Chapter 68: Best Mindless Reads & Page-Turners That Don't Require Much Brainpower

Chapter 68: Best Mindless Reads & Page-Turners That Don't Require Much Brainpower

Looking for your next easy read? In this episode of Books Around the Block, we're sharing our favorite mindless reads—the easy-to-read, fast-paced page-turners that don't require a ton of brainpower but are nearly impossible to put down. Whether you're in a reading slump, heading on vacation, just finished reading something heavy, or simply want an entertaining book that keeps the pages turning, we've got recommendations across romance, thrillers, mysteries, women's fiction, and more.  If you're searching for the best easy books to read, binge-worthy novels, or books that will get you reading again, this episode is packed with recommendations you'll want to add to your TBR. We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter [https://bookshop.org/p/books/we-are-all-guilty-here-a-novel-karin-slaughter/58955ffe831f3e92?ean=9780063336773] It's A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-s-a-love-story-annabel-monaghan/d77582fc1dc25c93?ean=9780593714102] The Whisper Man by Alex North [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-whisper-man-a-novel-alex-north/c36334323a43e107?ean=9781250318008] Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead [https://bookshop.org/p/books/hot-girl-murder-club-a-novel-ashley-winstead/02c1e3ae592c10ae?ean=9781250401212] The Storied Life of A.J. Fikery by Gabrielle Zevin [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-storied-life-of-a-j-fikry-gabrielle-zevin/1fc01376c3cad7e3?ean=9781616204518] Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak [https://bookshop.org/p/books/hidden-pictures-a-novel-jason-rekulak/da8794760dbca9e1?ean=9781250819352] The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-rumor-elin-hilderbrand/5540acaea5927457?ean=9780316578554] Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [https://bookshop.org/p/books/untitled-5-carley-fortune/a9035a9fd0ede378?ean=9780593953242]

Chapter 67: June Monthly Reading Wrap-Up & Our July TBR Hopefuls

Looking for your next great book? In this month's reading wrap-up, we're sharing our honest reviews of everything we read in June. From our favorite five-star books to the biggest disappointments, we hold nothing back. Then we're diving into our July TBR and the new releases, backlist hopefuls, and summer required reading we're hoping to read next.  If you love book recommendations, monthly reading wrap-ups, and discovering the best books to add to your TBR, this episode is for you. Grab your favorite drink and snack, and join us as we chat all things books, reading, and summer reading! Someone Else’s Husband by Amelia McCreight [https://bookshop.org/p/books/someone-else-s-husband-a-novel-kimberly-mccreight/2432b986902450b9?ean=9780593536445] The Ex-Vows by Jessica Joyce [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-ex-vows-jessica-joyce/b1f3cebb0a8ffc29?ean=9780593548424] All The Ugly and Wonderful Things by Brynn Greenwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-ugly-and-wonderful-things-a-novel-bryn-greenwood/8c79fc99d034ee2b?ean=9781250153968] Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth [https://bookshop.org/p/books/mad-mabel-a-novel-sally-hepworth/185634013e864e22?ean=9781250284549] Love, theoretically by Ali Hazelwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-theoretically-ali-hazelwood/9f0335f5bd35b95b?ean=9780593336861] The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-burning-side-a-novel-sarah-damoff/d0691f2864d3c997?ean=9781668085011] Ask Not by Maureen Callahan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/ask-not-the-kennedys-and-the-women-they-destroyed-maureen-callahan/cda356fd595e062a?ean=9780316276177] Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick  [https://bookshop.org/p/books/phoebe-berman-s-gonna-lose-it-a-novel-brooke-averick/c15fb9bb8cb2a111?ean=9798217088263] Woman Down by Colleen Hoover [https://bookshop.org/p/books/woman-down/b3c2342b77b8d51e?ean=9781542025614] All The Little Ways by Laura Lekkos [https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-little-ways-a-novel-laura-lekkos/67015917248ac694?ean=9781668206997] Dolly All Time by Annabel Monahan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dolly-all-the-time-annabel-monaghan/dcf2cdd749f867de?ean=9780593853979] It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-could-have-been-her-a-novel-lisa-jewell/e5cd476e9b239c69?ean=9781668033906] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/theo-of-golden-allen-levi/20518682?ean=9781668236512] What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown [https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-kind-of-paradise-janelle-brown/99796304fab9a2ab?ean=9780593449783] Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker [https://bookshop.org/p/books/japanese-gothic-a-folk-horror-novel-of-japanese-mythology-murder-and-family-duty-across-two-timelines-kylie-lee-baker/b3d82363ad249c58?ean=9781335001559] The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-someday-garden-ashley-poston/40ad84f21f784454?ean=9780593952757] Like, Follow, Subscribe by Fortesa Latifi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/like-follow-subscribe-influencer-kids-and-the-cost-of-a-childhood-online-fortesa-latifi/0015d12afb1a78c2?ean=9781668080504] The One Day You were My Husband by Rosie Walsh [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-one-day-you-were-my-husband-a-novel-rosie-walsh/a5b1f7d0ff3ee6bd?ean=9798217060450] Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling [https://bookshop.org/p/books/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerer-s-stone-harry-potter-book-1-j-k-rowling/6399a6b43e14ba4b?ean=9781338878929] The Divine Counselor by Alex Seeley [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-divine-counselor-renew-your-mind-heal-your-soul-and-discover-your-purpose-through-the-guidance-of-the-holy-spirit-alex-seeley/7fe6bd0552cabd5a?ean=9781400254965] Five by Ilona Bannister [https://bookshop.org/p/books/five-a-novel-ilona-bannister/ec3b6037fece5058?ean=9798217088027] It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-s-a-love-story-annabel-monaghan/d77582fc1dc25c93?ean=9780593714102] Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead [https://bookshop.org/p/books/hot-girl-murder-club-a-novel-ashley-winstead/02c1e3ae592c10ae?ean=9781250401212] Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson [https://bookshop.org/p/books/run-for-the-hills-a-novel-kevin-wilson/097ccaed9d7f13a2?ean=9780063317512] The Woman In White by Sarah Pekkanen [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-women-in-white-a-novel-sarah-pekkanen/a402b18f4e077769?ean=9781250349552] Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [https://bookshop.org/p/books/untitled-5-carley-fortune/a9035a9fd0ede378?ean=9780593953242]

Chapter 66: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Book Club Discussion

Is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi worth the hype? In this month's Books Around the Block Book Club, we're diving deep into one of the year's most talked-about novels with our discussion, which includes spoilers. Before we jump into the book, the first 23 minutes are our signature Read, Watch, Obsessed segment, where we share what we've been reading, watching, and loving lately. That entire portion is completely spoiler-free, so everyone can listen! After that, it's full steam ahead into Theo of Golden with spoilers. We break down the plot, characters, emotional moments, writing style, themes, and ending, share our final ratings, debate what worked (and what didn't), and unpack all the biggest moments. Whether you've already finished the book a while ago or you're looking for an in-depth book club discussion after turning the last page, this episode is for you. If you love book podcasts, book club discussions, spoiler reviews, and discovering what to read next, be sure to subscribe to Books Around the Block for our monthly book club episodes. Like, Follow, Subscribe by Fortesa Latifi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/like-follow-subscribe-influencer-kids-and-the-cost-of-a-childhood-online-fortesa-latifi/0015d12afb1a78c2?ean=9781668080504&next=t] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/theo-of-golden-allen-levi/20518682?ean=9781668236512&next=t] You With A View by Jessica Joyce [https://bookshop.org/p/books/you-with-a-view-jessica-joyce/d02726084f47cb97?ean=9780593548400&next=t] It Could Have been Her by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-could-have-been-her-a-novel-lisa-jewell/e5cd476e9b239c69?ean=9781668033906&next=t] Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [https://bookshop.org/p/books/untitled-5-carley-fortune/a9035a9fd0ede378?ean=9780593953242&next=t]

Chapter 65: Our Most Anticipated Books of Q3 2026 (July, August, September New Releases)

In this week's episode of Books Around the Block, Audrey, Adrienne, and Lindsay each share their three most anticipated book releases of Q3 2026, featuring upcoming books hitting shelves in July, August, and September. From buzzy new fiction and emotional literary novels to page-turning thrillers and can't-miss romances, we're sharing the books we're most excited to add to our TBRs and why we think these upcoming releases could become some of the biggest books of the year. Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan  [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dolly-all-the-time-annabel-monaghan/dcf2cdd749f867de?ean=9780593853979&next=t] Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick [https://bookshop.org/p/books/phoebe-berman-s-gonna-lose-it-a-novel-brooke-averick/c15fb9bb8cb2a111?ean=9798217088263&next=t] What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown [https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-kind-of-paradise-janelle-brown/99796304fab9a2ab?ean=9780593449783&next=t] Take what you can by Naima Coster [https://bookshop.org/p/books/take-what-you-can-a-novel-naima-coster/5fe3d391fc9dd6a7?ean=9780593833278&next=t] The Good Parts by Evan Normanand [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-parts/9671eeb238adf50d?ean=9781538780329&next=t] The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-romance-revival-christina-lauren/e724cc116f565dbd?ean=9781668017753&next=t] Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel [https://bookshop.org/p/books/exit-party-a-novel-emily-st-john-mandel/3ef137360aed18ae?ean=9780593321461&next=t] The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wild-beneath-kelly-anderson/f92946983c6a54a5?ean=9780778306061&next=t] The Unknown by Riley Sager [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-unknown-a-novel-riley-sager/e0817acc4b82d2dd?ean=9798217044092&next=t] Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult [https://bookshop.org/p/books/hollow-bones-a-novel-jodi-picoult/2b6b341fe594a245?ean=9780593726259&next=t] The Truth about Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-truth-about-ruby-cooper-liz-nugent/140d1832d3aa8f2a?ean=9781668204658&next=t] Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley and Agatha Christy [https://bookshop.org/p/books/murder-at-the-grand-alpine-hotel-the-new-miss-marple-mystery-agatha-christie/854eb0010713b114?ean=9780063376694&next=t] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/theo-of-golden-allen-levi/20518682?ean=9781668236512&next=t]

Chapter 64: Books That Feel Like Your Favorite Summer Movies

Summer is here, and we're combining two of our favorite things: movies and books! In this episode of Books Around the Block, Audrey, Adrienne, and Lindsay each bring one of their favorite summer movies and pair it with a book that captures the same atmosphere, themes, characters, and emotional vibes. Whether you're looking for the perfect beach read, planning your summer reading list, or searching for books like your favorite summer movies, we've got recommendations for romance readers, contemporary fiction lovers, and anyone chasing that nostalgic summer feeling. If you're searching for summer book recommendations, beach reads, books to read on vacation, or books that feel like your favorite movies, this episode is for you. Ask Not by Maureen Callahan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/ask-not-the-kennedys-and-the-women-they-destroyed-maureen-callahan/cda356fd595e062a?ean=9780316276177&next=t] Dolly all the time by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dolly-all-the-time-annabel-monaghan/dcf2cdd749f867de?ean=9780593853979&next=t] Japanese gothic by Kylie Lee Baker [https://bookshop.org/p/books/japanese-gothic-a-gothic-dual-timeline-novel-of-ghosts-hauntings-and-redemption-kylie-lee-baker/a4bf271fd9b1e40c?ean=9781335001559&next=t] My Friends by Fredrik Backman [https://bookshop.org/p/books/my-friends-a-novel-fredrik-backman/7722f1d6dc24a4a6?ean=9781982112820&next=t] The Wedding People by Alison Espach [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wedding-people-a-novel-alison-espach/2a6b95a3104be2ea?ean=9781250899576&next=t] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/malibu-rising-a-read-with-jenna-pick-a-novel-taylor-jenkins-reid/69e068f2622517f9?ean=9781524798673&next=t] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/theo-of-golden-allen-levi/20518682?ean=9781668236512&next=t]