BookTalks Podcast

@booktalkspodcast
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Join Marisa and Kayla as they sit down with a glass of wine and discuss their favorite books. Feel free to send questions and discussion topics to @booktalkspodcast on Instagram!

  1. 13H AGO

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 89: The Woman in Suite 11 Review | Was Ruth Ware's Sequel Worth It?

    In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Ruth Ware's latest thriller, The Woman in Suite 11. We discuss our differing perspectives on the characters, the pacing of the plot, and the decisions made by the protagonist. Our conversation highlights the book's build-up to suspense, character dynamics, and the overall enjoyment of the read, while also critiquing its rushed ending and the necessity of its sequel status. Chapters 00:00 The Thriller Element09:03 Anxiety and Decision-Making14:27 Forced Sequel and Conclusion19:28 Rushed Ending and Pacing (Continued)24:55 Forced Elements and Conclusion (Continued)

    28 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Booktalks Podcast 88: Valentine's Day Special - Romance Talk

    Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to talk about romance books 💘 In this special episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marissa dive into all things romance — from their all-time favorite tropes to the ones that instantly ruin a book. Kayla (our resident romance lover) and Marissa (selectively romantic) break down what makes a swoony love story work… and what makes them cringe. They chat about: Enemies-to-lovers vs. friends-to-loversFake dating, one-bed tropes, and slow burnsThe controversial pregnancy trope (and whether Twilight traumatized an entire generation 👀)Love triangles (looking at you, The Summer I Turned Pretty)Morally gray love interests: hot or toxic?Kindle Unlimited romances — hidden gems or hit-or-miss?They also share their go-to romance recommendations for new readers, including favorites from: Emily HenryAbby JimenezKatherine CenterChristina LaurenK.A. TuckerPlus, they reflect on the books that got them back into reading, the romances that live rent-free in their heads, and why communication could solve 90% of third-act breakups. Whether you’re a die-hard romance reader or just romance-curious, this episode is full of trope debates, chaotic hot takes, and plenty of laughter. Happy Valentine’s Day from Kayla & Marissa 💌📚

    47 min

  3. FEB 8

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 87: January Wrap Up & February TBR

    Kayla and Marisa discuss their January wrap-up, setting reading goals, book ratings and reviews, book discussions and recommendations, adapting books to screen, exploring different genres, anticipated book adaptations, and speculating future book releases. The conversation covers a range of topics including book characters and movie portrayals, TV shows and reality TV, book series and author trauma, thriller book reviews, and February reading goals. The hosts discuss their interest in TV shows, reality TV, and book series, as well as their reviews of thriller books and their reading goals for February. They also share their experience at a bookstore event. Takeaways Setting reading goals is important for staying on track with reading targets.Book adaptations to screen can be controversial and may not always align with the original book content. Discussion of book characters and movie portrayalsInterest in TV shows and reality TVReview of thriller booksFebruary reading goals Chapters 00:00 January Wrap-Up07:08 Book Ratings and Reviews15:52 Adapting Books to Screen21:00 Exploring Different Genres28:44 Speculating Future Book Releases34:34 TV Shows and Reality TV45:02 Thriller Book Reviews53:50 February Reading Goals

    54 min

  4. JAN 12

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 86: Our Favorite Books of 2025, 2026 Reading Goals & is ACOTAR 6 Coming Out?

    We're kicking off 2026 by reflecting on our favorite books of 2025, sharing our most anticipated reads of 2026, and setting our bookish goals for the year. We also speculate on ACOTAR 6, talk about being OVER smut, and share our excitement for Bookcon 2026!

    1h 4m

  5. 10/23/2025

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 85: The Love Haters by Katherine Center

    In this episode of Book Talks, Kayla and Marisa dive into 'The Love Haters' by Catherine Center, exploring its themes of self-discovery, body image, and the importance of friendship. They discuss character development, emotional connections, and the role of the Coast Guard in the narrative. The conversation highlights the impact of trauma and healing, as well as the significance of supportive relationships in the protagonist's journey. The episode concludes with reflections on the book's ending and a preview of their upcoming reads.

    45 min

  6. 09/28/2025

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 84: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

    In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Holly Jackson's latest book, 'Not Quite Dead Yet.' This book revolves around a character solving her own murder which is HELLA fun, but we also get into our different reading experiences, character dynamics, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly regarding themes of death and family. This is a SPOILER EPISODE so we will be analyzing plot twists, our suspicions about various characters, and the challenges of writing thrillers. The episode concludes with our ratings and thoughts on the book, as well as a teaser for our next read...you'll never guess what it is.

    40 min

  7. 08/27/2025

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 83: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

    In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa dive into their reading experience of 'Silver Elite' by Danny Francis. They discuss their newfound love for libraries, the controversies surrounding the book, and the dystopian themes that resonate throughout the story. The conversation flows into character analysis, focusing on relationships, betrayals, and the moral complexities of the uprising depicted in the book. They conclude with their thoughts on the ending and speculations for future developments in the series.

    37 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    Booktalks Podcast Episode 82: Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

    Summary In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, hosts Kayla and Marisa dive into Ali Hazelwood's 'Problematic Summer Romance.' They discuss their initial hesitations about the age gap in the romance, the character dynamics, and the humor that permeates the story. The conversation also touches on the significance of setting, the role of epilogues in romance novels, and the challenges of book publishing trends. The hosts share their love for Hazelwood's writing and reflect on their reading experiences, ultimately giving the book a five-star rating.

    31 min
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4.5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Join Marisa and Kayla as they sit down with a glass of wine and discuss their favorite books. Feel free to send questions and discussion topics to @booktalkspodcast on Instagram!

Information

  • Creator
    @booktalkspodcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 @booktalkspodcast
  • Show Website
    BookTalks Podcast

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