The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

The Imagined Life by Andrew J. Porter (AUTHOR INTERVIEW)

Ashleigh and Lucy get together to interview Andrew J. Porter, the author of THE IMAGINED LIFE. This was Lucy's favorite book of 2025, and was selected as one of the “Best Books of the Year” by NPR, The New Yorker, and Esquire. We discuss Andrew's drafting of the opening of this novel, California as a character, and the importance of an author maintaining mystery when writing, especially to himself. We had an absolute blast meeting Andrew, and highly recommend that you give this one a read. Please leave us a comment or email us at longdistancebookfriends@gmail.com.

Famesick by Lena Dunham

Ashleigh and Lucy get together to discuss FAMESICK by Lena Dunham. They talk about their long-term interest in the Lena / Jack / Lorde love triangle, what memoirists owe to their readers, and excavate some old text messages from 2018. Leave a comment or email us at longdistancebookfriends@gmail.com. Next week, we're reviewing The Imagined Life by Andrew J. Porter - with a very special surprise.

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

Ashleigh and Lucy get together to discuss Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. They talk about the otherworldly, cartoonish vibe this book brings, whether any of the stakes are actually real, and compare it (perhaps unfairly) to the Bee Sting. Next up, The Imagined Life by Andrew J Porter.

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Ashleigh and Lucy get together to discuss Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. They talk about Lucy's childhood crush and how it may have impacted her enjoyment of the book; Lucy also blows out the levels on her mic when she realizes they have both diagnosed Agnes as a manic pixie dream girl.  Spoiler alert: the husband is William Shakespeare.  Leave a comment or email us at longdistancebookfriends@gmail.com. Next up: Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. Also: live video of Crash unjustly winning the Best Picture Oscar over Brokeback Mountain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAADWfJO2qM

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach

Ashleigh and Lucy get together to discuss Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach.  They discuss this book’s misleading opening paragraph (nevertheless - a banger), internet rabbitholes on true crime psychics, and when Lucy accidentally became a rabbit breeder in Year 9.  Spoilers throughout.  Leave a comment or email us at longdistancebookfriends@gmail.com.  Next up, Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.