Ep 54 “now WE are the A HOLES!” Our Bookish HOT TAKES!

03/25/25 • 57 min

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We’ve responded to the internet’s bookish hot takes... we responded to YOUR hot takes... and now it’s finally time for you guys to be mad at US! Today’s episode is all about Ashley and Liz’s bookish hot takes. Maybe you’ll agree, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll nod your head, maybe you’ll scream at us. But either way, we’re here with OPINIONS.
We cover everything from overdone sprayed edges to unnecessary celebrity memoirs; from what’s considered a book spoiler to hockey romance in general. Was Fourth Wing a one hit wonder? Does spice written by men that’s actually good exist? What do we think about book subscription services running 6 months behind? Or romance books being assigned in school?
Stick around to hear us spill all this tea, and more! And don’t worry, we have a faves and fails current reads edition and a smash or pass involving the men of Star Wars and a tattooed demigod.
Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes, Friday!)
Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4
Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM
Watch our Author Interview with Indie Dark Romance Author Ember Nicole here | https://youtu.be/tHV9rXSTBpY?si=OwxdMVfPmtFkcYu6
Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!
Ashley is wearing: “Fireheart” Throne of Glass Tee by @thebeanworkshop | Use Code: BOOKBESTIES10 to save! | https://thebeanworkshop.store/discount/BOOKBESTIES10?dt_id=1636083
Liz is wearing: A Clash Tee she bought on our journey to @thelastbookstoreLA
Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

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Previous Episode

DON’T SKIP The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes!!! | Hunger Games Book 4 Review & Summary | Bonus Minisode

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Welcome back to Ashley & Liz’s dystopian sci fi episode bonus series: The Hunger Games!

Today we go back in time to discuss President Snow and his origin story. How exactly did he become a “villian” and what does his evolution into a tyrannical dictator say about the society that created him? How did Panem and the games themselves evolve into the world we know?

This book is full of so many amazing “easter eggs” and tie-ins to the original trilogy. We’re ready to pick those apart and make all of those connections with you as we gear up for our final book episode all about Sunrise on the Reaping.

If you’ve been following along and watched our “From 1984 to Hunger Games” dystopian themes in media and literature episode then you know we’re fascinated with everything about this genre and need to delve into this discussion! It just happens to be a BIG bonus that Ashley had never read it before.

The debate currently on the book talk table is whether or not books (and the act of reading) are inherently political. We’d encourage anyone who has a doubt in their mind to read this series... with themes like media control, a totalitarian regime, and rebellion, it’s hard to see how it ISN’T political.

Episode 4 covers book 4 (or 0.5?): A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins. The first five-ish minutes are spoiler free with our one sentence rapid star reviews. Then we jam pack this mini episode with an entire plot summary in five sentences (yes, with a keyboard...), discuss what our faves and fail characters and plot points are, our feelings, notable quotes, and add a fun piece of prequel trivia.

Then we wrap this up with a little smash or pass and some big excitement to read the new book with all of you!

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday... and sometimes Friday!

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Watch our Author Interview with Indie Dark Romance Author Ember Nicole here | https://youtu.be/tHV9rXSTBpY?si=OwxdMVfPmtFkcYu6

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is wearing “To Whatever End” Throne of Glass tshirt from @thebeanworkshop Use code BOOKBESTIES10 to save! | * https://www.thebeanworkshop.store/BOOKBESTIES10

Liz is wearing Besties & the Books Exclusive Beanie & “Bookish” Necklace by @twiheartmerch | https://www.etsy.com/shop/TwiHeartMerch?ref=related&from_page=listing&listing_id=1787487095

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

Next Episode

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING … more like WEEPING! | Hunger Games Book 5 Review & Summary | Bonus Minisode

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Today we’re discussing the highly anticipated brand new book in the Hunger Games world: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. We go back in time (yet again!) to the 50th Quarter Quell, also known as Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games to answer all the questions we still have. How exactly did he become a victor and the gruff but lovable mentor we all grew to love in the original trilogy? What happened to Haymitch?!

This book is full of so many amazing “easter eggs” and tie-ins to the original trilogy. It fills in SO many satisfying blanks while still leaving a little bit up to interpretation. We’re ready to pick this book apart and make all of those connections with you as we celebrate this amazing book and get ready to close this Hunger Games chapter (for now).

Episode 5 covers book 5 (or 0.75?): Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. The first five-ish minutes are spoiler free with our one sentence rapid star reviews. Then we jam pack this mini episode with an entire plot summary in five sentences (yes, with a keyboard...), discuss what our faves and fail characters and plot points are, our feelings, notable quotes, and discuss ALL the easter eggs.

Then we wrap this up with some surprise questions and some excitement for next week’s final Hunger Games episode because we give our wrap up thoughts, our overall reviews, discuss the movies, and announce our next miniseries starting soon! We can’t wait to see you there!

Mentioned Source:“We Already Know How Sunrise on the Reaping Ends. That Doesn’t Change Its Impact.”

By: Lauren Puckett-Pope | https://www.elle.com/culture/books/a64233635/sunrise-on-the-reaping-hunger-games-prequel-ending-explained-review/

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is wearing “Undead Readers Book Club” Tee by @bookbabedesigns | https://bookbabedesigns.com

Liz is wearing “Fire Breathing B*tch Queen” Baby Tee by @chaptercatchers | https://go.magik.ly/ml/2b21c/

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!