The 6 Books That Laura & Em Found Impossible To Put Down

Jan 26, 2026

They count down six books guaranteed to snap you out of a reading slump. Picks include a modern rom-com with SNL-style energy, a tear-jerking family saga that reads like a movie, and an addictive romantasy series perfect for binge-reading. They also highlight a wild wealthy-family trilogy, a dark thriller set in a small town, and a cozy comfort novel full of rich family moments.

25:46

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ADVICE

Pick Up A Sharp, Funny Rom-Com

Read Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld for an effortless page-turner with sharp humor and romance.
Expect a tidy three-part structure and strong chemistry that makes you finish it in a day.

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ADVICE

Dive Into Opulent Trilogy Drama

Start the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy if you want indulgent escapism with lavish detail and multiple POVs.
Read past the movie: the books deepen characters, increase stakes, and amplify the drama.

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ANECDOTE

Weekend Binge On A Romantasy Series

Em Burnham describes binge-reading the ACOTAR (romantasy) series over a single weekend until exhausted and obsessed.
She warns the first book isn't everyone's favorite but it's essential to unlock the rest.

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Why these six books will end a reading slump

01:46 • 1min

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Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

03:06 • 29sec

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Why the pandemic section works here

03:35 • 5min

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Crazy Rich Asians series recommendation

08:35 • 3min

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Why the sequels get wilder

11:15 • 46sec

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ACOTAR series: the romantasy hook

12:01 • 4min

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Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

15:41 • 5min

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Fever series worldbuilding and stakes

Sharp Objects as a thriller restart

21:28 • 3min

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The Shell Seekers: ultimate comfort read

China Rich Girlfriend

Kevin Kwan

#6357

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

People We Meet On Vacation

Emily Henry

The book follows Poppy and Alex, two best friends who have taken a week-long vacation together every summer for a decade. Despite their differences, they have a deep connection. However, after a falling out two years ago, they haven't spoken. This year, Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip, which could determine the rest of their lives. The story explores their complex friendship and the possibility of it evolving into something more.

#12702

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Seekers

Meetings with Remarkable Musicians

John Densmore

#23350

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Lies and Weddings

Kevin Kwan

Kevin Kwan's "Lies and Weddings" delves into the complexities of relationships and family dynamics within a wealthy social circle. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of happiness amidst societal pressures. While sharing the same author as the popular "Crazy Rich Asians" series, it stands as a separate story with its own cast of characters. The narrative unfolds through various perspectives, offering insights into the motivations and desires of the individuals involved. Ultimately, the book examines the challenges of maintaining authenticity and personal fulfillment in a world obsessed with appearances.

#6386

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Crazy Rich Asians

Kevin Kwan

#14080

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Romantic Comedy

Claire Mortimer

This book examines the history of the romantic comedy genre, considering its social and cultural context and key developments. It studies the key themes and issues, particularly the representation of gender and how the genre acts as a barometer for gender politics in the twentieth century. The book discusses both British and Hollywood classic and contemporary romantic comedies, including films like 'It Happened One Night', 'Annie Hall', 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', and 'Bridget Jones’s Diary'.

#30285

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

My Dark Places

James Ellroy

James Ellroy book where he's trying to solve his own mother's murder. She was killed in the 50s, very much like the Black Dahlia. She was strangled in her car, something horrible. And he has this weird relationship with women. It's one of two nonfiction books he's written. He teams up with a cop is in the 90s. teams up with a retired detective and tries to solve his mother's murder that really got him fascinated with the black dahlia and so it's really

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn

In 'Gone Girl', Gillian Flynn crafts a gripping narrative about the disintegration of a marriage. The story revolves around Nick and Amy Dunne, a couple whose seemingly perfect relationship turns out to be a facade. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy disappears, and Nick becomes the focus of a police investigation and media scrutiny. Through alternating narratives, the novel reveals the complex and troubled dynamics of their relationship, exposing themes of deception, manipulation, and the superficial nature of appearances. Amy's elaborate scheme to frame Nick for her murder is a central plot twist, highlighting her vengeful and manipulative nature. The novel concludes with Nick trapped in a toxic relationship, forced to maintain the illusion of a perfect marriage for the sake of their unborn child.

#5755

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

Sharp Objects

Gillian Flynn

Sharp Objects follows Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist who returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to cover the murders of two young girls. As she delves deeper into the case, Camille must confront her own dark past and the twisted dynamics of her family. The novel explores themes of trauma, self-harm, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

We are officially in our Emily Henry movie era! With People We Meet On Vacation dominating the timeline this week, everyone is looking for that next great story to get lost in.
If you’ve been staring at your bookshelf feeling uninspired, this episode is your emergency rescue kit. We are revisiting the six specific books guaranteed to drag you out of a reading slump, no matter how dire it is.
We’re talking about:

The modern romance that rivals Poppy and Alex’s chemistry.
A tear-jerking family saga that feels like a movie in your head.
The obscure romantasy series we bet you haven’t heard of (but will obsess over).

Consider this your prescription for the long weekend: put down the phone, pick up one of these books, and prepare to be unavailable.

The Spill has a new podcast thats devoted to TV bingeing! Our latest ep contains all the fan theories, cast reveals and easter eggs about the new series of Bridgerton to get up to date before Season 4 comes out. Listen now on Apple or Spotify or the Mamamia app.

THE END BITS

Love binge-watching TV? The Spill has launched Watch Party — spoiler-filled episode deep dives into the shows everyone’s talking about. Find the feed on Apple or Spotify.

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CREDITS

Hosts: Laura Brodnik and Ksenija Lukich

Executive Producer: Monisha Iswaran

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

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