In this episode, we dive into I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel, a heartfelt celebration of the reading life. Each of us chose a different chapter to explore, sharing personal takeaways and favorite moments along the way. From the joy of getting lost in a good book to the habits and quirks that make readers unique, this conversation highlights why reading matters and how it shapes who we are. Whether you’re an avid reader or just getting back into books, there’s something here for you.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

A Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Kingdom of Wrenley

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

LIttle House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

East of Eden b John Steinbeck

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Erasure by Percival Everett

James by Percival Everett

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Allen

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

This week we are talking about banned and challenged books! What that actually means, why certain books get challenged, and whether those concerns feel fair or like an overreaction. Each of us picked a banned or challenged book to break down. We're discussing what it's about, why it was questioned, and where we personally land on it. We also dive into bigger questions about age appropriateness, school vs. parent choice, and whether banning books really protects readers or just limits conversations.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Lord of The Flies by William Golding

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Erasure by Percival Everett

Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Educated by Tara Westover

Ashes by Frank McCourt

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

On this week's episode, we each chose a different title from Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 Book Club list and asked if they were worth the hype? We share star ratings, potential triggers, break down what worked (and what didn't), and help you decide whether these picks deserve a spot on your TBR!

Titles mentioned:

The Names by Florence Snap

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

This Is A Love Story by Jessica Soffer

The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill