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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, podcast for every reader. I'm Molly Geller.
Stephanie (00:07)
I'm Stephanie Blackburn.
Kaitlin (00:07)
And I'm Caitlin Madison. Welcome to Chapter 24, which if I did the math correctly, that's six months of episodes, right?
Stephanie (00:13)
chapter 24 which if I did the math correctly that's six months of episodes right? What? No. No! Wait. Math is not my strong suit. Six times four is 24 so that's six months of episodes. Uh but no. Really? Well we did -
Molly Galler (00:13)
Well, we did have a double up in our first debut, so yeah, we're almost there. Yeah, we're almost there.
Kaitlin (00:27)
6 x 4 is 24, so that's 6 months of episodes.
Okay, all right, all right, yeah Wow, you really made me doubt my math The way she looked at me. I was like that is how many weeks are in a month typically for
Stephanie (00:47)
Here how this is this is like an existential question, but how do you picture the months of the year? Because that is why I have trouble with six month increments. Like do you picture it linear? Okay.
Molly Galler (00:59)
That is.
Kaitlin (01:04)
I'm scowling at Steph. Are you on drugs? What's happening? Yeah, she's like got a bell curve graph going for her six month signal and I'm like, I don't get it. Yeah.
Molly Galler (01:04)
Stephanie's doing hand motions.
Stephanie's doing hand motions right now where she's like she's making like a roller coaster going up the
Stephanie (01:21)
No, like the summer for me is like low and then the fall is when it starts to get high and then winter is the top. That's how in my mind I picture the months of the year. Sort of like a roller coaster. No. There's a lot of left -highs. I do have a favorite page or a favorite book or anything for enjoying this time. Do you know? So I have to...
Kaitlin (01:25)
No, there's I don't have whatever that is I don't have a vision or a shape or a mood or anything for Intervals of time. Do you Molly?
Molly Galler (01:39)
So everything to me is the distance from my birthday. So like I know my birthday, September 29th, six months from that is March 29th. So like, if someone says to me like, Oh, I was born in October. I'm like, Oh, you're half birthdays in April. Because everything is like, I just ratcheted it.
Stephanie (01:50)
So like, if someone says, like, oh, I was working on a TV show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a TV show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a TV show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a radio show, I'm working on a
Kaitlin (01:57)
So if someone says to you like.
Yes, actually I do do that but I didn't realize I did that until Molly said that out loud.
Molly Galler (02:09)
And our half birthdays are the opposite months.
Kaitlin (02:12)
Opposites. Yep. And I'm a loser and I'm like, well, Kyle Chandler's birthday is my half birthday, which is September 17th. Yeah, listen, there's all sorts of weird things that you can do with time. Mine is not visual, Steph's is. I'm sorry that six times four equaling 24 did not work for your peak and valley visual that you have going on.
Stephanie (02:19)
Yeah, I'm sorry that 6 times 4 is only $24 ,000 a year for people with diabetes.
Kaitlin (02:38)
She was like, no, it can't be six months because it's not how I picture it.
Molly Galler (02:42)
Oh Lord
Kaitlin (02:44)
That was epic. That was great. You should just start every episode now with like a weird cold open that just really like sends the episode in a certain direction because the last one was aphentasia and we spent 20 minutes on it. So.
Stephanie (02:48)
Well, that was book related.
Molly Galler (02:59)
So.
Kaitlin (03:02)
Yeah, people just don't know what they're getting themselves into when they turn this on. So 24 episodes, we have accomplished a lot, I feel like. And this weekend, we kind of did like a little New England bebopping, if you will.
Molly Galler (03:09)
So 24 episodes, we have accomplished what I feel like. And this weekend kind of took a little bit of a trip. We thought they would feel like a trip. Like we were taking ourselves to a new world. Excursion. And this is what I feel like. I feel like the last week, 60 days of the break, was like 50s or 70s the day before.
Stephanie (03:17)
This weekend, we kind of felt like a little bit of a change. We felt like a treat. Like we were treating ourselves to a little excursion involving books. I feel like the last week, six of the days in the rain, it was like 50s and 70s, the day before Easter. And all of the people were so happy to be here. And all of the people were so happy to be here. And I'm really like, oh, we're going to have a little...
Kaitlin (03:27)
We saw the spring weather. I feel like the last week, six of the days had rained. It was like 50s and sunny the day before Easter. And we all went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. And Molly had already been in PVD.
Molly Galler (03:38)
I had a very like all over the map New England weekend. I started in Providence. I met two of my Wheaton College besties and we used to go to Providence all the time from Wheaton because it's only like depending on how you hit the lights like 15 to 20 minutes and at the time the Providence Place mall
Stephanie (03:47)
I started in the province and up to my college besties. And we used to work at Providence all the time, because it's sort of like, depending on how you hit the lights, like 15 to 20 minutes. And all the time, the Providence Place hall was honestly like the bigger part. It would be like a different fire tonight, so we'd go shopping, get our dresses. We had this fall's conference with a Boston match, and I got my dress today. And now, as I was in the house, I'm like, oh, I don't know.
Kaitlin (03:48)
and I was a college professor. And we used to have problems all the time, probably because it's only about the Chinese people, and the whites. And at the time, the problems this model was obviously like the big, really.
Molly Galler (04:03)
was honestly like the big attraction. We like ate dinner at Fire and Ice or we would go shopping there for dresses for like, we had this fall formal that was called the Boston Bash and like I got my dress there. And now as an adult, I'm like, oh, I do not wanna go to the Providence Place Mall.
Molly Galler (04:19)
So instead of orienting our weekend around the mall, we decided to check out a bunch of places that either none of us had been before, or just one of us had been before. So we stayed at the Aloft Hotel downtown, which was super nice. I've actually stayed in an aloft here in Boston in the seaport with Scout, actually, my pup. And the hotel was great. I feel the need to share with all of our listeners that this hotel has Drybar products in the shower.
Kaitlin (04:23)
We decided to check out one of the two displays that I went to once. Which is obviously, so we see it at the object of the tunnel, which was super nice. It was just a kind of a volunteer, a lost person, a single, a scout, a human being. And that was just great. I feel the condition of the tunnel was great because this was just a place to draw our products in the tunnel. And also, we got a driver, a pair of guards.
Molly Galler (04:48)
and also the yellow Drybar hair dryer. Drybar is like one of my happy places on earth. It just like brings me an incredible amount of joy and I'd never seen it in a hotel before. So I was like, okay, automatic seal of approval for this place. We went to a cocktail bar called the Eddie, which was amazing. They had super creative drinks, very fun spot. We went to a pizza place.
Stephanie (04:56)
I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's homes on the day off, and I've seen it in a lot of
Molly Galler (05:11)
called Figadini that is famous for its burrata pizza, which is exactly as it sounds, a giant pizza with a huge burrata ball in the center. I was thrilled. And they give you scissors to cut your pizza, which is just like very fun. Do it yourself at the table. And the next day we went to a donut place and then we went out to brunch at this place called the Rogue Island. It was one of those brunch menus where you want literally everything. Like you want all the eggs Benedict's, you want all the special French toast, they had a thin mint.
Kaitlin (05:31)
Wait, you said you did or you didn't? What? Oh my.
Molly Galler (05:39)
French toast, which I couldn't convince anybody to have with me. No, we didn't have it because so we wound up doing this avocado toast to share. And then two of us got huevos rancheros and one friend got the sandwich called the bear named for the show. And then we were so full and we also had cocktails. And I was like, I might have to drive back here for the thin mint French toast.
Stephanie (05:53)
And that was two of us co -published in terms. And we were one friend of the same age from there. Thank you for that, Joe. And I was so full. It was cocktails, and I was like, I'm gonna have a drink. I'm gonna have a drink. Yeah, we're good. We're good. So, the problem is, I really didn't have much time to have a sense of ology or so. I was so delighted, and then we went through the other part. And I was like,
Kaitlin (06:04)
Yeah, well, we're going. We're going.
Molly Galler (06:08)
So Providence, I really hadn't spent a ton of time there since the college year. So I was like delighted and that we walked through a beautiful park and there's so much cool art because RISD is there. And I just feel like I don't give it enough credit for its cool factor.
Stephanie (06:17)
There's so much cool art because Rizvi is there. I just don't think, I don't give you enough credit. It's cool that I do. Well, our content is there, so if you want to learn points, you might want to know. I've spent an insignificant time there in the last 12 years, probably. So I want to let you know that it's back in biz, and I'll be sure to say it's back in biz. I'll say it over and over again. You know what I mean? It's more in the office.
Kaitlin (06:26)
Well, our friend Tebo lives there, so it had already earned points in my mind, but I have not spent any significant time there in the last like 12 years, probably. So I'm glad to know that it's back in biz and that we should. Back in biz, I say like it was never in biz, but you know what I mean? More hip. It's more hip. It's on the radar and we should check it out. And then Molly pivoted and went from PVD to Portsmouth.
Molly Galler (06:28)
Yeah, so it's been at me for points in my mind, but I have not spent any significant time there in the last 12 years, probably. So I'm glad to know that it's back in business and that we should. Back in business. I still should have said that. You know what I mean. Back on the radar. It's more hip. It's on the radar. And we should check it out. And then Molly pivoted and then from PEP to Portsmouth picked Steph up along the way or Steph picked up her.
Stephanie (06:47)
and we just checked it out. And then Holly pivoted and went from EC to work then. Pave the steps, walked away, and got to get back first. I was already there with a friend who needed and we...
Kaitlin (06:55)
picked Steph up along the way or Steph picked up her. I was already there with a friend from Wheaton and we were already out and about shopping a little bit in the lovely weather and then Molly and Steph met up with us. We went to LaRue, which is an awesome kitchen store. We went to two bookstores that were both like small and charming in different ways. And then we ate an epic meal, which I was...
Molly Galler (06:58)
I was already there with a friend from Wheaton and we were already out and about shopping a little bit and a little bit of the weather and then while our stuff met up with us we went to La Rue which is an awesome kitchen store we went to two bookstores that were both like small and charming in different ways and then we ate an epic meal which I was
Stephanie (07:04)
We had our priority out in Belle Charleville, had a lot of other inter -college stuff that up with us. We went to One Roo, which is an awesome kitchen store. We went to two bookstores that were both like small, which are maybe a couple of ways. And then we went to McNeil, which I was fan of. One day I got there and like it happened all at once. Like I had to go out to the cook store and I had to buy the shoes that were from practice in the collard.
Kaitlin (07:25)
famished when we got there and it like it happened all at once. Like I knew I was like, I had like Cheez -Its for breakfast in the car and like some cheese and crackers when I got to Elisa's and all of a sudden it was like 430 and I was like, I've had two mimosas and like no food today and like what am I doing with my life? So by the time we got to the restaurant, I was like ready for a delicious meal and we went to street, amazing Korean food.
Molly Galler (07:25)
I was like, I had like, cheeses for breakfast in the car and like, some cheese and crackers when I got to what we said it is and all of a sudden it was like 4 .30 and I was like, I've had two closest and like, no food today is like one menu end of my life. So by the time I got to the restaurant, I was like, ready for a delicious meal and went to Street. Amazing Korean food.
Stephanie (07:34)
like some cheese crackers, like a pork meat sandwich, and all of a sudden it was like four thirty and I was like, I've had two nepsis, like no food today, like one maybe right now. So I was having this with my friend. I was like ready for a delicious meal at the street. Amazing, great food. I remember we talked something like, that is awesome, like tofu, or shiitake, or whatever it is that has to do with deliciousness. I'll be like, okay.
Molly Galler (07:55)
As we were walking around downtown Portsmouth I think I said to like each of you and our friend Elise at different moments like I forgot how fun it is here like Even though every time I've gone I've always loved it. I was in Portsmouth also the previous Saturday, but it was pouring rain And I just went like right into the library restaurant right back
Kaitlin (07:55)
Everybody got something that I think they liked. We got these awesome like togarashi fries that had all sorts of deliciousness on them. And it was a lovely day. It really was.
Stephanie (08:04)
It was a lot of feedback. They were really close.
It looks like it belongs in a rom -com. It's like that kind of setting.
Molly Galler (08:24)
back out but walking around I was like yes I love this town like I love all these shops I love that you can just like get an ice cream and walk around or get an iced tea and walk around like it's just so totally
Kaitlin (08:32)
And dogs are allowed everywhere too. I feel like Stars Hollow like might have been modeled after Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I know it's supposed to be Connecticut and whatever, but like.
Stephanie (08:47)
I know it's supposed to be Connecticut, whatever you want to call it. It has a very similar vibe, I think. It feels like there's a ton to do, but it still feels like a smaller town. And you also get the benefit that it's a coastal state, like a waterfront. It's just a fabulous place. A seafloor trail. So all the toys becoming them. It's a fun place. And I love it. It's a great day. And it was just very, very fun.
Molly Galler (08:51)
It has a very similar vibe, I think. And it feels like there's a ton to do, but it still feels like a small town. And you also get the benefit that it's a coastal, so you kind of get the water view. It's just a fabulous place.
Kaitlin (09:00)
And the surf shops and all the delights that come with that. It's a fun place and it felt like a spring day and it was just very, very enjoyable. Steph is back at it with the house.
Stephanie (09:15)
I apologize. I am so tired that someone on my Instagram messaged me overnight and I love her for worrying. She was like, I think you need your thyroid checked. I'm worried about you. And I was like, I appreciate that, but it's just the stress. Because I had posted about being cold all the time and always being tired.
Kaitlin (09:24)
So we love you.
Molly Galler (09:32)
I'm sorry about you. I appreciate that, but it's just the stress. Why? Because I am post about being cold all the time. I know. You talk first. No, I have an idea about the stress in a week that I would never forget. Like, really. It's from the job. I think something more different than just that is what she was talking about.
Kaitlin (09:32)
Wait, why?
got it. But she didn't equate that to like you're working at a like you're doing construction work.
Stephanie (09:44)
But I am going in and out of the house constantly.
No. I think some people are just like in tune with medical issues. And so she was like warning sign, warning sign.
Kaitlin (09:56)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. I okay, that makes more sense because I was like, am I a bad friend? Like, should I be more worried about stuff being cold and tired?
Molly Galler (09:58)
Meanwhile when she posted like I'm cold and this and that I did not think oh because she's going in and out from outside I thought I'm always cold because I'm a vegetarian and I have low iron and I was like, yeah, of course She's a vegetarian of course. She's always cold
Stephanie (10:01)
tough.
Well, we also have the temp set at 59 because my dad is cheap and doesn't want to pay for oil. So we just wear our jackets inside while we're working on the house. I feel like I'm constantly harping on the negative stuff that's happening. The big drama this week is that I didn't pay attention when I ordered the appliances and I did not.
Kaitlin (10:18)
We'll be off in a couple seconds.
Great, that makes sense.
And you had to call people which is the worst part of all of that. I hate calling people.
Stephanie (10:42)
purchase a counter depth fridge. I was mostly focused on the width of it and so it arrived. It does not fit. It has to go back. I had to order a new one. You know, set back after set back after set back.
Well, and the actual worst part is that I don't know what kind of headset the person on the other end of the phone used, but it was as if their mouth was pressed against the phone and I could, I felt like my mother, I kept being like, I'm so sorry, I can't hear you. Can you say that again? But it was just so muffled, driving me nuts. No, it sounded like they're, you know.
Kaitlin (11:19)
Did it sound really far away? That happens to me sometimes too. Sometimes I'm like, I feel bad, but like what I call insurance companies, like sometimes they'll sound like they're on another planet and they're like, hello, hello, hello. And I'm like, I can't hear. And I'm like trying to give them like subscriber ID numbers and like important information. And I'm like, I'm like, I can't hear anything. And.
Stephanie (11:31)
I'm going to start with something that's very important.
Molly Galler (11:42)
And I'm just learning something. And like, at the same time, it sounds like a really strong sound. And that's when they click something and click a perfect sound. And I'm always looking more in the books, and they're probably like trying to make a sound. And it sounds like they're like understanding the FBI. I'm just like, oh.
Stephanie (11:43)
And like, a couple of times after I was saving, it sounded like a bar of bread. And all of a sudden they put something and like, perfect sounding. And I was looking for enough bread, and I found a few trying to make a sandwich. And I was like, I'm gonna skim and I'm gonna have to cut it. Oh, I'm gonna have to do it.
Kaitlin (11:45)
Like a couple of times I've had to say, like, it sounds like you're really far away. And all of a sudden they click something and it's like perfect sounding. And I'm realizing that people are in their homes and they're probably like trying to make a sandwich and they've got it on speaker, like, and they're standing 10 feet away. And then all of a sudden they're like, oh, I got you, I got you. Don't worry about it. Like click one button. And I'm like, God, these work from home people are ridiculous sometimes.
Stephanie (12:09)
I think for me, my dad has a hearing aid, our helper who just started, he's normally with us on most houses, but he just started last week with us. He also has a hearing aid. My mother has a hearing aid. And so anytime I say, I'm so sorry, can you repeat yourself? I feel like I'm, am I 60 already and I can't hear the person on the other end?
Molly Galler (12:09)
And it's hard to know if people are feeling something. And the things for me, I don't know if you can see, are whole different from this. He's not.
Kaitlin (12:28)
At least your parents wear their hearing aids. My mom dropped like five grand on them and doesn't put them in. And then when she goes, what, can you say that again? What? I just look at her and I'm like, are you wearing your hearing aids? And she's like, whatever. And we went out to a hockey game with some of her friends who do wear their hearing aids and they heard me scolding her and they were like,
Stephanie (12:52)
Yes, the new fridge though is not coming for another two plus weeks, which means
Kaitlin (12:57)
choice. What was even the point of buying those? And I'm like, thank you. So now I have more people on my team, which is amazing. But no, you can hear fine. You just the telephone is not. It's not good. But did you get it resolved?
Stephanie (13:19)
that like the last house, we're going to have to list this one without a fridge and just our realtor will have to say before closing, it will actually be here. But that upsets me because obviously then we're not putting our absolute best foot forward for first impressions.
Molly Galler (13:19)
I felt like the last time I had to list this one for the page was for real talk. I have to say, we're close and it will actually be there, but that's what's needed. Obviously, that's our absolute best performance for first impressions. Okay, so I am going to tell you today, and I know you're going to look at this, but I was going to say one of the most difficult houses to go to on the process weekend. There was one where...
Kaitlin (13:23)
Realtor will have to say for full time visit, it will actually be here. But that was a quick thing about this event. We're working in our house to the best, the foremost of the first two questions. Okay, so I will tell you today, and I know you're going to be like, I don't want to do this, but I will tell you today, when I was looking for houses to go to open houses this weekend, I, there was one where the Realtor had like photoshopped a fire pit.
Stephanie (13:39)
I mean in person. Yeah. Yeah.
Molly Galler (13:49)
So, we're going to have to make a photo shot of our kids. I'm not sure if you can all just follow me or follow me. So, I'm going to use the phone. I know it looks like the kids are out there.
Kaitlin (13:53)
and like chairs and all this outdoor stuff like in the outdoor space. So why can't you just Photoshop a refrigerator in the spot it's supposed to be? I know in person that people will see it's not there. Oh, okay. But you can make it look better in the photos, right?
Stephanie (14:08)
Yeah, I'm not worried about the photos. It's just that you only get one chance at a first impression. So I'm just praying that everything else is a wow factor. And they're like, OK, there will one day be a fridge. But also, me personally, I'd want to know what kind of fridge I was getting into.
Kaitlin (14:11)
It's just that you only get one chance at first impression. Right. So I'm just...
Oh, see, that's like probably not something I pay attention to. That wouldn't be, I'd be like, there's an island in this kitchen and like that's what I'm focused on.
Molly Galler (14:30)
Yeah, the countertops in this flip are pretty bougie.
Stephanie (14:32)
There's a peninsula. Yeah. I mean, hopefully the waterfall peninsula distracts from everything else in the kitchen. Yes. Waterfalls when the countertop goes down to the floor. That's what that is. Like a waterfall.
Kaitlin (14:39)
Oh, I'm sorry, a waterfall peninsula. I don't know what that means.
Oh, okay. Yeah. Well, I saw the light fixtures for the bedroom and I was like, okay, I'm starting to get, I have no vision is my issue. So when everything is empty, I'm like, and like growing, I live in like six different houses growing up. So like I've gone to see a lot of houses in my day and I picked.
Stephanie (14:52)
Yeah. Well, I saw a flight that you're in bed with. And I was like, I'm sorry, I have no business with you. So.
Molly Galler (15:03)
So when everything is empty, I'm like growing from like six different houses growing up. So like I've gone to see a lot of the houses in my day. And I picked the two houses that I lived in. I'm on the fourth and fifth, I'm on the fifth and sixth. One of them, one of them was my death in the five. I was like, oh, well, I'm gonna care. So these are obviously like seven houses. So like this is one. And my wife likes to talk about it, but.
Stephanie (15:06)
And when you grow up, I even like six different houses, like I've gone to see a lot of houses in my life. And I think the two houses, I live in my own house, I live in my own house, and I feel like one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I've ever felt, one of the most important things I
Kaitlin (15:15)
the two houses that I lived at my mom bought when my parents got divorced. I picked both of them. One of them, when we went down the driveway, I was like, oh, we'll be living here. And we had probably seen like 70 houses. I was like, this is the one. And my mom still talks about it. But I think that based on just the light fixtures, I had this like aha moment where I was like, mm, okay. I'm starting to see the shape of this and what this is going to look like. And...
Stephanie (15:22)
I was like, oh, I'm gonna make that picture. And I was like, that's how I feel. And I was like, I'm gonna make a talk about it. But I think that based on just the light pictures, I have this like off -putting of the glasses. Like, okay, I'm starting to see the shape of it. So I'm just going to have to play with it. Yeah, it's just brilliant. I saw it right before I was using it. I was like, I'm gonna use that. I'm gonna use it someday.
Molly Galler (15:39)
Earlier today I said to Steph, I hope to someday be rich enough to have light fixtures like that and you said...
Kaitlin (15:45)
Yeah, it's just really nice already. It's just really nice.
Stephanie (15:53)
Wayfair.
Kaitlin (15:58)
Yeah, yeah.
Stephanie (15:58)
I mean, to be completely honest, you can spend a lot of money on Wayfair because they have all range of items. But I, you know, I'm buying things that look a certain price point and are maybe a little under that price point. I'm really excited to show you guys the kitchen fixtures because they still have a touch of gold, but they're also, they remind me of like an old school. I don't know.
Molly Galler (15:59)
I'm going to take a break.
Kaitlin (16:17)
Interesting. Okay, all right. This is going to be our first flip that we go to visit and document on plans or books.
Molly Galler (16:17)
Now we know the inspo. Most definitely.
Stephanie (16:28)
why or even if that's accurate and I'm gonna leave it at that and see what you think.
Kaitlin (16:43)
Yeah. So like, I don't know. I feel like we need to take, do like a photo shoot of us reading whatever book we're reading at that point in time, like bring it with us. And we could do like a little fun fashionista home flip reading. Like, and this is where the plans are book girls read their books and you can just leave them a little bookmark with our podcast on it in the house. Oh my God, that could be like your David Bromsted thing. Did you ever watch his show Color Splash?
Stephanie (16:52)
Oh yeah.
Molly Galler (17:02)
And we'll be back with our next economist in the house.
Kaitlin (17:13)
Oh, you don't know who he is. He won Design Star one year on HGTV and they gave him his own show called Color Splash. He's like an unbelievable artist. And he would do a painting that he hung somewhere in the house of every house that he redesigned. And that was his like calling card. He has a different show now. I forget the name of it, but my mom and I, I would like get home from like,
Stephanie (17:17)
He won design talent on HGTV and they gave him a show called College Watch. He's like one of the artists. And he drew a painting that he put somewhere in the house of everything else that he had designed. And that was his art. He has a different family. I think I've been on their program. I would like to get a copy.
Molly Galler (17:40)
Okay, well maybe we'll take some posed photos in there and we'll have your realtor add them to your listing.
Stephanie (17:42)
like, or on a school, or in general at work, or if you're watching or at work, or you're on set and you're not getting anything. So we can take some of those photos and put them on our Instagram to your listing. It's more of a hot area. You can go into the same folder and like, our tutorial. Yeah. That's best. You don't like the photo that's covered in there? That's best, yeah.
Kaitlin (17:42)
grad school or teaching or whatever and we would watch either Ellen or David Bromstad. I'm not kidding.
It's more for posterity. It can go like in the same folder as like our Victorian portraits that Steph had made. That's pretty good.
Molly Galler (18:02)
Oh, yes, you don't like a flip house for every reader I'm just saying Okay, let's move on to our book of the day So we are chatting this week about a book that I absolutely loved capital L loved Come funny. You should ask by Alyssa Sussman. I found out about this book on the podcast Forever 35, which I've mentioned a few times
Stephanie (18:11)
Oh.
Molly Galler (18:32)
as introducing me to actually several of the books that we've talked about here. So I hadn't known anything about Alyssa's books or storytelling and I just loved her in the interview. Like as a person, I thought she seemed really funny and down to earth and great. And I knew that the premise of this book, Funny You Should Ask, was about a reporter covering a celebrity. Since I like that in real life, I was like, okay, let me give this a whirl. So.
Kaitlin (18:39)
books or storytelling. And I just felt like an interviewer. As a person, I'm really conscious of people. They're really funny and down to earth and great. And I knew that I had to sell this book. I knew I should ask. I knew something about a reporter, a celebrity. Since I like acting really, so I'm gonna do this book. So I took this book on a flight to Jacksonville, my first time.
Stephanie (18:50)
And I missed this book. You should ask. It was a faculty reporter, a celebrity. Since I like real life, I was like, can we get this book? So I took this book on a flight to Jacksonville, my first time.
Molly Galler (19:01)
I took this book on a flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, my first time going there. We flew with the layover, so I had two flights to read. And all I did during both of those flights was have my head inside this book. I was addicted from the jump. I just felt like the chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts. And I just felt like I could picture it the whole time.
in a way that doesn't always happen for me when I'm reading. I just felt like I was watching a movie of this while I was reading it. And it felt so real.
Stephanie (19:37)
and it felt so... horrible. Wait, when you say that you don't actually picture books normally as if it's a movie? No, sometimes like I... imagine books for the first time but it doesn't feel like crystal clear all the time. Interesting. And this one almost sounds pure and that's correct, it's not quite real. But I just... I don't know if it's a clear or if it's a lie because... and it's about...
Molly Galler (19:47)
No, sometimes like I am imagining certain parts, but it doesn't feel like crystal clear all the time. And this one almost, I don't want to say I read like a script that's not quite right, but I just, I don't know. It was like clearer in my mind, I guess. And it's about this young woman, Chani. We had a long debate about how her name is pronounced. We think it's Chani. Um.
And she gets assigned to cover this like up and coming Hollywood heartthrob. And they wind up spending a bunch of time together, like several consecutive days. And the profile that she winds up writing basically like goes viral and becomes really well known as like a genre almost of reporting. And then we flash way forward in time and they wind up actually reuniting. I think it's.
Is it 10 years later? 10 years later. I don't want to say more because I want to hear what both of you thought, but I just felt like this was one of those, I couldn't tell if it was just because I was on the plane and I had like unlimited time and so that's why I was so immersed or if it really was that it grips you that much. But I wasn't picturing any specific actor. But after I finished it, our friend who met us in Jackson Hole, Erica.
Stephanie (20:48)
I don't know if it's because I'm not a hero, but I just felt like this was one of the things I couldn't tell them just because I was on the plane, like I'm on a plane time. So that's why I was so nervous. I didn't think about it that much, but I was a pick -pocket. And it's this great factor. But after I finished our flight to Venice, in Jackson, Connecticut, I said, oh yeah, that's the Mochra 7, right? Like inspired by the Mochra 7.
Kaitlin (21:05)
But after we had finished it, our friend who knew us in Jackson, AP said, oh, you know, it's a perception, right? Like, inspired by the real life. That's why I said to you when we were talking about this a little bit way back, but I didn't explain well enough. What do you mean, perception? It's apparently inspired by the real interaction with perception within a program, so it's not a profile.
Molly Galler (21:11)
said, oh, well, you know that's about Chris Evans, right? Like, inspired by a real life. It's apparently inspired by a real interaction that Chris Evans had with a reporter and a resulting profile. And I didn't know that when I was reading it. Alyssa Sussman did not say that.
Stephanie (21:18)
said it to you when we were talking about this book way back, but I didn't explain well enough and you were like, what do you mean it's about Chris Evans?
And I didn't know that from that day. I was just awesome to not say that. I was just awesome to not say that. I just couldn't get my head around it. It could totally be speculated.
Kaitlin (21:34)
I'm finding this out right now. Agreed.
Molly Galler (21:39)
Alyssa Sussman didn't say that in the podcast interview that I listened to. So it could totally be speculated. But then I was like, Oh, because I had finished it just before she said that. And I was like, huh. So then in my mind, I sort of had to rethink if I could imagine him as the person and I actually think my answer is no. But anyway, I'd love to hear what you two thought.
Stephanie (21:47)
For me, I think the reason that I got hooked so easily, one, the writing is fantastic and, you know, short chapters do that for me, but it seems plausible. And as a writer, naturally, I put myself in...
Kaitlin (22:03)
So easily.
Molly Galler (22:04)
It's so easily won a writing contest again. You know, short stories do that to me. But it seems to me plausible. And then when I was a writer, I met myself in Johnny's, you know, spot and was magic. Of course a writer could be writing his piece and have an actual chemistry with the subject and, you know, romance sort of is his thing. But it's not, you know, out there.
Kaitlin (22:08)
short chapters to be that point, but it seems plausible and as are very natural, myself and Johnny, you know, fought and was passionate. Of course a writer can write these things and have a natural chemistry with the subject and, you know, romance or even a serious type thing. Like it's not, you know, out there. So, I love that.
Stephanie (22:15)
Chani's spot and was imagining, of course a writer could be writing this piece and have natural chemistry with the subject and romance ensues type thing. It's not out there. So I loved that.
Kaitlin (22:36)
Well, I'm a firm believer in may all your delulu become Trululu. And I, when I had my Friday night lights podcast, I had a moment where I was like, oh, Jesse Plummons and I are just going to like date and that's going to be a thing. I feel, and back then people were like, one, who's Jesse Plummons and two, they were like, they were like, isn't that the guy that they call like meth daemon? Have you seen this?
Molly Galler (22:39)
me off.
Stephanie (22:39)
I'm not sure if I'm gonna be able to do this.
I'm not gonna say that's gonna be a thing. I've been and not been asked to do one or two stuff at once. And then two. They were like, they wrote it. Is that the bathroom they call it Matt Davis? Have you seen this? Have you seen this page? Oh my god. So instead of Matt Davis, I'm gonna say that he's been trying to get on this toilet. He's like 16 years old. Call it Matt Davis. And then he's like, Matt Davis. That's the thing that happened to him.
Kaitlin (23:05)
Have you seen this meme? Oh my God. So instead of Matt Damon, they post this picture of Jesse Plemons from when he's like 16 years old and call it meth Damon. Cause they're like, it looks like if Matt Damon, that's the thing that happened to him. Yeah. But you know what? He got Kiki Dunst. So everybody can SUCK it. Um, but anyways, he's like adorable and totally boyfriend material. And I had him on my podcast a couple of times.
Stephanie (23:19)
Yeah. But you know what? We got Kiki Johnson, so I guess we're in a bad place today. But anyway, he's named his own job and he'll be working on the carry -on edit. I've had him on my podcast all the time. And then I've had him on the camera. And our whole conversation is telling him to chat to you on his favorite TV. And I was just like, I'm going to go to the TV. And I had to be here as the sponsor. I think some of his podcasts made him feel like he was coming from a different world.
Molly Galler (23:20)
I'm not too stoned, so I'm just in as much pain. But anyways, these are all wonderful pictures.
Kaitlin (23:31)
And then I met him in real life and we had a whole conversation and he has a town van Sant tattoo on one of his fingers. And I was just like, I'm in love with you and we're going to date. And I hope he hears this, honestly. I hope somehow this podcast makes it to him and he's going to be like, I remember that girl. Um, but anyway, I was reading this and I knew how much Molly, Molly and stuff have been pushing this book on me for months and I finally read it and I really liked it. And I don't know why, what?
Molly Galler (23:33)
I was just like, I don't know. And I had a few serious questions. I'm going to do this podcast in the next couple of weeks. But anyway, I do have a few questions. I have a couple of questions that I've been pushing for a long time. And I don't know what happened. What? It sounded like a sound.
Stephanie (23:48)
But anyway, online was reading this and I hear that Molly started to push this book on for months and months and I read it and I was like, I don't know what's going on. What? It's the now and then trope. No, no, no. Okay, no, no. No, no, no. No. This is how it's written. No, no, no. No. This is how it's written. No answers for me. And...
Kaitlin (24:02)
now and then, which is my... Okay, love triangles are my number one, but like number one and a half is now and then romances for me. And...
Molly Galler (24:03)
Okay. So, Frank, what are my thoughts on the number of works coming out? Is that the romance is coming? And I just, I'm really really glad that the chapters were split up by the articles and novels that Johnny had written for, or that he had written out in the character's concert. And I...
Kaitlin (24:15)
I just, I really, really liked it. And I really liked that the chapters were split up by different articles and blog posts that Shawnee had written or had, or other people had written about Gabe, the main character, the movie star. And I am a sucker for a sidekick and Oliver, AKA Ollie is like a great sidekick. He's Gabe's like acting best friend and...
Stephanie (24:16)
I really liked it and I really liked that the chapters were split up by different articles, both that Johnny had written before, or other people had written about games and a character that he started. And I suffered for a side, and all of our thinking was like boring side and he's games, like acting, that's right. And...
Kaitlin (24:43)
he's gay and he's kind of like been through it in Hollywood like he didn't come out right away and he just pops up at all of the right times and there's a character in Steph's book that I feel is like very similar and so I was like having this moment of like oh my gosh he's like one of my favorites in Steph's book and this guy Oliver is like you know like so simp like not similar in personality but similar in like
Stephanie (24:43)
He's gay and he's kind of like, vent -proof and cold -proof when he's coming out there. He just pops up in my mind and I'm characterizing Steph's book that I feel like they're similar. And so I was like having this mold in of like, oh my god! He's like, oh my god, Steph's book! And this guy Oliver is like, you know, so similar. Like, not similar in personality, but similar in health.
Molly Galler (25:05)
like, you know, some stuff like not similar in personality, but similar in the world, like, there's three S -primes on it. Which also just comes back to the fact that it's a positive sense of community, or so much more important than just the other two. Yeah. Yeah. So I want to follow up right after this assessment, right? And I don't know if you just have a question.
Kaitlin (25:10)
the role they play in their straight best friend's lives.
Stephanie (25:10)
which also just comes back to a lot was it last week's episode when you said you're you're so much more in love with side characters now than the main characters
Kaitlin (25:21)
Yeah. Yeah, I love them. So anyways, Oliver was great. I want to list assessment to write an entire book just about Oliver and him meeting his husband on Halloween because they have the big meet cute where they're both dressed as Xena the warrior princess. If that doesn't make you read the book, I don't know what does, but it just has all these great moments and...
Stephanie (25:31)
his post -it.
Thank you.
Molly Galler (25:34)
I'm sure you're a very, very old person, and you've got a quarter of a foot. But it does look like it's going to happen. But it has the kinds of pre -mortems and the very start of the boxes for a foot tour. But it doesn't have a full course. It's in Montana. So it's just such a delightful little box and that's what we're looking for. And we hope that you'll do it.
Stephanie (25:43)
It doesn't have to be full -nose set.
Kaitlin (25:47)
The movie star buys his mom and sister a bookstore to run that has like a cafe and it's called Cozy and it's in Montana. And it's just like, it's just such a delightful book and there's ups and downs because it's a now and then story, but like you're really rooting for them. And there's, I don't know, you're just really rooting for them. And I really needed a book like that. And so if you are like in a boredom buster situation or like a slump book situation, like this would be a really good one.
Stephanie (25:53)
And it's just such a delightful moment. And there's thoughts and memories and I remember that story.
Molly Galler (26:04)
I don't know, you're just really good for it. I've never really needed a book like that. Just building a new art, a new record, a bus first, a toy train, a book slump, a book situation, like this would be a great book to read, I think. And then also, I just have to say that there are moments where I just think this is starting to work for Sonia because she gets calls from your side of the country and I don't think this is a good thing. I was just on call.
Stephanie (26:05)
You're just going to be like, I can't even look like that. And so, you are a sort of, plus, you're a straight woman, in this lump of situations that this video is going to be on, from what you guys do. And then also, I just have to say that there were moments where I would make this John DeGore's story happen because she was called George Diamond one day, and I'm like, this is a thing I was trying to do.
Kaitlin (26:16)
to read, I think. And then also, I just have to say that there were moments where I was like, is this Chani or is this Molly Gowler? Because she gets called a Jewish siren at one point. And I was like, this is amazing. I was like, I'm calling Molly Gowler this for the rest of our lives. That's one. Molly is like flustered. And then the other thing is she's like this, like she's really into writing and like she does like,
Molly Galler (26:35)
So, tomorrow, I'm going to class live modeling. Like, flustered. And she's like, she's like, she's like, she does like, philosophy stuff, and then she does like, really like, heartfelt thought -through stuff, and all of that. And all of her like, 15 years was like, so filled with that. Like, she wrote restaurant books and travel posts that I still use and send it to people that are like, yeah, poppin' pop.
Kaitlin (26:46)
gossipy stuff, but then she does like really like heartfelt thoughtful stuff and Molly had a blog for like 15 years and was like so diligent about it and like she did all these restaurant posts and travel posts and I still use it and send it to people when they're like Yes pop -up shop I Still send it to people and use it myself like when I go on trips, please like people are like this is like a very
Stephanie (26:53)
It still exists.
Molly Galler (27:05)
This is such a high compliment that I was really not expecting this world. No one has ever called me a siren in my whole life So if even if that only just happened right now at this table, that's memorable
Kaitlin (27:14)
This is like a catalog of information about these different cities and I'm like, I know. So anyways, I just had this moment where I was like, Johnny, Molly, Molly, Johnny.
Stephanie (27:23)
I was just like Johnny Rollie. I don't know. I was like Johnny Rollie. And then the same person that was in the green, right?
Kaitlin (27:33)
I'm just saying, I just had all these moments where I was like, this could be Molly's like, like alter ego bestie sister. Like this is like, I was just like, Johnny, Molly. I don't know. I just had this interchange of like Molly, Johnny. And then the, the thing about Chris Evans is weird to me. I did not see that coming or picture that at all. But I think that's because Chris Evans is like from Massachusetts and his dad's a dentist and like he grew up in a yuppie town and.
Stephanie (27:53)
I did not see that coming. But I think it's because Chris and I have been in Massachusetts and his task at Texas and he probably got it out.
Kaitlin (28:02)
not Montana, or the dad that, well, I'm not going to give anything away, but anyway. So, but I will say that I, at the beginning of the book, really imagined Gabe as Kevin from This Is Us, which I can't think of his real name.
Stephanie (28:05)
I'm not going to say that I didn't really have that opportunity as Kevin from This Is Us, which I can't get into too badly, just not just her character.
Molly Galler (28:10)
Justin Hartley.
Kaitlin (28:22)
Justin Hartley, I pictured him that way. But then the more I thought about it and the further I got in the book, I was like, well, in the then section, there's supposed to be 26 and Justin Hartley does not look 26 at all. And it's hard to imagine him as 26, kind of like in a George Clooney way where it's like, were you ever young? I don't know. And then, no, I did not. I know what it is though. He was on that? Oh.
Stephanie (28:37)
It was because did you ever watch Passions? Sure was.
Kaitlin (28:50)
Lordy. Okay, well, anyways, that's for another day. But so then when the 10 years later happens, and they're supposed to be 36, I was like, Oh, okay, that doesn't really work. So I'm not sure who I but somebody that kind of has that build and that look like chiseled, but rugged, could rock a beard doesn't have a beard sometimes where's flannel, but it's like super tight flannel. You know what I mean? Like,
Molly Galler (28:50)
That's pretty good. But, so then, like 10 years later, I have a 360 -36, and that is pretty good. So, I'm not sure if it was something that kind of has that role, but that would be chiseled, but probably it could well be a test of the years. But, it's very planned out, and it's been quite planned out.
Stephanie (28:52)
I'm not sure if it's something that kind of holds that bill. Like chisels, but from it. Could not be a judge's decision. Where to plan on it? Let's do a right -hand -plan rule. A spoon fit can't plan all that well.
Molly Galler (29:18)
Yeah, what I I wish I could think of who I want it to be. But I will say, in their time apart, a lot of shit goes down. That's like, very real. I was rereading my Goodreads review earlier today, and I talked about how both of the
Kaitlin (29:18)
A slim fit flannel, if you will. Might be handy, but also might be a disaster. You know what I mean? Like that kind of...
Stephanie (29:22)
You might be hearing people that are on the right track, really. That's pretty good.
I'm coming up empty.
Molly Galler (29:46)
characters felt very real and honest. And as you jump back and forth in time, you learn about all the things that happened in the time that they were apart. And there's like really difficult things. There's marriage and divorce, there's substance abuse, there's all kinds of stuff. And I love that she didn't overly romanticize it to the point where it was like, and then ta -da, they just like bumped into each other again and everything was great. I liked that it took them each being like,
Am I even willing to like go there again with this person? Am I willing to let them know all the things that I've been through since we last spent any real time together? And as I often say on this podcast, when we get to the end of these stories and it seems like they're not going to get together, I start to go postal. And there was a moment towards the end of the spoke where I was like, this is really fucking going to happen. Like it's not going to like, I'm going to be left in an unhappy way.
Stephanie (30:19)
I was saying that I wanted to let them know all the things that I couldn't do as a few last Sunday for three months, and I did that because I thought that these projects would get to the end of the stories. And as soon as I thought about it together, I started to hope for the full story. And there was a moment that was in my mind that I thought, this is what I'm talking about now. I'm going to be left in an unhappy way. Can you just let me know when you're exactly going to have no options in this book?
Kaitlin (30:41)
Here's the thing though, when there is that moment of reluctance in this book, I was kind of like, well, that makes sense. Like it was so realistic in that way. That when there, yeah, when there was the moment of pause where you were like, oh, they kind of went for it. And now they're like pulling back on that. And, and it was like, I totally understood why.
Molly Galler (30:47)
I was like, well, that makes sense. Like, so realistic in that way.
Stephanie (30:48)
Which I appreciate.
Kaitlin (31:12)
the character that becomes reluctant does. And I was like, they're probably like being smart. And I just want them to leap.
Stephanie (31:12)
I think this is, this is, I don't know what you call this, like subgenre of romance books, but like Tia Williams does it too, where it's like so rooted in realistic aspects that it like sits differently with me than like the lighter stuff where it's just like, this is so unrealistic.
Molly Galler (31:17)
I think this is, I don't know what to call this, some genre of romance books, but like two words, two words, so rooted in those aspects that it like sits differently with me than the lighter stuff where it's just like, this is so unrealistic, this would never happen, I feel like these things could happen in real life. And it's not.
Stephanie (31:41)
this would never happen in real life. These things could happen in real life. And it's not just light and fluffy. There are traumas going on. And I think that's why they sit within me longer. And I feel stronger about them. I really want you to read her second book because it has the same feel. Yes.
Molly Galler (31:47)
It's called One More Time With Feeling.
Kaitlin (31:56)
You both have read it already.
Oh, that's a great Regina Spector song. Do I have it? I'm going to have to dig. I don't know where that is.
Stephanie (32:12)
I think so. It's a blue cover, blue, purple maybe? It's also Now and Then. And it's about teen pop stars, one who was sort of like a Britney Spears type singer and then one who was in a boy band very like in sync -esque.
Molly Galler (32:13)
It's a blue color. It's blue. It's also a brown color. And it's about a week after the day. And it's about a half a stripper, one who was a bit of a party stripper, a tech singer, and one who was a boy and a girl. And it's in the past. Called Crush Zone. And, you know, in the past, they were, you know, camp kids.
Stephanie (32:31)
And, you know, in the past, they were theater camp kids who were just sort of like striving for that dream and then made it. And then in the present, they are not doing well. You know, one is off Broadway and one is struggling to sort of make ends meet.
Kaitlin (32:32)
And you know, what happens today, we're in a period of time where we're just sort of an extremist and a dreamer, and in the present they are not going to love, you know, wanting this off -road.
Molly Galler (32:51)
is from like, what is struggling to make ends meet. And so that also has a realistic aspect. It's not likely to hit the billboards, continuing for another year.
Stephanie (32:58)
And so that also has the like realistic aspect because, you know, it's not likely to hit the billboards and continue for another 10, 20 years. I just, I'm coming around to not linear timelines when they're done like this, because there's just so much, that one especially.
Molly Galler (33:18)
because there's just so much. That one is actually, you have the aspect of the teenager and the past, first love and unknowns and first times, which this morning on the front desk is not a serotonin, it's a mustard. I don't know, I just love Alyssa's book screening.
Stephanie (33:23)
you have the aspect of being a teenager and all that stuff, like first love and unknowns and first times, which this one, funny you should ask, is not because they're in their 20s when it starts. I don't know, I just love Alyssa Sussman's writing.
Molly Galler (33:44)
I need to share that she has another book coming out September 17th called... Oh! Called Totally and Completely Fine and speaking of side characters it's about Gabe's sister Lauren.
Kaitlin (33:44)
Kyle Chandler's birthday. My half birthday. Lauren? Oh, God, but I wanted an Oliver book. But she seemed nice. There wasn't a lot with her though, except that she might, she might, um, I'm not gonna give anything away.
Stephanie (33:45)
Yes.
Molly Galler (34:05)
Maybe that's next.
Stephanie (34:05)
I'm sure that looks love triangle -y to me.
Kaitlin (34:14)
I'm not gonna give anything away. I'm not gonna do it.
Molly Galler (34:19)
You'll be hearing more about Alyssa Sussman, I think, as the year rolls on. But yeah, I think also, that's what I was just going to say. I feel like there are so many different kinds of romance books, and some of them really are just like the bodice ripper type. And this is so well written. It's funny. It's smart. It's honest. It's realistic. It doesn't feel like.
Stephanie (34:19)
You'll be able to see the rules. Yeah.
Kaitlin (34:21)
Thank you.
Stephanie (34:26)
She's just such a good writer.
Kaitlin (34:26)
Just to the point, that's what I was just gonna say. I feel like there are so many different kinds of wrong things, but I've seen some of the people that I've seen fall just for fun. And this is so funny, it's funny, it's smart, it's honest, it's realistic. It doesn't feel like saddling in a home or anything. It's like, this could've happened to you, but this could've happened. And I think that's what we're doing.
Molly Galler (34:46)
saccharine and hallmarky. It's very like this could have happened to your point this could have happened and I think that made it feel more enjoyable because you didn't have to suspend reality to believe that these people could be actually having this experience.
Kaitlin (34:53)
I feel like you're enjoying it because you do have to suspend reality to believe that these people who actually have a basic way of life. I think so too. You see the copper though, you might think it's separate, just the bulk of it. You know, you're like, validating that it's deceptive, in that way, um, I have problems with coppers.
Stephanie (34:56)
I think to anyone listening, if you see the cover though, you might think it's saccharin, just the bubble pink, you know, the like valentine red. It's deceptive in that way. I don't know. I have trouble with covers. Yes.
Molly Galler (35:13)
It's stuck.
Kaitlin (35:21)
I do too. But I am glad that we've pivoted from the like, clutching and grasping and shirtless and Fabio. No, not with this one, but with a lot of them they tried.
Molly Galler (35:21)
Yeah, that's what I mean. I think.
Stephanie (35:26)
Well, that wouldn't have worked anyways with this book.
Molly Galler (35:35)
Yeah, I think this is if you are listening to this and you are someone who is just like, I'm definitely not a romance person. Try this book and see what you think. It's it's in a different kind of category that I think is more accessible and more fun.
Kaitlin (35:40)
It's funny and if you're somebody that likes movies and premieres and gossip and all of that stuff, like you're gonna really like it.
Stephanie (35:48)
It's funny. If you're funny, like, you know.
Molly Galler (35:55)
Totally.
Agreed. Let's tell the people who are reading now.
Stephanie (36:00)
I just finished late last night because I couldn't stop. I just read Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica. Is that how we pronounce her name? This is actually the second book of hers that I've read. The other one I read is, I think it's called The Good Girls or The Good Girl. The Good Girl. This book...
Kaitlin (36:04)
This is a question from the audience.
I think that's how you say it, yep.
Molly Galler (36:15)
I'm saying no.
This book, I think I'm going to pick up because I just saw it in a free book. And it sounds like a bizarre book, but I was wondering if it's a little like big little box in the back that takes place in this one neighborhood.
Stephanie (36:29)
I think I picked it up because I just assumed it was a murdery book. And in some sense, it is a murdery book, but I was telling Molly earlier that it reads a little like Big Little Lies in that it takes place in this one neighborhood. Well, it's not funny.
Kaitlin (36:32)
I'm already in. I'm already in. Which is kind of how the other one sounded, the house and the pines one. That sounded big little eyes -ish too. Darker. Okay.
Molly Galler (36:44)
I know we both just nodded like we like that comparison.
Stephanie (36:52)
No, that was like a darker feel. This one, so the premise is that it's this suburb of Chicago where a young mother goes out running and disappears. And then like a week or two later, another mother and her daughter both disappear. So I went into it thinking this is going to be like a serial serial killer type book. And it's not about that at all. It's
Kaitlin (37:07)
and then I'll issue a paper.
So I think you should at least know that the serial number of people that talk to the real audience obviously is...
Molly Galler (37:20)
it's obviously.
Stephanie (37:21)
Obviously it is about discovering what happened to those three people, but it's more about this one neighbor and the son in the family where the mom and daughter disappeared, what his life is like now 10 years later. So it's over the course of 11 years, it's past and present. In the past, it starts off with the first woman who goes missing. It's about her the night that she disappears.
Kaitlin (37:24)
people, but it's more about this one neighbor and the son in the family where his father, John, disappeared, what his life is like now, and his later. So it's over the course of 11 years, his past and present, and the past starts off with the first mid -poster, saying it's about the night that she disappeared. And then it's from the perspective of the mother.
Molly Galler (37:29)
This one neighbor and the son family where the mom and daughter disappeared. But his life is out here together. So it's over the top.
And the power starts off with a first.
the night that she disappeared. And then from the perspective of a mug disappearing, a star leading out of her.
Stephanie (37:49)
And then it's from the perspective of the mother who disappears with her daughter, leading up to her disappearance. And then it's this neighbor who lives next door and her watching after they've both disappeared, watching the neighborhood sort of fall apart and media circus descend upon the neighborhood. And it's more about like the relationships between, you know, like the girls who...
Kaitlin (37:52)
disappear with her daughter, leading up to her disappearance. And then this neighbor who lives on the floor and her watching, after they both disappear, watching the neighbor as her father part, and I think it's a strong business to send something like that. And it's more important the relationships between, you know, the girls who might stay with this daughter, other girls.
Molly Galler (37:58)
And then it's this neighbor who lives next door and her watching after they all disappear, watching the neighbor fall apart and immediately as her business descends from the neighborhood. And it's more about the relationship between the girls who might have played with his daughter, the other daughter, and the other daughter. It's more that sort of stuff. The funeral.
Stephanie (38:19)
my daughter wants to play with this daughter, but the other daughter doesn't want to be friends with them. And it's more about that sort of stuff. The inner lives of like a neighborhood. It's quick chapters. It wasn't as murdery and dark as the previous book that I was reading. I really loved it and I read it in I think three days. So if anyone wants like a little bit later on the murdery side. And...
Kaitlin (38:22)
I'm trying to get out of here. It's more photoshopped. The inner part is made good. It's quick -cluttered. It wasn't as in the previous programs. I just had to get my writing done in three days. So if I just want to get my writing done later, I'll do more research. And I did that.
Molly Galler (38:27)
I didn't actually figure out the ending, which is like the greater...
Stephanie (38:48)
I didn't actually figure out the ending, which is like a rare thing for me. I was convinced a third of the way in that I had figured it out and I got stronger and stronger thinking that I had figured it out until something happened and I was like, whoa, she just pulled the rug out from underneath me.
Kaitlin (38:51)
Okay, okay, I Know that I gave you this book, but I don't know who read it yet But the one by Ashley Flowers all good people here
Molly Galler (38:55)
That never happens. I feel like you always pre -predict by like page 30.
Stephanie (39:21)
I do have that somewhere in my bedroom.
Kaitlin (39:21)
You should, if that's the vibe that you're feeling right now, that's the next one you should do because I thought I had that one figured out and I didn't. And it's like, it's one of those books where setting kind of is like an additional character and it's, it's very good. I really liked it. And my brother recommended that one to me and he is kind of picky about his mysteries. And so I trusted him and I was right to do that because it was good. So move that up your pile.
Stephanie (39:29)
Okay.
Molly Galler (39:29)
Okay.
Kaitlin (39:52)
Um, I cruised through a book, speaking of my brother, I cruised through a book in two days called She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper and Zeebo, who gave us the name for this podcast, is my brother's best friend. And he and my brother both are huge Jordan Harper fans. And I write Jordan Harper's newer book called Everybody Knows recently. And that one's about...
Molly Galler (39:55)
I first grew up in two days, that's what you said, called Shrek Shopping. And Zevo gave us names for this product. And my brother and best friend and me and our people are who joined the rocket bands. And I was born in a community called...
Stephanie (39:59)
That's what you said.
Molly Galler (40:18)
recently announced about a police agent who has a lot of secrets and he showed up earlier and there's a part that their entire job is cleaning up all these messes which are the rest of the day. You know, just who we work with, like, who is in charge of those things. And this part, like, the person has like a journey.
Kaitlin (40:22)
a Hollywood agent who has a lot of secrets and he shows up murdered. And there's like a firm that their entire job is like cleaning up Hollywood messes and making sure the press doesn't get ahold of, you know, Justin Bieber with like cocaine powder on his nose kind of thing. And this firm, like the person has like a Jerry Maguire moment and is literally like, I'm actually going to do the right thing. And this is the person that's going to be like my pariah.
Molly Galler (40:46)
I'm a genie who does everything and this is the person who's gonna be like my car man. And so that happens with the sexist. So I'm just gonna sort of use that. And I'm gonna find a way to make this work. I was like, oh no, no, no, no. And I'm gonna use the premises of this guy when I get time to go. He has gotten himself into a lot of mischief with pretty smart, like, premises group that has like chocolate and chocolate.
Kaitlin (40:50)
And so that one was really good. And so I saw this one in the store with you, Steph. And I hadn't been able to find it in any stores. I was like almost going to get it from Amazon. And I read it in two days. The premises, this guy gets out of jail. He has gotten himself into a little bit of mischief with a pretty large white supremacist group that has like chapters all over California. And, um,
Stephanie (40:50)
And so that was really good as well as the financial and staff. And I actually did find it first. I was almost done getting the prize on. And I went to the case. I was serious as God gets on his tail.
Molly Galler (41:15)
And, um, he was recently taken to jail for prison. He recently goes and parties with his electrical daughter at the college school. And it is basically like, I kind of want to see the other two. You're put down in the car and it's really weird. And they start talking all over, and I'll forget that they've been on the plane ever because there's like a great light on his daughter, her light on what just happened.
Kaitlin (41:18)
The day that he gets out of prison, he basically goes and finds his 11 year old daughter at her school and is basically like, I know we haven't seen each other in six years, but get in the car and I'll explain later. And they start driving all over California and they're basically on the lam because there's like a green light on his daughter, her life on like just killing her and her mom. And...
Molly Galler (41:45)
and this is my...
Kaitlin (41:47)
This isn't like giving anything away, but he finds the mom first and she's already dead. So he's like, okay, this is bad. And so he goes and gets her. And then they like basically become partners in crime literally. And they like devise a plan on how they're going to like get the green light lifted. It is fast paced. It's fascinating. The whole thing is told in the third person, but the chapters are all focused on a different character. And it even includes.
Molly Galler (41:51)
and she's already dead. So he's like the height of the bat and he goes and gets her. And then he like, recently, he's become more and more fine. Literally, he then like, devised a plan on how to like, get her to be like, lifted. It is fascinating. The moment is told in the third person, what the chapters are, and he focuses on it.
And it includes this dominant, protective part who is trying to fight the fall which is considered inept. And on the outside, it looks like it's right. It's a bad seed that I'm going to kill. It's an inept dog. It's a white, fensomite that doesn't look like it. And that's a totally inept dog that's calling for life.
Kaitlin (42:17)
this guy, Detective Park, who is trying to find the girl because she's considered kidnapped. And on the outside, it looks like this guy got this bad seed, got out of jail and kidnapped his daughter. And then his wife ends up being dead and it doesn't look good for him. And that's totally not what's going on. And so then you see other people's perspective on the same story. And then you also see the perspective of the daughter getting to know her dad under this really bizarre,
Molly Galler (42:36)
And so then you see other people's perspective on the same story, and also see the perspective of like, the daughter that you know her dad, and it's like really close to our certain stance, and how she feels about it, like Simon's case and the grief of her mom. It's really, it really puts a punch, it's really that, I think we should do an episode about it, because I would love to hear what you think of it.
Kaitlin (42:47)
circumstance and how she deals with it and is like simultaneously grieving her mom and it's really good. It really packs a punch. It's really good. I think we should do an episode about it because I would like to hear what you think of it. And I haven't figured out what my next read is going to be yet. I haven't narrowed down to two.
Molly Galler (43:05)
And I think we are now on to the next read, which is going to be at the end of chapter two. You have the act. I see how this will be. I have the so -called most light tape. And Sarah has the grade, which I wrote it. And I think I've read it. That's what it means. I do have a copy of it.
Stephanie (43:07)
You had me at written by the same author as the bold type
Kaitlin (43:15)
Okay, so I have this book called Most Likely. And Sarah Watson, who created the TV show The Bold Type, wrote it. And I haven't read any press about it, but my school's library had it as like a new book, a newer book. And it's basically it follows four girls who are best friends. And from the get go, you know that one of them is like the future first female president of the United States, but you don't know until the end which one it is.
Molly Galler (43:29)
And it's basically all for our best friends. And from the fact that you don't want them to accept the future of your single resident in the United States, that you don't go until the end of the 20s and they all come back to you.
Kaitlin (43:44)
and they all have different interests and they're all like successful in different ways. And so that one sounds really interesting. And then the other one is a book called Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed. And this one is about like a budding journalist in high school and she investigates this boy when he's 14, his name is Jawad Ali. He builds a cosplay jetback that his teacher thinks is a bomb.
Molly Galler (43:45)
and then all the places that I'm going into are big. So that was something I was trying to find. And then the other one is a book called Hollow of Fire by Samira Amen. And this one is about a lady who's homeless in high school. And she investigates this boy who's 14 years old. He's a lot of weight. He builds a cosplay jetpack that his teacher thinks is a bomb.
Stephanie (44:08)
He builds a cognitive jet lag that his teacher thinks is a bomb.
Molly Galler (44:14)
And so he gets a breach of your profile, all this like bad stuff, gets arrested, and he gets labeled as a terrorist, all this other stuff. So he's related to this other girl who I believe, she's a fun one, plus a character, I think. Her name's Sophia Merza. She basically takes on this high school project of like explaining everything that's happening in my profile that I hear.
Kaitlin (44:14)
And so he gets like racially profiled and all this like bad stuff and he gets arrested and then he gets labeled as a terrorist and all this other stuff. And so basically this other girl who I believe she's another Muslim character, I think her name's Safiya Mirza. She basically takes on this high school project of like explaining everything that's happened to him and like profiling him in a way that like brings attention to.
Stephanie (44:14)
And he gets like, lynched for a profile, he has to do bad stuff, he gets arrested, and he gets labeled as a terrorist, all this other stuff. And so basically this other girl, who I believe, she's another Muslim character I think, her name's Sophia Berta, she basically keeps on this place for the project of like, explaining everything that's happening in my profile and in the way of her residential too.
Molly Galler (44:41)
to do it.
Kaitlin (44:44)
what we tend to do in these United States. So that one's like a Y, they're both YA. I'm going to do one of them first. I don't know which one yet though, but Steph already voted for one. So, well.
Stephanie (44:44)
So, I mean, I feel like we have to go over 200 points. Okay.
Molly Galler (44:52)
I mean I feel like you have to go with the one by the writer of the bold type I also was in YA land this week I finished 20 minutes before we recorded this podcast a good girl's guide to murder by Holly Jackson
Kaitlin (45:01)
Okay, all right, all right, and we solved that one.
That's gonna be our next episode.
Stephanie (45:12)
and the good girls and the guy I teach and learn from, by Hilda Jackson. That's gonna be your next episode. So I'm not gonna say too much because we are gonna talk about our next episode, but I will say, I didn't know anything about this going in. I went totally blind just on the recommendation from those two of you guys. And there's a lot of interesting reformatting that we're gonna do.
Molly Galler (45:17)
So I'm not going to say too much because we are going to talk about it in our next ep, but I will say, I didn't know anything about this going in. I went totally blind just on the recommendation from these two gals. And there's a lot of interesting formatting in the way the book is written because sometimes she's transcribing conversations with people. Sometimes she's doing sort of journal -like entries about progress towards this project she's doing. I think for the first...
Kaitlin (45:37)
She's trying to surround the conversation with us. She's trying to surround the journal. She's about to drop this project. I think.
Stephanie (45:37)
She's transcribing conversations with people, something she's doing, sort of journal -like entries about problems with this project she's doing. I think for the first half, I was like, okay, like, I'm not gonna check where this is going, I'm not gonna check, I'm like, totally in.
Molly Galler (45:47)
half I was like okay like I'm not quite sure where this is going I'm not sure if I'm like totally in and then the back third of the book I like couldn't put it down I had to know what was gonna happen there were all kinds of new twists and turns I'll leave it there because we are gonna deep dive more but I need to say that the main character's name is Pippa but she goes by Pipp great expectations is one of my favorite books of all time I was like oh I already like this cuz her name is Pipp
Stephanie (45:54)
And then the back.
Kaitlin (46:06)
I bought the second book as well in that series, which I forget what it's called. And then Holly Jackson had her had another book come out this week. So I believe April 1 she had
Molly Galler (46:13)
We'll talk about it more next week, but if you are interested in reading along with us and you can get your hands on a copy, you will have seven days to catch up.
Stephanie (46:24)
and then Holly Jackson had another book come out this week. So I believe April 1st she had another book come out which is not from the series but it's about an airplane flooding investigative journalism. And the sounds of it sounds like...
Molly Galler (46:30)
intriguing.
Kaitlin (46:36)
another book come out, which is not part of the series, but it's about another budding investigative journalist type person. And from the sounds of it, it sounds like the person is trying to figure out something that's happened in their family and they're being followed by a podcasting crew in the midst of them trying to figure it out. So that's a different angle.
Stephanie (46:47)
the person is trying to figure out something that's happened in their family and they're following a contrasting group in the midst of them figuring out. So that's a different equal. Yeah, for sure. If you guys want to follow all of the books we've chatted about, this obviously is a good thing. So come and give us a call on Instagram at Lines are Voted. You can also write to us at Linesarevoted, jimah .com, share your thoughts.
Molly Galler (47:01)
Yeah, for sure. If you guys want to follow along with all the books we chatted about this episode and things upcoming, give us a follow over on Instagram at PlansAreBooked. You can also write to us, plansarebooked .com, share your thoughts or books that you'd like for us to chat through. We love to hear from you.
Stephanie (47:17)
Thank you.
Kaitlin (47:21)
And until next time, our plans are booked.