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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.
Kaitlin (00:07)
I'm Caitlin Madison. Welcome to chapter 32. We will be talking about All My Rage today by, I believe you pronounce it, Saba Tahir.
Molly Galler (00:01)
to Plans Are Booked, a podcast for every reader. I'm Molly Geller.
Stephanie (00:05)
I'm Stephanie Blackburn.
Welcome to chapter 32. We will be talking about All My Rage today by I think it's pronounced as Saba Tahir. And our catch up today, we kind of already talking about a little bit before we hit record. And honestly, we're watching really good TV right now. And like that's what we want to catch up with each other about. So that's what we're gonna do. So what are people watching?
Molly Galler (00:10)
Chapter 32. We will be talking about All My Rage today by I believe you pronounce it Saba to here. And our catch up today, we kind of already talking about a little bit before we hit record and honestly we're watching really good TV right now and like that's what we want to catch up with each other about so that's what we're gonna do. So what are people watching?
Kaitlin (00:19)
And we are catch up today. We kind of already talking about a little bit before we hit record and honestly, we're watching really good TV right now and like that's what we want to catch up with each other about. So that's what we're going to do. So what are people watching?
Molly Galler (00:37)
I just started last night and I'm already upset that I haven't finished yet. It's called Dancing with the Devil. It's this documentary that seems to be, I hesitate to say viral. Like it's showing up in a lot of places. Steph just shared with us.
Stephanie (00:37)
I think it only came out a couple days ago. Seven is a media company associated with the cult.
Kaitlin (00:46)
I mean, it hasn't just seen viral. Like, it's showing up in a lot of places. I think it all came out of the disco. It's not just German, it's the People magazine, or whatever. We're going to check it out. It's about this cult called 7M. 7M mainly. 7M is a media company associated with the cult.
Molly Galler (00:52)
Stuff to share with us that People Magazine already wrote a little blurb on it, which I feel like means that you've made it. It's about this cult called 7M, 7M management.
Okay, Shekinah Church, Shekinah Church, slash seven slash seven management. The reason why I'm so interested in it is because the first episode that I watched focused mostly on dancers who became part of this group. We haven't really talked about this, I don't think before on the pod, but I used to be a die hard watcher of So You Think You Can Dance. Those people are like celebrities to me. I also watched World of Dance, which was the JLo judged show.
Kaitlin (01:07)
Okay, so Chicago is a church, and Saj 7M and Saj 7M are men. The reason I'm so interested in it is because the first episode that I watched focused mostly on dancers who became part of this group. We haven't really talked about some of the people born on the pop, but I used to be a diehard watcher. I was singing and dancing. Those people are celebrities to me. I also watched World of Dance, which is the J .Lo judge show. I just love that kind of, I get J .Lo in the book.
Stephanie (01:07)
slash church.
Molly Galler (01:35)
I just love that kind of entertainment and performance. So I recognized some of these people. And I just had no idea that they were participating in this group or that they were impacted by this at all. I watched part one, there are three parts, but all I want to do as soon as we finish this recording is watch the next two episodes and I've been screenshotting other people's commentary to read when I finally finish.
Kaitlin (01:37)
So I'm recognizing some of these people. And I just had no idea that they were participating in this group or that they were impacted by this at all. I watched part one, there are three parts, but all I could do as soon as we finished this recording is watch the next two episodes and screen -shopping other people's commentary to read when I finally finish.
Stephanie (01:38)
You and I both loved the show Dear White People. Have you seen the person who was on that show who's a side character in this documentary?
Kaitlin (01:58)
Okay, I don't want I so I know nothing about this I literally have just seen it as like a thumbnail on Netflix But Steph and Molly are really into it. So clearly I'm gonna cue it up for my next show Please tell me like twitch was not a part of this
Molly Galler (02:08)
I don't think so. He's not mentioned in any way. The people who are part of it, I don't think like the Joe average person would recognize them.
Stephanie (02:08)
Okay, and we'll text me when you get there.
So I know nothing about this. I literally have just seen it as like a thumbnail on Netflix, but stuff involved, I am really into it, so clearly I'm gonna have to queue it up for my next show. Please tell me Twitch was not a part of this. No. he's good.
Kaitlin (02:28)
Okay.
Joe average person working with you this time? I think it's only for people who are left now and he played Simon in...
Stephanie (02:36)
I think the only person you're gonna recognize he played Simon in my god Nicholas Galatine and Hathaway thank you my brain's not working from August Moon he's in it
Molly Galler (02:46)
the idea of you.
Kaitlin (02:51)
Okay. Okay. I don't even really know what it means to be in it. Like, I don't know, like, if you were in a, is everybody, was everybody in the cult in the show?
Stephanie (02:57)
Essentially, essentially when you join the Shekinah Church, I don't want to like give stuff away, but basically a lot of dancers happen to join. He becomes their manager. He gets them gigs and then he takes 75, 80 percent of their profits and they live on his properties.
Molly Galler (03:01)
whatever comes in the cold in the show.
Kaitlin (03:10)
boy. This feels kind of Playboy Mansion Tiger King -ish. So Tiger King.
Molly Galler (03:14)
Yes, yes, I was gonna say I was gonna say that to me is the part that
Stephanie (03:23)
and do dances with the songs that he suggests. It's like he's the mastermind of everything.
And he cuts you off from your family.
Kaitlin (03:39)
I was gonna say that to be as...
Molly Galler (03:43)
was so reminiscent of many of the other cult docs that we've watched, like NXIVM and a bunch of others. It's the separation from the family and the use of religion as a reason why you need to isolate yourself and focus only on the other people who are enlightened or whatever verb they decide to use. And there was one specific dancer who they profiled in the first hour who was talking about how they even wanted him to stop talking to his three -year -old son.
Kaitlin (03:44)
I also remember listening to the other co -authors that I watched, like Betsy and a bunch of others. It's the separation from the family and they use a religion as a reason to isolate themselves and focus on the other people who are. And you let people know whatever word they decide to use. And there was one specific dancer that they profiled in the first hour who was talking about how they even wanted him to stop talking to his three year old son. And we'll take one of them, that was just like, my god.
Stephanie (03:58)
they decided to use. And there was one specific dancer that they profiled in the first hour who was talking about how they even wanted him to stop talking to his three bones. So I won't say one of them.
Molly Galler (04:11)
I won't say more than that, but I was just like, my God. So I can't wait to watch parts two and three. I also like that it's only three hours total. I feel like sometimes you go to watch these cult docs and it's like nine parts and it's an entire weekend endeavor. I like that this is like almost like a mini series.
Kaitlin (04:14)
So I get to watch press two and three. I also get to watch three hours total. I feel like sometimes you can go to these cold dumps, it's like nine parts, it's an entire weekend endeavor. I like that this is like a mini -series. Or the next one, which was two seasons, and it's just depressing. Would you like to keep that to me? And I'm coming back, don't you get over this, this crazy disaster here? And I was thinking, I love the comics and Pimper, why? And I was thinking, like, we need all of you guys?
Stephanie (04:14)
Or the next CM1 which was two seasons and is just depressing as fuck.
Molly Galler (04:32)
YouTube recommended that to me and I wound up watching it over the Christmas break this past year. And I was like, I both love this and can't turn away and also like happy holidays.
Stephanie (04:40)
you should though.
Kaitlin (04:44)
to a podcast about it before it became a show. I don't even think I watched the second season, because I like keep up with it on the new, but I keep up with it on the new, like I know what's happening.
Stephanie (04:56)
I know, but I feel like we got more backstory than we got on the first one. And in the meantime, you're following the court case as it's going along. I just think it's for wrapping up the full arc you need to watch season two.
Molly Galler (05:01)
and the inspector calling the court case as it's going on. I'm just saying, for wrapping up, a full arc in your flash. See you soon.
Kaitlin (05:01)
Okay. Speaking of cults, there's a podcast called Sounds Like a Cult and my coworker just suggested it to me based on some weird conversation we were having. I don't remember what. But that segues really nicely to I am like in the throes of the end of school.
Molly Galler (05:11)
Speaking of cults, there's a podcast called Sounds Like a Cult and my co -worker suggested it to me based on some other competition we were having and I'm not sure what. But that sounds really nice to me too. I am like in the throes of the end of school. I have like two classes left with my students. I finished my break for today. I was like writing my narrative about kids. And I put that in the check and keep at the end of the year too.
Stephanie (05:16)
suggesting it to me based on some of your competition. But that's really nice.
I am like in the throes of the end of school. I have like two classes left with my students. I finished my grading today. I had a split break night in there with my other kids. And I spent a lot of time with Jack and Kate at the end of the year. Like I can't stand it. Like you're so stressed about like submitting all your grades and doing all your crap. And then also you're like saying, why did you feel that you saw a deaf person all day? And I can't even imagine. I can't imagine.
Kaitlin (05:29)
I have like two classes left with my students. I finished my grading today. I got to like write my narratives about all the kids. And I forgot how much I hate the end of the year. Like I can't stand it. Like you're so stressed about like submitting all your grades and doing all your crap. And then also you're like saying goodbye to these people that you saw every single day. And I forgot how bad I am at it because I haven't done it since 2020.
Molly Galler (05:41)
Like, I can't stand it. Like, you're so stressed about, like, submitting all your grades and doing all your crap. And then I would say, I just feel like you saw it and you said, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do that. I don't know why. Because I haven't done it since 2020. Do you mean like, emotionally? Yes, I'm terrible at it. Like, such a sappy sentiment. Like, crap. Like, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. Well, she's one of those old people. So...
Stephanie (05:55)
Do you mean like emotionally? But you're talking to me who cries at everything.
Kaitlin (05:58)
Yes, I'm terrible. I'm like such a sappy sentimental sack of crap, like -
Well, this wouldn't bode well for you. So I'm not good at it, full stop. But then in addition to that, I'm out of practice. And then on top of that, I'm also leaving my school. And I can't imagine a scenario in which I'm just going to randomly bump into these kids because they live everywhere. Whereas when I was teaching in Natick, I still see Natick kids all the time because I do stuff in Natick. Like I have friends that live there. I've gone to like
Molly Galler (06:09)
I'm walking about it, full stop, but then in addition to that, I'm out of practice, and then on top of that, I'm also leaving my school, and I can't imagine a scenario in which I'm just gonna randomly bump into these kids because they live everywhere. Whereas when I was teaching in NADAC, I still see NADAC kids all the time because I do stuff in NADAC. Like I have friends that live there, I've gone to like basketball games with my former students, like there's just like,
Stephanie (06:25)
We bumped into we bumped into one of your students students we went to get ramen one time you remember?
Kaitlin (06:35)
basketball games and my former students, like, there's just like opportunities for that to happen. And like, I bumped into a student at Fenway Park at the bar the other night, he's 24 years old. And I was like, yo, what's up?
Molly Galler (06:39)
opportunities for that to happen. And like I bumped into a student at Fenway Park at the bar the other night. He's 24 years old. And I was like, yo, what's up? We bumped into one of your students who had to get wrong in the class, remember? Yes, yes. And I had a sister too. Yeah, that's so true. His sister is a faculty of the class of production.
Kaitlin (06:53)
Yes, yes. And I had his sister too. Great. Yeah, that's Osher. His sister just graduated last week, actually. So I'm terrible at it and I'm out of practice and it's just like, and then I also have another job while I'm doing it. So I feel like I don't even have like time to kind of like process it. And then there's like the agony of like packing up your classroom and like, you know,
Stephanie (06:56)
Yeah, that's Osher. His sister was pregnant last week, actually. So I'm terrible at it, and I don't practice, and it's just like, I also have a job while I'm with him, so I feel like I don't have the time to process it. It's like, the energy.
Molly Galler (07:02)
So I'm terrible at it. I have this and it's just like, I'm a giant.
This is the kind of thing that I have been in here for many years now. I'm in contact with it. It's like, you feel it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm
Stephanie (07:17)
And that's your part of the story. There's like, you know, sugar candy and things like that on it. There's all this dumb stuff that it's like, you feel like, yeah, I've done everything I can, but I felt like there's five things that I seem so instantly gonna put on the checklist and now I'm like, it's all one. I feel like I'm, I feel like I'm, I'm just, I'm once more kind of like, physically excited about it.
Kaitlin (07:20)
handing your computer in, like all the dumb stuff that it's like you feel like, yeah, like I've done everything. And then you're like, there's like five things that I seemed so insignificant. I didn't even put them on the checklist. And now I have to do it's just it's all a lot. I feel like I'm a lot. I feel like I'm being a lot. I just like I just need I want school to end, but I also feel like sad about it and.
Molly Galler (07:42)
I just need, I want to hold it in, but I just don't feel excited about it. And, but then I'm like, I think I have to go. I'm trying to encourage people to not be afraid about it. You know what I mean? I'm just sitting here, I'm just talking to myself. I'm just reading this book, I'm just chatting with the teacher. My friend is in the top, because I, I'm just.
Kaitlin (07:49)
But then I remember the confetti cannons at the centennial bash and then I'm like kind of alright. You know what I mean? Like it's it ebbs and flows. It is what it is.
Stephanie (07:54)
I don't think this will be the final chapter for you with teaching. My hope is that it's not because I, I mean,
Kaitlin (08:03)
I think it probably is in like the traditional way like I still tutor and stuff
Molly Galler (08:05)
I know, but if everyone's talking about the future and the positive changes that students face and care about them and talking about what's going on, talking about getting along with them and how to address them, you know, trajectory, student -led, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future, you talk about the future
Stephanie (08:07)
I know, but if ever there was someone meant to be a teacher and have positive change in students' lives and care about them and talk about books with them, talk about random stuff with them, and have that, you know, trajectory where the student then turns and becomes something wonderful or doesn't become something huge, but like you impact them and they never forget that. I feel like there are teachers...
Kaitlin (08:25)
trajectory where the student's end turns and becomes something wonderful. It's huge, the like, you impact on your career.
Stephanie (08:37)
who truly, truly care and you were one of those teachers. And I just, I refuse to believe that this is the end.
Molly Galler (08:42)
It's just a matter of time to find a place that's a good fit and doesn't turn into a stressful one. Like I said, right now, if I was back in junior public school, we would not be a side out. So obviously, I can tell you what those sections are. You see them, you know, they're like, they're a great fit. They were like, I'm a side out. They were like, I'm a side out.
Kaitlin (08:43)
It's just very hard to find a place that's a good fit that doesn't turn me into a stress ball. Like I can tell you right now, if I was back teaching in public school, we would not have this podcast. That's like, I can tell you with 100 % certainty, you knew me then, you know what my life was like.
Stephanie (08:47)
Yeah, your Sundays were just grading.
Kaitlin (09:02)
they were gone. If I met you guys for a movie, I was like, okay, well, this is the only thing I can do all weekend. When I started getting into skiing, I was so stressed out because I would come back just completely behind. I'd be days behind for weeks to come because I went skiing and did something with my life.
Molly Galler (09:08)
And when I started skiing, I was so stressed out because I was hung down just completely fine. I did like days off, like for weeks to come because of skiing and my kids and the flight. So I'm just wondering if there's something that I can do to help you change your mind.
Stephanie (09:08)
And when I started getting into this game, I was so pressed out because I would come back just completely blind. I believe days felt like some weeks to come because I kept seeing elected from there and then I was like, hmm. I'm just saying I hope there's some other form of teaching that comes into your life.
Kaitlin (09:27)
Me too.
Molly Galler (09:27)
Okay, two things. First of all, Steph almost just cried saying all that stuff to you about how she thinks that you're not done being a teacher. You guys can't see her, but there was welling going on. Second of all, I also think this isn't the end. I just feel like this is your calling. This is what you're meant to do. And even if it didn't work out for this upcoming school year in the way that you wanted or hoped, like a door closes and a window opens, I just, I feel like there's gonna be something else.
Stephanie (09:30)
You guys can kiss.
Kaitlin (09:30)
I hope so. I don't know what it is. And I'm kind of like, okay with that. Like I'm very much excited about.
Stephanie (09:40)
and just wait until you're...
The door is open. I feel it. There's a lemon in the door. I hope so. I'm really excited. I'm kind of like okay with that. I'm just excited about a 3D movie. One more to view. One more to see. I mean that is a bit something I still like to watch. I think I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to have to do this again. I'm going to
Kaitlin (10:00)
a three day work week, one morning commute, one morning commute. I mean, that has been sucking my soul out my butthole, having two morning commutes.
Molly Galler (10:08)
If anyone is interested in attending a Plans Are Booked Academy taught by Miss Madison, we can arrange that perhaps over Zoom or webinar so that you can feel the joy of her talking about books in an academic setting.
Kaitlin (10:14)
I won't drink on that job, I promise. As I slurp wine, Steph did not pour me in. I was like, actually, that's not enough. I had to go back for more. But to get, I don't know how I got off on that. I don't know where that, how I got steered to that from television, but back to television, I'm watching.
Stephanie (10:17)
Thank you.
you
But to get out of the way of that, I don't care about how I exterior to that on television, but that's the element that I'm watching. Obviously, I'm in my feelings, so I'm having a school -based show, because this is who I am, and school is my aesthetic for everything, books, TV shows. So two things. One, at the end of every year, I have a...
Kaitlin (10:42)
You know, obviously I'm in my feelings and so I'm watching a school based show because this is who I am. School is my favorite setting for like everything, books, TV shows. So two things. One, at the end of every year, I always show some episodes of the Wonder Years because coming of age is like always a big theme.
Molly Galler (10:55)
So, two things. One, at the end.
Stephanie (11:01)
shows that. So that's a longer period. He does coming with me, which is my fault, is a big team in sixth grade English. A little bit of sixth grade English, but really sixth grade English, which is where I spent most of my time. And so I posted a photo yesterday of the cast of The One and the Sixth. And I was like, me too. I'm like, this is a princess ride. And I was like, great. She's a little bit of a longer period. And I was like, no, this is a little bit too large. And I was like, I'm gonna call it.
Molly Galler (11:02)
So I was wondering then because coming of age is always a big thing in sixth grade English. A little bit in sixth grade English, but really in sixth grade English, which is where I spent most of my time. And so I posted a photo yesterday on the cast on the 100th. And I was like, there's a woman that's in the princess ride. And I was like, right, she's in the 100th. And I was like, what is it? And she said, it's a car.
Kaitlin (11:07)
in sixth grade English, a little bit in eighth grade English, but really in sixth grade English, which is where I spent most of my time. And so I posted a photo yesterday of the cast of The Wonder Years and the kids were like, we know him. He's in The Princess Bride. And I was like, right, but do you know The Wonder Years? And they were like, no, we don't know what this is or who those people are. And it's like Kevin, Winnie and Paul. So today I played the pilot for them. And...
Molly Galler (11:28)
and have been called. So today, we pilot for them. And I'm not kidding, I tweeted about this today. I'm not kidding. In year 2014, 12 of us, within 28 minutes, are so invested in Jenningsville, who lives in the old house in 1968. We just want to show you how we pilot for those first two years of our practice now.
Stephanie (11:30)
So today, we piloted one, and I'm talking as we discuss today. In the Air Force, 12 kids with 20 heads are so invested in the type of content who live in the old type of content from 1968. We just finished with our seven -day high -five with a full presentation on Black Lives Matter in just three minutes, talking about Black Lives Matter.
Kaitlin (11:34)
I'm not kidding. I tweeted about this today. I'm not kidding. In the year 2024, 12 year olds within 28 minutes are so invested in Kevin and Winnie who live in a world of 1968. We just finished reading Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry and I did a whole presentation on Black Lives Matter. Like we spent three days talking about Black Lives Matter and like all the historical events starting with 1619 that have like led to that being a movement.
Molly Galler (11:56)
And so it's the beginning of one year. It's true. And we're finished here. So we're going to continue to drive.
Stephanie (11:59)
all the explorers that started this scheme that led to that reinforcement. And so in the beginning of 100 years, it showed everything that was happening on the surface of the monitor. It was kind of like, we're finishing up the summer of 968, which is huge and quite a few things across that 10 ,000 -year -long time. And it showed that it didn't block out the fire.
Kaitlin (12:05)
And so like at the beginning of Wonder Years, it shows everything that's happening on the news and like a montage. And they're like, we're finishing up the summer of 1968 and his junior high is being renamed to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. High. And, you know, they show the Olympians that did the plaque power sign and got their
Stephanie (12:27)
and gold as a sailor and all this stuff. And I'm like, my god, you know, I'm a holiday. And so they're like, how do you see this? What's happening? Where can I go? What can I do? So I'm just going to sit in my car and watch the second episode and I'm like, I'm going to go to my friend's house.
Kaitlin (12:27)
gold medals taken away. And all this stuff was in my presentation and they were like, my God, we know about all of this. And so then they were like, how many seasons are there? What platform are you streaming this on? Where can I get it? What can I do? And I was, so I have a feeling they're going to come in tomorrow when we're going to watch the second episode. And half of them are going to be like, well, I watched the whole first season last night and I'm going to ruin it for everybody because I'm 12. So that's going on in my work life. And then,
Molly Galler (12:28)
I don't see it in all the stuff that my communication is. And they're like, my god, you know, and it's always at the top. And so they're on the same page.
So that's the one I'm going to go ahead and then add in my paper like watching the class. Which they're also calling it the free service, which is not a free service. That's what they decided to call it, it's a free service. And it's not a wrap. Steph is very much into it. It is a good place to be a grid. The first term is under the show.
Stephanie (12:53)
So that's going on in my work life and then in my nighttime life, watching me eat in the box.
Kaitlin (12:56)
At my in my nighttime life, I'm watching the Una Moss on Netflix, which they're also calling it raising voices, which is not how it translates. But that's what they decided to make its English name. And it's phenomenal. Steph has started watching it too. It is it takes place in Madrid. The first scene of the whole show is a girl with a sign saying that she hangs up outside of her high school that says, beware, there's a rapist in there.
Stephanie (13:00)
which they're also calling it recent voices, which is not a whole premise, but that's what they decided to make it sound like. And it's phenomenal. That's definitely starting to come true too. It is Cetica's great, the first female of the show, who's involved in the science thing that she ends up attending high school that says, you have to bring this to there. And then it kind of expands backwards in time, and the box leading to it.
Molly Galler (13:18)
And then she comes up at the place of the hole that says, we were going to do this and there. And then it kind of stands back at the time, and it's leading up to that big accident. And so there have been moments where I'm like, hey, this has a couple of odds they're totally wrong.
Kaitlin (13:25)
and then it kind of spans backwards in time to the months leading up to that day happening. And so, you know, there have been moments where I'm like, okay, this has like a couple nods to 13 reasons why, but the storylines are so much richer and like the acting is so much better and...
Stephanie (13:29)
up to that rate happening. And so, I know there have been moments where I've had to say this has been a couple of months, but there's been weeks to talk.
Molly Galler (13:39)
But the story lines are so much richer and the acting is so much better. And I just want it to be way more realistic and raw. It's like 30 reasons why I think it's important to story the truth is how it's done and how it's done. And it's part of the experience of the threat in terms of just like high school seniors, high school seniors in the United States, you know, when you're in super great clubs.
Stephanie (13:39)
But the storylines are so much richer and the actors are so much better and I just feel like it's way more realistic and broad. It's like if 13 Reasons Why I have a more euphoria to it is how I describe it to my heart. I think part of me is because it takes place in the dreaded teenage years where just like high school seniors are walking around the Charlie High School senior in the United States and you know, the teacher would teach them a drink and they'd go to clubs and...
Kaitlin (13:46)
I just feel like it's way more realistic and raw. It's like if 13 Reasons Why had like a little more euphoria to it is how I described it to my brother. And I think part of that is because it takes place in Madrid and teenagers are just like high school seniors are a lot more mature than high school seniors in the United States. And, you know, once you turn 18, you can drink and they go to clubs and they have like kind of these like rich social lives that...
Molly Galler (14:09)
They kind of like, kind of like rich socialized that price was kind of strong to have. So it's just kind of like a different kind of new philosophy for these people.
Stephanie (14:09)
And they have these social lives that high school students struggle to have, especially if you live in the suburbs. So it's kind of a different topic. Nego Moxley's advice from me too in Spain, and actually I was talking to my friend about it, she was telling me it's really that it's beyond me too. It's like having a violence towards women. It's not just about rape, apparently. There's, you know, there's...
Kaitlin (14:13)
high school students kind of struggle to have, especially if they live in the suburbs. So it's just got kind of like a different vibe. Niunamas is the phrase for me too in Spain. And actually I was talking to my friend about it and she was telling me it's really like, it's beyond me too. It's like about violence towards women. It's not just about rape. Apparently there's, you know, been like a whole movement around.
Molly Galler (14:29)
It's really like, it's beyond me to about violence against women. It's not just about women. Apparently, there's, you know, but like, women in our age, you know, with missing, with murder, you know, like spousal and murder abuse, like all sorts of things. And so, it's just really, it's very hard to describe, and it's really what I thought.
Stephanie (14:39)
and that goes around missing, murdered, you know, like, household and partner abuse, like all sorts of things. And so...
Kaitlin (14:41)
you know, women going missing, women being murdered, you know, like spousal and partner abuse, like all sorts of things. And so it's just really, it's very hard to describe, but it's really well done. And they really show the dynamics of the girl and her family. And that's not like an easy situation. Like she's kind of all over the place and they don't really know like how to reprimand her without.
Stephanie (14:53)
It's just really, it's very hard to describe, but it's really well done. And they really show that it's the girl's family, and that's not an easy situation. She's kind of out of place, they don't know how to recommend her to go play together. I mean, she's kind of on the other end of the table, like no one else.
Molly Galler (14:58)
And I'm pretty sure that girl is in them. And that's not like the situation. She's kind of already placed in a different kind of environment. Like, I mean, she's kind of already taken up, like, you don't want to ground her.
Kaitlin (15:10)
like, I mean, she's kind of already in shutdown mode. So they're like, we don't want to ground her and then have things get worse because how could they possibly get worse? So I just feel like there's a lot of really good dynamics in there. And the female friendships are like fierce in this show. I'm like really into that. And I really like that they're focusing more on that than like who these girls are dating necessarily. It's awesome. Steph, what are you watching?
Stephanie (15:16)
ground her and then have things get worse because how could they possibly get worse? So I just feel like there's a lot of things that I can't see there. The females are into it for like two years from the show. Like we were like a cat out of a nightclub nightclub that they're focusing more on that than who these girls are dating necessarily. It's awesome. Stop the video.
Well, I didn't watch anything yesterday because I was working on a top secret project that we will discuss at a later date.
But yesterday I spent the day painting a friend's house. She knew that I wasn't in the middle of a renovation project at the moment and that I could use some distractions. So I was painting her upstairs. And then today we went back to the renovation house, my father and I, to just go over everything. And I turned all the thermostats on. So if the next inspector comes through and is also an idiot, that's already fixed.
Molly Galler (16:12)
that the next subject comes through, and it's also immediate, but that's on the internet. But then there was this one moment, and it was a couple of months later, of a video, and he said, is that on the internet? And he was like, yeah, great, that's so funny. Here it was.
Stephanie (16:19)
But then I was outside holding the ladder for him and I happened to like look slightly off the patio and I was like, is that an ear? And he was like, yeah, sorry, that's the bunny head. There was a cat.
Molly Galler (16:32)
First of all, I thought you put a human ear, and I was getting very afraid.
Stephanie (16:35)
sorry. Noah bunny ear. A black and white cat was brought to my dad who was working outside a bunny that it was destroying and then left pieces of it around the house. And I was just sort of dry heaving in the corner and he had to move it out of the way. So you know you're in the woods when.
Kaitlin (16:46)
just from any of the left pieces of the correct code.
Molly Galler (16:57)
There have been a lot of small furry animals involved in this particular renovation.
Kaitlin (16:58)
Stop buying houses in the woods if you don't want to deal with the consequences.
Stephanie (17:01)
There was a fox last week actually in the daytime that we saw.
I grew up in the woods. This is the weirdest thing. As we have said many times, I'm 40, almost 41. I grew up in the woods. I lived in a town where I could see one neighbor. And one of the weeks my dad was away, I was at the house every day or every other day. And I came home with ticks three days in a row. I lived in the woods my entire life. And now suddenly I'm like, I can't do it anymore.
Kaitlin (17:20)
Same.
Molly Galler (17:30)
I can't hear you.
Kaitlin (17:36)
Well, you have to wear hats and you have to like pull socks over your jeans. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, the earth is exploding. So it's just hot all the time now. And I think that the bugs probably, I don't really understand ecosystems, but I would imagine that bugs are flourishing with warmer weather being around longer. I have no proof for that, but I mean, if there's flamingos on the Cape.
Stephanie (17:38)
No, you have to wear socks that tuck into your pants.
Yeah.
Molly Galler (18:01)
I know for that I'm not going to be able to find a different location for the whole thing. I'm going to be able to find a place on my farm. Two important things are I have to use the water on the light route to clear it off. When I'm in the park, I need to go home and work. It's really bad.
Stephanie (18:04)
and orcas.
Kaitlin (18:05)
I think that the bugs are probably flourishing. I've had a yellow coating on my car to the point where I have to use the water on the wipers to clear it off when I leave for work in the morning and when I leave to go home from work. It's really bad.
Molly Galler (18:24)
The pollen situation is unreal. This is the second episode in a row you guys are listening to my voice like this. I was joking when we did our sound check earlier. I did a little intro where I said, welcome to Blinzerbuck with the congestion queen. The pollen situation is vile.
Kaitlin (18:32)
You definitely got slammed because you were like traveling and then you came back and it had just escalated. Whereas this has been like a slow burn for me where like every other day it looks like I've been crying when I get to work because my eyes are just like watering the whole time I'm in the car and it doesn't happen until I leave my house.
Stephanie (18:39)
You definitely got slammed because you were like traveling and then you came back and it just escalated. This is like a slow, fun fight where like everyone is like, it looks like I'm crying because my eyes are just like, you're not really in the right heart. And it doesn't happen until like...
You basically need like indoor floor hockey goggles from the moment you leave your house until you get in your car
Kaitlin (19:01)
In the like 10 steps it takes from my house to my car, my eyes just like start burning and I just, my whole way to work, I'm just like crying basically.
Molly Galler (19:17)
I don't know, do we need hazmat suits to be walking around?
Kaitlin (19:18)
It's foul. It's so bad. But okay, but yeah, something.
Molly Galler (19:24)
Should that be our next branded item? Should we do plants or potassium suits?
Stephanie (19:30)
I just realized I have one more update. Last night I sent out my first query letter.
Kaitlin (19:37)
Yes. Wow. We're to bury the lead. Awesome.
Molly Galler (19:38)
What?
Stephanie (19:43)
I'm not, obviously it's not gonna happen on the first query. I mean, come on, let's, well, trying to be realistic, low expectations going into this, like bottom of the barrel expectations, maybe even like basement level expectations at this point. But I sent out the first one and I feel good about it. Sort of like, you know, breaking the, I don't break spines on my books, but essentially. Yeah.
Molly Galler (19:45)
You don't know that?
Kaitlin (20:04)
Rip the bandaid.
Molly Galler (20:06)
Okay, but the question is, did you start with like your number one dream target or someone further down the list?
Stephanie (20:13)
I'm like terrified to say that because what if I get an agent one day and then they listen to this and then they're like...
Kaitlin (20:19)
Can you just show us a number with your hands? Okay. All right. That is not what I would have guessed. Just throwing that out there. I'm fascinated. I'm just fascinated by the whole thing because I'm going to be really honest. There are some really bogus people out there that get book deals. Like there just are. And I just need the universe to just throw a bone to the right people.
Molly Galler (20:22)
Or like blink once if it was the okay. Okay. Okay. Sorry, everyone. Your mystery remains. We'll we'll share more later when she goes back.
Stephanie (20:36)
Because I'm going to be really honest, there are some really bold people out there that have got cocktails. Like there just are. And I just need the workers to just throw a bomb at the right people. And I think this needs to be said, we have plans that are going to help the industry. And it needs to be there too. Because we're really, really convinced that like, we've been on the edge of a body of a drug. At least not badly. There's so many of these small stories that are happening.
Kaitlin (20:49)
And I think this needs to be said, you have friends that are like in the movie and TV industry. It needs to be said there too, because we're rebooting things that like have been off the air for five years. And I'm like, please don't reboot that. Like there's so many original stories that are not being taken advantage of because we need to like have Iron Man be alive for the eighth time or whatever. Like I'm done. I'm done.
Molly Galler (20:50)
I think this needs to be said, and you have to consider like, the industry. It needs to stand there too, because we're re -humanizing this bit right now.
Stephanie (21:06)
because...
Bye.
Yeah, isn't there like rumors of them remaking Twilight? Like, didn't I hear that?
Molly Galler (21:15)
Okay, first of all, that should not happen. Original Team Jacob forever. But second of all, yes, I agree with everything Caitlin just said. And I have often read a book and said to Steph, I just finished this book and everything that you have written is better than this book. I feel that way like multiple times per year.
Kaitlin (21:32)
Yeah, it's true. I feel that way too. I don't know. I just feel like this is one, you're due and two, it just feels like the right time. I feel like the timing is right. Like the pod is 32 episodes deep. Like you're due. You've got another side gig that has to do with the pod. It's like pod adjacent and like,
Stephanie (21:42)
I had a... Yeah. I mean... Yeah. Yeah.
Kaitlin (22:01)
we're like we're making moves we're doing things it just feels like this is like the moment that it's like yep and then stuff got her book deal obviously duh
Stephanie (22:10)
Well, full disclosure to people who are listening and not sitting at this table. I texted the girls that I feel like I'm on the edge of a panic attack. I mean, I haven't had one in about a year now. I don't know if you remember, but it was about a year ago that I reorganized the living room. Poor Nemo sat on the couch like, well, this is what's happening. So I just feel like I think I have karma built up from like stuff that has happened over the last couple of years where it feels like...
Kaitlin (22:27)
that's not what's happening. What'd you feel like? I think.
Molly Galler (22:33)
This is the last little year, new insight. The new stuff is culminating in the right costume on the edge.
Stephanie (22:38)
the negative stuff is culminated enough where I have to be on the edge of a win. What just happened?
Kaitlin (22:45)
I have something funny to tell you that has to do with this, but I had to look it up. This is like totally pertinent to what you're saying. So I sent this tweet to my friend earlier today and I was like, this just hit my funny bone. And it says, excuse me while I slip into something more off a cliff. And I just, I sent it to my friend and she was like, I really needed this. And I was like, it just really struck me in a funny way. Like.
Molly Galler (22:45)
That's amazing.
Stephanie (22:49)
Okay. Okay.
Yeah.
Molly Galler (23:09)
Yeah.
Kaitlin (23:11)
Yeah, the pajamas and the cozy clothes, like it's not even enough. We need like the next level of whatever it is.
Molly Galler (23:19)
Yeah, there's a card that I saw in a store that Stephanie frequent. And it was so good that I bought five of them. It was a woman dressed like a fifties housewife holding one of those like silver cloches that you like deliver food on. So she's lifting the cloche and its flames are coming out of it. And it just says on the bottom of the card in small print, life period, totally under control period. And I just feel like that is the vibe lately.
Kaitlin (23:44)
And I just love that. I have a magnet like that of like a 1950s housewife with like her hair bonded on and she's like tucked into her bed and the caption is I love not camping.
Stephanie (23:53)
dinner but after this I love hot camping.
Molly Galler (23:57)
we bought that tote bag, the exact one that you're describing.
Kaitlin (23:59)
Amazing, amazing. I mean, I'd glamp. And it's not to say that I haven't been camping. I've gone three times. I hated it every single time. I'm so allergic to mosquitoes that it's just like a really bad scene for me. And I'll never do it again.
Stephanie (23:59)
the exact way that he was. Amazing. Amazing. I mean, I'm still young. And it's not just saying that I haven't been camping. I've gone three times. I hated it. I've seen my husband go, or he goes, and it just goes really fast for me. And I'll never get it back. I also kind of said.
Molly Galler (24:14)
I also have a set of napkins, I think, or baby cups that say I'm outdoorsy in the sense that I like to get drunk on patios. Yeah.
Stephanie (24:20)
That just made me think, did we have any bug issues when we were in Wyoming last summer? I don't think so, right? It's pretty dry out there. It's very arid.
Kaitlin (24:20)
Amen. A freaking man.
Molly Galler (24:36)
Definitely not. If we did, I would have remembered and I probably never would have stopped talking about it. I also travel everywhere with Benadryl anti -age cream because once a bug bite has ruined a vacation, you never forget what that feels like.
Stephanie (24:41)
Yeah, so you should be fine.
Kaitlin (24:41)
Great. Yeah, and I carry Benadryl all the time because I'm allergic to random types of nuts. So.
Molly Galler (24:59)
I also just want to say one more thing before we transition into our book of the day. Yesterday, I finally cut the cord. I gave up my cable. After 11 years in my house in Watertown of paying for cable plus all the streaming apps.
Kaitlin (25:05)
Yes.
Stephanie (25:12)
Big, big day.
Kaitlin (25:12)
Welcome to the dark side.
Stephanie (25:20)
No.
Molly Galler (25:21)
I gave up my cable this morning I drove to drop off all my equipment and it was just so satisfying because my bill is gonna be lowered by two thirds two thirds people
Stephanie (25:33)
I feel like it's the same sort of feeling when you end like a relationship that did not serve you and you're just like, why did I waste time with that person for so long?
Kaitlin (25:42)
you went in a different direction because I was going to say like when your car payments are over and stuff like when you have a really bad breakup and I'm like car payments.
Molly Galler (25:49)
Here's the honest truth, and I've said this to many people who are like, I can't believe you're still paying for this or I can't believe like, there were two reasons that I kept it for as long as I did. One, the primary things that I watch every single week on Bravo TV. When you are a Bravo fan, there is a whole social media culture about live updating and sharing recaps afterward. And it's one of those things where if you are in a situation where you have to wait 24 hours to watch it, you kind of have to avoid your
phone if you don't want to know what's happening with the Housewives or Top Chef or Southern Charm or whatever. So I was like, I'd rather just watch it live and be able to like participate in all of this fandom. That was the first reason. The second reason is that all of us have always come to my house together to watch all of the award shows, the Emmys, the Oscars, sometimes the Grammys, the SAG Awards, whatever it is. And I loved that we were able to watch live and watch the red carpet and watch the awards we handed out. We have until September when the Emmys air to figure out what we're going to do.
Kaitlin (26:23)
So I was thinking I don't know just how much it lied to the American participants or this thing. That was the question. The second thing is that all of us have always curbed our heads together to watch all of the watches, the Emmys, the Oscars, sometimes the Grammys. The SAG Awards, I have witnessed them. I loved the Grammys. I was so happy when I was reading about the awards. We had a close up of the Emmys there, but we didn't know what we were going to do. But I also wasn't saying on Netflix this year. Yes.
Stephanie (26:46)
But also wasn't something on Netflix this year? Am I misremembering?
Molly Galler (26:48)
Yes, the SAG Awards are on Netflix and also of course I could punch up like my Hulu for you know 24 hours so we get
Kaitlin (26:52)
Well, I also have YouTube TV. I could just log into your TV.
Stephanie (26:55)
That's what I do for the Olympics.
Molly Galler (27:00)
Also that, but for a long time, those were the two drivers. I wanted to be part of the Bravo fandom and be able to see stuff in real time. And then this award show situation, but damn, it felt really good to just hand all that hardware over. Also like my living room looks nicer because the giant TiVo box is not there anymore.
Stephanie (27:00)
Yeah.
Kaitlin (27:10)
I will say so usually I have had YouTube TV since it was beta Because my brother got a code or something. I don't really know same thing for gmail He gave me a code for gmail back in the day tail. What a nerd he is anyway, so We've had YouTube TV This is my third or fourth living situation where we've had it and I
Stephanie (27:29)
So we've got...
Kaitlin (27:40)
I'm one of those people that cancels and then re -ups. And so I usually cancel it in the summer because Nesson and YouTube TV cannot come to an agreement. And so I can't get Red Sox baseball. And I, unlike Molly Bravo, Galar over here, I have live TV for sports. Like that's the only reason why I have it. That's the only thing I watch live on TV.
Stephanie (27:45)
I usually cancel it with somebody because that's the way to do TV if you're not going to do entertainment. So I can't do it without baseball. And I, unlike Molly and Rob, that have a doubt over here, I have a lab TV for sports. Like that's even more of a personal matter. That's even more of a practical watch party TV. And so since I couldn't do the Red Sox, they basically want to sell it to a private play out. So I just cancel my time. But this year, and Molly, I can't think about what you want to do.
Molly Galler (27:57)
live for me, for sports. Like that's a moment in my life that's a moment in my life that I should be living. And so, since I've been through the floods and all the things that have resulted throughout the playoff, I just cancel my home. But this year, and all of the other things that I have to do about this, we have to do our best. That's a really important point to make. I think it's really important to do it there.
Kaitlin (28:04)
And so since I couldn't get the Red Sox, like basically once the Celtics are out of the playoffs, I just cancel my thing. But this year, and Molly, you might have to think about what you want to do about this. We have the Olympics.
Stephanie (28:15)
That's when I just up my hulu for two weeks.
Kaitlin (28:20)
There you go. Okay, so maybe that's what you do.
Molly Galler (28:21)
I started watching the, I think it's US national gymnastics championships over the weekend with Simone and also this like devastatingly handsome guy who won the men's all around. I think his name is Brody Malone. I think. Yeah, anyway, I was watching it and I was thinking to myself, shoot.
Stephanie (28:27)
With Simone.
Kaitlin (28:41)
You can still have a great face card as a gymnast in B5 .5.
Stephanie (28:41)
You can still have a great place card.
Molly Galler (28:50)
that I cancel this tomorrow. How am I going to watch the Olympics? Yeah, that's true. Steph is a big Olympics person.
Stephanie (28:55)
Listen, the Olympics are my Celtics. You know that. I will stay up until three in the morning. And they're happening in Paris. So it's going to be what, six hours ahead of us. This is what I did the last couple of Olympics is for those. I think it's ends up being a month that you're paying, but you up to, I think it's like $64 a month. Hulu will give you all the live channels, but it depends what channel the Olympics is going to be on because I already pay for Peacock. So maybe.
Kaitlin (28:57)
Yeah, that's correct. You know, because I was in the family for a long time. And we're here for, so it's gonna be, what, six hours of headlock? This is what I think the last little mix is for the, I think it ends up being a month, I think, up to, I think, six to four weeks, I'm gonna be doing all of my accounts. But, it depends what channel the onus is gonna be on. I think there's a key card. It's gonna be six. Yeah.
Molly Galler (29:12)
to succeed.
NBC. It's definitely NBC. Yeah. Yeah. Also in watching the gymnastics, I was reminded, first of all, the Olympics are amazing just because the display of athleticism is like unreal, but I was reminded how it's like the families that always get me. Yes. Yes. So that's like.
Stephanie (29:25)
Yeah.
it's the backstory. Don't you remember Allie Raisman's parents watching but like not watching?
Molly Galler (29:44)
long camera lingering on Simone Biles' entire family while she was doing her final floor routine. I was like, this is what I'm here for. I just want all the family drama, all the backstories, all the like raised by the grandparents, like everything. I just want to know it all. I want to know all the people who like had a child and then came back to qualify for the Olympics. I just I love hearing everything. And also it's hard for me to choose if I like summer or winter Olympics more.
Kaitlin (30:03)
platform diving, beach volleyball. Summer is the winter mall. It's like, it's not even close, honestly.
Molly Galler (30:12)
the summer it's like you have gymnastics, you have swimming, which is like hella competitive, you have equestria, you have cross country, you have...
Stephanie (30:15)
Equestrian. Yeah, synchronized swimming is also good in gym.
Molly Galler (30:28)
Yeah, there's just so many good sports.
Stephanie (30:29)
Unless you know someone in the Winter Olympics and then
Kaitlin (30:32)
Right,
saw everything that you just said, Molly, like all the stories and the drama and the whatnot, what have you. Can I introduce you to professional fucking sports because it's the same thing. You get all the backstories, you get all the drama. A lot of these people have, they're like, they're like have eight baby mamas and like they got drafted when they were 18 and bought their mom's Hummers. Am I talking about LeBron? Yeah, I am.
Molly Galler (30:39)
I really appreciate you to perfect what I just saw. You guys are in that series. There are a lot of these people out there that have 18 options in life.
Stephanie (30:39)
I would introduce you to professional practice four.
You get all the bad stories that all the fucking rules don't follow.
They're having to eat beef jerky and like, they got to...
Molly Galler (31:00)
And so like there's all kinds of content within a bunch of films. And you have to do massive amounts of money so they can do a lot of the stuff that they want to do. And then as a kid you get like commercial deals and they like, it just is so, so dramatically ridiculous. And then I don't know, there's a flash of the end -word on there and it's like a whole other kind of wild wild class. Which is like...
Kaitlin (31:00)
And so like there's all that drama, but then also they're getting paid massive amounts of money. So they like do a lot more dumb stuff than the Olympians do. And then add into it, they can get like commercial deals and they like, it just is so, so dramatic and ridiculous. And then like, I don't know, splash gambling on there. And it's like a whole other like wild, wild West.
Stephanie (31:01)
There's all kinds of problems with this.
They do a lot of the dumb stuff than the ones they used to do. And then, as it gets to commercial deals, it's just so, so dramatically ridiculous. And then, I don't know, a splash of the ambulance on there, and it's like a whole bunch of wild, wild class. Which is why martial sports exists as a thing. It's like the gossip block for dudes. Because we tell them, I don't know, but we tell them, that's what I want.
Kaitlin (31:27)
which is why Barstool Sports exists as a thing. It's like the gossip blog for dudes because like they go and find out about all these bozo professional athletes. So anyways.
Molly Galler (31:28)
Yes, very strong argument. Part of the reason why the Olympics feels different to me is it's a short period of time. If you want to commit to like a whole baseball season, a whole basketball season, like for example, professional football, I could get behind short season.
Stephanie (31:37)
Yeah, it's like less commitment. It's just two weeks.
Kaitlin (31:41)
Thank you.
But the payoff is so like when your team does well, it's like you've been in the trenches. Crickets.
Molly Galler (32:03)
I'll take it under advisement. I'll take it under advisement. We'll see how I feel after the Paris Olympics. And also I should have said basketball is part of the summer Olympics also. So yeah, there's just, it's, what I mean to say is there's a lot of crossover between U .S. professional athletes that people already love and adore who will now play in the Olympics. And who maybe if I fall in love with some of them, I'll begin to follow their sport upon their.
Stephanie (32:10)
And also, I think basketball is part of the social work that's also happening. So it's... Soccer? Yeah, that's just my opinion. What I need to say is that the problem is so between you as a person and the other people are...
Molly Galler (32:32)
Return to your seat.
Kaitlin (32:36)
Yeah, I mean, there's definitely people to like and root for 100%. I just am dazzled by the fact that you guys have lived in Massachusetts your entire lives where we have some of the most decorated professional sports teams like in the history of these leagues and you're still like, well, okay,
Stephanie (32:40)
I
Molly Galler (32:41)
And I'm just going to add that you guys have worked at Massachusetts Renovative Arts where we have some of the most decorated professional course -tree things like this, and there's so much
First of all, I should say I grew up with a dad who watches every single sports game that there is, including all the college games. So I was around it my whole life. My grandfather was obsessed with tennis. I watched so much tennis from like birth until he passed when I was in my mid twenties. I think. I just don't have like a.
Kaitlin (33:00)
I think, and just, I'm doing it right.
Stephanie (33:12)
I think I just don't have the passion for those points of themselves or as I can have the best of my civil rights and success in my objectivism under some kind of team state. Make us a good model as a team that we can challenge.
Molly Galler (33:19)
passion for those sports themselves. Whereas like my dad played basketball his whole life. So he's obsessed with watching basketball. Like he understands what it takes to make a certain shot. I'm not saying he ever made shots like the professionals make the shots, but just like he understands what it takes to complete a play like that or to set it up like that or the hustle it takes or the speed of your running or the accuracy of your shot, whatever it is. I have not an athletic bone in my body. I played soccer and basketball and softball as a kid all the way until the eighth grade. I played all three sports. I was
Kaitlin (33:20)
for those sports themselves. Whereas I could have the basketballs for like some sort of sassic, basketball, which understands what it takes to make a good shot. It's a pain for the H .I .S .A .D. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm
Molly Galler (33:48)
Horrendous when they would do like team superlatives at the end of the season when we would like go to Papa Gino's I would always get most improved That was my accolade. I'm just not Into it in the way that I think true fans are where they really just feel like mega invested in what happens and I also feel like you could fall in love with the player and then they get traded and then it's like do you I remember my cousin date was like devastated when Roger Clemens got traded to the Yankees and There's just stuff like that. I
Kaitlin (34:00)
Well, that was like a double blow like he was leaving and he was going to our sworn enemy. Yes. So I think.
Molly Galler (34:23)
Yes. So I think that like, creating a universe of people that you like want to follow and root for and whatever, that's like Bravo to me. That's my like, that's my universe. It's really very competitive.
Stephanie (34:34)
Yeah.
Kaitlin (34:34)
All right, okay, all right, sure.
Yeah, it's a different kind of competitive, but yes. All right, should we get into our book? Okay. So the book that we're doing is All My Rage, which I mentioned earlier. And this book, I feel is pretty unique because it is a young adult book and it won the Prince Award, which is like the Newberry slash Caldecott for young adult books, teen books. Other winners include like John Green, People of that Echelon.
Molly Galler (34:47)
Gas floods.
This book I show is for you because it is a good one. And it works just like.
Stephanie (34:55)
This book, I feel, is pretty unique because it is a WL book and it was written for, which is like, the third slash called a cod for, it's called books, teen books, other writers have written it, like John Crain, the people of that drawer, John Coyle, the other people have written it a couple times. So, it's like a really prestigious own work in WL here at Turf. But then, I'm telling you that, it's a national book of work.
Kaitlin (35:12)
John Corey Whaley has won a couple times. So it's like a really prestigious award in young adult literature. But then on top of that, it was a national book award winner, which means that they thought that this book was so good that they were like, let's put it in the regular adult category also and give it that award as well. And I haven't looked it up, but I don't know if there are any books. I'm wondering, I don't think the Faulkner stars got both.
Stephanie (35:33)
Not that it won, but I feel like it's comparable to...
Kaitlin (35:41)
But I can't think of another book that fits into both categories that won both. I feel like with young adult books, like they kind of like stays in a lane and it's like, okay, this should be taught in middle schools and high schools. And like, that's where they live.
Stephanie (36:03)
fire keeper's daughter in that way where it can be relatable in both of those lanes.
Kaitlin (36:09)
Totally. Did that one win the prince? I feel like it might have. Molly, can you look that up? So this book was assigned to me in a young adult or diversity and young adult literature class that I took in February. And basically we were given a list of books that we had to choose one from it to read, but then everybody was required to read all my rage. So this was like the one common read with everybody in the class.
Molly Galler (36:09)
So this book was a side story in diversity and young adult literature, a box that I took in February. And basically, we're getting into it.
Stephanie (36:15)
So this book was assigned to me in the first week of the month of the term class that I took in February. And basically we were given a list of books that we had to choose one from and to read. But then everybody required to read all my page. So this was like the number one on the page for that particular class. And...
Kaitlin (36:39)
And the teacher did not, teacher, professor, did not give us any information about the book. Like we were to have it read by the first meeting. And then we like discussed it and talked about how we would use it in our classrooms and like what age groups we think it fits with and what trigger warnings we would have to talk about and so on and so forth. And we also talked about it being a banned book and you know, all these other things because it deals with a lot of serious issues.
Molly Galler (36:59)
I'm so sorry to interrupt. I just want to confirm that the Fire Keepers daughter did with the Prince Award.
Stephanie (37:11)
Alright, so that's the book you can try to look about. So, this book... I don't want this book to come up. So, okay. This book is about two teenagers. So, let's take a look.
Kaitlin (37:12)
Okay. All right. So that's another one that we've chatted about. So this book, I love this book so much. So, okay, this book is about two teenagers, Sal and Noor, and they live in California. They're, they both are children of immigrants. And they have had this bond, this friendship that is pretty well established when the book starts.
Molly Galler (37:27)
And they, I don't know if any of you, they don't start on children's minds. And they have had this problem, this front flip that is pre -bossed out from the full starts. And then it becomes very clear that the new ones have feelings for staff, and kind of become productive and show that they're not. And so it kind of then, they're finally signing off.
Stephanie (37:27)
And they live in California. They both are children of immigrants. And they have had this fall, this crisis that is pretty well established from the both starts. And then it becomes very clear that New York has feels like it's now kind of taking a long time to shut it down big time. And so big time is that their front is kind of on the rocks because they're on it.
Kaitlin (37:42)
And then it becomes very clear that Noor had feelings for Sal, kind of made a move on him and he shut her down big time. And so they've kind of been their friendships kind of on the rocks because they're not good at communicating about mending the friendship from that happening.
Stephanie (37:57)
But you're also forgetting the third narrator. There's three parts. The mom.
Molly Galler (38:01)
fractured, I would say.
Kaitlin (38:03)
That's a good way of putting it. So basically,
yeah, well, I was getting to her. So, Sal's mom is ill at the beginning of the book, and he is basically struggling to keep their family business alive because his dad has drinking problems. And so, Sal is like at the precipice of like, should be applying to college and thinking about his future and instead...
He's got a dying mother and a dad that is like in complete denial and not being an adult. And he really needs to lean on his friend Noor, but she like had this feeling explosion and now he doesn't really know how to like mend that. And so there's just like a lot going on in Sal's life. And eventually their friendship does get mended because she also has a difficult family situation in which she wants to apply to college.
Molly Galler (38:42)
and adapted to the needs and desires of the population. And for us to come together right before the strike, when there's no more closure and we're just...
And so they try to hold back, don't lock themselves, and eventually they're like, I was going to hide it. Because she also has a difficult communication. She also has a white collar, and she lives with her uncle, her cousin. Yeah, it's her uncle. She lives with her uncle, and she thinks that when she sees a doctor, and I don't know if this is the right time to start.
Stephanie (38:56)
And so there's really a lot going on in South's life. And eventually, they're going to have to move out of the house because she also has a difficult situation. She has a pride problem. And she lives with her uncle. Her uncle basically thinks that women should be seen as doctors. And...
Kaitlin (39:10)
and she lives with, is it her uncle or cousin? Her uncle. She lives with her uncle who basically thinks that like women should be seen and not heard and...
Stephanie (39:22)
And that he's like the smartest person in the world. Yes.
Kaitlin (39:24)
Yes, he's very full of himself. And basically it's a situation where these two young Muslim kids are like trying to deal with these adults who aren't being good adults and aren't supporting their futures and are basically like, you should be as miserable as I am and like suck it up and like the welcome to America, like kind of like.
Stephanie (39:51)
while they're trying to like, bitterly come up with their life situations and instead of like, helping their kids blossom, they're like shutting down in each way. It's beautiful to read. You will feel a lot of different feelings throughout the entire book. As soon as I finished reading it, I was like, I was like, forced to read it into stuff and I was like, I have to read this, I don't want to talk about it.
Kaitlin (39:53)
bitter about their life situations and instead of like helping their kids blossom, they're like shutting them down in a major way. It's beautifully written. You will feel a lot of different feelings throughout the entire book. As soon as I finished reading it, I was like we, I was like force feeding it to Steph and Molly. I was like, you guys have to read this. I want to talk about it. it's just one of those books where I'm like, everybody needs to read this because it's like,
Stephanie (40:18)
It's just one of those books that everybody needs to read this because it's like, it's like all the things you think about in your dream and then like ugly, uncanny, you don't know what that actual looks like when, when don't fully prove who you are, you don't know how to be a dreamer the way that you are.
Kaitlin (40:23)
It's like all the things you think about the American dream and then the like ugly underbelly of what that actually looks like when when you don't have people like rooting for you or you don't have other people that are like dreamers the way that you are.
Stephanie (40:38)
I think it should be high school required reading. This would be a perfect one to open discussions. I wanted to go back to the mom for a second because her narration is in the past. It's sort of back in Pakistan, how she got arranged with her soon to be husband, the early days of engagement and marriage life. And if you didn't have that, I feel like you would sort of be like, why the heck did this relationship?
Molly Galler (40:43)
I wanted to ask, not returning, but perhaps in a sort of back and forth sense, how should a very direct person to be husband, you know, whether it be a gay friend, and marriage, wife, and if you do have, how do you feel like you would pick one? This is really true.
Stephanie (41:08)
end up together because it seems so ill -suited. But when you get that aspect, you kind of understand things a little bit better. I also want to disclose that Caitlin saw me, I think I was three quarters of the way through the book and she was like, how are you loving it? And I was like, I effing hate this book because I was at a point where there were no W's happening. There was so much despair in the plot that was happening that I was like...
I'm not sure I can emotionally make it through this book. I'm glad I pushed through. It was worth it. This happens to me a lot. But it's hard to read this sort of book because you know that this is real life for a lot of people out there. And it's hard for me to stomach that. So.
Molly Galler (41:37)
Guys, I have so much to say about this book. I have written notes, so buckle up.
Kaitlin (41:50)
Molly took legit notes like on a piece of scratch paper.
Molly Galler (42:03)
In our entire time of doing this podcast, I've never come here with handwritten notes. That's so serious, I feel about this. Let me get by saying I gave this book five stars on Goodreads, which I'm like, I reserve the five stars, like majorly. I am. I really am. Also because, especially since we started this podcast, I'm now connected to more people on Goodreads and I don't want to overhype something that doesn't deserve it.
Kaitlin (42:13)
Stingy sounds really negative, but you're stingy with it.
Molly Galler (42:28)
I gave this five stars like with no hesitation and I also like agonized over what to write in my review because I was sure I couldn't encapsulate it. First of all, I'm glad that you like pushed so hard for us to read this and talk about it because if I had seen this book on a table in a bookstore, I would not have picked it up for two reasons. One, the title All My Rage makes me think it's going to be like an angry, intense topic. And I just feel like that's not the vibe I necessarily needed in my life right now.
And two, it probably would have been in the YA section, which I personally rarely walk to. And both of you have sort of like opened my eyes to kind of the magic and wonder of YA. And when I was in the middle of reading this, we were talking about it a few days ago, I was saying I just couldn't believe the like breadth of topics that they cover in this book that feel extremely adult to me. And when we did our episode about graphic novels, similarly, I was like, my God, there's like so many intense subject matter.
that gets covered in what seemed to be like fun illustrated cartoons. I felt similarly about this to my list of notes. The first thing is there are quotes from a poem that are sprinkled throughout this book as the dividers between part one, part two, and so on. The poem is called One Art by Elizabeth Bishop. You might know it as the phrasing, The Art of Losing. I recognize this poem immediately because it's part of In Her Shoes.
Kaitlin (43:47)
You might have heard of the phrase, I'm sorry, but I read this as one of the media, because it's part of the inner -shoots of the book. How would that be studied in school? It could be. I'm sure you've heard of it in school. It leaks into the inner -shoots of the story, how she sets out this quest for her life, and the time. You know, the story doesn't come out really. She learns, and her rage is rejuvenated, and her rage is re -exposed at her sister's wedding. So I was like, wow, this is so interesting. At this point, which I associate with the book,
Stephanie (43:47)
I had to study it in school.
Molly Galler (43:55)
both the book and the movie. It could be, I'm sure many people studied it in school. It makes it into, in her shoes, the story about two sisters who are estranged for a very long time. The younger sister doesn't know how to read. She learns how to read as an adult in order to read this poem at her sister's wedding. So I was like, wow, this is so interesting that this poem, which I associate with like a kind of chiclet type of book, was part of this book, which is about such a different topic. The second thing is...
Noor, who Caitlin mentioned earlier, has had just a really hard and tragic life and upbringing. She was rescued from the rubble of an earthquake by this uncle who she lives with. Throughout the book, she repeats the story as it was told to her as a four -year -old child about how she was rescued. And it reminded me of this book, which is nonfiction, called The Body Keeps the Score, about the way that people process trauma.
Kaitlin (44:53)
I think that so when I was reading that
Molly Galler (44:55)
The first time I read the repetition of that phrasing in this book, I was like, this must be a mistake. Throughout the book, I think it gets retyped the same way, more than 10 times. There's something about going through like a massively traumatic event that the narrative of that sticks with you, whether you were the hero or the victim or whatever. I think that was one of the most honest parts of this book about kind of how that impacts Nora's life. Caitlin, go ahead.
Kaitlin (45:23)
and it came up in my class, or I brought it up in my class, it becomes like her mantra. Because a lot of times she's repeating it and saying it to herself when her uncle is being a jerk. And so she's like, Noor, get over yourself. Like he saved you from this rubble. He brought you to the United States. You're safe. You wouldn't be alive. And like she reminds herself is this like mantra over and over again. And like other things get unveiled like throughout the book about her life and her upbringing.
Molly Galler (45:48)
I'm not sure if I'm gonna get on the veil or something. I don't know.
Kaitlin (45:53)
But like, I kept being like, gosh, I just can't imagine feeling like you owe somebody like that. Like, I can't imagine being indebted to somebody in that way. And like, the more I thought about it, the more it like gave me a pit in my stomach of like, I can't, he's terror, he's just, he stinks. He's such a crummy role model. And then she's like, but you owe him, you owe him big time. Like, remember what happened? Like, this is what happened to you.
Stephanie (46:04)
And like, the more I thought about it, the more you get in my stomach. Like, I can't. He's terrible. He's just, he stinks. He's such a funny bullcrap. And it's like, he won't get any of the time. And I'm like, what happened? He's a little piece of shit.
Molly Galler (46:23)
Totally. And I mentioned this a couple episodes ago, how whenever I'm reading, I'm always looking for the source of a title. Where did it come from? What is it inspired by? Is there a passage in the book that relates to it? I like audibly was like, aha, when I got to this page in this book. So this is page 170 out of 374. She says, what's the word for when someone drinks so much they're ruining your best friend's life? Or the word for a man so vengeful about his own past that he wants to destroy your future?
What's the word for a woman who was sick for months but refused to go to the doctor until it was too late? The word for the girl at school whose personal mission is to mess with your head. Anger is not the right word. Rage. That's what this feeling is eating me up. I loved that. I just thought that was like so beautifully articulated. I also wanted to call out the role music plays in this story. It's obvious.
Stephanie (47:11)
the role of music plays in history. It's obvious. And then the author has a personal passion for music. She wrote a book, and this is actually Robert's book, Personal Music. I think she talked about how music can be healing in a way that makes you feel proud. And she talks about it in a bunch of different ways. And I'm just like, yeah, of course. She's super good.
Kaitlin (47:14)
It's obvious that the author has a personal passion for music. You're sure that it's been a issue and this is actually likely a personal opinion. I think she talked to her. Her music can be healing, healing as we think about it. And she talks about the intelligence and her courage setting up. Of course, I think she's super good. I also like this book, Reminding You of a Dream, because there's a place for us, which I talked about in the episode about the X -Dimension Scrap.
Molly Galler (47:15)
that the author has a personal passion for music. You cannot write about it in the way she wrote about it unless it's actually part of her own personal coping mechanism. I think she talked about how music can be healing in a way that was really incredible. And she talks about it in the acknowledgments in a way where you're just like, yep, of course, she's a super fan. I also felt like this book reminded me in a lot of ways of this book called There's a Place for Us, which I talked about in our episode about books that made us cry.
Stephanie (47:35)
I also like this book, you're right, I did a lot of studies on this book called There's a Police Custody, which I talked about in the first episode about books that make us proud. It's also a story about a new American who was once a communist journalist just three years ago.
Molly Galler (47:44)
It's also a story about an immigrant family who is Muslim, who struggles to assimilate. Both of these stories are about families who gave up everything in their home country, came here to start over, are very othered in the communities in which they live in. The kids are trying to both be respectful of the old ways and also adapt to the new ways in America. If you have read All My Rage and you loved it, you also should read There's a Place for Us. It's fantastic. And I would love to see those two authors like on a panel discussing kind of what the immigrant experience is.
Kaitlin (48:14)
I'm gonna make my parents read it.
Molly Galler (48:15)
And when you were both talking about this as potentially required reading or something that should be taught, it reminded me we kind of had a similar conversation about the undocumented Americans. That is, of course, like a written account of conversations with real life people. But I felt the same way about All My Rage, where I was like, people need to read this to understand what's really happening and to have this be part of a facilitated discourse.
Stephanie (48:20)
I felt the same way about it, about re -enhancing people.
Kaitlin (48:44)
I obviously passed my copy to both of you first, but I so my parents are like late 60s early 70s and I just feel like they really do not have a good grasp on the experience that young immigrant people are having in the United States and Like I'm not saying like my gosh, my parents are conservative or anything They really are not but they're like more moderate than I think they should be about some of these things and I think it's just like straight -up lack of exposure and I
Stephanie (49:05)
moderate than I think they should be about some of these things and I think it's just like straight up lack of exposure and I think I think the news that they watch is like decent but like isn't it's just like not enough they like need another angle and I think that because this book is about kids it would really pack a punch for them because my parents really care about kids and so I'm gonna pass along to them and make them read it. I think the other
Molly Galler (49:08)
And I think it's just like straight up lack of exposure. And I think the music technology is decent, but it's just like not feeling at an angle. And I think that this is what is about the kids that really have a culture left, and they just really care about this. And so I'm going to pass it on to them in a minute. I think the other thing that makes this book.
Kaitlin (49:13)
I think the news that they watch is decent, but it's just not enough. They need another angle. I think that because this book is about kids, it would really pack a punch for them because my parents really care about kids. I'm going to pass it along to them and make them read it. I think the other thing that makes this book really special is the...
not just the relationship between these two kids and what they're going through, but the places where they work, I think, are really fascinating and really resonated with me. So Sal's family owns a motel. And so they have kind of all different kinds of walks of life coming in and out of this motel. And that's what he's trying to save is like his family's business. And then Noor's uncle owns a convenience store.
And so these are like, I would say kind of like stereotypical jobs that like new immigrants would potentially have, especially in urban places. And I was like, it's so interesting to me that it's like, this is what they're doing. This is what she chose to have them do in the story. And then in the acknowledgments, the author, is it her family that owns the motel?
Molly Galler (50:14)
really good question let me do a quick little fact check
Kaitlin (50:40)
In the, and I read this a little while ago, but in the acknowledgement, she talks about how she has a real life connection to like owning a motel.
Molly Galler (50:50)
She wrote to mama and daddy who clawed out a life from the dust of a barren place and made it
Kaitlin (50:50)
Is it her?
So while Molly is looking for that, I just really liked those settings. And also those are two places where you can have kids work and nobody is really going to ask you very many questions. It's not like a restaurant where inspectors come in all the time or whatever. It's a little more legit than that. And also those are both things where it's like, yeah, of course the parents are expecting you to just take that over.
Molly Galler (51:01)
And also, I think you guys said, yeah, there's a plan for sending your kids to take out their parents. There is a plan for you to take out your parents.
Stephanie (51:19)
Did
Kaitlin (51:26)
they're, you know, they can't work there forever. And like, then where's it going to go? And what was all this for? And you
found it. No, it's in her author profile. She grew up in California's Mojave Desert at her family's 18 -room motel.
Stephanie (51:38)
So.
Kaitlin (51:39)
So it was her.
Also, I thought it was worth it for the listeners to hear what the trigger warnings are, which are in the book. Okay, so All My Rage contains the following content, drug and alcohol addiction, physical abuse, Islamophobia, mentions of repressed sexual assault, tense exchange with law enforcement, and death.
Stephanie (51:42)
Also, I thought it would be a good point of us nourishing it with the trigonal legislature and the body. Yeah, that's smart. okay. So all the genes involved in the content, drug and alcohol addiction, physical abuse, is not a phobia, meant to be a repressed sexual assault, tense exchange of law enforcement, and death.
Molly Galler (52:04)
It's a lot. It is. It's a lot. But it's not. But it's done in a way that it's important to follow people on. I think that's it. It means a lot to me. It's too much to take on. It's necessary, especially for...
Stephanie (52:04)
It's a lot. It's a lot. But it's enough. But it's telling people that it's important to follow people. Yeah, I'm sorry. In saying it's a lot, I didn't mean that it's too much for someone to take on because I think it's necessary, especially for us white folks who are sheltered and privileged to...
Kaitlin (52:05)
It's a lot, but it's done in a way that it's important while being a lot.
Molly Galler (52:26)
white folks were should be obliged to to actually read it, sit with it, take it out and to be exposed to something beyond our daily life. Again, to my surprise, I do have a little bit of a problem with the astrology and the metrics that I have because I'm not so much an MTA, but I know that they're happening.
Stephanie (52:30)
to actually view this, to read it, to sit with it, to think about it, to be exposed to something beyond our own day -to -day. Again, to what I said earlier, there are people that are living with these struggles and that breaks my heart because I don't see them day -to -day, but I know that they're happening out there and children shouldn't be dealing with this sort of thing. And again, yes, I was very upset three quarters of the way through because I thought there were going to be no wins.
Push through it. It is worth it.
Kaitlin (53:03)
And it has, I would say a satisfying ending, but it's not like it does, it doesn't have a bow on it. Like this author doesn't like jump the shark at the end and bail out on all the tough stuff that she's been writing about. Like she really does it right.
Stephanie (53:17)
It's the end that should happen to be organic to these characters' stories.
Kaitlin (53:24)
So you'll see on our Instagram, we have some photos of the book. And I also brought a copy of one of her other books because she typically does fantasy. I know. And so she has like a pretty, I think it's five books, the series. And the first one is An Ember in the Ashes. It has absurdly high ratings on Goodreads. And we're talking like,
Stephanie (53:33)
because she typically does fantasy. I'm so interested to see how that is. I have no idea what she wants to do. I think that's five books, this series. The first one is an embroidery fabric it has. so many embroidery products. And we're talking like six digits for an eight -hour book year. So like, it's a lot of the other books. So she -
Kaitlin (53:54)
six digits for the amount of reviews. It's a lot of people that have read these books. All My Rage was her first realistic fiction and then it blew up and she won 8 ,000 awards. I don't know if she'll go more that route now. I don't really know. Obviously, that was, I don't want to say semi -autobiographical, but a little bit autobiographical.
Stephanie (54:01)
Is that your copy? Yes. okay. I wonder if she got in, if her hook for an agent was like fantasy because she knew she could get that story published.
Molly Galler (54:16)
And obviously that was like, I don't want to say semi -automatic, but open -minded, and so I want to get you guys in the room for an interview. So if you guys want to catch a new thing at the story of religion, what do they want you to do? Just kind of read this really carefully, you know?
Stephanie (54:31)
But in the back of her mind, she probably was like, one day I'm going to write this realistic fiction, you know?
Molly Galler (54:38)
I think that given how heavy the material is of all my rage, I'm sure that would have been hard to like put into a query letter, back to what we were talking about earlier. And also, I'm sure that you're right. She had to sort of prove her marketability before she could say like, no, I want to write this really dark and depressing tale based on my real life experience.
Kaitlin (54:58)
I mean, it definitely has like it came out in 2015. It definitely sounds a little bit like there's world building. It kind of feels like a little fourth wing ish. It says Leia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the martial empire defiance is met with death. Leia and her family do not challenge the empire. They've seen what happens to those who do. But when Leia's brother is arrested for treason, she's forced to make a decision.
In exchange for help from rebels who promised to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire's greatest military academy.
Stephanie (55:27)
I think I might have added this on my Goodreads. Listen, if this is good, then I'm gonna get into all of those books.
Kaitlin (55:39)
There, Leia meets Elias, the school's finest soldier, and secretly, it's most unwilling. He and Leia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
It's us weekly called it a heart pounding fantasy. The Atlanta Journal said, this epic fantasy set in the martial empire has it all danger and violence secrets and lies strong characters and forbidden romance. I mean, it sounds like we will like it, I think.
Stephanie (55:58)
Okay.
along those lines. What am I reading right now? I mean, I'll be reading this for a while because it's, I think it's like 600 something. Sorry, 751 pages. Okay. I'm not going to talk about this book because this is the fifth book in the series. And I can't talk about it without.
Molly Galler (56:15)
It looks like more. It looks like more. Yeah, I was going to say I just read Iron Flame, which was 625 and that book is bigger.
Kaitlin (56:26)
She's on that moss train.
of Beauty and the Beast softcore porn.
You've read four? And you read Glass Throne or whatever that was called? Throne of Glass? Yeah, I know, but I'm saying you've read five Sarah Moss books?
Stephanie (56:45)
Did you not know that? Eye blue?
No, this is Akitar.
This, this will be my sixth. Yeah.
Kaitlin (56:58)
Addict.
Stephanie (57:03)
No.
Kaitlin (57:06)
I love that you're like, I'm six books deep, but like, I'm not that into her.
Stephanie (57:06)
I'm but I'm not gonna but I tried the other series and and I'm not into it which
Kaitlin (57:14)
Got it. Okay.
Stephanie (57:18)
Okay, the other one had no sauce because it was more YA and I'm in a mental space where I'm so stressed that I need the sauce. I need the hot fudge on top of the scoop of ice cream is what I'm saying and the Siri Sassage.
Kaitlin (57:22)
I think that's a big part of the stress that I feel thoughts. I mean, I don't have much of a problem with that. The school experience, what I'm saying.
The book I'm reading used the phrase good girl and I almost texted you about it. More on that in a minute.
Stephanie (57:36)
no. So I'm not going to talk about this book because I can't do it without giving away the first four books. But I will say, and I've probably talked about Akatar before, Akatar is a reimagining. I don't know if she did it on purpose, but I was like 20 pages in and was like, this feels like Beauty and the Beast is happening. It is Beauty and the Beast basically. If instead of the beast, he was a fairy.
Molly Galler (57:41)
I can't do a proper video for almost a little steady. And I probably have talked about that before. After tomorrow, if it wasn't that, I probably would have dropped. So I would have like, 20 seconds of this awesome video that's happening. It is a good video basically. It fits that image because it was scary. The serious part is that I actually found a couple of videos that were not.
Stephanie (58:03)
The series starts with a young girl, she's 19. I'm not gonna try to pronounce anyone's names because it's not gonna be good for me. I think it's like Farah is her name, but I'm not gonna talk about anyone else. She lives with her father and her two horrible sisters in the woods and they're impoverished and she is, you know, hunting for their food, you know, so that they don't starve. And anyways,
Kaitlin (58:07)
It's Elfin. No, I'm just kidding. I have no idea what this is.
Stephanie (58:33)
In the beginning of Akatar, she kills a being that turns out to be a fairy in disguise. And so the fairy king comes to her father and is basically like, I kill you now. Or she comes to live with me as like penance for killing my friend type thing. So she goes to the fairy realm. If anyone is listening and they love the series, they're gonna be so mad at me for boiling it down like this. But basically she goes to live in this fairy realm. Tamlin is the guy who's like the head of this.
Kaitlin (58:36)
I came from a place that was supposed to be a fairytale sky, so the fairytale comes from a fairytale author, who's like, actually, you know, or she's like, look, a classic, kind of, search for a French book, so she wrote a fairy tale. If I can get this right, I'm going to go to the series. So that's a little bit of an example, but basically she goes to a new fairy tale, and she knows this is happening, and she's like, I know this came down. I really need to encourage you so that you're open to it, so you can see that.
Molly Galler (58:46)
I'm going to my friend's, I think, so she hopes very well. If anyone's listening, they love this series. I'm happy to be pulling this episode. Basically, she hopes that I'm going to be very well. One is that I have this kingdom of London versus New York. So you can't see their faces. And I love her. I love her. I'm going to be showing her some exercise.
Stephanie (59:00)
kingdom, everyone is cursed, so they're wearing masks, so you can't see their faces. And he like loves her, but is mean to her. And she's just trying to survive because she's just like a frail human. And I've had wine, so that's why I'm... Anyways, yes, I'm on the fifth book. So obviously, obviously I didn't hate it. So here we are.
Kaitlin (59:05)
and to love early, think early, and just try to survive. That's what I feel like. Love. That's what I feel like. Silly humans.
Molly Galler (59:15)
Also, if anyone would like to read A Throne of Glass, which Stephanie was happy to part with, it is in my little free library in Hull, Massachusetts. And as of Sunday night, it has not been taken, so you can walk on by and get a copy for free.
Stephanie (59:40)
Have books been taken? Yes.
Molly Galler (59:42)
Yes, not only have books been taken, which was a thrill on its own, people have also added books.
Stephanie (59:49)
Ooh!
Kaitlin (59:49)
have a couple more to give you. But I double backed for the wine and forgot the other book. So this would be such a goddamn thrill for me. I would be living for it. Like,
Molly Galler (59:55)
It is totally fine. You know, we have now entered the summertime season in New England. There are more people in Hull, there are more people coming to the beach, there are a couple of people on my street who Airbnb their houses. So I fully predict that the volume of taking and exchanging a little free library is about to go way up.
Stephanie (59:56)
You know, you know, I've been on a couple of times, and I've seen people that are in the middle of a conflict, or moving to the beach, there are a couple of people in a street, or maybe they're in houses, so I fully predict that the quality of taking and exchanging with other people is actually a whole lot better. This would be such a god damn problem. I would be looking for it, like, I thought you were gonna just leave it at this, this could be pretty human -ish.
Molly Galler (1:00:17)
I thought you were about to say that this is going to be maybe cute, which I really hope it could be.
Kaitlin (1:00:22)
I hope that too. I like that.
Stephanie (1:00:24)
Didn't even think about that. Also, do you put Plans R Booked bookmarks in each book?
Molly Galler (1:00:31)
I haven't yet because I got the little free library all set up and then I probably went away for two weeks. And I was like, you know what? I want to do this with like, I'm around. And if people want to be like, my God, what is this bookmark? I could actually talk to them about it. But yes, I do plan to put them in the books starting this weekend.
Stephanie (1:00:48)
Or it could just have like a little cup inside that's like, feel free to take a bookmark, you know?
Molly Galler (1:00:53)
Totally, totally. I know I was like, what other blades are about branding? Could I put in this little thing? I'm gonna think of -
yes, I can go next about what I'm reading now. I'm reading The Summer Will Be Different by Carly Fortune. I am the final of our trio to read this. Caitlyn and Steph have already finished. We will discuss it in a future episode. I loved Carly Fortune's first book every summer after. I recommended it to so many people. I just love her summertime childhood romance. I just do. I was.
Kaitlin (1:01:09)
Yes, and what a delight.
Stephanie (1:01:23)
I think I read that at your whole house, Fourth of July weekend two summers ago. Is that when it came out?
Molly Galler (1:01:35)
Yeah, that was I think that's right. Yeah. Yes. Then I read Meet Me at the Lake, her second book, which I did not love as much. However, she admitted in the acknowledgments that there were many drafts of that book and that it was kind of like many authors talk about the curse of the second book. And she was very open about the fact that it was kind of a challenge. Anyway, we're at this number will be different. I'm not going to share too, too much because we're going to do a deep dive on it. But 50 pages.
Stephanie (1:01:35)
Yeah, which is a good schedule to have.
Kaitlin (1:01:37)
She's on the book of your pump out right now. Yes.
But the idea of the first and second vote, which was very often the idea of the first and second vote, I think, where at this point, we're really just pushing the field to the jiffy can't get it back. But 15 years really is getting to the sort of, I mean, I mean, I mean, I'm sure.
Stephanie (1:01:52)
Have you fallen in love? no, I mean like, I mean you with with one of the characters. The sh - I mean you don't eat meat, but like the shucking of oysters didn't like do it for you?
Molly Galler (1:02:02)
really enjoying it so far. It's getting me into the summertime frame of mind.
No, not yet. I'm age 50?
No.
Kaitlin (1:02:13)
The paperback in his back jean pocket?
Molly Galler (1:02:19)
I think because I...
Okay, I haven't gotten to the paperback in his macjean pocket, but I think because oysters, you guys love oysters, both of you. I feel like that part of it just like didn't speak to me as much.
Stephanie (1:02:33)
Yeah. But like the forearms, like, no.
Molly Galler (1:02:39)
Stephanie is making the oyster shocking motion. I know you guys can't see that, but that's what she was just miming to me. not yet, but also there's a point where the main character is describing her best friend Bridget and she's describing her childhood bedroom in this summer home. And she talks about how there's a team Jacob tote bag over the door.
Kaitlin (1:02:43)
She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited. She was so excited
Molly Galler (1:03:02)
And I was like, I think I'm going to like this gal as I like learn more about this character. So I'm very excited to read. I'm excited for us to deep dive on it. A few people said DMs because this book wasn't a picture we shared with last week's episode of the books that we were currently reading. And many people said to me, are you guys going to do a dedicated summer reading episode? So perhaps we will.
Kaitlin (1:03:11)
Meaning books about that take place during summer or books that you should read during the summer or both?
Molly Galler (1:03:34)
I think the implication was books you should read during the summer. But we'll think about whether or not that should be standalone or we could combo it with a Carly Fortune conversation. But anyway, I was really excited that our listeners and our IG friends were also starting to get in the spirit of summer reading.
Kaitlin (1:03:37)
Mm.
Just a quick question before I get into the book that I'm reading right now. Do you prefer a book, do you, how do I wanna phrase this? If you had to choose, would you pick a wintery holiday book to read during the winter or is reading a book, like a beach book during the summer more enjoyable for you? Like obviously a season.
Stephanie (1:03:56)
Do you prefer your book due to the crisis? If you had to choose, would you pick a 30 -part book to read during the winter or a book, like a feature book, during the summer? More important for you. Like obviously this season, reading in the season is like a cost of development. Which one is like more...
Molly Galler (1:04:16)
I'm gonna have the opposite answer.
Kaitlin (1:04:18)
reading in season is like awesome and we can all agree on that but like which one is like more enthralling to you? Me too.
Stephanie (1:04:24)
Summer. There's something so magical about summer. no. But is that because you secretly just like love Christmas?
Molly Galler (1:04:35)
Yes, that's what I was just going to say. I love Christmas. If this is your first time ever listening to Plains or Boked, I grew up in a very observant Jewish family. And when my parents moved to Florida, my Christmas inner demon was unleashed. I love Christmas. I love all stories that are set around that time of year. I mean, I love both. But if I could only pick one, I would probably double down on, like, hot cocoa and Christmas.
Kaitlin (1:04:35)
Yeah, yeah, okay. Got it.
One of my best friends from high school is also from a very observant Jewish family and her mom was like the first Jewish person I met that like admitted how much she loved Christmas and she collected albums like vinyl records of Christmas music. Her favorite one was Judy Garland. She had an extensive collection and I thought it was when I was like 16 I thought it was just about the funniest thing I had ever heard.
Molly Galler (1:05:07)
It's also very well documented that some of the best Christmas songs are written by Jewish people. So that's just like a hilarious fact that is true about things that are constantly rejoiced upon during that time of year.
Stephanie (1:05:07)
it's like hilarious fact that it's true about the data center.
Kaitlin (1:05:30)
Have you seen, I'm gonna send it to you if you haven't seen it, but have you seen the claymation video called Christmas Time for the Jews that was on Saturday Night Live? Yeah, I, have you seen it Steph? I'll send it to you. It's a hilarious like supreme style 1960s doo -wop song about like all the things that Jewish people get to do like during Christmas time that they wouldn't.
Stephanie (1:05:32)
I don't know.
Molly Galler (1:05:37)
Yes, I have.
Kaitlin (1:05:58)
normally get to do and it's hilarious.
Molly Galler (1:05:59)
So good. What are you reading?
Kaitlin (1:06:03)
All right, I am reading a book. This is a little bit of a departure for me, I feel like this is not a typical Caitlin pick. And I don't, I was saying to Molly earlier, I don't remember what book it was on Amazon that it was like, you might also like this one. And then I like added it to my list. And then I like, I forget when I bought it, it might've been independent bookstore day, I forgot. But it's called The Hunting Wives by May Cobb.
Molly Galler (1:06:14)
I'm in.
Stephanie (1:06:25)
for the day after that. But it's called the other two lines by a problem. And I would describe that the whole comments meets the desperate outcomes from like my speech I'm working on. So, okay, I'm at 60 pages left. It is an outpouring.
Kaitlin (1:06:30)
and I would describe it as big little lies meets the desperate housewives from the 90s TV show I'm talking about. So, okay, I'm like 60 pages in. It is about a woman who was kind of a... She lived all over the place growing up, but she had this one favorite town that she actually got to do her last two years of high school in, and it was Mapleton, Texas.
She and her husband are living in Chicago. She works for a lifestyle magazine and has a really cool job. They have a kid. She decides to be a stay at home mom. Her husband's an architect. He gets a job that they can move to Mapleton, Texas. She quickly is like, I'm going to blog and I'm going to take photos of everything I do and I'm going to be one of those insta moms. And she's like, this is a grind. I'm terrible at this. And like,
she starts getting like very invested with these like uppity women in her community and she like wants to be a part of their friend group. You know from the second page of the book that they happen upon a dead body. So that's like given away at the beginning, you don't know whose body it is. And then it backtracks to her becoming obsessive with these like society women from her town. And it's called the hunting wives because she goes to this like gala.
Stephanie (1:07:31)
community of their thoughts to be a part of their calendar. You know from the second page of the book that they have an upon dead body. So that's just in the way that you get a huge open -mindedness and then in fact, practically becoming obsessive of these like society -like things from the town.
Kaitlin (1:07:56)
and gets invited to do this Friday night shooting club, where they go to one of the women's lake houses and they just shoot guns to like blow off steam. And it's during one of these shooting sessions that they find a body. Did they shoot this person by accident? Don't know that. Do they suspect one another? Don't know that either. Who is the person that's dead?
Stephanie (1:08:19)
Do they suspect one another? Do they have to act? Who was the first person to say, don't, I would have to say, I would have to say, but it's very, they are very desperate and they report at first, or they're kind of like, my god, they're trying to set me up, they're like, don't have any better idea. But now I'm trying to tell them, it's just like, we go streambugs for months, and they just like, they throw a little bit of prejudice into it, and it's about the truth.
Molly Galler (1:08:22)
I'm very intrigued. I will happily take that when you're finished.
Kaitlin (1:08:24)
Don't know that either. I'm only 60 pages in, but it's very like, they are very desperate. They're very bored. At first you're kind of like, my God, these women are like pathetic and like, don't have anything better to do. But now I'm kind of drawn in because this like, we go shoot guns for fun thing is like a little, threw like a little edginess into it. And so now I'm intrigued.
Stephanie (1:08:49)
Also that cover is just beautiful.
Kaitlin (1:08:52)
Yeah, it's bright blue and then it has an array of lipsticks and bullets.
Molly Galler (1:08:57)
Yeah, it's very well done. I feel like that would like leap off of a table in a bookstore. You would just notice that one.
Kaitlin (1:09:05)
A superior suspense cocktail is the tagline. I don't know. I was, I was wooed.
Molly Galler (1:09:09)
I don't think I could. As the Gen Z kids say, say less. If you guys want to follow along with everything that we're reading, all the books that we talked about, you can give us a follow on Instagram at Plans Are Booked. If you have a book you'd like us to read and chat about or just other ideas for the pod, we love, love, love hearing from you. So please write to us at plansarebooked at gmail .com.
Kaitlin (1:09:35)
And until next time, our plans are booked.