A new month means NEW BOOKS. Woohoo!!!

Today I’m talking about life lately and how plans might affect my reading life. I also talk about a bunch of HYPED books, four I’ve read already and a few more I’m hopeful for.

My hope is that you find these episodes useful and insightful. Perhaps you’ll add a book or two to your reading radar or you can cross one off the list.

Grab a drink, find a cozy spot or lace up those shoes, and let’s get to it!

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Books mentioned:

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown

The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram

Next to Heaven by James Frey

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

The Names by Florence Knapp

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vyong

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

What June release is a MUST read for you?

Leave a comment

In case you missed it:

I have been dropping a reading recap podcast episodes monthly for over a year now but because I decided to take a bit of a social media break I didn’t have the chance to drop an episode for March or April. Never fear because today I’m bringing you a recap that’s fresh and fun.

Today I plan to share the HIGHS and LOWS from the last two months with a few superlatives, my favorite nerdy reading stats, reflections on my reading predictions and my social media break. I’ll also share some personal literary highlights and give you some insight into what’s up next.

A reminder that these episodes are meant to be fun and informative. I don’t edit these podcasts so I excuse any ums, likes, dog barking, rambling or mispronunciations.

Grab a drink or lace up those shoes and pop an earbud in your ear and let’s get chatting about all the books!

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Books mentioned:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

Saltwater by Katy Hayes

Good Samaritan by Toni Halleen

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley

The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

The Last Season by Julia Bartz

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

My Friends by Frederik Backman

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Everything I read in March and April:

March Reads

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

The Tell by Amy Griffin

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

Good Samaritan by Toni Halleen

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul

Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

The Last Session by Julia Bartz

Find my March reads ranked here.

April Reads

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

Run For The Hills by Kevin Wilson

Late to the Search Party by Steven Espada Dawson

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean

I Hope You Remember by Josie Balka

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller

Live Fast by Brigitte Giraud

Find my April reads ranked here.

Thank you for listening!

xoxo

Leave a comment

In case you missed it…

In today’s episode, I give listeners some insight into my personal life and how that will potentially impact my reading life. I also share thoughts on potential reading habits. You’ll also find my thoughts on hyped books that often include Book of the Month selections and celebrity book clubs. I’ll drop a few books I’m hopeful for and wrap things up with May releases I’ve read and some non spoiler thoughts.

My hope is that this helps you have a good look at what lies ahead and what books you may want to prioritize, perhaps plan a loose tbr and also think about how you can fit reading into your busy lives.

Grab your favorite drink, find a cozy spot or lace up those running shoes, and let’s get to it.

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Books mentioned:

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

Home of The American Circus by Allison Larkin

The Names by Florence Knapp

The Bombshell by Darrow Farr

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

Alive Day by Karie Fugett

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Matriarch by Tina Knowles

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Sike by Fred Lunzer

Late to the Search Party by Steven Espada Dawson

I Hope you Remember by Josie Balka

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

You can shop or find the synopsis for the above titles here.

Let me know if any of these new releases sound good to you.

Leave a comment

Thanks for listening!

xoxo

I hope today’s episode gives you a good glance at the month ahead. Perhaps it will help you determine what books you would like to prioritize or maybe you’ll add a few to your to be read piles.

I chat about potential hyped books and share thoughts on April releases I’ve already had the chance to read.

Just a heads up, that I will be taking a social media break for the month of April. I’m past due for some quiet time but will return next month.

Let me know your reading plans for April in the comments.

Leave a comment

Books mentioned…

The Sun Was Electric Light by Rachel Morton (BOTM exclusive)

The Griffin Sister’s Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner

Every Sweet Thing is Bitter by Samantha Crewson

Passion Project by London Sperry

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith

Sky Daddy by Kate Folk

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith

The Tell by Amy Griffin

Heartwood by Amity Gaige

All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley

The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin

The Last Session by Julia Bartz

You can shop or find the synopsis for the above titles here.

Subscribe now

Other mentions…

Renee's review of Heartwood by Amity Gaige

In case you missed it…

March is in full swing so it’s time to formally say goodbye to February. I read a little less than normal last month but it was a short month with lots of challenging parenting and tv that consumed me.

I still have plenty to share today and hope you find something that peeks your interest. I read a vast array of genres, along with some stellar nonfiction. I’ve included links for all the books mentioned as well as other podcasts and resources I consumed during the month.

I’d love to hear if I mentioned anything that particularly grabbed your interest. Let’s chat in the comments.

Thanks for spending some of your precious time with me.

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Books mentioned:

The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (April 1st)

You Didn't Hear This from Me by Kelsey Mckinney

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour Ph.D.

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

Saving Five: A Memoir by Amanda Nguyen

Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky (March 18th)

Tilt by Emma Pattee (March 25th)

Victorian Psycho by Virgina Feito

Dnf’s/Samples

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch (March 18th)

Nowhere by Allison Gunn (March 25th)

Free: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox (March 25th)

Other mentions:

I highly recommend Author Amanda Montell if you enjoy Kelsey Mckinney’s essays on gossip.

Parenting Podcast Recommendation - Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting. An excellent podcast for parents everywhere.

A backlist recommendation from Carter Wilson - Mister Tender’s Girl. A psychological thriller based on Slenderman.

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel a great fiction pairing to The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber.

Give Andrea Dunlop’s podcast, Nobody Should Believe Me a listen after reading The Mother Next Door.

Other books mentioned:

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

Isola by Allegra Goodman

This is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

The Echoes by Evie Wyld

In case you missed it:

I hope you enjoy listening and this helps you create a plan for your reading life. I share quite a few March releases so perhaps you added a few books to your agenda and can get a jump on library holds.

Let me know if anything in particular caught your attention.

Thanks for listening!

Books mentioned…

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmani

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

Dream State by Eric Puchner

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

Saltwater by Katy Hays

Good Samaritan by Toni Halleen

Saving Five by Amanda Nguyen

Tilt by Emma Pattee

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh

Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky

Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Free: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch

Nowhere by Allison Gunn

In case you missed it…

Today’s episode is 30 minutes long but that’s because I’m bringing you thirteen great reads. I tried my best to be brief but to also give you enough insight so you can determine whether to add a book to your tbr piles or pass it by.

Be sure to let me know if we read any of the same books or if you’ve decided to include any in your future reading plans.

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe now

Books mentioned:

Penitence by Kristin Koval

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Memorial Days: A Memoir by Geraldine Brooks

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

The Heart of Winter by Jonathan Evison

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

This Is A Love Story by Jessica Soffer

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff

Creep by Emma Van Straaten

Mentions:

For those new to Basic B’s Guide or prediction episodes you can expect some insight into my personal life and how that will potentially impact my reading life.. I also share thoughts on hyped books, some spoilers on celebrity book club selections as well as Book of the Month and then wrap things up with a couple of books I’m hopeful for.

This episode is short and sweet and can easily be consumed while out an about running errands, walking the dog or picking up the house.

Stay tuned for January’s reading recap episode as well as February’s Book Release Preview.

Thank you for listening, friends.

Subscribe now

Books mentioned…

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall (Feb. 4th)

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

Isola by Allegra Goodman (Feb. 4th)

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine (Feb. 4th)

A Love Story by Jessica Stoffer (Feb. 4th)

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister (Feb. 25th)

The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber (Feb. 4th)

The Echoes by Evie Wyld (Feb. 18th)

Preview and shop all titles here (affiliate link).

Be sure to let me know in the comments if any of the books mentioned are on your radar. Do you pay attention to celebrity book club selections? Do you read along with any of them?

Leave a comment

In case you missed it…

Today I’ll be sharing TEN, yes 10, January releases that I’ve read and will be spilling all the tea for you. I hope this is a great resource to readers in helping formulate a reading plan for the month, get library holds in and helps you prioritize where those hard earned dollars are spent.

I’d love if you take a moment to subscribe if you haven’t already.

Subscribe now

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to listen.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Books mentioned:

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan (available now)

Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su (Jan. 28th)

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia (Jan. 14th)

The Weekend Guests by Liza North (Jan. 28th)

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Jan. 14th)

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Jan. 14th)

When She’s Gone by Rea Frey (Jan. 14th)

You’ll Never Believe Me by Kari Ferrell

We are Watching by Alison Gaylin

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins

Check out all books here on bookshop.org.

Let me know what books sound good to you. Did I sell you on anything in particular?

Leave a comment

In case you missed it…

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Books mentioned:

Baby X by Kira Peikoff

James by Percival Everett

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

The Weekend Guest by Liza North (Jan. 28th)

The Most Wonderful Crime of The Year by Ally Carter

Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su (Jan. 28th)

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia (Jan. 14)

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

When She’s Gone by Rea Frey (Jan. 14th)

Not Her Daughter by Rea Frey

Because You’re Mine by Rea Frey

The Other Year by Rea Frey

What The Wife Knew by Darby Kane

You’ll Never Believe Me by Kari Ferrell

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

Havoc by Christopher Bollen

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Shop all books here

In case you missed it…

ItsBookTalk & More

Best Books of 2024 with Katie @basicbsbuide 🎙️

Hello…

Listen now

a year ago · 45 likes · 40 comments

If you’re new here, in these prediction episodes I share some insight into my personal life and how that will potentially impact my reading life. I also share predictions on the number of books I’ll read and the format in which I will consume them. I also share thoughts on hyped January releases and a few books I’m hopeful for.

I circle back in my monthly reading recap episode to see how well my predictions went.

I hope you enjoy listening. Be sure to let me know your reading plans for January.

Subscribe now

Books mentioned:

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Jan. 14th)

Death in the Downline by Maria Abrams (Jan. 14th)

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke (Jan. 7th)

Shop all books here

In case you missed it…

ItsBookTalk & More

Best Books of 2024 with Katie @basicbsbuide 🎙️

Hello…

Listen now

a year ago · 45 likes · 40 comments

I hope you enjoy listening and perhaps find a book or two to add or cross off your endless to be read lists.

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe now

Books mentioned:

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Jan. 14th)

The Story of a Heart: Two Families, One Heart, and the Medical Miracle That Saved a Child’s Life by Dr. Rachel Clarke (Out now)

Uprooted by Ruth Chan: A memoir about what happens when your family moves back (Out now)

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Jan 14th)

Into The Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah (Out now)

Halfway There by Christine Mari: A graphic memoir of self-discovery (out now)

American Predator: The Hunt for the most meticulous serial killer of the 21st century by Maureen Callahan (out now)

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle (out now)

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanaugh (March 25th)

Blood Test by Charles Baxter (out now)

We Are Watching by Alison Gaylin (Jan 28th)

He’s Not Lazy by Adam Price, PHD. Empowering your son to believe in himself. (out now)

The Housemaid’s Wedding by Freida McFadden (out now)

All Fours by Miranda July (out now)

Nuclear War by Annie Jacobson (out now)

We Carry Their Bones by Erin Kimmerle (out now)

You can find all books mentioned over at Basic B's Guide Bookshop

In case you missed it…

If you enjoy listening then please consider sharing so other book lovers can find me.

xoxo Basic B

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In today’s episode I give some insight into my personal life and how that will potentially impact my reading life. I also share predictions on reading habits and numbers, any clear winners, what I think will be hyped (spicy takes on 2024 best books lists), a few books I’m hopeful for and a few end of year BONUS recommendations from me.

I hope you enjoy listening. Be sure to let me know your reading plans for the last month of the year. Have you settled on your 2024 favorites or will you give yourself the final month of the year to decide?

Subscribe now

Books mentioned:

Baby X by Kira Peikoff

James by Percival Everett

All Fours by Miranda July

God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson

You can find all books mentioned at Basic B's Guide Bookshop

In case you missed it…

I hope you enjoy listening and find one or two books to add to your never-ending tbrs.

Thanks for listening!

Leave a comment

Books mentioned:

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Be Ready When Luck Happens by Ina Garten

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella

Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins (Jan 2025)

Everybody is a Liar by Liv Constantine (Nov 12)

In case you missed it…

In today’s episode I share some insight into my personal life and how that will potentially impact my reading life. I also share a book I’ve recently read and enjoyed, a few backlist nonfiction recommendations and much more.

I hope you enjoy listening. Be sure to let me know your reading plans for November.

Leave a comment

Books mentioned:

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (January 2025)

Cultish by Amanda Montell

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson (Correction - this is not John Grisham)

Everybody is a Liar by Liv Constantine (November 12)

Remember you can listen to this episode at your preferred listening speed.

Let me know if we read any of the same books or if any of the 14 appeal to you.

Thanks for listening, friends!

Subscribe now

Books mentioned:

Entitlement By Rumaan Alam

Leave the World Behind Rumaan Alam

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel

Double Exposure by Elissa R. Sloan

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian

The Most by Jessica Anthony

Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff

No One Will Know by Rose Carlyle

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Age 16 by Rosena Fung

Living with Viola by Rosena Fung

Next Stop by Debbie Fong

William by Mason Coile

The Guilty One by Kiersten Modglin

Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson

Children of Darkness and Light by Lori Hellis

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

The Snap by Elizabeth Staple

Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu

You can find all the above titles here.

In case you missed it…

In today’s episode I share some insight into my October reading plans. A girl can always plan but life often has other ideas.

I drop plenty of books I’m looking forward to, a few backlist recommendations and an October release I’ve already read and enjoyed.

Feel free to speed up the audio to your liking and let me know if you plan to read any of the books mentioned.

Thanks for listening! Make it a great day.

xoxo Basic B

Subscribe now

Books mentioned

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young Order now

The Sequel by Jean Janff Korelitz Order now

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown Order Now

Selling Sexy: Victoria Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Chantal Fernandez and Lauren Sherman. (Oct. 8th) Order now

No One Will Know by Rose Carlyle Order now

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young Order now

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab Order now

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson Order now

Want more October releases on my radar?

Check this out

In case you missed it

Remember you can listen to this podcast episode at your preferred listening speed.

Let me know if we read any of the same books or if I convinced you to bump any up.

Thanks for listening, friends!

Leave a comment

Books mentioned (affiliate links):

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

And So I Roar by Abi Dare

The Snap by Elizabeth Staple

Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

A Season of Perfect Happiness by Maribeth Fischer

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman

Drowning by TJ Newman

Obitchuary by Spencer Henry

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Consent by Jill Cement

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir

The Goodbye Process by Mary Jones

The Royals Upstairs by Karina Halle

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle

In case you missed it…

Share

This is short and sweet and full of lots of books on my radar. Feel free to speed up the audio to your liking.

Let me know if you’re planning to read any of the same books or what you think you’re reading will look like for the month of September.

Thanks for listening.

xoxo Basic B

Books mentioned (affiliate links)

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam Order now

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam Order now

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors Order now

Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel Order now

Double Exposure by Elissa R. Sloan Order now

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith Order now

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb Order now

In case you missed it…

Today’s episode is all things July reading. You will find reflections on predictions, all the books and thoughts, stats, samples and things I learned.

I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you’ve read any of the books mentioned or plan to now.

Books mentioned (affiliate links):

Made for You by Jenna Satterthwaite Order now

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight Order now

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks Dalton Order now

This Used to Be Us by Renee Carlino Order now

Hum by Helen Phillips Order now

Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton

We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft Order now

Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer Order now

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney Order now

Wedding People by Alison Espach Order now

The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella Order now

God of the Woods by Liz Moore Order now

In case you missed it…