Well, Page-Os, after six years of irreverent book reviews, we have come to the end of The To Read List Podcast.

In this, our final episode, we reminisce about our most loved (and most hated) books and share memorable moments from the pod's 150-episode run. We give out our final Bookend Awards, play a final Andrew game, and face the final Russian Rou-List. Plus, a mini-review from the podcast baby, Maggie!

Thank you so much for listening. See you in the next chapter. Books books books!

THE BRIGHT SWORD by LEV GROSSMAN

THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR by JEAN M. AUEL

Du nuh nuh, nuh nuhhh (to the theme song of A Charlie Brown Christmas) Page-O's! It's our last review-centric episode, and boy howdy do we have some good ones. First Toby unsheathes his reviewing rapier to tackle Lev Grossman's new Arthurian epic The Bright Sword, then Bailey rakes her critical claws across the prehistoric potboiler (not really but I'm having fun here) The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. All this plus a time-centric game from Andrew, a pod poll on the new Sally Rooney, and an air of ending and vague sadness that's perfect for fall! Tell people your tears are cold wind related!

HIS DARK MATERIALS by Philip Pullman

WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams

In our 148th episode, Andrew covers not one, not two, but three books! That's right, it's HIS DARK MATERIALS week on the pod. Will Andrew be captivated by this classic, which Toby reveres? And just in case you were worried that we didn't have enough touchstone works of fiction for children featuring animals, Bailey dives into WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams. There's also a healthy heaping of speed reading discussion, sassy author quotes, and capybaras - aka something for everyone!

*If you'd like to have your voice on our last episode, please send a voice note of your best "Books, books, books!" to our email - more info in the episode!

THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER by Gene Wolfe /

A SEPARATE PEACE by John Knowles

Why, hello, Page-os. We apologize for the delay with this episode's release--we had an important announcement to make, and we wanted to do it right. Also, Bailey's been traveling and totally messing with the recording schedule. Shame!

After our bittersweet announcement, Toby reads a book written by someone named Gene about a man remembering his glory days, and Bailey reads a book written by a man about someone named Gene remembering his glory days. Add in the keywords "high fantasy" and "World War II," and you get THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER and A SEPARATE PEACE! We also discuss an imaginary friend and torture Andrew with academia. Enjoy! xo

ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE by ROBIN HOBB
THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS by URSULA K LE GUIN

All hail King Smart, Page-O's! This episode is a genre fiction double-shot as Andrew checks out the Six Duchies and lets us know what he thought of Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice (Toby has opinions). Meanwhile, Bailey travels light years away to the planet of Gethen and evaluates The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin (Toby has even MORE opinions). All these Toby opinions, plus a game that pits your hosts against each other in a battle of wits to see who can serve King Thinks Good best!

THE GUEST by Emma Cline /

THE PROSPECTS by K.T. Hoffman

This week, we review the classic film BULL DURHAM...I mean...we review books! After Toby writhes in the tense discomfort of Emma Cline's THE GUEST, Bailey joins the minor league with THE PROSPECTS, a romantic sports comedy featuring a bevy of trans joy. Finally, Andrew takes us out to the ballgame by testing our knowledge of ridiculous mascots. Will anyone make The Show? What is The Show? Why are we still talking about The Show? All this and more will be revealed...maybe.

SLEEPING MURDER & A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED by Agatha Christie /

THE TURNOUT by Megan Abbott

Miss Marple has entered the chat! This week our valiant hosts cover not one - but two! - Agatha Christie mysteries, SLEEPING MURDER and A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED. Will they solve the crime before the murderer strikes again?? And - if that wasn't enough intrigue for you - Bailey read a twisty thriller of her own, Megan Abbott's THE TURNOUT. There's also an unhealthy amount of love for a certain non-fiction book, a bizarro game, and Andrew is... a bit of a butthead about ballet.

GHOSTS by Edith Warton /

FAMILY MEAL by Bryan Washington

Set your plates and don your capes, Page-O's! This week on the pod Toby dives into GHOSTS by Edith Wharton, which is, well, maybe you can guess what it is. Bailey dines on FAMILY MEAL by Bryan Washington, Andrew serves up a game of ghostly food, and all the hosts absolutely tear apart the New York Times' Top 100 Books of the 21st Century!