taylor has no idea who I am because I'm just following her socially online. So I know way more about her and my beloved Royal than they know who I am. That is sort of what the premise is for this book, and that sounded really good. And I tried to read it, and it is very involved in a Kirsten: That is sort of what the premise is for this book. And that sounded really good. And I tried to read it, and it is very literary in a Who did you describe it as the other day? it, I said it kind of reminds me of James Joyce Dubliners, which is all one sentence. Jackie: Who did you describe it as the other day? it, I said it kind of reminds me of James Joyce Dubliners, which is all one sentence. Kirsten: Yes. I I went through, I tried to listen and I tried to read. And she's big on the M-dash. Which I personally find very jarring in writing when it's used so frequently. And it's literally paragraph two has two different M-dash, multi-sentence M-dash situations in the middle of the paragraph. And as I tried to read, her paragraphs are full pages. And so then I was like, all right, I'm gonna listen to it because for me, I I I don't know if it's like an ADHD thing or Jackie: And as I tried to read, her paragraphs are full pages. And so was like, all right, I'm gonna listen to it because for me, I don't know if it's like an ADHD whatever. Kirsten: whatever, but when there's like a massive paragraph like that, my brain has trouble like breaking it down. So I was like, I'm gonna listen to it. Jackie: Like I'm gonna listen to it. And the same thing, because the dash thoughts are so long, she would go back to the original thought and I'd already forgotten what we were talking about. See, but I don't I don't think Kirsten: And the same thing, because the M-dash thoughts are so long, she would go back to the original thought and I'd already forgotten what we were talking about. See, but I don't I don't think Jackie: it's you in particular. I have a lot of trouble if I'm reading a paragraph and the grammar in the paragraph doesn't make it clear. And so I've read the paragraph and then I realize it doesn't make sense. Kirsten: it's you in particular. I have a lot of trouble if I'm reading a paragraph and the grammar in the paragraph doesn't make it clear. And so I've read the paragraph and then I realize it doesn't make sense. Jackie: As soon as I have to go back in and start rereading it to try and figure out Kirsten: As soon as I have to go back in and start rereading it to try and figure out Jackie: what they were doing with a sentence, that pulls me out of the story. And the minute I'm pulled out of the story, and if it happens so many times, I don't want to read that book anymore. Kirsten: what they were doing with a sentence that pulls me out of the story. And the minute I'm pulled out of the story, and if it happens so many times, I don't want to read that book anymore. Right. And that that unfortunately was the experience I had with this one. So Jackie: Mm. Kirsten: I mean the plot sounded great. I just I couldn't get into it. So I'm gonna, you know, respectfully let that one go because I have plenty of other books to read. So Jackie: And there's a book for everyone, and some people love that. So we're Kirsten: People love that. Jackie: not bashing that. Kirsten: No, we are not. Jackie: Okay, so Kirsten: Okay, so Jackie: the read with Jenna pick is next. And this was a surprise for us because we thought this was a good chance this was going to be an Oprah pick. What is the book? Kirsten: the read with Jenna pick is next. And this was a surprise for us because we thought this was a good chance this was going to be an Oprah pick. Yes, we did. It's Partita by Barbara Kingsolver. you know, we thought it was gonna be Oprah because Oprah's not afraid to choose the same author more than once. Jackie: you know, we thought it was gonna be Oprah because Oprah's not afraid to choose the same author more than once. Kirsten: She's already chosen Barbara twice for the Poison Wood Bible and Demon Copperhead. Jackie: He's already chosen Barbara twice for the Poison Wood Bible and Demon Cobbarette. I've read both of those and they're outstanding. Kirsten: I've read both of those, and they are outstanding. And I have read neither, and it is breaking my heart that I've never read a Barbara King Solver. I just have not had the time to do so. I think Poison Wood Bible is more. Jackie: I think Poison Wood Bible is more up your alley. I think you'd love Demon Copperhead, but it's much more today and it's really sad. Brilliant, but sad. Kirsten: Up your alley, I think you'd love Demon Copperhead, but it's much more today, and it's really sad. Brilliant, but sad. So we thought Jackie: we thought Kirsten: that this one was gonna be potentially the Oprah Pix. We were wrong. We were. Jackie: Mm, we were but generally Kirsten: But Jenna chose it, which is not surprising because she's the most like Oprah. And she has said again and again Jackie: She's the most like Oprah. Mm-hmm. And she has said again and again. Kirsten: that Oprah really is her literary like guru. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So this one is a dual timeline historical fiction about a musician. would love to read this. I haven't got my hands on it yet, but I'm really excited to read it at some point. Jackie: inspiration yeah yeah so this one is a dual timeline historical fiction about a musician would love to read this i haven't got my hands on it yet but i'm really excited to read it at some point Kirsten: And lucky for you, if you don't read it now, it will be a reading challenge prompt in twenty twenty seven. the next one is very exciting because it's GMA and Jackie's already read it and Jackie loved it and she loved it so Jackie: And Jackie loved it. And she loved it too. Kirsten: much that it's gonna be our January 2027 Beyond the Bookends book club pick. And we're gonna be talking to the Jackie: We're gonna be talking to the Kirsten: author. What is it? Tell us about it. Let's go. Jackie: Okay, I am so excited. This is Kirsten: This is Jackie: Bad Words by Riona Robinson. And it is outstanding. It is the story of man who has written a book five years ago. He got a huge advance for this book, like unheard of, like over a million dollars. It was supposed to be the book of the decade. And Kirsten: Rionna Robinson. And it is outstanding. It is the story of man who has written a book five years ago. He got a huge advance for this book, like unheard of, like over a million dollars. It was supposed to be the book of the decade. And Jackie: When a reviewer got her hands on it, she trashed it and it tanked. Kirsten: when a reviewer got her hands on it, she trashed it and it tanked. Jackie: So now it is five years later, he has written his sophomore novel, once again, she gets her hands on this book she gives it a terrible review. But this time he confronts her, it is recorded. Kirsten: So now it is five years later, he has written his sophomore novel, once again she gets her hands on this book she gives it a terrible reveal. But this time he confronts her, it is recorded, it goes online, and it goes viral. Jackie: It goes online and it goes viral. Kirsten: my god, this is like my worst nightmare. Jackie: And it becomes the literary community is now completely divided. Can you say whatever you want as a reviewer? As an author, do you have a right to confront someone who didn't write your book? What are the roles of these, of, of, of writers, of readers, of reviewers? It's phenomenal. It becomes an an enemies to lover's romance, and it was. Kirsten: It becomes the literary community is now completely divided. Can you say whatever you want as a reviewer? As an author, do you have a right to confront someone who didn't write your book? What are the roles of these of of of writers, of readers, of reviewers? It's phenomenal. It becomes an an enemies to lovers romance, and it was Jackie: Outstanding. I'm so Kirsten: outstanding. I'm so Jackie: excited for this book club. Kirsten: Excited for this book club. this sounds wonderful and I too am very excited and I I wonder if this is gonna change my opinion of my own job. Be challenging some beliefs that I have in this one. So I'm excited to read it. It made me think a lot. Okay. Okay. Right? Because we know that there are authors out there that when someone doesn't like their book, they will go on like Instagram or whatever and like say, like, how dare you? Yeah. This is kind of like taking that, but like a few steps further. I like Jackie: It made me think a Okay. Okay. Right? Because we know that there are authors out there that when someone doesn't like their book, they will go on like Instagram or whatever and like say like how dare you? So this is kind of like taking that, but like a few steps further. Kirsten: this. I like this. Okay, but what about the YA pick? We have Only Dancing by Jasmine Gillery. Jackie: white? We have only dancing by Jasmine Gillary. Wait, she was Kirsten: Wait, she was the Reese pick for the proposal. So she's a multi book club author? Yes, we got two. That's crazy. So Barbara King's Offer and both have to go on that list of ours of the multi. That's amazing. Very excited about that. I love Jasmine Gillery's books. They're Jackie: Yes, yes, yes, yes, we got two. Two Barbara King Solver and both have to go on that car. So multi. That's amazing. I'm very excited about that. I love Jasmine Gillary's books. They're always a hoot. And this one, what is it about? Kirsten: always a hoot and this one, what is it about? It's about dirty dancing. It's a dirty dancing retell. I I cannot even. I'm so excited. This makes my heart so happy. wonder if her name's baby. I don't know. Nobody puts baby in the corner, which I use that line all the time. And is this a safe space? Jackie: cannot even. I'm so excited. This makes my heart so happy. wonder if her name's baby. I don't know. Nobody puts baby in the corner. Nobody puts baby in the corner. Me too. And is this a safe space? A hundred percent. Kirsten: I don't I just don't really get it. Like I do, but like he's kind Jackie: I do but like he's kind of Kirsten: of a jerk. I just don't He's the double bad boy, God. I don't I actually I don't love that movie. Jackie: He's the rubble bad boy, God. I actually think I actually think the two of them had no chemistry. Maybe that's it. Because they really did have no chemistry and they were like fighting and stuff. That's true. Mm-hmm. Yeah. He Patrick Swayze apparently got really mad at Jennifer Gray because she wasn't learning the choreography and stuff fast enough. And which probably isn't very nice of him because he was like a professional. Kirsten: Yeah, I maybe that's it. Because they really did have no chemistry and they were like fighting and stuff. Is that true? Yeah. He Patrick Swayze apparently got really mad at Jennifer Gray because she wasn't learning the choreography and stuff fast enough, and which probably isn't very nice of him because he was like a professional Jackie: Dancer and she is not. She did a great job, but obviously she's not professional. So that's crazy. Yeah. Kirsten: dancer and she is not. She did a great job, but obviously she's not professional, so that's crazy. But that's so funny. I know. And I feel like everyone's like dirty dancing this and dirty dancing that. And like if you've seen crazy stupid love, then when they like reenact the the like jump scene, the dancing is like famous and I get it, but I just don't get it. I love the dancing in Jackie: But that's so funny. I know. And I feel like everyone's like, turn it dancing this and turn it dancing And like if you've seen Crazy Stupid Love, then when they like reenact the the like jump scene, the dancing is like famous and I get it. But I don't get it. I love the dancing in there. my god. I love the dancing so much. It's so good. Kirsten: So much. It's so good. I know. I know. I this Jackie: I think Kirsten: honestly, this looks better to me. Maybe. This is she's a former Jackie: This is she's a former. Kirsten: ballerina and she's lost her abil her like desire to dance. And the dance captain at this summer camp or this summer like getaway resort is trying to like inspire her back in dancing. So that sounds a little bit more interesting to me. But I don't know. I just thought baby was like Jackie: But I don't thought baby was like She was so ahead of her time. Was she? I horrible icons. Kirsten: She's so hard of her time. Was she? I don't know, I guess. Jackie: She totally was. It was the nineteen fifties when the cats killed. Kirsten: Right. And I guess I guess like I saw it and I nothing like I thought it could have just been present day when I first saw it. So I just didn't I was like, who are these people what are they doing? well. I don't get it. I don't get it. Jackie: That's because you were like six. You're like, I don't get it. Kirsten: Exactly. That's exactly what I was thinking. That and like ghosts, you know, maybe I don't really like Patrick Swayze. Maybe you don't like Patrick Swayze. Because I didn't really understand the ghosts and like the ceramic and everyone's like, my God. Jackie: Maybe you don't like Patrick Swayze. I didn't really understand the ghosts and like the ceramic and everything. that my god. No, that scene when it kept switching out with Whoopi Goldberg. Kirsten: Really? That scene when it kept switching out with the Whoopi Goldberg. Jackie: What? Kirsten: I forgot about Whoopi Goldberg being in there. Whoopi made the movie for me. She was girls. Jackie: Although Whoopi made the movie for me. She was, girl, you're in trouble. I'm gonna say this the way I won. She she made she made the movie for me. Kirsten: She she made she made the movie for me. Yeah, and I that's another one that I just didn't well doesn't hit the same way. So if you like any Patrick Sy movies. Yeah, I feel like I must. Jackie: Well right, we're gonna go see if you like any Patrick Swayze movies. Yeah, I feel like I must. I can't think of any other ones. Like Roadhouse? Never saw it. Neither did I. Wait, he was in Footloose, wasn't he? No, that's Kevin Bacon. Kirsten: I can't like rolling house? Never saw it. Wait, he was in footloose, wasn't he? Am I making that up? that's Penny Bacon. If you tell me you don't foot loose, we're having a divorce. No, I love footloose. I love footloose. Okay. Anyway, we got super sidetracked there. The final one is what? final one you Jackie: If you tell me you don't like Footloose, we're having a divorce. No, I love Footloose. I love Footloops. Okay. Anyway, we got super sidetracked Mara. The final one is The final one, you've read the final one. it's the Oprah Pick! Yes. Tell us about it. It's Hungered by Amanda Rizcala. And this actually came out in May. So it's not on my radar. Kirsten: The Oprah pick! Yes. Tell us about it. It's hungered by Amanda Rizcala. And this actually came out in May. So it was not on my radar. I didn't think, you know, she goes backless, but she doesn't normally go backless the same year. Yes, and I'm super surprised because this was not the one that I thought she was gonna pick. Jackie: I didn't think you know, she goes backless, but she doesn't normally go backless the same year. Yes, and I'm super surprised because this was not the one that I thought she was gonna pick. Kirsten: I really thought that she was going to pick, if she didn't pick the Barbara King solver, the Imbolo Mboue new book. You're right, which we're gonna talk about in a second. Jackie: I really thought that she was going to pick if she didn't pick the Barbara King solver, the Mbolo Mboue new book. You're right, which we're gonna talk about. Yes. Kirsten: And I thought so too. And it would have been great if she chose that because that one is also very good. but this Jackie: But this Kirsten: one kind of knocked my socks off a little bit. It's Jackie: It's it's based on her own childhood, but it is a fiction. Okay. And it is about it's told by a child, so she's twelve, and she's talking Kirsten: It's based on her own childhood, but it is a fiction. And it is about it's told by a child. So she's 12. And she's talking about her life with her mom and her younger brother when they're living in the car because they're displaced because they're leaving the dad. I I love these new adult books being narrated. Jackie: Because they are displaced because they're leaving the deck. I I love these new adult books being narrated by children. It is very interesting because there are things that happen that she just kind of like notes and keeps going, and we as adults are like and like we get the context more of what's going on than the child does, at least initially. Right. And the way I would describe Kirsten: It is very interesting because there are things that happen that she just kind of like notes and keeps going. And we as adults are like, and like we get the context more of what's going on than the child does, at least initially. And the way I would describe it is it it's almost it's being compared to the House of Mango Street, House on Mango Street. And I understand why, because it's almost, at least in the beginning, this collection of memories that are told in a linear way but feel like. Jackie: It it's almost it's being compared to the House of Mango Street, House of Okay, and I understand why, because it's almost at least in the beginning, this collection of memories that are okay in a linear way but feel like paint strokes on a painting. Okay. Do the full picture as opposed to like pearls on a string. Does that make sense? I love that. That's such a good description. Kirsten: paint strokes on a painting to do the full picture as opposed to like pearls on a string. Does that make sense? I thought that. That's my such a good description. But at the end of the story, as she's getting older going through puberty, the story becomes a little more connected towards those pearls. So it it makes sense. Right, which makes sense 'cause she's getting older so she has more of an understanding. Yes. Of what's going on. And so Jackie: So it makes sense. Right, which makes sense because she's getting older, so she has more of an understanding. Yes. Got it. Got it. Kirsten: it covers it covers What it's like and how how difficult the American system is when you are trying to leave to make ends meet to get a home. how hard it is to get some kind of a of a help. Like this is her mom is a nurse. She's a straight A student. They are like they need one helping hand. Do you know what I'm saying? And and then they're like fully gonna be able to do it themselves. And they just, it's just out of reach. Jackie: When you are trying to leave to make ends meet to get a home, how hard it is to get kind of a of a help. Like this is her mom is a nurse. She's a straight A student. They are right, like they need one helping hand. Do you know what I'm saying? Wow. And and then they're like fully gonna be able to do it themselves, and they just it's just out of reach. Or it is in reach and one little thing goes wrong and then it's and we're starting from scratch again. And it is Kirsten: Or it is in reach and one little thing goes wrong and then it's completely and they're starting from scratch again. And it is it is eye-opening and thought provoking, but because it's told from a child's perspective, it's not totally depressing because the child's still like, what about my shoes? And can I have a toy? Do you know what I'm saying? Which makes it Jackie: It is eye opening, yeah provoking, but because it's told from a child's perspective, it's not totally depressing. Okay. The child's still like, What about my shoes? And can I have a toy? Do you know what it's Right, right, right. Kirsten: sad as an adult, but it doesn't read as like what the mom must be feeling. Jackie: what the mom must be feeling like. Right, right. I mean it makes it it feels to me like it would be a little more approachable. Because a child has that innocence. So as an adult, we don't have that, but a child does and by putting that into the story makes it so that you can read it without crying the entire way through. Yeah. And it's this this beautiful coming of age because she is Kirsten: Do know what I'm saying? I mean, it makes it it feels to me like it would be a little more approachable because a child has that innocence. Yes. As an adult, we don't have that, but a child does, and by putting that into the story, makes it so that you can read it without crying the entire way through. Yes, and it's this this beautiful coming of age because she is a child. Jackie: a child, but she's also Kirsten: But she's also trying to manage the expectations of the adults Jackie: Trying to manage the expectations of the adult. Kirsten: around her and assist her mother. And like her brother is even younger. And so like he's talking about, I want a bounty house at my birthday party. Do you know what I mean? And it's just Jackie: her brother's even younger and so Okay. Like he's talking about I want a bounty house at my birthday. Do you know what I mean? Kirsten: like, and it stabs you in the heart. And she's like trying to manage her brother to help her mother. It is, I fully understand why she chose this one. It is sad Jackie: It is I fully understand why she chose this one. It is sad and Kirsten: and difficult read without being. Totally the worst thing. It it does leave you on a question mark though, which I think is very accurate to what this story is. Yes. It it feels like a story like this is not ending with a happily ever after buttons. No, but it's also Jackie: Totally the worst thing. It it does leave you on a question mark. Okay. Which I think is very accurate to what this story is. Yeah. It it feels like a story like this is not ending with a happily ever after bow. No, but it also Kirsten: not necessarily gonna end in like a terrible depressing puddle either because it's all just this unknown, which is the ultimate Jackie: Right, right, right, right. Kirsten: that's the whole book is like how unknown and how shaky their life is. Right, right. Jackie: Right, right. well, I can't wait to read this one. It sounds fantastic. So let's talk about some of the other authors who have previously been celebrity book club picks who have books coming out. Kirsten: Wait to read this. It's wonderful. Wonderful. So let's talk about some of the other authors who have previously been celebrity book club picks who have books coming Jackie: So we mentioned every story is a love story. Yeah. Kirsten: So we mentioned every story is a love story. Yes, that's the new Mbolo Mbue book. And it's she wrote it was for Oprah Behold the Dreamers, which I Jackie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: adored. I think we've talked about it on a previous episode. and this one centers the loss of a child and forgiveness around the events that led to the loss of that child. And I've only read the first few chapters so far, but it is Jackie: And I've only read the first few chapters so far, but it is so Kirsten: So powerful and so wonderful. And I totally thought this was gonna be an Oprah pick because it just screams like book club. Yes. Thought provoking, tear-jerking, but it wasn't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't read it. Yeah. Definitely her books are outstanding. Jackie: Mm-hmm. Screens like book club Yes. Thought provoking, tear jerking, but it wasn't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't read it. Yeah. Definitely her books are outstanding. I'm very excited about Peck and Peck by Bonnie Garmas. Kirsten: Very excited about Peck and Peck by Bonnie Garnes. GMA, a lessons in chemistry. Jackie: Yes. And I am halfway through this book, so I'm not quite done. But the only thing I can say is so far the only thing that they really have in common is a dog as a character. That's it. Like the writing style, everything's very different. Yeah, feels completely different to me. Completely different. And not in a bad way, just as in, Kirsten: book, so I'm not quite done. But the only thing I can say is so far the only thing that they really have in common is a dog as a character. That's it, like the writing style, everything's very different. feels completely different to me. Completely different. And not in a bad way, just as in, Jackie: Okay, this doesn't feel the same. It is about Kirsten: okay, this doesn't feel the same. It is about Jackie: a young man who, from the time he's very young, decides he wants to be a poet. And everyone says to him, That's lovely, but what's your real job gonna be? Because you can't make any money as a poet. he ends up getting a job at a poetry literary magazine that he's loved his entire life called Peck and Peck. And it is all the crazy characters that are there. Kirsten: A young man who, from the time he's very young, decides he wants to be a poet. And everyone says to him, That's lovely, but what's your real job gonna be? Because you can't make any money as a poet. he ends up getting a job at a poetry literary magazine that he's loved his entire life called Peck and Peck. And it is all the crazy characters that are there, interwoven with stories about. Jackie: interwoven with stories about his mom and the dog that he was named after. Kirsten: his mom and the dog that he was named after. So let me ask you a question about this one. Do you Jackie: Yeah. Kirsten: think that people who read Lessons in Chemistry are gonna be disappointed in this? Because that that was a runaway bestseller. Like, do you think this is gonna have the same Jackie: Yeah. Kirsten: audience? Is it gonna appeal to the same people? I don't know. It's a very different book. I want Jackie: Don't know. It's a very different book. I want people to know that it's very different going in, so they don't have the same expectations so that they can look at this book for what it is, which it is very well written, but it's it's very character driven. Okay. Okay. You know, up to thirty something percent of the book is really nothing is happened. Kirsten: People to know that it's very different going in, so they don't have the same expectations, so that they can look at this book for what it is, which it is very well written, but it's it's very character driven. Okay. Okay. You know, up to 30 something percent of the book is really nothing has happened. Jackie: It's all about the characters. Kirsten: It's all about the characters. Well. I guess we'll see what happens with this one. I'm so interested. Yeah. Yeah. Jackie: I'm so curious. Yeah. Yeah. Kirsten: Well, my top of my list that I'm a little bit annoyed about, Jackie. I know what you're annoyed about. Jackie: I know what you're annoyed about. Kirsten: Fiona Davis, who was The Lions of Fifth Avenue. Jackie: Fiona Davis, who was the Lions of Fifth Avenue, the GMA pick. Kirsten: GMA pick. Yes, she has a new YA coming out, which I don't think she's ever done a YA historical fiction. And not only is it that, it is about my girl, Samantha Parkington from the American Girl doll line as an adult now. And she has basically like her inheritance has been stolen. And so now she's a shop girl as she's trying to get her inheritance back. And it looks so fabulous. And all I want to do is read it, and who got a copy of the book. Jackie: Not only is it that, it is about my girl, Samantha Parkington, from the American Girl Doll Line as an adult now, and she has basically like her inheritance has been stolen. And she's Shotgirl and she's trying to get her inheritance back. And it looks so fabulous. And all I want to do is read it, and who got a copy of the book? Kirsten: Mm-hmm. And I forgot to well, Jackie: And I forgot to, well. I actually didn't forget to bring it over. I purposely didn't bring it over because you were gonna steal it from me. You're totally gonna steal it. That was not going home with you if you brought it into this. Kirsten: I actually didn't forget to bring it over. I purposely didn't bring it over because you were gonna steal it. I was totally gonna steal it. That was not going home with you if you brought it into this space. Jackie: No, a hundred percent. It was a hundred percent it was going to be stolen, and I'm not chasing you around the house because man, this girl is scrappy. When Kirsten: you around the house 'cause man, this girl's scrappy what I wanna be. Jackie: she wants to be, she could take me out. So, but I didn't tell you this. The Kirsten: The Jackie: Edges are painted with plaid. It's the best thing I've ever seen in my life. It has like blue and red plaid painted edges. Yes. my god, I'm gonna cry. It's the best thing I've ever seen. Kirsten: edges are painted with plaid. It's the best thing I've ever seen in my life. It has like blue and red plaid. my god, like her dress? Yes. my god, I could cry. It's the best thing I've ever seen. Do you know I said I'm like really a little bit emotional. Right outside this door, right behind where we're filming. I have I am. Jackie: my god, she's gonna cry. Kirsten: I have all of my original Samantha books. Because everyone gave me the Kirsten doll, obviously, right? I look like her and it's my name. But Samantha was my girl. And I have that one too. Now I feel a little guilty, but still not breaking. I'm gonna like guilt review Jackie: And now that one too. Now I feel a little guilty, but still not bringing you over. Kirsten: the next podcast episode. I'm just gonna have like Samantha Parkington just sitting here with me. We're gonna do a little stare down, because you bet I still own those dolls. I'm just gonna stare Jackie: Darius. Kirsten: at you until you give me that book. No, it's okay. I'll pre-order it myself. It's fine. Anyway, I'm really excited about that. Jackie: excited about that. You are very excited about that one. Okay. I'm super excited. There's actually a book that I have, it's my next book that I'm gonna read. It's To Dream in Darkness by Anne Liang. And she wrote a song to Drown Rivers, which was a GMA pick. Kirsten: I'm super excited. There's actually a book that I have. It's my next book that I'm gonna read. It's To Dream in Darkness by Anne Liang. And she wrote a song to Drown Rivers, which was a GMA pick. I remember when you read this. I think this was like one of your best fantasies of the year, the year you read it. Yes, it was outstanding. I mean, I finished this book and I was like. Jackie: Yes, it was outstanding. I mean, I finished this book and I was like crying and I don't cry. It was beautiful. It was more based on mythology. Okay. It they said it was it was fantasy, but really it's it's based in Chinese mythology. It was beautiful. So I cannot wait to read this next one. I'm so excited. Kirsten: crying and I don't cry. It was beautiful. It was more based on mythology. Okay. They said it was it was fantasy, but really it's it's based in Chinese mythology. It was beautiful. So I cannot wait to read this next one. I'm so excited. well, it sounds right up your alley and I know you are excited. So maybe you should Jackie: Maybe you should. Kirsten: just give me the Samantha Parkington book and you should just go ahead and read that one instead. Jackie: Okay, so Kirsten: this week for our bookmark, it is you. You've told me about this book. I'm so excited. I have downloaded it. You will not be disappointed. Because I cannot wait. So what is your bookmark this week? Jackie: week for our bookmark, it is you. You've told me about this book. I'm so excited. I have downloaded it. this book? Because I cannot wait. So what is your bookmark this week? My bookmark is the secret. Kirsten: My bookmark is The Secrets of Everlight by Julie Hall. And let me tell you, I don't recommend a fantasy often, but when I do, it's like a certain kind. And you're gonna love it, okay? So picture, are you ready? I'm so ready. Bridgerton. Love it. Throne of Glass. Love it. The selection. Put him Jackie: So picture, are you ready? I I'm so ready. Bridgerton. L love it. Love it. The selection. Put it Kirsten: in a blender. Let's go. That's what this book is. Here's the premise. Okay. Jackie: Okay. Rowan is a thief and she is a very good one. And she is basically enlisted to come and participate in this dating competition. la selection or The Bachelor. Kirsten: Rowan is a thief, and she is a very good one. And she is basically enlisted to come and participate in this dating competition. Allah selection. Allah selection for the prince. The king would like to marry off his younger brother, the prince. No. Yes, they're all Faye. They're all Faye, but they have like very light magic. Okay. Jackie: And he's a Faye? No. Yes, they're all Faye. They're all Faye. Okay. Okay. Kirsten: And there's a reason for that, which you find out later on in the book. And there's competitions and there's like you know there's like a talent competition and it's a princess from every realm and they come in but then like you could win a solo date. Okay so it's kind of Jackie: competitions and there's like, you know, there's like a talent competition and it's a princess from every realm and you come in, but then like you could win a solo date. Is that like getting the rose? Kirsten: like getting the rose. You have a solo date with the prince and she's kind of in love with the prince and she's kind of in love with the guy who's training her from being a thief to being a princess. the whole reason that she is in the palace in the first place is because there's gonna be an assassination attempt on Jackie: whole reason that she is in the palace in the first place is because there's gonna be an assassination attempt on the prince, and one of the princesses is in the middle of the plot, and so she needs to use her skills to like spy on the other princesses and stuff. Okay. Okay. Kirsten: The prince and one of the princesses is in in the middle of the plot. And so she needs to use her skills to like spy on the other princesses and stuff. Okay. Okay. Jackie: So it's a romantic spy fairy Bridgerton fantasy. Kirsten: So it's a romantic spy fairy Bridgerton fantasy. And the throne of glass element kind of comes in in the latter part of the book. Where all of a sudden, like the plot is unfolding and we're setting up for the rest of the books in the series. This is technically book one of the Shattered Kingdoms. And it ends on this clip hanger that you're like, are you kidding me? and I feel almost not even thrown a glass. I almost feel like it's like a court of Thorn and Roses. How it's like light and pretty, and then like book two, it's gonna be like, we're gonna knock you down, and it's like all out warfare. I'm pretty sure that's coming in book two, but I am down for it. Wow. Jackie: Panger that you're like, are you kidding me? and I feel almost not even throw to glass. I almost feel like it's like a court of Thorn and Roses. Okay. Like I'm pretty, and then like book two, it's gonna be like, we're gonna knock you down and it's like all out warfare. I'm pretty sure that's coming in book two, but I am down for it. wow. Kirsten: So The Secrets of Jackie: The secrets of everything. Kirsten: Everlite, Julie Hall. Trust me, best book, best fantasy, which I say this every time I recommend a fantasy, but it is. It's the best fantasy I've read this year. If your enthusiasm is anything to go on, it is released today, which means on Thursday it you will be able to just buy it. There you go, guys. If you guys are watching this, you can order it and Jackie: Best book, best fantasy, which I say this every time I recommend a fantasy, but it is. It's the best fantasy I've read this year. If your enthusiasm is anything to go on, it is released today, which means on Thursday it you will be able to just buy it. There you go. When you guys are watching this, you can order it. And if Kirsten loves a fantasy, Kirsten: Kirsten loves a fantasy. Jackie: This is gonna be a fabulous fantasy. next week, we are doing a deep dive into our favorite thrillers from celebrity book clubs. I can't wait for this one. This is gonna be really fun. It's perfect for the season. Kirsten: This is gonna be a fabulous fantasy. You're gonna love it. next week, we are doing a deep dive into our favorite thrillers from celebrity book clubs. I can't wait for this one. This is gonna be really fun. It's perfect for the season. It is perfect for the season. So tell us what your favorite ones are. like, follow. Jackie: like, follow, subscribe. Kirsten: Subscribe and happy reading.