What makes a great book club book? In this episode of Books Around the Block, we break down the key ingredients that spark unforgettable discussions, from moral dilemmas and controversial themes to messy characters and hard issues. Then we share our top 6 favorite book club picks that guarantee lively conversation at your next meeting. If you are looking for thought-provoking book club recommendations, this episode is for you.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Columbine by Dave Cullen

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Looking for your next great romance read? In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re sharing our ultimate romance reading guide, complete with six romance categories and six book recommendations. Each host brings two categories and romance novels that perfectly fit them, from second-chance love stories to next-level yearning and everything in between. Whether you’re new to romance, burned out on the same tropes, or searching for a very specific vibe, this episode is packed with thoughtful picks, honest reactions, and plenty of bookish banter.

All Her Fault by Andrea Mara

That's Not How It Happened by Craig Thomas

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In this episode, we recap what we read in January and share our February TBR. We talk about the books we loved, the ones that surprised us, and the ones that left us wanting more. We also preview what is coming up next on our reading lists. Expect honest opinions, bookish tangents, and plenty of great reads to add to your list.

Perfect for listeners looking for a fun, conversational book podcast and monthly reading wrap ups.

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

The Shining by Stephen King

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

Funny Story by Emily Henry

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

All the Little Houses by May Cobb

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

When I Kill You by B.A. Paris

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

In this book club episode of Books Around the Block, we discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, a literary novel told through letters and personal reflections. We talk about the epistolary structure, key themes like grief and connection, and the choices the author makes in shaping the story.

We share our reactions, highlight moments that stood out, and discuss how this book functions as a book club pick, including the questions it raises and the conversations it sparked.

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

The Correspondent by Virigina Evans

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re breaking down books that are overhyped, underhyped, and appropriately hyped. Each of us brings one book for each category, sharing honest reactions, hot takes, and the kind of bookish opinions you’d only say out loud to neighbors you trust.

If you’ve ever wondered which popular books are actually worth reading, which underrated books deserve more attention, or whether the hype is real or wildly exaggerated, this episode is for you.

Grab your TBR and settle in. Things get opinionated.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

The Silent Patient by Alex Michelides

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen

New year, new books! In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re rounding up the most anticipated book releases of Q1 2026, from January through March. We’re talking buzzy new novels, upcoming romances, thrillers, and literary fiction that are already climbing our TBRs. If you’re building your 2026 reading list and want to know what to read next, this episode is for you.

Current Reads:

A Guardian and A Thief by Megha Majumdar

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

The Faithful Saints by Ashley Winstead

Anticipated Books:

Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borrison

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Little One by Olivia Muenter

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

How to Write A Love Story by Catherine Walsh

We’re wrapping up our December reads and revealing what’s on our January TBR, including four-star favorites, total reading flops, and the books that personally offended us. Join us as we break down our biggest bookish wins, our biggest letdowns, and what we’re hoping to read next month. Expect honest reviews, plenty of laughs, relatable reading chaos, and neighborly banter you didn’t ask for but definitely need. Perfect for book lovers looking for reading recommendations, monthly wrap-ups, and a fun book podcast to add to their rotation.

Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

BEST:

Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lentz

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

WORST:

This is a safe space by Lucinda Berry

Brimstone by Callie Hart

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

MOST SURPRISING:

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

JANUARY HOPEFULS:

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

Funny Story by Emily Henry

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

We’re wrapping up our reading year with our Top 5 Books of 2025, plus the one book that truly let us down. We break down our favorites, confess our worst read of the year, and dig into our reading stats including genres, ratings, and a few surprises along the way. Expect strong opinions, light roasting, and plenty of side tangents as we crown the best and worst of our year in books.

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

Lindsays Top 5:

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hasseini

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

Adrienne's Top 5:

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaughy

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Audrey's Top 5:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaughy

Caught Up by Liz Tomforde

The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Heart the Lover by Lily King