Can I Bring My Book

canibringmybookclub

Welcome to Can I Bring My Book a podcast brought to you by besties, Kat and Amanda. Join us as we- tangentially- talk books... and so much more!

  1. 3d ago

    Alan Opts Out: Consumerism, Chaos + Trademark Drama

    Your book besties are back, and this week we're discussing a book that asks an important question: What happens when the high-achieving ad executive who's built his entire identity around success suddenly... opts out? This week's Buddy Read Chat is Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum, a sharp, funny satire about consumerism, ambition, family, status, and what really matters when life doesn't go according to plan. We discuss talking-to-animals children, secret social clubs, doomsday communities, surprise betrayals, and why every member of this family desperately needed therapy (and maybe a hug). Buddy Read Chat Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum This week we're talking: consumerism and keeping up with the Joneses career burnout and work-life balance family dysfunction suburban social politics secret clubs and status symbols talking-to-animals children and one betrayal we absolutely did not see coming ⭐ Kat: 4.5 stars ⭐ Amanda: 5 stars What's On Our Shelf When Sparks Fly by Monica Murphy Honey. by Imani Thompson Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist by Jennifer Wright The Wedding People by Alison Espach Costalegre by Courtney Maum The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman New Releases We're Adding to our TBR Heather by Caitlin Mullen Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See Cat Love by Tomas Q. Morin Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver Bookish News and Other Tangents This week we're discussing the internet meltdown surrounding the attempted trademarking of the phrase "Hot Girls Read," the backlash from readers and small businesses, and the surprisingly long list of bookish phrases that are already trademarked. Spoiler: we have opinions. Plus! A... fun?! soda spiral!  Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    48 min
  2. Jun 2

    The Ballad of Falling Dragons: Dragon Theories + Library Advocacy

    This week, your book besties are wrapping up The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker, and we have thoughts. We're talking favorite characters, heartbreaking moments, confusing plot twists, dragon lore, family trees, theories for book three, and the many questions we're still trying to untangle. Plus, we discuss whether this series is best experienced in audio, ebook, or physical format, and why some fantasy books practically require a dedicated study guide. Then we shift into some book world news, including a viral discussion about Libby, libraries, and author compensation, why library users should never feel guilty about borrowing books, and a Goodreads post that has us questioning whether book covers and titles are all starting to look the same. Buddy Read Chat The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker (Chapters 50-book completion) ⚠️ This episode contains spoilers forhe Ballad of Falling Dragons and When the Moon Hatched What's On Our Shelf Credence by Penelope Douglas Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth On Looking by Alexandra Horowitz A Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper New Releases We're Adding to our TBR Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman  Let’s Not Go Overboard Here by Erica Hendry Marion by Leah Rowan Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    47 min
  3. May 26

    The Ballad of Falling Dragons: Dragons, Desire + Cliffhangers

    Your book besties are back and this week we’re diving into dragons, moon shards, complicated fantasy politics… and one VERY spicy river scene. We’re talking theories, cliffhangers, emotional support dragons, confusing timelines, and why fantasy books apparently require a glossary, a map, and a support group. And because this book is approximately the size of a small weapon, we’re splitting this Buddy Read Chat into TWO parts. Buddy Read Chat The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker (Chapters 1–49) This week we’re talking: why rereading When the Moon Hatched might actually be necessary worldbuilding that hurts your brain a little dragon lore and moon shards our theories about “the Other”  and Kaan Vaegor becoming everyone’s favorite consent king Plus: emotional support dragons fantasy timelines that make absolutely no sense sparkle poop discourse and Amanda and Kat accidentally turning the episode into a spice analysis podcast 😅 ⚠️ This episode contains spoilers for chapters 1–49 of The Ballad of Falling Dragons What's On Our Shelf Dom-Com by Adriana Anders Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower New Releases We're Adding to our TBR The Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro When Sparks Fly by Monica Murphy Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Palmer The Last Book Club by Joanne Rock Bookish Conversations This week also includes: audiobook vs. physical fantasy reading why some books absolutely require a physical copy Kindle Unlimited discourse and whether fantasy glossaries are actually mandatory reading Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    52 min
  4. May 19

    The May House: Sister Drama + Bookish Conversations

    Your book besties are back and this week we’re diving into messy families, beach houses, sister dynamics, and one fictional mother that we absolutely could not stand. We’re talking time jumps, family trauma, pacing issues, and whether The May House really needed to be quite that long… plus book-to-screen adaptations, upcoming releases, and romance tropes we would absolutely not survive in real life. Buddy Read Chat The May House by Jillian Cantor This week we’re talking: sister dynamics and family dysfunction multiple timelines (and whether there were maybe too many) pacing issues and plot holes emotionally unavailable parents and characters we struggled to fully connect with Including: Ocean Avenue/Yellowcard discourse audiobook narration struggles and Amanda’s conspiracy theory about Veronica’s actual father Final ratings: ⭐️ Kat: 3.5 stars ⭐️ Amanda: 4 stars What's On Our Shelf Wreck by Catherine Newman Dom-Com by Adriana Anders On Looking by Alexandra Horowitz The Inn at Thistledown Hollow by Devon Yates Thinky Thoughts by Gwenda Bond Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah New Releases This Week Fever Dream by Elsie Silver Murder at the Hotel Orient by Alessandra Ranelli A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity by Rachel Linden Score by Kennedy Ryan The Shippers by Katherine Center The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker The Player’s Club by Rachel Mills The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff Safari Murder Party by Rachel Moore Bookish News & Adaptations This week we’re also talking about: Margot’s Got Money Troubles getting renewed for season two our thoughts on the Remarkably Bright Creatures adaptation Netflix vs theatrical releases and one adaptation that actually did the book justice A Fun Question For the Week Which romance trope would you absolutely not survive in real life? Because apparently: Kat would cry if grumpy/sunshine were her IRL and Amanda says “touch her and die” sounds significantly less romantic outside of fiction Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    38 min
  5. May 12

    Mothman Is My Boyfriend: Cryptid Romance + Queer Joy

    Your book besties are back and this week we’re talking about cryptid romance, queer representation, emotional sea monsters… and whatever the hell was happening with Skate God. So yeah... Things got weird. Buddy Read Chat Mothman Is My Boyfriend by McKayla Coyle Mothman Is My Daddy bonus novella This week we’re talking: cryptid romance as a genre (apparently this is our life now) our favorite and least favorite stories emotional support frog women and sea monsters why Skate God felt weirdly out of place and whether this entire collection is secretly an allegory Plus: Mothman logistics Flatwoods discourse “how would this relationship actually work?” and, we like our coffee with a side of what...?! What's On Our Shelf Credence by Penelope Douglas Honey by Imani Thompson The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah The Inn at Thistledown Hollow by Devon Yates Thinky Thoughts by Gwenda Bond New Releases This Week A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman Electric Shamans at the Festival of the Sun by Monica Ojeda Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter by Neil deGrasse Tyson The Anniversary by Alex Finlay Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez First and Forever by Lynn Painter The Last Page by Katie Holt The Forgotten Midwife by Laura Anthony Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth Femme Feral by Sam Backbessinger The May House by Jillian Cantor Bookish Conversations Audible's story house pop-up Hoopla love weird girl lit discourse And, whether or not book cons and events should have dedicated reading spaces and sensory relief zones (They should!) Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    48 min
  6. May 6

    We Burned So Bright: End of the World + Emotional Damage

    Your book besties are back and this week we’re talking about a book that wrecked us emotionally… but, like, in a meaningful way. This week’s Buddy Read Chat dives into We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune- a quieter, deeply emotional end-of-the-world story about love, grief, humanity, and what matters most when time is running out. And somehow… there are still hippies, flower crowns, and edible-fueled wedding ceremonies. Buddy Read Chat We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune This week we’re talking: black holes and the literal end of the world why TJ Klune keeps making us cry the difference between hopeful sadness and devastating sadness found family, grief, and surviving impossible things and all the strange people Don and Rodney meet on their final road trip Including: creepy apocalypse families hippies with edibles and flower crowns lightning balls (apparently real??) and one storyline that genuinely haunted us ⚠️ This episode contains discussion of grief, suicide, death, and end-of-life themes. What's On Our Shelf Credence by Penelope Douglas H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar The Inn at Thistledown Hollow by Devon Yates Thinky Thoughts by Gwenda Bond New Releases This Week Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel Honey. by Imani Thompson How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn The Author Weekend by Laura Zigman The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore Mothman Is My Boyfriend: Ten Tales of Cryptid Love and Lust by McKayla Coyle Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    56 min
  7. Apr 28

    Mad Mabel: Five Stars, Found Family + Bookish Drama

    Your book besties are back and this week we’ve got a five-star buddy read that completely surprised us- plus cozy reads, new releases, and some very chaotic bookish news. Buddy Read Chat Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth This week we’re talking: a story that’s not what you think it is found family, second chances, and loneliness past vs. present timelines that actually work and a main character we fully supported… even when we maybe shouldn’t have Plus: plot twists we almost saw coming, imaginary friends theories, and an ending we loved. What's On Our Shelf Credence by Penelope Douglas The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston Thinky Thoughts by Gwenda Bond New Releases This Week Breakroom by Miye Lee Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto Death Meets Cute by J. Penner An Accident of Dragons by Cheri Radke The Duke by Anna Cowan The Story of Birds by Steve Brusatte We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune Bookish News & Conversations Rebecca Yarros dropping a surprise Fourth Wing novella 👀 Shield of Sparrows suddenly taking over everyone’s TBR Practical Magic 2 and our skepticism around sequels the very weird (and very concerning) Bookstagram trend you need to know about and the ongoing debate around DNF culture Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    41 min
  8. Apr 23

    The Auction: A Hump Day Edition + Bookish Chaos

    We didn’t plan for this to be a Hump Day episode… but after this book, it kind of had to be. Your book besties are back… just a day late 😅 Kat was down for the count this week, but we’re back with a very special (and very fitting) Hump Day edition and, honestly... after this buddy read… it feels appropriate. Buddy Read Chat The Auction by Sadie Kincaid This week we’re talking: Beauty and the Beast vibes… but make it darker pacing issues and a story that maybe could’ve been shorter characters we liked (and ones we absolutely did not) and a cliffhanger that left us with thoughts Plus: age gap dynamics, character consistency, and whether this one really delivered on what it promised. What's On Our Shelf Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston Bookish News & Conversations the Goodreads DNF feature and how readers (and authors) feel about it when it’s okay to quit a book (and ask for your credit back?!) BookCon chaos- overcrowding, long lines, and whether it’s worth it Some self-publishing platforms are starting to charge just to upload your book, in an effort to cut down on AI content… and yeah, we’re here for it. Whether you’re here for the books, the chaos, or the unfiltered opinions- we’re glad you’re here. Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links: Instagram: @canibringmybook_club TikTok: @canibringmybook_club Facebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

    47 min

Ratings & Reviews

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Welcome to Can I Bring My Book a podcast brought to you by besties, Kat and Amanda. Join us as we- tangentially- talk books... and so much more!

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