Escape with Me Bookclub

Somewhere Beyond the Sea - We Weren't Prepared

Episode 175 - Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune We thought we knew what we were getting into. After loving The House in the Cerulean Sea for its cozy, heartwarming vibe and hopeful message, Sam and Hannah went into Somewhere Beyond the Sea expecting something similar. We were not prepared. This sequel keeps the compassion and humanity of the first book, but the conversations become much heavier. What starts as a return to a beloved world quickly turns into a discussion about prejudice, fear, belonging, and the weight of trying to create a better future. We talk about: -Why the tone feels so different from the first book -The themes that hit much harder than expected -Whether the sequel succeeds because of that shift -And why this might be a book that deserves a content warning conversation before recommending it We'd still gift Cerulean Sea to almost anyone. Somewhere Beyond the Sea? We'd gift it with a long conversation attached. New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨ Next week: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson ⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 01:02 Background 02:54 Age Level & Content Warning 04:38 Discussion 01:02:01 One Question for the Author 01:07:01 Rating 01:07:51 Read Again? 01:08:52 Favorite of the Series 01:13:07 Outro 📚 Follow the Author: Website: ⁠https://www.tjklunebooks.com/⁠ [https://www.tjklunebooks.com/⁠] Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tjklunebooks/ [https://www.instagram.com/tjklunebooks/] ⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tjklune⁠ [https://twitter.com/tjklune⁠] 🔗 Connect with Us on Socials Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754 [⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/ [https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠] 🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis - Tim's Favorite Narnia Book?

Episode 174 - The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis For years, The Silver Chair was Tim's favorite Narnia book. But was it actually the book or was it his dad's absolutely legendary voice for Puddleglum doing all the work? Sam and Tim revisit one of the most beloved entries in the Narnia series and ask a dangerous question: does childhood nostalgia hold up under adult scrutiny? We discuss: • Why The Silver Chair became Tim's favorite as a kid • The unforgettable Puddleglum voice that defined the story for him • How the book reads differently as an adult • Whether the themes and characters still work • If nostalgia enhanced the experience or completely carried it And, of course, we spend plenty of time talking about one of Narnia's most unique and memorable characters. New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨ Next week: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson ⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:54 Background 02:06 Age Level & Content Warning 02:56 Judge a Book by Its Cover 04:30 Discussion 44:54 General Thoughts 47:00 One Question for the Author 49:14 Rating 50:52 Read Again? 51:13 Favorite of the Series so Far 52:51 Outro 🔗 Connect with Us on Socials Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/ [https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠] 🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Sunrise on the Reaping - Best Hunger Games Book?

Episode 173 - Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins After more than a decade of encouragement, recommendations, and relentless badgering from Danielle, Sam is finally caught up on the entire Hunger Games book series. Mission accomplished. Now comes the next challenge: convincing her to watch the movies. But first, we have to answer a much bigger question: Is Sunrise on the Reaping the best Hunger Games book? Danielle says no. Sam is prepared to make her case. We discuss: • Sam's first-time reaction to the newest Hunger Games novel • Whether it belongs at the top of the series ranking • The themes that make the book resonate so strongly • How it changes the way we view the rest of the series • Sam's increasingly controversial Hunger Games reading order: Book 1 → Sunrise on the Reaping → Book 2 → The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes → Book 3 Whether you agree or disagree, this episode is packed with Hunger Games discussion, rankings, and probably a few hot takes. New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨ Next week: The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis ⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 00:51 Background 08:09 Age Level & Content Warning 8:33 Judge a Book by Its Cover 10:12 Discussion 58:13 General Thoughts 01:04:50 One Question for the Author 01:06:05 Rating 01:06:58 Poetry in the Book 01:08:26 Favorite of the Series 01:10:10 Reading Order 01:12:28 Outro 📖 Follow the Author - Suzanne Collins Website: https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/ [https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/] 🔗 Connect with Us on Socials Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/ [https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk⁠⁠⁠⁠] 🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

"Just Get Past the First Book" - Throne of Glass by Sara J. Maas

Episode 172 - Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas “You just need to get past the first book.” That was the recommendation. Repeatedly. So Sam and Kaitlyn finally picked up Throne of Glass and… oh boy. We get into what worked, what absolutely did not, and the question we kept circling back to the entire episode: Why did people keep reading this series? From characterization to pacing to the overall reading experience, we unpack why this first entry was a rough ride for both of us while also trying to understand the absolutely legendary reader loyalty surrounding Sarah J. Maas. Honestly, the author’s ability to inspire devotion deserves academic study. We talk about: • First-time reactions to Throne of Glass • Why the “it gets better later” recommendation is so fascinating • What did (and didn’t) work for us • Whether we understand the fandom… at all If you’ve ever pushed through a first book because everyone swore the series improves, this one is for you. New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨ Next week: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins ⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 01:51 Background 06:35 Age Level & Content Warning 08:21 Judge a Book by Its Cover 10:46 Discussion 01:05:32 General Thoughts 01:08:36 One Question for the Author 01:09:57 Rating 01:10:59 Read Again? 01:11:40 Outro 📖 Follow the Author - Sarah J. Maas Website: https://sarahjmaas.com/ [https://sarahjmaas.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofsarahjmaas/ [https://www.facebook.com/theworldofsarahjmaas/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjmaas/ [https://www.instagram.com/sarahjmaas/] Twitter: https://x.com/SJMaas [https://x.com/SJMaas] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjmaas [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjmaas] 🔗 Connect with Us on Socials Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk⁠] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk [https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk] ⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts

Worth Fighting For - Was It Worth It?

Episode 171 - Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Disney’s Meant to Be Series, Book 5) This episode is personal.Worth Fighting For is the reason we started covering the Meant to Be series in the first place and somehow, it’s also the reason Keira became a co-star on the podcast. Expectations? Extremely high. Stakes? Weirdly emotional. So… was it worth the hype? Oh boy. Sam and Keira dive into the fifth Meant to Be book, unpacking: • Whether the story lived up to the anticipation • How it compares to the rest of the series • The characters, romance, and execution • And what happens when a book carries way too much personal expectation Sometimes the most anticipated reads become favorites. Sometimes they become podcast episodes. If you’ve been following our Meant to Be journey, this one is a must-watch. New episodes every Monday at 8 AM EST ✨Next week: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas ⏱️ Time Stamp 00:00 Intro 1:11 Background 08:51 Age Level & Content Warning 10:33 Judge a Book by Its Cover 12:42 Discussion 01:01:49 General Thoughts 01:06:56 Ideas for More Books 01:12:31 One Question for the Author 01:14:03 Rating 01:15:32 Read Again? 01:15:54 Favorite of the Series 01:18:56 Outro 📖 Follow the Author Jesse Q. Sutanto Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jesseqsutanto.com/⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/JesseQSutanto/⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thewritinghippo⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jesseqsutanto/⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@jessesutanto?lang=en ⁠⁠⁠Good Reads:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19278992.Jesse_Q_Sutanto⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Connect with Us on Socials Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575460276754 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunar_skulk⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/lunar_skulk ⁠⁠⁠🎧 Listen Wherever You Get Podcasts