Young adult-historical-magical realism-romance, or whatever you want to call it, sums up Isabel Ibañez's "What The River Knows." But should it actually be YA or should it be adult? Is the premise enough to overlook the lacking magic?

Who knew a rom com about serial killers with trigger warnings for accidental cannibalism would have the Busy Girls blushing! Is it enough to get a 5 star out of a notoriously stingy host?

While it may be spooky season, "The Spellshop" ends up fitting more in the cozy category. But that's why the Busy Girls tackle the viral books. 

What do you get when you combine Rome and Juliet, vampires, and the Mexican independence movements of the 1800s? Vampires of El Norte dives into this niche spot and provides quite the interesting tale.

"The Maid" is billed as a murder mystery, but the bigger mystery is really the main character. Molly Gray lacks normal social cues and understanding, which makes being part of a murder plot really tricky. The Busy Girls discuss whether her unique character is enough to save the story.

The Busy Girls are back and we want to make sure you're up to date on some of the book world's biggest news from the last few weeks. 

It's our two year anniversary! Two years and 101 episodes and we couldn't be more grateful to our listeners! Thanks for joining us on this little hobby turned community. Listen for trivia, games, answers to some solid questions and of course our now annual book bracket.

It's our 100th episode! Thanks to our listeners for sticking with us so long! Today we tackle some fun discussion on the New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century to celebrate episode 100. We also discuss Emily Henry's "Book Lovers" since the title seems appropriate for the occasion. NYT 100: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/best-books-21st-century.html Readers' 100: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/reader-best-books-21st-century.html

James McBride's "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" takes a look at the intersection of marginalized communities in 1930s American. It's a long ride, and one of the hosts didn't even get the book finished. But did the other two think the time spent was worth the effort?

Naomi Alderman is a pro at imaging horrific future worlds, but what if this prediction of what's to come is a little closer to home in "The Future"? This speculative fiction/sci-fi look at what our world is becoming gives the Busy Girls a lot to talk about.

Many people credit "Tower of Dawn" as their least favorite book in the Throne of Glass series. It does totally re-cover the entire time period of the previous book but from a different POV and setting. Does it deserve all the hate it gets?

"One Dark Window" would do the Brothers Grimm proud. It's a gateway fantasy book that could appeal to anyone with an extremely unique magic system and a fairytale world. Do the Busy Girls all agree for once?

Everyone wants a good beach read or vacation romance for the summer months, and Emily Henry reigns supreme lately. Does her latest summer story live up to the desires of the ravenous fan base?

It's another Madeline Miller episode. Though, "The Song of Achilles" is much more melancholy than "Circe." It's a love story - but most people already know how this one ends. Is it still worth the read?

If you love the quirky side of BookTok, you'll probably love "Assistant to the Villain." It's a cozy fantasy that sort of makes fun of all the usual fantasy and romance tropes but somehow ends up still being sweet. Even Casey didn't hate it. (Though, she didn't really like it either...)

Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead" is a beast of a book. It took the Busy Girls ages to read, but they all agree it's worth it. The look at the opioid crisis in 90s Appalachia is so well-written and moving. Though, it may not be the book for busy readers.

The book social media world has been very excited to get their hands on a fantasy about norse mythology with "A Fate Inked in Blood." The question is: Did it deliver, or did it just rewrite what is trendy currently in fantasy?

Bethanie Finger is the author of a new YA historical fantasy triology. The Busy Girls got to chat with her about book one, "More Than Life." It's a great discussion about grief, magic and of course Taylor Swift.

The Will of the Many by James Islington is a beast of a book. BUT, it's rife with world building, complex political systems, unique magic systems and dark academia. So is it worth the effort?

Two authors, two characters, and a novella with no rules about space or time... who wouldn't be curious? "This Is How You Lose the Time War" takes readers on a unique and unexpected adventures. It leaves a lot to discuss.

The Busy Girls covered "Babel" by R.F. Kuang and had mixed feelings, but her new book "Yellowface" is the extreme opposite kind of book. Does that mean it's a hit?

Fans of Ali Hazelwood's normal STEM romances will knot expect what's coming in her newest release. (Misspelling intentional.) The Busy Girls are unsurprisingly divided on Hazelwood per usual, but they do all agree on one thing about "Bride."

Throne of Glass continues with "Empire of Storms." It's a long one and a lot happens, but readers are rewarded as various plots start to tie together for a greater purpose.

"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory" by Caitlin Doughty is not your average memoir. It mixes life, death, gallows humor and world history to turn the funeral industry upside down. It may be the most though provoking discussion the Busy Girls have ever had.

Trial to the death? Body jumping magic system? Setting as a character? Morally grey leads? "Immortal Longings" by Chloe Gong is something totally new and fresh on the fantasy scene, but not everyone is a fan. The Busy Girls discuss what was a success and what still needs clarification.

A memoir on a queer abusive relationship might not sound like a must read, but Carmen Maria Machado's "In the Dream House" takes a poetic approach to realizing she's being abused and overcoming her situation. The Busy Girls talk about this interesting take on a memoir and why it's a must read.

"The Jasad Heir" has a lot of classic fantasy tropes but takes place in a setting more akin to Egypt. It's a fresh setting and focused heavily on kingdom politics. Plus, it's a grumpy-grumpy main character mashup.

"Open Water" is a sort of lyrical narrative that talks about the Black experience. The poetry aspect can be a bit hard to get into, but the book is short. Does it make it worth the read?

Celebrity memoirs are a tough one to discuss. Should every celebrity have one? Should editors be kind because they're famous? Prince Harry's "Spare" gives the Busy Girls a lot to discuss.

The Busy Girls are joined by Lauren Puckett-Pope, staff culture writer at ELLE, to hear about how she chooses which books to cover for the magazine and her watchlist for 2024.  Books summary: https://www.busygirlspod.com/post/special-guest-elle-staff-culture-writer-lauren-puckett-pope-makes-her-book-recommendations-for-2024 Lauren's bio: https://www.elle.com/author/223910/lauren-puckett/ 2024 Fiction Watchlist: https://www.elle.com/culture/books/g46306627/best-fiction-books-2024/ 2024 Romance Watchlist: https://www.elle.com/culture/books/g46344215/best-books-2024-romance/ 2024 Nonfiction Watchlist: https://www.elle.com/culture/books/g46344230/best-books-2024-nonfiction/

Your resident SJM stans have a lot to process after the release of Crescent City 3: "House of Flame and Shadow." Do we still love her books? Yes. Was this her finest work? Listen and find out.

Katelyn's sister joins the Busy Girls to talk Throne of Glass' "Assassin's Blade" and where the short story compilation should fit into the series.

In one of the most polarizing episodes yet, the Busy Girls discuss TikTok sensation "Bunny" with the help of a special guest. This is new age horror, but does it deliver what it sells?

If you love a whimsical tale of adventure into the realm of fae but are tired of the same cookie cutter fantasy we've been getting, Heather Fawcett brings a breath of fresh air with "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries." Jane Austen lovers will enjoy this fantasy with a historical fiction tone and some dark academia thrown in.

The sequel to Rebecca Ross' "Divine Rivals" picks right back up in "Ruthless Vows." The end to the YA duology has been long awaited, but mostly by adult readers. Does the wartime romance strike the right note in the end?

The Busy Girls love a good enemies to lovers fantasy novel with a dark brooding MMC and a sassy FMC. Does "The Hurricane Wars" qualify? Or is it just some Star Wars fanfic?

V.E. Schwab turns what you think will be a cautionary tale into one of personal growth and resilience in this tale about making a deal with the devil. "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" continues to be highly reviewed, so the Busy Girls finally give it a go.

It's Sarah J. Maas part...??? We lost track. If you're still with us, Queen of Shadows is a huge turning point in the Throne of Glass series. The books keep getting longer and the plots multiply, so there's a lot to discuss.

It's that time! We take a look back at the best, worst, most overhyped, prettiest, etc. books we've read all year. AND we choose a Busy Girls Book of the Year. Thank you for a great 2023 and we can't wait for 2024!

Every millennial was caught in the throes of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy. Now, a prequel to the series has been turned into a movie. So, if you're the kind of person who needs to read the book before seeing the movie, is it worth picking up "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?" The Busy Girls do not agree on this one.

Brandon Sanderson has millions of fans, and it feels like nearly that many books. The Busy Girls dive into his Cosmere with cozy fairytale "Tress of the Emerald Sea." Does it live up to the hype from the fandom?

THIS WHOLE EPISODE IS SPOILERS. Let's hear it for the TikTok girlies and their collective brain power. The Busy Girls are going to bring you BookTok like you've never seen it. Rebecca Yarros left us with too many questions at the end of Iron Flame, so time to figure it out. TikToks: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8D1jNDL/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8D1XV1U/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8DFcvLx/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8D9v5Ta/

If you haven't read "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros, you probably live under a rock. Book two is here, and *oh boy* do the Busy Girls have a lot to discuss. Holy cliffhanger.

In the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, it's the third book that really gets things going. The world gets so much bigger in "Heir of Fire" and new characters are introduced. Is this the best one in the series?

So many trigger warnings. "A Little Life" is the Busy Girls' most anticipated episode - mostly because it's been nearly a year in the making. It's a beast of a book to tackle. So, is over 800 pages of complex trauma worth it?

Lauren J.A. Bear's debut novel is a doozy. "Medusa's Sisters" is a unique - and graphic - retelling of the Greek myth of gorgon Medusa, told from the perspective of her two sisters. Hold on tight for this one.

We are back to Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series with "Crown of Midnight," book two in the tale. It's pretty much a two-book set up to the rest of the series, so is it worth it to be stuck in the prologue so long?

It's the Spooky Season 2023 finale! The Busy Girls are joined by Unbound & Rewound Horror Podcast host Avery Coffey to discuss themes of Black Horror in Victor LaValle's "Lone Women." Unbound & Rewound Horror Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/unbound-rewound-horror-podcast/id1618711401 @urhorrorpodcast