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

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July 2026 Celebrity Book Club Picks · The Read Carpet Report

• Kirsten: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report. We are back and it feels like a minute since we've recorded. I feel like it has been a minute. But we are your backstage pass. jackie: Feels like a minute since we recorded. I feel like it has been a minute. Where the hell are we? To celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. We're your hosts. I'm Kirsten. And I'm Jackie. Kirsten: I'm Kirsten. And I'm Jackie. And this feels kind of crazy. So we pre-recorded all of our June episodes because we were getting the kids to overnight camp and we had trips and each of us had an eighth grader that was graduating. And it was really hectic. And now we're back for one pre-record episode. Not pre-recorded episode. No, this is gonna be like a quick turnaround. We have to do this very quickly. Tomorrow I'm jackie: Started the night camp and we had trips and each of us had an was eighth grader that was graduating and it was really hectic. And now we're back for one pre-record episode. Not pre-recorded episode. No, this is gonna be like a quick turnaround. We have to do this very Kirsten: I have surgery and so I've gotta have this done, recorded, edited, and ready to go live, which I should be post op at this point by the time you're listening to it. Yeah. And the next one will be we just jackie: Yeah, and the next one will filming from well in our PJs. Kirsten: Well, in our PJs. Right, because I'm still gonna be on like rest. So pajamas and reclined. So get ready for that next week. But this week we've got lots and lots and lots of fun news to talk about. So let's get into the red carpet rundown. I know it jackie: Right pajamas and reclines. So get ready for that next week. But this week we've got to talk about. So let's get into the red rundown. I know what you want to talk about first. Do it. Yeah we can Kirsten: Can we talk about it? Jenny Han was at the royal wedding. jackie: The right. Kirsten: American Royalty got married this weekend. I was glued to my phone and I did not have Jenny Hahn on the bingo card. jackie: Yes. my No, I think that is so cool. I love the fact that Taylor was like, listen, I am not making a small guest list. I'm just going to invite everybody. And I love that Jenny Han was there. Kirsten: Taylor was Making a small guest list. I'm just going to invite everybody. I love that Jenny Hahn was there. I I here's why I love Jenny Hahn being there, because she's such a girly. She's a book girly, but she wrote these like lovely stories that we all love. We all loved The Summer I Turn Pretty. And Taylor's music in that series was instrumental to creating the mood. jackie: A girly, she's a book girly that she wrote. and Taylor's music in that series was instrumental to creating the mood, Taylor doesn't lend out her music rights very easily. And she campaigned for it and got it and they are synonymous with each other now. Yeah. And she was like, you know what? Come to my wedding. I love that. Jenny Hahn, there's no way she predicted that she was going to Taylor's. That's amazing. I feel like the Jenny Han Kirsten: Taylor doesn't lend out her music for any of these rights very easily. And she campaigned for it and got it. And they are synonymous with each other now. And the fact that she was like, you know what? Come to my wedding is like there Jenny ha there's no way she predicted that she was going to Taylor's wedding. jackie: books are a little bit the book version of so many of Taylor's earlier songs. Right. Kirsten: of Taylor's earlier songs. Right? Totally. They're like the whole 1989 album just could be Jenny Hahn's books and those ugly fearless like all of those. Yeah. They're perfect matches. I love it. I cannot imagine like all her author friends like, Jenny, what? Because you know you had to keep it a secret. I know. Which is wild. I hope she talks about it someday. Truly. jackie: Yeah. Could be generous. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Well, 'cause you don't have to keep it a secret. I know. Which is Kirsten: I wanna see a documentary of her wedding, and I hope that's that's what she did. jackie: I wanna see a documentary of her wedding and I hope that's that's what she did. Kirsten: I hope she had all of her own film people in there. I hope she turned it into a documentary. I hope we are going to see from the beginning of planning until the very end, and it's gonna be a movie, I'd be into it. I would so be into that. I would so be into that. I feel like people would give her shit about it, and her fans would be like, jackie: I hope she had all of her own film people in there. I hope she turned it into a documentary. I hope we are going to see from the beginning of planning until the very end and it's gonna be a movie be into it. I I want that so badly. I would so be into that. I didn't Kirsten: Thank you. Like we have been there from the beginning. jackie: Thank you. Like we have been there from the beginning. Kirsten: we love her love. jackie: Wait, the best part is though, have you seen the clip that they gave to Travis saying like who would you love? Like who would you kiss? Yeah, and he said that he would kiss Taylor but marry Katy Perry. Kirsten: that they gave to Travis saying like who would you love? Like who would you love Kiss Mary Kill. Yes. Yes. I know. And then Katie Perry was at his wedding. Wild. The next one, the one I'm very excited about. We'll get into some more minor stuff, but five star weekend. I'm so excited about this because jackie: get into some more minor stuff, but five star weekend. I know Kirsten: Our book friends Meg and Katie are coming to watch this with us this week while I'm recuperating. We're all gonna be in our PJs watching this mini series based on the Eileen Hildebrandth book. I know, and it's such a perfect pick for summer. Mm-hmm. It it's the perfect release date after all the craziness of the last weekend and the 250th anniversary of this country, and now we get to go and just sit and chill and on the beach. jackie: Yes. This mini-series on the Eileen Hillbrent book. I know, and it's such a perfect pick for summer. Mm-hmm. It it's the perfect release date after all the craziness of the last weekend and the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of this country. And now we get to go and just sit and chill and Kirsten: In Nantucket and watch the show starring your best friend. My My best friend, Jennifer Garner. That's jackie: Right. My My best friend, Jennifer Garner. Kirsten: books. Okay this jackie: book. Okay, this one I'm so excited about. I cannot wait. They're redoing Little House on the Prairie. I'm so excited. I hope it's good. Kirsten: I know. I know. of all, I think this is a really interesting choice because if you recall, I reread this series a few years ago. Right. And it was not well received on Instagram that I was rereading the series because it didn't really stand the test of time in terms of some of its language. and I actually really liked the retelling Caroline because it it is a more modern take on that with jackie: Because if you years ago. Right. And it was now overceived on Instagram that I was rereading the series because it didn't really s stand the test of time in terms of some of its And I actually really It is any more modern Kirsten: As told by the adult. but I'm really curious how they're gonna I do this one. I'm hoping that what they're going to jackie: take on that, but it's right as told by the adult. but I'm really curious how they're gonna I'm I'm hoping that what they're going to do is they're going to take this story, which is a true story, and it's unbelievable, and I hope they will reframe it in a way that is more approachable for today's audience so that. Kirsten: true. Hold on. today's audience so that they can see because really this family's like trip across the prairies to start a life in a new place is a really unbelievable story and it's part of our country's heritage. Totally. And I think that's why they chose to do it. Like all you know it's kind of we'll get into it with like why Reese chose it. Obviously there's a lot of yes of focus on American history. jackie: they can see because really this families like trip across the prairies to start a life in a new place is a really unbelievable story and it's part of our country's heritage. Yes. Kirsten: And I get why they wanna do this in this particular time. I'm just I hope they did it with a lot of sensitivity. That it just makes me nervous. I think they did. I I had a conversation jackie: And I get Yeah. I think they did. I I had a conversation with someone who is actually a producer for some of these. I Kirsten: A producer? Jackie's got the inns of these. jackie: But I think they did it with a lot of sensitivity. So it should be. Kirsten: But I think they did it with a lot of sensitivity. So it should be they I'm I'm very curious. jackie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: final one, Apple TV. It's what? Lucky. Bye. jackie: TV is what? Lucky. Marissa Stapley. I loved lightning bottles. Kirsten: Marissa Stapley. I loved lightning bottles. Right. I didn't read Lucky, but I love lightning bottles, so I'm really excited to see how. jackie: I didn't read Lucky, but I loved lightning bottles. So I'm really excited to see how they adapt it. I feel like a lot of times with the with the new adaptations, they take maybe some of the things that the audience was unhappy about and they make some changes. Kirsten: They adapted. I feel like a lot of times with the with the new adaptations, they take maybe some of the things the audience was unhappy about and they make some changes. I feel like you're alluding to the fact that I read it and I didn't like it. I think I gave it two stars. It was not for me. but so I'm curious. I jackie: I w I was. So I'm curious. Kirsten: curious and Anya Taylor Joy is doing it, which she's a phenomenal actress. So I do want to watch it. I think my husband loves this kind of a thing, so I'm gonna watch it with him. It was a Reese pick. I think it was a Reese pick. Lucky. I think that's the whole reason I read it originally. Cause it I I should have known better. It's like a con artist, and there's all kinds of I think it's actually gonna translate from what I've seen on the trailer much better on the screen than in my brain. Cause my brain just doesn't do like jackie: Think so. gonna translate from what I've seen on the channel much better on the screen than in my brain. Just doesn't do like fast chases and I don't know. Which maybe I would have loved it. You might have. I really didn't I know, I know. Kirsten: Fast chases and I I don't know. Which maybe I would have loved it. You might have. I really didn't, but I really, really didn't. But I'm gonna watch it anyway. So we can report back on that. let's get into the pick party? Yes. What do you say? Okay. This this month I feel jackie: Good. Okay. Perfect. Yes. Okay. This this month I feel like was a little bit weird and crazy. Usually we've read all the books and we know all the books. As of now, we still don't know some of them. And this was Kirsten: Weird and crazy. Usually we've read all the books and we know all the books. As of now, we still don't know. Some of them and and this was the first month that like multiple book clubs were able to release it before spoilers came out. Yes. Which normally, you know, Jenna will kinda squeeze in there because she has caught on to us. And so jackie: Yes. Which normally, you know, Jenna will kind of squeeze in there 'cause she has Ha ha Kirsten: The week before she started kind of announcing what it's gonna be so people can pre order it, which I think, by the way, is great. That's the whole that's the whole purpose of what we do and why we do what we do. but yeah, so she snuck it in before anyone saw it. Yes. Which I jackie: Yes. Exactly. We do what we do. but yeah, so she snuck it in before anyone saw it. Yes. Which and you a little bit had an idea about this one, right? Well, it's interesting because she chose shampoo effect by Jenny Jackson. Jenny Jackson Kirsten: About this one, right? Well, it's interesting because she chose Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson. Jenny Jackson wrote Pineapple Street, which I had read. it was a GMA pick. So I loved it, loved it, loved it. And I was looking back on our looking beyond, and I was like, I don't think this is gonna be a pick, although the date says that it could be. Yeah, and you had wanted it to be a pick because you really, really liked it. So I did. jackie: And you loved it. I loved it, loved it, loved it and Yeah, and you had wanted it to be a pick because you really, really liked it. So y she was like Well, I I really liked it and the date sits, but I just don't think it's gonna be and then it was. Kirsten: it and the date sits, but I just don't think it's gonna be and then it was. Right. Because it's an odd it it was an odd time. We knew that it was either going to be on the 30th or the 7th for anybody releasing this. When it's when it's like this on the 7th, some some book clubs will go the full week and others are like, that's too long into the month. Let me do it before. I loved it. I talked about it in the June celebrity book spoilers because she was a previous pick. jackie: Yes, yeah. Too long into the map. loved it. I talked about it in the June Because she was a previous pick. Kirsten: It's not really a bee treat, beach read in that it's set over the course of the year. Sometimes it's snowing. but it's in a beach coastal town, if you will. And it revolves around a group of friends and a woman who is coming into the town for a writing program. She sort of infiltrates these friends because she's dating one of them. And just prior jackie: It's not really a bee tree, beach read in that it's set over the course of the year. Sometimes it's snowing. but it's in a beach coastal town. Got it, if you will. And it revolves around a group of friends. And a woman who is coming into the town for a writing program, she sort of infiltrates these friends because she's dating one of them. I'm just proud. Kirsten: to dating her, seriously, he jackie: To dating her seriously. He got his like friend an occasional hookup pregnant. And so they're trying to navigate: can their relationship work? Is she gonna fit into the group? He's not gonna fit into the group. Some stuff happens, some drama unfolds. It was it was a really fun one. Kirsten: got his like friend an occasional hookup pregnant. And so they're trying to navigate can their relationship work? Is she gonna fit into the group? Is she not gonna fit into the group? Some stuff happens, some drama unfolds. It was it was a really fun one. jackie: It sounds like a perfect pick for a book club in the summer. Yes, it is. Kirsten: It sounds like a perfect pick for a book club in the summer. Yes, it is. there's lots to talk about, but it's not too heavy. Got it. And the setting, you know, sets the vibes. Yes. And her writing, it's not even so much the story that I I really like. Her writing is just almost lyrical. It really paints a picture. And I can just pick out her writing. I just think she is phenomenal and jackie: Got it. And the setting, you know, sets the vibe. Yes. And her writing it's not even something just almost lyrical paints a picture and I can just pick out her writing and just think so I'm very glad that she chose this book but she did manage to announce it before we found her back. I know go figure. Yeah so Reese similarly Reese Reese with a backpick but not a huge Kirsten: So I'm very glad that she chose this book, but she did manage to announce it before we found it out. I know. Go figure. Yep. So Reese similarly Reese Reese But not a huge backpick. She a book that published in May. Yeah. And it's 700 pages. It's A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dre and Laura Kamoe. And it's about Abigail Adams, who was a first lady and then was the mom to of another president, very involved in politics herself. jackie: Backpick. She picked a book that published in May. Yeah. And it's seven hundred pages. Who was a first lady right and was the mom to Very involved in politics or solid. 700 pages is a lot, and I've always wanted to read something from this. Kirsten: 700 pages is a lot. And I've always wanted to read something from this duo. They've written about Eliza Hamilton. Yes. and another one I can't think of who it like honestly might have been Martha Washington. I could be wrong. There's another one I'm thinking of in this series, but they're long. it sounds like it's so good, and I really. jackie: Yes. and another one I can't think of who would it like honestly might have been Martha. Washington. I could be wrong. There's another one I'm thinking of in the series. But they're it sounds like it's so good. And I really want to read it, but 700 pages of biographical fiction sometimes. Kirsten: Seven hundred pages of of biographical fiction sometimes ends up being too much for me, especially in the summertime, because there's a lot of details that I have to remember in order to fully immerse myself in the story. And sometimes, I find that pretty difficult. Yeah, and I I get that they wanted to do this. They wanted to choose this book because it's obviously for the 250. Like totally that's why she announced it before jackie: ends up being too much for me, especially in the summertime, because there's a lot of details that I have to remember in order to fully immerse myself in the story. And sometimes, I find that pretty difficult. Yeah. Because it's obviously A hundred percent. totally that's why she announced it before the seven Kirsten: The seven I think she announced it like the second because it was like you could get it and you it was already out. I mean it's like it's a perfect jackie: I think she announced second 'cause it was like you can get it. Yeah, and I love it. What a good choice. Kirsten: choice. But I'm in the middle of Calamity Club and that alone is seven hundred pages and I just I can't do two at once. So I would love to read it. I might read it later on in the year. jackie: Yes. Right. I would like to read it's a lot of characters to you know, I can do a lot of books at the same time, but I can't do multiple tomes. Yeah. Tomes. Good word. Kirsten: it's a lot of characters to, you know, I can tackle lots of books at the same time, but I can't do multiple tomes at the same time. Good word. her other pick, her YA pick is The Winged Game by Sophie Kim. It is about a game. jackie: It is. Kirsten: Where you play rugby on Winged Beasts. yeah. Yeah. And our our female protagonist She was like the best of the best. And then her rival like destroyed her career in like one game or something. This feels more like a GMAYA pick. I know, doesn't it? I know, but then jackie: We play rugby on beast. yeah, yeah. And our our female protagonist She was like the best of and then her rival destroyed her career in like one game or something. This feels more like a GMAYA pick. 'Cause it's a fantasy. I know, but then Kirsten: He's gonna like rehabilitate her her love, like her career as long as they fake date, which like they have to fake date in front of the cameras to try to like gain press and PR, but then like an illness comes for the animals and they have to they have to like work together to save the animals in the game. This I again, it sounds awesome. I can't wait. This totally sounds like a GMAYA. I know. jackie: Big date in front of the cameras to try to like gain press and PR, but then like an illness comes This the I again, it sounds awesome. I can't wait. This totally sounds like a GMAYA. Kirsten: I am a little I'm a little shocked by this one, but like okay. jackie: I love that. I I you know what? I I love that. It's really, really fun, especially if people are like I only love Reese and I wanna read Reese's pics. I love that she's just changing it up a little bit. Kirsten: Reese and I want to read Reese's picks. I love that she's just changing it up a little bit. Well, and with this Sunny, so now this is their I think fourth pick, fifth pick. but so far they've had a thriller, a romance, a horror, right, and now a fantasy. So I feel like they're, you know, kind of exposing us to a little bit of everything. I love that. With this new rebrand. So I like that. jackie: I think so. A romance, a horror. Right. Which I love that. So I read Country People. Daniel again, I'm shocked that this was a GMA pick. Talk about like everybody having a little bit of a change of genre because it was very literary fiction and a little bit of a satire. And I expect that more from maybe Jenna. Yeah. Kirsten: Daniel Mason. again I'm shocked that this was a GMA pick. Talk about like everybody having a little bit of a change of genre because it was very literary fiction and a little bit of a satire. And I expect that more from maybe Jenna. Yeah. Yeah. So it is about a family. jackie: Yeah. So it is about a family who decides that they're moving to Vermont the wife is a professor. She's very, very, very well well known and ver well respected. He's 42 and he's still trying to write his thesis. He's been writing his thesis for 12 years. He keeps changing whatever. Kirsten: Who decides that they're moving to Vermont The wife is a professor. She's very, very, very well well known and very well respected. He's 42 and he's still trying to write his thesis. He's been writing his thesis for 12 years. He keeps changing whatever. jackie: the thesis is and so he really is a storyteller and he's the one that takes care of the kids and it's kind of the satire of his idea of like what country people are. And it's the story of the family like navigating this change. And it was funny and like very unexpected. And I really liked it, but it's very literary. Kirsten: the thesis is and so he really is a storyteller and he's the one that takes care of the kids and it's kind of the satire of his idea of like what country people are and it's the story of the family like navigating this change and it was funny and like very unexpected. Okay. And I really liked it but it's very literary. I was totally not expecting that. Interesting. Interesting. Okay. But I really liked it. I feel like jackie: I was totally not expecting that from GMA. Interesting. Okay. But I really liked it. kind of literary fiction. Like it's like super quirky. Kirsten: This is your kind of literary fiction. Like it's like super quirky and I'm not at all surprised that you liked it. I'm really glad that you opted to read this one because I would have hated it. I I think I would. I was trying to politely be like, I'm glad it was you and not me. You would not have liked it and jackie: You would have hated it. I think I No, you would not have liked it at all. And I and I really did. I was like, what is this? But I just kept on reading it and I was like, okay. so we don't know the GM. Kirsten: Really did. I was like, what is this? But I just kept on reading it and was like, okay. so we don't know the GMA YA yet. It's Sunday. Now we're releasing this on Thursday. I'm hoping they'll talk about it this week. They might not though, because I don't know that they always announce both on the same day. Yeah. So because Country People's gonna be announced on Tuesday, I'm not really sure if they're gonna announce jackie: They know about it this week. They have not. same day. Yeah, I don't know. So because Country of Weaples gonna be announced on Tuesday, I'm not really sure if they're gonna announce the YA one also or if maybe we'll be looking and talking about it next week. Yeah. Yeah. So that could be a possibility. the other thing is Oprah. So in June we didn't know at the beginning of the week. And that was because she chose a book in mid June. So yes another one mid July. I don't know, but let's talk about the June pick because Kirsten: The YA one also, or if maybe we'll be looking and talking about it next week with you guys. So that could be a possibility. the other thing is Oprah. So in June we didn't know at the beginning of the month, and that was because she chose a book in mid June. So will she choose another one mid July? I don't know. But let's talk about the June pick because you started it. I did. jackie: You started it. I did. Little Wonder. remind me the author. Thank you. It's part of Jenna's imprint. Yes. Which I love that for Jenna so much. And I just feel like it speaks to the way that she just loves books. Kirsten: Sophie Chen Keller and this is part of Jenna's imprint. Yes, which I love that for Jenna so much. And I just feel like it speaks to the way that she just loves books. So this book is so good. This book is so sad. jackie: all friends with each other. So this book is so good. This book is so sad. Kirsten: no. I s I saw it. It's like a mom and a a child get separated or something. Yes. And I did not realize that this story was not historical fiction. The story is is dual timeline from I think it's two thousand four moving forward and twenty sixteen moving forward. jackie: It's like a sad. Okay, so yes. And I did not realize that this story was not historical fiction. The story is is dual timeline from I think it's 2004 moving forward and 2016 moving forward. It starts off with a woman and her son. They are moving to Beijing with all of their stuff because her son's a musical prodigy and she's taking him to study with a new music teacher. And they get separated in the train station. And she spends years trying to find him. Kirsten: It starts off with a woman and her son. They are moving to Beijing with all of their stuff because her son's a musical prodigy and she's taking him to study with a new music teacher. And they get separated in the train station. And she spends years trying to find him. jackie: And you think, how could this even happen in in 2016? Like, how could that happen? And yet it happens. Kirsten: And you think, how could this even happen in in 2016? Like, how could that happen? And yet it happens. jackie: I don't want to give away ha how it happens, but they're totally separated. And she spends years looking for him. And then it goes back to kind of how how they got there. And it's heart-wrenching and beautifully written and devastating. So again, I am I am not a cry. I if I tell you that like my heart was pounding from the beginning, it was just so Kirsten: I don't want to give away ha how it happens, but they're totally separated, and she spends years looking for him. And then it goes back to kind of how they got there. And it's heart-wrenching and beautifully written and devastating. So again, I I would have cried to see you got it. I'm not a cry. I if I tell you that like my heart was pounding from the beginning, it was just so jackie: So sad and so well written and but so you need a a lot of clean X's. Kirsten: So sad and so well written and but so you need a a lot of Kleenexes. I saw Oprah talking about it and she was like, I didn't understand because she was picturing like a train station in New York. And then she looked up this train station and you totally could understand how you would get separated in this like massive, insane train station. jackie: Massive. Yes. Yes. With the pushing and the shoving and the and the people traveling and getting separated and like corrupt police officers and and crime and and the way they look down at poor people Kirsten: Police officers and and jackie: it it kind of was very eye opening and I I thought that this was a historical fiction and it's not. Kirsten: it it kind of was very eye-opening and I I thought that this was a historical fiction and it's not. Wow. That's wild. Well, I guess we'll report back on the GMAYA pick, and if Oprah ever picks something for July, we'll we'll chat with you about that too. In the meantime, let's talk about the previous authors. Yes. previous celebrity book club. jackie: Yeah. In the meantime, let's talk about the previous authors. Yes. previous Kirsten: Pick authors who have new releases coming out. Yes. So jackie: New releases. Yes. So the first one, our favorite, Joe, Joe Piazza. she has her new book, The Parisian Heist, and her book that was chosen who who chose it? Kirsten: She has her new book, The Parisian Heist, and her book that was chosen. Who who chose think it was GMA. GMA. Yes. We are we are not like them. Yes. The Parisian Heist is about a a group of girls, group of artists in Paris who are studying. jackie: GMA, we are we are not like them. Yeah. Kirsten: And you know, they can't make their rent. They're trying to do what they can to make money. One of them is working for the widow of a an art dealing family. So I about to say. jackie: One of them is working for the widow of a an art dealing family. So I thought were about to say like you're like an art dealing family. So they are these billionaire art dealers. Got it. And the kids of her husband. Kirsten: So they are this these billionaire art dealers, and the kids of her husband want to cut her out. And it turns out that she helped build this entire dynasty. And they're gonna screw her out of her money, out of her art, out of her role in the business because of the prenup with his ex-wife. And so she wants to hire these girls. jackie: And it turns out that she helped build this entire dynasty and they're gonna screw her out of her money, out of her art, out of her role in the business because of the prenup with And so she wants to hire these girls to steal a Vincent Diego painting. Nice. Which is really funny, obviously, because she Joe announced this book right at the same time that the heist was about like a heist at the Louvre. but then Kirsten: To steal a Vincent Bango painting. Which is really funny, obviously, because she, Joe announced this book right at the same time that the Louvre had a heist. And so this is about like a heist at the Louvre. but then, and this is crazy. So it's like this thriller, this like will they, won't they, cat and mouse game in the present day. But the other half of the story, it's dual timeline, is a historical. jackie: Story at School Timeline is a historical biographical fiction about Joe Van Gogh, who was the wife of Theo Vincent Bruce's brother. And she's really the reason that he's famous. Right, right. they come together in a very odd way at the end that I don't want to tell you about. It's not odd, but it's like you're like, How is this timeline from this present day late to 100 years ago? Kirsten: Biographical fiction about Joe Van Gogh, who was the wife of Theo, Vincent Br Vincent's brother. And she's really the reason that he's famous. Right, right. come together in a very odd way at the end that I don't want to tell you about. It's not odd, but it's like you're like, How is this timeline from this present day gonna relate to a hundred years ago? And it does in the end. But it's really just you're seeing Joe's drive and she's like trying to do it and she's so it's totally almost two genres of books in one. Which I love that. And only Joe Piazza could pull this off. jackie: But it's really just you're seeing Joe's drive and she's like trying to do it and she's so it's totally almost two genres of books in one. Which I love that. And only Joe Piazza can pull this off. On only her Kirsten: And I feel very lucky and very honored because I was on my way to a wedding back in October and I had said, like, my God, like she announced the book and I was like, I really want to read it. And she was like, Do you want to be a beta reader? And so she sent it to me when it was not done. And I got to give her some edits and that was like a career highlight for me. So which sh it should be. I got to read it a very long time ago, but I'm curious to read it again and see like what changed and what didn't. jackie: You know? And so if she sent it to me when it was not done, then I got to give her some edits and Which it sh it should be a hundred percent. Very long time. I know, I love that. Okay, so the next one we have is Chanel Clayton has her book coming out, An Infinite Love Story. And she was Read with Jennipick. She was a Reese Witherspoon. A Reese pick for next year. Thank you. Kirsten: so the next one we have is Chanel Clayton has her book coming out, An Infinite Love Story. And she was Read with Jenna pick. She was a Reese Witherspoon pick for Next Year in Havana, which I loved. And all of her books are about Cuba for a while. Yes. Had some relation to Cuba. But you read this new one. Yeah, which has nothing to do with Cuba. It jackie: But for a while. Yes. But you wrote this new one. Yeah, which has nothing to do with Cuba. It is about the space race in the 19 in the 1960s. So it's very interesting because it shows a woman and her husband. and then it goes back to how they've met. It starts off, and his spacecraft has lost contact with mission control. Kirsten: Is about the space race in the 19 in the 1960s. So it's very interesting because it shows a woman and her husband, and then it goes back to how they've met. It starts off, and his spacecraft has lost contact with mission control and jackie: And so it moves forward from there hour by hour of what's going on. And then it goes back to the past, how they how they met. So this is a real departure for her. you have to not be afraid of reading about space to read this book. Kirsten: So it moves forward from there hour by hour of what's going on and then it goes back to the past, how they how they met. So this is a real departure for her. you have to not be afraid of reading about space to read this book. In other words, it's not for me because I don't mess with space. That was my nice way of saying you should not read it, because it is it is jackie: Right. That was my nice way of saying you shouldn't read it 'cause it is it is in space and the spacecraft is lost. So if that's a thing for you, then yeah. Kirsten: in space and the spacecraft is lost. So if that's a thing for you, then no thank you. Hard pass. Love you, Chanel. I've read like every other one of our books, but I will not read this one. So that's okay. Personal, you know, we all got our our weird kink. And I get mine is I can't handle space. I'll never see Project Hail Mary. I'll never read it. I don't like it. Project Hail Mary is so good. It was so good. It was phenomenal. We bought it. We've watched it as a family. jackie: we're pink. Project Hail Mary is so good. It was so good. It was phenomenal. We bought it. We've watched it as a family, like, it's Kirsten: My my kids have seen it. Like they don't know that I have this fear, but I'm just I'm gonna keep it on the DL, but I can't even watch like I took them to see Elio. Yeah. When they're like in the front food, I can't I really did not. I was deeply uncomfortable watching that movie. Deeply uncomfortable. Wow. This little kid's up in space and I am like why did I agree to watch this movie? Yeah, I can't. I really can't handle it. jackie: Yeah. You can't watch a cartoon about space? Wow. Wow. Okay. Why did I agree to watch this movie? Yeah. Project Hail Mary was outstanding. It was like my favorite movie of the last few years. Kirsten: Standing. It was like my favorite movie of the last few years. jackie: What else do we got? Okay, then we have it on your T VR. Yes, yes. By Jean Kwok. I'm really excited about this one. It's a fantasy. I can't wait. and her last book was not a fantasy. Kirsten: What else we got? Okay, then we have another one on your T VR, Dominion. Yeah. really excited about this one. It's a fantasy. I can't wait. and her last book was not a fantasy. No, searching for Sylvia Lee, which was a read with Jennipek, was I'm pretty sure like a literary mystery or something. Yeah, so talk about a departure. jackie: Yeah, so talk about a departure. I know. I love a well known Listen, anyone that can write any genre is impressive to me to be able to have the imagination to throw multiple genres out there and be like, hey, I'm all good with thriller, fantasy, historical fiction like wow. Kirsten: I love a well rounded author. Genre is impressive to me to be able to have the imagination to throw multiple genres out there and be like. Thriller, fantasy, historical fiction. Like, wow. Well, you could say that about another one on our list. Sylvia Morena Garcia. Yes, yeah. Her newest The Intrigue is coming out, which has like a thriller. Might even be a historical thriller, I could be wrong. But she's all over the map. Yes. Like she's written like gothic. Right, Mexican gothic. And then you read the gods of jackie: Yes, yeah. Right. Yes. Like she's written like gothic. Yeah. of Jade and Shadow? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, which is assuming fantasy. Yeah. And I read the one that she was chosen for. the GMA pick was The Seventh Veil of Salome, which is a historical but also an old Hollywood kind of situation. She writes all of the maps and then there's some that I can just tell from the cover are like horror that I want to know parts of. Yeah, but she's a great writer. I know. So Kirsten: Shade and shadow. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, which is I'm assuming fantasy. Yeah. And I read the one that she was chosen for. the GMA pick was The Seventh Veil of Salome, which was a historical fiction, but also an old Hollywood kind of thrillery situation. She writes all over the map. And then there's some that I can just tell from the cover are like horror that I want no parts of. But she's a great writer. I know. So imaginative. jackie: Yeah. and this one Kirsten: and this one actually looks good to me. So I would read this one. But she's one that it's like, I want to read her work, but I have to be really careful because I know that some of it's gonna hit okay. But I read the description on this and I was like, this one I can read. The final one is Cool Machine, which is Colson Whitehead. jackie: But she's one that it's like, I wanna re Yes, yeah. The final one is Cool Machine, which is Colson Whitehead. He was an Oprah book club choice for the Underground Railroad, which are like two full of surprises. Yeah. Yeah. Kirsten: He was an Oprah book club choice for the Underground Railroad. And he's won like two Pulitzer Prizes. jackie: I love his writing. I just love his writing. The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys. my goodness gracious. Those books. If you have not read those books, you must. but this one is the third in the series and Kirsten: His writing. I just love his writing. my goodness gracious. Those books. If you have not read those books, you must. but this one is the third in the series. jackie: Takes place in Harlem, I think Harlem Rhapsody? Yes. Kirsten: Takes place in Harlem I I think Harlem Harlem Rhapsody? But that I'm thinking that's a book by Victoria Christopher Murphy. jackie: No, it's it's Kirsten: We'll we'll figure it out. But it's the it's the third in the series. I read the first one. I liked it, not my f favorite, and I didn't feel the need to read the second one. So I probably am not going to read this one, but he's an outstanding writer. jackie: out. We'll we'll figure it out. But it's the it's the third in the series. I read the first one. I liked it, not my f favorite, and I didn't feel the need to read the second one. So I probably am not going to read this one, but he's an outstanding writer, Kirsten: Well, that's really it. I mean, July is kind of a lighter month in general for releases. It's this awkward month, I think, because you're in it's a hundred degrees over here where we are, and we're getting Halloween books. I came home from St. Michael's to two children's Halloween books on my doorstep. And on the way home, I'm listening to another one. and I recently do you know is like rebranded. So you know how I was on the jackie: Mm-hmm. You're in it's a hundred degrees over where we are, and we're getting Halloween books. I came home from St. Michael's to two children. Do you have rap? Kirsten: the Hallmark channel the other day and they have Christmas in July. Do you know what they're they're calling this time period now when they release these Halloween books? Cause they have to release them months in advance, Summer Ween. jackie: What's Kirsten: How funny is that? Summerween. So it's apparently Summerween already. jackie: Is that summer Which I thoug thought we were into Christmas because my stack of Christmas books is this high. I know. But we are actually Kirsten: I know, but we are actually like we are reading some of Christmas, but they are actually coming out. Like Halloween books are now being released and you're able to get them on shelves, which one of my bookmarks later this month may be a Halloween book, which is kind of funny. But yeah, so the summer ween is flowing, but that makes it a little bit challenging. I'm not surprised there's not that many new releases to really chat about this month because it's really it's like thrillers. jackie: Yes. 'Cause it's really Kirsten: Haunted houses. Which is funny that you say that because my bookmark this week is a thriller. okay. Well tell us about it. And it's it's a YA thriller. Ooh. It but it does come out jackie: Which is funny that you say that because my bookmark this week is a thriller. okay. Well tell us about it. And it's it's a YA thriller. And it but it does come out, I think it might actually already be out. It is Thornbird by E. Kennedy, who is L Kennedy. Of off-campus fame months. Yes. So this one is more appropriate. Kirsten: It is Thornbird by E. Kennedy, who is L Kennedy. Of off-campus fame. Yes. So this one is more appropriate. jackie: For a YA audience, which I love that she's now doing YA thriller. Again, writing romance and then switching from a spicy romance to a YA thriller, like good for her. And her books are so readable. They're so readable. They just go really, really fast. So this one is about. Kirsten: Which I love that she's now doing YA thriller again writing romance and then switching from a spicy romance to a YA thriller, like good for her. And her books are so readable. They're so readable, they just go really, really fast. So this one is about jackie: a girl whose father was a serial killer. And okay. And so she had been living away and now needs to move back with her family. But everybody knows who her father is, so they've had to. Kirsten: A girl whose father was a serial killer. And so she had been living away and now needs to move back with her family, but everybody knows who her father is, so they've had to change her name. jackie: change her name because like the town is it's like a s a smaller town. The town was devastated by these murders. Okay. So she has to she's moving back to the town. She's pretending to be the other side of the family when when really her mother was the last victim from her father. And so she's moving back in with her aunt. She has her two cousins. She's getting along really well. She's Kirsten: Because like the town is it's like a s a smaller town. The town was devastated by these murders. Okay. So she has to she's moving back to the town. She's pretending to be the other side of the family when when really her mother was the last victim from her father. And so she's moving back in with her aunt. She has her two cousins. She's getting along really well. She's you know, she meets these. jackie: you know, she meets these people, Kirsten: People, but the 10-year anniversary of the day that he was captured is coming up. He is set to be on he's on death row and he's set to die. And so you have like these podcasters and all these people trying to figure out like where the bodies are because no one could ever find the bodies. boy. And they are trying to find out what happened to the daughter. jackie: but the 10-year anniversary of the day that he was captured is coming up. He is set to be on he's on death row and he's set to die. And so you have like these podcasters and all these people trying to figure out like where the bodies are because no one could ever find the bodies. And they are trying to find out what happened to the daughter. She's the daughter. She doesn't want anyone to know that it's her. And so it, I mean, I was listening to it, but I think I listened to it in a day. It was really, really fun, really entertaining, so good. I love the fact that she just like switched it up. I mean, it is a a little a little like steamy, but like appropriate for for YA. There's some romance in it. Yep, there's some romance in it. There's Kirsten: She's the daughter, she doesn't want anyone to know that it's her. And so it I mean, I was listening to it, but I think I listened to it in a day. It was really, really fun, really entertaining, so good. I love the fact that she just like switched it up. I mean, it is a a little a little like steamy, but like appropriate for for why it's so there's romance in it. Yeah, there's some romance in it. There's jackie: I mean you've got everything. So Kirsten: I mean you've got everything. So This feels like a crazy departure. Like this woman wrote off campus and is writing about a serial killer. Like, okay. And it was good. And there were like clues and it's kind of a you know, and there's like a podcaster and they're trying to figure it out. I mean, it it's a a wild ride. I love a podcast novel. Yeah. jackie: Yeah. And it was good and there were like clues and it's kind of a you know, and there's like a podcaster and they're trying to figure it out. I mean, it it's a a wild ride. I love podcast novel. I mean, it's the whole thing, it was a wild ride. Kirsten: I mean it's the whole thing. It was a wild ride. Wow. So clearly you liked it 'cause it's your bookmark. So that's it. I I I loved it. All right, guys, if you're into off campus, get out there. Or if you like a YA thriller, go compare the two. jackie: Yeah, I did. I I I loved it. Mm-hmm. Go compare this. I I actually I wanna know everyone that's read the off campus, 'cause I think right now everyone has read the off campus. I I would like you guys to read this book and then tell me what you think. Kirsten: Everyone. Everyone. Well, that is pretty much our episode. We talked about the next episode is gonna be Good Morning America. I'm excited for that. A deep dive into that, including our favorite picks. We wanna know your favorite of their picks over the years. Because I I love to see what you guys think. I mean, a lot of times they co correspond with ours, but every once in while there's one that you guys throw out that we haven't read yet. So I really, really, really wanna know what your favorites are from Good Morning America. jackie: I know. I'm excited for this. Can we dive into that? Yes. Mm-hmm. I love to see what you guys think. I mean, a lot of times they come on with ours, but every once a while there's one that you guys throw out that we have Yeah. Kirsten: We're gonna do it in our PJs. So we will invite you all to our PJ par party next week. Our PJ party. And that's it. So jackie: Mm-hmm. and that's it. And that's it. So like, follow, subscribe and happy reading.