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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 Gallagher.
Stephanie (00:05)
I'm Stephanie Blackburn.
Kaitlin (00:08)
And I'm Caitlin Madison. Welcome to chapter 26. I just have to say when this episode comes out, I will have already been tortured, maimed, and brought back to life by the tortured Poets Department. That's what's on my mind right now.
Molly Galler (00:20)
For those living under a rock that's the title of the new Taylor Swift album.
Stephanie (00:25)
I'm not too comfortable right now. For those of you, that's the type of talks we do. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm like, I didn't notice the shot.
Kaitlin (00:32)
Yeah. Yeah. And I'm like riding my high of like, I didn't go to Coachella, but I feel like I did because I watched all the Travis and Taylor videos because guess what? All of her friends played there. It was I spice. It was Jack and bleachers. It was like everybody. Sabrina was there. I mean, it was just. It was delightful, although I will say I did miss last year Dylan O 'Brien dancing in the desert with like no shirt on was pretty great. So but this year was also good.
Stephanie (00:39)
in the video because I thought all the products displayed there, I was surprised, was jocularly triggered. It was like, yeah, it's green, it's heavy, it's just, it was just like, although I...
Molly Galler (00:48)
I mean, it was just, it was delightful. Although I won't say I did this last year until it was a riot, dancing in the desert, like, I'm sure it was pretty great, so. But this year was fun. So, we did a two, a single thing together, the past week together, and we started a new life. Is that right? Yeah. Oh, it's so clear. Right, right. Yeah, well, catch yourself on your way.
Stephanie (00:53)
Yeah, well Molly was not here.
Kaitlin (01:02)
Um, so we didn't do a single thing together this past weekend for the first time and I feel like a while. Is that right? Right, right. Yeah, Molly, catch us up on your - Molly just keeps traveling.
Molly Galler (01:17)
I know I had back -to -back weekend trips which is pretty unusual for me. I'm back in Watertown after three days on Long Beach Island which is on the Jersey Shore. If you're like, oh like the MTV show? Yes and no it is the Jersey Shore but that took place in an area called Seaside Heights. This is a town called Beach Haven and I was reuniting with my best girls.
From camp, I think we've discussed this a few times, Jewish sleepaway camp is like a very big deal in the Jewish culture. These gals and I have been friends for a really, really long time and it was so fun to get together. I also want to say that there were a couple of amazing food places that we went to. So if you are a listener who lives in the Tri -State area and Jersey Shore is part of your deal, you need to go to the local in Beach Haven, which had one of the best sandwich cookies I've ever had, like whoopee pie style.
Stephanie (01:56)
I also want to say that there were a couple of amazing food places that we went to. So if you are a must -go food visitor, try to see if you can imagine a short, easy -to -eat meal. You need to go through a program to P .J. them, which have the best sandwich cookies that ever happened. So we'll be providing them two edible cookies with salted caramel in the middle, homemade hot charts, and three flavors.
Kaitlin (02:06)
You need to be very careful with each of them, which has our best sandwich creaser that we will be using. Two edible cookies with a salted caramel in the middle, homemade tart and three flavors, a cinnamon -sized human head, and, in three, I had the first mozzarella sandwich. I had four different sandwiches that I liked. You also have to go to Tucker's Tatter, which is at a box scale.
Molly Galler (02:14)
Two snickerdoodle cookies with like salted caramel in the middle. Homemade pop tarts in three flavors. A cinnamon bun the size of a human head. And a great, I had the roasted mozzarella sandwich, but we tried like five different sandwiches. They were all great. You also have to go to Tucker's Tavern, which is like an upscale, I don't know. I kept wanting to call it like the 99, but if the 99 were nice. And they all wear shirts that say shut up and drink.
Stephanie (02:22)
A sinner in love with the size of human head. And I agree, I have a good chance, I always have a good chance, I've been in factions, I'm just well. You also have to go to Tucker's Tavern, which is an upscale, I can't remember the card, like 99, I don't know, I don't know what it says. And they all have their shuttles that say shut up in the back. On the back? I agree with that.
Kaitlin (02:35)
I don't know. I can't tell you how I learned how to write. And they all shut up and they're all like, I had a great escape. And this is not a food, there's an amazing home decor. I highly recommend it. I purchased several items. I wanted to purchase more than I normally would have.
Molly Galler (02:44)
on the back. I had a great spiked peach tea that was excellent. And this is not a food rack but more a small business rack. There's an amazing home decor store called the Dune Market. Highly recommend. I purchased several items. I wanted to purchase more than I normally purchase but I decided to rein it in since the other girls weren't on in as big a shopping mood as me. So it was great. I felt like I was away for a whole week and then I came back to Watertown and it was like sunny and gorgeous.
Kaitlin (03:02)
That did happen. I had a little bit of a reunion of sorts because my friend Tessa, who listens to the podcast, was visiting from Oakland, California, and she stayed with me for a night.
Molly Galler (03:20)
My friend Tessa, who's a podcast, is listening from Oakland, California. And she stayed with me for a night. And she said to...
Kaitlin (03:27)
and she went to Mount Holyoke with two of my other really good friends and so a bunch of us there were like six girls and we went to the Red Sox game on Sunday which was really fun they won the Red Sox hit three separate home runs it was sunny and 60 I got a seats in the grandstands which is covered so nobody got a sunburn we went to the bullpen beforehand which in my opinion is the best Fenway bar there is.
Molly Galler (03:32)
There's no much of us, like six girls, and we went to the Red Sox game on a Sunday, which was really hot. They won the Red Sox in three separate home runs. It was up to 860. I got my seat at the Grandstands, which is covered, so nobody got us under. We went to the whole kind of beforehand, and my opinion is the best. The Sunway Bar, there is. It was a fun day, which are completely different. It's Saturday, with a lot of other crap.
Kaitlin (03:56)
Um, it was a delightful day, which I really needed because Saturday was another craptastic open house day in which I went and saw more homes with caving in roofs, rude neighbors saying, get off my lawn. Um, there, I saw a furnace that my realtor was like, this is older than you are. Um, you know, just the works and these are all like homes that are like, you know,
Molly Galler (04:02)
I'm going to talk about today, which I would start with the markup to make it through this rude paper stand off my lawn. There are some authorists that are going to tell us how invincible you are. Just through the markups. And these are all like the homes that are close to $800 ,000.
Stephanie (04:11)
I saw artists that my realtor was like, this is older than you are. You know, just the works. And these are all like homes that are like, you know, close to $800 ,000 and they have multiple rooms that need to be gutted or like major structural issues. And I'm a one woman show and I will not be tangling with any of that. There was one house we didn't even go in because the roof line and the
Kaitlin (04:23)
close to $800 ,000 and they have multiple rooms that need to be gutted or like major structural issues. And I'm a one woman show and I will not be tangling with any of that. There was one house we didn't even go in because the Eve, the roof line and the Eve that were like over the front door were separating from the house. And we could see the foundation like parts of it had crumbled onto the lawn.
Molly Galler (04:25)
and they have multiple rooms and you can get in like a huge room full of jeans and I'm a one -man show and I can probably take away from any of that. There was one house we didn't come in because the e -cube, the roof line, the e -cube that were like over at the front door were separated from the house and we could see the foundation like parts of it did come along to the lawn and we were like, what do we want?
Stephanie (04:41)
in the eath that were like over the front door, were separating from the house. And we could see the foundation like parts of it had crumbled onto the lawn. And we were like, we don't have to go in with it. And we just didn't even go in. It's like, I'm just laughing about it because I'm not in a rush and work I don't. It's not like I've sold my home or I can't rent where I live anymore. Like I'm in a good spot, but boy is the comical spending these Saturdays going to these
Kaitlin (04:51)
And we were like, we have to go in. We're good. And we just didn't even go in. It's like, I'm just laughing about it because I'm not in a rush. And like, I don't, it's not like I've sold my home or I can't rent where I live anymore. Like I'm in a good spot, but boy, is it comical spending these Saturdays going to these absolute trash holes that are then going to sell in like 48 hours because people are desperate. So I was very glad that I had a Sunday fun day because Saturday was like,
Molly Galler (04:54)
I'm just laughing.
and my big job is not like I've sold my whole home or I can't rent one. I'm in a good spot, but boy, I'm gonna be spending these Saturdays on these absolute trashy things. And I'm gonna have to find something for me now because people are desperate. So I was very happy to have a Sunday Sunday, but Saturday was like a whole year. This is for my third Saturday in a while. And so that was good. And what else did I have?
Stephanie (05:11)
absolute trash ones that are lending themselves like 48 hours because people are desperate. So I was very glad that I had a Sunday fun day because Saturday was like a whole turn for like the third Saturday in a row. And so that's it.
Kaitlin (05:21)
a bowl of turds for like the third Saturday in a row. And so that was good. And then what else have I done? Parent teacher conferences. I got really, I got everyone really jazzed up today and not about Taylor Swift stuff, but because Kit Conner from Heartstopper and Rachel Ziegler from West Side Story and also from the Ballad of the Songbird, whatever that is from Hunger Games.
Stephanie (05:30)
What else do I have? Panty teacher conferences. I'm gonna rail him at everyone really fast, but today not much. Most of the stuff he does can come from parts of the Enriched Seeker, from West Side Story, also from the Valley of the Song of Earth, whatever that is. Snake something? Snake's Valley, something like that. It was really interesting for me to come and for a while, you know, to see if I could...
Molly Galler (05:31)
I'm really glad everyone really has today not had to do so quickly because Connor and Rachel are from West Side Story and also from the Ballad and the Songwriter and whatever that is.
So, we're all talking about it, and we're gonna find out.
Kaitlin (05:50)
Snakes and Ballads, something like that. I forgot. I saw the movie. It was really good. She's super talented. It'll be her Broadway debut. They're going to be in Romeo and Juliet. Jack Antonoff is doing the music. It's going to be unbelievable. And then apparently the person doing all the dance and movements is Molly's favorite from So You Think You Can Dance.
Stephanie (05:59)
I'm in full on work. If I can't find the most time, I never want to. This is really one thing to do.
Kaitlin (06:11)
So we're all jazzed up about it and we're gonna try and go, we're probably gonna get our hearts broken. It's totally fine. But that's what's on the, these, you know, I'm in full on like, if I can't find a house to buy, then I better line up some really fun things to do. I've got Boston Calling coming up, I've got Newport Folkfest coming up, I have tickets to Noah Khan. I wanna throw this Kit Kahn or Rachel Ziegler play onto my schedule, Steph.
Molly Galler (06:16)
You guys get fully lined, but that's what's on the reason. You know, I'm full on like, they write here, I get most of the time, I know I have some really cool things to do. I've got Oxford College coming up, I've got New York Times opening up, I need to get some more college. I want to film this in Connery, where we play it all to, you know, my sample. Steph, tell us about that. First, I want to show you guys the sample.
Stephanie (06:29)
First, I spent the weekend with Molly's dog Scout. We had a wonderful dog sitting weekend together. He's always a hoot. But...
Kaitlin (06:41)
Tell us about the barn.
Molly Galler (06:46)
I was in the scout, dogs and together. He's always a hoot. But my first morning started on a farm in the prairie. I was just new at it because you know, April, you know, so I should have been clean. I had one at the course.
Kaitlin (06:48)
I was in the hospital, he's obviously true. But my Thursday morning started at the moment. Previously, I got to know Anna because, you know, April in New England. So I showed up at the hospital and I had to pack the corpse from the hospital in September. So I was in the hospital, I felt like my life was going to change again.
Stephanie (06:56)
My Thursday morning started at the barn. The previous week it got snowed out because, you know, April in New England. So I showed up at 8 .15. I have not tacked up a horse probably over 10 years. So I was like nervous about like, am I going to remember anything? It was like getting on a bicycle. I just want to say, first of all, you guys know that I cried everything. The first...
Molly Galler (07:11)
I'm just saying first of all you guys know the first person she's a tiny little four -year -old she is She got on Willie
Kaitlin (07:18)
I just want to say, first of all, it's not a good time. The first person, she's a tiny little four year old, she is not verbal and also not independent of the word. She can kind of take stuff. She's going to learn and she's going to score from time to time. I'm not sure who I think.
Stephanie (07:25)
person to take, she's a tiny little four year old. She is nonverbal and also not independently mobile. She can kind of take steps, but she needs assistance. She got on Willy and would scream from happiness. And I started crying.
Molly Galler (07:40)
and would spoil him from happiness and I couldn't cry. I mean, obviously, if the child can't speak and she got onto a horse and felt joy, I also would cry.
Kaitlin (07:47)
Also, the therapist and her volunteer did not warn me that I would be singing the whole entire session. So when we were getting with the pony, luckily facing forward, no one could see that I had a more emotional breakdown, and we were singing like made up songs to her the entire way around the ring. I think we went like five times around the ring. I was going to say, if they were singing...
Stephanie (07:52)
Also, the therapist and her volunteer did not warn me they would be singing the entire session. So I'm leading the pony, luckily facing forward, no one can see that I'm having like an emotional breakdown, and they are singing like made up songs to her the entire way around the ring. I think we went like five times around the ring changing direction.
Molly Galler (08:14)
I was going to say if they were singing this little light of mine, I would have fallen apart.
Kaitlin (08:16)
Did everyone get immediate tickets to heaven like what happened like I feel like that's a Hallmark movie and Everyone's spending their time bringing this girl joy should get like to cut the line or something
Stephanie (08:18)
Oh my god.
this
Her mother and her, I guess, maybe aide, who is like a full -time person who clearly adores the crap out of this little girl, were taking video and photos the entire time at like the entrance to the ring. It was just, I mean, it was raining and gross and no one cared because she was like living her best life. Unfortunately, because I'm like the horse handler, I don't get to see the actual physical therapy that's happening on horseback behind me. Maybe I'll try and get sneak peeks, you know.
Kaitlin (08:45)
It was just, it was running and gross and human care because she was like living her best life. Unfortunately, because I'm like a horse and I can't get to see the actual physical therapy that's happening. I mean, maybe not trying to sneak peeks if Lily is behaving, but it just, I walked out of there like so early and it was like full of light. It was wonderful.
Molly Galler (08:48)
And no one cared because she was happy living her best life. Unfortunately, I kind of see the aspect of this whole thing that's happening on her side. I mean, we all try to see things, you know, in the way it's behaving, but it just, I walked out of there, like someone heard me talking to her, just like, hold on, like, it was not my fault. When you become besties with her aide, the aide will text you the videos. Yeah.
Stephanie (09:02)
Um, if Willie is behaving, but it just, I walked out of there like so incredibly happy and just like full of light. It was wonderful.
Kaitlin (09:11)
I hope one of them has like a really hot aid and then this is like your meet cue. You should see Molly's face right now. I mean that's pretty good, right? But I but I'd prefer my idea where yeah the meet cue. Yes. Yes. Well,
Stephanie (09:13)
Anyways, so it was wonderful.
Molly Galler (09:21)
I fully support that.
Stephanie (09:22)
Oh my God.
And if not, I'll just write the book and we can daydream.
Yeah, yes, for sure. Well, there will eventually be three people, one right after another, but the middle person or child is not here until I think June. But the second person who ended up being later in the morning is blind and he's a little verbal, but not really.
Molly Galler (09:36)
Yeah, we're not going to ask. Well, there will actually be three people. One right here.
Kaitlin (09:41)
There will eventually be free people, one way or another, but the middle person or child is not here until I think June. But the second person, who I'm directing you to later, in this one, is blind. And he's a little verbal, but not really. And he's blind, he writes backwards. And he is just in his own world. He also, I mean, he wasn't like screeching with happiness, but he was clearly enjoying that out of himself. It was just...
Molly Galler (09:47)
I love that you're doing this.
Stephanie (09:58)
Um, and he's the one who normally rides backwards and he is just in his own world. He also, I mean, he wasn't like screeching with happiness, but he was clearly enjoying the heck out of himself. It was just, I walked out of there and being like, this was amazing. Can't wait till next Thursday.
Kaitlin (10:10)
I walked down with her and I was like, this was amazing. Can't wait until next Thursday. I love that you're doing this. We need reminders, I think, that like, just to get out of our own way and like out of the day to day like grind of garbage and just like, I know for me, like teaching does that to some extent, but there's just like,
Stephanie (10:27)
thousand percent.
Kaitlin (10:36)
you know, I'll be at work and somebody will be like, I can't believe you fit me in. That was so nice that you called and like you're you actually use your cancellation list and like blah, blah, blah. And it's just like every once in a while, like somebody makes you stop. And like that is like a really big time stop the music moment of like, OK, there are other things going on out here. And like, it's not all bad in gloom and doom.
Stephanie (10:46)
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so I have a question. I can't promise this is going to happen every single week, but this just came to me. So I'm going to ask you guys, okay, what is the one thing that you read it in a book and you're immediately like, I'm out? It can be anything. It can be like grammatical issues or a character says something. What is the thing? And I'll let you guys think for a second for me.
Molly Galler (10:59)
Yeah. Okay, so I have a question. I don't think your process is going to happen for a week, but the mission is in three. So I'm going to ask you guys, okay, what is the one thing that you created, and you're like, you feel like I'm out of this? It could be a, it could be like, traumatic issues, or a character -sizing thing. What is the thing?
Kaitlin (11:02)
I have mine. I already have mine. But go.
Molly Galler (11:23)
Wait, how did you finish Dun and Dust it that's in there.
Stephanie (11:27)
For me, in romance books, when the male romantic lead says, good girl, in like a sexual situation, I'm like, done. I'm out. Not interested. The condescension, I know it's meant to be like somehow a sexy thing. To me, it is like, you know.
Kaitlin (11:32)
I'm like done. I'm out. I'm not interested. The condescension I know is meant to be like somehow a sexy thing. To me it is like, no. Wait, how did you finish that? That's in there. Just saying.
Molly Galler (11:53)
Just saying.
Kaitlin (11:56)
Oh, geez. Well, mine's incest. Mine's incest. I'm out on incest. Oh, my God, VC Andrews. You never read any of those? Oh, no, I read that as a child. I will say I did watch The Fosters for a long time. And I don't count that because Callie and Brandon were not actually related and she got adopted into his family as a teenager.
Stephanie (11:56)
Real comment.
I don't think I've ever... I watched the Lifetime movie, but no.
Molly Galler (12:12)
I would say I took care of two of my foster parents for a long time and I like to help out because Cal and Brin were not actively related and that happened to his family as a teenager. So that was like a little bit of a mom to my parents and I would have taken them off and take them on as children though because she was like this one and she was about to lose her family. But yeah, it was just one that like I don't tango with. I guess I should say...
Stephanie (12:22)
family as a teenager. So that was like a little bit off the box in my opinion. And I would have to come off of being honest even though she was like sort of in her bed. She was adopted into that family. But yeah, success is one of the things that I don't take. I guess I, I guess I don't know the correct, like, in this review, like, somebody's name for you is like a, it's like a -
Kaitlin (12:25)
So that was like a little bit on the moms in my opinion. And I was rooting for them if I'm being honest, even though she was like sort of in their family, she was adopted into their family. But yeah, incest is one that like, I don't tango with that. I guess I should say, I guess I don't know the, like if it's a beaut, like if somebody's being abused, like if it's like a dad and a daughter or an uncle and a daughter or whatever, like that is like a different story. But if it's like,
Stephanie (12:50)
Agreed.
Kaitlin (12:53)
incest and like the people are choosing to be together even though they're related and it's not allowed not on board with that and i will stop reading
Molly Galler (13:01)
Okay, mine is more of a formatting thing, which is that I cannot stand when there are not quotation marks around dialogue. That is just like sends me I can't keep track of who's talking when it's internal when it's not like no just absolute no. I also just think back to the romance genre when someone uses the word folds. I'm just like, can we not?
Stephanie (13:19)
I also just think back to the romance of John. When someone's system unfolds, I'm just like...
Kaitlin (13:22)
I also just think back to the romance genre. What's on versus what folds? I'm just thinking, I don't know.
Molly Galler (13:33)
I just really feel that as a descriptor that should not be allowed.
Kaitlin (13:33)
I just really feel that as I just get it up to it.
I yeah, I'm can get behind that. I don't know that I've bred enough romance to come across folds, but it's in there a lot. Oh, I don't know. So you can't read Sally Rooney books then.
Stephanie (13:38)
I...yeah. I think I'm gonna...I don't know if I've read enough books yet. I'm gross. I'm showing. Oh, it's in there. It's in there. Oh, I love it. It's...
Molly Galler (13:39)
Yeah, I think so.
Oh, it's in there a lot. If it's one random use where I'm like, okay, they were really trying to like change up the noun here. I'll let it go. But if it's a repeat offender out here.
Kaitlin (14:04)
She doesn't use a quotation. She barely does paragraph breaks for when somebody else is talking.
Stephanie (14:07)
The other issue for me, which is maybe not a writer issue, but an editor issue, is if I see tense change and I know it should not have changed, not going to say a book that I read recently that happened in, that for me is like, and listen, I do spelling errors all the time in life, in writing, but that is something that an editor should catch.
Kaitlin (14:33)
Yes, and on a related note, the tense change. If there's jumping back and forth in time, and it becomes too impossible to keep track of which part of the story we are in, I give up. All right, well I keep thinking of questions to try and help some below that. Also, before we get into our book pack for today.
Molly Galler (14:36)
Yes, and on a related note to the tense change, if there's jumping back and forth in time and it becomes too impossible to keep track of which part of the story we are in, I give up.
Stephanie (14:40)
if there's jumping back and forth in time and it becomes too impossible to keep track of which part of a strong area I live in. All right, well I'll keep thinking of questions to try and have some philosophical conversations.
Molly Galler (14:53)
I love that. Also, before we get into our book topic of the day, you are listening to this hopefully on Thursday, April 25, which means we are just two days away from Indie Bookstore Day, which if you've been listening to us since the beginning, or this is your first time listening, we are very big independent bookstore people. We prefer to shop like that all the time.
Kaitlin (15:02)
You are a guest hostess hopefully on Thursday, April 20th. We're currently just two days away from Indie Bookstore Day, which if you've been listening to us since the beginning, or this is your first time listening, we are very big independent bookstore people. We prefer to shop like that all the time. We'll be since times our next funds in November. We mostly try to patronize independent bookstores. So we hope that you will support whatever stores are near you this weekend. We will certainly be sharing all the fun stuff that we're doing and how we're solving it.
Molly Galler (15:19)
Though we sometimes are nice to Barnes and Noble, we mostly try to patronize independent bookstores. So we hope that you will support whatever stores are near you this weekend. We will certainly be sharing all the fun stuff that we're doing and how we're celebrating. So keep a close eye on our Instagram because we will share some more stuff. But with that, today we are talking about actress and activist Kerry Washington's memoir, Thicker Than Water. I did not intend originally to read this book.
Kaitlin (15:32)
So keep a close eye on her Instagram, she'll share some more stuff. But with that, today we are talking about back dress and back to vest, Kerry Washington's memoir, Thicker Than Water. I do not think I'm telling the original theory of this book. Kerry did a huge press work in advance of this. She was on the RGR expert with Jack Shepard, she was on We Can Do Hard Things with Brian Doyle.
Stephanie (15:33)
So keep a close eye on the next three. I'm gonna share some more stuff. But with that, today we are talking about a huge actress and activist, Kerry Washington's and more thick -skinned model. I did not intend to do a job through this book. Kerry did a huge press tour and I made this up as well. She was on the Arncher Xcode's X -Shop and she was on We Can Do Hard Things with Plum & Doyle.
Molly Galler (15:49)
Carrie did a huge press tour in advance of this. She was on The Armchair Expert with Zac Shepard, she was on We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle. I listened to both of those episodes in full and it was those conversations that made me go, whoa, like I have to know everything about this situation. Then my mom went to Carrie's appearance at the Miami Book Fair in November, which is run by Books and Books, my favorite independent bookstore in Miami.
Kaitlin (15:59)
I listened to both of those episodes in full and it was those conversations that made me go, whoa, I have to know everything about this situation. Then my mom went to Harry's parents at the Miami Book Fair in November, which is where my books and books, my favorite independent books are at Miami, and she brought her book at the event, so that was like part of, including with the ticket I guess. She read it very quickly and said, you should definitely read this and maybe it will be good enough for the podcast.
Stephanie (15:59)
I listened to both of those episodes in full because those conversations that made me go, well, like, I actually know everything about this situation. Then my mom went to Carrie's parents' home with my mom and we went there and we went back.
I just wrote five books in books. My favorite one was for my family. And she got the book at the event that was like part of it, including the ticket I got. She read it very confidently and said, you should definitely read this and maybe you'll be a good enough to the audience. So I traveled home with it from next thing weekend.
Molly Galler (16:18)
And she got the book at the event that was like part of included with the ticket, I guess. She read it very quickly and said, you should definitely read this and maybe it will be good enough for the podcast. So I traveled home with it from Thanksgiving weekend. And as I was reading it, I was like, so much of this is like not about everything that I heard in these podcast interviews. I really thought it was going to be about this big reveal about her family's lineage. And I would say like,
Kaitlin (16:28)
So I traveled from the next good weekend and as I was reading it I was like, so much of this is not about everything that I heard in these podcast interviews. I really thought it was going to be this big reveal of her family's lineage. And I would say like 80 % of the book is actually not about that. And I felt like it left around in time in terms of her life as a young girl.
Stephanie (16:32)
And as I was reading it, I was like, so much of this is not about everything that I heard in these past few days. I really thought I was going to read this paper here on her family's lineage. And I would say that 80 % of the book is actually not about that. And I felt...
Molly Galler (16:46)
80 % of the book is actually not about that. And I felt like it leapt around in time in terms of her life as a young girl, getting into the Hollywood scene, meeting her husband, settling in LA. There is like a very big reveal at the end of this book, and I felt like it took an eon to get there. And then I didn't feel like there was the kind of payoff or epiphany that I wanted.
Stephanie (16:51)
it lept around at a time in terms of her wife is a young girl, getting into the Hollywood scene, getting her husband set on fire. There is like a very big reveal at the end of this book and I felt like it took an e -ar to get there and then I didn't feel like there was the kind of payoff or epiphany that I wanted on the -
Kaitlin (16:57)
getting into the Hollywood scene, and her husband sat on an array. There is like a very big reveal at the end of this book, and I felt like it took an e -hawk to get there. And then I didn't feel like there was the kind of payoff or epiphany that I wanted. On the pluses, I would say if you're a fan of Scandal, there's so much good behind the scenes stuff about how she got that role of being the middle woman on the college year, how that changed her life.
Molly Galler (17:15)
On the pluses, I would say if you're a fan of Scandal, there's so much good behind the scenes stuff about how she got that role, being number one on the call sheet, how that changed her life, how she became a producer. Twitter parties, yes, all of the things that were part of being part of ABC's TGIT. So there is a lot of cool behind the scenes stuff if you're like a celeb memoir person and you like that. But the things that reeled me in...
Stephanie (17:16)
Twitter parties.
Kaitlin (17:26)
how she became a producer, Twitter parties, Twitter parties, yes, all the things that were part of being part of ABC's TGIG. So there is a lot of cool behind the scenes stuff here, like a select them up or something like that, but the things that we're really in from these podcast conversations turn out to be kind of not. So I, when Molly's mom gave her this book,
Molly Galler (17:43)
from these podcast conversations turned out to be kind of not the point.
Stephanie (17:43)
on these podcast conversations trying to kind of knock the point. So I...
When Molly's mom gave her this book, Molly said, oh, this is Karen Washington's memoir, and she finds out about Blake, dotted up about Blake in her family, and this is what it's about. And Molly had been writing it. And so I was like, oh, that's kind of interesting. And so that didn't worry me more about it, it got passed to Seth, it got passed to me, I wrote it this week. And I agree with Molly, the majority of the book is Molly's book.
Kaitlin (17:55)
Molly said, oh, this is Kerry Washington's memoir, and she finds out about blank, da da da da blank in her family, and this is what it's about. And Molly hadn't read it yet. And so I was like, oh, that's kind of interesting. And so then didn't hear anything more about it, got passed to Steph, got passed to me. I read it this week. And I agree with Molly, the majority of the book is not about that reveal.
Molly Galler (18:14)
I know it's not my success, it's past me, I write it this week, and I really want to make sure that a book is not about what I feel. And I feel like it's like preparing to have a free of talk about something in the first five pages, and then finally feeling like I'm flying above the edges. But I really feel like it was, because all of it, and sure, all of it, but the second one was the podcast.
Stephanie (18:22)
And the appeal is like prepared to like we have to talk about something in the first five pages and then we can find out what evidence. But I already knew what it was because Molly, her mom said she listened to the podcast. So this was like out in the universe what the appeal was. And so I'm looking at the book and I'm like when is the book going to be about this traumatic thing that happened?
Kaitlin (18:23)
And the reveal doesn't even, it's like her parents are like, we have to talk to you about something in like the first five pages. And then it's like at the tail end that you find out what that is. But I already knew what it was because Molly knew because her mom had been at these things. She had listened to the podcast. So it was like out in the universe what the reveal was. And so I'm reading the book and I'm like, when is the book going to be about?
Molly Galler (18:42)
So it was like how did you get that to be what it really was? And so I looked and I was like, why does this book go to this well? This dramatic thing that happens in our family, is it real? And that's really not what the book was about. And I also have to say, and I just really like your thoughts, and I watch the end of Forever, and I've lived a lot of different things. But this book came off.
Kaitlin (18:50)
this traumatic thing that happens in her family and is revealed to her. And that's really not what the book was about. And I also have to say, and I do really like Kerry Washington and I watched Scandal Forever and I've liked a lot of her other projects, but this book came off as so prissy and like eat, pray, love that I like wanted to throw it out the window. Like I really did not like this book. Like,
Stephanie (18:52)
and that's really not what the book is about. And I also have to say, and I really like to read Washington and I like to scan the preface and I have to go to the model for other projects, but this book came out as so prissy and like, eat -free love that I was one to throw it out the window. I really did not like this book. Like...
Molly Galler (19:08)
is so prissy and like, Ukraine -like that I was like, I don't know what I'm thinking about. Like, I really did not like this book. Like, it's like, oh my god, it's really hard to understand this one thing. It's always like, what is this? What is happening? What is this? Oh my god.
Stephanie (19:19)
It's like, oh, I have this really posh private school in New York City and oh, this age which is landed by a pie and oh, this and oh, that. Oh, my dad had a truck with a lot of film. It's like, there's just so many things we're not able to do. This is gonna be what should exist. And like, you know.
Kaitlin (19:19)
It's like, oh, I got into this really posh private school in New York City and oh, this agent just landed in my lap and oh, this and oh, that. Oh, and my dad got in trouble with the law, but don't worry, he just got his knuckles slapped. It's like, there's just so many things where you're like, okay, this is gonna be when she digs in and is like, you know, talking about her past and like, you know, whatever she grew up with dealing with and whatever. And...
Molly Galler (19:30)
It's like, there's just so many things when you're working this, you know, like, you know, talking to other people's, like, you know, like, what are you doing? And whatever, it's not that nothing happened to her, and it's not that a number of people are always bad stuff, but she really seriously needs, and then doesn't even really dig into it at all.
Stephanie (19:39)
talking about the past, like, you know, whatever she grew up with dealing with, and stuff, whatever. And it's not that she's an Elton Castor, and it's not that she's one more person in all this past love, but she's really curious to meet, and then, she's dealing with the end.
Kaitlin (19:45)
It's not that nothing happened to her. And it's not that a memoir has to have all this bad stuff. But she really buries the lead and then doesn't even really dig into it at the end. And so I just felt like there was no there wasn't really a good arc, like whoever her editor was, like, you know, the conflict like the major conflict in a story should happen like between the like mid to late part of the book, and then you have a resolution and it's like,
Stephanie (19:57)
And so I just felt like there was no... there wasn't really a good arc. Like whoever the editor was, like, you know, a conflict, like an major conflict in a story shot between like this, the way her book had the resolution and it's like, that didn't really happen. And it was almost like she decided to change her book. It was just like a time -packed life. I was like, this is a time -packed nightmare.
Molly Galler (19:57)
And so I just felt like there was no, there wasn't really a good arc. Like whoever I met in the class, like, you know, the post -match, like, the major conflict, the solution, how do you even, I mean, part of the opening, we had the last meeting, and it was like, that didn't really happen. It was almost like a culture call. It was just like a time -out, like, how is this a tie right there? This is a tie.
Kaitlin (20:15)
That didn't really happen. And it was almost like she decided to publish a book that was just like a timeline of her life. And I was like, this isn't how you write a narrative. Like this isn't. It didn't work. It just didn't work for me. It fell totally flat. I was 60 pages in and was like, man, I got to finish this. Like, sorry, Carrie, I thought it stunk.
Stephanie (20:25)
This is like, it didn't work. It just didn't work for me. It felt really flat. I was six feet tall and I had a Christmas plate. Sorry, I can't tell you that. For me, coming off of the Minka Kelly memoir, all I could think is like, her mom must have died because Minka's whole thing was she wasn't gonna write this until her mother was no longer.
Molly Galler (20:26)
It didn't work. It just didn't work for me. It felt like it was 60 pages later when I came in. I kind of felt like, sorry, Carrie, I can't. For me coming out of the hospital, Minka kept me even more. All I could do was, her mom must have told me, because Minka's whole life was just her right to say her mother was alive. And I kept saying, oh, this is where it all started.
Kaitlin (20:40)
Yes!
Stephanie (20:51)
alive. And I kept thinking, Oh God, this is where we're headed. Like, clearly she's not writing this with her mother still alive. Spoiler alert, her mother's still alive, which I think is such an interesting thing. I can't even imagine what sort of conversations went on behind the scenes to be like, I'm going to talk about all this in a very public way. Did her mother approve that or did she just say like, I'm telling it and.
Molly Galler (20:54)
that like clearly thought writing this with your mother's solid pilot. Spoiler alert, mother's solid pilot. Which I think is such an interesting thing. I hear that through conversations going on between the scenes to be like, I'm gonna talk about this, you know, if that were to go out that way. Did her mother do that or did she just say like, I'm telling it? And the other thing is I keep thinking about it, I think it's more about it.
Kaitlin (21:11)
you know, found a public way. Did her brother approve that? Or did she just let him? I'm telling you, I did it. And the other thing is, I keep thinking about it, maybe I'm the only one that thinks I'm not a traumatic paladin. Are you?
Stephanie (21:20)
And the other thing is I keep thinking, are there any people in Hollywood that have not had traumatic childhoods? Are there?
Kaitlin (21:30)
Yeah.
Molly Galler (21:31)
lighthearted thing we did learn is that she went to this Richie Rich private school as Caitlin said. Her first ever performance was alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in A Midsummer Night's Dream, which we have discussed A Midsummer Night's Dream many times. Caitlin teaches it. It's come up in a lot of other conversations. I was like, what a like little Easter egg in here.
Stephanie (21:39)
I mean, I mean, it's not an idea. It's interesting. And it's been a challenge for me to try. It's come out in a lot of applications, and I've been practicing it for a long time. Like, really, it's crazy.
Kaitlin (21:51)
there and there were some moments like that but I just the narrative it just didn't build it didn't resolve it didn't and I know this is gonna sound like her mom and dad like were definitely like major characters throughout the book but they really were side characters like she was the star of that show for the whole book like there wasn't a lot of
Stephanie (21:51)
There are some moments like that, but I just been there and just didn't feel it was resolved.
Molly Galler (21:54)
just been there, but just didn't.
And I know this is so funny.
Stephanie (22:02)
And I know this is um, I'm not going to dab or jump to any major characters throughout the book, but you really preside over her. She was the star of that show's complete book. Like there wasn't a lot of, I feel like others who I've had largely never had to know the siblings more, or the cousins more, or the best friend, or somebody. And just never really happened in this book. I also think sometimes the reading can be bad.
Molly Galler (22:07)
to be here first to drop the book. It's really exciting. She was the star of that show.
Kaitlin (22:15)
I feel like in other celeb memoirs you really get to know like the siblings more or the cousins more or the best friend or like somebody and just didn't really happen in this one.
Molly Galler (22:15)
I feel like the other stuff, of course, you really just know like the siblings more, the cousins more, and that's kind of like for somebody. And it's probably a good example. I also think sometimes the writing can be bad, but the content is good. For example, we already talked about the Britney Spears memoir. You really could hear her voice in the writing. Was it great? No. Was it full of content we wanted to know more about? Yes. So this was a case where it was like,
Stephanie (22:29)
for example, we already talked about Britney Spears in our last video. You really could hear her voice in the mic. Was it great? No. Was it full of content you wanted to talk about? Yes. So this was the case where I was like...
Molly Galler (22:45)
the setup, the arc as Caitlin said, was not great. They buried the lead and I think a different editor may have pushed her more to be like, we gotta like reorganize this. And I rarely like to think this about celeb memoirs but when I got to the end of this I was like, god this is just really a case of like a famous person who got a book deal. It just like, it didn't feel like, I don't want to say that she deserved this platform, but it wasn't.
Stephanie (22:45)
And they set up the art that was going to be inside the post -modern creative. They made the art. And I think a different actor may have pushed her more to be like, we've got to re -orch this. And I really like to think this about some of my works, but when I got to the end of this, I was like, God, this is just really the case of a famous person who got a book deal. It just didn't feel like, I don't want to say that you deserve this platform, but it wasn't.
Kaitlin (22:45)
set up the article because Gail said it was not read. They buried the lead and I think the different editor may have pushed her more to be like, we've got to re -organize this. And I really like to think this is also in the works, but when I got to the end of this, I was like, God, this is just really the case of like a famous person who got a book deal. It just like, it didn't feel like, I don't see what you deserve as a platform, but it wasn't.
Molly Galler (23:15)
I don't know, just as like moving as some other ones. And I think when we talked about Minka, we were all really impressed with her vulnerability and how much she shared about her life. And there were so many things that must've been just like incredibly hard to relive. This did feel like a star studded version of sharing the hard things that have happened to you. And it didn't.
Kaitlin (23:15)
I don't know, just as like a new thing, as some other ones, and I think when we talked to Elvynka, we were all really impressed with her vulnerability and how much she shared about her life, and there were so many things I must have been just like, incredibly hard to relive. This did feel like a star -studded version of sharing the hard things that have happened to you. And it didn't.
Stephanie (23:15)
I don't know, just like, as some other ones, I think when we talked about Minka, we were all really impressed with her vulnerability and her appreciation for her mother, like, there were so many things that must have been just like incredibly hard to remove. This did feel like a star -studded version of sharing the hard things that have happened to you. And it did.
Molly Galler (23:39)
I don't know, it just didn't leave you either feeling inspired or feeling motivated or feeling even feeling sad for her. It just sort of lands on like a meh, which was disappointing because those podcast interviews were so compelling. And I think she's a great public speaker. For those who don't know, she's a huge activist. She encourages people to register to vote. She's always on the campaign trail. She's a compelling human being. It didn't translate on the page.
Kaitlin (23:40)
just didn't make you out of town inspired or motivated or even feeling sad for her. It just sort of lands on the back of your neck, which was disappointing because those podcast interviews were so compelling. And I think she's a great public speaker for those who don't know she's a huge app because she encourages people to register to vote. She's always on the get -together trail. She's a compelling hero. It didn't translate to the speech. I think...
Stephanie (24:07)
I think she touched on a bunch of subjects that I just wish she had spent more time with, like the eating disorder. It felt like a sort of passing comment. I wanted to like know more about her thoughts and like a little bit more on like the healing of like accepting I have this issue and how she's continued forward.
Kaitlin (24:08)
She says that by the time she goes to India, she's been on like a two year therapy journey of
Molly Galler (24:10)
It's like the eating disorder. It felt like I was sort of passing comment.
little bit more on that. I have this issue of how she's continued forward. She says that other times she's been sick and she's been on a two year therapy journey of dealing with pre -informed and inaction and other things. And that's like basically all these are really referenced and then it's just like, yeah, I don't know. And it's like, oh, but that's the part that we want to know about because other people...
Kaitlin (24:38)
dealing with her eating disorder and depression and other things. And that's like, basically like the only time it's really referenced. And then it's just like, and I dealt with it. And it's like, okay, but that's the part that we want to know about, because other people have those struggles. And you're just passing it over to get to like the next part in your timeline. And it just didn't, nothing got flushed out. It just was really bizarre.
Stephanie (24:38)
you with your eating source.
And that's like basically like the old girl that's really referenced and then just like, and I know that, and it's like that's the part that you want to know about because other people have those strong points and you're just passing it over to get to like the next part in your timeline. And it just didn't, it just didn't flush out. It just was really hard. Well, and even back to the abuse that was happening in her childhood, like horrible, absolutely horrible, which was
Molly Galler (24:53)
struggles and you're just passing a border against everything that's important you're turning the line. And just nothing to push out, just what's really in this heart. Well, you head back to the abuse that was kind of in your childhood, horrible, absolutely horrible, which was why I was thinking, Jesus, I don't know what to do with your housing. I'm going to think about it as an adult, talking to your parents.
Kaitlin (25:07)
I turned like, horrible, absolutely horrible, which was why I was thinking, Jesus, who? Hollywood, who hasn't been used forever? I wanted more of like, as an adult, talking to a therapist about this thing that happened and like coming to terms with it and how that affected the relationship to the other, for not living in it. I just needed to move on, I just wanted a deep understanding.
Stephanie (25:12)
why I was thinking, Jesus, is there anyone in Hollywood who hasn't been abused or whatever? I wanted more of like, as an adult talking to your therapist about this thing that happened and like coming to terms with it and how that affected relationships throughout growing up. Like we didn't, I just, maybe it's me picking at wounds, but like, I just wanted a deeper reflection on each of the like tough topics.
Molly Galler (25:22)
about this thing that happened and my coming to terms with it and kind of how it all happened. It took us a really long time to bring up the origin. I just, maybe it's something that happens, like I just wanted a deeper reflection on which of those are like tough topics. I have a question for Mara. I'm wondering if her editor was like, who could be helping her out?
Kaitlin (25:36)
reflection on each other tough topics. I had a moment where I wondered if her editor was like, well, can you talk more about this or more about this or more about that? And she was like, no. Like, I wonder if like she pushed back and was like, I can't talk more about like, I'm not there yet, or whatever. But
Molly Galler (25:49)
more about this or more about that. And she was like, no. Like, I wonder if she pushed back. It was like, I couldn't talk to her about it. Like, I'm not clear yet. I never. But, that being said, there's a fewer money for this project. Like, those are the things that really. I think it's helpful to other people, and I guess it should help for this conference to be there. But, like, it just.
Stephanie (25:53)
like that.
Kaitlin (26:00)
being said, then like maybe you you weren't ready for this book yet. Like because those are the things that really I think would have been helpful to other people and I get that she probably wrote this book for it to be therapeutic but like it just
Stephanie (26:01)
I said, you weren't ready for this book yet.
I think I told other people and I get that she probably doesn't want her to be therapeutic but it just... it didn't... it didn't work. I don't really know how to explain it right now. And I like her and I wanted to look at her but I just can't... I just can't have any of this hate right now. I don't know if you guys were ready enough.
Molly Galler (26:19)
It did... It did... Well, it did. I don't know. I don't know how to explain it. And I learned that one time, like I said, I just realized that I wanted to get that book. Like, I was in a home, I was due, I have to go down to the vet, go 80 pounds of pasta and milk, and I told him, go with the plan.
Kaitlin (26:19)
It didn't. It didn't book. I don't know. I don't even know how else to explain it really. And I like her and I wanted to like it. But like I said, I just kept I just kept having this eat pre love woman, which I don't know if you guys read that book, but like, I was like, Oh, what was you you got divorced and you got to go eat 80 pounds of pasta in Italy and then you got to like
Stephanie (26:38)
This just made me remember she just casually mentions
Kaitlin (26:47)
go and learn how to meditate. I'm like, nobody else gets this divorce tour. I just was pissed reading that book. I was like, this book is ridiculous. There were moments that I had reading this Kerry Washington book where I was like, you're being ridiculous.
Molly Galler (26:48)
Like, who would you guys kiss this divorce for? And I just was like, this. Reading that book, I was like, this thing is ridiculous. And there were moments that I was very watching the book where I was like, you're really ridiculous. Like, this just makes me feel like, shoot this power drill. Let's sit with that for like, 30 more days. I'm gonna go and look at that.
Stephanie (27:07)
the Obamas, let's sit with that for like 30 more pages. I want to know more about that. You know?
Molly Galler (27:16)
I think what we're all saying is that this book did not have a good editor is really like what it comes down to. Okay, Steph shows me to like, don't associate that with me face. I'm saying this book didn't have a good editor. You can quote it to me. As you know, I always read the acknowledgments. The first line of the acknowledgments is thank you to Shonda Rhimes, who told me to write this book 10 years ago. Shonda's always right. If you haven't read her book, you're a VS. What are you doing?
Kaitlin (27:18)
Okay.
Stephanie (27:22)
Okay.
Molly Galler (27:41)
For people who don't want to know what the big reveal is in this Kerry Washington book, just seek ahead about 60 seconds because I'm going to recommend a book that actually does this well. So seek ahead right now. The reveal in this book is that Kerry Washington is a different biological father. If you want to read a book by someone who actually shared all of the thoughts of what unpacking that really is, you should read Inheritance by Donnie Shapiro.
Kaitlin (27:42)
For people who don't want to know what the big reveal is in this Kerry Washington book, just seek ahead about 60 seconds because I'm going to recommend a book that actually does this well. So seek ahead right now. The reveal in this book is that Kerry Washington is a different biological father. If you want to read a book by someone who actually shared all of the thoughts of what unpacking that really is, you should read Inheritance by Donnish Shapiro, which is a memoir.
Molly Galler (28:06)
which is a memoir about a Jewish woman who finds out she has a different biological dad who is not Jewish. And it just like unravels her entire existence. It's done beautifully. I will share every resource I have about that book. If you're interested in it, you can email us, you can DM us on Instagram. There are great podcast interviews with her also. So if you like that as a premise, that's actually what you should read.
Kaitlin (28:08)
about a Jewish woman who finds out she has a different biological dad who is not Jewish. And it just like unravels her entire existence. It's done beautifully. I will share every resource they have about the book if you're interested in that you can email us, DM us on Instagram, there are great podcasts on reviews of her also. So if you like that as a premise, that's actually what we should do. Is that an astonishing reveal to her because then she's half Jewish or she's not Jewish at all? Then she's half -
Stephanie (28:28)
Mm.
Molly Galler (28:34)
Then she's half Jewish, but the person who raised her, who she thought was her dad, was Orthodox.
Kaitlin (28:37)
Okay.
Okay. Okay. Got it. I don't know that book, but now I'm curious about it. Do you own it, Molly? I think I do. Okay. All right. Maybe we should pass that one around. Um, what's everybody reading right now? So,
Molly Galler (28:48)
pretty good wrinkle.
I think I do. I think I can pass it on to you.
Stephanie (28:56)
So while I was staying in Molly's house taking care of Scout, I brought two books with me and then in the guest room I perused the TBR pile. Most of those books are actually mine or they're yours, Caitlin, that I then read and then passed along. And on the top was the book, The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams. So...
Molly Galler (29:10)
Shoot.
Kaitlin (29:15)
We
Stephanie (29:23)
Listener, I did not read the two books that I packed. Instead, I picked up this book and read it over the weekend.
this book, I want to say first of all, it's a closed -door romance, so there is no sauce, just as a preface. That being said, it is...
Molly Galler (29:40)
That being said, please comment on the claim to be on a fancy amount of money and those are the ones that I'll continue to sit on.
Kaitlin (29:43)
closed door romance elaborate on that. How old are the people in this book? That's lame then. In my opinion.
Stephanie (29:45)
Yeah, like closed door romance is the name for when the saucy stuff happens behind a closed door and you are not allowed in the room. So it's like PG 13 version of romance, I would say. Oh, they're in their thirties. Here's the thing. It in my mental state, I just really needed like a nice warm hug. And that's what this book is. It is.
Molly Galler (29:56)
So it's like a few years ago, 10 years ago, and it's been this way. How old are they? 12. Oh, they're 30s. That's way in the... Here's the thing. In my mind, I just want to make a nice point, and then put this on the end. It is a term, so I'm sorry. I know you've been thinking about this a lot, but I just want to say, I'm just like, this is why I go to college. I go to college, and I know I'm going to college. I'm...
Kaitlin (30:12)
And that's what this book is. It is - Sure. So I'm - yes, I'm sorry. I don't mean to diss a book that I haven't read. I just was like, oh, is this YA and they're trying to keep it in the library kind of thing? Or no, they're in their 30s. Okay. I love these songs because I really - so there are two songs. There's Friends to Wothers and You're a Fake David. And this middle fake David is my favorite song. This book is like, I don't know if it's everyone's dream, but it -
Stephanie (30:15)
Yes, I'm sorry.
Oh, no. No, and I wanted the sauce because I feel like, so there are two tropes. There's friends to lovers and fake dating. And as you know, fake dating is my favorite trope. This book is like, I don't want to say it's everyone's dream, but it's a girl whose best friend since high school is an NFL quarterback. He's like the most decent human in the world. He adores her.
Kaitlin (30:41)
So, the girl who's best friends since high school is an integral part of that. He's like most decent. He adores her. And she has watched him date like model to model forever and just been the friend of them. And he is starting to get closer to making it into the Super Bowl. And a snap -file happens where Ty basically comes to Madeline and is like, we want J .J. to march home because they think they're dating. She gets on with it.
Stephanie (30:49)
And she has watched him date like model after model forever and just been in the friend zone. And he is starting to get closer to making it into the Super Bowl. And a snafu happens where Tide basically comes to them and is like, we want you to do a commercial because they think they're dating. She gets drunk, says some things. Anyways, his PR people are like, we need you to pretend to be dating at least until the Super Bowl when the commercial works.
Kaitlin (31:10)
says some things. Anyways, his PR people are like, when we do pretend to be dating, at least until it's capable, we're gonna come up for what will air. And then it turns out that they've secretly been from one of each other since high school. So the cheat sheet by Sarah Adams, Sarah Adams, okay, that sounds really delightful. That is the word I was going to use.
Molly Galler (31:17)
I am reading the daddy diaries by Andy Cohen who is the head of all things Bravo TV.
Stephanie (31:19)
will air and then it turns out that they've secretly both been loving each other since high school so it was delightful yeah
Kaitlin (31:37)
by Andy Cohen, who is the head of all things Bravo TV. I was saying to Steph earlier today, we don't really talk about Bravo that much on this podcast, but he is the most famous part of my life. And Andy has several books. This is the fourth one, actually. And it's a diary style. And...
Molly Galler (31:42)
I was saying to Steph earlier today, we don't really talk about Bravo that much on this podcast, but it is an enormous part of my life. And Andy has several books. This is the fourth one, actually. And it's a diary style. And I love reading them because you hear about all his famous friends, you hear about his home renovations, you hear about all his hobnobbing. It's just delightful. But this book is specifically about him going from having a son Ben to having two kids when his daughter Lucy kind of enters the world.
Kaitlin (31:56)
I love that you remember all his famous friends, you hear about his home renovation, you hear about all his home development. It's just so delightful that this book is specifically about him going from having a son then to having two kids when his daughter Lucy kind of enters the world. And this book is about the CRI girl. And he really talks about shifting his life to make space for these two little people in a much bigger way. Can we ask the question that someone just wanted to ask? Yeah, of course. Is he a single father or is he a mother?
Molly Galler (32:10)
And the subhead on the book is the year I grew up. And he really talks about like shifting his life to make space for these two little people in a much bigger way.
Stephanie (32:11)
Can I ask a question of someone who is not a Bravo person? Is he a single father or does he have a partner?
Molly Galler (32:22)
Yeah, of course. He's a single father. Both of these kids came into the world through surrogate. He was a huge advocate for more open laws around surrogacy in the state of New York. And he talks about everything. He talks about like going to the hospital for the birth, about all the wonderful things he learned about his surrogate and her family.
Kaitlin (32:26)
He's a single father. Both of these kids came into the world through surrogate. He was a huge advocate for more open laws around surrogacy in the state of New York. And he talks about everything. He talks about going to the hospital for the birth, about all the wonderful things he learned about his surrogate and her family. He's very open about all the help he has, which I was very curious about. He has one man for each kid.
Molly Galler (32:47)
He's very open about all the help he has, which I was very curious if that would be part of it or not. He has one nanny for each kid. And he travels a ton, so like, it makes sense that he would have extra help. It's just mind -blowing, the people that he's very close friends with. Like, in his neighborhood, he almost weekly sees Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Sedaris, everyone knows he's best friends with Anderson Cooper. He's also friends with the Falons.
Kaitlin (32:54)
and he travels a ton so like it makes sense that he would have extra help.
It's just mind -blowing, the people that he's very close friends with. Like, in his neighborhood, he almost weekly sees Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Cideres, everyone knows he's best friends with Madison Cooper. He's also friends with the Fowlerans. He's her most buffest. I mean, it's ridiculous. Like, his inner circle is all A -list, with the exception of his roommate from BU, who he calls Straight Dave. That's what he's referred to in all of the books.
Stephanie (33:04)
in his neighborhood. He almost frequently sees Sarah Jessica Bordender, Amy Satayra, everyone knows, he's best friends with Anderson Cooper. He's also friends with the Fountains. He's friends with the Prophets. I mean, it's ridiculous. Like, his inner circle is a whole A -list, with the exception of his roommate from the U, who he calls a straight A -professor. He includes a bunch of pictures. It's just...
Molly Galler (33:15)
He's friends with the Buffets. I mean, it's ridiculous. Like his inner circle is all A -list with the exception of his roommate from BU who he calls straight Dave. That's how he's referred to in all of the books. Um, he included a bunch of pictures. It's just, it's like a guilty pleasure read and it's 270 pages. It's just like an easy, fun, light thing. It's like a palette cleanser in between other books.
Kaitlin (33:29)
including a bunch of pictures. It's just, it's like a guilty pleasure to read and it's 270 videos. It's just like an easy, fun, light thing. It's like a palette cleanser in between other books. And I'll be ready to move on to something more cordial. Thank you guys.
Molly Galler (33:45)
And I'll be ready to move on to something more literary after this.
Kaitlin (33:51)
I'm reading a YA book called The Golden State and the author is someone I hadn't heard of before, Merit Weisenberg. And it is about a family on the lam. You don't know what they're on the lam from. Four. Two girls, 17 and eight or 10. And the 17 year old can't remember.
Stephanie (34:01)
And it is a family on the land. You don't know what they're on the land from. Family of how many? Four. Okay. Two girls, 17 and eight or ten. And the 17 year old can't remember not being on the line. They'll list this for a month, three months, all of a sudden her dad is like, we have to go.
Kaitlin (34:21)
not being on the run. They'll live someplace for a month, three months. All of a sudden, her dad will be like, we have to go. It's a no questions asked situation. They pack up, they leave, they park somewhere. Her dad goes to a post office and picks up an envelope of money and new IDs and keys to a place that they're going to stay. When he gets out of the van, he says, if I'm not back in 30 minutes, leave without me.
That is their protocol and has been for her entire life.
I am only like 100 pages into the book. The 17 year old is very smart. And she is getting to a point where she wants to like go to college and she wants to find out. She doesn't know anything about her parents. Honestly, she like, she's like, they can't anything I asked, they won't tell me they said it's not safe because trusting kids to lie is like, you know, you can't do it. And
they've just landed in California and it seems to her that her mom is acting very unusually. And she's like, I think we're finally in a place that's familiar to her. And she's like crawling out of her skin and doesn't know what to do. And she overhears her parents say something along the lines of, well, Poppy can't go out because she looks too much like you. And so the reader has no idea.
I, the reader, have I have no idea, but also the main character also has no idea and she's trying to figure it out. And anything that she does that makes her seem special or gets her any like positive attention in her life is like a bad thing. And if her parents find out about it, then they just like pick up and leave. So like within the first 10 pages of the book,
Molly Galler (35:53)
Also, the main character also has no idea. And she's trying to figure it out. And anything she does that makes her so special or gives her any positive attention in her life is like a bath that her parents find out about it when they pick up and leave. So like, within the first 20 pages of the book, she's doing this science project, and it's like two great hands in a grade, and they're like, one hand at the one stage. This is gonna be unbelievable on her parents who are like, gonna die about. And she never
Kaitlin (36:12)
she's doing this science project and it's like with two brainiacs in her grade and they're like, we're going to end up going to states, this is going to be unbelievable. And her parents are like, we've got to go. And she never gets to see the project like come to fruition. And the younger sister is starting to be a little more rebellious and is like, I don't want to just blindly follow these rules. And the older sister is like,
Molly Galler (36:23)
And the younger sister is starting to be a little more rebellious. It's like, I don't want to just quietly follow the rules. And the older sister is like, if you don't, we can get separated. And that's a whole game. There's a tagline, everything's fine. If you don't follow through with the rules, we will be separated. Do you want that to happen? And the answer is no. But now, the conflict of honor is almost over.
Kaitlin (36:37)
If you don't, we could get separated. And that's like the whole game. Like their tagline every single time is like, if you don't follow the rules, we will be separated. Do you want that to happen? And the answer is no. But now that the older daughter is like almost an adult, she's like, I'd like to know who I am. I'd like to know why we're doing this. She's starting to question, like, is it an organization that helps us move? Is it a single person that helps us move? This may be a relative that I don't know about, like.
Molly Galler (36:53)
She's starting to question, is it a single person that helps us move? Is it a private team that I don't know about? She literally loves housing.
Kaitlin (37:07)
she literally knows nothing. And I'm like captivated by this story. I'm so intrigued. It's, it's well written to the point where like, even if the payoff isn't huge, watching this girl grapple with this is like so well done that I'm like very entertained. I think she's a first time author, I could be wrong. But the Golden State, I'm enjoying it.
Molly Galler (37:09)
And I'm like captivated by the story. I'm so intrigued. It's well written to the point where like, even if I am, it's huge. Watching this whole act really, this is like so well written that I'm very happy with it. I think she's the first time I've heard that. I think you're wrong. But honestly, I'm enjoying it. I think that sounds interesting. It's even interesting.
Kaitlin (37:34)
If it ends up being good, we should do an episode about it. I'll pass it along. If it ends up being a dud, then I won't make you because we just sent Caring Washington happen.
Stephanie (37:34)
If it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever came to be that we should do an episode about your past one, if it ever
Molly Galler (37:36)
On that note, if you want to see everything that we're reading and keep up with all of our fave book memes, reader memes, give us a follow over at PlansAreBooked. We have lots of fun content going on over there every single day. You can also send us a note, plansarebooked at gmail .com. We love to hear from you.
Kaitlin (37:50)
me to give us a follow -up.
Until next time, our plans are booked.
Molly Galler (38:02)
If you are doing anything special for Indie Bookstore Day, definitely let us know. We want to hear all the good stuff that's going on.