Checked Out and Overdue

This week, Chelsea and Taryn are discussing Vengeful, the sequel to Vicious by V. E. Schwab. The story picks up with Victor, Eli, and some new characters navigating ambition, revenge, and the consequences of playing with life and death. The conversation focuses on continued character development, shifting dynamics, and how the new additions to the cast change the game. If you haven’t read Vicious yet, go check out that episode first. This discussion contains spoilers for both books, so consider this your heads-up to read book one before diving in. Timestamps:👋🏼 Intro: 0:00 – 12:15📚 General Overview: 12:15 – 34:05⚠️ Spoilers: 34:05 – 58:21

This week Chelsea and Taryn are joined by historical romance author Arlem Hawks (@arlemhawks) for a super fun chat. Their chat stays spoiler free initially as they talk about Arlem’s writing journey, publishing experiences, and how she comes up with all her stories. In the second half, they dive into spoiler-filled discussions of Georgana’s Secret, Beyond the Lavender Fields, Along a Breton Shore, and Across the Star-Kissed Sea. It's also possible that Chelsea may have given a powerpoint presentation here because she felt that passionately. Timestamps: 📚 General Overview: 0:00 - 32:18 ⚠️ Spoilers: 32:18 - 1:20:05

Is Achilles even the main character? Why are there so many names? And how much ego is too much ego? In this episode, Chelsea and Taryn dive into The Iliad by Homer (via the Emily Wilson translation), with very different reactions. Taryn found a lot to appreciate in the epic battles and larger-than-life drama, while Chelsea... did not. They chat about what worked, what didn’t, and how reading it with a group of online friends made the whole experience way more fun. Expect a short spoiler-free section followed by a deep dive into the world of gods, glory, and an overwhelming amount of hubris. Timestamps: 👋🏼 Intro: 0:00 - 6:41 📚 General Overview: 6:41   - 21:54 ⚠️ Spoilers: 21:54  - 50:41

This week, Chelsea and Taryn review Everything is Tuberculosis, the latest release from John Green. They explore the book's blend of memoir, history, and infectious disease (yes, really), and discuss how Green’s signature wit and sincerity come through in unexpected ways. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his work, there's plenty to unpack. Timestamps: 👋🏼 Intro: 0:00 – 11:42 📚 Review: 11:42 – 54:02

This week, Chelsea and Taryn dive into the epic world of Roshar with a review of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson! As the first book in The Stormlight Archive, this fantasy behemoth sets the stage for an unforgettable journey. They navigate highstorms, Shardblades, and the many, many pages Sanderson throws their way. Whether listeners are seasoned Bridge Four fans or reading it for the first time, this episode breaks down what makes the book a storming good read. Timestamps: 👋🏼 Intro: whoops 🤷‍♀️  📚 General Overview (Spoiler-Free): 00:00 - 16:05 ⚠️ Spoilers: 16:05   - 1:19:01