34A: The South

34A: The South

With the death of his grandfather, Jay and his family travel south to the property he left them, a farm fallen into ruin. Still, Jay’s father sends Jay out to work the land that’s left, and over these days, Jay ends up meeting Chuan, the son of the farm’s manager. As the boys grow closer, the family members deeal with their own regrets and begin to drift apart. This episode we’re reading The South by Tash Aw, up to (but not including) the chapter beginning with: “There is not enough space on the bed for two of them to lie down on their backs…” (hardcover page 142; ebook page 142). TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Mentions of slurs and homophobia/transphobia; racism against Chinese and Indonesian people; vomiting And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

33B: The Unit

Dorrit Weger is checked into the Second Reserve Bank Unit, where women over the age of fifty and men over sixty that are single, childless, and without jobs in progressive industries are kept for their final years. The conditions sound ruthless, as they are expected to contribute towards drug and psychological testing and donate their organs, a bit at a time, until their final donation, but Dorrit finds her situation pleasant and peaceful enough. However, when she meets a man and falls in love, there is uncertainty. Comply or escape, and if escape, then what? This episode we’re finishing The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (translated by Marlaine Delargy)! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Organ harvesting; euthanasia; medical and psychological experimentation; loss of freedom and surveillance; mentions of suicide; grief; cheating And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

33A: The Unit

Dorrit Weger is checked into the Second Reserve Bank Unit, where women over the age of fifty and men over sixty that are single, childless, and without jobs in progressive industries are kept for their final years. The conditions sound ruthless, as they are expected to contribute towards drug and psychological testing and donate their organs, a bit at a time, until their final donation, but Dorrit finds her situation pleasant and peaceful enough. However, when she meets a man and falls in love, there is uncertainty. Comply or escape, and if escape, then what? This episode we’re reading The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (translated by Marlaine Delargy), up to (but not including) Part 2 Chapter 14! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Organ harvesting; euthanasia; medical and psychological experimentation; loss of freedom and surveillance; mentions of suicide; grief; cheating And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

32B: My Friends

Mostly unnoticed lies three figures at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the world’s most famous paintings. But Louisa has noticed, and she’s determined to figure out the story of these figures, especially as the painting ends up in her care. Because this painting was born from a summer 25 years ago in which a group of teens found refuge and purpose in each other. This episode we’re finishing My Friends by Fredrik Backman! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Homophobia; Foster care discussed; Rape & sexual assault mentioned; Drugging mentioned; Domestic abuse; Attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, & self-harm; Anxiety & panic attacks; Depression; Alcoholism; Grief & loss depictions; Bullying; Police Brutality; Homophobia and homophobic slurs * My Friends by Fredrik Backman – Trigger Warning Database [https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/2025/12/10/my-friends-by-fredrik-backman/] And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

32A: My Friends

Mostly unnoticed lie three figures at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the world’s most famous paintings. But Louisa has noticed, and she’s determined to figure out the story of these figures, especially as the painting ends up in her care. Because this painting was born from a summer 25 years ago, in which a group of teens found refuge and purpose in each other. This episode we’re reading My Friends by Fredrik Backman, up to (but not including) Chapter 28! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Homophobia; Foster care discussed; Rape & sexual assault mentioned; Drugging mentioned; Domestic abuse; Attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, & self-harm; Anxiety & panic attacks; Depression; Alcoholism; Grief & loss depictions; Bullying; Police Brutality * My Friends by Fredrik Backman – Trigger Warning Database [https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/2025/12/10/my-friends-by-fredrik-backman/] And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]