Bookwild - Emma West's Reading Journey, TBR Habit, and Approach to Inventory Manager at Wild Geese Bookshop

Episode Date: June 5, 2026

This week, Emma West joins and shares her reading journey, her favorite genres, and how she ended up the Inventory Manager at Wild Geese Books. Listen to hear about: Emma's reading journey beginning as a substitute for formal education, and how she approached books as a way to keep learning and expanding her worldview. How both of us gravitate toward layered, "mind-bending" stories that require active engagement rather than straightforward "popcorn thrillers."  How romance works best for uswhen it's about more than romance—family dynamics, grief, friendship, identity, or creative life make the emotional stakes richer. How books can explore identity, trauma, religion, immigration, and society through speculative or horror elements, with special praise for Sublimation and Yesteryear.  Our shared obsession with Ashley Winstead, and how both of us now consider Hot Girl Murder Club our favorite book of hers! Check Out Author Social Media PackagesCheck out the Bookwild Community on PatreonCheck Out My Stories Are My Religion SubstackGet Bookwild MerchFollow @imbookwild on InstagramOther Co-hosts On Instagram:Gare Billings @gareindeedreadsSteph Lauer @books.in.badgerlandHalley Sutton @halleysutton25Brian Watson @readingwithbrianMacKenzie Green @missusa2mba 

I know. I'm so excited. I'm with Emma West because now I'm doing basically a tour of the wild geese girls is what's happening. Yes. Yes. We love you so, so much. And we always are like, Kate, we love her so much. She's just like an employee at this point. Like, she's just always hanging with us. I'm adjacent. Yes, exactly. You're just a part of the wild geese at this point. No, but like becoming friends with you has been so. wonderful and meeting you throughout gays so thankful and all the events you've come to and like i remember when you came to alice viny you got all those super cute like pictures and videos i was like oh my gosh thank you so much it's just so special so special yeah that was a huge one like you guys just have one you just have some heavy hitters in general but you got us to interview the alice fienie yeah like like were you nervous before like what was it was okay

Yes, incredibly. Okay, so it was my first, it was my first, like, author conversation I had done. Oh, it was. So, yeah, so it's 600 people. That was the first time for you. Yeah. I just figured you'd done one that I hadn't been to. Oh, my gosh. No, no, I had not. And, no, I was so, so beyond thankful for the opportunity. I will say, what made me feel really calm beforehand is Alice and her husband. They are just such sweethearts. They are so brilliant and so kind and like just the energy they showed me and like they just made me feel like you know what I can do this. Yeah. That's just kind of what made the nerves die down. Yes. That's a lot though going from never doing it to like 600 people. Oh my God. No literally. I was you were really good at it. I wouldn't have guessed. I will say like Alice made it so, you know, so easy because. Yeah, she's like funny.

Yeah, she's Alice. You know, she's hilarious. You know, she's hilarious. She's smart. She's beautiful. Like, she just made, you know, made it much simpler. And I feel like everybody right before they go up, they always get like a little nervous. And then you sit down and you feel good and all the things. But yes, definitely one of my favorite moments from this year. And that was just the best. So cool.

Yes, yes. So obviously you work at Wild Geese. We're kind of talking about that. What was like, or can you come to tell people what you do? I know you do inventory mostly. Yeah, yeah. So, yeah. So I'm our inventory manager.

So essentially I meet with our publishers seasonally to kind of talk about all the books that are coming out and all the things essentially. And I do all of our ordering for that, all of our front list. So that's something I kind of do. And then I also do all of our custom event merch. So I work with a lot of brands to design certain like, maybe like bookmarks, tote bags, like anything kind of specific like that. to the event, you know. So that's been a really fun journey as well. Also just keeping track of like everyday inventory, what's coming in, you know, making sure everybody has like their staff picks in and like doing QC little displays for like summer, fall, all the things. So that's been really fun.

I work a lot with like Karen Emily on certain projects as well for like pre-order parties and just events in general with like ordering and all that. So that's been fun too. Yeah. So that's kind of what I do. also have the famous thriller. You are the curator of the thriller book, specifically too. So you are a thriller reader as well. Huge thriller reader. It's so funny because I actually, like when I began my reading journey and how I kind of got there was I did not go to college. And so, and I knew that just school maybe was not going to be for me. And that's okay. And, you know, I just was like, I still want to be learning. I still want to be reading and, you know, challenging my brain and doing all of that. So, you know, I decided, like, reading's going to be my school. I'm going to learn as much as I can

and read as many different genres as I can, essentially. So that's kind of like how I begin reading and kind of going into that. Thrillers were a huge part of that because I found the silent patient. And that's, yeah, right. Yeah, so good. And I feel like it's such an accessible thriller, too. It was also kind of what appeared on book talk back in back during the pandemic. You know, that was huge. So that was the first trailer I picked up and I read it in like one day. Wow. Yeah.

I mean, that's the first one to pick up. It's really. I know, right? Like just hitting it off of the bang for real. Yes. I mean, it was, I remember thinking what next? Like, what can I find? Yes.

That is like this next. And so that. That's kind of where it led me to like the last housewife, Ashley Winstead. She is a huge, huge part of my reading journey. Oh my gosh. She goes first interview. So she's like all kinds of layers for both of us. Which is so amazing.

I love everything you do with this podcast. And I want to preface this everyone by saying, I am not a podcast person. Yeah. I want to be. I want to be like I don't do well with listening to audio. books or podcast, but Kate's podcast is the best. You're making me love. No, seriously.

No, it's so good. And I think the way you describe things and kind of bring readers in is so special. And what you do for the community is so special through your Instagram, through your interviews, through like, you know, your support through wild geese support through me. Like it's, it's just so special. And yeah, I'm so thankful to have found your podcast because I've been listening. It's so funny. You're like all the different authors you bring in and different genres.

It's just so special. Thank you. Yeah, it's been a lot of fun for me. And it was like, I started off just a thriller reader. Yeah. Like in my adulthood, essentially. And then lately it's been like, oh, there are other genres that they really enjoy. Yeah. Yes. Yes. And I feel like, you know, thriller and horror is obviously where I started. But, you know, I read everything now. Probably around like 20, 21. I really widened. my reading and, you know, I started picking up a lot of literary fiction, you know, memoir and romance and like some cozy fantasy, like just kind of all the things. And like I read a literary fiction book. I kind of want to highlight that I read this year that you put me on by the way. Oh, yes. Yes. I had it on my list, but I saw you talking about it. And I was like, I'm bumping this up on the TBR, mind you.

I have a planned TBR. That's what I was going to. You have a cool system to tell people about. Yes. So I have, there's this thing I do. I plan my TBR for the entire year, essentially. Would you consider yourself a mood reader, by the way? I'm going to guess not if you approach it that way.

Okay. I wish. I wish so bad, you guys, that I could be a mood reader every now and then. If I am just really, truly not in the mood, like I know I'm just not, this is just not my vibe. I will like swip swap two. So say like I'm reading a literary fiction and then right after that reading horror, I'll just swap the two.

Like that's only like a week or so. I'm like, okay, if I just mess up a week, that won't mess me up too bad. Okay, yeah. It sounds so like psychotic. No, like however you do it, however it works for you. But I plan by week and by days I'm going to be reading the book as well. Huh? Yes, but I try to read.

You do a whole year out? Yeah, I pretty much try to do a whole year out. Like I'm only booked into. October right now, which just sounds, it's still so crazy. I don't know. Because I will say, November and December are more difficult reading months for me, just with like the holidays and how busy things get, like at the show up and just busyness and life in general. So I'll probably start to put those books on there within the next month or so. But yeah, booked until October right now. And it's crazy. It's absolutely nuts. But I try to read a different, I've been kind of challenging

myself to read a different genre. Yeah. So say if I read literary fiction, I want to read like romance and acts and horror and then thriller and like all the things. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's kind of how the plan TBR roles. I wanted to ask because I saw a post with you yesterday that you're reading bad words.

Yes. How are you feeling about that one? Oh my gosh. I'm loving it so far. It is, so Emily Henry blurbed it. Oh, nice. And that's, yes. And that's kind of what.

it's kind of what like caught my eye about this book. Like the synopsis, I was like, oh, this sounds perfect. Like, come on. Like publishing bookstore, but romance make it like, oh, all the things. I'm there for it. So I'm not like super duper far in yet, but I'm really enjoying it so far. I have a feeling these characters are going to mean so much to me. And I don't know.

And Tiffany also like really loved it as well. And I feel like her and I with kind of literary fiction and romance are, um, I feel like I enjoy some of the things that she reads as well. So I was like, oh, yeah, definitely adding it to the list now. So yeah, that one's really good so far. And I highly recommend people add it to their list. And you know what? If Emily Henry blurbed it, I'm here for it.

I'm going to read it all day every day. And it comes out in October. So we pitched her. So fingers crossed. That would be cool. Yes, fingers crossed. Oh, yes. I basically, I added it to my TVR last night after I saw that.

I hadn't even heard. I hadn't even seen it on NetGallie. yet. I don't know why. No. And I mean, it does sound really up my alley because there's like very specific versions of like romance or love story that I enjoy. And I think I'm learning that it's like what else is happening in the book is kind of decides it. So it being about like, it's about like an author in a reviewer who gives him a really bad review. Yes. Yes. I was like, okay, I think I could get into this. Yes. Selena gives him like a terrible review. And

And you kind of, and that's so funny that you say that because that's kind of how the story opens up too, which I found so funny. We just immediately died into it, like to the chaoticness to like, oh, that's not the worse. Yes. You know, so that's, but I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of fun banter and, you know, a kind of enemy to lover kind of situation maybe, but that's just my prediction. Yeah. It's making, because I read, what is it? Is it seven days in June? Have you read that one? I haven't, but it's on my list. I want to read it so bad. Publishing adjacent as well.

And I was like, maybe this is a romance that I would like. Yes. And I feel like romance, I'm pickier when it comes to romance too. Like, I need all the elements. I need all the things. Like I can't just read. Sometimes I have a difficult time reading just like a love story. I need like the difficult family dynamics.

Yeah. You know, the company. Just, yes, the trends. And like, you know, know, friendship, like, I love a romance that involves friendship or, like, you know, sometimes like grief is something that I enjoy with a romance, somebody kind of going through something. Yeah. Because it kind of makes it more relatable, you know?

Yeah. So that's, that's kind of something that works for me with romance. I can get kind of picky. But, like, romance I really love, like, Emily Henry's super wonderful. I love her. Curly Fortune's really wonderful as well. But, yeah, I'm finding a lot of different romance authors, like, you know, know, especially ones that I haven't read before, like Josh, Josh Richard. We're doing an event with

her in August. And that's an author I have not read yet, but I'm super excited to read the arc of, let's kiss and tell. So, yeah. That's awesome. Yes, all the things. Did you mention, did you end up saying which literary-ish book you picked up? I can't remember if we closed that. Oh my gosh. Did I not even say? We got sidetracked. It's okay. No, that's so me-coded. I'm so I've done it. I've read a whole sedoptist of a book and then Gare's like, can you tell us the title? And I was like, so it happens. Oh my gosh. Okay. So you guys, into the blue by Emma Rudy. That is what you put me on. And I've never just like dropped a book after it's not after I finished it and just like stared at a wall. Yes. I was like emotional for the last like 20%. I mean, I was emotional at multiple points. I was so emotional. I was so

scared and sad going toward the end though. Yes. Yeah. No, it was such. It was a story like no other. It really was. Emma Brody's writing was so powerful, so unique, so like passionate. It was just everything you could possibly want.

And then the element of like the ashenauticals, the sci-fi show like. Like there's like fandom, there's improv. That was the love story I read where I was like, oh, it's like. Sometimes it's like these stories that are more about like life in general. But like, of course, there's kind of love in there because it's part of life. Of course. But then it was those ones were like the setting like I love like S&L and comedians and improv and acting. So I think like all of that was like really fun for me too.

Yes. And it almost felt like just a sprinkle of Hollywood. But they did it over to it, which I so appreciated because I feel like sometimes like that specific setting can feel really. It can be a gimmick sometimes. It can be a gimmick sometimes. And she made it feel so real, so raw. Yeah. And so that was really special.

But yeah, into the blue. Oh, wow. So good. Everybody needs to read it. Everybody needs to read it. Like, even if you're not a romance lover, this is a story for everybody. I truly believe you could read that book so many times and take something different away every time you read it. I think so, too.

Yeah. I agree. God. So fantastic. We are into, we're astronauticals over here. Yes. Yes. No, I know.

I literally DMed the author. It was like, is there merch coming for? I know. And she did some giveaways and I was like, I would buy this. Yes. I'm like, I need to be clocked and where is the link to this t-shirt? Yes. I know.

It's heavy one I think about forever. And it's one where like I even, I think it was like a month and a half. ago now maybe two months for me and i'm noticing that like every like i'm i listened to it and i'm at a place where i'm like today i'll be picking my next like fiction audio book that i'll be listening to you and every time it's like well i need something as good as into the blue it's so hard because like it's so hard to even comp it in some ways it is it's so hard no it's so unique like i've never read a book like that. I know. I hadn't either. Seriously. Yeah. And I was trying, I was, it's so funny that we're talking about this because I was even like, maybe two, three days ago, I was looking at my shelf and I was

like, what is a book that even is similar to the book? I'm looking at my shelf and I'm like, nothing. Yeah. I know. I can't think. I couldn't think of perfect comps really at all. No. No. Is there? And I think I compared it to the future. I did use the future saints because it is about like prospecting grief through art. Yes. But it's still not. Future saints. It's still not totally the same.

Still not totally the same. And oh my gosh. Like I had a feeling we were going to talk about Ashley Winston. Oh yes. Dude, I am at 70% of Hot Girl Murder Club. I finally just, it's like way, I have plenty of June books I should be reading. But I was like, I have to read it. I am hooked.

And I think you said, who say you think it's your new favorite of hers? because that's how I feel. Yes, I think it's my new favorite. So good. The last housewife was how I found her. Yeah. And it was back in like early 2021 maybe, maybe a little older.

But, um, who, yeah. I was like, I just don't know if anything is going to top this. And I give all of her work like five stars. Same. All day, every day. Like she is a queen. She is just a magical writer. Yeah.

So talented. So talented. And I love that she posted. Maybe it was yesterday. It was like a guide to It was like a guide to her thrillers. I was like, oh my gosh, that is so fun. Like all those subgenres and everything.

I thought that was so interesting. Yeah. But I want to hear all your thoughts about Hot Girl. Do not let me get sidetracked. Oh, you're okay. So I won't, obviously I won't do any spoilers. It comes out July 14th for everyone who's listening. So what I love about it is so like a general synopsis is this like somewhat famous singer

named Scout. Her sister Georgia was murdered. And then there are all these kind of rumors swirling around Scout and her friends that they are the is it titular or

what is the word that means the title? I guess I've never said it out loud. No, I know. And I'm trying to think I don't know. It's hard to say. Yeah. I think I get it. Yeah. Everyone knows what I mean. So they are dubbed the Hot Girl Murder Club where it's like there's all of this lore around maybe some women getting revenge on bad people in Hollywood. So that's kind of like all you need to know in general without spoilers. What I love, there's a lot.

She writes like female feminine rage like no one else. Like you just nobody else. But it's also nuanced is the crazy part. It's not like just pure rage and like, oh, we're right about everything. It has a lot of nuances, what I appreciate from her. But the other thing is the book is kind of all about Scouts and also her sister, Georgia, who's dead. But you're never in Scouts perspective. And so she uses, I don't even know how many POVs I'm up to at this point,

but she uses people in all areas of Hollywood and like a detective, like everyone kind of around. Scout, but we're never with Scout herself. And I am a sucker for that kind of storytelling. I just finished last month, Good People by Pat Mina Sabit. And it is a book that is all told in transcripts. And it's a 17-year-old girl dies under what might be mysterious circumstances, but we don't know. And so then someone is essentially conducting interviews, I think, for a documentary. But the whole book is transcripts and so it's all about Zora as the girl who died and so then it's everyone talking about the Sharoff family and we never hear from the Sharaf family. So like those structures are always fascinating to me because they like one you have to pay so much attention because yeah you're getting some

conflicting information based off of who you're with and I totally and it's like a puzzle you have to like yeah it's like piecing everything together and the different POVs kind of make your mind like really think and I enjoy a thriller I here's my thing I don't love a popcorn thriller yeah I don't either I don't love a popcorn thriller I just don't I know exactly and I think I just need once again we were talking about romance I'm going to say it again yeah but all the elements all the things I need a public story and I need just like things that happen in life in general to people in these stories and so hot girl was just everything yeah everything and I was like how does she do it she's so smart so really so smart I do think her like she is a doctor in what is in literature or english I can't

remember what the yeah thing is but I feel like you feel that in her books because she like clearly has such like deep storytelling knowledge essentially really has studied books of all kind. Yes, her, you, her knowledge shines through her stories. And she's just such like an intellectual writer in general. I feel like I learned something new every time I read one of her books too, which I think is really special because essentially with reading, you know, when I first began my reading journey, I wanted to learn more and, you know, learn a lot of things. So I appreciate that her storytelling kind of sprinkles in those elements and stuff that's really special. But yeah, hot girl. It's so hard to talk about thrillers. Yeah. Without, because like, it's so hard because

you might spoil it. You know what I mean? And so I'm having such a hard time in the shop when I'm, you know, telling people about the book. I'm like, oh, but then, and I'm like, shut up. I'm like, I'm actually going to stop there. Yeah. Because you don't need to know that yet. Yeah. Yeah. But no, I loved, I loved Scout. She was the icon. I know. A story. And I keep seeing in my mind, do you know that the music video that is kind of an homage to death becomes her that Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega did?

I just like keep seeing them for like Scout and Izzy or Isabel because I'm like, this is so it fits the vibe. That's exactly what I, like when they're in their black dresses, they're walking down the steps and they're like, oh my gosh. Yes. That's exactly exactly my picture. And you want to know who I pet, like, I'm a caster. Oh, yeah. Nice. When I read, I have to cast. Yep. That's how my friend here is. Yes. Yes. And I feel like you've told me that before. Maybe. But like, I have to cast and Emma Roberts since being a lot of my. Yes. I get that. Which is so funny. But Sabrina was kind of who I pictured for Scout. I know. She's just so perfect for that character. Perfect for that. And then I pictured like Tate McCray and then as like the friend who's like a model and does the runway work. I pictured more like Bella Hadid and just all the things. Yes. Those are good. I like those castings. Yeah. But I'm a huge. I have to cast or else I can't picture it in my head correctly. I don't know. I think a lot of people really feel that way. I feel like this just goes back to my craziness of like the plain TBR, all of my

wild habits that I have. It's insane. It works for you. It works. You know, exactly. Mine's a hit and miss. Sometimes I'm like hearing a character and it definitely reminds me of an actor. And so then they kind of look like that person. And then other times like just no one comes to mind. I think the other thing too is sometimes when you're in so much of the like first person perspective, sometimes I'm not imagining the person as much because it kind of feels like you're like experiencing it a little bit. So I think that happened for me to sometimes. Definitely. Oh, absolutely. I, oh my gosh, no. But I love, love, loved hot girl murder club. It will probably be my favorite thriller I read this year. I think so, too. Genuinely. Like, I read it, hold on. Let me just, uh, oh. I know you got it.

I'm like, while we're talking about it, let me just pull that girl out. Yes. Mine is technically on here. Hey, listen, no, but like, so are you listening to Hot Girl Murder Club? No. Are you like reading it? Okay. Because I almost want to do a reread whenever I have access to the audiobook, even though we all know I'm not like necessarily an audiobook person, but I still want to try it. Because I feel like that would be so fun on audio.

I wonder who the narrators are. I knew it wasn't. The audio is not on NetGalley yet. And I, last week was finally, or not. last week days ago i was finally like i just need something that i know i'm gonna love so i just downloaded okay brittany presley that's who okay i think that's who narrated future saints too i do like her name later um but yeah it's not on that galley yet for anyone who is wondering i'm sure it'll be there eventually but i just wanted to read it so oh my gosh she is i will never

shut up about her and i mean i'm not going to turn the whole pod into ashley but i could we've done it before. We've done, yeah. Yes. And like you and I, I mean, we've had long combos about her and her first. So I'm like, this could turn into an Ashley. It's had really fast. It really could. Well, I'll wrap it up with Ashley by saying that anyone who's near Indiana, Ashley is going to be here on July 13th. Is that one of those? Yes. Yes. Yes. We're getting her pre-pub the night before Hot Girl Murder Club releases. And we are so, so, excited. The theme's going to be like glitz and glam. And, uh, we are just, I mean, Elaine Fargo is going

going to be there in Congress. Who's another one that we've had whole episodes about sometimes? Literally. Her work is exquisite. Truly. She, uh, yeah, so I'm so excited to just hear two really talented, beautiful writers, you know, just chat. It would be like the highlight of my summer, I think. Right. I know. In summer for me, summer for me can be difficult. And I don't know why. Like, Like, I think I just love fall and spring so much. I don't like, and then when it gets 80 plus degrees. No, once it hits, like above 80, I'm like. Especially if it's humid, too.

You know, it's time to go. Like, I can't do this anymore. And I don't, yeah, I don't know. But that will be such a highlight of summer. I'm so excited. That one's going to be so fun. Yes. Well, I think we kind of know what your reading taste is like.

but when I do have people on for the first time, since it's a bookish podcast, my approach is in to like have the guest talk about or like list off some books that kind of describe their reading taste, which I think is like always so helpful to know about people. Yeah. So which books describe your reading taste? Oh my gosh. It's also a monumentally hard question at first. Monumentally hard question because I feel like I'm going to listen back to this podcast and I'm

be like, but I could have added that one and that one and that one. And so I'll, I'll name a few. Yeah. And I want to touch on horror a little bit because that's like, definitely one of my number ones. And Rachel Harrison. Oh my gosh. Love, love love her. When I discovered Black Sheep, I knew I was already a horror fan. I grew up on Scream Friday 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I am a huge final girl lover. Yes. Huge, huge, huge coltsy, like, lover. And I love that this book kind of touches on like a satanic cult. That's not so, yes, I mean, like my rainbow bookish I mean, I know. I know, I'm like all pink and I'm like, give me horror. Yes, all the things. And I just, when I read Black Sheep, it was so special. The main character of Vesper just, I don't

know she really touched my heart and like prominent too prominent yes and she is just such a special character to me and I loved the family dynamic that the mom was like a horror star too like kind of like a famous like horror movie star and I thought that was such a fun

element to throw into that book and especially like their house like the whole setting was just so descriptive and detailed and I'm such a fan of that anytime Like a book is atmospheric. I'm here. I'm down. I'm game.

And so Black Sheep being one of those, I love above that book. I think it definitely touches on my horror taste too because I do like a culty read and with, you know, crazy, crazy things involved. And I would say Black Sheep is a definitely highlights those specific areas. And horror for sure. We talked about into the blue, which is lovely. Oh, my gosh. I'm like Emma think. I'm like, let me, let me just turn around.

I'm like, let me just get a little. Ooh, I see you have Karen's water too. Oh my gosh. Yes. Yes. And you know what? I'll highlight. I love Frederick Bachman.

His literary fiction work is unreal. The Bairtown series is, are books that are very special to me. Yeah. It's very raw, I will say. like if you do decide to read the Bertown series, they're just like check trigger warnings. I need to because everyone, this is like one that I haven't read yet. Yes, Beartown is so special. And I do this thing where I don't, I read pretty seasonally. Like fall books belong to fall. Winter, snow books belong to winter.

Yeah. You know, summer belongs to summer. It's crazy. Once again, once again, just the craziness. I rarely read a book that is not within its like. You know, seasonal setting. Yes. It's crazy. It's probably more immersive that way. You know, and I feel like I do tend to enjoy them more.

Because if it's snowing and I'm in 95 degree weather, I'm like, this is not the vibe. I don't know. I think that's just a me thing. But Frederick Bachman, I'm a huge fan of their work, huge fan of Alisphini. I know we've already talked about her. Obviously, Ashley Winstead. I'm a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reed, Malibu Rising, specifically. once again going back into that like old Hollywood setting and friendship and really difficult family

dynamics. Like some really difficult topics, some really beautiful topics that I think need to be talked about in books, especially. I do want to touch on like one nonfiction book that I love recommending to everybody because it actually got me into psychology nonfiction and like just the interest in psychotherapy in general as a whole. It's called Good Morning Monster by Dr. Catherine Guylander. Okay.

It is, I will say, like before you read it, please know that there are like a lot of very traumatic stories. So, you know, if you've, I would just say once again, like check trigger warnings, of course. Like, just be careful before you go into something like that. But I just so appreciated the bravery that it took to like share these stories. Yeah. And also, like, for Dr. Gailender, like, her experience in psychology in general and kind of how she inserted these specific patients, like, back into society and helps them mentally and also, like, physically, too. And I thought that was really special. It's also very inspiring as well.

So that's a book. I've seen this kind of, but I hadn't read it. So you're, I do love just like, like, so many subgenres of nonfiction, too, basically. Right. Yes. And it's so like this question that I've now like taken us down a whole rabbit hole into. I mean, I really do love all genres. Like, you know, the remarkably bright creatures movie just came out. I'm a huge fan of that book, Marcellus, the octopus. And I need to listen to it. I'm trying to listen to it. I'm trying to look before I watch the movie. Oh my gosh. So, so good. And it's so wonderful. And the movie they did such a good job with like Sally Fields. She is. so talented, so iconic. And they've been killing it with the book to film adaptations. I know. Project Tail Mary was fantastic. Project Hail Mary was so good. Oh my gosh. I was crying so hard in the theater. Yes. Sobbing. And even with a book, like, once again, I don't always cry or get super-duper emotional. But Project Hail Mary was definitely one for me. And I'm not like the biggest reader

of sci-fi but dungeon crawler carl and project hell mary have been sci-fi books i've been reading and really enjoying yeah so that's been really fun yeah i there's a lot i love sci-fi especially in like a blake crouch kind of way yes like dark matter that was one of like yes i was about to say did he he wrote dark matter is that a movie or a film like a tv show on apple tv show okay i've been wanting to read his work very, very badly because people keep recommending it to me. And now that you have, I'm like, oh, I have to. Yeah. It's kind of like, it's very mind-bendy. Like, dark matter, uh, I can't remember how much is in the synopsis. But it's, it's like a dude kind of realizes he's in a different reality is a part of it. So like that kind of stuff really appeals to me

with sci-fi. But what's the other, like speculative fiction? Oh, yeah. It's. For me, I just got, I'm going to grab this. When this airs that, yeah, this book will have come out, but it's called Sublimation and look. Oh my God, that cover. And it gets better. It has like the shiny text, but the end papers as well. So for anyone who's watching online can see the in papers, this is about like, it's a speculative fiction about like when you get to a border, you leave a version of yourself behind. And then another person. So like if you, went to school in America. I mean, that's the case here.

They live in Korea. And then they have two instances that go to the U.S. So if you're a severance fan, the idea of splitting identities and parts of yourself, this one was so good. But I love speculative fiction that kind of like asks questions about society. She does a lot with like borders and how we treat immigrants. and who we deem is like allowed to stay in certain country. So I also, I really love speculative fiction that kind of dives into.

Oh, yeah. And those are books that are so important too. Like I definitely tend to enjoy speculative fiction as well. And I think something, there were some topics like in Girl Dinner that I thought were really important by like, Allie Blake, you know. And I think it's so important to, you know, bring those into books and to stories. and kind of it also like it's eye opening as well. So and you're you're learning something as well.

So I'm definitely adding out one of my list. What did you say this one was called again? It's called sublimation. It's like E-VL J Kim. Okay. When this is airing, it will have come out. It comes out on June 2nd. So that is so exciting.

Wait, I'm like, let me get clocked in and add this to my. Yes. It was so good. Yes. Great. And that cover. It covers amazing, especially for the debut. And yeah, you follow, so you follow two characters who are still living in Korea, like a girl and a boy, and then there are instances.

They're like other selves in the U.S. and like what happens if you want to reintegrate your personalities and all of that. My gosh. This sounds like something that is right up my alley. That's how I felt when I like read it, like the synopsis on that galley. I was like, I need this. Oh my gosh, no. And when I was doing our ordering for, I think this summer, I saw it on our ordering page. I was like, oh, this looks really, really cool. So I'll definitely have to get more for the shop, too. This is very helpful. Yeah. I loved it. I just, I can't remember if I already said that. I just interviewed her yesterday, too. So. Did you? Yeah. So, well, as this is airing, I do think people, you, yeah, you guys can go and listen to it. It's up there. Yes. Oh, my gosh. I will definitely be listening to that. Yeah. You did an interview fairly recently that I really, really loved.

It was with Marcus Cleaver. Is that how you say his last name? Am I banching that? Cleaver. Okay. I just read his book The Caretaker, which was absolutely nuts. Yes. I love that one.

Once again, another horror book that just takes the cake. I know. He is so brilliant. Yeah. And the ending, you're just like, What? I'm like, hello. Hello?

Yeah. And it was like the, like, the. calls and the heartbeat per minute and the site like the photo frames and the lights and the letters and the rabbits the rabbits can we talk about the rabbits I was like so scared yes no please I know I had to interview him not had to but like just the way his scheduling was I interviewed him at the end of February um even though it came out in April yeah but then when I was editing the episode in April. We had rabbits that, or we had a rabbit that had like buried her nest of baby rabbits in our backyard, which is not great because we have two dogs. No, not great. I'm like,

why would you do this? This yard has to smell like predators, but you know, whatever. So it's so trippy though, because I was like editing this. And if you read it, the rabbits are like a somewhat creepy element or kind of like an omen of bad things. So then I'm like editing it. And then I had to go let them outside and I saw like a bunch of rabbits run by and I was like, oh no. Oh my gosh. And my dog is like I would have had to be like no. She would have had to like cover it so that they he's Bruce just came in here. He's like, are you talking about me? We had to cover them to save them. Oh my gosh. No. Literally. I'm like please. And I know you said we used to live here. You kind of had the ending spoiled. I did. It's my favorite of the two. I will.

say that. There's a lot of details to keep track of. So it's like another one of those where like that's what I like most of the time and like like you said, I just don't really like there might have been a time where I read more popcorn thrillers possibly. Sure. Of course. It just doesn't work that doesn't work. Sometimes I feel bad talking about genres that don't work for me. And I'm like, you can just have genres that don't. You can have genres that don't work for you. And you know what? They work for a lot of other people, so that's okay. And, you know, I just, I also need books within the horror genre and thriller genre that are more than like 250 pages as well. I just, yeah, I'm like, well, what happened to the aunt and what would, well, what happened to this friend?

She only appeared for like, you know, a few pages and then what happened to the dog? Like, you know, I just have. a lot of questions and a lot of things that need that I need answers to. So me too. That's my issue. And you know what? I don't and actually, I don't think it's an issue. I think it's just, you grow as a reader. It's just you and you grow as a reader. And I think those are fantastic books to start out with like more pop-borne thrillers. Like in your early reading journey because then you can kind of get a hang of like what you do enjoy, maybe what you don't. So. Yeah. Yeah. We used to live here as one of the ones that like when I talk about how I want something where I need to keep track of a

of a lot of stuff because maybe I feel like my brain is so invested when it's like if if there are a lot of reviews on something that says mind bendy I'm pretty I'm probably going to be picking it up because I love that feeling of like and I feel like it also just makes me lock in more so I'm like fully immersed in what's happening because it feels like everything matters that's how we used to live here felt and I to be honest I have yet to find the same kind of high that I had with that book. You know, you're not the only person to, you're not the only person who I've heard say that. Like a lot. I actually have a friend.

It's kind of like into the blue. It's kind of its own thing. Hard to top. Yeah. Very hard to top. And, you know, I have a friend who I work with at the shop and she was like, that still remains like one of my favorite. Favorite like horror novels. I don't think anything has topped it since. I'm like totally fair. I know. Because like everybody has that. know and I think that's okay. But mind bending, have you read, speaking of a mind bending, have you read yesterday year? Yes, I have. What were your thoughts? I want to know, but I also, you know, don't want to put you on the story. Oh, no, you're okay. I even did like a spoiler episode about it. So it's like I'm fine. Okay, period. So we're cool. Yes. I loved it.

I'm fascinated by how divisive. I'm not fascinated. I said when I read it, I was like, this is not going to be for everyone, but I loved it. No. Right. I thought it was fantastic. What I would always tell people to who would like ask me, especially before it had come out when they're like, should I pre-order it? Yeah. I'm like, this is like when we say unlikable character, like this is the epitome of that. And it's not like sometimes we've had conversations on this podcast before too about how like just women, you know, having personalities or like wanting

revenge. Sometimes we call that unlikable because socially that's what we do. And that's like a certain kind of unlikable character. Natalie is like there's no redemption. You're not going to like her, but you might laugh at some of the things she thinks because they're so absurd. So absurd. I'm like, did she just say that? Yes. Oh my God. And I was, I was dying. And I love that like taking back what's ours, like that kind of female energy. But yeah, like you're not going to. love Natalie. And I think people who struggle with those specific characters, just, they're not going to love this book. But I think I more so can appreciate those kinds of characters. And especially if you do read a lot of suspenseful, you know, thriller or horror, just any of those genres in general. Like,

kind of the God of the Woods had a similar character. And I was like, oh, like, you know, I don't love you, but like, it's fine. And this is a, you know, I'm going to keep going. But yeah, yesterday year, I'm still wrapping my head around that one. I loved it. Love, love, loved it. I'm still wrapping my head. Like, I don't even think I have yet to fully grasp that story. Yeah.

Truly. It's so much with it. The other thing for me is. In a debut. Is it a debut? Oh, yeah. It's like one of the best debuts out there. I know.

I agree. I was like DMing her, like, even in February. I was like, come on. She has a lot of followers. I don't think she even. saw it so it's totally fine but that would be a sick episode because i think so many just i want to know what's in her like i do too i want to know what's in here in that right like tell me everything tell me how you got to this story where it came from what inspired it like i want to know all the things yes and

i can did you hear about anne hathaway yes yeah it got picked up so before it was published literally like anne hathway was clocked in yes on that i can't do you know and hathway was clocked in yes on that She was like, I need this. And those like producers and the production company, whatever, I mean, they were like, think that's ours. Uh-huh. Yeah. And I can see why because, man, it is good and it's going to be a killer adaptation. I will be so interested.

I will be so interested to see what they do with that. I agree. I also grew up around that brand of Christianity. Did you? Yes. So that's the other thing I tell people where I'm like, also it's engaging for me because I'm like, like, no, there are people who are that, like, cruel and justify it with, like, God. Yeah.

And that's just it. Yeah. And I, well, it's hard because when you're not in that space, either or haven't come from that, like, specific area or whatever, it's hard to feel like, oh, this, like has happened to people. Yeah. Like, this is a real way that some people think. Yeah.

And I think there's a lot of people out there who are like, oh, this is. you know the story and I'm like but like some people like actually go through some of this yeah yeah and just the whole tradwife vibe in general I mean I I was clogged it have you read any of the other ones like there's a literally a book called just tradwife there's a horror one I want to is that the one pink cover like pregnant and kind of red and pink yeah yeah that's a horror version I think it's kind of of like a la rosemary's baby a little bit um but then there's like another one i think it's only out in the uk is what i heard like a book talker say and there's another one that has like a green

cover uh sarah langen oh i've heard of i've heard of her yeah so there's like that one there are two other ones but i loved yesterday year so much oh i love yes you're in about in the u.s now so yeah the both of both are out um yeah yes or you're once again just unlike unlike no other yeah true yeah i mean it's own yes and once you pick that book up you're in yes you can't like have fun trying to stop you know you're hooked yeah it's not a happy one so just don't don't expect to like feel great no don't expect to feel great by any means but i think yeah like me and you I feel like we have similar reining taste, similar energy within that. And I feel like both of us, we can be like, ah, we'll feel horrible.

It's fine. We're okay. Totally. And, you know, we'll love it. It's fine. Yeah. I'm interested, do you have any other nonfiction ones that stand out to you, too? Oh, my gosh.

Because I'm always interesting. Okay. Yes. Yes. Oh, I'm not again, yes. Okay. So we, I have, I do have one. Yeah.

Well, let me think. Yes. And this one kind of touches on, I was talking about scream earlier. Yeah. The screen movie. So I want to loop back into that. It is called your favorite scary movie by Ashley Collins. And this is kind of like how the scream films rewrote kind of the rules of horror. And I found that to be so interesting. You get kind of, you get a lot of different perspectives, which is really cool as well. And I think there's like, there's actual like pictures. in here as well, which I found from like set. Like, how sick is that? Wow. Okay. So cool. It's on my TV.

You're on behind the scenes. Oh, it's so, it's so fun. You'll love it. And like Craven is so brilliant. Like Wes. Unreal. And just the producers and everybody who had a role in the screen movies and the franchise, I learned so much about it.

And I mean, I grew up on screen, like hardcore. Yeah. And so reading this felt so nostalgic to me as well. And I just, you know, there's not a lot of nonfiction like this out here. So I just wanted to kind of touch on that because it is wonderful. And then another one I really love. It is a biography called The Center. The Center Cannot Hold by Ellen Sachs.

And it kind of, this one, once again, like trigger warnings and stuff. But she has schizophrenia, essentially. And she's super duper. brilliant. Like she goes off to kind of like an Ivy League university essentially. And she's struggling with this. And you know, back in the day, they didn't always have a lot of, I don't know, support and the needed tools to help people with mental illness. Especially women. Yes. And it also talks about how disturbingly managed psych units were like kind of managed in the past, like how just bad that whole, how everything was in that regard. But just like just like,

just like her journey through madness essentially is kind of what she calls that and it really is true because you know she was going through it and didn't know like what was going on and you know all the things and her friends were like well like you need help and they're just it was so hard because there just weren't a lot of tools to help her and I just felt like her writing was so poetic and how she described what she was going through how she was feeling was so unique and I felt it Like once again, so brave. Yeah. Kind of switched on that and Good Morning Monster.

Like so brave to be sharing your story. I'll actually show you the cover because I have it read it. Yes, but it's published through Hachette. I've had lots people borrow it, hence the like, hence like the damages and stuff. But yeah, the center can not hold. It's remarkable. It's remarkable. It's beautifully written.

And I just, anybody who's interested in kind of psychotherapy, psychology in general, like a really, really, really great biography. I absolutely love that one. So I would say those are some really awesome, like other nonfiction wrecks that I have. But your favorite scary movie, your favorite scary movie, you would love that. I have a feeling you would really love that. Yes. Yeah, it was making me think, I read one called, oh, I pulled it up, called Scream With Me. And then like the subtitle is horror films and the rise of American feminism between 1968 and 1980. I want to read that. It is so good. And I listened to it. it as well and it was like a really good like listen basically too um but she it's a fascinating blend

where she talks about how like starting with like rosemary's baby in 1968 um horror cinema started to engage directly with the combustive politics of women's rights is like oh i need that your thesis and you listen or you read it or however you read it and you're just like wow like you see all these connections because she does stuff about the exorcist the shes the Shining, alien. She goes through all of these and you're like, oh. And she has a quote somewhere near the beginning about how like art tends to tackle topics a little bit before society or the government is like ready to tackle them.

And so it was just like a fascinating perspective because we do see that. We're like, you go to a movie and you're like, oh, wow, this person was really critiquing this. And then like over time, then it becomes a cultural conversation. So I love, I love when people talk about, like, analyze art that way. Me too. No, I'm a huge fan of that. And I feel like that's a book that I would really love to. Yes. I'm out the end of the last year. Yes. We need to just share. Yes. Other's TBR's because I feel, once again, seeing this, like, I feel like we have very similar tastes in what we like. Um, but yes, and I read the your favorite scary movie during the month of October. That's perfect. Perfect. Perfect. And.

Also, you don't realize how much and how many people and how much money goes into a franchise and movies. And also you get like some of the actresses and like actors perspectives, which was so cool. Because, you know, obviously like Demi Moore. Yeah. I think I'm saying her name right. Yeah. Right. Yes.

Okay. Yeah. But like you're very close. Right. I was like, I think I can't remember how she wants it. But like, you know, getting a sprinkle of her and just. It was just so cool. And Cindy Prescott's so iconic. The house. I mean, if you know you know, you know what I mean. Are you? Oh, my gosh. He'll have it right now so I can say this. But last week, I had a friend from Texas, Justine, who came in from Texas and just wanted to see Wild Geese. Are you the one who got the scream stickers? Yes. Okay. I figured since you. So my friend Gare, like, scream is his life. Like, he is so obsessed with it. So I mean, I know this isn't exactly the exact same thing. But I was like, oh, I bought that for him.

It's actually a birthday. So I was like, this is so perfect. He's like all into the horror movies. I feel like Gare and I, I don't even know. Yeah. I have to. We would be, can we do? Yes, I feel like we need.

I need to get together with him and all the things. But another thing I want to, do you watch American Horror Story? I mean, I haven't recently, but I watched a lot of the first like six seasons. Like the OG seasons, which are the best seasons, by the way. But the new season with like the OG cast, Emma Roberts, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lang, Evan Peters, you know, the whole gang is coming back. I think Arion Grande. I know this. Oh my gosh.

Go on. No. It's fairly new information. So you're not like behind in any way, shape, or form. But no, I'm obsessed with American Horse Story. I'm also obsessed. I'm also obsessed with Scream Queens. Yes. Huge fan of Scream Queens because I know we're kind of talking about scream and all the things. So I thought I would just pop that in. But I love, I mean, I'm a huge fan. I was going to ask me, do you still watch a lot of horror movies? Yes. Yes. I do still watch a lot of horror. Have you seen any in theaters recently? Have you specifically have you seen obsession? Specifically obsession. No, no. But Emily and I, Emily and I were talking about this. And I might go see it this weekend because it's my birthday is this weekend.

And so I'm like, I really want that. You and Gare even like have birthdays in the same week. Are we both Gemini's? I mean, him and I are meant to be. Yes, you are. We are just two pieces in a pod already. Oh my gosh. I love that. That's amazing. But no, and you talk about him all the time. So it sounds like, uh, sounds like such a great friend too. But yeah, no, so I might go see that. And have, have you seen it. Have you? Oh, yes. Have I. Oh, boy. What were your thoughts? It's so shocking that I just lost my words. Oh my gosh. It is so dark. It is so dark. so, so bleak. I'm ready. I'm ready. That does something to me. Like, I was telling Tiffany,

we were literally in a meeting. And she was like, oh, like, you know, asked me I was going to do this weekend. And I was like, well, there's this horror movie that, like, people are throwing up in the theaters when they go and see it. And, like, I just feel like that speaks to me. Like, I was just like, okay. Like, have so much fun. She's like, you can you. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And like, God love her. Oh, you don't have to text me because I, I have one friend in like New York who has seen it. Like nobody else in my life has seen it. So I'm just like sitting here and joining like TikTok analysis.

Yeah. Yes. It did. Well, the TikTok, the writer-director, he's been doing comedy sketches for a while. But it is. It's kind of a sleeper hit because it's an indie indie horror film that like actually like, you know, I'm obsessed with obsession. it saw a 60% increase in its second weekend ticket sales, which doesn't happen with any movie,

let alone horror. Wow. So it is like, it is setting more precedence for like art house horror. And that makes me really happy. That makes me really happy too because like those films deserve. Yes. The hype. And those are the films that are typically always underhyped and underappreciated.

And so we need those art indie films. I'm so careful. It's so good. Well, to talk about Gary. again. So his last name is Billings and he loves a book that will just annihilate him with how sad it is. Fair enough. And so he kept kind of saying like we've been podcasting together for four years now. But he would kind of keep saying like, I love this one, but it is a bleak one because it's like you kind of want some people to know not everyone is expecting bleak. Yeah. And so now we call him bleak Billings because he loves it so much. And so.

When I got out of theater, I was like, Garrett, it was bleak A-F. You have to go see this. You have to go see this. I need to talk to you about it. It is so dark. No, you're making me so excited because I want to go so bad. And Emily and I were actually the event coordinator over at Wadiskees. We were talking about that.

And we were just like, we have to go see it. We got to see it at some point. I want to see it. Oh, yeah. When does this come? them out. It airs tomorrow. But if you are an AMCA lister, which, uh, anyway, this is, episodes going to come out after the fact, but yeah, you have AMC, just so you know, if there are movies you get really excited about, a lot of them start on Thursday nights. So we're

recording on Thursday. And I actually just, I was like, oh my gosh, it's Thursday. Like, I wonder if backrooms, they have like six showings of it on Thursday, which is also huge for a horror. Like, That is huge. Sometimes you get two on a Thursday. So like I think they already know that the demand is there for this one. Right. I'm like, do I need to go see both?

It will have a lot to do with how much work I get done. But part of me, I love going on Thursdays because then you don't get any spoilers. Like, no, I literally, yeah. Hey,

trust that I would go with you on a Thursday. Okay, we clocked in. It's a circle on a Thursday. I'm like, yes. I'm like, I will come.

Yes. No, I'm fascinated by it. I love. scenes. I miss like the midnight releases of movies and the premieres and stuff. Like I miss that era. I don't know if they, I mean, I'm sure they still do that with like the Thursday night thing, but I feel like it was so big when we were kids. Yeah. Yeah. And I just. And I just. And Twilight. Well, I might be aging myself if I say Twilight. No. Okay. But no, no, not at all.

But I feel like just like, I remember just like standing outside in the cold, like waiting for the next conjuring movie like getting so excited with all my friends and yeah uh i don't know like it's hard because i feel like theaters it's not the same i know energy anymore like there's so many amazing movies and i feel like specifically this year is huge it's been picking up i'm so happy picking up especially with theaters and you know big bigger people like netflix and stuff as well so like we're getting both which and i feel like you know it helps it theaters out. Like they need, you know, and I think that's important and all the things. But no, I'm like, do I need to see both of these this weekend? Do I need to be clocked in? Oh my God. There's another one that

wasn't like as, I feel like it wasn't as promoted, but it's called Hocum. It had Adam Scott in it. And it is Irish folklore. It was terrifying. So I had like a really good run of movies where I saw Hocom, I think like four weeks ago or three weeks ago. Yeah. And then I got to see obsession the next week. And what was the other one? There was another horror that I saw. I thought, but like Hocum, I would say is like terrifying horror. And then, oh, the other one is is God is, which is like revenge horror, basically.

Oh, I love that. I love revenge horror so much. Yeah. So it's like two twin or two, you kind of don't have to say two twins, I guess. But their, their mom who they thought like died in a fire, like is that. actually alive, but now she is dying. And so she asked them, she said, it's like, if you've seen the trailers where Vivica Fox is like, make your daddy dead real dead, that's, it's that movie. And so he tried to burn, well, he, he didn't try to. He set his wife on fire and left the house with

his two daughters in it. Like, and the girls are like, maybe 17 or 18 now. So, that's insane. Yeah. She tells them to go. She's like, I, am going to die but I want you to make sure he's dead before I am essentially so it's like a very vengeful horror so I got like terrifying horror with Hocum vengeful um kind of uh like spaghetti western horror with is god is and then I would say with obsession bleak psychological horror oh the best so it's like I got like a really nice range in the last month and I'm like this is amazing this never happens for horror yes huge for horror too. And like I feel like horror novels, horror movies. Sometimes they can get on like, they're kind of,

get put on the back fronter sometimes because they're like, you know, a lot of people can be like, oh, this is too scary for me or not my jam, which is so valid. So valid. Horror is not for everybody. But I'm always like, just try this one. I'm like, I don't want to scare you, but just try it for me. Just try it. Are you watching anything like TV-wise right now? Oh, okay. Speaking of horror, I started Widows Bay. It is so good. Is that Richard, how do I say his last name?

Matthew Reese is the main character. Oh, there's a, okay, I'm mixing up. I'm mixing up. There's a book called Widows Point, maybe. And I think that's why I'm getting mixed up. And I think it's by like Richard Chish's Spars. Oh, yes. Okay.

So, yeah. Okay, so I mix that up. So it's Widow. Widows Bay on Apple TV. Matthew Reese is like the main character. The Americans is still one of my favorite TV shows of all times. So I'm a huge Matthew

Reese fan. Apple TV has just been like a thing after thing after thing and I've been, I feel like I've been I'm with all the girlies I fear with the off campus. Like I watch. I've been, I loved off campus. It was so

it was so I don't know. I just, it's very, it's very I, well, there's a lot of confusion in the bookshop because they're like, what is this off-campus merch? Like, is this heated rivalry. And I'm like, well, no, this is like different. Like, this is, you know, make it kind of heated rivalry, but like straight and with four guys instead of two, you know. But heated rivalry was really awesome as well.

But I feel like. Privacy so much. Another thing. I feel like I haven't been watching a whole lot of TV. I feel like more movies recently. Like the remarkably right features movie we talked about. to tell Mary. You know, I watched American Psycho recently, which was so cool.

Yeah. So fun. I'd never seen it before. Do you read, like, body horror? Have you read Victorian? Yes. So is where I'm going with that. No, no, but I wanted to.

Is that the cover? It's like the dawn. Yes. I know there's, like, extreme body horror and cannibalism, which is, like, really not for me. So that's the only reason I haven't read it. But now it's going to be a movie, too. Yeah. Oh, wait, he's going to be a movie? Yes. Oh, that's huge. Oh, that is huge. That is so excited.

Why can I not think of? Is it Micah Monroe who's playing the, because there's the casting? I was like, oh, my God. Oh, I need that in my life. Yeah. Have you read the lamb? Is it kind of similar to that? I haven't read that, but I see that one everywhere too. I think it is. I see them enlists together. Okay. Fair enough. Okay. That's good. Oh my gosh. Well, I'm excited. I'm going to have to read that one. Do you know when it's coming out? I'm a good question. Or it's Victorian. I'm the worst with titles and movies getting them mixed up together.

This makes it seem like it's already out. That's wild. I don't. I or is that was it did it this is weird. It doesn't have the, whoops, just about. Victorian Psycho a movie release. Let's just do that. Okay, this is September 25th. Oh, okay. It had reviews on IMDB, but I think it premiered it can, is what it said. So September in the fall. Of course, perfect time. It doesn't feel like fall in September yet. I think it's shifted so much.

It's shifted so much. I always feel this way. Like even like end of September, it can still be so hot. Like, why, please? Yeah, and my birthday is like right in the middle of October. And like I remember growing up, it felt like fall. during my birthday. And so even sometimes mid-October, I'm like, it still feels like summer. Yeah, I'm like, why is it 75 to go to the middle of October? I need to be in a sweater.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. And like, where's my sweater? I'm done. And yeah, I always, me and my friend Nathan, who I work with, we're actually talking about this at work. We were like, gosh, by like July 1st, we're over it. We're like, let's wrap this up, shall we? I've found my people because I've found your Yes, my husband gets depressed in the winter and I, it would be way too much of a stretch to say I get depressed in the summer, but we... No, I agree. No, I, my sister and I, it's so funny, you rings up, I was talking about that with her because she gets really depressed in the winter. And I get more depressed in the summer. I'm like, oh, I want to go out there, but I don't want to boil. It's terrible. Yeah. Like, you can, like, see the cotton wood. Like, you can see cotton in the air right now and I'm like, I'm not about that life right now. Like, I got like, oh, no. No. No. Well, do you, did you mention any, like, do you have one that you're like a book that you're like super excited for that hasn't come out yet? Yes. Okay. Oh my gosh. There are so many. I fear. There are so many. I'm like, let me think. We, I talked a little bit about Kissley replay. That's my Rachel Harrison. I'm so pumped for that because it's giving final girls.

slash her in a way, set out a wedding. It's giving all of like the campy horror that I want and need. So I'm so excited. And I just like love her. I love this room pink horror or candy horror is what I heard Rachel using. Yes. That sounds not right because that's kind of the vibes for sure. And she's just, we hosted her for her Play Nice tour.

And she was so lovely. Yes, you were there. She was so lovely. So amazing. Once again, just another super duper talented individual. I'm also super excited for Dreamland by Olive E Blake. It's kind of like a Gothic literary novel, but with fantasy. Yeah, same here.

And it has fantasy elements as well. I think they literally have the arc right behind me. This is what it looks like. Oh, wow. Why have I not seen that one yet? And she wrote a book I really loved last year called Girl Dinner. Mm-hmm. Did you read Girl Dinner? Yes. That one is wild. And like this said, it has so much conversation about other stuff, too. Yes, absolutely. There's just so many topics, all the things. So I'm really excited for Dreamland as well. Oh, and it's in L.A.

Yes. Giving that same, once again, like the L.A. Energy. Yes. Same here. And I'm also really excited for, I have not read the second book yet. but I plan to read it in July. So the third book to Lee Bardugo's. That's what I was going to bring up. Yes. Deadby. Yes. So Deadby is coming in September.

And I'm really excited. I read the first book. I need more of Darlington like ASAP. Love, love, love. And so I plan to read the second book here very soon. So I'm super excited for Deadby. In Ninth House, like, it's hard. I always tell people.

I'm like, just get through that first like 150 pages. then you'll be locked in and ready to go. It has so many genres. That's where like it could not have been more perfect for me. I read it when the second one came out because then I was seeing everything so then I read the first and the second together. Yeah. Absolutely. And Gare and I even he we both loved it so much but it's like it's dark academia. You are like on campus and there's that like dark stuff happening to. It has fantastical elements since there is like magic and secret societies. of magic. Yeah. Oh, I love the secret society. Somewhat of a murder mystery because there are like murders happening on campus. You get like the police are involved. So there's even like a tiny

bit of police procedural. It just has so many things. And then technically there's like will they won't they romance a little bit as well. Yeah. Seriously. And I'm hoping to get a little bit more about romance. Yes. And dead beat. And I just love how like the book opens and nighthouse. And it's like these guys and robes with hoods and they're like surrounded by this surgical table and you know they're doing like surgery and I just I was sat I was like I'm here I'm here yeah and I feel like ninth house is not the series at least like for me how I felt you cannot read that book in one sitting that is a book that takes time once again one of those books that's going to make you think and you'll have to it's a lot to digest I it's almost 100.

pages too. Yeah. It's a lot to digest. It literally is just long. Yes. And it being set at Yale. I was so here for that. I love an Ivy League setting once again. I'm just a sucker. I read it three years ago at this point. So I'm like, I really, and I wasn't into audiobooks then. So I bet in like August, I might start listening to the first two because I, there are things I remember and then there's plenty that I definitely know. Of course. It's been a long time. No, it's been a long time since like those books at Pub for sure. And I want to know what some of your favorites are. Yes. Or kind of like that are up and coming. Yeah. So, um, Deadbeat was one of them that I am very, very, very, very excited for. Um, what was the other? I was just so, well, bad words is now

on my life, actually. Yes. I think it's, I think it's a. you will really, really enjoy. I think so. And I'll text you with updates, especially since I'm not like crazy foreign. Yeah. I will text you like, I know, because you do never know. Yeah. Yes, exactly.

I'm super excited, though. I'm very excited for Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier. Have you read? Yes. I haven't. I have, um, I think the, but is it the butcher that she wrote? The butcher was like her second one maybe. Yeah.

Okay. I have that one on my TBR and, um, really, is an incredible. serial killer one. Yeah. So she, does she write more thriller or horror? A thriller. Like dark, dark the way like, um, like the last housewife and hot. Like it's like dark, you're not, you're not recommending it to someone who hasn't read thrillers like at all. Okay. Um, but she's fantastic and she's beautiful and just wonderful. Um, that's so exciting. Another one that I, oh, I just got to prove for this one via audio but fabulous bodies by chuck tingle. Oh, I've seen that one. Huge Chuck Tingle fan. I read Barry your gaze last year. Loved it. Then I read his camp Damascus,

loved that. And then I read Lucky Day. Loved that. So I'm feeling very hopeful for that one. Now comes out in July and I have it. So exciting. Is he more like campy horror? Because he sounds right up my eye as well. Like I need to read him. I always see his name. And I don't know why I don't own his books yet. Yeah, it's like, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, and then it's also like humor and horror. Like, they're also funny and satirical. Oh, gosh. This is like a favorite for me.

Oh, for anyone who, I don't think I said it with Widows Bay. The thing that on Apple TV that got me really excited is people are saying it was like if Parks and Rec was written by Stephen King. And that's a good description. So it's another one where there's like humor and horror together, which you don't, you don't, you don't always get that. You don't get that. No. That's why I love, you know, I love Rachel because I feel like she puts so much like comedy into her horror novels as well. And like Grady Hendricks also kind of does that as well. A lot of comedy. And a horror author I really want to get into though is Stephen Graham Jones. I've only read one of his books and I've heard such wonderful things about the Buffalo

Hunter Hunter. Yes. And I have it. I own the book and I haven't read it yet. And I'm so excited. I have to show you this one. Ardvark did a special edition. Oh my gosh. And look, look at that. Oh, isn't that beautiful? That's insane. Yeah.

That's insane. I listened to it and then I signed up for Ardvark recently and they had other copies. And I was like, I need that. It's beautiful. That is beautiful. I need to get with them. Like vampire and historical fiction and like Oh my gosh. I love when people use as we're talking about like horror as like an abstract way to talk about like social horrors essentially. Yeah.

And so especially after sinners, which I was obsessed with last year. Yes. This one came out a few months later. And I was like, okay, vampires are really great for historical fiction. Yes. I literally, I have the book. It is not the pretty one like yours, but I'm so, so, it's another very, very, very, very bleak one. Oh, I'm so ready. Do you have like a specific time of year that I think, that you think would be really fitting for this book? Incredibly snowy the whole time. Okay, so save it for a winter.

Perfect. I feel like those are snowy months here. Oh my gosh. I'll be adding that to, you know, because I'll work on my TBR for the winner and stuff here soon so i'll add that yeah another one i'm excited for that's not a thriller but um i don't know if you heard about the secret lives of church ladies oh i think kara brought that one at disha philia that was like she compiled journal entries from a lot of women and like it focuses on like what they had to like hide about themselves kind of like when they weren't when they were at church. She has a fictional novel coming out and I am obsessed with the cover. The cover is so cool what it's called the true confessions of First Lady Freeman. And so this is, it's essentially

about this woman who is married to a megachurch pastor who's 15 years older than her. Oh. Oh. Kind of like, that's kind of all you need to know. That's all you need to know. I'm like, I get it. I get it. I get it. Yes. So I'm very excited for that one. Oh,

I need to read that ASAP because it sounds like something I would enjoy for sure. It is on, it is on NetGalley. I do have it technically, but I think it comes out in. That's so exciting. Yeah, September. So I haven't quite gotten to it.

You have all the books right now through NetGallie, which is so exciting. You're just like approve, approve, approve. I know. I did. I even, I even have pulled back. Like I am down to only 15 on my shelf.

but I still have plenty. I can't help myself. It's so hard because when you see all these, and you read at like a fast pace too. So, you know, listen, I think you deserve. You need to be like a Nat Galley star at this point. Just be on there like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, why I love like. And you leave, like such amazing reviews to online, which is so special. Thank you. So. Yeah. I love for everybody. I'm like, like, I want to, like, explain why I loved it, which I feel like you do, too. I'm reading your, some of yours. Oh, that's so. Yes, because I just feel like if I love something, like I want to put it out there and talk about it. And, you know, maybe it gets somebody else. And maybe if I always try to think like when I post reviews, maybe there's someone who is not a reader yet. Yeah. But they see maybe a review of mine. They're like, oh, like this is really cool.

This sounds like something I might enjoy. And then they become a reader. Like I've had a lot of people at the bookshop where like, you know, I never, I never really cared much for reading. And it was never my vibe. but you've really opened up a whole new world for me within reading and all the things. I just, my favorite. It's my favorite thing. Yeah.

Because I think a lot of people don't realize, like, there are books out there for you. Because some people, like, the only experience they had was, like, books they didn't like in, like, English class. Yeah, totally. Like, they're reading Macbeth. And, you know, I'm sure Macbeth's really great. You know what I mean? But not hating on Macbeth, but you know what I mean? Yes.

It's just, you know, it might not be, the classics might not be your cup of tea. And that's okay. I'm about to read The Great Gaspi. Oh, yeah. For the, for, I've never read it, which is crazy. Everybody's like, Emma, have you not read The Great Gaspi? So I'm really excited to read that classic. But yeah, no, it opens up a whole new world.

And book selling is so important because you're just being like an advocate for all these books and be like, hey, you know, you hear people. out like what do you enjoy they tell you you know what what are you in the mood for and then you can kind of essentially be their advocate for finding books and something that fits their vibe which I think is super special it's important work it's work that like people don't see as always super important but it really is and you know touches people in ways that's important and I don't know it's like an art in a way it is well and stories are so powerful for like understanding yourself, understanding other people, broadening your perspective, like all of that.

Huge part of like self-discovery, too, you know? And I totally agree with you on that. And you can find yourself in a lot of stories as well. And I think that's really special. I think it is too. Important work. Yes. Well, you're killing it with that important work.

Thank you. And I think my love in your too. Well, thank you. Yes. I would probably talk to odds. Yeah. No, we really could. I'm probably, I've probably taken up so much of your time. Oh, no. No, I'm trying not to take up your, I'm just working for no way. Never. Never. Oh, my gosh. No, not at all. I'm just, I'm so thankful that you brought me on to this podcast. Once again, this is like the number one pod for me. I love, love, I love everything you do. I love everything you do with authors and your friend Gare. And it's just so fun. And what you've done for the community is so special. And so I was so, I'm so honored to be here with you. Yes. All the things.

You'll have to come back. Please. We kind of just rotate people out for the Friday episodes. That'll be fun. Yeah. So then we'd like topics or, so sometimes we'll like pick like, you know, like revenge books. And so then we like all bring our favorites. Or.

Or we could do a whole episode about one book or movie like obsession maybe. But we'll see. Fine. The minute I finish obsession, which is you pod ep. Yes. Oh my gosh. No, but I, I'm so excited. Love to come back on anytime.

If you ever need anyone. Yeah. Just like, thank you so much again. You're so welcome. Thank you.