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Novels About Grief with Rosie Storey · The Read Carpet Report

• In-person participant 1: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage pass to celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And I'm Kirsten. And we're your hosts. Kirsten Baritz: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, backstage pass celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book releases. I'm Jackie. And I'm Kirsten. Today's episode is a plot twist where we are gonna go deep into some grief novels. But before we do that, we've got the red carpet rundown. And there are some great ones this week. ⁓ absolutely. So I'm very excited about something that's coming to PBS. I know what it is. We have the Cautumante Cristo. It is coming to PBS. was previously recorded. In-person participant 1: And there are some great ones this week. So I'm very excited about something that's coming to PBS. We have the Count of Monte Cristo. It is coming to PBS. It was previously recorded, but I think it was done overseas. So now it's coming to PBS and it's gonna be a mini series. So I'm so excited for this one. Kirsten Baritz: but I think it was done overseas, so now it's coming to PBS, and it's gonna be a mini series. So I'm so excited for this one. I love when Masterpiece Theater does something because you just know it's gonna be excellent. This is the home of like Downton Abbey and Victoria. they know what they are doing when they do these Masterpiece Theater shows. And this one stars Sam Claffin. In-person participant 1: Yeah. Kirsten Baritz: known for Daisy Jones fame, at least known to me for Daisy Jones It comes out on March 22nd. So it comes out on Sunday. And I'm super excited the fact that it's a mini series because I feel like, I mean, this book is a chunker. ⁓ ⁓ thousand pages. they're to be able to get so many more of the details in that you can't do if it's a two hour movie. Absolutely not. This one is. In-person participant 1: Sam Kleffin, known for Daisy Jones fame, at least known to me for Daisy Jones fame. It comes out on March 22nd. So it comes out on Sunday. And I'm super excited the fact that it's a mini series because I feel like, I mean, this book is a chonker. It's like a thousand pages. they're going to be able to get so many more of the details in that you can't do if it's a two hour movie. Kirsten Baritz: filled with characters that are constantly cut or mashed together. And it is a fantastic book. I know it's one of your favorite books of all time. I read it over the course of like two years because it really does need dedicated time to read. But man, are the adaptations of this great. And the men in my life love the original movie or the most recent movie, the one that Henry Cavill was in. So I know that they're gonna watch it. Henry Cavill is Henry Cavill, you know. In-person participant 1: And it is a fantastic book. I know it's one of your favorite books. It is. It is. It really does. I mean, I like Henry Cavill. Kirsten Baritz: But this was like before he was Henry Cavill. Yeah, he was a baby. baby. But we are all very excited to watch this one. I'm going tell you what I'm not excited about, though. And that is the book that is on everybody's radar that is being adapted. And it's coming out this week. I don't even want to say the name. Project Hell Mary. That's the one I don't mess with space. I was going to say you don't like space. In-person participant 1: Yeah, he was a baby. being adapted and it's coming out this week. I don't even want to the name. Project Helmary. Yeah, I was going to say, you don't like space. I don't like the ocean. Yeah, see, that's weird to me. Like, I love the ocean. Like, I wrote a kid book about the ocean. Kirsten Baritz: I don't like the ocean. Yeah, see, that's weird to me. Like, I love the ocean. Like, I wrote a kid's book about the ocean. When I was in second grade, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I wanted to live on a submarine. Can back up to the fact that you wrote a book? I did. I illustrated one. It was about Eugene Clark. She made me want to study sharks. In-person participant 1: Okay, can we back up to the fact that you wrote a book? So does that mean that this is gonna be my bookmark next week? Kirsten Baritz: So does that mean that this is gonna be my bookmark next week? You don't need to have it as your bookmark next week because I have got the adventures of Eugene Clark right here. Guys, look, look. Hi, Rosie. ⁓ Thank you. Thank for being here today. ⁓ Rosie: Thank you so much for having me. Kirsten Baritz: Can you tell us a little bit about your book? In-person participant 1: Can I, I just... ⁓ Rosie: Sure, so in Dandelion is Dead, we meet Poppy, who's 37 and she's grieving her beloved older sister and feeling a little bit lost in life and in a moment of loneliness, she goes into her sister Dandelion's dating app and replies to a message from a stranger called Jake. Kirsten Baritz: was quite the illustrator. But how old were you? I was in second grade. my god, this is really... I'm not sure what this picture is. In-person participant 1: God, but how old were you? ⁓ my god, this is really good. I'm not sure what this picture is. Kirsten Baritz: That was me diving with my shark. like apparently we went to find Zeus. So so you loved mythology even back then. I did. I loved mythology and I loved I love like the ocean, but I don't actually want to be a marine biologist anymore. But space to me, it's like, I don't know. There's like I was scarred by Apollo 13. I just. In-person participant 1: So you loved mythology even back then? Rosie: and she decides to meet up with him on what would have been Dandelion's 40th birthday and she thinks she'll do it for one night only as a precarious dare and a way to feel close to her sister. Only when she meets him, they have thrilling chemistry and her lives begin to spiral. Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ that is such a good description of it. I love it. In-person participant 1: Okay, okay I Know I feel like space is having a moment of books So it's not surprising to me that now is when they decided to make this except ⁓ It is starring Ryan Gosling Kirsten Baritz: I don't think we're supposed to be up there. I know. I feel like space is having a moment of book. So it's not surprising to me that now is when they decided to make this except it is starring Ryan Gosling. I know that would be the only thing that would get me to see it. But like, I'm really just I don't think I can. Like even if you knew the ending. So what was your inspiration for writing this and why did you choose to write a book about grief? Rosie: My inspiration really was personal authenticity. I was thinking a lot about that moment as you approach midlife or really just when you're a grown up and you think, I didn't really think life was gonna look like this when I was younger. And so I have two people, Poppy and Jake, who really trying to figure out how to lead that one precious life. I've got Jake, who's 40, his divorced dad. In-person participant 1: Like even if you knew the ending? Kirsten Baritz: If I know that it's okay, maybe, no, I just, I really. I can watch books like hidden figures or like adaptations, like hidden figures where it's about the work of space. Like I appreciate all the scientists. I think it is very cool. I can watch like the, the like satellites go up and it's all very cool, the Mars Rover, but like, I do not think that people should be on like, I just, I don't think we're supposed to be out there. In-person participant 1: Okay, all right. It's about the work. Right. OK. I appreciate all the scientists. Rosie: He cheated on his ex. He's not feeling great about himself. He wants to find love. And I've got Poppy, who's also questioning her relationship. She's feeling a bit stagnant in her career. And of course she's lost her beloved older sister. So I wanted to work with them to help them figure out life. In-person participant 1: I not think that people should be on it. I don't think we're supposed to be out there. I just don't think we are and I don't like it. Legit, I respect it. Because I'm not getting in a sub. Which is weird to me. Submarines, we're good. No, it's the same. anything happens to that vehicle, that ship and you're goner. So, nope. Kirsten Baritz: I just don't think we are and I don't like it. Legit, I respect it. Because I'm not getting a sub. Which is weird to me, like submarines, like we're good, we're good. It's the same. anything happens to that vehicle, that ship and like you're goner. So no, like if it was a boat, I can swim. If I'm already underwater, I can't my breath that long. we've been going like underwater for like ever. Did you always know that there was going to be this big grief component? In-person participant 1: Like if it was a boat, I can swim. If I'm already underwater, I can't hold my breath that long. Not me. Kirsten Baritz: I don't know. don't know. Submarines, I'm totally, I'm down. I'm down with a submarine. In-person participant 1: We know less about our ocean than we do about space. Kirsten Baritz: I 100%. my God, we're getting so off topic. Okay, we're moving on. The Oscars were last night and Hamnet, well specifically, Jessie Buckley of Hamnet took home a really big award. She won the award for best actress and she is the only Irish actor to do that. That's right. So a huge deal. It is a really, really big deal for her. And obviously Hamnet was a book adaptation. So. In-person participant 1: ⁓ they were. ⁓ She won the award Best ⁓ and ⁓ she is the only ⁓ Irish actor to do that. it's huge deal. Rosie: ⁓ I always knew that I was gonna have grief at the center of it. It's such a part for so many of us it's such a huge thing for us to deal with. And it's really a way that Poppy is forced to take hold of the beauty of her own life through losing her beloved sister. Kirsten Baritz: It kind of segues really perfectly actually into our plot twist of the week because it is actually a novel about grief. Hamnet is about the loss of Shakespeare's child. So, and it was recommended by some listeners. Listen, Tanya actually both recommended this to us. great pick. In-person participant 1: Liss and Tanya actually both recommended this to great Kirsten Baritz: I loved it so much, I had so many questions. I know if you saw, we were joking around about the fact that like, in a way, you should be like, okay, here's this girl, she's totally cat-pishing this guy, right? But you totally understand why she's doing it and you love her anyway. ⁓ So that's just a testament to the way that you wrote because they're ⁓ all- As we move into the plot twist, the reason that we chose grief novels as a reading challenge prompt for April was because last year Jackie and I both read some absolutely incredible grief novels, many of which actually were romance novels that dealt with grief, which is not something you would normally think of together. Right. And you would think that it's a little bit of an oxymoron, but it's actually not. They work so well together. In-person participant 1: Yes. Right. And you would think that it's a little bit of an oxymoron, but it's actually not. They work so well together. And I should point out that not all the books that are on this list are incredibly sad. They obviously have a grief component to them, but some of them are funny. Kirsten Baritz: very imperfect characters and they felt very authentic, very real. And so you love them anyway, like with their flaws, like because of their flaws, as opposed to like some people that you're like, ⁓ they're just horrible. Rosie: Yeah. Kirsten Baritz: And I should point out that not all the books that are on this list are incredibly sad. They obviously have a grief component to them, but some of them are funny. A lot of them are funny. They're funny or they're heartwarming or they're romantic. It's always interesting to see how grief is portrayed in a novel and the different ways that every person experiences it and every character experiences it. Rosie: I think with Poppy and Jake, they're good people who do bad things and there's deception but they never set out intending to deceive. It spirals and it all goes out of control. Kirsten Baritz: but we do have some recommendations and I think only one of them is really a tearjerker. Yeah, I think it's one that we're gonna be reading together. That's right. Okay, spoiler alert. In-person participant 1: Yeah, I think it's one that we're going to be reading together. That's right. OK, spoiler alert. Kirsten Baritz: Let's start with the lighter ones, lighter-ish, light adjacent. let's start with the romance novels. Okay, this is great. I have one ⁓ and it was actually recommended to by a friend of ours, Meg, who read this book and ⁓ after she had experienced some loss, felt like it really resonated with her. ⁓ Is there anything else you want to tell ⁓ before they pick up the book that you want them to know about? In-person participant 1: this is great. ⁓ have one ⁓ ⁓ was actually recommended to us by a friend of ours Meg, who ⁓ this book ⁓ ⁓ she had experienced some loss and felt like it really resonated with her. ⁓ this is The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Postam. Rosie: guess when I think of Dandelion is dead, ⁓ think of it as a story of love and lust and grief, but really it's a story about finding hope through the messiness of life. In-person participant 1: And in this book, Clementine is grieving the loss of her late aunt. She's moved into her aunt's apartment. magical realism because somehow ⁓ when she into the apartment, she is now seven years in the past and she meets a man. ⁓ And there's little bit of romance ⁓ and it funny. ⁓ And you're are they going to meet in the future? ⁓ kind of goes in and out of the apartment, because she's got to have her life, but she's not really sure if when she comes back she's going to be in the present or she's going to be seven years in the past. ⁓ and ⁓ it really deals with grief. in a lovely way, like slowly getting over and very a natural way, you know, it takes time. Kirsten Baritz: like slowly getting over and very a natural way, know, it takes time. Mine is also about the taking time of it all when it comes to grief. It's Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone, which I know you read too. Love this book. In-person participant 1: love this book. Kirsten Baritz: And Anne and Angie also recommended this. So I love it when we see eye to eye with our listeners. ⁓ It is a story about a woman who is a temporary nanny to a single mother and her daughter. And she is going through the loss of her best friend who had a long-term illness and has passed away. And she is devastated by this loss. Doesn't really want to get attached to anyone, which is why she only wants to be a temporary nanny. In the meantime, this family has had, they live in a duplex in New York and the upstairs neighbor is now the half brother of the mom who's been estranged from her And he wants to reconnect with his sister ⁓ and his niece. And he would like to a deal with the nanny. I will help you get over your grief because I have gotten over mine. if you will help me reconnect with my family. And what happens is they form an adorable friendship first, it is a slow burn that gets very steamy. But it is just an absolutely lovely, lovely story of connection after grief. And this was one of our best of the year last year. I legitimately remember where I was when I was reading this book. Very powerful. And again, In-person participant 1: if you will help me reconnect with my family. And what happens is they form an adorable friendship first. is a slow burn that gets very teeny. But it is just an absolutely lovely, lovely story of connection after. And this was one of our best of the year. Last year, I legitimately remember where I was when I was reading this book. Very powerful. And again, It seems like grief and romance shouldn't go together, but they go together so well. Kirsten Baritz: It seems like grief and romance shouldn't go together, but they go together so well. They Other ones in this category that kept coming up when we asked you guys for recommendations were Finding Grace, which I loved, The Last Love Note, ⁓ and Grief. Those are great picks. All great picks. So ⁓ now we have some suggestions for ⁓ grief novels. ⁓ In-person participant 1: those are great picks. ⁓ ⁓ we also have some suggestions for ⁓ novels. So these aren't necessarily romances, they could be fiction, historical fiction. Some of them are quite humorous. So what's your first pick? Kirsten Baritz: these aren't necessarily romances. They could be fiction, historical fiction. Some of them are quite humorous. So what's your first pick? is Jonathan Trooper's This Is Where I Leave You, which was also recommended by listener Amy. ⁓ And it's about Jewish Shiva. So if unfamiliar, Shiva is the time seven days after someone has been buried where the family gathers in normally a common place. In this case, the dad has died. So they're in their family home with their mom. And over that seven days, you kind of have to stick around, stay home, and people come and they share stories about your loved ones. And they really like connect with you and help to get you the support you need while you're going through this horrible loss, especially in those initial really painful days. Well, this is a comedy, odd as that may sound, but it was actually adapted and Jason Bateman is the lead. But it's a comedy about these grown siblings that have moved back into their childhood home for this one week period of time with their mother as they're trying to like figure out their life, reconnect as a family and figure out what they're gonna do with their dad's store. In-person participant 1: especially in those initial really painful days. Well, this is a comedy, as odd as that may sound, but it was actually adapted in Jason Bateman's lead. It's a comedy about these grown siblings that have moved back into their childhood home for this one week a time with their mother as they're trying to figure out their life, reconnect as a family, and figure out what they're gonna do with their dad's story. So that's funny because mine is actually also a book about losing a parent, but what a surprise, mine's a magical realism. Kirsten Baritz: So that's funny because mine is actually also a book about losing a parent, but what a surprise, mine's a magical realism. ⁓ I think you are very predictable. If there is a book on a topic and there's a magical realism aspect, you're like, that's mine, In-person participant 1: I know. I love it because it provides just a certain amount of ⁓ levity ⁓ ⁓ takes out of it so that ⁓ it doesn't quite as heavy, which is probably why ⁓ I love ⁓ I chose Italian Summer by Rebecca Serro. ⁓ And this story about a woman who was supposed to go with her mother to Italy. Her mother passes away before she's able to go. And so she decides to take the trip without her mom. When she gets there and she goes to the hotel, she realizes that she's checked into the hotel many years in the past when her mother was at this hotel. And she meets her mother as a person who is her own age, and they become friends. So it's this unbelievable story of her getting to know her mother. after her mother has passed. I just loved it so much. Kirsten Baritz: She realizes that she's checked into the hotel many years in the past when her mother was at this hotel she meets her mother ⁓ a person who is her own age and they become friends. So it's this unbelievable story of her getting to know her mother ⁓ her mother has passed. I just loved it so much. ⁓ it's also said in Italy and like the summertime, so like Aperol spritz it up and read this book on spring break. it's like not too chunky. So it's the perfect one where you could pick it up, put it down and you'll be able to finish it and you'll breeze right through it. It was a best seller for a reason. In-person participant 1: Yes, yes, and it's like not too chunky. So it's the perfect one where you could pick it up, put it down and you'll be able to finish it and you'll breeze right through it. It was a best seller for a reason. Kirsten Baritz: The other books recommended by our listeners also many of them are best sellers. We've got Broken Country, After Annie, and The Gunkel which is another really good spring break read. It is. In-person participant 1: Obviously. Okay. It is. Kirsten Baritz: Now we get to get into our book club picks. And it's really exciting because this month we have two of them. I'm so excited. In-person participant 1: I am so excited! Kirsten Baritz: Mine is first. is for our private book club for our members. And it is probably the only real tearjerker on this list. ⁓ I apologize in advance. You will be sobbing with this one. keep getting teary just when you tell us what the book's about. And we've talked about it numerous times. And I get teary every time. In-person participant 1: keep getting teary just when you tell us what the book's about. And we've talked about it numerous times, and I get teary every time. Kirsten Baritz: It's the 100 years of Lenny and Margot by Marian Cronin. And it is about two women in a hospital. One is a 17 year old girl and one is an 83 year old woman. And they both have disease that make them terminal patients. And in order to sort of deal with the grief of losing their life and like kind of accepting this fact. They join an art class that's being held in the hospital and they buddy up and decide that they're gonna paint a picture for every year of their collective life. And so you get to touch base with them on different memories and stories about their life along the way. They form this incredible bond and it is heartbreaking. You like go in knowing this is like a terminal illness and in a child. ⁓ In-person participant 1: and it is heartbreaking. You let go and know. And in a child, too. Kirsten Baritz: And it is, you're gonna be sad. Like you are gonna be sad, but it is a beautiful story that reminds you of the connections that we can play with people in their life, no matter for how short you think or what point in their life, like human connection matters so much and just the stories of what both of these women have gone through. it's just, it's wonderful. I'm so excited. In-person participant 1: can't wait to read this one and I think sometimes, especially if you know that it's going to be a sad book, you can go in and absorb everything that the book has to give you because sometimes we need to cry. Kirsten Baritz: sometimes, especially if you know that it's going to be a sad book, you can go in and absorb everything that the book has to give you because sometimes we need a good cry. We do. And the book club for this is going to be on a Sunday because Marianne lives abroad. It's going to be Sunday, April 26th at 2 30. And I can't wait to read it. I've been saving this book. I haven't read it yet. Well, I haven't read our public book club book. In-person participant 1: And I can't wait to read it. I've been saving this book. I haven't read it yet. So that's right. We once a year have a public book club. And what we do is we announce it. We let you register. And don't worry, if you cannot attend, it will be recorded. And you can watch it after. So the book is Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Story. Kirsten Baritz: we let you register and don't worry if you cannot attend it will be recorded and you can you can watch it after. So the book is Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Story. It was our bookmark earlier in the year. And I'm so excited because I actually don't have to tell you about it because Rosie is going to tell you all about In-person participant 1: And I'm so excited because I actually don't have to tell you about it because Rosie is going to tell you all about her book. So the book club for this is going to be April 28th at 11 a.m. Rosie is also in England. So that's why we're having it a little earlier in the day. We can't have it at eight o'clock at night. It will be three o'clock in the morning for her. If you want to see it, again, we will provide the link. You can register. And if you can't be there in person, then with the link, you can absolutely watch it after. Kirsten Baritz: This is one book that I personally am going to be taking with me on my spring break reading. It's going right into my suitcase. I got my copy this week. I cannot wait to read it and then discuss it with Rosie. In that interview, she is a doll. She is just so sweet. I cannot wait to have a conversation with her. I have like a little girl crush on her. Like I think that she looks like Kate Middleton. And when she first popped on and started talking, I was like, princess, is that you? In-person participant 1: She is just so sweet. I cannot wait to have a conversation with her about it. Kirsten Baritz: Like I literally think she looks like Kay Middleton. In-person participant 1: I know it was so funny. You couldn't talk. Kirsten Baritz: talk. could I was a little bit starstruck. Like I'm convinced that she's Princess Kate in disguise. She's also the nicest person. She is so sweet. We loved having that little brief conversation with her and I can't wait to really delve into this book with her. In-person participant 1: but she's also the nicest person. She is so sweet. We loved having that little brief conversation with her and I can't wait to really delve into this book with her. Kirsten Baritz: Well, can I recommend a book for you for spring break? please. ⁓ bookmark pick is The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom it's for break reading because of its setting. It's Greece, baby. We are in an island in Greece and ⁓ we're buying villa a dollar. That sounds fantastic. Yeah. So essentially this woman who is looking to escape her In-person participant 1: ⁓ please. We baby. We are in an island in Greece we're buying a villa for a dollar. That sounds fantastic. Yeah. So essentially this woman who is looking to escape her abusive marriage. Kirsten Baritz: Abusive marriage, trigger warning for that. I'm telling you upfront. How graphic is it? Not particularly graphic, ⁓ but there are scenes that could be triggering if this is something that is upsetting to you. Okay. She's looking to escape her life. And so she enters ⁓ a lottery to buy a Grecian villa for a dollar with the plan that you have to stay there for two years and you have to pay for the restoration of these homes that haven't been occupied really since World War II. She wins. In-person participant 1: How graphic is it? Kirsten Baritz: She heads over to this little Grecian Island. There are five other houses that are going through the same thing. So she becomes friends with her neighbors. They're all kind of fixing up their homes. And during the restoration process, she finds a cache of hidden letters from World War II. And other things start popping up on different properties that are relating to what happened in World War II. It's a dual timeline story. So these letters actually take us back to World War II. In-person participant 1: But the plan is have to stay there for two years and you have to pay for the restoration of these homes that haven't been occupied really since World War II. She wins. She heads over to this little Aborigines island. There are five other houses that are going through the same thing. So she was friends of her neighbors. They're all kind of fixing up their homes. And during the restoration process, she finds a cache of hidden letters from the world. Oh, wow. And other things start popping up on different properties. Kirsten Baritz: and we get to find out what was happening on the island during the Nazi occupation. ⁓ that sounds so good. So it's current time and back. That's right. It's current time and back. ⁓ And it's just a phenomenal story that reminds me a lot of Under the Tuscan Sun for the present day portion, but also the Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society for the backwards portion, because you have to remember that these islands, when they were occupied by Nazis, In-person participant 1: that are relating to what happened in World War Two. It's a dual timeline story. So these letters actually take us back to World War Two. And we get to find out what was happening on the island during the Nazi occupation. Oh, that sounds so good. So it's current time and back. Okay. Okay. And it's just a phenomenal story that Under the Tuscan sun, for the present day portion, but also the Guernsey literary portion for the backwards portion because you have to remember that these islands when they were occupied by Nazis, the men on the islands were off and off fighting at war. there's like an island that has been inhabited by Nazi men and there's some drama around if you liked either of those two books or movies, we're both. Kirsten Baritz: the men on the islands were off and off fighting at war. So there's like an island filled with women that has been inhabited by Nazi men. And there's some drama around ⁓ if you liked either of those two books or movies or both, because they're both adapted, you will actually really like this book that is on sale this week. That sounds fantastic. this an important question. Can I still buy a villa? In-person participant 1: because they're both adapted. You will actually really like this book that is on sale this week. That sounds fantastic. is an important question. Can I still buy a villa for a dollar? Kirsten Baritz: When I go to Greece this summer, I will check it out for you. Okay, so if the answer is yes, can I pay you back the dollar when you get back? Yes. I will sign you up when I'm over there. Or we can like split it like 50 cents each. I will pay 50 cents. Oh my God, and we could totally, yes. We're shaking on it. We're going, we're buying a home in Greece together. Beyond the book. In-person participant 1: Okay, so if the answer is yes, can I pay you back the dollar when you get back? or we can like split it like 50 cents each. ⁓ my God. we could totally. Yes. Beyond the Buckhens and the red carpet report will now be broadcast live from Greece. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ For real, for real. Like how do we make this happen? I don't know, put your name in for the lottery. Okay, I mean our kids have to graduate from college, but like I'm in. I mean really? Like if we move there, then don't they get like cheaper free education? In-person participant 1: I don't know, put your name in for the lottery. I mean, really? Like if we move there, then don't they get like cheaper free education? So next week, I'm really excited because we have a full author interview for our episode. And we are interviewing Ali Hoff Kosick for her book, Too Blessed to Stress. Kirsten Baritz: So next week, I'm really excited because we have a full author interview for our episode. And we are interviewing Ali Hoff Kosick for her book, Too Blessed to Stress. It's a really fun one for fans of Everyone is Lying to You by Joe Piazza or Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or any sort of influencer culture. It is about a group of Christian influencers in a mega church. right outside of Charleston. In-person participant 1: So is her debut novel ⁓ and is already out. So if you have any questions for Ali about what it was like to write her debut novel or anything about the book, you can send us the messages ⁓ and will be happy to ask Ali. Kirsten Baritz: So this is her debut novel ⁓ and it is already out. So you have any questions for Ali about what it was like to write her debut novel or anything about the book, you can send us the messages ⁓ and we will be happy to Ali. I already read and really enjoyed this book, so I cannot wait to talk to Ali about it. In-person participant 1: if you have enjoying the red carpet report, you could help us out a lot by ⁓ subscribing on YouTube following us ⁓ on Apple podcasts on Spotify. completely free, but it really helps us to continue to make the content. we'll see you next week. Kirsten Baritz: we'll see you next week. Happy reading!