Open/Booked

Tisha Flowers and Loren Williams

Join Tisha and Loren as they discuss the ins and outs of reading, learning and growing from works of (mostly) fiction. Subscribe here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/open-booked/subscribe

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    The Whip in The Waves (SPOILERS) and An Interview With The Author!

    In this episode of the Open/Booked Podcast, hosts Tisha and Loren discuss their recent reads, upcoming book releases, and dive deep into the novel 'The Whip in the Waves' by Emma G. Pearl. They explore character dynamics, the unique take on mermaid lore, and the themes of love and relationships within the story. The conversation is filled with insights, humor, and a few spoilers as they wrap up their thoughts on the book and prepare for an interview with the author. Emma shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the inspiration behind the story, including her academic background in folklore. The dialogue also touches on the challenges of balancing writing with other commitments and the intricacies of creating multi-perspective narratives. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the novel's themes, such as loyalty, sacrifice, and the societal roles of women, all woven into a magical and mysterious setting. In case you're new here, we spoil the books we are discussing so please be sure you're either ok with spoilers or have read the book to avoid learning details you might not want. The episode discusses several trigger warnings related to the book, these include themes sacrifice and patriarchy, sex work, violence and espionage as well as emotional manipulation. These elements are integral to the plot and character development, providing depth and tension to the story. Also, we cuss like sailors, on leave (IYKYK) so if any of that makes you uncomfortable please skip this one. Links: Link to our "All Things Book" doc that is constantly updated with new arrivals coming soon!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcUEE-SHCpfN8re5-RZWpgq3bLEepHJPhjkcNmZB3EU/edit?usp=sharing To find us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open_booked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559911322664&mibextid=LQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@openbooked YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁠ @OpenBooked ⁠ Don’t forget to like this video, and subscribe to our Spotify channel so you never miss a future episode!

    39 min
  2. 30 JAN

    Bluebird Gold (SPOILERS) and February New Book Releases

    In this episode of the Open/Booked podcast, hosts Tisha and Loren dive into a discussion about "Bluebird Gold" by Devney Perry. They explore the book's unique blend of romance, mystery, and thriller elements, set against the nostalgic backdrop of the 1980s. The conversation touches on the intriguing plot involving a woman's quest to uncover the truth about her father's death and a legendary treasure in Montana. The hosts also share their thoughts on the book's characters, plot twists, and the satisfying conclusion that ties together themes of love, loss, and discovery. Additionally, they discuss upcoming book releases and their excitement for next week where they'll discuss The Whip in The Waves by Emma G Pearl. In case you're new here, we spoil the books we are discussing so please be sure you're either ok with spoilers or have read the book to avoid learning details you might not want. The episode discusses several trigger warnings related to the book, these include themes of death, loss, divorce, murder, and poisoning. While these elements are part of the storyline, they are not the central focus of the book. Also, we cuss like sailors, on leave (IYKYK) so if any of that makes you uncomfortable please skip this one. Links: Link to our "All Things Book" doc that is constantly updated with new arrivals coming soon!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcUEE-SHCpfN8re5-RZWpgq3bLEepHJPhjkcNmZB3EU/edit?usp=sharing To find us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open_booked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559911322664&mibextid=LQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@openbooked YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁠ @OpenBooked ⁠ Don’t forget to like this video, and subscribe to our Spotify channel so you never miss a future episode!

    39 min
  3. 23 JAN

    Mate (SPOILERS) and We're Not Mad, Just Disappointed

    In this episode of the Open/Booked Podcast, hosts Tisha and Loren dive into their recent reading experiences, discussing a mix of classics and contemporary novels. Loren shares her thoughts on 'Of Mice and Men' by Steinbeck, highlighting the unexpected emotional impact of the story, particularly regarding its animal-related themes. Tisha, on the other hand, recounts her whirlwind reading week, mentioning titles like 'Part of Your World' and 'How to Sell a Haunted House,' showcasing her diverse literary tastes. The conversation then shifts to their shared disappointment over the adaptation of 'People We Meet on Vacation,' where they express their frustrations about the changes made to the storyline and character development, ultimately leading to a discussion about the importance of staying true to the source material in adaptations. As they transition into discussing 'Mate' by Ali Hazelwood, the hosts critique the book's plot and character dynamics, particularly the predictable elements and the portrayal of werewolf lore. They express their disappointment in the execution of the story, feeling that it lacked the depth and engagement they expected. The episode wraps up with a teaser for their next book discussion, 'Bluebird Gold' by Devney Perry, encouraging listeners to join them in exploring this new title. In case you're new here, we spoil the books we are discussing so please be sure you're either ok with spoilers, or have read the book to avoid learning details you might not want. Also we cuss like sailors, on leave (IYKYK) so if any of that makes you uncomfortable please skip this one. Links: Link to our "All Things Book" doc that is constantly updated with new arrivals coming soon!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcUEE-SHCpfN8re5-RZWpgq3bLEepHJPhjkcNmZB3EU/edit?usp=sharing To find us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open_booked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559911322664&mibextid=LQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@openbooked YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁠ @OpenBooked ⁠ Don’t forget to like this video, and subscribe to our Spotify channel so you never miss a future episode!

    38 min
  4. 2 JAN

    Alchemised (SPOILERS) and a NEW Year!

    In this episode of Open/Booked, Tisha and Loren discuss the book 'Alchemised' by Sen Lin Yu, sharing their reading experiences and thoughts on the book's themes, character development, and comparisons to the author's previous work, 'Manacled'. They delve into the complexities of the story, including the portrayal of trauma, the role of magic, and the impact of adaptations on literature. The conversation also touches on upcoming book adaptations and recommendations for future reads. TW: discussion of rape in the book as well as deception, alchemy, and magic. In case you're new here, we spoil the books we are discussing so please be sure you're either ok with spoilers, or have read the book to avoid learning details you might not want. Also we cuss like sailors, on leave (IYKYK) so if any of that makes you uncomfortable please skip this one. Links: Link to our "All Things Book" doc that is constantly updated with new arrivals coming soon!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcUEE-SHCpfN8re5-RZWpgq3bLEepHJPhjkcNmZB3EU/edit?usp=sharing Reddit Thread we discuss in the episode: https://www.reddit.com/r/Romantasy/comments/1ookh6v/rantspoilers_the_huge_plot_hole_in_alchemised/?share_id=9skoYxbzh_hP4SUO82TdD&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=4&seeker-session=true To find us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open_booked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559911322664&mibextid=LQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@openbooked YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁠ @OpenBooked ⁠ Don’t forget to like this video, and subscribe to our Spotify channel so you never miss a future episode!

    42 min
  5. 26/12/2025

    Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal (SPOILERS) and a 2025 Recap

    In this episode of the Open/Booked podcast, hosts Tisha and Loren discuss their recent reads, including 'Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal' by Meghan Quinn. They reflect on their reading goals for the year, share a book haul of new acquisitions, and countdown their favorite books across various genres. The conversation delves into the humor and character dynamics of the featured book, highlighting the quirks of the narrative style and the emotional depth of the characters. The hosts also touch on the challenges of finding the right clothing sizes, adding a relatable tangent to their discussion. In case you're new here, we spoil the books we are discussing so please be sure you're either ok with spoilers, or have read the book to avoid learning details you might not want. Also we cuss like sailors, on leave (IYKYK) so if any of that makes you uncomfortable please skip this one. Links: Link to our "All Things Book" doc that is constantly updated with new arrivals coming soon!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcUEE-SHCpfN8re5-RZWpgq3bLEepHJPhjkcNmZB3EU/edit?usp=sharing Metal Slinger TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8yyJv8L/ To find us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open_booked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559911322664&mibextid=LQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@openbooked YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁠ @OpenBooked ⁠ Don’t forget to like this video, and subscribe to our Spotify channel so you never miss a future episode!

    39 min

About

Join Tisha and Loren as they discuss the ins and outs of reading, learning and growing from works of (mostly) fiction. Subscribe here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/open-booked/subscribe