Books Around the Block

Chapter 63: Books We Regret Reading (& Books We'd Read Again for the First Time)

In this episode of Books Around the Block, the three of us each share two unforgettable reads: one book we wish we could permanently wipe from our memory because we hated it, and one book we wish we could erase just so we could experience reading it for the very first time again. From disappointing books that didn't live up to the hype to all-time favorite novels that gave us book hangovers, we're sharing our most memorable reading regrets and our most beloved book recommendations. Expect plenty of strong opinions, passionate defenses, and a few controversial picks along the way. Whether you're looking for book recommendations, wondering which popular books might not be worth the hype, or searching for your next five-star read, this episode is packed with discussion about the best books we've ever read and the books we'd rather forget. June Baby by Shannon Garvey [https://bookshop.org/p/books/june-baby-a-novel-shannon-garvey/819408bf5612f298?ean=9780593979907&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] The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-someday-garden-ashley-poston/40ad84f21f784454?ean=9780593952757&next=t] Expecting Adam by Martha Beck [https://bookshop.org/p/books/expecting-adam-a-true-story-of-birth-rebirth-and-everyday-magic-martha-beck/385857d73510d3dc?ean=9780307719645&next=t] The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-immortalists-chloe-benjamin/313d7b05bb46dd26?ean=9780735215092&next=t] The House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea-tj-klune/7deab81dfed3bdd9?ean=9781250394545&next=t] The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sound-of-gravel-a-memoir-ruth-wariner/d2bf227e5f86be8b?ean=9781250077707&next=t] A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah Maas [https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-court-of-mist-and-fury-sarah-j-maas/785e5c209965eac5?ean=9781635575583&next=t] Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers [https://bookshop.org/p/books/redeeming-love-a-novel-francine-rivers/b2bda8c2fb5facef?ean=9781590525135&next=t] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/theo-of-golden-allen-levi/20518682?ean=9781668236512&next=t]

Chapter 62: May Monthly Reading Wrap-Up & Our June TBR

In this monthly reading wrap-up episode of Books Around the Block, we’re sharing our best and worst books of the month of May… the ones we loved, the ones we didn’t, and the ones we cannot stop thinking about. We break down everything we read in May with honest, unfiltered reviews, from standout 5-star favorites to the biggest disappointments. If you’re looking for real opinions before adding books to your TBR, this episode is packed with must-read recommendations and a few you might want to skip. We also share two books we’re planning to read in June, giving you a preview of our upcoming TBR. We also reveal Lindsay's birthday read, and she's not happy.  Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth [https://bookshop.org/p/books/mad-mabel-a-novel-sally-hepworth/185634013e864e22?ean=9781250284549&next=t] Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-theoretically-ali-hazelwood/9f0335f5bd35b95b?ean=9780593336861&next=t] The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-burning-side-a-novel-sarah-damoff/d0691f2864d3c997?ean=9781668085011&next=t] The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lion-women-of-tehran-marjan-kamali/73083b17a21a5f64?ean=9781668036594&next=t] Fever Dream by Ali Hazelwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/fever-dream-a-novel-elsie-silver/4cf5966b12855f12?ean=9781668099575&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] The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-cold-cases-simone-st-james/58ccc089bc02f345?ean=9780440000235&next=t] The Shippers by Katherine Center [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-shippers-a-novel-katherine-center/36817d70eab372f9?ean=9781250408051&next=t] Labor by Mary Fariba Afsari [https://bookshop.org/p/books/labor-one-woman-s-work-dr-mary-fariba-afsari/818ac678ca1e3d2f?ean=9781668015407&next=t] The Social Climber by Amanda Pellegrino [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-social-climber-amanda-pellegrino/f0366e93e83c64f9?ean=9780778387022&next=t] This is Me by Hayden Panettierre [https://bookshop.org/p/books/this-is-me-a-reckoning-hayden-panettiere/015c6d97c938d340?ean=9781538773420&next=t] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke [https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-a-novel-caro-claire-burke/3633cf5fc7b2b2b1?ean=9780593804216&next=t] The Situationship by Abby Jiminez [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-situationship-abby-jimenez/b5d901a2748fc2ef?ean=9781538773727&next=t] The Good Lie by A.R. Torre [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-lie-a-r-torre/dd64d65a7f3a9ea0?ean=9781542020169&next=t] 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&next=t] Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy [https://bookshop.org/p/books/migrations-a-novel-charlotte-mcconaghy/b7436673a5608e72?ean=9781250204035&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] Someone Else's Husband by Kimberly McCreight [https://bookshop.org/p/books/someone-else-s-husband-a-novel-kimberly-mccreight/2432b986902450b9?ean=9780593536445&next=t] Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves [https://bookshop.org/p/books/everything-was-beautiful-and-nothing-hurt-a-novel-ben-reeves/21c0b44a512ff0da?ean=9781668216361&next=t] All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood [https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-ugly-and-wonderful-things-a-novel-bryn-greenwood/8c79fc99d034ee2b?ean=9781250153968&next=t]

Chapter 61: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Book Club

In this special book club episode of Books Around the Block, we’re discussing Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and trust us, we had THOUGHTS. From differing opinions to deep dives into the characters, themes, and that twist ending, we unpack every part of this buzzy bestseller and process together in real time. There are NO spoilers for the first 15 minutes of this episode, and we give a full spoiler warning before diving deeper into our discussion. If you’re looking for a detailed Yesteryear book review and book club podcast or readers reacting to Caro Claire Burke’s novel, this episode is for you. Whether you loved the book, hated the book, or are still trying to figure out how you feel about it, come process Yesteryear with us! American Fantasy by Emma Straub [https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-fantasy-a-novel-emma-straub/63286cea6b6b1faf?ean=9798217046850&next=t] Fever Dream by Elsie Silver [https://bookshop.org/p/books/fever-dream-a-novel-elsie-silver/4cf5966b12855f12?ean=9781668099575&next=t] A Good Lie by A.R. Torre [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-lie-a-r-torre/dd64d65a7f3a9ea0?ean=9781542020169&next=t] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi [https://bookshop.org/p/books/theo-of-golden-allen-levi/20518682?ean=9781668236512&next=t]

Chapter 60: Beach Read Books You Need This Summer

This week on Books Around the Block, we’re diving into the ultimate beach reads for summer. Each host brings two must-read books perfect for vacation reading, lazy pool days, and long afternoons in the sand.  From addictive thrillers that will keep you turning pages til you're sunburned to swoony romances that belong in your beach bag, we’re sharing the best summer books to pack for your next getaway. If you’re searching for the best beach reads of 2026 or books that feel like a day at the beach, this episode is packed with reading recommendations for summer readers! The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-burning-side-a-novel-sarah-damoff/d0691f2864d3c997?ean=9781668085011&next=t] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke [https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-a-novel-caro-claire-burke/3633cf5fc7b2b2b1?ean=9780593804216&next=t] Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dolly-all-the-time-annabel-monaghan/dcf2cdd749f867de?ean=9798217185054&next=t] The Friends We Keep by Jane Green [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-friends-we-keep-jane-green/9438517a0489c69f?ean=9780399583360&next=t] Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan [https://bookshop.org/p/books/same-time-next-summer-annabel-monaghan/9fefaf88c40e3854?ean=9780593544969&next=t] The Shippers by Katherine Center [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-shippers-a-novel-katherine-center/36817d70eab372f9?ean=9781250408051&next=t] Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey [https://bookshop.org/p/books/slightly-south-of-simple-a-novel-kristy-woodson-harvey/270019ca11ec4250?ean=9781501158056&next=t] On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves [https://bookshop.org/p/books/on-the-island-a-novel-tracey-garvis-graves/9e4243f813acdee3?ean=9780142196724&next=t] 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&next=t]

Chapter 59: Our Auto-Buy Authors (The Writers We Read No Matter What)

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re talking all about our ultimate auto-buy authors: the writers whose books we order instantly, recommend nonstop, and trust every single time. Each host brings one beloved author to the table and shares what makes them impossible to resist, from unforgettable storytelling to twisty plots and characters we can’t stop thinking about. If you love book recommendations and discovering authors worth obsessing over, this episode is for you. We also chat about our favorite books from these authors and what keeps us coming back for every release. Perfect for readers looking for their next favorite author. The Social Climber by Amanda Pellegrino [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-social-climber-amanda-pellegrino/f0366e93e83c64f9?ean=9780778387022&next=t] The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lion-women-of-tehran-marjan-kamali/73083b17a21a5f64?ean=9781668036594&next=t] Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell [https://bookshop.org/p/books/don-t-let-him-in-a-novel-lisa-jewell/1f52a912683bb541?ean=9781668033876&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] Broken Girls by Simone St. James [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-broken-girls-simone-st-james/0bb9edd117081d98?ean=9780451489388&next=t] The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-cold-cases-simone-st-james/58ccc089bc02f345?ean=9780440000235&next=t] What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella [https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-does-it-feel-like-sophie-kinsella/67092a05212fed90?ean=9780593977569&next=t] The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-a-novel-taylor-jenkins-reid/2e0b947a9c601031?ean=9781501161933&next=t] Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/daisy-jones-the-six-taylor-jenkins-reid/550ab47ceb074e86?ean=9781524798642&next=t] One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-true-loves-taylor-jenkins-reid/a1f60a5f8ffaa898?ean=9781476776903&next=t] Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid [https://bookshop.org/p/books/untitled-8715/72852333144840f3?ean=9780593158715&next=t] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke [https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-a-novel-caro-claire-burke/3633cf5fc7b2b2b1?ean=9780593804216&next=t]