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  • 3.07. The Romance Ban Is Over (For Now)

    3.07. The Romance Ban Is Over (For Now)
    2025/06/01
    Our May (and April, and March!) Wrap-Up: Gems, Letdowns, and Harry Potter!Hey, everyone, and welcome back to My Sister's TBR Podcast! We're Stacey and Rebecca, and we were so thrilled to have you join us for our monthly wrap-up episode – one of our favorite times of the month. This time around, we're diving into all the books we read in May... and April, and March! We've got some hidden gems, some real page-turners, and even some bestsellers we just couldn't put down.Before we dive into the books, just a quick heads-up: our regular deep dive into our featured read will be in a separate episode coming out in a few days, so keep an eye out for that! There was also a little technical difficulties with Rebecca’s mic, so this episode sounds a little on the “underwater” side. Bookish News!We did have some exciting bookish news to share, especially since it relates to our featured read: the Golden Trio has been cast for the HBO series! Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alistair Stout will be playing Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively. And get this – over 30,000 children auditioned! Incredible!What We Read!Now, for the main event: the books!Stacey’s Reads:Stacey had a very busy March and April! She finished seven books in March, though two were fan fictions she didn't have the names for (obviously Dramione…). Her March reads included:* Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: A bit slow, but "gut punchy".* Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young: A phenomenal five-star read!* The Only One Left by Riley Sager: A great book club pick, earning four stars.* Beach Read by Emily Henry: A five-star, "deadly, deadly book" – and the only one by her Stacey hadn't read yet!* Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling: A no-brainer, obviously!April was just as packed, with eight books!* Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone: Three stars, didn't hit the same as her others.* Wild Love by Elsie Silver: Four stars, and Stacey is loving Elsie Silver lately!* Quicksilver by Callie Hart: A fantastic five-star book club read!* 1984 by George Orwell: A five-star, terrifying read that hits differently as an adult. Stacey highly recommends it for its relevance.* Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone: Another great four-star from Cara Bastone.* Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas: Five stars, obviously.* Seatmate by Cara Bastone: Four stars.* Leave Me Behind by K.M. Moronova: A "huge f***ing letdown" and probably closer to a one-star read. Stacey was hooked for the first three quarters, but then it just really went off the rails. Her Goodreads review sums it up: "had me hook, line, and sinker until 85%. WTF was that ending?" May was a little slower, with six reads.* Fight by Sloan St. James: The cover looked fantastic – rugged man, chainsaw, tattoos! But sadly, it was more like a 2.5-star read for Stacey, despite the good description. The miscommunication was a killer, making it feel "so toxic". She won't be continuing the series.* Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez: A book club pick and a romance. While popular with the book club, Stacey didn't really like it. She found the female character, Samantha, difficult to like, which is a recurring theme with Abby Jimenez's female characters for her. While she liked Xavier and the insta-love, the excessive conflict was a letdown.* The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager: Stacey highly recommends this one, giving it five stars! She's not usually a huge mystery thriller reader, but this book had her hooked from page one, filled with anxiety and plot twists. It's a story of voyeurism, suspicion, and dark truths. If you're looking for a more "mature and refined" thriller than Freida's, Riley Sager is your guy!* First Time Caller by B.K. Borson: Stacey devoured this one, giving it five stars! It's a cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story about a hopeless romantic and a jaded radio host. The daughter calls into a radio show for dating advice for her mom, and sparks fly between the mom and the radio host. So much good about this book, with great chemistry and a man who keeps a list of your favorite things!* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: A re-read for Stacey, and it's still a five-star read! Reading it as an adult (30-plus) hits differently than reading it as a teenager. The book does a better job at fleshing out Katniss's character outside of the games compared to the movie. If you haven't read it in the last 15 years, read it!Rebecca’s Reads:Rebecca read one book in March:* The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden: Rebecca gave it three stars and described it as "meh." She fully predicted the plot twist, and it even had a happily ever after, which was bizarre. And she’s picked up the pace for May:* Height by SenLinYu: A short story, which Rebecca struggled with. She gave it three stars mainly because it's a Dramione fanfic by SenLinYu. It just didn't have enough storyline and was "too quick". Lesson learned: stop reading short stories if you want more!* Dead Med by ...
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    45 分
  • 3.06. Killer Plans, Killer Reads

    3.06. Killer Plans, Killer Reads
    2025/05/16
    Welcome back to My Sister’s TBR! We’re here with our mid-month catch-up, chatting about the May releases that have caught our eye, sharing the bookish news we’ve sleuthed out, and diving into what books we’re currently reading.Think of this as our virtual coffee date where we talk about all our favorite things…books, duh!So pour yourself a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s catch up!Release Radar: What We're Eyeing This Month* The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs is a Mystery Thriller with a healthy dose of Humor and Life Insurance Policies.Release: May 6, 2025After their husbands' disastrous investment obliterates their retirement dreams, three long-time friends, Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa, find themselves trapped in dreary marriages until the sudden death of their friend Marlene's husband, coupled with a large life insurance payout and a fresh start in Florida, sparks a dangerous idea. Discovering their own husbands have similar hefty policies, the women contemplate hiring a hitman, unaware that their spouses are hatching their own secret retirement plan, leading to a tense and humorous game of cat and mouse with potentially deadly consequences, all while exploring the complexities of marriage, friendship, and navigating middle age.* The Tenant by Freida McFadden is a mystery thriller story of revenge, privilege, and secrets turned sour.Release: May 6, 2025Desperate after losing his job and facing foreclosure on his new brownstone, Blake Porter rents a room to the seemingly perfect Whitney, only to find his life unraveling with strange occurrences, judgmental neighbors, a persistent stench, and unsettling noises. As Blake begins to suspect Whitney, he fears someone knows his deepest secrets, realizing too late that the danger lies within his own home and he's walked straight into a carefully laid trap.* Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry is her debut Romantasy, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.Release: May 6, 2025In a world where monstrous gods demand mortal subservience, a princess who has always lived under the thumb of divine will and her father's commands finds her carefully prescribed life upended the day a legendary monster hunter arrives and a prince disrupts her fate. Suddenly bound by an ancient treaty to a future she never envisioned and a husband she barely knows, she must traverse perilous lands with a warrior who loathes her. As everyone attempts to mold her into a queen, a spy, or a sacrifice, she begins to question her destined role, wondering if there is strength in being underestimated and daring to consider forging her own path.* The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the first in a dark fantasy horror series. Release: May 6, 2025Summoned to the Sacred City expecting praise, Brother Diaz is instead tasked with a brutal mission, leading a congregation of murderers, magic users, and monsters who must employ bloody tactics to achieve holy goals against encroaching elves and selfish princes. Facing a perilous journey, Brother Diaz finds a grim advantage in having these unlikely allies, the devils, on his side.* Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood is number two in the Not in Love romance series.Release: May 27, 2025Twenty-three-year-old Maya Killgore finds herself intensely drawn to her brother's best friend, the successful thirty-eight-year-old Conor Harkness, despite the glaring age gap and power imbalance he constantly points out, insisting she move on after he made it clear he wants her out of his life. However, when Maya's brother's wedding lands them together in a romantic Sicilian villa, the forced proximity amidst beautiful scenery and delicious food leads Maya to suspect Conor is concealing something, and as the wedding chaos unfolds, she contemplates a problematic summer fling with him.* The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a contemporary romance novel.Release: May 20, 2025Facing imminent job loss, Katie Vaughn, who has a history of romantic disappointment and a secret inability to swim, reluctantly agrees to a career-defining job profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson in Key West at the urging of his estranged brother and her coworker, Cole. Arriving in paradise, Katie's professional deception intertwines with a complicated attraction to the undeniably handsome but seemingly love-averse Hutch, as she navigates a web of lies involving swim lessons, daring flights, lively locals, unexpected events, and stolen moments, all while confronting her fears and the potential for genuine bravery.The Bookish GrapevineHere’s the bookish news we discussed in this episode:* Audible is introducing AI technology for narrating audiobooks. Their aim is to increase the number of audiobooks and languages offered, but at what cost? We speculate that audiobooks will be lower quality and will marginalize human talent.* We discuss Michael B Jordan producing the Fourth Wing adaptation and what he had previously produced.* Murderbot Series ...
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    42 分
  • 3.05. Harry Potter Book 1 Deep Dive

    3.05. Harry Potter Book 1 Deep Dive
    2025/04/30

    This season, Stacey and Rebecca are dedicating each month to a deep dive into the Harry Potter series, and they’re starting at the very beginning—with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

    Whether it’s your first trip to Hogwarts or your hundredth, there’s something special about returning to the story that started it all. In this episode, we share our impressions from this nostalgic re-read, exploring how the book holds up today, what stood out this time around, and how our perspectives have shifted since we first read it years ago.

    We dig into the themes that give this book its timeless charm—love, friendship, good vs evil, and identity. We also do a bit of character analysis, looking at how Harry, Ron, and Hermione each bring something vital to the trio.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be a My Sister’s TBR episode without a bit of movie comparison! We chat about the scenes that got left on the cutting room floor—yes, we’re still mourning the loss of Peeves—and some of the movie’s choices that changed the tone or flow of the story.

    If you're a longtime fan, we hope this episode brings a smile of recognition and maybe a few new insights. And if you’re reading along with us for the first time, welcome to the adventure, but be warned: we talk a lot about other books in the series so there will be spoilers!

    Join us as we journey through the series one book at a time. Next up: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us on our Instagram or drop us a message on Facebook. Mischief managed!

    Listen to the episode now wherever you get your podcasts!

    This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    1 時間 16 分
  • 3.04. Happily Ever After? Nah.

    3.04. Happily Ever After? Nah.
    2025/03/15

    It's our mid-month catch-up!

    We're diving into the March book releases that have caught our eye, from contemporary romance to thrillers and fantasy. We'll also share the latest bookish news, including casting announcements and adaptation updates. Plus, we'll tell you what we're currently reading and give you a sneak peek at our upcoming deep dive into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, our featured read.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    59 分
  • 3.03. I Twisted Myself About Like the Twisted Ones.

    3.03. I Twisted Myself About Like the Twisted Ones.
    2025/02/28

    Greetings, book friends! It's your (self-proclaimed) favorite book-obsessed sisters here, back with another recap of our February reading adventures. This month brought a whole slew of emotions, from "ew, romance" to "ooh, romance," with plenty of laughs and questionable life choices along the way.

    The Seven Year Slip: A Feel-Good Romance to Cure Your Cynicism

    We kicked off February with a bang, diving headfirst into The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. This book was a serious contender for top book of the year, and it's only February! The story follows Clementine as she navigates love, loss, and a magical apartment that connects her with a charming stranger from the past. Trust us, this book is the definition of a feel-good romance, and it might even make you believe in love again (no matter how cynical you are).

    Dramione Fanfiction: Who Needs Plot When You Have Filth?

    But February wasn't all sunshine and roses. We also tackled some seriously spicy Dramione fanfiction, because who needs plot when you have that much filth? We're talking daydream lockets, erotic hallucinations, and enough possessiveness to make us question our sanity (and our standards). And let's not forget Ron Weasley, who once again proved that he's the ultimate "dickwad" (sorry, Rupert Grint).

    The Twisted Ones: A Mild Thriller with a Side of Humor

    Of course, no month would be complete without a featured read, and this time around, it was The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher. Now, we love T. Kingfisher, but we have to admit, this one didn't quite live up to the hype. We were promised horror, but all we got was a mild thriller with a few creepy moments and a whole lot of humor. Don't get us wrong, the book had its moments, but we weren't exactly quaking in our boots.

    A Month of Bookish Adventures

    Tune in to hear about the other books we tackled this month; Fae shadow daddies, assassins, talking fetuses? You don’t want to miss the books we have lined up!

    So, there you have it, folks. Another month of reading, laughing, and questioning our taste in books (and men). We'll be back in 2 weeks with more bookish banter, but in the meantime, keep those pages turning and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MySistersTBR!



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    55 分
  • 3.02. Romance? Gag Me with a Chainsaw!

    3.02. Romance? Gag Me with a Chainsaw!
    2025/02/16

    We're back with another episode of My Sister's TBR, and this time, we're diving headfirst into the thrilling world of... well, anything BUT romance!

    While everyone else is busy celebrating Valentine's Day with chocolates and roses, we're over here stocking up on suspense and chills.

    Don't get us wrong, we appreciate a good love story. But lately, our TBR piles have been overflowing with tales of murder, mystery, and mayhem. And honestly? We're not complaining.

    So, what can you expect from this episode?

    * TBR Trauma: We'll be discussing our ever-growing TBR piles, which are officially becoming a safety hazard.

    * New Release Round-Up: We've got a whole stack of new releases to share, from dark fantasy to twisty thrillers. And yes, there may be a few romances in there, but we promise they're not the gushy, mushy kind.

    * Bookish News: We'll be spilling the tea on the latest bookish news, including updates on the Harry Potter TV show, a new social media app for book lovers, and more.

    * Current Reads: We'll be discussing the books that are currently keeping us up at night (and not in a good way).

    * Featured Read: We'll be diving deep into our featured read of the month, T. Kingfisher's "The Twisted Ones." Get ready for some seriously creepy crawlies and spine-tingling suspense.

    So, if you're looking for an escape from all the Valentine's Day fluff, tune in to My Sister's TBR. We promise you a thrilling ride that will leave you wanting more.

    Love may be all you need, but we need answers! Whodunnit? Whydunnit? And howdunnit?

    P.S. Want to stay up-to-date on all our bookish adventures? Be sure to follow us on Instagram! We share mini-reviews, TBR updates, and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. You can find us at @mysisterstbr.

    My Sister's TBR is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    42 分
  • 3.01. Minotaur Men, Masked Men, and Men Written By Women

    3.01. Minotaur Men, Masked Men, and Men Written By Women
    2025/01/31

    My Sister's TBR is Back for Season 3!

    We're so excited to be back for another season of My Sister's TBR! In our first episode of Season 3, we're talking about all the books we read in January, including our featured read, Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle.

    We're also introducing some new segments to the show, including "Spice Ratings" and "Favorite Quotes." We'll be diving a little deeper into each book this season, and we can't wait to share our thoughts with you.

    So grab your favorite mug, snuggle in, and join us for the first episode of Season 3!

    What We're Reading

    In this episode, we're talking about a variety of books, including:

    * Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

    * Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas

    * Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon

    * How Does It Feel by Janine O'Reilly

    * Lights Out by Nevessa Allen

    * Still Beating by Jennifer Hartman

    * The Other Brother by Tierney Page

    * A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

    We're also talking about our featured read, Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. This book is a contemporary romance with a touch of magical realism. It's about a woman named Daphne who receives a slip of paper with the name and number of every man she meets. The number on the paper tells her exactly how long they will be together.

    We're excited to hear what you think of this book!

    Join the Conversation

    We love hearing from our listeners! So be sure to leave a comment below or on our Instagram page, @MySistersTBR.

    And don't forget to like and subscribe to our show so you never miss an episode!

    We'll be back in two weeks with another episode. Until then, happy reading!

    My Sister's TBR is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    1 時間
  • ✨Accio Season 3✨

    ✨Accio Season 3✨
    2025/01/28

    We solemnly swear that Season 3 of My Sister's TBR is going to be magical!

    This season, we're apparating straight into the wizarding world with a Harry Potter reread! Join us as we revisit Hogwarts, debate questionable character choices (looking at you, Ron!), and try not to ugly cry over that scene in Goblet of Fire.

    But fear not, fellow muggles! We'll also be exploring other amazing books beyond the realm of Hogwarts. Think:

    * Fantasy adventures that'll make you forget your troubles

    * Heartwarming stories that'll make you believe in love again

    * And maybe even a few books that'll keep you awake at night

    So grab your wands (or your reading glasses), cozy up with some Butterbeer, and join us for another season of bookish banter and sisterly shenanigans.

    Season 3 will be available on your favorite podcast app on January 31st, so mark your calendar’s!

    New episodes on the 15th and last of every month. Don't forget to subscribe and follow us for more bookish fun!



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    2 分