Plans Are Booked

This week we're talking about a children's book that rustled up many childhood memories. Pax is the story of a boy and his pet fox, separated but determined to find their way back to each other. We talk about the parallels to Homeward Bound and Toy Story, how an animal as a central character reels in young readers, the importance of found family, and the meaning behind the name Pax. In our catch up this week, Stephanie introduces a new segment inspired by handsome visitors to the bookstore, Kaitlin shares the challenges of puppy training and her excitement for some upcoming outings, and Molly congratulates a friend of the pod on the upcoming opening of her indie bookstore. In what we're reading this week, Steph finishes Atmosphere and moves on to a racy story set in Boston, Molly is charmed by the octopus in Remarkably Bright Creatures, and Kaitlin is enjoying Angeline Boulley's latest release. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're discussing a very short book with a powerful punch. Address Unknown is an epistolary novel set in the 1930s that tells the story of two business partners whose relationship is dramatically impacted by Hitler's rise to power. We talk about the letter writing format, the erosion of the characters' friendship, parallels to changes we're seeing in the U.S. government today, and how we believe this should be required reading in every high school. In our catch up this week, Steph shares about some recent cuteness at the bookstore and her decision to self-publish Golden Hour, and Molly admits all the ways she is clinging to summer at the beach. In what we're reading this week, Steph is enjoying a family drama with an incredible title and Molly is happy to be reunited with Elissa Sussman's characters for her third book. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're transported to a remote island in the Southern Hemisphere. We are talking about the powerful and thought-provoking book Wild Dark Shore. We discuss the specificity of the location, the detailed descriptions of nature, the successful use of multiple narrators, the innocence delivered via a child as a main character, McConaghy's masterclass in brevity, and her gut punch of a first sentence. In our catch up this week, Steph shares a memorable meal at La Bodega, Molly reviews two page-to-screen adaptations, and Kaitlin recaps her trip to the U.S. Open. In what we're reading this week, Steph is inspired to start a sci-fi series, Molly heads to Texas with a cowboy romance, and Kaitlin devours her second Catherine Cowles title. To follow along with all of our top picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're chatting about a debut novel that surprised and delighted us. Hot Desk is contemporary fiction with multiple timelines, centered around a literary review in 1980s New York City. There's a workplace frenemies situation, a #MeToo revelation, powerful bonds between parents and children, a drunken scoundrel, and a highly coveted posthumous manuscript. We praise the author's ability to juggle so many story elements, read our favorite passages, and admit how much we laughed out loud. In our catch up this week, Molly gushes about a recent work trip and Steph updates on the home stretch at the renovation house. In what we're reading this week, Steph snagged a brand new copy of Pucking Strong and Molly reads Holly Jackson's latest murder mystery. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

Have you ever been captivated by a viral court case? This week we're talking about a book that centers around a fictional true crime podcast and its subject, a young woman named Lucy who is accused of murdering her best friend. We discuss the podcast transcript format as a way to share a high volume of information, how an unreliable narrator keeps readers on their toes, our appreciation for short chapters, what an amazing plane read this is, and our hopes for a page-to-screen adaptation. In our catch up this week, Molly describes two delicious bakery outings as part of her video series for work and Kaitlin updates us on crate training her new pup. In what we're reading this week, Molly falls in love with a children's book and Kaitlin reviews the supremely popular Remarkably Bright Creatures, as well as an impulse purchase at Brookline Booksmith. To follow along with all of our book picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we're sharing a list of titles that expanded our thinking, piqued our interest in new topics, shaped how we write, and reimagined how we analyze books. Our selections cover children's books, contemporary fiction, essay collections, non-fiction, and memoir. In our catch up this week, Kaitlin adopts an adorable pup, Molly recaps her lake and beach time with her cousins, and Steph updates us on the latest at the renovation house. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin is back in Rebecca Yarros land, Molly picks up a work of fiction that reads more like a poem, and Steph starts an ARC from a debut author. To check out all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

This week we deep dive on a memoir that surprised us. We talk about trying something new in your forties, finding common ground via shared hobbies, the hilarity of observational humor, and why this book makes such a great gift. In our catch up this week, Molly reports live from her lake week in New Hampshire, and Kaitlin decorates her back deck and becomes a regular at the Greek restaurant at the Norwood airport. In what we're reading this week, Molly picks up her first Elin Hilderbrand and Kaitlin falls for a Texas cowboy in Jessica Peterson's Cash. To follow along with all of our top picks, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

Dive into a delightful discussion about summer reading picks that capture the essence of sunny days and beach towns. The hosts share their personal summer adventures and heartfelt reflections, alongside juicy book recommendations across genres like romance and young adult. Discover the charm of captivating reads, from emotional tales of second chances to lighthearted romantic comedies. With anecdotes of nostalgic summer traditions and engaging stories set in idyllic locations, this conversation is sure to inspire your next beach read!

This week we're transported to the English countryside, discussing a now and then story about first love, the complexity of marriage, and the devastation of loss. We praise the concise and compelling writing, the have vs. have-not set up, a surprise reveal in the final few pages, and the emotional depth that sparked deep empathy for these characters. We also share our hopes for a screen adaptation and our thoughts on who should play the lead roles. In our catch up this week, Molly admits to watching multiple newly released summer TV shows and Steph welcomes a furry friend into her home for the week. In what we're reading, Steph is reeled in by a "why choose" romance and Molly has fallen head over heels for a newly released enemies-to-lovers workplace drama. To follow along with all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com. 

Fueled by wine, brie, and gummy worms, we're sharing all of our thoughts on the first episode of the page-to-screen adaptation of We Were Liars. We begin by sharing our admiration for Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec, the women who fought to bring this story to TV. We praise their impeccable choices for set design, music selection, and cinematography that activates all of the senses to scream, "summer!" We dissect the differences between the book and the show, and share our hopes for the rest of the episodes and a potential second season. In our catch up this week, Molly has fully entered beach mode and gives a review of the movie Materialists, Kaitlin details a spectacular meal at O Ya and visits a great restaurant in her neighborhood, and Steph enters the most maddening stage of the house renovation - tiling. In what we're reading this week, Kaitlin DNFs two romance books and moves on to an audiobook, Steph starts a western that seems slightly inspired by The Inheritance Games, and Molly mentally transports to Italy with Ali Hazelwood's latest. To check out all of our book recommendations, join us on Instagram @plansarebooked. You can also write to us at plansarebooked@gmail.com.