Latest / The Read Carpet Report / The Best Teacher Novels with Jennifer Mathieu

Transcript

The Best Teacher Novels with Jennifer Mathieu · The Read Carpet Report

• JAckie: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage pass for celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And here. And we're your hosts. 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 house. JAckie: Today we are so excited because we are having a plot twist. We are talking about books about teachers. But before we get into that, we have some pretty controversial, juicy stuff. Kirsten: Today we are so excited because we are having a plot twist. We are talking about books about teachers. But before we get into that, we have some pretty controversial, juicy stuff to talk about for the red carpet rundown. JAckie: To talk about for the red carpet rundown. Kirsten: That's right. Kicking us off. We have Theo of Golden, the book that's been on the New York Times bestseller list forever, it feels like at this point. JAckie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: Is being adapted and Tom Hanks is scheduled or at least is in talks to play Theo. And I'm I'm not JAckie: And I'm I'm Kirsten: surprised because Hollywood is into like a money making machine here. JAckie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: But I am I'm just still kind of baffled by the extreme popularity of this book. I like it's a it's fine, JAckie: still kinda baffled by the extreme popularity of this book. I like it's a it's fine. Kirsten: but there are so many other great books out there, I just don't understand why this one. Right. So we've JAckie: This one. Right. So we've had this conversation because Katie Couric chose it for her book club. And then Jenna and Oprah have both talked about this book as the book that got away. And there must be something that I am missing. Kirsten: Because Katie Couric chose it for her book club. And then Jenna and Oprah have both talked about this book as the book that got away. And there must be something that I am missing. I'm with you. I'm with you. I thought it was fine. I thought it was, you know, I've said it before what Freedom McFadden is to thrillers, what Colleen Hoover is to romance. Very popular, very easily readable. I'm curious how they're even gonna adapt this because you know, a lot of it is very spiritual, written, like i it's in someone's JAckie: Because you know, a lot of it is very spiritual written, like i it's in some Kirsten: head. It there's not a whole lot of action. So I don't know what they're gonna do. But if Tom Hanks is in it, they're probably gonna change some things. And JAckie: So I don't know what they're gonna do, but if Tom Hanks is in it, they're probably gonna change some things and Kirsten: I think this might be a case where the movie is better than the book. I think so. I mean JAckie: Where the movies have in the box? I think so. I mean, we were talking about it. if Tom Hanks could be on screen for two hours by himself with a volleyball and turn that Kirsten: We were talking about it. if Tom Hanks could be on screen for two hours by himself with a volleyball and turn that into the film that it was, then I know that he can make this JAckie: into the film that it was, then I know that he can make this maybe better than than the book. I I don't know. The book it was nice and it was feel good, but what am I missing? Kirsten: maybe better than than the book. I I don't know. The book it was nice and it was feel good, but what am I missing? I don't know. If you know what we're missing, please let us know. In the meantime, there is another adaptation that I know that you are very excited about, Jack. JAckie: Yes. I'm so excited. Sony has picked up the option to adapt Dolly All the Time by Annabelle Monaghan. And I'm so excited about this. This is one of my favorite romances of the year. Kirsten: Option to adapt Dolly All the Time by Annabelle Monaghan. And I'm so excited about this. This is one of my favorite romances of the year. It was, and it was a a GMA book club pick. I JAckie: GM but Kirsten: didn't get to read it, but it has that fun summer New England coastal summertime vibes that I personally like. So I am dying to see this adapted. JAckie: Yes. It also has some phenomenal pretty woman vibes, which is actually just an all green flag situation, right? We we love to love both the characters in this book and I'm all for it. I'm so excited. Kirsten: It also has some phenomenal pretty woman vibes, which is actually just an all green flag situation, right? We we love to love both the characters in this book and I'm all for it. I'm so excited. Me too. Our final piece of news is one that's a little shocking, I think. JAckie: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Kirsten: we were at Philly JAckie: We were at Philly. Kirsten: Book Crawl Day, which is a really fun event here that happens every August on the Saturday. We were at the after party at Main Point Books with Joe Piazza, Jennifer Herrera, and we were talking to their event planner who was telling us that she has Emily Wilson coming to the store in a few months, and Emily has had to call to ask if they have. Security. Who is Emily Wilson and why is this important? Okay. So Emily Wilson in 2017 JAckie: Security. Who is Emily Wilson and why is this important? Okay. So Emily Wilson in 2017 published a new translation of the Odyssey. And she's the first woman to publish a translation. And she did it from a more feminist perspective. So she was super excited when Christopher Nolan said that he was basing his movie, The Odyssey, on Kirsten: published a new translation of the Odyssey, and she's the first woman to publish a translation, and she did it from a more feminist perspective. So she was super excited when Christopher Nolan said that he was basing his movie, The Odyssey, on JAckie: Her adaptation, or on her translation rather. So she was super excited to see what he did. Obviously, she spent years studying this. She loved the themes that were in there. She couldn't wait to see what he did. And she eviscerated it. She hated it. Kirsten: Her adaptation. on her translation rather. So she was super excited to see what he did. Obviously, she spent years studying this. She loved the themes that were in there. She couldn't wait to see what he did. And she eviscerated it. She hated it. JAckie: She Kirsten: She went to town and after seeing it, I understand where she's coming from. She's a real purist, she really knows the source material, and she wanted this three-hour plot to go deeper into the characters and their motivation. And it just wasn't that. It was a Christopher Nolan, like loud slam bam kind of movie. And the female characters actually don't get very much screen time at all. Penelope gets the most, but you had some killer cast that like basically were barely on screen. Right. And so JAckie: Loud slam bam kind of movie, and the female characters actually don't get very much screen time at all. Penelope gets the most, but you had some killer that like basically were barely on screen. Right. And so for all the reasons that your son left, right? Because it was one big scene after another, which is great. That's the movie that he wanted to make. It's a phenomenal movie. People love it. Kirsten: For all the reasons that your son left, right? Because it was one big scene after another, which is great. That's the movie that he wanted to make. It's a phenomenal movie. People love She did not love it as an adaptation of the Odyssey. And because of that, she's now getting death threats. Which just feels really extreme to me. Like her evisceration JAckie: She did not love it as an adaptation of the Odyssey. And because of that, she's now getting death threats. Which just feels really extreme to me. Like her misery. Kirsten: of it in literary circles may be like a big deal, but this this movie is still on track to be the number one grossing JAckie: To be the number one grossing. Kirsten: R-rated movie of all time. It had a phenomenal. Weekend, it is smashing records. So it's not like she's picking on the little guy here. She's picking on a major blockbuster, and she's fully entitled to her opinion JAckie: So it's not like she's picking on the little guy here. She's picking on a major blockbuster, and she's fully entitled to her. Kirsten: as someone who is, quite frankly, an expert in this area. JAckie: In this area. Yeah, exactly. If anyone is entitled to not appreciate the way that he adapted it to film, Kirsten: The way that he adapted it to film, it's her. She's allowed to say whatever she wants. It doesn't affect the bottom line for this movie. JAckie: it's her. She's allowed to say whatever she wants. It doesn't affect the bottom line for this movie. Kirsten: It doesn't. And quite frankly, it's just a sad state of affairs when JAckie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: an author is getting criticized for writing an opinion piece and getting death threats for it. So I'm sorry she's going through it. It's really just upsetting. I'm pretty sure she deactivated JAckie: Yeah, death threats for it. So I'm sorry she's going through it. It's really just upsetting. I'm pretty sure she deactivated. Kirsten: her Instagram over it. I know there's a button on her website. It's just like JAckie: It's just like, what are we doing? Kirsten: What are we doing? This woman is a college professor. stop picking on her. Seriously. Everybody's entitled to their opinion. JAckie: Stop picking on her. Seriously. Everybody's entitled to their opinions. I'd like to know who these people are that have such strong opinions because she didn't like a movie that they would go to such extreme behavior. Kirsten: That they would go to such extreme behavior. As she calls them misogynistic internet trolls. That's who it So actually that's an interesting segue because our main segment is to talk about books about teachers. And your first pick actually is also an adaptation. JAckie: So actually that's an interesting segue because main segment is to talk about books about teachers. And your first pick actually is also an adaptation. Kirsten: That's right, it is. We chose this prompt, Because it's back to school season and we had a specific book in mind, which we're so thrilled to say that this this author is going to be on the podcast in just a few minutes to talk about it. But you know, it's it's the season, tis the season to get into teachers JAckie: You know, it's it's the season 'tis the season to get into teachers. Kirsten: in literature. There's not a ton of books out there that feature teachers as starring roles. And so JAckie: Teacher teacher has starring roles. And so Kirsten: we really wanted to highlight these busy working bees that are the backbone of our education system out there. JAckie: Busy working bees that are the platform of our education system out there helping our children be the Kirsten: Helping our children be the people that they are. These are partners for parents. These are undervalued resources, quite frankly, in the world in general. And JAckie: These are undervalued resources quite frankly in the world in general. And Kirsten: so we wanted to shine a little light on teachers. My first pick is Vladimir by Julia May Jones. It was recently adapted, as you mentioned, starring JAckie: T shirts. My first pick is Vladimir by Julia May Jones. It was recently adapted to star. Kirsten: Rachel Weiss and Leo Goodall. But it's more of a literary thriller, if you will. Essentially, a college professor. JAckie: but it's more of a literary thriller, if you will. Essentially, a college professor is in an Kirsten: Is in an open marriage with her husband. And he decides to have an affair with many of his students, which, while approved in the UK and Europe, JAckie: And he decides to have an affair with many of his students, which well approved in the UK and Europe. Kirsten: that is very much frowned upon here in the United States. So he's on suspension. She is out there still teaching, and there's repercussions for her out in the academic field and there on her college campus. JAckie: So he's on suspension. She is out there still teaching, and there's repercussions for her out in the academic field and there on our college campus. She ends up starting to fixate on the new teacher that's been brought in to replace him, who is 20 years younger, and it's all internal monologue, and so some of the scenes are like derailed into her what she would like to do with this man. Kirsten: She ends up starting to fixate on the new teacher that's been brought in to replace him, who is 20 years younger. And it's all internal monologue. And so some of the scenes are like derailed into her fantasies of what she would like to do with this man. The adaptation JAckie: Of it does it incredibly well. but it is a book unlike any other, and I just think it's a really fun one for Kirsten: of it does it incredibly well. but it is a book unlike any other. And I just think it's a really fun one for. JAckie: anyone, especially those that like to read and then immediately the adaptation. Yes. mine actually is going to be adapted. So anybody who knows me is not going to be shocked that I chose Love Theoretically by Allie Hazelwood. Kirsten: Anyone, especially those that like to read and then immediately watch the adaptation. Yes. mine actually is going to be adapted. So anybody who knows me is not going to be shocked that I chose Love Theoretically by Allie Hazelwood. JAckie: this is one where a woman is an adjunct physics professor, but because she's I'm gonna say just an adjunct professor, Kirsten: this is one where a woman is an adjunct physics professor, but because she's I'm gonna say just an adjunct professor. JAckie: she is not paid enough to support herself and have a living wage. so she has to supplement her income by working as an escort, but not Kirsten: She is not paid enough to support herself and have a living So she has to supplement her income by working as an escort, but not on the sexual side of things, right? She is she's a paid date for people, right? She's beautiful, she's educated. She's like failure to launch. Yes. Okay. Yes. So she is a date. JAckie: On the sexual side of things, right? She is she's a paid date for people, right? She's beautiful, she's educated, she's a failure to launch. Yes. Yeah. So she is a date, and she will go with people on on many dates, acts as as a as a fake girlfriend if they need, just to like get some family off their back. And then her two worlds collide. So it's Allie Hazelwood, it is steamy and Kirsten: And she will go with people on on many dates, act as as a as a big girlfriend if they need, just to like get some family off their back. And then her two worlds collide. So it's Ali Hazelwood, it is steamy, and if you're not quite ready for back to school, this isn't most people's reality. JAckie: if you're not quite ready for back to school, this isn't most people's reality when it comes to school. So dive into this one. Kirsten: School. So diamonds with this one. Mine is a classic that's also JAckie: Yes. Kirsten: a little bit because it's set from so long ago, it's not really the everyday reality of now. But many of you know Anne of Green Gables by Alan Montgomery. JAckie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: But have you read the rest of the series? Because the whole series is so good and it's so fall, and it's just so it's just so great. So Anne of Avonley, which if you followed the JAckie: So fall, and it's just so it's just so great. So Anne of Avonley, which, if you followed the Meg. Kirsten: Megan Fellows. you know, adaptations when we were children. Anna JAckie: And Kirsten: Bavenley was actually in that, the merging of both this book JAckie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: and and of Wendy Poplar's. but it follows Anne as a teacher and getting her teaching degree. And you know, schooling was very different back in Ann's time. But it gives you all the warm fuzzies of being on PEI. And so I basically stole it from you because you were just there. But this is a great one. JAckie: But it follows Anne as a teacher and her teaching degree. And you know, schooling was very different than Anne's time. I know. But it gives you all the warm fuzzy on PEI. And so I basically this is a great one. Gilbert. Such a love story. Kirsten: Such a love story. JAckie: it's like an epic love story. Epic, just I love that. Right. Kirsten: Story. An epic, just love them together. I know. I know that's that's so good. And the way that Gilbert gave her the teaching position. I mean, come on, I know. So good, so good. So if you haven't read this one, get in there and read it. Yeah, a hundred percent. Okay, so my last pick. JAckie: I know. That's that's so good. And the way that Gilbert gave her the teaching position, I mean, come on, people. Come on. So if you haven't read this one. Get in there and read it. Yeah, a hundred percent. Okay, so my last pick before we get into our book club pick is Sarah Novick. Kirsten: Before we get into our book club pick, is Sarah Novick. JAckie: And it is true biz. This is unlike anything I've ever read. If you guys haven't seen it, you should pick it up, but you should actually, I think, read the physical of this book because it is a book about a school for the deaf. And inside the written Kirsten: And it is True Biz. This is unlike anything I've ever read. If you guys haven't seen it, you should pick it up, but you should actually, I think, read the physical of this book because it is a book about a school for the deaf. And inside the written, JAckie: physical version, there is pictures of sign language in there. I forgot about that. Yeah, Kirsten: physical version there is pictures of sign language in there. Ooh, I forgot about that. JAckie: mean, this gives a whole new perspective on you know, school for the deaf, for deaf culture, and Sarah Novic herself is deaf. So it is really a first hand a first hand account of someone's experience and it is not something that we really see written about very often. Kirsten: This gives a whole new perspective on you know, at school for the deaf, for deaf culture, and Sarah Novick herself is deaf. So it is really a first hand first hand account of someone's experience, and it is not something that we really see written about very often. No, we don't. And what I liked about this one. Is it's told from multiple perspectives. A teacher is one of them. Actually, the principal of the school who's like desperately trying to do JAckie: Yes, principle the school is like desperately trying to do Kirsten: right by all of her kids and keep the school open and all of that. She's one of them. Two of the other characters are kids. But I think this works because it just shows you the community as a whole and how much diversity there is in the deaf community and all the different kinds of sign language. And it's just it's just such a unique perspective. It is JAckie: you the community as a people and how much diversity there is in the deaf community and all the different kinds of sign language and it's just it's just such a unique perspective. It is Kirsten: mind opening and so thought provoking and just an excellent choice. I I get why Reese chose this as her book club pick back in 2022. Yeah. It was, I think this was at the height of Reese's like out of the box, thought-provoking, fabulous choices. Not that she's not doing that now, but her choices in 2022 were kind of like JAckie: I I get why Reese club pick back in 2022. Yeah, it was, I think this was at the height of Reese's like out-of-the-box, thought-provoking, fabulous choices. Not that she's not doing that now, but her choices in 2022 were kind of like out of the box and above and beyond. Kirsten: Out of the box and above and beyond. Yes, So our last book is Jennifer Matthew, and she is going to be talking to us about her book, Faculty Lounge. JAckie: So our last book is Jennifer Matthew, and she is going to be talking to us about her book, Faculty Lounge. Kirsten: We are so excited because we have Jennifer Mathou with us to talk about her book, The Faculty Lounge. Thank you so much for being here today. Jennifer Mathieu: I am so excited. It is a treat, a treat and a half. I'm just honored that you asked me to come on. Thank you so much. Kirsten: Well, we absolutely loved your book. And for those people that don't know about it, I'm hoping you can kind of tell us a brief overview of what your book is about. Jennifer Mathieu: Yeah, so the faculty lounge follows a large cast of characters at a big public high school in Houston over the course of one school year. And each chapter focuses on a different adult that works in the school. So we meet teachers, of course, but also administrators, a custodian, the school nurse. Like we're we're kind of like visiting with each one in in each chapter takes us to a different person. The inciting incident is that. A substitute that used to be a teacher at the school, and he returned to sub and he's well into his 80s. He passes away of natural causes in the faculty lounge. And his last request was that his ashes be spread in the courtyard of this school that had meant so much to him. This kicks off some drama, and that's sort of what takes us through the school year. It's my love letter to every adult who's ever worked in a school. Kirsten: And why is it, you know, our reading challenge prompt is novels about teachers? And why is it that you wanted to talk about teaching and teachers and really put them in at the centerplace of a book? Because that we don't see that very often. Jennifer Mathieu: Yeah, we don't see it very often. And when we do see it, when we see teachers or people who work in schools portrayed in popular culture, they are usually portrayed as saints, right? So you think of like stand in, you know, stand and deliver, lean on me, dead poet society, dangerous minds. Like I can list them for you. And it's like the teacher that just sacrifices their life Kirsten: Mm-hmm. Jennifer Mathieu: for their students. And of course, teachers do work hard, but we're human beings. I wanted to portray a world. Where the people who work at this school at Baldwin High are human. They're flawed. They love their jobs. They love what they do. They love their students and they care for each other, but they are people, fully formed people with lives outside of the school walls. And so I wanted to sort of challenge this portrayal of teachers as either like martyrs and saints, or sometimes now they're portrayed as like indoctrinators or groomers. It's like one Kirsten: Mm-hmm. Right. Jennifer Mathieu: of two extremes. The teachers I know live in the messy middle and so that's what I was trying to portray. Kirsten: I love that you did this so much because I'm actually a speech therapist also. And so Jennifer Mathieu: Right. Kirsten: I worked in schools for years and years. And everything that you said is a hundred percent correct. And I love that term, the messy middle. Like that is so where we all live our lives. Yes. And it's Jennifer Mathieu: Yes, yes, yes. Yes. Right. That's right. Kirsten: everything is in extremes these days, but it is that messy middle, that common ground that is just great. And and makes it Jennifer Mathieu: Yes. Kirsten: so relatable for anybody reading the book. Mm-hmm. Jennifer Mathieu: Right. And I do think there's also just well, and also first of all, thank you for your service of your years in the school system. So thank you. I know it's not easy. Kirsten: Yeah. Jennifer Mathieu: and I've asked people people are like, Can you write a sequel with all the people? Like, I don't have a coach, I don't have a librarian, like I need to have all the other people. You know, I Kirsten: Yes, yes, yes. Jennifer Mathieu: know maybe maybe one day, maybe one day. Cause I didn't hit everybody that that's in a school, but I think too, like it's a workplace novel. Like we, you know, we see, of course, shows like The Office and you know, Which we love, right? Because workplaces are where we spend so much of our time. Kirsten: Yes. Jennifer Mathieu: And, you know, of course, a school is a unique workplace, but it is still a workplace. And so I think even folks who have never worked in a school or, you know, the only time they spent in a school was as a student, they haven't been in one in years. Kirsten: Right. Jennifer Mathieu: I I think they're still gonna be able to relate to this idea of like we spend hours of our lives with these people, and then we all go home to our respective homes. And you know, we might not be close. close with them, like I've worked with fee with folks that I'm not like, I don't even know necessarily like their first name. I just know them as like Ms. Brown or whatever. But like they know me, right? They know me. Like we know Kirsten: Right. Right. Jennifer Mathieu: each other deeply because of the work we do. So it's kind of an interesting thing, the workplace novel or the workplace television show. And so I think folks that don't work in schools will still get something out of it. Kirsten: They absolutely will. So is there anything you want readers of the book to know before they read it? Or anything that you want them specifically to take away? Jennifer Mathieu: Well, definitely taking away the idea of, you know, people who work in schools are fully flawed humans. The thing I do want to say is that this is not like a tell-all. Like I am still a public school teacher. I still teach 11th grade. And I have had like people are like colleagues, even students who know I write, they're like, is this real? Like, no. Nobody died at my school in the faculty line. now I will say there are moments in the book inspired by like real life, of course. But there's like certain tropes and things like the teacher who always jams the copy machine and like walks away and doesn't care. Like Kirsten: Ha ha. Jennifer Mathieu: she or he exists at every school, right? So you know it's not like a tell-all in that way. There are things that are inspired by my real life and real experiences that I've had, but it is a work of fiction. So I just want to make that clear. Kirsten: Fantastic. Well, that was definitely one of my questions. Was like, who's who and which teacher are you in Jennifer Mathieu: Yes. Yeah. Kirsten: the book? Like I want to know. Jennifer Mathieu: Well, there is, there's one teacher in there, Ms. Jimenez, and she's kind of like, she's the one who just like doesn't give any you know what's and she'll just speak her mind. And I did work with a woman that had these tendencies at my last school, a dear woman, and we're friends, but she read the book and she's like, is this me? And I'm like, no. Kirsten: Ha ha. Jennifer Mathieu: I'm like, no, like, I mean, obviously you there's some similarities, but again, these kinds of rich characters, you know, the funny one, the person who speaks up, the quieter, these people exist everywhere, right? So It is not we see ourselves in these characters, but they're not based on like actual people. Yeah. Kirsten: I'm so excited for us to be able to deep dive into this book, fill it with spoilers. Yes. when we do it with the book club. So Jennifer Mathieu: Excellent. I can't wait. I can't wait either. It's gonna be so much fun. Kirsten: Well, thank you for coming on today. Jennifer Mathieu: Thank you. Thank you so much for having me. Kirsten: right, don't you wanna read JAckie: Don't you worry Kirsten: this book now? Because I'm telling you, it is phenomenal. I absolutely love the perspectives, I absolutely love the storytelling, and I cannot wait to talk to Jennifer and our book club about this one at the end of September. So there is still time for you to join. I will put the link below. JAckie: Yes. Kirsten: in the show notes but now it is time for the bookmark and it's Jackie's week. I'm so excited because JAckie: In the show notes. But now it is time for the bookmark and it's Jackie's week. I'm so excited because Kirsten: The bookmark this week is Falling from Peachtree Bluff by Christy Woodson Harvey. And it is number five in the Peachtree series. we She's coming back to Peachtree. JAckie: The bookmark this week is Falling from Peachtree Bluff by Christy Woodson Harvey. And it is number five in the Peach Tree series. we She's coming back to Peachtree. I know we're so excited. And we actually spoke to Christy about this book on Instagram on Tuesday. So if you haven't had a chance, you can go over to Instagram. You can Kirsten: Instagram on Tuesday. So if you haven't had a chance, you can go over to Instagram, you can you can check it out. I promise there's no spoilers because it's coming out in a few weeks. But essentially, we are back on Peachtree. This is the first book that she's written there in the fall. So I'm loving the fall vibes of this book. I have to say, if you have not read all the other books in the series, JAckie: You can check it out. I promise there's no spoilers because it's coming out in a few weeks. But essentially, we are back on Peachtree. This is the first book that she's written there in the fall. So I'm loving the fall vibes of this book. I have to say, if you have not read all the other books in the series, I still think you can read this book and 100% enjoy it. Kirsten: I still think you can read this book and 100% enjoy it. There is so much in this book about JAckie: There is so much in this book about Kirsten: family, the relationship between a mother and her and her daughters, their spouses. It deals a little bit with some fertility, with marriage, with relationships of kids and women of all ages. JAckie: family, the relationship between a mother and her and her daughters, their spouses. It deals a little bit with some fertility, with marriage, with relationships of kids and women of all ages. Kirsten: One of the women is a is a senior in high school. You have someone who's a little bit older, and then the matriarch of the family who's only in her forties. it really is a family drama, but only the way Christy can write. JAckie: One of the women is a is a senior in high school. You have someone who's a little bit older, and then the matriarch of the family who's only in her it really is a family drama, but only the way Christy can write. Kirsten: I love that Christy, who I think of as a go-to beat read author, is bringing us into fall. It's giving me JAckie: Yes. Kirsten: something to look forward to. And I just think that She can do no wrong in my eyes. She just writes these cozy, wonderful stories that are lighthearted but thoughtful, easy to read, but you know, JAckie: Lighthearted but thoughtful. Easy to read but you know Kirsten: there's depth. And I just, I just love everything that Christy does. I love talking to her. JAckie: Mm-hmm. Kirsten: So this is an excellent choice, even though it doesn't come out for a few more weeks. But put it on, put it on your lists, request it from the line. JAckie: Put it on, put it on your lists, request it from the library. Every request from the library helps the authors. You can go on your Goodreads shelf or on your story graph and market is to be read. That also really helps authors to get on bestseller lists. So all those things are little things that you could do to help the authors before the book comes out. Kirsten: It does. You can go on your Goodreads shelf or on your story graph and Market is to be read. That also really helps authors to get on bestseller lists. So all those things are little things that you could do to help the authors before the book comes out. So now we just have our reader question of the week. JAckie: So now we just have our reader question of the week. Kirsten: Okay. Now, as of this, we already know some of the Reese and the GMAYA. But We may even have all of the other spoilers up by the time you're listening to this, but don't cheat. Don't cheat and put your predictions down below. Or if you do know, let us know what your thoughts are for the choices that are being made. And we will be back next week to talk about the September celebrity book club picks. And the ones that we don't know, we have very strong suspicions. Very strong. JAckie: And the ones that we don't know, we have very strong suspicions. suspicions. Kirsten: In fact, we are ready to go. We've already read them and we're like, please choose these these few books. If they if they're not chosen, I'm gonna be mm mind blown. If they're not chosen, we're talking about them next week anyway. Yes. Because they're just that good. JAckie: If they if they're not chosen, I'm gonna be mind blown. If they're not chosen, we're talking about week anyway. Yes, it it's true. If they're if they're not chosen, we're talking about them anyway, so too bad. Kirsten: So that's it. Tune in next week. Like, follow, and subscribe. JAckie: And happy reading.