March & April Reading Recap

June Book Preview

Hi friends A new month means NEW BOOKS. Woohoo!!! Today I’m talking about life lately and how plans might affect my reading life. I also talk about a bunch of HYPED books, four I’ve read already and a few more I’m hopeful for. My hope is that you find these episodes useful and insightful. Perhaps you’ll add a book or two to your reading radar or you can cross one off the list. Grab a drink, find a cozy spot or lace up those shoes, and let’s get to it! Books mentioned: The Ghostwriter [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781464221286] by Julie Clark What Kind of Paradise [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593449783] by Janelle Brown The Summer We Ran [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9798989923069] by Audrey Ingram Next to Heaven [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9798893310269] by James Frey Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781250320520] by VE Schwab King of Ashes [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781250832061] by S.A. Cosby The Names [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593833902] by Florence Knapp Aftertaste [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781668061596] by Daria Lavelle The Emperor of Gladness [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593831878] by Ocean Vyong A Family Matter [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781668078891] by Claire Lynch The Phoenix Pencil Company [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780063446236] by Allison King The Girls Who Grew Big [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593801123] by Leila Mottley Atmosphere [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593158715] by Taylor Jenkins Reid Someone Knows [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781668047491] by Vi Keeland Don't Let Him In [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781668033876] by Lisa Jewell The Compound [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593977279] by Aisling Rawle What June release is a MUST read for you? In case you missed it: Get full access to Basic B's Guide at basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe [https://basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

March & April Reading Recap

Hello listeners! Welcome to Beyond the Basics with Basic B. I’m Katie your host and today’s episode is Plot Twists and Pitfalls - My March and April Reading Recap. I have been dropping a reading recap podcast episodes monthly for over a year now but because I decided to take a bit of a social media break I didn’t have the chance to drop an episode for March or April. Never fear because today I’m bringing you a recap that’s fresh and fun. Today I plan to share the HIGHS and LOWS from the last two months with a few superlatives, my favorite nerdy reading stats, reflections on my reading predictions and my social media break. I’ll also share some personal literary highlights and give you some insight into what’s up next. A reminder that these episodes are meant to be fun and informative. I don’t edit these podcasts so I excuse any ums, likes, dog barking, rambling or mispronunciations. Grab a drink or lace up those shoes and pop an earbud in your ear and let’s get chatting about all the books! Books mentioned: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy Infinite Fates by Laura Steven Count My Lies by Sophie Stava Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Saltwater by Katy Hayes Good Samaritan by Toni Halleen The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff Enchantra by Kaylie Smith The Sirens by Emilia Hart If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins The Last Season by Julia Bartz The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher My Friends by Frederik Backman Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Everything I read in March and April: March Reads The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff The Tell by Amy Griffin Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall The Sirens by Emilia Hart Good Samaritan by Toni Halleen Count My Lies by Sophie Stava Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone The Last Session by Julia Bartz Find my March reads ranked here. [https://www.instagram.com/p/DH_Ier8A4wN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] April Reads The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki Run For The Hills by Kevin Wilson Late to the Search Party by Steven Espada Dawson If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay The Death of Us by Abigail Dean I Hope You Remember by Josie Balka The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller Live Fast by Brigitte Giraud Find my April reads ranked here. [https://www.instagram.com/p/DJEuPDVgsc8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] Thank you for listening! xoxo In case you missed it… Get full access to Basic B's Guide at basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe [https://basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

May Reading Predictions

Hello friends! In today’s episode, I give listeners some insight into my personal life and how that will potentially impact my reading life. I also share thoughts on potential reading habits. You’ll also find my thoughts on hyped books that often include Book of the Month selections and celebrity book clubs. I’ll drop a few books I’m hopeful for and wrap things up with May releases I’ve read and some non spoiler thoughts. My hope is that this helps you have a good look at what lies ahead and what books you may want to prioritize, perhaps plan a loose tbr and also think about how you can fit reading into your busy lives. Grab your favorite drink, find a cozy spot or lace up those running shoes, and let’s get to it. Books mentioned: The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North Home of The American Circus by Allison Larkin The Names by Florence Knapp The Bombshell by Darrow Farr Silver Elite by Dani Francis Alive Day by Karie Fugett Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle My Friends by Fredrik Backman Matriarch by Tina Knowles Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Sike by Fred Lunzer Late to the Search Party by Steven Espada Dawson I Hope you Remember by Josie Balka Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay You can shop or find the synopsis for the above titles here [https://bookshop.org/lists/may-2025-releases]. Let me know if any of these new releases sound good to you. Thanks for listening! xoxo Get full access to Basic B's Guide at basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe [https://basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

April Reading Predictions

Hello friends, I hope today’s episode gives you a good glance at the month ahead. Perhaps it will help you determine what books you would like to prioritize or maybe you’ll add a few to your to be read piles. I chat about potential hyped books and share thoughts on April releases I’ve already had the chance to read. Just a heads up, that I will be taking a social media break for the month of April. I’m past due for some quiet time but will return next month. Let me know your reading plans for April in the comments. Books mentioned… The Sun Was Electric Light by Rachel Morton (BOTM exclusive) The Griffin Sister’s Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner Every Sweet Thing is Bitter by Samantha Crewson Passion Project by London Sperry Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff Enchantra by Kaylie Smith Sky Daddy by Kate Folk Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith The Tell by Amy Griffin Heartwood by Amity Gaige All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett The Sirens by Emilia Hart Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin The Last Session by Julia Bartz You can shop or find the synopsis for the above titles here [https://bookshop.org/lists/april-2025-releases-basic-b-s-guide]. Other mentions… Renee's review of Heartwood by Amity Gaige [https://open.substack.com/pub/itsbooktalk/p/a-summer-must-read-and-cat-lovers?r=x1pnw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] In case you missed it… Get full access to Basic B's Guide at basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe [https://basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

February Reading Recap

Hello friends, March is in full swing so it’s time to formally say goodbye to February. I read a little less than normal last month but it was a short month with lots of challenging parenting and tv that consumed me. I still have plenty to share today and hope you find something that peeks your interest. I read a vast array of genres, along with some stellar nonfiction. I’ve included links for all the books mentioned as well as other podcasts and resources I consumed during the month. I’d love to hear if I mentioned anything that particularly grabbed your interest. Let’s chat in the comments. Thanks for spending some of your precious time with me. Books mentioned: The Mother Next Door [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781250284273] by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber Say You'll Remember Me [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781538759196] by Abby Jimenez (April 1st) You Didn't Hear This from Me [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781538757406] by Kelsey Mckinney The Emotional Lives of Teenagers [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593500033] by Lisa Damour Ph.D. Horrorstor [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781594745263] by Grady Hendrix Tell Me What You Did [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781464226229] by Carter Wilson Saving Five [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780374615918]: A Memoir by Amanda Nguyen Hot Air [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593320907] by Marcy Dermansky (March 18th) Tilt [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781668055472] by Emma Pattee (March 25th) Victorian Psycho [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781631498633] by Virgina Feito Dnf’s/Samples Killer Potential [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780063356481] by Hannah Deitch (March 18th) Nowhere [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781668046654] by Allison Gunn (March 25th) Free [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781538770719]: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox (March 25th) Other mentions: I highly recommend Author Amanda Montell [https://amandamontell.com/] if you enjoy Kelsey Mckinney’s essays on gossip. Parenting Podcast Recommendation [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-lisa-the-psychology-of-parenting/id1525689066] - Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting. An excellent podcast for parents everywhere. A backlist recommendation from Carter Wilson [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781492656500] - Mister Tender’s Girl. A psychological thriller based on Slenderman. Darling Rose Gold [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593100073] by Stephanie Wrobel a great fiction pairing to The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber. Give Andrea Dunlop’s podcast, Nobody Should Believe Me [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nobody-should-believe-me/id1615637188] a listen after reading The Mother Next Door. Other books mentioned: A Killing Cold [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781250343055] by Kate Alice Marshall Isola [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593730089] by Allegra Goodman This is a Love Story [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593851265] by Jessica Soffer Junie [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593725115https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9780593725115] by Erin Crosby Eckstine The Echoes [https://bookshop.org/a/84120/9781101871904] by Evie Wyld In case you missed it: Get full access to Basic B's Guide at basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe [https://basicbsguide.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]