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Welcome to Plans Are Booked, a podcast for every reader, hosted by Molly Galler, Stephanie Blackburn, and Kaitlin Mattison. We're three friends who love to read, swap books, and count down until the film and TV adaptations of our favorites are released. Follow us on Instagram, @plansarebooked, or reach out to us directly at plansarebooked@gmail.com.
Molly Galler (00:01)
Welcome to Plans Are Booked, a podcast for every reader. I'm Molly Geller.
Stephanie (00:06)
I'm Stephanie Blackburn.
Kaitlin (00:08)
And I'm Caitlin Madison. Welcome to chapter 23. Yeah, 23. So we just podcasted a couple days ago, but Molly and Steph like have already had things happen to them. Meanwhile, I've just like been finishing my report cards. And I watched the Celtics lose a really bad game last night. They were leading by 30 at the half.
Molly Galler (00:08)
And I'm Caitlin Nison. Welcome to chapter 23. Michael Jordan chapter.
Stephanie (00:16)
I'm joining the chapter.
Kaitlin (00:36)
and they lost by one point. They just like absolutely choked in the second half. It was ridiculous. And that's it. I don't really have anything else going on.
Molly Galler (00:48)
Okay, Steph had an exciting start to her day, which I have been waiting to hear about.
Stephanie (00:54)
So a couple weeks ago, Olivia Bean, shout out to her. She knows I'm not on Facebook. And so she saw this request for volunteers, sent it to me as a screenshot and was like, I'm pretty sure that you'd be into this. And I was like, yes, I would. Thank you so much. So this is so random, but the person who posted it lives in my hometown of Pepperell, Massachusetts. Didn't grow up there.
Kaitlin (00:59)
She knows I'm not on Facebook, so she saw this request for volunteers, sent it to me as a screenshot and was like, I'm pretty sure that you'd be into this. And I was like, yes, I would. Thank you so much. So this is so random, but the person who posted it lives in my hometown of Popwell, Massachusetts. Didn't grow up there.
Stephanie (01:20)
So we've never met, but she's a physical therapist, mostly dealing with children with disabilities, and she does physical therapy on horses. So she put out a request for horse handlers because they're someone leading the horse, and then she and another volunteer are on either side in case the child should decide to dismount or fall over or what have you. So I went today as the sort of,
Molly Galler (01:46)
So I went today as a sort of orientation, I guess you could say. And the two other volunteers are of parents' age. Both retired, and I wanted something that would help them get in their daily steps. They're both lovely. They've been doing it for a couple years. And I love both ponies that I'm going to be working with. And my Thursday mornings, I will be there probably from 8 o'clock till noon. What are the ponies' names?
Stephanie (01:49)
orientation, I guess you'd say. And the two other volunteers are parents age, both retired, wanted something that would help them get in their daily steps. They're both lovely. They've been doing it for a couple of years. And I loved both ponies that I'm gonna be working with. And my Thursday mornings, I will be there probably from eight o'clock till noon.
Kaitlin (02:14)
Willie and Mickey, they're both paint horses, but I can't be sure about that. They are owned by a nine year old who I have not met. She requested her mother shave a heart into the hindquarters of Willie. When I mentioned it to Marissa, she goes, oh, just like My Little Pony. Oh my god.
Stephanie (02:14)
Willie and Mickey, they're both, they look like they're both paint horses but I can't be sure about that, and they are owned by a nine-year-old who I have not met and she requested her mother shave a heart into the hindquarters of Willie and when I mentioned it to Marissa she goes, oh just like my little pony.
Molly Galler (02:15)
and Mickey. They're both, um, they look like they're both paintbrushes, I can't be sure about that. And they have come in by a 9 year old, who I have not met. And she requested her mother shave a heart into, um, hindquarters of Willie. And when I mentioned it to Marissa, she goes, oh, just like my little pony. Oh my god. Next thing you know he's gonna have purple hair. Yeah.
Stephanie (02:43)
Yeah.
Kaitlin (02:43)
Yeah. Wow. Okay, so I, my family has a farm and they have horses and it was a dairy farm when my dad was a kid. So I should know a lot more than I do, but I don't. I've been on a horse twice in my entire life and I hated every moment of it, mainly because I felt like I wasn't in control. And also you're pretty far up off the ground, which I don't like.
Stephanie (03:10)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Kaitlin (03:12)
and I just realized I didn't really trust the horse. And if the horse could sense that, I was like, I'm doomed. So that was the end of that. But my cousins are like really into it. And like, my aunt's really into it. And if people are into it, it's like, you're really into it. Like, it's not, you're not just like a little bit into horses. It's like you're actually a horse girl, which actually in my family was an insult for a long time.
Stephanie (03:30)
You're welcome. But I'm not going to stay home all day. I'm going to go out and do that. Oh.
Kaitlin (03:40)
because my brother went to an all-boys school and the sister school was notorious for having horse girls. And Brad was like, I can remember when he was in middle school and going to dances and he's like, I'm just not into these horse girls. I don't wanna date a horse girl. And I was like, oh my God. And that's just what I think of now.
Stephanie (03:42)
because my friend from high school and the sister school was torn for having the worst girls and my friend was like, my girl went to like a middle school like one and at least it was like, I'm just not this worst girl. I'm not a gay or worst girl. I'm just like, oh my God. And I said, just what I said. I did. I was regretful all the time, as far as the money, I mean, with this very cool.
Molly Galler (03:50)
horse girls and I was like, I can remember my first year in middle school, my point in getting this was like, I'm just not into these horse girls. These girls wanted to be a horse girl and I was like, oh my God. And I, that's just what I think of now. I did actually horseback ride for a long time as part of summer camp every year, which was very cool that was like even available. I always enjoyed it. I always had a good time, but I just wasn't like great at it. And like the older we got, like there were girls who were real good and who could like do jumps and like.
Stephanie (04:10)
So you don't have to be a black person. I always feel like I'm the last person to get to have that page of stuff. Because you get there and then you go get it, and then you go across from the result, and then you do your job. Like, it will allow you to go on to the other page. And you know, I'm gonna try to find out what's going on. So I try to find out what's going on.
Molly Galler (04:20)
they would allow them to go into other rings and you know I'm gonna achieve her if I'm not the best at something I don't want to do it so when I realized I wasn't graded and I was like this has been one see all later and I would say the last time I was probably like 14 maybe and then I hung up my boots
Stephanie (04:36)
Okay.
Let me just tell you the level of horse girl that I was growing up. The first horse I ever rode, I think I was maybe six or seven, and it was a trail ride that my mom took me on in Acton. Her name was Candy. I went home and immediately drew a picture of her, kept it on my bulletin board for many years. I used to, when I wasn't riding, take the two stools from the kitchen, put a blanket over them, create stirrups out of a jump rope, and pretend ride.
Kaitlin (05:10)
This is very believable. This is very what? Believable. And then when I got older and actually started riding in elementary and middle school, my horseback riding instructor lived catty corner to my Nana's house, so I'd take the bus to my Nana's house. She would come pick me up when I would go horseback riding.
Molly Galler (05:10)
This is very believable. Believable. And then when I got older and I was just starting high school, I went to middle school.
Stephanie (05:15)
Yeah. And then when I got older and actually started riding in elementary middle school, my horseback riding instructor lived caddy corner to my Nana's house. So I'd take the bus to my Nana's house. She would come pick me up and we would go horseback riding and stopped in my late twenties because I just couldn't afford it anymore. So here we are. It's going to be, it's going to make my heart.
really happy to like, even though I'm not riding, I'm spending three hours a week with horses and I get to see like, I have no idea what it's going to be like seeing these kids do physical therapy who are like mobily challenged on horseback. Apparently there's a young adult who's blind and he prefers to ride backwards, which I am, I, it's going to be, it's going to be a hoot. I'm excited.
Molly Galler (05:49)
I have no idea what this kind of looks like. It's kids who are remotely challenged on the staff. Apparently they're comfortable and it's blind. She prefers to ride backwards, which I... it's gonna be... it's gonna be... I'm excited. Wow, I'm excited for more updates about this as it goes on. Right. I think that... I really think it's gonna be...
Kaitlin (06:04)
I, it's gonna be, it's gonna be a hoot. I'm excited. I am too. I think that I really wanna know more about these other people that are volunteers because I feel like they're gonna be really cool. I feel like they're gonna be fun. Of course.
Stephanie (06:20)
I've already forgotten their names. They're both like white-haired ladies. One of them is pretty quiet but she's like kind of stern looking and the other one is like a chatty Cathy and all they could picture.
Kaitlin (06:33)
I'm all into the... I want to discover that there are like everything that we want to do, because I don't know what you are. One of them lives in Newton, because I mentioned cabots. And one lives in a realm of nests, so... Okay, well first of all, the least we may not know about cabots is that an institution in Wheatonville, Massachusetts, which serves ice cream and cookies the size of the human hand. And I think it is like there's a kind of like, bonding moment. I don't know if you know this from there. If they don't like it, then they're not their kind of person.
Molly Galler (06:33)
Are you going to discover that they're like independently wealthy because I feel like you are. Okay well first of all for those who may not know Cabot's is a
Stephanie (06:37)
One of them lives in Newton, because I mentioned cabots, and one lives in Arlington.
Molly Galler (06:46)
institution really in Newtonville, Massachusetts, which serves ice cream sundae is the size of a human head. And I think it is a good opening, like bonding moment for anyone you learn is from there. If they don't like it, then they're not your kind of person.
Stephanie (07:01)
She knows the family. So.
Molly Galler (07:03)
But of course, but of course, which is actually quite a good segue to what I was gonna share since we all last gathered. Those who have been listening for a while know that Dining Out is like a huge joy maker for me. And I was just like clicking around on Instagram and a guy that Steph and I both know, his name is Brian, who's an amazing restaurant food photographer.
had posted from a place I'd never heard of called the Gufo. And I was like, what is this? I feel like usually when he shares about things, it's a place like we already know and love that's refreshing their menu or has renovated the restaurant, but this I didn't recognize at all. So it's the same people who own SRV downtown, which is Italian and I've not been to, but I've heard great things about. So I was like, oh, okay. So I messaged my twin cousins who live very close to the restaurant. And I was like, have you been here? Do you wanna go? They hadn't been, but there were a bunch of reservations open, so we just snagged.
This restaurant from the outside looks like it's in like an abandoned office building. Like you would just not from the street think that anything special is going on in there. And you go in through the front door to the host stand, which is in this weird like empty space where they do like all their takeout arranging of all those orders. And their pizza oven is there. But you kind of have to walk down a hallway to get into the dining room. When you turn the corner, it's like this huge, beautiful, feels like you're downtown restaurant. Gorgeous wall color.
Beautiful huge plants big u-shaped bar just like stunning like I honestly was like whoa am I in the south end like this is beautiful It's Italian. We had the broccoli Caesar which was excellent The cacio e pepe arancini, which is like if you want to get me to do anything just like order me that We split a pizza two pastas and then we had two desserts now. It's an open kitchen So from our seat we could see everything coming over the island
And that's how we decided which desserts to get, because we kept seeing them come over. I loved it. Free parking on the street in Cambridge. It was Sunday night, so that was also a great, for those who aren't from Massachusetts, it's still Puritan times, and you don't have to pay for anything on Sunday, so you can just park on the street. And it's been a while, I feel like, since I went to somewhere unheard of, totally new, and it just reminded me what a...
Kaitlin (09:03)
I was
Stephanie (09:04)
I'm sorry.
Molly Galler (09:20)
fun experience that is when it turns out to be great. Like you didn't know about it, you sit down, it's 10 out of 10, and now I feel like I have another place to bring people when they visit Remodotown.
Stephanie (09:30)
I have a question for you. So, you told me that you were going to film which of course, is in the second June, April. Exactly. For a short, it's on Cambridge Street between Inland Square and the Litchfield station. So it's going to be a movie to a focus. That drives now for film is that you're describing it. Because I would say it's more than a movie. Or a film.
Kaitlin (09:31)
My mouth was like wandering looking at the photos. Gufo, is that what you said it's called? It's called Gufo. G-U-F-O. Porter Square? It's on Piazza Street between Inland Square and the Leach and our PlayStation. So it's kind of Inland Square. Oh, OK. That tracks now for the building that you're describing. Because I was like, where is there a building in Porter or Kendall or anywhere in that area that looks like that still?
Molly Galler (09:35)
Which apparently means owl in Italian. I hadn't, exactly. It's on Cambridge Street between Inman Square and the Leach-Mirati Station. So it's kind of in between neighborhoods.
like any brick building that looks like a mess building. It's this three story brick building that just looks empty. And in fact, my cousins were standing outside of it waiting for me and they're like, this is it, right? I was like, I think, let's just go in and see what we see. But a true hidden gem, and I'm sure now that I talked about it and posted about it, more people will show up there, but it was really easy to get a reservation. They had tons of open times. They also do brunch and they have an outdoor patio. So when it gets warmer, I feel like that'd be.
Stephanie (09:56)
like anywhere I've been in the world, it's like, so it's this three story, I don't just think it's anything. In fact, like I think it's standing outside of it, waiting for me to come out. This is me. It's like, I mean, I just don't know if you want to see that. A true, I'm gonna turn off the camera.
Kaitlin (10:26)
Oh, yeah, put that on the sketch. Hmm. Yep. Okay. Got it noted. Um, well, that was a lot of joy. That was a lot of.
Molly Galler (10:26)
good for us.
Kaitlin (10:39)
Horses and new restaurants and report cards are done. And now we're going to switch it up a little bit. And we're going to segue into our topic of the week, which is sometimes we do topics, sometimes we do specific books. We decided for this episode, we would do a topic and the topic is tear jerkers, books that made us cry. And
I don't know when we came. I think when we first started cooking up ideas for this podcast, I think it's been on the list like since November and we just haven't done it yet. And I don't want to say that we're avoiding it because honestly, I kind of forgot that it was on the list. And then we returned to the list recently. And I was like, Ooh, this would be a good one because I know we all have read books like this.
Molly Galler (11:22)
So we're charged to listen to them. This would be a good one because I know we have records of that. So like, it's gonna be interesting. I'm gonna have to try. And also, it's kind of raining and gross today, and I feel like it like matches the tone of the... It's like rain. Yeah, it's like...
Stephanie (11:29)
I feel like we were saving it just like sometimes you just need to have a good cry so we were saving it for the moment
Kaitlin (11:39)
Yeah, I'm crying that it's like fake spring. We got faked out. It's like barely 40 degrees and raining. It's disgusting. But I'm not mad about it or anything. So we picked books that made us cry. I've already seen Steph Stack and there's definitely like a little bit of a motif among what makes her cry.
Molly Galler (11:51)
So, we put the pickbooks that made us cry. I've already seen stuff that in the stuff that was in the book, most youth and local people make their cry. My book, that was a tease, I know that colleagues do, which I'm very interested in. Those are all sorts of reasons why we cry.
Stephanie (11:51)
Oh, so, we picked up that Maynard's crying. I already see stuff that, and your doctor, I mean, of course, that looks mochi among what makes her cry. My mom's crying, too. I know she did in Molly's jail, which I'm very concerned about. She's always going to cry. I'm glad she's alive. I always want to cry because of her.
Kaitlin (12:04)
my books have a little bit of a motif. I have no idea if Molly's do, which I'm very interested in because there's all sorts of reasons you can cry. You can cry because somebody dies, you could cry because somebody's missing someone, you could cry because somebody breaks up like...
Stephanie (12:19)
I would also say I got a text from Molly when she was reading something semi recently where she said, Did I make you cry or you almost cried because you were so worried that there wouldn't be a happy resolution. So sometimes there's like a relief cry.
Kaitlin (12:24)
where she said, did I make you cry or you almost cried because you were so worried that there wouldn't be a happy resolution. So sometimes there's like a relief cry. Yes. I was reading the draft of this test.
Molly Galler (12:34)
I was reading the draft of Steph's current manuscript and there was a moment where I thought things were going to go a certain way and I was extremely upset about it and I was getting very watery.
Kaitlin (12:42)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I do remember that now. So, um, I, my, whatever it's called, what does Superman call it? Kryptonite. That makes, that's just like, Waterworks galore, like don't even. Um, adolescent boys in difficult situations, get me. I don't know why.
Stephanie (12:53)
is what I call co-generating. It's just like water roams galore and don't even. Adolescence is just a voice in difficult situations. Yes, I don't know why. And I have never, ever, ever cried in any of my experiences watching a movie.
Kaitlin (13:09)
and I have never ever in my life cried any harder than in watching the movie. Oh my gosh what is the name of it? Something about building a house. Life as a house. I've only watched it one time because I almost threw up. I was crying so hard that I was like I can never watch this again and it's Hayden Christensen and Kevin Klein.
Stephanie (13:19)
is an estimate, something about building a house. Life is a house? Ugh. I will be more sure in one moment, Same. Because I do not throw out the truth. So I'm very glad that I can never talk this again. And if we in Christenton and heaven's warning.
Molly Galler (13:31)
I'm going to read it out loud.
Kaitlin (13:38)
And basically Hayden Christensen's character is like a teenage boy. The first scene of the whole movie, he's like huffing a paint can in his closet and trying to like get high and asphyxiate himself. And he's like, you know, got like a dog collar on and he's dyed his hair black and like he's really like he's going through something and is not being very nice about it in the process.
Stephanie (13:38)
And basically, Peyton Fischerson's character was a teeny, teeny boy. The first scene of the film is like huffing up paint cans in a closet, trying to like get high and fix himself. And he's like, you know, got like a dog, all the dogs, he's died, his hair black, and like he's rippin'. He's going through something. He's not feeling very well, he's kind of in the process. And so his mom's like, I don't really know what to do with him anymore, since he's off to the lab.
Kaitlin (14:02)
And so his mom's like, I don't really know what to do with him anymore. And she ships him off to go live with his dad, Kevin Klein. And Kevin Klein is in the process of building a house from scratch, which he doesn't really know how to do. He like sorta knows how to do it, but not really. And so he and his son that he doesn't know very well bond while they are building this house. And then there's a big plot twist at the end and you basically like lose your fucking mind.
Stephanie (14:08)
and applied and kept trying to cross the bridge to build the house from scratch which was a personal privilege for the sort of things that I do without wooden and so he and his son had no idea what was going on while they were building his house and then there's a big plot just at the end and basically it was fucking right. Sorry for the ass bump.
Kaitlin (14:30)
Sorry for the F-bomb, it's that bad though. And so I think I saw that movie maybe when I was in high school. And I think ever since then, those types of stories just like rip me to shreds. So I have two books to discuss that made me feel the same way. The first one is called,
Molly Galler (14:30)
Sorry for the f-bugs, not that f-bugs. Um, yeah. So, I think I saw that in the school, and I think ever since then, those types of stories are where we need to shred. So I have two books to discuss that may be for y'all in the same way. The first one is called, We Are Papers, You Hear It.
Stephanie (14:38)
and I think that represents that those type of stories that were made to spread. So I felt two bucks.
Kaitlin (14:55)
which Gary D Schmidt wrote, and he has written a ton of books for middle and high school age students. I don't know if I would call him YA because I feel like that's only associated with teenagers and he really does like more middle grade, preteen, adolescent, whatever you want to call that. And this book, it's very short. It is not long at all. Very quick read. I think I read it in one day. And it's about
Stephanie (15:21)
And it's about a boy who's in great, who's coming of a very traumatic life. And he is getting fostered by a very lovely, orphaned family. And he, there's all these rumors that are going around the school about this, because he's coming of finally passed, he's been a Jew, and there's a boy who has adopted a daughter.
Kaitlin (15:23)
boy who's in eighth grade who has had like a very traumatic life. And he is getting fostered by this very lovely ordinary family. And he, there's all these rumors that are going on around the school about him because he's had like a violent past and he's been in juvie. And there's a rumor that he has a daughter, which is true. And he's like 14 years old.
and he's never been able to meet her because of all these traumatic things that have happened. And he's like been in juvie and like he just hasn't been allowed to meet her. And so he's trying to live with this family, start going to school in this new town. I forget if it takes place in New Hampshire or Maine. And he's trying to like get it together basically. Cause he's like, I have a daughter and I would really like to meet her. And like, I have had all these bad, I've been in all these bad situations and I've kind of like,
fight my way through them and now everybody thinks I'm this really bad kid and I'm not, I'm like misunderstood and that nobody has really ever thrown me a bone and la de da de da. And then you start to find out more about the mother of his baby and what her whole story is and how they met each other and like that whole backstory. And the whole time he's like trying to fit in at this school and doesn't really like know anybody and...
Stephanie (16:34)
And then he started to find out more about the motherhood of his babies and what birth the whole story is, how they met each other, like that was that story. And the whole time he was like crying at the end of this school, just kind of like, no, it's not him. There's other teens in the foster family that are like trying to help one another. It's just like, it's one of those stories where you see how people become products
Kaitlin (16:51)
There's other teen kids in the foster family that are like trying to help them. It's one of those stories where you see how people become products of their environment and how hard they have to fight to not repeat the past. And it doesn't have a happy ending. It just straight up doesn't. And...
Stephanie (17:03)
their environment and their heart. They have to fight to not repeat the past. And it doesn't come accidentally. It just straight up doesn't. And it's very thrilling and it's real and it's raw and characters are so good. You care about them in different ways and it really parts of us. And I'm really into books 200 pages long. Like it's real
Kaitlin (17:14)
It's very jarring and it's real and it's raw and the characters are so good and you care about a lot of them in different ways and it really packs a punch and I don't even think the book's 200 pages long. Like it's really like it's and I've never known who to recommend it to honestly. Like I can't teach it. I mean I probably could at the school I'm at now but the school that I was at I don't think I could have.
Stephanie (17:34)
Honestly, like, I can't suggest, I mean, I could, I'm not sure this one, I'm not sure that was actually a good idea. It feels like a lot of current stuff, and it's like, it, I mean, I don't really know that I'm the right person or that I'm equipped to have a conversation about a D3 or something like that. You know, like, that's a lot, and so, just...
Kaitlin (17:43)
It deals with a lot of triggering stuff. And it like, I mean, I don't really know that I am the right person or that I'm equipped to have a conversation about an eighth grader who's a dad. You know what I mean? Like that's a lot. And so it just, it's a book that I would love to have a conversation with young people about, but I just don't know where it fits or who should give it to somebody or.
Molly Galler (17:58)
You know, that's a lot. And so, it's a book that I would love to have a conversation with some people about. I just don't know where it fits or who should I give it to, or if you should leave it there. I'll talk to you later.
Stephanie (18:02)
It's a book that I would love to have a conversation with young people about, but I just don't know where it fits or who should give it to someone. Or if you should wait for your adult reader to let you know if they know a little bit more about what kids are going through. Like, I don't know who it's for, because it's really difficult to read. But it's excellent. It's really, really good. And if that's what your public team knows about the books, they're like, I would love to just buy something to have in every book.
Kaitlin (18:11)
If you should wait until you're an adult to read it, then maybe you'll think a little bit more about what kids are going through. I don't know who it's for because it's really difficult to read, but it's excellent. It's really, really good. If that's not your cup of tea, none of his other books are like that. That's a heavy, heavy book. His other books are really, really good. I think I've read all of his books and he has quite a few. So Gary D. Schmidt, shout out to him. The other one.
is called Forgive Me Leonard Peacock and it is written by the same author that wrote Silver Linings Playbook. If you have seen that movie with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro and a million other people. So Matthew Quick is the author. I had seen the movie and then I got this book. I had never read the book Silver Linings Playbook. And I think that I don't really know anything about Matthew Quick, but my guess is
He has some personal experience with mental illness, either himself or people in his family, because that is a lot of what Silver Linings Playbook is about. And then with Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, that follows a boy on his 18th birthday and nobody remembers his birthday. And he has no relationship with his dad. His mom's a workaholic. He doesn't really have any friends.
and for a long time he has decided that this is going to be his last day on earth. And so the whole book is him going around living this day knowing how it's going to end. And as the reader, you don't know if there's anybody that is going to come along and make him change his mind. And so you have a lot of these pauses and holding your breath and you're like... And a lot of it...
Stephanie (19:39)
And from what time he decided this was going to be his last day on earth. And so, he holds up his hand and has to live in his dead. Knowing how he's going to tend, and as a leader, you don't know if your friend's friend is going to come along and take control of his life. And so you have a lot of these like, pauses and like, kind of holding the breath in your life. And a lot of things, you can't do.
Molly Galler (19:40)
I've just decided this is going to be his last day of work. And so, hold both his hands up, and have him moving instead. Know it's not going to end. And I can hear you both now, because I'm like, so long, and we've changed our minds. And so you have a lot of these pauses, like kind of holding your breath, and you're like, and I'm like, I'm going to get this.
It somewhat reminds me of the original Vibe, which is like a really popular, possible TV show. And it's not the suicide aspect here, it's the you and no, the you and no, the you and no, the you and that. And I'm not gonna go into a lot of this, because that's like part of the whole experience, but they're just... You have a moment when you're feeling it, and you're like...
Kaitlin (20:08)
Some of it reminds me of 13 Reasons Why, which was a really popular book and also a TV show. It's not the suicide aspect to it. It's that you know, it's almost like you know where it ends. I'm not going to tell you what happens in the book because that's part of the whole experience, but they're just... You have a moment when you're reading it and you're like
Stephanie (20:24)
I'm not going to tell you how these people, because that's part of the experience, but you have to know that this kind of has a real role in your life, because you're not seeing my friends and people, and I understand why it derives from this. And that's almost sadder than the whole aspect of him deciding to do this. And so that you kind of have to be rapid with that.
Kaitlin (20:35)
this kid has a really lonely life and is really not seen by very many people. And I kind of understand why he's arrived at this. And that's almost sadder than the whole aspect of him deciding to do this. And so then you kind of have to grapple with that. And again, don't know who this book goes to. I don't know. It's another book that I would love to talk to people about because I don't know anybody else that's read it.
Molly Galler (20:35)
This kid has a really cool life and he's really not seen very many people and I kind of understand why he's bioped this. And that's what he's after, the whole aspect of him deciding to do this. And so then I kind of want to get more of a look at that. And if you don't know who he is, I don't know who he's talking to. And then I feel like I just want to hear from you.
Stephanie (20:56)
and I love talking to school kids because I just love talking to them.
Kaitlin (21:05)
It's a really powerful book and I think that it's really important to start having conversations that involve like, yeah, I felt really desperate and I felt really lonely or I felt like I was really seen and then all of a sudden this person dumped me and I didn't have any of these friends anymore. There's just so many. I feel like a lot of us had that at some point in our lives, but it might have been very brief.
And for some kids, it's not brief at all. And I think particularly for kids that have to move around or are thrown into different environments and situations, it's sometimes really excruciatingly long. So those are the two books.
Give me Leonard Peacock. I don't know if I would, I'm not gonna say it has a happy or a sad, and orbiting Jupiter, you're gonna be gutted. This one is kind of like happy and sad, bittersweet, mixed bag, kind of at the end. Both really well written. Both about teenage boys really going through it. And maybe I'm...
Stephanie (21:56)
And the formula to do it is you're going to stop it. This one is kind of like the happy end. It's a sweet mixed bag. Kind of like that.
Kaitlin (22:15)
like attracted to these types of tearjerkers because I've never been a teenage boy and like I teach teenage boys and I'm curious about them and like how they learn and how they deal with things and um yeah so that's those were my two.
Molly Galler (22:23)
and how they are. Based on just what you described of the Leonard Peacock premise, I feel like I would cry at that even without knowing how it ends. I just based on what you shared about the overall arc of the story, I feel like it would be hard not to be like moved by that.
Stephanie (22:37)
I just think that the older people are more sorry and it would be harder not to. Yeah, people are older and older, and they don't really have a lot of things. That connection is really interesting because they're both quote unquote kind of at the end of their lives, but only one in the world is physically active. You know, maybe, but they don't feel like they're at the end. It's very, very good.
Kaitlin (22:42)
And like he befriends his elderly neighbor who also doesn't really have a lot of people in his life and that connection is really interesting because they're both quote unquote kind of at the end of their lives but only one of them really like is physically at the you know what I mean like but they both feel like they're at the end it's very good
Stephanie (23:04)
Okay, I'm feeling heavy just like listening to that. I should preface that I cry very easily at everything including commercials. So I don't know that I'm a good barometer of what is worthy of tears or not, but I feel like my picks, most people would have an emotional response to. My first one is...
Kaitlin (23:07)
Yeah. I should have practiced that I cry very easily. Everything I'm doing commercials. So I don't know that I'm a good ferometer. I'm not a good ferometer.
what is worthy of tears or not. But I feel like my picks, most people would have an emotional response to. My first one is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. And if you haven't read this book, and maybe you're like, I'm not really into time travel. I don't care. You're gonna love it. I cried during this one.
Stephanie (23:29)
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. And if you haven't read this book, and maybe you're like, I'm not really into time travel, I don't care, you're gonna love it.
Molly Galler (23:46)
This is a must, I feel like.
Kaitlin (23:46)
This is a must, I feel like. And I honestly, there are very few adaptations that I feel emotionally carry over what it should from the page to the screen. God bless Rachel McAdams because she destroyed me in that.
Stephanie (23:48)
And I honestly, there are very few adaptations that I feel emotionally carry over what it should from the page to the screen. God bless Rachel McAdams because she destroyed me in that movie many times over. I'm not really normally a fan of time travel, I have to say. I like linear stories. This is not a linear story and that drives me crazy because I have trouble figuring out where I am in the story.
Kaitlin (24:04)
movie many times over. I'm not really normally a fan of Time Travel, I have to say. I like linear stories. This is not a linear story and it drives me crazy. I just have trouble figuring out where I am in the story. But I don't even know what to say about this book. It just... It has a big, blossomed, well-grown, well cared for romance. Well, did you guys watch the HBO...
Molly Galler (24:16)
I'm sorry. But I have to say about this, I'm just, it has to be lost in the realm of the realm of your core romance. Well, it's actually great, you know, the version that they came out after. I didn't. So I did. And in, I think it was the first episode.
Stephanie (24:18)
But I don't even know what to say about this book. It just, it's...
Well, did you guys watch the HBO version of it that came out last year? Oh, okay. So I did. And in, I think it was the first episode, I can't even think of the character's names. Henry. Well, no, it's when Henry first meets child version of Claire, and in the HBO version, they made like a pun about grooming because he meets her when he's in his 40s, I think, at that point, and she's...
Kaitlin (24:33)
of it that came out last year. I didn't either. So I did and in I think it was the first episode something scandalous happened I remember. Well no it's when Henry first meets child version of Claire and in the HBO version they made like a pun about grooming because he meets her when he's in his
Stephanie (24:59)
10 or something and you know that is kind of uncomfortable to talk about nowadays but they did an okay job it's just the original is just beautiful. If you don't know the story it is about a male and a female. Henry travels through time it is a genetic thing that he gets from his father. He has no control over it. He doesn't know where he's going to end up and he always ends up naked when he lands whatever time.
Kaitlin (25:08)
the original is just beautiful. If you don't know the story, it is about a male and a female. Henry travels through time. It is a genetic thing that he gets from his father. He has no control over it. He doesn't know where he's going to end up and he always ends up naked when he lands whatever time or place that is. He meets Claire when she is a child
Stephanie (25:29)
or place that is. He meets Claire when she is a child at her childhood home and they create this sort of relationship where, I mean, it's hard to explain because he's coming from all different time periods. So sometimes he knows her before she knows him, but then there's times where she knows him and he's, it's too confusing, but their friendship grows as she saves him.
Kaitlin (25:38)
relationship where I mean it's hard to explain because he's coming from all different time periods so sometimes he knows her before she knows him but then there's times where she knows him and he's it's too confusing but their friendship grows as she saves her father's clothes for him so that he will not be naked when he comes and then we get to a point where she's finally an adult and meets him and they fall in love and have this love story
Stephanie (25:56)
her father's clothes for him so that he will not be naked when he comes. And then we get to a point where she's finally an adult and meets him and they fall in love and have this love story that is tragic and heartbreaking but also beautiful and big. And it's just a really lovely, lovely story. My second one is...
probably not surprising whatsoever because obviously I included an animal book. I have a lot of animal books. Most of them have made me cry. And this one I think everyone knows. It's Marley and Me. Can I tell you I pulled this off the shelf the other day in preparation for this, flipped to the back just to be like, let's remember this and immediately started crying.
Kaitlin (26:40)
and I immediately started crying. What? I, well, cause I wanted to like remember obviously we know how it ends.
Molly Galler (26:41)
It started crying. What? Well, because I'm only two people now. Obviously, I'm not a friend. Especially if it's a team movie. But I just wanted to put one of these guys through a bit. And it was like, clearly, the same person.
Stephanie (26:45)
I will, because I wanted to like remember, obviously we know how it ends, especially if you've seen the movie, but I just wanted to remember bits and it was like it clearly has imprinted on my heart. If you don't know Marley and me, it is a beautiful memoir of a first time pet parent going through the struggles of picking out a puppy and a dog that puts every single thing in its mouth, including an engagement ring.
Kaitlin (26:50)
especially if you've seen the movie, but I just wanted to remember bits, and it was like, it clearly has imprinted on my heart. If you don't know Marley and Me, it is a beautiful memoir of a first-time pet parent going through the struggles of picking out a puppy and a dog that puts every single thing in its mouth, including an engagement ring. But it's also a story of a family growing and the struggles of that.
Stephanie (27:13)
and but it's also a story of a family growing and the struggles of that. I wanted to include the art of racing in the rain because that's a similar sort of story but different because that one also did make me pull my eyes out. Anyways, anything if any sort of animal is going to make me cry. And then my last one I would implore everyone to read. It is a beautiful
Kaitlin (27:33)
Anyways, anything if any sort of game is going to make me cry. And then my last one I would implore everyone to read. It is a beautiful, beautiful memoir. It is The Bright Hour, a memoir of living and dying by Nina Riggs. This, I feel like this was, I don't know how many years ago this came out. This was like everywhere I feel like. So she is the granddaughter of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Stephanie (27:42)
beautiful memoir. It is The Bright Hour, a memoir of living and dying by Nina Riggs. This, I feel like this was, I don't know how many years ago this came out. This was like everywhere I feel like. So she is the granddaughter of Ralph Waldo Emerson. She writes like him. She is a, she was a beautiful, beautiful writer and she wrote this.
Molly Galler (27:53)
years ago, you know, this was like earlier, I feel like. So she is the granddaughter of Elvira, she writes again, she was a beautiful, beautiful writer. And she wrote this note for Docky. I can't even talk about it, you know, I'm so proud of it, but it is, it's so, it's all, yeah, getting to it. Thank you.
Kaitlin (28:02)
she writes like him she is a she was a beautiful writer and she wrote this knowing she was dying i can't even talk about it but it is it's so beautiful um yeah getting choked up just thinking about it i remember when you read that because you were telling me about it we met somewhere i was like sitting in the parking lot of poor square
Stephanie (28:11)
knowing she was dying. I can't even talk about it because I'll just start crying but it is, it's so beautiful. Yeah, I'm getting choked up to think about it.
Molly Galler (28:23)
because you were telling me about it. I think...
Stephanie (28:25)
We met somewhere, I was like sitting in the parking lot of Porter Square before meeting you for a meal and I think I was like crying in my car.
Molly Galler (28:34)
I just remember you being like this is one of the most like beautiful moving things I've ever read I Can't get over the fact that this happened like she decided to do this I didn't remember the Ralph Waldo Emerson connection, but I distinctly remember when you finished that book that like you were I don't know if like Transform does it is a too powerful word, but just that like it really left a strong impression
Stephanie (29:00)
I honestly couldn't even tell you what she's talking about. I literally couldn't tell you. I think it's a, well, I mean, she's a young mother at the time of diagnosis. I think I could be misremembering, but I think she had already gone through cancer, thought she was okay, had kids. I could totally be misremembering this and then gets diagnosed again.
Kaitlin (29:06)
I was gonna say so what's the book about?
Molly Galler (29:06)
So let's look at how she's doing. I would like to tell you, I think it's the most, I mean, she's a young woman at this time of the day. I think I could just remember that she had already gone through cancer. I thought she was okay. I just, I couldn't totally remember. And then I, again, and this was terminal, decided I need to write this book before I could.
Stephanie (29:28)
And this time it's terminal and decided I need to write this book before I pass. Um, and I will say that it's finished by her husband, which is the part that gets me. So, yeah, it's just beautiful. If you love beautiful writing, I'm not a memoir person, but this memoir like did me in.
Kaitlin (29:35)
say that it's finished by her husband which is against me so yeah it's just beautiful if you love beautiful writing I'm not a memoir person but this memoir like did me in
Molly Galler (29:39)
Yeah, it's true. You're a lot more beautiful, right? I know that's true, but this time, you are just dead. OK, I'm just laughing internally to myself for how perfectly you teed me up for my selections, which you did not know because I didn't share my picks before we started recording. In the very first episode of this podcast, I talked about memoirs as being one of my favorite genres. So two of my picks are from that realm.
The first one is called When Breath Becomes Air, which is by Paul Kalanithi, who was a neurosurgeon who had incredible physical and mental health, was at the top of his field, and all of a sudden was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Similar to what you just explained, he decided to write about it, and knowing he was gonna not survive this,
And it talks about the beginning of his life, his decision to become a doctor, meeting his wife, their discussion around whether or not they should have a child, knowing that he would not be around for most of her life. Um, I won't say what wound up happening, but similar to what you just said about the Bride Hour, he does pass before the book is finished. His wife writes the remainder and the epilogue. I got to the back half of this book while on an airplane, and when I tell you
Kaitlin (30:49)
he does pass before the book is finished. His wife writes the remainder in the epilogue. I got to the back half of this book while on an airplane and I was like, oh, I was probably crying. Like, people are looking at me. I couldn't control myself. Like, I just didn't, I mean, I guess I should have known it was gonna be a hard ending, but there was something about the fact that to...
Stephanie (30:59)
Oh no!
Molly Galler (31:01)
I was ugly crying. Like people were looking at me. I couldn't control myself. Like I just didn't, I mean, I guess I should have known it was going to be a hard ending, but there was something about the fact that to honor his life, she like pushed through to do this thing for him and to help him like bring this project over the finish line. And this is kind of an interesting connection. So his wife's name is Lucy. She is the twin sister of Joanna Goddard, who writes a very famous blog called Cup of Joe.
Stephanie (31:06)
Yeah.
And this is kind of an interesting imagine. So this wife's name is Lucy. She's the twin sister of Jill and her daughter, and her husband, and everything else follow her and her husband, Joe. Mm-hmm. How did I not know that? Yeah, and Jill and her family with Lucy and Ed.
Molly Galler (31:31)
And Joanna gave Lucy many opportunities over the years to share about her husband, about her grief process. And I've actually found that to be some of the most moving content that has ever been shared on Cup of Jo, is the stuff that comes from Lucy. It was just interesting that not only did she live through this and then helping to promote the book, but then her sister had this huge platform that reaches millions of women talking about what it's like to be a young widow.
Kaitlin (31:53)
sister had this huge platform that we just millions of women talking about what it's like to be a young widow, what it's like to try to move forward after that she can interview about what she ever considered dating again. This was years later. Anyway, this book of all the books when we decided we were definitely going to do this topic today, I was like that this is the number one position I was destroyed in a public place. Did he give a really famous commencement speech as well?
Molly Galler (31:59)
what it's like to try to move forward after that. She didn't interview about, would she ever consider dating again? This was like years later. But anyway, this book of all the books, when we decided we were definitely gonna do this topic today, I was like, this is in the number one position. I was destroyed in a public place by this book. Oh, next we speak.
Stephanie (32:15)
destroy the public place.
Molly Galler (32:22)
I don't know.
Kaitlin (32:24)
Was he affiliated with a college? I think I'm thinking of, I think I'm thinking of the right person, but I'll look it up.
Molly Galler (32:27)
What a good question. I want to say Stanford. I want to say Stanford. My second choice, also a memoir, is called Crying in H Mart, which is by Michelle's Honor.
Stephanie (32:30)
My father is a patient and my father is a temporary. I think I'm kind of the right person, but I'll let you know. My second choice also in the art is called Crying in the Chart, which is on here, which I'll show you. It's in my TBR pile. I know. It's kind of the same. It's not too much. It's also in the right one. Because I'm not going to be talking about this, but.
Kaitlin (32:42)
by Michelle's office. I think I need to do that. Oh, okay, so I'm not saying too much about it. It's also in mine. Okay. Because I think that we have two copies by accident because Molly and I both bought it. But it's okay. I know a lot about what it's... It's fine. And we don't spoil anything for our listeners anyway, so...
Molly Galler (32:45)
Oh, okay, so I won't say like too much about it because I don't. Oh boy. Okay.
Okay. Let me think about how I want to explain this in a way that will not say too much. Basically, Michelle is talking about her relationship with her mom, who is also actively dying, and how they don't always see eye to eye. She grew up in a pretty strict Asian household and she's a musician.
Stephanie (32:59)
It's fine.
and how they don't always see eye to eye. She grew up in a pretty strict age in the household and she was in possession, and not like a jealous or violent, like a punk musician. And she is trying to find...
Molly Galler (33:22)
and not like a cellist or a violinist, like a punk musician. And she is trying to find common ground with her mom in these final months. And the thing that they bond over is making food together. So I felt like it was the type of thing where I cried because it was just like, so moving the way they tried to figure out a way to like speak to each other and make new memories and
Um, just stuff that she would be able to do even after her mom passed. And because she's a musician, she also just has like a gift for words and the rhythm of words and, um, just beautiful. I, after I read it, I felt like I talked about it to anybody who would listen for like the next six months. Um, so when you do read it, we can revisit what you think. My final one is, uh, actually a fiction book. It's called A Place For Us. It's by Fatima Farheen.
Stephanie (34:06)
I'll get back to you after I get talked about it to anybody who doesn't know what I'm saying. So one thing I want to say is my final act is actually a fiction book. It's called The Place Brass. It's by Fatima Farfouz in the U.S.A. This was the first book by Sarah Jessica Martin, which I don't know. It is about...
Kaitlin (34:10)
So why don't you read it? We can read it, what do you think? My final one is actually a fiction book. It's called The Place for Us. It's by Fatima Farhan Mirza, if I'm pronouncing it correctly. This was the first book by Sarah Jessica Marder-Tinkent, which I found out about. It is about a Muslim family that moves to the United States and has a very difficult time.
Molly Galler (34:22)
Mirza, I hope I'm pronouncing that correctly. This was the first book out of the Sarah Jessica Parker imprint, which is how I found out about it. It is about a Muslim family that moves to the United States and has a very difficult time kind of finding their footing here, including they have three children and the youngest son develops a substance abuse problem. And they all come back together many years later when the oldest daughter is getting married.
and everyone is like on pins and needles the entire time about the youngest son, like, is he gonna get too drunk? Is he gonna ruin this for everybody? And they wind up sort of an emotionally charged conversations, kind of unpacking all of the hardships of their relationships about the move and about the cultural transitions and about the youngest son sort of being ousted from the family and...
there are just so many conversations where you, your heart just breaks into a million pieces that this life for each of these family members, the parents and the kids, so freaking hard and that they couldn't like tell each other how bad it really was because they didn't wanna make it worse for anybody. And I was just so like, I don't know, I keep saying moved, but like that's how I felt. I was just like, God, this is so freaking hard. And like.
Kaitlin (35:34)
I keep saying moved, but that's how I felt. I was just like, God, this is so freaking hard. And there are so many families who have experienced that. We're coming here, it's just not at all what they thought it was gonna be, and it tears people apart. I also just think many families have one either parent for you or sitting that is an outcast, and it's very painful, and the relationships are strained, and it just, I think it will be relatable to people in a lot of ways, but it's definitely not an easy read. And I think she,
Molly Galler (35:40)
There are so many families who experienced that were coming here is just not at all what they thought it was going to be. And it tears people apart. And I also just think many families have one either parent figure or sibling that is an outcast and it's very painful and the relationships are strained. And it just, I think it will be relatable to people in a lot of ways, but it's definitely not an easy read. And I think she writes so beautifully that that's what keeps you going is like her prose is so
Kaitlin (36:04)
so beautifully that that's what keeps you going is like her prose is so special that you can push through the hard stuff because it is a beautiful experience to get to be able to. I have two things. One, if you like that book then you should, I haven't read it but it sounds, it has a lot of similarities to All My Rage by Saba Tahir that I just had to read for my class. I think that this is like the teenager version, like the YA version of that book.
Molly Galler (36:09)
special that you can push through the hard stuff because it is a beautiful experience to get to the end.
Stephanie (36:21)
read it but it sounds it has a lot of similarities to All Night Rage by Thomas Tinger that I just haven't read in my class. I think that this is like the teenager version like the YA version of that book and that book did make me tear up and I almost talked about it but I also wanted to do an episode about that book so I didn't put it on the list. The other thing I want to say is the reason I thought crying in a corner is because Michelle is the author of that book. Her speech in Japanese
Kaitlin (36:34)
and that book did make me tear up and I almost talked about it, but I also wanted to do an episode about that book, so I didn't put it on my list. The other thing I want to say is the reason I bought Crying in H Mart is because Michelle, the author of that book, her stage name is Japanese Breakfast, and I really like that band. I've seen Japanese Breakfast before, and they were supposed to be at Newport Folkfest one year and basically got all messed up because...
Stephanie (36:51)
And I kind of liked that man. And I've seen that in practice before. They were supposed to be at a few more school festivals one year. And basically that was the stuff because I think people wanted to get through COVID. So she was supposed to be on time for the youths. There were two groups that had to switch grades. They were performing at one time because of COVID. And one of them, she doesn't get on a flight. And that's where her band was.
Kaitlin (37:03)
I think people in her band had COVID and so she was supposed to be on Friday or maybe it was her. There were two groups that like had to switch days they were performing and one of them was because of COVID and one was because of a canceled flight and I can't remember which her band was. But anyways, she got put on Sunday up against somebody else that I wanted to see and so then I, but I did see her another time. But that's why I bought that book. I haven't read it yet, but I bought it because I know.
Molly Galler (37:20)
But I did it here, but on Sunday I had somebody else that I was going to be seeing for the night. But I just had another time. But that was my mom, so I had to try to get her. But I bought it because I felt her and actually was like this. And I was like, oh, this is so sad. And so sad. You have to be a mentally prepared person to like, oh, and then it's kind of going to jump further right down into your dark, lonely, and narrow life.
Stephanie (37:21)
put on Sunday up again somebody else that I wanted to see and then I, but I didn't see her another time. But that was my dog, I had a friend there that I thought because I know her as Jackie's friend. But then I was like, oh, so it is, uh, and it was like so moving and so sad because it was, you have to be like mentally prepared for it, like oh, and then it just kept getting
Kaitlin (37:30)
her as Japanese breakfast. And I was like, oh cool, she has a book. And then everybody was like, it's so moving and so sad and really like, you have to be like mentally prepared for it and I was like, oh, and then it just kept getting shoved further and further down the TBR. But what are you gonna do?
What's everyone reading?
Stephanie (37:53)
I'm currently in the midst of a racist book club book that I picked up a week or two ago when Caitlyn and I had an H Mart BNN day. What's interesting about this book, I don't want to tell too much because I think it would be interesting to do an episode about it. Before, or I think I was maybe five pages in, I made the mistake of going to Goodreads just to see if anyone I knew had read it, but then I started reading the reviews.
Kaitlin (37:55)
I have a racist book club book that I picked up a week or two ago when Caitlyn and I had an H Mart B&M day. What's interesting about this book, I don't want to tell too much because I think it would be interesting to do an episode about it. Before, or I think I was maybe five pages in, I made the mistake of going to Goodreads just to see if anyone I knew had read it, but then I started reading the reviews. It does not have good reviews. Like a lot of.
Stephanie (38:19)
It does not have good reviews. Like a lot of like, Reese, are you OK? Did you really mean to put this on your list type thing? Yeah. Yeah, I could not put it down last night. I'm worried that maybe it takes a turn at the end. But what I wanted to say that's interesting is so it's a present day and a past, and it alternates each chapter. The present is in the past tense, and the past is in the present tense, which I feel like
Kaitlin (38:24)
of like, Reese, are you okay? Did you really mean to like put this on your list type thing? But then Steph stayed up reading it last night. Yeah, could not put it down. She's almost done. I'm worried that like maybe it takes a turn at the end. But what I wanted to say that's interesting is so it's a present day and a past and it alternates each chapter. The present is in the past tense and the past is in the present tense, which I feel like it must have a purpose. And I haven't figured it out yet. But that's like an interest.
Molly Galler (38:47)
which I feel like it must have an illness, and I hope it's very positive. But that's just interesting, short. That seems very confusing. I know. Steph said she's also just very, very stressed that she was wondering, like, are these people who can deal with this person? So we're asking if you can convince her to make her some medicine.
Stephanie (38:49)
It must have a purpose and I haven't figured it out yet, but that's like an interesting choice. I know.
Kaitlin (38:57)
choice. Steph said there's also some characters that she's wondering like are these people only real to this person or are they actually there and then some things were confirmed?
Stephanie (39:02)
So the main, the main character, Maya, in present day is coming off of a cold turkey stop to a clonopin addiction, which I will say from knowing someone who did that on her own, severe consequences of doing that without doctor supervision. Yeah. So she goes into it.
Kaitlin (39:19)
did that on her own, severe consequences of doing that without doctor supervision. Yeah, you're supposed to wean off of things like that. So she goes into it.
Basically, I don't know.
Stephanie (39:34)
Basically, I don't know sometimes if the things she's seeing are real or if they're hallucinations that are a reaction to basically weaning oneself off of a drug. But in the past, when she was about to graduate from high school, she met this older guy and you can just tell there's something super dodgy about him and she's missing hours of time that she spends with him. Like she'll start off doing something totally normal.
Kaitlin (39:36)
Sometimes if the things she's seeing are real or if they're hallucinations that are a Reaction to basically weaning oneself off of a drug but in the past when she was about to graduate from high school, she met this older guy and You can just tell there's something super dodgy about him and she's missing hours of time that she spends with him like she'll start off doing something totally normal and then five hours have passed and she's like
Stephanie (40:04)
And then five hours have passed and she's like, how did that happen? Type thing, or she'll end up somewhere where she's like, how did we get here? Type thing.
Kaitlin (40:06)
event happened type thing or she'll end up somewhere where she's like how did we get there type thing and you're sure that she's not a ghost right because i know you were saying that you were some of the other people seem suspect but like yeah no i think that's me just being like very suspicious okay all right got it got it basically in present day she finds a youtube video where he and this young girl who look exactly like her
Molly Galler (40:08)
Or it ends up somewhere where she's like, how is that where she came from? Then you're probably just, who's got those? I'm like, I don't know. I know for sure some of that people seem suspect, but like. Yeah, no, I think that's me just being a very I'm happy you're on the side. I mean, basically in present day, she finds a picture of herself. You know that's young little girl who looks like that? Like, this is like Suzy T. B. for a German diver.
Stephanie (40:22)
Yeah, no, I think that's me just being like very suspicious of everyone at this point. But basically in present day, she finds a YouTube video where he and this young girl who look exactly like her, this is like CCTV footage of them in a diner and the girl just dies, keels over in his presence and dies. And in the past, her best friend died in his presence. So there's something that I was like, is this a cult type book?
Kaitlin (40:33)
This is like CCTV footage of them in a diner and the brawl just dies, heals over in his presence and dies. And in the past, her best friend died in his presence. So there's something that I was like, is this a cult type book? I was worried that there was magic involved or something. That would explain the bad readings though, if all of a sudden they're like, and this guy has a wand and it's like, okay, that doesn't work.
Molly Galler (40:39)
that's present for that in the past. So that's when that is present. So there's something that I would call table of thought. I was working on the process. And I was wondering what you're talking about. It doesn't sound like I'm talking about you. That was explained about you being so up-to-date. And this is how they're thinking about you. And so that's a good point. No, it's very different. Quick factor, I mean, it depends on the type of person.
Stephanie (40:46)
is I was worried that there was like magic involved or something it doesn't seem like that. Well no it it's very beautifully written um quick chapters everything ends on a cliffhanger and I need to know what the heck is going on I'm really hoping that this does not like take a turn that I'm like no this is.
Kaitlin (41:05)
on the cliffhanger and I need to know what the heck is going on.
take a turn that I'm like, no, this is why did everyone give it like to start reviews is basically what I'm asking. I'm just looking at you describe this character.
Stephanie (41:15)
Why did everyone give it like two star reviews is basically what I'm asking.
Molly Galler (41:18)
I'm just loving that you described this character as dodgy. I'm still holding on to that word choice.
Kaitlin (41:26)
I'm only five pages in, but I'm reading Funny You Should Ask by Alyssa Sussman. It's a little bit of a homework assignment that I've had for a while. It's been in my TBR forever, and Molly and Steph really want to do an ep about it, so away I go. But it seems really charming and I'm getting like Amy Sherman-Paladino banter dialogue vibes just in five pages, so that feels good.
Stephanie (41:33)
is a little bit of a rough time for me, but I hope for a while, and expect to be there forever. And all of a sudden, we're going to be at the end of the whole way, I know. But it's been so fun to be here, and I'm getting excited. Being sure of how, you know, Stanford, I have not just been by myself, I'm just going to be by myself the entire time. I'm too nervous.
Molly Galler (41:55)
I read that entire book on two airplane flights.
from Boston to Minneapolis and Minneapolis to Jackson Hole. I ignored all the people that we were with. And I just committed to this book and I just couldn't be stopped. I really was into it and then I couldn't wait to pass it on. And I just feel like that is like a very, I don't know that immersive is the right word, but it just hooked me right from the get.
Kaitlin (42:08)
I'm just committed to this.
Stephanie (42:09)
I'm not going to tell you how to do it. I'm going to tell you how to do it.
Kaitlin (42:25)
I hope, have we mentioned on the pod that we're going to Jacksonville? Oh, well, we're doing it. I'm the only one that hasn't gone. So we're going and we're doing it. Um, and I hope that I find a book for those flights that I'm just like completely enamored with.
Molly Galler (42:29)
Oh, well, I'm a professor, so I don't know. And I've been informed through the swipes that I've been completely blinded. Totally. Speaking of the West, my book is set in Montana. I'm reading Famous for a Living, which I mentioned at the end of last week's ep is my blind date book that I unwrapped on air a couple of weeks ago.
So what page am I on? Jeez. Uh, page 90. So this story is about an influencer who leaves New York City and goes to small town Montana. I have now learned that her uncle got her a job where she works for the park service. They have enlisted her to become the social media coordinator for the parks. She has to share a tiny one room cabin with like a 22 year old eager beaver park ranger.
And my favorite moment of the beginning so far is she arrives in the dead of winter and she booked a rental car for herself that is a convertible.
Kaitlin (43:25)
And my favorite moment at the beginning so far is she arrived in the dead of winter and she booked a rental car for herself. That is a convertible. So her uncle's like second in command from the truck service has to come and press me. Oh, she's great. And she drives it off the road. Yeah, okay, yep. I'm loving it in a surprise way. And I've mentioned this before, but...
Stephanie (43:26)
And, like you were saying, it's hard because you have a good mind. And you're not a good person. That is a... So, a couple of steps to get better. And that's it. That's the end of the question. Thank you for watching.
Molly Galler (43:36)
So her uncle's like second in command from the park service has to come and rescue her because she drives it off the road. So anyway, I'm loving it in a surprise to no one. And I mentioned this before, but they have these cool like interstitials between all the chapters where it shows her like taking Instagram pictures and it looks like the inside of an iPhone. And it's just very fun. I haven't seen that particular visual decision in a book that I've read before.
Kaitlin (43:52)
They have these cool interstitials between all the chapters where it shows her taking Instagram pictures and it looks like the inside of an iPhone. And it's just very fun. I haven't seen that particular visual decision in a book that I've read before. This is very small book, which is why I'm on the complete idea of a book that I've written about by the author.
Molly Galler (44:04)
This is very small font, which is why I'm only on page 90. I feel like in a different book, I'd be on page 140. But I'm really enjoying it. I'm looking forward to what I know will inevitably be her falling in love with this gruff person that just rescued her. But I will follow along on the journey. So if you guys wanna follow along with everything we're reading, all the books we discussed today, if you feel like a good cry, we will get the whole list up there for you on Instagram.
We are at Plans Are Booked. We would love to chat with you, see what you're reading. Please comment, like, share. We appreciate every single moment of engagement. And you can write to us too. You can email us at plan Let us know what you're reading, anything you'd like us to cover. We love hearing from you, so don't be shy. Really.
Kaitlin (44:48)
Really don't be shy because we're going to be doing some giveaways soon so we want to hear from you and we want you to participate in what we have going on. Until next time, our plans are booked.