Off the Shelves Podcast

Balls to the wall

Add this book to your must-read list ASAP. The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali was brilliant. We loved this historical novel about friendship, love, revolution, and the fight for women's rights. Which feels especially relevant today, doesn't it? You know we've got the usual chatter about what's happening in our lives and the world around us. Grab a summer beverage, jump in, and let us know what you think!   What to buy: The boujee notebook of your dreams, Louise Carmen [https://louisecarmen.com/en/collections/all-notebooks/products/capsule-honore] Drink of the season, Waterloo Coconut Lime Cooler [https://www.drinkwaterloo.com/flavors/coconut-lime-cooler/] What to eat: Tuscan Sausage Pasta [https://www.missallieskitchen.com/tuscan-sausage-pasta/] Crispy Sheet Pan Tacos [https://www.allrecipes.com/easiest-sheet-pan-tacos-recipe-11700898]

Just This: Book bans are surging

According to a new report from PEN America, nonfiction book bans are on the rise, and nearly 4,000 books were pulled from American public school libraries during the 2024–2025 school year. We’ve also got an early product review of Mary Claire Haver’s supplements, and Carey may have found her new favorite beverage. PEN America report [https://pen.org/report/facts-fiction/] Cutest coloring book [https://amzn.to/49oDB9b]

HBD Jenn

This week, we drop back into banned books with Stephen King’s Bag of Bones [https://amzn.to/4dL7DoL]. To be clear, we probably never would have picked this one up if Utah hadn’t recently added it to its banned book list, so… thanks, Utah? Actually, no. Seriously. Stop banning books. Let's Shop: Gorjana Jewelry  [https://www.gorjana.com/products/paseo-cuff?variant=43227383398531&collection=bracelets] Caffe Ibis Coffee [https://www.caffeibis.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22855285415&gbraid=0AAAAABwg71y7jS_-vnJyoCczqMTfzC42Q&gclid=CjwKCAjw5s_QBhAdEiwADD_gBi-PnsadXrGWs0lanKN3fazxeCST5KfAVlAssEFyyhLTvfAU0j_JJRoCJvEQAvD_BwE] Let's Eat: Steak and Shiitake Mushrooms [https://foodwithfeeling.com/shiitake-mushrooms/] Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken [https://theoregondietitian.com/lemon-pepper-marinade/]

Just This: Sexy Jesus

This week, we break down the real and slightly alarming cost of “doing all the right things” for perimenopause. Sexy Jesus makes an appearance, rising travel costs test our patience, and password resets might become our final straw. Grab a coffee and your supplements and let's get in to it.

Zone of Chaos

It’s our 25th book, and we’re marking the occasion with The New Perimenopause by Mary Claire Haver, MD, which feels less like a book recommendation and more like required reading for women, especially those in their 30s wondering why everything suddenly feels… chaotic. We’re also talking about the massive week in sports for the gals, Kentucky Derby, and the woman who absolutely shattered expectations by winning the Cocodona 250 and setting a new course record in the process. Hormones, horses, and 250-mile trail races. Just another week around here. What's for dinner? Eggroll in a bowl https://therealfooddietitians.com/easy-egg-roll-in-a-bowl/ [https://therealfooddietitians.com/easy-egg-roll-in-a-bowl/] Asian Beef noodle bowls with rice noodles and local beef https://asianinspiredeats.com/asian-beef-noodle-bowls/ [https://asianinspiredeats.com/asian-beef-noodle-bowls/] Products we love: Colorscience total protection face sunscreen colorscience.com [http://colorscience.com/]  Verve Decaf coffee https://www.vervecoffee.com/products/vancouver-swiss-water-decaf [https://www.vervecoffee.com/products/vancouver-swiss-water-decaf] Podcasts to listen to: AI Data Center Revolt in Missouri https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/a-data-center-revolt-in-missouri/05e598af-f37a-4c91-b6ec-602ffb4b798a [https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/a-data-center-revolt-in-missouri/05e598af-f37a-4c91-b6ec-602ffb4b798a]  AI’s Power Grid Problem https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-power-grid-ai-problem/d662e838-3f78-4ae9-98b7-c5524044b41d [https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-power-grid-ai-problem/d662e838-3f78-4ae9-98b7-c5524044b41d]